January 4, 2011: Alumni News

• A Letter from the President of The Alumni Society

  • Dear fellow alumni:

    Once again here we are at the start of a new year. As the months unfold we will undoubtedly face new challenges, explore new paths and welcome new beginnings. Before we look ahead to what may come of 2011, however, let us reflect on what the Alumni Society has accomplished in 2010.

    In February, facing the largest snow storm of the year, the Board of Governors gathered on campus for the installation of our new officers. In the company of friends, family, fellow alumni and several members of the University community, it was my honor and privilege to take on the role of president of the Alumni Society, successor to past-president Michael McDermott ’71. Thomas Grech ’84 was appointed to president-elect, Paul Lameo ’94 to vice president, Megan Morgan ’95 to secretary and Joseph Hanlon ’90 retained his role as treasurer. It was also during the February board meeting that the Council of Alumni Lawyers was accepted by the Board of Governors as the next affiliate of the Alumni Society.

    With the release of the University’s 2010-2015 strategic plan, the alumni board began evaluating our own strategic plan in an effort to align our goals with those of the University.  As a result, new methods for engaging and retaining alumni volunteers were put in place; a mentoring committee was formed within the Board of Governors that expects to start working with University students in the spring of 2011; and with the help of the 2011 class committee, we created a new networking program called Beyond the Commons, a dinner series piloted in the fall to give senior students an opportunity to dine informally with alumni.

    Outside of the alumni board, thousands of alumni participated in a total of 80 regional alumni events, including several Pride, Passion Promise Campaign events, the Southeast Alumni Tour in February, Shamrockin’ Eve in March, the first ever Scranton Day of Service in April, Reunion in June and a total of 11 Christmas receptions in December. Alumni also gathered in Philadelphia, New York City and Scranton to welcome the Class of 2010 to the Alumni Society at the 2010 Welcome Parties.

    Last but certainly not least, one of the biggest announcements of 2010 was the appointment of the 25^th president of The University of Scranton, Rev. Kevin P. Quinn, S.J., J.D., Ph.D., who will assume his duties as president on July 1.  I had the opportunity to represent the Alumni Society on the presidential search committee and I can tell you that while Fr. Pilarz will be deeply missed, Fr. Quinn brings an extremely commendable background and a strong passion for education to The University of Scranton.

    As I recite the many high points of 2010, I am reminded that none of the above accomplishments would have been possible without the talent, dedication and compassion offered by so many of my fellow alumni. I look forward to working with all of you this year as we continue to preserve the well-being of the institution we all hold near to our hearts.

    Many thanks and best wishes for a happy new year.

    Sincerely,

    

    John F. Lanahan ’84

    President, The Alumni Society of The University of Scranton

• Alumni News

  • Haiti Medical Mission

    Three alumni doctors and three students are currently serving in Haiti on the Medical Alumni Council’s annual medical mission. Once again, the team is working with Fr. Rick Frechette, C.P. H’07, St. Damian’s Hospital Director, doctor and priest.

    Lead by Hartford, Conn., maxillofacial surgeon Dr. Richard Bevilacqua ’83, the team departed on Sunday to provide much needed medical care to the underserved people of Haiti.  

    The team includes Dr. Pamela Taffera ’02, Dr. Chris Jones ’02 and University students Tara Graminga, Dan Herr and Mary Zorechak. 

    To read about last year’s medical mission, click here.

    Green shirts, Blackthorn and Purple Pride

    Shamrockin’ Eve 2011 is set for March 11! Alumni from the Classes of 2006 - 2010 are invited back to campus to join the senior class for some food and drinks, live music by Blackthorn, and plenty of Irish Shenanigans. Registration opens in February, but for now add your name to the “planning to attend” list.

    Planning for Reunion 2011 is Underway

    Reunion 2011 is scheduled for June 10-12. If your class year ends with a "6" or "1" now is the time to start getting ready. Add your name to the planning to attend list. Registration for Reunion events and on-campus accommodations coming March 17.  

    Send Us Your Class Notes

    Did you have a milestone recently? Would you like to share your good fortune with alumni and friends? Send your class notes and pictures to alumni@scranton.edu and we will publish them in Royal News and The Scranton Journal.

• Save the Dates

  • January 21, 2011
    Join us for Scranton Basketball!
    Scranton Royals/Lady Royals vs. Catholic Cardinals/Lady Cardinals at Catholic University in Washington, D.C.  For more information, click here.

    January 29, 2011
    Join us for Scranton Basketball!
    Scranton Royals/Lady Royals vs. Drew Rangers/Lady Rangers at Drew University in Madison, N.J.
    
    February 3, 2011
    The Lehigh Valley Alumni Club Networking Social in Allentown, Pa.
    For more information, click here. 

    March 1-6, 2011
    Alumni Tour
    The Alumni Society of The University of Scranton will be hosting alumni gatherings in Arizona, Texas and Florida in March 2011. More information to follow.

    March 4, 2011
    Council of Alumni Lawyers Announces Continuing Legal Education Event


    The Council of Alumni Lawyers will host a Continuing Legal Education Event on Friday, March 4. on the campus of The University of Scranton. Details to follow. (*CLE credits pending).
    
    April 9, 2011
    Medical Alumni Symposium 
    The next Medical Alumni Symposium presented by the Medical Alumni Council is scheduled for Saturday, April 9, 2011, on campus. (*CME credits pending).
    
    April 16, 2011
    Scranton Day of Service  
    Sponsored by the Alumni Society and Student Government, Scranton Day of Service 2011 will take place on April 16. 
    
    April 30, 2011
    SJLA Reunion 
    On Saturday, April 30, all graduates of the Special Jesuit Liberal Arts Program will be invited back to campus for the SJLA Alumni Reunion. More information to follow.

• Class Notes

  • The following are Class Notes submitted to The University of Scranton's Office of Alumni Relations, as well as articles featuring our alumni who have recently appeared in various media outlets. To submit your own class notes, visit our Class Notes webpage.

    Christopher "Kip" Condron '70 is retiring from global finance and insurance giant AXA Financial Inc. To read more, visit here.

    Joe Beezup '72, owner of Beezup Christmas Tree Farm in Clarks Summit, was featured in the Times-Tribunes' Business Spotlight section in December. To read more, visit here.

    David W. Quinn ’74, Roslyn, is vice president audit manager of Credit and Credit Services.

    Paul Biedlingmaier ’76, Lansdale, was named one of the 2010 Five Star Wealth Managers by Philadelphia Magazine.

    Francine Douaihy G'82, a photographer, has garnered several accolades recently. To read more, visit here.

    Lori Brucker Block ’83, Pitman, N.J., was presented with the 2010 Joseph A. Barnes Award for consistent, extraordinary and longstanding contributions to Rowan University. She was also named to Rowan University’s Wall of Fame 2010 by the Faculty Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning for her contributions to academic advising.

    Jeannine Norris '86, Phoenixville, discussed her book "Tonight You Are My Baby" at Saint Thomas the Apostle School. To read more, visit here.

    Dr. Michael Pladus G'86, King of Prussia, superintendent of the Upper Dublin School District, received the Educator of the Year award from Montco Chamber of Commerce.

    Bill Loehfelm ’91, New Orleans, La., signed a two-book deal with Sarah Crichton Books/Farrar, Straus, & Giroux for publication of his third and fourth novels. His third novel, The Devil She Knows, will be published in spring 2011.

    Jason Amico G'01, Mechanicsburg, has authored a book examining the experience of a Confederate military unit in the years leading up to and including the Battle of Gettysburg. To read more, visit here.

    John Errigo ’02, Bensalem, is pursuing his Ph.D. in organizational management and leadership at Capella University.

    Christopher Ryan Joyce ’05, Lake Placid, N.Y., is director of development at Camp Dudley in Westport, N.Y.

    Christy Baldwin G'05 authored a children’s book entitled "Care for Creation.” To read more, visit here. 

• Birth Announcements

  • The following are Birth Announcements submitted to The University of Scranton's Office of Alumni Relations. To submit your own class notes, visit our Class Notes webpage.

    A daughter, Meghan Laura, to Joseph and Katherine Beers Farrell ’92, West Islip, N.Y.
    
    A son, Ryan William, to Edward and Pamela Haley Bruns ’92, Boonton, N.J.
    
    A son, William Joseph, to Chris and Jennifer Nolan DeLuca ’98, Pompton Plains, N.J.
    
    A daughter, Catherine Nora, to Dr. Michael and Shannon Murphy Fennie ’99, East Stroudsburg
    
    A daughter, Molly Elizabeth, to Mark and Kristin Donati Greenwood ’00, Havertown
    
    A daughter, Adrienne Patricia, to Christopher and Amanda Fair Micklus ’00, Orange, Conn.
    
    A daughter, Harper Lily, adopted from China by Todd Youngerman and Mary Jane Postiglione ’00, Monroe, N.C.
    
    A daughter, Cayleigh Maeve, to Bryan ’01 and Meghan McDonald Glynn ’03, Milford, Conn.

• Marriage Announcements

  • The following are Marriage Announcements submitted to The University of Scranton's Office of Alumni Relations. To submit your own class notes, visit our Class Notes webpage.

    Thomas Kelly ’97 to Carie Sarrapede
    
    Denise Mahalidge ’98 to Matthew Derricks

    Nicole Lane ’02 to Alan Hoff
    
    Eric Mosblech ’02 to Nicole Sublette ’03
    
    Christine O’Herron ’02 to Eric Johnson
    
    Nancy Panarese ’02 to Kyle Pierson
    
    Kathleen Corr ’04 to Andrew Matthews
    
    Emily Pieroni ’09 to Josh Skrezec

• Death Notices

  • The following are Death Notices submitted to The University of Scranton's Office of Alumni Relations.

    Anthony A. Caprio ’38, Norwich, N.Y.
    
    Gervas Rafalko ’53, Malvern
    
    Rev. Daniel Hitchko ’59, Exeter
    
    John G. Bendick ’66, Greenport, N.Y.
    
    Stephen W. Ginther ’70, Silver Springs, Md.

    Stanley A. Furmanak '78, Annville

• Family & Friends Death Notices

  • The following are Death Notices of Family & Friends submitted to The University of Scranton's Office of Alumni Relations.

    Nellie Dawgert, mother of Dr. Dennis ’68
    
    Dorothy Dzwonczyk, mother of Dr. Philip ’75 and Paula Eisengrein ’78
    
    Mary Spescha, mother of Mary Spescha Purcell ’86

    Aidan Joseph Silva, son of Steven ’95 and Christy Marshall ’96
    

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