Fall/Winter 2011

Fall/Winter 2011

In this Issue: 25 Things You Didn’t Know About Gannon, p. 8 • North Hall Opens, p. 18

His First 100 DaysWhat has Keith Taylor, Ph.D., been up to during his first semester as Gannon’s President? Find out on p. 14.

Vol. XXV, No. 2 • Fall/Winter 2011Keith Taylor, Ph.D.President

Karla WludygaDirector of Public Relations and Communications

Audrey E. StarrPublications Officer and [email protected](814) 871-5817

advisory committeeThomas CamilloKimberly Cavanagh, DHSc, PA-CBritt Dyer Daehnke ’98, ’05MCaroline DiPlacido ’86 Kathy Felong ’83Cathy FreschFrank GarlandMary Carol Gensheimer Andrew Lapiska ’09M Joe Mattis ’69 Jerry Miele ’73, ’85M Catherine Oakley ’05M Rick Prokop, DSLNicholas Pronko ’10MRev. George Strohmeyer

photography Ed Bernik Rick Klein ’84 Tim Rohrbach

design Tungsten Creative Group

printing Knepper Press

special thanks Paul DeSante, Ph.D. Jana Hunt

class notes and address changes Jana HuntCoordinator of Gifts and [email protected]

(814) 871-7469

Gannon Magazine is published three times annually (Winter, Spring and Summer) by theOffice of Public Relations and Communications at Gannon University. Letters to the editor, class notes information, comments and suggestions are always welcome.

Please note that Gannon Magazine is produced approximately three months in advance of the actual publication date. Submissions received after production has begun will be included in a subsequent issue. All submissions are subject to editing.

Gannon University • 109 University SquareErie, Pennsylvania 16541 • (814) 871-7000www.gannon.edu

If there’s one thing I can guarantee you’ll experience at Gannon University over the course of a year—aside from the inevitable snowplow—it’s new beginnings. Collegiate settings are rife with opportunities for starting fresh and dreaming up innovative ideas, and the home of the Golden Knights is no exception.

While many people mark Jan. 1 as the date to set resolutions and start anew, for those in academia, there’s nothing like the excitement of the first week of classes. From blank notebooks to reunions with fellow classmates and faculty, the possibilities of a fresh school year are downright inspirational.

This year, Gannon welcomed its largest freshman class since 1993 (p. 2), housing many of them in North Hall, the University’s brand-new, five-story residence hall (p. 18). One Green World Café, a social campus hangout operated for and by students with an emphasis on global and environmental awareness, relocated from the first floor of Zurn Science Center to its current spot on West Fourth Street (in the former home of Antlers Pub). Read all about this student-run venture on p. 4.

Keith Taylor, Ph.D., has been a familiar face on campus for the last six years as Gannon’s provost, but he began this academic year in a different role as the University’s seventh president. Find out more about his first semester on p. 14, and mark your calendars for his inauguration (p. 3).

What is the value of Old Main? Where is Joe Luckey Lane? I bet even the most passionate Gannon fan will be able to learn something new about the University with our feature, “25 Things You Didn’t Know About Gannon,” on p. 8.

Here in the Office of Public Relations and Communications, we’re eagerly awaiting two very new arrivals: both myself and our director, Karla Wludyga, are expecting our first child later this fall. Look out, GU Class of 2034!

We can all appreciate the freshness of a clean slate, but the fun and fullness of life lies in how you fill it up. While the Gannon University community is always alive with new beginnings, there are plenty of old favorites to enjoy—and lots of memories in between.

Editor, Audrey E. Starr

inkl

ings

Keith Taylor, Ph.D. (center), visits with a group of alumni, family and friends at the 2011 Alumni Picnic and a Play. The annual event, formerly known as Shakespeare Summer Nights Alumni Picnic, received a new name and was held in a different location this year.

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Join us on:mission statementGannon Magazine honors the history, mission and strategic goals of Gannon University by serving as a forum to celebrate University achievements and engaging the entire Gannon community in the institution’s continued success. edge.gannon.edu

02 newsnotes

20 alumnifocus

21 facultyfocus

22 alumnotes

32 endnotes

feat

ures

departments

on the cover

contentsThe Gannon University Magazine Fall/Winter 2011

President Keith Taylor, Ph.D., presides over his first New Student Convocation

ceremony on Aug. 20, 2011.

Alpha Phi Delta brothers (L to R) John Fischer, Bryan Sundy, Nick Dragoone, Steve Lemon, C.J. Thibault and Mike Martin enjoy the annual Campus Ministry Ice Cream Social on Friendship Green.

8 25 Things You Didn’t Know About Gannon

Think you know everything about Gannon and Villa Maria’s history? Bet you’ll find something surprising in this list.

14 100 Days with the PresidentPresident Keith Taylor, Ph.D., gets settled into his new role on campus.

18 Northern ExposureThe University’s newest residence hall, North Hall, officially welcomes its first students.

all the World’s a stageThe theatre department represented Gannon University on an international stage over the summer when it participated in the International Collegiate Theatre Festival in Edinburgh, Scotland. The 12 students spent a week and a half in August at the event, which is the world’s largest performing arts festival.

The group was one of only a handful of college and university theatre programs from the U.S. and Canada to be invited to participate. GU’s troupe performed

Cotton Patch Gospel, a contemporary adaptation of the Gospel of Matthew set in modern Georgia, four times. The Rev. Shawn Clerkin ’86, associate professor of theatre, hopes to incorporate the festival into the curriculum and allow each student a chance to attend during their four years at Gannon.

02 gannon magazine fall/winter 2011

newsnotesNews, Notes and Quotables

Gannon Sees Largest Freshman Class Since 1993Gannon University saw another large incoming Freshman Class of more than 600 students this fall. Total freshman enrollment for the fall semester was the largest in 18 years, consisting of 675 students—nearly 50 more than last fall.

For the first time, the First-Year Experience at Gannon has adopted a theme for the year: Embracing Change. President Keith Taylor, Ph.D.,explained it this way during New Student Convocation: “It reflects the beginning of your college experience in two ways: first, accepting the differences between the past and present by confidently transitioning from high school to college; and second, making a commitment to a better future by promoting positive change at Gannon.” Several classes, events and activities will be incorporating the theme throughout the year.

In addition, the University again received recognition in U.S. News & World Report’s “America’s Best Colleges” guide. For the eighth consecutive year, Gannon was ranked as a top tier university and was named for the sixth year to the list of Great Schools, Great Prices.

Senior Phil Myrick, a member of the Gannon water polo team, chats with President Keith Taylor, Ph.D., during the University’s Welcome BBQ, part of Preview GU. More than 170 student-athletes helped freshmen move into their new rooms that day.

Gannon’s Schuster Theatre troupe is all smiles after a performance on the Royal Mile in Scotland.

In terms of the overall rankings, Gannon is 52nd out of 183 in the northern region of the guide’s category for Best Regional Universities. Gannon saw notable improvements in several of the categories used to rank schools, including overall score (from 45 to 48), average graduation rate (from 64 to 66 percent) and the number of freshmen in the top 25 percent of their high school class (from 50 to 55 percent).

tibetan monks Come to CampusThis September, Gannon hosted six Tibetan monks from the Gaden Shartse Monastery in India. The monks performed excerpts from ancient rituals, gave a presentation about daily monastery life in India and created a sand mandala. Interreligious conversation, sociopolitical discussions and opportunities for more informal interaction with the monks were also available to both the Gannon community and larger Erie area. View a photo gallery at www.gannon.edu/facebook.

newsnotes

03

University Purchases Buildings, makes Room for new ConstructionEven without the presence of a full student body, Gannon’s campus was buzzing with activity this summer.

As construction wrapped up on North Hall, the newest student residence (see p. 18), two longstanding structures were razed to make room for future construction. The Ball House and the Hipp House, both located on West Fifth Street, were demolished. The buildings had formerly served as a residence for student-athletes and priests.

720 Sassafras St., the former Johnston Camera building, is now Gannon property, as is a building on the corner of West Seventh and Peach streets, occupied by the Loyal Christian Benefit Association (LCBA), a life insurance provider.

Hipp House was demolished in June.

Presidential Inauguration Coming in NovemberMark your calendars and plan to join us as Gannon University celebrates the inauguration of its seventh president, Keith Taylor, Ph.D.Several days of festivities are planned for Nov. 1-5. The celebration will highlight Catholic service and civic engagement. For a full schedule and information, visit www.gannon.edu/inauguration.

Highlights include:

Nov. 3• Forum, “Erie-GAINS: Engaging in Partnerships Through Service” 1 p.m., Yehl Room

• Symposium, “Living the Catholic Tradition of Service Around the World” 4 p.m., Yehl Room

• Special Student Celebration 9 p.m., Gannon University Field Nov. 4• Inaugural Mass 10:30 a.m., St. Peter Cathedral

• Inauguration Ceremony 2 p.m., Hammermill Center

• Public Reception 3:30 p.m., Yehl Room Nov. 5• Student Homecoming Parade 9 a.m., West Sixth Street (from Gridley Park to Perry Square)

• Football: Gannon vs. Slippery Rock Noon, Gannon University Field

• Volleyball: Gannon vs. Mercyhurst 7 p.m., Hammermill Center

GIVE Day Sets RecordMore than 1,000 individuals—including students, faculty, staff and alumni— spent a Saturday morning giving back to their communities during the 15th annual GIVE (Gannon’s Invitation to Volunteer Everywhere) Day. Locally, groups helped out at more than 60 sites like SafeNet and the Martin Luther King Memorial Center. At the same time, nearly 100 alumni across the country participated by volunteering at sites from Buffalo to Atlanta, bringing the grand total to 1,035, a record number.

Also making a return appearance this year was the GIVE Day Challenge for faculty and staff. The Morosky College of Health Professions and Sciences took home the Knight of Giving statue for recruiting the most employees for

the day (17 percent). In addition, Campus Ministry added a reflection component to the day’s event, allowing participants a chance to process and pray.

Atlanta alumni volunteer at MedShare, a nonprofit that helps deliver surplus medical supplies to developing countries.

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new

snot

es Campus Police Reestablishes Bike Patrol UnitGannon police officers are again patrolling campus on two wheels as the University formally reestablished its bike patrol unit this fall. The patrol allows officers access to certain areas of campus that are not as easily accessible by police vehicles, have more one-on-one contact with passers-by and increases community interaction. Officers have been patrolling campus daily since late July.

Initially, the unit consists of two bicycle/police officers: Kristen Bergquist and Christopher O’Connell, who recently completed Bicycle Patrol Police Training administered by the International Police Mountain Bike Association. According to Kim Carter, assistant chief of police with Gannon’s Office of Campus Police and Safety, two additional officers in the department are interested in becoming trained and hope to be ready to ride for the spring semester.

The bike patrol runs until the end of October and won’t be active during periods of heavy snow. Officers are equipped with jackets and pants to allow them to continue riding in inclement weather such as rain, wind and cooler temperatures, however. Their bicycles have also received special treatment: the rugged mountain bikes are equipped with red and blue emergency lights, a headlight and a siren.

“I must admit that I tease them when I speak at orientations—I tell new students that when they think they’ve seen a big bumble bee fly by, it’s probably our bike patrol in their bright yellow shirts, so just stop them

and say, ‘Hi.’ They’re always there to help! So far, the program has been well-received by the community and enjoyed by the officers,” Carter said.

Campus police officer Kristen Bergquist patrols Gannon by bike.

One Green World Café Opens in New LocaleOne Green World Café (OGWC), a student-run business venture, opened a new set of doors as the fall semester began. Launched last year in Zurn Science Center inside the International Student Office, the Café now resides at 162 W. Fourth St. (formerly Antlers Pub). The facility underwent extensive renovations over the summer to transform the space.

In addition to its convenient campus location and student-friendly atmosphere, OGWC is focused on increasing cultural and environmental awareness on campus. The enterprise is a collaboration between international and American students and makes a concerted effort to reduce, reuse and recycle. For example, several of the furniture pieces are “upcycled,” or crafted from other objects, such as unused car seats.

Goodwill Gardens Feed NeighborhoodMore than 80 pounds of organic fruits and vegetables, all grown in Gannon soil over the summer, were donated to the food bank at St. Paul Episcopal Cathedral this fall. Harvests from two gardens—located on West Fourth Street and beside the Cathedral near Waldron Campus Center—included tomatoes, potatoes, strawberries and peppers, among others.

The University recently received a $5,000 EcoStar grant that will help fund the construction and maintenance of a greenhouse at the West Fourth Street garden, said Galen Adams ’04C, ’07, custodial supervisor and primary Goodwill gardener (right).

gannon magazine fall/winter 2011

05

newsnotes

knightlightsa ce lebra t ion o f s tudent , facu l t y and s ta f f acco lades

What else are students doing?Freshman Danielle Mather represented Gannon at a national figure skating competition; graduate student Theodore McMahan was awarded a scholarship from the Environmental Research and Education Foundation—plus lots more! Visit www.gannon.edu/pr/accolades/students for a full listing of these and other recent accomplishments.

What else are faculty and staff doing?Rebecca Willow, Ed.D., LPC, NCC, associate professor of community counseling, was a participant in the American Counseling Association Summer Institute for Leadership Training; Donna Skelly, PT, M.S., OCS, assistant professor of physical therapy, presented at a kinesiology workshop—plus lots more! Visit www.gannon.edu/pr/accolades/facultystaff for a full listing of these and other recent accomplishments.

Faculty Lead 27th Yellowstone JourneyBY COURTNEY LEWIS

Gannon’s 27th travel-learning trip to Yellowstone National Park serves as a moving example of two biology professors’ genuine passion for teaching and learning.

Biology Professor Steve Ropski, Ph.D. ’78, and David Gustafson ’71, ’73M, associate professor and chair of the biology department, took nine Gannon students and three high school teachers to Yellowstone for the trip this past summer. Held from June 20-30, the trip allowed Gannon students of various majors to earn academic credit and provided high school teachers with valuable information to take back to their classes (and even some graduate credits).

Ropski and Gustafson’s accounts of the trip make it evident, however, that their experiences have built an indescribable amount of mutual respect between the two of them, and that the trip is about much more than academic credit.

“To walk through an alpine meadow with students—it looks like someone dumped a bucket of paint down the mountain, the yellows, purples, magentas…you literally can’t walk without stepping on a flower,” Gustafson said. “And to do that for 27 years with students—it’s touching. When I go back, I can still see groups from years ago…it’s like I can still see them sitting on the rocks.”

Each day of the trip traditionally showcases a different theme, including wolves, bears, forest fires, geysers and hot springs, herbivores, geology, the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone and the Museum of the Rockies. Ropski and Gustafson passionately teach and drive the van from about 5 a.m. to 10 p.m.

every day, depending on the theme, and the group takes a break in the middle of the week for horseback riding and whitewater rafting.

“It’s absolutely quiet—no planes overhead, no traffic—it’s amazing what you can hear,” Ropski recalled about the park. “The sound of wolves howling—there’s nothing like it.”

The duo shows trip members how to experience the nitty-gritty of the park, rather than looking from afar. Ropski has even had a book published: Let Yellowstone Come to You: A Non-Tourist Guide to the Park.

“The people driving by, if they would just get out of the car and walk through the ecosystem—it changes your life,” Gustafson said. “Everybody comes back changed.”

Lewis is a senior English major and intern in the Office of Public Relations and Communications.

BY CHRISTINE PEFFER

SGA Welcomes All-Female LeadershipThis year’s executive board of Gannon University’s Student Government Association (SGA) will definitely be influenced by a feminine touch, as it is nearly entirely made up of women.

There are only two men on the executive board: Dan Morelli and Brent Elder, the vice president of technology and the parliamentarian, respectively. Those are both appointed positions; all six of the elected positions are held by women.

SGA adviser Kathleen Gausman ’87, ’92M, associate dean of student development, said she normally doesn’t see this type of gender distribution.

“In the past we’ve usually had a pretty balanced board,” she said.

Gausman said that with this new balance, she has seen some differences in leadership styles between the current group and groups with a more male-dominated presence. One difference she noted is less of a sense of hierarchy.

“Women tend to care more about feelings and about what others will think,” she said. “They care about being inclusive with one another, and generally tend to be less territorial than men.”

President Landis Erwin said she was excited to see the number of women stepping up in such large positions at the university.

“Our group is strong, encouraging and determined to do well,” she said. “I am truly proud of our executive board.”

This sense of unity highlights some of the goals the board has set out for SGA, including communication, collaboration and cohesiveness. However, Gausman added that each new board always brings in its own unique personality.

“I know we will really help SGA stand out on campus and be an organization for students to feel welcome and appreciated.” Erwin said. “We strive for that connection.”

Peffer is a junior English major and work study in the Office of Public Relations and Communications.

(L to R) Allison Adkins, Landis Erwin, Erica Rider, Caitlin Szczupak and Lexie Mastro (not pictured: Kerri Stasiak)

06

students Cook Up a Plan to Help erie’s Less Fortunate

University Becomes Key Partner in College Access ProgramHundreds of students at Strong Vincent, Central Tech and East high schools will be better positioned to pursue a college degree thanks to a sweeping initiative announced by Gannon University, the Council for Opportunity in Education (COE) and the GE Foundation.

The initiative, “Gaining Options for College Collaborative,” or GO College – Erie, is funded by two separate grants totaling $24 million. Gannon has the distinction of being one of three local partners chosen by the COE to participate in the initiative, and one of only three colleges and universities nationally to be chosen by the COE as a partner in administering college access programming.

Specifically, Gannon will provide professional coaches as well as its own students to expand the University’s delivery of crucial programming and services to students at these three schools. The initiative will allow Gannon to expand its GUMS (Gannon University Mentoring Services) student tutoring and assistance program, currently in its fifth year at Strong Vincent, to Central Tech and East.

GO College – Erie is a five-year initiative made possible by a $20 million grant from the U.S. Department of Education and a $4 million contribution from the GE Foundation. In addition to Gannon, the other local partners chosen for GO College – Erie are the Greater Erie Community Action Committee and the Northwest Tri-County Intermediate Unit 5.

The GUMS program at Strong Vincent High School hit a milestone last spring when the group completed its first-ever overnight trip, traveling to Gettysburg and Hershey Park as a reward and final educational experience for the program’s first group of graduating seniors. The group visited the site of Little Round Top on the Gettysburg battlefield, where Col. Strong Vincent made his stand. According to the school’s history department chair, these students are the first to visit the historic site.

Nearly 30 Gannon students have embraced the University’s call to community service through a sweeping project aimed at improving the health and well-being of local food pantry clients. The goal is to change the long-term eating habits of individuals living at or below the poverty line, a disproportionate number of whom struggle with obesity and related issues.

Students in the University’s Exercise Science Club and from courses in Advanced Sports Nutrition and Nutrition in Disease developed nearly 30 healthy recipes and distributed them at local food banks. The project is a true community effort, as this Erie-GAINS (Gannon Alliances to Improve Neighborhood Sustainability) initiative joined with the St. Martin Center, Second Harvest Food Bank of Northwest Pennsylvania, Bayfront Eastside Task Force and local food pantries.

A grant of nearly $5,000 from Metz Culinary Management, Gannon’s food service provider, made the project possible. Grant funds were used to purchase nutrient analysis software, develop healthy recipe cards

and purchase food for meals. The recipe cards will be updated periodically depending on the changing items distributed by Second Harvest and area food pantries.

R E C I P E

Veggie Confetti MacaroniDirections:

1. Cook macaroni until it’s halfway done.

2. Add cauliflower florets to the water.

3. When the pasta and cauliflower are nearly done, add peas; reserve some pasta water and drain the rest of the pasta water.

4. Heat chicken broth in a large pot; add grated cheddar cheese, Dijon mustard, nutmeg and salt and pepper to taste.

5. Stir until smooth.

6. Add pasta mixture back in and toss, adding reserved pasta water as needed.

7. Serve and top with a little more cheddar cheese.

ingredients:

2 cups elbow macaroni

4 cups cauliflower florets (fresh/frozen)

1 cup peas (frozen)

1/2 cup chicken broth

1 cup grated cheddar cheese

1 tablespoon Dijon mustard

Pinch of nutmeg

salt and pepper to taste

Makes 4 servings

Michael Tkach, a retired assistant professor of English, returned to Gannon this fall to serve as interim associate dean of CHESS. He will hold that position until a new dean is hired. Tkach began his Gannon career in 1985, retiring after nearly 25 years of service in 2008. He acted as chair of the English department during the 2007-08 Academic Year and, since his retirement, has taught as an adjunct faculty member.

Also, the University welcomed Donna Mottilla, D.B.A., as the new director of the Dahlkemper School of Business Administration. Prior to joining Gannon, Mottilla served as dean of the Joseph W. Luter III School of Business and as a professor of management at Christopher Newport University in Newport News, Va. Mottilla earned a bachelor’s degree in governmental administration, a master’s of public administration and a master’s of business administration, all from Shippensburg University. She earned a Doctor of Business Administration degree from Kent State University.

Changing It Up


Visit www.gannon.edu/eriegains/recipecards.pdf for more.

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newsnotes

in the detailsa c l o se r l ook a t Gannon ’s i c on i c t r ad i t i on s

BY CHRISTINE PEFFER

(L to R) Dan Kubacki, assistant news editor, Tessy Pawlowski, news editor, and Kelly Moreland, features editor, show off the latest issue outside The Gannon Knight office on Peach Street.

1. The Gannon Knight recently received two American Scholastic Press Association awards for the 2010-11 Academic Year. The student-run newspaper was one of only two recipients of the Most Outstanding University Newspaper award and one of nine schools in its enrollment category to be awarded First Place with Special Merit.

2. The Knight has 12 permanent staff members on the editorial squad, plus several other staff writers who can pick up stories at any time throughout the year. The editors are always looking for more staff writers!

3. Published 24 times per academic year, The Knight has a circulation of 2,000 and can be found in any of the newspaper bins located in almost all campus buildings. The paper is printed in Corry, Pa., by The Corry Journal.

4. It requires close to 12 hours of preparation, including printing, for each issue on production night, which occurs every Tuesday. Additional time is also spent during the week

by staff members finding stories, interviewing and writing. The Knight office is on the first floor of the Walker Building at 701 Peach St.

5. One staff tradition is the “quarter game.” One person will pull out a quarter, and everyone gets one chance to guess which state is on it. If anyone guesses it correctly, they get to keep it—although winning is a rare occasion.

Peffer is a junior English major and work study in the Office of Public Relations and Communications.

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25 Things You Didn’t Know About Gannon

Ever wondered where Joe Luckey Lane is?

Heard spooky stories about the old Schuster Theatre?

In honor of Gannon Magazine’s 25th anniversary, we hunted down more than two dozen bits of trivia about the institution you know and love.

Did we miss your favorite fun fact? Log on to www.gannonalumni.org and add to our list!

1 Gannon faculty members hold an average 14.1 years of service to the University.

the first issue of The Lance, Gannon’s yearbook, was published in 1952, while its Villa maria College counterpart, The Trumpet, saw its first edition in 1929. additionally, Villa yearbooks have been printed under such names as The Mariole (which debuted in 1948), The Magnificat, Afterthoughts and more. the most common first names among students in those early years were Robert and mary.

2


Gannon’s Nash Library provides access to more than 60,000 journal

and magazine titles in print or online and houses 263,170 volumes. More than 567,000 searches were conducted on library databases during the 2010-11 Academic Year.

0909

43 You don’t have to travel far to hear great music.

Gannon has been host to several big-name entertainers over the years, including Poco, Sha Na Na, Huey Lewis and the News, Dashboard Confessional, Cartel, Fabolous, We the Kings, The Maine and Jason Derulo (seen here).

��

6Gannon owns 27 vehicles used for a variety of pur-poses, including campus services, athletics, security and campus ministry.

5The largest student organization on campus is honor society

Phi Eta Sigma, with nearly 300 members.

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10

7

Harborview House Apartments is the tallest building on campus, standing seven stories high. It also has a lower level for offices, a penthouse floor and roof garden.

the ZiP code used for Gannon University, 16541, is a unique ZiP code. technically, if you addressed mail using only this number, it would arrive on campus—but it’s not advised, since we wouldn’t know who to deliver it to! in fact, Distribution services processes about 7,800 pieces of incoming mail per day.

There are 28 employees in Gannon’s Office of Campus Police

and Safety: 10 full-time sworn police officers, three full-time security officers, six part-time housing security officers, two full-time and three part-time public safety dispatchers, one public safety assistant, one police and safety specialist, one office specialist and one locksmith.

Campus radio station WERG-FM plays about 14 songs per hour for an average of 336 songs played per day. Not in Erie? Log on to www.wergfm.com to listen live.

10

8


11Each day, Gannon’s dining services goes through 20 gallons of ice cream, 20 loaves of white bread, 20 cases of Pepsi® and 20 pounds of sliced American cheese.

11

Gannon’s athletic program formally began in the 1940s, with men’s basketball believed to be the oldest sport. Women’s basketball, meanwhile, was active on Villa maria’s campus as early as 1929. today, there are 18 varsity athletics teams on campus. Past sports that aren’t currently active include bowling, rifle, tennis and men’s lacrosse.

Many prominent guests have been

entertained in the Strong Mansion

(Old Main) over the years, but the most

famous guest arrived on Sept. 17, 1912.

President William H. Taft, a Yale classmate of

Charles Strong, came to Erie to address a chamber

of commerce dinner and stayed at the mansion

during his visit.

16if you look closely at the bust of arch-bishop John mark Gannon, the school’s

founder, outside the President’s office in old main, you’ll notice that his nose is a

little bit worse for wear. For many years, the bust was located at the bottom of the

building’s staircase, where students would rub his nose for good luck as they passed by.

There are currently 112 “smart” classrooms on Gannon’s campus. A “smart” classroom has

a digital dais installation, which includes a podium with a networked computer, DVD and VCR player, and projector and screen.

The driveway around the maintenance building at West Fourth and Sassafras streets has been unoffi-cially named Joe Luckey Lane in honor of the late Joe Luckey ’55, who worked in the maintenance department for more than 50 years.

13 14

12

Gannon Archives

1953 men’s basketball team

“The old Schuster Theatre had some wonderful spirits floating around. Whether they were the lasting images of performances or spirits depends on one’s beliefs—or disbeliefs,” says the Rev. Shawn Clerkin ’86, director of Gannon’s theatre program.

The myth of George the theatre ghost was tied to the old carriage house, which stood in the area now enclosed in the walls of the Waldron Campus Center. George was a former employee of the Strong family who took his own life after a fellow domestic worker in the mansion rejected his affec-tions. His spirit was said to have migrated from the carriage house to the playhouse.

“Throughout the history of the ‘little theatre’ on West Seventh Street, there were strange occurrences,” Clerkin remembered. “During my time as a student, we had sensations and impressions of not being alone in an empty theatre, stage props missing or moving and lights turning on or off on their own. When George was playing his tricks, there would always be a strong smell of cigar smoke in the area of his manifestation.”

12

17There are 1,324 beds on campus for residential students, and “Freshmen Hours” are in place to help aid new students as they transition into their academic careers at Gannon. Sunday through Thursday, all freshmen must be in their rooms by 11:30 p.m. Freshmen Hours end after four weeks, unless there are unusual circumstances as determined by the University.

20

All Gannon-owned buildings located on West Sixth Street (between Poplar and Peach streets) are included in Erie’s West Sixth Street Historic District, which was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1984. This includes structures like Old Main, Courthouse Commons and Gitnik Manse.

21

About 200 lucky students, faculty and staff are holders of the Gannon University coin. Commissioned in the mid-1990s by then-Director of Communications David Fabian ’63, he presented the coins to individuals exhibiting outstanding performance or during special events. Awardees are expected to keep their coins with them at all times—if you are asked for it and can’t produce it, you owe the asker a drink (yes, the cafeteria counts!). Do you still have your Gannon coin? Fabian would love to hear from you at [email protected].

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➸

19


The Carneval

Athletic Pavilion sees

an average of 600-750

individuals each day.

the CaP is open for free

to all students, faculty and

staff (as well as faculty/

staff dependents) with a

valid Gannon iD. alumni

memberships are avail-

able for purchase as well;

call 814-871-7768.

Want to hear more Gannon ghost stories? Log on to www.gannonalumni.org to watch a video of Jeff Bloodworth, Ph.D., associate professor of history, presenting his “Ghosts of Gannon” Alumni Lunchtime Lecture.

13

23The University’s

custodial services staff has been recognized for its commitment to the

environment and uses five “green” cleaning products:

glass cleaner, restroom cleaner, floor cleaner,

multipurpose cleaner and disinfectant. The

department received the DeSantis Enviro Certificate for Green Cleaning from DeSantis Janitor Supply

Co. and Enviro-Solutions in 2009.

2425

there’s a “Batman” on campus —in the form of one steve Ropski, Ph.D. ’78, biology professor. aside from studying the flying creatures, Ropski has

been called to campus buildings to retrieve

errant bats that have made their way in, releasing them back into the wild.

The former Villa Maria College campus, located along West Lake Road, is owned by the Sisters of St. Joseph of Northwestern

Pennsylvania. Now, the area is home to Maryvale Apartments (former North Dorm) and Heritage Apartments (former South

Dorm). The Administration Building is used by various offices and holds a cafeteria and preschool. The class-rooms are occupied by Villa Maria Elementary, and the gymnasium is

used by the school as well as various groups. “The entire complex

is still called Villa Maria Campus,” reports Archivist Sister Marie

Timmons, S.S.J. ’68VMC.

“I once found a dead bat under

my office chair when I returned from lunch,” said Britt

Dyer Daehnke ’98, ’05M, director of the Annual Fund for Academic Excellence, who holds

an office on the fourth floor of Old Main. “I’m not so afraid of bats since my sophomore year environmental issues class with Dr. Ropski. A bat flew into our classroom—he caught it, we touched it and he taught us all about them.”

22

Gannon and Villa students have a long history of dancing the night away. Popular events that quickly became school tradi-tion include the Junior Prom and Military Ball, both of which began in 1949, and the 8-Ball Dance, first held in the late 1940s. 1956 marked the first Winter Carnival, while today, students look forward to each year’s homecoming dance.

1957 military Ball

98


On May 13, the Gannon University Board of Trustees unanimously approved the appointment of Keith Taylor, Ph.D., as the school’s seventh president. In July, Taylor officially relocated from his office as provost and vice president for academic affairs into the President’s chair.

By October, he had held meet-and-greets with students, continued the dialogue with faculty, staff and regional community partners to hear their views, facilitated his first meeting and retreat with the Board of Trustees and welcomed alumni back to their alma mater—no easing into his first 100 days as Gannon’s leader.

How else has he explored the campus, connected with the University community and helped set the stage to advance Gannon’s mission? The President was asked to fill you in.

The President holds an iChat with students during Preview GU and shares a bit of his personal story and tips for successful living.


15

What have you seen and learned? Each member of the Gannon family truly enjoys what they’re doing. We are blessed to share our days with people who want to be happy and are passionate about being just that for themselves and for those around them. Even though I’ve been a part of this community for six years, these past few months have refreshed my perspective that it is the people who make Gannon a special place.

I’ve also witnessed the positive energy that North Hall and One Green World Café have created. The presence of a new building and new venue for students to hang out on West Fourth Street is enhancing the living community and facilitating optimism and forward-looking questions like, “What’s the rest of the development going to look like five or 10 years from now?” There’s an opportunity for us to create something pretty spectacular, implementing the vision of the Master Plan.

We have established a sound frame to build upon, and it has been healthy to take these first months to regain perspective on what has been accomplished and where we are in the process of our evolution as a University and a community. When you’re in the mode of “get things done,” it is easy to miss the subtleties and not hear the nuances of what those around us have to say. With renewed efforts to listen, we realize that there are many creative ideas to be explored and people with open hearts and willing hands to do the work to bring those ideas to reality.

What have you been surprised by?It’s amazing how many people in the local, even national and international, communities are paying attention to what’s going on at Gannon. We have no idea how many people are watching with interest to follow our progress. I receive letters and messages from alumni, parents and friends and see people on the street who tell me how excited they are about what they just saw, heard or read about Gannon and what we are doing. The enthusiasm people have about Gannon’s present and future is only matched by their fondness for the memories and experiences they had when they were regulars on campus. We have stronger and more far-reaching ties to the regional and global community than we may realize. It is those connections and that interest that provide extraordinary opportunities for Gannon to grow and do good things both internally and beyond our campus.

What have you gotten excited about:The students’ energy is contagious and has seemed to reach new heights this fall. They’re looking to get involved and are jumping into projects with both feet. We all acknowledge that their involvement is critical to their success and ours. The students’

Dr. Taylor is all smiles as he proceeds out of his first New Student Convocation as President. His favorite part? Seeing the students and faculty is always the best, he said.

“Vision is a leader’s ability to conceive a future and articulate a strategy for bringing that future into being. Dr. Taylor has vision and his track record here is a history of fulfilling those visions. He has the ability to maintain a dual perspective: a realistic assessment of Gannon’s current circumstances and a sense of what Gannon’s future can be.”

— Phil Kelly, D.A., English professor and former interim president

One Green World Café concept is a terrific example of how they can drive the mission and vision of the University through their leadership. They effectively connected globalization with entrepreneurial student leadership with active learning, all in creating a community asset—it makes us ask, “How can we do more of this?”

The faculty are facilitating student leadership through experiential education, one hallmark of a Gannon education. Our dynamic faculty is another reason to be optimistic and excited. They foster student creativity, ingenuity and critical thinking as they work hand in hand with them to provide health care, design and implement mentoring programs, engage in research, share their talents with local nonprofits and create many other partnerships for learning.

What have you appreciated most?I can’t say how much the kindness and support of the faculty, administration and entire community has meant in these first days as President. People have just stepped in and been willing to do just about anything to help us move smoothly through this transition. It’s amazing how gracious everyone has been, and the warm welcome has been noticed and sincerely appreciated by me and my family. The recurring message has been, “You’re off to a good start, but transitions are challenging times; how can we help?”

What do you plan to change or update? There have been some minor administrative changes as far as adjustments to roles and duties, but I don’t see a need for sweeping changes. However, we are looking to improve efficiency of operations, to take an entrepreneurial approach to our future, to set a course for excellence, and to improve communications and transparency. We need to listen more and learn from each other. We need to act on the input that we get and, as importantly, provide feedback on how that input was or was not included in the plans going forward so that we acknowledge that what was said, was heard and valued.

Part of the path to a successful future will be tapping the potential of our emerging technologies and management systems. We can do more and better if we maximize the use of the infrastructure we are building and can also become more “green” in the process. Beginning later this year, we’ll be refining our goals and creating a next-generation strategic plan for 2013 and beyond that builds upon the current self-study and mission statement review processes.

16

Melanie Hatch, Ph.D., dean of the College of Engineering and Business (left), and Dr. Taylor share ribbon cutting honors at the new home of One Green World Café during grand opening ceremonies on Sept. 15.

Tibetan monks from the Gaden Shartse Monastery, who visited campus in September, presented the President with

a white Khata that symbolizes goodwill and compassion.

The President lends a helping hand to Bradford, Pa., native Seth Morrisroe; the freshman moved into North Hall on Aug. 20.

(L to R) President Taylor, the Most Rev. Donald W. Trautman, S.T.D., S.S.L., Bishop of Erie, and Landis Erwin, Student Government Association president, participate in the formal blessing of North Hall on Sept. 24.


“Dr. Taylor is a positive and down-to-earth person, creating a comfortable atmosphere for students. He shows great pride in the University and makes a point to talk to the students he sees around campus. Students are really getting to know him and the interest he has in developing their futures.”

— Landis Erwin, president of Gannon’s Student Government Association

“I admire Dr. Taylor’s ability to work so collaboratively and effectively with a wide variety of people. He truly values the opinions of others and deeply cares about the entire Gannon community. Dr. Taylor’s clear vision for Gannon University not only builds upon its solid Catholic faith foundation and its tradition of academic excellence, but looks to the future with optimism and confidence. The future of Gannon is in good hands!”

— Rev. Scott Jabo, president of Cathedral Prep and Villa Maria Academy and member, Gannon University Board of Trustees

17

Any changes or new initiatives at Gannon will be rooted in our tradition. Our vision needs to be seated in our Catholic Identity, a tireless pursuit of exceptional quality education, an unwavering commitment to inclusiveness and a global perspective and to the service of others. The Inauguration theme is “Tradition of Service—Strengthening Our Community,” reflecting these past and future commitments to our responsibilities as world citizens. Erie-GAINS (Gannon Alliances to Improve Neighborhood Sustainability) and globalization are signature concepts within the vision, yet the underlying tenets are not new to Gannon. Our founders, alumni, faculty and staff have laid the groundwork for these pillars through their work over many decades. We are embarking on next steps in our advancement of these traditions.

What are you looking forward to?The most enjoyable part of life is continuing to learn and to get to know and share ideas, hopes and dreams with those around us. The next 100 days need to be a continued, yet more focused, discussion about what is most important to us now and to securing a better tomorrow. We will work together to flesh out and prioritize our many possible directions and ventures.

One of the advantages of having firsthand experience at Gannon is that I’m aware of the majority of what is and has been happening at the University. There are key initiatives already under way that have great potential to be taken to the next level. With the right focus, passion, will and involvement of the entire Gannon family, we can certainly look forward to recognition by others of Gannon’s unique learning experience and accomplishments as a Catholic university that is transforming our urban neighborhood and global community through student leadership and extraordinary faculty partnerships.

Transformation will not happen just because we want it to. We need to make things happen and we will by working together. That is what I am looking forward to!

Dr. Taylor visits with Mark Richard, director of athletics (left), and members of Alpha Kappa Psi, the student business fraternity, at a September Business Ambassadors breakfast.

17

President Taylor is on the move! Log on to www.gannonalumni.org for dates and full details about his cross-country listening tour.

19

On Aug. 20, Gannon University’s newest campus addition— the five-story North Hall—opened its doors to incoming students. Curious about what features a 21st-century residence hall includes? Here are some of its most unique traits.

The 101,317-square-foot building is at maximum capacity with all 293 beds currently filled. The top three floors are occupied by freshman and the bottom two by upperclassmen.

The best views in North Hall can be enjoyed from the fourth and fifth floors, looking north over Lake Erie.

Each suite includes a kitchenette that features plenty of cabinet space, a refrigerator/freezer and seating for four. This space was included in the design after student survey responses indicated high interest in such amenities.

North Hall is home to a convenience store, operated by Metz Culinary Management, located on the first floor. The current hours of operation are 7 p.m. to 1 a.m., with the possibility of remaining open longer in the future.

The new building isn’t just spiffy to look at; it also incorporates many different “green” features:

The elevators in North Hall are “re-gen” elevators (they actually generate electricity when they go up).

Landscaping was designed to utilize native plants, like this cardinal flower, that will thrive in the Erie environment. The landscaping irrigation is also water-saving. Instead of allowing the water to go into the sewer system, it recycles back into the plantings.

Some areas of the building are testing out the efficiency of a convection heating and cooling system. This would save energy by using a valance system that does not require any motors or fans. Similarly, the energy recovery units on the building work to conserve air. Air that has already been tempered (heated or cooled appropriately) is reclaimed and put back into the building instead of being released.

Other green features include the use of reusable materials such as the carpet, which has a high recycle content.

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alumnifocusFeatured Alum

If you surveyed a local kindergarten class, odds are that “video game producer” would rank high on their list of ideal career goals. Think the field is all fun and games? Gannon grad Tim Lander ’04 will set you straight.

“This job is not about playing games all day; it’s a demanding job with often long hours and plenty of pressure, but if I take a step back and think about why I’m here, it always brings a smile to my face,” said Lander, a computer science alumnus who works as a producer for Electronic Arts (EA), specifically in the BioWare SF northern California branch.

The company is most well-known for games such as “Mass Effect” and “Dragon Age.” Lander’s current responsibilities include setting team priorities, scheduling, ensuring production quality, budgeting and dialog translation. In total, he has been in the games industry for seven years, entering through an internship at EA the summer following graduation.

“Rather than going straight into the industry, I spent two years attending graduate school at Carnegie Mellon University. I studied entertainment technology, a program that focuses on teaching interdisciplinary teamwork and project management. During the summer of 2005, I completed another internship,

Tim

Lan

der

’04 “The look on kids’ faces when their

parents bring them over to me and say, ‘Hey Johnny, this man makes video games,’ that’s what I love most about my job.”

FIVE Minutes, FIVE Questions One day, I would love to use my skills to better the world in some way, perhaps through games, perhaps through another medium. In graduate school I did work with a nonprofit called Give Kids the World. Whatever I do, I hope it continues to provide fun and happiness, as that is the real reward.

My favorite video game of all time is “Command and Conquer: Red Alert,” due to memories of playing cooperatively and competitively with friends.

The biggest misconception about video games is the amount of effort and skill involved in making them.

My favorite Gannon moment was when, after dozens of essays and strong support from Gannon faculty and staff, I received an internship to EA and admittance to graduate school in the same March week my senior year.

I would advise students interested in this line of work to educate themselves on the trends, play a variety of games and be persistent. Getting an internship isn’t an easy accomplishment, but it is the best way to get into the industry. A professor once told me, ‘The brick walls that block opportunities are there to keep others out. If you want something enough, you’ll figure out a way to get over the wall.”

this time at Activision. Upon graduating in 2006, I accepted a job with the company’s Shaba Games studio, where I spent three years making titles including ‘Spiderman: Web of Shadows’ and ‘GUN’ before arriving at EA,” he explained.

Lander won’t lie—combining a favorite pastime with a successful career is a dream come true.

“I always loved games; it’s a personality trait. I really love competing, and cooperating for that matter, too. Shakespeare may have thought life was a stage; well, I approach life as a game. It makes it more fun,” he said. “Ten years ago I was a sophomore at Gannon, and at that point I definitely wanted to get into games but had no idea how. I can say that I never would have anticipated all the experiences and people that would enable me to be where I am today.”

According to a recent report from Gannon’s Office of Career Development and Employment Services, graduates from the University’s computer science program enjoy nearly 100 percent placement in employment or graduate studies. In addition, starting salaries nationwide for this field range from $40,000 to $45,000.

“Having a strong computer science education was an excellent foundation, and graduation is when learning accelerates, not declines. Gaming is changing dramatically: it's going online, multiplayer, micro-transaction, persistent, multi-device. It’s an exciting industry to be in and I enjoy every minute,” he said.

Even after nearly a decade, the excitement Lander sees in his toughest critics is still a highlight.

“The look on kids’ faces when their parents bring them over to me and say, ‘Hey Johnny, this man makes video games,’ that’s what I love most about my job.”


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facultyfocus Featured Faculty

BY COURTNEY LEWIS

Lewis is a senior English major and intern in the Office of Public Relations and Communications.

Elis

a M

. Kon

iecz

ko, P

h.D

. ’84

Gross anatomy—the infamous science class that even English majors have heard about—causes students who have never set foot in the library to take temporary residence there on exam weeks.

Fitting that the class is called “gross,” as it affords Gannon students the opportunity to dissect cadavers under the super-vision and guidance of Professor Elisa M. Konieczko, Ph.D. ’84, who began teaching biology at the University 14 years ago and was granted tenure in 2004.

Ashley Petrone, a senior biology major and one of Konieczko’s undergraduate research assistants, said that Konieczko is tough, thorough and fast-paced in the classroom. “Her classes are hard because of the material, but she teaches in a way that makes it as easy as it could possibly be,” she said.

Konieczko said she hopes her students learn how to study from her classes, and recognizes that she expects her students to work to their full potential. “I have to have high standards—those students are going to be treating me and my loved ones, and they have,” she said. “When I go to the hospital and see a Gannon student, I think, ‘Oh, thank God.’”

Petrone said that Konieczko’s passion for teaching reaches her students, motivating them to excel in her classes. “It makes the students care more about their performance knowing that they have a teacher who wants them to succeed and demands it, instead of a teacher who just grades their tests,” she said.

But Konieczko’s work doesn’t stop there; she has matched her respected teaching reputation with her passion for undergraduate research at Gannon. Konieczko said that she likes Gannon because students can be active partners in the learning process.

“My research students become true collaborators in the research process,” she said. “They become my hands—working through the problems with me, thinking with me. At a bigger university, they’d be washing glasses.”

Another way that Konieczko gets involved at the University is through a Panama trip, a travel-learning opportunity for Gannon students. Konieczko and Karinna Vernaza, Ph.D., associate professor of mechanical engineering, take students to visit the Panama Canal and explore the Central American rainforests while earning academic credit.

Vernaza said that she and Konieczko both have strong personalities, but they complement each other. “I always like to work with someone who wants to do their share of the work,

and she has always been like that,” she said. “The trip is great— we both give 100 percent.”

Outside of her work at Gannon, Konieczko has a wide range of hobbies, many of which she enjoys with her husband, Chet LaPrice ’92, operations manager of WERG-FM. Konieczko and LaPrice met at a Gannon Christmas party in 2006, which Konieczko attributes to “a little Gannon magic.” The rest is history. “We fell in love in front of the whole University,” she said.

Petrone said that Konieczko’s interests outside of Gannon make her more approachable to students. “She likes to cook, and I know she loves the Steelers—she always has her Polamalu jersey on during the season,” she said. “It would be really easy not to like her since her classes are so challenging, but just because of the way she is, it’s impossible not to.”

“I have to have high standards—those students are going to be treating me and

my loved ones.”

Education1984 – B.S., Gannon University 1992 – Ph.D., University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine

Professional Certifications and Memberships• American Society for Cell Biology • American Association of Anatomists

Gannon University Awards• Student Government Association Teacher of the Month Award, 2003 • Undergraduate Research Award – Excellence in Mentoring Undergraduate Students in Research, 2007

Hobbies• Skiing, bike riding, traveling, watching baseball, jewelry- making, crocheting, cooking

alumnotesGannon University Alumni

22

’60seDWaRD m. YonDeRs ’61 is retired from General Electric Lighting in Cleveland. He and his wife, Barbara, recently celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary with a family dinner, a Bahamas cruise and a Las Vegas vacation. The couple plans to visit Maui, Hawaii, in the spring.

WiLBUR F. LYnam ’62 was named 2010 Outstanding Hunter-Education Instructor by the Pennsylvania Game Commission. Lynam is in his 45th year as an instructor and recently retired after a 39-year career as a deputy wildlife conservation officer.

GeRaLD GanCe ’69 was inducted into Red Bank Regional High School’s 2011 Distinguished Alumni Hall of Fame as the honored faculty alumnus honoree. He taught science at the school—in Little Silver, N.J.—for 38 years until his retirement in 2008. He also coached several sports, was the ski club adviser for 20 years and was chosen as Teacher of the Year twice.

’70sstanLeY J. BRZeZiCKi ’70 retired in June from the Iroquois School District in Erie after 10 years as the upper-level math instructor and co-chair of the math department. Previously, he spent 30 years at Cathedral Prep as a math teacher and baseball coach.

tHomas P. FeRKo, LPC ’71, ’81m received his master’s degree in social work from Edinboro University of Pennsylvania in May.

CasimiR J. KWitoWsKi ’71 is serving his third four-year term as the City of Erie controller.

miCHaeL m. mURnoCK, m.eD. ’73, ’78m was appointed director of the Center for Musical Expression and Leadership in Erie and promoted to director of the Erie Independent Living Program at Bethesda Children’s Home.

Alumni Partners: Get Involved!Great alumni help create great universities. Gannon University and Villa Maria College alumni now have a meaningful opportunity to make a difference in the lives of Gannon students and fellow alumni with the Alumni Partners Program. From helping with students to recognizing fellow classmates, there are multiple ways to get involved!

For example, you can lend a hand with student recruitment by recommending a prospective student, signing a prospective student’s application form (which waives the application fee!), assisting at the alumni table at an on-campus open house or attending regional admissions recruiting events.

Know a junior or senior high school student? Here are some helpful tips from the Office of Admissions you can pass along:

��Schedule a personal visit (Monday through Friday or Saturdays Nov. 12, 19; Dec. 3, 10 by appointment)

�� Take the SAT or ACT exam (if you haven’t already)

For seniors specifically:

�� Apply online at www.gannon.edu/apply

�� Complete the Financial Aid Early Version Award (EVA), available at www.gannon.edu/financialaid/eva.asp

�� Submit your enrollment deposit after acceptance to confirm your attendance to Gannon

’80samanDa (ReeDeR) HaLPeRin ’81 was appointed customer support coordinator for Barry Communications in Massachusetts.

PaUL R. HaKeL ’82m was designated as a Pacesetter by UBS Financial Services, which recognizes him as an outstanding member of the firm’s sales force. Hakel is vice president of investments for the firm.

ReV. maRK a. HoFFman ’82 was reassigned from his former parish of The Church of the Beloved Disciple in Grove City, Pa., to become the new pastor of Saint Jude the Apostle Catholic Church in Erie, effective July 29. He earned his master’s in divinity, cum laude, in 1989 and was ordained

to the priesthood on April 27, 1990 by the late Bishop Michael J. Murphy. In his last assignment, he served as the Catholic chaplain for Grove City College.

Jeanne (tHUnBeRG) CRUmP, D.o. ’83 is the new director of medical education at Skagit Valley Hospital in Mount Vernon, Wash. Crump will lead development of the teaching hospital initiative and residency program.

sanDRa (DeDaD) LUtHRinGeR ’83VmC published a book, Nutrition and Cancer: Practical Tips and Tasty Recipes for Survivors, which offers essential eating strategies to help people with cancer navigate the side effects of treatment and fuel the body for recovery. Luthringer is a registered dietitian, nutrition consultant and owner of Super Suppers in Erie.


alumnotes

23

If you have questions about the Alumni Association or how to connect with fellow alumni or students, please contact me at [email protected].

national alumni association President, Dana Kennedy Fallon, esq. ’91

One of the best things about being the president of the Gannon University National Alumni Association is that I need to travel from Arlington, Va., to Erie at least six times a year for meetings. For most people, traveling for business meetings does not fall into the category of “fun things to do this weekend.” While it does take some effort, I have had the great pleasure to be a part of and see for myself the wonderful developments that have taken shape over the past several years on campus. If you can’t come to Erie, all you need to do is read this magazine or go to www.gannon.edu to see for yourself that your alma mater is stronger and still absolutely committed to educating and developing real leaders.

I’ve added a bonus trip this year for the inauguration of Keith Taylor, Ph.D.,as our seventh president. Dr. Taylor selected “Tradition of Service—Strengthening Our Community” as the theme of the Presidential Inauguration, scheduled for Nov. 1-5 (see p. 3). The days surrounding the Inauguration will be filled with opportunities to provide service to Erie and reflect on how far-reaching Gannon’s influence can be on a more global scale. I am honored to be a part of the event and share it with our fellow alums.

While this event marks another milestone in our collective history, it reminds me that we, as alumni, have individual and personal histories with the University that we should reflect on as well. A large institution and one that may be geographically distant can become just a place, just a part of the past. Our institution is a lively and changing one and part of our community’s future. We can say that our time at Gannon is complete, but just as Dr. Taylor and the current stewards of the University are actively contributing to the future of the University, we get to do the same. We are each a part of the life of the University today. What was important to you about Gannon probably still is and probably is important to a student there now.

With the start of this new chapter at Gannon, take a minute to think about your personal history and what great things continue to happen there now—and be a part of it.

Lt. CoL. KeVin C. smitH, m.D. ’83 is the new U.S. Army Cadet Command surgeon.

JoHn s. sUtiKa, mHa, CPa ’83 was named the new president of DuBois (Pa.) Regional Medical Center (DRMC). Prior to his new appointment, Sutika served as chief executive officer of Brookville (Pa.) Hospital and senior vice president at DRMC.

PeteR J. PeaRson ’84 was on the New York Stock Exchange floor on Sept. 6, 2011 to help host the opening bell ceremony marking his company’s initial listing on the Nasdaq. Pearson is vice president of operations for Student Transportation of America. The company’s stock will be traded under the symbol STB.

Kim (KoLLatZ) DoCteR ’86VmC was nominated for reelection to the board of directors for the Northwestern Rural Electric Cooperative Inc. Docter is a substitute teacher with the Penncrest School District and is in her third term as the Rockdale Township tax collector.

JoHn J. PaseRBa JR. ’87 received the international electrical power engineering Nari Hingorani Flexible AC Transmission Systems (FACTS) Award. During his 24-year career to date, Paserba has been involved with planning, operation, control and equipment for electrical power distribution and transmission systems ranging from 13,800 to 800,000 volts. He has published over 60 international technical papers and magazine articles, including chapters in five engineering handbook editions, and has taught over 40 courses and seminars worldwide on power systems. Paserba is currently general manager of the gas circuit breaker division of Mitsubishi Electric Power Products Inc. in Warrendale, Pa. He holds a master’s degree from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, N.Y.

’90sDaWn (Beeman) JoHnson ’92 was elected vice president of the Penn-sylvania Association of Practical Nursing Administrators. Johnson is the administrator for Erie Business Center’s practical nursing program.

ReV. steFan P. staRZYnsKi ’92 is the parochial vicar of St. Mary of Sorrows Church in Fairfax, Va. Starzynski is the celebrant of the parish’s healing Mass and service on the second Saturday of every month, where more than 400 people gather.

KeRRY (KaUtZman) DRoZesKi, PH.D. ’93 was appointed chairwoman of the modern languages division in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences at Alfred (N.Y.) University, where she is an associate professor of Spanish and director of women’s studies.

sHeLLeY L. LoVe ’95 was named hospice coordinator at the Visiting Nurses Association of Erie County.

BRian C. FeRRa ’96 added the additional duties of athletic director to his current position of assistant principal at Huston Middle School in Lower Burrell, Pa.

miLinDa (CHoReY) mCCoRKLe ’98, ’10 received her master’s degree in middle/secondary school instruction from Edinboro University of Pennsylvania in May.

24

steVe moYeR ’99 was featured in Shape magazine for his work as a Hollywood fitness trainer. Moyer helped actress Zoe Saldana get in shape for the 2011 film Colombiana and also trains actresses Amanda Righetti and Shannen Doherty.

DaViD J. ReCtenWaLD ’99m was nominated for reelection to the board of directors for the Northwestern Rural Electric Cooperative Inc. Rectenwald is an environmental scientist with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. He has served on the board since 2005.

’00ssCott C. LinDsaY, D.o. ’00 joined the medical staff of CMH Regional Health System in Wilmington, Ohio, as a plastic and reconstructive surgeon.

aaRon m. GaRRitY ’01, ’07m won his third straight Highmark Quad Games 12-mile bike race and set a new race record for the second straight year, finishing in a time of 25 minutes, 51 seconds. His time represents 43 seconds off last year’s record, which had previously stood for 14 years.

meGHann (KeLLY) JeZioRsKi ’01 received her master’s degree in social work from Edinboro University of Pennsylvania in May.

JoHn t. santaRLas ’01 is director of global commodities for Kongsberg Defense Corp.

PatRiCia (aRmstRonG) tinKeY, eD.D. ’02m received her Ed.D. in instructional leadership in education from Duquesne University in Pittsburgh in December 2010. Her dissertation research was on “Student Perceptions of Faith and Learning in the College Foreign Language Classroom.” She is an associate professor in the modern language and education departments of Grove City (Pa.) College.

taRa m. CaRteR ’03 is a 2010 graduate of George Mason University in Fairfax, Va., with a master’s degree in new professional studies in teaching. Carter is currently an elementary school teacher in the Fairfax County Public Schools.

JoHn R. CLine ’03 is assistant manager of human resources for Genji Inc. in Philadelphia.

CHRistin a. mCDonaLD ’03 was a recipient of the Niagara Frontier Chapter New York State Women Inc.’s 2011 Beverly Philips Scholarship Award.

mar

riag

es

Ronald W. DelPorto ’71, ’75m and his wife, Carole (Sloeownik), celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary on July 8, 2011.

Lisa margaret neal ’87VmC married David Douglas Smith on July 11, 2011.

sarah e. Wallace ’01 married Mark Schaefer on Aug. 19, 2011.

John R. Cline ’03 married Tracie Gaydos on Sept. 3, 2011.

tara marie Carter ’03 married Seth Robert Takoch on Aug. 6, 2011.

mary ellen mcClimans ’05m married John P. Konkol ’78 on July 2, 2011.

Christian J. torchio ’05 married Mallory Zappa on Sept. 24, 2011.

Kayla L. Beary ’06 married Brad White on Aug. 27, 2011.

Edward M. Yonders ’61 and his wife, Barbara, celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary on Aug. 19, 2011.

Lindsey A. Smail ’06, ’08M married John W. Reed IV

on July 30, 2011 in Keystone, Colo.

Julianne mcClelland, J.D. ’06 married Justin a. Washington ’09 on May 28, 2011.

Daniela Baban ’07m, ’08C married Randy W. Hurrle on June 7, 2008 in Chisinau, Moldova.

Renata Christine Polakowski ’08 married Nicholas Allen Forsythe on Aug. 27, 2011.

shannon m. stitt ’08m, ’10C married Jesse A. Olson on May 28, 2011.

Catherine ann Walczak ’08 married Timothy P. Hayes on June 25, 2010.

Patrick R. Wiler ’08 married Amy Zielinski on Dec. 18, 2010.

andrea Lynn Clear ’09m married Matthew Niedbala on July 23, 2011.

Rebecca s. Guianen ’09 married Richard Guzar on Sept. 10, 2011.

amanda Rose moran ’09 married Andrew James Holmes on Aug. 6, 2011.

Dr. scott a. miller ’11DPt married Kelly Maloney on Sept. 10, 2011.


alumnotes

25

LYnDseY n. toRoK ’03C, ’06 was one of the first-ever recipients of the Rose Norman Women’s Studies Award for Scholarship in Action at the University of Alabama in Huntsville. Torok is a staff assistant in the English department at the school. She was named the recipient for her extraordinary record of collaborating with the women’s studies department to offer campus and community programming.

KeitH m. KRise, PH.D. ’04 successfully defended his dissertation and received his Ph.D. in physical chemistry from the Pennsylvania State University in August. He is an assistant professor of chemistry at Juniata College in Huntington, Pa.

JeFFReY W. maRtin ’04 received his master’s degree in educational leadership from Edinboro University of Pennsylvania in May.

steVen J. meaCHam ’04 is a center manager at Med Express in Erie.

RasHiDa a. mitHani ’04 is employed with the New York City Department of Education as a director of a specialized program housed in 31 elementary and middle schools.

emiLY e. CRoss ’05 co-authored an article, “Application of Small Organic Molecules Reveals Cooperative TGFB and BMP Regulation of Mesothelial Cell Behaviors.” Cross’ work will be featured on the cover of an upcoming journal issue of ACS Chemical Biology.

CHRistina m. LineHan ’05 is head of house at L’Arche Erie.

Lisa (FaiRman) PFinGstLeR ’05, ’06m received her medical doctorate degree from Penn State College of Medicine in May.

CHRistian J. toRCHio ’05 is an intern architect at Kidder Wachter Architecture and Design in Erie.

BRittanY L. anJesKi ’06 is an X-ray, CT and MRI technologist.

KaYLa L. BeaRY ’06 is a medical/surgical oncology registered nurse at UPMC Hamot in Erie.

JULianne mCCLeLLanD, J.D. ’06 received a juris doctorate degree from Texas Tech University School of Law in 2009 and is an attorney, working as a legal advocate at Womansplace in McKeesport, Pa.

maRK e. PeteRson ’06 is working in Meeker, Colo., on a mule deer project for

birt

hsa son, Daniel Edward (born March 15, 2011), to Kristen (Buhl) ’04, ’05m and Peter B. Grippe ’00. Daniel joins older sister Charlotte Mary (2).

a daughter, Addyson Alexis (born July 2, 2009), to Rashida a. mithani ’04 and her husband.

downtown vitality indicators, including office, retail, residential, clean, safe, transportation and marketing efforts in and around the Golden Triangle. In addition, he is responsible for writing grant proposals, program updates and summary reports and creating design awards for projects in the downtown area.

PatRiCK R. WiLeR ’08 is an investment analyst at Erie Insurance.

anDRea L. CLeaR ’09m is an English teacher at Freedom Area High School.

CoRinne e. HeaRD ’09 received her master’s degree in elementary education from Edinboro University of Pennsylvania in May.

tRaVis W. LaVeRY ’09m is the new principal at C.H. Campbell Elementary School in Canfield, Ohio.

JUstin a. WasHinGton ’09 is a project manager at Applebox Studios and is the owner and creative director of BIGGERfish Creative Group in Pittsburgh, Pa.

a daughter, Emily Marie (born March 14, 2011), to Erin (Duddleston) Lawrence ’02, ’03M and her husband, Gerald.

a son, Lucas Thomas (born June 15, 2010), to Julie (Hamerski) ’02, ’04M and John T. Santarlas ’01.

a son, Tyler Alan (born Feb. 2, 2011), to Lisa (Fairman) Pfingstler ’05 and her husband, Jude.

a daughter, Karissa Ann (born Oct. 26, 2010), to andrea (arbuckle) Hoovler ’07m and her husband, Jason. Karissa joins big sister Rachel Marie (3).

the Colorado Division of Wildlife while employed with Colorado State University.

Jamie e. taYLoR ’06, ’07m was featured in an article on Cleveland.com, “Off the Green.” Taylor is an LPGA apprentice golf professional at Seneca and Shawnee Hills golf courses.

DaneLLe m. tiDD ’06 received her master’s degree in counseling from Edinboro University of Pennsylvania in May.

Diana K. CoLe ’07 is employed with Perseus House in Erie at the Florence Crittenton facility.

anDRea (aRBUCKLe) HooVLeR ’07m is special education administrator for Lakeview School District in Stoneboro, Pa.

BRian m. KURtZ ’08 joined the Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership as research project manager. He is responsible for publishing a State of Downtown report and gathering, tracking, analyzing and reporting on a variety of

Alumni Homecoming Reunion & Family Weekend 2011More than 650 alumni, family and friends converged on campus Sept. 23-25 to celebrate Alumni Homecoming Reunion & Family Weekend. The event also broke new ground by teaming up with the Activities Programming Board’s Family Weekend festivities for three days full of fun and fellowship with more than a dozen events.

Gannon University


(L to R) President Keith Taylor, Ph.D., with Distinguished Alumni honorees James

Dudenhoefer ’65, Robert Buyan, Esq. ’74, Paul Gradl ’02, ’04M, Margaret

VanderLaan ’89 and George Schillinger ’75 and National Alumni Association President

Dana Kennedy Fallon, Esq. ’91.4

5 Alumni and friends celebrated friendship and diversity at the African-American Alumni Reception.

More than two dozen women enjoyed

reminiscing at the Villa Maria Alumnae

High Tea. 4

Linda Fleming, Ph.D., interim provost and vice president for academic affairs, presents

alumnus John Toth ’59 with a medal welcoming him into the Heritage Society, a group of

alumni from the Class of 1960 and prior. 4

Alumni Homecoming Reunion & Family Weekend 2011

27

alumnotes

5 The Class of 1961 shows off its Gannon spirit and celebrates its 50th reunion.

3President Taylor chats with sophomore SGA representative Theodore “Justin” Cooper at the Student Government Association’s Welcome Reception.

5 Freshman accounting major Haley Haggerty (right), and her mother, Christa Haggerty ’97, show some Gannon pride before Saturday’s football game.

Alumni Homecoming Reunion & Family Weekend 2011


President Taylor spends some time with alumni Carl ’65 and Anne (Ingrao) Wolf ’61. Alumni, students and families were encouraged to stop by and get to know the University’s new leader at the President’s Reception.4

5 Michael Chase provides some musical entertainment at the Alumni Wine Tasting.

The National Alumni Association held its regular board meeting to kick off the weekend’s events. 6

Becky (Fresch) Kurtz ’08, Amanda

Flick ’09, and Andrew Kochirka

enjoy the second annual Alumni

Wine Tasting.4

Janet and Sam Trychin, of Courtyard Wineries, share their

offerings with Carolyn and Victor Podbielski, son of the

late Victor Podbielski ’56.4

alumnotes

29

3Dana Kennedy Fallon, Esq. ’91, president of the National Alumni Association, and Linda Kennedy.

5 Computer information and science (CIS) alumni shared an open house reunion.

5 The Rev. Joseph Gregorek, professor of biology, displays a gift presented to him at the dinner “roast” held in his honor.

5 Father Gregorek has always been proud of his Polish heritage!

The Very Rev. John J. Detisch, V.F.

’83 shares his favorite memories of Father Gregorek.4

Want more? You can view a full photo gallery in the Alumni Online Community at www.gannonalumni.org.

Mark your calendars for next year’s Alumni Homecoming & Reunion Weekend, Oct. 19-21, 2012!

Robert J. Falkewitz ’58 Robert J. Falkewitz ’58, age 84, of Erie, died Sept. 1, 2011. He began his career at Gannon in 1964 as an English instructor and retired in 1998, continuing to teach as an adjunct through fall 2007. During his time at Gannon, he taught in the English department and in communication arts. Falkewitz was a graduate of Academy High School and Gannon, also holding a master’s degree from Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland.

mary ann (Kania) muller Mary Ann (Kania) Muller, age 63, of Erie, died July 4, 2011. Muller was a 1966 graduate of St. Benedict Academy and was influential, along with Msgr. Thomas McSweeney, in creating the Gannon television station which would later become Fox 66. She began her more than 30-year Gannon career in 1966 as a cataloging clerk in the library, going on to

serve as secretary for the Learning Resource Center, the Diocesan Communications Centre, WETG and athletics, before leaving the University in 2000.

Bruce morton Wright ’69, ’00m Bruce Morton Wright ’69, ’00M, age 65, of Erie, died July 29, 2011. Following graduation from Strong Vincent High School, Wright received his bachelor of arts degree in music from Gannon and Mercyhurst College in 1969. He continued his education at the Vienna Conservatory of Music, receiving his Kapellmeister degree in 1973. Wright also earned a Master of Public Administration degree from Gannon in 2000. As the music director and instructor of fine arts at Gannon, he was the director/conductor of the Erie Chamber Orchestra, the successor to the Erie Bayfront Orchestra, which he founded in 1978, and the director/conductor of the Erie Opera Theatre, which he founded in 1983. He was also the director of the Gannon University Concert Band, the Lake Erie Ballet Orchestra and the Bemus Bay Pops. His funeral service was held at the University’s Mary, Seat of Wisdom Chapel.

30

in m

emor

iam

alumni Mary Agnes (Feyas) Piotrowicz ’43VMC

Bernadine (Gleichsner) Orcutt ’49VMC

Richard H. Grumblatt ’50

Frank M. Marucci ’50

Charles A. Balbuza ’51

Robert P. Salisbury ’51

Richard J. Wilson ’51

James J. Yaple ’51

Arthur M. Freeland ’53

Berdellis Dale Monahan ’53

Anthony L. Mancuso ’58

Joseph G. Blinzler ’61

James G. Reiser ’61

David J. Hanlin ’62, ’69M

Gertrude (Rettger) Brechtel ’63

Robert N. Renshaw ’63

John H. Schilken ’63

Frank W. Slurkanich ’63

John F. Kucharski ’65

John P. Hartman ’66

Mary Jane (Ward) Deck ’67VMC

Susan (Coogan) Forney ’67VMC

John D. Kulju, D.D.S. ’67

Ronald L. Maryott ’67

James J. Shoemaker ’68

Patrick E. Morabito ’72

James P. Hewitt ’73

George F. Wachter ’73

Richard L. Flick ’74M

Carl G. Bodendorfer ’76

Charlotte Newby Dobbs ’79M

Rose Ann (Plonski) Barnett ’85

David J. Pecar ’85

John M. Kreger ’87

Anna Ruth (Burnett) Smith ’88VMC

Thomas J. Jares ’92

Friends Will J. Schaaf, Esq.

David T. Williams

’10sLisa L. Bean ’10 andeLiZaBetH a. BoCan ’10 are staff nurses in the cardiovascular intensive care unit at Saint Vincent Health Center in Erie.

asHLeY m. BeneDiCt ’10 and JUstine s. DiCKinson ’10 are staff nurses in the intensive care unit at Saint Vincent Health Center in Erie.

KatHeRina D. BieRBoWeR ’10 has been hired as a special education teacher at South St. Marys (Pa.) Street Elementary School.

teaGUe m. BintRim ’10 is a staff nurse at UPMC Hamot in Erie.

ReBeCCa a. DeWeese ’10 is a staff nurse in the behavioral medicine division at the Windsor-Laurelwood Center in Willoughby, Ohio.

DestinY m. eGnot ’10 is a staff nurse in the oncology unit at UPMC Hamot in Erie.

moLLY C. eimeR ’10 is a staff nurse in the cardiac/telemetry unit at Buffalo (N.Y.) General Hospital.

aLLYssa m. FeRRieLL ’10 andKateLYn (PaCansKY) LUDRoF ’10 are staff nurses in the cardiac/telemetry unit at UPMC Hamot in Erie.


alumnotes

31

Gannon soccer alumni reunited in august for both men’s and women’s alumni soccer games. the event, which is in its second year, saw a turnout of nearly 40. Former players brushed off their cleats and tested their skills against the University’s current teams. While the alumni squads gave valiant efforts, the current teams won both rounds.

Alive and KickingAre you ready for another exciting season of Golden Knight athletics?

BRian e. GiBBs ’10, KRYstaL a. Kennett ’10 andemiLY m. Koons ’10 are staff nurses in the surgical intensive care unit at UPMC Hamot in Erie.

KYLe s. HoVis ’10 is a staff nurse in the emergency department at UPMC Hamot in Erie.

maRia e. JimeneZ ’10 is a staff nurse in the post-surgical unit at UPMC Hamot in Erie.

meGan R. KRameR ’10 is a staff nurse in the oncology, surgical orthopedic unit at Heritage Valley Beaver Medical Center in Beaver, Pa.

meReDitH n. LiLLY ’10 is a staff nurse in the surgical unit at Saint Vincent Health Center in Erie.

eLLen e. maRKieWiCZ ’10 is a staff nurse in the cardiac-bariatric unit at UPMC Hamot in Erie.

JULie a. maRKieWiCZ ’10 is a staff nurse in the neuro/trauma unit at UPMC Hamot in Erie.

KRistin a. o’HeRn ’10 is a staff nurse in the pediatric unit at UPMC Hamot in Erie.

LinDseY n. RaPeLa ’10 is a staff nurse in the cardiac care unit at Saint Vincent Health Center in Erie.

Dana B. RoUsseaU ’10 is a staff nurse in the cardiovascular intensive care unit at the University of Maryland Medical Center in Baltimore.

CaLLa a. saVoia ’10 is a staff nurse in the behavioral health unit at Saint Vincent Health Center in Erie.

amanDa m. sCHUsteR ’10 is a staff nurse in the pediatric unit at Saint Vincent Health Center in Erie.

CHRistina L. soCHoR ’10 is a staff nurse in the inpatient post-operative unit at UPMC Hamot in Erie.

CHeLseY (naGLe) sPeGGen ’10 andCaRa n. tHomPson ’10 are staff nurses in the oncology unit at UPMC Hamot in Erie.

KimBeRLY a. URBanoWiCZ ’10 is a staff nurse in the telemetry unit at Med Central Medical Center in Mansfield, Ohio.

ReBeCCa VoDZaK ’10 is a staff nurse at Strong Memorial Hospital in Rochester, N.Y.

LaURen F. WaLKeR ’10 is a staff nurse in the burn/trauma unit at UPMC Mercy in Pittsburgh.

DR. sCott a. miLLeR ’11DPt is a physical therapist at NovaCare of Erie. He also served in the U.S. Marine Corps with a tour of duty in Iraq.

Visit www.gannonsports.com for team schedules, rosters, stats and more for all of the University’s 18 varsity sports teams.

Gannon cannot achieve its goals without the work and support of many and the power of our underlying commitment to service. The student, faculty and staff service hours for 2010-11 again totaled more than 79,000, which is a testament to the Catholic Tradition and the spirit of service that is embedded in the curricula and the daily lives of our Gannon family. Specifics regarding these community outreach efforts are provided in the insert included with this magazine.

It is important for us all to do our part, and I’m asking you to get involved and join our team. Whether you are a student, parent, employee or friend of the University, we can use your talents and skills to improve downtown Erie and enrich the lives of the people who live there. You might volunteer next year for GIVE (Gannon’s Invitation to Volunteer Everywhere) Day in Erie or in your own city, support scholarships that enable students to achieve their college goals or call to establish a Gannon student internship at your place of employment. Together we will make a difference, and we appreciate your interest in being a part of that progress.

To explore what is happening on and around campus, I hope you will plan to join the festivities that will be part of the Presidential Inauguration, Nov. 1-5. You will find a full listing of Inauguration events on p. 3.

Thank you for your continued interest in Gannon University, and may God’s blessings be upon you as we enter the holiday season.

Keith Taylor, Ph.D. President

As I began this journey as President in July, I sketched out four priorities that would frame our vision for the next stage in the evolution of the University. We have begun to design the details supporting these concepts and to implement initiatives focused on: student success and leadership development; faculty excellence and scholarship; strengthened partnerships to revitalize our urban community; and a global perspective on campus and in all we do.

32

endnotesA Word from the President

Dr. taylor joined students ashley Forbes and adam Hoffman at the Bethany outreach Center on sept. 17 for GiVe (Gannon’s invitation to Volunteer everywhere) Day, an event he’s participated in for seven years.

You can read about the progress being made on these goals within the current strategic plan in the Annual Report of the President insert at the end of this magazine. Creation of a next-generation strategic plan will begin in earnest in spring 2012.

An important point of pride in this vision is the tremendous effort Gannon’s community is putting forth to make Erie a better place for our students, faculty and staff to live, learn, work and play. It has been just over a year since the Erie-GAINS (Gannon Alliances to Improve Neighborhood Sustainability) initiative was launched, and the success stories are many. From the GO College – Erie mentoring program that pairs Gannon students with local high school students to help them achieve college readiness (p. 6), to the annual Sisters of St. Joseph Thanksgiving and Social Work Club Christmas dinners, to Campus Police and Safety’s and our criminal justice program’s partnerships with the Erie Police Department, to the improvements made at Gridley Park, to the recipe cards created by Gannon students for local food bank clients (p. 6), Gannon is influencing and shaping its neighborhood for the better.


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The Archbishop Gannon Founder’s Society

A gift opens the way and ushers the giver into the presence of the great.

—Proverbs 18:15-17

Through the Archbishop Gannon Founder’s Society, you can establish a named endowment for student scholarships and faculty research or professional development—and leave a legacy of commitment to Gannon University.

Did you know?

• You can leave a legacy while potentially minimizing taxes and settlement costs and conserving more of your estate for loved ones.

• Gannon University often receives memorial gifts through an estate (your will).

• Estate gifts can be funded with cash, securities, real estate or other property.

How Will You Leave a Legacy?

For more information, please contact:

Jim Kelvington, Ph.D.Director of Planned Giving109 University squareerie, Pa 16541(814) [email protected]

• Estate plan gifts enable you to make a meaningful gift while enjoying increased income tax savings and other benefits.

• You can join more than 300 alumni, parents and friends who are members of the Founder’s Society.

Gannon Archives

...when the former Carlisle’s department store was renovated into the A.J. Palumbo Academic Center? (1996)

...when the volleyball team made three consecutive NCAA Division II Elite Eight appearances? (1991-93)

Gannon University 109 University Square Erie, PA 16541-0001 www.gannon.edu/magazine

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PAIDPermit No. 5605Pittsburgh, PA

Want to help Gannon go green? Email [email protected] to be notified when the online edition of Gannon Magazine has been posted, and we’ll stop sending you a printed copy.

FPo FPo FPo

➊ CNN journalist Wolf Blitzer encouraged graduates to “make your dream become a reality” at Spring Commencement on May 5, 1996. ➋ Dedicated Oct. 29, 1999, the John E. “Doc” Waldron Campus Center cost $7.7 million to construct and stands at 120,000 square feet. ➌ ITS staffers Pat Benekos and Chad Ferencak ’94 check out the first-ever Gannon University Web page in June 1995. ➍ Msgr. David A. Rubino, Ph.D., Gannon’s fifth president, with A.J. Palumbo at the Sept. 9, 1996 dedication of the A.J. Palumbo Academic Center. ➎ Members of the 1991 women’s volleyball team.

Do you remember…1990-99

All photos courtesy Gannon Archives

...when the John E. Waldron Campus Center was built? (1999)

...when GU went live online at

www.gannon.edu? (1995)

...when CNN’s Wolf Blitzer gave the commencement address? (1996)

Fall/Winter 2011

Documents

Transcript of Fall/Winter 2011