mpscapades - Mercyhurst Preparatory School
Transcription
mpscapades - Mercyhurst Preparatory School
mpscapades A magazine for alumni and friends of Mercyhurst Prep In this issue 2015 Laker Legends Scholarship Gala, pgs.6-8 Insert: Next 90 Spring 2015 A Sponsored Ministry of the Sisters of Mercy 2 A Sponsored Ministry of the Sisters of Mercy MARKED BY PRIDE AND SPIRIT 9,000 Alums; 90 Years of Excellence By Mary Ellen Dahlkemper, MPS President, '69 After my parents, the single most important Mary Ellen Dahlkemper ’69, next to the pillar of Catherine McAuley influence in my life has been the Sisters of Mercy. My first experience of this remarkable community of women began in first grade at St. George School and continued for 16 years of Catholic education at Mercyhurst Prep and Mercyhurst University. As teacher/mentors, the Sisters of Mercy challenged me and my classmates always beyond our perceived limits, encouraging us to explore, discern, create, think, collaborate, grow, discover. The special culture that our Sisters created during my formative years at Mercyhurst Prep was one of mutual respect and acceptance among faculty, students, and staff – everyone was welcome; our unique gifts were embraced and nurtured. We were blessed by their ability to let us see their humanity, to experience their profound kindness and humor. We began living the Mercy charism passed down to us by the Sisters from their own teachers – hospitality, compassionate presence, community service, justice, and respect for the dignity of all persons. CONTENTS 2 President’s Letter 3-4 Alumni President’s, Past & Current Letters 9&14 Alumni Spotlights 17 Upcoming Reunions 17-26 Class Notes Insert Next 90 Cover: Junior Quinton Stempora, poses with our "Next 90" logo Editor Marcia Izbicki Gensheimer ’71 Photography Marcia Izbicki Gensheimer '71, Gary Laboski and Amanda Stevenson Hill '05 We became citizens of the world and ambassadors for peace no matter where we live. Contributing Writers Mary Ellen Dahlkemper ’69, Patty McLaughlin, Natalie Dwyer-Haller ’70, Marilee Warner, ’78 and Lisa Nietupski The influence of the Sisters of Mercy ripples through my days as President of Mercyhurst Prep. MPScapades Graphic Designer Michele A. Martin • I see it in the eyes of every student who begins to experience and acutely understand the Mercy charism. "Next 90" Insert Kate Philips • I see it when alumni return to our hallways and profess how profoundly the charism has influenced their success. MPScapades is published two times a year for the Mercyhurst Prep community. We welcome your articles, suggestions and comments. • I see it in our faculty who pay homage daily to the Mercy values in preparing future leaders for life in our ever-connected world community. • I see it in the faces of the Mercy Sisters who continue to create, teach, evolve and inspire. Progressive thinkers, courageous women, visionary leaders, the Sisters of Mercy have been change agents for nearly 9,000 alumni. This issue of MPScapades challenges all of us who love these women and value their influence in our lives to consider how we can ensure the next 90 years of education at Mercyhurst Preparatory School. What role will you play in the next 90? Please direct your correspondence to its editor, Marcia Izbicki Gensheimer at 814-824-2067 or [email protected]. Mercyhurst Preparatory School 538 East Grandview Blvd. Erie, PA 16504-2697 W: mpslakers.com T: @mpslakers.com FB: facebook.com/mpslakers I: mpslakers Volume 35, Number 2 SPRING 2015 Check us out at mpslakers.com 3 ALUMNI FROM THE DESK OF OUR PAST ALUMNI PRESIDENT, HISTORY OF MERCYHURST VIDEO Natalie Dwyer-Haller ‘70 Once again, the MPS Alumni Association was thrilled to play a major role in the 2015 Laker Legends Scholarship Gala on February 28 at our Alma Mater. Our Board of Governors selected exceptional alums from among worthy nominees to receive awards. For a detailed explanation about our honorees, please see pages 6-8. It is not too early to begin thinking of nominees for next year’s awards! In the meantime, thank you to the board members who served with me on this year’s planning committee: Bill Lillis ’99, Emily Mosco Merski ’00, Emily Schultz ’12, Dave Geiger ’87, and Marcia Izbicki Gensheimer ’71. We are gearing up for the 2015 Golden Anniversary Luncheon which will take place at MPS on Friday, August 14. More than 85 alumnae attended last year’s celebration, honoring Mercyhurst Seminary graduates as well as alumnae from the Class of 1964, the first class to graduate from Mercyhurst Prep. We look forward to seeing past honorees at the August luncheon, along with members from the Class of 1965 who will become our newest honorees. Alumni turned out in great numbers for our annual Black Friday Bash on November 28 at Calamari’s. A good time was had by all, especially the many members of the Class of 2009 who held their five-year reunion at Calamari’s in conjunction with our overall alumni gathering. Thanks again to Calamari owners Jay Honard ‘86 and Marcie Honard who always go above and beyond for MPS. Finally, I truly have enjoyed my tenure as president and am leaving the position in good hands with our new President, Marilee Warner ’78, and her fellow officers, Vice President Bill Lillis, Jr. ’99 and Secretary Suzette (Sue) Marofsky Quinn ’83, who took office in March along with newly elected members of our Board of Governors, Dave Geiger ’87 and Lindsey Corle ’04. I look forward to working with them as Immediate Past President, but first must thank ALL our board members for their support during my term. It has been a privilege to serve MPS and our Alumni Association as President. We thank Patty Przychodzien Pedano ’58, Judy Zimmerman Rosatti ’80, and Kerry Rovegno Sedelmyer ‘91, whose terms expired, for their many years of service on the Board. We are always looking for enthusiastic alums to become involved as board members or members of one of our committees. Please consider giving back to MPS by serving and contact Marcia Gensheimer at [email protected]. Natalie Dwyer-Haller, ‘70 Former Alumni President Capture a piece of history before it’s too late! Order History of Mercyhurst video now: www.mpslakers.com for ordering information 40 UNDER 40 Mercyhurst Prep is extremely proud to have six alumni named in Erie Reader’s prestigious list of “Erie’s 2015 40 Under 40.” They include: Dr. Stephen Kovacs, DO, 1995 – Pulmonologist & Critical Care Intensivist, AHN Saint Vincent Hospital Rachel Sherr Rudd, 1997 – Business owner, marketing officer Leah Manino, 1998 – Vice President of Commercial Lending, Northwest Savings Bank Atty. Emily Mosco Merski, 2000 – Attorney, Vendetti & Vendetti Michael Miele, 2003 – Director of Instrumental Music, Mercyhurst Prep Gretchen Gallagher Durney, 2003 – Director of Communications and Contracts, Sisters of St. Joseph Neighborhood Network 4 ALUMNI FROM THE DESK OF THE ALUMNI PRESIDENT, SISTERS OF MERCY HELP SECURE FUTURE OF MPS Marilee Warner ‘78 It is a great honor to begin my new role as President of the MPS Board of Governors’ Alumni Association. I look forward to focusing on the mission of this great organization–fostering a close relationship with and among MPS alumni to advance the Mercyhurst Prep School mission. Not only are we advocates for alums, but we encourage our students, who are our future alums. One of my personal goals is to promote the Alumni Association and encourage all alums to recognize and embrace the value of being one of the MPS alumni and especially to stay connected – email a favorite teacher, call a classmate, visit when you are in town, attend a school event, “friend” us on Facebook, participate in your class reunion. As we venture forth into the 2015-16 academic year, I am excited about the creative changes and ideas that will innovate our wonderful alumni legacy for future Lakers. For example, MPS Alumni Board members are pleased to offer six scholarships (academic and financial) for incoming freshmen of alumni for the next school year. We believe that these chosen students will excel in their new lives as Lakers. These scholarships will be renewed every year with the provision that recipients maintain good academic and student status. Our Alumni Board also approved a donation for the upcoming school building renovations to provide a worthwhile gift for current and future Lakers from the MPS Alumni Association. I encourage all alumni to review the insert in MPScapades to see how you might assist with the Next 90. Save the date of March 4th, 2016 for the next Laker Legends Legacy Gala where we will honor accomplished alumni with recognition awards. Our Board members are eager to accept nominations for the 2016 Awards. You can find award info and nomination forms at mpslakers.com/alumni/ or on our Mercyhurst Prep Alumni Association Facebook page. Friend us! A transformational year is underway at Mercyhurst Prep. A new website, our already iconic mural, and major building improvements are all helping to define MPS as the 21st Century school providing the region’s finest education. These physical upgrades are difficult to miss if you visit us today, One less noticeable, but overwhelmingly important milestone has happened behind the scenes. The Sisters of Mercy Leadership Team (New York, Pennsylvania, Pacific West) recently deeded the MPS property and building to Mercyhurst Preparatory School. There is truly no end to our gratitude to our Sisters, who continue to inspire us and our students. Their generosity reminds us of our shared belief and passion in passing on an excellent Mercy education and charism from generation to generation. Alumni events and projects for the future include the hugely successful Black Friday Bash on Thanksgiving weekend, new Social Media sites, and an All School Reunion that is slated for summer 2016. MPS SPRING CONCERTS I wish to thank the Board for electing me president and look forward to accepting the challenges that come with this position. I will do my best to fill the shoes of my successful predecessors, Natalie Dwyer-Haller ’70 and Patricia Genung ‘67. Join us for our MPS Spring Concerts Marilee Warner, ‘78 Alumni President May 14 – Dance May 20 – Music Both begin at 7 p.m. and are FREE and open to the public. 5 You may have heard the buzz about our very successful LAKER GLOW RUN/WALK that was held at the school on April 18. This was a real community, family event with over 500 registered runners/walkers. A special thank you goes out to our major sponsor's: PNC Bank, WJET TV, Fox 66, Your Erie.com, Classy 100, 104.3 The Vibe, Coca-Cola, Smith’s Provisions & the Weber Family, Erie Reader and UPMC Health Plan. Next year’s Laker Glow is on the calendar for April 16, 2016. Gary Laboski Photography & DAS Photography & Design, Edinboro, PA, Daniel Smith, Amber Smith, Tyler Lovell 6 gala 2015 laker legends scholarship The Laker Legends Scholarship Gala came home to Mercyhurst Prep on February 28. Local event coordinator, Heather McBrier, transformed the athletic wing into a “Midnight Garden”. The gala annually honors outstanding alums and raising scholarship funds to help change the lives of future Lakers. Over 260 alums and Laker families had the chance to bid on fabulous packages including a cruise for 15 on the Lady Barbara, exclusive wine tours and VIP tickets to the World Golf Championships in Akron. “Raising a paddle” to create scholarships brought in record scholarship dollars. A highlight of the Laker Legends Scholarship Gala is recognizing our distinguished alumni and friends of MPS who have made a significant impact on the school. This year’s honorees included: DISTINGUISHED ALUMNI CAREER •Brigadier General Patricia Genung, USA, Retired, MPS ‘67 DISTINGUISHED ALUMNI SERVICE •Sr. Patricia Whalen, RSM ‘59 DISTINGUISHED YOUNG ALUMNI •Emily Hartwig Wachter ‘99 MERCY AWARD •Ms. Margaret Aste HONORARY ALUMNI STATUS •Kathy & Jim Dammeyer LAKER LEGEND PHILANTHROPY AWARD •Marlene Mosco and PNC Bank LAKER SPORTS LEGEND •Coach Kelly Erven Maslar ‘87 The Distinguished Alumna Award for Career, which recognizes an outstanding alum who has achieved a high level of success in career while being generous to Mercyhurst Preparatory School, was awarded to Brigadier General Patricia Genung, USA, Retired, MPS ‘67. A true scholar, Pat acquired two master’s degrees, one in European history and one in finance and additionally a doctorate in applied linguistics from Cornell University. she commanded Special Security Command Europe in Heidelberg, Germany and the 221st Base Support Battalion in Wiesbaden, Germany. She was Deputy Commander, 513th Military Intelligence Brigade, Fort Gordon, Georgia. She helped negotiate treaties on nuclear testing and chemical and biological warfare at the United Nations Conference on Disarmament in Geneva, Switzerland, and she assisted the Afghan government in establishing the National Military Academy of Afghanistan. In 1996, Pat was the first woman selected as Permanent Professor, United States Military Academy. She served as Professor and Deputy Head of the Department of Foreign Languages until her retirement in 2005 as a Brigadier General. Upon her return to Pennsylvania, Pat became involved in community as a speaker, an organizer, an advisor. She is the past president of the MPS Alumni Association, which has made leaps and bounds under her tutelage. Dear to her heart are her efforts with the Edinboro University Veterans Success Advisory Council and working with the Military Officers Association of America. She organized a local 5K Walk/Run which, in two years, has raised more than $15,000 for the Wounded Warrior Project. Already she has logged over 200 hours of volunteer service. The Distinguished Alumna Award for Service recognizes exceptional volunteer service and support to Mercyhurst Preparatory School and the Erie community. It is no wonder that Sr. Patricia Whalen, RSM ‘59 received this award as she lives and breathes the Mercy charism of Justice, Pat Genung with her brother, Richard Genung. Service, Concern for the Dignity of All Instead of receiving a trophy, Pat requested Persons, Compassionate Presence, that the money go toward the Class of 1967 and Hospitality. All these seeds were scholarship account. planted by her mentors, the Sisters of Mercy, while she was a student at Pat joined the Army in 1975, where she was commissioned as a Lieutenant Mercyhurst Seminary. She professed her final vows as a Sister of Mercy in Military Intelligence. Among in 1970. her military accomplishments, 7 The Mercy Award is an honor presented to an individual who has demonstrated exemplary commitment to the MPS mission. This year’s recipient, Peg Aste, has worn many hats in her 34 years at MPS. She has served as faculty member, International Baccalaureate coordinator, assistant principal, principal, and currently director of the International Student Program. Bridget Whalen ’78 (sister), Sr. Patricia Whalen, RSM ’59, Thomas Whalen (brother) and Julie Ann Whalen (niece.) In addition to her elementary education degree, she earned a master’s, a postbaccalaureate certificate and a certificate in theology, spirituality and scripture. She began the McAuley Scholars Program for 8th graders and the International Program at MPS, which are both in sync with our mission statement. Sr. Pat taught at various schools, held administrative positions, and served in various ministries at Mercyhurst University, where she currently works as the registrar, a position she has held since 1999. Sr. Pat’s volunteerism record is impressive: for over 30 years, she has served on the Sisters of Mercy Prison Visitation Team, offered her services at the Sisters of Mercy Hope House, now Mercy Center for Women where she has served on the Center’s board, chaired its development committee, volunteered as a house manager, and was ultimately named a Woman Making History. She is currently serving her fourth term on our MPS Board of Trustees, where she is its current secretary and member of the executive committee. Seth Hartmann (son-in-law), Myrrah Pardini, PA-C ’94 (daughter) and Peg Aste She was named a Woman Making History for Mercy Center for Women and also received the Friend of the Environment award from MPS. The Hartwig/Wachter family l to r: Dan Hartwig (brother), Danna Hartwig (mother), Katie Hartwig ’95 (sister), Emily Hartwig Wachter ’99 (husband), Dave Wachter and Becky Wachter (mother-in-law). The recipient of the Young Alumni Award for this year, Emily Hartwig Wachter, was chosen because she has exhibited leadership in her personal, professional, and volunteer accomplishments as well as involvement with MPS. Emily is a 1999 MPS graduate and is currently in her fifth year as a consultant for Decision Associates, where she implements marketing and strategic planning for profit and non-profit sectors. She previously worked for a direct marketing firm in Louisville, KY, with clients including BMW, Mercedes and Shell Corporation. The Laker Legend Philanthropy Award is presented to an individual, family or business representing the true spirit of philanthropy in their support of the MPS vision and the Mercy charism benefitting our students and community. This year’s Laker Legends Philanthropy award is presented to Marlene Mosco and PNC Bank. In her role as regional president of PNC Bank, Northwest Pennsylvania, Marlene influenced the distribution of PNC Bank’s charitable giving. Through the Pennsylvania State Tax Credit She has held numerous leadership positions and is the recipient of the Generation E Leadership Award and was named the Media Buyer/Planner of Erie. programs and under her direction, She annually donates over 100 hours to nonprofit clients. 8 tennis team to its third PIAA state team championship! She continues to be a great role model to all our athletes – onward to a potential fourth state championship! Accepting for Marlene was Vickie Lampe (right), VP client & community relations, PNC, Financial Services Group. Emily Mosco Merski ’00, (Marlene’s daughter) & MPS president Mary Ellen Dahlkemper ’69. MPS has received nearly a quarter of a million dollars of tax credit donations over the last decade! Kelly Erven Maslar (center), poses with friends at the Gala: Lorie Panitzke, Don Blenner, Julie Loader, Kelly Erven Maslar, Beth Hawkins and Lisa Corsale. Marlene has given countless hours in service to her community, has numerous professional and community accomplishments and is a proud parent of alumna, Emily Mosco Merski, class of 2000, and is a doting grandmother to a future Laker. Marlene’s efforts have truly made a difference for many of our students, who may not have otherwise been the beneficiaries of an MPS education. Marlene talks about why Mercyhurst Prep is such a great “investment”. Kelly Erven Maslar ’87, this year’s recipient of the Laker Legends Sports Award, began to collect accolades for her athletic talent, at age 9. She was a five-time District 10 tennis champion and two-time PIAA singles champion. She has been the tennis director at Pennbriar Athletic Club since 1993 and the MPS girls’ tennis head coach since 1998. She has the honor of being the coach of the first-ever PIAA tennis team championship from District 10 as well as the first to coach the MPS girls’ Members attending from the Dammeyer family included (l to r): Shawn Newport, Olivia Newport ’16 (granddaughter), Anne Dammeyer ’91 (daughter), Jim Dammeyer, and Thomas Dammeyer ’90 (son). Honorary Alumni status was bestowed upon Kathy & Jim Dammeyer, who have been volunteering their time and talents to Mercyhurst Prep for over 25 years. Even though they themselves are not graduates of the school, their children attended and now, as grandchildren are moving through the halls of MPS, we see Kathy and Jim attending plays and rooting at athletic events on a regular basis. This couple has served as MPS board members and officers, committee members and chairs various strategic planning groups. In addition to giving countless hours to MPS, they have been involved in serving the Erie community as well. Congratulations to all of our 2015 Laker Legends! 9 ALUMNI alumnsipotlight Three Generations There is much love, history, and pride for the Mercy mission in the Scalise/Bressan family. Geraldine Scalise Bressan ’46 began her education as an 8th grader at Mercyhurst Seminary, the predecessor to Mercyhurst Preparatory School. The school was located in the Main building on the campus of what is now Mercyhurst University. Her favorite memory is of the Sisters of Mercy: “They were so kind and loving as well as great leaders. They created a family-like environment and placed the love of God in us. It was a blessing to have them in our lives.” While in high school she participated in Sodality of the Blessed Mothers, a charitable organization, field hockey and retreats with the Jesuits. Every May, students participated in the huge celebration of May Day. Gerri graduated in 1946 with 17 girls in her class and is still close to them as a result of the close bond they developed in high school. At last year’s Baccalaureate Liturgy, three generations sat for a family photo: (seated l to r) Ben Glennon ’17, Geraldine Scalise Bressan ’46, Emily Glennon ’14; (standing) Sarah Bressan Glennon ’87 and Maggie Glennon ’15. She encouraged her four daughters, Anne Bressan Francani ’68, Kathy Bressan Borelli ’69, Gerri Bressan Ruef ’70, and Sarah Bressan Glennon ’87, to attend Mercyhurst Prep because, “I wanted them to have an outstanding education and experience the happiness I had there.” Unlike her sisters, Sarah attended MPS after it became a co-ed school, with nearly 200 in her class. She said, “It was and still is a very accepting environment where every student has a place to feel like they belong.” Sarah has three children: Emily, who participated in tennis and graduated last year; Maggie, a current senior, who is interested in theatre; and Ben, an International Baccalaureate Diploma candidate from the class of 2017, who is a member of our rowing team. The Bressan sisters (l to r): Gerri Bressan Ruef ’70, Anne Bressan Francani ’68, Kathy Bressan Borelli ’69 and Sarah Bressan Glennon ’87. According to Sarah, “I think that Mercyhurst has remained true to its core values over the years, but has allowed changes that keep the school current. It has expanded athletics, updated the facilities including the gym and theater, and given us the latest technology. I feel like the faculty has an even stronger bond with the students today. There’s a definite connection there. It seems more diverse now, which is wonderful. I have had nothing but positive experiences here with my children and am so proud of all that they’ve accomplished as a result of such an amazing school.” The Scalise/Bressan family embodies the Mercy charism and certainly appreciates the value of a superior educational experience. 10 MPS PROVIDES INTERNATIONAL BACCALAUREATE DIPLOMAS SINCE 1985 With 30 years of academic excellence, Mercyhurst Prep is proud to have the longest credentialed International Baccalaureate program among private Catholic schools in the USA. To receive the prestigious diploma, candidates must complete specific requirements in six subject areas, delve into a unique Theory of Knowledge course, devise and finish a creative, action and service project, and write a 4000 word essay. Student members of the St. Joseph of Arimathea Society of MPS include (left to right, bottom to top): Robert Sharkey, Jay Cooney, Gianluca Ianiro, Daniel Rathburn, Thomas Picotte, Braden Barnett, Leroy Gasseller, Daniel Fitzgerald, Joey Magrum, Anthony Roth, James Zimmerman, Jacob Barilla, Matthew Baldwin, Ryan Gavalier, Joseph Rapela, Gaetano Carvelli, Adam Beaufort, and Nicholas Praetzel. The St. Joseph of Arimathea Society is open to any young man attending MPS. Obedient to the Gospel command to love our neighbor, and in the tradition of the Mercy Core Values, the ministry seeks to: • • • • Affirm the value and dignity of every human being, especially at the time of death. Be a compassionate presence to those who mourn. Provide pallbearer services free of charge to those in need. Honor and pray for the dead. Thanks to MPS chaplain Fr. Steve Schreiber, who created this ministry in collaboration with Austin Brugger of Brugger Funeral Homes, our young men provide pallbearer services to individuals who have died indigent or alone or simply have few remaining relatives or friends. The mission is to provide compassion, prayer, hope, and love in a time of death and mourning. 2014 Mercyhurst Prep graduates returned to school in December to receive their International Baccalaureate diplomas. (l to r, top): Colin Magerle (Sarah Lawrence College), Anna Dzuricky (University of Pittsburgh) and Allison Ganger (Allegheny College); (middle) Zach Zhao (Johns Hopkins University), Carolyn Waldee (Wheaton College, IL), and William Greenleaf (Georgia Institute of Technology); (front) John Miraszek (Pennsylvania State University), Alexa Wawrzyniak (University of Rochester), Katie Elia (College of the Holy Cross) and Marc Parnell (Case Western Reserve University). 11 TENNIS TEAM RULES! Pictured here are (front l to r): Taylor Levinson ’15 and Lauren Petrella ’15: (center) Ruthie Golden ’17, Alexandra Ferretti ’15, Josie Barcley ’18, Sophia DiNicola ’17, Alex Baldwin ’17, Audrey Bell ’16, Anna Bruns ’17, Alice Squeglia ’15, Francesca Kern ’18, Nicole Freeman ’16, Caitlyn Schultz ’16 and Coach Kelly Erven Maslar ’87. Also, Lauren Petrella ’15 and Caitlyn Schultz ’16 won the PIAA State Doubles Championship. Our girls tennis team and Coach Kelly Maslar and Assistant Coach Jenny Wilson, won their 3rd straight PIAA State Championship this year by defeating Scranton Prep with a score of 5-0 in the final. KUDOS TO ALYSON AMENDOLA AND ADAM WELSH Congratulations to two Mercyhurst Alumni honored at the Annual Erie Arts & Culture Appreciation Awards ceremony on November 12 for their outstanding dedication to arts and culture in the Erie region. Erie Reader, a biweekly publication whose editor-in-chief, Adam Welsh, graduated from MPS in 1994, received the distinguished Leadership Award for major contributions in promoting the diverse artists, performers, entertainment venues and cultural groups and organizations that make our community thrive and enhance the quality of life for all citizens. The Young People’s Chorus of Erie, under the leadership of Executive Director Alyson Amendola, MPS Class of 1989, received the Imagine Award for promoting personal and artistic growth and cross-cultural understanding for children of diverse abilities and diverse racial, ethnic, religious, and socio-economic backgrounds from over 40 public and private schools in the region. Children are inspired and encouraged to develop their skills while making life-long friendships as they perform throughout our community. WE ARE ALL A PART OF THE LAKER STORY! If you have news or photos concerning past, present, and future Lakers, let the world know by helping us feature it on our social media pages. Contact community relations assistant, Amanda Hill '05, at [email protected], and don't forget to follow us on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook! W: mpslakers.com T: @mpslakers.com FB: facebook.com/mpslakers I: mpslakers 12 SCHOOL MURAL EXEMPLIFIES CROSS-GENERATIONAL ART Mercyhurst Preparatory School dominated the local media and had the Erie community buzzing when the largest linear environmental outdoor mural in Northwestern Pennsylvania was revealed to the public this past summer. The enormous mural project is 8200 square feet of illustrated environment including 26 pillars and 177 – 8-foot vinyl panels that cover 1416 square feet of the schools brick façade. International artist and owner of Higherglyphics, Todd Scalise ’91, who was featured in the MPS Alumni Spotlight summer issue, looked to the Mercyhurst Prep family to define the images that eventually became the visual representation of our MPS story. He and school administrators sifted through 600 submissions from alumni, students, faculty/staff, and friends that included drawings, photographs, video and personal quotes to illustrate the 26 themed pillars. An archival pencil drawing of a tree created by a 1969 alumna, Maria Alvarado-Gomez, when she was studying as the first international student at MPS, became a symbolic watermark in the mural project on each of the pillars that connect the two entrances of the school. Scalise said, “This is a fantastic metaphor for the basis of a creative project.” Each pillar features a unique aspect of MPS, creating a lasting testament about what makes Mercyhurst Prep specific. Scalise engaged students to help in the project, many from Dr. Jamie Borowicz’s art seminar class. The next step involved making Sharpie drawings of the selected pieces using a light box. Students were taught by Scalise how to perfect this process and they were able to turn out 100 drawings in just three weeks. 13 It took Scalise, along with five MPS students working eight hours a day, five days to complete the 177 panels. Each panel was printed on vinyl and mounted to steel roofing panels with a fluorescent numeral printed at the top so installers would know how to place them in the proper order to create the desired picture. The 8’ panels were produced in reverse order, which had to be determined ahead of time. Correct stacking order was crucial to matching the images. The paneling work was completed at McCreary Roofing, another alumni family connection. It took installers four days to affix the panels to the facade. Bishop Persico with artist Todd Scalise ‘91 These days it is not uncommon to see folks walking among our pillars reading the quotes, studying the drawings and gazing at the 8’ panels from afar. The team at Mercyhurst Prep is delighted to see so many Erie residents heading up the hill to view this one-of-a-kind outdoor mural and hope you will find some time to visit us too when you are in town. Be sure to check out the 8” square drawings of the MPS chapel Stations of the Cross on the north side of the 14 pillars in the main colonnade created by 2014 MPS graduate, Zach Little. This $55,000 project was funded through generous gifts from MPS board members and donors. If you would like to donate please visit www.mpslakers.com/mps-community-mural. Mural inspired tees, pins and tote bags are available in the MPS Spirit Store. MPS president, Mary Ellen Dahlkemper, Sister Joan Sherry, Sisters of Mercy Sponsorship Council liaison to MPS, and Sister Patricia Prinzing, Sisters of Mercy vice-president and leadership team liaison to MPS 14 MPSLAKERS.COM GETS A MAKEOVER After months of planning, designing, organizing and editing, the dynamic new Mercyhurst Prep website is live and generating a lot of buzz in the MPS community. We are so proud of our new Laker web presence and hope you take a look and let us know what you think – especially with the Alumni pages. A website is meant to be organic and we plan to continue to populate it with photos, videos and more. There are so many exciting and unique aspects to a Mercyhurst Prep education and now more than ever mpslakers.com is the perfect place to learn and share. Please check back often as things are always changing. Our online Spirit Store is coming soon! Kristin Steger Lynch is the brains behind our new website! Over the past year and a half, she clocked over 1,000 hours developing a new version of the mpslakers.com website and now acts as the school’s online services director in addition to her responsibilities as iPad Director. Her biggest challenge was reorganizing and updating content from the previous website to provide concise and easily accessed information to new visitors while keeping the MPS community Kristin Steger Lynch, ‘85 wired and informed. Given our international audience, she ensured that the new site could be accessed multilingually in over 30 languages. Since the new website went live in October, it has had 220,000 page views from 121 countries. WIN LAKER GEAR Seniors Nick Praetzel and Claire Lichtenwalter show the spirit wear and merchandise that you could win, just by updating your contact information. We want to be in touch with you and share your stories! To be sure you and your classmates are on our list we are holding a raffle of MPS spirit wear and merchandise. A 1990 graduate of Gannon University, Kristin majored in Management Information Systems. A self-ascribed “code poet”, Kristin was greatly influenced by MPS teachers Chuck Stachera, Elizabeth Stage and Penny Kurre. Email us your updated or current address, phone number, email (even if you think we have it already) to [email protected] and you will be entered to win. CC the MPS friends with whom you are still in touch and get multiple chances at the prize! Be sure to like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter and Instagram, and hashtag your Laker life with #iamalaker. We are all part of the Laker story! Kristin has worked as a professional technology consultant, solutions developer and Internet specialist with more than18 years experience in Internet marketing and web development, and more than 22 years experience in technology service and technical support. She previously acted as a technical consultant for Saint Vincent Health System, was the liaison between hardware/software vendors and the Regional Cancer Center, and managed GoErie.com as producer and interactive operations manager for 12 years. In order to help reduce waste, you are receiving one issue of MPScapades per household. If you would like an additional issue, please email [email protected]. Kristin was hired three years ago to manage the MPS one-to-one iPad program, which involves coordinating faculty and student iPad functionality, while managing the hardware and software inventory and configurations. She also develops the ancillary services required to support the initiative, such as end user technical support and training materials. mpslakers.com PLEASE NOTE: 15 YOU CAN TURN YOUR PA BUSINESS TAXES INTO MPS SCHOLARSHIPS! Business owners who take part in the Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) and the Opportunity Scholarship Tax Credit (OSTC) programs will tell you – these programs are a wonderful way to help deserving students receive an outstanding MPS education for little or no additional cost to you! Now is the time to consider taking part in the EITC and OSTC tax credit programs. If the business you own or work for is eligible, a very short and easy process allows you to redirect your business tax dollars from Harrisburg to Mercyhurst Prep scholarships. Note: • All applications are accepted online • EITC tax credits are typically exhausted in just a few days’ time Thank you to these wonderful area businesses that have participated in the EITC and OSTC programs in 20132014 and 2014-2015. In this time period alone, the Pennsylvania state tax credit programs have allowed for more than $660,000 in Mercyhurst Prep scholarships. You are changing lives! Baldwin Brothers Inc. Bensur Creative Marketing Group Bianchi Motors Inc. C.A. Curtze Co. “Companies, such as PNC, that participate in the Educational Improvement Tax Credit Program see their money well spent. I would encourage businesses to participate and support education and scholarships for young students. I’ve seen the results, first hand, and the impact these dollars make to help kids achieve their goals and be successful in life. Using the PA Tax Credit Program is a great way businesses can put their money to work for them.” Marlene Mosco- PNC Bank Regional President TIMELINE: May 15, 2015:Businesses in the second of their 2-year commitment, or beginning a new 2-year commitment can apply. July 1, 2015: First time applications are accepted on a first come first served basis. Composiflex Felix & Gloekler, P. C. Glenwood Beer Distributors Inc. HRI Supply and Design, Inc. Industrial Sales & Manufacturing Keystone Health Plan MacDonald Illig Jones & Britton LLP Maplevale Farms Inc. Marquette Savings Bank McManis & Monsalve Associates Metz Enterprises Northwest Savings Bank PNC Financial Services Group Porreco Nissan, Inc. Printing Concepts Inc. Reddog Industries Sixsome LLC United Concordia UPMC Health Plan Waste Management For more information about how you can redirect your Pennsylvania state business taxes to Mercyhurst Prep scholarships for little or no out of pocket cost, please contact Lisa Nietupski at [email protected] or 814-824-2408. Basketball Camps • Ceramics Camp Football Camp • Learn-to-Row Camp • SAT Prep Speech & Debate Camp • Volleyball Camp Plus so much more! 538 East Grandview Blvd., Erie, PA 16504 www.mpslakers.com/summer P: 814-824-3870 or E: [email protected] for more information 16 olden The Golden Anniversary luncheon was celebrated last August at the Erie Yacht Club with record attendance. Below is a collage of some of those in attendance. Class of 1933 Class of 1962 Class of 1955 Class of 1961 Class of 1964 Golden AnniversaryAlumnae Luncheon Honoring Mercyhurst graduates from 1926-1965 on Friday, August 14, 2015 At Mercyhurst Preparatory School, 10:00 a.m. Tour/11:00 a.m. Liturgy/12:00 p.m. Lunch Hosted by Mary Ellen Dahlkemper, MPS President, Class of ’69 Reservations by August 1, 2015 to Amanda Hill, at 814-824-2066 or [email protected] with ALUMNAE on subject line Graduates from 1926-1965 attend for FREE. Graduates from 1967-2015 and their guests are welcome to attend for a fee of $15.00 per person. RESERVATION FORM: RESERVATIONS MUST BE RECEIVED BY AUGUST 1 Last NameFirst NameMaiden Name Class ofPhoneEmail Address CityStateZip Number AttendingAmount Enclosed ($15.00 per person, unless you are from classes 1926-1966) Luncheon choice of: Cobb Salad Roasted Vegetable Wrap Chicken Salad Croissant 17 REUNIONS 2015 LAKERS REUNITE DON’T MISS YOUR CHANCE TO SEE OLD FRIENDS AND SHARE NEW MEMORIES Class of 1965 – 50th Reunion Friday, August 14 – Golden Anniversary Luncheon @ MPS 10:00 tour 11:00 a.m. Liturgy 12:00 p.m. lunch Hosted by Mary Ellen Dahlkemper, MPS president Contact Steve Fabin, [email protected], 814-602-9447 or Sharon Winiecki Dressler, [email protected], 814-397-1455 Class of 1990 – 25th Reunion Saturday, July 18 Sluggers Bar and Grille 8pm-whenever Class of 1995 – 20th Reunion Saturday, June 13 Tom Habursky, [email protected] or Katie Hartwig, [email protected]. 11:00 a.m. tour of MPS 1:00 p.m. picnic at Skibinski Grove Sunday, July 19 (Family day) Presque Isle State Park Cookhouse Number 5 11:30am until dusk Class of 2010 – 5th Reunion Friday, November 27, as part of MPS Black Friday Bash @ Calamaris CLASS NOTES: 1960 Sue Sutto ’64 is congratulated on retiring from her business, Sue Sutto Realtors, Inc. She is looking forward to the next chapter of her life. Maureen Barber-Carey ’68, executive vice president of the Barber National Institute, received the 2015 Temple Grandin Award. The award is presented annually by the Autism Connection of Pennsylvania. Elli Kapsiak Baker ‘69 is the director of marketing for the Indianapolis City Ballet which hosts a master class series for local dance students and places those with greatest potential in leading ballet companies or schools worldwide including the John Kranko School in Germany, San Francisco Ballet, Ballet West, School of American Ballet, the North Carolina School of the Arts, the JKO School with American Ballet Theatre and Mercyhurst University Dance Program. Elli reports that “99% of the time it’s hard to believe I get paid for what doesn’t feel like work at all!” Among her many other responsibilities. Elli plans the Annual Evening with the Stars, bringing the finest dancers from all of the world to dance their best repertoire in a one night Gala. The class of 1969 (above) celebrated its 45th reunion this summer. (l to r): Nedra Dwyer Lehrian, Barb Cox Murnane, Emma Lee McCloskey, Susan Sontheimer Louth, Maureen O’Connor Plunkett, Denise Duval (sunglasses), Maria Alvarado Gomez, Christine Welsh Blake, Janet Chaffee Kerner, Mary Grace Ciotoli Shannon (back), Becky Schultz Smith, Gretchen Pfadt Beck, June Pozzutti Johnson, Cori Flower Holmes, Sandy Miller Hoitinga, Jane Steinbaugh Hynes (sunglasses), Mary Beth Sullivan Wachter, Kate Feehley Allison, Mary Ellen Dahlkemper. 18 CLASS NOTES: Emma Lee McCloskey ’69 recently retired from her position as president of The Catholic Foundation in the Diocese of Erie. She led the foundation since 2008 and grew four endowments valued at $6 million to 40 endowments valued at nearly $10 million. 1970 Roy Hollis Jr. ’70 sang at the Erie Music Awards at the Erie Bayfront Convention Center in the fall. hired by Mission Viejo High School in the Saddleback Valley Unified School District in California to teach and direct the theater program. This fall, the Orange County Department of Education honored her with the Outstanding Contribution to Education Award 2014, and the California Educational Theater Association presented her with a the 2014 Leadership Award. Bishop Cynthia Gardner, JD, MDiv ’74 was recognized as an “Amazon Best Selling Author.” Her recent Kindle book, Castaway Cradles, reached the best-selling list in two categories in September. During the Christmas season, several MPS alums from the class of ‘75, volunteered at St. Martin Center to assist in organizing donated Christmas presents to be delivered to the children in the Erie community. A few members of class of 1971 gathered one evening for good company and dinner: (seated) Peggy Beresky Brabender, Tia Peters and Sue Barry; (standing) Evelyn Bogdanski DePalma, Janice DiLuzio and Marcia Izbicki Gensheimer. Shirley Passel Helminski ’72 received a second place and a Friends of the Tom Ridge Center award at the Winterfest’s Panorama exhibit. Kathleen Cannarozzi Harris ’73, former MPS teacher, recently accepted a job as the visual and performing arts coordinator K-12 for the Saddleback Valley Unified School District where she will be working with all of the arts teachers as part of the Arts Advantage Program. SVUSD has seven high schools, five intermediate schools and 26 elementary schools. After leaving Erie in 1991, Kathleen was of humor. Classmates departed and immediately began planning a return visit with additional class of ‹75 friends. Sadly, Madeline passed away on November 13, 2014 before that return visit. Much accomplished, Madeline was the Founder and Executive Director of Michael’s House for Grieving Children in Chagrin Falls, Ohio. She was a member of numerous professional, civic and charitable organizations and was the recipient of the 2001 Mercyhurst Prep Distinguished Alumni Award, The Greater Cleveland Woman of Achievement Award and Cleveland Magazine’s Most Interesting People Award. Pictured in photo with Madeline from left to right are: Karen Bukowski, Roselle RandazzoWalkiewicz, Cyndie Filutze-Zahner and Carolyn Travers-LaFata. Also, on speaker phone was May Joy Casale, who resides in Florida. In an effort to remember and honor Madeline's memory, the Sivak family and many members of the class of '75 who loved Pictured in photo from left to right are: Sheila Dwyer- Grove, Sue her, will establish a Emling, Heidi Zurn-Williams, Karen Bukowski, Roselle Randazzo- scholarship fund in her name. Walkiewicz and Cyndie Filutze - Zahner. In Memory of Madeline Sivak 1975 MPS classmates visited hospice patient, Madeline Sivak, on November 1, 2014 in Bay Village, Ohio. They shared a fun afternoon reminiscing about moments at MPS and, despite her discomfort, Madeline remained alert, never losing her wonderful wit and side-splitting sense The Sivak Family is currently defining the criteria and details for the scholarship, which will be awarded to future, deserving MPS students in Madeline's honor. Donations can be made to MPS in Madeline's name. 19 Tina Anthony ’75 recently retired from the U.S. Steel Corporation in Pittsburgh. employed by the Millcreek Township School District as a physical therapist. Stephen is the son of Ruth Alberstadt, our MPS Spirit Store manager, and step-son of Jay Alberstadt, a member of our Board of Trustees. Amy Gensheimer Patsy ’75 was recently hired as the vision screener at the Sight Center in Erie. She works with young children who might need eye care or surgery. Laurie Root ’75 is senior vice president of resource development for the United Way of Erie County. She serves on the governing board of the Erie Athena program, the board of directors of the Rotary Club of Erie, and that of the Northwest Institute of Research. She is also a member of the Women’s Roundtable and recipient of the 2013 Athena Leadership award. 1980 Matthew Robaszkiewicz ’82 was recently appointed executive director of the Center for Faith Justice. Lisa Kaczenski-Cope ’88 is a behavior specialist consultant. She earned a master’s in special education from Mercyhurst University. 1990 Ray Schlaufman ‘98 has been living in Las Vegas for the past eight years. He recently became the beverage manager for the D Las Vegas and Golden Gate Casinos on the Las Vegas Strip. He and his wife are the proud parents of four and two-year old daughters and a 7 month old baby boy. Mr. & Mrs. Stephen Nemenz Stephen Nemenz ’98 married Elizabeth Beckman in June. Melissa Nemenz ’99, sister of the groom, was a bridesmaid. Paul Scanlon ’98, friend of the groom, was best man. Stephen graduated from Mercyhurst University with a degree in secondary education science. He received a master’s degree in curriculum and instruction as well as k-12 principal certification from Gannon University. He is the principal of Our Lady's Christian School in Erie. Elizabeth is a graduate of Pennsylvania State University with a degree in kinesiology. She received her Doctor of Physical Therapy degree from Slippery Rock University. She is Tamara Yaple ’98 owns and operates Yum Yum’s Pizza in Erie, PA. Justin Ferko ’99, a first-year seminary student, was awarded a full-tuition scholarship from the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America through the ELCA Fund for Leaders. He is at the Trinity Lutheran Seminary in Columbus, OH. Classmates from 1999, Jason Fidorra, Elena Carson Arnold and Bill Lillis, participated in the Young Erie Professionals Annual Gift Wrapping Party this December. It’s an event where people buy and then get together to wrap them and have a fun Christmas party for less fortunate children. Missing from the photo was Matt Wiertel. Rob Meister and wife Stephanie at Stonehenge Robert Meister ‘95 won a $10K grant that enabled him and his wife, Stephanie, to spend 30 days traveling the UK, from London to the Lake District, to Wales and to Edinburgh, Scotland. 20 CLASS NOTES: Renee Koprowski Gordon ‘99 received her doctoral degree in organizational learning and leadership from Gannon University in December 2014. Her dissertation was a descriptive study on the social and educational services available to refugees during resettlement. Dr. Gordon is currently a high school principal and an adjunct professor at Gannon University. 2000 Captain (Dr.) Dave Matteson ’01 deployed to the Middle East and southwest Asia in 2014 with the United States Air Force as a Critical Care Air Transport Team (CCATT) physician. His three-person team transformed military cargo and passenger planes into flying intensive care units capable of transporting critically ill or injured U.S. and Coalition armed service members thousands of miles from their areas of deployment to higher levels of care. When not deployed, Dave is a board-certified anesthesiologist at San Antonio Military Medical Center in San Antonio, Texas. He was promoted to the rank of Major in April 2015. Mary Ellen Leisering ’02 earned a master’s in liberal arts from Houston Baptist University in August. She is in her seventh year at HBU as the assistant director of athletic media relations at the NCAA Division I school. Melissa Gervase ’00 is a clinical pharmacist at Cook Children’s Medical Center in Fort Worth, TX. John Simon ’00 has joined the United Way as assistant vice president of investor relations. He serves on the advisory panel for the Athena Power Link program and is a board member of Young Erie Professionals and the Church of the Nativity. He is a graduate of Leadership Erie. Jovon Johnson ’02 recently stopped in at MPS for a visit with his fiancé. L to r: Jovon, Ms. Margaret Aste, Director of International Student program, Yodanna Guzman, (front)Julian Walker. Dave Matteson (left) & teammates, who include a critical care nurse (middle), and respiratory therapist (right) The Gensheimer-Newman wedding reception included many MPS alumni: (back) Amy Waldinger ’03, Lauren Waldinger ’05, Marcia Izbicki Gensheimer ’71, Patti Izbicki Gray ’67, Joanne Przybyszewski Kubinski ’71; (front) Ann Gensheimer Wilkes ’73, Amy Gensheimer Patsy ’75, Bethany Shaffer ’00, Beth Gensheimer Newman ’03, Emily Gensheimer Ferko ’99, Jared Ferko ’01, Rachel White ’04 and Mariah Zielinski Scott ’03. 21 Mike Storey ’04 went on to Ohio Northern and graduated with a Pharm.D. and then to The Ohio State University in Columbus, OH, where he earned an M.S. in Hospital Pharmacy Administration. He is a Pharmacy Manager in Hematology/Oncology at Nationwide Children’s Hospital in Columbus, OH. Mr. & Mrs. Brian Newman Beth Gensheimer ’03 married Brian Newman in August in Texas. Emily Gensheimer Ferko ’99, sister of the bride, served as maid of honor. Beth and Brian are both graduates of Duquesne University, where they first met. She graduated with an elementary education degree and teaches special education in the Coppell School District. Brian graduated with a dual degree in psychology and classics. He is also a graduate of Baylor Law School and owns his own law practice in Ft. Worth. Danielle Snow ‘03 entered into the Navy in 2009. Her first duty station was in Colt's Neck, NJ, at a small weapons station called Earle, where she participated in the Veterans Day Parade and was named Junior Sailor of the Year for the base. In 2012 Danielle was selected for the US Navy Blue Angels, where she was the Event's Coordination Leading Petty Officer, in charge of putting together the itineraries for the show, as well as coordinating special community events and school recruiting visits. In December she moved to Sicily, Italy, to work with the Defense Courier Service, which sends classified and sensitive material around the world. Mark Upton ’03 is a physician in the Philadelphia area an frequently travels back home to Erie to visit family. Andrew Storey ’04 graduated from the College of Wooster and is nearing completion of his Ph.D. in analytical chemistry at Indiana University in Bloomington, IN. Francesca Fetzner Price ’05 recently moved to Louisville, KY and was hired in December as and adjunct professor by the department of communication at Spalding University to teach effective speaking. She earned a BA in communication and journalism from Duquesne University and a master’s in communication and leadership studies from Gonzaga University. Mark Peelman ’05 is the owner of Peelman Production, Inc. in Raleigh, NC. His company provides special event lighting. Aleks Von Korff ’05 lives in L.A., where he works as a recording engineer and music producer for Woodshed Recording. Alan Currie ’06 is currently working offshore as an MWD Field Engineer with Schlumberger in the United Kingdom after Alan Currie ’06 and Hank completing his Bink ’06 visiting MPS masters in mechanical engineering at Heriot Watt University in 2012. Emily Baxter ’07 is a research assistant for women’s economic policy at the Center for American Progress. Additionally, she serves as a non-resident fellow at the Center for Internet and Society at Stanford Law School. Her work has focused on the intersection of gender, religion, politics, and power. Her articles have appeared in ThinkProgress, PolicyMic, Sojourners and Religion Dispatches. Kevin Hirst ’07 is the national account manager on “Wicked” for the Serino Coyne media department. He received the Serino Coyne’s Rookie of the Year award in 2012. Nick Adams ’01 is starring in the touring group of “Wicked” playing the role of Fiyero. Jessica Annunziata ’08 is a member of The Deconstructive Theatre Project that performed The Orpheus Variations at an internationally recognized festival in NYC called Under the Radar. They raised money on KickStarter to rent rehearsal space. Gabriella Bensur ’08 is a third year law student at Cornell University, where she is involved in Law Review, Moot Court, Legal Information Institute, the Cornell Law Student Association, Italian American Law Student Association and the Student Leadership Council. She worked at White & Case LLP this past summer in New York. Gabriella headed up the Cornell Law delegation that competed in Paris, France in February. Derek CraneHuston ’08 participated in the “White Coat Ceremony” at Slippery Rock University. He started his clinical rotations and graduated in May with a doctorate in physical therapy. Dr. Crane-Huston Kat Kerman ’08 studied at The Theatre School at DePaul, one of the top 20 acting programs in the world, after high school graduation. She is applying to acting master’s programs in London. [email protected] John Storey ’08 graduated from Villanova School of Business and is currently employed by MorganStanley in Manhattan. 22 2010 Eddie Baxter ’11 was accepted at Yale Divinity School. Ally Burke ’11 was named to the Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference women’s basketball AllConference team. This season, she led the league in scoring with 20.2 points per game and was third in free throw percentage. Ally scored 20 or more points in 13 games and was the leading scorer in 21 of 25 games played. Shengtong (Candy) Chen ‘11 graduated in three years from the University of Rochester this past May, with a BS in optical engineering and two minors in mathematics and economics. She is currently studying at Stanford University for a master’s degree in materials science and engineering. She hopes to launch a career in the field of lens design, designing camera modules and imaging systems for entertainment devices, such as the Google Glass and head-mounted displays. Becca Costello ’11 became the first player in Edinboro University’s history to receive Division II All-American honors in women’s soccer. She was named a third-team selection by the NSCAA and a third-team selection by Daktronics. Becca was named the PSCA defensive athlete of the year and earned a spot on the All-PSAC first team. She was given first team NSCAA All-Atlantic Region honors for the second straight year. She was also named to the first team Daktronics All-Atlantic team. Alethea Gaarden ’11 received the Bishop’s Award for Academic Excellence at the 2014 graduation ceremony from Mercyhurst University. This award is presented by the Catholic Diocese of Erie to the graduating senior, traditional or adult, who is judged to have the most superior academic record in the class. Criteria for selection include grade point average and academic program rigor. She earned a dual BA in English and political science. Kaleigh Hubert ’09 earned the same award in 2013, so for two consecutive years, MPS alums were recognized for their outstanding academic performance. Samantha Heller ’11 attends Duquesne University in a 2 + 4 program working towards a Doctor of Pharmacy degree. She works parttime at Wegmans in Erie. Andrea Mazzocchi ’11 is in a five year engineering program at Rochester Institute of Technology and is beginning the application process to graduate schools in order to obtain a PhD in biomedical engineering, specifically, tissue engineering. She is involved in technical writing and research at the biomedical engineering research lab at RIT. She was recently published as a first author on a stem cell paper and is working on a second and third paper as a continual study. Nora Pertz ’11 graduated Summa Cum Laude from Vanderbilt University last year. She auditioned and obtained an internship at an opera house as well as a master’s program in Vienna, Austria. Nora, an International Baccalaureate Diploma holder from MPS, is the only English speaker on the administration staff. Fluent in German and proficient in French, she acknowledged the importance of knowing a second language. Nora Pertz and Samantha Heller on a visit at MPS Maria Scrimenti ’11 is the general manager at Nautilus I Rock in Erie, PA. Lindsey Stamp ’11 completed her senior season with the Indiana, PA women’s basketball team. She was named the Atlantic Region Player of the Year by the Daktronics/ Division II Conference Commissioners Association. She was the first player in program history to earn that honor. Lindsey led the PSAC and ranked 19 in Division II with 19.9 points per game. She closed her college career with 1,498 points. Julia Yurkovic ’11 is graduating from the University of Rochester with a dual degree in brain & cognitive sciences and psychology with a minor in American Sign Language. She will be doing research on Autism Spectrum Disorders through the Donald J. Cohen Fellowship in Developmental Social Neuroscience at the Marcus Autism Center and the Emory School of Medicine in Atlanta, GA. Michael Yurkovic ’11 will graduate from the University of Rochester with a dual degree in mathematics and business and a minor in Spanish. He will be working as an actuary at Milliman in Seattle, Washington. Amanda Berchtold ’12 is now the junior point guard for the Gannon Knights. At 5’5” Berchtold averages 4.3 assists per game, fourth in the PSAC. She played for the MPS Lakers in the state championship of 2010-11. InJung Cho ‘12, a native of South Korea, who spent her junior and senior years at Mercyhurst Prep, has published a book that chronicles her journey as an international InJung Cho’s book cover student. The title literally translates to “Timid InJung, Bold Decisions.” The book, written in 23 Korean, includes many photos from her high school experience. InJung asked her former MPS English teacher, Mrs. Nicole Wojciechowski, to write the foreward which appears in both Korean and English. The book is about all of InJung’s experiences in the United States, including her sophomore year spent in Wisconsin. InJung is currently a student at a world university in Japan. Claire Pomorski ’14, a freshman at Penn State Main Campus, interviewed for the dynamic dozen Public Relations Committee for the campu’s annual Relay for Life. Not only did she make the committee, but she also was given the position of “Visual Public Relations Captain” because of her art background and work on the MPS Mural with Alum Todd Scalise/ Higherglyphics. Claire will oversee “visually displaying Relay for Life,” which includes creating visuals to let the campus know of events, helping with designs for merchandise, and advertising the Relay for Life April 4-5. Throughout the year until the actual Relay, her visual public relations work will help to raise money through various campus events for the American Cancer Society. Sympathy The Mercyhurst Prep community of alumni, students, faculty, staff and parents extends sympathy to the following members of our extended family: Alumni: Mary Mahoney McMahon ‘33 Adele Trippe Karle ‘40 Helen Kuebler Eastman ‘41 Doris Carlin Shade ‘48 Maryann Robaszkiewicz Adsit ‘51 Mary Kay Koehler Malamphy ‘57 Geraldine Janowski Farina ‘58 Susan Sonoga Moore ‘65 Barbara Piper Lynch ‘66 Ann Gent ‘67 Jacqueline Schley Halas ‘67 THOUGHTS OF SR. AUDREY “PETER” CLAUSS (1927-2015) By Mary Ellen Dahlkemper, Class of 1969 For MPS alumna privileged to have studied French I-IV with Sr. Audrey “Peter” Clauss, it was not surprising that she worked up until the day she passed away. She was a ball of energy throughout her amazing life -- 32 years teaching and 35 years working with disabled children and adults and caring for the elderly. At Mercyhurst Prep, she was a vibrant presence not only as a teacher, mentor and friend, but also as the director of our first theater performances and the coach of Forensics, known now as Speech & Debate. She was one of our first faculty to plan and chaperone trips to Europe. We loved her wit and joie de vivre. She was humble and brilliant. None of us knew that she was working on her Ph.D. in French from Case Western Reserve while she taught us at MPS. Nor did we know that she was a Fulbright Scholar earning an additional language diploma from the Sorbonne in Paris. Following her death on February 6, her beloved Sisters of Mercy discovered two faded documents in her dresser drawer that reflect what she loved most about her life. One was the May 1982 issue of the Mercyhurst Prep newspaper Shorelines that featured her in a story about religious vocations. She died in her 68th year of religious life. The Class of 1963 dedicated its yearbook to her – a copy of that page featuring her photos and dedication was the second document she kept in her drawer of treasured memories. At her request, her body was buried wearing her moccasins – so she could tread lightly as she sought her loved ones in heaven. Bonjour, Soeur Pierre. Merci beaucoup pour les souvenirs! Anne Berry Earls ‘69 Julie Samick Van Volkenburg ‘70 Deborah Laird ‘71 Linda Bauman Obleski Callahan ‘72 Madeline Sivak ‘75 James Sekula ‘81 Mark J. Glennon ‘93 Nick Aquino ‘03 Abram Sorek ‘09 Husband of: Irene Mszanowski Ropski ‘43 Mary Ann Stupek Brugger ‘53 Mary Jo Pontoriero Jack ‘69 Mother of: Susan Veihdeffer Vogt ‘65 Carolyn Shade Larson ’69, Diane Shade Flook ’73, Eileen Shade McGuire ’74 and Annette Shade ‘78 Denise Karle Parker ’71 and Lynne Karle Wright ‘76 Charlene Ciotti Phanco ‘71 Barbie Twiss Loeslein ’72 and Anne Twiss Dolan ‘75 Kathy Fessler Hersch ‘75 Laurie Root ‘75 Elaine Pulakos ’76, Diane Pulakos ’79 and George Pulakos ‘82 Brian Koeberle ‘79 Marc McAndrew ’84 and Brian McAndrew ‘85 Kristy Kelly ‘86 Julia Dembinski Burton ’90 and Joseph Dembinski ‘92 Michael McCormick ‘92 Emily Earls Ghiorse ‘97 Jennifer Halas DeCenzo ‘97 24 Jillian Moore Hinton ’97 and Courtney Moore ‘99 Julie Obleski ’98, Christina Obleski Cook ’00, Catherine Obleski Wetherington ’01, and Kaitlyn Callahan ‘14 Jennifer Van Volkenburg ’99 and Joanna Van Volkenburg ‘05 Carly Fischer ‘13 Father of: Eunice Greiner Dovey ‘65 Denise Gerbi Leath ‘67 Mary Lou Giermak Nexsen ’71 and Pat Giermak Millea ‘73 Eileen Lorei Talbot ‘87 Chad Santos ’92, Jason Santos ’95 and Jamie Santos ‘95 Matt Anderson ’94, Brent Anderson ’97, and Laurie Anderson Glass ‘04 Mark Tupek ‘03 little lakers Send us a birth notice and we will send your baby a special MPS tee. [email protected] CONGRATULATIONS! Toni Platte Payner ‘92 and husband Ian welcomed son Christopher James in June. Big brothers Michael and Ryan are very excited to have another brother. Sister of: Rosie Sonoga Omniewski ‘67 Lisa Bauman Sullivan ‘71 Rebecca O’Leary Devine ‘71 Brother of: Dr. Floyd Csir ‘86 Sisters of Mercy: Sr. Audrey (Peter) Clauss, RSM Sr. Mary Edith Hirsch, RSM Sr. Mary Dolores Jablonski, RSM Other: Mother of former advancement assistant, Linda Hoover Former English teacher, Betty Louise Kelly Mother of former board member, Christine Laughlin Willey and recently retired maintenance supervisor Patrick Laughlin Former teacher, Patsy Capps Root Nathan and Abigail Bentley Roan McQuillen Anthony Cuzzola ’96 and wife Jen on the August birth of their first child, Arianna. Carolyn McQuillen ‘93 married her first online date, Sascha Meyer, on August 11, 2013. She is a Dialysis RN and a Certified Massage Therapist. They welcomed son Roan on May 22, 2014. Roan is the grandson of former Mercyhurst College President & Professor Michael McQuillen and his wife, Joy. They reside in the Rocky Mountains in Evergreen, CO. Michael Thieman ’95 and wife Tory on the October birth of Margaret Avery. She has two big brothers. Keith Bentley ’96 and Rebecca Kovacs Bentley ’00 welcomed Abigail Capri in August. She joins big brother Nathan, who is two. Mrs. Paula Dworakowski "shines" with the MPS umbrella. Ally Clark Kate Brabender Clark ’97 and her husband, Chris, announce the birth of their first child, Alexandra (Ally) Elizabeth Clark on March 9, 2014. They reside in Annapolis, MD, where Kate is a clinical psychologist for Johns Hopkins University’s Center for Talented Youth. Chris is an internal auditor for the United States Air Force. 25 25 Jill Eck Myers ’03 and husband Justin on the July 1 birth of Jenna Summer. She joins big sister Julia. Sarah Burchard ’05 on the January birth of Soren Alivia. Olive and Lincoln Ferko Emily Gensheimer Ferko ’99 and Jared Ferko ’01 on the October birth of Olive Irene. She joins big brother Lincoln, who is 2 ½. Isabella Matczak Michael Matczak ’02 and Stacey Szoszorek Matczak’02 on the June birth of their third child, Isabella Kathleen. Her older sisters are Abigail, 4, and Madison, 3. Aubrey Wieczorek Steve Wieczorek ‘05 and wife Maria on the birth of their first child, Aubrey, on September 22. The family resides in Las Vegas, NV. Aubrey’s uncle is David Wieczorek ‘15. Charlotte and Maggie Wachter Emily Hartwig Wachter ’99 and husband Dave on the October 7 birth of Maggie Marie. She joins two-year old sister, Charlotte. Atty. Emily Mosco Merski '00 and husband Bob on the April birth of their Abigail and Madison Matczak first child, Robert Alexander. Amber Krumpe Pische ’01 and husband on the October birth of their first child, Everett. Kamal and Rania Sharif Kamal Sharif ’07 and wife Asha on the August birth of their daughter, Rania. She joins big brother Ali. The family resides in Kent, Washington, where Kamal is an officer on the University of Washington Police Force. 26 James Will ’07 and wife Veronica on the December birth of a son, John Afton Will. Then & Now Featured here are four sophomores from 1990 sporting their dress uniforms with a white cardigan! Fast forward to 2015. Here are some sophomores in their dress uniforms after a class mass with Fr. Steve Schreiber. Although the uniforms may evolve, the true spirit of a Laker remains the same. The McCowien men Chawn McCowien ’09 and wife Amanda on the August birth of Chawn Jr. Megan, Alanna and Mark Fluegel Mark Fluegel ’00 and wife Megan, current MPS English teacher, on the July birth of daughter Alanna Margaret. If you have news for Class Notes, please email Amanda at ahill@ mpslakers.com or call 814-824-2066. 27 EDITOR’S NOTE: Dear Readers, Much has been happening at MPS and we hope you are staying in touch with us via email, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, phone or visit. You will want to read about our alumni and friends of MPS, who were honored at our Laker Legends Scholarship Gala in February (page 6-8). We have set the date for next year’s Gala on March 4, 2016, so please mark your calendars as you will not want to miss this celebration. You, as a reader, have an opportunity to nominate an alumna or alumnus for the Distinguished Alumni for Career or Service Award, the Young Alumni Award, and the Mercy Award. Please visit mpslakers.com/alumni and send in your nomination(s.) We pay tribute to the Scalise/Bressan/Glennon three generational families on their Friends from the class of 1971, tribute to Mercyhurst Prep (page 9). If you are from a family with three generations of Marcia Izbicki Gensheimer and graduates, who have not been featured in MPScapades, please contact me at Joanne Przybyszewski Kubinski, [email protected]. working at the Laker Glow 5K. Our 2015 Alumni Directory Project is completed and we thank you for your participation since this helps us update our records with accurate information. If you are still interested in obtaining a book or CD, please contact PCI’s client experience team: [email protected] or 800.982.1590 (toll free). You may have heard the buzz about our very successful Laker Glow Run that was held at the school on April 18. This was a real community, family event with over 500 registered runners/walkers. A special thank you goes out to our major donors: PNC Bank, WJET TV, Fox 66, Your Erie.com, Classy 100, 104.3 The Vibe, Coca-Cola, Smith’s Provisions & the Weber Family, Erie Reader and UPMC Health Plan. Next year’s Laker Glow is on the calendar for April 16, 2016. Happy spring and summer. Please stop by to visit us if you are in the area. Marcia MERCYHURST PREP Stop by to check out our NEW mural items! spirit store Non-Profit Org. U.S. Postage PAI D Erie PA Permit No. 22 A Sponsored Ministry of the Sisters of Mercy 538 East Grandview Blvd. Erie, Pennsylvania 16504-2606 www.mpslakers.com 814.824.2210 PLEASE UPDATE YOUR INFORMATION WITH THE MPS ALUMNI OFFICE. Please mail this form to Mercyhurst Prep Alumni Office, 538 East Grandview Blvd., Erie, PA 16504 or email this information to [email protected] Name: (first)(maiden)(last) Spouse NameYear of graduation from Mercyhurst Prep Address CityStateZip PhoneCell Email Place of EmploymentJob Title Address CityStateZip
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