Developing Traditions

Transcription

FAL L 2015
Developing
Traditions:
Focusing on
the history
that shapes
Sem culture
IN THIS ISSUE: RETIREES BID FAREWELL
| 2015 ALUMNI WEEKEND
|
LEX ROMANE ’66 RETURNS TO SEM
2015-16
President’s Desk
Wyoming Seminary
Board of Trustees
(Editor’s note: Wyoming Seminary’s new president, Kevin Rea,
presented the address at Convocations for the opening of school at
both Lower and Upper School. Below are excerpts of his address to
the students, faculty and staff at Upper School.)
Board Leadership
Whether you are new to the school or returning, you all have one wonderful thing in common today:
you made it to Convocation and an exciting new school year! In wanting to be here you are an example
of one of life’s most important lessons. I’ll get to the specifics of what that is a little later. … After a
lengthy search process and a big move this summer with my family (myself, my lovely wife Jennifer, my
three children Stella, Oliver and Imogen, our dog Biscuit and cats Kiki and Dinah) I’m here also by an
act of volition. I chose to embrace the Wyoming Seminary community and the opportunity to speak
to you all today.
Trustees
I will share a little secret with you: when I was in middle school, one of my passions was spelling. As a
student I fell in love with words and language. I remember preparing each week for the class spelling
bee and focusing on the outcome of those spelling bees; in other words, I was trying to win those
spelling bees. I wanted to win, and sometimes I did, although more often I did not.
Recently I discovered a story that has changed my view on spelling bees: the story of Gokul
Venkatachalam, an eighth-grader whose favorite word is “sangfroid,” which means coolness under
pressure. Last April Gokul stood on a stage in his Air Jordan sneakers on ESPN and effortlessly spelled
words like cocozelle, Canossa, and even zygoneure. He spelled all of these words as part of the Scripps
National Spelling Bee Finals contest. To get to the finals, Gokul began his journey going up against 11
million other spellers from all 50 states, several foreign countries and assorted geographic territories.
In the last round Gokul had to spell “nunatak.” He didn’t ask for the usual pronunciations and word
origins. He just came straight out with the correct spelling. In the end the contest ended in a tie. He
shared the title with Vanya Shivashankar, after neither would yield in a half-hour, word-for-word
battle that ended when the judges, citing official rules, said they ran out of words chosen for the final.
In this story I ask you to focus your attention on how Gokul arrived at the point where he was
prepared to share that victory. Last year was Gokul’s second straight appearance in the finals, and his
fourth straight year representing the St. Louis area in the national competition. Last year he finished
third. His dad observed that through four years of competition at the Bee nationals, Gokul had been
“exposed to failures and successes.”
Gokul is impressive to me because he is an example of a learning style, an approach to life. … Gokul
and Vanya won after repeated trips to the finals (five for Vanya and six for Gokul). They exhibit a
willingness to apply themselves honestly, to struggle and stretch themselves into unknown parts of
themselves. They are exemplars because they showed determination, resilience and curiosity. They
kept pushing forward. They embraced growth.
So why did I initially congratulate you all on showing up? It involved an act of will and a decision
to commit to Wyoming Seminary. As no two years in school are ever the same, we all face the same
anxieties every September: will I fit it? Will I make friends? Will I succeed or will I fail?
Richard M. Goldberg, Esq. ’55, Chair
Mary Lopatto ’72, Vice Chair
Leonard Insalaco, Treasurer
Marjorie Henry Marquart ’78, Secretary
Lisa Baker
Amy Valli Bennett ’94
Anthony Berger ’73
Matthew S. Bruno ’94
Charles J. Bufalino, III ’78
Leslie Turrell Bullock ’63
Frank C. Carlucci, IV ’81
Dorothy Darling ’68
John Dowd
Kathi Flack
Robert C. Friedman ’73
Ellen Moran Gallagher ’81
Christopher Hackett
David Hourigan ’71
Richard M. Hughes, III ’79
Stephen B. Killian ’66
Joseph E. Kluger ’82
Jeffrey Metz ’88
Scott Meuser
Janet Murray ’76
Charles Parkhurst ’79
Cornelia Conyngham Romanowski ’75
Stephen J. Rosenthal ’93
Arthur W. Sherwood ’56
William Sordoni ’93
Pia Taggart ’83
Robert S. Tamburro ’91
Trustees Ex-officio
C. Catherine DePasquale Mihalick ’88
Kevin Rea
Barbara Straub
Trustees Emeriti
Charles F. Gommer
The paradox of real learning is that it is exhilarating and fun while at the same time being daunting
and potentially disheartening. I encourage you all to start the year by accepting the fear of failure
as a normal, deeply human emotion. How are you and I to push through such fear? By approaching
real learning as a process, not a destination. I challenge you as you embark upon your journey this
year to remember the importance of demonstrating effort, of embracing and learning from personal
and team failures, and to cultivate your innermost curiosity, knowing that not every idea you have or
every action you undertake will stick. In those moments of fear and risk, I ask you to show “stick-toit-iveness.” If you do, you will develop your character and make your teachers, coaches, dorm parents,
parents and President proud. I have discovered in my life that character is higher than intellect. So
please, like today, keep showing up, keep making the effort. If you do this you will, like Gokul, shine.
Sue Kline Kluger ’55
Robert H. Smith ’56
Thank you and I wish you all a spectacular and deeply enriching 2015-2016 school year!
Life Trustees
Barbara Fassett Beane ’53
Harold C. Buckingham, Jr. ’48
Wesley R. Crompton ’43
Stanley S. Davies ’42
Collette Touey Kean ’48
Harry F. Lee ’53
John F. Magagna ’52
Honorary
Frank M. Henry ’50
In this
issue »
2 News and Laurels
8 New Faces
9 Blue Knight Bash
10 Scene and Heard
12Athletics
14 “Happy trails to you …”:
26
Developing Traditions
The Wyoming Seminary Journal is published by
Wyoming Seminary twice each year and is mailed
free of charge to its alumni, parents and friends.
We welcome submissions and story ideas, as well
as letters to the editor.
Please address correspondence to:
Bidding farewell to four Sem teachers
and leaders
18 Upper School Commencement
20Legacies
21 Eighth Grade Graduation
23 Class of 2015 Colleges and Universities
26 Developing Traditions: Focusing on the history
that shapes Sem culture
31 News from the Director of Alumni Programs
32 Spring Gatherings
39 2015 Rusty Flack Open
40 2015 Alumni Weekend
54 Class Notes
56 Alumni Profile: Abdon (Abe) Kupstas ’34
59 Alumni Profile: Robert Zimmerman ’65
67Marriages
68Births
69Obituaries
(Photo credit: Don Hamerman)
Editor, Wyoming Seminary Journal
Wyoming Seminary
201 North Sprague Avenue
Kingston, PA 18704
570-270-2192
Editor: Gail Smallwood
[email protected]
Contributing Editor:
Liz Hibbard ’69
[email protected]
Design: Nanette Martin
Printing:Llewellyn & McKane, Inc.
Photography:
Wyoming Seminary Staff
Photography by Andy
Don Hamerman
CORRECTIONS:
In the Spring 2015 issue of the Journal, ELAINE
ADELSON BERG ’49’s maiden name was incorrect
in her class note. CORINNE CONYNGHAM ’15 was
incorrectly identified in a class note with her sister
CAITLIN CONYNGHAM ’04.
Front Cover: The Cokesbury Bell at Commencement. (Photo credit: Photography By Andy)
Inside Back Cover: Lex Romane ’66: Life in the Swing Lane
News & Laurels
Tesla cars spark interest in
electric cars
When it comes to exotic, high-technology cars, it’s hard
to top the all-electric Tesla. Students in Sem’s Upper
School STEM classes were treated to a rare opportunity to
examine three Tesla cars in April. Ashburn, Virginia resident
BILL HINKO ’82, owner of one of the three cars, a 2013
Tesla Model S, volunteered to bring his car to campus as
a demonstration of some of the latest technology and
engineering available to the public. He and the drivers of
the other two cars held several information sessions with
the students to describe how the cars operate, how the
batteries are designed, how far the cars can go on a charge,
and other topics.
Then the students examined the cars, sat in the front seats
and rear trunks, operated the iPad-like control panels and
speculated about the possibility of owning an electric car.
“These beautiful cars have very innovative technology.
I learned that they are clean, which is probably one of
the most important things about their technology,” said
JUSTIN NEGRON ’18. “And I also learned that I want one
of them.” AMEEN BADER ’18 noted, “There’s a lot of talk
about global warming lately, so this is just an interesting
way to learn about one of the ways people are trying to
counteract the effects.”
Hinko needed to replace his old Jeep in 2013 and was
hooked as soon as he took a test drive. “It is very
comfortable, very safe and completely quiet, and no lag
BILL HINKO ’82 with his 2013 Tesla 2
when you press on the accelerator,” he said. “On a scale of
one to 10 on the fun meter, it’s off the charts. I’m waiting
for my wife’s car to die so we can get another.
“I’m also very grateful to STEM School Director Rachel
Bartron and the Sem community for allowing us to come
out and spend the day with the car in a classroom setting.
Other owners are going to be jealous,” he added.
Hinko said his 40-mile daily commute to his job as director
of internal reporting in the finance department at Navient
requires he charge the Tesla’s batteries only every threefour days. He gets at least 260 miles per charge and
appreciates the car’s low maintenance demands: refilling
the windshield-washer reservoir and putting air in the
tires. The car turns itself off when you get out, and there
isn’t much of a learning curve for new owners: “if you can
operate a smartphone or a tablet, you can drive this car,”
he said.
New rowing club takes to the water
Harveys Lake is the setting for Wyoming Seminary’s newest athletic activity, the Sem Rowing Club. Open to all Upper
School students and middle-school students at Lower School, the club offers an opportunity to experience the traditional
sport of sculling, or rowing with two oars, in single, double and quad boats. The club was formed last spring and
members practice at the new Harveys Lake Rowing Club, founded earlier this year by Sem Trustee Scott Meuser. Sem
students worked with club director Deidrah Kennedy during the summer to learn the basics of rowing and racing, and
have even participated in a few regattas this fall, earning medals in several events. School officials are considering the
possibility of launching a varsity rowing program in the future. Club members seen racing in the King’s Head Regatta on
the Schuylkill River in King of Prussia are, from left: MATTHEW BEAN ’17, SCOTTY LYNETT ’20, DAN PAGLIA ’18 and
JOSHUA MOSES ’18.
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w yomingseminar y.org
Interactivity key to new STEM textbook
A new iBook in use for the first time this year in the Maslow
STEM School’s Foundations course is the work of three
enterprising Sem students. NICOLE ROSE LUKESH ’17,
ABIGAIL CAPIN ’18 and MEGHNA MELKOTE ’18, all
members of the STEM advisory Board, approached STEM
School Director Rachel Bartron with their ideas for creating
a new, interactive electronic textbook that freshmen taking
the Foundations course could use. The book, which was
designed and written by Bartron and the three students,
has three sections dealing with mechanics in motion; green
engineering, energy and chemistry; and bioengineering.
Using worksheets, informational packets, class notes,
PowerPoints and online resources, the students assembled
a digital book they describe as a “practical aspect text” that
offers links to websites and online activities, problems and
videos. Freshmen access the book on school iPads, personal
iPads and iPhones, through the school’s student website
portal or as a downloadable PDF. The project required more
than 200 hours of work during the summer and the three
girls will update the book as needed, following evaluations
by freshman students now using it.
“It was very inspiring to me to see how invested our students
are in this Foundations course, and in the education of their
fellow students,” Bartron says.
New Nesbitt classroom named
for Nygren
Sophomores MEGHNA MELKOTE and ABIGAIL CAPIN, at left
and center, worked with junior NICOLE ROSE LUKESH, at right,
and STEM School Director Rachel Bartron on the new STEM
Foundations iBook text.
New 5K Walk/Run event
highlights wellness and fun
The 2015-16 academic year opened with a surprise for
Upper School students: a new science classroom on the first
floor of Nesbitt Hall. With the relocation of the school’s
dance program to the Kirby Center for Creative Arts, the
old dance studio has been redesigned as a multifunctional
science classroom. With its rolling chairs, spacious tables
and counters, Smartboard and new windows, the classroom
encourages creativity, communication and collaboration
on projects and assignments. The Board of Trustees funded
the renovation and named the room the Kip P. Nygren
STEM Classroom, in recognition of retired Sem president
Dr. Nygren’s leadership and support of the Maslow STEM
school and the science program.
On May 9, Sem students, faculty, staff and families
gathered at the door of the Lower School to take their first
steps in the first annual “Walk Toward Wellness” 5K Walk/
Run. Organized by Beth Blaum, Upper School director
of student health services and coordinator of employee
wellness programs, the event’s route began at the Lower
School in Forty Fort and continued down Wyoming
Avenue to Sprague Avenue and the Upper School campus
in Kingston. Using the slogan “3 miles, 2 campuses, 1
Sem,” the event illustrated the idea that walking can be fun
and excellent exercise. As many as 185 people participated
in the walk/run, which ended with a block party and
wellness fair on North Sprague Avenue. Blaum says she is
already planning next year’s event.
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2015 Family Field Day
Races, games, face painting, balloons, a climbing wall
and prizes galore – all that and perfectly lovely late May
weather combined to produce a happily memorable
2015 Family Field Day at Lower School. This year the event featured
a sports theme. Field Day is eagerly anticipated by all members of the Lower School
community as the conclusion of the school year and the kickoff to the summer break.
Sem DM dances to record
The afternoon and evening of April 25 was a time for happy feet, as more than 250 Sem students, faculty and staff danced,
bounced and cheered for six hours to raise money in support of the Geisinger Janet Weis Children’s Hospital in Danville
and the Children’s Miracle Network. Participants learned a special dance called a “morale dance,” which featured several
families whose children have been treated at the hospital. The event also included games and activities. By the time the
fourth annual Sem Dance Marathon ended near midnight, the event had raised $17,523 in cash and pledges, and continued
to collect additional contributions. Grand total: $18,361, the highest amount in the event’s history.
of
STATE
academicMIND
Sem’s faculty and staff have earned their bachelor’s,
master’s and doctoral degrees in many states,
both in the U.S. and around the world (China, Colombia, France,
Great Britain, Germany, Russia, Spain). Check out all the states
where our folks have studied! (Numbers indicate how many
Sem members studied in those states.)
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PA
55
17
NY
Sem students explore research
techniques in Wilkes summer
pilot program
KIRA ZACK ’16 deftly wielded a pipette, carefully placing
tiny samples of DNA from a strain of E. coli bacteria onto an
agarose gel. This process, called gel electrophoresis, allowed
her to identify which strain of antibiotic-resistant bacteria she
was working with.
Zack was one of several Sem students who spent a portion
of their summer vacation working on various microbiology
research projects at Wilkes University, as part of a summer
2015 pilot program. Developed by Sem biology teacher
Dr. Andrea Nerozzi and Wilkes biology professor Dr. Ken
Pidcock, the six-week program was designed to introduce
high school students to laboratory research techniques at
the university level. The students examined “wild” E. coli
bacteria, collected from a local creek, which was resistant
to tetracycline; learned that some people are resistant to
staphylococcus while others are carriers; practiced adding
DNA to E. coli specimens; discovered the level of living,
or viable, yeast found in supermarket yeast packets; and
studied other microbiology subjects. The students also
attended weekly meetings with Wilkes graduate students
who presented their own research findings. Those Sem
students who completed at least 30 hours in the lab received
a certificate of achievement from the Wilkes biology
department.
Based on evaluations by the participating students and
Pidcock and Nerozzi, the pilot program was a success and is
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MD
likely to be repeated and offered next year as a free four-week
program to Sem students, Nerozzi said.
Having the opportunity to experience a university-level
research laboratory and learning new lab techniques will
enhance her senior-year Science Research Group project, Zack
said. “I learned a lot and really enjoyed conducting different
experiments with this bacteria, especially since I am thinking
about majoring in biology or biochemistry in college.”
AZ
VA
4
MO
NH
CT
VT
MA
TX
1
FL
2
NJ
LA
SC
D.C.
OR
3
Wyoming Seminary students KIRA ZACK ’16, left, prepares a
bacteria DNA test as ISABELLA STASH ’18 observes.
CA
MN
CO
RI
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KUDOS!
RECIPIENTS OF SEM LOWER SCHOOL Sem Scholarships
for 2015-16 include CASSIDY RHODES-ANISKA ’22,
recipient of a full-tuition scholarship, and JARED BOZINKO ’20
and THOMAS FIGURA ’23, recipients of half-tuition
scholarships. At the Upper School, freshmen recipients of
the 2015-16 Sem Scholarships are JACOB STEFANOWICZ,
who received a full, four-year scholarship, and BERNARD
FRANTZ, MICHAEL GIALLORENZI and SOPHIE
GUICHARDAN, who received half-tuition scholarships.
Freshmen MICHAEL DOGGETT and ALLISON HOHN
received the 2015 Henderson Scholarships.
SEVEN SENIORS WERE NAMED Levi Sprague Fellows for
the 2015-16 school year: SAMARTH DESAI, ZHI YI DONG,
SARA EDGAR, LINA TORI JAN, GABRIELLE GROSSMAN,
STEFAN OLSEN and ALEXANDRA ZALOGA. Selection as
a Levi Sprague Fellow is the highest honor which the school
bestows for student leadership and Fellows are expected to
serve as models for the rest of the student body.
ELEVEN SEM 2015 GRADUATES were inducted into the
Cum Laude Society, the national academic honor society
for college preparatory schools, during Sem’s 171st
Commencement exercises. The new inductees were, seated
from left: QIANYI CHENG, GIANNA PLAKSA, MADISON
SWEITZER and LAN YI LIN. Standing, from left: JOSEPHJOHN SIMONS IV, ZIYAN FENG, ZUBIN GADHOKE,
DUNG DINH, QUE NGUYEN, and DAVID LACHANCEPERREAULT. Not present for photo: REBECCA BARNES.
TWELVE SEM STUDENTS competed in the Princeton
University Spring Moot Court Tournament, one of the
largest and most prestigious moot court tournaments in
the country, featuring more than 50 teams from throughout
the United States. The Sem students competed in six teams
of two players each, and the team of SARA EDGAR ’16
and team co-captain KAYLEE SLUSSER ’15 placed first in
the tournament, while the team of SAMARTH DESAI ’16,
co-captain, and RICHARD HUGHES ’16, placed second.
EMILY LAURORE ’18 and NICOLE WERT ’16 placed
fourth. Desai, Edgar and Laurore also were recognized as
top attorneys in the competition and received gavels in
recognition of their outstanding individual achievement.
Other team members were MEGHNA MELKOTE ’18,
GARRETT GAGLIARDI ’17, AVERY CONYNGHAM ’17,
PAIGE ALLEN ’17, SAMANTHA IMMIDISETTI ’18 and
OLIVIA OSTROWSKI ’18. This is the first year that the Sem
team has won first place in the tournament. The Sem Moot
Court team was advised by Sem teacher coaches Adam
Carlisle and David Johnson; attorney advisors Guerline L.
Laurore, Esq., P.C.; and DANIEL HOLLANDER, ESQ. ’04,
Luzerne County assistant district attorney.
TEN UPPER SCHOOL JUNIORS competed in the fifth
annual Wilkes Engineering Olympics held in March at Wilkes
University. The team took first place, successfully completing
their engineering challenge. For their efforts, SATYASARAN
SREEHARIKESAN ’16, HUNTER HUGHES ’16,
STEFAN OLSEN ’16, JOSEPH GAUDINO ’16,
JAROD GODLEWSKI ’16, KEVIN PLATT ’16, LINA
TORI JAN ’16, JAMES LYLE ’16, YUEQI GUAN ’16 and
LICHEN KUAI ’16 received the first place prize of a $4,000
Wilkes University scholarship for each student ($1,000 for
each year attending). Also present for the competition was
Anderson Mejia, a Wilkes University Graduate Scholar and
advisor to the Sem Science Olympiad Team.
ETHAN LEWIS, FORMER SEM HISTORY FACULTY MEMBER and associate director of college guidance, was named
a 2015 Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) Distinguished Teacher in April. He was nominated for the honor
by PATRICK MCMULLAN ’11, who was named a 2014-15 RIT Outstanding Undergraduate Scholar. RIT invites its
Undergraduate Scholars to nominate the high school teacher who they believe had the most significant impact on their
academic success and represent the ideals of teaching.
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Trustees welcome new members
The Board of Trustees of Wyoming Seminary College Preparatory School has elected new members to
serve for the 2015-16 school year. The new members are ELLEN MORAN GALLAGHER ’81, New York,
N.Y.; and Barbara S. Straub, Bear Creek.
Ellen Moran
Gallagher ’81
Gallagher serves as Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of the American Museum of
Natural History in New York City. As CFO she is responsible for fiscal management, budget and
planning, audit and compliance, risk management, debt financing and investments. In addition, she
manages the divisions of Information Technology, Global Business Development, Retail Sales and
Licensing, and Events and Conference Services. The Museum is a prominent tourist destination with
more than five million visitors annually as well as a pre-eminent scientific research and educational
institution which grants both Master’s and Ph.D. degrees. Gallagher has also served as Director of
Finance for both the Public Theater/NY Shakespeare Festival and the Lincoln Center Development
Corporation, as Executive Director of the Tucker Music Foundation and General Manager of the
Pennsylvania Ballet in Philadelphia. She holds a bachelor of science degree in international business
from King’s College.
Straub is the owner of Barbara Straub Interiors, a new residential interior design firm. She is a cofounder and previous publisher and advertising sales manager of NEPA Family Magazine, a quarterly
resource guide for local families featuring area events and activities for children. She previously worked
in the pharmaceutical industry for both Muro Pharmaceutical and Schering Plough Oncology. An
active member of the local and Wyoming Seminary community, she has served on the Bear Creek
Association Board and on the United Way Board, where she spearheaded the “Milestones Matter”
project, an initiative to create awareness among parents and caregivers of the importance of tracking
Barbara S. Straub developmental milestones in children from birth to age 5 and the profound effect of early intervention.
Most recently she served as co-chair of the Sem 2015 Blue Knight Bash fundraising event and has been
named president of the Upper School Parents Association. She holds a bachelor of science degree in
marketing from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University. She and her husband Doug are the
parents of ABIGAIL ’17 and RYAN ’18.
Recent conferences and presentations
Wyoming Seminary faculty and staff recently continued their professional development and shared their
expertise at the following conferences:
KAYANNE VANDERBURG BARILLA ’84, Janel McCormick
and Elizabeth O’Malley (Lower School faculty): Attended the
Pennsylvania Educational Technology Expo and Conference and
presented “Curating Content: Skills to be a Master.”
Barilla, McCormick and O’Malley: Attended King’s College
STRE2AM Best Practices Conference and presented “Lit-Hit
List: Top Ten Ways to Integrate Technology into a Literacy
Classroom.”
McCormick: Attended Pa. International Society for Technology
in Education Conference (ISTE) and presented on Apple
Playground and iBooks Author with Apple Distinguished
Educators.
Rachel Bartron (Upper School faculty, STEM School director),
Rev. Charles Carrick (Upper School faculty, chaplain) and Jill
Carrick (Lower School faculty, science chair): Attended the Wilkes
University Gardner Educational Forum Series and presented
“Preparing Our Students for Careers in Science, Technology,
Mathematics and Science.”
Bartron: Attended King’s College STRE2AM Best Practices
Conference and presented “Integrating STEM at the High School
Level.”
Elizabeth DePhillips (Upper School associate director of college
guidance): Attended the Pa. Association for College Admission
Counseling Conference and the Stanley King Counseling
Institute.
James Doherty (Upper School faculty, mathematics department chair):
Attended the Pennsylvania Council of Teachers of Mathematics
(PCTM) and presented “Escaping the Tyranny of the Textbook.”
He also attended the annual Twitter Math Camp and comoderated a session on geometry.
HUGH (BUCKY) HUGHES ’86 (Lower School Technolog y
Coordinator, academic technolog y chair): Attended the ISTE Conference.
Lisa Mozeleski (Upper School faculty, class dean, athletic trainer):
Attended the National Athletic Trainers Association Convention.
Eric Turner (Upper School Director of Enrollment Management):
Attended the National Secondary School Admission Test Board
Conference (SSATB) and presented “Bringing Merit Aid Out from
the Shadows.”
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New Faces
Wyoming Seminary welcomes new faculty for 2015-16 academic year
NEW UPPER SCHOOL FACULTY MEMBERS for 2015-16 include, first row from left: ELLEN HUGHES ’09,
biology and chemistry, assistant coach for girls tennis and lacrosse; Selas Douglas, Director of Residence
Life, history, assistant coach for boys lacrosse, Darte Hall dorm head; and BRENNAN TWARDOWSKI ’10,
assistant librarian, public speaking. Second row, from left: Binyi Wang, Mandarin Chinese; Brenda Pigou,
ESL, English; Antonia Camera, Spanish; and Patricia Strazdus, chemistry. Third row, from left: Kevin Rea,
President, English; Kevin Benz, world civilizations and U.S. history, assistant coach for cross-country and
crew; Nathan Warkentin, mathematics and assistant coach for cross-country; and Chris Pons, mathematics
and assistant coach for boys tennis.
NEW LOWER SCHOOL FACULTY
MEMBERS for 2015-16 include, from left:
Maggie Hollway, first- and second-grade
teaching assistant; SARA ROSENBERG
MOLITORIS ’05, Resource Room teacher;
and Amy Lepore, first grade. Not present
for photo: Binyi Wang, Mandarin Chinese.
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Blue Knight Bash
May 8, 2015, Upper School Campus
A beautiful spring evening, spirited bidding on terrific items, delectable food and drink and
a great cause all combined for a smashingly successful Blue Knight Bash! Many thanks to
all of our wonderful parents who came out to support Sem during the Bash on Friday, May
8. Your generosity goes a long way in ensuring that all Sem students enjoy the very best
educational experiences.
Blue Knight Bash co-chairs Pamela Rogers
and Barbara Straub
Colleen Volpetti, Jeriann Sokach, Amy Switzer and Erica Romanowski
Chip Kern and MELANIE MASLOW-KERN ’82
Paula Chaiken, Douglas Straub and
Pamela Rogers
Robyn and Kristopher Jones
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SCENE+
HEARD
“Let’s Dance” pays homage to “A Chorus Line”
The Wyoming Seminary Dance Company celebrated
the 40th anniversary of the blockbuster Broadway
hit “A Chorus Line” during the annual spring dance
performance, held for the first time in the new Kirby
Center for Creative Arts. The performance, titled “Let’s
Dance!” and designed by company director Bernardine
Vojtko and choreographed by Vojtko and tap teacher
BRYN HARVEY ’08, brought together the dance skills
of more than 50 performers, including company alumni
SARA ROSENBERG MOLITORIS ’05, CHLOE
KALNA ’08, and special guest performer LAUREN
GOLDEN ’13. Additional highlights of the performance
included a ballet choreographed to the bright and lively
Symphony in G by Johann Stamitz; two dance selections
choreographed by NAO ASAKURA ’15 and MARIELLE
MCDONALD ’16; a tap dance series performed to a
collection of Broadway
love songs; a dance
from the Copland
ballet “Rodeo,”
featuring members of
the second grade; and
scenes from “A Chorus
Line,” in honor of the
hit Broadway show’s
40th anniversary.
The Chorus Line
numbers allowed the
dance company to
showcase the new expansive Kirby Center stage, was an
exciting challenge for the dance company members and
highlighted the love and dedication it takes to be a dancer.
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“Children’s Impressions” celebrates 25 th year
In 1990, Lower School second-grade teachers Angela
Stout and Mary Ann Stelma, now both retired, developed
a curriculum that integrated the study of visual art
into the second grade program. The children studied
the great masters and learned about art history and
appreciation while developing their reading and writing
skills. They created their own versions of some of the
world’s greatest paintings and displayed them at a dressup exhibit held at the Upper School. Twenty-five years
later, the “Children’s Impressions” program is going
strong, and teachers, students and their families and
friends celebrated the children’s talents and knowledge
of art history and appreciation in a 25th Anniversary Gala
Salon, held in April in the Flack Gallery of the Kirby
Center. Twenty-eight young artists proudly displayed their
1››› “Two Colorful Street
Performers,” inspired by Pablo
Picasso and painted by TONNA
RUGGIERO ’25.
2››› BRANDON SCOTTO
D’ABUSCO ’25 with his version of
“Lily Pads at Night,” originally by
Claude Monet
3››› SAMARA SGARLAT ’25
with her version of “Flowers in
the Meadow,” originally by Arnulf
Stegmann
10
2
best works in the show,
which was dedicated to
Lower School art teacher
Eileen Warren. Since the
program’s founding she
has enthusiastically guided
the students in their
efforts to create their own
masterpieces in the style of
Impressionist and modern
artists. The children used
tempera, watercolor and
oil pastels in producing
their framed paintings and
small sketches.
3
1
Kirby Center showcases 2015 Performing Arts Institute
The new Kirby Center for Creative Arts was the setting
for most of the 2015 summer Performing Arts Institute
events, including the production of the blockbuster
Broadway musical “Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of
Fleet Street.” New York City-based theater director Kevin
Hourigan and his sister, MEGHAN HOURIGAN ’11,
directed the school-edition of the Sondheim show, which
told the story of a demented barber in Victorian London
whose desire for revenge leads to a very bloody end. Sem’s
Kirby Center’s 40-foot stage and 600-seat auditorium
made it possible to present the annual musical theater
production on campus for the first time in more than a
decade. The Quey Percussion Duo, featuring accomplished
percussionists and PAI faculty members Tim Broscious
and Dr. Gene Koshinski, shared their extraordinary
sound with PAI students and an appreciative audience.
PAI also highlighted the world premiere of a work by Dr.
Scott Harris of Columbus State University, titled “Three
Vignettes,” performed by the Symphony Orchestra and
conducted by Dr. Paul Hostetter, also of Columbus State.
The Season’s End Gala concluded the summer with a
festive showcase of vocal and instrumental music, with
students and teachers looking forward to returning next
year.
“Sweeney Todd”
Quey Percussion Duo
“Three Vignettes”
Season’s End Gala
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Music of Korngold, Hindemith featured in chamber music festival
Though he was perhaps best known for his work as a
composer of film scores, Austrian-American composer
Erich Wolfgang Korngold also
wrote many instrumental and
chamber music works that
are infrequently performed
and deserving of greater
recognition. Some of those
works were performed and
celebrated in this year’s twoday Chamber Music Festival,
held in the Kirby Center
for Creative Arts in April.
The festival also offered some music by Korngold’s
contemporary Paul Hindemith. Performers included the
Wyoming Seminary Madrigal
Singers, the Sem string ensemble,
violinist JOHN MICHAEL
VAIDA ’00 and area professional
musicians. Sem string
ensemble director Christiane
Appenheimer-Vaida organized
the festival which was supported
by The Pennsylvania Council on
the Arts and The Pocono Arts
Council.
11
Athletics
R eview
WINTER SPORTS
Boys Basketball:
Head Coach – CJ KERSEY ’90
Overall Record: 4-16
PATRICK GANTER ’16 was named to
the Citizens Voice First Team All-Stars,
and he and AARON RAUGHLEY ’15
were named to the Wyoming Valley
Conference All-Star Team. Raughley
also was selected to play in the 46th
Annual Dr. George P. Moses Senior
All-Star Classic.
Girls Basketball:
NICOLE ROSE
LUKESH ’17
TARA ’18 and PAIGE ’16 KUPSKY
Photo Credit Tony Callaio for the Citizens Voice
Swim teams pull ahead for winning season
The Blue Knights showed considerable improvement in the pool for 2014-15, with the
girls compiling a 9-4 record and the boys finishing 7-4. Sisters TARA ’18 and PAIGE
’16 KUPSKY, together with NICOLE ROSE LUKESH ’17, led the girls team to state
competition in the 200 medley and 400 free relay, where they placed 22nd in both races.
Paige Kupsky took eighth place in states in the 200 IM, while Lukesh came in 23rd place
in the 100 butterfly. Paige won the District 2, Class AA 200 IM gold medal and Tara
held the fastest 100 breaststroke time in the Wyoming Valley Conference; both sisters
have broken school records in the 500 free. All three girls were named to the Swimming
All-Star teams at both the Citizens Voice and Times Leader. On the boys’ side, diver
ANDRIY MOLCHANOV ’15 earned a second-place medal in district competition and
qualified for states, where he finished in 22nd place. The Southern Division Wyoming
Valley Conference All-Star Team included Paige and Tara Kupsky, Lukesh, Molchanov,
BAILEY DISLER ’15, KAYLEE SMINKEY ’17, MATTHEW BEAN ’17, CONNOR DILEO
’17, KYOUNGJUN HAN ’15 and MATTHEW MARSHALL ’15.
Head Coach – Ken Angradi
GABRIELLE VOLPETTI ’15 scored
her 1,000-point in February and
was named to the Wyoming Valley
Conference Coaches Association
All-Star Team along with MAYA
KORNFELD ’17. Volpetti also
was named to the Citizens’ Voice
and Times Leader’s All-Stars girls
basketball teams. She and EMILY
GABRIEL ’15 were selected to play in
the 46th Annual Dr. George P. Moses
Senior All-Star Classic.
Boys Ice Hockey:
Head Coach – MICHAEL DENNIS ’04
and Jason McDonald
Overall Record: 22-18-1
Goalie MATIAS TOIVOLA ’15 was
named to the 2015 MAHL All-League
Team.
Girls Ice Hockey:
Head Coach: Brian Tweedy
Overall Record: 6-19-6
12
NICK REENAN ’16
Wrestlers beat Blair on home mats, but fall to
Bucs at nationals
The Blue Knights continued their winning ways in 2014-15, concluding the season
with an 11-0 dual meet record and earning their ninth consecutive Pennsylvania State
Prep title. One of those dual meet wins was against the Blair Academy Buccaneers,
in a thrilling home contest; Sem dominated the action, 39-20. The Bucs turned the
tables at the National Prep Championship, however, defeating the Blue Knights and
reclaiming the national title with 283 points to Sem’s 269.5. Nonetheless, Sem crowned
a tournament-high five national champions: WILL MOSS ’17, JACK MUELLER ’16,
CHRIS WEILER ’16, NICK REENAN ’16 and MICHAEL ROGERS ’16. In May, four
wrestlers, DANIEL BOYCHUCK ’15, Reenan, Rogers, and Weiler represented the
United States as part of the American team competing in the Junior Pan American
Games held in Havana, Cuba. Sem head wrestling coach Scott Green led the American
team and saw Reenan win first place in Greco Roman style and Freestyle competition,
while Weiler finished in second place in Freestyle. Reenan and Weiler, along with
AARON KLIAMOVICH ’16, rounded out the season by competing in the Middle
Atlantic Wrestling Association AAU Scholastic Disney Duals in Orlando in June.
R eview
SPRING SPORTS
Baseball:
Head Coach – Dr. Brian Kaschak
ALEXANDRE SABOURIN ’17
was named to the Wyoming
Valley Conference Coaches
All-Star Team for Division 3.
DOUGLAS THOMAS ’15 was
chosen to play in the Wyoming
Valley Conference Senior All-Star
Game.
Boys Lacrosse:
Head Coach: Jeff Hollway
Overall Record: 6-7
Softball:
Head Coach: Steve Mytych
MACKENZIE GAGLIARDI ’15
and LAUREN AUSTIN ’17 were
named to the Wyoming Valley
Conference Coaches All-Star
Team for Division 3.
Girls lacrosse team wins WVC, District 2 championship
Girls lacrosse scores fifth District Championship
The seven seniors on the 2015 girls lacrosse team completed their final season with
a Wyoming Valley Conference Division I championship and a fifth straight District 2
championship, qualifying them to continue on in state competition play. Although
the Blue Knights were defeated in the first round by the powerful Radnor Raiders,
they concluded their season with a 15-4 record and have helped to raise the sport’s
profile in the Wyoming Valley Conference. ALEXIS QUICK ’15 was named the
Wyoming Valley Conference girls lacrosse MVP and the Times Leader Player of the
Year; she and ATALIAH DRESSLER ’15, EMILY GABRIEL ’15, KELLEY GAVIN ’15,
KATE ROMANOWSKI ’17, ALEXIS SOKACH ’17, GABRIELLE GROSSMAN ’16 and
RACHEL HAVRYLKOFF ’16 were named to the WVC All-Star Team. Dressler, Gavin and
Romanowski also were named to the Times Leader All-Star team.
Hunt for gold continues in boys tennis
The Blue Knights concluded their regular season play with a 10-0 record
and hoped to end the post-season dominance of Scranton Prep in District
2 Class 2A boys tennis, but Sem was denied again. The Prep Cavaliers
took the championship in team, singles and doubles play. Sem doubles
team EAMON GIBBONS ’17 and ANDREW SCHUKRAFT ’17 was the
only team from the Wyoming Valley Conference to reach the district
doubles semifinals. Gibbons, who played at No. 1 singles, was named
the Citizens Voice and Times Leader Tennis Player of the Year; Schukraft
at No. 2 singles also was named to both newspapers’ All-Star teams.
Both players concluded the season with 12-2 records, advancing to the
quarterfinals at District 2 Class 2A singles and semifinals in doubles.
EAMON GIBBONS ’17
Photo Credit: Pete Wilcox, Times Leader
13
BIDDING FAREWELL TO FOUR SEM TEACHERS AND LEADERS
The end of the 2014-15 academic year brought the retirements of four significant Wyoming
Seminary community members: President Dr. Kip Nygren and his wife, first grade teacher
Marilyn Nygren; science teacher Michael Phillips; and mathematics teacher Jason Thatcher.
The Journal sat down with them all at the school year’s end to gather their reflections as
they prepared to leave the Lower and Upper Schools.
Kip and Marilyn Nygren
Dr. Kip Nygren began his tenure as Sem’s 11th president
on July 1, 2007, and Marilyn, an experienced kindergarten
and primary teacher, resumed teaching first grade at the
Lower School in fall, 2008. The couple came to Sem from
West Point, where Kip served as professor and head of the
department of civil and mechanical engineering at the U.S.
Military Academy, and Marilyn taught kindergarten at a
local public school. Now living in a new home that they
built in Wilmington, North Carolina, they are spending
more time with their children and grandchildren and
becoming acquainted with their new town. Kip also
wants to explore opportunities to continue teaching his
Applications of Differential Equations course to Sem
students online, and Marilyn is interested in learning more
about volunteer opportunities with the University of North
Carolina’s ocean program.
Kip, what do you see as your main
accomplishments as Sem’s president?
Initially, it was helping the school to focus on what it
wanted to do and then working to upgrade some of the
facilities; both the faculty
and the board agreed on the
goals, and we worked to make
it happen. There is still more
to go. Additionally, getting the
STEM program underway was
a labor of love led by our STEM
director, Rachel Bartron. She
created the STEM Foundations
course and tied together a
number of the courses, such
as my course on applications
of differential equations, to
14
demonstrate that STEM about
solving problems. The best thing
about the school is its community
and I would like to think I have
enhanced it a little bit…to be a
welcoming and supportive learning
place for everyone, not only
students.
Marilyn, what did you
enjoy most about teaching
at the Lower School?
The kids and their enthusiasm … every day they came
in with an excitement to learn and a curiosity about
everything. They kept me young, they kept me going, and
they kept me energized. When I’d get home, I was exhausted
but they wanted to do and learn so much and it was my job
to enhance and encourage. My favorite class project was
the unit on China that was based on my travels with Kip
to China. Nancy Federici and I created a wonderful unit
that actively involved the children and the community. For
instance, Metz Food Service taught about Chinese food
and provided hands-on cooking experiences. Colleen Ayers,
the Upper School art teacher, helped the students create
terracotta soldiers from clay and Eileen Warren, the Lower
School Art teacher, provided lessons on Chinese brush
painting with watercolors. We celebrated the Lunar New
Year with a parade. We also made sure to integrate reading,
writing, math, and science activities into the unit.
Since coming to Wyoming Seminary, how
have your thoughts and ideas changed about
education?
KIP: For me, it’s been seeing the entire breadth of formal
education from toddler to postgraduate, combined with
my experiences at the undergraduate level…seeing the
whole progression. What we need to do better is to ensure
students retain the joy of learning, that is natural in the
elementary grades, throughout an individual’s lifetime.
Now is the most exciting time ever in education; so much
is changing especially in the students’ and the teacher’s’
interaction with exciting and powerful information
technology… they are actually doing things with learning,
which is why people talk about using games for learning.
Schools need to connect students with their passion, and
then they will learn on their own. I have seen that happen
here at all levels.
MARILYN: Even at my level, you give the students an idea
and they take off with it. They are not afraid of technology
and like experimenting with it. What has changed is the
availability and variety of technology. Our IT department
provided many classes and workshops for the teachers
which greatly expanded my knowledge of technology. I
tried to implement much of what I learned into the
classroom lessons. This, in turn, provided opportunities
for the students to grow in technology, as well.
What surprised or interested you most about
independent education?
MARILYN: From a teacher’s point of view, we are given
the opportunity to teach things that interest us, and we
don’t have to follow a specific curriculum. For me that
made teaching more fun, and I could pick up on things
the students were interested in. I had the freedom to
explore things and I was not afraid to ask, ‘can I try this?,’
because our deans are very open to new ideas. Another
thing that surprised me was the amount of diversity here
(in the student body) where we benefit so much from their
knowledge and culture. I have always heard about the benefits of smaller class sizes
but rarely had the opportunity to experience it. Here at Sem
I had small-sized classes every year and that allowed me to
provide more individualized attention and interact more
with the students. In addition, it was inspiring to see so
many enthusiastic and involved parents and grandparents
at the school.
KIP: What motivates people in their jobs is autonomy,
mastery and expertise, as Daniel Pink has written. At Sem,
I have seen an abundance of that motivation. The total
involvement of our faculty and staff with the school and
the students, and the extremely fruitful relationships they
have with our students always inspires me. Our school is
their life.
What are some of your fondest memories of
your years at Sem?
KIP: The people at Sem will always provide my fondest
memories. For example, my involvement with a student,
Locchanan Sreeharikesan, who as a freshman asked me to
help him and advise him with a design and build project
on drone aircraft. He ‘hired’ me to work for him a few years
ago and it has been inspiration to work with him. But I
could say the same about many other students and faculty.
MARILYN: The kind and caring community stands out
in my mind. It began from day
one when we moved in and the
moving truck was still in the
street. We were inundated by well
wishes, food, welcome gifts, smiles,
laughter, and offers of help. This
is the Sem mantra. It’s a very kind
and caring community.
KIP: It’s wonderful to sit out on the
front porch in the middle of the
campus and talk with everyone as
they walk by the house. We will
miss that. We also will miss the
delicious smells of the food that the Vietnamese students
cooked in our kitchen for the annual International Dinner.
MARILYN: One thing that really stands out for Kip and
me is that we have never known people in maintenance,
grounds keeping and food service who work harder than
those here at Sem. I think they deserve so much credit for
the school’s success. With all the snow we received this past
winter, the maintenance crews were out on weekends at
the crack of dawn, and there was always food on the table.
That has really made our time here very special because
they are such good people. And (laughing) we really do love
this house! It is something we can never, ever think about
owning again! The home is absolutely beautiful. We have
been spoiled here by everybody.
Going to work at the Lower School was a Godsend to me. I
thank Claire Hornung for offering me the opportunity to
become part of the Sem teaching community. Teaching
with my partner, Nancy Federici, and my team always made
it fun to come to school. My first graders gave me a sense
of purpose and their hugs brought a smile to my face each
and every day.
KIP: Working with everyone at Sem has provided my
greatest joys: going to Lower School to see the children
immersed in learning, the faculty hide and seek games on
the Upper School campus, and the campus evacuation in
2011 when the Susquehanna River almost came over the
dike. Going across the street to watch basketball, wrestling
and swimming.
MARILYN: Basically, we had
entertainment almost every
night—the plays, concerts,
sporting events and parties—
and we will miss that.
KIP: I have worked closely with
a dedicated staff, four resolute
board chairs, and a committed
Board of Trustees. Their
devotion to our school has
made me proud to be able to
serve this exceptional school.
We have worked together to
improve our school, and that
will always be a big source of
pride for me.
15
Michael Phillips
When he arrived on the Upper School campus in the
fall of 1994, British-born Michael Phillips was already
an experienced teacher of science, having spent 23 years
teaching in one British school and two New England
schools. He joined Sem following the retirement of science
department chair Donald Flick and began teaching
introduction to biology and AP Biology, in addition to
numerous zoology, botany, ecology and geology courses.
He served as head girls soccer coach for about ten years,
leading the team to district championships and state
competition. An experienced runner who has won
championships both in Britain and the United States, he
assisted in coaching the cross country team for his entire
tenure, focusing on the technical
aspects of the sport and the daily
routine. He directed Summer at
Sem for seven years, including
the year the Performing Arts
Institute was introduced, and
served as advisor to the Science
Olympiad team. In recognition
of his many contributions to
Sem in the classroom and on the
athletic field, he received the 2015
Maslow Award for Excellence in
Teaching at Commencement.
He stays busy continuing his
childhood hobby, now a business,
of stamp collecting: he focuses on stamps from the British
Commonwealth from the 1920s to the 1960s, and buys and
sells stamp collections on eBay and other online sources.
He also enjoys gardening and woodworking in his home
in Rowe, Massachusetts, and he and his wife Regina look
forward to traveling, spending time at their vacation home
in Topsail Island, North Carolina and visiting with their
children Vanessa, MORGAN ’97 and GARETH ’02, and
three granddaughters.
What do you enjoy about science?
Usually what I would tell the students is we get to play
with toys in the weekly labs. I used to call it the playhouse;
we would go into the lab room and get the toys out and
play with them, which no other class can do. I usually tell
everyone that biology is the science of life itself and if you
don’t know biology there’s no point in learning any other
subject…that is my particular bent on things.
16
What have been some of your favorite
courses?
AP Biology, because I have had many very gifted
students, and sometimes some of my electives have been
very pleasing. In Field Biology we used to have some
experiments outside in the spring which would run for a
month or two, a bit longer than most students get to spend
on experiments. Some of them were quite good…most
of them were studying plant growth or animal activity.
One year I had two sections of 20 students and there were
experiments everywhere; that was when we still had the
garden plot where Klassner Field is now.
Do you have any favorite memories of your
years here?
One of the first years I taught AP Biology, I got along
particularly well with the class and they all came over
to my house for an English tea on one of the last days of
classes, and then only a few years ago my two sections of AP
Biology arranged for me to go to a tea house in Kingston
for tea; I had just had arthroscopic surgery on one of my
legs the day before. In cross country we had some pretty
spectacular races over the years where we really did do well
and beat teams we didn’t think we could beat. While I was
coaching girls soccer, we won the district championship
twice and played in state competition.
What have you enjoyed the most in your time
at Sem?
Classroom teaching has been very rewarding here and
coaching cross-country has been a stress-less activity;
that’s where I got my exercise. I usually get along with
most students most of the time, even though I think I’ve
been seen as a “hard” teacher; I have standards in that
respect. Here’s the bar (gestures with hand) and I expect
my students to come up to reach the bar. I had a good,
positive working relationship with my students overall. In
my classes there was usually a sense of good humor and
it helped with the learning process. I still actually looked
forward to coming to class each day.
Jason Thatcher
During his 15-year tenure at Upper School, Jason Thatcher
became known as a teacher who excelled in teaching
algebra I and II, geometry and precalculus; he also taught
the STEM Submersibles and Flight courses for one year. A
skilled woodworker and boat builder, he was the founder of
the Outdoor Club, worked with the stage crew in preparing
theater sets, and served as assistant director of summer
programs. A dorm parent in Carpenter Hall for more than
10 years, he served as an assistant wrestling coach and
mentored several industrious students who built a wooden
shed for the 2012 Parents Auction and remodeled a faculty
house. He received the Teaching Excellence Award from
the Board of Higher Education and Ministry of the United
Methodist Church in 2006 and was awarded the John A.
McCole Chair in Mathematics in 2010. At the conclusion
of the 2014-15 school year he and his wife Janet traveled to
Acadia National Park where they worked for the summer.
The couple plan to eventually build a new home in Maine
(Thatcher has already built two), and continue hiking,
biking and kayaking as much as possible while traveling
between Pennsylvania and Maine, and visiting with their
children Eric, ALISON ’06, ARIA ZARNOSKI ’13 and
KYRA ZARNOSKI ’15.
What do you enjoy about mathematics?
I like it from the problem solving point of view … I like to
look at new problems and try to figure out different ways of
solving them. One of the rewarding things is even after so
many years, every year, students will come up with different
perspectives that I have never thought about … That is
something I appreciate a great deal. I’ve learned a lot about
math in my time here and I sometimes laugh at how little
math I knew when I started teaching.
What have you enjoyed the most in your time
at Sem?
The community service trips that I’ve been on have
been the highlight of my entire career. During the six
years that we went up to Chewonki, Maine (a summer
camp and environmental school) we worked on very
meaningful projects, such as building steps and fences,
putting a roof on a building, working on the farm with
the animals and in the fields, splitting wood, building
boats, and totally gutting two cabins. The biggest thing
about those trips was watching the students experience
doing something meaningful and the appreciation of the
people at Chewonki … Last year we went to West Virginia
for a Habitat for Humanity project. SARAH TOUEY ’14
was the
driving
force for
that, and
we had
a great
time. I
also have
met some
wonderful
students and families and
colleagues at Sem. Everyone
here was supportive of us,
and I remember that the
day we arrived at Sem,
Mary Swaback (assistant
to the president and math
teacher) invited my son
Eric to her son’s birthday
party, and Beth Blaum
checked Eric for a sore
throat. That just shows how
supportive the community
has been, especially as the
community has welcomed
my stepchildren as well.
There was always a building project for Jason
Thatcher’s students to work on while at the
Chewonki summer camp.
What do you feel you have given your
students?
I would like to think I have given them calm, honest
feedback and direction, that they have had fun in class,
that they have experienced a relaxed atmosphere, but at the
same time, somewhat demanding. I also feel I have given
the stage crew students an opportunity to work with their
hands, to see something through to the end and a sense of
accomplishment.
Do you have any favorite memories of your
years at Sem?
One of my most memorable experiences was the flood of
the Susquehanna River at the end of June, 2006. We had
to evacuate the summer program students to Misericordia
University … Part of my role at Summer at Sem was to run
the Session III trip to Chewonki, and more recently one of
my students thanked me very sincerely after the Session III
trip and told me what a wonderful time she had … Working
with Dr. Brian Kaschak (history teacher, Director of
Summer Programs) on the Session III trips; he was a great
colleague to work with … singing Handel’s “Messiah” with
John Vaida and my wife Janet was one of the soloists … A lot
of it has been fun.
17
upper school
Commencement
1
2
3
4
1››› In his student address, PATRICK CORCORAN ’15 expressed his gratitude to
his parents, teachers and classmates for encouraging him to explore his interests
and develop his talents in a supportive community.
2››› Sem president Dr. Kip Nygren, presiding over his final Wyoming Seminary
Commencement before his retirement, described three great waves of
change that have significantly improved the social, international and learning
environments for today’s students and encouraged the graduates to develop and
maintain a core set of values.
3››› BRANDON GONZALEZ ’15 is the 2015 recipient of the Harry. W. and
Emma R. Ruggles Award for Outstanding Graduate.
4››› MATTHEW MARSHALL ’15, at left, takes a few minutes before the
beginning of Commencement to review the convocation program with ISABELLA
DEL PRIORE ’15 and rising senior and Government President SAMARTH
DESAI ’16.
5››› The threat of rain kept the Commencement Convocation and Reception
in the Carpenter Athletic Center, but SARA ZAMAN ’15, NICHOLAS
KRAWCZENIUK ’15 and SIENNA TABRON ’15 were happy to celebrate their
successes and friendships at Sem.
18
5
President’s Brunch
Sem graduates and their families were invited to enjoy a special brunch, hosted by Kip and Marilyn Nygren and held in
Fleck Hall prior to Commencement.
1››› THITPRAPAN (BOAT) SOMSRI ’15, left, visited with
James Doherty, chair of Sem’s math department, during the
brunch.
1
2››› ALEXANDRE LEBEL ’15, center, enjoyed brunch with his
mother Nathalie Samson, left, and sister Rosalie Lebel.
3››› ZIYAN (JESSICA) FENG ’15 is seen with her father Zhi
Feng and mother Yan Song.
4››› DRISHTI MANIAR ’15 and her family: seated from left:
Prafulla Maniar and Umeshkumar Maniar, parents; standing
from left: Geeta Reddy, aunt, and Drishti.
5››› MACKENZIE LYONS ’15 welcomed several members
of her family to the Sem campus for brunch and
Commencement. Seen seated from left: Maura Widlund,
MacKenzie Lyons, Mitchell Lyons and Chris Widlund.
Standing, from left: Rick Lyons, Diane Lyons, David Lyons,
Audra Lyons, Fred Lindahl and Claudette Lindahl.
2
6››› Looking ahead to Commencement with their families are,
seated from left: JANNE VESA ’15 and MATIAS TOIVOLA ’15.
Standing from left: Juha Vesa, Susanna Seriola-Vesa, Jorma
Seriola, Tuija Seriola, Birgitta Kalvi, Maija Toivola and Tuomas
Toivola.
3
5
4
6
19
Sem Legacies
Upper School Legacies
First row, from left: EMILIE DAVIS CASEY ’51, MICHAEL CASEY ’15, CORINNE CONYNGHAM ’15, GEORGE CONYNGHAM ’75,
KAREN JEREMY ’83, NICHOLAS KRAWCZENIUK ’15, KATHERINE ROGERS ’15.
Second row: TERRY CASEY ’75, GUY EDMUNDS ’15, MARIA AGATI EDMUNDS ’80, COURTNEY McCARTHY ’15, MALCOLM
LUMIA ’15 (son of PAUL LUMIA ’81 and MELANIE MASLOW-KERN ’82), BARBARA LUMIA ROGERS ’77, JIM ROGERS ’77.
Third row: STEVEN DRESSLER ’81, ATALIAH DRESSLER ’15, KRISTINE ERTLEY McCARTHY ’86, SIS SCHALM ERTLEY ’62, SARAH
KWIATEK ’15 (grand-daughter of BRUCE HOWE ’52).
Lower School
Legacies
First row: GREG BANKS ’84, MAX
BANKS ’19, KAYANNE VANDERBURG
BARILLA ’84, KATE BARILLA ’19,
NICOLAS BUFALINO ’19, C.J.
BUFALINO ’78.
Second row: JOHN PARENTE ’85,
LOUIS PARENTE ’19, SANTINO
GAUDINO ’19, DAWN LOMBARDO
GAUDINO ’87.
ALEC SAMPSON ’19, son of TED
SAMPSON ’86, also was a member of
the Lower School graduating class.
20
eighth grade
Graduation
1
2
1››› REBECCA HAMMERMAN ’19 presented the student
graduation address.
2››› Graduation speaker Dr. Kip Nygren looked back on his
years as president of Wyoming Seminary and encouraged the
students to continue to enjoy learning and developing their
talents.
3››› A party for the students and their parents, complete with
glowbands and shades, made graduation even more fun for
THERESE YOUNG ’19, RILEY GREEN ’19, NAQUEILLA
PAUL ’19, KYLE HROMISIN ’19 and NATHAN TINDELL ’19.
The Lower School Parents Association organizes and sponsors
the event.
3
4››› JESSICA KILYANEK ’19, JULIA DAILEY ’19 and
CHRISTINA KILYANEK ’19 pose for a photo during the punch
and cookie reception following graduation ceremonies.
4
21
2015 Maslow Teaching Award recipients
WILLIAM DAVIS, Assistant Dean of Middle-School and social studies teacher at the Lower
School, received the prestigious Frances and Louis Maslow Lower School Award for excellence
in teaching during the school’s eighth-grade graduation ceremony.
Since joining the faculty in 2002, Davis has taught seventh-grade social studies and since
2005 has served as Assistant Dean of Middle School. He also served a one-year term as
interim Dean of Middle School. He previously served as a committee leader for the school’s
recent PAIS reaccreditation. He also serves as seventh-grade team leader and co-chair of the
school’s athletic philosophy committee. In addition, he has coached baseball and football
and now serves as a coach for the seventh and eighth-grade boys basketball team.
William Davis
Prior to joining the Lower School he taught social studies at Magruder High School in
Rockville, Md.
MICHAEL PHILLIPS, science teacher at the Upper School, received the prestigious Frances
and Louis Maslow Upper School Award for excellence in teaching during Commencement.
Since joining Sem in 1994, Phillips has taught introductory biology, AP biology, and science
electives such as botany, zoology and ecology. He also has served as assistant and head
girls soccer coach and assistant cross country coach. In addition, he served as advisor to
the school’s Science Olympiad team and as director of Sem’s summer programs. He retired
following the conclusion of the 2014-15 school year.
Prior to joining Sem, he served as a science and math teacher and senior administrator in
various departments at the Tilton School, Bement School and at a boys school in London,
England.
Michael Phillips
Zinkavich receives 2015 Mueller Award
The late MARGARET (PEGGY) ZINKAVICH, administrative assistant for the Lower
School Dean, received the John D. Mueller Award during graduation. She received the
award in recognition of her outstanding contributions to school life, her loyal, dedicated
service over a significant period of time and her tireless dedication to the ideals of
Wyoming Seminary.
Peggy Zinkavich
Zinkavich, who joined Sem as an administrative assistant in 1989, initially served in the
Upper School Dean’s office and in the College Guidance Office. In 1995 she joined the
Lower School staff as administrative assistant to the Dean of the Lower School. Over the
years she was an active volunteer at the Lower School for the Wyoming Valley chapter of
the American Cancer Society, organizing Daffodil Day fundraisers and other fundraisers
for the society and other community organizations. She also appeared in several school
theater performances and was instrumental in organizing and running the school’s
annual Family Field Day. She passed away on August 3, 2015.
The John D. Mueller Award was established in 2013 by family and friends of the late JACK MUELLER ’52, who
served for 10 years as a member of the Sem Board of Trustees, notably as both board chair and chair of the school
property committee. The award is given annually at Commencement to those whose work best supports the school
from a position not directly associated with classroom teaching.
22
Class of 2015 Colleges and Universities
The 120 members of the Class of 2015 have enrolled in the following colleges and universities:
Name
College
Name
College
Name
Estefanía Aburto Lara
Gettysburg College
Kelley Gavin
Moravian College
Sarah Pradel
University of Scranton
Marcus Ademilola
Bucknell University
Andrew Golden
University of Tampa
Alexis Quick
Bucknell University
Nesli Akinci
Lehigh University
Brandon Gonzalez
University of Pennsylvania
Zoë Randolph
Stonehill College
Nao Asakura
Celine Guichardan
Loyola University
Maryland
Aaron Raughley
Louisiana State University
Tyler Aslanian
ESSEC Business School,
France
Rutgers University-New
Brunswick
Kyoungjun Han
University of Hong Kong
Jordyn Rickrode
Wilkes University
Joseph Bailey
King’s College
Catherine HarrisGosselin
University Laval, Canada
Adam Rinehouse
Dartmouth College
Marina Barnak
College of the Holy Cross
Griffin Hayes
PG year; IMG Academy
Jonathan Roberge
Rebecca Barnes
Pennsylvania State
University, University Park
Micah Holloway
Hobart and William Smith
Colleges
Peter Robinson
University of Ottawa,
Canada
University of Maryland,
College Park
James Biggs-Frazier
Fordham University
Jacob Idec
Hendrix College
David Roebuck Jr.
Gap year, Junior Hockey
Daniel Boychuck
Byoungchan Jang
Calvin College
Katherine Rogers
Gap year, sustainable
farm, Hawaii
Kelly Jesikiewicz
Boston Conservatory
Cole Rosner
American University
Anna Kang
United States Naval
Academy
Sukanya Roy
Brown University
Nicholas Krawczeniuk
Pace University
Jason Schwartz
Pennsylvania State
Sarah Kwiatek
University of Pittsburgh
Joseph-John Simons IV
Bucknell University
Jonathan Carrera
College Park
Johnson & Wales
University (Providence)
United States Naval
Academy
University of Pittsburgh at
Bradford
United States Naval
Academy
David LachancePerreault
Kaylee Slusser
Michael Casey
Norwich University
Marc-Antoine Lafond
Lia Sminkey
Champlain College
Xinyi Chen
Babson College
Alexandre Lebel
Ashlyn Smith
Cornell University
Qianyi Cheng
Jiajing Li
Washington University,
St. Louis
Katrina Sokolowski
Lan Yi Lin
Bryn Mawr College
Thitprapan Somsri
University of Waterloo,
Canada
The Citadel, Military
College of South Carolina
Zixiang Lin
Lehigh University
Locchanan
Sreeharikesan
Purdue University
Malcolm Lumia
University of Colorado,
Denver
Mara Stella
Dickinson College
MacKenzie Lyons
Nichols College
Katelyn Stemrich
Saint Michael’s College
Drishti Maniar
College Park
John Stramiello
Ithaca College
Matthew Marshall
University of the Sciences
Daiki Sugiyama
Muhlenberg College
Courtney McCarthy
Muhlenberg College
Madison Sweitzer
University of Richmond
Charlotte Brecher
Anthony Cable
Bethany Carpenter
College
Hye Yuen Cho
Seton Hall University
Yi-Hung Chuang
Corinne Conyngham
Pennsylvania State
University, Erie
Loyola University
Maryland
Patrick Corcoran
King’s College
Alexandre D’Astous
Nam Dang
École Polytechnique
Montréal
Georgia Institute of
Technology
University of
Massachusetts, Boston
Dashawn Darden
Delaware Valley University
Larissa McHugh
Rochester Institute of
Technology
Sienna Tabron
Isabella Del Priore
Tufts University
Andriy Molchanov
Davidson College
Anbang Teng
College Park
Pennsylvania State
University, Harrisburg
Regan Dembowski
Keystone College
Caroline Mowry
Arcadia University
Douglas Thomas
Bucknell University
Chae Yoon Na
Matias Toivola
College in Finland
Bailey Disler
University of Wisconsin,
Madison
St. John’s UniversityQueens
Soka University of
America
Madison Nardone
University of Notre Dame
Tiffany Usavage
King’s College
Minh Do
Gap year, Vietnam
Yuki Narita
Oxford Brookes
University, England
Janne Vesa
College in Finland
Ataliah Dressler
Lafayette College
Minh Nguyen
De Anza College
Gabrielle Volpetti
Sacred Heart University
Matthew Ducas
West Virginia University
University of Texas, San
Antonio
Yifei Wang
Susquehanna University
Nhat Nguyen
Guy Edmunds
Muhlenberg College
Rebecca Weinstock
Drexel University
Que Nguyen
Macalester College
Ziyan Feng
Mount Holyoke College
Jiachen Xu
Pratt Institute
Valerie Nunez
Emily Gabriel
Bucknell University
Savannah College of Art
and Design
Liangzuan Xu
Trinity College
New York University
Qian Yang
Carnegie Mellon University
Dhwani Patel
Syracuse University
Sara Zaman
Temple University
Zubin Gadhoke
University of California,
San Diego
College Park
Yidun Ouyang
Neel Gadhoke
Meera Patel
University of Pittsburgh
Kyra Zarnoski
Johnson & Wales
University (Providence)
Mackenzie Gagliardi
Cornell University
Prince Patel
Temple University
Yijia Zhang
Carnegie Mellon University
Anthony Gandolfi
Southern New Hampshire
University
Gianna Plaksa
Central Michigan
University
Eric Zimmerer
Pennsylvania State
Dang Dam
Dung Dinh
23
Class of 2015 Colleges and Universities
The following is a list of colleges and universities to which the 120 members of the Class of 2015 were
accepted. Eighty-seven percent of the class was accepted to the top three tiers of “Barron’s Profiles of
American Colleges 2013,” with more than 35 percent of the class accepted to the Most Competitive
tier institutions. The numbers in parentheses indicate the number of Sem students accepted at that
particular institution.
American University (3)
Colorado Mesa University
High Point University (2)
Arcadia University (3)
Colorado State University
Hillsdale College
Augustana College
Concordia University - Montreal, Canada
Hobart and William Smith Colleges
Babson College (2)
Connecticut College
Hofstra University
Bard College
University of Connecticut
College of the Holy Cross
Beloit College (2)
Cornell University (2)
University of Hong Kong
Bentley University
Daniel Webster College
Hope College
Binghamton University
Dartmouth College
Boston College (3)
Davidson College
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
(3)
Boston Conservatory
De Anza College
Boston University (7)
Dean College
Brown University
Delaware Valley College
Bryant University
DeSales University
Bryn Mawr College
Dickinson College (2)
Bucknell University (8)
Drexel University (9)
Buffalo State College of SUNY
Earlham College
Cabrini College
Ecole Polytechnique Montreal, Canada (2)
University of California, Davis (2)
Elizabethtown College
University of California, Irvine (2)
Elon University
University of California, San Diego (4)
Endicott College
University of California, Santa Barbara
(College of Engineering)
ESSEC Business School, France
Calvin College
Florida Gulf Coast University
Carnegie Mellon University (3)
Case Western Reserve University (3)
Castleton State College
The Catholic University of America
Central Michigan University
Champlain College (3)
Chatham University
The Citadel, the Military College of South
Carolina
Clark University
University of Colorado at Boulder
University of Colorado at Denver
24
Fairfield University
Fordham University (6)
Fort Lewis College
Franklin and Marshall College (4)
Furman University (2)
George Mason University
The George Washington University (2)
Georgetown University
Georgia Institute of Technology (2)
Gettysburg College (2)
Goucher College
Hendrix College
Illinois Wesleyan University
Indiana University of Pennsylvania
Iona College
Ithaca College (2)
James Madison University
Johnson & Wales University (4)
Juniata College
Kansas State University
Keystone College
King’s College (8)
Lafayette College (2)
Lawrence University
Lehigh University (5)
Linfield College
Louisiana State University
Loyola University Maryland (4)
Luther College
Lycoming College (4)
Macalester College (2)
University of Maine
Manhattanville College
Marion Military Institute
University of Maryland, College Park (6)
Marymount Manhattan College
Marywood University
University of Massachusetts, Amherst (2)
University of Massachusetts, Boston (2)
University of Pennsylvania (3)
Suffolk University (2)
University of Massachusetts, Lowell
Pepperdine University (2)
SUNY Buffalo (2)
Mercyhurst University (3)
University of Pittsburgh at Bradford
SUNY College of Technology at Canton
Merrimack College (5)
University of Pittsburgh (7)
SUNY Fredonia
University of Michigan
Plymouth State University (2)
SUNY Oswego
Monmouth University (4)
Pratt Institute (2)
Susquehanna University (3)
Moravian College (2)
Providence College
Syracuse University (5)
Mount Allison University
Purdue University (2)
The University of Tampa
Mount Holyoke College
Queen’s University Belfast, Northern
Ireland
Taylor University
Quinnipiac University
The University of Texas, San Antonio
Mount Ida College
Muhlenberg College (5)
University of New Brunswick Saint John
New England College
University of New England
University of New Haven (2)
New Jersey Institute of Technology
New York University (3)
Newbury College
Newcastle University
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
University of Richmond
Rider University (3)
Roanoke College
Robert Morris University
Rochester Institute of Technology (3)
University of Rochester
Rowan University
Nichols College
Rutgers University-New Brunswick (6)
The University of North Carolina at
Chapel Hill
Sacred Heart University (2)
Saint Anselm College
North Carolina State University
Saint Francis University
Northampton Community College
Saint Joseph’s University (2)
Northeastern University
Saint Michael’s College (2)
Norwich University
Salve Regina University (3)
University of Notre Dame
Santa Clara University
Ohio Wesleyan University
Savannah College of Art and Design
University of Oklahoma
University of the Sciences in
Philadelphia (2)
University of Oregon
University of Ottawa, Canada (2)
Oxford Brookes University, England
Pace University, New York City (4)
Paul Smith’s College
Pennsylvania State University, Altoona
Pennsylvania State University, Erie
The University of Scranton (8)
Seton Hall University
Sewanee: The University of the South
Skidmore College
Soka University of America
University of South Carolina Upstate
Pennsylvania State University, Harrisburg
University of South Carolina
Pennsylvania State University, Lehigh
Valley
University of Southern California (2)
University of Southern Maine
Pennsylvania State University,
University Park (20)
Southern New Hampshire University
Pennsylvania State University,
Wilkes-Barre (2)
Stevenson University
St. John’s University - Queens Campus, (2)
Stonehill College (2)
Temple University (5)
The New School - Eugene Lang College
Trinity College
Tufts University
University of Tulsa
Union College
United States Naval Academy (3)
University Laval, Canada (4)
The University of the Arts (2)
Universite de Sherbrooke, Canada
Valley Forge Military College
Villanova University (2)
Virginia Tech (2)
University of Virginia (2)
Washington University in St. Louis
University of Washington
University of Waterloo, Canada
Wentworth Institute of Technology
Wentworth Military Academy & Junior
College
West Virginia University (2)
Western New England University
Wheeling Jesuit University
Whitworth University
Widener University (2)
Wilfrid Laurier University, Canada
Wilkes University (8)
William Paterson University of New Jersey
University of Wisconsin, Madison (2)
Wofford College
Worcester Polytechnic Institute (2)
Ecole des Hautes Etudes Commerciales de
Montreal, Canada
25
Focusing on the history
that shapes Sem culture
As Wyoming Seminary continues
to grow, change and advance in its
educational mission, there are some
cherished traditions, both old and
newer, that are still observed.
The eighth-grade
speech
Preparation for the speech begins in
seventh grade; this rite of passage
now features polished PowerPoint
presentations.
Family Field Day
Races still kick off this eagerly
awaited day that brings Lower
School classes to an end each year.
The Maypole
The colorful tradition brings the
kindergarten year to an end.
26
Eighth grade graduation
In white dresses and Sem ties, the eighth-grade graduates
look forward to their years at Upper School.
The Holiday Ornament
Clear plastic balls, decorated by Lower School students
upon their enrollment at Lower School and containing
their deepest wish, fill the annual Christmas tree. Those
wishes are revealed at the Holiday Tea, when eighth-grade
students receive their ornaments to keep.
Second Grade Art Show
Another newer tradition is the second grade Children’s
Impressions Art Show, a dress-up exhibition for the young
artists and their families.
27
Commencement
A day of excitement and emotion begins with the traditional graduation photo taken on the steps of the
Nelson Bell Tower. The Cokesbury Bell is rung to indicate the beginning and end of the academic year.
A pat for luck
The patina worn away from the pate of Levi Sprague attests to the generations of Sem students wishing
for luck on a quiz or test.
Oratorical Contest
A tradition spanning as many as 120 years, the contest now features persuasive projected displays and
the chance to win a cash prize.
28
The Thanksgiving Project
Each November, Upper School student
government members collect funds,
purchase Thanksgiving dinner ingredients
and distribute full Thanksgiving feasts to
many local families in need.
Society Day
Although the Alexandrians, Athenians,
Florentines and Oxonians vie for points
throughout the school year, Society Day,
on the last day of classes, offers myriad
games and competitions and ends with
one society claiming the winner’s trophy.
Homecoming
football game
A sport that began at Sem in 1884 is still
a highlight of the annual fall event.
29
“
ALONE WE CAN DO SO LITTLE;
TOGETHER
WE CAN DO
so much.”
- Helen Keller
WYOMING SEMINARY
2015-16 ANNUAL GIVING CAMPAIGN
Your gift will help Sem students shoot for the stars!
Gifts to the Annual Giving Campaign allow Sem to offer the best in education.
• Unparalleled academics
• Dynamic faculty
• Unmatched diversity
• Unrivaled arts, athletics and activities
Discover the ways that you can support our mission.
• Automated annual payments
• Restricted giving to the programs of your choice
• Unrestricted gifts
Every donation amounts to success.
Whether your gift is large or small, it is meaningful.
Please donate now to the Wyoming Seminary 2015-16 Annual Giving Campaign
www.wyomingseminary.org/donate
30
Alumni
Looking back, gazing forward
As Wyoming Seminary’s Director of Alumni
Programs, it is my job to be in touch with the
approximately 9,000 reachable alumni, parents,
grandparents, and friends of Sem across the globe
and to find new ways of engaging our constituents,
young and old. Each summer, I spend most of
my time planning for another year of reunions,
gatherings and a host of other events on our everchanging campus. In my search for new brochure
designs, better communication vehicles or an
enthusiastic volunteer, there is no better place
to look than my archived files, whether paper or
digital, for the next great program or fundraising
idea. It’s there that I find inspiration from the
creative minds that came before me; people like
Brian Gill, TISH McCARTHY LAST ’74, CLAIRE
CONLON EVANS ’52 and LIZ HIBBARD ’69—all of
whom have had a direct impact on the alumni and
parent programming of today’s Sem.
Getting together for the first time as a group; from left: TISH MCCARTHY
LAST ’74, LIZ HIBBARD ’69, JULIE MCCARTHY STRZELETZ ’81, Brian Gill and
CLAIRE CONLON EVANS ’52.
Brian was the first official Alumni Director and
worked from 1982-1987. He attributes his 35-year
run in the non-profit world to his time at Sem, which helped him “set a framework that is meaningful and with purpose…
while having a good time!” Brian shared that “Dr. Stettler left a lasting impression.” Although not an alumnus himself,
Brian remains friends with many Sem alumni today.
Claire served from 1984-1992 and will undoubtedly be remembered for the countless relationships she forged during her
eight years at Sem, from which we are still reaping rewards. Active alumni from her era will remember Claire coaxing us to
attend gatherings, reunions and yes...regional phonathons! She was an excellent role model in the Alumni office and she
set the bar high for those of us who followed.
Tish (yes, my sister) started her tenure in the Alumni Office in 1992 and stayed for five years. Tish had the privilege of
working with Alumni during Sem’s 150th Anniversary in 1994. One of her best memories of that significant time in Sem’s
history was an art show juried by the president of the Rhode Island School of Design. Tish was “completely awestruck by
the artistic talent of our alumni. First place went to PAMELA EARNSHAW KELLY ’67, who did a magnificent sculpture of
a bull.” As we embark on Sem’s 175th anniversary, there is no doubt we will be drawing upon ideas conceived during Tish’s
years as the Alumni Director.
Liz served as the Alumni Director for 13 years from 1997 until 2010, and her ingenuity and creativity is still very apparent
in 2015. Liz created the first 50th reunion yearbook, organized Grandparents Day in its current form and managed the
first online parents auction. She also started the farewell brunch on Alumni Weekend, and moved young reunions
(5-20 years) from Alumni Weekend in May to Homecoming Weekend in the fall. Liz is back part-time now helping in the
Development and Communications offices.
All of the Alumni Directors recently got together for the first time as a group; it was such fun reminiscing. It’s reassuring
to know I can draw on my predecessors’ wisdom, experience and inspiration as the alumni office creates a rich mix of
tradition and new ideas to serve our alumni even better.
Julie McCarthy Strzeletz ’81
Director of Alumni Programs
31
spring
A r i zon a
GATHERINGS
Tucson, February 13, 2015, Arizona Inn
First row from left: JAMES LONG ’48, CAROLINE
ISAACS ’90, RUTH GATES KELLY ’54, ROSEMARY
WAVERKA LONG ’54, and Beverly Myers.
Second row: JOHN SHAFER ’71,
PETER JOHNSON ’61, RAY HOWARD ’61, AVERY
GENTLE ’61, JAKE CRELLIN ’50 and Dr. William
Myers. The Myers are the parents of MARK ’70,
KURT ’73, LYLE ’77 and GARTH ’80.
1
2
3
4
Phoenix,
February 13, 2015,
Hilton Scottsdale Resort & Villas
1››› WES CROMPTON ’43,
and Audra and David Lyons,
parents of MACKENZIE ’15
2››› BRIDGET HALPIN ’87
and LIESL HARDER-KIELP ’85
3››› ALVIN DATTNER ’44, Lillian
Dattner and KATHI FAIRMAN ’77
4››› Carl Walsh and PAM SMITH
WALSH ’64, and Martha
and CRAIG ROZEN ’68
Se at t l e
Seattle, Washington, February 16, 2015,
home of Christina Boben Orr-Cahall ’65
First row from left: JOHN SHAFER ’71,
SUSAN POOL MOSES ’67, TINA BOBEN
ORR-CAHALL ’65, ART BACON ’61.
Second row: SARAH LAW-REAVIS ’80,
DALE MOSES ’61, EMILY PICKETT
GRICE ’62, HEIDI WEBER GEIGER ’76,
FORREST GERMAN ’61, Leslie Johns, PAUL
SANTARELLI ’01, JOHN MANINI ’94 and
his friend Amber.
32
C al if or ni a
1
2
4
3
San Francisco, February 18, 2015, Piperade
1››› Renee Fassett, GERALD SCHWARTZBACH ’62, FRED FASSETT ’65
2››› IRA GOLDSTEIN ’67, Kay Young, Director of Development; JANE FASSETT THAKAR ’80, Nicolas Thakar
3››› LEON BONNER ’61, JOHN SHAFER ’71, LLOYD DROPPERS ’01, Jasmine Cashbaugh
4››› Joe Lin, MARIA INSALACO ’05, MICHAEL IMPERIALE ’78, JULIE ECKERT ’99, President Dr. Kip Nygren
1
2
Los Angeles, February 19, 2015, Culina Beverly Hills
1››› PAUL COHEN AZER ’66, MEG LOMBARDO ’95, Jeff Polyak, CHRIS OSTROWSKI ’09
2››› Sem President Dr. Kip Nygren, ESTHER GRAY PEACOCK ’70, SUSAN GRUMBACHER GREGORY ’60
33
C a l if or ni a continued
San Diego, February 20, 2015,
home of Marcia and Jay Weinberg ’60
From left, Kay Young, Director of
Development; Larry Sprankle, Sally
Sprankle, Marlow Katz, Marcia Weinberg,
JAY WEINBERG ’60, Isabel Katz,
JOHN SHAFER ’71, Vice President of
Advancement; Patricia Machun, JACK
MACHUN ’47, Dr. Kip Nygren, President;
JULIE McCARTHY STRZELETZ ’81, and
Cosmo the poodle.
Flor ida
Naples, March 2, 2015, hosted by Judy Casper Bohorad ’59 at Pelican Marsh Golf Club
1››› Kathi Flack P ’01, ’05, Dr. Kip Nygren, JOHN SHAFER ’71
1
2››› VIRGINIA MILLER SCHMIDT ’56, Clara Cornell
McElroy P ’90, Dale McElroy
3››› Dr. Kip Nygren, JULIE MCCARTHY STRZELETZ ’81,
JUDY CASPER BOHORAD ’59, JOHN SHAFER ’71.
4››› BOW STROME ’46, Bill Umphred P ’78, ’88, Bill
Mainwaring P ’86, ’89, Sue Ciotti
5››› Harold Rosenn, JUDY CASPER BOHORAD ’59,
Sallyanne Rosenn, Scott Rosenn
2
6››› Sem President Dr. Kip Nygren, CINDY POST
MITCHELL ’75, JEFIE FLACK ’67, JUDY CASPER
BOHORAD ’59, HOWARD MORRIS ’63,
GAIL KARNOFSKY MORRIS ’64, CHRIS
SHAFER ZARDECKI ’64, JUDY FUNKE
ARGENTO ’64
7››› NANCY BRADER GIBSON ’50, Bill
Van Santen, CLAIRE CONLON EVANS ’53,
FRANK HENRY ’50, Freddie Bittenbender
P ’81, ’85, ’89
6
34
3
5
4
7
Flor ida continued
1
Sarasota, March 3, 2015,
hosted by John Metz ’86 at the Sarasota Yacht Club.
1››› Sem president Dr. Kip Nygren, JOAN PATTERSON SHEIL ’54,
Bruce Crawford
2››› Former Sem business manager John Morris, Gail Morris P ’83, ’89;
Donna Davis GP ’17, ’20, ’24; Alicia Quackenbush, NICK
QUACKENBUSH ’57, Thomas Davis, Marilyn and Dr. Kip Nygren
3››› Former Sem faculty member Chuck Lull P ’82, ’83, ’90; SANDY
WEISS ’44, Marilyn and Dr. Kip Nygren, MARION BERK BARR ’49,
Harold Barr
2
3
Miami, March 6, 2015,
Seasons 52 in Coral
Gables
Robert Redick, STEVE
FOLDES ’66, Marilyn and
Dr. Kip Nygren, ELLEN
DREIKORN REDICK ’66
Tampa, March 3, 2015,
home of Jean and David Abelson ’71
JOHN SHAFER ’71, Jean Abelson, Edward Felder,
DAVID ABELSON ’71, Kay Young, BARBARA
SCHWARTZBACH FELDER ’54, Marilyn and Dr. Kip
Nygren, JULIE McCARTHY STRZELETZ ’81
Orlando, March 4, 2015,
hosted by John Metz at Marlowe’s Tavern
JOHN SHAFER ’71, JULIE McCARTHY
STRZELETZ ’71, Marilyn Nygren, Kay Young,
Dr. Kip Nygren, Mariana Wartella, JOHN
WARTELLA ’80. Also present was MAUREEN
SHEDLESKI BRADY ’50
35
1
Flor ida
continued
Pompano, March 5, 2015
home of Beth and Paul Wasserott
1››› PAUL WASSEROTT ’49 and
President Dr. Kip Nygren
2››› CAROLYN GOERINGER BASLER ’53
and Marilyn Nygren
3
2
3››› JULIE McCARTHY STRZELETZ ’81, Tina
and John Dowd P ’13, ’14, ’22
4››› JOHN SHAFER ’71 and
KATHRYN SIEMINSKI ’99
5››› NICK STRZELETZ ’10, JOHN SHAFER ’71,
Beth Wasserott, Kay Young
4
5
Ne w Yor k Ci t y
1
New York City, March 18, 2015, Craftbar
2
1››› MICHAEL ZINN ’71, SANDY SINGER ’72, Dr. Kip
Nygren
2››› BARRY SCOTT ’78, EVE BOHLIN ’83, JOANN
GONCHAR ’81, JERRY DWYER ’59
3››› BETH WEISS ’83, TOM LULL ’90, Dr. Kip Nygren,
SUSI FORNIES ’03
4››› Gordon Kiesling P ’14, DREW PASCUCCI ’04,
ANDREA PACIOTTI ’02, JANET MURRAY ’76,
Anna Murray
3
4
5››› TAYLOR WEILAGE ’00, DENNIS PACKARD ’00,
MIKE MESSERSMITH ’99, NATE DAVIS ’99
6››› JESSIE McHUGH ’10, MARCO SANTARELLI ’10,
GIA QUERCI ’10, ALLISON CONSIDINE ’10, KELAND
SARNO ’10, Madison Sylvester
5
36
6
B os t on
Boston, March 25, 2015, Lucca Back Bay
1
1››› Jennifer Lunch P’15, COLBY CONNELL ’93,
AMY BERMAN ’07
2
2››› KYLE DROPPERS ’99, JESSE MERMELL ’98,
Dr. Kip Nygren
3››› HELEN JONES ’65, MARY HAAS ’55
4››› JOE HOGAN ’03, DAN TEVET ’02,
BOB KLEIN ’70
5››› SERENA FISHOF HOWLETT ’57, BETSY
POST ’82
3
4
5
Hartford, Conn., March 26, Rizzuto’s In West Hartford
Har t f or d
1››› DAWEI WANG ’14, JULIE McCARTHY STRZELETZ ’81, HAL
BUCKINGHAM ’48, Joyce Buckingham, BERNIE WRUBLE ’59
2››› Julia Troy, FRED SHORTZ ’73, RAY BOLEK ’61
3››› BARRETT KATUNA ’00 and Dr. Kip Nygren
4››› Dr. Kip Nygren and HAL BUCKINGHAM ’48
5››› John Kumpa, LEIGH LAWRENCE KUMPA ’86, Brian
Kosovsky, Kay Young
1
2
3
4
5
37
1
In -Stat e G at her ings
Wilkes-Barre, March 27, 2015, Manhattan Bistro
1››› Sem Director of Athletics Karen Klassner, ROB FINLAY ’87
2››› JOHN DIMOND ’57, ALAN HOLLANDER ’69, CORNY
CONYNGHAM ROMANOWSKI ’75, Gwen LePape, ED
ROMANOWSKI ’75, NICK STRZELETZ ’10, LIZ CLEMENTS
KATYL ’05
2
3››› Kay Young, GEORGE CONYNGHAM ’75, Maureen
Conyngham P ’15, ’17, DAWN LOMBARDO GAUDINO ’87, Jim
Gaudino P ’16, ’17, ’19
4››› JASON NATAUPSKY ’03, Kelsey Nataupsky, JAMIE FLACK ’05,
NICOLE SANTO ’03, ALEX FLACK ’05
5››› Ingrid Cronin P ’98, ’00, ’03, DAN HOLLANDER ’04, Melissa
Hollander, ALAN HOLLANDER ’69, JOE PERFILIO ’91
3
4
5
1
Philadelphia, April 9, 2015, The Ritz Carlton
1››› Dr. Kip Nygren, PATRICK COSTELLO ’95, BOB WISE ’77
2››› LAURIE NELSON ’87, KARIN BALTIMORE SCHWEIGER ’89, SUSAN
VANDERBURG ’87
2
3››› DAVE MICAHNIK ’55, Phyllis Micahnik
4››› GIAN VERGNETTI ’01, ALEXIS ANSELMI VERGNETTI ’01
5››› PHIL SANTARELLI ’67, GIANNA SANTARELLI KARAPELOU ’90
6››› LINDA JETER HARRIS ’68, TISH MACK GROSEK ’80, BETSEY
GRIESMER RADCLIFFE ’69
3
4
5
6
38
Wyoming Seminary alumni,
parents and friends came
together to enjoy a sunny day of
golf during the 2015 Wyoming
Seminary Rusty Flack Open,
held at the nationally-acclaimed
Huntsville Golf Club on May
18. The tournament, named in
memory of CHARLES (RUSTY)
FLACK ’72, hosted 108 golfers
and raised more than $42,000.
1
3
2
4
5
6
1››› The winning foursome: Chris Hackett P ’09, ’10, ’23, STEVE ROSENTHAL ’93, JOE
PERFILIO ’91 and Steve Farrell.
2››› RYAN MOLITORIS ’06, DEWEY BENEDICT ’04, CHRIS KATYL ’04.
3››› CHARLES PARKHURST ’79, Chip Parkhurst, GEORGE PARKHURST ’12 and SCOTT
PARKHURST ’78.
4››› Top to bottom: Kathi Flack P ’01, ’05; SIS SCHALM ERTLEY ’62, DAYLENE THOMAS
BURNSIDE ’62 and Kristen Armstrong.
5››› FRITZ BITTENBENDER ’89, MAT LAPINSKI ’98, ERIC MAY ’89 and NATE DAVIS ’99.
6››› PAI director Todd Christopher, Chuck Youngman P ’11, ’22, JASON COHEN ’97.
39
Alumni Weekend
2015
THE CLASS OF 1965 CELEBRATES ITS 50TH REUNION:
REUBEN MUNDAY
40
DON AND NANCY
MORREALE
JESSIE CONYNGHAM
GRIFFITH,
RUSTY GRIFFITH ’66,
DICK SNOWDON,
JULIE MCCARTHY
STRZELETZ ’81
WYOMING SEMINARY
41
Sally Sims Alinikoff,
Marjorie Sondheim
Kelk, Nancy Siegel
Harris
Michael
Cunningham and
Caleb McKenzie
42
Diane Giering
Wasilewski
and Ilene
BergsmanN
Jessie
Congynham
Griffith and
Houston
“Bunky” Day
WYOMING SEMINARY
43
2015
Alumni Weekend
The campus was beautiful for Alumni Weekend, May 1-3.
Friday night icebreaker
Class of 1975
First row from left: Pam Yuscavage, JOE YUSCAVAGE,
CATE EVANS BERGER, DAUN ROSE MARGIN, TIM
EVANS, MARCIA KELLNER LISSAK, CORNELIA
CONYNGHAM ROMANOWSKI, DEIRDRE
BECKWITH WREN, Lorna Tejada
Second row: CLARE McCARTHY PARKHURST,
PEARL BUTERA FULTON, Maureen Conyngham,
GEORGE CONYNGHAM, TERRY CASEY, LISA
WEINGEROFF, ED ROMANOWSKI, SCOTT
PARKHURST ’78
1
2
Class of 1965
The 50th Reunion class met at the home of CALEB McKENZIE ’65 in Dallas Friday evening.
1››› RON RITTENMEYER, GEORGIA DZURICA, DON MORREALE
3
44
2››› DICK SNOWDON, HOUSTON “BUNKY” DAY, GEORGE YENCHAK, HY HARRIS,
BOB ZIMMERMAN
3››› FRED FASSETT and MIKE BART
Saturday
1››› CALEB McKENZIE ’65, JERRY ZIMMERMAN ’65, BOB ANTON ’65
gather prior to the convocation in the Kirby Center for Creative Arts.
2››› Claire Schwebke, JAKE CRELLIN ’50, DAVE MICAHNIK ’55, Phyllis
Micahnik
3››› JERRY ZIMMERMAN ’65, DICK GOLDBERG ’55 and COREY
ZIMMERMAN ’70
2
Outstanding
Alumnus
1
3
Memorial Service
CALEB McKENZIE ’65, seen at left with
Sem president Dr. Kip Nygren, received
the Alumni Association Award for his
outstanding service to the school.
At the memorial service on Saturday, a member of each reunion class read something of
his or her choosing in honor of classmates who have passed away. Seen are, first row from
left: CORNELIA CONYNGHAM ROMANOWSKI ’75, LORI BLUE VONDERHEID ’90,
CALEB McKENZIE ’65, and GINNY BANER DEWEY ’55. Second row, from left: JOHN
EVANS ’85, JAY HARVEY ’80, LIZ HIBBARD ’69 (standing in for the class of 1970),
JAKE CRELLIN ’50 and BILL KOLB ’60.
45
class
REUNIONS
Class of 1945
Members of the Classes of ’45, ’50, ’55 and ’60
enjoyed dinner in the Flack Gallery of the new
Kirby Center for Creative Arts.
Class of 1950
ALLAN KLUGER and BETSY BELL CONDRON
Seen prior to lunch are, from left: FRANK HENRY, SUSIE LONG, NANCY
BRADER GIBSON, DON BUSH, BARBARA DYKINS VAN DRAN, MARGERY
HUTTER SILVER, MAUREEN SHEDLESKI BRADY
AUVO KEMPPINEN, center, a native of Finland, enjoyed
a rare opportunity to visit with two Sem students from
his home country: MATIAS TOIVOLA ’15, left, and
JANNE VESA ’15.
First row, from left: AUVO KEMPPINEN, MARGERY HUTTER SILVER, SUSIE LONG, QUINCY
ABBOT, BARBARA DYKINS VAN DRAN
Second row: MAUREEN SHEDLESKI BRADY, NANCY BRADER GIBSON, BETTE MATHERS
TRUSCOTT, FRANK HENRY
Third row: JAKE CRELLIN, BARRY ISCOVITZ, DON BUSH, NATLIE CATTANACH LEWIS, MAX
DAVISON
46
Class of 1955
Seated from left: MIMI HUGHES CARROLL, GINNY
BANER DEWEY, LOUISE LOUCKS MOORE, CAROL
HYMAN LEVITIN, HELEN TINSLEY
Standing: CAROL WYWIORSKI HALLIDAY, SYLVIA
KEHOE ABRANTES, DAVID MICAHNIK, SUE KLINE
KLUGER, MINDY PETRULIS, GEORGE MURDOCK,
DICK GOLDBERG
1
2
Class of 1960
3
1››› DICK GOLDBERG and JANE GOLDBERG ’90
2››› CAROL WYWIORSKI HALLIDAY, GINNY BANER DEWEY,
CAROL HYMAN LEVITIN, LOUISE LOUCKS MOORE and HELEN
TINSLEY visited during a pre-dinner reception.
3››› DAVE MICAHNIK and Dr. Kip Nygren
BILL KOLB and LORRAINE ROWLAND MURDOCK
47
Class of 1965
1››› Gathering at President Dr. Kip Nygren’s home prior to their
50th reunion are, from left, FRED FASSETT, BOB ZIMMERMAN,
JERRY ZIMMERMAN, BILL LEVINE, BILL NEWMAN and DICK
SNOWDON.
2››› JERRY PARKER, ANN KILEY MORGAN, JERRY ZIMMERMAN
3››› Members of the 50th reunion class of 1965 met prior to
convocation Saturday morning. Pictured are NANCY SIEGEL HARRIS,
MARGIE SHAFFER VICTOR and SHELIAH WIENER ZICCARDI.
4››› BOB ZIMMERMAN, REUBEN MUNDAY, SALLY SIMS
ALINIKOFF and Cheryl Munday.
2
3
1
4
First row: ESTELLE ANDREWS, FRED FASSETT, DEBORAH ROGERS KREVOR, DON MORREALE, ANN KILEY MORGAN, SALLY SIMS
ALINIKOFF, MARJORIE SONDHEIM KELK, NANCY SIEGEL HARRIS, ILENE BERGSMANN, SUSAN SMITH LEHRMITT
Second row: BETSY THOMAS JOHNSON, GEORGIA DZURICA, HELEN JONES, ALICE PICKETT HALE, DIANE GIERING WASILEWSKI,
SALLY LOWE SHEA, SHEILAH WIENER ZICCARDI, CALEB McKENZIE, CHRISTINE ORISHAK COLEMAN, MARGIE SHAFFER VICTOR,
JERRY ZIMMERMAN
Third row: BILL LEVINE, FRANNIE LEBIAK BRANDT, WINIFRED ROWE, FRED LEVY, MIKE CUNNINGHAM, REUBEN MUNDAY, BOB
ANTON, DICK SNOWDON, RON RITTENMEYER, EARL ORCUTT, HEATHER RICKER-GILBERT
Fourth row: MIKE BART, GEORGE YENCHAK, HY HARRIS, HOUSTON “BUNKY” DAY, BARRY GARTELL, JEFF STERNLIEB, DARRYL
WILBUR, JERRY PARKER, BOB ZIMMERMAN, BILL NEWMAN
48
The Stegmaier Mansion in Wilkes-Barre was the location for the Saturday night 50th reunion party. From left are GAILEY
TELLER, DICK SNOWDON, HEATHER RICKER-GILBERT, ESTELLE ANDREWS and GEORGIA DZURICA.
The Golden Anniversary Class of 1965, pictured at the Stegmaier Mansion:
First row from left: GEORGE YENCHAK, STUART LACY, DON MORREALE, CALEB McKENZIE, REUBEN MUNDAY, BOB ANTON,
JERRY ZIMMERMAN, FRED FASSETT
Second row: EARL ORCUTT, BARRY GARTELL, FRED LEVY, HOUSTON “BUNKY” DAY, DICK SNOWDON, BILL LEVINE, HY
HARRIS, MIKE CUNNINGHAM, BOB ZIMMERMAN, JERRY PARKER, BILL NEWMAN, DARRYL WILBUR, MIKE BART, LEN
PAWLOWSKI
On the porch, from left: SHARON PHILLIPS EWING, WINIFRED ROWE, HELEN JONES, SUSAN SMITH LEHRMITT, ALICE PICKETT
HALE, KATHY MONTZ MILLER, BETSY THOMAS JOHNSON, ESTELLE ANDREWS, GAILEY TELLER, GEORGIA DZURICA,
DEBORAH ROGERS KREVOR, SALLY LOWE SHEA, ANN KILEY MORGAN, DIANE GIERING WASILEWSKI, MARGIE SHAFFER
VICTOR, SHEILAH WIENER ZICCARDI, ILENE BERGSMANN, NANCY SIEGEL HARRIS, MARJORIE SONDHEIM KELK, SALLY SIMS
ALINIKOFF, JESSIE CONYNGHAM GRIFFITH, FRANNIE LEBIAK BRANDT
49
Class of 1970
COREY ZIMMERMAN and BOB KLEIN met at the prereunion reception at the home of Catherine and JOHN
SHAFER ’71.
Seated from left: SUSY ROGERS SPREAT, BOB KLEIN, ERIKA FUNKE,
ALICE YELEN
Standing: COREY ZIMMERMAN, DON MURRAY, CHARLIE SINGER
Class of 1975
1››› LISA WEINGEROFF, CORNY CONYNGHAM ROMANOWSKI,
MARCIA KELLNER LISSAK
2››› Seated from left: PEARL BUTERA FULTON, DAUN ROSE
MARGIN, DEIRDRE BECKWITH WREN, CORNELIA CONYNGHAM
ROMANOWSKI, MARY PAVIA ROLLA, CLARE McCARTHY PARKHURST,
LISA WEINGEROFF, BONNIE RAY WILSON, MARCIA KELLNER LISSAK,
MARY SHAFER WAKEMAN, CAROLYN SPOHRER
Standing: ED ROMANOWSKI, TIM EVANS, CARL ARBOGAST, GEORGE
CONYNGHAM
2
50
1
Class of 1980
BILL LAMOREAUX, JAY
HARVEY, LOU BUTERA,
MADHU ALAGIRI,
TAMMY PEARSALL,
KEVIN BUFALINO,
TISH MACK GROSEK,
DAVID SCHWAGER,
HAMP OBERLE, JOHN
WARTELLA, PETER
NEAVLING
PETER NEAVLING, LOU BUTERA, JAY HARVEY,
MADHU ALAGIRI
Class of 1985
CORINE LEONI TRESLAR, FRED
LOMBARDO, JAMES GALANTE,
JOHN EVANS, ANN MARIE
HENDRZAK
51
Class of 1990
Seated from left: LORI BLUE VONDERHEID,
KIM ERTLEY DeGOOYER, KENDRA WILSON
MUENTER, JANE GOLDBERG, CARRIE RAMPP
Standing: C.J. KERSEY, COLBY VONDERHEID,
JOHN EIDAM, EDDIE ZALINSKI, GARY
GROBLEWSKI, TOM LULL
1
2
3
1››› COLBY VONDERHEID talks with CARRIE RAMPP at the Shafers’ reception. 2››› Alexa Eidam, GARY GROBLEWSKI and JOHN
EIDAM 3››› LORI BLUE VONDERHEID, KIM ERTLEY DeGROOYER, JANE GOLDBERG, KENDRA WILSON MUENTER
Alumni, former Sem president receive Donchess Awards
Wyoming Seminary presented its annual Joseph C. Donchess Distinguished Service Award to three people on
Alumni Weekend in May. The 2015 recipients are REUBEN A. MUNDAY ’65, H. Jeremy Packard, and MARK A.
WEINBERGER ’79.
The Award is the highest honor bestowed by the Wyoming Seminary Board of Trustees on behalf of everyone associated
with the school. It expresses appreciation for the life and example, sacrifices and devotion of those who are honored.
Seen prior to the awards presentation
are, seated from left: H. Jeremy
Packard, award recipient; REUBEN
A. MUNDAY ’65, award recipient;
and MARK A. WEINBERGER ’79,
award recipient. Standing, from left:
RICHARD GOLDBERG ’55, chair,
Wyoming Seminary Board of Trustees
and award presenter; CORNELIA
ROMANOWSKI ’75, Wyoming
Seminary Board of Trustees member
and award presenter; and Dr. Kip
Nygren, Wyoming Seminary president
and award presenter.
52
Tower Society and DSA reception
1
2
3
4
5
6
1››› MARY EAGEN McDONALD ’48, George and Eleanor Ginader, RITA KILGALLON CONLON ’49 2››› Leila Taggart P ’80, ’83, ’86,
PIA TAGGART ’83, Penny Mericle P ’10, ’17, Ed Plaksa P ’15, Tim Swanson P ’86, ’90, ’21 3››› REUBEN MUNDAY ’65, Cheryl Munday,
President Dr. Kip Nygren 4››› JONATHAN WEINBERGER ’94, Harry Nageli, MARK WEINBERGER ’79, REUBEN MUNDAY ’65,
RICHARD WEINBERGER ’71, ANDREW WEINBERGER ’91 5››› John Vaida P ’98, ’00, George and Dawn Blom P ’07, ’12 6››› MATT
PACKARD ’03, Ingrid Cronin P ’98, ’00, ’03, past president Jere Packard P ’98, ’00, ’03, DENNIS PACKARD ’00
53
Class Notes
These Class Notes represent those received in the Alumni and Development office as of September 1, 2015.
1932
1939
FRED MACK,
Newtown Square, was
one of three children
and was born in
Maryland on March 21,
1911. His father, an
architect, built the
family home which was
near a country club where training
biplanes for WWI used to land and give
people rides for $10. Airports didn’t exist
until the 1920s. Fred moved to
Pennsylvania when he was ten, attended
Wyoming Seminary and then New York
University. He worked through the years at
various aircraft companies, both designing
and piloting aircraft, as an aeronautical
engineer. He worked under camouflaged
conditions while designing bombers
during the Second World War.
LEONARD
SILVERSTEIN,
Bethesda, Md., was
recognized on March
26, 2015 with the
French National Order
of the Legion of Honor,
the highest decoration
given by the French government. The
Legion of Honor was created in 1802 by
Napoleon Bonaparte to reward exceptional
accomplishments and great services
rendered to France. It is awarded based on
a decision by the Legion of Honor
committee in Paris, through the French
Embassy in Washington and the French
Foreign Affairs Ministry.
For the last 14 years he has been
volunteering; he designed and built the
control tower for the children’s area at
the American Helicopter Museum in
West Chester. Two clubs Fred has been
associated with for years honored him: the
Ski Club and the Jaguar Club. The Jaguar
Club confirmed Fred is an original and
only owner and driver of a 1953 XK120
Jaguar. On his 95th and 100th birthdays,
he celebrated by skydiving! He hopes
to repeat that experience on his 105th
birthday. Fred enjoys oil painting, lives
independently, and attributes his longevity
to not smoking.
1936
BOB LAUBACH, Syracuse, N.Y., wrote, “I
was delighted to see my ‘No April Fool’s’
letter in the last Sem Journal. I think of
Sem often. In 2016 I will be somewhere
between 97 and 98. The Lord willing, I
plan to come to my 80th reunion in the
spring. I think I was the oldest alumnus
present at Alumni Day in 2011. I love Sem,
and wish I could visit more often.”
(Editor’s Note: Bob died September 11, 2015. He
will be missed.)
54
The award is divided into five degrees
of increasing distinction: Chevalier
(Knight), Officier (Officer), Commandeur
(Commander), Grand Officier (Grand
Officer) and Grand Croix (Grand Cross).
Since this is his third time being ranked by
the Order, Mr. Silverstein will be presented
with the Commandeur ranking for his
involvement in the French-American
Cultural Foundation, a non-profit
foundation devoted to fostering enhanced
bilateral cultural relations, where he
served as co-founder and inaugural
President. Over 15 years, Mr. Silverstein
has helped the foundation become the
leading force promoting French culture
in the mid-Atlantic region. Collaborating
with major cultural institutions such
as the National Gallery of Art, the
Philadelphia Museum of Art, the John
F. Kennedy Center for the Performing
Arts and the Library of Congress, the
foundation brings French programming
to the Washington area and beyond.
Mr. Silverstein concentrates his law
practice in estate planning, nonprofit
organizations, charitable contributions
and representation before the Internal
Revenue Service and Treasury
Department.
He is a member of the board of directors of
the White House Historical Association,
the Alliance Française of Washington
and the National Symphony Orchestra
and is a member of the trustees’ council
of the National Gallery of Art. He was
a member, now honorary, of the board
of directors of the Movado Group, Inc.,
was a director of Chevy Chase Bank and
has served as a director of the Choral
Arts Society of Washington. He is also
treasurer of the Madison Council of
the Library of Congress and member
(formerly chairman) of the RostropovichVishnevskaya Foundation. Mr. Silverstein
served for 10 years as vice chairman of the
John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing
Arts and is currently an active honorary
member of the board.
He served as an officer in the United States
Navy during World War II in the South
Pacific.
1940
JO ANN WILSON ROSE, Merritt Island,
Fla., wrote, “I have become a resident of
an assisted living facility named ‘The
Place’ on Merritt Island. My daughter, Dr.
Susan Rose, is a professor at Dickinson
College. Her latest book is ‘Challenging
Global Gender Violence.’ My grandson Ari
Brouvier graduated from Dickinson in
May, 2013. I carried the college flag for the
classes of the 1940s. I would enjoy hearing
from Sem classmates.”
MARY JETER TRAURIG, Sarasota, Fla.,
wrote, “Here is a recent picture of Don
and me taken in the garden and pool area
of our new home at Lakehouse West, an
independent living facility in Sarasota.
The apartment looks out across a most
beautiful lake and fountains. Don and I
sold our home in Palm Aire in December,
2013 and we love the lifestyle here.
“We have made friends with many
interesting people of various backgrounds
from just about every state in the Union.
There is never a dull moment: bocce,
chip and putt golf, billiards, fitness,
galas, entertainment, concerts, and
transportation to theaters, museums,
shopping, and even to the Indian casino in
Tampa. Don has been elected to the Board
of Directors and is very active here.
“Time passes so quickly. I am still an
active member of the Sarasota Sustainer
Junior League. I was sorry to miss the Sem
gathering at the Sarasota Yacht Club. I
would love to have any Wyoming Seminary
alumni call and visit.”
Nebraska City, Nebraska, on April 25. He
received the Good Steward Award.
During nearly 40 years on Maui, W.S.
Merwin has planted a 19-acre botanical
garden of palm trees, cultivating by hand
what is now a rainforest recognized as one
of the largest and most extensive private
collections in the world. The Merwin Palm
Collection boasts some 3,000 palm trees
representing more than 400 species and
nearly 900 different varieties. Merwin has,
on average, planted one tree each day for
more than three decades.
The impact of Merwin’s work reflects
the values of wilderness, the stillness of
nature, and our personal connection to the
natural world. Through his long-standing
outreach efforts, his message has spread
far and wide and inspired thousands to
conservation.
Since 1972, the Arbor Day Foundation has
recognized the inspiring and life-changing
work of leading environmental stewards
and tree planters through the annual
Arbor Day Awards.
1942
THELMA KAFTAN ZERFOSS,
Nanticoke, is proud to share photos of two
new great grandsons: Jacob Grabel, son of
Matthew Grabel and Jen Depres Grabel,
and Luca Oltra, son of Robert Oltra and
Dr. Erica Zerfoss Oltra.
Jacob Grabel
Luca Oltra
1944
MARY BURNSIDE MANGELSDORF,
Newtown Square, wrote, “My husband
of nearly 66 years, Paul C. Mangelsdorf,
Jr., died on March 6, 2015. Paul taught
physics at Swarthmore College for 29
years. He also did research at the Wood’s
Hole Oceanographic Institution in
Massachusetts.”
WILLIAM S. MERWIN, Haiku, Hawaii,
is the recipient of a 2015 Arbor Day Award
in honor of his outstanding contribution
to tree planting, conservation and
stewardship. He is one of 13 individuals,
organizations and companies recognized
by the Arbor Day Foundation during the
annual Arbor Day Awards. This year’s
ceremony was held at Arbor Day Farm in
1946
MARGUERITE RECKUS MOORE,
Stonington, Conn., graduated from the
Wilkes-Barre Day School in 1946, then
attended Marymount College. She married
Thomas Moore in 1951. The couple has
seven children and 14 grandchildren.
The Moores divide their time among
Connecticut, Florida and Ireland.
1949
ELAINE ADELSON BERG, Henderson,
Nev., wrote, “I can’t believe it has been
65 years! I have four children, nine
grandchildren, six great-grandchildren. I am
loving Nevada; I’ve been here for 12 years.
Please stop by if in the Las Vegas area.”
1950
MARILYN LAWSON PEDONE,
Altamonte Springs, Fla., wrote, “After
62 years of marriage (to CHUCK
PEDONE ’50) I guess we were not too
young after all! We had a wonderful life
in Conyngham Valley before moving to
Florida. Our children and grandchildren
are graduates of John Hopkins, Old
Dominion, Kutztown, East Stroudsburg,
Rollins, Southern Methodist, Cal Poly,
Seattle University and University of
California.”
1951
HAROLD (HAL) BIRTH, Santa Monica,
Calif., wrote, “I am retired from the United
States Air Force and from Continental
Airlines. I have been elected again to be
President/CEO of the Princeton Villas
Homeowners Association, Inc. I remain
active in volunteer work with the Museum
of Flying at the Santa Monica Airport.
Vacations include a trip to visit the place
where I met my wife 48 years ago in
London, England.”
Merwin Alumni Literary Society
welcomes members
In an effort to increase participation and create an alumni writers
database, the Merwin Alumni Literary Society at Wyoming Seminary
asks all alumni and former faculty who are writing in any genre, including
technical, to send a one or two paragraph biography to Journal Editor
Gail Smallwood at [email protected]. Please include
your class (Upper and/or Lower School), contact information, and a list
of major publications if any. You need not be “published” or working in a
writing trade to belong to the Society. There are no dues or membership
requirements other than association with the school and an interest in
quality writing in all its forms and formats. The alumni writers database is
only a starting point; future projects may include anthology publication,
readings and book signings on campus. For more information, or to join the W.S. Merwin Alumni Literary Society
at Wyoming Seminary, please contact Journal Editor Gail Smallwood at
[email protected] or at 570-270-2192.
The society is named in honor of W.S. MERWIN ’44, a two-time Pulitzer
Prize-winning poet and 2010 Poet Laureate of the United States.
55
“Mr. K”
Abdon (Abe) Kupstas ’34
Dean School of Business
Celebrates
100th birthday
April 15, 2015 was a red-letter day for retired
accountant Abdon (Abe) Kupstas ’34 of
Centermoreland. On the national deadline for
Americans to turn in their individual tax returns,
Kupstas celebrated his 100th birthday, surrounded by
his family and friends.
A 1933 Lake Township High School graduate, Kupstas
decided he wanted to expand his options by attending
the highly-regarded Dean School of Business at Wyoming
Seminary. During the Great Depression, earning a Dean
School diploma was comparable to a college degree.
Kupstas made the most of the opportunity, working
through his courses at an accelerated pace and receiving
his diploma in February, 1934.
According to
his son George,
Kupstas worked
in Livingston,
N.J. as a laborer
and accountant
for the state’s
public service
department
before enlisting
in the Army in
1941, soon after
the outbreak of
World War II.
Abdon Kupstas posed in his Army
After serving in
uniform during his World War II service.
the motor pool
in Australia
and New Guinea he was discharged as a sergeant in
1945, and soon he and his new wife Jane returned
56
to his hometown of
Loyalville. He worked
as an accountant for
the J.B. Carr biscuit
factory and Pioneer
Manufacturing (a
garment factory)
before he and a good
friend decided to
Abdon Kupstas at his 100th birthday
celebration.
go into business for
themselves. In the
mid 1950s they opened Bass Manufacturing and began
producing children’s pajamas and girls’ dresses. (The
name refers to Kupstas’ and his friend’s love of fishing.)
For the next 30 years, as he and his wife raised their four
children, Kupstas managed the business and kept the
books. At its height, the business employed as many as
125 people, and the workers fondly referred to Kupstas
as “Mr. K.” His keen business insights, commitment to
producing a high-quality product and dedication to his
employees helped him keep Bass Manufacturing open
until 1985, long after nearly every other garment factory
in the area had closed. He retired that year at age 70.
George Kupstas says his father, whose memory is now
failing, enjoyed reminiscing about his days at Sem,
when he drove a Model-T Ford to Kingston each day
and sometimes delivered buckwheat flour directly to
Professor Willis L. Dean, dean of the Business School.
“He’s always held his teachers in high regard and said
they helped him discover his talent for accounting,”
George Kupstas says. “My dad was a farm boy who
wanted to better himself and he has always credited Sem
for giving him the confidence to succeed in life.”
GEORGE PAPPAS, Naples, Fla., and his
wife Athena recently published a book
written for them by Tricia Kline to tell
the story of their daughter Cleo. Cleo was
severely brain damaged at birth and the
journey described in the book defied all
medical expectations. “The baby will be all
right…” is the name of the book.
VIRGINIA TODD SCHATZKI, Bedford,
Mass., wrote, “We just took our whole
family to Bermuda for a week to celebrate
our 60th wedding anniversary. Life is
good!”
1953
ANNE-LOUISE STRICKLAND,
Stroudsburg, wrote, “I celebrated my
big ’80!’ My family had a lovely birthday
luncheon in my honor. I’m recovering from
a total hip replacement and hope to soon
be back to normal. Happy 80th to all my
1953 classmates!”
friends. My grandchildren live in Florida,
New Jersey, Illinois and New Hampshire. I
love seeing them but not the cold weather!
I hope everyone is well, happy and that life
has been kind to you. Wishing you the very
best.”
KATHLEEN HOWARD
SUTHERLAND, Portland, Maine, wrote,
“I have been teaching at Osher Lifelong
Learning Institute at the University of
Southern Maine since 2005. I’m also active
on the World Affairs Council of Maine,
just completing nine years of the board.
Painting and drama (Readers’ Theater) fill
a lot of our time as well. We just returned
from a visit to Portugal, and are active
as hospice volunteers. Then there are the
family visits to California (Heather), Ohio
(Jennifer), Connecticut (John’s daughter),
and Maine (Chris and Tony).
1959
DONALD ROESKE, Apple Valley, Minn.,
wrote, “My wife and I have now lived in
Minnesota for three years, near one of our
sons and his family. I’m sorry I missed the
reunion last year. I fondly remember the
old organ in Nelson Memorial Hall, which
is now gone except for the bell tower. TOM
WATKINS ’54 used to play that organ
when we were students.”
JUDY CASPER BOHORAD, Naples,
Fla. and Orwigsburg, wrote, “JANE
SNOWDON JONES visited me in Naples
in March, but could not get here in time
for the Sem gathering… on a sad note, I
have to report that my husband Bob lost
his three-year battle with cancer last June…
on a lighter note, my younger son Rob and
David Yuengling have re-launched
Yuengling’s ice cream and are now in 13
states… be sure to try it!”
1956
1960
KELLY MATHER, Sebastian, Fla., wrote,
“I started my career as an engineer at
Procter & Gamble, and continued on to
Pratt & Whitney and later Boeing, where
I worked on the Saturn V moon rocket. I
also worked on automotive gas turbine
projects at Caterpillar and Cummins. I
lived in Malmo, Sweden and Schenectady,
N.Y. where I worked on Stirling Engine
technology; in West Bloomfield, Michigan
where I worked on cruise missile engines;
and in Cleveland, Ohio, where I worked on
nuclear drives for Navy reactors. In 1995
I retired to Sebastian, Fla. to care for our
parents.”
ELLEN MACCARTNEY WARREN,
Harrisburg, wrote, “Our son, WILL
BURNELL ’88, has started a new
insurance agency with Farmers Insurance.
His office is in Tunkhannock. He’s
been very successful in a short period
of time and would love to hear from
Sem classmates. He has three smart and
beautiful daughters. Our daughter, Callie,
lived in the Marshall Islands for nine
months setting up trainings for a fraud
investigation office for the government
and United Nations diplomats. She is
working toward her masters now. I have
such fond memories of Sem and send my
best to all my classmates and friends.”
1954
STUART PRICE, Naples, Fla., is retired
from Dow Chemical as sales manager
for the Eastern half of the U.S. in
microelectronics chemicals.
HELEN SCHAINUCK RUBIN,
Plantation, Fla., wrote, “All is fine with me
and my family. I travel, continue to take
classes, love learning, and socialize with
at risk kids who need lots of support to
succeed in school. Also involved in various
interfaith activities, and always the Bahai
Faith. And writing, reading and my art. I
need a vacation!”
RHETT JONES, Devon, says he is
enjoying semi-retirement.
SANDY THATCHER, Frisco, Tex., wrote,
“I write to share with you news about
a prize I was awarded during my 50th
Reunion at Princeton in late May.
“Called the 250th award, so named
because it was first given during the
University’s 250th anniversary in 1996, it
is ‘presented in recognition of outstanding
dedication and commitment to Princeton
swimming and diving.’ In my case, it was
recognition for nothing I did in the pool
as a swimmer but for much I did out of the
water, such as serving as Secretary of the
Friends of Princeton Swimming from 1971
to 1989 (during which time I wrote all the
newsletters and annual brochures for the
team and prepared a substantial report
in 1981 on the need for a new pool, which
eventually led to the building of DeNunzio
Pool in 1990), serving as a member of
the Alumni Association Athletic Council
(1978-1989), being a member of the search
committee that recommended hiring the
current women’s coach, Susan Teeter,
in 1984, and serving on the planning
committee and completing a 99-page
history of Princeton swimming for its
110th anniversary celebration in 2014.
“I attach a photo of me receiving the
250th Award on May 30 during the alumni
meet at DeNunzio Pool. On the right is
head men’s coach Rob Orr, in his usual
subdued garb, and on the left is PUCSDT
(Princeton University Competitive
Swimming and Diving) vice president
MING ONG ’11.”
1961
BETSY BELVIN, Bennington, Vt., wrote,
“After 30 plus years of living in beautiful
Vermont, I’m seriously considering a move
back to the Philadelphia area (not the city)
to be closer to family. I do lots of volunteer
work, especially with young, potentially
SANDY THATCHER ’61, center
JOHN UNGER, Hamilton, Va., wrote,
“This spring Carolyn and I traveled to
Malaysia where our oldest son Derek
and his family had moved about a year
ago. We spent a week with them in Kuala
57
Lumpur, where they live on the 39th floor
of a condo. We toured the city and its
environs and ate an incredible variety of
southeastern Asian food. We then flew
over the South China Sea to the Malaysian
state of Sabah on the northeastern side of
the island of Borneo. We spent three days
mountain biking through the rain forest
around Mount Kinabalu, at 13,435 feet the
highest peak in southeast Asia. We then
relaxed by snorkeling over beautiful reefs
in the Kota Kinabalu harbor. It was our
first trip to that part of the world, but it
won’t be our last!”
HOWARD WATSON, Homosassa, Fla.,
wrote, “We are traveling extensively, and
just returned from a cruise in the Baltic
Sea, accompanied by AL THOMAS ’62
and his wife, Kay. In 2014, we visited
Russia, South Africa, Hawaii and more.
Upcoming are trips to Alaska, southeast
Asia, France and Italy. Life is good!”
1962
LEE TURNER, Lehman, and BOB
ALLEN, Center Valley, traveled to
Guatemala in March to volunteer with an
organization called HELPS. They built
stoves in homes and schools.
1964
ELEANOR SWANTKO FAIRCLOUGH,
Davis, Calif., retired from public service
after 20 years working for elected officials
at the county, state and congressional level
in California.
1965
MARLENE LIPPI FUREY, Deux Sevres,
France, wrote, “We are in Southwest France
--closest city is Poitiers, a 2.5 hour trip on
the TGV from Paris. I moved in April, 2014
as my husband wanted to come ‘home.’
I am retired but continue my animal
rescue work as we are now saving dogs
from Bosnia and Romania. I am hoping
to spend a couple weeks this summer
with Milena Malesevic in Sarejevo who
runs Saving Suffering Strays of Sarejevo.
I currently have one from Sarejevo and I
have three from Romania and another from
58
France. Animal rescue is my true calling
and PASSION and we were a 501(c)3 in the
US—Fureys Furry Friends —and hope to
gain French charity status here.”
George and MARLENE LIPPI FUREY ’65
at home in Deux Sevres, France.
LOUISE MILLER LAVIN, Akron, Ohio,
wrote, “I was sorry not to be able to attend
our 50th Reunion but I send my warm
greetings and congratulations to my friends
and fellow students in the Class of 1965.”
RON RITTENMEYER, Plano, Tex.,
wrote, “I was selected to serve on the
Financial Times Outstanding Directors
Advisory Board for 2015 -2016. The FT
ODX program is the gold standard for
Director Education providing a unique
exchange opportunity. It will be an
interesting and challenging experience.”
CALEB MCKENZIE, Hoboken, N.J.,
IESNYC, AIALD, has joined Lighting
Consultants, an international lighting
consultancy based in New York City, as a
principal of the firm. Caleb was recently
elected vice president of the Illuminating
Engineering Society of New York and
serves as commissioner on the Hoboken
Planning Board.
1966
ROB BURNSIDE, Kingston, wrote
this tribute for his classmate TODD
CAMPBELL, who died in May:
“I’ve never had a pair of sunglasses last
more than one summer without sitting
on them, or losing them, or both. And
I’ve never had a car – I drive a ’97 beater –
make it through state inspection without
spending a king’s ransom on repairs. But
I have had a prep school friendship that
didn’t cost me anything flourish for half
a century and then some, so I consider
myself fortunate indeed.
“TODD S. CAMPBELL (a.k.a. “Toad”), a
former member of the class of 1966 and late
of Suffolk, Virginia, passed away in his sleep
on May 6, 2015. We met long ago through
our older brothers SCOTT BURNSIDE and
CRAIG SCOTT CAMPBELL (also deceased)
from Sem’s class of 1962. We tried to be like
our big brothers in every respect and we very
nearly succeeded. Along the way, we enjoyed
our own relationship in some unique settings.
“Todd was a history buff and a dedicated
Civil War re-enactor. He started thirty years
ago as a buck private in a Yankee artillery
battery he eventually commanded as a
captain, then morphed into a “scribbler”
(Union General Sherman’s derisive term)
for Smoke & Fire News and The Camp Chase
Gazette, attending and reporting on every
major Sesquicentennial event from Bull
Run to Appomattox, finishing up at Ford’s
Theater in mid-April of this year. His many
adventures included a part – dais clerk in the
congressional scenes of the movie “Lincoln” –
and interviewing Gen. Colin Powell. “At the 150th anniversary of the Battle
of Fredericksburg (2012) Todd portrayed
Sam Wilkerson, Washington Bureau Chief
for the New York Tribune. I had grown my
hair to donate after winning round one
versus prostate cancer and Todd invited
me to come along as Walt Whitman, who
traveled to Virginia to locate his wounded
brother George in 1862. Curiously, George
had already read ‘Leaves of Grass’ and
pronounced it ‘not worth the effort.’ Walt
went anyway. Brothers are like that. So are
true friends.
“Todd was one of the truest and best friends
I’ve ever had. He recently renewed his
interest in Wyoming Seminary, joined the
W.S. Merwin Alumni Literary Society, and
was looking forward to attending the 50th
reunion of the Class of ’66 in May of 2016.
Other plans left orphaned include collecting
his dispatches in a single volume and
enrolling in the Wilkes University Creative
Writing MFA program. A U.S. Navy veteran,
he was buried in the Suffolk Veterans’
Cemetery with full military honors. He leaves
behind his widow Debra, sons Robert and
Michael, and a legion of readers, friends,
and re-enactor associates. Rest in peace,
dear friend Toad, and when you finally meet
General Sherman, don’t take ‘no interviews’
for an answer!”
BOB BURNSIDE, left, and TODD
CAMPBELL
Robert Zimmerman ’65
Exploring the
intersections of
space, cancer
and life
WORKING AT THE INTERFACE between engineering,
biology and medicine has informed a lifetime of challenges
and opportunities for ROBERT ZIMMERMAN ’65. Pursuing these multi-disciplinary interests since his
tenth-grade year at Sem as a student in Robert Buntz’s
biology class, Zimmerman has been active in applying
computer science and electronic engineering to biomedical
instrumentation, space exploration and astrobiology, and
recently, cancer genomics research.
He joined NASA in 1969 after earning a degree in computer
science and electrical engineering at the Massachusetts
Institute of Technology (MIT). Throughout his 46-year
career working and consulting with NASA and the Jet
Propulsion Laboratory, the National Cancer Institute, the
RAND Corporation and George Washington University,
Stanford University and University of California,
Zimmerman has been exploring the intersections between
his fields of interest. He also has worked in strategic
planning for NASA and RAND, served as NASA’s systems
engineering lead engineer for the NexGen Airspace System
and built the space agency’s technology transfer program
in biomedical engineering, among many other projects.
He now serves as a consultant for NASA and a non-profit
organization, Cancer Commons, which provides analytic
software tools and support for cancer patients and their
oncologists. In addition to memberships in the AAAS and
IEEE, he is an elected Associate Fellow of the Aerospace
Medicine Association.
After working on radiation exposure and protection for
astronauts, including the physics and biology of gene
damage and repair mechanisms, he shifted from space
exploration and astrobiology to the broader genomics
of cancer. Each day, medical researchers inch closer to
making cancer a manageable disease. Helping those
researchers in their quest is something of a passion for
him and he has worked in the field of cancer genomics for
much of the past decade. In 2012 he served as program
director for the Cancer Genomics Hub, the national data
repository for the National Cancer Institute and The
Cancer Genomics Atlas (TCGA)pilot program. Located
at the University of California Santa Cruz, near his home
in Portola Valley, the Hub allows cancer researchers to
Zimmerman with his dog Merlin in Lake Tahoe
efficiently collect and work with enormous amounts of
biomedical data regarding genetic abnormalities found in
25 different cancers in a secure 2.5 petabyte repository.
Zimmerman and his team designed the secure storage
and access programs that overcame the difficulties in
managing huge data sets and keeping the data secure while
enhancing accessibility for research.
“Cancer researchers are now beginning to understand the
molecular biology of the disease and that understanding
can do a lot to improve treatments and patient outcomes,”
he says. “I’ve been interested in cancer because of its
impact on friends and families. In addition to being a
public health scourge, the complexity of the disease will
only yield to the cutting edge of science and technology.”
When not tackling the challenges of radiation exposure
for astronauts on long-term space flights or studying
the effects of climate change on biological systems,
Zimmerman is an avid photographer of shore birds and
harbor seals, animals that live where land and water meet.
He enjoys a commitment to lifelong learning and biking
and skiing near Lake Tahoe, and together with his wife
Helene has traveled widely.
Along the way, Zimmerman has learned the value of asking
the right questions and appreciates opportunities to pull
together talented teams to catalyze solutions to seemingly
intractable problems. He keeps coming back to the insight
he had as a student at Sem: “The most interesting stuff
happens at the interfaces.”
59
BARBARA
HAUCK, Erie. On
January 7,
AAUW.org
(American
Association of
University Women)
sent out a request
for art submissions
to be used for the
“Out of the Grid”
2015 notecards. Of
the hundreds of
submissions, 50 were chosen by a
nominating committee. Of the 50, six were
voted to be published by the general
membership. One, a woven piece created by
Erie Branch member and Class of ’66
alumna Barbara J. Hauck was chosen for
the Award of Distinction by the National
Museum of Women in the Arts. A print of
the piece will be hung in the national
office among the other past recipients of
this award. The piece, titled “Out of the Grid,” is
created by painting the warp (unwoven
threads wound on to the loom) before it is
woven. She manipulates it with weaving,
wrapping and tapestry techniques. The
piece’s name alludes to the fact that
weaving is, in effect, a grid but she is
attempting to break that limitation
through paint and manipulation. 1968
ELIAS (AL) ZELKHA, Woodside, Calif.,
wrote, “My Brazil-based online venture,
Vemm, co-founded with Simon Birrell
three years ago, has just been acquired
by QuinStreet, (a public Silicon Valley
company that’s a leader in the sector). Vemm will now be Quinstreet’s Financial
Services subsidiary in Brazil.”
1969
During his tenure at Penn State, Monick
was proud of changing the eligibility rules
from two years to four years of the PSUAC.
He has been honored by the campus
with the Fran Brown Hayfield Award and
President’s Award, and was inducted to the
campus Wall of Fame in 2011.
Jack’s family includes his wife of 33
years, Valerie; two daughters, Kaitlin and
Corrine; and two grandchildren, Anna
and Steven. His parents are Dolores and
John Monick, and his sisters are Donna
Albright and Michelle Grant.
JOE HARPSTER, Verona, N.J., wrote,
“2015 has been a good year celebrating 40
years of marriage with my wife, Carol, and
the wedding of my daughter in May. I’m
still working as a Credit Officer for First
Republic Bank in Manhattan not far from
where our son works.”
NANCY BARNES, Austin, Texas, wrote,
“The winter in New England did me in
so I am back in Austin with my fiancee,
William . . . working a bit, playing,
volunteering, and getting into mosaics.”
KATHY PERKINS O’FEE, New Hope,
wrote, “After a career of almost 30 years
in the pharmaceutical industry, I retired
several years ago. Having spent most of
my professional life traveling around
the world, my husband, Bob, and I travel
for fun now and enjoy our retirement in
southern Pennsylvania. Unfortunately, I
have not been able to attend our reunions,
usually because of travel commitments. I
do hope to make it to our 50th.”
He was drafted by the New York Mets in
1969. In 1984, he was inducted into the
Wyoming Seminary Hall of Fame.
SALLY PARKHURST VAN WHY,
Bedford, wrote, “I retired five years ago
from my elementary teaching job which
was primarily in second grade. Since
then my husband, Norman, and I have
traveled a good deal of the country in our
RV. When home, I am involved in many
community activities in our historic town
of Bedford, Pa. My biggest joy is spending
time with our two grandchildren, Jackson,
age two, and Emma, four months. I try to
get back to Kingston as often as possible
to see my mom who still lives in the same
house on Reynolds Street.”
Monick taught physical education and
coached a variety of sports in the Wilkes-
KATHY LOVELAND, Milwaukee, Wis.
Fountain Valley, Calif., wrote, “I retired
JACK MONICK, Dallas, was inducted
into the Luzerne County Sports Hall
of Fame in August. From the article in
the July 19 “Citizens’ Voice:” Monick
graduated from Wyoming Seminary in
1969, where he was the quarterback on the
football team and captain of the 1968 and
1969 Wyoming Valley Catholic League
baseball championship teams.
60
Barre School District for eight years before
taking over the Penn State Wilkes-Barre
athletic program in 1984 and teaching
kinesiology for the next 26 years until his
retirement in 2011.
two years ago from the Milwaukee Public
Schools. I taught Montessori curriculum
with grades 4, 5 and 6 in one public school
classroom. Before that I worked for the
State of Wisconsin as the administrative
assistant/supervisor for the Public
Defenders’ Office/Trial Division. Right
out of college I taught in a Greek Parochial
School in Astoria, N.Y. I have enjoyed my
career immensely.
“My husband, a retired RN, and I have
been living part of our year in Southern
California to help care for our first
grandchild. Our daughter is a PT in
California and our son works for Epic,
a large computer company outside of
Madison, Wisconsin.
“After reading in the alumni magazine
yet another death notice for the class of
1969, I contacted LIZ HIBBARD and
volunteered to contact our class. I have
69 email addresses for our class of ’69. I
contacted all the addresses I was given
and would love to hear from more of you!
Thank you to the above classmates who
responded. And, JOHN LOPATTO, I do
intend to get to our 50th reunion because I
will not be teaching school that year!”
LIZ HIBBARD, Forty Fort, wrote,
“KATHY LOVELAND asked me to add a
blurb about myself. One of my duties in my
part-time job at Sem is compiling all the
class notes for the Journal. So here I am,
typing up a note for myself. I absolutely
LOVE working part-time! I moved from
Bunker Hill to Forty Fort two years ago
and really enjoy walking the sidewalks
with my American Staffordshire terrier,
Brin. I am a docent at the Forty Fort
Meeting House on Sundays in the summer.
I am very happily divorced, and I CAN’T
BELIEVE OUR NEXT REUNION IS OUR
50TH! (Yes, I am totally shouting.)”
1971
DAVID ABELSON, Oldsmar, Fla., wrote,
“My son Adam recently graduated from
Duke University and will be joining my
business group at Morgan Stanley.”
JACK EVANS, Washington, D.C., wrote,
“My triplets graduated from high school in
June and are off to college this fall. John and
Catherine are attending the University of
Pennsylvania; Christine is going to Parsons
School of Design.”
CARL GRIVNER, London, U.K. joined
the Executive Committee of Colt effective
May 1 and will lead Colt’s Network
One last tune for
that old violin…
You know that old violin that’s been stowed away all these years
in your attic or basement, the one that no one will ever play
again? Here’s your opportunity to help it “sing” again!
The Sem fine and performing arts department is working on a
special art project, using old unwanted violins, which will be
auctioned off at next year’s Blue Knight Bash. Proceeds from
the project’s sale will benefit the department. If you have an old
violin you would like to donate to the project, please contact
Julie McCarthy Strzeletz ’81, director of alumni programs, at
[email protected].
Services business, which provides data
connectivity services to businesses and
wholesale carriers across Europe, Asia
and North America. Carl joins Colt from
Pacnet, one of Asia’s leading end-to-end
communications service providers where
he was Chief Executive Officer from 2012
to 2015 (when the business was acquired
by Telstra). In this role he was responsible
for directing the company’s global strategy
and was instrumental in driving both
revenue and profitability. Before his
tenure at Pacnet, Carl was Chief Executive
Officer of XO Communications, a leading
telecommunications company in the United
States, where he transformed the business
from a local exchange carrier to a national
carrier growing revenues over 50 percent
and leading the successful acquisition and
integration of Allegiance Telecom. Prior
to this, Carl held several executive level
positions in the telecommunications and
information technology industry. He was
Chief Operating Officer of Global Crossing,
Chief Executive Officer of Worldport
Communications, Chief Executive Officer of
Cable & Wireless plc (Western Hemisphere)
where he headed the North American
operations and Chief Executive Officer of
Advanced Fibre Communications. He also
held various senior management positions in
Ameritech and IBM.
Carl has over 25 years of international
executive and leadership experience
including 12 years’ operating at the
level of Chief Executive Officer at major
telecommunications companies in North
and Central America, Europe and Asia.
DAVID HOURIGAN, Mountain Top,
wrote, “Residing in Mountain Top since
graduating from Lafayette College, I
have been involved in many community
organizations in various roles and
leadership positions. I have served as
the president of the Mountain Top Hose
Company No. 1 for 33 years. I am honored
and proud to be serving as a trustee of
Wyoming Seminary.
“My wife is an artist enjoying a successful
career. My two children are both actors.
Kevin graduated from the Tisch School
of New York University in 2012 and is
currently pursuing a master’s degree in
directing at York University. Daughter
MEGHAN ’11 graduated from Tisch in
May. She lives in New York and assistant
directed the musical theater program of
the Performing Arts Institute at Sem this
past summer.”
ROBERT MEEKER, New Lenox, Ill.,
recently retired as Emeritus Professor
of Library Science from Chicago State
University after 35 years of service. Bob
is a graduate of Bloomsburg University
with a B.A. in English in 1975, an M.A.
in English from Lehigh University in
1977 and a M.L.S. (Master of Library
Science) in 1978. While at Chicago State
University, Bob was the recipient of
three Faculty Excellence Awards and the
author of over 25 publications. Bob and
his wife Mariana will celebrate their 30th
wedding anniversary in 2016. In June 2015,
their son Bryan graduated from DePaul
University with an M.A. in education and
will begin his career teaching biology at
the secondary level in Chicago. Bryan
developed his love of teaching from his
two-year teaching experience with the U.S.
Peace Corps in Sierra Leone, Africa. 1976
JOHN LICATA, Locust Grove, Va. was
inducted into the National Wrestling Hall
of Fame Virginia Chapter in April, 2015,
in recognition of his Lifetime Service to
Wrestling.
From the Chapter’s website: “Many
stewards of wrestling come to the sport
through education; e.g., teaching at the
school where one coaches. Honoree John
Licata has gone a different way: connecting
his love of wrestling with his career as a
business executive. His commitment to
the sport began as a freshman at Pittston
Area High School, when his football coach
asked him to join the wrestling team. He
became captain of his team, and was also
captain of his team at Wyoming Seminary,
after which he entered West Chester
State College. He compiled 100 wins for
the Rams, was a three-time conference
finalist, a conference champion, and an
NCAA qualifier. While taking a master’s
degree at James Madison University, he
began his coaching career at JMU as Dick
Besnier’s assistant for six years. Later, he
contributed five years of assistant coaching
at Westfield HS, his daughter’s school.
“All the while, he was launching and
maintaining enterprises, serving as
president or vice president for several
moving service companies; he eventually
became a founding owner of a large van
line agency (employing many wrestlers
and keeping them toned with moving and
lifting jobs). Currently, he and his wife
Pat own The Licata Group, a real estate
and consulting firm. He has cheerfully
and willingly contributed his business
expertise to wrestling. He is a founder
61
From the
G
Archives
H
and currently Executive Director of the
Wrestlers in Business Network (WIBN)
and has steered the organization to
expansion and partnership with the
National Wrestling Coaches Association
(NWCA). In the latter, he is Coaching
Development Coordinator, working with
their Leadership Academy as a ‘coach to
the coaches,’ or ‘wrestling’s future,’ as he
puts it. He also serves on the boards of
the Reaches Foundation, the National
Wrestling Restoration Foundation, and
the Virginia Chapter of the National
Wrestling Hall of Fame (past president).
Most importantly, he is the proud father of
his 26-year-old daughter Alexandra, and
the loving husband of 35 years to Pat, his
high-school sweetheart.”
1977
SCOTT BEYER, Wenham, Mass., was
recently promoted to Chief Strategy
Officer at On Assignment, the second
largest IT staffing firm in the U.S.
Scott attended and graduated from
Lafayette College in 1981 with a degree
in psychology, and earned his MBA
from Duke University’s Fuqua School of
Business in 1988.
The Pettebone Gymnasium
was built in 1898. Many
older alumni will fondly
recall the gym with the
running track above the
gymnasium floor. After
Walter Carpenter (1906)
Sem president Benjamin Hopkins
Moses and Dorothy Dickson Darte
donated funding for the “new” gym, the old gym got a
facelift. From the plaque created after the renovations:
“This building was built for Wyoming Seminary in 1898
by Caroline M. Pettebone. It was used for this purpose
until 1960 when it was completely renovated, enlarged,
and converted into a student activities center, including
theater, recreation quarters, cafeteria, and meeting rooms.
The building has been renamed Pettebone-Dickson Hall
in memory of Caroline M. Pettebone and Kate Pettebone
Dickson, grandmother, and mother, respectively of Dorothy
Dickson Darte, trustee of Wyoming Seminary, who made
these improvements possible.” The Agnes Flood of 1972
necessitated the razing of Pettebone-Dickson Hall. A new
student center, also named Pettebone-Dickson, was built
adjacent to Carpenter Athletic Center in 1975.
62
Prior to his promotion, Scott was Vice
President, Strategy & Marketing for
Oxford Global Resources, a division
of On Assignment based in Beverly,
Massachusetts. Mr. Beyer’s 30 years’
work experience spans the healthcare,
consumer goods, agricultural products,
and financial services industries in both
the U.S. and Europe.
Scott and his wife Polly have two collegeaged children, Drew and Anna, and live
on the North Shore of Massachusetts. Mr.
Beyer is an active member of his
community, serving on the boards of the
YMCA of the North Shore and Project
Adventure. 1979
CHUCK BRESNAHAN,
Tampa, Fla. A 15-year
veteran coaching in the
NFL ranks, Chuck
Bresnahan now serves as
University of Central
Florida’s defensive
coordinator and linebackers coach. He
also boasts 14 seasons as a defensive
coordinator in college and the pros. Coach
Bresnahan is responsible for recruiting
Florida (Citrus, Hernando, Lake, Sumter
“The Inferno of Iran” by
ISAAC SAID-NEJAD LEVY ’82,
May 2015; e-book sold by Amazon
Digital Services, Inc.
and Marion County), Southeast Georgia,
California, D.C., Maryland, Missouri and
Nebraska.
ELIZABETH KLUGER COOPER,
Great Falls, Va., was profiled in the online
magazine “Profiles in Diversity Journal”
on August 12, 2015. PDJ is dedicated to
promoting and advancing diversity and
inclusion in the corporate, government,
nonprofit, higher education, and military
sectors.
From the article: “Elizabeth Cooper began
her career as a commercial real estate
attorney at Covington & Burling LLP,
where she negotiated client leases and the
firm’s office transactions. She then joined
The Staubach Company, quickly becoming
the only female revenue-producing
member of its northeast management
committee and a top producer. When
Staubach merged with JLL in 2008,
Elizabeth took on a leadership role with
her new company.
“Today, Elizabeth leads JLL’s brokerage
practice, which represents some of the
world’s top law firms. She is consistently
ranked as a top producer—achieving
a top-ten ranking several times. As a
thought leader and trusted advisor, she
has negotiated commercial leases that
represent more than 50 million square feet
of space; quadrupled the size of the law
firm group; and closed transactions with a
total lease value of more than $5.7 billion.
‘The most important quality any leader
can have is the ability to inspire others to
be their best,’ says Elizabeth.
“Calling on her more than 26 years of
professional experience, Elizabeth mentors
other women. She has created, participates
in, or leads JLL programs that establish
leadership paths for women brokerage
professionals, including the firm’s
Women’s Business Network, Diversity &
Inclusion Council, Leadership Council
& Advisory Board, Brokerage Leadership
Council, and mentor protégé program.
Elizabeth also has participated in The
Mid-Atlantic Women’s Business Network’s
‘Walk in My Shoes’ program, and is a
graduate of Leading Women Executives.
“Succeeding in an industry in which
women are the exception rather than the
rule is nothing new for this mother of
four. She played on the boys’ varsity tennis
team in high school and was a member of
one of the first co-ed classes at Amherst
College. Elizabeth’s ability to understand
the law, law firm real estate strategies, and
effective negotiating strategy has led to
significant value creation for her clients,
her colleagues, and her community.”
1980
DAVID SCHWAGER, Kingston, was
recently re-elected to serve a threeyear term on the Board of Directors
of the Pennsylvania Bar Institute. He
was re-elected at PBI’s Annual Meeting
held recently in conjunction with the
Pennsylvania Bar Association’s Annual
Meeting in Philadelphia.
David is a partner in the Wilkes-Barre
firm of Chariton, Schwager & Malak, with
a practice focusing on real estate, title
insurance, real estate taxation, business
law, commercial litigation, municipal law
and creditors’ rights.
1983
DEBBIE
MASEYCHIK,
Harvey’s Lake,
wrote “LESLIE
TURRELL
BULLOCK ’63
and I were at her
home in Ft.
Lauderdale to
play golf. We
thought we should make others jealous and
have our trip documented in the next
Journal!”
1984
LORNE BERRY, Braddock, wrote, “I just
wanted to inform the Sem family that I
was elected to serve as Councilman for
the Second Ward of my hometown of
Braddock, Pa. in May. I’ve always been
active and involved in my community,
and now I’ll get to do so on a bigger
stage and wider platform. I just want to
thank my fellow Seminarians like RICH
CAPUTO, HAYBERT LOUCHIE, ANNE
GUNSTER-FINAN, MILT JOHNS and
other members of the Class of 1984 for
their encouragement and support! I’ll be
sure to keep my Sem family in the loop as
things develop further in my community!”
1981
IAN FURGUSON, Surf City, N.C., wrote,
“I have seen JOE BARCELONA ’81 twice
this summer. Terri and I visited Pittsburgh
in July and later that same month, Joe and
his bride Karen and their daughter were
vacationing down here in North Carolina.
Teri and I are moving to Pittsburgh in the
fall and the Barcelona family has assisted
us in the transition. Thanks, Barce!”
1982
ISAAC SAID-NEJAD LEVY, Los Angeles,
Calif. In April, 2015 Isaac published
his first novel, “The Inferno of Iran.”
The book is a quasi-historical account
of the dramatic events that occurred in
contemporary Iran.
1985
EMILY BITTENBENDER, Philadelphia,
was named chairwoman of the
Philadelphia chapter of the General
Building Contractors Association. She is
the first woman to hold the top post in
the organization’s 124-year history. GBCA
has 300 members and is a voice for the
Philadelphia construction community.
Emily will serve as chair for two years.
Photo credit: Philadelphia Business Journal
63
Mock Trial captains reunite at
Commencement
The 2015 Upper School Commencement reception brought current and former
Mock Trial team captains together again with their coach, Adam Carlisle. Seen
at the event are, from left: CHRISTINA THOMAS ’14, ALXIS RODIS ’14, SAL
DIAZ ’14, Mock Trial teacher coach Adam Carlisle, SARA EDGAR ’16, KAYLEE
SLUSSER ’15, SAMARTH DESAI ’16 and LEAH GOLDBERG ’13.
LYNNE MORGAN LAFFERTY,
Collegeville, wrote, “After completing my
MBA in October 2014, I recently accepted
a position as the Director of Pharmacy for
PDL Pharmacy Services in Norristown. I
am excited as I begin this new chapter in
my career.”
Kentucky, at Paul’s Washington, D.C.
campaign office in June.
2010
MICHAEL McMULLAN, Philadelphia,
began a position as an assistant wrestling
coach at the University of Pennsylvania
in June, it was announced by head coach
Alex Tirapelle. McMullan was a four-time
NCAA All-American and 2013 NCAA
finalist while competing at Northwestern.
“Mike’s competitive career is nothing short
of amazing,” said Tirapelle. “Combine
his wrestling accomplishments with his
academic performance and one arrives
at an exemplary model for our studentathletes at Penn. His character and work
ethic are representative of Penn Wrestling’s
core values, and the quiet confidence that
he projects makes him a natural leader
of young men. Current and future Penn
wrestlers are extremely fortunate to have
Mike as a resource to assist with the
program’s development.”
MAX SCHWAGER, Kingston, and
ALLISON CONSIDINE, Brooklyn, NY,
attended the Tony Awards on June 7. The
Tony Awards recognize achievement in
Broadway productions; both Max and Allison
are pursuing careers in musical theater.
1991
LINDO SABATINI, Exeter, recently
opened a Craft Beer Bar and Bottle Shop
adjacent to his family’s pizza business
on Wyoming Avenue in Exeter. The bar
and bottle shop opened in early June.
Lindo said he has been planning this new
establishment for two years, as interest in
craft beers has increased in the area.
2004
2011
1994
NATALYA SHARP
CHERRY, Rowlett, Texas,
has been selected by the
General Board of Higher
Education and Ministry as
a Dempster Scholar. The Dempster
Graduate Fellowship supports doctoral
students who are committed to serving the
church by becoming professors who will
educate the next generation of United
Methodist pastors. This year is Natalya’s
first renewal of the scholarship.
2001
TRENT MILLER, Sweet Valley, and his
wife Catherine visited with Rand Paul,
Republican Presidential candidate from
64
GORAN AMIDZIC, Washington, D.C.,
met with former Director of International
Admissions Jack Eidam in Washington
on April 12. Jack provided the following
update: “He and his girl friend Christine
Le joined two ASSIST students and me
for dinner. He continues to work for the
International Monetary Fund, having
left the World Bank several years ago. A
considerable amount of travel to unusual
and remote locations is a regular part
of his assignment. He met Christine
when they were students at Syracuse. She
is a lawyer working for the Federal
Government dealing with health issues.”
JOSHUA TYLER McLUCAS,
Philadelphia, was interviewed by
Philadelphia Magazine, who gave us
permission to reprint the article:
In The Wings: “Mercury Fur” Star
Joshua Tyler McLucas Getting to know
Philly’s brightest theater stars, one rapid-fire
Q&A at a time.
By Josh Middleton
July 21, 2015 at 1:27 pm
This week, BrainSpunk Theater Company
debuts the surreal and trippy “Mercury Fur.” Set
in a post-apocalyptic London, it follows two
brothers who make ends meet by trading objects
stolen from places like the British Museum, and
holding parties for wealthy clients “where their
wildest horrific fantasies come to life.” It stars
recent Swarthmore grad Joshua Tyler McLucas
as one of the brothers. In anticipation, he chats
with us about his multiple experiences with
“Mercury Fur,” listening to terrible metal bands
to get into character and why he wants to stay in
Philly to pursue his theatrical endeavors. My name is … Joshua Tyler McLucas. Josh
in person, Joshua in writing (for a small
maturity boost). In middle school I really
wanted to be JT, but I wasn’t brave enough
to actually ask anyone to call me that.
Please don’t start now.
I am … an actor, a director (most recently
of “Mercury Fur” as my Swarthmore
College thesis and soon to be assisting
Joe Paprzycki on “Charlie Victor Romeo”
at South Camden Theatre Company),
co-artistic director of [redacted] Theater
Company, a web designer/developer,
a guitar player, and absolutely clueless
about what I want out of the real world.
On opening night, I … go over all my
lines at breakneck speed, thoroughly
warm up my voice and body, and breathe
a lot to try and calm my nerves. I always
get nervous before shows, especially on
opening night - I take it as sign I care
about the project.
Whom do you play in “Mercury Fur?”
Elliot, the kid responsible for success and
survival, loving and loathing brother to
Darren, and a guy who’s seen some serious s**t.
To get into character for “Mercury
Fur,” I … ride my bike the 7 miles from
my house in University City to the theater
in Kensington. When I pull into the
neighborhood I stop listening to music
and take in as many sights and sounds as I
can. My cast mates (who play Naz and the
Party Guest) and I speak in the East End
accent until we get home again. Sometimes
I’ll listen to the band King 810 (a rather
terrible metal band from Flint, Michigan).
No matter what, though, I always try to
imagine how Elliot’s day has gone up to
the start of the play and how much his
knee must be hurting.
What’s your favorite moment in the
show? There are so many, especially after
having directed it. It changes from week
to week but right now it’s playing “Frank
and Jesse James” with Darren. It’s such a
rewarding scene after the onslaught of the
play’s opening, and it’s genuine fun to do.
You studied at the British American
Drama Academy (BADA). Pretty fancy.
What was your biggest take away there?
How to audition. Swarthmore doesn’t
cover auditioning, and the dean of BADA,
Ian Wooldridge, really stresses audition
technique—not that there’s a right way
to do it, but how to make your personal
audition practice better.
Boys’ Ice Hockey Reunion
Former hockey players got together at the Ice Box in Pittston on May 30.
First row from left: DUSTIN GOOD ’04, Chris Button, DAN “D.J.” BROWN ’09, JAMES SANTACROCE ’06, RYAN COSTA ’02,
ANTHONY “TONY” IERFINO ’08, MICHAEL PACKARD ’98, MATT PACKARD ’03, LUKAS PAVLICEK ’99. Second Row: Eric Turner, NICK LIEBACK ’10, MICHAEL DENNIS ’04 (current head coach), BRENDAN HERR ’02, STEVEN
HARASCHAK ’06, TIM HANLON ’12, CRAIG SKUDALSKI ’13, ANTHONY GANDOLFI ’15, KRISTOFER ARVANITAKIS ’09,
JAKUB HUSEK ’10, TYLER SKROSKI ’10, LUKAS BILEK ’10, DENNIS HOOPER ’02, MARTIN MOUCHA ’03, BOBBY
POLACHEK ’12, GREG DI LELLA ’06.
65
Attention All Techies!
The Journal is interested in doing a story about new technology
start-ups and the entrepreneurs who are driven to share their
new ideas with the world. This story is planned for the spring
2016 issue. If you have been part of a tech start-up in the
past year, or know of a Sem graduate who has, please let us
know! Email Gail Smallwood, Journal editor, at gsmallwood@
wyomingseminary.org with all the details.
The first play I was in was … “The Last
Gladiator.” I played Gladius, the titular
gladiator. It was in eighth grade, one of
those plays written specifically for middle
schoolers. I honestly don’t remember it at all.
My dream role is … stereotypically, the
Hamlet-Macbeth-Lear trifecta, but I’d
also really love to play Hoss in “Tooth of
Crime” by Sam Shepard. If you don’t know
the play, it’s best described as a futuristicWestern-rock-and-roll-opera-gang-war.
Crazy stuff.
My surprising celebrity crush is …
Maria Brink, lead singer of the metal band
In This Moment. Ten points if you didn’t
need the explanation.
The most famous person I’ve ever
met is … Fiona Shaw, at BADA. She
gave a masterclass on modern text and
monologues. Unfortunately, I was not
one of the volunteers who got chosen to
perform for her.
My first stage kiss ... was freshman year
of high school in the winter night-ofscenes. I don’t remember the name of the
scene, but I was a fake psychic on a first
date and at one point the waitress pulls me
out of my seat and plants a big one on me.
She was a senior so it was a pretty big deal.
We rehearsed it like 20 times one day, and
after that I felt like I could do anything.
My acting inspiration is … everchanging, mostly based on what I’ve
seen recently. At the moment it’s actually
Henry Goodman, who I saw in a mindblowing performance as Arturo Ui in an
exceptionally watered-down production
on the West End. Directing inspirations
66
are more constant for me.
You just graduated from Swarthmore.
Will you stay in Philly? Why or why
not? I will absolutely stay in Philly for
as long as it continues to inspire me. As
a web developer, I can live comfortably
pretty much anywhere, so I want to be
where the most exciting communities
and art are. Philadelphia, to me, has the
most supportive and challenging arts
community I’ve seen thus far, and the
variety and quality of work it produces is
top-notch. I really want to be a part of that.
Where would you like to see yourself
in, say, five years? Living in a nice house
around 44th and Osage, paid for by
freelance web development gigs I only
have to work once a month, creating 365
Days of Performance with [redacted]
Theater Company, performing as Orestes
at the Wilma, and directing a future
production of “Tooth of Crime” as a metal
opera at BrainSpunk or South Camden
Theatre Company. This sounds like a lot of
disparate things happening at once. It is.
It’s exactly how I like to live.
2013
LEAH GOLDBERG, a junior at the
University of Pennsylvania, has been
named a University Scholar for her work
on the research team of the Philadelphia
Adult Congenital Heart Center, a joint
program between the Hospital of the
University of Pennsylvania and the
Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. She
has been awarded three separate grants
for her research with the program and
contributed to a poster presentation at
the 64th Annual Scientific Sessions of
the American College of Cardiology, one
of the largest cardiology conferences in
the United States. She also contributed
to two poster presentations as well as
an oral presentation at the 25th Annual
International Symposium on Congenital
Heart Disease in the Adult, the major
international conference in her field. She
is majoring in biology and hopes to attend
medical school. She and her brother
HARRY GOLDBERG ’89 and sister
JANE GOLDBERG ’90 are the children of
RICHARD GOLDBERG ’55, chair of the
Wyoming Seminary Board of Trustees.
2014
GORDON STEWART KIESLING and
LAUREN LARAR met up in San Diego in
May; they were both in town for summer
training with the Navy. Lauren is doing
a cruise on the USS Spruance, and Stew
finished a week of naval aviation training
and orientation.
GORDON STEWART KIESLING,
Nashville, Tenn., wrote, “My family just
made a move to Nashville, two miles from
my dorm at Vanderbilt. Hit me up if you
come to Tennessee! Except Andy, kid is a
total nerd…”
Josh in “Earthquakes in London” at
Swarthmore College
MAIREAD ROSE TUTTLE, Kingston,
participated in a three-week study abroad
program in Uganda in June, 2015.
Marriages
2001
PAUL SANTARELLI, Seattle, Wash. married Leslie Johns on February 28, 2015 in Key West, Fla. Sem alumni in attendance
were, from left: ALEXIS KROPP KWON, ’99, SASHA ANSELMI ’05, MADELINE KROPP ’05, ALEXIS ANSELMI
VERGNETTI ’02, GIANNA SANTARELLI KARAPELOU ’90, CHAD FLACK ’01, PAUL SANTARELLI ’01, PHILIP
SANTARELLI ’67, Leslie Santarelli, DAN DAVIS ’01, GIAN VERGNETTI ’01, LOUIS BALTIMORE ’01.
1999
ANNIE ZINKAVICH, Charlottesville, Va., married Heidi
Metzger on July 6, 2015.
2003
LINDSAY ROMANOWSKI, New York, N.Y., married
Anthony Wager Mall on June 27, 2015 at St. Stephen’s
Episcopal Church in Wilkes-Barre. The reception followed
immediately at the Westmoreland Club.
LINDSAY ROMANOWSKI ’03
and Anthony Wager Mall
67
Births
1986
SUE SHAFFER, Saint Albans,
Vt., and her wife, Suzanne
Yaramishyn, welcomed daughter
Zeal Shaffer Yaramishyn on
August 23, 2015. Zeal weighed
7 pounds, 6 ounces and was 18
inches long.
1994
HANK BULLOCK, New York, N.Y. and
his wife, Jane, welcomed Anne Caldwell
Bullock on May 29, 2015. Annie weighed
8 pounds, 7 ounces and was 20.5 inches
long. She joins older sister Elizabeth.
1997
TINA AQUILINA RIVIELLO, Duryea,
and her husband Joseph welcomed
Nicholas Joseph Riviello on March 10,
2015. Nicholas weighed 8 pounds, 7
ounces.
2001
WIEBKE SCHNEIDER DRESCHER Frankfurt, Germany, and
her husband Martin announce the birth of their first child, a son
named Finn, born July 3, 2015.
2003
MATTHEW KERNS, Savannah,
Ga., and his wife Stephanie,
welcomed Vaughan Edward Kerns
on March 16, 2015.
2004
HARRY SHAFER, Kingston, and his
wife Meredith are happy to announce
the arrival of Madeline Leigh Shafer,
born April 30, 2015. She was 7 pounds,
9 ounces, and 20.25 inches long.
THE GAUDINO FAMILY
Belongs at Sem!
We chose Sem to give our children the best
opportunity we could offer them. The level
of individualized attention the teachers and
administration provide to students is something
that cannot be duplicated; small class sizes and
a high ratio of teachers to students is a great
setting in which to learn. Our children have been
exposed to a wide range of cultural experiences,
have made friends from all over the world, and
enjoy participating in various sports programs.
Wyoming Seminary has a strong sense of
community and we have always felt our boys
were in a safe and welcoming environment.
— Dawn Lombardo Gaudino ‘87
From top left: Dawn, husband Jim Gaudino, sons Joseph ‘16,
(kneeling) Santino ‘19 and Vincenzo ‘18.
Online: www.wyomingseminary.org/visit
68
Email: [email protected]
Phone: (570) 270-2160
Obituaries
1933
1939
1940
RUTH DATTNER SWAN, Washington,
D.C., April 13, 2015. Wife of the late Alfred
Swan, mother of Molly (Norman Feldman)
and Fran (Ken Peres) Swan. Grandmother of
Jonathan Hammer, Ben and Anushka Peres.
HAROLD CADWALLADER,
Elizabethtown, May 21, 2015. Born in
Wilkes-Barre, he was a son of the late
Grant and Florence Williams Cadwallader.
Harold was a graduate of the George
School, Newtown, and Wyoming Seminary
Dean School of Business. He was a U.S.
Army veteran of World War II, serving with
the military police and medical corps.
FAITH DODDS PRESSMAN,
Harrisburg, April 27, 2015. Faith was
the beloved wife of 65 years of the late
William G. Pressmann. They married on
Valentine’s Day 1946 after the war. She
was born in Wilkes-Barre on January 19,
1922, a daughter to the late William and
Mattie (Johnson) Dodds. Faith graduated
from Wyoming Seminary Dean School of
Business.
1935
EDYTHE DICKOVER TESSEN,
Germantown, Tenn., August 5, 2015. She
was preceded in death by her husband Dr.
Howard W. Tessen, her brother GEORGE
DICKOVER ’32 of Goshen, N.Y. and her
sister Helen D. Randall of Chester Springs,
PA. She is survived by her son Robert
A. Tessen and his wife Patti of Graham,
Texas, and a grandson, Chris.
Edythe was born July 6, 1917 in WilkesBarre to William S. and Helen F. Dickover.
She received her B.A. degree in Speech
from Syracuse University, and her M.A.
in English from Arizona State University.
Both she and her husband, known as Tess,
were Fulbright Fellows. As part of that
program Edythe was an instructor at the
undergraduate level of English or English
as a Second Language in schools around
the world. These included Memphis State
University and universities in Paraguay,
Ecuador, Guatemala, and the Philippines.
Edythe was also a world traveler, having
visited over one hundred countries. She
retired from the Lausanne Collegiate
School, where, in 2009, she was elected
to the faculty Hall of Fame. Edythe and
Tess also enjoyed camping in the U.S. and
Canada. She is remembered by her friends
and family for her amazing memory of
family, events and details of nearly a
century, for her stories of her extensive
travels, for being a good friend and aunt,
and for her loyalty to family.
1938
REGINA DIEFFENBACH FEDOR,
Camp Hill, May 9, 2015. Born on July
12, 1920 in Lopez, she was the daughter
of the late Worth and Lydia (Bowman)
Dieffenbach.
She graduated valedictorian of her high
school in Sullivan County and went on to
attend Wyoming Seminary Dean School of
Business.
Caddy, as he was known, was employed for
many years by the former Rosenthal’s and
then Racusin’s men’s clothing stores.
He was a member of the Masonic Order for
more than 70 years, Consistory and Irem
Temple. Harold was a member of Horsham
Friends Meeting and the North Branch
Friends Meeting and served as a volunteer
for Meals on Wheels for many years.
He had been a resident of the Masonic
Village the past four years. Preceding
him in death, in addition to his parents,
was his wife of 68 years, ALICE DAVIES
CADWALLADER ’41, who passed away
in 2013.
Surviving are daughters, SUSAN
CADWALLADER ERB ’63 and her
husband, Gary L., Downingtown, and
JANE CADWALLADER KELLER ’68
and her husband, William J. Jr.;
grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
JEAN MILES THOMA, Pottsville,
February 21, 2015. She was the daughter
of the late Stanley and Louise (Bowman)
Miles. She was the loving and devoted wife
of Carl Thoma.
Born and raised in Wilkes-Barre, she
was a graduate of Meyers High School
and Wyoming Seminary Dean School
of Business. She held several secretarial
positions including civil service, Hecht’s
and the United Way of Lehigh Valley.
She married her loving husband, Carl, in
1945 after his return from African and
European services in World War II. She
and her husband retired from Lehigh
Valley to Myrtle Beach, S.C., in 1978 and
returned to Pennsylvania in 2004.
1942
CHARLOTTE BENJAMIN MORRIS,
Altoona, April 20, 2015. Born in 1925
in Scranton to Anna Bakst Benjamin
and Solomon Benjamin, she majored in
sociology and minored in music at Smith
College, and became an accomplished
pianist. After graduation, she lived in
New York City for five years where she
had started a career conducting market
research in the promotions department for
several renowned publications, including
Architectural Forum and the New York
Herald Tribune. While living in New York
City, Charlotte met her late husband,
Arther Leigh Morris. They moved to
Altoona in 1952.
Charlotte’s involvement with the
community was legendary. She served
on many boards that greatly contributed
to the Altoona community, working, in
particular, to improve the lives of children
and adults. She served as President and
Vice President of Blair County Civic Music
Association and chair of its Artist and
Talent Selection Committee for many
decades, which brought in nationally and
internationally known performing artists
to the Blair County area. She worked with
New York booking agencies, including
Columbia Artists and the William Morris
Agency, to bring in five concerts every
year at affordable prices, featuring artists
such as Harry Belafonte, Beverly Sills,
Marcel Marceau, Michael Feinstein and
Ladysmith Black Mambazo. Subsequently,
she helped to establish the Blair County
Civic Music Foundation Scholarship,
which awards scholarships to high school
students who are interested in studying or
training in the performing arts.
69
Obituaries, cont’d...
A lover of classical music, Charlotte also
was instrumental in establishing the
Bedford Springs Festival in Bedford in
1982, which offered a summer weekend
series of concerts and seminars with
outstanding performers from all over
the United States and other countries. A
great fan of public television, Charlotte
thoroughly enjoyed her service on the
WPSU TV and Radio Board at Penn State
University. In addition to engaging in the
Penn State community, she worked on a
committee which helped to expand WPSU
radio to Altoona.
She served in many roles at Temple Beth
Israel, as President and Vice-President
of Temple Beth Israel Sisterhood, as a
member of the Sisterhood Advisory Board
and the Executive Board of the Temple,
where she held the office of Secretary,
and countless luncheon and dinner
committees. She also served as chair of
the Temple’s Adult Education Committee.
Charlotte was particularly proud of
serving on The Family and Children
Services Board for many years as well as
on the Home Nursing Board. She also
served on the boards of the Easter Seal
Society, Pennsylvania Rural Arts Alliance
(by government appointment), the Jewish
Memorial Center, the Blair County
Association for the Blind, Blair County
Arts Foundation, the Altoona YWCA, the
Altoona Human Relations Commission,
and the Board of Assistance.
Charlotte was an owner and partner in
Benjamin Coal Company, Richmond
Coal Company, Westover Fuel and Supply,
The Altoona Hampton Inn Development
and The Logan Town Center, which
created thousands of jobs for central
Pennsylvania. She loved to travel with
her children and was especially fond of
safaris in Africa where she viewed wild
animals, including mountain gorillas, in
their natural environment. She was a kind,
intelligent and compassionate woman,
who had a keen interest in learning about
the world and everyone she met. She had
the unique ability to connect with people
through a strong sense of humor, genuine
curiosity, and a dynamic personality.
She was loved by many and will be
deeply missed by family and community
members.
70
PETER PAUL OLSZEWSKI, WilkesBarre, July 18, 2015. Judge Olszewski Sr.
was born to the late Alex and Sophia
Olszewski of Plains Township on May
12, 1925. He was one of three brothers,
including the Rev. DANIEL DAVID
OLSZEWSKI ’44 and a twin brother,
PAUL PETER OLSZEWSKI ’42, who
passed away following service in the
military in World War II.
Judge Olszewski Sr. attended Ss. Peter and
Paul School in Plains Township, Plains
High School, and Wyoming Seminary.
During WWII, Judge Olszewski Sr. was
engaged in active military duty serving
with the U.S. Army in the China-BurmaIndia Theatre of Operations. He received
numerous military decorations for his
service, including Asiatic Pacific, American
Theatre, Republic of China, and Good
Conduct medals. His service-related
activity continued with his involvement
in the American Legion, the Veterans of
Foreign Wars, and the China-Burma-India
Veterans.
Following the war, Judge Olszewski, Sr.
attended Lafayette College in Easton,
Pennsylvania where he received a
bachelor’s degree in 1948. He then studied
law at St. John’s University School of Law
in New York and was awarded his Juris
Doctorate in 1952.
Olszewski Sr. became Attorney for the
City of Wilkes-Barre from 1955-62, and
organized the Redevelopment Authority
and the Parking Authority (1957-67). He
went on to serve as attorney for Luzerne
County and was also involved in issuing a
legal opinion approving the establishment
of Luzerne County Community College.
Olszewski Sr. was elected Judge of the
Court of Common Pleas of Luzerne
County in 1967. During that time, he
had an excellent record as a trial judge
on appeals to all the appellate courts of
Pennsylvania.
In 1983, he was elected to the Superior
Court of Pennsylvania. He served on the
Superior Court until 2005. In all, Judge
Olszewski Sr. served as judge of our state
courts for 38 years.
Judge Olszewski Sr. married the former
June Marie Swantko of Nanticoke.
Together they had four children. The judge
and his wife would have celebrated their
59th wedding anniversary on August 7.
In addition to his wife, he is survived by
his son, Honorable Peter Paul Olszewski
Jr., (Ret.) and his, wife Attorney Melissa
Scartelli and daughter, Rachel Olszewski;
son, Paul Peter Olszewski II and his wife,
Lisa and son, Casey Olszewski; son, John
Olszewski and wife, Jaclyn and son, Alec
Olszewski; daughter, Mary Olszewski
Hoda and husband, Paul and children,
Aaron, Ethan and Hillary Hoda; and
brother, the Rev. Daniel Olszewski.
1943
EDWARD BREWSTER, Ossining, N.Y.,
November 26, 2015. Ted always spoke
happily about his days at Seminary and
attended reunions until his health began
to fail. He graduated from Wesleyan in
1946. He spent his whole career with IBM
as a promotional writer and senior editor.
He had just celebrated his 89th birthday
and sang in the church choir the day
before his death. His great passions were
his family, singing and travel. He met
his wife Sara (Sally) Pearce while singing
under the leadership of Charles Henderson
at St. George’s Church in Manhattan. They
married in 1958 and raised three children:
Lucy, Edward, Jr. (Ned), and Matthew
(Matt). He also leaves a foster son, Steve
Count, and four grandchildren.
Ted grew up in Forty Fort and his neighbor
and best friend was KARL (BUDDY)
ARBOGAST ’47. John had two brothers
and a sister: JOHN BREWSTER III ’38,
David Chase, and Lucy.
ALICE MATHIS KARAS, Waukegan,
Ill., March 25, 2015, one day following her
90th birthday. She was born March 23,
1925 in Boston, Mass. to Ernest Laverne
Mathis and Lyndal Ragains. When Alice
was six, her father passed away. Her mother
later married Earl Ackley Browning, who
raised Alice as a daughter. Alice married
Phokion Karas, with whom she had three
children.
She graduated from Emerson College in
Boston and taught English at Bryant and
Stratton Junior College. Alice received a
Master of Library Science Degree from
Brigham Young University in Provo,
Utah. She taught English at the Provo
Canyon School, where she directed
several dramatic productions. Alice was
the editor of “The Herbalist” and “New
Health” magazines. She later worked as
the librarian at Carmel High School in
Mundelein, Ill.
Family was at the center of Alice’s life. She
also loved to travel and visited more than
15 countries, making new friends wherever
she visited. She was an active member
of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latterday Saints and served in a number of
leadership and teaching roles, including as
a full-time missionary from 1995-96 in the
Texas Houston East Mission. She was an
ordinance worker in the Chicago Temple
for many years.
She is survived by her son Michael
Karas of Redding, Calif. and daughter
Katina (David) Stuart of Waukegan, Ill.;
grandchildren; great grandchildren;
brother, Daniel Mathis of Wyalusing, and
sisters, Sally Lionetti of Simi Valley, Calif.
and Carol (Brij) Prasad of Chelmsford,
Mass.; and nieces and nephews. She
was preceded in death by her daughter,
Miriamne; her parents; a brother, James
Mathis; and a sister, LOUISE MATHIS
SHUMWAY ’36.
1944
JOSEPH P. KELLY, Pittston, July 20,
2015. Mr. Kelly was a graduate of the Dean
School of Business and the University of
Scranton.
RICHARD LOPATTO, Scranton, July
1, 2015. He was preceded in death by his
wife, Martha B. Lopatto, in 2004. Born
in Wilkes-Barre, he was the son of the
late Atty. John S. and Mary (Skritulsky)
Lopatto. He was a graduate of Wyoming
Seminary, and served in the U.S. Navy
serving on Guam and Manus Islands.
After the war, he graduated from the
Wharton School at the University of
Pennsylvania. Richard spent his career as
an insurance adjuster at General Motors.
After his retirement, he was employed
with his brother JOHN LOPATTO ’42 at
Stenach Ford in Plymouth. Richard was a
member of St. Paul’s/St. Clare’s Parish in
Scranton. He was preceded in death by his
brothers, EDWARD W. LOPATTO ’35
and JOHN S. LOPATTO ’42; and his
sister, Mary M. Lopatto.
ALEX SMITH, Dallas, April 25, 2015.
Born in Wilkes-Barre on June 19, 1926, he
was the eldest son of the late Dr. Harry A.
and Ethel Nicholson Smith. He attended
Harry Hillman Academy in Wilkes-Barre,
graduated from Wyoming Seminary in the
class of 1944 and continued his education
at Princeton University, where he was
a member of Campus Club. His college
career was interrupted when he was called
to serve his country during World War II.
He served proudly in the U.S. Navy in the
Pacific theater.
Upon graduation from Princeton
University, he matriculated at Jefferson
Medical College in Philadelphia where he
was a member of Phi Beta Pi fraternity.
Following completion of his medical
degree, he continued his studies at
Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston,
and Lahey Clinic in orthopedics. After
completing his orthopedic training, he
returned to the Wyoming Valley in 1959
and began practice with his father. He
retired from orthopedic surgery in 1998 but
continued as a consultant at the WilkesBarre VA Medical Center until 2008.
1945
MARCELLA SHOOK, Tunkhannock,
July 1, 2015. She was born on Jan. 8, 1926,
a daughter of the late Guy and Emily
Frank Titman. She was a 1944 graduate
of Tunkhannock High School and took
business courses at Wyoming Seminary.
This led to employment in the business
office of Commonwealth Telephone for
several years. She later was employed
at the Citizens National Bank, Warren
Street, later known as Peoples National
Bank, Tioga Street, Tunkhannock. She
was preceded in death by her husband,
Frederick “Fred” Shook, whom she
married in 1963. They owned and operated
Shook’s Hardware, Tunkhannock, for
several years.
ALMA MATTHEWS TOSH, Kingston,
April 23, 2015. Her husband, John Tosh,
preceded her in death in 2008. The couple
had celebrated 59 years of marriage a year
earlier. Alma was the daughter of Alma
Hayward Mathews and her husband,
Joseph. She graduated from Kingston
High School and subsequently received
a degree in the business program at
Wyoming Seminary.
1946
A fellow colleague described him recently
as “an uncommonly fine man and a
dedicated physician.” An avid fisherman,
he was never more at ease than when he
was on a trout stream or fishing for blues
off the shores of Nantucket. He was a great
gardener and the Smith family home at
Bear Lake gave him the opportunity to
express his love of nature.
CATHERINE TURNBACH
PETRAGLIA, Poland, Ohio, November
12, 2014. Born Dec. 22, 1928, in Pittston,
Catherine attended Marywood College,
where she graduated with honors. She
moved to the Youngstown, Ohio area and
became Dean of Students at St. Elizabeth’s
School of Nursing, where she met her
beloved husband, Dr. Samuel F. Petraglia.
In addition to his parents, Dr. Smith was
preceded in death by his sister, HELEN
SMITH BARROW ’51. He is survived by
his wife of 54 years, the former LILLIAN
DAVIS ’53; three precious daughters,
REBECCA SMITH FERGUSON ’79, Bath,
Maine, AMY SMITH JOHNSON ’81
and her husband, James V. Johnson,
Cooperstown, N.Y., and TERRELL
SMITH JUTH ’86 and her husband,
David Michael Juth, Boyce, Va.; three
grandchildren; sister, BARBARA SMITH
BOLLMAN ’46, Greenwich, Conn.;
brother, ROBERT HARLE SMITH ’56
and his wife, Annelise, Alexandria, Va.
They were betrothed at St. Columba
Cathedral in 1959. In August of 1960, they
welcomed their son, James F., into their
world.
After James left the household to attend
prep school, Catherine enrolled in the
University of Akron Law School, where
she commuted daily, much to the chagrin
of her husband. After graduating, she
began practicing law in Warren, Ohio
and finished her career working for the
Child Support Enforcement Agency of
Mahoning County, Ohio.
71
Her husband passed away in December,
2000. Catherine made her home on the
family farm in Columbiana County,
Ohio, where she would devour the current
best-seller novels on her Kindle. Recently,
she had returned to Poland, where she
lived with and was cared for by her son,
James. Besides her son, she is survived
by her daughter-in-law, Sherrie Petraglia
of Poland; and three grandchildren,
Samantha and William Petraglia of
Wexford and Jacob Petraglia of Poland,
Ohio.
MARILYN MALKEMES SHARP,
Chambersburg, March 31, 2015. Born
Dec. 25, 1927, in Wilkes-Barre, she
was the daughter of the late Peter and
Florence (Oliver) Malkemes. Lynn loved
her Lord and was an active member of the
Presbyterian Church of Falling Spring
since 1955, where she served as an elder
and a deacon and was a faithful member
of the choir. As an elder, she chaired the
Christian Education Committee during
a time of tremendous growth and was a
driving force behind building the Family
Life Center.
Because of her devoted service to women’s
ministries, she was awarded an Honorary
Life Membership to Presbyterian Women.
Active in community ministry as well,
Lynn served as a leader in Bible Study
Fellowship. She graduated from Wilson
College in 1950 with a bachelor of arts
degree in economics. Growing up with
horses, she participated in the equestrian
program at Wilson, riding Eastern
Saddle. Her classmates voted her the
May Day Queen in her senior year. As an
alumna, she served her class for decades,
being actively involved in reunions and
fundraising.
She and her husband John opened their
home to international students from
Japan and Sri Lanka, becoming their
extended family and remaining friends
with them throughout the years. Lynn
loved her community. Her kind and
compassionate spirit was evident through
her involvement with Meals on Wheels
and Reach for Recovery, as well as aiding
cancer patients after her own battle with
cancer. She was devoted to the Afternoon
Club and the Norland Garden Club. She
72
served on the Board of Directors of the
Children’s Aid Society and took in two
foster children for extended periods.
Travel was a passion, and she traveled the
world, including two trips to Gotemba,
Japan representing Chambersburg in
the Sister City program. She also hosted
Japanese guests whenever they visited
here. She enjoyed ski trips with family
and friends and her beloved tennis group.
Lynn loved decorating and was a talented
seamstress. She is survived by her husband,
John M. Sharpe, Jr.; three children, John M.
“Jack” Sharpe V. (Renee), Peter R. Sharpe
(Curtina), Betsey S. McMahon (Jim); five
grandchildren; three siblings, JEANNE
MALKEMES HICKMAN ’53,
KEITH MALKEMES ’49, and Lois
Malkemes; and sister-in-law REBEKAH
NICHOLSON MALKEMES ’48. In
addition to her parents, she was preceded
in death by a sister, Claire June Slavis; and
a brother, ROBERT MALKEMES ’47.
ANNETTE SCOBLE TOMKO, Kingston,
April 28, 2015. Born Jan. 29, 1922, in
Wilkes-Barre, she was a daughter to the
late Leon and Mary Kearney Scoble. She
attended both Coughlin and the former
Kingston high schools, and furthered
her education by attending the Wyoming
Seminary Dean School of Business.
1947
JAMES MACK, Chestertown, Md., April
11, 2015. Born April 20, 1929 in Forty Fort,
the son of the late Clarence Mack and
Alma Davies Mack. He graduated from
Bucknell University in 1952, with degrees
in psychology and electrical engineering.
Early in life, Mr. Mack went into radio and
television broadcasting in Pennsylvania.
In 1966, he and his wife Barbara were
married. A passion for boating on the
Chesapeake brought the family to Rock
Hall in 1968. Mr. Mack worked at Kibler’s
Marina until he retired in 1995. He also
was an active member of the Pepper
Stepper Square Dance Club for many
years. He is survived by his wife, Barbara
Mack of Chestertown, and daughter,
Karen Mack-Jones and her husband,
Richard Jones, of Preston.
1948
MARILYN ISELY EVERETT, Granger,
Ind., March 16, 2015. Marilyn was born
June 10, 1929, in Wilkes-Barre, to the
late Esther Johanna (Dettman) and Leon
Walter Isely. She lived in Wilkes-Barre and
York, and Dayton, Ohio, before relocating
to the South Bend area in August, 2013.
She graduated from Meyers High School
and Wyoming Seminary Business School.
A fellow student at Wyoming Seminary
caught her eye on the bus, and on October
4, 1952, Marilyn Isely married KENNETH
L. EVERETT ’48. They had one daughter,
Joan, with whom Marilyn lived until her
death. She was preceded in death by her
husband Kenneth in February, 2009.
She was also preceded in death by three
brothers, Charles, Albert, and James
Isely. She is survived by her daughter,
Joan C. Laiman (Michael) of Granger;
two grandchildren, JOHN LAIMAN ’14
and KATHRYN LAIMAN ’16, both of
Granger; her sister, Carol Roushey (Peter)
of Shavertown; and brother, Ralph Isely
(Claire) of Wilkes-Barre; sister-in-law,
Peggy Isely of Torrington, Conn.; sister-inlaw, Rose Steele (Carl) of Cincinnati, Ohio;
and numerous nieces and nephews.
BOB HARTMAN, Winchester, Va.,
March 15, 2015. Bob graduated from
Columbia University where he received
Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees. He was
Columbia’s first All-American wrestler and
came in fourth in the NCAA Wrestling
Championships in 1951. Bob served in
the U.S. Army in Korea from 1955-1957.
He coached the Far East Army wrestling
team while there. Bob was a professor of
physical education at SUNY Farmingdale.
He started the National Junior College
Wrestling Championships and was twice
voted Wrestling Coach of the year.
In 1973, Bob was selected to be the coach
of the Greco-Roman wrestling team in the
World University Games in Moscow. He
was also the wrestling team leader in the
Junior Pan-American Games in Caracas,
Venezuela, in 1978. His name can be
found in numerous places in the National
Wrestling Hall of Fame at Oklahoma State
University both as a wrestler and a coach.
He was inducted into the Sem Sports Hall
of Fame in 1978. He retired from SUNY at
the age of 48.
Bob was a member of Sacred Heart of
Jesus Catholic Church. He served for
16 years on the Frederick County parks
and Recreation Commission. He was
a member of the Board of Directors at
North Mountain Fire and Rescue for
several terms. In addition he served on
the Advisory Committee for the Sanitary
District of Shawneeland.
Bob and his wife, Nancy, met at Wyoming
Seminary in 1944 and celebrated 60 years
of marriage on December 27, 2014.
NANCY JACKSON HARTMAN,
Winchester, Va., May 5, 2015. Nancy
was born in 1931 in New York, N.Y., the
daughter of the late John C. Jackson
and Lucile W. Jackson. She was a
graduate of Boston University where she
received a Bachelor’s degree in Physical
Education. Nancy was a homemaker
and a member of the Unity Church.
She enjoyed quilting, sewing, knitting
and reading. She was a golf member at
Rock Harbor in Winchester. She was an
EMT at North Mountain Volunteer Fire
Dept. and a member of Top of Virginia
Search and Rescue. Nancy was an artist
and seamstress and found special joy in
creating something from nothing. She
was inducted into the Wyoming Seminary
Sports Hall of Fame in 1980.
Nancy met her husband Robert S. ”Bob”
Hartman at Wyoming Seminary in 1944
and they celebrated 60 years of marriage
on December 27, 2014.
DAVID LONG, Kingston, February 8,
2015. Born in Kingston, David was a son
of the late George and Ruth Thomas
Long. He served in the U.S. Army during
World War II in the Philippines, earning a
bronze star and the Purple Heart. He was
a longtime member of the Columbian Fire
Company in Kingston and was Kingston
Fire Chief before he retired. He also held
life membership in the VFW and American
Legion in Kingston.
He was preceded in death by his sisters,
Henrietta Metzger, Betty Judge, Gladys
Bedisky and Gertrude Horwatt; and
his brother, Raymond Long. Mr. Long
is survived by his daughters, Christine
Tyrrell, Shavertown, and Pamela
Castellani, Hunlock Creek; son, David
A. Long, Exeter; grandchildren, Carlene
Davidson, Charles Tyrrell Jr., Leah Long
and Nora Long; nieces and nephews.
SISTER MARY DAVIDA MORGAN,
Dallas, February 15, 2015. Sister was born
Nov. 21, 1928, and was the daughter of the
late David and Julianna Caffrey Morgan of
the Lee Park section of Wilkes-Barre.
Sister Mary Davida graduated from
Lee Park High school and attended
the Wyoming Seminary Dean School
of Business. She received a degree in
education from Misericordia University
and her social work degree from
Marywood University.
Sister Mary Davida entered the Sisters
of Mercy in Dallas on Sept. 8, 1949, and
professed her vows on March 12, 1952.
During her years in ministry, Sister Mary
Davida was a principal and teacher in the
Diocese of Scranton in both grade and
high school. She was also the principal of
schools in the interior area of Mabarumba
and Hosororo, Guyana, South America.
Upon returning from Guyana, Sister Mary
Davida was the director of social services
at the former Wilkes-Barre Mercy Hospital
and later at Mercy Center in Dallas. She
loved to sing and enjoyed being a member
of the choir at Gate of Heaven Parish in
Dallas, where she enjoyed the friendship of
the other members.
Sister Mary Davida’s positive attitude and
enthusiasm for life was a gift she shared
with all whom she met. Throughout her
recent illness, she kept her great sense of
humor and her zest for life.
Sister Mary Davida is survived by her
sister, Mary Welker, Washington, D.C.;
her brothers, Donald and Jim, of Virginia,
and their families; her devoted cousin
and friend, Sister Eileen Clinton, IHM,
Maryland; and the Sisters of Mercy.
She was preceded in death by her parents
and her brother, David.
1949
BARBARA RUNDLE NEWHART
MOHR, Wilkes-Barre, July 1, 2015.
Barbara was born in the Parsons section
of Wilkes-Barre on Feb. 20, 1930. She was
the daughter of the late William A. and
Elsie Heuer Rundle. A 1948 graduate of
Coughlin High School, she was also a
graduate of Wyoming Seminary Dean
School of Business. Barbara was employed
by the former Citizens Bank of Parsons;
Bloomsburg Metal Co. as secretary; and
C.C. Wideman Real Estate and Insurance
Co. until her retirement in 1992.
SAMUEL WEAVER, Wilkes-Barre, April
28, 2015. He was one of three children
born to Dr. and Mrs. William A. Weaver
of Wilkes-Barre. He graduated from
Lafayette College where he was a member
of the Kappa Sigma Fraternity and was
awarded an AB degree in Economics and
Psychology. He served in the US Army
during the Korean War. After serving as
a division manager for Lorillard Co., he
entered the field of education and was
employed by Hillsborough Community
College, now Hillsborough State College.
He retired after 23 years of service as the
Career Planning and Placement Specialist
and Academic Advisor. He was a 60plus year member of Masonic Lodge 61,
F&AM, Wilkes-Barre, Caldwell Consistory,
Bloomsburg, Irem Shrine, Dallas, and
American Legion Post 79, Port Richey, Fla.
He was preceded in death by his loving
wife of 55 years, Margaret. He is survived
by his three children, grandchildren, and
great-grandchildren.
DOLORES SOLTIS WINTERS, Tarpon
Springs, Fla., formerly of Forty Fort, April
13, 2015. Born in Edwardsville, she was a
daughter of the late John J. and Frances
Aldrich Soltis. She graduated from
Forty Fort High School, class of 1948,
and Wyoming Seminary Dean School of
Business. She also attended Wilkes-Barre
Business College. She had resided on River
Street in Forty Fort. Prior to retirement,
she was employed for 42 years by the
Acme Markets Personnel Department
and was an EID Supervisor. She was a
73-year member of the Forty Fort United
Methodist Church. She was past president
of the former Forty Fort VFW Post No.
73
8595 Women’s Auxiliary. She was a former
member of the Order of the Eastern Star
Harmony Chapter No. 58. She was also
a member of Westside Evening Women’s
Club and the St. Therese’s Seniors.
Preceding her in death were her husband,
Henry “Hank” Winters, who was a former
detective and chief of police for the
Forty Fort Borough for many years; and
brothers, Jack and Robert Soltis. Surviving
are her brother, James M. Soltis, Ph.D., and
his wife, Jane, Florida; nephew, Warren
Soltis, and grand-nephew, Nicholas, both
of Georgia; niece, Lynn Harrison, Virginia.
1950
FILLMORE STAIR, Feasterville, January
25, 2015. He was born in Wanamie, the son
of the late Fillmore and Thelma (Beish)
Stair. Fillmore served in the United States
Air Force, and attended Drexel University.
He worked as a quality control engineer for
the Ford Motor Company in Lansdale for
45 years. Fillmore volunteered for six years
as a coach for the Lower Southampton
Girls Softball Association. He enjoyed
traveling, visiting the casinos with his
wife, and doing puzzles.
JOAN STEVENS WILLMOTT, West
Palm Beach, Fla., August 14, 2012. An
artist and sculptor, she served 50 years in
the Garden Club of Palm Beach, holding
many offices. Through the club, she helped
design and plant The Society of the Four
Arts garden, where many of her plantings
still exist. She contributed, through
photography and editing, to the memberwritten book “Gardens by the Sea,” which
was dedicated to her.
She also was the investment adviser for
the Crippled Children’s Society, now the
Rehabilitation Center for Children and
Adults, and was involved with the Pine Jog
Environmental Education Center, Pan’s
Garden and the Preservation Foundation
of Palm Beach. She was president of
the International Women’s Fishing
Association.
She is survived by her husband, John West
Willmott; her daughter, Laura White; her
grandson, John White; siblings Scott and
John Stevens and Barbara Hammond, and
numerous nieces and nephews.
74
1951
HOWARD BERMAN, Kingston, June
26, 2015. Born in Patterson, New Jersey, a
son of Fred and Lena Zusblat Berman, he
lived most of his life in Wyoming Valley
and attended Cornell University and
the Dickenson School of Law. Howard
was a member of Temple Israel, Shriners
of North America, the American Bar
Association, the Association of Trial
Lawyers of America and the U.S. Bar
District Court. He practiced law in WilkesBarre for over 50 years.
He is survived by his four children, DAVID
BERMAN ’78, Frisco, Texas, SHARI
BERMAN ’80, Marietta, Ga.; Melissa,
Atlanta, Ga.; and Daniel, Savannah, Ga.;
his brother, MARTIN BERMAN ’47, West
Palm Beach, Fla.
ESTHER FLANNERY, Seattle, Wash.,
March 24, 2015. Esther was born on
April 2, 1933, in the Pittston Hospital, to
Frank J. and Esther Brennan Flannery.
She graduated from Georgetown
Visitation Junior College and Misericordia
University, and received her master’s in
teaching from Temple University.
talent she learned from her mother and
later passed along to her daughter-in-law.
From the piano bench, done when she was
a girl, to many Christmas ornaments and
framed pieces, Esther’s works were and are
beautiful.
In her later years in Seattle, she also
enjoyed entering her works into art
exhibitions.
Esther was preceded in death by her parents;
brothers, JOHN ’47 and FRANK ’48;
a sister, HELEN FLANNERY
GALLAGHER ’45; and first cousin, Nick.
Her dearest friend since early childhood,
Helen Rutledge, also predeceased her; their
75-year relationship stands as a hallmark
for what a true and unequivocal friendship
should be.
Esther is survived by her son, Andrew;
his wife, Jen; and their children, Anja and
Soren.
Esther had a love of teaching and
learning; she taught at Dallas Senior
High School from 1975 to 1982, and then
joined the faculty at Luzerne County
Community College from 1982 until her
retirement in 1998. In her retirement, she
found new purpose in a variety of civic
issues, including work at the Catherine
McAuley Center and on John Kerry’s 2004
presidential campaign.
JOSEPH GATTUSO, Naples, Fla., April
19, 2015. Joe was a proud member of
the U.S. Naval Academy’s Class of ’55,
22nd Company. He was honored at the
Academy for: All-American Football
Honorable Mention 1954; Most Valuable
Player - Sugar Bowl 1955; All American
Wrestling - 1954 and 1955; Weems Award
- Outstanding Wrestler - 1955; Thompson
Trophy - Outstanding Athlete - 1955;
Distinguished American Award of New
Jersey - 1983; Hall of Fame Honors from
Gloucester County N.J. for Football
and Wrestling; Wyoming Seminary
for Football and Wrestling; USNA for
Wrestling.
In 2008, she took a leap of faith, sold her
home in Kingston and moved far west
to Seattle to be with her family. It was a
decision she didn’t regret, as it was the
beginning of a totally new phase of her
life. She threw herself into becoming a
Seattleite, making many new friends along
the way.
He was designated a Naval Aviator on
March 1, 1957. He was a Flight Instructor
in Advanced Training prior to being
assigned to Attack Squadron 126 in San
Diego where he flew the FJ-4 Fury. He
was released from active duty in 1959 and
became a member of the Naval Reserve
Fighter Squadron 931 in Willow Grove.
Having never been a football fan for the
previous 75 years of her life, she became
a diehard Seahawks fan, remarking on
the team’s loss in the most recent Super
Bowl the following day by bemoaning,
“They had Marshawn Lynch! Why didn’t
they rush?” Throughout her life, Esther
stitched beautiful needlepoint works, a
Joe entered the business world by joining
Fairchild Semiconductor Corp. in
Sunnyvale, Calif. in 1960. He then formed
a business with twelve key semiconductor
specialists from the Silicon Valley area
of California and established the metal
oxide semiconductor (MOS) microelectronic division at General Instrument
Corporation. The initial development
created the first commercially available
MOS in the U.S. It was this technology
that became so popular in large scale
integration and made the development
of the handheld calculators and the
personal computer possible. This was the
beginning of a long and successful career
in mergers, acquisitions and divestitures
with U.S. and international firms. He had
a distinguished record of achievements
in developing successful startups in the
information industry through providing
services for corporate development.
Joe continued his relationship with the
Academy through his active participation
with the U.S. Naval Academy Foundation,
Inc. with thirty-one years of service. He
was a Trustee Emeritus at his death.
Joe will be sadly missed by Gilda (Jill)
his beloved wife of 59 years and his
three children - Joseph, Kimberly and
DOUGLAS GATTUSO ’79, and his seven
grandchildren.
BEVERLY JENNINGS
LEEUWENBURG, Fairfax Station, Va.,
January 19, 2014. She was predeceased by
her husband, Bastiaan. She is survived
by her children, Petra Gaier and Bart
Leeuwenburg.
STEPHEN PARADISE, East Orleans,
Mass., August 25, 2015 following a long
battle with cancer and Parkinson’s.
His parents were Joseph and Lillian
Liss Paradise of Rye New York. He was
a graduate of Lafayette College and
New York University Law School. He
was assistant counsel for the Securities
and Exchange Commission from 1959
to 1965 and was involved in its special
study of the securities markets. He was
counsel to the U.S. Senate Committee
on Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs
from 1967 to 1977. From 1977 to 1980, he
was staff director and general counsel of
the U.S. Senate Committee on Labor and
Human Resources. While there, he helped
pass legislation involving the welfare of
migrant workers and the disabled and
the creation of the federal urban transit
program. He joined the New York Stock
Exchange in 1980 and served as senior vice
president, Congressional and regulatory
relations, from 1988 until his retirement
in 1996. He moved from Alexandria, Va.,
to East Orleans, Mass., where he made
his home for 20 years. He was a former
member of the Orleans Yacht Club, the
Men’s Club, the Orleans Conservation
Commission, and the Orleans Democratic
Committee. During his lifetime, he
traveled throughout the United States
and to nearly 100 countries. He enjoyed
the theater and Frank Sinatra, played a
mean game of tennis, and treasured a
good afternoon of bridge with his friends.
Mr. Paradise is survived by his wife of 53
years, Bobbie; his son David and his wife,
Rachel Graham, of Alexandria, Va.; his
son JOHN PARADISE ’88, of Pittsburgh;
his daughter, Susan, of Santa Cruz, Calif.;
his wonderful grandchildren Kyra, Dylan,
Julia, and Jackson; and his sister Judith
Moskowitz of New York City.
1952
MARGARET DOMBROSKI SCHMIDT,
July 6, 2015. Margaret “Marge” Dombroski
Schmidt, of Newberry Estates, Dallas,
and Daytona Beach, Florida, passed away
on July 6, 2015, while in the care of the
Meadows Nursing and Rehabilitation
Center, Dallas. Marge was born in Plains
Township, on April 13, 1934, and was a
daughter of the late John and Josephine
Gayewski Dombroski. She attended
Ss. Peter and Paul grade school, was
a graduate of Plains Memorial High
School, Class of 1951, and the Wyoming
Seminary Dean School of Business. She
joined the Second National Bank of
Wilkes-Barre which became, after several
consolidations, the First Eastern Bank,
presently, PNC Bank. Marge spent 39 years
in banking and progressed into each phase
of the banking business structure. In 1990,
she retired as Assistant Vice President and
Bank Manager at the Main Office, WilkesBarre.
1954
SARAH 'SALLY’ IDE SHANE,
Shelburne, Vt., March 11, 2015. Born in
Wilkes-Barre, Sally attended Wyoming
Seminary, the Northfield Mount Hermon
School and Elmira College. Her lifelong
friends from these schools remember
their wonderful times together with great
fondness, particularly their year abroad
at the University of Edinburgh. Sally
married first Richard Harter Paterson and
then John Buckley Shane, her life partner.
She and Buck moved to Vermont in 1971
and settled in Woodstock, where they
owned Morgan-Ballou and Woodstock
Travel for many happy years. Sally was a
consummate hostess, impressing all with
her cooking, gardening and elegant attire.
She spent the last year bravely coping with
terminal cancer, discovered shortly after
Buck passed away in March 2014. Even
during difficult periods in her treatment,
she had a kind word for everyone.
Sally leaves a daughter, JULIE
PATERSON BRESSOR ’77, her husband,
James, and grandchildren Josh, Anna and
Jack; stepson John Buckley Shane Jr., his
wife, Mary Lou, and their sons, Conner
and Jacob; stepdaughter Barbara Schwaner
and her husband, Matt; and, of course, her
great friend, the universally loved Darabee,
one of the nicest dogs around.
MARIE VOITEK, Wyoming, August 8,
2015. Born in the Miners Mills section of
Plains Township, she was a daughter of the
late Julio and Josephine Toloczko Barbacci.
Marie was a graduate of West Wyoming
High School and continued her education
at Wyoming Seminary Dean School of
Business. She and her husband David J.
Voitek Sr. were founders and owners of
Voitek TV and Appliances, Exeter and
Kingston.
1955
ROBERT FAUNCE of Skippack,
Maytown, and Bluffton, S.C., January
8, 2015. He was the beloved husband of
Judith (Bower) Faunce to whom he was
married for over 34 years.
Born October 25, 1935 in Philadelphia, he
was the son of the late William and Mary
(Williamson) Faunce. Mr. Faunce was a
former member of Central Schwenkfelder
Church, Christ United Methodist Church,
Lansdale, and a current member of
Bluffton United Methodist Church, in
Bluffton, S.C. Robert was an alumnus of
Lincoln High School, Wyoming Seminary,
Dickinson College, and Pennsylvania
State University. His career included
75
employment as a teacher and positions
with Univac, GE, and Boeing. He served
faithfully in the U.S. Navy for 20 years
and served as a Blue & Gold Officer
for the USNA for five years. He was
an accomplished athlete and enjoyed
exercising and sports, especially football.
EDWARD HOURIGAN, Wilkes-Barre,
August 15, 2015. Born in Wilkes-Barre
and raised in the Glen Summit section
of Mountain Top, he was a son of the late
John A. and Katharine (Sue) Mulcahy
Hourigan. Edward attended Lafayette
College before entering the U.S. Air Force,
where he served four years. During his
military career he completed his degree
and graduated from the Mitchel College of
Long Island University, New York.
Upon the completion of military duty,
Edward returned to the Wyoming Valley
where he entered his longtime career in
the newspaper business. Initially, he was
employed by the Wilkes-Barre Publishing
Company, as the advertising manager,
serving in that capacity until 1980. On two
separate occasions during that time, he
was the recipient of the prestigious Crystal
Prism Award, a nationally recognized
award for excellence in his field, presented
in ceremony at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel,
New York. He also had received the Silver
Medal Award, presented by Northeastern
Pennsylvania advertising organizations.
In 1981, he became the advertising director
for the Winchester Star newspaper,
Winchester, Virginia, and later served
as the Publisher of the Record Herald
newspaper, Washington Courthouse,
Ohio.
Edward returned to Wilkes-Barre in 1990
and shortly after became the publisher of
the Citizens’ Voice, until his retirement
from the newspaper business in 1994.
During his tenure with the Citizens’ Voice,
he spearheaded the effort to create the
Sunday Voice, first published on May 16,
1993.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded
in death by a brother, JOHN HOURIGAN
III ’54.
Surviving are his wife, the former Rosalie
Caffrey, with whom he celebrated 51 years
of marriage on June 20; sons, Edward
76
Jr. and his wife, Loriann, Collegeville,
and Joseph, Wilkes-Barre; and siblings
LAWRENCE ’58, WILLIAM ’62,
KATHARINE ’69 and DAVID ’71.
LaSalle Club and the National Street
Rod Association. He also enjoyed caring
for pets and riding his bike around the
neighborhood.
SARA BIERLY WILLOUGHBY,
Tunkhannock, June 17, 2015. Born in
1937 in Pittston, she was the daughter
of the late Rufus and Clara Bierly. After
graduation from Sem, Sally attended
Simmons College in Boston, Mass., and
received her Bachelor’s degree in Education
from the University of Michigan. Sally
worked tirelessly for the Cystic Fibrosis
Foundation for many years, and was
involved with numerous conservation and
ecological causes on the local and national
level. She loved Lake Carey, sharing her
home there with family and friends, and
was a life-long member of the First United
Presbyterian Church of West Pittston.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded
in death by his beloved wife of 52 years,
the former Margaret Gardecki, on Dec. 29,
2012; his brother, MICHAEL
COFFEE ’57; and a sister, DORY
COFFEE ’60.
She was preceded in death by a son,
James. Sally is survived by her friend and
companion, Alan Flanagan; her sons:
John and his wife Amy of Reno, Nev.; and
Robert and his wife Candice of New York
City, N.Y.; five granddaughters: Molly,
Jessie, Penny, Kirby, and Quinn; a brother,
Louis Bierly and his wife, Lynne; three
nephews: Paul, Daniel, and Thomas Bierly;
and a daughter-in-law, Jaci Willoughby
and Jaci’s son, John Armstrong.
1956
ADAM COFFEE, West Nanticoke, June
23, 2015. Born on March 20, 1938, in
Avoca, he was a son of the late Adam and
Edith Kendzior Coffee. Adam grew up
in Avoca and Nanticoke. He joined his
father’s business, Coffee Amusements,
which he continued with his brother
for over 50 years. He served in the U.S.
Army Reserves from 1956 to 1960. He
was a member of St. Francis of Assisi
and St. Joseph’s churches, prior to parish
consolidation, and more recently of
St. John the Baptist Catholic Church,
Larksville. He belonged to the American
Legion Post, Plains Township.
Adam was well known as a meticulous
mechanic and avid car enthusiast and
builder, including the “Coffee Grinder”
which won numerous awards and was
featured in multiple Hot Rod magazines.
He was a member of the Cadillac-
He is survived by his daughter, Susan
Coffee Samsel; son, DR. ADAM
COFFEE ’84 and sister, Carole Coffee,
Wilkes-Barre; sister–in-law, Barbara
Coffee; niece NICOLE COFFEE ’97,
and others.
CHARLES FELDMAN, Shavertown,
April 18, 2015. Charles was born in
Wilkes-Barre on March 29, 1938, the son
of the late Samuel Feldman and Rebecca
Leibman Feldman. He was a proud and
loyal alumnus of Middlebury College in
Vermont, where he took great pleasure
in wrestling, debate, the Snow Bowl,
and fraternity life as a member of Delta
Kappa Epsilon. It was at Middlebury
where the seeds were planted for his
lifelong appreciation of literature. An
essay he wrote on Henry David Thoreau
won The Abernethy Prize for Literature,
and became part of the permanent
Abernethy Collection at Middlebury. He
proudly served our country in the Army
Reserve. He attended NYU Law School
before joining his family’s automobile
business. He was the owner and president
of Goodwin Motor Group, which he
developed and expanded until his
retirement. The business was recognized
with many awards for outstanding sales
and service under his leadership.
Charles was a member of Temple Israel,
the Westmoreland Club, the Irem Temple
Masonic Order, the Aircraft Owners and
Pilots Association, and the Porsche Club of
America. He was a man of high character
and deep humility. In business and
personal relationships he was cherished
for his wisdom and good counsel. He
always had a kind word for everyone
he encountered. He had a remarkably
generous spirit which he shared through
his story telling, joke telling and letter
writing. Charles had a tremendous sense
of adventure and delighted in skiing,
driving sports cars, and for many years,
flying his airplane. His fine aesthetic sense
was reflected in his collection of modern
furniture.
Charles is survived by his wife Rosalie,
daughter COURTNEY FELDMAN
GURNOT ’91 and son-in-law Frederic
Gurnot, New York, N.Y.; daughter
REBECCA BARRETT FELDMAN ’92,
New York, N.Y.; daughter D. ASHLEY
FELDMAN ’00, Arlington, Mass;
granddaughter, Saige Renée Gurnot;
sister and brother-in-law, RUTH ’62 and
Larry Harrison, Palm Beach Gardens, Fla;
sister-in-law Joan Kashub, Philadelphia;
numerous nieces and nephews and
treasured dog Rigby.
DONALD ROBERTS, Burlington, Vt.,
May 2, 2015. Donald was born September
9, 1938 in Johnson City, N.Y. to George and
Fanny (Hilbert) Roberts. He graduated
from Wilkes College in 1964 and married
Elaine Kozemchak from Wilkes-Barre on
June 13, 1964. He resided in Poughkeepsie,
N.Y. for nearly 30 years while working
for IBM in human resources and raising
his two children after his wife died in
1979 from a long-term illness. After
retiring in 1994, Donald traveled across
the country and found homes in Sedona,
Ariz., Storrs, Conn. and Hingham, Mass.
He had recently found a community he
felt at home with in Burlington, Vt. where
he spent his time doing volunteer work
tutoring students in reading at a local
elementary school. He also found comfort
in being part of All Souls Interfaith
Gathering where he was active on the
Board and involved with the community
of people there. He loved to attend sports
games, put together puzzles and spend
time with his children, grandchildren and
extended family.
1958
JOHN R. MOLETON, Pittsburgh,
January 24, 2012. Born in Philadelphia,
son of the late John R. and Emily
(Schuller) Moleton, Sr. Loving husband
for 35 years of Barbara (Ebeck) Moleton;
father of John R. (Bali) Moleton III, Buffy
L. (David) Moleton Loos and Christen
L., Justin R., Darren M. and Colin M.
Moleton; grandfather of Brandon, Jessica
and Jameson; brother of Barbara (Tom)
Phlegar & William (Rayna) Moleton.
RUTH MARY THOMAS PRITCHARD,
Hazleton, July 5, 2015. Born in Kingston,
she was raised in Forty Fort and later lived
in Hazleton. She was the wife of the late
Dr. William B. Pritchard, who preceded
her in death in 2009. She was a daughter
of the late George W. and Rachel Pratt
Thomas. Ruth was a 1962 graduate of
Bloomsburg State College. She worked as
a teacher and later as a certified nurse’s
aide. She was preceded in death by two
sons, Scott A. Pritchard, in 2005, and Dr.
William T. Pritchard, in 2008.
Ruth is survived by her daughter, Lisa
Taddei and her husband, Michael, Mount
Airy; a sister, SALLY THOMAS
URISKO ’63, Shavertown; three
grandchildren and numerous nieces and
nephews.
1964
STEVEN MULLENS, Colorado Springs,
Colo., June 21, 2015. Steve was born in
Binghamton, N.Y., on May 28, 1945, to
Sylvia and Ben Mullens. He attended
Syracuse University and Syracuse
University College of Law in New York.
Steve met his wife, Joan, while attending
Syracuse University and they married on
June 23, 1968.
Upon graduating law school, Steve worked
for legal services in Syracuse. In 1974,
Steve, Joan and their two sons, Jed and
Scott, moved from Syracuse to Colorado
Springs where Steve opened a law office.
Soon after moving to the Springs, Steve
began to focus his law practice on workers
compensation law in order to help people
who were injured on the job. He opened a
second office in Pueblo, Colorado to better
serve that community. Steve went on to
become one of the foremost practitioners
of workers compensation law in the state.
Over the past 40 years he represented
thousands of injured workers. He was
known not only for his dedication to
providing outstanding legal services for
his clients but also for being a mentor to
younger attorneys who appreciated his
time and advice.
In addition to practicing law, Steve was
a co-founder and board member of Peak
Education, a community-based not-forprofit that helps students graduate high
school, go on to higher education and
pursue rewarding careers.
Steve loved reading books - especially
fiction - and was an avid book collector. He
also enjoyed playing golf, travelling and
fishing. Most of all Steve loved spending
time with his family and friends who
appreciated his kindness, loyalty, quick wit
and unflinching sense of humor.
Steve is survived by his wife Joan, his sons
Jed and Scott, his daughter-in-law Molly,
his grandchildren Dalia and Zachary,
his twin brother David, his sister JUDY
MULLENS COHEN ’61, and an extended
family of nieces, nephews and cousins, as
well as brothers-in-law and a sister-in-law,
who love him and will sorely miss him.
1966
TODD SCOTT CAMPBELL, Suffolk, Va.,
May 6, 2015. He was born in Philadelphia
on Sept. 3, 1947, to Ruth H. and Robert
S. Campbell. He was preceded in death
by his parents and his brother, CRAIG
CAMPBELL ’62. He is survived by his wife
of 33 years, Debbie; their son, Robert; and
his wife, Diana.
He was a lover of history, a Civil War reenactor, and knowledgeable about World
War I and World War II. After retiring from
NAVSEA as an electronics technician, he
researched and wrote articles for Smoke
and Fire News and Camp Chase Gazette.
He focused on the 150th anniversary of
the Civil War during the past four years.
One of his biggest thrills was acting the
part of a dais clerk in the Spielberg movie
“Lincoln.” (For more on Todd, see 1966
Class Notes.)
1970
THOMAS BARTON, Easton, August 6,
2012. Born June 13, 1951 in Easton, he was
the son of Elizabeth Hagenbach Barton
of Palmer Twp. and the late Thomas F.
Barton, Jr. A 1969 graduate of Wilson
High School, he spent a post-graduate
year at Sem. He was the President of
Leigh Fuel Corp. He was a member of
St. Peter’s UCC, Tatamy and a 20 year
member of the Kiwanis Club of Easton
where he twice served as President; and
77
chaired the Soap Box Derby, Kids Casting
Tournament, Shad Tournament and
Derriere in the Delaware events; enjoyed
reading to first graders in the Easton
School District, and was one of three
legacies within the Kiwanis Club. He was
on the Easton Kiwanis Foundation Board
and was instrumental in procuring a new
scoreboard for the Boys and Girls Club
of Easton. He is survived by his mother,
Betty ; daughters, Jenna of Williams Twp.,
Elizabeth of Royersford; sisters, Marsha
Miller of Fairfax, Va., Patricia LeBresco
and her husband, Nicholas of West
Chester, Carol Recker and her husband,
Glenn of Allentown; seven nephews; nine
grandnieces and nephews; and granddog,
Roxi.
CHRISTINA GRAHAM OUELLETTE,
Shavertown, April 12, 2015. Christina was
raised in Forty Fort by her loving parents,
Stuart and Ruth Graham, and was the
second youngest of five children. She was a
graduate of Trinity College, Washington,
D.C. Her time at Trinity marked the
beginning of her passion for social work
and working with children.
Christina married shortly after college and
had two sons, Philippe and Nicholas, who
love her dearly.
As a young professional, she followed in
her father’s footsteps and sold insurance
for Mutual of New York, Wilkes-Barre.
Her time as an insurance sales person
was brief, for her real passion was helping
children. Christina attended Marywood
University, where she graduated with her
master’s degree with honors and became a
licensed clinical social worker. Christina
always knew that she would start her own
business and make it successful for both
her clients and her employees.
In January of 2000, Christina opened
Children’s Behavioral Health Services
Inc. She started the business with
six employees and quickly grew the
organization to serve thousands of
children in need and provide passionate
employment for hundreds. She always
wanted more for the children and families
she served. Her vision and her passion
created New Dawn Partial Hospitalization
in 2004, which serves children ages 3 to 5.
In 2007, Christina opened The Graham
78
Academy, which was named in honor
of her parents. It is a private special
education school specializing in educating
children living with autism and children
with emotional challenges. The school
is located in Kingston, and currently
educates 70 children with a thoughtful
and devoted team of professionals.
friends, cycling and tinkering. He also
loved delicious (and bad) food, as well
as Allagash White. Bret was a true gem
to those friends who knew him well. He
actively participated in his children’s lives
as a soccer coach, diving team scorer, math
and science homework tutor and LEGO
builder extraordinaire.
Christina’s care and devotion for the
children she served came together as she
brought her sons, Nick and Will, into the
businesses she began. She taught them the
importance of dedication, commitment
and how to put forth their time and efforts
to these children.
Bret is survived by his wife of 14 years,
April (Herron); his beautiful daughters,
Zoe (12) and Piper (10); and Lego master
son, Asher (8). He is also survived by
his loving parents, Dr. Richard and
Marsha Silberman, Kingston; his sister,
REBECCA SILBERMAN RICH ’99,
brother-in-law, Matthew Rich, and
their daughter, Madison, Calif.; and the
following family members: in-laws, Aaron
and Frances Herron, Pittston, sister-in-law,
Kellie (Herron) Higgins, North Carolina;
Edwin Utan Esq., Scranton; CAROL
SILBERMAN DEMBERT ’62 and DON
DEMBERT ’49, Clarks Summit; and
Jeffery and Cathy Silberman, New York.
Christina was a woman who always
believed in doing what was right, and she
always put others before herself. When
Christina wasn’t working, she loved music
and dancing and had a great interest in
Native American culture and history.
To have known Christina was to have
known a great woman with a quick wit
who always carried herself well, and it was
always known when she was in the room.
She fought for what she believed in, and
she loved her family most.
She is survived by her sons, PHILIPPE
W. OUELLETTE III ’94 and his
wife, Amanda, and NICHOLAS G.
OUELLETTE ’99 and his wife, Susan;
grandchildren, Saydie L. Ouellette and
Philip M. Ouellette; siblings, Stuart and
Kate Graham, JOHN ’67 and Patricia
Graham, CAROLYN ’68 and Dave
McLaughlin-Smith, RUTH ’73 and Tom
Conaghan; numerous nieces and nephews;
and countless friends.
1992
BRET SILBERMAN, Wyndmoor, May
17, 2015. Bret was born on May 31, 1974,
in Wilkes-Barre. He was a true genius or
‘geek’ as he liked to be called. His love
for all things computer and sci-fi was
surpassed only by his love for his family.
He held numerous operating systems
positions throughout his career as a
Linux system engineer, network architect,
consultant and administrator, always
giving 110 percent to his job. Bret lived
life to the fullest, enjoying his family and
THOMAS WILLIAMS, Bear Creek
Township, July 14, 2015. He was born in
Wilkes-Barre, son of Frederick C. Williams
III, Bear Creek Township, and the late
Elizabeth “Betty” George Williams.
He attended Western State College in
Colorado and earned a bachelor of science
degree in sociology at Wilkes University,
and had been employed as a social worker
by several area agencies. Tom was a
member of Wyoming Lodge 468, F&AM.
He was a member of Messiah Primitive
Methodist Church, Bear Creek Township,
and had been well-known as a competitive
skier.
In addition to his mother, he was preceded
in death by an aunt, Barbara Williams,
and an uncle, Clifford George. Surviving,
in addition to his father, are an uncle,
Daniel Williams, Wilkes-Barre; an aunt,
Gail George, Bear Creek; and several
cousins.
2001
KIRK FREY, Amherst, Mass., June 10,
2015. At Sem, Kirk was on the Dean’s List,
the football and wrestling teams, Model
United Nations team and the Madrigal
Singers. Kirk attended Wilkes University
and the University of Massachusetts,
receiving Dean’s List honors at both
institutions. He was an avid reader,
excelling in history and literature. He
loved animals and music of every genre.
Kirk served in the U.S. Army from 2009
to 2013 at Fort Detrick, Md. as a satellite
systems communication operator, and
received medals for Army Achievement,
Army Good Conduct, National Defense
Service and the Global War on Terrorism,
as well as the Army Service Ribbon.
Preceding him in death were his maternal
grandparents, Jonathan and Florence Weir;
and paternal grandmother, Dorothea
“Dottie” W. Henry.
Surviving are his mother, Wendy Weir
Henry, Dallas; sister, LAUREN
HENRY ’09 and brother, FRANK M.
HENRY III ’13, both of Dallas; father,
Bruce M. Frey and his wife, Regina, Forty
Fort; uncle, James E. Rosiello, New York
City; aunt, Florence R. Chevalier, Sedona,
Arizona; step-father, FRANK M. HENRY,
JR. ’74, Dallas; paternal grandfather,
FRANK M. HENRY ’50 , Dallas; aunt,
MARJORIE HENRY MARQUART ’78;
uncle, SCOTT E. HENRY ’76 and wife,
Maryjane; cousins, BRIGITTE ’04,
SCOTT ’06, JOHN ’10 and JANE ’12
HENRY, SAMANTHA ’07 and
OLIVIA ’09 MARQUART.
FORMER FACULTY
HELEN KELLY GELSLEICHTER,
Kingston, May 18, 2015. Born in WilkesBarre, she was a daughter of the late Clyde
J. and Gertrude Mulcahy Kelly. She was a
graduate of Misericordia College in Dallas,
Pa. She then taught at Wyoming Seminary
from 1947-1950. On July 26, 1950, she
married the late William C. Gelsleichter,
who passed in 2014.
CURRENT STAFF
PEGGY ZINKAVICH, Kingston, August
3, 2015, following a nine-year battle with
cancer.
She was born Jan. 30, 1949, in
Edwardsville, a daughter of Margaret
Dietz Reilly and the late Lawrence Reilly.
She was a graduate of Edwardsville High
School.
For the past 26 years, Peggy served as
the assistant to the Dean at Wyoming
Seminary Lower School. In addition to her
position, she was actively involved in many
of the school activities and functions.
Peggy enjoyed hosting family gatherings
and traveling to the many field hockey
events that her daughter participated in
with Wyoming Seminary and Penn State
University.
She was preceded in death by her brothers,
Larry and Tim Reilly.
Surviving, in addition to her mother, are
her husband of 40 years, Joseph Zinkavich;
daughter, ANNIE ZINKAVICH ’99;
sister Kathy Thomas; brother, Michael
Reilly; nieces and nephews.
CURRENT and FORMER
TRUSTEES
MICHAEL M.
APFELBAUM, 55, of
Lewisburg, passed away
on Monday, Sept. 7,
2015, with his wife,
Christina, and her
father, Clarence “Mike”
Imgrund due to
injuries sustained in an airplane accident
near Greensboro, N.C.
Born April 29, 1960, in Danville, to Sidney
and CAROLE HERTZ APFELBAUM ’44.
Michael was the youngest of four sons.
On Jan. 26, 1992, Michael married his
soulmate, Christina Imgrund. Together
they celebrated a happy, loving marriage
with a family-centered goal of living life to
the fullest.
Michael graduated from Shikellamy High
School in 1978 where he participated on
the debate team and was active in the
Boy Scouts, achieving the rank of Eagle
Scout. Following high school, he attended
The George Washington University, was
inducted into The Phi Beta Kappa Society
and graduated with Distinction and
Special Honors in 1982. Michael then
attended the Dickinson School of Law in
Carlisle and was awarded the Order of the
Barristers Honor for Trial Advocacy.
After passing the bar exam, Michael
returned home to join the family law firm
of Apfelbaum, Apfelbaum & Apfelbaum.
He was proud to work with his father,
brother, nephew, daughter, and son-in-law.
He was solicitor for the City of Sunbury,
Northumberland County Airport
Authority, Penn Valley Airport Authority,
and Shikellamy School District.
Michael served as a Co-Trustee of The
Degenstein Foundation along with his
father, Sidney, and his brother, Jeffrey.
Additionally, he served on the Dickinson
School of Law Board of Counselors and
Dickinson Law Association and the
Board of Trustees of Wyoming Seminary. Michael was passionate about supporting
the local community through service and
charitable initiatives.
When he wasn’t flying, Michael enjoyed
golf, fishing, sailing and other outdoor
activities, taking music with him
everywhere he went. Among his happiest
moments were spending time and
traveling with his family, often taking
along the family dogs, Sophie and Spencer.
He is remembered with love by his
three children, Brianna Apfelbaum
Kula and her husband, Michael J. Kula,
Leah Apfelbaum, and JONSIDNEY
APFELBAUM ’11; his parents Sidney
and Carole Hertz Apfelbaum; his three
brothers, Harry, Jeffrey and his wife,
Susan, and David and his wife, Debra.
Michael is also survived by many nieces,
nephews, and other extended family
members.
DAN KOPEN, M.D., Shavertown, May 26,
2015. He is survived by his loving wife of
more than 32 years, Kathy; three children,
KRYSTIN ’02, KAYTLIN ’07 and
DEREK ’09 KOPEN; mother, Maryann
Kopen; and sister, Pamela Kopen. Dan was
preceded in death by his father, Francis
Kopen.
Born in Kingston, Dan grew up in Forty
Fort, where he attended Forty Fort High
School. He received a bachelor of science
degree in chemistry from Wilkes College
and went on to attend Penn State Hershey
Medical School where he received his
M.D. degree. Dan completed his surgical
79
internship, residency and fellowship at
Washington University School of Medicine
in St. Louis.
Dan was a fellow of the American
College of Surgeons and a member of the
American Society of Breast Surgeons,
among many other national medical
societies.
Following his marriage to Kathy in 1982,
Dan returned to the Wyoming Valley and
practiced general surgery, specializing
in breast surgery. In 2001, he relocated
his surgical practice to the Medical Arts
Complex on Welles Street in Forty Fort,
where he practiced until 2012, when he
was diagnosed with Amyotrophic Lateral
Sclerosis.
In addition to running a busy surgical
practice, Dan was a lifelong learner and
proponent of education. He completed
a master’s degree in healthcare
administration from King’s College,
earned a Six Sigma black belt from
Villanova University and attained a JD
from Concord University, subsequently
passing the California bar, all while
maintaining his surgical practice.
Dan and Kathy also supported the
education of others through their
generous philanthropic efforts, including
sponsoring scholarships at Penn State
Hershey Medical School, Wilkes University
and Wyoming Seminary. Dan was also
an avid sports fan and especially enjoyed
supporting the Philadelphia Phillies,
Philadelphia Eagles and all Penn State
sports. He was a member of the Wyoming
Seminary Board of Trustees from 2001 to
2007.
Throughout his life and career, Dan made
friends easily and used his remarkable
skill, talent and compassion to treat many
thousands of patients in the Wyoming
Valley and beyond. The only cause that
trumped his dedication to the care of his
patients was his love and devotion to his
family. It is a tribute to his humanity that,
in addition to his family, many classmates,
friends and former patients kept in
contact with Dan, which brightened his
days during his struggle with ALS.
Come together with Sem next spring!
Wyoming Seminary will
be on the road again next
year, visiting with alumni
in Florida, New York,
Washington D.C. and
Philadelphia. New Sem
president Kevin Rea will
be joining us – here’s your
chance to meet him and
catch up on everything
that’s happening on
campus! Watch your email
for locations and times.
80
Monday, February 29
Wednesday, March 16
ORLANDO, FLORIDA
NEW YORK, N.Y.
Tuesday, March 1
Wednesday, March 23
TAMPA AND SARASOTA,
FLORIDA
WASHINGTON DC
Wednesday, March 2
Thursday, April 14
PHILADELPHIA, PA
NAPLES, FLORIDA
Thursday, March 3
BOCA RATON/HIGHLAND
BEACH, FLORIDA
Friday, March 4
MIAMI, FLORIDA
Questions?
Please contact
Julie McCarthy Strzeletz ’81,
Director of Alumni Programs, at
[email protected].
Lex Romane ’66:
Life in the
Swing Lane
Popular guitarist to perform
at ’66 Reunion in May
The next time you hear music by B.B. King, The Kinks,
Leon Redbone, Three Dog Night, Sly and the Family Stone,
Jefferson Airplane or The Buddy Rich Big Band, consider this:
ALEXANDER (LEX) ROMANE ’66 opened for all of them.
“We did two nights with the Kinks down in Atlantic City,” says
Romane, going back to his days in the ‘70s with the local rock
band American Asfault. “They had just released ‘Lola,’ and the
club they were booked into held maybe 500 people. ‘Lola’ was in
the top 10 and there were thousands of people trying to get into
this little club. That was an amazing experience.”
Then in 2001 (and again in 2007) Romane and his 30-year
partner in music, Joe Riillo, were honored to open at WilkesBarre’s F. M. Kirby Center for the great bluesman B. B. King. “He
has to be one of the highlights of my music career just because of
who he was. He was a hero of mine and it was a dream come true
for me,” Romane says.
But perhaps the most remarkable performance of his life took
place in January 2004 at the Anthracite Heritage Museum in
Scranton, when he performed at the 45th anniversary of the Knox
Mine Disaster. There he sang his original song about the disaster,
one of several songs about Northeast Pennsylvania’s coal mining
heritage on his 2004 solo CD, “Diggin’ Dusty Diamonds: Songs
from the Coal Mines.” “When I sing my song about the Knox
Mine Disaster and I’m looking out there (at the standing room
only audience) and I’m seeing people crying, every hair stood
up on my body. I walked off the stage thinking, if I never play
another song ever, that will be enough. That moment made it all
worthwhile.”
It’s been a more than 40-year career in music for Romane, who
built his enduring reputation as a bluesy and swing guitarist,
singer and songwriter with bands such as The Northeast
Extension and River Street. Together with Riillo, a clarinet and
saxophone player, he formed the swing duo Lex & Joe, which
became one of the best-known bands in Maine. Headquartered
from 1984 to 2013 in the resort town of Ogunquit, they
frequently played to packed clubs and dance halls for fans who
loved their unique combination of swing, blues and old R & B.
They also performed in Florida and in many of the states,
including Pennsylvania, in between.
Although he has owned numerous guitars, Romane now performs
primarily on his 1946 Epiphone Blackstone arch top guitar, which
he picked up in 1984 when he traded in a Martin guitar that
needed repairs. “It’s probably a catalog guitar but I liked the way
it sounded with Joe’s clarinet and I’ll never get rid of it,” he says.
You can hear that guitar and clarinet combo on the six albums
the two men recorded, including one of their most popular, “Live
at the Chicory House” (a well-known performance space at St.
Stephen’s Episcopal Pro-Cathedral in Wilkes-Barre).
Romane has been making music since his sophomore year at Sem.
In between playing football for four years at defensive back and
halfback, working on the Opinator and Wyoming, and earning a
reputation as his class’ Best Dancer, Romane picked up the guitar
and started a band, The Cumberland Three, with his good friend
ROBERT STROUD ’66. Inspired by Bob Dylan, Van Morrison
and other ’60s era musicians that his brother CHARLES ’61
listened to, he worked hard to improve his playing, began writing
his own songs, and developed a vocal style that reminds many
listeners of Leon Redbone or Dr. John. “I have a bluesy voice from
playing in the bars all those many years and smoking cigarettes
and drinking whiskey,” he observes.
While studying at Wilkes College, where he earned a bachelor’s
degree in social work, Romane worked for the Bureau for the
Aging and helped miners obtain their black lung benefits. The
stories the miners told him led him to carry out research and
write his own songs about Pennsylvania’s anthracite mining
industry, which form the basis of “Diggin’ Dusty Diamonds.”
“There isn’t a lot of music coming out of Northeastern
Pennsylvania that is specifically about the coal mining industry,”
he says. “I thought I should write some songs about coal miners
in Northeastern Pennsylvania because these guys don’t get
enough recognition.”
Now semiretired and living in Blue Bell, Romane continues to
pick up a few gigs in Maine and Pennsylvania, and has written
enough material for a new album that he hopes to make someday.
He can’t wait to get together with his classmates for their 50th
Reunion in May, 2016; those who attend will hear him perform
songs from the 1960s with DR. RICHARD BLUM ’66 of the band
Which Doctor, as well as a few of his own. And the reunion will
take him back to the days when he first started making music,
and first began to think that this might be his life’s work: “If you
realize you’re supposed to be playing music then you’d better
work at it and do the best you can and get good at it, because it’s
a gift and not many people get to do it.”
Alumni Office
College Preparatory School
201 North Sprague Avenue
Kingston, Pennsylvania 18704-3593
address service requested
Notice: Postal regulations require the school to pay a fee for every
copy not deliverable as addressed. Please notify us of any change
of address, giving both the new and old addresses. You may e-mail
changes to [email protected].
Don’t you forget about me
(Don’t, don’t, don’t, don’t)
Alumni Weekend 2016
Reunions for Classes ending in 1 and 6
Including 1966 – the 50th Reunion Class!!
The Classes of 1996-2011
will celebrate at Homecoming 2016.
Friday, April 29 – Sunday, May 1, 2016
Questions?
Contact Julie McCarthy Strzeletz ’81
[email protected]
or 570-270-2142
Non-Profit
Organization
U.S. Postage
PAID
Permit No. 29
Wilkes-Barre, PA

Developing Traditions

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