MAGAZINE FALL 2007 - Immaculata University

IMMACULATA
MAGAZINE
FALL 2007
Our Lady of Victory
Movie Mania Hits Home
Welcome
MAC!
CAMPUSNEWS
CAMPUSNEWS
Author of 1776 to speak at IU
President’s Term Extended
On Monday, April 23, 2007, the board of trustees voted to appoint
Sister R. Patricia Fadden, IHM, to a second five-year term as
president of Immaculata University. Sister began her tenure as
president in July 2002.
During Sister’s first presidential term, many dramatic changes took
place at Immaculata, including implementation of university status,
formation of the Women’s College Viability Task Force, welcoming the
first traditional-age coeducational class in 2005, and the creation of a
ten-year Campus Master Plan that included the building of Draper
Walsh Stadium.
Highlights of academic accomplishments during her
tenure include establishment of a Master of
Science in Nursing degree; a Bachelor of Science
in Marketing Management; and three new
Associate of Science degrees in biology,
mathematics/computer science, and
information technology. In 2006,
Immaculata ushered in its first
undergraduate accelerated online
program in organization dynamics.
Available in 2007 are three additional
online offerings in financial
management, health care management,
and human performance management.
Pulitzer Prize winning author David McCullough will visit
Immaculata on Friday, October 26, at 7 p.m. in Alumnae Hall for a
book signing and lecture about his book 1776. Immaculata will
host the event sponsored by the Chester County Library System,
The Chester County Book Company, Immaculata University, and
the Paoli Battlefield Preservation Fund. Books will be available for
purchase before and after the lecture. Reservations are required for
admittance. For further information about the event, contact Diane
Gring at 610-280-2615. n
IU Online Now Includes
Four ACCEL Majors
Immaculata’s College of LifeLong Learning (CLL) now offers four
accelerated degree completion programs completely online.
Students may enroll from all over the world in Bachelor of Arts
degrees in financial, health care, and human performance
management, and in the BA in organization dynamics. As Elke
Franke, Dean of CLL, explains,“Each of the programs is carefully
structured, but students have the freedom to take some courses out
of sequence.They also may enroll in elective courses concurrently
with their major. After an extensive online orientation, even
students with little online experience are ready to engage in this
very interactive learning experience, anytime and from anyplace.” n
e2campus
Graduation
Over 619 students graduated at commencement ceremonies
held at the Valley Forge Convention Center on May 20.
Dr. John Haas, president of the National Catholic Bioethics Center
and president of the International Institute for Culture in Philadelphia,
received the honorary doctorate degree as Doctor of Laws.
Sister Mary Scullion, Director of Project H.O.M.E. in Philadelphia,
received the Immaculata Medal and served as the commencement
speaker. Awarded for the first time in 1976, the Immaculata Medal
has been bestowed over the years on men and women who have
publicly exercised creative leadership or given evidence of sound
scholarship in the arts, letters, sciences, or professions, or served the
university in an extraordinary manner.These are individuals whose
lives are consistent with the highest values and aspirations of
Catholic education.
In her address to the graduates, Sister Mary Scullion said,“Your
degree will buy you power and influence.” She urged them “to
promote the common good and the dignity and worth of each
person.” n
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I IMMACULATA MAGAZINE FALL 2007
In the aftermath of occurrences at Virginia Tech in April 2007,
Immaculata has established a new campus notification system,
e2campus.
e2campus is a system that is capable of sending notifications instantly
and simultaneously to all in our Immaculata University community
who choose to participate. Notifications can be sent out to two
wireless devices (cellular telephone, Blackberry, wireless PDA, pager)
and/or 2 email addresses.
This system will be the fastest way to receive notifications on
weather related emergencies in which the university is closing or
for critical notifications regarding safety and well being.
Registration for the new system is voluntary. n
A Fond Farewell
After 42 years of teaching at
Immaculata, Sister Virginia
Assumpta McNabb, associate
professor of accounting and
former chair of the business
department, has retired.
Theresa Shank Grentz Returns to Immaculata
Move-in Day
The campus came alive this August when over 300 freshmen began
their experience at Immaculata. For the third year since the university
became coed in 2005, over 300 freshmen have entered each year.
A Chronicle of Faith
In celebration of the 200 year legacy of the Archdiocese of
Philadelphia, 1808-2008, Immaculata will host a scholarly conference
on April 4, 2008. Keynote speaker for the event will be Christopher
Kauffman, PhD, professor at Catholic University of America and
editor of the “U.S. Catholic Historian.” Immaculata welcomes the
submission of conference papers with topics related to the Church
in Philadelphia. Conference registration and information may be
found at www.immaculata.edu/chronicleoffaith. n
Immaculata –Thomas Jefferson
University Partnership
Immaculata University recently signed an articulation agreement with
Jefferson College of Health Professionals of Thomas Jefferson
University.This agreement allows students from Immaculata to
receive a quality education at Immaculata in addition to a strong
clinically focused health education at Jefferson.The programs selected
for the articulation agreement include Physical Therapy, Occupational
Therapy, Bioscience Technologies, and Radiologic Sciences.
Students in this program will follow a specific three-year curricular
track at Immaculata that will include the prerequisite coursework
needed to transfer into the programs at Thomas Jefferson University.
Credits earned during the first year at Jefferson will be counted
toward the completion of Immaculata’s B.S. degree in Exercise
Science or Allied Health. Students who have completed the
articulated Immaculata curriculum, must have a GPA of at least 3.0,
and have earned at least a C in all prerequisite coursework which will
transfer into the appropriate program at Thomas Jefferson University.
“This exciting partnership demonstrates the leadership of two
educational institutions in responding to the need for well prepared
health care professionals and further affords students the opportunity
to participate in well planned, strong, and structured academic
programs,” commented Sister Carroll M. Isselmann, IHM, vice
president of Academic Affairs. n
Theresa Shank Grentz ‘74, a member of
all three national championship
basketball teams at Immaculata has
returned to work at her alma mater in
the position of assistant to the vice
president for student affairs. After 12
seasons as head coach of women’s
basketball at the University of Illinois,
she decided to step down. She began
her coaching career at St. Joseph’s
University and then went on to become head coach at Rutgers
University, where she won a national championship. In 1992, she
coached the U.S. Olympic women’s basketball team—a total of 33
years in coaching. Theresa was inducted into the Women’s Basketball
Hall of Fame in 2001.
Sister Patricia Fadden commented on Theresa’s return, “We are
thrilled that she has returned to Immaculata, bringing her wealth of
knowledge and experience.”
Dr. William Watson Receives Lindback Award
Presented at commencement ceremonies
on May 20, the 2006-2007 Lindback
Distinguished Teaching Award was
received by William E. Watson, PhD,
associate professor of history. Each year
the award is granted to a faculty member
who has demonstrated excellence in
teaching.
Dr. Watson obtained a BA in history from
Eastern College and an MA and PhD from
the University of Pennsylvania and wrote
his dissertation on The Hammer and the Crescent: Contacts
between Andalusi Muslims, Franks, and their Successors in
Three Waves of Muslim Expansion into Francia. A member of the
Immaculata faculty since 1988, Dr. Watson developed and taught a
minor in Middle Eastern Studies.
He has published numerous articles and books, including The
Collapse of Communism in the Soviet Union; Tricolor and
Crescent: France and the Islamic World; and most recently The
Ghosts of Duffy’s Cut: The Irish Who Died Building America’s
Most Dangerous Stretch of Railroad, which was written with J.
Francis Watson, John Ahtes, and Earl Schandelmeier.
A frequent consultant and commentator for television, radio and print,
Dr. Watson has worked with BBC-Ulster, RTE Ireland, Spin-103, CBSKYW 3, ABC-WPVI 6, FOX 29, and CN-8. He is a regular contributor to
History: Reviews of New Books and Salem Press history
encyclopedias.
IMMACULATA MAGAZINE FALL 2007
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CAMPUSNEWS
Fall Sports
Men and women’s cross country, women’s tennis and
volleyball are currently in competition. Cheer on the men’s
and women’s soccer teams and women’s field hockey teams
and watch them play at the Immaculata stadium that boasts
the best field in the conference.
Check the team schedules by visiting
www.immaculata.edu and click on Athletics.
Stacy Mengel has been
appointed as the head field
hockey coach. She replaces
Erin McDonnell, who
coached the previous five
seasons.
assistant field hockey coach
at Bishop Shanahan.
Currently, she continues as
the head coach of the U-16
Vipers Field Hockey Club
team.
A 1998 graduate of Lock
Haven University, Stacy was
a member of the Eagles’ field
hockey team for four
seasons, and was the head
coach at Eisenhower Middle
School during the 2000
season.
“I am very excited to coach
field hockey at Immaculata,”
Mengel explained, “I look
forward to working with a
talented group of studentathletes and a very
supportive administration.”
She joins Immaculata after
serving as head field hockey
coach at Bishop Shanahan
High School for two years.
Previously, she was the
The Mighty Macs finished
the 2006 season with a mark
of 4-14 overall and a record
of 3-8 in the Pennsylvania
Athletic Conference (PAC).
H
Head Field Hockey Coach Named
s
The campus is beautiful at
this time of year. Why
not come out and support
your favorite IU team?
o
C
m
e
r
e
e
For many years a black Scottie dog with a tartan plaid
tam and a kilt excited fans at campus basketball games.
Because his costume had deteriorated, this Scottie dog has not
been seen for over 10 years.
A new era began in September when a reincarnated Scottie
dog appeared at IU.
Mac, as the new mascot is known, is 6 feet tall and has
gray fur. He can dribble a basketball, kick a soccer
ball and cheer with the cheerleaders. He makes
appearances at fundraising events, alumni
reunions and sporting events. To match whatever
sports team that is playing, Mac will wear a
custom-made jersey and accessories.
Created by the Raymond Entertainment Group in
the “style” of the Phillie Phanatic, Mac made his
first public appearance at Immaculata. Dave
Raymond, the original Phillie Phanatic, is the
“Emperor of Fun and Games” at the company
which has provided characters for over 250 sports
teams and companies across the nation, including
Millersville University, Delaware Tech and
Kutztown University.
After tryouts, a “boot camp” was run by Raymond
Entertainment to help with training for those who will
act as mascots. Raymond Entertainment believes that
“a character has a story to tell – a story that loyal fans
understand through non-verbal communication.”
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I IMMACULATA MAGAZINE FALL 2007
sportsnews
Mac will invigorate and engender fan support and
hopefully will become another symbol of Immaculata that
will be recognized not only on campus but also at local
community events and across the region.
Here comes Mac!
IMMACULATA MAGAZINE FALL 2007
I4
OUR LADY OF VICTORY
Movie Mania Hits Home – Immaculata’s story depicted on the Big Screen
“In 1972, not only was the Immaculata College basketball team surprised to win the first national
championship, it was simply happy to be playing in the tournament,” read the headline of the
West Chester Daily Local News article in 1992 on the 20th anniversary of the win. According to
the former players, this was very true. In reality this is a story that continues to grow. Every
spring during March Madness, the Public Relations Office fields numerous requests from the
media about the championship, the coach, and the players. The story is one that was just
waiting to be written. Then, in 2004, along came Tim Chambers who took a true story, wrote a creative
script, and turned it into a movie…Immaculata’s movie, called “Our Lady of Victory.”
After serving as producer on the celebrated movie “Miracle”
about the 1980s U.S. Hockey Team who won a gold medal at
the Olympics,Tim Chambers started a dialogue with Cathy
Rush for over a year before he convinced her that he was the
man for the job.Within months after securing her life rights,
Tim and WIP Radio personality, Anthony Gargano, created a
storyline that was based on Immaculata’s true story.Then,
through the eyes of Cathy Rush,Tim Chambers sat down
and wrote an inspiring script based on the 1972
championship season.Tim comments on his efforts,“I am
extremely thankful to the Immaculata community for
trusting me to tell this remarkable story. It could not have
happened without complete cooperation from the
University’s leadership and administration, the Sisters of the
Immaculate Heart of Mary, Cathy and Ed Rush, and the
former players. It was a total team effort! In the end, the film
will capture the immortal spirit of their story and a new
generation will be inspired by their faith and commitment.”
After pitching the script to Hollywood and New York
production companies, interest was there, but they wanted
changes to the script.Tim was determined to maintain the
integrity of his script. He made the decision to produce an
Mighty Macs actresses are
pictured with (left)
producer Whitney Springer,
executive producer Pat
Croce (center) and director
Tim Chambers (right).
independent film, with a small budget, but one where he
would directly oversee the production.Then in walked Pat
Croce, former Philadelphia 76ers president, who was a longtime friend of Tim’s from his Cardinal O’Hara High School
days. In summer 2006, the two entrepreneurs formed Quaker
Media Production Company and announced that Tim would
be the director of the movie. Pat Croce, with his dynamic
personality, has secured the funds from a variety of sources,
while personally giving of his own money to make sure that
this project moved forward.
The 1972 Immaculata Championship Team
Original Mighty Macs players
are pictured as nuns with
mother superior actress Ellen
Burstyn (front center).
Immaculate Heart of Mary Sisters cheer for
the team.
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I IMMACULATA MAGAZINE FALL 2007
IMMACULATA MAGAZINE FALL 2007
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“... the film will capture the immortal spirit of their story and a new generation
will be inspired by their faith and commitment.”
Cathy Rush said of Chambers directing
the film,“From the very beginning,Tim
understood the story. He wanted to portray it in a way
that all of the “players”—Immaculata, the team and me—
were treated with great respect.Throughout the development
of the story,Tim took great care to make the movie
inspirational, fun, and true to the spirit of the team. I am proud
to have been associated with Tim and his entire crew.”
Within the last year, after script approvals were received from
Cathy and others,Tim held several auditions in New York, Los
Angeles, and Philadelphia for basketball players who could also
act. From those auditions, a few star players/actresses emerged.
Throughout 2006 and 2007, top actresses were sought to play
the lead role of Cathy Rush and another important part, the
fictitious role of mother superior, Mother St. John.Tim
selected Carla Gugino, who previously starred in “Night at the
Museum,”“Spy Kids,”“Sin City” and the HBO TV show
“Entourage” to play the role of Cathy Rush. And he secured
Oscar winning actress Ellen Burstyn to play mother superior.
David Boreanaz of the TV shows “Bones” and “Buffy the
Vampire Slayer” portrays Cathy’s husband, Ed Rush. Among
the supporting actresses are several from the area. Lauren Karl,
who secured a prominent student role, is a graduate of Agnes
Irwin School where she appeared in theater productions. She
is pursuing an acting career. Lancaster Catholic Basketball star
Katie Hayek makes her motion picture debut as one of the
main Mighty Macs team members. Meghan Sabia, who played
basketball for the AAU’s Fencor team, also plays one of the
Mighty Macs. Meghan who attended Mount St. Joseph’s
Academy is now a student at St. Joseph’s University.
Volkswagen
minibus driven
by Coach Rush
transports the
team to games.
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I IMMACULATA MAGAZINE FALL 2007
“cheering section,” and played such a large part in the win.
Seven of the nine appeared as IHM Sisters during scenes at St.
Coleman’s (see photo); Marianne Crawford donned the habit
in one of the scenes at Jimmy Johns. Many students and local
alumni joined in the fun; several became extras in the film.
Dr. Frank Breen, who resides in Michigan now, was an avid fan
of the Mighty Macs of the 70s. Dr. Breen sent original footage
that he had taken of the games hoping that they could be used
for reference by the production crew. He also traveled from
Michigan to be an extra at the championship game at West
Chester.
Ed Rush (far left) and Cathy Rush (far right) are seen with the actress
Carla Gugino and actor David Boreanaz who play their characters in
the movie.
In March of 2007,Tim and his crew moved into the IU
Underground, beneath the Great Hall and set up a production
office. From the onset the university community knew that
they were in the midst of something special. For several weeks,
the crew grew from 3 to15, then at the onset of the film, over
100 members were a part of the professional crew.
Movie Mania off Campus
The filming began on May 23 in West Chester in a small
apartment that served as Cathy and Ed’s residence in the
movie. For the sake of authenticity, the movie was filmed
locally at places like the church and gym at St. Coleman’s in
Ardmore, Malvern Prep, the Hill School, Jimmy John’s vintage
restaurant on Route 202 and on Immaculata’s campus. Several
thousand extras gathered at the Hollinger Field House at
West Chester University to participate in the
championship game scenes. At a bank in West
Chester, Cathy Rush, playing a cameo role as
a teller, faced herself portrayed by actress
Carla Gugino.
Many of the former Mighty Mac
players from the 1972 team have
cameo roles as nuns in the film.This
was appropriate since the IHMs of
the time, served as the special
Movie Mania on Campus
Before the movie ever started, the students, faculty and staff
became a part of the planning for the movie. Marley Shelton,
who plays the assistant coach in the film, met with a number of
IHM Sisters to gain insight into playing the role of a nun.
Sister Virginia Assumpta, Sister Agnes Hughes, Sister Lorraine
Bruno, and Sister Rose Mulligan met with Marley and helped
answer her many probing questions. Former president of the
college, Sister Marian William Hoben, also met with Marley to
share her recollections of the Mighty Macs “glory years.”
Sister Denise Mollica, assistant professor in family and consumer
science, assisted with costuming. She and lead costumer for the
movie,Teresa Binder-Wesby, spoke several times on issues of
habits, bonnets, and the famous tunic uniforms. Questions arose
about what fabrics were used for the habits and the tunics and
what was the belt made from that pulled in those uniforms.
Sister Marie Hubert, professor of English, served as a consultant
on matters of the length in years of the novitiate and what it
meant to be a postulant. Sister Marie Albert, associate professor
emerita of fashion marketing, was another member of faculty
who consulted on habits and bonnets. Sister Marita David
Kirsch was also very helpful with archived information from
Immaculata’s library.The actresses/players met with several of
our Mighty Macs from the 1972 teams to get background
information on playing their roles in the movie.
At the onset of filming an outside shot on campus, the location
manager shared relevant information. Through the eye of the
Location manager for
the movie, Julian Ruhe,
stands in front of the IU
Underground where
the production staff
had their offices during
the filming.
Cathy Rush with WIP
Radio personality
Anthony Gargano
Film crewmember
waiting for “Action.”
Actresses have their
makeup applied.
Director Tim Chambers
(left) with Carla Gugino
and Pat Croce
Wardrobe takes over
the Green Room.
Former Mighty Macs player Marianne
Crawford Stanley (center) is seen
outside Jimmy John’s restaurant with
Tim Chambers and Ellen Burstyn.
camera dandelions were
visible. It was May and the
movie is set in the fall
months.The dandelions
had to be removed.
Coincidentally, the next day the lawn was scheduled to be cut.
Although it could have been divine intervention, the
dandelions were no more.
Behind the Scenes
OUR LADY OF VICTORY
“Rolling…rolling…” were the words heard
up and down the set of the movie. Cameras, wires,
This situation was only one of hundreds to be posed to the IU
Community. Immaculata’s campus was transformed into a
movie set with trailers and equipment, flood lights and wires
everywhere.Wardrobe took over the Green Room; makeup
overran Villa Maria 1st floor hallway. Scenes were shot in Villa
Maria Hall, Faculty Center, DeChantal Hall, hallways (the
beautiful blue hallway near chapel), and Good Counsel Hall.
Each day the crew, cameras, and lights moved from location to
location around the campus. Rooms were repainted in colors
that would reflect light more favorably on skin tones. Paintings
and statues were moved. Set designers searched the buildings
for props that would convey a certain look.The Great Hall was
used for feeding the movie crew and served as a “holding area”
for extras.
The actresses who played the Mighty Macs were housed on
3rd floor Villa during the six weeks of shooting.Tim Chambers
wanted them to bond like the real Mighty Macs did in 1972.
In the early morning on any day, the actresses could be seen in
the dining room wearing Immaculata T-shirts, shorts, and
sweatshirts.
Although there were many unforgettable scenes during the
filming of this special movie, one that must be remembered
and was true to history, was the pep rally scene filmed in Villa
Maria Rotunda late in the evening on June 27. Students,
alumni, friends, and the Sister/faculty were dressed in IHM
habits of 35 years ago, as they all celebrated Immaculata’s first
invitation to a national tournament.While filming was
occurring Cathy Rush, Mel Greenberg, a longtime sportswriter
for the Philadelphia Inquirer who was there during the “Glory
Days” and Mary Frank McCormick ’50, an ardent follower of
the 70s teams, who was athletic director and coach at
Immaculata in the 1950s, stood on the 2nd floor balcony,
proudly remembering this moment in time.Tim Chambers,
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I IMMACULATA MAGAZINE FALL 2007
and lights flooded the area. Makeup artists
beautified faces and wardrobe dressed the extras.
Philadelphia Inquirer sports writer Mel Greenberg with Cathy
Rush and Mary Frank McCormick ’50 at the filming of the pep
rally scene
during a break in the filming, directed the crowd to Carla
(Cathy in the film) and then pointed to the real Cathy.
According to those who shared that evening, it was a special
moment in time.
Current students and alums donned 70s clothing to
take their places alongside the “real actresses.”
Former Mighty Macs players dressed as nuns and
current IHMs wore 1970s habits to cheer on the
team just as many of them did in the days that led
to the 1972 championship.
On June 20, cameras began to roll on Immaculata’s campus.
Ellen Burstyn lived on campus during her four weeks of
filming. Zoe, Ellen Burstyn’s dog, sat upright on her own chair
waiting for her master to finish each scene. She was well loved
and was given preferential treatment by the IU Community.
Ellen was invited and attended dinner in Gillet Hall with the
Sisters one evening. She was happy to join them (with Zoe) for
a regular meal of beef stew and spinach salad.
People were displaced, extra work was needed, work normally
accomplished during summer break, was put on hold until the
crew left.The excitement that the filming generated on campus
throughout these two weeks was amazing. Sister Patricia
Fadden, Sister Marian William and Cathy Rush filmed
interviews that will be used for expanded footage on DVDs.
The Immaculata community is still talking about the
Hollywood movie that invaded the campus this spring.
The media coverage surrounding the filming of the movie
permeated newspapers articles and TV outlets across the region
and across the United States. Immaculata has reached a
wonderful point…Its name is on the national map once again.
And again in March of 2008, when the movie is set to be
released, Immaculata will see its name in lights.
Elyse Altiere ‘10
Elyse Altiere ’10 poses
in 1970s costume.
It is all about detail and 100% perfection. There is no such
thing as an “OK” scene; it must be perfect. That perfect scene
(which may only be a minute long), could take hours even up to a
day to film. Makeup artists and hairdressers are constantly fixing
the actors and even us (the extras) who may not be seen at all. It
was always music to my ears when I would hear, “checking the
gates” and then hearing, “the gates are good,” which meant we
could finally move on to the next scene.
If one was a member of SAG (Screen Actors Guild) they received
better pay than non-union participants and would get extra
money if a smoke machine was used in filming or if it was raining
and the camera had to be covered.
As an extra in several scenes, I wore different outfits of 1970s clothes. For a church
scene at St. Coleman’s and all of the basketball games, I wore bell bottom jeans
(above my belly button), a striped shirt that tied in the front and ankle boots. For the
pep rally, campus scenes and classroom scenes, I wore a navy blue skirt just above
my knees, a red sweater and blouse, with knee socks and pumps.
After being a part of the movie, I have a new perspective and appreciation for how
hard actors and actresses have to work. It is not all glamorous!
Immaculata alums wait outside West Chester
University to appear in a basketball game scene.
Extras are getting ready
to shoot pep rally scene
in the Rotunda
IMMACULATA MAGAZINE FALL 2007
I 10
Behind the Scenes
“Real” IHM Sisters who were extras in the
movie are pictured with Cathy Rush.
OUR LADY OF VICTORY
Vicki Guiteras Giunta-Abbott ’68
is pictured as a nun on the set of
“Our Lady of Victory.”
Jennifer Norris ‘09
Lorraine Hawk ’07
Sister Denise Mollica, IHM, assistant professor of family
and consumer science at Immaculata, was helping the
wardrobe department with the habits from the 1970s. She
heard they were looking for interns. Since I had sewn
costumes for Cue and Curtain’s production of “Alice in
Wonderland,” Sister knew I was interested in costuming.
She recommended me and I interned for about two weeks
before I was hired as a Production Assistant.
Working on “Our Lady of Victory” was an eye opening
experience. When you hear how many millions of dollars it
costs to make a movie, it’s hard to visualize where the
money goes. This film showed me how much time and
effort it takes to create a movie. There was a huge crew of
people working 12-hour days trying to perfect every detail.
So much had to be made from scratch to recreate the look
of 1972. In the end, each day of filming would only
produce about three minutes of the final movie. It was
tough work, but walking onto the set seeing the end
results made the effort worthwhile.
I really enjoyed working as a member of the crew. There
was always something to do, a problem to solve or a
chance to be creative. I’m planning on pursuing being a
Production Assistant on some of the other movies being
filmed locally and possibly become a costume tailor in the
next few years.
Lorraine will continue her movie career by working as an
assistant on a new film by M. Night Shyamalan.
Sister Marie Hubert Kealy
and Sister Marie Albert
Kunberger in old IHM habits
they wore in the movie
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I IMMACULATA MAGAZINE FALL 2007
A once-in-a lifetime chance—to work on a
movie set, not just any movie, but a movie
about a sport that I love and about a school
that I consider family. This summer, I was
given the opportunity to work as a
Production Intern on the set of “Our Lady of
Victory.” The movie portrays the glorious
1972 basketball season at Immaculata. The
girls that year along with their young
enthusiastic coach went on to win the first
ever women’s collegiate basketball
championship. The Mighty Macs then went
on to accomplish this feat two more times in
the following years. Not many schools can
say that they have won three national
championships especially a small previously
all girl Catholic school.
The production’s main office was in the IU
Underground. One day I went in and handed
in my résumé. I had an interview with the
production associate. From the very first
meeting, he warned me about the long
hours! He also informed me that this would
be a great opportunity, that I would learn a
lot, and that I would become a part of a
family. This was true! My first step onto the
set was a cautious one—looking for the
couple of crew members that I had met from
a previous meeting, listening to all the
chatter on the walkie-talkie they had given
me, and trying to stay out of the way of
everyone else, the lights, cameras, and
wires that were moving around the set. The
Associate was right about working long
hours; the first day I worked 15 hours out on
the streets in West Chester! Only a couple
of the days were shorter than 12 hours,
most were about 17 hours.
During that time, I was in charge of
directing the crew and actors to the set
and lock-up the set. When it was time to
shoot, I would keep the crew and
onlookers quiet and out of frame. I
was also in charge of changing
batteries for the crew, getting
the extras through wardrobe
and makeup, and much more.
There were close to 100
crew members. I had to
learn what each one did so
that if something was needed, I knew where
to go. As the days passed, the crew did
become a family through helping and looking
out for each other. The crew was able to get
me into one of the scenes! I am one of the
players on the University of Pennsylvania
team. On the last night of shooting, well it
was close to 4 a.m., out in the woods behind
Immaculata, I was given the best job—I got
to call out the last “Action” and “Cut” for
the film!
While filming on campus, I was given the
job to tell Phyllis Somerville, who plays
Sister Sister, when to climb on top of the
heater and yell out from the 2nd floor
window of Villa to Carla Gugino, who plays
Coach Cathy Rush. Working with the “stars,”
also known as the extras of the movie, was
also a lot of fun. I worked much more closely
with the extras than I did with the main
actresses. I would sign the extras in, get
them into wardrobe, then hair and makeup,
and then rush them off to set. When we
were shooting in West Chester at the
Armory, my job was to take the ladies
portraying nuns down to wardrobe, a few
blocks away, wait for them to get dressed,
then walk with them down to set. At 9
o’clock in the morning there is a lot of traffic
in West Chester, but on this particular day
traffic was a lot slower. When you have 15
to 30 nuns walking down the street behind
you, talking on their cell phones, listening to
their music, or even smoking, you can stop
traffic!
I met so many people working on this
production. I met someone who is a proud
1942 graduate of Immaculata. Another lady
brought her own pictures of the 1972 win
and told stories of the trip out west. I was
also able to listen to the stories of real IHM
nuns that stopped by from Camilla and Gillet
Halls.
Even though I was outside in rain or shine,
saw the sun set and rise more times than I
would like to count, and saw the
newspaperman deliver the morning paper at
Jimmy John’s, I would choose this job over
any other summer internship. This was truly
an experience. I was able to help recreate
Immaculata’s great athletic history.
Nancy Potts ‘74
When I heard that a movie about the “Mighty Macs” of the early 70s was
being made, I was overjoyed.
Vicki Guiteras
Giunta-Abbott ’68
I wanted to be a nun. It had a lot to do
with Loretta Young looking ethereally
beautiful in her habit in the film “Come
to the Stable.” However, the first time
I was in a play and dressed in a
costume everything changed. It was an
actress I wanted to be. Among
Hamlet’s mother, Mary Tyrone, Miss
Hannigan, and other assorted saints
and sinners, I played Sister Sophia in
“The Sound of Music” and that was
the ultimate habit, very similar to
Loretta’s. A few years later I was
Sister Beatrice, a modern Sister of
Mercy in “Wide Awake.” Even though
M. Night Shyamalan was educated by
Mercy nuns, he wanted a pouf of my
hair showing in the front: definitely
nun-like. But on “Our Lady of Victory” I
got to be an IHM nun! Not the preVatican II habit with the guimpe and
the upside down U bonnet. That would
have been too cool! But at least I had
a bandeau and the hair-covering
bonnet. I did have to bring my own
rosary though and had no pocket to put
it in. Imagine a nun with no pockets!
The first day of shooting I was a “half
nun.” (An Immaculata alumna and I
couldn’t even snag a whole habit!) I
wore the top half of the habit and the
dress was a blouse-length tunic. It
wasn’t scandalous because I wore dark
pants and sat down in St. Coleman
Church all day so only I knew the
ignominy. (The gloriously beautiful and
rather large St. Coleman’s substituted
for the Immaculata chapel because its
interior had not been modernized.)
After that day I got the whole magilla
habit. And I bought great nun shoes at
Value City, too, so the picture was
complete. That was the best part of
the “Our Lady of Victory” experience. I
asked someone to take a picture of me
in my habit. I sent the photo to my 7th
grade nun, Sister Bernadette of
Lourdes, IHM; and she said I looked
like “a real nun.” I did! But so did
everyone else. Women I’ve known for
30 years from doing productions
around town: Jews, Protestants and
maybe even an atheist or two. They all
looked as much like a nun as I did.
(Hmph!) But it’s more than the habit!
I remember how the Sisters always
pulled the back of their scapular to the
side before they sat, folded the front
up so it didn’t touch the floor, and how
they had to tug at their veil sometimes
to keep it from getting caught. I tried
to pass on these esoteric techniques to
the other actresses, but no one but me
was interested in the minutiae of
building an IHM character. (Sister
Victoria Immaculata?) Perhaps no one
else was interested because we were
sitting, 100 strong, in the bleachers of
the West Chester Armory, West
Chester University and The Hill School;
the camera was focused on the
players; the nuns were in the
background, WAY in the background. I
was still folding my scapular and
tugging on my veil even though no one
could possibly notice what an
absolutely perfect nun I was. But it
was fun! Oh, well, my “Stanislavsky
methods” helped to keep me occupied
during the 12, 13, 14 hour shoots under
the intense hot lights, dehydrating
slowly until 3:00 in the morning. I
know I was good!
Vicki Guiteras Giunta-Abbott ’68 is an
actress and producer of a children’s
theater group “Stages of Imagination.”
A video she produced won two
national Telly awards for children’s
programming.
I called the Heery Casting Agency and told them I’d like to be an extra for
“Our Lady of Victory.” Do you think you could play a nun? I’d love to; I
always wanted to be a nun. I wondered whether they would have very
real looking habits? When I arrived to be fitted, I am given an IHM habit,
bonnet and crucifix.
All day long I was excited to share with the other extras many interesting
facts and experiences from those “glory days” when I followed the
Mighty Macs to many different states in the U.S. My new friends were
quite inquisitive and wanted to hear my tales. I told them how it really
was and how it really felt. I shared my 28-hour bus trip to Manhattan,
Kansas. Having been delayed by weather, the bus driver said, “It looks
like we might not make it in time for the first game. Regulations require
me to stop every four hours for a break; but if you all agree to it, I don’t
mind driving straight through.” Yeah, cheers and shouts of joy rose from
his passengers and we pulled in on time for tip-off.
I must tell you about what I call the “power of the habit.” The very
second that the habit went on, I felt like a real nun; and every other
woman there looked like a real nun. I was stunned at how these women
(nuns) walked around exhibiting all of the hand gestures, body
movements, touch of the bonnet, lift of the scapular, that every IHM nun
had shown when I was in school. How do they know how to do these
movements? Is this habit transformational? After many hours of waiting,
we hear, “Send in the nuns” and we enter the gym at West Chester
University. Just as the countdown to “Action!” begins, a nun shouts
“Cross Check.” This means that every nun must check their crucifixes to
be sure that Jesus is facing outward. That had to be one of my favorite
points of playing a nun.
The thought occurred to me. Will they have “buckets”? I immediately ran
to the basement and pulled out my bucket from the 70s signed by the
Mighty Macs. In the championship game at James Madison University,
Rene Muth Portland’s father gave us aluminum buckets from his hardware
store in Upper Darby and drumsticks with which to bang those buckets.
As I sat in the gym at West Chester University in June of 2007, here
came a person handing out buckets and drumsticks. I felt my heart jump.
This immediately took me back to James Madison and the Delta State
game. The score was very close and Delta’s players became frazzled as
they were accustomed to blowing their opponents away by huge margins.
We banged our buckets even louder and Delta began to make even more
mistakes. Delta’s coach lodged a formal protest against the use of the
buckets, claiming that they were a violation of AIAW regulations. After
many prayers, the decision came. The buckets can stay.
For an instant I went back in time and was able to relive those “very
precious moments” in my life. I am once again eternally grateful to God
for two blessings: first, allowing me to live this time in the ‘70s as an
Immaculata student, friend and loyal fan; and second, allowing me to
relive it and share it again in 2007.
IMMACULATA MAGAZINE FALL 2007
I 12
Immaculata Abroad
“Traveling through the world produces a marvelous clarity in the judgment of men.
We are all of us confined and enclosed within ourselves, and see no farther than the end
of our nose.This great world is a mirror where we must see ourselves in order to know
ourselves.There are so many different tempers, so many different points of view,
judgments, opinions, laws and customs to teach us to judge wisely on our own, and to
teach our judgment to recognize its imperfection and natural weakness.”
– Michel de Montaigne, French philosopher and writer 1533-1592
Ecuador
During the spring and summer
months Immaculata faculty and
students traveled across the
Atlantic and to the South American
continent. Some traveled for
academic enrichment and others as
volunteers. All were touched by
their experiences and perhaps as
Montaigne suggests that travel
produced a clarity in judgment.
Pictured in Mindo, Ecuador are back
row: Kristen Henrich ’07, faculty
member Joe Healey, and Tom Henrich
and front row: Emilie Cobb ’08,
Sister Mary Henrich IHM, theology
department faculty member and
Colleen Lindsey ’08
Mindo, Ecuador is a small pueblo town
located in the Andes Mountains about an
hour and forty-five minute drive from the
capital city of Quito. Sister Mary Henrich,
IHM of the theology department and Joe
Healey, associate professor of philosophy,
moderated a trip taking three Immaculata
students to an orphanage in Mindo,
-Ecuador. Colleen Lindsey, ’08 returning
for her second year accompanied by
Emilie Cobb, 08, Kristen Henrich, ’07 and
Tom Henrich, Kristen’s father, joined a
group of sixteen students from other
colleges and Our Lady of Lourdes
Academy in Miami to run a summer
camp for orphans in Mindo.
Sister Susan Kuk, IHM and Lourdes
Academy in Miami have been supporting
Mindo and running the camp for ten
years. Sister Mary Henrich, IHM has been
going on the mission for seven years.The
group left for Ecuador on June 29, 2007
and returned safely to the Philadelphia
airport on July 11. All were involved in
crafts, sports, activities, Bingo, doing
lanyards, making bead jewelry, and reading
Spanish story books with the children.
They also took the children on a field trip
to Pedernale, a beach town five hours
away.The bus ride allowed the group to
see the poverty of Ecuador as well as the
gorgeous mountain scenery; it became
clear why Ecuador is called the “Jewel of
the Andes.” The children also visited a
butterfly garden and a farm owned by the
school/orphanage located further up the
mountain. Another day, the college and
high school students walked with the 40
orphans to the river to swim and enjoyed
a grand picnic with hot dogs, potato
chips, apples, corn, plantains, Oreo cookies
and soda. On Sunday afternoon, Joe and
Tom treated the children to an afternoon
at the pool located in their hotel and to a
fantastic barbecue with hamburgers,
chicken, corn, chips and soda.The
children made themselves at home in the
sauna and jacuzzi also.
The mission group collects new clothing,
socks, underwear, shirts and pants all
throughout the year as well as shampoo,
deodorant, toothbrushes and toothpaste
for the children. Each of the students
involved in the mission paid $700 to cover
the cost of the plane tickets and for the
food during the time at the orphanage.
When leaving, everyone remarked that it
had been a life changing experience, the
trip provided an opportunity for all to
interact with very happy children who
have very little in the area of material
possessions.The Immaculata group is most
grateful to all who supported their mission
in any way.
Of his experiences in Ecuador, Joe Healey
comments, “it was two of the most
fulfilling weeks of my life.”
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I IMMACULATA MAGAZINE FALL 2007
Ireland and
England
Diane Grimes, assistant professor of art, led
thirty students on a ten-day tour to
Ireland. Focusing on Celtic art, the trip
enabled the students to earn three credits
through the “Art Study Abroad” program.
Starting in Dublin at Trinity College and
ending on a boat traveling to the Aran
Islands, this was the first IU tour during a
spring break offered for credit.
A ten-day tour to Greece is scheduled for
spring break 2008 and includes a four-day
cruise to the islands off Greece.
Sister Elaine Glanz, professor of English and
chair of the English department, attended a
conference “Chaucer and Time,” sponsored
by the Institute of English Studies at the
University of London. As part of the trip to
England, Sister Elaine also traveled to York,
where she toured the York Minster, and to
Bath, site of Bath Abbey and ancient
Roman Baths.
Peru
For the past seven years, Immaculata
students have had the opportunity to share
in a summer IHM Mission Experience in
Peru, where IHMs have served for over
eighty years. As participants in the IHM
Mission Experience this year, Ellie Bova
’10, Jess Caraballo ’09, and Tracey Uphoff
’07 flew to Peru on May 21, 2007, and
returned on June 21.They were
accompanied by Colleen Hyland,
currently a student at Catholic University.
While in Peru, the students had the
opportunity to work with IHMs in their
mission in Callao, and to travel to other
Visiting an all girls school,Villa Maria, La Planicie,
in Peru are (l. to r.) Jess Caraballo ‘09, Colleen
Hyland (Catholic University ’09), Ellie Bova ‘10,
and Tracey Uphoff ‘07.
IHM missions in the country.The
experience allowed the students to live
with and to observe the missionary
activity of IHM sisters, to learn about the
interaction among the IHM Peruvian
missions, and to experience a third world
country—an experience which will
change their world view completely.
As part of the mission experience, the
students assisted with English lessons at
various grade levels in San Antonio school
in Callao, visited with older girls in a free
secretarial institute established and
maintained by the IHM community, and
engaged in cultural events, such as
processions, folklore presentations, and
parent meetings.They also visited Fe y
Alegria schools administered by the IHM
Sisters. Fe y Alegria is a community-based
education movement, which was initiated
by the Jesuit community and presently
educates over 65,000 students in the
poorest areas of Peru.
In reflecting on her mission experience,
Ellie Bova stated, “Peru was an amazing
experience, both globally and spiritually. I
connected with so many interesting
IMMACULATA MAGAZINE FALL 2007
I 14
people and got to experience Peruvian
food, customs and culture.” As an
afterthought, she added, “And who
wouldn’t love living in a convent for a
month!” Her thoughts were mirrored by
Jess Caraballo who stated, “My eyes were
opened so much by the culture, the
people, and the experience. It was so
different from anything I’ve ever been
through. I just hope I left my girls with
something they can take with them the
rest of their lives.” Undoubtedly, the
experience will remain forever with these
adventurous IU missionaries.
Spain
In May, thirteen Immaculata students
visited Spain with faculty member Alvaro
Tarrago of the foreign languages and
literatures department.The twelve
undergraduates, and one graduate student,
were challenged to use their linguistics
skills and cultural sensitivity while
expanding their knowledge of Spanish
history, geography, and literature.
“Our visit to Spain was one of the
greatest things that ever happened to me,”
says Lorena Torres ’08. “The things to see
are endless, but our time was limited so
we did our best.Thanks to Professor
Tarrago, who played the role of a tour
guide, we got to see many beautiful places
and things.”
While on the nine-day trip to Spain the
group visited Madrid, Segovia, El Escorial,
and Toledo. Among others, in Madrid they
visited El Prado, Reina Sofia and ThyssenBornemysza museums.The Royal Palace,
the Cathedral, and the Parque del Buen
Retiro. In Toledo they visited the old
synagogue, the Cathedral, and the Alcazar
with its many El Greco paintings. Many
more sites were visited at El Escorial and
Segovia. Even though eating became a
wonderful and challenging gastronomic
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I IMMACULATA MAGAZINE FALL 2007
In Spain pictured are undergraduate students Joanna Balmer ’10,Tammy Derkrikorian ’10, Rachel Horger
’08, Ryan Huber ’10, Brittany Jennings ’09, Rachel Kennedy ’09, Julie Kershaw ’08, Gabriela Lemus ’08,
Rosa Quintana ’08, Marbetty Rivera ’10, Lorena Torres ’08,Teena Weisler ’08, and graduate student Sean
Campbell ’09.
experience, the group celebrated the end
of the trip at the Casa de la Villa, a
favorite of King Juan Carlos.
Of the experience Rachael Kennedy ’09
says, “Being immersed in the culture of
Spain allowed us to use our Spanish and
appreciate being a part of another
lifestyle.”
The students received academic credit as
part of the SPAN 302 Intensive Study
Abroad Spanish class.The course was
designed for Spanish majors and minors,
international business Spanish majors and
any other students who met the required
linguistic skills.
Joanna Balmer ’10 looks forward to
returning to Spain. She comments, “It is
so different to walk everywhere, rather
then be lazy and drive whenever you get
the chance.You learn to look at things
through a new perspective, or look at
things at all. We as Americans forget to
“stop and smell the roses” or even to look
at the buildings, trees, parks, and fountains
that might be around the next corner.The
constant smell of pan in the air along with
the tangy-sweet smell of cafe that seemed
ever present on the streets of Madrid calls
me back in middle of the night when I
should be asleep. “
One of the major objectives of the trip
was to broaden the students’
understanding of Spain’s many cultures
and perspectives about life.Tarrago
commented, “The students’ improved their
linguistic skills and gained a better
appreciation and understanding of Spain’s
history, plastic arts, literature and food.”