COLLEGIUMA PUBLIC ATION OF THE ST. JOHN FISHER COLLEGE OFFICE OF INSTITUTIONAL ADVANCEMENT · SPRING 2014

SIXTY CELEBRATIONSLOOKING BACK AS FISHER CELEBRATES ITS 60TH COMMENCEMENT

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. Bain

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Dear Alumni, Friends, and Colleagues: Four years ago, in the fall of 2010, we welcomed the largest freshman class in the history of the College. In May, this group finished their undergraduate journey, fittingly at our 60th Commencement. This ceremony is such a wonderful celebration and a rite of passage, and I invite you to see some of the history, the behind-the-scenes work, and recollections of the past, as well as Commencement 2014 in this issue of Collegium.

As a lifelong academic, I am hard-wired to the cadence of the school year. The fall has the excitement of renewal, beginnings, and potential – a full year lies ahead with so many opportunities. The end of the academic year brings feelings of accomplishment, satisfaction, and pride. I still have the thrill of closure that comes with the ceremony that signifies the end of the academic year and the end of the academic program for these graduates.

Commencement is a day to celebrate the personal accomplishments of the men and women who walk across the stage. Each year, while at the Blue Cross Arena, I take a few moments to look at the 8,000 people that fill the room. There are parents, family members, friends, faculty, staff, and trustees, all of whom played a role in bringing the students to this day. Everyone’s faces are filled with pride and jubilation. It is truly a unique experience, and one that I enjoy and look forward to each year.

While we laud another successful academic year, we quickly turn to look at what lies ahead. This summer will see the return of the Buffalo Bills, and we will continue planning for the 2014-2015 academic year. We are looking forward to welcoming another large freshman class who will begin the journey that the 2014 graduates have just completed.

With kind regards,

Donald E. Bain, Ph.D.President

COLLEGIUM

Spring 2014. Collegium is a magazine for alumni, parents, and friends of St. John Fisher College and is published by the Office of Institutional Advancement.

Letters to the Editor are welcome and may be sent to the address below. Diverse views are represented and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the Editor or official policies of the College.

St. John Fisher College, Collegium Editorial Office: 3690 East Avenue, Rochester, NY 14618 • Email: alumni@sjfc.edu.

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Maherly Schaeffer ’98

LAYOUT Maherly Schaeffer ’98

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Donald E. Bain, Ph.D. Anne Geer Annalise Cosco ’14 Maherly Schaeffer ’98 Kate Torok

COLLEGIUM INTERN Annalise Cosco ’14

ARCHIVIST Nancy Greco

PHOTOGRAPHY Annette Dragon Photography John Smillie Photography Maherly Schaeffer ’98 Kate Torok Eryn Yates

FEATURES19 Sixty Celebrations

DEPARTMENTS

3 Campus News

13 Academics

29 Class Notes

33 Athletics

The Blessing of the Feet at Teddi, page 5.

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Student-Athlete Mentors hold fundraiser for Rochester WheelsThe St. John Fisher College Student-Athlete Mentors (SAMs) hosted the 4th annual Fisher Faculty/Staff vs. Rochester Wheels basketball game on Wednesday, February 26. The game raised nearly $2,100 for the organization, doubling last year’s total.Rochester Wheels is an adult wheelchair basketball team that demonstrates, through competition, the significant abilities of athletes with disabilities. The Fisher team had its largest roster to date, with nine players, including Rob

Kramer, Todd Harrison, Steve Salluzzo, Terri Bagshaw, Nick Velasco, Tyler Schier, Zach Jones, Chris Sullivan, and Brittany Broderick.This year, students in the Sales and Client Services class, offered by the Sport Studies Department, helped with ticket sales, event promotion, and raffle donations. Fisher student Ryan Hohensee is also a Rochester Wheels player and helped lead his team to another victory over Fisher with a final score of 60-62.

Sweetheart Ball is a Sweet SuccessThe Fisher service club, Students With A Vision (SWAV), along with residents of The Friendly Home, celebrated Valentine’s Day together with the annual Sweetheart Ball.Nearly 30 student volunteers prepared for the event for weeks, sending formal invitations to each resident and decorating the Friendly Home’s auditorium. The music featured old and new songs that catered to both generations, and a pair of professional ballroom dancers taught students the fox trot, cha-cha, waltz, and other popular dances the residents grew up with.“The Sweetheart Ball is a wonderful intergenerational opportunity, where young people and seniors are engaged, not only sharing music and dance, but creating memories of a special time with new friends,” said Janet Tiefel, Recreation Director at The Friendly Home.

President Bain Honored by Catholic Family CenterOn Friday, April 4, President Bain was honored at the Catholic Family Center’s (CFC) 22nd Annual Charity Gala. The theme of the gala was “Passport to Ireland,” and it was held at the Rochester Riverside Convention Center.

This award is given annually to an individual or individuals who show an exemplary spirit of devotion to supporting, improving, and enhancing the health and well-being of our community.

“Dr. Bain truly embodies the spirit of this award with his exemplary devotion to the health and well-being of our community, especially our young people,” said Marlene Bessette, CFC President and CEO. “He has long been a champion of high quality education, while emphasizing the importance of community involvement, not only on campus but also in the larger world community. Catholic Family Center is proud of its collaboration with Fisher, and our two organizations have been enhancing each others’ missions for years. We’re delighted to have Dr. Bain as our 2014 Gala honoree.”

The College has a long association with CFC, and has worked with the Center to place students as interns as well as assign students from the Service-Learning Program, Service Scholars Program, and the First Generation Scholarship Program for service projects.

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Raising Money and Raising SpiritsFisher students, faculty, and staff, along with Camp Good Days volunteers and campers, spent 24 hours dancing for the 32nd year in a row at the Teddi Dance for Love this past February.

Through a night and day full of music and live performances, the College raised a total of $63,614 for Camp Good Days. This year’s event was led by Jenny Keeler, chair, and Olivia Gosdeck, co-chair, along with a 104-member committee. The event also included a hair donation event through Pantene’s Beautiful Lengths campaign, with more than 1,900 inches of hair donated to the organization.

This year’s dance honored Sam Parker, a former camper at Camp Good Days who lost his

battle in November 2013. During the closing ceremony, students were joined by Dr. Bain and Gary Mervis, the founder of Camp Good Days and Special Times, and father of the event’s namesake, Teddi Mervis.

“I want you to always remember how you feel right now. This moment is as much a part of your education as sitting in a chemistry or marketing class,” said Mervis. “You gave it all you’ve got, and on behalf of everyone at Camp Good Days, I want to say congratulations, thank you, and job well done.”

Less than two months after the Teddi Dance, students were at it again, raising money this time for the American Cancer Society at the

13th Annual Relay for Life. The Fisher student organization, “Colleges Against Cancer,” hosted the event to celebrate and honor all those who have been affected by cancer.

Fisher and Nazareth College together raised over $33,000, beating last year’s total.

Event co-chairs Catherine Fafone and Katie Augustine led the 12-hour event. Several members of the Fisher community spoke, including Marisa Iacobelli ’16, a cancer survivor; Ron Ange, retired Fire and Life Safety Officer and brother of the late Dr. Karyl Mammano of the School of Business; and Scott Swigart ’16, son of Dr. Scott Swigart, Dean of the Wegmans School of Pharmacy, who is fighting pancreatic cancer.

Top: Team members walking at Relay for Life; Middle row, left to right: Announcing Teddi 33; Teddi leadership posing before the dance; and Lindsay Kocher has her head shaved to raise money at Relay for Life.

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Fisher Remembers Ralph Wilson, Jr. Ralph C. Wilson, Jr., owner of the Buffalo Bills and longtime supporter of St. John Fisher College, passed away on Tuesday, March 25.

“The College is deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Mr. Wilson. He was a generous supporter of the College, and a close personal friend. We will be forever grateful to him and to the entire Wilson family for their commitment to the College, and he will be remembered fondly by us all,” said President Bain.

Wilson’s first dealings with the College were in 2000, when he chose to move the team’s training camp to the Fisher campus. Then, in 2003, the

College, with support from Mr. Wilson, created the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. School of Education. In 2011, the Bills and the College signed a multi-year contract for the training camp. And most recently, in the fall of 2013, the College renamed its Student Life Center the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Athletic Center.

“Mr. Wilson was a generous supporter of the College, and a close personal friend. We will be forever grateful to him and to the entire Wilson family for their commitment to the College, and he will be remembered fondly by us all,” said President Bain.

Lead your community into the future.Leadership is about improving outcomes, guiding change, and enhancing the quality of life for students and their families. To learn more about Fisher’s Doctor of Education in Executive Leadership, visit www.sjfc.edu/admissions/graduate/programs/edd.dot or call the Office of Graduate Admissions at (585) 385-8161.

The Rochester Main Campus location is still accepting applications for fall 2014 admission.

DISCOVER THE WORLD WITHIN

Top row: The Accounting Awards Banquet Celebrates 25 years. Steve Terrigino ‘89, with wife Annette ’90, and son Nicolas. Second row: Recipients of the Rising Star Award: Rodney Asse ’05; Jeremiah Ditch ’04; Dana Fritz ’08; Stacy Humennyj ’06; Michelle Pyzik ’06; and Mike Messenger ’06. A few of the past recipients of the Outstanding Accounting Alumnus/Alumna Award. Third row: Jack DePeters ’73 (center) with Victor Salerno ’66 and President Bain. Bottom row: Dean David Martin, Assistant Dean Lori Hollenbeck, Sharon Napier ’81, and President Bain. Leah George ’13 (MBA) and Mark Peterson ’83.

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The College celebrated alumni excellence at awards presentations during the spring semester. The Accounting Awards Banquet, presented by Nixon Peabody, LLP, kicked off the awards season, followed by the Ferdinand and Elaine Smith Excellence in Management Award Banquet.

At the Accounting Awards Banquet, Steve Terrigino ’89, was honored as the Outstanding Accounting Alumnus of the Year. Terrigino is a partner with The Bonadio Group, Certified Public Accountants.

This award recognizes an accounting alumnus or alumna for achievement in the following three categories: noteworthy career achievement, significant humanitarian effort, and outstanding contribution to the Fisher community.

The College also recognized six alumni with Rising Star Awards at the banquet. Honorees are chosen based on career achievements and involvement with both the community and the College. The winners included: Rodney Asse ’05; Jeremiah Ditch ’04; Dana Fritz ’08; Stacy Humennyj ’06; Mike Messenger ’06; and Michelle Pyzik ’06.

This year marked the 25th Accounting Awards Banquet, and to celebrate the occasion, the College recognized the former Outstanding Alumnus/Alumna of the Year recipients with a commemorative framed coin.

The Ferdinand and Elaine Smith Excellence in Management Awards Banquet, hosted by the School of Business, honored recipients of the Excellence in Management Award, the Dean’s Medal for Outstanding Service, the Victor E. Salerno Award, and the Beta Gamma Sigma Chapter Honoree.

Jack DePeters ’73, Senior Vice President of Store Operations for Wegmans, was given the Excellence in Management Award (EIMA), the preeminent award bestowed by the School of Business. The award recognizes an alumna or alumnus who demonstrates outstanding leadership and managerial accomplishments in business, academia, or a community-based organization; a proven track record of significant accomplishments in the field of management; a record of community involvement; and a commitment to the College.

Sharon Napier ’81 was given the Dean’s Medal for Outstanding Service. The Founder and CEO of Partners + Napier, a creative ideas agency serving local, national, and international clients, was honored for her involvement, mentoring, and contributions to the School of Business.

Leah George ’13 (MBA) was the 2014 recipient of the Victor E. Salerno Award for American En-terprise. The Managing Director of International Trade at Greater Rochester Enterprise, she was recognized for her early career achievements and involvement in the community.

Lastly, the School of Business honored Mark Peterson ’83, President and CEO of the Greater Rochester Enterprise, as the Beta Gamma Sigma Chapter Honoree. He was chosen for his demonstration of excellence and outstanding commitment to the values of Beta Gamma Sigma, which are: honor and integrity, pursuit of wisdom, and earnestness.

Award Season

Justinians hold 13th Annual Civic LuncheonThe Justinian Order of St. John Fisher College held its 13th annual civic luncheon for members of the judiciary, the bar, government, law enforcement, and the business sector at the Rochester Plaza Hotel on Tuesday, May 20. The guest speaker was Monroe County District Attorney Sandra Doorley.

Elected in 2011, Doorley is the first female District Attorney in Monroe County history. Prior to assuming office, she served the District Attorney’s Office with distinction for nearly 20 years, successfully prosecuting thousands of high profile criminal cases and compiling an impressive record of victories.

Doorley is recognized as a leader in the prosecution of cold cases using DNA evidence and has successfully obtained indictments and convictions in such cases, including the 1976 murder of a young girl in Rochester and the conviction of a serial sex offender for murder and sexual assault.

The Justinian Order is an academic and legal society intended to create collegiality among Fisher graduates professionally involved in the law. It is currently composed of over 400 judges and attorneys, all of whom are graduates of the College.

For more information about the Justinian Order, visit www.sjfc.edu/alumni/groups/justinian.

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College names Assistant ProvostDr. Eileen Lynd-Balta, Professor and Chair of the Biology Department, has been named Assistant Provost of the College.

Lynd-Balta will oversee a comprehensive and coordinated academic support services platform that serves all enrolled students of the College. In addition, she will provide leadership and strategic direction for programs related to student success and faculty development.

During the 2012-13 academic year, Lynd-Balta served as the Interim Provost and Dean of the College, and returned to the classroom during this academic year. Prior to that, she co-chaired the Strategic Planning Committee and led the “Foundations of Excellence, Student Success, and Retention” initiative, which was a comprehensive, evidence-based self-study of all aspects of the first year of college, with the goal of finding ways to improve first-to-second-year retention.

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President and Mrs. Bain Host Cooking ClassesOn Tuesday, April 1, President Bain put his presidential duties on hold and put on an apron instead. He and his wife, Meg, hosted “A President Called Sous,” a cooking class for students where they prepared a breakfast feast

alongside Lackmann’s Executive Chef, Joel Kraft. More than 25 students attended the class and found the President has great sous-chef skills, including omelet flipping. They prepared omelettes, crepes, and other breakfast delights.

The class was part of the “Life After Lackmann” series, a program that began in 2013 to help students learn skills to prepare healthy meals once they graduate.

Take Your Career to the Next Level

Fisher offers the following Graduate Programs:

MBAMS in Advanced Practice Nursing

MS in Adolescence Education/Special EducationMS in Childhood Education/Special Education

MS in Educational LeadershipMS in Literacy Education

MS in Math/Science/Technology EducationMS in Mental Health Counseling

MS in Special EducationDoctor of Education in Executive Leadership

Doctor of Nursing PracticeDoctor of Pharmacy

For more information about Fisher’s graduate programs, visit www.sjfc.edu/graduate,

call (585) 385-8161, or email grad@sjfc.edu.

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Staff SpotlightIf you or a family member applied for admission to Fisher any time in the past two decades, chances are you've met Stacy Ledermann. She joined the College in 1995 as a member of the admissions and financial aid teams, and is currently the Director of Freshman Admissions.

During that time, she has seen a lot of change. "When I started at Fisher in 1995, we had 300 incoming freshmen, offered 23 academic majors, and 14 Division III athletic programs. We now have more than 600 incoming freshmen, offer 33 majors, and 23 DIII programs," she says. "And the admissions

process has changed greatly, too. We primarily accepted paper applications when I first joined the College, and now nearly all of our applications are submitted online."

Yet, much has stayed the same. "Fisher's commitment to the individual—both in terms of academics and extracurricular involvement—has remained the same as we have grown. When I first visited Fisher, the people were very friendly and welcoming, and that has not

changed. Faculty and staff truly care, and that makes recruiting students much easier."

The part of the work that Ledermann most enjoys is the excitement of high school students. "I am proud to speak with them about the benefits of a Fisher education, and then watch them grow as Fisher students." In fact, Ledermann has experienced this first-hand as her stepson, Kyle, begins his final year at Fisher this fall.

Ledermann says that Fisher's recruitment success in an increasingly competitive market is due to two things: The quality education that Fisher offers, and the people on the enrollment team. "We have experienced a period of tremendous growth and improvement, so there is always have something new and impressive to share with students and families," she says. "I work with an awesome team and for an institution that we all believe in. It’s a pleasure to work at Fisher and I couldn’t think of a better place to have dedicated my time over the past 19 years."

In 2011, Ledermann was recognized by the New York State Association for College Admissions Counseling with the College Admissions Distinguished Service Award. That’s certainly a tribute to Stacy as well as Fisher!

First Friday Spring LineupMark your calendars for the 2014-2015 season of the First Friday Lecture Series. Fall dates are on the following Fridays: October 3 (Alumni Weekend), November 7, and December 5.

Executive Chef Joel Kraft, Assistant Professor Dr. Mike Boller of the Biology Department, and Associate Professor Dr. Timothy Madigan of the Philosophy and Classical Studies Department, headline the fall lineup.

Kraft, a well-known chef and advocate for sourcing foods from local suppliers, will speak on eating local, CSA gardening, and farmer’s markets.

Boller, known on campus for his efforts to increase recycling and reduce waste, will discuss sustainability.

And Madigan, a popular guest at the First Friday series, will present on the ethics of sustainability and recycling efforts.

The three spring 2015 installments will feature discussions on different facets of European culture, and Europe’s ties to the Rochester region.

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ACADEMICS

Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. School of Education

An Education CelebrationOn Friday, May 2, the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. School of Education held an “Education Celebration” to recognize and celebrate the College’s support for education, educators, and community leadership. Graduating seniors, graduate candidates, and alumni were honored during the event.

Alumni who were recognized exemplify the School of Education’s highest values of diversity, achievement, compassion, knowledge, and service.

The Distinguished Teaching Award honors an alumnus or alumna who exemplifies the highest standards of teaching. This year’s recipient was Allison Rioux ’03, who began her career as a special education teacher at School No. 3 in the Rochester City School District. Today, she is a literacy coach in the Brighton Central School District and has been an adjunct faculty member in the School of Education Literacy Program for seven years.

The Distinguished Educational Leadership Award honors an alumnus or alumna of the Educational Leadership Program who has a distinguished career in leading schools toward excellence. The recipient was Marlene Blocker ’01, the founding Principal of the Rochester Early College International High School. The innovative school guides urban youth to college

readiness, with scholars earning at least 24 college credits before graduation. The pioneer class graduates this June.

The Arthur L. Walton, Jr. Award for Executive Leadership honors an alumnus or alumna of the Doctor of Education in Executive Leadership Program who has gained distinction in his/her career for extraordinarily effective leadership.

This year, the award was presented to Dr. Deborah Stamps ’10, Vice President and Chief Nursing Officer for Newark-Wayne Community Hospital. Stamps began her career as a practical nurse, and went on to earn an associate’s degree from Monroe Community College, a baccalaureate degree from Nazareth College, then a Doctorate in Education, Executive Leadership, from Fisher.

Clockwise from above: Allison Rioux ’03 with Dr. Michelle Erklenz-Watts, Associate Professor in the School of Education; Marlene Blocker; and Dr. Michael Wischnowski, Dean of the School of Education with Dr. Stamps and Diane Reed, Associate Professor and M.S. Educational Leadership Program Director.

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College Dedicates Bonadio Group LobbyOn Monday, April 7, the College held the official dedication of the Bonadio Group Lobby inside the Victor E. Salerno Center for American Enterprise. Tom Bonadio ’71, CEO and Managing Partner of The Bonadio Group; his wife, Heather; and members of the firm, were present for the dedication.

Bonadio graduated from Fisher with a bachelor’s degree in Accounting. He first became a trustee of the College in 1998, served as Chair of the Board from 2001 to 2004, and beame a trustee emeritus

in 2006. In 2004, he received an Honorary Doctor of Laws degree from the College.

Bonadio and his wife, Heather, have a long history of philanthropy to the College. They generously supported the Campaign for Fisher in the late 1980s, the Take Stock in Fisher Campaign in the late 1990s, and the Vision 2020 Comprehensive Campaign. The décor in the Bonadio Group Lobby includes original photography by Heather Bonadio.

“The Bonadio name has a very special place among Fisher students. Every year, members of the Bonadio team come to campus as part of their annual fall recruiting effort. And each year, several students are offered internships at the firm and several others are offered full-time employment,” said President Bain. “In addition, a number of our accounting students have had the privilege of taking part in the Accounting Alumni Mentoring program, where members of the Bonadio Group served as mentors.”

Several people from the Bonadio Group also lend their time and talents to the College’s Accounting Advisory Board.

Ribbon cutting, left to right: Dr. Randy Krieg, Vic Salerno ’66, Spencer McGowan, Heather Bonadio, Tom Bonadio ’71, Dr. Bain, Dr. Rick DeJesús-Rueff, Dr. David Martin, Jacqueline DiStefano, and Rev. Albert Cylwicki

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ACADEMICS

School of Business

Marketing Club wins big in New OrleansA group of 14 students from St. John Fisher College’s American Marketing Association (SJFCAMA) traveled to New Orleans, Louisiana, for the 36th Annual American Marketing Association International Collegiate Conference (AMAICC) in April.

The conference hosted colleges and universities from all over the U.S. to compete in different activities and workshops. Dr. Ray Shady, Visiting Assistant Professor of Marketing, accompanied the students on the trip.

SJFCAMA won four awards including: Outstanding Marketing Week Activities, Exemplary Collegiate Chapter Performance, Exemplary Performance in Community Service, and Exemplary Performance in Fundraising.

Each chapter was also responsible for an exhibit with themed tents, tables, and chapter t-shirt designs. Fisher’s theme was “The Big Business of Booze Branding—Evolution of Alcohol Advertising December 5, 1933 to Today.”

The SJFCAMA group was also able to visit a local advertising agency in New Orleans called Gumbo LIVE, a conglomerate of Momentum Worldwide and business partner of Jay Advertising from Rochester. At the agency, the students participated in a creative session to brainstorm ideas for the upcoming Jazz Fest.

“The AMAICC was one of the premier experiences of my college career. I am incredibly grateful to know such an amazing group of students and will remember our experience in New Orleans forever,” said Rob Meacham ’14.

Fisher Entrepreneurship Team Wins in State Semifinal CompetitionSt. John Fisher College’s entrepreneurial team, Just Dangle Hockey (JDH), became the first-ever Fisher team to compete and win a state title in the New York State Business Plan Competition which took place in Albany on April 25. Company Founder Matt Keeler, along with his business partner, Nathan Woods, secured the “People’s Choice Award” in the product and services category in the state competition after winning the regional semi-finalist competition earlier this month.

Keeler and Woods, both business students, presented their plan in a competition that included teams from more than 60 different institutions including Cornell University, Clarkson University, Rochester Institute of Technology, University of Rochester, SUNY Albany, University at Buffalo, SUNY Binghamton, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Syracuse University, and many others.

Competing teams must be fully student-run. They are evaluated on the viability and strength of their plan, passion of their founders, and ability to bring the concept to market.

Dr. Mary Kay Copeland, faculty advisor, notes that Keeler and Woods have worked hard for the past two years to develop their company and prepare for the competition.

“To win on the regional level is an incredible accomplishment, but to win on the state level requires an excellent company with a confident and vetted entrepreneurial team,” she added.

Just Dangle Hockey is a hockey apparel and accessories distributor that sells their products online at JustDangleHockey.com. The company has an iconic brand and over 15,500 twitter followers. Their embroidered, high-quality products are endorsed by a number of professional hockey players throughout the United States and Canada. The company’s success is largely a result of a strong brand and a well developed social media presence maintained by Keeler and Woods, who are hockey players themselves.

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Nursing students go global for clinicalsA total of 24 nursing students and four faculty divided and conquered three parts of the world to complete their final clinical rotations. Ten students traveled to Peru, eight went to Ireland, and six had stops in Costa Rica and Nicaragua – all spreading love and medical care along the way.

The Costa Rica team traveled with Dr. Nancy Wilk, Associate Professor, for two weeks with the International Service Learning organization.

They spent the first week in San Jose, Costa Rica, where the students made home visits in a small town. They conducted nursing assessments for each patient, and worked with a physician to suggest treatment. In addition, they taught children nutrition and proper dental hygiene.

The second week abroad, the group traveled to Nicaragua and did similar work in a poor community in the city of Masaya.

“The students found these experiences to be extremely humbling and valuable because they learned so much,” said Wilk.

It was student Katie McLaine’s first trip abroad, but she says it won’t be her last. She worked

with patients of all ages, and was able to sharpen her Spanish-speaking skills. “This experience definitely solidified the reason that I went into nursing in the first place,” she said.

During their visit they were also able to visit the Baldi Hot Springs in Costa Rica and, in Nicaragua, tour two volcanoes, as well as Granada, Managua, and Lake Nicaragua.

A second group, under the leadership of Dr. Kylene Abraham, Visiting Assistant Professor, and Dr. Cynthia McCloskey, Associate Professor and Director of Graduate Programs in Advanced Practice Nursing, traveled to Peru to provide health screening and health education to children at four different schools in Rumira, Soccmo, Patachancha, and Ollantaytambo, Peru.

They lived in Ollantaytambo (called Ollanta by locals), a town in the Sacred Valley of the Incas near Cuzco in the Southern Sierra region of Peru. Students had the opportunity to stay with Peruvian families for the two weeks they were there. They taught lessons in Spanish while using a translator for the locals who speak Quechua, the native language of the rural Peruvians.

Students were also involved in a teaching session for the Promotoras, community health workers in the rural Andes Mountains of Peru. They traveled 1½ to 2 hours up into the mountains, where students taught the children about dental health, nutrition, basic hygiene and hand washing, first aid, and reproductive health, along with performing health assessments on 200 students. This experience was the culmination of a semester-long global health option which is part of their senior preceptorship course.

While not tending to patients or teaching, the Peru group was able to hike Machu Picchu, the overlooking mountain of Huayna Picchu, the Incan Sun Gate, salt mines near Maras/Urubamba, the Incan agricultural lab of Moray, and the city of Cusco.

Wegmans School of Nursing

ACADEMICS

Nursing students posing with children in Peru.

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ACADEMICS

Wegmans School of Pharmacy

Wegmans School of Pharmacy Swaps Classes for ServiceThe Wegmans School of Pharmacy held its annual Day of Service on Tuesday, April 8, sending nearly 250 students, faculty, and staff into the community.The volunteers were assigned to 21 different locations to do everything from painting, gardening, and cleaning, to stocking food shelves, hosting bingo, and serving ice cream. Some of the locations were the Al Sigl Center, Gilda’s Club, CURE Childhood Cancer, Daystar, Episcopal Senior Life, EquiCenter, FoodLink, and Friendly Home. Kara Wilcox, a P1 student, worked at Gilda’s Club helping to reorganize and

clean cupboards. “This was my first time participating in service day, and I really enjoyed it. This pharmacy program has taught me to build an appreciation for volunteering. Many of these non-profit organizations that do so much for the community are understaffed or operating on a tight budget, so the help we provide in just a day can truly make an impact, which makes it quite fulfilling,” she said.Top left: WSoP students stopping for a photo at Hickok Center for Brain Injury. Top right: Students receiving directions at the EquiCenter.

Birnie Completes Fulbright Visiting Scholar Appointment in IndiaDr. Christine Birnie returned from her fall sabbatical as a Fulbright Scholar at SRM University in Chennai, India. While there, she was actively involved teaching and supporting the newly developed Pharm.D. program at the University. Throughout Birnie’s four-month appointment at the College of Pharmacy, she taught in the Pharm.D. program, accompanied students on clinical rounds, and instructed students in their laboratory courses. In addition, she conducted a series of faculty development workshops both at SRM and at six other pharmacy schools throughout the country and in Nepal. Birnie was one of 50 Fulbrighters in 2013 assigned to universities throughout India. She plans to share her experiences in India at several local and national venues.

“Having the opportunity to live in another country and engage in its academic culture for an extended time was a unique opportunity and one I will remember for a lifetime,” said Birnie.Currently, she is also working towards establishing a continued partnership between Fisher and SRM University for faculty and student exchange programs.

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Faculty and Students Awarded Grants for Service-Learning ProjectsAt the start of the spring semester, six students and four faculty members were awarded grant money through the Community-Based Service-Learning Civic Engagement Grant Program, funded by the College’s Center for Community Engagement.

Students Sandy Brannigan, Emily Green, Mallory Milligan, Karlee Platts, Tia Lum, Sean Lavin, and the Analytical Chemistry Lab class earned grant money to support a variety of projects with community partners such as CP Rochester, the Center for Youth’s Monroe High School After-School Program, Melita House of Mercy Outreach Services, and Lots of Food.

These students work on projects through their Community-Based Service-Learning classes. Such classes integrate service projects in academic courses to enhance student learning, teach civic responsibility, and address community needs.

The professors who worked with students to earn the grants are Dr. Irene Kimaru and Dr. Kimberly Chichester from the Chemistry Department, Dr. Natalie Masco from the Wegmans School of Nursing, Dr. Jill Swiencicki’s of Women and Gender Studies, Dr. Amy Parkhill of the Wegmans School of Pharmacy, and Rev. Lee Chase from Peace and Social Justice Studies.

Sport Management Class spends spring break in the British IslesA group of 21 students in Dr. Todd Harrison’s “International Cultures and Sport – England and Ireland” class toured the British Isles on Spring Break.

Students spent the semester preparing for the trip, which brought them to Dublin, Liverpool, and London. In a week’s time, they toured different facilities and met with Irish and English sport executives and scholars who taught them how sport fits into the cultural fabrics of their countries. Dr. Emily Dane-Staples also accompanied the class on the trip.

The group’s first stop was Aviva Stadium in Dublin, a multi-purpose venue. They then visited the National Aquatic Centre and Croke Park, the national stadium for Gaelic football and hurling, the two national sports of Ireland.

In Liverpool, England, they visited Anfield Road, the home of Liverpool Football Club of the Premier League. The group also visited the Liverpool Football Club Youth Academy and learned about the soccer club system and youth player development.

Among their stops in London were popular tourist destinations such as Big Ben, but they

also got a glimpse of the London Olympic Park, even seeing the pool where Michael Phelps won his Olympic medals. They also visited the national Lord’s Cricket Ground, Wembley Stadium, and Wimbledon Tennis Club, where they learned about the Wimbledon brand. On the last day in London, the students watched a Premier League soccer game at Sellhurst Park Stadium between rivals Crystal Palace Football Club and Southampton Football Club.

“The energy of the fans and the passion of the entire crowd was unlike any sporting event I have been to,” says Matt Taylor, a sophomore Sport Management major. “The trip gave me experiences I will remember forever.”

He took away many lessons from each stop, learning how to market to certain groups of people and put fans in the seats.

“In class, we learned about the different cultures as well as the difference in sports in both countries. And seeing first-hand how each sport is marketed and run gave us great insight on the day-to-day operations of a number of sport organizations,” said Taylor.

School of Arts & Sciences

ACADEMICS

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ACADEMICS

School of Arts & Sciences

Media and Communication students are on “The Verge” This May, students in Dr. Todd Sodano’s Television Production class rolled out the red carpet for the premier of their original sitcom, “The Verge.” At the beginning of the semester, Sodano challenged the students to develop an series intended for the newest trend in TV watching, “binge-viewing.” Groups pitched ideas to a panel of professors intended to represent Netflix, and students Rob Meacham, Nick Millard, Allison McCarthy, and Mike Cunliffe pitched the winning idea.

The show’s plot centers around a character named MacAllister “Mac” McCormack, a recent New York University grad from a privileged family. Mac lands a production assistant job at a low-budget news station in Vermont called “The Verge.”

The faux production company, Busted Beak Productions, filmed both on- and off-campus throughout the spring semester. Each student in the class filled a specific role, from acting, producing, and editing, to promoting and marketing.

“This class has demonstrated again how Fisher has become a place for students to take their passion for television and filmmaking to produce something credible, memorable, and impressive in a meaningful way that also incorporates current developments in these industries,” said Sodano.

Kathryn Guglielmo, the show’s production manager, was responsible for coordinating the schedules for the shoots and post-production – a chaotic and sometimes seemingly impossible task. But, she said the experience was wonderful.

“I’ve learned so much in this class on how TV production works and what things need to be done in order to make it successful,” she said. “It was definitely worth all the time and effort.”

A binge-watcher herself, catching up on shows

like House of Cards, Scandal, and Revenge, Guglielmo said the binge-watching trend has become popular thanks to Netflix, Hulu, and DVRs.

In fact, a recent online survey conducted by Harris Interactive on behalf of Netflix among nearly 1,500 online U.S. adults who stream TV shows at least once a week found that binge-watching is a widespread behavior among this group, with sixty-one percent binge watch regularly. The majority (73%) defined binge-watching as watching between 2-6 episodes of the same show in one sitting.

For a behind-the-scenes look at “The Verge,” and to watch two episodes, check out the Busted Beak YouTube channel.

Kathryn Guglielmo (white jacket), works with actors and the film and sound crew during a late March on-campus shoot.

On Saturday, May 10, the College celebrated its 60th Commencement, conferring degrees on more than 1,300 students at two separate ceremonies at the Blue Cross Arena in downtown Rochester.

Through 60 celebrations, much has changed, and much has stayed the same. Traditions have endured the

test of time, while many new ones have taken hold.

The following pages show Commencement at St. John Fisher College through the years: the speakers, the traditions, what goes on behind the scenes, and the pomp and circumstance.

CELEBRATIONS

SIXTY

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1960sThe graduating classes quickly grew in size, and the auditorium in Kearney Hall became too full to comfortably accommodate seniors along with their guests. In 1964, Commencement exercises moved to the newly opened Varsity Gym.

1955The very first Commencement was held on Sunday, June 5, 1955. It was an important day, not only for the young men that were earning their college degrees, but for the College, as well.

Dr. Donald Muench ‘55, Professor of Mathematical and Computing Science, recalls warm, sunny weather, and a very full Kearney Auditorium (now Cleary Family Auditorium). Remarks were given by the College President, the Very Reverend John Francis Murphy, C.S.B., Ph.D., and the Bishop of Rochester, the Most Reverend James E. Kearney, D.D. “He called it the ‘Father’s Goodbye,’” recalls Muench. “He had been intimately involved in the founding and opening of the College, and he said it was a ‘moment of transcendent personal happiness’ for himself.”

That day, 58 young men received Fisher diplomas, but the moment of the ceremony that stands out most for Muench was the hooding. “We processed in without our hoods. When the time came, one-by-one we knelt before the Bishop, while a member of the faculty placed our hood. It was very meaningful.”

The class had the sense that they were setting the bar for graduates who would follow in their footsteps, and that the ceremony marked a coming-of-age. “Fr. Murphy told us, ‘If you think you know everything or almost everything, we have failed you miserably,’” remembers Muench. “They were wise words.”

A LOOK BACKCOMMENCEMENT THROUGH THE YEARS

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1970sThe College became coeducational in 1971, paving the way for the first female grads. Also in the ’70s, Commencement outgrew its home in the Varsity Gym and moved outside to a grassy field adjacent to the athletic facilities.

1980s & 1990sThis marked the first decade that Fisher would graduate master’s candidates, and the ceremony grew larger. Commencement moved inside to the new Student Life Center in 1984. This would be the home for Commencement for more than two decades.

2000sIn 2001, undergraduate and graduate ceremonies were split for the first time. Then, as the size of the graduating classes soared, accommodating graduates and their guests in the Student Life Center became difficult. After trying several solutions, including a large-screen broadcast to an overflow audience in the Varsity Gym, the decision was made to move Commencement to the Blue Cross Arena in downtown Rochester (see page 26).

Many of the traditions surrounding academic ceremonies, such as the wearing of gowns and mortar boards, are rooted in the customs of the Middle Ages, when universities were first formed.

Though universities and colleges have changed a lot since those times, many of the traditions and ceremonies have not. Commencement ceremonies follow a traditional model, with faculty, administration, and degree candidates decked out in academic regalia.

The hoods represent the “cowls” worn by early monks, as the abbeys where they lived and studied were often cold and drafty. At Fisher, the colors on the customary hoods represent the College colors, Cardinal red and gold, as well as a velvet lining representing the individual’s area of study.

Another part of medieval pageantry is the ceremonial mace. Drawn

from the world of weaponry, the mace symbolizes authority. In academic processions, it is carried by an esteemed faculty elder on behalf of the President of the institution.

Fisher’s mace was designed and created by artist John C. Menihan in 1981 and has been used at the College’s academic ceremonies since that time.

The mace was carved from the oak pews taken out of the College’s first chapel. Each of the four sides of the top holds a symbol from the St. John Fisher College seal, with the steel top a likeness of the Kearney steeple.

The four symbols are the chalice, which represents a congregation of priests and is on the Basilian coat of arms; the “M,” which honors the Virgin Mary and was a symbol used by St. John Fisher himself, as well as the Reverend James E. Kearney, Bishop of Rochester at

the time the College was founded; the fish, another symbol from the coat of arms of St. John Fisher; and the shell, a traditional Christian symbol.

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POMP & CIRCUMSTANCEA DISPLAY OF MAGNIFICENCE AND SPLENDOR

DEGREES°May and June can be fickle months, especially in Rochester. Some of the commencement ceremonies have seen beautiful summer-like weather, while others have been less fortunate.

The highest temperature recorded on a Fisher Commencement day was 90 degrees, at the 1965 ceremony, held on June 6.

The chilliest year was in 1997 with a high of 50 degrees, and the low temperature for the day in the 30s. All told, the average temperature for Commencement day is 66 degrees.

Dr. William Waddell, Professor of English, carries the Mace in this year’s Commencement procession.

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Pulling off two Commencement ceremonies in one day takes a lot of planning and work from many different areas across campus. On the day of the event, 60 members of the Fisher staff put in 720 hours to help the 1,300 graduates get across the stage and get their diplomas. Commencement staffers do everything from checking graduates in and giving them their proper honor cords, lining up the graduates in the appropriate order for the procession, adjusting the hoods, ushering guests to their seats, and even shooting off the confetti cannons at the end of the ceremony. “I’ve seen our staff do anything and everything needed to make the experience great for our grads and keep the day running smoothly,” says Dr. Richard DeJesús-Rueff, Dean of Students.

This doesn’t include the immense amount of work that happens

leading up to the big day. While the Office of Campus Life oversees the execution of Commencement day and all details big and small, the Registrar’s Office is busy up to the last minute confirming graduate

eligibility. The College Bookstore works to provide students, as well as faculty and staff, with appropriate Commencement regalia. Marketing and Communications works to refine the script, publish the program,

manage photography, and media coverage. The President’s Office hosts College Trustees, speakers, dignitaries, and special honorees.

Senior Week, the week following the end of finals and preceding Commencement, includes dozens of events that are also managed by several campus departments. From the Senior Ball and the Alumni Welcome

Cocktail Reception to the President’s Awards Ceremony, more than 80 Fisher staff are working to make Senior Week, a Fisher tradition dating back

to the 1970s, a meaningful and memorable experience for soon-to-be graduates. This week also includes other events such as the Hooding Ceremony for the Doctor of Pharmacy Candidates and the Senior Athlete Recognition Dinner.

DeJesús says that planning for the next commencement begins the week following the most recent ceremony. Of course, there are hurdles each year. “The committee says that the most difficult part of the endeavor is getting eligible candidates to inform us that they intend to participate in Commencement,” he says. And, there's the Blue Cross Arena schedule. "We want to see the Amerks and Knighthawks win (the two in-season professional teams that play at the venue), but the committee hopes it will fit into our schedule,” he laughs.

BEHIND THE SCENESTHE MAGIC - AND THE PEOPLE - THAT MAKE COMMENCEMENT HAPPEN

Above: Student members of the Commencement staff prior to the 2013 Commencement ceremony. Below: Longtime Commencement staffer, Patti Gaudy, helps adjust a senior’s hood.

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HONORING EXCELLENCECELEBRATING SCHOLARSHIP AND SERVICE

Commencement is a wonderful time to honor faculty, alumni, and friends who have served the College. This is accomplished in several ways—awarding an honorary degree, a President’s Medal, or the Trustee’s Award for Distinguished Scholarly Achievement.

The College’s first Honorary Doctor of Laws degree recipient was the Most Reverend James E. Kearney, Bishop of Rochester, at the Commencement ceremony in 1961. Two years later, the College bestowed the same honor on His Eminence Cardinal Francis Spellman, Archbishop of New York, and an ardent supporter of the Basilian Fathers’ efforts to establish St. John Fisher College. That same year, the College bestowed its first honorary degree upon a woman, Mary A. Sheehan, a member of the Fisher faculty and a highly regarded education administrator in the Rochester City School District.

This year, the College bestowed

an Honorary Doctor of Laws degree upon Catherine Crier, Emmy Award-winning journalist who spoke at the undergraduate Commencement ceremony. To date, the College has honored 99 individuals with honorary Doctor of Laws and Doctor of Humane Letters degrees.

President Bain began the tradition of giving President’s Medals in 2008 at the celebration of the 60th Anniversary of the founding of the College. More than 20 individuals have been recognized with President’s Medals since that time.

This year at Commencement, President Bain presented the President’s Medal for Service to the Rochester Community to Susan R. Holliday, President and Publisher, Rochester Business Journal; the President’s Medal for Service to St. John Fisher College and the Rochester Community to Frank B. Iacovangelo, Esq. ’62, Founder and Senior Partner of Gallo and Iacovangelo, LLC; New York State

Senator Joseph E. Robach; and Rev. Leo A. Hetzler, C.S.B.

The Trustees’ Award for Distinguished Scholarly Achievement is the highest honor that the Board of Trustees can bestow on a faculty member, second only to an honorary degree. It is given to no more than one full-time faculty member each year in recognition of outstanding scholarly work, ranging from writing

books and articles, to presenting papers at professional conferences.

This year, Dr. Deborah Uman, Associate Professor and Chair of the Department of English, received the honor in recognition of her scholarship over the past three years.

Many other ceremonies during the week preceding commencement recognize the accomplishments of students and faculty. The President’s Award Ceremony and Senior Convocation recognize members of the senior class for leadership, service, and academic excellence, as well as honoring a member of the faculty with the Father Dorsey Teaching Award. The School of Pharmacy, School of Education, and School of Nursing each hold hooding ceremonies for doctoral candidates.

Left to right: President Bain and Michael Gibbons, a former member of the Sport Studies faculty, place the Honorary Doctor of Laws hood on Paul Hewitt ’85 at the 2010 Commencment. Fr. Leo Hetzler, C.S.B., is honored with a President’s Medal at this year’s Commencement.

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The 2014 Commencement Exercises marked the 39th time President Bain has participated in the ceremony at Fisher. “May 1976 was my first Commencement, and I have attended each since,” recalls President Bain. “It’s a day that I greatly enjoy because we recognize, honor, and celebrate our graduates.”

Through the years, a few moments have stuck out in Bain’s memory. He recalls the weather (see page 23), and the particularly warm commencement day in 1981. “Commencement was held under a tent outside, and we were warm. The speaker was Congressman Barber Conable, a wonderful man.

He came to the podium and said, ‘I not only owe you my insights, advice, and wisdom, but also my brevity.’ The place erupted, and he was true to his word with a meaningful, powerful, and brief speech.”

Bain recalls others. “We have had the honor of hosting many wonderful speakers over the years. Commodore Grace Hopper, of the United States Naval Reserve, spoke in 1985. She was 79 years old and the oldest active duty officer. She gave a piece of advice to the graduates that I still remember, ‘It’s easier to seek forgiveness than ask for permission.’”

The 2013 Commencement speaker, Pulitzer-prize-winning author David McCullough, offered a very memorable speech. “I’ve only seen one instance at Commencement when the speaker received a standing ovation, and that was David McCullough. He touched something within the students and parents. He gave very sound advice and a prescription for young people to follow as they seek their way into adulthood.”

“We can’t discuss Commencement guests without mentioning our friend Senator Charles Schumer. He has been a member of the stage party at every Commencement for at least the past decade,” recalls

Bain. He first served as speaker and earned an honorary degree in 2004. In fact, one year our speaker had to back out at the last minute for health reasons. Without hesitation, Senator Schumer came in with little notice and gave a wonderful speech with exuberant best wishes to the graduates. We considered ourselves fortunate that we lost one speaker, yet had a United States Senator come in to give a wonderful speech.”

The biggest change to Commencement during Dr. Bain’s time was the location. Up until 2006, the ceremony had always been on campus. “The students’ experience began on campus and

I felt it should end on campus,” he says. “But we got to the point where students were greatly limited by the number of tickets they could receive for family and friends.”

Bain and the Commencement Planning Committee researched other venues, including Blue Cross Arena in downtown Rochester. “I spoke with many students before I made the decision. I was originally reluctant to move Commencement, but the move allowed an unlimited number of guests for the graduates, and they are what the day is about.”

In 2006, the ceremony moved

downtown. “It has been a smashing success. The dignity of the ceremony is maintained, and the experience for students and their guests is phenomenal.”

Over the years, Bain’s favorite part of Commencement by far is shaking the hands of the graduates as they walk across the stage. “I make a point of shaking the hand of each incoming freshman. To watch these students grow and develop, then shake their hand years later, that’s a great thrill for me.” And he looks forward to many more Commencement memories and many more hands to shake.

PERSONAL RECOLLECTIONPRESIDENT BAIN RECALLS HIS FAVORITE COMMENCEMENT MOMENTS

Left to right: Hopper, Conable, Bain shaking a grad’s hand, McCullough, and Schumer.

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SITTING SOCIALSEEING COMMENCEMENT ON SOCIAL MEDIA

Up until this decade, self expression at Commencement involved, at the most, graduates decorating their mortarboards. Students continue to do that today, but they also share the play-by-play of the day—from getting ready to walking across the stage—through their phones on social media. This year’s graduates shared their thoughts on Twitter with #Fisher2014, on Facebook, and on instagram with #sjfc. It’s a fun way for seniors to keep in touch with friends and family both inside Blue Cross Arena and across the country. For more photos of Commencement, campus, and Fisher life, check out “As Seen at Fisher” on Tumblr.

Top row: Celebrating on campus, and at the Blue Cross Arena. Middle row: Commencement selfies, and prepping for the ceremony. Bottom row: Decorated mortarboards are taken to new levels.

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CAPTURE THE MOMENTPHOTOS PAST AND PRESENT

Commencement is a rite of passage and a major life event. Over the years, the College archives have acquired hundreds of photos that capture the celebration, sentiment, and fun of the day. For more, check out the gallery at www.facebook.com/fisheralumni.

CLASSNOTESCLASSNOTES

1959Harry Burt has been honored for his community service three times in the past two years. In April, he and his wife, Ann, were honored as Citizens of the Year by the Geneva (NY) Area Chamber of Commerce. Then, in May, Burt was given the FLCC Foundation Award from Finger Lakes Community College. In 2012, he was honored with the Donald M. Mawhinney Trustee Leadership Award from the New York Community College Trustees organization. He served on the Board of the Finger Lakes Community College for 17 years and is the retired president of Ontario National Bank.

1967 Tom Proietti received the Charles M. Wise Volunteer of the Year award at WXXI at the Little Theatre’s Annual Volunteer Recognition Ceremony on Thursday, April 24.

The award is given each year to a volunteer who has been an ambassador for the mission of public broadcasting in our community.

Proietti is a founding member of the Little Theatre Film Society, past President of The Little Board of Directors, has also served as talent during WXXI’s radio drives, and has been a regular guest on WXXI’s mid-day talk show, Connections with Evan Dawson. Proietti is also Professor Emeritus of Communication at Monroe Community College and Resident Scholar In Media at Fisher.

1975 David Champoux has received the 2014 Torchbearer Award from Herkimer County Community College. Champoux is Associate Dean Emeritus who served HCCC for more than 30 years.

1975 John Ormiston has retired from Oracle Corporation. He was the Senior Director, Technical Field Support Services.

1977 James Babcock became the District Manager for the Crawford County Conservation District in Meadville, PA.

1979 Debra Salmon has been named Development Director for the Sisters of Saint Joseph of Rochester.

1981 Michael Barker was elected as the Supervisor of the Town of Perinton in the 2013 election. He was sworn in on January 2, 2013, to a two-year term.

Dr. Susan Berlin is the incoming Florida State President for the American Association of University Women. She has a dental practice in Palm Springs, FL.

1983 Rob Lohwater has been named Chief Compliance Officer at Sage Rutty and Company, the oldest, locally owned financial services firm in the Rochester area.

Robin Mortensen Reed represented Elsmere Elementary School at the 2013 National Blue Ribbon Schools ceremony in Washington, D.C. Reed, a first-grade teacher, has been teaching for 29 years.

ALUMNA NAMED MISS NEW YORKCandace Kendall ’11 was crowned the 2014 Miss New York on Sunday, January 19, at the Performing Arts Center in Purchase, New York. She will move on to represent New York in the Miss USA pageant on June 16. She graduated from Fisher with a bachelor of science degree in Corporate Finance and Accounting.

Today, Kendall, shown here supporting students at the 2014 Relay for Life, works as a professional model at Mary Therese Friel, LLC. Coincidentally, Friel, a 2004 graduate, was Miss USA in 1979. Kendall also works for Chantale Nadeau Model Placement.

If Kendall wins the Miss USA pageant, she will go on to compete in the 2014 Miss Universe pageant in Brazil.

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MODERN LANGUAGE GRADS EXPLORE THE WORLDThree 2013 modern language graduates have been enjoying global experiences.

Elizabeth Blowers, who earned degrees in both French and Education, is currently working with the Teaching Assistant Program in France (TAPIF), teaching English at the Université de Strasbourg. She plans to go on to graduate school in French or to continue teaching French in the United States or possibly with the Peace Corps. She has been accepted to graduate programs at West Virginia University and Syracuse University.

Peter Hartz graduated in December 2013 with degree in French and is teaching at Siena Catholic Academy in Rochester. He also hopes to participate in the TAPIF program in Strasbourg, the program that Blowers is now in.

And, Mark Prunella-Miller, profiled in an earlier issue of Collegium, is using his modern language degree (as well as his biology degree) as he teaches Biology for the Peace Corps in Mozambique You can follow Mark’s adventures on his blog at http://mpmozambique.blogspot.com.

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1988 Jeff Holbrook has launched Potentia Athletic Partners, a Scottsdale, AZ-based agency focused on all areas of representation for athletes and entertainers.

William Skuse has joined Armbruster Capital Management.

1989 Russ Brandon, President and CEO of the Buffalo Bills, recently made his debut on the big screen in the movie, “Draft Day.” Brandon plays himself in a scene, negotiating with Kevin Costner’s character, the General Manager of the Cleveland Browns. The movie, which opened on April 11, gives viewers and NFL fans a better sense of what really happens on the NFL’s Draft Day.

1993Mindy Hardwick has published her story, Finders Keepers, as a picture book app with MeeGenius Publishing. The story is inspired by the annual event in Lincoln City, Oregon, where artists hide glass floats for beach walkers to find.

1994 Victoria Bach-Fink, President/CEO of Wall Street Financial Group, Inc., has purchased the firm with

her business partner. She has been with the company for 20 years.

Rochelle Meinking, Assistant Girls Basketball Coach at Kettering High School, led her team to State Runner-Ups in Ohio High School Division II. The team finished 29-1.

1995Katrina Busch has been promoted to Vice President, B2B Group Account Director at Roberts Communications in Rochester, NY.

Chuck Mitrano was presented with the NCAA Division III Commissioners Association Meritorious Service Award at the NCAA Convention in San Diego, CA. Mitrano is Commissioner of the Empire 8 Athletic Conference.

1996 Laura (Colby) Glover has joined the Early Childhood Direction Center at Syracuse University as a Preschool Behavioral Specialist.

2000 Bryan Mahoney has joined Kaiser Permanente as a National Proposal Consultant in Los Angeles. In addition, he writes a weekly column for the Burbank Leader.

2001 Phil DuBrava and Vanessa DuBrava welcomed a daughter, Quinn Harper, on July 3, 2013.

Mike Sarno and Trisha Sarno, welcomed a daughter, Gia Marie, on August 23, 2012.

2002 Dr. Justin DePlato has accepted a position as Assistant Professor at Robert Morris University in the Political Science Department. He recently published his second book, The Cavalier Presidency: Executive Power and Prerogative in Times of Crisis.

2004 Morgan (Hawley) Niedermier and Derek Niedermier welcomed a daughter, Kailyn Anne, on April 4, 2014. She joins big sister, Adalyn.

2005 Aaron Schmitt welcomed a son, Hudson Barry, on November 14, 2013.

Reed A. Passafaro, chief speech writer for the former Boston mayor, has accepted a position as the Maritime Policy Manager at the Massachusetts Port Authority.

WEEKEND 2014 · OCT. 2-51964 ·1969 ·1974 ·1979 1984 ·1989 ·1994 ·19992004 CELEBRATIONS

Help plan your class reunion celebration! Contact the Alumni Relations Office at alumni@sjfc.edu or (585) 385-5292.

2006 Sara Simeone and Damon Essler welcomed a son, Camden Michael, on February 13, 2014.

2008 Captain Nathan Shaw and Emery (McCreedy) Shaw welcomed a son, Anderson James, on February 10, 2014, in Jacksonville, NC.

2009 Marie Mandeville is engaged to Aren Williams.

Tiffany Marianetti and Jason Holtz were married on April 27, 2013.

2010 Kourtney Evans Blackburn has been named Access Services Librarian for Lavery Library at Fisher.

Jeffrey Same has joined Hodgson Russ LLP in the law firm’s Labor & Employment Practice Group at the Buffalo office.

2012 Natalie Brown has joined PeopleScout on the Internal Recruiting team.

2014 Dr. Carly LeBlanc was promoted to Risk Quality Control Supervisor at Paychex, Inc.

IN MEMORIAMMichael A. Gruttadaro, Jr. ’55 passed away on February 17, 2014.

Patrick J. Clinton ’56 passed away on March 9, 2013.

Eugene P. Fleming ’56 passed away on May 19, 2014.

Richard A. Calabrese ’57 passed away on May 30, 2014.

Theodore Hanss ’61 passed away on January 22, 2014.

Joseph F. Papa ’64 passed away on March 14, 2014.

John David Galbraith ’65 passed away on January 13, 2014.

Rev. Richard Anthony Ranalletti ’66 passed away on February 14, 2014.

Donald L. Dorschel ’66 passed away on January 16, 2014.

John “Jack” Dever III ’67 passed away on January 13, 2014.

Father Jeremiah P. Moynihan ’69 passed away on March 28, 2014.

William “Willie” J. Taaffe ’76 passed away on December 25, 2013.

Mark Muench ’77 passed away on March 20, 2014.

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CLASSNOTES

st. john fisher college

2933

Playing for more than a winOn Friday, April 11, 38 St. John Fisher College student-athletes traveled to Wilson Foundation Academy to host the Giant Read for students in kindergarten through second grade. Athletics Department staff members and the Cardinal mascot joined the athletes for the event. The Giant Read aims to promote literacy in city schools.

The athletes read the school’s book of the month, “Galimoto,” by Karen Lynn Williams, to the students. Additionally, they held a group activity in the gym, teaching the kids more about each of their sports. There were also relay races, pitting the students vs. the student-athletes.

CARDINALATHLETICS

CARDINALATHLETICS

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SPRING SPORTS FINISH STRONGAnother Top 10 finish for Men’s GolfFor the third consecutive year, the men’s golf team placed in the top 10 at the NCAA Division III Cham-pionship in Greensboro, NC. Fisher finished tied for sixth-place with a score of +52 for the four-day tour-nament.

Baseball continues its winning waysThe baseball program won the ECAC Metro Championship and tied the College record for wins in a season with 31. Three-time All-American pitcher Justin D’Amato finished his career with a 36-5 overall record, ranking ninth all-time in Division III history for wins and passed MLB-great Billy Wagner for 19th place in career strikeouts.

Fisher ends Naz’s season in Men’s LacrosseIn a four-day span, the men’s lacrosse team beat East Avenue-rival Nazareth College, not once, but twice. The Cardinals defeated host Nazareth 11-10 in the final regular season game, and just days later, Fisher eliminated the Golden Flyers with a 9-8 win at Growney Stadium in the semifinals of the Empire 8 Conference Championship.

Women’s Lax three-peats For the third straight year, the women’s lacrosse team won the Empire 8 Conference Championship, advanced to the NCAA Division III Championship and tied the College record for wins in a season (15).

Track represents at NCAAsSophomore Devin Cornelius made history, becoming the first member from St. John Fisher College to qualify for the NCAA Division III Outdoor Track and Field Championships. Cornelius, who did the heptathlon at the NCAA Indoor Championship, took part in the decathlon at the Outdoor Championship and finished 11th nationally.

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FISHER THEN

From the archives, this photo shows a hot air balloon floating

above Kearney Hall. We invite you to see more photos of Fisher,

past and present, at www.Facebook.com/FisherAlumni. Share

your recollection of this photo by contacting the Alumni Office

at alumni@sjfc.edu or (585) 385-8001.