Alumni News

What's new with you? To submit a Class Note, visit the Class Notes Submission Page.

Rev. Msgr. Louis Marucci, Ph.D., D.Min. '81, Gibbsboro, New Jersey, earned a second Doctorate (Ph.D.) in Organization Development and Change from Fielding Graduate University in Santa Barbara, California. Msgr. Marucci's dissertation, “The Quest for Joy,” examined the pathways people utilize to (re)discover joy after experiences of intense human suffering.

John Monopoli, Ph.D. ’81, Voorhees, New Jersey, a clinical psychologist, recently published a book titled “Active Mind/Receptive Mind: The Journey of Mindfulness” published by TransPersonal Press. The book is designed to provide readers with a comprehensive introduction to mindfulness and its relationship to constructive action. The book also provides readers with a systematic comparison between eastern and western models of mindfulness and in-depth instructions for “holding” and transcending negative psychological states.

Robert Neiberger ’88, Cary, North Carolina, was recently selected as the chief information officer for the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) in Raleigh, NC. He also received the NIEHS Director's Award for improving agency information technology services in his previous role as chief technology officer.

Paul Collins, Ph.D. ’00, Amherst, Massachusetts, published his fourth book, "Supreme Bias: Gender and Race in U.S. Supreme Court Confirmation Hearings” (Stanford University Press). The book demonstrates the biases that women and people of color face on their paths to the Supreme Court. Collins is professor of legal studies and political science at the University of Massachusetts Amherst.

Jennifer Fretts ’03, Knightdale, North Carolina, received the New American Hero Award for her role as a kindergarten teacher with Charter Schools USA. This award recognizes a teacher who has made a difference in the lives of students and celebrates their dedication to the craft of teaching.

Gina Maria Noia, Ph.D. ’10, Providence, Rhode Island, joined the faculty at Providence College.

MARRIAGES

Alyssa Fania ’15 to Colin Panayi ’15

Ryan Fitzsimons ’15 to Emily Franks ’16

Christina Carbaugh ’16 to Matthew Marshall

Gianna Delerme '17, G'18 to Brett Auriemma '16, G'18

BIRTHS

A son, Joseph Lincoln Sorbera IV, to Joseph III ’08 and Kristen Maresca Sorbera ’09, Kearny, New Jersey

A daughter, Julia Teresa, to Alex ’12, G’15 and Jennie Hofmann Rizzi ’12, G’13, Flemington, New Jersey

A son, Joseph Michael, to Joseph ’16 and Meghan Campbell Costello ’16, Succasunna, New Jersey

DEATHS

Lawrence Tama, M.D. ’49, Towanda
Robert Clancy ’57, New York, New York
John G. Moffitt ’59, Dunmore
F. Thomas Bonick ’61, G’66, Vestal, New York
John A. Morelli ’62, Dunmore
Daniel J. Mozeleski ’62, Winchester, Virginia
Jay H. Apfelbaum, M.D. ’63, Allentown
Lt. Col. Thomas Battle, Ed.D. ’65, Oceanside, California
Edward J. Bellan ’63, Novelty, Ohio
Richard H. Spalletta ’65, Old Forge
Lawrence J. Gramling, Ph.D. ’68, Milford, Connecticut
Donald J. Kavulich ’70, Dalton
Thomas F. Finnegan ’71, Scranton
Mary Devers ’72, G’83, Scranton
Ray A. Stroh G’75, Plains Township
Frederick K. Toy, M.D. ’76, Moscow
Alfred P. Geary ’80, Huntingdon Valley
Joann Gilroy Langan ’82, Scranton
Anthony M. Gallo ’87, Glenside
David C. Martin G’95, Cathedral City, California
Virginia A. Paoloni G’95, Clarks Summit

FRIENDS' DEATHS

Patricia Bonner, mother of Patricia Bonner Boylan ’90

Richard H. Breen, Sr., father of Colonel Richard H. Breen, Jr. ’77

Peter Federico, father of Peter Federico ’91, Taryn Federico Jones ’93 and Celeste Federico Mattson ’95

Kevin Golding, father of Karen Golding ’91

George Hadgis, father of Toni Hadgis ’88

Joseph Maresca, father of Kristen Maresca Sorbera ’09

The University has opened registration for the following regional Christmas parties:

6-8 p.m.
The Ritz Carlton Philadelphia
10 Ave of the Arts
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Register here

Dec. 1: Washington, D.C. Christmas Reception with Rev. Joseph G. Marina, S.J., University President
6-8 p.m.
The St. Regis Hotel
923 Black Lives Matter Plz NW
Washington, D.C.
Register here

6-8:30 p.m.
Hampton Winds - Northampton Community College
Hartzell Hall
3835 Green Pond Road
Bethlehem, Pennsylvania
Register here

Dec. 7:  New York City Christmas Reception with Rev. Joseph G. Marina, S.J., University President
6-8 p.m.
The Harmonie Club
4 E 60th St
New York, New York
Register here

6-8 p.m.
Carrie Nation Cocktail Club
11 Beacon Street
Boston, Massachusetts
Register here

Jan. 2024:  New Jersey Holiday Reception with Rev. Joseph G. Marina, S.J., University President
6-8 p.m.
TBD

The Scranton Club of NEPA is excited to announce a thrilling event for The Alumni Society of the University of Scranton. On Saturday, Jan. 27, 2024, alumni, parents and friends of the University are invited to partake in the excitement of a heart-pounding hockey game at the Mohegan Sun Arena at Casey Plaza as the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins face off against the Hershey Bears.

The game will begin at 6:05 p.m. Tickets for the event, which include a $4 food voucher and a Penguins giveaway scarf, are available for $21 per person.

To secure your place at this event, please register here. Don't miss this chance to cheer on your favorite team!

The Scranton Club of NEPA is thrilled to announce a Paint and Sip event which will provide an evening of artistic expression and enjoyment for all attendees Wednesday, Nov. 15, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. in Brennan Hall's Rose Room.

Guests can explore their talents with the guidance of experienced instructors while enjoying a relaxed and social atmosphere. The $45 per person admission fee includes all necessary painting materials as well as a selection of beer, wine, soda and delectable snacks.

Register here or contact alumni@scranton.edu with any questions.

The University of Scranton is pleased to invite our alumni to a dynamic networking reception Thursday, November 9, from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Fordham University Lincoln Center Campus, Fordham School of Law, Bateman Room, located at 150 West 62nd Street, New York, NY 10023.

Attendees will have the opportunity to explore potential employer connections and share job or internship prospects with fellow Scranton students and alumni.

Register for the event here. The $20 cost of admission per person includes a selection of cocktails and hors d'oeuvres. 

For any inquiries or additional information, please reach out to us via email at alumni@scranton.edu

 

 

The Jesuit Center extends a warm invitation to all seeking spiritual solace and reflection this holiday season. As the season of Advent approaches, the center encourages individuals to register for its Advent Daily Devotional emails, which offer a daily dose of inspiration and insight.

Experience the joy of daily reflection during the season of Advent with a series of profound essays crafted by our Jesuits, alumni, students, faculty and staff. Each day, engage in moments of introspection, prayer and learning while fostering a deeper connection to faith and self.

Sign up for the Advent Daily Devotional emails here.  

On Oct. 19, John O’Malley ’87, Lieutenant Colonel, U.S. Army Retired, will embark upon ROAR: The Ryan O’Malley Annual Ride for the fifth time by participating in the Arizona Trail Race 800, the longest single track mountain bike race in the world, in support of the Ryan T. O’Malley ’99 Memorial Scholarship. 

This year, John will by vying for the "Triple Crown of Bikepacking," a distinction earned by completing all three of the classic dirt bikepacking routes in the United States: the Arizona Trail, the Tour Divide/Great Divide Mountain Bike Route, and the Colorado Trail. To date, only 33 people have earned this distinction.

After Ryan's passing in 2011, his family established the scholarship in his memory to enable Computer Science students of limited resources with an interest in fitness to attend The University of Scranton. Since that time, Ryan's family and friends have raised more than $160,000 for the scholarship, much of it through ROAR: The Ryan O'Malley Annual Race, a 5K fundraising event the family organized from 2013-2017. In 2018, John, Ryan’s brother, embarked upon the inaugural ROAR: The Ryan O’Malley Annual Ride by cycling the 500+ miles of The Colorado Trail from Denver to Durango in Ryan’s memory. While John rode The Colorado Trail again for ROAR in 2019 and 2020, he was sidelined by injuries and knee surgery in 2021.

While John embarked upon the Tour Divide in June of 2022, a life-threatening accident 125 miles from the 2,665.7-mile race's finish line landed him in an intensive care/trauma unit. Eighty-four days later, he returned to the scene of the accident and triumphantly finished the final leg of the race. 

“I ride to remember and honor our brother, Ryan, with whom I shared a common love of adventure, sport and cycling,” he said. “I ride to give back in some way to the community who nurtured us. Through the ROAR and Ryan’s scholarship, we help to provide students with limited financial resources the opportunity to attend The University of Scranton. The purpose of the annual ride is to seek donations for the scholarship fund, to increase awareness of suicide prevention and to promote physical health and well-being. If I can inspire anyone to get outside and exercise, it’s a win.

"In a more philosophical sense, I take on such endeavors to expand my mind and my potential, to be more capable in all aspects of life. This is how I live my life. We are all capable of so much more."

A Lifelong Love

John’s love of cycling and adventure began when he was growing up in the Green Ridge section of Scranton.

“Bikes were a big deal back then, and if you had one, you were a lucky kid,” he said. “ For me, the bike became an instrument of exploration, discovery and freedom.”

As the oldest child of John J. O’Malley, Ph.D. ’64, Professor Emeritus of Psychology at the University, and his wife, Helene, John shared his love of cycling with his five siblings, especially Ryan, his youngest brother.

“As a kid, time and distance had little meaning,” he said of the hours they spent exploring the NEPA area together. “We’d just ride, inspired by the adventure and the natural beauty of the region.”

Upon graduating from the University, John began his military career in Ft. Carson, Colorado, where he started racing mountain bikes. Since then, he has continued to ride and race, competing in triathlons and adventure races throughout the country. When he and his family settled in Monument, Colorado, he became so inspired by the expanses and terrain he saw on two wheels that he proposed the idea of funding Ryan’s scholarship through an annual bike ride, and the rest, as they say, is history.

The Arizona Trail Race 800

The Arizona Trail Race 800, like the Tour Divide and the Colorado Trail, is a solo, self-supported race where John will be carrying all his required gear and food. The longest single track mountain bike race in the world, the race traverses the Arizona National Scenic Trail, extending from the Mexican border to the Utah border with 70,107 feet of elevation gain from start to finish. Starting at the U.S.-Mexico border, the trail climbs and descends from one “sky island” mountain range to another, gaining and losing thousands of feet in elevation and traversing biomes ranging from desert to boreal forest. 

"This will likely be the most challenging of the three triple crown events," John said, adding that the diverse terrain will demand plenty of technical riding and "hike-a-bike" action. Given the trail's remote nature, John believes it will be difficult to find water sources and places to replenish his necessary supplies. As an added challenge, after riding 700 miles, he will be required to disassemble his bike at the north rim of the Grand Canyon, put it on his back, and hike 21 miles to the south rim. Because of these conditions, John anticipates finishing the race in about 20 days while averaging 40-45 miles a day. In order to maintain that pace and to hike the 50 pounds of bike and gear he will have to carry, he plans to consume about 300-400 calories an hour. Throughout his journey, John will provide daily updates on his Facebook account. Interested parties can track the race and his progress at trackleaders.com once the race begins.

"Competing in the Arizona Trail Race 800 is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity," he said. "I am blessed to have the time, resources, health and support to take on such an endeavor. I’m going to give it my best shot and hope to inspire others get outside, stay healthy and live life to the fullest – just like Ryan would!

"No matter how hard things may get for me, I think about people who are struggling with depression or other mental or physical illness. I have it easy. I am merely the guy riding a bike."

John thanked his wife, Kathi, their daughters, Kaitlyn and Jenna, his entire family, and the greater Scranton community for supporting his endeavors.

"The University of Scranton has been instrumental in this support, especially Bridget Chomko and the Office of Annual Giving," he said. "Bridget has been with us since the very beginning and works tirelessly to help us attain success each year."

John attributes any success in cycling and life in general to his upbringing in Scranton and the long hard days on the gridiron and ball fields of his hometown.

"The work ethic, values and grit instilled in me at a young age have carried me through challenging times in the military and in sport and adventure," he said. "My experience at the U with long hours spent in the ROTC program and the weight room set me up for success in life.

"The people who raised, coached and nurtured me while growing up in Scranton are my greatest life heroes. The University of Scranton was truly our home away from home."

Visit this link to support ROAR and The Ryan T. O'Malley '99 Memorial Scholarship Fund.

By Grace Whittam ’24

Martina Martin ’80 found a vocation and a lifetime of meaningful work in the global and local United Way system. She largely credits this vocation to the teachings and lessons she learned through The University of Scranton’s Socratic approach to education.

“If you can come out of the University and appreciate that Socratic approach early on, you’re much better off,” she said. “It’s so much better to use that ‘inquiry over advocacy’ approach.”

Martin, a Scranton native, began her education at the University in the fall of 1976, graduating Magna Cum Laude in 1980. This was during Scranton’s initial years of coeducation, and Martin was a part of the University’s fourth graduating class of women.

Martin’s time at the University was marked by many noteworthy achievements and activities, including membership in the Jesuit Honors Program and the University Singers and being elected vice president of the Business Club. She commuted to campus and was the first member of her family to graduate college. Originally in pre-med, Martin found a better fit in business administration and marketing through a unique set of circumstances some might call “cura personalis.”

Through the Jesuit Honors Program, Martin was empowered to create a course that catered to what she wanted to learn, as long as she could find someone to teach it. When she expressed her desire to take an advertising course, she was directed to reach out to a local top advertising professional, Bill Donovan. Donovan agreed to teach and mentor Martin in a one-on-one advertising course if she agreed to help him start up his own public relations and advertising firm in Northeast Pennsylvania – and they did just that. Martin’s professional life started at Bill Donovan Communications during her third year at the University, and she continued on at that company for almost three years following graduation. Working for Donovan gave Martin a crash course in many different aspects of the communication, PR, advertising,  and marketing fields, and it paved the way to her future success.

“It was a wonderful way to be exposed to so many pieces of nonprofit, professional, and for-profit professions that I was positioned well for my next job,” she said.

Seeking to help others with her newfound skills, Martin began volunteering on the communications committee of United Way of Lackawanna County, which is the local member of United Way Worldwide, a global nonprofit organization serving 37 countries and territories. 

A few years later,  Martin became the director of communications and marketing at United Way of Wyoming Valley. She then committed 11 years as a senior manager at United Way Worldwide in Alexandra, Virginia, where she aided the efforts of United Way organizations and Fortune 500 companies across the country and beyond who were engaged in community philanthropy. Today, Martin is the senior vice president and COO of United Way of Central Maryland in Baltimore.

A central part of Martin’s work was to help visiting delegations from all corners of the world who were trying to export American concepts of philanthropy in ways that fit their governments and cultures. In that capacity, she has worked with people from the United Kingdom, Japan, China and many other nations. Martin believes these cultural exchanges result in beneficial outcomes for everyone involved.

“It’s makes for such a rich life to be with all different types of people,” she said.

A personal favorite part of her work is seeing the way people who would otherwise not interact with one another come together for the betterment of their community.

“Whether it be by race, gender, age, political orientation (or) sexual orientation, people who are otherwise sometimes fierce competitors come together because they care about their community,” Martin said. “That’s what United Way is all about.”

The United Way in Baltimore shifted its fundamental strategy in 2012 when it began focusing on directly incubating solutions to complex issues of poverty faced by low-wage earners known as  ALICE (Asset Limited Income Constrained Employed) who work hard but struggle to make ends meet. For example, the organization created family centers for teenage parents to help them complete high school while simultaneously providing care for their children. This became one of the most rewarding part of Martin’s work as the family center program, staffed by United Way employees, has bested the national average graduation rate for parenting teens by almost 30% .

“When I think about what’s most rewarding, we are always, as an organization, moving to the next intersection of where’s the need, and what can we bring to bear on it,” Martin said. “It allows you to stay with an organization for a very long time, because it’s never the same organization.”

Martin has been recognized for her work on numerous occasions. An O’Hara Award recipient, she was named one of Maryland’s Top 100 Women three times and received a Maryland Icon Award. Although she said she didn’t fully appreciate the University’s Socratic approach to education until the middle of her career, it’s clear that it aided her as she sought to produce better ideas and encourage inclusive thought. She emphasized the importance of seeking advice and inspiration from the people you look up to, and she encouraged all Scranton students to utilize Scranton’s alumni network to do just that.

“There are people at all stages of their career ready to hire Scranton grads,” she said. “Do not hesitate to use the wonderful network of Scranton alumni all over the world.”

In a world where change is seemingly the only constant, Martin’s life at United Way continues to grow and develop to meet the needs of the people she serves.

“It is not just a job,” she said. “It’s my vocation and avocation. That mission is so important, and that’s the thing that gets all of us through the days that are more heavy-duty.”

The University has released photos from the public launch of "A Fire That Kindles Other Fires: The Campaign To Advance Mission, Access, & Excellence," its new $135 million capital campaign. See the photos here.

The University celebrated the campaign's launch with a black-tie gala attended by more than 350 guests in the Byron Recreation Complex on campus Sept. 16. The historic campaign, the largest in the University's 135-year history, will advance Scranton’s mission, accessibility and excellence.

“A Fire that Kindles Other Fires is an expression borrowed from the 35th General Congregation of the Society of Jesus. It is a reference to moving into the future with all of the history and tradition of the past; with the same identity but with a new energy in pursuit of new possibilities,” said Rev. Joseph Marina, S.J., president of The University of Scranton. “It is also a reference to people – the people who have been touched by the power of a Catholic and Jesuit education and now move through the world as agents of change and messengers of the gospel, kindling other fires.”

Mission-related goals of the campaign include continued investment in state-of-the-art facilities, laboratories, learning spaces, such as the renovations made in Hyland Hall to support the mechanical engineering program, and initiatives that support core aspects of a Scranton Jesuit education, such as the programming and scholarships offered through the Gail and Francis Slattery Center for the Ignatian Humanities.

“The wonderful truth remains that anything and everything we do at Scranton should be and will be done for our students first,” said Father Marina. “Our shared focus is precisely where it belongs: on our students and their success.”

The campaign will grow the University’s endowment to help break the cost barrier and allow access to a Scranton education regardless of financial means. First-year students received more than $40 million in financial aid scholarships, $37 million of which was provided by the University.

Cayla Kumar, a first-generation student majoring in biochemistry, cell and molecular biology with a minor in philosophy from Queens Village, New York, now in her senior year at Scranton said in her remarks at the gala: “One key pillar of this campaign is scholarship, and I can personally attest to its transformative power. The scholarships provided by this University have not only eased the financial burden on my mother, but have also opened the doors to countless opportunities for me. Scholarships are not just funding education; they are investments in the future leaders and change-makers who will carry our mission forward. They bridge the gap between potential and realization, between dreams and achievements.”

The campaign will also support efforts to overcome other barriers to a Scranton education, such as the University’s campus-wide plan for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. It will support programming to help enroll, retain and graduate first-generation college students, such as Scranton’s THR1VE program, which provides peer mentors, faculty and staff mentors, advocates and leadership and other resources to first-generation college students.

The campaign will also support Scranton’s goals of excellence in academic and professional outcomes of its graduates, as well as Scranton’s commitment to provide a transformational education to students who graduate as “men and women for and with others.” Each year, more than 2,850 students perform more than 170,000 hours of service. Students also participate in Campus Ministries’ International Service Program, which provides immersion experiences in developing countries across Central and South America.

Two of Scranton’s most generous longtime benefactors, John D. Dionne ’86, H’10, former chair of the University’s Board of Trustees, and Jacquelyn Dionne ’89, co-vice chair of University’s Board of Trustees, will serve as co-chairs of A Fire That Kindles Other Fires.

“The University of Scranton has been stoking the fires of knowledge within its students for 135 years, and we hope that it will continue to kindle those fires for 135 more,” said Jacquelyn Dionne. “Each and every day, Scranton is lighting the way to a better tomorrow.”

In addition to the Dionnes, members of the campaign executive committee include Tracy Bannon ’84, former trustee; John Boken, managing director of AlixPartners and current trustee; Mary Haveron ’85, finance and accounting director of Tire Alliance Groupe, L.L.C., and former trustee; John R. Mariotti, D.M.D. ’75, QMA Orthodontics member and current trustee; Vincent Reilly ’80, managing partner of Reilly, McDevitt and Henrich, P.C., and chair of the University’s Board of Trustees; James Slattery ’86, COO of North America MELROSE P.L.C. and former chair of the University’s Board of Trustees; Joseph Sorbera Jr., JLS Cost Management Systems, Inc., and current trustee; Davida Sweeney, former co-chair of the University’s Parents Executive Council; John “JP” Sweeney, financial advisor/vice president investments Wells Fargo advisors member and current trustee; and Michelle Maldonado, Ph.D., provost and senior vice president for academic affairs at the University, and, ex-officio, Father Marina and Robert Davis Jr.,  Ed.D., ’03, G’10,’13, vice president for University advancement.

Also at the gala, University benefactors Patricia and Edward Leahy ’68, H’01, were presented with The University of Scranton’s President’s Medal.

To date, the campaign has raised more than $112 million from 17,800 donors in its non-public phase, which began in May of 2018. The campaign received more than 13 gifts of $1 million or more and the largest single-donation in the University’s history, a $10 million gift from the Leahys, which Father Marina announced at the gala.

To make a donation to the University’s A Fire That Kindles Other Fires Campaign, visit scranton.edu/campaign.

The Scranton Club of NEPA will hold a paint and sip night on campus for alumni, parents and friends of the University Wednesday, Nov. 15, in the Rose Room on Brennan Hall's fifth floor.

The $45 registration fee includes painting materials, beer, wine, soda and appetizers. Register for the event here. 

The University will hold the 2023 Medical Alumni Council (MAC) Symposium on campus Oct. 14. Register for this year's event here.

Although the daylong symposium is primarily designed for Scranton physicians, dentists, nurse practitioners, retired physicians, medical school students and undergrad pre-professional students, attendance is also open to medical professionals and students not affiliated with the University. The event will feature a keynote address by Judy Byerley, M.D., MPH, dean of the Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine, president of Geisinger College of Health Sciences, and chief academic officer and EVP at Geisinger, titled "Producing an Equitable Workforce Prepared to Improve the Health of People and Populations."

The event will also feature a variety of presentations from accomplished alumni, including a panel discussion led by Scott Alan Peslak, M.D., Ph.D. '06 and Pamela Taffera-Deihl, D.O., MBA '02 titled "Navigating the Complex Healthcare Landscape: Patient Perspectives," a presentation by Kevin Hauck, M.D., MPH '06 titled "Feedback in Medical Education: Moving Past Performance," a presentation by Carolyn Serio, D.M.D., MS '17 titled "Access to Orthodontic Care Among Medicaid Patients and Importance of Referrals," and a special lunchtime presentation by R. Barrett Noone, M.D., FACS '61, who will speak about his new book, "From Trenches to Transplants: Changing Lives with Plastic Surgery." 

Contact alumni@scranton.edu or visit this link for more information.

Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro announced the appointment of Thomas (TJ) Yablonski Jr. '10 to a position in the governor's cabinet as secretary of Legislative Affairs. Yablonski is the fourth Scranton graduate on the cabinet of 22 members.

Effective Oct. 2, he joins Scranton graduates Michael Carroll ’09, Pennsylvania’s secretary of transportation; Jason Kavulich ’97, Pennsylvania’s secretary of aging; and Major Christopher Paris ’99, State Police commissioner; as members of the governor’s cabinet.

“TJ Yablonski brings over a decade of experience serving Pennsylvanians and a deep knowledge of state government to this role. We are proud TJ will be stepping up into this to lead our Office of Legislative Affairs and continue our administration’s work to bring people together and deliver real results for all Pennsylvanians,” said the Governor’s Chief of Staff Dana Fritz in a news release announcing the appointment.

The announcement said that “Yablonski Jr. has spent his entire career serving the people of Pennsylvania, building trusting relationships in Harrisburg and across the Commonwealth, and developing a deep knowledge of Pennsylvania government at all levels.” The announcement also noted Yablonski Jr. had served in a number of senior roles throughout the Wolf administration and previously worked for the Pennsylvania House of Representatives.

Yablonski, of Gouldsboro, graduated as a political science and history double major. At Scranton, he was president of the College Democrats and was among the University students interviewed for a live 2010 BBC radio broadcast that sought American viewpoints on President Obama’s first year in office. The broadcast reached an estimated 1.5 million listeners.

Nearly 100 alumni and students participated in this year's Alumni-Student Golf Outing at Pine Hills Country Club Sept. 30. Alex Kenneson ’24, Liam Dunfee ’24, Al Guari ’88 and Kevin Gremse ’87 won the tournament and captured this year's signature purple jackets. See photos from the event here. 

The University will hold the following regional Christmas parties:

6-8 p.m.
The Ritz Carlton Philadelphia
10 Ave of the Arts
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Registration Opening in November

Dec. 1: Washington, D.C. Christmas Reception with Rev. Joseph G. Marina, S.J., University President
6-8 p.m.
The St. Regis Hotel
923 Black Lives Matter Plz NW
Washington, D.C.
Registration Opening in November

5:30-8:30 p.m.
Hampton Winds - Northampton Community College
Hartzell Hall
3835 Green Pond Road
Bethlehem, Pennsylvania
Registration Opening in November

Dec. 7:  New York City Christmas Reception with Rev. Joseph G. Marina, S.J., University President
6-8 p.m.
The Harmonie Club
4 E 60th St
New York, New York
Registration Opening in November

6-8 p.m.
Carrie Nation Cocktail Club
11 Beacon Street
Boston, Massachusetts
Registration Opening in November

Jan. 2024:  New Jersey Holiday Reception with Rev. Joseph G. Marina, S.J., University President
6-8 p.m.
TBD

The University of Scranton will hold a Presidential Cocktail Reception with the Rev. Joseph G. Marina, S.J., University President, Friday, Oct. 27, from 6-8 p.m. at The University Club of Chicago. Register for the reception here.

The University will hold a New York City Networking Reception Thursday, Nov. 9, from 6-8 p.m. in the Bateman Room at Fordham University's Lincoln Center Campus at the Fordham School of Law. Register for the reception here.

The “Planning to Attend” list for Reunion Weekend 2024 has officially opened. Visit this link to add your name to the Planning to Attend list, and visit the Planning to Attend page to see which of your classmates is planning to attend the festivities.

The University will celebrate Reunion Weekend 2024 from June 14-16. Registration for the event will open in the spring. For more information, visit scranton.edu/reunion or email alumni@scranton.edu.

What's new with you? To submit a Class Note, visit the Class Notes Submission Page.

Melinda C. Ghilardi ’80, Dunmore, an attorney at Munley Law, was recently included in the 2024 edition of Best Lawyers in America for insurance law, personal injury litigation-plaintiff, and product liability litigation-plaintiffs.

Diane Bragg ’87, Paradise, celebrated her first anniversary on August 22, 2023, as a senior retirement plan administrator with Pollard & Associates in Hunt Valley, Maryland. Diane has spent 33 years working as a Retirement Plan Administrator.

Jennifer Cram ’10, Los Angeles, California, had her feature film, "Sick Girl," released in October 2023. Cram is the indie comedy film’s director and writer.

MARRIAGES

Kaitlin Marsicano ’15 to Matthew Huf ’15  

DEATHS

Francis R. Burne ’48, Dunmore
James A. Martin ’52, Rockville, Maryland
Norbert R. Stalica, Ph.D. ’56, Reynoldsburg, Ohio
Bernard F. Harding ’59, Waverly
Edward J. Polkowski ’60, Dickson City
Robert M. Wasserman ’61, Carbondale
Rev. Daniel J. Yenkevich ’63, Scranton
Ralph R. Chase ’64, Old Forge
Thomas J. Figmik G’64, Nanticoke
Edward G. Schlesser ’64, Warminster
J. Christopher Warner ’67, Rockville, Maryland
J. William Stapleton ’73, Vienna, Virginia
Joseph S. Petrasko ’74, G’78, Scranton
James Sabatini G’76, Wilkes-Barre
Herbert Smith ’76, South Abington Township
Stephen M. Toman ’77, Scranton
Mary Alexiou G’79, Mountaintop
Lori Iffland Hoban ’81, Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
Edward R. Mazaleski ’91, Taylor
Ann E. Turlip G’95, Archbald

The Scranton Clubs of the Chesapeake and Washington, D.C., will hold a Guided Guinness Tour and Tasting Sunday, Oct. 15, at 3:30 p.m. at the Guinness Open Gate Brewery in Halethorpe, Maryland.

The $40 admission fee includes a private tour of the brewery, a private tasting of four sample-sized beers (Guinness Draught Stout, Baltimore Blonde and two exclusive, experimental brews), a pint of your choice at the start of the tour, a keepsake, and a drink ticket and appetizers after the tour. Register here to secure your ticket today. 

The University will hold the 100th Search Retreat Saturday, Sept. 30, on campus from 11 a.m. - 7:30 p.m.

The day will be led by Cathy Seymour '90, director of Retreats & Spiritual Programs at the University. Register today to join us for a day of reflection, prayer, reminiscing and more. 

The University will hold its second Alumni/Student Golf Outing Saturday, Sept. 30, at Pine Hills Country Club in Taylor, Pennsylvania.

The scramble play outing will begin with a shotgun start at 1:30 p.m. Registration will open soon. 

What's new with you? To submit a Class Note, visit the Class Notes Submission Page.

Anthony Talerico Jr. ’01, Eatontown, New Jersey, was reelected to a second four-year term as mayor of the Borough of Eatontown.

MARRIAGES

Adriana Samoni ’16 to John Nolan Ryan ’15
Molly Hampsey ’19, G ’20 to Tyler Weiss

DEATHS

Rev. James A. Wert ’50, Pittston
Joseph A. Barrett, Ph.D. ’53, G’58, Clarks Summit
J. Joseph Danyo, M.D. ’55, York
Vincent J. Gulotti, Jr. ’59, Newark, Delaware
Richard Dikeman, D.D.S. ’60, Clarks Summit
Stephen S. Insalaco ’61, Pittston Township
Robert J. Burke ’64, G’80, Dunmore
James A. Sposito ’64, Crystal Lake
Robert T. O’Connell ’66, West Pittston
Richard C. Vahey ’69, Mountaintop
Michael Cotter ’71, Wyoming
Jerome C. Horan ’71, Santa Barbara, California
Joseph S. Marhevka, Ph.D. ’72, Yarmouth Port, Massachusetts   
Francis Yevitz ’75, Springbrook Township
John J. Regan, Jr. ’84, Jersey City, New Jersey
William C. Brennen G’03, Hawley
Neil F. Geletka G’07, Carbondale

FRIENDS' DEATHS

Patrick J. Gigliotti, father of Marian A. Gigliotti '76, G'80   

Alumni in the Hoboken and Philadelphia areas will soon have the opportunity to meet up with their Royal peers at a pier-themed event.

Pier 13

On Thursday, Aug. 17, Royals in the greater New York metro area will converge upon Pier 13 in Hoboken, New Jersey, at 6:30 p.m. for an evening of summer fun. The $20 admission fee includes two drink tickets and a Scranton giveaway. Register here for the event today.

Morgan's Pier

On Thursday, Aug. 24, Royals in the City of Brotherly Love will converge upon Morgan's Pier at 6:30 p.m. for an evening of summer fun. The $20 admission fee includes appetizers, one drink ticket and a Scranton giveaway. Register here for the event today.

Rev. Joseph G. Marina, S.J., University president, has announced that Elizabeth A. Madden ‘96, Principal, Global Head of Employee Experience and Engagement at Davidson Kempner Capital Management, will serve as the new chair of the President’s Business Council (PBC).

A founding member of the PBC, Madden has been actively serving the University community through the PBC for more than 20 years, most recently serving as its vice chair. She succeeds Francis J. Pearn ’83, P’16, Managing Director and Global Chief Compliance Officer at JPMorgan Chase & Co., who has served as PBC chair since 2019.

“As we navigate this period of transition for the PBC, I want to thank Frank Pearn for his dedication, mentorship, and leadership over the past four years,” Father Marina said. “I am delighted that Elizabeth has agreed to serve as PBC chair. Her work with the PBC has served the University well for more than two decades, and I am grateful that she will continue to move us forward as PBC chair.”

“For more than 20 years, the PBC has given me the opportunity to engage in meaningful dialogue with the next generation of Royals,” Madden said. “By helping to connect current students with alumni leaders, we continue to  strengthen the purple tie that binds the University community together and help build future leaders.”

Throughout her career, Madden has served as a thought leader, strategic partner and consultant by advising hedge fund founders, C-suite executives and internal business leaders. She has significant global experience in recruiting, HR policy and procedures, employee relations, strategic project management and senior leader coaching. As global head of Employee Experience and Engagement, Madden oversees all of Davidson Kempner’s inclusion and belonging, employee development, well-being and philanthropic initiatives. Through her work with the leadership and partners of the firm, she is intimately involved in transforming the employee experience.

Madden earned her B.A. from the University, her Executive Coaching certification from Columbia University and her M.A. in Higher Education from New York University, where she began her career working at the Undergraduate Admissions Office. Prior to joining Davidson Kempner, she spent 18 years at Goldman Sachs in New York and Hong Kong and nearly a decade leading the Prime Brokerage HR Consulting Practice, where she helped hundreds of new and existing hedge funds manage all aspects of the employee life cycle. She also serves as a leader with the Managed Funds Association as founding member for two of their Steering Committes, Human Resources and DEI.

The President’s Business Council was launched in January 2001 to provide networking opportunities for alumni and friends, to promote engagement with University students and to inspire philanthropy in support of the Presidential Scholarship Endowment Fund. These objectives remain at the core of the PBC and are relevant ways for alumni, parents and friends to meaningfully connect with the University and its students in the service of strengthening the Scranton network in and beyond the business sectors.

During the academic year, the PBC conducts student networking trips to Boston, New York, Philadelphia and Washington, D.C. These trips provide a unique opportunity for current students to travel and discover more about the industries represented as well as to meet and network with PBC members and other regional alumni and friends. In conjunction with the University’s Kania School of Management (KSOM), the PBC coordinates the Career Coaches program, which matches a student with a business executive in a player/coach relationship that further strengthens the student’s soft skills in preparation for internship and career opportunities. Since October 2002, the PBC has held its Annual Award Dinner in New York City. The gala has established itself as one of the marquee events of the year and has generated more than $20 million for the University’s Presidential Scholarship Endowment Fund.

For more information on the PBC and the many ways to become involved, visit scranton.edu/pbc.

The Scranton Clubs of the Chesapeake and Washington, D.C., will hold a Guided Guinness Tour and Tasting Sunday, Oct. 15, at 3:30 p.m. at the Guinness Open Gate Brewery in Halethorpe, Maryland.

The $40 admission fee includes a private tour of the brewery, a private tasting of four sample-sized beers (Guinness Draught Stout, Baltimore Blonde and two exclusive, experimental brews), a pint of your choice at the start of the tour, a keepsake, and a drink ticket and appetizers after the tour. Register here to secure your ticket today. 

The University will hold Scranton Soccer Alumni Day Sept. 30 as the men's and women's soccer teams take on Catholic University in a key Landmark Conference matchup.

The men's game will kick off at 1 p.m. at Weiss Field, and the women's game will follow at 3:30 p.m. Complimentary refreshments will be available for all Scranton Soccer alumni from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. Register here today to celebrate and support the rich history and tradition of Scranton Soccer. 

Are you interested in helping Admissions search for future Royals? If so, you can represent The University of Scranton at College Fairs and other exciting recruitment events as a Royal Recruiter! Share your perspective on a Scranton education with students and their families while showing the enthusiasm and love you have for the amazing experiences awaiting prospective students here at Scranton! Register here to be added to the roster for potential events in your area, or scan the QR code below.

Heather J. (Losi) Holcomb, Ph.D. '21, a member of The University of Scranton’s first cohort of doctoral students, received the American Accounting Association (AAA) Timothy Pearson Best Dissertation Paper Award for 2023. The prestigious award is presented by AAA’s Forensic Accounting Section to the author of a dissertation related to forensic accounting that was completed within the last three years.

Dr. Holcomb received the award for her dissertation titled “The Effects of Client Machiavellian Traits and Fraud Motivation on Fraud Risk Assessments,” which was subsequently published in the Journal of Forensic Accounting Research in 2022. Her dissertation chair was Robert Giambattista, Ph.D., associate professor of management, marketing and entrepreneurship, and her second chair was Douglas Boyle, D.B.A. '88, professor and chair of the Accounting Department and director of the University’s Ph.D. program in accounting.

“It is a tribute to the hard work of our faculty and the quality of the students our program attracts, that Heather Holcomb, a graduate of our first doctoral class, has received this prestigious award. We believe that we continue to see our graduates receive recognition for their achievements,” said Mark Higgins, Ph.D., dean of the Kania School of Management at the University. The doctoral program in business, housed in Scranton’s Kania School of Management, is the first Ph.D. program offered at Scranton.

Dr. Holcomb is the fifth member of the University’s business doctoral program to win a prestigious national dissertation award. Lisa S. Haylon, Ph.D. candidate, and Xiaobing (Emily) Li, Ph.D '23, received the IIA’s Michael J. Barrett Doctoral Dissertation Award this year. Gregory Kogan, Ph.D. '22, and Joy Chacko, Ph.D. '21, were awarded the Institute of Internal Auditors Michael J. Barrett Doctoral Dissertation Award for their respective years.

Dr. Holcomb of Liverpool, New York, is an assistant professor of accounting at the State University of New York at Oswego.

The University will hold the 100th Search Retreat Saturday, Sept. 30, on campus from 11 a.m. - 7:30 p.m.

The day will be led by Cathy Seymour '90, director of Retreats & Spiritual Programs at the University. Register today to join us for a day of reflection, prayer, reminiscing and more, and visit this link to see the list of your fellow alumni who have already registered. 

The University will hold its second Alumni/Student Golf Outing Saturday, Sept. 30, at Pine Hills Country Club in Taylor.

The scramble play outing will begin with a shotgun start at 1:30 p.m. The outing will include 18 holes of golf, golf carts, dinner and prizes. Register here today.