Alumni Class Notes, November 2024

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Joe McCarthy ’63, Coventry, Rhode Island, completed Leadership Rhode Island’s 2024 Senior Fellows Program “aimed at lifting the voices, knowledge and vision of Rhode Island residents 62 and older.” Participants met with state leaders and identified issues to address through meaningful action plans. For six months, Joe will work on a Rhode Island Department of Health project aimed at supporting state residents with Alzheimer’s disease.

Bart P. Billings, Ph.D. ’66, Carlsbad, California, has recently published a book, "How the Media Creates Victims in our Society." In his book, Billings documents how the media became a dominant force for demoralizing and weakening American society. More information can be found at bartpbillings.com.

Kathleen McNally Durkin ’87, Baltimore, Maryland, chief executive officer of The Arc Baltimore, has been named to The Daily Record’s 2024 list of Maryland’s Most Admired CEOs.

Joseph P. Redington ’93, Kingston, has been named University Registrar at The University of Scranton.

Kathryn Ott Lovell ’96, Philadelphia, president and CEO, Philadelphia Visitor Center Corp., was named one of the Top Women Influencers 2024 by Philadelphia Business Journal.

Brian Shahum ’00, Portland, Oregon, has earned the Management Liability Insurance Specialist (MLIS) designation from the International Risk Management Institute, Inc. (IRMI).

Kristen Fratz Vogl, DPT ’00, G’01, Mantua, New Jersey, has been named vice president for service lines at BayCare.

Emma Dermody, daughter of Kevin Dermody ’13 and Jacquelyn Tofani Dermody ’13, was honored during a family trip to Italy in September when she was selected out of a crowd during a papal audience to meet Pope Francis and receive his blessing. In attendance were several family members, including Emma’s paternal grandparents, Ellen Cummings Dermody ’84, a former professor in the Theology Department.

Linzee Duncan ’16, Bloomfield, New Jersey, and Shannon Howe Pendergast ’13, Pear River, New York, have begun their journey at Holy Name Medical Center Sister Claire Tynan School of Nursing, class of 2026. Shannon and Linzee met at orientation when Pendergast had a Scranton ‘13 Lacrosse shirt on and Duncan called her out.

Brian Maguire ’18, Philadelphia, joined Fox Rothschild in Philadelphia as an associate in the Litigation Department. A former prosecutor, Brian helps clients resolve an array of commercial disputes and provides strategic advice to mitigate litigation risk.

MARRIAGES

Taylor Septer Hartman '19, G'20 to Erich Hartman

BIRTHS

A daughter, Adelaide Marie, to Claire Davis ’08 and John Carman, Havertown

A daughter, Jane Elizabeth, to Christopher and Christine Gein Gill ’10, G’11, Massapequa, New York

A son, Owen Patrick McDermott, to Michael '10 and Joan '10 Miller McDermott, and a grandson to Michael '71 and Patricia McDermott

DEATHS

Leo M. McCormack ’51, Scranton

Rev. Michael J. Rafferty ’52, Scranton

Patrick J. Lahey '55, Scranton

Eugene J. Leeson ’55, Olyphant

Thomas R. Conway ’56, Moscow

Lt. Col. Jack J. LaSpina Jr., USA (Ret.) ’58, Georgetown, Texas

John G. Higgins ’59, G’70, Dunmore

Michael J. Sekol ’62, Sun City Florida

Eva Moretti ’63, Scranton

Ralph J. Domenick ’65, Rock Hill, South Carolina

Martin J. Dowling ’65, Fleetville

Frank L. Larkin ’69, Scranton

Donato J. Summa, Ph.D. G’74, Dunmore

Julia Lalli Lackenby G’76, Susquehanna

John P. Patrick ’04, Milltown, New Jersey