Saint Peter's College Spring 2009 Magazine

Saint Peter’s CollegeSaint Peter’s College

A NEW FRONTIERThe nation’s first microplasmaresearch center is established atSaint Peter’s College

THE MAGAZINE OFTHE JESUIT COLLEGEOF NEW JERSEY

SPR

ING

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LEADERS IN THEIR FIELD • MEN AND WOMEN FOR OTHERS • PEACOCK BLUE

Saint Peter’s College • Spring 2009 1

20

10

12

6FEATURES

6. A New Frontier10. Q&A12. Leaders in Their Field18. Donors Who Make a

Difference20. Men and Women for Others

DEPARTMENTS

2. On the Boulevard22. Peacock Blue26. Alumni News and Notes32. Ad Finem

ADMINISTRATION

Eugene J. Cornacchia, Ph.D.President

Virginia Bender, Ph.D. ’78Special Assistant to the Presidentfor Institutional Planning

Rev. Michael L. Braden, S.J.Vice President for Mission andMinistry

Michael A. Fazio, M.B.A.Vice President for Advancement

Kenneth Payne, M.P.A.Vice President for Finance andBusiness

Eileen L. Poiani, Ph.D.Vice President for Student Affairs

Marylou Yam, Ph.D.Vice President for AcademicAffairs

SPRING 2009 SAINT PETER’SCOLLEGE MAGAZINEVolume 28, Number 2

EditorLorraine McConnellExecutive Director of PublicRelations and Publications

Editorial & Design ServicesErbach Communications Group

Contributors & EditorialAssistanceJamie BredehoftAna M. CravoDaniel DrutzLeah Leto ’05Frances Salvo ’02

PhotographyJuan CardenasS.R. Smith Sports PhotographySaint Peter’s College ArchivesCatherine Mernar

Saint Peter’s College • Spring 2009

ON THE FOREFRONT OF DISCOVERY

Jesuits have always been at the forefront of discovery. Called

to find God in all things, it was members of the Society of

Jesus who invented the Gregorian Calendar, named the stars,

created the decimal point, and made significant contributions

in the physical and natural sciences that moved the world

forward. Through more than four centuries of discovery,

their goal—to seek knowledge while improving the human

condition—has been unwavering.

As a Jesuit institution of higher education, Saint Peter’s

College embraces this goal wholeheartedly and has devoted

this issue of Saint Peter’s College magazine to science. An

exciting new era in science and technology has dawned at

The Jesuit College of New Jersey.

The nation’s first and only Center for Microplasma Science and Technology was recently estab-

lished on our Jersey City campus, placing the College at the forefront of an emerging field that holds

important outcomes for our society. Researchers on our campus — Saint Peter’s faculty members and

students — are working on applications to improve water purification, energy efficiency and even make

certain medical treatments environmentally safer. Several of our accomplished alumni, as you’ll read in

this issue’s “Leaders in Their Field” section, are utilizing their Jesuit education to make significant

improvements in healthcare.

Elsewhere on campus, other Saint Peter’s researchers are exploring ways to mitigate motion and

space sickness, an application that holds promise not only for ordinary individuals, but also is impor-

tant to NASA’s goal to send astronauts to Mars someday. New partnerships with area institutions such

as the New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT) Newark College of Engineering allow Saint Peter’s

students to earn dual degrees while preparing more undergraduates with the critical hands-on research

needed to tackle 21st century scientific challenges.

These developments have far-reaching implications, not only for the College and community-

at-large, but also for the growing number of students drawn to Saint Peter’s for its excellent science

programs and personalized learning experience. We are proud to be training a new generation of

scientists and are doing it the way only a Jesuit college like Saint Peter’s can — one student at a time.

FROM THE PRESIDENT

Eugene J. Cornacchia, Ph.D.President

Saint Peter’s College magazine isprinted on an elemental chlorine-freepaper containing 50 percent recycledcontent with 25 percent post-consumerwaste. This is a Forest StewardshipCouncil (FSC) certified paper.

HOW TO REACH USAlumni News and NotesSubmit a note online athttp://alumni.spc.eduor send it to:Office of Alumni RelationsCushing Alumni House2641 Kennedy BoulevardJersey City, NJ 07306

Letter to the EditorE-mail: [email protected], Saint Peter’s College magazine2641 Kennedy BoulevardJersey City, NJ 07306Telephone: (201) 761-6240Fax: (201) 761-6241

On the cover:Self-organized microplasmas (incathode boundary layer discharge)created in the research labs atSaint Peter’s College.

Saint Peter’s CollegeSaint Peter’s College

SPRING 2009


20

10

12

6FEATURES

6. A New Frontier10. Q&A12. Leaders in Their Field18. Donors Who Make a

Difference20. Men and Women for Others

DEPARTMENTS

2. On the Boulevard22. Peacock Blue26. Alumni News and Notes32. Ad Finem

HOW TO REACH USAlumni News and NotesSubmit a note online athttp://alumni.spc.eduor send it to:Office of Alumni RelationsCushing Alumni House2641 Kennedy BoulevardJersey City, NJ 07306

Letter to the EditorE-mail: [email protected], Saint Peter’s College magazine2641 Kennedy BoulevardJersey City, NJ 07306Telephone: (201) 761-6240Fax: (201) 761-6241

On the cover:Self-organized microplasmas (incathode boundary layer discharge)created in the research labs atSaint Peter’s College.

This magazine was going to press whenEdward J. Heavey, S.J., alumnichaplain and rector of the Jesuitcommunity, passed away on March 23.A tribute to his memory will be foundin the summer issue of Saint Peter’sCollege magazine.

SPRING 2009


ON THE BOULEVARD

The Hudson Symphony Orchestra is now a Symphony-in-Residence at Saint Peter’s College.

2 Saint Peter’s College • Spring 2009

This year’s pool of student applicants andtheir parents are enjoying an even morepersonalized admissions process at TheJesuit College of New Jersey. At an openhouse last fall, College President Eugene J.Cornacchia, Ph.D., announced individual-ized financial counseling sessionsfor any student applicant andfamily member requesting one.

“I don’t know of any othercollege to offer this at the applica-tion stage,” said Joe Giglio,executive director of admissionand enrollment marketing,noting that applications are up 25percent over last year. “It’s anopportunity to make the process moreupfront and visible and provide prospectivestudents and their parents the individualattention they need.”

The program began in February withSaint Peter’s financial counselors coveringeverything from the application process toscholarships, grants, loans and resourcesthat can be used to make an independent

education at a Jesuit college possible. Giventhat many parents worry about paying forcollege, particularly in a recessionaryeconomy, the program also makes appli-cants aware of the value of a Saint Peter’seducation, including its accessibility of

courses to ensure timelycompletion of a degree.

Another innovation of theOffice of Admission is the“Student for a Day” program,which confers prospectivestudents with a more engagedexperience at Saint Peter’sCollege.

The program includeslunch with a student ambassador, a classvisit and a meeting with a Saint Peter’sprofessor. More comprehensive toursinclude a stop on the walkway to provide asense of the College’s proximity to down-town Jersey City and New York.Furthermore, a discussion of the College’sJesuit mission takes place at the foot of theSaint Peter statue.

ON THE BOULEVARD

PROSPECTIVE SPC STUDENTS ENJOY THEPERSONAL TOUCH

A Pavo Society member provides a personalized tour to a prospective student and his mom at The JesuitCollege of New Jersey.

Individualized

financial sessions

are available

to all student

applicants.

PEACOCKSYMPHONY

Jersey City Mayor Jerramiah T. Healyproclaimed January 23 Big BrothersBig Sisters Day and invited Saint Peter’sCollege President Eugene J. Cornacchia,Ph.D., to City Hall to welcome thecentury-old mentoring organization toJersey City. Saint Peter’s is the firstcollege in the region to partner with BigBrothers Big Sisters (BBBS) of Essex,Hudson and Union Counties, andcontributed the largest number of volun-teers to mentor the children of HudsonCounty from any one institution — 44.

Dr. Cornacchia said that theCollege is pleased to open its doors tothese students. “A service initiative thatis long-term and ongoing is trulyrewarding for both the mentor and thementee,” he said.

Saint Peter’s alumnus Tom Basile’64, who has been a longtime memberand chair of the Big Brothers Big Sistersboard, brokered the volunteer partner-ship. “BBBS is the preeminentmentoring organization in the country,with an incredible system in place formatching, mentoring and monitoring,”he noted. “Enrichment comes fromseeing what a fine influence an adult canhave on a young child. The possibilitiesare endless.”

The Hudson Symphony Orchestra made its inaugural debut as Symphony-in-Residence for Saint Peter’sCollege on October 25, 2008. The debut included works by Aaron Copland, Samuel Barber and thepremiere of Symphony No. 1: The Peacock, composed by Kevin Cummines, director of Saint Peter’sAidan C. McMullen Chorale.

The establishment of the Symphony-in-Residence enhances the cultural programming at SaintPeter’s and provides students the opportunity to perform in the orchestra under the direction ofConductor YiLi Lin and to earn credits as part of a degree program. The next concert will be scheduledthis coming fall. Please check www.spc.edu for further details.

SPC IS BIG ONVOLUNTEERISM

Pictured (left to right), Carlos Lejnieks, presidentand CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Essex,Hudson and Union Counties, Mayor Jerramiah T.Healy and President Eugene J. Cornacchia, Ph.D.

The CBS Evening News with Katie Couric visited Saint Peter’sJersey City campus to discuss with President Eugene J.Cornacchia, Ph.D., the College’s response to the falteringeconomy, and its effect on Saint Peter’s students. In a national

broadcast that aired on March 4, CBS Evening News ChiefNational Correspondent Byron Pitts interviewed PresidentCornacchia to learn what the College is doing to help its students.

“So many of our students are faced with unexpected financialhardships, because they began the school year with a certain levelof income and expenses and, by the time December arrived, theywere dealing with entirely new circumstances,” commented Dr.Cornacchia.

To allocate additional financial resources to the studentscurrently struggling to pay tuition, the College has cut back onitems such as event catering, developed a more efficient trash pickup schedule and delayed certain new hires. Saint Peter’s is alsodeveloping extended payment plans and finding new lenders tomaximize the number of students the College can keep enrolled.“As a Jesuit school, we’re following a long tradition of caring andcompassion,” added Dr. Cornacchia.

To view the full segment of the broadcast, visit www.spc.edu.

CBS VISITS SAINT PETER’S

CBS Evening News Chief National Correspondent Byron Pitts interviewedCollege President Eugene J. Cornacchia.

ON THE BOULEVARD

NOT AN OPTIONSPC students connect faith to action

Saint Peter’s College • Spring 2009 54 Saint Peter’s College • Spring 2009

A new partnership between TheJesuit College of New Jersey andthe New Jersey Institute ofTechnology (NJIT) Newark Collegeof Engineering will enable SaintPeter’s students to earn dualbachelor’s degrees from bothinstitutions.

The intensive five-year programallows undergraduates to receiveBachelor of Science degrees inphysics from Saint Peter’s and aBachelor of Science in electricalengineering from NJIT.

Students enrolled in theprogram will spend their first twoyears at Saint Peter’s, their thirdyear taking courses at both colleges,and their last two years at NJIT.

“The articulation agreementwith NJIT provides Saint Peter’sstudents the opportunity to broadentheir knowledge of physics and gainvaluable experience in the field ofelectrical engineering,” said MarylouYam, Ph.D., vice president foracademic affairs at Saint Peter’s. “Thedual-degree program will providestudents with cutting-edge knowl-edge in both fields, while giving ourgraduates an edge in the job market.”

SPC PARTNERSWITH NJIT

AT THE INAUGURATIONTwo SPC political science students attendhistoric ceremony

RECORD ATTENDANCE37th Annual Regents Business Symposium draws a crowd

Saint Peter’s students at the Ignatian Family Teach-in.

As part of the Washington Center’s Inauguration Program, two Saint Peter’sstudents attended the inauguration of President Barack Obama.

When political science majors Edward Hennessy andChristopher DePizzo were invited to serve as ambassadors atthe prestigious Inauguration Program run by The WashingtonCenter, they eagerly accepted the opportunity.

Hennessy and DePizzo joined 700 other college studentsfrom 47 states and 14 countries for 10 days of lectures, semi-nars, discussions and tours, culminating in attendance at thehistoric inauguration of President Barack Obama. Featuredguests included former U.S. Senator Conrad Burns; TedKoppel, senior news analyst for NPR and the BBC; DanaPerino, White House press secretary to President George W.Bush; Special Agent David J. O’Connor of the U.S. SecretService; and Hussain Haqqani, 24th Pakistan ambassador to theU.S. Participants also visited points of interest in the city,including the U.S. Capitol, political think tanks and museums.

“Seeing President Obama inaugurated was the highlight ofthe experience,” remarked Hennessy. “Hearing his speech wasinspiring, particularly when he pointed out that only 60 yearsago, his father might not have been served at a local restaurant,and also when he spoke of the resourcefulness of the Americanpeople.” Added DePizzo, “The energy in Washington, D.C.,was invigorating.”

Meanwhile, festivities on the Saint Peter’s campus includeda live telecast of the events, a lecture by political scienceprofessor Alain Sanders on the rituals of inaugurations, and anumber of presentations honoring African-American achieve-ments, including video footage of then-presidential candidateObama’s visit to campus last year, as well as a display of mementosfrom Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s 1965 visit to The JesuitCollege of New Jersey, to accept an honorary degree.

Pictured (left to right), Anthony R. Coscia, Esq., Tony Terracciano ’60,Eugene J. Cornacchia, Ph.D., and Sheri S. McCoy.

Keynote speaker and best-sellingauthor Michael Beschloss.

Nearly 20 years ago, activists from Jesuit colleges discoveredthey were all attending a protest at the School of the Americas(SOA) at Fort Benning, Ga., following the murder of six Jesuitsby Salvadoran military who trained at the school. That protestgrew into the Ignatian Family Teach-In, an annualgathering of Jesuit students that serves to educate participants inissues of social justice and to honor the El Salvador martyrs andthe thousands of others killed by repressive regimes in the region.

“It’s an incredibly powerful experience,” said Vice Presidentfor Mission and Ministry Rev. Michael J. Braden, S.J., whoattended the first SOA protest in 1989 and accompanied polit-ical science professor, Anna J. Brown, Ph.D., and six SaintPeter’s students to the 2008 teach-in from November 20–24.Organized by the Ignatian Solidarity Network, the gatheringattracts more than 1,500 participants from nearly all 28 Jesuitcolleges and universities. This was Saint Peter’s eighth year ofattendance.

A video produced by Father Braden, Not an Option,recounts the experience of the Saint Peter’s students who saythey were all inspired to connect faith to action. “I’ve alwaysbeen aware of what it means to be educated by the Jesuits andtheir slogan ‘Men and Women for Others,’” explained AnthonyFiumidinisi ’10. “After awhile, it seems that these are just thingswe stand for. But attending events like this really puts theseslogans into practice.”

Citing the U.S. Bishops’ Pastoral Letter on War and Peace,which states that peace making is not an option, but rather, arequirement of faith, Dr. Brown added: “I think this trip helpsall of us together fill that requirement. It’s certainly one stepin that direction.” To view the video online, visit www.spc.edu/missionandministry.

RISK INNOVATORRisk & Insurance magazine namedJack Hampton, Ph.D., a RiskInnovator in 2008 for creating anenterprise risk management (ERM)knowledge warehouse, an industryinnovation that consolidates riskinto one database and allows risk tobe tracked and visualized. Accordingto Dr. Hampton, who is the KPMGProfessor of Business and director ofgraduate business programs at Saint

Peter’s, the purpose of ERM is to “manage all risks across theenterprise in a centralized way and to help identify major risks.”

The graduate business professor developed the idea for aknowledge warehouse while working with Saint Peter’s M.B.A.candidates and Riskonnect, Inc., a company that develops andmarkets risk-management-technology solutions. He points outthat the new technology can’t replace a risk manager, but itprovides a new tool that companies didn’t have before.

Risk Innovators were chosen from hundreds of nominationsin 14 different industries and categories. Dr. Hampton wasrecognized for his work in the financial institutions and servicessector. According to Risk & Insurance magazine, the goal of theaward is to recognize ERM leaders who demonstrate an ability toidentify emerging risks for their industry, apply strategic riskutilization and develop creative, out-of-the-ordinary solutions.

With a well-timed topic of “Leadership andAccountability in Challenging Times,” theSaint Peter’s College 37th Annual RegentsBusiness Symposium drew a record 389guests to the Hyatt Regency in Jersey Cityon November 7, 2008. Hosted by theCollege’s Board of Regents, the signatureevent offered perspectives on the economiccrisis from Tony Terracciano ’60, chairman,Sallie Mae; Anthony R. Coscia, Esq.,chairman, Board of Commissioners, Port

Authority of NY/NJ; and Sheri S. McCoy,worldwide chairman, pharmaceuticalsgroup, Johnson & Johnson. Best-sellingauthor Michael Beschloss, a presidentialhistorian for NBC News, delivered thekeynote address.

Fidelity Investments was the lead sponsorfor the event, which is the oldest continuoussymposium of its kind in New Jersey. The38th Annual Regents Business Symposiumwill be held on November 6, 2009.

A NEW FRONTIEROften referred to as the fourth state of matter,plasmas, on the surface, seem like the stuff ofMichael Crichton novels.

Microplasmas, the tiny discharges of ionizedgas — about the width of a human hair — holdtremendous power to improve everything fromwater purification to medical research, energyefficiency and even display screens for televisionsand other electronic devices.

Through the efforts of several pioneeringfaculty members, Saint Peter’s College isgarnering a national and international reputationfor research into this emerging science.

A National Center for MicroplasmaThe research, led by assistant physics professorsJose L. Lopez, Ph.D., ’00 and Wei-Dong Zhu,Ph.D., has earned the College a $2 million grantfrom the U.S. Department of Defense to establisha Center for Microplasma Science and Technology(CMST). The funds are being issued through theAir Force Office of Scientific Research.

The center was created within the College’sDepartment of Applied Science and Technologyunder the direction of Department Chairman,Len Sciorra, Ph.D. “The center will be the firstand only in the nation devoted entirely tomicroplasma research,” said Dr. Sciorra. “It isgoing to create a hub for all laboratories acrossthe country studying microplasmas and will helpto organize nationwide research efforts, as well ashost scientific meetings and workshops.”

“The microplasma field is really unclaimedterritory at this point,” explained Dr. Lopez.“This is a very important step in the history of theCollege. Saint Peter’s is a very well-recognizedregional college. This opens us up to national andinternational recognition.”

Little known or understood just a decadeago, microplasmas are formed when heat or elec-trical energy is applied to gases such as air. Thegas eventually starts to tear apart and forms aplasma, a state of matter that researchers at SaintPeter’s and other leading facilities are studying fora broad range of applications.

Plasma PioneersDrs. Lopez and Zhu have partnered withDegrémont Technologies, a worldwide network ofwater treatment providers and manufacturers, toimprove water purification through the use ofozone.

“The best way to make ozone is to usemicroplasmas,” explained Dr. Zhu. “What’s inter-esting about ozone is that it’s a very reactivechemical that breaks apart the metals and organicsthat you don’t want in your drinking water.”

Working with Alfred Freilich, Ph.D., avisiting research professor of physics, the SaintPeter’s researchers provided the scientific knowl-edge to create more efficient ozone generators topurify water throughout the world.

Light sources are another application beingstudied at CMST. “Ultraviolet light is often usedin surgery to kill bacteria and sterilize, but thesemercury lamps are not considered environmen-tally friendly,” said Dr. Zhu. When used in


COVER STORY

With a $2 million federal grant to establish the nation’s first and only center for microplasma research,Saint Peter’s College researchers are figuring out ways to make water cleaner and the environmentsafer. They might even change the way you watch television.

‘THE MICROPLASMA FIELD IS REALLYUNCLAIMEDTERRITORY AT THIS POINT. THIS IS A VERY IMPORTANT STEP

IN THE HISTORY OF THE COLLEGE.’[

Luan To, an undergraduate researcher at work in the Center for Microplasma Science and Technology.6 Saint Peter’s College • Spring 2009

working and later, if you get a result, it’s afeeling of fulfillment. And that’s some-thing that only happens in a research lab.You cannot just learn it from class.”

The College plans to construct newlabs to accommodate the center, whichcurrently operates out of facilities in PopeHall and the O’Toole Library. To establishthe CMST, Saint Peter’s will work closelywith Robert J. Barker, Ph.D., a well-knownexpert on plasmas and program manager ofthe Electro Energetic Physics program forthe Air Force Office of Scientific Research(AFOSR).

“A key element of AFOSR’s mission isto encourage and foster new students inthe field of science,” commented Dr.Barker. “Here the center shines in gener-ating interest with its outreach to students.The enthusiasm Jose and Wei-Dong bringto the project is just great. And what’sreally impressive it that it is clear that SaintPeter’s College is equally enthusiasticabout the project.”

Putting Jersey City on the mapAll four undergraduate researchers say theestablishment of CMST is a huge leapforward for Saint Peter’s. “It’s a very newfield,” commented Quincy Iheme, ajunior physics major from South Orange,N.J. “The sky is the limit, especially formore types of research. There are greatopportunities not just for us, but for ourcountry to move forward.”

“The center is going to attract a lot ofattention and we’re going to have peoplefrom all over coming to Saint Peter’s,”added Jacome, a junior physics major whohopes to continue to study plasmas as agraduate student at Princeton Universityor Stevens Institute of Technology. “NewJersey is becoming the place formicroplasma research.”

In fact, Saint Peter’s Jersey City loca-tion, an epicenter of commerce andindustry, was a key factor in the govern-ment’s decision to locate the new center atthe College.

While CMST was still in its proposal

stage, College President Eugene J.Cornacchia, Ph.D., and Dr. Lopez trav-eled to Washington, D.C., to present thecase for creating a nationwide center ofexcellence and placing it in Jersey City.

“Our state is known for scientificbreakthroughs, and the new center willhelp keep us at the forefront,” said Sen.Robert Menendez ’76, who supported theDefense Appropriations Bill that includedthe grant. “Making Saint Peter’s, my almamater, the national hub for research in thisadvanced field is a boon to New Jersey’shigh-tech sector and our economy.”

The bill was also supported by Sen.Frank R. Lautenberg, Rep. Steve Rothmanand Rep. Albio Sires ’74.

“I was pleased to support Saint Peter’sCollege in the Defense AppropriationsBill,” said Rep. Sires. “The center is goingto draw researchers, scientists and educatorsfrom all over the nation to collaborate onnew and innovative technologies. This isexactly the kind of synergy needed for ourregion and country to remain on thecutting edge of research and development.”

Ultimately the goal for Saint Peter’sresearchers is to advance both the scienceof microplasmas and the futures of sciencestudents.

“At the end of the day, what we careabout most is the result,” said Dr. Lopez.“It’s the science that comes out of theresearch and the students that we help.”

COVER STORY


The Future Face of Physics

Saint Peter’s College Society of Physics (SPS)will host a national conference April 17–19 tohighlight the work being done in the field ofphysics. The theme will be “Plasma: TheFourth State That Matters.” The conference,organized by the Saint Peter’s Chapter of thenational student physics organization, willfeature nationally renowned physicists.The superstars of the physics world include

Scott Tremaine, Ph.D., one of the world’sleading astrophysicists; Juan Maldacena,Ph.D., a top string physicist; Robert Barker,Ph.D., an internationally renowned expert onplasma physics; William Gutsch, Ph.D., ’67, awell-known scientist and Emmy-nominatedscreenwriter; Andrew Zwicker, Ph.D., a notedphysicist at Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory; D.J. Michels, Ph.D., ’54, a former Naval ResearchLab scientist; and international plasma experts Jose Lopez, Ph.D., and Wei-Dong Zhu, Ph.D., assistantprofessors of physics and researchers at Saint Peter’s College.“This is great for the College because many students will see the dedication we have to our

research at Saint Peter’s,” explained David Jacome, a junior physics major who serves as president ofSaint Peter’s SPS chapter. “We want to inspire other students to come here and be a part of whatwe’re doing.”Over the past two years, the SPS chapter has grown in popularity on campus, thanks largely to the

students’ participation in microplasma research happening at the College. Membership hasexpanded to 20 science majors who meet bi-weekly, as well as attend conferences at leadingresearch institutions. A key goal is to encourage students to choose careers in science.Sigma Pi Sigma, the physics honor society, celebrates its 40th anniversary this spring and will

induct keynote speaker and Saint Peter’s alumnus Dr. Michels into the society on April 17. For moreinformation on the conference, visit www.spc.edu/SPSconference.

conjunction with noble gases such ashelium and xenon, microplasmas may beable to duplicate the same high-intensitylight, creating a safer, cleaner treatmentfor patients.

Further study of microplasmas mighteven change the way we watch television.Since the current generation of plasmatelevisions are large screen, the next bigthing in the electronics market could beplasma technology on a smaller scale.

“Display technology is going smaller,”commented Dr. Lopez. “Right now youriPod and cell phone use liquid crystaldisplays because they’re very efficient. Inthe future, plasmas may end up beingmore useful because it’s essentially a non-reactive gas and a more environmentallyfriendly option.”

Dr. Lopez met Dr. Zhu when both

were pursuing their doctorates at StevensInstitute of Technology under Kurt H.Becker, Ph.D., a legend in the plasma fieldoften referred to as the “godfather ofmicroplasma science.”

While Drs. Lopez and Zhu both haduniversity-level research experience asstudents, they saw that many of theircounterparts from American universitiesdidn’t. So when they arrived at SaintPeter’s several years ago, they vowed toprovide students with real-world researchopportunities.

“We wanted students here not only tolearn physics, but to also do physics,”explained Dr. Lopez. “We decided that fora small college like Saint Peter’s, a goodapproach would be microplasmas becauseyou don’t need large facilities. It’s all on amicro-scale.”

Valuable experience for SPC studentsResearch experience is critical for thosestudents pursuing graduate degrees orapplying for fellowships, as well as thosewho seek careers in government research.

At Saint Peter’s, Drs. Lopez and Zhuwork side-by-side with students from theCollege to conduct groundbreakingresearch. Two of their four protégés,David Jacome and Brian McCullough,were awarded highly coveted internshipsat Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratorylast summer, a center for plasma andfusion science under the auspices of theU.S. Department of Energy. “We inter-acted with students from all over thecountry,” said McCullough, a seniorphysics major from Bayonne, N.J. “Itmotivated us to learn more aboutmicroplasmas and we were able to bringback knowledge from that experience tothe research we’re doing at Saint Peter’s.”

Research opportunities are availableto Saint Peter’s students in a range ofacademic disciplines, from biology andchemistry to mathematics and physics.Luan To, a triple major in biochemistry,chemistry and physics who hails fromVietnam, says the hands-on experience isinvaluable. “To get to the final product inmy research project we needed to create asample, which is a hard task,” he said. “Iwas failing a lot of the time — it can bereally frustrating the first few times whenyou’re not getting it. But you keep


Saint Peter’s scientists Wei-Dong Zhu, Ph.D., left, and Jose L. Lopez, Ph.D., ’00, right.

Members of Saint Peter’s College Society of Physics.Pictured (left to right): Ronald Maldonado, QuincyIheme, Luan To, Tony Maldonado, Samik Adhikari andDavid Jacome.

‘THE SKY IS THE LIMIT, ESPECIALLY FOR MORE TYPES OF

RESEARCH. THERE ARE GREAT OPPORTUNITIES NOT JUST FOR US, BUT FOR OUR

COUNTRY TO MOVE FORWARD.’[

How did the two of you begin collaborating on motionsickness?

Dr. Bubka: My background is in memory. Fred’s is inperception. He had some ideas about motion percep-tion and asked if I wanted to collaborate on someresearch. When you just conduct research by yourself,it’s really kind of a lonely business. Working togetherreally motivated us. We built the optokinetic drum,read many articles and began visiting and correspon-ding with other researchers in the field. It took awhileto fine tune our equipment and procedures, but ourfirst paper was published in 2003.

Many of your experiments placed a subject in theoptokinetic drum to confuse their senses. Whatconclusions did you draw about motion sickness?

Dr. Bonato: What we show in our research is that what yousee affects how sick you become and how fast you becomesick. What happens in the drum is that the visual patternis consistent with self-rotation, but non-visual sensoryinputs indicate the person is stationary. We call thissensory conflict, which can mimic the effects of poisonand causes the brain to react as if it has been poisoned. Inour experiments, we show that some visual patterns, suchas ones that are colored or spatially complex, lead to moresensory conflict and hence, more sickness.

Once you began publishing your findings, the NationalScience Foundation underwrote your research. Why is itimportant for us to understand the relationship betweenvisual stimuli and motion sickness?

Dr. Bonato: Because we can change it. We can changethe interior of an airplane, we can change the interior ofa cabin on a boat, and we can change the interior of aspacecraft. About 70 percent of astronauts get spacesickness, which is a form of motion sickness.

Dr. Bubka: So what do you do about that? You just can’tkeep saying sorry and move on to the next astronaut.We have to try to alleviate or prevent symptoms. If wecan understand the elements that make someone sick,then we can manipulate them and reduce sickness.

Dr. Bonato: Without drugs.

Dr. Bubka: Without drugs, that’s key. Medication works,but there are side effects such as drowsiness, and youdon’t want people to be drowsy or less alert. If we canfind out which visual stimuli make people sicker, we canremove those and at least reduce motion sickness in avariety of environments.

The Science Channel aired an episode based on yourfindings on the show Weird Connections. What kind ofresponse have you experienced?

Dr. Bonato: I’ve gotten a lot more hits on the Web site(www.bonato.org) and we’ve gotten more e-mail frompeople with problems. We have been asked to advisepeople on a variety of problems, ranging from how todesign a life raft that leads to less seasickness to avoidingsickness in a high-tech flight simulator. A couple fromEngland was referred to us by a colleague regarding acarpet they bought for their apartment that theyclaimed led to motion sickness-like symptoms.

Dr. Bubka: Our students saw the show and thought itwas pretty cool. People who have seen the show havecommented on how it shows how basic research canlead to real-life applications.

Speaking of students, a number of undergraduatepsychology majors have been involved in your researchprojects. Is that a practice unique to Saint Peter’s?

Dr. Bubka: They might not have that opportunity atanother college. We’re meeting with our students todayabout a new experiment and it really is a team approach.They’re involved every step of the way. We discuss theproblem and theories together and get their feedback.Students are involved in conducting the experiment,and they’re even involved with analyzing the data. Theypresent their findings to the Psychology Departmentand to the scientific community at conferences. Somehave also been listed as authors on publications inprofessional journals. They get the whole experience,not just one little aspect of the research problem. Wehave worked with more than 25 student assistants onthese experiments alone. Many times, our classes alsoget involved.

Dr. Bonato: Most of our students go on to differentareas of psychology, but this experience of taking aproblem and trying to tackle it in a scientific way iseducational. They come back and tell us it’s beeninvaluable. It’s a great experience for them and us.

Dr. Bonato is chair of the Saint Peter’s College PsychologyDepartment and Dr. Bubka is a professor of psychology atthe College. The Weird Connections episode, “The SickMachine,” in which they appeared, will re-air on TheScience Channel on May 9 at 5:30 p.m.


FEATURE QUESTIONAND ANSWER


Investigating Motion Sickness

In 2000, Saint Peter’s College psychology professors Frederick Bonato, Ph.D.,and Andrea Bubka, Ph.D., set out to research the reasons for motion sickness.With $800, they constructed an optokinetic drum and began testing people.Eight years later, they’ve published 10 papers, garnered two major grants andcaught the attention of Weird Connections, a program airing on The ScienceChannel. Here’s what they’ve learned.

Andrea Bubka, Ph.D., and Fred Bonato, Ph.D., in the optokinetic drum they created to test sensory conflict.

LEADERSIN THEIR FIELD

When it comes to issues of healthcare, leadership makes all thedifference. Meet five Saint Peter’s College alumni, John P. Ferguson ’70,Gary Horan ’70, John P. Sheridan, Jr. ’64, Joan M. Quigley ’77 andRobert G. Lahita, M.D., Ph.D., ’67, whose accomplishments are makinga significant difference in advancing healthcare in New Jersey and beyond.

PRESCRIPTION FORSUCCESS

When you survey the growth and progress ofNew Jersey’s leading hospitals, HackensackUniversity Medical Center (HUMC) has

one of the most remarkable tales to tell. A regionalmedical center just a few decades ago, HUMC hasemerged as a nationally recognized teaching andresearch healthcare leader that delivers hundreds ofspecialized programs and services to patients from thetri-state area and beyond. The individual behind thehospital’s stellar rise is John P. Ferguson ’70, who hasserved as president and CEO since 1986.

Hackensack Medical Center, as it was then named,was just beginning its campus expansion whenFerguson joined the organization as vice president forprofessional services in 1981. “It was the beginning ofa new chapter in the medical center’s history, and it wasclear to me that the next decade would be one of greatimportance to the future of our medical center,” he re-called. “Careful planning and strategic growth neededto be the focus if Hackensack Medical Center wanted tomake its mark on the industry.”

Make its mark it did. Quality, says Ferguson, wasthe foundation for much of the institution’s success.“At the time, many Bergen County residents were trav-eling to New York City for their healthcare because they

believed the best care was there,” he said. “I wanted tokeep the New Jersey patients on this side of the river, aswell as bring New York patients over to Hackensack.We successfully reversed that trend.”

The medical world took notice, earning HUMCaccolades as one of America’s 50 Best Hospitals,according the HealthGrades, an independent healthcareratings company. HUMC was also ranked in the top fivepercent of the nation’s hospitals for patient outcomes.

Ferguson, too, has garnered his share of recognition.Since 2004, he has been a fixture on Modern Healthcaremagazine’s annual “100 Most Powerful People inHealthcare” list, an elite group of healthcare leaders thatincludes Microsoft founder Bill Gates and longtimehealthcare activist Sen. Edward Kennedy, D-Mass.

Ferguson credits much of his success to the forma-tive years he spent at Saint Peter’s College. “My Jesuiteducation has allowed me to develop my talents to thefullest,” he said. “It has helped me realize that decisionsshould not only be made based on intellect, but theymust also be made from the heart. It instilled in me agreat respect for leadership and gave me a great sense ofcompassion and conscience — an important trait topossess in my line of work.”

John P. Ferguson ’70, presidentand CEO, HackensackUniversity Medical Center

How a little-known hospital became anational powerhouse

Saint Peter’s College • Spring 2009 1312 Saint Peter’s College • Spring 2009

As more hospitals look to consolidate operations ina competitive healthcare market, Trinitas RegionalMedical Center is often held up as a model. The

merger combined the best of the city of Elizabeth’s threehospitals — Saint Elizabeth, Elizabeth General and theformer Alexian Brothers Hospital — and created astronger, more viable institution that is now serving nearly400,000 patients in central and northern New Jersey. Theman responsible for this successful enterprise is Gary S.Horan ’70, an experienced hospital administrator who wasappointed president and CEO of Trinitas in 2001, shortlyafter the merger of Elizabeth General and Saint Elizabethin 2000.

“It was definitely a challenge,” Horan recalled ofthe complex union, which involved closing one facility,uniting a Catholic hospital and a non-sectarian hospital,and creating a whole new identity for hospital staff andpatients to embrace. “What had to be done was takingthe strengths of both hospitals and putting themtogether. That’s easier said than done. There were a lotof different forces at work, but it was a very satisfyingchallenge to become part of.”

In less than a decade Trinitas has become muchmore than the sum of its former parts, with 10 centers

of excellence, a comprehensive cancer center, an award-winning school of nursing, and a greater healthcarepresence in New Jersey, with expanded services andoutpatient treatment available in nearly 100 different loca-tions. NJBIZ has also named Trinitas a “Best Place toWork in New Jersey” for the last three years, a designationHoran finds particularly gratifying, since the award isbased on employee surveys and demonstrates that the newhospital identity is working. “There have been a great dealof opportunities. We’ve attempted—and I thinksucceeded—in being at the top of our game,” he added.

Coincidentally, this hospital CEO is also a classmateof John P. Ferguson ’70, president and CEO ofHackensack University Medical Center. The two met asundergraduates at Saint Peter’s and have remainedfriends for more than 40 years. Asked if he would havepredicted leading one of the state’s most successfulhospital mergers back in 1970, Horan deadpans,“you’ve got to be nuts. I never would have imaginedthat my career path would have gone as it did. I didknow that John was going to be very successful, he wasvery, very smart and had great common sense, and Ifigured I would be successful, too—but in healthcare, Ididn’t have a clue at that time.”

When John P. Sheridan, Jr., ’64 became presidentand CEO of Cooper Health System, hedidn’t have a wealth of healthcare experience

under his belt. Rather, the attorney had decades ofexperience in governmental service, including two highprofile stints as commissioner of transportation for Gov.Tom Kean and chairman of the board of the NJ TransitCorporation. He was also a senior partner in privatepractice before joining South Jersey’s leading hospitalin 2005. “I had done a lot of work for Cooper,”recalled Sheridan, who represented the Camden-basedhealth system at the time. “There were a lot of inter-esting projects on the drawing board. I had enjoyed myyears at the Department of Transportation gettingprojects done, and I thought it might be a lot of fun.”

Sheridan joined Cooper as senior executive vicepresident and was appointed president and CEO inearly 2008. Under his leadership, initiatives on thedrawing board are now reality. Last December, Cooperunveiled The Pavilion, a 10-story signature facility thatthe CEO calls “worthy of the medicine that is practicedhere.” The $220 million investment is intended to notonly transform the university hospital campus, but isalso part of a larger strategy to woo doctors and patientsto Camden and revitalize an urban neighborhood.

“There was a commitment made years ago toremain a Camden-based hospital with a mission to takecare of the poor and underprivileged,” explainedSheridan. “In order to do that, we need to attractpatients to come in for tertiary care from the suburbsand keep them in South Jersey.” In addition to itscenters of excellence for cancer, heart, neurosurgery,orthopedics and a Level I trauma center, the CooperHealth System encompasses medical education,research facilities and an extensive network of healthservices within southern New Jersey, Philadelphia andthe Delaware Valley. Up next is a state-of-the-art cancercenter in Camden, which Sheridan anticipates willbegin construction in another year.

“I like to think of myself as collaborative,” Sheridansaid of his leadership style. He credits an exceptionalstaff and a shared vision among Cooper’s trustees forthe institution’s success. “Saint Peter’s was a large partof making me who I am,” he added. Having served onhis alma mater’s Board of Regents, the CEO also sayshe’s proud to be a graduate of The Jesuit College ofNew Jersey. “It was a great education that taught mehow to think through problems and issues and come toreasoned conclusions. I’m proud of the role it’s playingto educate fine young people.”

ANCHOR FORCAMDEN

A MODELMERGER Under this CEO’s leadership, capital projects

secure the future of a hospital — and a cityUnion of three hospitals creates a regional

healthcare leader

14 Saint Peter’s College • Spring 2009 Saint Peter’s College • Spring 2009 15

Gary S. Horan ’70, president and CEO,Trinitas Regional Medical Center

John P. Sheridan, Jr., ’64, presidentand CEO, Cooper Health System

In the medical world, Robert G. Lahita, M.D., Ph.D., ’67is the rare hybrid. A physician and academic internationallyrecognized for his clinical research on autoimmune

diseases, Dr. Lahita is as comfortable in a microbiology labora-tory as he is examining a patient. “It’s the best of both worlds,”said Dr. Lahita, who, in addition to authoring 12 books ondiseases ranging from rheumatoid arthritis to lupus, serves aschief of medicine at Newark Beth Israel Medical Center.

His remarkable medical career began whileworking as a research assistant at the pharmaceuticalcompany Merck & Co., Inc. “It was there that Ibecame fascinated with microbiology, and I knew Iwanted to pursue a doctorate,” recalled Dr. Lahita, whoearned both an M.D. and Ph.D. in 1973.

A turning point in the young physician’s career cameduring his residency, when he opted to take an electiveclass in immunology at The Rockefeller University. “Ibegan what I thought would be a three-month electiveand ended up staying 12 years,” he laughed.

At Rockefeller University, Dr. Lahita ran theConnective Tissue Disease Clinic, where many of hispatients had systemic lupus, an autoimmune diseasethat primarily affects women. Though little was knownabout lupus at the time, Dr. Lahita became a scientificand clinical expert, and authored “Systemic Lupus

Erythematosus,” the definitive medical text to under-standing the complex disease. He is currently at workon the fifth edition of the book, due out next year.

At Newark Beth Israel, his days often begin beforedawn leading morning rounds with residents andfellows, and end late at night, when he finds time toauthor journal articles and books. Responsible for 14different clinical divisions at one of the state’s leadingteaching hospitals, the chief of medicine describes hisdays as “extremely busy and very fruitful.”

“I have the benefit of being a researcher and a clini-cian,” he said. “A person in practice sees one or twopatients a day that they really help. Someone in academiaor research can make a discovery that may help thousandsor even millions of people. It’s a very vital and rewardingthing to do.”

The first in his family to graduate from college, Dr.Lahita also serves on the Board of Trustees at SaintPeter’s and is particularly excited about the growth ofthe College’s professional science programs such asbiotechnology, microplasma and nursing. “Saint Peter’sis on an amazing track,” he noted. “This is work thatthe country desperately needs.”

Joan M. Quigley ’77 is a healthcare leader with aunique perspective. A state assemblywoman repre-senting New Jersey’s 32nd District since 1994,

Quigley is at the forefront of healthcare policy issues,having successfully advocated for everything fromextended hospital maternity stays to the Safe Haven Lawfor abandoned infants. She is also one of a handful oflegislative leaders doing double duty as a healthcareprofessional, with more than 30 years’ experience inhospital administration at Saint Francis Hospital in JerseyCity and Hoboken University Medical Center.

“Being in healthcare is being one of the goodguys,” said the assemblywoman, who traces her passionto the years she served on the Board of Trustees at SaintFrancis Hospital while finishing up a degree in sociologyand urban studies at night at Saint Peter’s College. “Isaw healthcare from a different level, not just from theperspective of a frightened patient, but how you canhelp the frightened patient.”

A 30-something mom when she enrolled in the Schoolof Professional and Continuing Studies (her husband of 50years, Jack Quigley ’53, is also an alumnus), Quigley said,“getting into Saint Peter’s opened me up to curiosity. Itmade me look at problems and issues from many

perspectives and find the back stories behind the issues.”Jesuit education also prepared Quigley for one of

the greatest challenges she faced as vice president forexternal affairs at Saint Mary Hospital. In late 2005,Quigley received the call that the hospital was slated forclosure. Having been in charge of marketing and pub-lic relations for Saint Francis when that hospital closedin 2003, Quigley held firm. “Closing Saint Francismade sense, but it broke my heart,” she recalled. “AtSaint Mary, the hospital staff came together and we justagreed we weren’t going to let this happen.”

A plan was formed to save the hospital, and withlegislation Quigley helped craft, Saint Mary becameHoboken University Medical Center in 2007. Withnew management in place, the hospital has increasedadmissions, invested in new equipment, and will open astate-of-the-art emergency department later this year.Quigley is quick to credit the many community leaders,hospital personnel and others who made it all possible.

“I had a lot of people propping me up. But whenI look back on my life, except for my kids, this is thesingular accomplishment,” she said. “Without SaintPeter’s, I couldn’t have done it. They gave me the base,they gave me the confidence.”

ONE OF THE‘GOOD GUYS’

RAREHYBRID

A state assemblywoman whosees healthcare policy from a

unique perspectiveA physician who transcends the academic and

clinical worlds of medicine


Joan M. Quigley ’77, stateassemblywoman and vice

president for external affairs,Hoboken University Medical Center

Robert G. Lahita, M.D., Ph.D., ’67,chief of medicine, NewarkBeth Israel Medical Center

PARSE InstituteA generous grant establishes aninnovative program to improve thequality of math and scienceeducation in local schools

A cohort of secondary school scienceteachers are going back to college thissummer, courtesy of the PracticalApplication of Research in ScienceEducation (PARSE) Institute establishedat Saint Peter’s College to improve thequality of math and science education inlocal area schools.

Established with a $450,000 privategrant, the PARSE Institute represents acooperative effort between Saint Peter’sapplied science and technology and educa-tion departments, and in collaboration withthe Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory(PPPL) and Liberty Science Center (LSC).

The innovative program will launchthis July, with a group of local teachersparticipating in an orientation that consistsof an introduction to the PARSEInstitute’s partners and research projects,educational theory workshops, site visitsand a survey of modern scientific advance-ment. Following orientation, the teacherswill perform two to three weeks of hands-on research with a professional scientist inthe teachers’ choice of concentration:plasma physics, energy, the environment,

or biotechnology and human genetics.After completing the research, participantsand Saint Peter’s faculty will collaborate totranslate the research experiences intodiscernible curricular units.

“This is an exciting venture,” saidJames J. Clayton, Ed.D., ’71, an assistantprofessor of education at Saint Peter’s whoserves as director of the educationalprogram for PARSE Institute. “The bigpicture is that we want those teachers towork with us to go back and turn theirstudents on to science, and to encouragethem to go on to study science and math-ematics.”

Joining this effort is Assistant Professorof Physics Jose L. Lopez, Ph.D., ’00 whoserves as director of the scientific programfor PARSE Institute. Faculty from the

applied science and technology and educa-tion departments will continue to meetwith participants during the academic year,and teachers will present on the integrationof research activities into their classrooms.“The idea,” said Dr. Clayton, “is to learnwhat went well and figure out what’sworking in the classroom.”

Upon completion of the program,teachers will be considered PARSEFellows. In addition to their intensivepractical research experience, individualswill receive continuous mentor supportand have the opportunity to participate inclassroom visits or observations, field tripsand additional research opportunities.

NURSING EDUCATIONAn endowed scholarship and a gift tothe College supports Saint Peter’shigh-quality B.S.N. program

When government analysts and otherhealthcare experts made dire predictionsabout the current and looming nursingshortage, Saint Peter’s College addressedthe critical issue by introducing itsBachelor of Science Nursing (B.S.N.)program at the Jersey City campus in2006. Now in its third year and with morethan 150 students enrolled, the program isfortunate to garner the support of severalbenefactors who recognize the importanceof preparing highly skilled nursing profes-sionals.

The Gladys Brooks Foundationrecently made a $200,000 gift to SaintPeter’s to endow the Gladys Brooks MeritNursing Scholarship Fund. Designatedsolely for B.S.N. students, the scholarshipprogram will make a nursing educationpossible for academically deserving studentsand ultimately impact the quality of health-care provided in New Jersey and beyond.

“Supporting nursing education is anexpression of The Gladys BrooksFoundation’s commitment to improve thequality of healthcare in this country,” saidJames J. Daly, Esq. ’59, chairman of theboard of the foundation and a member of

the Saint Peter’s College Board of Trustees.“We believe that investing in the future ofSaint Peter’s College nursing studentsthrough this scholarship fund will have alasting impact on the nursing profession.”

A longtime supporter of Saint Peter’sCollege, The Gladys Brooks Foundationhas created numerous scholarships over theyears that support high-achieving studentsin their academics and serve as leadersamong their peers. The foundation wascreated under the will of the late GladysBrooks Thayer of New York and providessupport to many nonprofit organizationsincluding libraries, educational institutions,hospitals and clinics.

Another nursing program benefactor isthe medical technology company BD,which made a portable cardiac defibrillatoravailable to Saint Peter’s nursing studentsthrough a gift to the Independent CollegeFund of New Jersey. According to AssociateDean of Nursing Ann Tritak, Ed.D.,students are learning a great deal from thenew piece of equipment, which was placedin the nursing simulation laboratory thissemester.

“We are thrilled to have this additionto the simulation lab because it supports avaluable teaching strategy,” Dr. Tritaksaid, noting that when the new defibril-

lator is paired with Sim-Man, an advancedpatient simulator for clinical experientialtraining, several kinds of cardiac episodescan be recreated. “Students have to thinkcritically on their feet and work as a teamto remedy the situation,” she added.“That’s an excellent strategy to helpstudents make mistakes, but then learnfrom mistakes without jeopardizing thelife of their real live patients.”

SOCIAL ACTION IN OUROWN BACKYARDFoundation support makes UrbanYouth Research Initiative possible

With the support of The Schumann Fundfor New Jersey, the Institute for theAdvancement of Urban Education andAction Research at Saint Peter’s Collegehas been able to reach out beyond itscampus to work with Abbott District highschools as part of its Urban YouthResearch Initiative. Abbott Districts areschool districts in New Jersey covered by aseries of New Jersey Supreme Courtrulings that found that education providedto school children in poorer communitieswas inadequate and mandated state funding

to level the playing field with wealthierdistricts.

On January 31, 19 students fromHenry Snyder High School in Jersey Cityparticipated in the first of four youthresearch camps at the College. Accordingto Professor of Sociology and UrbanStudies David S. Surrey, Ph.D., thepurpose was to train high school studentsto investigate and report on an issue thataffects them directly—proposed changesin high school graduation requirements asrecommended by the NJ High SchoolRedesign Steering Committee last year.

“Of chief concern is that the districtswill not be provided the capacity toachieve these goals, yet the schools andthe students will be held accountable,”explained Dr. Surrey, who co-directs theprogram with Assistant Professor ofEducation Jennifer Ayala, Ph.D. As part ofthe initiative, participants will conductaction research, a reflective process ofprogressive problem solving, usuallyconducted in teams. Collaborating withcommunity partners that include theAbbott Leadership Institute, ASPIRA,Inc. of New Jersey, Project Grad inNewark and the New Jersey CommunityDevelopment Center in Paterson, partici-pants are assigned in-depth researchprojects on the issue of high school grad-uation requirements and will present theirfindings to various audiences.

Three more youth research camps willbe held this academic year. Upon successfulcompletion of the program, the Abbotthigh school participants will earn threeSaint Peter’s credits.

DONORS WHOMAKE A DIFFERENCE

BUILDING A FOUNDATION OF SUPPORTWith the generous support of numerous foundations such as the Gladys Brooks Foundation,The Schumann Fund for New Jersey and other private benefactors, Saint Peter’s College ismaking a real difference in the lives of students and the community-at-large.

‘WE WANT THOSE TEACHERS TO WORK WITH US TO GO BACK AND TURN THEIR

STUDENTS ON TO SCIENCE AND ENCOURAGE THEM TO

STUDY SCIENCE AND MATHEMATICS.’[


Saint Peter’s nursing students learn how to clinically treat various cardiac episodes with Sim-Man and aportable cardiac defibrillator.

David S. Surrey, Ph.D., and Jennifer Ayala, Ph.D.,of the Urban Youth Research Initiative.


A. Father Joe Kelly arrived atSaint Peter’s College in1968. This undatedphotograph is from his earlyyears on campus.

B. Alumni remember FatherKelly as a Jesuit who wasat home among students.Here, he is pictured withstudents in a photo from the1969 yearbook, Peacock Pie.

C. Father Kelly, seatedbetween his parents.

D.The Jesuit with Rev. Victor Yanitelli,S.J., then-president of Saint Peter’sCollege.

E. Father Kelly celebrated his 20thanniversary as a campus minister in the1988 Peacock Pie.

F. The Kelly family, in a photographfrom the 1930s. Father Kelly, picturedin front, was the youngest of sevenchildren.

G. An undated Kelly family photo.

H. In 1993, Father Kelly took up the positionof parochial vicar at Saint Malachy’s, theActors’ Chapel.

I. A certificate for the Crop Walk, a programFather Kelly began at Saint Peter’s to helpfund international food pantries.

J. Father Kelly was among the group fromSaint Peter’s that lobbied the city council forthe College’s first residence hall.

MEN AND WOMENFOR OTHERS

B

C

D

E

G

F

I

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REMEMBERING FATHER KELLY, 1931-2008As a 17-year-old in Ireland, young Joe Kelly twice a year would visit his olderbrother, who was studying to be a Jesuit. “Wild horses,” he recalled withcharacteristic humor, “could not drag me into that place.”

As it turned out, wild horses were not necessary. Rev. Joseph A. Kelly, S.J.,entered the novitiate in Dublin in 1949, although he considered himself “an unlikelycandidate for the Jesuit order.”

Here at Saint Peter’s, beginning in 1968, Father Kelly inspired generations of stu-dents to embrace Jesuit ideals and live worthwhile lives. As director of campusministry, he advocated a genuine spirituality and promoted issues of social justice.

His homilies were thoughtful and brief, funny and piercing. He’d refer to theApostle Matthew as “the IRS guy,” then conjure the poetry of G.K. Chesterton or T.S.Eliot. He posed more questions than he gave answers, like the question he often posed tostudents: “What is the best possible use to which to put your life?”

“Listen to the answer,” advised Father Kelly, “and do not be afraid.”

Father Kelly passed away on December 5, 2008. Gifts in his memory can be made at www.spc.edu/giving.A remembrance of Father Kelly appears in this issue’s Ad Finem on page 32.


A

A LifeWell

Lived

A LifeWell

Lived

J

golfers enjoy access to the presti-gious Liberty National Golf Clubon the beautiful Jersey City water-front — home to The Barclays2009, first stage of the PGA TourPlayoffs for the FedEx Cup.

Falloon’s players are fiercelyproud of the team’s accomplish-ments. “We showed great potentialthis season, and I predict we’llmove up in the MAAC conferencethis year,” remarked Fitzpatrick, abusiness management major fromMetuchen, N.J. Sues, a native ofKenilworth, N.J., who plans to

study accounting, added, “In the nearfuture, I feel we’ll develop into a very solidand well-rounded golf team.”

The players emphasize, however, thattheir victories on the course aren’t every-thing. “We have all displayed strong talentat one time or another, but that is notalways what a team is about,” said Trill, abusiness management student from SouthBrunswick, N.J. “We have a special bond.I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else — I

couldn’t ask for a better captain and team-mates. Sean is always looking out for us,and the six of us freshmen get along sowell. I know we will accomplish greatthings in the future, but what I really wantis for our friendship to continue.”

Sumigray, an economics major fromAmsterdam, N.Y., agreed: “I couldn’t havemade a better choice than Saint Peter’s. Aswe improve on the golf course, we makeone another better people.” While his

immediate goals for theteam include a MAACchampionship, Sumigrayalso looks forward to “50years from now, whenwe’re all grey-haired oldmen sitting around andreminiscing about the besttimes of our lives.”

“The bottom line,”said Falloon, “is that this isa very special and talentedgroup of young men.”


‘THE BOTTOM LINE IS THAT THIS IS A SPECIAL ANDTALENTED GROUP OF YOUNG MEN.’

The Peacock golf team. Bottom Row (left to right): Tyler Pang ’12, BillySues ’12, Sean Fitzpatrick ’11, Nick Trill ’12. Top Row (left to right):Head Coach Peter Falloon ’65, T.J. Sumigray ’12, Ray Ferrari ’12, GregNordtveit ’12, Assistant Coach Chris Merce ’08.

SAINT PETER’S ATHLETICS

The team enjoys access to Liberty National Golf Club in JerseyCity. Pictured here is freshman golfer Billy Sues.

[

Hard work and commitment are par forthe course at The Jesuit College of NewJersey — just ask Pete Falloon ’65, headcoach of the Saint Peter’s College golfteam. “These players have a very goodwork ethic,” said the former Peacockgolfer, who played during the undefeated1964 season and was named the 1965Outstanding Student-Athlete. “When Iplayed for Saint Peter’s, I enjoyed cama-raderie with my teammates, and I think wehave that good chemistry now. We’re likea family.”

Falloon, who taught economics at theCollege from 1968-1975, returned to hisalma mater in 2007, aspiring to restore thePeacocks to their former glory. “It’s goingto take a year or two, but we’re off to avery good start,” he remarked. “We’re in avery competitive conference (the MetroAtlantic Athletic Conference, or MAAC),but I’m confident that we can get there.”

Falloon has instilled that sense ofconfidence in his players, too. In his senioryear, Christopher Merce, who graduatedin May 2008 with a degree in history,welcomed the new coach “with openarms. I saw that he was willing to put timeand effort into our program.” Merce, whoelected to remain at Saint Peter’s to pursuea master’s degree in education with aconcentration in administration and super-vision, is pleased to be working as theteam’s assistant coach this season. “We’vetaken enormous steps,” he said. “The fallseason was a great accomplishment. This isjust the beginning.”

The team is currently one of theyoungest in the U.S., with a rostercomprised of sophomore captain SeanFitzpatrick and six freshmen recruits: RayFerrari, Gregory Nordtveit, Tyler Pang,Billy Sues, T.J. Sumigray and Nick Trill. “Iwas lucky to find six outstanding freshmento go along with Sean, who is a buddingsuperstar, and Chris, whose commitment

and input have been invaluable,” saidFalloon. “And I’m very happy to reportthat all these athletes excel in the class-room, as well.”

“Pete Falloon has done an excellentjob recruiting young, talented golfers,”said Patrick Elliott, director of athletics.“The dedication these student-athleteshave shown with their work ethic and skillimprovement under Pete’s leadershippoints to a very bright future for SaintPeter’s College golf.”

Under Falloon and Merce, the Peacockshad an impressive fall 2008 season, finishing

3–0 in individual match play, with excellentshowings at several tournaments. “Goodthings are happening here, and people arestarting to acknowledge them,”commented Falloon. “I’m proud of that.”The spring season, which runs for sevenweeks, looks even brighter: For the firsttime in Saint Peter’s history, the playerscompleted spring training in Myrtle Beachin March. On April 14, they’ll host theirown 15-team tournament, the PeacockInvitational, and from April 23–26 willcompete in conference championships atWalt Disney World. Additionally, the

PEACOCKBLUE

Team captain Sean Fitzpatrick ’11 says Peacock golf is in a position of strength this year.

ON AN UPSWINGREVIVED SPC GOLF TEAM IS OFF TO ASTRONG START


The 2009 Peahens hitthe field with a young,energetic coachingstaff and a veteranteam. Seven playersreturned from thesquad that reachedthe 2007 MetroAtlantic Athletic

Conference (MAAC) Tournament.They blend with eight underclassmen toform a team fighting for the chance toreach the MAAC Final Four once again.Overall, the Peahens are strong offen-sively with a healthy pitching staff.

First-year head coach DonnaBarone, a Staten Island native and for-mer FDU-Florham assistant coach, is atthe helm.

A veteran group that is excellentdefensively and at the plate patrols theinfield. Returning senior starter MeganPapierniak of Fonda, N.Y., will be theteam leader on and off the field. One ofthree captains, Papierniak is a solidfielder who can swing the bat. The out-field is young, but will be led by four-year starter and captain Christie Crowellof Glendora, Calif., in centerfield.Crowell is a steady offensive player fromthe lead off spot and has great range incenter along with a strong arm. Thepitching staff has a blend of veteransand newcomers, including senior captainTricia Reingle of Aberdeen, N.J., theace of the staff who will also be lookedupon to contribute offensively. WhenReingle is not pitching, she will see timeat third base.

The Peahens began the 2009 cam-paign with a trip to Fordham in earlyMarch and then headed to Kissimmee,Fla., for the 2009 Spring Rebel Gamesbefore facing teams from around thecountry. The MAAC Championships areslated for early May in Poughkeepsie,N.Y.

PEAHENS BAT FORMAAC FINAL FOUR


SAINT PETER’S ATHLETICS

degree in finance from Saint Peter’s, nowworks as a pricing analyst for the HertzCorporation and says her time on the teamhelped to prepare her for post-college life.“Being a student-athlete taught me howto prioritize things in my life,” she ex-plained. “It’s not easy to study and travelat the same time. Finding the balance wasa learning experience.”

Camp was complimentary of his fel-low inductees, including Kelley whostepped up to the plate when CoachDeRogatis passed away mid-season. “Itook over for the rest of the season,” herecalled. “As captain, she was so very help-ful to me, and she later worked as mygraduate assistant. Marsha was one of thepeople who was very important to me atSaint Peter’s.”

Camp also spoke highly of formerDirector of Athletics Stein. “Bill literallyknew who every athlete was,” he noted.“Colleagues at other schools would com-ment on how amazing it was that he coulddo that. But that’s something that’s trueacross the campus — the people who workin residence life and student affairs, the se-curity staff. I go back to watch games, andpeople still recognize me. The best thingabout Saint Peter’s is the people whostudy and work there. I was fortunate toget to know so many of them.”

Peacock pride is spreading beyond theSaint Peter’s College campus. OnFebruary 16, a group of student boosters,also known as Peacock Nation, donnedpink and brought banners to the outdoorset of NBC’s Today Show to spread theword about that night’s “Pack the House”event, hosted by the women’s basketballteam for breast cancer awareness. Thisoutpouring of fan support is just one ofmany booster events held, since PeacockNation formed earlier this year to height-en school spirit and bolster Saint Peter’sDivision I athletic programs.

The effort even includes “PeacockNation,” a program devoted entirely toathletics airing every Thursday from 5:00to 6:00 p.m. on WSPC, the College’sInternet streaming radio station.

Hosted by student sportscaster DavidFreeman, the program first aired onOctober 23, 2008, to promote the event“Peacock Nation Volleyball: HawaiianStyle” for the women’s volleyball team.Freeman invited the team’s three captains,Katherine Sura, Caroline Garvey and KellyBlanchfield, to discuss the promotion dayon the air. The word spread, the feedbackwas energizing, and with a “thumbs up”

from Director of Athletics Patrick Elliott,“Peacock Nation” became a weekly seg-ment on WSPC.

Freeman, who is currently earning hisbachelor’s degree in accounting at SaintPeter’s, is a freelance writer for theAssociated Press, Stats Inc. and ESPN. “Ipersonally think the show is beneficial in afew ways,” he said. “It’s a great opportu-nity for the Peacock Nation on campus tohear from our student-athletes, it’s an op-portunity to give their parents, family andfriends a chance to get updates, and it’s achance for them to be in the spotlight andsee what it’s like.”

The radio program is a team effort,with Freeman conducting interviews,Assistant Director of Athletics and SportsInformation Director Dan Drutz coordi-nating the guests, and women’s softballplayer Nicole Schnecker helping to pro-duce the shows. Freeman thanks commu-nication faculty members Joe Lamachiaand Barna Donovan, Ph.D., who “havebeen invaluable with their efforts at WSPCto give us a platform.”

To listen to the weekly broadcast,visit www.spc.edu/wspc.

WELCOME TO PEACOCK NATION

When Saint Peter’s men’s and women’s basketball teams took on Seton Hall in December, Peacock Nationorganized a “White Out” and led a cheering section of Peacock fans.

Saint Peter’s 2001 softball team was inducted intothe Hall of Fame on December 13, 2008. ThePeahen team, under late honorary inductee CoachRon DeRogatis, won the first MAAC softballchampionship.

On December 13, 2008 the Saint Peter’sCollege Department of Athletics inducted10 individuals and two teams into its Hallof Fame. This year’s honorees includedfootball players Jon Ambrose ’03 and JoeSpano ’70, soccer player RinaldoChambers ’04, softball players Kim Jones-Truzzolino ’99 and Marsha Kelley ’03,and volleyball player Valentina Zaharieva’01. Kevin Boyle ’86 received a SpecialAchievement Award for his dedication ascoach of the boys’ basketball team at SaintPatrick High School in Elizabeth. TheCollege also inducted two past teams: the1994 baseball team which, under BruceSabbatini, won the first Metro AtlanticAthletic Conference (MAAC) baseballchampionship, and the 2001 softball team,which, under late honorary inductee RonDeRogatis, won the first MAAC softballchampionship.

In addition, Saint Peter’s presentedBill Stein, director of athletics from1982–2008, with a Special Service Awardand honored Tim Camp, assistant directorof athletics for sports information from1989–2005.

“We are extremely proud of our 2008inductee class,” said Director of AthleticsPatrick Elliott, upon welcoming inducteesinto the Hall of Fame. “These individualsrepresent Saint Peter’s College athleticswith excellence and integrity.”

“It was a great honor — definitely oneof the really good days in my life,” re-marked Camp, who now serves as assistantathletic director for sports information atNew Jersey Institute of Technology inNewark. “Much of the value of my positioncomes from the opportunity to work withathletes and coaches, and it was great to see

so many of them again.”Kelley, a four-year catcher and top hit-

ter recognized both for her individualachievements and her performance on the2001 softball team, commented: “To beone of the few athletes selected for theHall of Fame feels a little unreal. I was veryexcited.” Her proudest accomplishmentsplaying for the Peahens include “givingthe University of Arizona a run for theirmoney in the regional tournament mysophomore year (2001). Losing 4–2 feltmore like a win.” Kelley, who received herbachelor’s degree in math and her master’s

Photo courtesy of Johnson City Cardinals


[‘BEING A STUDENT-ATHLETE TAUGHT ME HOW TOPRIORITIZETHINGS IN MY LIFE. IT’S NOT EASY TO STUDY AND TRAVEL AT THE SAME

TIME.FINDING THE BALANCE WAS A LEARNING EXPERIENCE.’

CLASS OF 2008SAINT PETER’S INDUCTS 10 ALUMNI AND TWO TEAMS INTO ATHLETICS HALL OF FAME

Marsha Kelley ’03 and Patrick Elliott, director ofathletics.

The Saint Peter’s College Hall of Fame 2008 inductees: back row (left to right): Bill Stein, Joe Spano ’70,Director of Athletics Patrick Elliott, Rinaldo Chambers ’04, and Tim Camp. Front row (left to right): KevinBoyle ’86, Valentina Zaharieva ’01, Marsha Kelley ’03, Kim Jones-Truzzolino ’99 and Jon Ambrose ’03.


NEWS AND NOTES

–––———–— 1950s –——–—–——

1955Joseph A. Kelly has been runningfor 30 years. In October, hecompeted in the Marine Corps 10Krace in Washington, D.C., finishing1,336 out of 3,640 runners andsecond in the 75+ age group.

1956Retired Superior Court JudgeReginald Stanton was honored bythe New Jersey Institute of LocalGovernment Attorneys. Last fall, hewas presented with the WilliamCox Award in recognition of excel-lence in land-use law, exemplaryservice to the legal profession andto local government, and unselfishassistance rendered to attorneys,local officials, and other land-useprofessionals in the field of land-uselaw. Judge Stanton has had a longand distinguished legal and judicialcareer. He has the distinction ofbeing Saint Peter’s first and onlyRhodes Scholar winner.

1957Nicholas Tauro and his wife, Judy,have been married 47 years. Theyhave three children and threegrandchildren. Tauro retired fromteaching Latin and English after 40years at Dickinson High School inJersey City, N.J. He is conductingresearch to write a biography onFranklin D. Roosevelt.

A memoir written by JohnWrable, M.D., was recentlypublished. Juvenile Delinquent toSurgeon recounts Dr. Wrable’sturbulent journey to overcomeadversity and achieve a career as asuccessful surgeon.

1958John L. Donnelly and his wife,Barbara, celebrated their 50thwedding anniversary on July 12,2008.

Denis P. Farley was electedcommodore of the United StatesWoodPussy Class Association. TheUSWPCA is the national classassociation for the WoodPussyClass sanctioned by U.S. Sailing.Farley is also lead instructor at theMonmouth Boat Club’s adultsailing program.

Denis P. Farley ’58

After a long career as a pathologist,Raymond C. Maguire honed hisphotography skills and recently wonmultiple prizes in the FauquierCounty Virginia Master Gardeners’photo contest. He walked awaywith first place in the garden archi-tecture category, second place inwater scenes and received anhonorable mention in the generalhorticultural scene category.

–––———–—1960s –——–—–—

1962Prior to semi-retirement, Alfred F.Peruzzi was president of the marketresearch firm Consumer Response/P&W Corp. for 35 years. Heenjoys fishing and volunteering at alocal Montessori school.

1963Thomas J. Jordan was inductedas a Knights of Saint Patrick aideto the grand marshal of New YorkCity’s 2009 Saint Patrick’s DayParade.

1966William J. Marino was namedamong the 101 Most InfluentialPeople in the Garden State by NJMonthly. He is president and CEOof Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shieldof New Jersey.

1968Hon. Joseph V. Doria, Jr. wasnamed among the 101 MostInfluential People in the GardenState by NJ Monthly. He iscurrently the commissioner ofcommunity affairs for the state ofNew Jersey. Doria was recentlyinducted into the Marist HighSchool Hall of Fame. He alsoreceived the Spirit of Marist Awardat the school’s spring gala.Karen Gutch retired from the cityof Jersey City in 2005. She is nowa volunteer with the NationalDance Institute, founded byformer New York City balletdancer Jacques D’Amboise, whoreceived an honorary degree in1978 from Saint Peter’s College.

James T. Leman received theWaters Lifetime AchievementAward at the fourth annualAmerican Financial TechnologyAwards. Leman is principal andmanaging director at Westwater, amanagement and technologyconsulting firm.

1969Nadia Makar was recognized inGov. Jon Corzine’s State of theState speech in January as anexample of one of New Jersey’sexceptional teachers.

Michael J. Malecki has joined theCollege of Saint Elizabeth asdirector of Human Resources.Additionally, Malecki is an adjunctprofessor teaching human resourcemanagement.

–––———–— 1970s –––———–—

1970Susan V. Everett was awarded theLifetime Achievement Award byThe Journalism Education

Association (JEA) during the orga-nization’s national convention lastNovember. This award is given toretirees for lifetime dedication toscholastic journalism education.Only 10 educators from across thenation received this award in 2008.

1971Robert Andrews was appointedprincipal of Holy FamilyElementary School in Lakewood,N.J., last September.

1973Robert C. Novy was appointed tothe Kimball Medical CenterFoundation’s Board of Trustees.The board oversees KimballMedical Center’s fundraising anddevelopment efforts.

1974After a 27-year career with TheChase Manhattan Bank, LeonardP. Alfano retired from the bankand took on a position with theChrysler Corporation. He is thebusiness manager for The WilliamA. Morris School on Staten Island.Rep. Albio Sires was presentedwith the Star Stream Award,thanking him for his generosityand support to both the PalisadesMedical Center and its commu-nity. Palisades Medical Centermarked its 30th anniversary ofserving residents of Hudson andsouthern Bergen counties.

1975Regina M. Miskewitz launchedher own business, MiskewitzConsulting, LLC, in spring of2008. Her firm helps smallcompanies without large R&Ddepartments create new products,address regulatory issues, and solvetechnical challenges in the OTCdrug and personal care areas.

Leo J. Smith was honored at theseventh annual Simpson-BaberFoundation HumanitarianAwards Dinner for his dedicationto children with autism andrelated disorders.

NEWS AND NOTES

1976Vincent Serafino, M.D., wasBayonne’s 2008 Columbus DayParade’s grand marshal.

Father Thomas Wisniewski wasnamed the new pastor at SaintCatharine Parish in Glen Rock, N.J.

1977A recent article in the NorthBergen Reporter featured BillAnagnostos, owner of the FourStar Diner in Union City. Hisbusiness will be celebrating its26th anniversary this year.

James A. Clarke, M.D., waselected president of the medicalstaff of Ocean Medical Center,Brick, N.J.

Joseph McGinn, M.D., an inter-nationally renowned cardiothoracicsurgeon, is the medical director ofthe Heart Institute of Staten Islandand the director of cardiac surgeryat Staten Island UniversityHospital. Dr. McGinn conducted alive surgical Webcast of a minimallyinvasive coronary artery bypasssurgery (MICS CABG). A leadingauthority and pioneer in MICSCABG, Dr. McGinn hasperformed more than 350 MICSCABG procedures, averaging threeto four cases per week.

Pamela T. Miller, Esq., washonored at the MeadowlandsRegional Chamber of Commercegala last fall. Miller is senior vicepresident at Medco HealthSolutions, Inc.

1979Carmel Galasso, director ofhomeless services at the UnitedWay of Hudson County, wasinvited to Trenton to witnessGov. Jon Corzine sign the execu-tive order establishing the NewJersey Inter-Agency Council onHomelessness. This marked thefulfillment of a dream that sheand her agency have worked forover many years. Moreover, it willhelp achieve their goal to endhomelessness in New Jersey.

Edward J. Garland was namedMath Teacher of the Year in DadeCounty, Fla. Awarded to only oneteacher out of all public and privateschools, Garland is the first-everteacher at Belen Jesuit PreparatorySchool to receive the honor.

Ada Marin, M.D., M.P.H., wasselected by her peers, for the thirdtime in the last five years, as one ofSan Diego’s “Top Docs—Physiciansof Exceptional Excellence” for2008, and is one of 44 San Diegofamily physicians to receive thehonor. The October 2008 SanDiego Magazine issue is dedicatedto the Top Doctors for 2008, andlists the 449 San Diego physiciansin 39 specialties who were voted asTop Docs.

–––———–— 1980s –——–—–——

1982Catherine A. Tormey wasrecently honored by the NewYork/New Jersey Baykeeper. Shereceived the 2008 BaykeeperAward for Outstanding PublicService. NY/NJ Baykeeper is acharter member of theWaterkeeper Alliance, which is aworldwide organization dedicatedto preserving waterways.

1983Gregory A. Fedorchak recentlytook over responsibility for sales,marketing and distribution ofRockwood’s inorganic pigmentsproduct line for the Canadianmarket.

1984Patrick DeGeorge was appointedbusiness administrator ofFreehold Borough K-8 SchoolDistrict in December.

1985William (Bill) Raleigh received aspecial plaque of recognition at aSaint Peter’s College swim meetin mid-November. Raleigh wasinducted into the College’sAthletic Hall of Fame severalyears earlier for his accomplish-ments in swimming.

Judy and Nicholas Tauro ’57

CELEBRATES 75 YEARSFor 75 years, generations of Pauw Wowstaffers have pitched story ideas, trackeddown sources and put thousands of issuesof the student-run newspaper to bed. Theexperience was a formative one, not onlyfor the aspiring journalists and media pro-fessionals whose careers it spawned, butalso for many Saint Peter’s students whowent on to work in education, law, medi-cine and business.

Saint Peter’s will celebrate three-quar-ters of a century of student journalism at aPauw Wow 75th Anniversary Reunion onMay 3.

In addition to this momentous gather-ing, several of the newspaper’s alumni in-cluding Wall Street Journal music critic JimFusilli ’75, Pulitzer Prize winner Judith

Valente ’76, New York Post sports writerFred Kerber ’74 and Hollywood publicistErnie Malik ’74 are contributing articles fora commemorative issue to be published bythe current student newspaper staff.

Pauw Wow alumni say they are excitedto be a part of the anniversary issue. “Myyears at the Pauw Wow were fantastic,” re-called Angelo Caprio, M.D., Ph.D., ’74,an alumni contributor who served as edi-tor-in-chief of the College newspaper.

Now the medical director of caremanagement at Hoboken UniversityMedical Center and a renowned bioethi-cist, Dr. Caprio is penning a piece on pa-tient’s rights and the moral and ethicaldilemmas of prolonging life in a modernmedical age.

“It is great tobe working withthe many distin-guished alumnithat have come to-gether to work onthis special an-niversary issue,” said Pauw Wow editor-in-chief Gary Young ’10. Young also had theopportunity to interview John Botti, Esq.’41, the oldest living editor-in-chief of thePauw Wow. Botti will be presented theEditor Emeritus award by actor PhilipBosco H ’06 at the Anniversary Reunion.

The 75th anniversary commemorativeissue will be available beginning April 29.To read it online, visit www.spc.edu/pauwwow.

John Botti, Esq. ’41


NEWS AND NOTES

2006John D. Coffino was been namedhead coach of the AlbuquerqueThunderbirds for the 2008-2009season. Coffino joined theThunderbirds’ staff in 2007 as anassistant coach in the team’s thirdseason under Jeff Ruland. Coffinohas spent nine years as a Division Iassistant coach at Iona College,Niagara University and at SaintPeter’s College.

Kenny S. Medina has joined SaintPeter’s College as director of thePep Band.

2007Christopher W. Hansen wasnamed associate director of alumnirelations at Marist High School inBayonne, N.J.

Yassiel Rivera recently completedthe pre-deployment exerciseMojave Viper at Marine Corps AirGround Combat Center, inTwentynine Palms, Calif., whileassigned to Company G, 2ndBattalion, 25th Marine Regiment,4th Marine Division, MarineForces Reserve, Dover, N.J.

2008Jonathan Bouranel is working asa teen advocate at TundraWomen’s Coalition in Bethel,Alaska. He is a member of theJesuit Volunteer Corps.

Leigh H. Spielvogel foundedInnveration, a nonprofit initiativefor Jersey City youth intended tobring holistic concepts of wellness,athletics, and mindfulness to anon-athletic and underprivilegedyouth population in Jersey City.

1986Toni Ann Turco was honored byHudson Hospice for her volunteerservice for the organization. Turcoserves as treasurer and is respon-sible for running several successfulfundraising events for the organi-zation, including Casino Night.

1987Patricia P. Hulsen was namedchair of the mathematics depart-ment at Raritan Valley CommunityCollege in North Branch, N.J.

Andrew Pallito has beenappointed commissioner of theVermont Department ofCorrections.

–––———–— 1990s –——–—–——

1991William (Bill) T. Price waspromoted to senior director ofcorporate communications atJohnson & Johnson. Price isresponsible for the ongoingcommunication support ofJohnson & Johnson’s worldwidefinance organization and providingcommunication counsel to theinformation technology (IT) andpurchasing areas.

1992Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft,LLP has elected Richard M.Nugent partner of the firm.Nugent has significant expertisein the tax aspects of public andprivate corporate mergers, acqui-sitions and spin-offs. He also hasexperience advising clients oncross-border tax strategies, the taxconsequences of restructuringsand bankruptcies, and financingtransactions. He received hisLL.M., with distinction, fromGeorgetown University LawCenter and his J.D., with honors,from Rutgers School of Law.

1997Frank C. Grieco, Jr., ran forsupervisor of elections in BrevardCounty, Fla. Unfortunately, he wasdefeated by the long time incum-bent.

1998Megan (Dewland) Dodd andRichard Dodd have a wonderfulson, Ryan, who is currently 18months old.

Sister Noreen Holly was namedthe new principal of BlessedSacrament School in Paterson, N.J.

1999Crystal (Robinson) Carey ownsa successful restaurant in TempleHills, Md. The restaurant, Carey’sCuisine, was recognized as one ofthe best soul food restaurants inthe country at the Sixth AnnualHoodie Awards in Las Vegas.

–––———–— 2000s –——–—–——

2000Joshua A. Schrier, Ph.D.,presented a talk titledUnderstanding Nanostructuresfrom the Atoms Up in February forthe College’s science students aspart of a joint Collins ChemistrySociety and Society of PhysicsStudents colloquium lecture. Dr.Schrier is a professor at HaverfordCollege in Pennsylvania.

2002Gunther Carrero has beenhappily married for four years andhas two daughters, Eliana andIsabella. He left the world of infor-mation technology to pursue acareer at PSE&G. He continues torun two businesses from home, anIT consulting and e-commercebusiness.

2004Deidre MacNamara was recentlynamed editor-in-chief of a newmagazine called Bone-A-FideMutts, a magazine for and aboutmixed breed dogs and the peoplewho love them. This new maga-zine will feature behavioral articles,how to teach your dog tricks, andfeatures on aspects of dog owner-ship. The magazine’s premiereissue hit the newsstands last fall.

2005Jenny Buontempo received herM.A. in mathematics from theUniversity of Kansas. She iscurrently working on receiving hereducation certification at SantaClara University.

Joann Emmanuel was appointeddirector of the YWC (Yes We Can)College Bound program at UnionCounty College. The programassists high school students withtheir preparation for college. Priorto the appointment, Emmanuelworked as an admissions counselorat Saint Peter’s College.

Sean M. Kolibas is working as anEnglish teacher at Shore RegionalHigh School.

For Virginia Fazzi ’84, thedecision to mark her 50thbirthday by skydiving fulfilled adecades-long dream. In highschool, she aspired to get herpilot’s license.But a tragic car accident that left

Fazzi, then a sophomore at FairfieldUniversity, a quadriplegic putthat dream on hold — until lastyear.A friend who had recently

skydived recommended that Fazzicheck out a place in Wall Townshipwith experience in training quadri-plegics to skydive. The result wasan exhilarating experience Fazzi willnever forget.“It’s a huge rush, with the wind in

your face,” recalled Fazzi, who saysshe’d definitely skydive again.“It’s the most exhilarating feelingyou’ll ever have. It’s incredible.”Like all rookie skydivers, Fazzi

was attached to an experiencedjumper for her first dive at 10,000feet. In fact, the only differencebetween her and other beginnerswas that she needed a secondjumper to assist her out of theplane.A resident of Nutley, N.J., Fazzi

holds an associate’s degree indata processing from SaintPeter’s and a bachelor’s in socialstudies from Caldwell College. Thehigh achiever has run for herhometown’s Board of Educationand in 1995 received Nutley’sOutstanding Young Woman awardfor her volunteer work with theNutley Public Schools.You can view the video of her

dive on youtube.com by searchingfor “Virginia Celebrates 50.”

FLYING AT 50

The series of photos, above,chronicles Virginia Fazzi’s skydive

from 10,000 feet.

SPC ON THE ROAD

NEWS AND NOTES

College President Eugene J. Cornacchia, Ph.D., VicePresident for Mission and Ministry Rev. Michael L. Braden,S.J., Vice President for Advancement Michael A. Fazio,M.B.A., and other Saint Peter’s officials brought good newsof The Jesuit College of New Jersey to several alumni eventslast winter. These included an Orlando alumni receptionhosted by Thomas L. March, M.D., ’53 on January 15; aWest Palm Beach alumni reception hosted by James Leen’81 on January 16; a Naples alumni Mass and brunch host-ed by Thomas F. O’Reilly ’69 on January 18; and aWashington, D.C. alumni reception hosted by James andKathleen A. Tyrrell, Esq. ’73 on February 2.

To learn about upcoming alumni gatherings in yourarea, visit alumni.spc.edu.

James Tyrrell, Jr., Esq. (left), Kathleen A.Tyrrell, Esq. ’73 (middle) and College PresidentEugene J. Cornacchia, Ph.D., at a Saint Peter’salumni reception in Washington, D.C.

Saint Peter’s alumni reception in West Palm Beach, Fla.

MarriagesFrank Cinelli ’82 was married toJennifer Gibney on September14, 2008.

Christine M. Daily ’97 wasmarried to Dennis Flynn ’99 onAugust 22, 2008. The coupleresides in the Atlantic Highlands,N.J.

Ashling A. Lyons ’98 wasmarried to Thomas Ehrhardt onDecember 20, 2008.

Tammy Reinhardt ’99 wasmarried to Robert Tadeusz Szybaat Saint Mary’s Roman CatholicChurch in Dover, N.J.

Abby Cecelia Franklin ’01 wasmarried to Martin BrenesChinchilla on June 14, 2008, inAlajuela, Costa Rica.

Chad A. Matejicka ’01 wasmarried to Cheryl A. Del Politoon July 4, 2008. MarcantonioMacri ’01 and Sean Sullivan’02 served as the best men.

BirthsThomas A.McCabe ’85and ElizabethMcCabe, son–Luke Matthew, August 28, 2008.

Gina (Colaiemma) Percontino’93 and Michael Percontino’95, son– Nicholas Joseph,October 2, 2008. Nicholas joinsolder sister Isabella.

Shirley (Neff)Philouze ’93 andDidier Philouze,son– Ronan,August 17, 2008.

Louise (O’Neill) Hayes ’96 andJames Hayes, son– AidanChristopher, January 6, 2009.

Jeanine (Barbara) Stroh ’97and Patrick Stroh, daughter–Addison Jean, November 18,2008.


NEWS AND NOTES


Michael Allen ’78Leonard Bernstein ’02Jack BrennanJohn H. Canavan ’35Joseph Carlucci ’73Martin J. Carroll ’51Linda Chizmarik ’73Philip J. Clarke ’68Thomas M. Collins, Jr. ’43Edward J. Conway ’56Eugene CornacchiaCarol DemetricianFrancis P. Devlin ’40

William Dorgan ’54Peter G. Duff ’61John J. Egan, Sr. ’48Seton Fell HoltRobert D. Fenton ’52Thomas J. Fitzgerald ’51Joseph Gotti ’53Anthony Grazioso ’56Harry J. Greene ’35Darwin Hayes ’86John A. Jordan ’70Vincent T. Kane ’90Rev. Joseph A. Kelly, S.J.

Thomas W. Kelly ’53Thomas F. Kenny ’64Theodore J. KirbyMichael Lavender ’74Robert G. Leahy ’65Virginia Lee ’74Thomas J. Lynch, Jr. ’53William H. Lynch ’60Leonardo MagatEdward J. Mahoney ’53Mabel C. MaioCatherine McAlvanahBeatrice McKennaRichard T. McNally ’50Daniel McNulty ’69Ester L. MeeresJudy MeisterHelene MeyerGerard Milotti ’73

Deborah Leary Mole ’75Gerard T. Morecraft ’78Geraldine L. Morgan ’94Patricia MoscatoRyan MurphyRichard Nikovits ’81George P. Nulty ’64James O’Banion ’73William O’Day ’66Richard Onderdonk ’55George O’RourkeAda Marie PayneCiro PicarelliClaire PortfolioFrancis M. Prime ’50William RainvilleMargaret M. Rowan-HuntJames Joseph Ryan ’61Lawrence F. A. Shields ’83

Lawrence ShieldsRoss J. Simpson ’42John Sonzogni ’78Frederick T. Stein ’59John F. SullivanHarry SyringJohn W. Tarrant ’67Carol TuffyMaryann VignuliHenry A. Viti ’66Conrad VuocoloFlorence WhelanHeather Leigh Dietz WhelanJacqueline Williams ’79Albert Zagarola ’65Clara Zamojski ’92Charles W. Zegarski ’55Clara Ziglear ’83

A robust group of 19 Saint Peter’s College alumni who workfor Public Service Enterprise Group (PSEG), came together fora luncheon on February 23. The reason? To celebrate inadvance the Corporate Citizen Award to be bestowed on theorganization at Hearts & Minds: The Saint Peter’s CollegeAnnual Scholarship Dinner on April 2.

PSEG speakers included Mark G. Kahrer ’83, vice presidentof finance for PSEG Power and member of the College’s Boardof Regents, and John Smith, president of the PSEGFoundation. In his comments, Smith remarked that the SaintPeter’s alumni group is among the largest and closest knit atPSEG. A total of 46 Saint Peter’s alumni work for PSEG, fromrecent graduates to company veterans of 30-plus years.

In Memoriam

Saint Peter’s College wishes to extend its prayers andcondolences to the families of alumni, members of theCollege community and friends who have passed away.

HEARTS & MINDS SPC alumni celebrate Corporate Citizen award at PSEG luncheon

Saint Peter’s alumni who work for PSEG celebrated a Corporate Citizen award to be bestowedon the organization at Hearts & Minds on April 2.

Aldrin Buniel, a senior graphic art major created this winning ad as part of the College’s “Go Green” campaign. To view other student entries, visit www.spc.edu/green.


Imet Father Joe Kelly almost 40 years ago when mydaughter, Marilyn, was a student at Saint Peter’sCollege. When I was invited to share in reminis-

cences about him, I asked Marilyn for hers.She said that when Joe was chaplain at Saint

Peter’s, the students flocked to his Masses. She said thathis homilies were always relevant to their student life,that he was always smiling and fun to be around. Thenshe was quick to say that if anyone shared a concern orworry with him, Joe took it very seriously and was anunfailing source of help and comfort.

Then Marilyn added, “And of course it didn’t hurtthat he looked like a movie star.”

I met Joe at Saint Peter’s but it was when he movedto New York to be assistant pastor at Saint Malachy’sthat we became fast friends. Saint Malachy’s at the timewas in danger of being closed. Joe was a major andsignificant reason for the fact that it is not only alive andwell, but that it was so beautifully restored.

With his Irish wit and charm, he got majorBroadway stars to take part in fundraising functions andBroadway producers to open their checkbooks for TheActors’ Chapel, as Saint Malachy’s was affectionatelycalled.

Joe and I would sometimes have dinner with myfamily or other friends at Neary’s on 57th Street inManhattan. I remember that on one of those evenings

the legendary Irish actress, Maureen O’Hara, washaving dinner there. Before long she and Joe were indeep conversation. It turned out she came from aneighboring parish when they were growing up inIreland.

Everyone agrees that Joe was special, special,special.

I make my living as a writer, but how do I definewhat that means?

Joe’s light-hearted irreverence that was based onthe deep reverence of a truly holy priest.

His ability to light up a room or a dinner table byhis presence.

His ability to dismissthe many physical prob-lems that he endured inhis last years.

His abiding belief inthe loving God whounderstands the strugglesof the human condition.

And of course hisquick Irish wit.

I am sure that if andwhen we have the privi-lege of making heaven, itwill be easy to find him.

We’ll see a crowd of angels and saints gathered aroundsomeone. Then we’ll hear a burst of laughter and we’llhurry over to greet again our dear friend, because he’sthe one who will be telling the story.

Till then, please understand how much we lovedyou, Joe, and how much we miss you.

Mary Higgins Clark is the best-selling author of morethan 20 suspense novels, three collections of short storiesand a memoir, Kitchen Privileges. Her most recent novel,Dashing Through the Snow, was co-authored with herdaughter, Carol Higgins Clark. A former member of theBoard of Trustees and Regents at Saint Peter’s College,Higgins Clark received an honorary degree from theCollege in 1993.

AD FINEM

by Mary Higgins Clark H ’93

‘EVERYONE AGREES THAT JOE

WAS SPECIAL, SPECIAL,SPECIAL.’[ June 5-7

if Your graduation year ends in 4 or 9,

it’s time to come back to campus.

Catch up with old friends and classmates. Check out the new Jersey

City and see what it’s currently like to be a student at Saint Peter’s

College. Reunion 2009 is a weekend-filled event with a number of

opportunities to reminisce and reconnect with your alma mater.

You can register online for Reunion 2009 at alumni.spc.edu.

Questions? Call the Office of Alumni Relations at (201) 761-6122 or

e-mail [email protected].

NEWgala LocationWestin Hotel, Jersey City

come home to Saint Peter’s

Reunion 2009

Class of ’59 ReunionKickoffCocktail PartyJune 55:00 p.m.

Tour of Jersey cityJune 610:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m.

Alumni BarbequeJune 611:30 a.m.

Reunion LiturgyJune 65:00 p.m.

Reunion GalaCocktail Party and Dinner Danceat the new Westin HotelJune 66:00 p.m.

Golden peacock massand brunchJune 710:00 a.m.

Reunion 2009

A TRULY HOLY PRIEST

NonprofitOrg.

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Dover,NJ

ANNUAL FUNDS a i n t P e t e r ’ s C o l l e g e

Investing in Students, Inspiring leaders

We’re invested

To join the Cicirelli family in investing in the Annual Fund, pleasecontact Kevin Brennan, manager of annual giving, at (201) 761-6111or [email protected] or log onto www.spc.edu/giving.

The Cicirelli familyCounterclockwise from bottom left: Anna Origlieri Cicirelli ’79, Loretta Cicirelli,Bernie Cicirelli, Sr., ’55, and Bernie Cicirelli, Jr., ’80Annual Fund Donors: 50 years running

“For more than 50

years, Saint Peter’s

College has been an

important part of our

family. Giving back is

our way of saying

thank you for all that

Saint Peter’s has done

for us and will continue

to do for young men

and women who will

make a difference in

the world.”

THEJESUIT

COLLEGEOFNEW

JERSEY

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Saint Peter's College Spring 2009 Magazine

Documents