Spring 2011 Saint Peter's College Magazine

The Magazine ofThe jesuiT College of new jerseySaint Peter’s College

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Saint Peter’s College

speCial ediTion for The CaMpaign for sainT peTer’s College

announCing sTudenTs aT The CenTer

AdministrAtion Eugene J. Cornacchia, Ph.d. President

marylou Yam, Ph.d. Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs

Virginia Bender, Ph.d. ’78 Special Assistant to the President for Institutional Planning

rev. michael L. Braden, s.J. Vice President for Mission and Ministry

michael A. Fazio, m.B.A. Vice President for Advancement and External Affairs

denton stargelInterim Vice President for Finance and Business

terence Peavy, m.s.Vice President for Enrollment Management and Marketing

Eileen Poiani, Ph.d.Special Assistant to the President

sPring 2011 sAint PEtEr’s CoLLEgE mAgAzinEVolume 30, Number 2

EditorSarah Malinowski Acting Director of College Communications

Associate EditorMeredith MacDonald

Editorial & design services Erbach Communications Group

Contributors & Editorial AssistanceJamie BredehoftShepley Bulfinch Ana M. CravoLeah Leto ’05Gloria MercurioLauren PantanoFrances Salvo ’02

PhotographyDave Bryngil ’91Amy HandCatherine MernarScott Musial ’11Saint Peter’s College ArchivesSR Smith Sports PhotographyJeffrey Vock

THIS IS OUR MOMenT

People are talking about Saint Peter’s College.

From the four Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference

(MAAC) championships this year and the men’s basketball

appearance at the NCAA Tournament, to our exciting

partnership with St. Aedan’s Church and the pursuit of

university status, your alma mater is flourishing.

These recent achievements are all by design.

Purposeful planning guided by VISION 2015, the

College’s strategic plan, has helped us reach this point.

Our aspirations—to attain recognition as a leading

Jesuit institution of higher education, to be known

for innovation in urban education and to continue to

prepare principled, successful graduates who go on to

make a difference in their professions and communities—are coming to fruition. The pride we all

feel in Saint Peter’s progress is the result of the talent, determination, hard work and support put

forth by our diverse student body, faculty and administrators, the Board of Trustees, the Board of

Regents, the Alumni Board and many loyal alumni.

Energized by this success, we have embarked on the public phase of Students at the Center:

The Campaign for Saint Peter’s College. The centerpiece of the $62 million campaign is the

College’s first student center, which we plan to break ground on later this year. Additionally, this

landmark campaign, for which we’ve already raised nearly $45 million, encompasses priorities that

will advance excellence in academics, promote our Jesuit mission and identity, strengthen athletic

programs, grow the endowment and lend further support to The Saint Peter Fund. All work

together to ensure that we continue to build upon our legacy, emerge as an institution of choice

and reach a greater level of distinction and service.

This is our moment. Alumni have always held a deep and abiding love for the institution that

has provided them with tremendous care and opportunity. Now is the time to turn that love into

action. Join us. Together, we can continue to transform the lives of our students and make certain

that our shared vision for Saint Peter’s becomes a bright reality.

FROM THe PrEsidEnt

Eugene J. Cornacchia, Ph.D.President

Saint Peter’s College magazine is printed on an elemental chlorine-free paper containing 50 percent recycled content with 25 percent post-consumer waste. This is a Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified paper.



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6. Students at the Center 22. Donors Who Make a Difference 30. The Campaign Gala 34. Supporting the Campaign 44. Peacock Palooza

dEPArtmEnts

2. On the Boulevard 36. Peacock Blue 38. Alumni News and Notes

How to rEACH usAlumni news and notesSubmit a note online atalumni.spc.eduor send it to: Office of Alumni Relations2641 Kennedy Boulevard Jersey City, NJ 07306

Letter to the EditorE-mail: [email protected], Saint Peter’s College magazine2641 Kennedy Boulevard Jersey City, NJ 07306 Telephone: (201) 761-6239Fax: (201) 761-6241

on the cover: The new student center, slated for completion by 2013.

SPRInG 2011

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Saint Peter’s College • Spring 2011 1

On THe BouLEVArd

ST. AedAn’S: THe SAInT PeTeR’S COlleGe CHURCH

Saint Peter’s College has assumed responsibility for all operations at St. Aedan’s in Jersey City, the historic Roman Catholic church that is located just steps away from the College campus.

College officials and the Archdiocese of Newark said the partnership will serve as the cornerstone for a reinvigorated emphasis on ministry and mission at Saint Peter’s College, as well as in the greater community.

“Embracing St. Aedan’s into the life and mission of Saint Peter’s College is a milestone achievement for us,” said Eugene J. Cornacchia, Ph.D., president of Saint Peter’s. “A college church will help support the Jesuit mission of Saint Peter’s College and our critical goal of

strengthening the Catholic identity of our institution. We look forward to working with our neighbors to continue to keep St. Aedan’s a sacred place for worship and reflection for both the Jersey City and Saint Peter’s College communities.”

Archbishop John J. Myers said the partnership is mutually beneficial for the College, the St. Aedan’s community and the Jersey City neighborhoods that surround both institutions. “This partnership with Saint Peter’s College enables us to maintain a strong Catholic presence for decades to come,” he said.

The entire St. Aedan’s campus, including the church, convent, rectory, a private elementary school, Primary

Prep, and adjacent parking lots will be incorporated into the Saint Peter’s campus. The College will transform the parish church into a college church, staffed by members of the Jesuit community, with the aim of stimulating the faith life of students, faculty, staff, administrators and alumni. Masses for the community will continue on Saturday evenings and Sunday mornings and St. Aedan’s: The Saint Peter’s College Church will carry on parish traditions such as baptisms, weddings and sacramental preparation.

A communal celebration for the Jersey City and College communities will be held later this year.

St. Aedan’s Church, which will serve as the cornerstone for a reinvigorated emphasis on ministry and mission at Saint Peter’s College.

2 Saint Peter’s College • Spring 2011

Rev. Stephen M. Hess, S.J., had been on the job for a mere week, but judging from the number of people who stopped him in the hallways of Dinneen, the College community had quickly embraced the charismatic Jesuit. The feeling is mutual.

“I’m finding this campus to be extremely friendly and welcoming,” said the new associate vice president for student life and development. “People here genuinely want to reach out.” A native of Montana who entered the Society of Jesus in 1982, Fr. Hess previously served as interim vice president for mission at Gonzaga University in Spokane, Wash. He has served as a parish priest in Portland, Ore. and worked with refugees in East Africa, but the bulk of his professional career has centered on student life and development.

“Fr. Hess’ proven track record of creating synergy

between academics and student life meshes with a critical component of the College’s strategic plan. His experience will have a tremendous impact on our community,” said Eugene J. Cornacchia, Ph.D., president of Saint Peter’s College. “We welcome him to Saint Peter’s and look forward to working with him on ways to strengthen our students’ college experience in an atmosphere of cura personalis.”

The Jesuit became acquainted with the College at a professional conference more than a decade ago. “It was always in the back of my mind as a place I’d be interested in one day,” said Fr. Hess, whose dissertation research focused on the experiences of working class and first generation college students. “I was very impressed with the work that was being done here,” he continued. “This is where Jesuits need to be.”

Fr. Hess holds a Bachelor of Arts in speech communication and Master of Arts in organizational leadership, both from Gonzaga University. He also possesses a Master of Divinity from the Weston School of Theology and a Doctor of Philosophy in higher education administration from Boston College. In his new

role, he oversees all aspects of out-of-classroom life, which encompasses everything from athletics to residence life, dining, health services, student activities and more. “Great things are happening here,” he said. “I would like to see us capitalize on our strengths in order to better serve our students.”

Eileen L. Poiani, Ph.D., has been named special assistant to the president. In her new role, Dr. Poiani will oversee several institutional projects that in-clude enhancing Archdiocesan relations, assisting in the upcom-ing Middle States self-study and special fundraising initiatives.

Dr. Poiani, who previously served as vice president for student affairs, also will act

as a college representative for various activities in the Office for Advancement and External Affairs.

Dr. Poiani has a long and unique history with Saint Peter’s College. She was the first female professor in the mathematics department and the first female vice president appointed in the College’s history.

“Eileen’s commitment to

our Jesuit and Catholic mission, her broad experiences as a faculty member and administrator and her rich understanding of institutional history and culture are all vital to the College,” commented College President Eugene J. Cornacchia, Ph.D. “I am confident that many important initiatives will be successfully advanced through her leadership and guidance.”

WelCOMe FR. HeSSnEw AssoCiAtE ViCE PrEsidEnt For studEnt LiFE And dEVELoPmEnt

PoiAni APPointEd sPECiAL AssistAnt to tHE PrEsidEnt

Eileen Poiani, Ph.D.

Rev. Stephen Hess, S.J.


On THe BouLEVArd

BleSSed eVenT EigHt studEnts rECEiVE EAstEr sACrAmEnts At CELEBrAtorY mAss

PuBLiC PoLiCY mAVEn nEw EXECutiVE dirECtor For tHE guArini institutE For goVErnmEnt And LEAdErsHiP

Throughout his professional life Nicholas A. Chiaravalloti, Esq. has demonstrated an exemplary commitment to public service. As the new executive director of the Guarini Institute for Government and Leadership, one of his goals is to encourage Saint Peter’s students to pursue careers that serve the common good.

“We’re not just about political science issues,” said Chiaravalloti, noting that the Institute encompasses the College’s Model UN, the Ambassadors’ Program for diplomatic dialogue, and the non-partisan Guarini Lecture Series for the discussion of key public policy issues. “We’re also about international economies and social justice—all types of public policy.”

Chiaravalloti served as the state director for U.S. Senator Robert Menendez ’76 and is the former executive director of the Bayonne Local Redevelopment Authority.

A resident of Bayonne, Chiaravalloti earned a B.A. from the Catholic University of America and a J.D. from Rutgers School of Law. He also attended the John F. Kennedy School of

Government-Center for Public Leadership at Harvard University.

“[Saint Peter’s] is a very exciting place to be,” he said after a few days on the job. “The students are engaged and excited to explore.”

Marylou Yam, Ph.D., provost and vice president for academic affairs, said of Chiaravalloti, “Under Nicholas’ leadership, the Institute will realize its goals, which are to be a bridge between classroom learning and real world politics, to expose our students to, and interact with today’s national, state and local leaders, to prepare students for responsible and productive citizenship and promote civic engagement.”

The Most Reverend Thomas A. Donato, D.D., of the Newark Archdiocese conferred Easter sacraments on eight Saint Peter’s College students on May 1. The undergraduates are part of a growing Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) program that the College has always made available to students, but was restructured this year as a class so that participants learn,

grow and support one another. RCIA is a process in which interested adults choose to follow the Roman Catholic faith and prepare for Baptism, Holy Communion and/or Confirmation, depending on their present level of formation. College Chaplain Rev. Rocco Danzi, S.J., directs the program and describes it as “an opportunity for young adults who may find themselves

wanting to pursue faith formation and initiation into the Catholic Church.” Damaris Medina ’13 approached Fr. Danzi at the start of the academic year about completing her sacraments. The Jesuit extended an invitation for other students to join at Sunday evening Mass. Rev. José-Luis Salazar, S.J., assistant professor of theology, also spread the word in his classes. The RCIA class met on a weekly basis throughout the academic year. “This group of students is very busy and overcommitted, so flexibility was key,” said Fr. Danzi, who would schedule one-on-one sessions if a student-athlete in the group had an away game or meet. The celebratory Mass, he added, was “the fruit of a collective labor of love and a labor of faith witness.” With students already signed up for next year’s class, Fr. Danzi hopes more will be inspired. “The Mass was also a teaching moment for all the faith friends of the eight. The invitation we put out there is, ‘might this be for me as well?’”

“tHE inVitAtion wE Put out tHErE is, ‘MIGHT THIS Be FOR Me AS Well’?” [

Nicholas Chiaravalloti, Esq.


On THe BouLEVArd

IGnATIAn HeRITAGe Week

FACuLtY AwArds And ACCoLAdEs

For the second year, the Saint Peter’s chapter of Alpha Sigma Nu, the Jesuit honor society, presented Ignatian Heritage Week, March 21–31. Over a 10-day period the event featured speakers, lectures and activities to raise awareness of the Ignatian identity of the College. Pictured above: “Behind the Swoosh: Sweatshops and Social Justice with Jim Keady.” Keady works to promote awareness for the injustices of sweatshops, specifically those of the Nike Corporation, and to establish good working conditions for those who work in these shops. His father, James Keady ’64, attended Saint Peter’s College.

COMMenCeMenT 2011

Brian P. Hopkins, Ph.D., associate professor of mathematics at Saint Peter’s College, has a knack for solving problems. The hallmark of his courses are individual or group projects that lead students to discovery and active problem solving. The New Jersey Section of the Mathematical Association of America recognized Dr. Hopkins’ innovative teaching methods with its 2011 sectional award for Distinguished College or University Teaching of Mathematics in April.

Dr. Hopkins is the second College faculty member to receive this award. Saint Peter’s is one of only two New Jersey institutions to have multiple faculty members honored with the prestigious award.

Distinguished Professor in the College of Arts and Sciences William Gutsch, Jr., Ph.D. ’67 recently completed his first year

as president of the Board of Directors of the Astronomical Society of the Pacific (ASP). The ASP, which was founded in 1889, is the largest general astronomy society in the world with members participating from over 70 nations. Elected to the position in 2010, Dr. Gutsch joined an illustrious group of past presidents to serve the ASP’s Board of Directors, including Edwin Hubble, who discovered the expanding universe and for whom the Hubble Space Telescope is named.

Armed with a Saint Peter’s College degree, 799 graduates stepped into their future following the 120th Commencement, held on May 23 at the PNC Bank Arts Center in Holmdel, N.J. Degree recipients included 560 at the undergraduate level and 239 at the graduate level.

Carlos Lejnieks, president and CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters (BBBS) of Essex, Hudson and Union Counties, gave the commencement address and received an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree, honoris causa. Under Lejnieks leadership, BBBS expanded from a Newark agency to one of the five largest mentoring agencies in the country. Saint Peter’s was the first college in the region to partner with BBBS of Essex, Hudson and Union Counties on service initiatives and the expansion of mentoring relationships.

The College also awarded an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters, honoris causa, to The Most Reverend Thomas A. Donato, D.D. Bishop Donato oversees the administrative matters of all the Roman Catholic churches as Episcopal Vicar of Hudson County. Over the course of his career, he has served as the regional director of religious education for Bergen County North, Episcopal Vicar of Bergen County West and spiritual director at Immaculate Conception Seminary.

Class of 2011 Valedictorian Joanna Blanco addressed fellow graduates and quoted Saint Ignatius of Loyola, the founder of the Jesuits, who said, “Go forth and set the world on fire.” “We can be confident in what Saint Peter’s College has taught us intellectually, spiritually and morally,” she said. “It is our turn to ignite change and make a difference in the world.”

www.facebook.com/saintpetersalumni

Join us on

Above left: Brian Hopkins, Ph.D.; Right: William Gutsch, Jr., Ph.D. ’67


Students at the Center this is saint Peter’s moment. with the official launch of Students at the Center: The Campaign for Saint Peter’s College, we embark on a $62 million campaign that will Build our First student Center, Advance Excellence in Academics, Promote our Jesuit mission and identity, Enhance Athletic Programs, grow the Endowment and strengthen the saint Peter Fund.

Saint Peter’s College students in the parking lot and site of the forthcoming student center.


Students at the Center

Time to BuildBreaking ground for a student center

The new student center will be a dynamic center for college life.

8 Saint Peter’s College • Spring 20118 Saint Peter’s College • Spring 2011

aint Peter’s student Joseph Skillender ’11 epitomizes the rea-son why Jesuit education is rooted in the tradition of “educating the whole person.” A business

management major and Italian minor, Skillender balances a rigorous course load with a law internship at Patton Boggs LLP, while juggling significant commit-ments as a Gannon debater and president of the Student Government Association.

Learning for Skillender, and hundreds of other Saint Peter’s students, takes place in and out of the classroom. But something essential has been missing—a central place for students to gather, interact and collaborate on academic and service projects. The new student center will fill that void, creating a dynamic center for college life. The $35 million, six-story facility, with plans to break ground this year and open by 2013, promises to be a vibrant hub that draws students to campus long after the last class has ended for the day.

EnHAnCing EXPEriEnCEs “Right now, our students don’t have any place ‘to be,’” said Director of Student Activities Jan Reimer ’97, ’00. “This center will provide a very welcoming place, a central location to meet, mingle and be connected. This is going to go a long way in connecting students to the College.” Skillender, who is headed to law school in the fall, agreed. “Students can finally socialize and feel as though they’re part of a stronger and tighter community.”

what’s inside the new student Center 1 With its main entrance on Glenwood Avenue, the first floor of the student center will be a welcoming space for students. Highlights include a large living room area with gas fireplace, Jazzman’s coffee shop, plus greater visibility for the Office of Campus Ministry and Community Service and Service Learning. The Guarini Institute for Government and Leadership and the campus store are also located on this floor. 2 and 3 The second and third floors will be devoted to student dining for residents and commuters. A faculty and staff dining room will also be located on the third floor, along with a balcony that overlooks dining areas on the second floor. 4 The fourth floor will house a fitness room, large game area, a small performance area for events such as open mic nights and poetry slams and will be the new home for WSPC Radio.

Sit’s a new era at saint Peter’s College. this year we break ground on a monumental initiative, the College’s first student center, that will transform our Jersey City campus into an even more vibrant space for living, learning and special events.

1 2

3 4


with an anticipated opening by 2013, the six-story student center will enrich the saint Peter’s experience for residents and commuters. it will strengthen students’ connection to the College and make the Jesuit College of new Jersey an even more attractive institution of choice.

The 90,000-square-foot, six-story student center was designed with the input of students.


what’s inside the new student Center 5 The fifth floor will be devoted to Student Life and Development. This will contain dedicated space for student clubs such as the Student Government Association and the Pauw Wow. A centrally located forum area is where student leaders from all clubs can meet to interact, share and collaborate on projects. 6 The Duncan Family Sky Room will seat up to 430 people and provide dramatic views of downtown Jersey City and New York.

The 90,000-square-foot structure, which will span the east side of campus from Glenwood Avenue to Montgomery Street, has been designed with the input of students. Highlights include: • FirstFloor—Studentsarewelcomedwith

a large living room area with gas fireplace to unwind. Also on this floor: Jazzman’s coffee shop, the campus store, the Guarini Institute for Government and Leadership and the Office of Campus Ministry and Community Service and Service Learning, which will heighten the College’s dedication to Jesuit ideals.

• Second and Third Floors—Bothfloors feature spacious dining areas for residential and commuter students as well as faculty and staff.

• Fourth Floor—A new fitness room,gaming area and small performance area. Visitors will see all the behind-the-scenes action with new glass-walled offices for WSPC Radio.

• Fifth Floor—Dedicated office space forstudent clubs including the Student Government Association and the Pauw Wow, plus a forum area where participants from all student activities can interact and collaborate.

• Sixth Floor—In The Duncan FamilySky Room, panoramic views of the Jersey City waterfront and New York City skyline will serve as a dramatic

backdrop for signature College events such as Hearts & Minds: The Saint Peter’s College Annual Scholarship Dinner, the Regents Business Symposium and the Alumni Weekend gala. College officials also anticipate the space will generate revenue since it will be available for rental to alumni and other groups.

FoundAtion For tHE FuturETerence Peavy, vice president for enrollment management and marketing, said that the new center will help showcase the campus and support efforts to recruit the best and brightest. Saint Peter’s is only one of two independent colleges in New Jersey and one of among a few Jesuit institutions in the nation without a student center.

“It’s an extremely competitive market,” said Peavy. “Having the kind of facility that students have come to expect keeps us in the mix.”

The recent addition of St. Aedan’s: The Saint Peter’s College Church and the forthcoming student center also solidify the College’s vision to expand and improve its urban campus. “Saint Peter’s has been undergoing a renaissance for some time,” said College President Eugene J. Cornacchia, Ph.D. “The new student center is the capstone to all this progress. It is going to do more than fulfill an essential need and further students’ connections to the College—it is the future of the College.”

5 6

“Just spectacular” is how kathleen M. Mckenna, esq. ’75, chairman of the Board of Trustees, describes the plans for the forthcoming student center at Saint Peter’s College. “I do think the student center will be transformative for the College,” said McKenna, a partner

in the Labor & Employment practice at Proskauer Rose LLP. “There’s no question in this day and age that having a place where students can come together, where they can build community, is really important to the college experience.”

In 2006, the Board of Trustees approved preliminary plans for a new student center. Trustees then worked closely with the College administration on VISION 2015, the strategic plan to guide the future of the institution. “There is a really robust partnership between the administration and Board of Trustees,” McKenna noted. “And we are fortunate to have talented and committed individuals on the Board who brought their time, talent and treasure to the strategic vision to make this happen.”

In addition to fulfilling the College’s mission to provide an exceptional educational experience, the facility is also part of a master plan to grow the physical campus and enhance the reputation of The Jesuit College of New Jersey.

“It’s a tremendously exciting time for Saint Peter’s College,” McKenna said. “When you look at the growth in academic programs, the building of the student center and other development projects, the fact that our athletic teams are once again in the public eye—we are poised to be an institution that people are talking about.”


Time to ExcelEnhancing teaching, learning and global education

Alexandra Hernandez ’11 (left) studied in Egypt last year. Daniel Thomasey ’11 (middle) completed study abroad in Italy. Si Hwa Kim ’11 (right) is an international student from South Korea.


kathleen A. Gilvey Tyrrell, esq. ’73 and her husband, James E. Tyrrell, Esq., feel privileged to be part of the academic renaissance underway at Saint Peter’s College. As a member of the Academic Affairs

Committee of the Board of Trustees, Kathleen has witnessed the College’s renewed commitment to expand learning opportunities for all Saint Peter’s students.

The Tyrrells are especially proud to support the revitalization of the College’s Bastek Honors Program. “An honors program should be rigorous, promoting strong analytical ability, superior writing skills and the capacity to manage significant quantities of difficult materials,” commented Kathleen. “In an atmosphere of scant job opportunities and burgeoning graduate and professional school applications, completing an honors curriculum helps students to distinguish themselves.”

The couple has devoted much of their time to the award-winning Gannon Debating Society, which Kathleen has coached since 2006. She described it as “a wonderful opportunity for Saint Peter’s students to explore their academic interests beyond the classroom.”

James, the managing partner of the greater New York/New Jersey offices of the law firm Patton Boggs LLP, employs several members of the Gannon Debating Society as interns. “They are hard-working, responsible and intelligent, and they fit so well into the family atmosphere of our firm,” he said. “We’re thrilled to give them a positive ‘real-world’ work experience and encourage all Saint Peter’s alumni to consider doing the same.”

“It’s rewarding for us to support what’s happening at Saint Peter’s,” remarked Kathleen. “Now, more than ever, the College enables all students to reach their full academic potential and to be satisfied with nothing less than excellence.”

ike many students, biology major Daniel Thomasey ’11 wanted to see the world rather than read about it. So despite a challenging course load, he planned ahead and spent the spring semester of

his junior year in Pavia, Italy. Mastering a foreign language (all of Thomasey’s courses were taught in Italian) was just one outcome of his study abroad experience. Thomasey, who begins studies at the Purdue University School of Veterinary Medicine this fall, also gained a broader world view. “You’re more open,” he said. “You really experience a lot of different types of cultures and get such a different spin on how people live.”

Saint Peter’s launched the Center for Global Learning in March to boost study abroad options for students like Thomasey. Its aim is also to develop faculty-led international courses and partnerships and increase the international student presence on campus. The Center is just one example of a multifaceted initiative to innovate teaching and learning while creating greater opportunities for students at Saint Peter’s College.

In the last year alone, the College introduced five new academic programs including a master’s in criminal justice and the institution’s first doctoral programs in nursing and education. The Center for Microplasma Science and Technology (CMST) officially opened, ushering in a new era of scientific research and innovation. “We’ve really made substantial progress toward achieving the strategic goals outlined in VISION 2015,” said Marylou Yam, Ph.D., provost and vice president for academic affairs. Other exciting initiatives are underway.

In addition to the opening of the Center for Global Learning, which Dr. Yam described as “a dream that has now become a reality for us on campus,” the

College has invigorated the Dr. James V. Bastek ’67 Honors Program. Twenty-seven seniors defended theses this spring in nearly every academic discipline, from economics to communication, biochemistry and math. “There is more energy and focus going into the Bastek Honors Program than ever before,” said Program Director Rachel Wifall, Ph.D. The College has also partnered with Deltak, an industry leader in online education and will soon offer two degree programs, the R.N. to B.S.N. and the master’s in criminal justice, fully online.

With further investment from Students at the Center: The Campaign for Saint Peter’s College, academic priorities will focus on enhancing global education so

that more students experience the personal growth of participating in study abroad and exchange programs; creating more professional development opportunities for faculty; and continuing to strengthen the College’s many Centers of Excellence such as the PARSE Institute (Practical Application of Research in Science Education) and the Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning.

The other major development is to attain status as a comprehensive university (a higher education environment that emphasizes the teaching mission), which will further position Saint Peter’s to meet economic and societal needs in the 21st Century.

“Achieving status as a comprehensive university is really a reflection of all of this progress,” said Virginia Bender, Ph.D., ’78, special assistant to the president for institutional planning. “We will be able to afford our students the kinds of opportunities available at a larger university while remaining faithful to the interpersonal relationships that are at the heart of the Saint Peter’s experience. It is very consistent with our mission and beliefs.”

L

“ACHiEVing STATUS AS A COMPReHenSIVe UnIVeRSITY is rEALLY A rEFLECtion oF ALL tHis ProgrEss.”[


Time to Praygrowing the ignatian way


o find a student who has completely embraced Jesuit values and mission, look no farther than JoAnn Devany ’11.

In her studies, she pursues academic excellence and serves as president of the Saint Peter’s College chapter of Alpha Sigma Nu, the Jesuit Honor Society. On campus, she promotes spirituality through her involvement with Campus Ministry, including serving as a Eucharistic Minister at Mass and as a member of the Interfaith Council. And in the world, she embodies the Jesuit ideal of “men and women for others,” traveling to Honduras as a Global Outreach Team member.

Like Devany and previous generations of Saint Peter’s College graduates, today’s students are learning that Ignatian values are a way of life. In the recently renovated Saint Peter Chapel, the College’s Sunday evening Mass is drawing a large congregation. Alpha Sigma Nu organized and presented the College’s second Ignatian Heritage Week from March 21–31 to encourage more students to experience the universality of Jesuit values.

Now, it’s time to take that dedication to the ideals of Saint Ignatius Loyola to the next level. VISION 2015, the strategic plan for Saint Peter’s College, has identified a primary goal to deepen Ignatian values and spirituality, encourage a lifelong commitment to service and advance a dynamic interfaith community.

“The strategic plan calls on us to do a lot of things,” explained Rev. Michael Braden, S.J., vice president for mission and ministry. The Campaign initiatives that will strengthen spirituality and support the strategic plan are modest, but will make a big difference in the spirituality and faith life of the College community.

Some are simple, such as purchasing a new van to transport students to community service opportunities, hiring a

dedicated director of liturgical music with experience in various cultural traditions and dedicated funding that allows more members of the College community to participate in retreats.

“People are really ripe for a retreat experience,” said Fr. Braden, who initiated the Spiritual Exercises in Daily Life on campus. The Jesuit also sees opportunities for faculty, administrators, staff and even students to engage in the Silent Ignatian Retreat, an extended encounter he calls “a transformational experience for most who take it.”

A longer term goal is to establish a new Interfaith Center that would serve as a place of interfaith prayer, scholarship and leadership training. A strong interfaith community already exists on campus, where Saint Peter’s students of many religious backgrounds, as well as diverse cultural and ethnic traditions, gather to praise and serve God.

As a first step, the Office of Campus Ministry recently re-enacted the Interfaith Council, a student organization that promotes appreciation and understanding of the rich religious traditions that are present in today’s student body. Through dialogue and days of service, Saint Peter’s students of many faiths join together to serve the needs of others.

Mary Sue Callan-Farley, director of campus ministry, explained that the Interfaith Council promotes community and celebrates the College’s rich diversity. “It’s about being proud of our Jesuit, Catholic traditions, but also finding ways to extend and invite people to walk together and find common ground,” she said. “This is an everyday ministry of presence.”

Devany, who begins a doctoral program in physical therapy at Columbia University in the fall, says her beliefs continue to evolve and strengthen through the Ignatian-based opportunities offered at Saint Peter’s. “I’ve become more independent in my faith. But I’ve also realized that I have to learn a lot more about my faith in order to share it with others.”

Giving back to others comes naturally to Robb Santos ’91 and his wife, elizabeth Viray Santos ’91. As Saint Peter’s College students, they took part in numerous Campus Ministry projects, including the service initiatives Beth took to help others in Kentucky and Kingston, Jamaica.

Today, they continue that tradition through Robb’s role as chairman of the College’s Board of Regents and through their support of the Global Outreach Program, which sends students on service-oriented trips.

“Beth was living the Jesuit ideal,” said Robb, director of investor and treasury investments at Credit Suisse, Alternative Investments. “We want to make sure other students have those same opportunities. It’s absolutely critical to the Ignatian identity of the College.”

As students, Robb and Beth were active in the Philippine-American Club and met at an International Food Festival held at the College. Their friendship grew into love and today they are happily married and parents of a young son.

Twenty years after graduation, they clearly value the richness that Saint Peter’s College has brought into their lives. The stories of current students inspire them.

Hearing those stories, Beth recalled the gratitude she felt when she received financial assistance to attend Saint Peter’s. “We feel compelled to give back,” she said, noting that Robb also received an academic scholarship from the College. “Look at where we are now. This is our time to give back.”

Robb wholeheartedly agreed. “We’ve seen how great an impact Saint Peter’s has had on our lives. We believe it’s important to continue that for this generation and beyond.”

T

“PEoPLE ArE rEALLY riPE For A

ReTReAT exPeRIenCe.”[

Sunday evening Mass at Saint Peter Chapel. Saint Peter’s College • Spring 2011 15

Time to Winstriving for Magis


Men’s soccer was one of four Saint Peter’s teams crowned MAAC champions this year.

t has been an exceptional year for Saint Peter’s College Athletics.

To understand just how far Peacock and Peahen teams have come in achieving magis, the Jesuit ideal to always seek “the

more,” one only has to look at the number of Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) championship wins this season. Since becoming a founding member of the MAAC in 1980, Saint Peter’s has won 22 conference championships. By the end of the 2010–2011 season, the College clinched four MAAC Championships, a feat that came as no surprise to Director of Athletics Patrick Elliott.

“We definitely have the ability,” he said. “We’re here to strive to win championships.”

There have only been two times in school history when Saint Peter’s won two MAAC Championships in the same academic year. Last November, the men’s soccer team defeated Loyola and Iona to

win the MAAC title and advanced to the NCAA Tournament for the third time in program history. In February, the women’s indoor track and field team won its first MAAC crown in program history, behind a record setting performance by Ronnah Parham ’11, a hurdler from Piscataway, N.J. Seventy-nine days later, the women’s outdoor track and field team clinched the MAAC Championship. Head Coach Mike Massone was also named Coach of the Year for the indoor and outdoor season.

On the individual front, Lovro Bilonic ’12 became the first male swimmer at Saint Peter’s, as well as the MAAC, to be invited to compete in the NCAA Division I Swimming and Diving Championships. And men’s basketball became the first number four seed in the MAAC to topple the number one and two seeds and claim the conference championship in March. The team made its first NCAA Tournament

appearance in 16 years when they faced off against Purdue at the United Center in Chicago.

The fact that the College now boasts more competitive programs is no happy accident. Elliott cites a shift in attitude and approach that has propelled Saint Peter’s teams to greater success. “We’ve shifted our focus to what we can do,” he explained. “It’s about maximizing the skills and resources we have and to be about excellence as much as we can.”

The priorities outlined in Students at the Center: The Campaign for Saint Peter’s College are aimed at strengthening and improving on existing resources. At the top of the Department of Athletics list is upgrading and improving the Yanitelli Recreational Life Center. Built in 1975 at a cost of $6 million, the multipurpose athletic facility is in need of renovations to better support the needs of student-

athletes today. This includes improvements to the sports medicine area, enhancing the fitness and weight rooms and creating more efficient uses of space for locker rooms and other services. A larger scale project could include a renovation of the arena’s seating area and amenities to support more competitive Division I athletic teams. Better resources not only make the College more attractive to prospective student-athletes, but also to students and alumni who want to experience the fun and excitement of cheering on Division I teams.

“The Campaign is going to have a direct impact on student-athletes,” stressed Elliott. “They win the games, they put in the work, they make the sacrifice. It’s going to allow them to achieve their goals and strive for magis. It creates an environment for our student-athletes to achieve their goals.”

For Jorge B. Gomez ’85, being a student-athlete at Saint Peter’s was just one part of a formative college experience. A star baseball player who was inducted into the College’s Athletic Hall of Fame in 1996, Gomez says the diversity of the College, Jesuit education and competing in Division I athletics “all helped me become the person I am today.” The Jesuit College of New Jersey is also where Gomez met his wife and business partner, eleni Pashalidis Gomez ’86. Both describe Saint Peter’s as “a wonderful place to go to college.”

For Eleni, working in the Career Development Office (now the Center for Experiential Learning and Career Services) provided an entry into the business world. Eleni landed an internship with Merrill Lynch that turned into a full-time position following graduation.

Jorge began a career with State Farm Insurance that came about in part due to his experience as a student-athlete. The couple lived in New Jersey for many years until a new opportunity presented itself. In 1997, the couple bought two McDonald’s franchises in Western Massachusetts. Soon, two franchises turned into three and Eleni resigned from Merrill Lynch and joined Jorge in the growing business.

Today, the Gomez’ own and operate nine McDonald’s franchises and are happy to share their good fortune and support their alma mater and its athletic programs. “It’s important to give back to where you came from,” said Eleni. “If it wasn’t for Saint Peter’s College, we wouldn’t be where we are today.”

“I’m so glad and happy to be in a position to give back,” Jorge added. “Saint Peter’s helped me in my life and this is something we will continue.”

“tHE CAmPAign is going to HAVE A dirECt imPACt on studEnt-AtHLEtEs…

it’s going to ALLow tHEm to ACHiEVE tHEir goALs And STRIVe FOR magis.” [

I


Case of SupportScholarship Students Endowment

Time to Growincreasing the endowment is a critical priority

Recipients of endowed scholarships at Saint Peter’s College. Front row (L to R): Joseph Maini ’13 and Edlyn Jones ’12. Back row (L to R): Jeffrey Reyes ’13 and Kimberly Tylor ’13.

Rev. Aidan C. McMullen, S.J., was more than a mentor to daniel e. Toomey, esq. ’64. The Jesuit, who was affiliated with Saint Peter’s for more than 50 years as a history professor, academic dean and Glee Club moderator, was a lifelong friend.

“He knew my wife. He married us and christened our children. He was on the altar for the funerals of my parents,” said Toomey, who met Fr. McMullen when he joined the Glee Club in 1960. The relationship developed into a lasting friendship that continued until the Jesuit’s death in 2006. The alumnus considers the request by Fr. McMullen that Toomey should deliver the eulogy at his funeral “one of the great compliments of my life.”

Toomey established the Aidan C. McMullen, S.J. Endowed Scholarship, which will provide perpetual financial assistance to deserving students. Today’s student-led chorale, whose roots are in the Glee Club that Toomey and many other alumni have such fond memories of, is also named in the Jesuit’s honor.

Though Toomey never took a class with Fr. McMullen, through the Glee Club and other interactions he learned some valuable life lessons. “He taught me a lot about paying attention to governance and structure,” said Toomey, who went on to Georgetown University Law Center. He served as a U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia and then went into private practice as a trial attorney and partner. Today, he is a partner in Duane Morris LLP, a leading legal firm in Washington, D.C.

Toomey’s hope is that more will contribute and honor a Jesuit who affected so many. “Mac was one of the most giving people I know,” Toomey said. “I miss him every day.”

To support the Aidan C. McMullen, S.J. Endowed Scholarship, contact Jamie Bredehoft, manager of donor relations, at (201) 761-6114.

hen Jeffrey Reyes ’13 began his studies at Saint Peter’s College in 2009, he was able to fund a portion of his education through a high

school award for earning a top-ranked G.P.A. That award ended after freshman year, but a combination of scholarships, including the Class of 1963 Alumni Scholarship and The Greer F. Henderson ’54 Memorial Scholarship, allowed Reyes to return for his sophomore year. “This was a big thing for me personally,” he said. “It really helped me come back.” Come back he did. This year, Reyes, an accounting major from Pennsauken, N.J., became a member of the Saint Peter’s chapter of Delta Sigma Pi, the nation’s

foremost fraternity for men and women pursuing business careers, and is looking forward to an accounting internship with Deloitte Tax LLP this summer.

Edlyn Jones ’12, the recipient of the Prudential Scholarship, is a double major in theology and international business. This ambitious course of study meant 18 credit semesters, which put Jones in a financial bind. “I didn’t want to take out another loan,” said Jones, who was born in Liberia and received political asylum in the U.S. in 1995. The letter informing her that she was the recipient of the Prudential Scholarship came just in time.

For generations, endowed scholarships have impacted the lives of bright, determined students like Reyes and Jones. Scholarships and access to Jesuit education transformed the children of factory workers into CEOs, scrappy Hudson County kids into professional leaders and idealistic young people into “men and women for others.”

Named funds like the Class of 1963 Scholarship continue to impact students nearly 50 years after its founding. They are also a vehicle to attract top students to The Jesuit College of New Jersey and mitigate the financial burden put upon students at graduation. Yet at $25 million, the Saint Peter’s College endowment is among the lowest of the 28 Jesuit colleges and universities in the U.S.

To remain competitive with peer institutions, growing the endowment, particularly the area of endowed student scholarships, is a critical priority for Students at the Center: The Campaign for Saint Peter’s College.

“The more scholarships we can fund, the more students that are helped,” noted

William J. Cozine ’60, a member of the Board of Trustees and chair of the Finance Committee. A substantial increase in the endowment would also provide the College greater flexibility in funding scholarships, endowed faculty positions and other initiatives. “Anything we can do to relieve the amount of debt when they graduate is good for students and good for the College,” Cozine added.

Grateful recipients say the endowed scholarships have made a world of difference in their lives.

“If I was still in Liberia, I don’t think I would be in school,” said Jones, who plans to attend seminary after graduation. She wants to become an ordained minister and then use her knowledge and skills to improve the community in Liberia where she was born. “Helping to change the world—that’s my goal. I’m blessed to have this opportunity and I’m trying to do the best with it.”

W

“i’m BLEssEd to HAVE tHis OPPORTUnITY And i’m trYing to do

tHE BEst witH it.” [


Time to ActVital support to sustain our mission


John J. Hallanan, III ’03 is impressed and excited by all the progress his alma mater has achieved in the last few years. As an undergraduate, Hallanan, who served as president of the Student G o v e r n m e n t

Association (SGA), remembers discussions about a student center and other plans for the College. Now he says, “these plans and goals are coming to fruition in very concrete ways.” These developments spurred Hallanan to make a multi-year financial commitment to Students at the Center: The Campaign for Saint Peter’s College in support of the forthcoming student center and The Saint Peter Fund. A member of the Alumni Board of Directors since 2006, the alumnus sees the importance of supporting campaign priorities that address the day-to-day operations of the College, as well as its future. “[The Campaign] is going to make the College first rate,” he said. “We’re seeing a vision of leadership, follow through and getting things done. In whatever small way I can help, I want to keep the momentum going.” A newly minted Juris Doctor, Hallanan recently graduated from Rutgers School of Law-Newark. He currently works for the law department of the City of Elizabeth on matters involving tort suits and municipal legislation and hopes to either continue in that vein or obtain a judicial clerkship in the near future. “Absolutely,” he responded, when asked if Jesuit education prepared him for the rigors of law school. “Saint Peter’s College gave me a great foundation for the study of law. It gave me a great advantage.”

hen alumni and friends contribute to The Saint Peter Fund, they often don’t realize the impact of their gift or the fact that annual

giving makes so many things possible at The Jesuit College of New Jersey. The generosity of donors touches nearly every aspect of college life.

It can enrich the undergraduate education of promising students like Angellica Ceballos ’11 and Brandon Blum ’11. Ceballos, a chemistry major, examined the prospects for antibacterial therapies and potential RNA inhibitors, while Blum investigated the causes and consequences of sovereign debt crises as part of the Honors theses they defended this spring.

The Saint Peter Fund enables Gannon debaters to participate in national competitions, makes more library resources

readily available to students and faculty and underwrites laboratory facility upgrades and new technology initiatives.

Most importantly, tuition and fees cover 70 percent of the total cost of education, and The Saint Peter Fund is a critical resource that bridges the gap so that Jesuit higher education may remain more accessible and affordable for students.

“Saint Peter’s College really made going to college possible,” said Tracy Soriano ’13, a biology major from Jersey City. Soriano, who is pursuing the new concentration in forensic science and is the recipient of scholarships and financial aid, had investigated other institutions with similar programs but found that they were “either too far or too expensive.” The Saint Peter Fund, she added, made a great education affordable.

Strengthening The Saint Peter Fund is also a vital component of Students at the Center: The Campaign for Saint Peter’s College.

As an unrestricted source of funding, it can transform individual gifts of all sizes into a collective pool of support to address the College’s highest priorities and most pressing budgetary needs.

“As the institution moves forward and thrives, the needs also increase,” said Director of Annual Giving Claudia Pope-Bayne. “The Saint Peter Fund has to grow in order to meet those needs.”

Last year, more than 3,500 donors demonstrated their belief in the power of a Saint Peter’s education, and for the second year in a row, the increase in giving to the College was in the double digits—14 percent. Gifts to The Saint Peter Fund also exceeded the $2 million goal by more than $100,000, a feat that had not been achieved since 2001.

Greater participation and growth are needed for the College’s continued

success. Pope-Bayne pointed out that gifts to The Saint Peter Fund have an immediate and long-term impact because they can positively influence the reputation of the institution.

“Alumni giving has a ripple effect,” she explained. U.S. News and World Report, for instance, factors alumni giving into its rankings of colleges and universities. “It becomes so much more than just writing a check. With an annual gift alumni send a message, which increases the value of their degree and helps to propel the College forward.” When determining grants and other forms of support, corporations and foundations also look at annual giving as a measure of confidence in an institution.

Soriano is grateful to the College’s many generous benefactors. “We are a private college,” she added. “Yet students from middle and working class families can come here and get the right experience to go through life. That’s what makes us so distinct.”

W

“ALumni giVing HAs A RIPPle eFFeCT. it BEComEs so muCH

morE tHAn Just writing A CHECk.” [


Leading the Way

$7.5 million gift is the largest in College history


Thomas Mac Mahon ’68, chairman of Students at the Center: The Campaign for Saint Peter’s College.

ith the College poised to con-struct a new student center on the east side of Kennedy Boulevard, the expansion of academic programs and more

competitive athletic teams, there’s no bet-ter time to support Saint Peter’s, according to Thomas P. Mac Mahon ’68, who chairs Students at the Center: The Campaign for Saint Peter’s College. Also a member of the Board of Trustees, Mac Mahon has taken the lead with a $7.5 million commitment, the largest philanthropic gift in College history. The gift includes $5 million for the construction of the student center and a $2.5 million planned gift from Mac

Mahon and his wife, Sarah, to support the student center’s future operations. “I’m fortunate that I’m able to help out in any way that I can,” said Mac Mahon. “Anybody who has been fortunate to spend the time that I have at the College knows that the best times are ahead for Saint Peter’s. I’ve had the opportunity to meet with students and to see how they value their education. The way today’s students spend their four years at Saint Peter’s is very similar to the way I spent my time at the College.”

“This gift is the most transformational philanthropic investment in College history,” said Vice President for Advancement and External Affairs Michael A. Fazio. “It also speaks volumes about Tom’s love for Saint

Peter’s and his commitment to ensuring that a new generation of students continues to reap the benefits of Jesuit education.”

A pioneer in the field of medical diagnostics, Mac Mahon is retired as chairman and chief executive officer of LabCorp, one of the world’s largest operators of clinical laboratories. “I never would have accomplished what I accomplished in life without the education, the discipline, the friendships and the confidence that I developed from my years at Saint Peter’s,” he said. During his more than 40-year career, the alumnus also worked at Roche Diagnostics, where he played a pioneering role in commercializing the use of PCR, a

Nobel Prize-winning development that led to the analysis of human DNA.

Now, Mac Mahon has channeled that drive and determination to the Campaign, which has already raised almost $45 million despite a difficult economy. To Mac Mahon, that’s proof positive that alumni and other benefactors feel just as strongly about The Jesuit College of New Jersey as he does.

“This is another effort to move Saint Peter’s forward,” he added. “If there was one thing I’d want alumni to know, it’s how great Saint Peter’s is today. If you get back to the campus, there’s no way you can’t feel the excitement going on there and consider a contribution because wonderful things are going on at our school.”

given the opportunity, thomas P. mac mahon ’68 doesn’t miss a chance to discuss the glory days of saint Peter’s College. that’s not so hard for this retired health care CEo, because those days are now.

“iF tHErE’s onE tHing i’d wAnt ALumni to know, IT’S HOW GReAT SAInT PeTeR’S IS TOdAY.”[

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dOnORS WHO mAkE A diFFErEnCE

When the silent phase of Students at the Center: The Campaign for Saint Peter’s College was still in its infancy, Richard P. libretti ’65 couldn’t wait to write the first check. A principal at Sandler O’Neill + Partners, L.P., one

of New York’s leading financial investment firms, Libretti was the first non-trustee to contribute to the Campaign.

“I don’t think I would be the same person today if I did not have the education at Saint Peter’s,” explained Libretti. “The things I was taught by the Jesuits had a real impact on my life.”

The alumnus, who graduated with a degree in economics and philosophy from Saint Peter’s, has achieved a level of success that most would covet, but Libretti would rather be known as “a simple guy who tried to build a career.” Before joining Sandler O’Neill, Libretti was a senior vice president of Tucker Anthony and a partner of L.F. Rothschild & Co. Despite all of these professional achievements, he is most proud of his 40-year marriage to his wife, Lois.

Jesuit education, he says, helped him navigate challenges encountered throughout his professional and personal life. The more time that passed since his days “On the Boulevard,” the more Libretti appreciated the impact of his undergraduate experience. It’s one of the reasons he enjoys meeting with today’s Saint Peter’s students and helped to establish the Sandler O’Neill internship.

Libretti also believes the forthcoming student center is important to the future of Saint Peter’s. “It’s a worthwhile project that is good for the College and good for students, so it’s something I wanted to be involved with,” he said. “I’m just doing what I was taught to do.”

t’s not hard to see why Joseph Panepinto ’66 and retired New Jersey Congressman Frank Guarini H ’94 are friends. Their paths through life are remarkably similar. Both were

born on Neptune Avenue in Jersey City and were parishioners at the local church, Saint Paul’s. Dedicated to improving their hometown, they have teamed up on development projects through the years that have contributed to Jersey City’s rebirth.

Their paths first crossed in 1971, after Panepinto graduated from law school and went to work for Guarini’s firm. Through the years, they always remained close, partnering on Jersey City redevelopment projects including several large-scale developments in Journal Square and along the city’s Gold Coast.

“Our story is a winding story. We’ve always been connected,” said Guarini, noting that their friendship has endured for more than 40 years. “We’ve never had an argument. We’ve always trusted each other. Joe has a very high standard and a good sense of humor. We’re always on the same side of the table, whether it’s social, legal or political.”

Most of all, they share a deep love for Saint Peter’s, the Jesuit institution that has translated into opportunity for so many promising students including Panepinto, who was the first in his family to attend college.

“I used to take the Bergen Avenue bus to Snyder High School and the Boulevard bus to Saint Peter’s,” recalled Panepinto, a longtime Saint Peter’s benefactor and member of the College’s Board of Trustees. “I have fond memories of the College. I love the Jesuits. They are fantastic leaders and role models.”

While Guarini never attended Saint Peter’s, the College was always an enduring presence. He grew up on Montgomery Street, directly across the street from the

site where the new student center will be built. During his seven terms in Congress, he forged a friendship with the late Rev. Victor Yanitelli, S.J., the buoyant Jesuit who served as president of the College from 1965 to 1978. A beloved presence in Jersey City, Fr. Yanitelli assisted Guarini with many projects that benefited the city and its residents.

“I’ve always had this close emotional and educational attachment to Saint Peter’s,” explained Guarini, “The College has made a big difference to Jersey City.”

Now, Guarini and Panepinto are making a difference at Saint Peter’s, where both have supported Students at the Center: The Campaign for Saint Peter’s College.

The forthcoming student center will soon be the new home for the College’s Guarini Institute for Government and Leadership, which provides a non-partisan forum for the discussion of key public policy issues. In addition to establishing the Institute in 1994, Guarini donated the president’s residence, Guarini House, and established the Guarini Center for Community Memory in the O’Toole Library that will house an extensive collection of his Congressional Papers and other special collections.

For Panepinto, who is president and chief executive officer of Jersey City-based Panepinto Properties, a pace-setting gift to the Campaign is a natural extension of the affection he holds for Jersey City and the College. “I’ve always felt very fortunate,” he explained. “As I became more successful I’ve always felt that I should help people. I’ve always just felt better sharing than not sharing.”

Friends for Saint Peter’s

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Joseph Panepinto ’66 (left) and the Hon. Frank Guarini H ’94.

“wE ArE ALwAYs on tHE SAMe SIde OF THe TABle.” [



Family Values

Thomas Duncan ’65 and Mariana Duncan. Inset: rendering of The Duncan Family Sky Room.

A deep appreciation for the Jesuit experienceThomas W. Duncan ’65 was the first in his family to attend Saint Peter’s College. He certainly wasn’t the last. The alumnus grew up in a close-knit Jersey City family and is the eldest of seven. His sisters, Catherine Duncan Dziuba, Ed.D., ’68, Patricia Duncan Sostowski ’70 and Donna Duncan Drygas ’78 are all graduates of Saint Peter’s, as is younger brother Kevin Duncan ’72 and brothers-in-law Richard Sostowski, M.D., ’69 and Richard Cardillo ’67.

“We all valued the Jesuit experience,” said Duncan. “The benefit of all those Catholic values, the discipline and structure, the value of learning for its own sake—it was more than career training. It expanded our knowledge of the world, which was very valuable for us.”

The strong family connection to the College was the impetus for naming the event facility on the sixth floor of the forthcoming student center The Duncan Family Sky Room. Duncan and his wife, Mariana, made a generous gift to Students at the Center: The Campaign for Saint Peter’s College that made the Sky Room possible.

Duncan says the gift is a way to give back to an institution that has given himself and his family members so much. Following graduation from Saint Peter’s, Duncan earned an M.B.A. from Harvard University Graduate School of Business. He joined Frontier Capital Management Company as a partner in 1983 and then served as president and chairman of the Boston investment firm until his recent retirement. He and Mariana now split their time between Boston and Naples, Fla.

A member of the Saint Peter’s College Board of Trustees for many years, Duncan was also honored with a Professional Achievement Award at the College’s 2005 Distinguished Alumni Awards Dinner.

“It’s a payback for the opportunities Saint Peter’s has provided us,” Duncan said of his gift. “I owe a debt to the College for creating those opportunities.”


t is one thing to examine social issues in the context of the classroom. It is quite another to experience them firsthand. Since 2004, the William E. Simon Foundation has provided

generous support that has enriched the academic experience of students and impacted nonprofit organizations serving Jersey City communities.

Multiple grants totaling nearly $400,000 have propelled the William E. Simon Leadership Development and Sustainability Project, which provides college interns working under the guid-ance of faculty experts to social service organizations in key areas such as leader-ship, fundraising and social programs.

“It really allows us to make that connection between what we’re learning and the reality of the situation,” said Suegatha Kai ’12, a sociology major who interned at the Hudson County Child Abuse Prevention Center (HCCAPC) and

is currently working with Women Rising, Inc., a nonprofit that assists women from crisis situations to self-sufficiency. Psychology major Vianelli Cortorreal ’11 interns with the HCCAPC, and was also hired by the agency to work part time with at-risk youth.

The project also dovetails with the priorities of Students at the Center: The Campaign for Saint Peter’s College by advancing academics and furthering the Jesuit ideal of “men and women for others.”

“Saint Peter’s College is an invaluable resource for the community, and pairing their bright undergraduate students with Jersey City nonprofit organizations to provide critical support seemed like a natural fit and a great way to benefit both, ” said J. Peter Simon, co-chairman of the William Simon Foundation. “It is the kind of double ‘bang for the buck’ investment that the Simon Foundation loves to make.”

Next Generation of Nonprofit Leaders

Family Values

Suegatha Kai ’12 (left) and Vianelli Cortorreal ’11

A deep appreciation for the Jesuit experience

Perfect PartnersPSEG is committed to strengthening the communities it serves. Saint Peter’s College is building a new student center in the heart of one of New Jersey’s largest cities. The decision to commit $300,000 toward the construction of the new facility was simple, according to PSEG Foundation President Vaughn McKoy.

“Saint Peter’s campus is part of the fabric of the community and the new student center will serve as a central spot for socialization and commerce,” explained McKoy. “There is no doubt that it will encourage community development and economic growth.”

The two institutions are further connected by the fact that more than 40 Saint Peter’s alumni are employed by PSEG. Many embody the company’s ideal to be corporate citizens. Said McKoy, “[Saint Peter’s alumni] have made it their business to develop and strengthen the lines of communication between the College and the company, recognizing the valuable exchange of ideas and perspectives that dialogue between students and business leaders provides.”Saint Peter’s alumni are also community-minded PSEG employees.

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aint Peter’s College is near and dear to the hearts of James McGlinchy and Joanne Burke McGlinchy, both graduates of the class of 1973. The couple met as college students,

married in the chapel and received a liberal arts education that prepared them for successful careers, Jim as a journalist and Joanne as an educator.

Jim recalled asking a friend to introduce him to Joanne during senior year. After graduation, the couple married and moved to the Washington, D.C. area, where Jim now serves as deputy bureau chief for CBS News. During the early years of their

marriage Jim “followed the president around the world and I was at home with our kids,” Joanne recalled. “It worked for us.”

When their three children grew older, Joanne earned a master’s degree in Catholic school leadership and now works as assistant principal and director of the preschool at Saint Charles School in Arlington, Va. “I had excellent teachers at Saint Peter’s who prepared me well for a lifetime of work in the field of education,” she explained. “I was in an environment where thought and a desire to succeed was more important than being from the right family with the right amount of money.”

The McGlinchys and Burkes have a long history with The Jesuit College of New Jersey. Jim’s father, also named James, graduated in 1951. His brothers Timothy ’92 and Dennis ’76 are also alumni, as are

an uncle, many cousins and Joanne’s sister, Kathy Burke ’75. Jim’s brother, John, also attended Saint Peter’s for several years.

But perhaps the family’s most endearing connection was Jim’s uncle, Rev. Edward McGlinchy, S.J., a longtime philosophy professor. The couple recently established a scholarship to honor the beloved Jesuit. “He was a very kind man and someone very important to our family,” explained Jim. “We wanted to help extend his life’s work of education and return the kindness and love he showed us.”

Of their continuing support for Saint Peter’s, Jim added, “We also want to help the College continue the tradition of educating students who are the first in their families to go to college.” Plus, he quipped, “We would like to see the basketball team keep going to the NCAA playoffs!”

An Enduring Connection

aint Peter’s faculty, administrators and staff members truly live the Jesuit ideals they impart to students. One key way they make a difference is through

their support of The Saint Peter Fund. As a secretary in the Office of Financial

Aid, Pat Blanco meets with incoming students who seek financial help to attend college. She values the opportunity to give assistance, both through her job and through her support of the Fund, which helps to provide scholarships to deserving students.

“This is a small way to help and make students’ struggles easier,” she said of her generosity. “Maybe the student in my office has benefited from my support. I have no way of knowing, but it’s really nice to know I’ve helped someone.”

As students progress through their

academic careers, Wei-Dong Zhu, Ph.D., sees firsthand the drive it takes for them to succeed.

“I see many students who are disadvantaged. They come from families that are not so well off, but they are trying so hard,” said Dr. Zhu, director of research at the Saint Peter’s Center for Microplasma Science and Technology. “I want to help. No matter what I give, it will help.”

Crescenzo Fonzo, director of career services, often observes that drive paying off big time for students who are transitioning to the work force. In addition to important career skills, they leave Saint Peter’s with a solid foundation in Jesuit values that compels them to reach out and help others.

“I believe in the College’s Jesuit mission and the impact it has on students as they grow beyond

college,” he said. “I see alumni giving back and their success stories motivate me. Alumni giving affirms what I do with students on a daily basis.”

Living the Mission

Clockwise from top: Pat Blanco, Wei-Dong Zhu, Ph.D., and Crescenzo Fonzo.

S

SJames and Joanne McGlinchy ’73


sgr. William Reilly ’59, pastor of Most Holy Name Parish in Garfield, N.J., never dreamed his student years at Saint Peter’s College would lead to

so many exciting avenues in ministry. The seeds for his lifelong commitment to social justice were planted at The Jesuit College of New Jersey and have compelled him to address the needs of immigrants from 104 countries over a 40-year span.

In his parish and as a trustee at Christ the King Preparatory School in Newark, Msgr. Reilly is dedicated to preparing underprivileged students to serve as leaders for the church and community. Part of the nationwide Cristo Rey network of schools, Christ the King combines college preparatory education with corporate work-study for teens in urban communities

with limited academic options. The Saint Peter’s connection has

remained strong throughout Msgr. Reilly’s ministry. In fact, former Saint Peter’s President Rev. Edward Glynn, S.J., tapped Msgr. Reilly for the Christ the King board as a result of his experience with urban youths. Both Msgr. Reilly and his sister, Mary Reilly, continue to provide financial support to Saint Peter’s College in gratitude for the top-quality Jesuit education he received. “I’ve guided a number of young people from my parishes to Saint Peter’s and they’ve achieved great things,” he commented. “The basic challenge we face is always the same—to go out and make a difference. In an era of violence, war and corruption, I pray that young people will help change the world that has been given to them.”

An Enduring Connection Putting Ignatian Ideals to Work

reer F. Henderson ’54 often told his wife, Barbara Henderson-Toivonen, that if it hadn’t been for Saint Peter’s College and its excellent Jesuit teachers he

would not have gone as far in life. Henderson, a native of Jersey City and

lifelong resident of New Jersey, attended classes at Saint Peter’s four nights a week for five years while working in the mailroom of USLife Corporation. Following graduation, he enlisted in the Army and then began a business career. Henderson later returned to USLife, this time as vice president for finance. He continued to rise through the ranks and became chief financial officer.

Henderson-Toivonen decided to honor the memory of her late husband and established the Greer F. Henderson ’54 Memorial Scholarship, which she supports annually through The Saint Peter Fund. She

says her late husband appreciated the Jesuit education he received at Saint Peter’s, as he felt it prepared him for life in the business world. “The Jesuits were tough and placed an emphasis on honesty,” said Henderson-Toivonen. “Those ideals stayed with Greer throughout his career.”

Since establishing the scholarship, Henderson-Toivonen says it has been gratifying to provide assistance to students who need a little help in achieving their goals. “If young people can finish their education and find employment, it’s better for them and for their families.” This year, she noted, “I received three letters from students thanking me for my assistance. They told me a little bit about themselves and what they planned to do in the future. I was thrilled! I thought, ‘This really matters to these young people. This is something I’m going to continue doing.’”

If it Hadn’t Been for Saint Peter’s...

G

M

Barbara Henderson-Toivonen

Msgr. William Reilly ’59



Time to CelebrateLandmark campaign launched in style


the quiet phase is over. Students at the Center: The Campaign for Saint Peter’s College officially launched at a gala held at Liberty national golf Course on may 6.

he Manhattan skyline and the Statue of Liberty were a spectacular backdrop for a landmark capital campaign that is about transforming Saint Peter’s

College into a recognized leader of Jesuit higher education.

Chairman of Saint Peter’s College Board of Trustees kathleen M. Mckenna, esq. ’75 and Campaign Chairman Thomas P. Mac Mahon ’68 welcomed leadership level donors to the gala event. Both spoke briefly about the impact a Saint Peter’s education made on their lives and their desire to give back. “Any contributions I have made pales in comparison to what Saint Peter’s College has done for me,” said Mac Mahon. McKenna agreed. “What’s so heartening is the fact that what I experienced and what I believe all of you experienced … it’s still happening. We are changing lives every day at Saint Peter’s,” she said.

College President Eugene J. Cornacchia, Ph.D., announced that nearly $45 million of the $62 million campaign goal has been raised to date. This represents the participation of more than 6,500 donors and seven commitments of $1 million or more. Gifts at this level include

a $7.5 million gift, the largest in College history, from Mac Mahon and a $5 million gift from Joseph Panepinto ’66. “But this is not a campaign about numbers,” Dr. Cornacchia reminded attendees. “It’s a campaign about transforming Saint Peter’s College.”

Once the confetti cannons were launched, alumni, friends, benefactors and members of the Saint Peter’s College community were treated to a surprise performance of classic rock, blues and R&B by Taylor Hicks, winner of the fifth season of American Idol.

Tweets from the gala began appearing on Twitter. “Attended Saint Peter’s College capital campaign event,” tweeted Sen. Robert Menendez ’76. “My alma mater is in the midst of an extraordinary renaissance!”

The gala was made possible by the generosity of the following sponsors: Proskauer Rose LLP, Panepinto Properties, Connell Foley, LLP, Peacock Communications, Strategic Development Group, Inc., Sodexo Campus Services, Schumann Hanlon, Joan and Charles A. Fiumefreddo ’55, and the Jesuit Community of Saint Peter’s College.

Opposite page: The official launch of Students at the Center: The Campaign for Saint Peter’s College. This page (top to bottom): College Chaplain Rev. Rocco Danzi, S.J., gave a warm welcome to guests; Campaign Chairman Thomas Mac Mahon ’68 and Chairman of the Saint Peter’s College Board of Trustees Kathleen McKenna, Esq. ’75; College President Eugene Cornacchia, Ph.D. This page (left to right): Mike Weigel and AnneMarie Varrichio ’09; (L to R): Michael Fazio, vice president for advancement and external affairs, President Cornacchia and Thomas Mac Mahon ’68, campaign chairman.

T


wowed and Proud! Entering the public phase of Students at the Center: The Campa ign for Saint Peter’s College was a fantastic moment for the institution. Alumni, friends, benefactors and many members of the College c ommunity came together to celebrate all that saint Peter’s has achieved today and the exciting future that lies ahead.


wowed and Proud! Entering the public phase of Students at the Center: The Campa ign for Saint Peter’s College was a fantastic moment for the institution. Alumni, friends, benefactors and many members of the College c ommunity came together to celebrate all that saint Peter’s has achieved today and the exciting future that lies ahead.

Opposite page: (clockwise from top): American Idol winner Taylor Hicks entertained the crowd; College President Eugene Cornacchia, Ph.D., and his wife, AnnMarie, with Taylor Hicks; (L to R): Hon. Frank Guarini H ’94, Sen. Robert Menendez ’76, President Cornacchia, Jersey City Mayor Jerramiah Healy and Rep. Albio Sires ’74; (L to R): Mike Yam, ESPNEWS anchor, Marylou Yam Ph.D., provost and vice president for academic affairs, John Muller, co-anchor of the PIX Morning News and Ernabel Demillo, professor of journalism and lecturer of communication. This page (clockwise): Students and staff with President Cornacchia; William Price ’91 and his wife, Elena Koebel; Sharon Pastore ’73 with members of the MAAC Championship basketball team (L to R): Ryan Bacon ’11, Jeron Belin ’11 and Wesley Jenkins ’11; Rev. José-Luis Salazar, S.J., assistant professor of theology and Rev. Vincent Sullivan, S.J., rector of the Saint Peter’s College Jesuit Community; (L to R): Noreen Heath Beaman, CPA, ’86, William Beaman, Mary Beth Guckian and Kevin Guckian ’83; Thomas Hoffman ’62 and Louise Hoffman; attendees gathered for the official kick-off.



Time to GiveCampaign website is live


How to Givethis is our moment. Become a part of Students at the Center: The Campaign for Saint Peter’s College and support this landmark initiative. the Campaign website is live at www.spc.edu/campaign.

to make a gift offline or for further information, contact Jamie Bredehoft, manager of donor relations, at (201) 761-6114 or [email protected].

keep checking the Campaign website for information about Students at the Center. in addition to making online gifts to the Campaign, visitors can also find up-to-date news, event information and donor profiles.

WWW.spc.edu/campaign


PeACOCk BLuE

hese days, Peacock Pride is everywhere. On campus, as longtime fans cheered the men’s basketball team onto a winning season. In Bridgeport, where the

Peacocks defeated Iona to clinch the MAAC Championship. And in Chicago, where the team faced off against Purdue in the second round of the NCAA Tournament, their first tourney since 1995 and the Peacocks’ third appearance in College history.

While the Peacocks fell to Purdue, their trip to the Big Dance spurred a rush of Peacock Pride in Jersey City and around the nation. Excited alumni from the West Coast e-mailed Head Coach John Dunne after reading about the Peacocks’ victory in the MAAC Tournament.

“It’s been great for our community, for our city and for alumni who live around the country,” said Dunne, now in his fifth season as head coach. “There’s just a lot of pride and it makes me feel proud. The players know there are a lot of people behind them just waiting to cheer

them on. Being champions gives them a great sense of accomplishment because others are proud of them.”

Thomas P. Mac Mahon ’68 knows exactly how this year’s players feel. As an undergraduate at Saint Peter’s, he was a member of Coach Don Kennedy’s celebrated team that defeated Duke in the 1968 NIT quarterfinal at Madison Square Garden.

Now a member of the College’s Board of Trustees and chairman of Students at the Center: The Campaign for Saint Peter’s College, Mac Mahon appreciates both the excitement generated on campus and the benefits the national exposure brings to The Jesuit College of New Jersey.

“It’s a boost for the College,” Mac Mahon said. “You can’t pay for the publicity

that Saint Peter’s received over that 10-day period. It’s a great thing at a great time for our school and the Campaign.”

FAitH And rEsoLVEDunne has remained tenacious in his drive to build a championship program. In his first season, the Peacocks won just five games. After recruiting his first class the wins began to grow, first to six, then to 11, then to 16 and now 20 this year.

The Peacocks’ NCAA appearance has spurred some potential recruits to seek out Dunne. “Since we won the MAAC, they’re starting to call us,” he said.

Director of Athletics Patrick Elliott noted that support from the Board of Trustees, the president and executive cabinet has been instrumental in rebuilding

not only men’s basketball, but pride in all the Peacock and Peahen teams.

“When coaches and players feel supported by the institution, they feel that responsibility to become better,” he said. “The fact is, students know more and more that the College supports them and cares about athletics.”

Of course, this year’s success doesn’t surprise the Peacock faithful. Theodore Kwiatkowski, D.M.D., ’70 and his wife, Theresa Gutch Kwiatkowski ’72, have attended nearly every home game since their days as undergraduates and have also cheered on the Peacocks at most away games including the 2010 U.S. Virgin Islands Paradise Jam last November. Watching the team and core players Wesley Jenkins ’11, Nick Leon ’11, Ryan Bacon

’11 and Jeron Belin ’11 mature the last few years all came to fruition this season. “They never gave up,” Theresa observed. “Throughout all the ups and downs of the season they never seemed to give up.”

The couple were among a contingent of Peacock fans who traveled to Chicago to see the team take on the Boilermakers in the second round of the NCAA Tournament.

“It was a proud moment for the school,” Theresa added. “We have this affinity for Saint Peter’s. It’s a special place for us.”

For those who couldn’t attend the games, there was plenty of proof that Peacock Pride is thriving. On Facebook, fans changed their profile photos to Saint Peter’s Athletics and Peacock Nation

A SeASOn TO ReMeMBeRWhen the Peacock basketball team clinched its third MAAC Championship in program history and a trip to the NCAAs, the amazing run put the College on the map and united devoted fans across the country.

T “tHrougHout ALL tHE uPs And downs oF tHE sEAson THeY neVeR SeeMed TO GIVe UP.” [


Exciting moments from the MAAC Championship and NCAA Tournament.

logos. Locally, alumni gathered in living rooms and in public places to watch the NCAA action unfold.

Another round of excitement was generated among fans and supporters when the Peacock team appeared three times in the “2011 One Shining Moment,” a post tournament tradition nationally televised at the end of the championship featuring highlights from March Madness.

Boost For PEACoCk nAtionIn addition to generating spirit, all that enthusiasm is having a positive effect on

fundraising and admissions. Alumni are responding to the Peacocks’ success with gifts in honor of the team. “We have seen an increase in new gifts in honor of the MAAC and NCAA Tournament,” said Claudia Pope-Bayne, director of annual giving. “It becomes a point of pride for alumni to honor the team with their gift.”

“We feel like it’s a tide that raises all boats,” said Terence Peavy, vice president for enrollment management and marketing. “In the short term, it reaffirms individuals in our applicant pool. In the long term it

has an extremely positive effect because it bring a tremendous amount of attention to the school.”

For the players, the Peacocks’ final run to the tournament will always remain a high point of their Saint Peter’s memories. “Thirty years from now, we can sit back and still not believe what we did,” Belin told a local reporter. “But we did it.”

Jenkins agreed. “You have to have a story in your life. Everyone has to have a story. This is my story. This is our story.”


–––––––– 1950s–––––––

1958Stephen J. Miller just released his book, The Medical Elite: Training for Leadership, a Transaction Publication at Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey.

Charlie Shaughnessy Park in Colonia, N.J., was dedicated in memory of Charles Shaughnessy on Saturday, October 16, 2010.

–––––––– 1960s–––––––

1960Anthony Cusumano and his wife, Rosemarie, celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary on June 18, 2010.

Richard Russell Carroll, Ph.d., recently retired after 40 years of teaching grades one through 12.

Michael kelly, principal of Mike Kelly Realty and Development in Blairsville, Ga., was one of 11 Georgia business brokers named to the Million Dollar Club with $40 million in sales.

1962Col. Peter S. Hoffmann was elected to a fourth consecutive two-year term as councilman of the County of Hawaii in September 2010.

1966larry Tronco was inducted into the New Jersey Packaging Executives Club Hall of Fame on September 16, 2010.

William J. Marino retired as chairman and CEO of Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey on March 1, 2011. He had been with the company since 1992.

1968Stephen G. Sudovar has been appointed to Ambrilia Biopharma Inc.’s Board of Directors. Sudovar has 30 years of accomplished business growth in the health care products and services industry.

Joseph A. egan, Jr., probate judge for the district of Ridgefield, Conn., and former president of the National College of Probate Judges, was elected in November 2010 as the first judge of the newly-formed Northern Fairfield County Probate Court.

1969Stephen n. John recently co-authored an article, “Strategic Advantage: Become a Change Agent for Learning.” The article, published in Leadership Excellence magazine, expands on material covered in his recently published book, Strategic Learning and Leading Change: How Global Organizations are Reinventing HR.

–––––––– 1970s–––––––1970V. James Mann, esq., has joined JAMS Financial Markets Group. Mann will be based in the JAMS New York Resolution Center, where he will specialize in various areas including securities, banking,

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hen March Madness rolls around, employees of Fazio, Mannuzza, Roche, Tankel, LaPilusa, LLC come to work in the attire that represents their alma mater or favorite team to make it to the NCAA men’s basketball tournament. Since a number of employees in the Cranford accounting firm are alumni of The

Jesuit College of New Jersey, that meant a lot of Peacock blue around the office this year. “Since Saint Peter’s was in there, we figured we’d go for it,” said principal Joseph A. Fazio ’74. “Going to the NCAA is making it into the big time. The alumni get excited about it…it’s a good thing.”

Peacock Pride was evident throughout the tri-state region and beyond as the men’s basketball team made a memorable run to sweep the 2011 MAAC Championship and play in the NCAA Tournament, the first NCAA appearance by Saint Peter’s since 1995.

Approximately 200 tickets were sold to alumni who watched the Peacocks take on the Purdue Boilermakers at the United Center in Chicago. Robert Hopko ’87 and Valerie Hopko hosted the NCAA pre-game reception at the Sheraton Hotel & Towers in Chicago on March 18. The couple also hosted the MAAC pre-game event.

More than 100 alumni turned out for a viewing party for the NCAA Tournament at the Village Pourhouse in Hoboken, N.J. “It was fantastic,” said Sharon Pastore ’73, a former women’s basketball player and member of the Board of Trustees. When the Peacocks took the court and the chants of “S-P-C! S-P-C!” began “you could just feel the spirit and energy. It brought you right back to when you were in school.”

“Saint Peter’s March Madness Day” at Fazio, Mannuzza, Roche, Tankel, LaPilusa, LLC. Pictured (L to R): Joseph A. Fazio ’74, Elizabeth Magee Doren ’81, Grace Magee Boyle ’85, Mary Pesta Parente ’74, Michael Lamela ’07, ’11, Peacock fan Cassandra Cella and Juan Peng ’08.

W


arbitration and commercial class actions.

John P. Ferguson was named New England Healthcare Assembly’s Trustee of the Year. He was recognized for his contributions to Martha’s Vineyard Hospital.

1971Thomas J. Belton published Protecting New Jersey’s Environment: From Cancer Alley to the New Garden State. The book was released in December 2010 from Rutgers University Press.

daniel A. d’Alessandro was appointed as a judge of the Superior Court in January 2010.

1975Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) staffers Richard J. ensor and Tania kennedy ’09 were part of the Local Organizing Committee for the 2011 NCAA Wrestling Championship at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pa., that set a new overall attendance record of 104,260.

david C. Verducci was selected as the 2011 New Jersey Association of School Administrators (NJASA) Northern Regional Superintendent of the Year.

Patrick G. Attilio, Jr. has been named as STG, Inc.’s chief financial officer. He has more than 30 years of experience in the financial industry.

CLAss ACtssEVEn indiViduALs And onE tEAm induCtEd into AtHLEtiCs HALL oF FAmESix alumni, one longtime friend to Saint Peter’s athletics and the 1990–1991 men’s basketball team were inducted into the College’s Athletics Hall of Fame on January 29 as part of Hall of Fame Day.

Leadership was the common thread among this year’s class of inductees, which included: Joan Marie Black Bellotti ’69, a charter member of the women’s basketball team and one of the first team captains; lindsay Gonzalez ’04, a four-year member of the women’s basketball team who led the Peahens to the 2002 MAAC Championship and NCAA Tournament; Pablo Orantes ’05, arguably the best defensive player in men’s soccer history who led the Peacocks to their first ever MAAC Championship and second round of the NCAA Tournament; Mildred Washington ’03, who led the women’s basketball program to a 14–0 MAAC record her senior year and also helped the team advance to the NCAA Tournament; and Jon Wasielewski ’03, an outstanding defensive player who led Peacock football to a 10–1 season in 2001 and topped several national defensive statistical categories.

Bellotti said it was a thrill to be inducted into the Athletics Hall of Fame. “I would like to thank the Jesuits and Saint Peter’s for recognizing the importance of athletics for women in an educational environment and for opening your doors and your hearts to a generation of women for others,” she said after accepting the award.

The Special Achievement Award went to Peter deluca, M.d. ’81, a sports medicine specialist in his 13th season with the Philadelphia Eagles. Dr. DeLuca practices medicine with the Rothman Institute at Jefferson University Hospital and lectures locally and nationally on sports related injuries.

The Department of Athletics recognized Drew Bauman, a Union County prosecutor and Saint Peter’s booster, with the Special Service Award. Bauman has consistently supported Peacock and Peahen programs and has encouraged others to do the same. The induction of the 1990–1991 men’s basketball team marked the 20th anniversary of the program winning its first MAAC basketball championship and advancing to the NCAA Tournament for the first time.

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The 2010 Hall of Fame Inductees. Front row (L to R): Joan Marie Black Bellotti ’69 and Lindsay Gonzalez ’04. Back row (L to R): Jon Wasielewski ’03, Pablo Orantes ’05 and Drew Bauman.

Viewing Party in Hoboken, N.J. Pictured (L to R): Mathew Giordano, Mark Kahrer ’83 and former Peahen basketball player Sharon Pastore ’73.

Valerie Hopko and Robert Hopko ’87 hosted pre-game receptions for the MAAC Championship and the NCAA Tournament.

Jeron Belin ’11 after the Peacocks won the MAAC Championship.


Community Education Centers, Inc. appointed Michael Hellriegel as chief financial officer. Hellriegel has more than 30 years’ experience in service industries, 15 of which he has served as CFO of both public and private international companies.

1977Peter desciscio was installed as president of the American Association of Dental Boards. He maintains a practice in Perth Amboy, N.J.

–––––––– 1980s–––––––

1980Joanne kaiser-Smith was appointed assistant dean of graduate medical education at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey—School

of Osteopathic Medicine. She oversees more than 250 resident physicians as they complete their training for their medical specialties.

George kolodka has joined Barclays Wealth as a director and an investment representative in New York. He joins the company with 29 years of financial services industry experience.

1983Raul Rodriguez and Marisol Rodriguez ’85 celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary on August 25, 2010. The couple resides in Clifton, N.J., and renewed their wedding vows on August 28.

1985John J. Vitolo has been appointed senior vice president

and chief financial officer by Ceres Terminals Incorporated. Vitolo brings close to 30 years’ finance experience to the Ceres organization.

1986Wolfgang Albrecht was named Bergen County’s department of parks director.

kevin Boyle is one of three basketball coaches in the country to be honored with the prestigious 2011 Naismith National High School Basketball Coaches of the Year. Boyle is the longtime boy’s basketball coach of St. Patrick High School Academy in Elizabeth, N.J. St. Patrick went 26–1 during the 2010–2011 season and was ranked No. 1 by USA Today most of the season.

–––––––– 1990s–––––––

1991William T. Price has been promoted to vice president, media relations at Johnson & Johnson. In his new role, Price will continue to develop and strengthen relationships with journalists at traditional news media outlets, while also helping to drive more active engagement with social media. Price’s previous role was director of corporate communications for Johnson & Johnson.

1995John Fauta has been named superintendent of the West New York, N.J., Board of Education.

1996James Cunniff was elected to the Township of Lyndhurst, N.J.,

ALUMNI Happenings

nAPLEs, FLA. ALumni EVEntsAbove: College President Eugene Cornacchia, Ph.D., (left) with hosts Thomas O’Reilly ’69 and Josephine O’Reilly at an Alumni Reception on January 26 at the Sailing and Yacht Club. Below (L to R): Robert Grady, Sr. ‘61, Albert Mullin, Jr. ’61, William Haines ’61, and Thomas McDonnell ’61.

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More than 70 alumni, ranging from the Class of 1974 to the Class of 2010, attended the second Alumni in Finance

Network event on March 24 at the University Club in New York. Saint Peter’s undergraduate and M.B.A. students were also invited

to attend by their mentors, who are current alumni in the finance industry.

Perspectives on the Economy: A Panel Discussion featured noreen d. Beaman, CPA ’86, chief operating officer at Brinker Capital; Joseph P. Blauvelt ’80, co-founder and CFO of Pierpont Securities; and Michael P. McGrath ’90, global head of alternative investments at Morgan Stanley Smith Barney.

Alumni in Finance network sECond suCCEssFuL EVEnt For nEtworking

Pictured (L to R): John Licata ’95, chief commodity strategist of Blue Phoenix, Inc.; James Rizzo ’81, managing director of Dahlman Rose & Co.; Justin McKeon, CPA ’97, director, Corporate Audit, of Pfizer, Inc.; Noreen Beaman, CPA ’86, chief operating officer at Brinker Capital; Eugene Cornacchia, Ph.D., president of Saint Peter’s College; Joseph Blauvelt ’80, co-founder and CFO of Pierpont Securities, Michael McGrath ’90, global head of alternative investments at Morgan Stanley Smith Barney; John Hampton, Ph.D., professor of business at Saint Peter’s College.


PAYing triButE to VEtErAns

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With the Official App of Saint Peter’s College, you can stay up to date on the College’s latest news and conveniently access essential information that will keep you engaged in the Saint Peter’s experience 24/7.

EVERYTHING You Need to Know About Saint Peter’s College is Now at Your Fingertips.

Two initiatives are underway to pay tribute to veterans from the Saint Peter’s College community who have made sacrifices for their country. The Tribute to Sacrifice, a black granite wall honoring Saint Peter’s alumni who gave their lives in the line of duty, will be constructed near the new student center on Glenwood Avenue. Upon its completion, the wall will include the names of soldiers who perished or were missing in declared wars of the 20th and 21st centuries, from World War I through Afghanistan and Iraq.

The Tribute to Sacrifice will include a depiction of Saint Ignatius Loyola kneeling and presenting his soldier’s sword to Our Lady of Montserrat. Thomas Donnelly, Ph.D., a professor emeritus at the College, who is organizing the tribute along with the Office of Alumni Relations, pointed out that Ignatius was a Spanish soldier who experienced a conversion while recuperating from a war wound. Vowing to devote the rest of his life to Jesus, Ignatius traveled to the Shrine of Our Lady of Montserrat, where he offered up his suit of armor and sword.

“The Ignatian message for visitors to the Saint Peter’s College Tribute to Sacrifice is that, as we honor the ultimate sacrifice of our heroes in battle, we strive to imitate their soldier’s zeal and dedication in life’s tour of duty, which demands sacrifice on every level,” said Dr. Donnelly.

The second initiative, called a Tribute to Service, will feature a website honoring Saint Peter’s alumni who have served in the United States military. A team headed by Dr. Donnelly, in conjunction with the Office of Alumni Relations, has completed extensive research to compile an initial list of alumni veterans, as well as the College’s extraordinary history of ROTC and the Pershing Rifles. To contribute information, contact erica Rybinski in the Office of Alumni Relations at (201) 761-6122 or visit alumni.spc.edu and click on the Veterans tab.

tHE LEgACY oF tHE PErsHing riFLEs Gen. John J. Pershing, leader of the American forces during World War I, founded the National Society of Pershing Rifles with a mission “to develop, to the highest degree possible, outstanding traits of leadership, military science, military bearing and discipline within the framework of a military oriented, honorary fraternity.” For 40 years, the Pershing Rifles of Saint Peter’s College embodied this mission and brought great honor and recognition to the College and its Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) program.

Later this year, a plaque will be dedicated in recognition of the commitment, service and excellence exhibited by the many alumni who participated in Pershing Rifles Company N-8 at Saint Peter’s. The Company set the standard for others to emulate by achieving the highest proficiency in military drill, discipline and spirit. Champions at the local and national level, Company N-8 developed a camaraderie and brotherhood that lasts to this day, serving our country in peace and war.

Artist’s conceptual rendering of the Tribute to Sacrifice


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Board of Education in April 2010. He was also elected chair of the Personnel Committee.

1998August Zenzius III was recently promoted to first vice president of investments at Merrill Lynch. His practice, which is located in Paramus, N.J., offers financial planning and investment matters to high net worth clients.

kenneth Tyburczy was recently elected to the Borough Council in Ramsey, N.J.

1999Michael J. kuehn has been appointed as vice president of Worldwide Channel Sales. Kuehn is a 19-year veteran of the company.

Catherine Cassidy was re-elected as councilwoman of the town of Wood-Ridge, N.J.

–––––––– 2000s–––––––

2004derrick nelson was named assistant principal of Roosevelt Intermediate School in Westfield, N.J., effective August 16.

EngagementsClaire Ann donohue ’03 is engaged to wed Shawn Anthony Cyran. An October 2011 wedding is planned.

lisa Picerno ’04 and Jose Martir are engaged to be married on July 14, 2012 at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church in Bayonne, N.J.

Heather Arlett ’11 is engaged to wed Christopher Doherty. A wedding is planned for October 5, 2012.

kelliann Coleman ’08 is engaged to Jorge Perez. A November 19, 2011 wedding is planned.

marriagesThomas driscoll III, esq. ’06 and Brittany Meyer were married on August 21, 2010 in Pella, Iowa.

BirthsAugust A. Zenzius III ’98 and his wife, Maria Zenzius, welcomed a son, August A. Zenzius IV, on May 24, 2010.

Michael Wirth ’98 and his wife, Abbey, welcomed twins, Patrick and Abbey, on February 28, 2011.


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Rev. T. Patrick Lynch, S.J., a longtime English professor at Saint Peter’s College, passed away February 28. He was 80.

An enduring presence on campus for more than 30 years, Fr. Lynch was known for his deep love of literature, his students and the College.

“His message to us as he passes on would be ‘carry on,’” said Rev. John Buckley, S.J., a longtime friend. “He believed ardently in what we do at Saint Peter’s College, especially educating the whole person through the liberal arts.”

Born in Brooklyn, N.Y., Fr. Lynch joined the Society of Jesus in 1948 and was ordained to the priesthood in 1961. A graduate of Woodstock College, he held a doctorate from Columbia University.

As a professor of English from 1974 to 2006, he challenged students with the works of a wide range of classic authors, from James Joyce to Virginia Woolf, William Faulkner and D.H. Lawrence.

Fr. Lynch received the Bene Merenti award for 20 years of service to Saint Peter’s in 1994. He also served the College as assistant director of admissions from 1988 to 1989 and president of the faculty senate from 1992 to 1994.

“Fr. Lynch was a beloved member of the College community and a true friend to so many of us,” said Eugene J. Cornacchia, Ph.D., president of Saint Peter’s College. “We have many memories of the professional and personal contributions that he made during his years here.”

A Mass of Remembrance for Fr. Lynch was held on April 6 at Saint Peter Chapel. He is survived by his brother, Rev. Edward Lynch, S.J., and sister, Sr. Barbara Lynch, S.S.J.

Anthony Accardo, Jr. ’62Catherine M. Avery Adams John J. Ahearn ’52Rev. Archpriest Robert A.

Anderson ’69Stacey Sava Antoniades, Esq. ’70Andre De Bethune, Ph.D. ’39Honorable William Bate ’55William Battershall Richard A. Bello Andrew Berube ’58Russell F. Blake, Jr. ’65Helen Boehm Leon Borroum, Sr. Thomas J. Brady ’43Joseph Bruce ’57Vincenzo Calderone James Clark Carroll, Sr., D.D.S. ’43Josefine Castán Arthur Chokas Loretta CicirelliNeil O. Cirranello ’81Frank P. Cole ’63Joseph Phillip Cohen ’56Robert Patrick Connolly ’59Thomas Corrigan ’50Frank J. Corso, Jr. ’60Irene A. Coyle Edward P. Dandorph Patrick J. Derisi ’54Adam L. Di Giovanni ’51Louis P. Donato ’53Rev. Patrick Donovan ’50George M. Driscoll ’54Anne Dugan Raymond Duger James D. English ’51James W. Gahan ’63James V. Gaudiosi ’52Carol Guadagno Rev. Lawrence S. Falkowski, Ph.D. ’70Thomas J. Fallon ’50Peter J. Farley, M.D. ’61Virginia Anne Fazzi ’84Eugene P. Feury ’65James J. Fitzpatrick ’65Connor HartnettEleanor HartnettStephen Hauck ’70Armas H. Hendela ’54Maryann Holdsworth ’00Joan Malloy Holzschuh ’78Dolores Infante

Kenneth Jasinkiewicz ’66Peter E. Kachel ’67Bridget Teresa Kerrigan Hugh P. Lee ’53Rev. Raymond L. Lee ’55Leonard Lepore Rev. T. Patrick Lynch, S.J. William Marion, Jr., Ph.D. ’65William Matlosz ’68Alan McBride ’71Richard McDonnell, Esq. ’59Paul A. McGee, M.D. ’65Philip McGovern ’50William A. McGovern, M.D. ’55Robert A. McGuinness ’49William R. McLellan ’71Roberta K. McNamara ’82Sandra Mitch ’75Bernard Moore, CPA ’67Helene J. Moran David J. Morris ’63John Charles Murray, M.D. ’57William A. Naughton ’52Irene B. Novitt John Palmieri ’04Joanne Petrizzo ’77Catherine Mary Piszko ’69John Preolo, CPA ’57Alessandro F. Putrino ’74Vincent Racaniello ’60John P. Rafter, Jr. ’55John Royce ’53Marie Ruvoldt Leonard Thomas Safford Margaret Schaetzle Adam R. Scharf ’88Grace W. Schut Francis X. Scott ’58Richard O. Scott ’57James W. Shea, Esq. ’57Robert Vincent Short James Silva ’77Miriam Stoveken James A. Sutcliffe ’69Stephen Szabo ’69Patricia Ann Thomas ’71Shirley A. Tolentino Kenneth W. Tyburczy Kenneth R. Van Pelt Robert C. Walsh, Sr. ’58John Warlikowski ’57Roger M. White ’67Mark E. Wickham ’71

Requiescant in Pace saint Peter’s College wishes to extend its prayers and condolences to the families of alumni, members of the College community and friends who have passed away.

Rev. T. Patrick Lynch, S.J.

An Enduring PrEsEnCE


PeACOCk PALoozA!

The school year was winding down. The public launch of students at the Center: The Campaign for saint Peter’s College on May 6 also marked the annual end-of-year celebration for Saint Peter’s students. The 12th Annual Peacock Palooza, a day-to-evening celebration of live music and fun, was held in the parking lot on Montgomery Street, the home of the forthcoming student center.


Ad

For details and registration, go to alumni.spc.edu/weekend2011. For more information,

contact the Office of Alumni Relations at (201) 761-6122 or [email protected].

Save the Date:

Friday, September 23 - Sunday, September 25

Come back and celebrate! Enjoy a Kickoff Social, Tours, Lectures, International Fair,

Annual Alumni Weekend Gala and More...

Alumni Weekend 2011

Nonprofit Org.US Postage

PAidPermit #973Newark, NJ

OFfice of college Communications


(201) 761-6111 | [email protected] | spc.edu/giving

Barbara and Bob Martalus parents of Christopher Martalus ’00, ’09Annual donors since 1996

We’re invested.“We believe in the sound Jesuit learning experience provided by Saint Peter’s that educates the whole person. We are thankful to the College for the academic and professional preparation that our son Chris received and give to ensure that others have the same opportunities.”

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Spring 2011 Saint Peter's College Magazine

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