10 Soldiers Among Us | 14 From Our Experts | 20 Abroad in Italy

No matter how many times I hear the story of CatherineMcAuley’s founding of the House of Mercy in Dublin, Ireland, Iam overwhelmed by the realization that one person can trulymake a difference. Granted, it often “takes a village” to carryplans to fruition; nevertheless, the bold and risky actions of

Catherine McAuley almost two centuries ago have led to promises made andpromises fulfilled at Gwynedd-Mercy College. This issue of Today is filled withpictures and stories connoting the great promise of education for all our students.

Over the next many months, the College will be joining with the Mercycommunity of greater-Philadelphia to celebrate the 150th anniversary of Mercypresence in our area. Since their earliest days in Philadelphia (and before), theSisters and their Mercy colleagues have promised to provide a relevant educationto those in need. Catherine welcomed women from the streets of Dublin andpromised a practical education that would provide skills for self sufficiency. Today, the College’s Center forLifelong Learning provides accelerated degree programs for working adults and promises to provide graduateswith the knowledge, skills and attitudes essential for success in a world very different from nineteenth century Dublin.

Promises come in many shapes and sizes but each is a pledge or vow that something will happen or something willbe done. There are big promises like wedding vows or mortgage signings and little promises like, “I promise to cutthe grass this weekend.” When I was visiting my grandchildren in Chicago recently, my grandson, Quinn,introduced me to a new type of promise, the “pinky swear.” Evidently, if we lock our pinky fingers andsimultaneously agree that this event is a “pinky swear,” we are committed to making our agreement happen. In thiscase, it was a promise that we would play Go Fish later that evening.

In June, the College’s Board of Trustees approved a new strategic plan, Focus on Excellence 2010-2015. Our plananticipates that that our graduates will be well-prepared to live responsible, productive and creative lives in adramatically changing world – prepared for productive careers, and for fruitful lives, as well. Our Catholic andMercy higher education community promises to prepare students with those habits of mind and heart that willenable them to meet the great challenges of the day and to assist them in their quest for truth and knowledge.

Whether the promises are big or small, they are intended to be kept. At GMC, we acknowledge that we have“promises to keep” and recognize that the valued generosity of our alumni, friends and benefactors allows us towork more productively every year to fulfill the promise of a GMC education. Every year at graduation, I amprivileged to shake the hand of each graduate who crosses the stage. This year we had nearly 800 graduates. Myhandshake is a “pinky swear” about promises made and promises fulfilled.

Kathleen Owens, PhDPresident

President’s Message Summer 2010

Promises

Gwynedd-Mercy CollegeToday is published twice ayear for the alumni andfriends of the College. Yourcomments and suggestionsare welcome.

Gerald T. McLaughlinVice President for InstitutionalAdvancement

Charlene DiSarloDirector of Public Relations& Marketing

Editor:Megan Gilmore

Assistant Editor:Meghan Decker

Creative Director andProduction Manager:Donna Smyrl

Contributors:Meghan DeckerCharlene DiSarloMegan GilmoreNicole Paleologus

Design:Kim Austin Graphic Design

Photography:Shannon BrunoMegan GilmoreLinda JohnsonHunter MartinMattia MasnariChris PanterJim RoeseDonna Smyrl

On the Cover:Students studying in Brescia,Italy, appear in the Giornaledi Brescia on May 27, 2010during their visit to anagricultural school.

ContentsSoldiers Among Us 10

GMC experiences major increase in military personnelreturning to school

From Our Experts In…Health Care 14

Benvenuti a Brescia! 20

Students travel to Brescia, Italy, for the College’s first-everstudy abroad program

PLUS

President’s Message Inside Cover

Campus News 2

Sports 8

Alumni ProfilesDown to a Science 24Dr. Margaret McLaughlin-Drubin ’97

In it Together 26Brian Turner ’10 and Tara Turner ’10

Class Notes 28

14

20

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2 Today Campus News

A YOUNG CADETFIRST STUDENT’S SEMESTER

IN THE POLICE ACADEMY

Amanda Pfister is the firststudent at Gwynedd-MercyCollege to enroll andgraduate from the policeacademy before completing

her degree in criminal justice.

She was able to do so because the Collegearranged its curriculum to allow studentsinterested in law enforcement to save 15credits (five elective courses), and usethose credits toward the Municipal PoliceAcademy of Montgomery County duringtheir last semester. In doing so, the tuitioncost for the police academy is incorporatedinto Gwynedd-Mercy College’s tuition.

Since Pfister is the first student to be ableto take advantage of this benefit, sheclosely observed how she measured up tothe rest of the police academy students. “Ifeel like I have more of an edge than theother students because I’ve taken classesmore recently,” Pfister says, even notingthat she has previously learned some ofthe academy’s curriculum. Being able toattend the police academy while still inschool has given Pfister confidence inherself, and has ultimately confirmed thatshe is pursuing the right field for hercareer.

As a cadet, Pfister spent every day, from 8a.m. to 4 p.m., learning about the field of

law enforcement. She was trained on thesearch and seizure procedure and how toshoot targets on a gun range. She alsocompleted a week-long emergency vehicleoperator course. “We went through obstaclecourses at high speeds and learned howto handle the car when there would be anobstruction or when we would have tobrake around an object,” Pfister says.

Pfister graduated from the policeacademy in July. Now, she is focused bothon completing the last few courses atGwynedd-Mercy College to earn a degreein criminal justice and looking for a job.

Because she took advantage of thisopportunity, the hiring process for Pfisterto become a police officer upon graduationis accelerated. Police departments, especiallyin light of the economy, are more likely tohire someone who has already graduatedfrom the police academy than to front thebill to send a new hire, explains ProgramDirector Walt Zdunowski. “Many collegeswant to implement this structure for theirstudents,” he says. �

Above: Amanda Pfister in her police academy uniform.Left: Pfister is being trained on felony car stops.They used paintball guns to simulate real weapons.Below: Pfister’s police academy class stands information as the flag is drawn up. This is the class’routine every morning.

Today 3

WHAT’S IN A NAME?“Mercy” is our middle name, but sometimes it’s difficult to explain the sense of mercy thatresonates throughout the college community. For student speaker Jed Brensinger, it wasn’ta problem. Brensinger, who earned a Bachelor of Science in Psychology duringCommencement, said to his fellow graduates, “The small acts of professors, students andorganizations on campus are far greater testaments to mercy than the largest sign we couldpossible erect. Sure, we talk about Gwynedd rather than Gwynedd-Mercy, but besidessaving our breath, it also tells us that mercy is not separate from Gwynedd, it is a part of it.Go out into this world and take with you the mercy that resides now in you, as it does withthe College. As we leave campus today, go out and show the world not only what you are,but who you are – distinguished mercy graduates.”

Gwynedd-Mercy College’s Commencement speaker, Sister Karen Schneider, RSM, MD,MPH, also emphasized the importance of mercy by sharing her accounts of helping thosein Haiti after the earthquake.

Sister Karen is a pediatric emergency medical physician and assistant professor at JohnsHopkins University with extensive experience in international medicine. She travels todeveloping countries where the Sisters of Mercy minister four to five times each year withHopkins’ residents to provide medical services. Her dedication to academic excellence,compassion and service is eminent through her efforts in both the medical and religiouscommunities.

“Sister Karen walks the talk of mercy,” says President Kathleen Owens, PhD. “Hercommitment to our college-wide core values is explicitly manifested in her life’s work.”

61st Commencement

Retiring faculty member Patricia J. Giordano,MS, ’77/’81 was honored with the title ofProfessor Emeritus and led the processionas Macebearer during Commencement.Giordano, assistant professor and radiationtherapy program director, retired after 24years at Gwynedd-Mercy College.

Giordano became interested in pursuing amedical career after breaking her ankle inhigh school and experiencing the kindnessof an X-ray technologist. Later, while studyingthe allied health professions, she wrote apaper on skin cancer and then narrowedher interest to radiation therapy. A two-timegraduate of Gwynedd-Mercy College,Giordano received an Associate of Sciencein Radiation Therapy in 1977 and a bachelor’sdegree in health science in 1981. Shecontinued her studies at Arcadia University(then Beaver College) to obtain a Master ofScience in Health Education in 1985.

After 18 years of treating cancer patientsand working at Temple University Hospital,Giordano returned to her alma mater. In1986, Giordano became an instructor andassistant program director of radiationtherapy at GMC. Three years later, she waspromoted to assistant professor andprogram director. Giordano has been withthe College through many milestones. In2000, the associate degree program wasenriched to a four-year program. Also,psychology and theory courses were added

to the curriculum to address the stressassociated with treating an ill or dying patient.

As an instructor, the most rewardingmoment for Giordano was seeing the lightbulb go on in a student’s head when theygrasp a difficult concept, she says.Giordano also enjoyed watching herstudents practice in a caring manner andadvancing in their profession.

Radiation therapy has been a part ofGiordano’s life for 45 years. One of hermajor achievements is receiving the VarianAward, a national award for makingsignificant contributions to the profession.Ironically, Giordano’s mentor and teacher atGMC, Eileen McCullough, was the firstrecipient of the award in 1984 and Giordanowas the last award recipient in 2000.Giordano was also awarded theGwynedd-Mercy College DistinguishedAlumni Award for ProfessionalAchievement in 2006.

Campus coordinator of the radiologictechnology program, Cheryl DiLanzo,shared an office with Giordano andwitnessed her commitment to teachingothers. “Pat is the model professional that isexemplified in the books that we share withstudents,” she says. “She has achieved a lotin her career through dedication and apassion for her field. She also has been ahuge mentor in my career.”

Though Giordano is excited about herdecision to retire, she still plans to remainactive in her field. Giordano will remain onthe Radiation Therapy Advisory Committeeat GMC and stay professionally active inconducting site visits for programmaticaccreditation for the Joint ReviewCommittee on Education in RadiologicTechnology (JRCERT).

4 Today

A Farewell to Patricia Giordano ’77/’81

HONORSHonorary degrees were presented to Frances M. Maguire ’55 and James J. Maguire. TheMaguires, who established the Maguire Educational Foundation, are highly-respectedphilanthropists in the Philadelphia area. Mrs. Maguire donated $5 million in October 2009to name Gwynedd-Mercy College’s nursing program as the Frances M. Maguire School ofNursing. This gift is the largest-ever alumni gift in the history of the College and will forman endowment for the School, while supporting scholarships, faculty, and best-practicetechnology and equipment.

The Tender Courage Award, in memory of Sister Isabelle Keiss, RSM, is presented to anadministrator or staff member who particularly exemplifies the ideals of the charism ofmercy as lived through the mission and core values of the College. This year’s recipient wasMary Lawn, who has worked in the admissions office for 21 years. As a lifelong learner, sheearned degrees from the College in 1994 and 1997. �

Today 5

During the spring semester, the Schoolof Business & Center for LifelongLearning began a project for itsundergraduate students to learn moreabout their dean and professors, toexplore careers in business and toreach out to alumni in the businessworld. Business majors were given apassport filled with activities they neededto complete in order to earn points.Those students who accumulated bonuspoints were eligible to win the grandprize – an Apple iPad! The passportproject culminated with a reception forstudents, alumni and administration.

From left to right: Sophomore Jeffrey Riling,sophomore Jessica Lloyd, Mohamed Latib, PhD, deanof the School of Business & Center for LifelongLearning, alumna Dottie Miller ’91, grand prize winnerNoreen McDonough ’10, junior Patricia Suszko andJerry McLaughlin, vice president for institutionaladvancement.

Monday, October 11, 2010Manufacturers’ Golf & Country Club, Fort Washington, Pa.

Shotgun Start – 12:30 p.m.

For questions or to register, call Mia McGlynn at 215-641-5568

Gwynedd-Mercy College’s24th Annual Golf Tournament

SCHOOL OF BUSINESS

Passport to the Future

With the clock ticking down and the crowdcheering, Gwynedd-Mercy College’swomen’s basketball team was determinedto beat the Marywood University Pacers onSaturday, January 30, 2010. Leading by onlyfour points at halftime, Head Coach KeithMondillo knew the Griffins had to fight tokeep their lead. Time was quickly runningout as the Griffins and Pacers were tiedwith only 12:27 left in the second half.Sophomore Bryn Cotteta ignited the flameas she scored the tiebreaking three-pointer.The Griffins were now on fire as the gameswiftly came to an end. As the buzzersounded, signaling the end of the game, italso indicated a milestone for CoachMondillo. It was his 300th win.

Coach Mondillo’s love for basketball beganearly as he played for Archbishop KennedyHigh School and went on to play for ArcadiaUniversity. Being named captain ofArcadia’s basketball team in his junior andsenior years was the launch of CoachMondillo’s leadership abilities and his now17 years of coaching experience. After hegraduated from college, he served asassistant coach for the men’s basketballteam at Gwynedd-Mercy College, returnedto his alma mater to coach for the 1994-95season, and was then asked to head thewomen’s basketball program at GMC.

In his 15 years of coaching forGwynedd-Mercy College, Coach Mondillo

earned five Presidents’ Athletic ConferenceCoach of the Year awards, reached his100th win in 2001 and attained his 200thwin in 2006. “My success as a coach isdirectly linked to the success of myplayers,” he says.

The future looks bright as Coach Mondillofocuses on the upcoming season. Thoughhe just reached his 300th win, he’s notdwelling on his accomplishments. “Now,we’re focused on striving for the samesuccess next season,” he says, noting thatthe Griffins appeared in the Colonial States

Athletic Conference (CSAC) championshipgame for the 13th-consecutive time. CoachMondillo has hopes of taking the team backto the NCAA championships in 2011.Seniors Jackie Dooley, Kate Wisnewski andErica Fulforth graduated this May, leavingtheir basketball careers at the College.While all three seniors were startingplayers, Coach Mondillo has recruited sixvery talented first-year students.

“Every season is different,” he says. “Thatis what makes it exciting.”

6 Today

Milestone

Coach Mondillo’s 300th Win

Being named Coach of the Year in 2007after her first season as Gwynedd-MercyCollege’s field hockey coach was only thebeginning of Laura-Ann Lane’s success. Shepropelled the team’s accomplishments oncearriving at GMC. Coach Lane was broughtin to coach the Griffins only ten days beforethe 2007 season started, but that would notstop her as she led the team to thePennsylvania Athletic Conference Playoffs

and received a national academic honorfrom the National Field Hockey CoachesAssociation. Coach Lane’s accomplishmentsdidn’t stop there. On September 14, 2010,the Griffins defeated Cedar Crest College,awarding Coach Lane her 100th win.

“I was very happy,” she says. The win wasnot only significant for her, but also for theteam as they were then one step closer to

Coach Lane’s 100th Win

A

On May 10, the men’s baseball team won14-3 against Widener University, awardingHead Coach Paul Murphy his 300th win. “Iforgot all about the milestone until the teampresented me with the game ball in ourpost-game meeting,” he says. Coach Murphywas more focused on the upcoming playoffs,and the fact that their opponent had just wontheir conference championship three daysbefore the game. Though modest, he says thatwinning 300 games (and hopefullymanymore)is an accomplishment that he would love tohave every player and coach on the team share.

“We have had some fantastic baseball playersat Gwynedd-Mercy College and I hope theyrealize the unbelievable contributions theyhave all made to the success of the baseballprogram,” Coach Murphy says. “If it werenot for their talents, on and off the field, theprogram would not be where it is today.”

CoachMurphy has turned a college previouslywithout a baseball team into one of the mostsuccessful baseball programs in the MiddleAtlantic Region. Beginning as the head coachin 1997, he has a coaching record of 302-198,and consequently the College’s baseballprogram is ranked in the Top 50 collegesand universities in winning percentage.

His love for the sport started at an earlyage. “As a kid, I used to throw the ballagainst the back steps of our row home inPhiladelphia and catch it while goingthrough the Phillies lineup,” heremembers. “Every time I caught the ball

when it bounced back was an out. I rarelycaught it when Mike Schmidt was up!”

Coach Murphy’s family enthusiasticallysupported his desire to play, and eventuallycoach, baseball. “We would play baseball insix inches of snow with a ball wrapped inblack electrical tape so we could see it,” helaughs. At age 16, Coach Murphy had hisfirst informal coaching experience when hestarted helping pitchers on his youngerbrother’s team. Then, he went to SaintJoseph’s University on a baseballscholarship, where he played for three yearsand was named Rookie of the Year in 1989while competing in the Atlantic 10 Conference.

After sustaining an arm injury in college,which prevented him from playing during

his senior year, he was led to coaching.Coach Murphy started a team in theRoxborough section of Philadelphia forages 13 to 15, some of whom ended upbeing recruited to play at Gwynedd-MercyCollege in the early years of the program.“Once I started coaching, I loved it,” he says.

Though Coach Murphy has ledGwynedd-Mercy College’s team to manyNCAA tournament appearances andconference championships, he considershis biggest achievement to be the influencehe has on each player. “It’s very rewardingwhen a player recognizes the impact youhad on their lives and comes back to say‘thanks.’ I always return the sentiment,because each and every one of my playershas greatly impacted my life, too,” he says.

Today 7

Coach Murphy’s 300th Win

the championship game. Granted, CoachLane knew she would eventually reach thishigh point, but that never took away fromher coaching style. “As a coach, I try to beunderstanding to my players, but also firmwhile setting expectations,” she says.

She also credits her success to thededication of her athletes. “We as a teambuild on our success every year,” she says.

Expectations for the Griffins were reachedas they stayed nationally ranked in some

statistical categories for most of the season.They remained part of the national AllAcademic Team in 2009 and placed secondin the Colonial States Athletic Conference.Sophomore Dottie O’Neil and first-yearstudent Kelsey Deveney were chosen asFirst-Team All-League while sophomoresCasey Dellostretto, Kayla Farrow and AliGurko were named Second-TeamAll-League. First-year student KateEschbach earned All-League HonorableMention. O’Neil was an Eastern CollegeAthletic Conference (ECAC) All Star and

Player of the Year as well as the fieldhockey program’s first-ever Regional AllAmerican Selection.

Looking ahead to her 200th win and theupcoming 2010 season, Coach Lane islooking forward to more teamaccomplishments. Though the team lostseniors Tina Kane, Olivia Wilson andAshley McGinty last season, nine incomingfirst-year students and two junior captainswill push the team to be the best that theycan be. �

YEAR

Coach Paul Murphy withplayer Josh Thomas, MVPof 2007 championship.

Women’s Track& FieldThe women’s track & field team finishedsecond overall at the Mason Dixon IndoorChampionship. Ten women qualified for theEastern College Athletic Conference IndoorChampionships. The outdoor seasonproduced the first National Qualifier inprogram history as senior AlyciaTranchitella provisionally qualified in the1500 meter run by running 4:37:08 secondsat the ECAC Outdoor Track & FieldChampionships.

Men’s Track & FieldThe men’s track & field programestablished themselves as one of the bestteams in the nation during the 2009-2010seasons. Three athletes qualified for boththe indoor and outdoor NCAA Division IIINational Championships, resulting in fourAll-American performances. SophomoreDan Dunkleberger provided the highlightof the season at the outdoor championshipby earning All-American Honors in both the200 and 400 meter dashes. The teamfinished 17th at the 2010 NCAA Division IIINational Championships.

Women’sBasketballThe women’s basketball team appeared inthe conference championship game for the13th consecutive year and made anappearance in their third straight ECACtournament. While the team lost in theconference finals to Neumann University,they finished with a 17-10 mark and 13-3league record. Head Coach Keith Mondilloachieved his 300th win on January 30, 2010against Marywood University. Senior JackieDooley was named First-Team All League,and junior Kristy McGrath was an All-CSACSecond-Team Selection.

SoftballSpeed was no match for the softball teamthis season as GMC was ranked fifth in thecountry for stolen bases. Freshman VictoriaGraveley was selected to the CSACAll-Sportsmanship Team while sophomoreNicole Paleologus and freshman MorganBirtch earned CSAC All-ConferenceHonorable Mention. The squad finishedwith an 8-25 record and an 8-14 league mark.

Men’s LacrosseHead Coach Dana Lindstrom saw his lacrosseteam come back with a vengeance this seasonas the team beat Marywood University inthe playoffs after losing to them during theseason. The upset landed them a spot in thechampionship game against Cabrini College.Even though the team suffered a tough lossagainst Cabrini College, they ended theseason with a 10-5 record and a 5-3 leaguemark. Coach Lindstrom was namedColonial States Athletic Conference Coachof the Year, while sophomore Zach Richterwas named First-Team All League andfreshman Mason Risner was namedSecond-Team All League. Sophomores NickCoan, Michael Henry and Spenser Mills,along with freshman Richard Zagari, earnedCSAC All-Conference Honorable Mention.

8 Today Sports

Men’s TennisHead Coach Jim Holt led his team to a 6-6overall mark and a 5-2 league mark thisseason. Coach Holt was named ColonialStates Athletic Conference Coach of theYear, while senior Eric Trinkle andsophomore Jared Morgan were chosen asSecond-Team All League Singles andHonorable Mention Doubles. Junior RyanMurray was named All League HonorableMention Singles, and was chosen alongwith sophomore partner Lou Vessels asSecond-Team All League Doubles. Trinklewas also chosen for the CSACAll-Sportsmanship Team.

Men’s BasketballEven though the men’s basketball teamstruggled with injuries, senior Matt Johnsonand junior Jon Hogga kept the drive alive. Theteam finished with a 13-13 overall mark. Hoggawas named First-Team All League whileJohnson earned Second-Team All League aswell as surpassing 1,000 career points.Sophomore Brandon Sharp was selected forthe CSAC All Sportsmanship Team.

Women’s LacrosseThe women’s lacrosse team concluded thisseason by making a return trip to the CSACChampionship game against CabriniCollege. The team had a 9-9 overall markand a 6-2 league mark. Senior Pam Moyerearned First-Team All League, and seniorBridget Gibson and juniors ColleenDellostretto and Trisha Timony earnedSecond-Team All League. SophomoresKristie Pollock and Shannon Carabba werenamed Honorable Mention and sophomoreKerri Boon was named to the All-CSACSportsmanship Team. The team was led byColleen Dellostretto with 57 goals, andShannon Carabba with 69 points.

BaseballHead Coach Paul Murphy gained his 300thcareer victory during a game againstWidener University on May 10, 2010. After12 seasons, he has a coaching record of302-198. Senior Nick Goetz and sophomoreAndrew Sinon were chosen to the 2010American Baseball Coaches AssociationMid-Atlantic All-Region Team, marking thefourth consecutive year that GMC’sstudent-athletes have been honored by theAssociation. Six players were namedall-conference, five were selected on thefirst team, and one was selected on thesecond team. In addition, 15 members ofthe 2010 baseball team were named to theCSAC All-Conference team upping thegrand total of baseball players to be namedto the all-academic team to 176 underMurphy’s coaching career.

WINTERSPRING WRAP-UP

Today 9

Nicole Paleologus, anupcoming juniorEnglish major, was acontributing writer tothe athletics section ofthis issue. Paleologuslives in Bensalem withher parents and twin brother. Sheloves to write and hopes to pursue acareer in magazine writing.

10 Today

GMC EXPERIENCES MAJOR INCREASE IN MILITARY PERSONNEL RETURNING TO SCHOOLThe transition from life in the military to life on a college campus can be challenging, but for thousands of veterans and active militarypersonnel it’s a necessary venture. According to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), more than 270,000 veterans claimededucation benefits for degree programs in the 2009-10 academic year, due largely in part to the recently enacted Post 9/11 GI Bill.

These students not only need to reorient themselves to college life, but civilian life in general. Often times they arrive on campus dealingwith the emotional scars of combat and the difficult time away from the lives they once knew. But their time in the military has alsoequipped this unique population of students with many valuable practical and technical skills that will benefit them in their studies and intheir chosen profession as they begin the next chapter of their lives.

The VA provides a variety of support to military personnel and their families who want to earn a college degree (see sidebar on page 13).The VA’s financial incentives have made a college education an attractive option, contributing to the recent surge our campus has seen inveteran enrollment, explains Elizabeth Howard, financial aid information technology specialist.

“Over the past year, we have seen a large influx in our veteran student population on main campus and at the Center for Lifelong Learningcampuses,” says Howard, who reports that our veteran population held steady at about 25 students in prior years and will likely increase tonearly 100 students by this fall. “This fast-paced growth has been a national phenomenon and is a result of the Yellow Ribbon Program, a newprovision to the Post 9/11 GI Bill. This bill has made earning a college education possible for millions of military soldiers and their families.”

Gwynedd-Mercy College has proven to be an ideal fit for military personnel, despite their diverse backgrounds and needs, Howard adds.“These students hail from all walks of life, typically work very hard to earn their degrees, and bring a variety of skills and experiences withthem to the classroom. Gwynedd-Mercy College is working harder to welcome these students and we are looking to develop ways tosupport them and aid in their transition from military life to college life.”

Robert Murphy grew up in Seaboard,North Carolina – a sleepy town of less thanone thousand near the Virginia border.“Your only options for work were the paperor lumber mills, the electric company orWal-Mart. I wanted more,” says Murphy,29. After graduating from high school,Murphy enrolled in nearby HalifaxCommunity College to study businessadministration. He took a full load of classesand worked full time at the local Firestoneservice station, satisfying his love for cars.But soon his desire to break free from hissmall town roots got the best of him.

“Working at Firestone wasn’t bringing inthe money. I was also burned out from

school,” he says. It was around this timethat his cousin, Michelle, had enlisted inthe U.S. Air Force and was stationed at abase in Florida. One visit to see her andMurphy knew what his next move wouldbe. He followed in the footsteps of hiscousin, uncle and grandfathers, andenlisted in the military.

In November 2000, he headed to bootcamp, and then training at Lackland AirForce Base in Texas. The transition wasdifficult, something you can never reallyprepare for, he says. “They break you downand make you work as a team. You have tolearn how to play their mind games. Thepsychological aspect was the hardest part.”

The following spring he trained inaerospace maintenance at Sheppard AirForce Base, also in Texas, before ending upat Hurlburt Field Air Force Base, a specialoperations base in Florida. He trained andwas promoted to senior airman, and gotmarried. Murphy and his wife moved intofamily housing on the base and soonwelcomed daughter Liana in June 2002.

Murphy poses for aphoto after completingtechnical training atSheppard Air ForceBase, Wichita Falls,Texas, in 2001.

SOLDIERS AMONG US

Today 11

Murphy’s first deployment to Afghanistancame in 2004, just before Liana’s secondbirthday. For 60 days, Murphy worked12-hour night shifts, seven days a week,maintaining the combat planes that flew atnight. “I remember how dark it was at nightin the mountains,” he says. Rocket attackswere abundant, he remembers, but overallhe tried to stay calm and focused. “Onenight, there were two rocket attacks veryclose to our base,” he recalls. “Our locationwas secluded from everyone else on basebecause we were special operationsclassification, but I heard the sirens andpeople talking on their walkie-talkies. It wasso loud.”

He got used to carrying the weight of aM16 on him at all times, even in blisteringtemperatures that would reach 130 degreesFahrenheit by midday. He also got used tosharing a cramped wooden shack with 11other men and having limited access tophones and computers to communicatewith loved ones back home.

When Murphy returned to Florida inAugust, things at home had changed. Hiswife didn’t want to live the life of a militarywife and left with Liana to live with herparents in California. Because he was nowsingle, Murphy couldn’t live in familyhousing and had to find housing off base.Though his personal life was going throughdifficult changes, his career wasprogressing. He was promoted to staffsergeant and trusted with even moreresponsibility. But since his wife anddaughter were gone, he wanted to return toAfghanistan right away. “I felt comfortablethere. A part of my daily life was there so Iasked to be deployed again,” he says. InFebruary 2005, Murphy embarked on hissecond deployment. He returned to thesame remote base, worked the day shift andexperienced his first winter in themountains of Afghanistan. Three monthslater, he headed home to attend airmanleadership school and made time for a brieftrip to see his daughter.

His third and final deployment toAfghanistan came in spring 2006 on veryshort notice. One of Murphy’s supervisorscouldn’t deploy because of a familyemergency so Murphy agreed to take hisplace. By the next morning he was on aplane to Afghanistan. The scene hadn’tchanged much since his last deployment,he says, but this time he went over as hishighest rank. He assisted the night shiftaircraft maintenance operations and workedall night, every day. The occasionaltoo-close-for-comfort rocket attack could beheard near the base, he says, an unnerving

experience when they land no more than100 yards away and you can’t see themcoming in the black sky.

Murphy returned to Florida in July and waslooking forward to moving ahead in hiscareer when he received a phone call fromhis ex-wife’s mother explaining that heneeded to take over full custody of Liana.Within two weeks of receiving this call,Murphy had filed custody papers, set upher bedroom in the house he shared with afellow soldier and headed to California.

Though he hadn’t seen his daughter insome time, he naturally fell right back intothe role of full-time dad. He enrolled Lianain a private pre-school, took her to the dentist,and set up appointments with specialists tomonitor her heart and kidney conditions.

He maintained a typical day shift workschedule and life was finally settling into acomfortable routine for Murphy and hisdaughter. To continue to move up theranks, he needed to retrain at the U.S. AirForce’s technical school. He put it off for aslong as he could so he and Liana couldadjust to their new life together, but inNovember 2006, Murphy made the difficultdecision to request separation from the U.S.Air Force. “I needed to make a stable lifefor my daughter,” he says.

With the difficult decision to leave behind asix-year military career came morechallenges. Murphy decided to move toHatfield, Pa., to live with his mother andstep-father. The move meant that Lianacould be closer to family she hardly knew

and that Murphy could have their supportas a newly single dad. It also meant thatMurphy could finally finish his collegedegree in a larger metropolitan area wherehe thought there would be more jobopportunities.

He began taking classes at MontgomeryCounty Community College and workingfull time at a nearby metal spring factory.When he heard about the Post 9/11 GI Billlast year, he immediately enrolled atGwynedd-Mercy College to complete hisdegree in business administration. Liana,now 7, has adjusted to life in Pennsylvaniaand enjoys the fact that her father is astudent just like her, though she doesn’tentirely understand why he’s become sobusy. “She doesn’t understand the conceptof homework for me. She finishes herhomework in an hour or so while I have tospend hours on mine. She’s always like,‘Daddy, aren’t you done with yourhomework yet?’ She’s just now starting toget it,” he says with a smile.

Murphy hopes to one day return with hisdaughter to the familiar surroundings ofFlorida (sunny beaches, less traffic), but fornow the time spent on school and family isexactly what he needs. “The best part aboutbeing here is that my daughter gets tospend time with my family. I’m proud ofmyself for getting this far. My focus now isto graduate and get a job.”

Liana’s first day of school in Pennsylvania.

Cramming for exams, writing researchpapers and mastering her statistics class – afar cry from Patricia Suszko’s previousduties. As first sergeant for the 95th AirliftSquadron at Pope Air Force Base in NorthCarolina, U.S. Air Force Reserve, Suszkowas responsible for supervising more than200 personnel and advising three unitcommanders. She was known for maintainingthe highest standards of morale, welfareand discipline. Her military career spanned30 years and numerous deploymentsincluding Desert Storm, OperationEnduring and Operation Iraqi Freedom.

12 Today

Suszko became familiar with the militarylifestyle at an early age. Her father, Howard,was a sergeant in the U.S. Air Force andoften traveled to Nicaragua working withthe U.S. Embassy. It was here that he metand married Suszko’s mother, Maria Dora.For the early part of Suszko’s life, she livedwith her mother, sister and brother inManagua, Nicaragua, while her father, anative of Richmond, Virginia, was onassignments all over the world. “It justseemed natural that he was always travelingbecause of the Air Force. His special dutyassignments required him to be away onremote locations without his family,” she says.

Suszko had a humble Latin Americanchildhood filled with horseback riding,rodeos, religious festivals and lots of familygatherings. “My middle brother, Maurice,younger sister, Marta, and I weresurrounded by grandparents, cousins,aunts, uncles and extended family membersthroughout Nicaragua,” she says. WhenSuszko was nine years old, her father receivedassignment orders to Keesler Air ForceBase in Biloxi, Mississippi. Everyone movedto America to be together as a family for thefirst time. “We all had to get reacquainteddue to the long separations,” she remembers.

It was the first time that Suszko had been toAmerica and the transition was difficult,especially having to leave behind herextended family. Suszko’s father stilltraveled often and her mother had to bevery independent in her new life. Shetaught herself to read and speak English byusing a dictionary and learned how to drivea car, Suszko remembers. “She adjustedquickly by being a strong woman with astrong will. She was a military wife withchildren living in the greatest country inthe world.”

After Suszko finished junior high school,her family moved again when her fatherreceived orders to be stationed at AlbrookAir Force Base in the Panama Canal Zone.Suszko and her siblings attended agovernment school for dependants ofAmerican military and governmentpersonnel and they became immersed intheir new exotic surroundings. “Attendinghigh school in a tropical setting was anadventure. There were trips to the beaches,islands, rivers, oceans, tropical forests,many scenic and historical routes, and thefood was amazing,” she says.

Her family returned to Biloxi four yearslater and Suszko enrolled at Jefferson DavisJunior College. She earned an associatedegree in secretarial science and beganworking as secretary to the mayor. Butafter working for a few years at Biloxi CityHall, Suszko felt a void of the familiarmilitary lifestyle. “I wanted to travel theworld and serve my country,” she says.With her parent’s encouragement, sheenlisted in the U.S. Air Force in 1980 tocarve out her own military career.

Her first assignment upon completing basictraining was to the 351st Strategic MissileWing as a missile engineeringadministrative specialist at Whiteman AirForce Base in Missouri. After a few monthson base she met her husband, David, whoworked in nuclear missile security forces.“He was tall, dark and handsome. I couldn’tresist those green eyes,” she says. Theyquickly became inseparable and marriedlater that year. They had their first child,David Patrick, in 1981 and remained on

base for the next three years. Suszko haddaughter Natasha in 1984 while David wasgoing through recruiting training in Texas,missing her birth by two weeks. Davidbecame an Air Force reserve recruiter andthe family transferred to Richards-GebaurAir Force Base, also in Missouri, wherethey had another daughter, Teresina, in1986. Serving more than four years of activeduty, Suszko decided to join the reserves infavor of a more family-friendly career inresource management administration.

In 1990, Suszko transferred to WillowGrove Air Reserve Station and joined the913th Operations Support Flight as anintelligence administrative specialist,settling the family in Warminster, Pa. Shewas soon activated at home station insupport of Desert Storm. Suszko spent thenext few years proving her ability to leadthe reservists on base and in 1997 herefforts were recognized when a boardselected her for the position of firstsergeant with the 327th Airlift Squadron.She became the first female first sergeant inthe history of the 913th Airlift Wing, aprestigious position held only by the mostrevered and dedicated personnel. “I hadalways prepared myself to excel in aleadership role, taking any Air Forcetraining I could. When I earned thisposition, my father was so proud,” she says.Subsequently, Suszko won many awards,including Pennsylvania USAF Reservist ofthe Year and First Sergeant of the Year.

Just as her father had done for so manyyears, Suszko’s deployments andactivations sent her all over the world.

First Sergeant Suszko, with Colonel Luke Kealy (left)and Colonel Edward Jennings (right), receives her FirstSergeant of the Year Award in 2007 at Willow Grove AirReserve Station.

First Sergeant Patricia Suszko (far right) poses with her support personnel on an Operation Iraqi Freedommission in Qatar, 2006.

Today 13

VA SUPPORTThe Post 9/11 GI Bill provides financialsupport for education and housing toindividuals who served at least 90 days ofaggregate service after September 11, 2001and received an honorable discharge. TheYellow Ribbon Program additionallybenefits these veterans who are enrolled ina Yellow Ribbon participating institution thathave tuition and fees exceeding the highestpublic in-state undergraduate tuition or fees.

TheMontgomery GI Bill – Active Dutyprovides up to 36 months of educationbenefits for degree and certificateprograms, flight training,apprenticeship/on-the-job training andcorrespondence courses. Benefits arepayable for 10 years following release fromactive duty.

TheMontgomery GI Bill – SelectedReserve supports members of the SelectedReserve (Army, Navy, Air Force, MarineCorps, Coast Guard, Army National and AirNational Guard) seeking degree andcertificate programs, flight training,apprenticeship/on-the-job training andcorrespondence courses. It is available forup to 36 months of education benefits,ending 14 years from the date of eligibility,or on the last day in the Selected Reserve.

Survivors and Dependents EducationalAssistance provides education and trainingopportunities for spouses and children ofveterans who died, became disabled as aresult of a service-connected disability,were MIA or POW. It is available for 45months of education benefits for degreeand certificate programs, apprenticeshipand on-the-job training.

The Reserve Educational AssistanceProgram was established in 2005 as part ofthe Ronald W. Reagan National DefenseAuthorization Act to provide educationalassistance to members of the Reservecomponents called or ordered to active dutyin response to a war or national emergency(contingency operation) as declared by thePresident or Congress. This programensures that certain reservists who servedfor at least 90 days after September 11, 2001are eligible for education benefits, or for anincrease of benefits.

Vocational Rehabilitation is available forveterans with service-connected disabilitiesto make a seamless transition from militaryservice to successful rehabilitation and onto suitable employment.

For more information, visit www.va.gov.

Between 1995 and 2009, she served all overthe United States, Canada, Europe, Centraland South America, Panama, Puerto Rico,Oman, Saudi Arabia and Qatar. Heroperations included Desert Shield, DesertStorm, Southern Watch, Joint Endeavor,Joint Forge, Coronet Oak, Noble Eagle9/11, Enduring Freedom and IraqiFreedom. David retired from active duty in2000, giving Suszko the ability to bedeployed while he stayed home with theirchildren. “I would not have been able to doit without him,” Suszko says. “He kept thehousehold going, taking the kids to school,doing the girls’ hair, he did it all.”

These continuous assignments meant long,difficult separations from her family whenSuszko missed some major milestones inher children’s lives, she says. “Big

moments in each other’s lives were missedand understanding was essential foreveryone.” When Teresina was in highschool applying for colleges, Suszko couldnot be there to support her in the process.She was able to return from one of herdeployments just in time to help herdaughter move into her dorm room at LockHaven University. When her middledaughter, Natasha, graduated from WestChester University, Suszko was unable toattend her graduation ceremony. “Becauseof my overseas departure schedule, I missedit by one day,” she remembers. And whenDavid Patrick was a student at Indiana StateUniversity and in the Air Force ROTC, Suszkomissed many of his special college events.

In 2007, the 913th Airlift Wing experiencedbase closure and Suszko accepted her final

assignment as first sergeant for the 95thAirlift Squadron at Pope Air Force Base inNorth Carolina. Suszko flew to the baseseveral weekends every month and twoweeks per year, but wanted to finallycomplete her college degree and spendmore time with her family. She enrolled atGwynedd-Mercy College in January 2009 tostudy business administration. She wouldattend classes Monday through Thursday,then catch a plane Thursday afternoon toNorth Carolina, returning home Sundaynight. She maintained this grueling schedulefor three months before deciding to retirefrom her position as senior master sergeant.

Her focus is now on finishing her degree,applying all that she’s learned in the U.S.Air Force to a new career in humanresources and spending as much time withher family as possible. Suszko and herhusband recently celebrated their 30-yearwedding anniversary and both are lookingforward to a slower pace of life. “Now thatwe have more time together we are gettingreacquainted with each other and it feelslike we’re dating again,” she says. DavidPatrick continues the family tradition as acaptain in the U.S. Air Force, based inWyoming. Natasha, a skin cancer specialist,and her husband, Anthony, a Marinegunnery sergeant, live in San Diego, whileTeresina lives near her parents and worksin corporate fitness. “My children fullyunderstand the military life and the sacrificeswe all have had to make as a military family.That is why when we are all together wealways find a reason to celebrate. Our mottois ‘let’s celebrate today.’ After all, every dayshould be a celebration.” �

David Patrick, Natasha, Teresina, Patricia and David Suszko gather at the Willow Grove Navy Orion’s Club forPatricia’s retirement ceremony, 2009.

14 Today

CARING FOR SENIOR BOOMERS

The baby boomer generation was born

between 1946 and 1964. As the boomers

age, there is an increasing demand for

specialists in the field of aging and related

disciplines. The reality is that the rise in

clinical demand is expected to increase at a

faster pace than the health care workforce

will be able to expand.

Part of this unmet demand has to do with

constraints imposed by the recession.

Another major factor is that the health

care workforce is also aging. This

means that more health care

professionals will retire, contributing

to the shortage of care providers in

a time when they’re needed most.

“We’ve known the age wave

was coming, but it will crest

in 2030, and then the U.S.

population will gradually

revert to a young

population,” says

Barbara Jones ’70/’72,

PhD, RN, professor of

nursing. Specifically, by 2030,

there will be 71 million

American older adults,

equaling 20 percent of our

population. “While it’s a

challenge, it’s a time-limited

challenge,” she adds.

The cost of providing health

care for an older American

is three to five times greater

than the cost for someone

younger. The most widely used

resource to finance health care for older

adults is Medicare, but Dr. Jones points out

that funding Medicare is becoming a

problem with a smaller workforce. “Even

now, with high unemployment, the

Medicare coffers are stressed,” she says.

The future of Medicare, which pays 80

percent of the cost for health care, is linked

to employment trends.

“Boomers are aging differently from

previous generations,” Dr. Jones says. Today,

we are caring for two generations of older

adults. The generation raised during the

depression possessed values of thrift

and independence; however, their

relationships with health providers

tended toward compliance with

whatever the health provider

recommended or prescribed. For

the most part, the boomers are

well-educated and aware of

health issues as well as their

rights and choices. They will

expect to participate fully in

all health care decisions. Due

to increased life expectancy

and high levels of activity, we

now see older adults undergoing

second hip replacements since they

wore out the first replacement.

SHIFTING PATTERNSOF DISEASE

When you’re watching re-runs of

your favorite TV shows this

summer, pay attention to the

pharmaceutical commercials,

From our experts in…

HEALTH CARE

Today, we know that smoking is

bad, eating fast food is unhealthy

and regular exercise is important.

But it wasn’t until the 1960s that

the health hazards of smoking

tobacco started to be reported. In

the same decade, the general

public began paying attention to

a new term – “cholesterol.”

Now, our country’s initial lack of

knowledge about these bad

habits is showing increasing

consequences in health, especially

with the looming swell of an

aging population. In 2011, the

first year of the baby boomer

generation will reach age 65.

Our campus experts weigh in on

the changing population,

improvements in technology and

increasing awareness about

disease prevention.

Barbara Jones ’70/’72, PhD, RN

Today 15

suggests Bill Galvin, MS, RRT, CPFT, AE-C,

FAARC, assistant professor and program

director of respiratory care. You will find that

more medications are being advertised for

respiratory diseases, such as chronic obstructive

pulmonary disease (COPD) and asthma.

Respiratory diseases are affecting more and

more Americans, a trend that will continue

to rise. In fact, COPD is positioned to move

from the fourth to the third leading cause

of death in the United States by 2020, just

below cancer. Diseases like asthma and

sleep apnea are two other respiratory culprits

that are changing the health care outlook.

“Asthma, I think, has been under-diagnosed

in the past,” Galvin explains of the quickly

increasing numbers of asthma cases.

Currently, there are 22 million diagnosed

cases in the United States, with children

accounting for a sizable percentage of the

cases. Close to an alarming 4,000 deaths

are caused each year from asthma, which is

a statistic that Galvin finds completely

unacceptable in light of the advances in

treatment and availability of highly effective

medications. The good news is that more

people are seeking a diagnosis because of

the progression in medicine. “The number

of asthma medicines, good ones, is

staggering,” Galvin says.

The respiratory disease that is least

recognized is sleep apnea, which interrupts

the sleep cycle. Someone with sleep apnea

exhibits significant snoring, restlessness and

intervals of apnea (20, 30 and up to 60

second periods of time where they do not

take a breath). Because they’re sleeping,

many people don’t realize that this is

happening, and his or her spouse is usually

the first to identify the problem. Someone

with sleep apnea doesn’t get the oxygen

needed by the body to sustain life. And

since they are getting only fragmented sleep

they are always tired. Clinically significant

forms of sleep apnea are defined by five or

more episodes per hour each night.

Untreated sleep apnea can have a huge

impact on productivity at work, Galvin says,

and may even lead to termination. It can

also cause high blood pressure and other

cardiovascular disease, memory problems,

weight gain, impotency and headaches. Not

to mention that drowsiness causes 100,000

accidents each year. Galvin believes the

public will hear more and more about this

“under-the-radar” condition as home care

companies and sleep specialists are

experiencing a proliferation of newly

diagnosed cases.

Heart disease will remain the number one

worldwide killer of men and women, but

patterns of its affected population are

changing. It is responsible for 40 percent of

all deaths in the United States, and risk

factors for women are increasing.

“Women are generally protected more than

men from heart disease when they are

younger, due to their levels of estrogen,”

says Jason Seachrist, RDCS, cardiac

ultrasound instructor and clinical coordinator

for the cardiovascular technology program.

“However, after menopause, there isn’t this

level of protection and women catch up to

men quickly in terms of the amount of heart

disease,” he adds.

Heart disease is not just impacting those in

old age, anymore. “We’re seeing the

metabolic syndrome in younger people,”

says Andrea Reiley-Helzner, MS, RCIS, RPFT,

assistant professor and program director for

cardiovascular technology. They are living

sedentary lifestyles, feeding their probability

for prehypertension and other clear risk

factors for coronary disease, she says.

PERSONAL HEALTH CARE STATUS

“Four factors determine your health care

status: Use or disuse of the health care

system, environment, genetics and

lifestyle,” Galvin says.

A CLOSER LOOK:Health care system“The health care field is working smarter,

not harder,” Seachrist says. Technology

improvements enable those in the health

care field to work more effectively.

“Electronic medical records are still in

development, but they will be a big help in

terms of access and continuity of care,” he

adds. Traditionally, health care workers have

to spend time researching reports for each

patient’s past care and treatment history.

With the records moving to an electronic

“Four factors

determine your

health care status:

Use or disuse of the

health care system,

environment,

genetics and

lifestyle.”

Bill Galvin, MS, RRT,CPFT, AE-C, FAARC

16 Today

system, providers will be able to find this

information more quickly, which means

delivering care faster.

There are also diagnosis and treatment

changes due to technology, Seachrist says.

“In the last 10 years I have seen a big

change in the types and quality of imaging

and surgeries. Image quality in ultrasound

alone has improved very much. And now

we have other imaging methods, such as

cardiac MRI, which also improve imaging

and diagnosis.”

Environment and lifestyleIn some instances, Americans’ obsession

with hygiene can do more harm than good.

“As a country, we have been trying to be so

clean,” Galvin says. Spraying lawns, using

certain cleaning products, and other

chemicals associated with hygiene, can all

cause asthma or make existing asthma

worse. Those who work in cleaning or

housekeeping, or in any industry that uses

chemicals, feel most impacted.

Smoking is the number one behavioral

cause of death in the United States. According

to the World Health Organization (WHO),

there are 5 million annual tobacco-related

deaths worldwide, and that number is expected

to rise to 8 million by 2030. Approximately

21 percent of the U.S. population smokes,

which is actually significantly lower than the

percentage 30 years ago.

“COPD will become a worldwide problem

because the tobacco industry is making

significant in-roads in advertising cigarette

smoking to the developing countries overseas,”

Galvin says. “When countries adopt a

lifestyle similar to the United States, they

tend to adopt the bad habits with the good.”

A May 2010 article in the Christian Science

Monitor supports this theory, stating that

the tobacco industry takes advantage of

increasingly liberalized social attitudes,

especially in low- and middle-income countries.

A huge social change in many countries is

the attitude toward women, which triggers

much of the marketing, especially in the

tobacco industry, to target women.

Just like our bad habits contribute to

increasing cases of COPD, the same goes

for heart disease. “There are large sections

of the world where rates of heart disease

are much lower than in the United States,

and much of that has to do with diet and

exercise,” Seachrist says. “Overall, we

simply eat the wrong foods and exercise less

as a population than many other nations.

It’s interesting to note that heart disease is

on the increase in nations where the

availability of American food is on the

increase. China and Japan are two countries

that are being watched closely.”

Many unhealthy habits and attitudes have

emerged at the same time. Those who were

brought up in the 1950s in the United States

considered a fat baby to be a healthy baby,

Reiley-Helzner says. People started to use

margarine during the war, followed by the

introduction of fast foods and pre-packaged

foods. “It’s amazing looking back over time

how our eating habits have changed,” she says.

Also at that time, television grew in

popularity. Today, the average American

watches four hours of TV per day, which

reduces the amount of time that people are

active or exercising, especially children.

According to the WHO, “Physical inactivity,

(a lack of physical activity) is an independent

risk factor for chronic diseases, and overall is

estimated to cause 1.9 million deaths globally.”

“I think if children can get indoctrinated

early into good eating habits and exercise,

then it would bring down the cases of

disease,” Reiley-Helzner says. The

foundation for a healthy lifestyle should

start in the cradle. Parents and educators

have responsibilities to encourage healthy

eating and exercise, leading by example.

Luckily, in the United States, there’s a

consumer movement to ban smoking and

spread awareness about healthy eating.

Twenty-six states and some cities have

mandated smoking bans in restaurants, bars

and other public places. Under the

health-care reform bill, restaurant chains

with 20 or more stores are required to

display nutrition information.

“Awareness of cardiovascular health has

played a leading role in the caloric intake

and nutrition facts for meals at restaurants,”

Seachrist says. “There has been little

“Awareness of

cardiovascular health

has played a leading

role in the caloric

intake and nutrition

facts for meals at

restaurants.”

Jason Seachrist, RDCS

awareness of the amount of fat, sodium

and calories in restaurant foods over the years.

Seachrist points out that restaurant food

isn’t expected to be completely healthy, but

that restaurants have pushed it too far.

“[Posting nutrition facts] doesn’t have to

hurt business if the restaurants show some

restraint in their use of ingredients and

portion sizes, and provide information to

their customers,” he adds.

As for the impact that the

calorie posting may have on

the population’s eating

behavior, it’s hard to

say what will

happen. People

react to it in

different ways.

Some consumers

would rather

ignore the nutrition

facts, and some will

choose healthier

options. Therefore, it

will take time to see

if there’s an impact

on the nation’s eating

habits followed by

a decrease in heart

disease. “The

increase in heart disease

in the United States

didn’t happen

overnight, and it’s not

going to get better

overnight either,”

Seachrist says.

Changing behavior, however important it

may be, is easier said than done.

Reiley-Helzner addresses this in her

freshman Clinical Skills I class. For the

upcoming fall semester, she bought a 20 lb.

fat vest for the students to try on. She also

plans to ask her students to give up

something for a week or two, such as salt

or coffee. “This way, they can be

empathetic to their patients, knowing that

making lifestyle changes is hard.”

Galvin stresses lifestyle behaviors and their

centrality to the health care system of the

future. “We will need to become more

proactive versus reactive,” he says. “There

will be an enhanced interest in health

promotion and disease prevention

measures.” This will place much greater

emphasis on patient advocacy and patient

education.

GeneticsOne of the biggest changes currently

impacting the nursing profession is

genetics. In addition to diet and exercise,

risk factors for disease have a lot to do with

heredity. “We’ve realized that many of our

major health problems are genetically based

or transmitted from generation to

generation within families,” Dr. Jones says.

“Such health problems include diabetes,

elevated serum cholesterol, schizophrenia,

and many cancers.”

Since the completion of the Human

Genome Project in 2003, we’ve understood

more about DNA, specifically genes and

their effects. The results of this scientific

milestone are leading to new ways of

diagnosing, treating, and someday

preventing many disorders.

The era of personalized medicine is

beginning. Genetic testing is becoming

increasingly available. Individuals will need

the assistance of health professionals

educated in genetics in order to understand

the results of testing, consider ethical issues

and understand treatment options. Gene

therapy, now occurring primarily in research

settings, is expected to become available

and has the potential to repair or replace

genes associated with specific illnesses.

Responses to many medications can also be

predicted on the basis of a patient’s genome.

“The health care graduates of today will be

practicing in settings where genetic

assessments and interventions are

becoming the norm,” Dr. Jones says. As a

result, Gwynedd-Mercy College’s Frances M.

Maguire School of Nursing introduced a

genetics course for seniors in the BSN

program this summer. The course includes

genetic theory as well as practice in

completing family genetic histories and

health “pedigrees” spanning three or more

generations. �

Today 17

DID YOU KNOW…

• One extra pound of weight puts four

extra pounds on your knees.

• According to the American Heart

Association, non-smokers, on

average, live 14 years longer than

smokers.

• A healthy person should be able to

walk one mile in 20 minutes or less.

• Check the labels! Individuals should

consume less than one percent of

daily calories in trans fat. The culprit is

“partially hydrogenated” vegetable

oil. In the United States, if a food has

less than 0.5 grams of trans fat per

serving, the food label can read 0

grams of trans fat.

• Clean teeth can reduce heart disease

by 70 percent.

• Abdominal fat is the root of many

health disorders.

• MyPyramid.gov is a great resource for

healthy eating tips.

Andrea Reiley-Helzner, MS, RCIS, RPFT

18 Today

It is not immediately apparent where theconnection lies between the lives of anactive resident of a retirement communityand a radiation therapy student with apassion for disc jockeying. But this is astory where neither age nor interestsinterfere with the strong bond between twopeople of a different era. Though theirexperiences occurred six decades apart,junior Ron Stone, 28, and Foulkeways residentWilliam C. Notley, 86, both served ourcountry in major wars. Now they share theirexperiences with each other and the world.

Stone served in Iraq from July 2004 toMarch 2005, mostly as a military policeofficer in Baghdad. His assignments were

to patrol the downtown civilian population.Stone also participated in convoy missionsand provided protection to those involved intransportation supply.

In fall 2009, Stone, then a sophomore, wasenrolled in the “Conflict and Consensus inHistory” course taught by Michael Clinton,PhD, associate professor of history. As partof the service-learning component of thecourse, students are paired with residentsof the College’s neighbor, Foulkewaysretirement community, for researchprojects. “Foulkeways is a rich source ofhistorical information of life in the 20thCentury,” Dr. Clinton says.

It only made sense to partner Stone withNotley and three other World War IIveterans, Si Lewen, the late Saul Jacobsen,and Dr. George Sakheim. All fourFoulkeways residents were named“chevaliers” (knights) of the French Legionof Honor for their critical roles in theliberation of France. The honor is a Frenchorder that was started by Napoleon and isthe highest decoration in France.

“Ron was very eager and enthusiastic toshare history with these men from theget-go,” Dr. Clinton says. Though Stonenever imagined that his project wouldevolve as it had. He went into the researchproject thinking that he would meet a fewveterans and hear their stories of heroism,complete the project and that would be theend of it. “I was just hoping to receive an ‘A’for my effort on the project,” Stone says.Once he got to know these extraordinarymen, Stone realized that his project wouldbe so much more.

SHARINGHISTORY

The WWII veterans exchanged stories withStone, however it was with Notley that heformed an instant bond. “It’s like being in aroom full of strangers and then finding onefriend that you can cling to,” explains Stone,who describes Notley as a genuine, warmand inviting person with a big heart.

Notley served in four of five Frenchcampaigns as an infantryman, then as amachine gun sergeant. “Of the five menthat held that position, two were killed andthree were wounded,” says Notley, who wasone of the wounded soldiers during histhird campaign in September 1944.

“You could hear the hurt and the fear in Mr.Notley’s voice as he told me about the war,”Stone says.

While in Iraq, Stone was also injured whenhis Humvee was hit by a rocket-propelledgrenade (RPG), flipping the vehicle andtrapping his leg. The roadside attack was aclose call for Stone, who says he feelshappy just to be alive. The gunner that waswith the other soldiers in the Humvee wastragically not as fortunate.

“Nobody likes to relive the scene over thereor hold onto those memories,” Stone says.But he found relief and comfort in speakingwith Notley and comparing wars. “There’s aconnection between soldiers. It’s easier toopen up to another soldier about theexperience.”

Some stories that Notley shared with Stonehave never even reached the ears of hisfamily. Not only would they not be able tocomprehend the stories like another soldierwould, but Notley also wanted to protectthem from knowing the terrible things thathappened.

To present Notley’s and the others’accounts, Stone decided to use a method ofrecounting their stories that has never beenused before in Dr. Clinton’s class. “I wantedto do something different, so I came upwith the idea to do this documentary,” saysStone of the film that he titled “A League ofExtraordinary Men.”

In the film, the veterans speak of theirexperiences, the fear, loss of friends andencounters with German soldiers. Dr.Sakheim provided footage from an eightmillimeter camera that was taken assoldiers were liberating the Nordhausenconcentration camp in Germany. It depictedsoldiers bringing medical supplies, foodand water to the less than 100 survivors,each weighing about 65 pounds.

History experts from all over the worldhave viewed Stone’s film, which hepresented during the XVI International OralHistory Conference in Prague in July. Dr.Clinton submitted a proposal to theconference even before Stone filmed thefirst frame. “My idea [to submit theproposal] was kind of spontaneous, basedon an urge to pursue an opportunity inwhich a student might be a part of theinternational world of scholarship,” Dr.Clinton explains. Presenting together, Dr.Clinton provided an overview of the courseand the project, and Stone showed clipsfrom his documentary to illustrate what canbe done when an eager and capable studentengages constructively with a project, Dr.Clinton says.

“It’s not often that people get to hear aboutthe lives and stories of untold heroes onthis level,” Stone says. “It was a way for meto bring their stories to light and let peopleget a more inside view without all the moviemagic and hype.”

Prior to the conference in Prague, Stonehad some practice presenting his project. InMarch, Dr. Clinton and Stone presented atthe Capitol Building for a poster exhibit ofundergraduate research. Stone and Notleyalso shared the documentary with faculty,staff and students at the College in April.

“The project was a chance for me to sharemy story with someone and for Notley toshare his story with me, and in turn, toshare his story with others,” Stone says.

Stone’s project has made wavesinternationally, and it continues to have animpact locally. Notley, who is legally blind inhis left eye, attends a support group forblind veterans once a month. He was sotouched by Stone’s story and their sharedexperiences that he asked Stone to sharehis story with the veterans that attend thesupport group meetings.

The biggest impact of the project, however,was on each other. “The fact that he wasable to trust me and open up to me – I feellike we’re family,” Stone says. �

(Above) Ronald Stone, taken in Fort Leonard Wood,Mo., in March 2004, upon his entry into the military.

(Below) Staff Sergeant William C. Notley, CombatInfantryman, Company E, 320th Infantry Regiment,35th Infantry Division.

(Opposite page) William C. Notley, left, describes oneof his experiences in World War II to junior RonaldStone. On the computer background, Notley isreceiving the French Legion of Honor, the letter ofwhich is displayed on the wall.

Parallel encountersin different eras

Today 19

20 Today

SATURDAY, MAY 22

First full day in ItalyToday was our first official day in Italy. In the morning, we met up to get our bikes, whichwill be our main form of transportation in Brescia. Then, we went to the biggest market inBrescia to do some grocery shopping. We all had to put our food in boxes and put them onthe back of our bikes or use the basket on the bike. We are familiarizing ourselves with ournew surroundings until we have class later on today. So far, Italy is beautiful, and I am soexcited to see everything.

– JULIE CALVANESE, SENIOR BUSINESS MAJOR

TUESDAY, MAY 25

Santa Giulia MuseumToday was our second day of class and we’re beginning to learn Italian numbers and verbs.I can already tell that this class is going to help me communicate with everyone here. Afterclass, we had lunch and went on a tour of the city museum of Santa Giulia. It was veryinteresting. We were able to watch a short film on how the city began and the things thatstill remain. I think that the best thing I was able to see today was this old temple that stillstands with beautiful architecture.

– SARA RAMIREZ, JUNIOR NURSING MAJOR

WEDNESDAY, MAY 26

Agricultural school!This morning we visited an agricultural school to experience a new type of schoolingoffered in Italy. We were welcomed by high school students and were soon able toexchange questions with one another. The students at the school are taught how to growcrops, raise livestock, and even make wine! We were given a tour of the wine cellars,orchards, green house and more. Once we were done with the tour, we were able to minglewith the students. Although the language barrier was difficult, for the most part we couldunderstand one another. They brought out a rugby ball and a soccer ball. We were jugglingthe soccer ball with them and they taught some of us how to throw a rugby ball. In return,junior accounting major Tom Reed and junior biology major Nick Coan taught the Italianboys how to play lacrosse. It was fun to exchange cultures with them.

– GWEN CONTE, JUNIOR NURSING MAJOR

Benvenuti a Brescia!Twenty students traveled to Italy to learn the country’s language and culture as part of Gwynedd-Mercy College’s first-ever study abroadprogram. From May 21 to June 21, they stayed in Brescia, the hometown of Elisa Clewis, adjunct Italian instructor and program coordinatorfor the trip. Her husband, Robert Clewis, PhD, assistant professor of philosophy, also helped to arrange logistics for the study abroad program.

Students documented their daily experiences in Italy through two blogs, complete with photos and video. One blog, “ExperiencingItaly with GMC,” describes their first-hand impressions and feelings about being immersed into Italian culture. The second,“Discovering Italy with GMC,” records what the students learned along the way about the history, culture and traditions of thecountry, either through class or personal experiences.

Here, you will read a selection of excerpts from their blogs. To view them in their entirety, visit gmcinitaly.blogspot.com.

Today 21

THURSDAY, MAY 27

Americans grace the pagesof an Italian newspaperIt is true. Our faces are in the paper. While visiting the agricultural school yesterday, wewere asked to pose for pictures and allow a photographer to follow us as we were given atour. To our surprise, we found this picture in the newspaper this morning. Needless to say,we are thrilled to be representing Gwynedd-Mercy College!

– JORDAN DISANTO, SENIOR NURSING MAJOR

MONDAY, MAY 31

Seven crazy Americansrunning through Pisa!Ciao,Well this weekend was amazing. Saturday we went to Venice and it was great. We had thechance to ride a gondola and tour the city. We were very lucky to have Nick’s Italianroommate with us. He was very helpful! We climbed up to a bell tower and walked aroundthe church. On Sunday we went to Florence and Pisa. In Florence, we trekked up a hugehill and many steps to see the replica of the Statue of David, and in Pisa, we visited theleaning tower, of course!

– HEATHER HEMBERGER, JUNIOR EDUCATION MAJOR

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 2

Great weekends in Florence!This past weekend was my first major trip during my stay in Brescia. Prior to leaving forFlorence, I met my new guide and friend named Sara, who is a citizen of Brescia, but spenta year in England, so we were able to speak to each other very well. Florence was a verybusy, thriving and crowded city, more so than Brescia. There were lots of things to see anddo in Florence and I was nothing short of amazed. I witnessed many events and festivals inthe squares, including a gelato festival. I noticed there are lots of festivals in Italy this timeof year. I also did a lot of shopping in Florence, especially in the shopping malls, which weresimilar to the ones back at home. Sara was very helpful to me, especially while inrestaurants and in situations where there were some language barriers. I had a lot of funwith her. On Sunday morning, we left to return to Brescia. I loved visiting Florence verymuch. I enjoyed exploring the old historical sites as well as the new modern ones, andshopping at the stores and markets. This was definitely a weekend to remember as one ofmy best times in Italy.

– GABRIELLE ROSIN, SENIOR EDUCATION MAJOR

THURSDAY, JUNE 3

Lago di GardaYesterday a group of us went to Lake Garda and an amusement park called Gardaland. Asmuch as I have loved all the beautiful places we have gone to thus far, I have to admit thishas been my favorite day since I got here. Not only was it the most beautiful lake I haveever seen, but it gave me a familiar taste of home, which you can't help but miss whenyou’re so far away. The only difference was the scenery. In the distance you could seemountains covered with snow, yet people were standing in their bathing suits andswimming in the water, quite a contradicting scene. It was amazing. Then, the latter part ofthe day we spent at the amusement park. It was like a tiny Disney World only 20 minutesaway from where we are staying.

– CRYSTAL RICCI, SENIOR HUMAN SERVICES MAJOR

MONDAY, JUNE 7

Meeting with the high school studentsToday in class, we were broken up into two separate groups to speak with the Italianstudents from the high school. The teacher then told us we could have about a half hour toconverse with the students about things we wanted to know about them and things theywanted to know about us. We all sat in a circle and introduced ourselves in Italian. Thestudents were very impressed with the way we could introduce ourselves and I was happythat finally someone could understand me. Then, Mrs. Clewis gave us our first quiz!

– AMANDA HUENKE, SENIOR HUMAN SERVICES MAJOR

MONDAY, JUNE 7

Lessons in RomeThere are a few things you should know about Rome, and unfortunately, we have had tolearn these the hard way. Though it’s not posted, pictures with gladiators cost money. A feeis required to open the door to “public” restrooms, sitting down in a café will consequentlydouble the cost of everything you order, Coca Cola is at least 4 Euros per can, and finally,there are consequences for stepping into la Fontana di Trevi (Trevi Fountain).

After a small Italian boy used my camera as his wish token, I climbed into the TreviFountain to retrieve it. Then, the Italian police demanded my passport while explaining that itwas unlawful to set foot into the fountain. Fortunately, we were able to clarify the situationand I was only mandated to pay a fine. Now I realize that I am one of the very few people toset foot into one of the most amazing pieces of Italian art. The others were movie stars, ofcourse.

– JORDAN DISANTO, SENIOR NURSING MAJOR

22 Today

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 9

Roma, Ti AmoOur sojourn into Rome could not be described with a wider array of adjectives – exciting,exhausting, entertaining, eye-opening, awe-inspiring, the list goes on. On Friday alone, weclimbed the Spanish Steps (la Scalinata di Piazza di Spagna), made wishes on coins droppedinto the Trevi Fountain (la Fontana di Trevi), stood beneath the oculus of the Pantheon (ilPantheon), and saw the Colosseum and Arch of Constantine (il Colosseo e l’Arco di Costantino)in all their breathtaking glory. On Saturday, most of us toured the Vatican and the city.I Musei Vaticani, the Vatican Museums, house innumerable works of art (includingRaphael’s “School of Athens,” Perugino’s “Madonna and Child with Saints,” and Giotto’s“Stefaneschi Triptych”). We saw the magnificent Sistine Chapel (la Capella Sistina). It was agorgeous, unforgettable and exhausting trek through the beauty, art and history ofhundreds of years. Buona serata!

– ASHLEY SCHEIBER, SOPHOMORE ENGLISH AND EDUCATION MAJOR

SUNDAY, JUNE 13

Sooo many horns!The hometown football (soccer) team has just won the playoff finale against rival Torino ingrand 2-1 fashion. Brescia is now going to move up to Serie A, according to our Italianfriend, Mattia. There has been non-stop honking of horns for the past two hours already.This is definitely a cultural difference between the two countries. Along with honking theirhorns non-stop, they are all carrying around giant flags. There are even some nationalsriding motorcycles holding the giant flags of their hometown team.

– NICK COAN, JUNIOR BIOLOGY MAJOR

MONDAY, JUNE 14

Teatro alla ScalaBefore I left America, my voice teacher asked if I would visit the Opera House in Milan. AlthoughI hadn’t given it any thought at the time, I knew I had to try to see it – just for her! When wefirst arrived in Brescia, Mrs. Clewis had mentioned going to see some performances at thelocal theater. Unfortunately, none of the performances seemed to work with our schedule. That’swhen it occurred to me to check out the acclaimed opera house, Teatro alla Scala, in Milan. Wesaw a ballet featuring three Russian composers. The musicianship and dancing was absolutelybreathtaking and the theatrical interpretations of the choreography were truly amazing.

– JENNA KUSMA, JUNIOR NURSING MAJOR

SUNDAY, JUNE 20

Final days in ItalyI have a lot of positive things to look back on from my stay in Italy. I loved living in andattending school in Brescia while at the same time learning about its history and culture,learning the language, and visiting other cities in Italy including Rome, Venice, Florence,and Milan. Brescia was a wonderful city and a city full of history, and I loved spending timethere. I will miss Italy very much, especially shopping, eating Italian cuisine, and living theItalian lifestyle in general. I received a true taste of Italy and part of my ancestral roots.

– GABRIELLE ROSIN, SENIOR EDUCATION MAJOR

Today 23

An insatiable passion forscience and aneasygoing sense ofhumor seems to bewhat keeps Dr.MargaretMcLaughlin-Drubin’97 motivated in her

laboratory each day. Monitoringher experiments in the tissue culture room,writing manuscripts and grants, andmentoring graduate students is all in a day’swork for this virologist.

At Harvard Medical School’s Brigham andWomen’s Hospital in Boston, Molly, as she’sknown to family and friends, has devotedher life’s research to the study of thehuman papillomavirus (HPV). Herenthusiasm for the virus that she hasstudied since graduate school isundeniable. “I dove right into studying HPVand haven't left it since. It’s a great virus tostudy,” she touts.

Simply put, Molly studies the humanpapillomavirus E7 oncoprotein, the way inwhich it alters the cell and how thesealterations can cause cancer. But Molly’stime is spent doing a myriad of other tasksbesides performing experiments. While shewaits to analyze the reactions from herexperiments, Molly is writing manuscriptsabout her completed work or writing grantsto obtain funding. Graduate and medicalstudents from Harvard Medical Schoolspend time in her laboratory to learn thefield and Molly lends them a helping handin their experiments.

Then there’s the time spent fitting invarious committee meetings and lecturesaround her experiments, she adds. “When Iam doing experiments, I spend a good bit oftime in the tissue culture room, since all ofmy experiments are cell-based.”

Molly’s interest in science began at an earlyage, she remembers, but it wasn’t until herfather was diagnosed with cancer when she

was in high school that she had the desireto one day perform medical research. It’sthis personal experience with cancer thatprovides the biggest motivation for her work.

“His battle with prostate cancer, and laterrectal cancer, inspires me to try myhardest,” Molly says. “He died on June 26,2009. Now I keep his picture on my desk atwork to remind me to get back to workwhen I am having a tough day.”

And tough days are abundant in science,where failure rates for experiments arehigh. “Experiments fail all of the time andthe chance that your federal grant will befunded is less than 20 percent. The flip sideof the high failure rate is that you develop apretty thick skin,” Molly says. But with herfather’s lost battle with cancer in mind, shestays positive about the nature of her work.“The best part of my work is the discoveryand the knowledge that maybe somedaysomething I learned will help a patient.”

24 Today Alumni Profiles

DOWN TOASCIENCE

Molly’s virology research began ingraduate school at Pennsylvania StateUniversity College of Medicine, HersheyMedical Center. She had just graduatedfrom Gwynedd-Mercy College as a memberof the first Honors Program and was ready totake her biology studies to the next level. Shetook classes and rotated through laboratories,then became established in her dissertationlaboratory, discovering her passion forviruses and the stresses of the field.

“Hershey was fun. Looking back, it has anostalgic glow to it, although it was prettytough at the time,” she remembers. “Morethan a tear or two was shed, although Iwould try to hide in the bathroom whenthat happened. It’s a pretty intenseexperience to go through, especially whenmost people don’t really know what you doand keep asking you when you are going tofinish school and get a job. If you ever wantto make a grad student mad, ask themthat,” she says.

Molly spent five and a half yearsperforming open-ended research andimmersing herself in the scientist lifestyle.But it wasn’t all experiments and crammingfor exams. It was here that Molly met fellowgraduate student, Dave, who later becameher husband. They met on her first day andby her second semester they were dating.“We would have study dates – his gradeswent down and mine went up,” she sayswith a smile.

In 2004, Molly and Dave moved to Bostonwhere she began working at Brigham andWomen’s Hospital and Harvard MedicalSchool. She became a junior facultymember and eventually was accepted intothe School’s Building InterdisciplinaryResearch Careers in Women's HealthProgram. Dave began work as a scientistfor a systems biology company that focuseson new approaches to better understandand treat complex diseases.

Balancing a demanding research careerisn’t always easy with a husband and a4-year old. But Molly and her husband havetheir schedules down to a science (punintended) with their daughter, Maggie. “Wehave Maggie convinced that things likeweeding the yard and going groceryshopping are fun, family activities. Don’task me what we are going to do when shestarts to think otherwise,” she jokes.

Time for everyday household chores israre, and when Molly and Dave aren’t intheir respective labs, it’s all about spendingtime together, she explains. “I have to admitthat we’ve had to let some things go.Sometimes it becomes a choice of, do I playwith Maggie or do I fold the laundry?Needless to say, the laundry doesn’t getfolded very often.”

Research is a 24-hour job which seems tonever end. When Maggie is in daycare orasleep, Molly is tending to her experiments

and attempting to keep her work to a10-hour a day schedule, the most difficultpart of her job, she explains. “If anexperiment doesn’t work, then you juststart it again. This doesn’t really work whenthe daycare is about to close. Sometimes Ijust have to put something off until the nextday,” says Molly, who anticipates that bothher schedule and her husband’s schedulewill fill up more as they progress in theircareers.

Molly plans to continue to publish herfindings as she furthers her research, butshe also has some loftier goals in mind.“My main short-term goal is to make myselfa competitive applicant for a NIH R01, atype of funding mechanism from thegovernment. I would need to publish morebefore I would consider myself a competitivecandidate,” she says. “My ultimate goal is torun my own independent academicresearch laboratory in the field of viraloncology. Oh, and to win the Nobel Prize. Ishouldn’t forget about that,” she jokes. �

Today 25

“He died on June 26, 2009. Now I keephis picture on my desk at work to remindme to get back to work when I am havinga tough day,” says Molly of her father, whoserves as her inspiration.

Molly with husband, Dave, and daughter, Maggie.

26 Today

In itTogetherA couple’s journey to graduation

hese days, college students aren’talways fresh out of high school.Many adults with families and jobsmanage to fit college classes intotheir busy schedules. This is

something Brian and Tara Turner ’10 arevery familiar with. For this couple, gettingto graduation was a dual effort based on thekind of support and understanding thatcomes from a long relationship like theirs.

Brian and Tara were just 14 when they metin the pits of a racing track. Racing cars wasa family-loved hobby for Brian, whomaintained a car with Tara’s older brother,Eddie. Brian caught his first glimpse of

Tara one night when she ventured into thepits with Eddie’s fiancé. A few weeks later,Eddie got married and at the weddingreception Tara didn’t have a dance partner.“So I was recruited,” Brian recalls. “We dancedto ACDC’s ‘You Shook Me All Night Long.’Odd first dance,” Tara says. “From that pointforward, we have been together,” Brian adds.

Together, they’ve tackled everything –career transitions, having three children,training for triathlons. So when it came timeto complete their college degrees it seemedonly natural to do it together. Tara, now 31,saw her husband advancing in his careerand knew that he needed to learn the skills

to move into upper management. He was(and still is) working in IT operations atNCO Financial Systems, Inc. He had spentfive years working his way up in thecompany, beginning as an IT analyst, thensupervisor, manager, and finally, director.

With his wife’s encouragement, Brian, also31, enrolled in Gwynedd-Mercy College’sCenter for Lifelong Learning (CLL) in 2006to complete a bachelor’s degree in businessadministration. Soon he realized that hiswife was right, he says. Being taught byinstructors with corporate experience,learning alongside other businessprofessionals and gaining insight on aspects

“Together, we have guided and

encouraged each other to pursue

positive goals. It’s that simple. If

one of us wants to set a goal, the

other gets on board to make it

happen. Whatever life presents –

health,money, children,work –we

just provide each other with the

support and encouragement to

accomplish anything,” Brian says.

T

of business that he could use in his officewere all reasons why he excelled. “I wasreally psyched to get to some of my classes.There were times when I realized I neededto learn something that night to use directlyat work the next morning on a project,”explains Brian, who was awarded theAlumni Association Award for OutstandingCenter for Lifelong Learning Graduate atthe Honors Convocation.

His enthusiasm did not go unnoticed byTara. “I really had a great time with thestudents and faculty at CLL,” Brian says. “Ithink that is one of the major reasons whyTara enrolled.” At the time, Tara was astay-at-home mom with their children,2-year-old Aidan, and newborn twinsMackenzie and Oliver, while working parttime in promotions. She had spent manyyears working in real estate and titleinsurance but always longed to finish hercollege degree, she says.

“Brian initiated and pushed me to go backand get my degree,” Tara says. “Eventhough I had many credits coming into theprogram, I was hesitant to go back toschool with just having twins and also atoddler at home. Brian was so confident inthe program and that together we could doit and be successful.” Tara enrolled in 2008and they began their crazy schedules ofjuggling work, kids and school.

Nights were spent in class or studyingtogether and time to just relax with the kidswas at a premium. “The biggest challengewas managing all aspects of my life in a24-hour window. There needs to be time tocome up for air and some days that justnever presented itself,” Brian remembers.“There were many late nights that we wouldbe sitting at the table helping each otherwith homework and studying,” Tara says.

It took a lot of Tara’s coordination to keepthings running smoothly. “It was difficult toalways be in multiple places at once, butTara runs a tight ship,” Brian says. “Shecoordinated baby-sitting, dinner and studytime very well.”

“Our biggest challenge was making surethat the kids were not shuffled around orput out in any way because of our decision,”Tara adds. “Finding someone to be there towatch the kids every week was difficult.Fortunately, Brian’s mom, Pat, was therefor the kids and for us, which made all ofthis possible. We come from a great familywho gives us the support andencouragement that we need.”

But keeping up this momentum isn’t alwaysan option when family issues occur. WhenTara had the twins in February 2008, theywere premature and had to stay in theNICU. Then, Tara suffered a post deliverypulmonary embolism. “We realized at thattime that we needed a break and Brian hadto step away for a class or two,” Tara recallsof the only time that Brian took a breakfrom his classes. “That was a time thatcame with medical struggles and family wasmore important than anything,” Brian says.

When graduation day came, life for theTurners finally slowed down – temporarily.They came to realize that earning abachelor’s degree is only the first step andthat their education will need to continue,Brian says. “For us, Gwynedd-MercyCollege became a stepping stone instead ofa final destination.”

Brian will begin a MBA program in the falland hopes to advance his career at NCOFinancial Systems, Inc. or one day move onto another company. Tara also has plans toearn a MBA, but for now they’re bothlooking forward to spending more timetogether as a family. “I want to enjoy thistime while my kids are still young. They areonly going to be small for a short time and Idon’t want to lose this time with them,”Tara says. “I have sacrificed a lot of timewith the kids and just need some nights ofplaying on the floor and eating ice creamcones,” says Brian, who is planning a familytrip to Disney World in the fall. �

Today 27

Tara and Brian’s children: (left to right)Aidan, Oliver and Mackenzie.

“We want to be the best for our children and lead by example. We

want to show them that they can do anything they set out to do.

We tell them to reach for the stars and hopefully they will,” Tara says.

From theDirector of AlumniRelations,Shannon Bruno...

Gwynedd-Mercy CollegeAlumni AssociationBoard – 2010 NewInductees

Kalik Booker ’08Melissa Dziedzic ’10Ashleigh Houck ’09Elizabeth “Bettie” Iaquinto ’80Noreen McDonough ’10Matthew Poli ’94Janet Steiner ’08

Alumni Welcome toAttend GMC AlumniAssociation Meeting

The Gwynedd-Mercy College AlumniAssociation invites all alumni to attendan informational meeting and receptionwith the Alumni Association Board onMonday, September 13, 2010 at6 p.m. in Assumption Hall. You willhave the opportunity to ask questionsand provide feedback for the Board onupcoming events and alumni planning.If you’d like to attend, please contactShannon Bruno, at bruno.s@gmc.edu,or 215-641-5554.

1951Mary E. (Ruane) Larkin, of Ventnor City,NJ, recently retired from her job workingfor the City of Ventnor after 26 years.

1955Peggy Anne Ferguson, of Ambler, Pa.,recently returned from a vacation to Australia.

1959Mary (Adams) LaRouech, of Calabash,NC, is retired and enjoying spending timewith her grandchildren.

1961Jeanne (Hitchcock) Browning, of Waverly,Pa., is still enjoying being a silversmith.

Carole Hurst, of Doylestown, Pa., recentlypurchased a vacation home in the HiltonHead, SC, area.

1963Kathryn (Doyle) Dougherty, of Fairfax,Va., is enjoying spending time with herseven grandchildren.

Lorraine Sugra, of Lancaster, Pa., ishappily retired and enjoying her eightgrandchildren.

1969Kathleen (D’Amore) Buehler, of Yardley,Pa., recently retired.

1970Joan M. (Povilaitis) Suders, ofMechanicsburg, Pa., is happy to announcethat her daughter married in December2009 and her son recently graduated frommedical school.

1972Louise (Schirmer) Smith, of Pipersville,Pa., retired last June from the SoudertonArea School District where she was ateacher and counselor.

1973Mary Ann Sley, of Elkton, Md., was recentlynominated for Counselor of the Year atHoward High School in Ellicott City, Md.

1974Kathleen M. (Bienas) Wasong, ofLancaster, Pa., is the Lancaster TownshipSupervisor for the Lancaster CountyPlanning Commission.

1975Colleen Corbo, of Boulder, Co., is happy toannounce that her daughter, Lili, recentlycompleted her Fulbright Scholarship inVienna and is now working withAmeriCorps in Boston.

Barbara J. Turzer, of Willow Grove, Pa., iscurrently working as a teacher’s assistantfor kindergarten and first grade in theUpper Dublin School District.

28 Today Class Notes

Class Notes

Today 29

CIRCLE OF MERCY CONCERTOctober 18, 2010 • 7 p.m. • Kimmel Center

260 South Broad Street, Philadelphia

The Voices of Gwynedd will perform with more than 10 choirs from other mercyinstitutions to honor the Sisters of Mercy in the Circle of Mercy Concert.

The concert will commemorate the Sisters of Mercy and their 150 years ofdedication to helping others. Led by Patricia Brown and Kimberly Baxter, theconcert will include stories of the Sisters of Mercy in Philadelphia blendedthroughout the concert.

Ticket prices for the performance are $25, $50 and $75. They can be purchasedonline at www.kimmelcenter.org, at the Kimmel Center Box Office or by callingTicket Philadelphia at 215-893-1999.

Celebratethe Sisters of Mercy’s150th Anniversary

In honor of the 150th anniversary of theSisters of Mercy, alumni and friends ofGwynedd-Mercy College are invited toaccompany a bus trip (date TBD) to the“Women & Spirit: Catholic Sisters inAmerica” exhibit on display from September24 to January 22 at the Statue of LibertyNational Monument/Ellis IslandImmigration Museum, NY.

Discover the amazing history of the Sisters of Mercy, foundresses ofGwynedd-Mercy College, and their journey from Ireland to Philadelphia. Theexhibit will also cover the 300-year history of other Catholic Sisters in America andtheir contributions to society by establishing schools, hospitals, colleges andvarious social services.

For reservations, please contact Victoria Miller at miller.v@gmc.edu,or 267-448-1400. For more exhibit information, visit

www.womenandspirit.org/schedule.html.

1977Elizabeth A. Allen, of West Chester, Pa., iscurrently working as a triage nurse at GreatValley OB/GYN Mainline Healthcare.

Colleen (Taylor) Francescangeli, of NewBritain, Pa., is proud to announce that herdaughter, Mari Rose, graduated from GMCthis spring with a bachelor’s degree ineducation.

1979Suanne Bernacki, of CapeMay, NJ, recently achievedboard certification in NursingProfessional Developmentfrom the American NursesCredentialing Center (ANCC).

Susan B. (Bennis) Kristiniak ’77/’79, ofOreland, Pa., was recently accepted into adoctoral program for healthcareadministration.

Janet (Grogan) Snyder, of Oakford, Pa., ishappy to announce that both her son anddaughter graduated from college last May.

1981Wendy A. (Bockman) Spaide, ofLansdale, Pa., is still teaching first grade inthe Souderton Area School District.

1982Jill Lewis, of Havre de Grace, Md., iscurrently working as an ultrasoundsonographer.

1983Carolyn (Corley) Braithwaite, of MapleGlen, Pa., is currently working as a realtorfor Keller Williams Real Estate.

Juanita Jones, of Philadelphia, Pa.,recently enrolled in GMC’s master’s inmanagement program.

Leonard Lieberman, of Palm Bay, Fla., isworking this summer at a camp groundnear Bar Harbor in Maine.

Laura A. (Sowisdral) Schmidt, ofKewadin, Mich., was recently appointed asDirector of Nursing at NorthwesternMichigan College in Traverse City, Mich.

1984Rosemarie (Pignatelli) Ronvick, ofWarminster, Pa., is currently working as aclinical quality manager for Mercy HomeHealth.

1986Rebecca H. Bryan ’84/’86, ofHaddonfield, NJ, recently published anarticle in the Journal of Nurse Practitionersabout vitamin B12 deficiency.

Donna M. (Mattia) Fiorini ’81/’86, ofReading, Pa., is currently working as acardiology nurse practitioner at The HeartGroup in Lancaster, Pa.

Nancy Hensler, of Huntingdon Valley, Pa.,recently retired from her position as achildren’s librarian in the HuntingdonValley Library after 20 years.

Janet B. (Ergino) Sommers,of New Brighton, Minn., wasrecently appointed as SeniorVice President for AcademicAffairs at NorthwesternCollege in St. Paul, Minn.

Kathryn E. (Minihan) Wilson, ofLansdale, Pa., is still teaching second gradeat St. Rose of Lima in North Wales, Pa.

1987Reverend Dr. Herbert H. Lusk II, ofKing of Prussia, Pa., is currently the CEOand developer of People for People Inc.federal credit union, and making trips toAfrica to work with the Stand For Africaorganization.

Gary Scarpello, of Dresher, Pa., recentlypublished a book of math puzzles titledMath Wizards at Work.

1988Nancy L. (Moyer) Werner, of Lititz, Pa.,recently became a real estate agent forPrudential Homesale, in addition tonursing.

1989Eileen M. (Dougherty) Censullo, ofPhoenixville, Pa., is currently serving asvice president for Pennsylvania’s Society forRespiratory Care.

Stephanie C. (Maksymyk) Mangigian, ofAston, Pa., is currently working as anofficer for the Food & Drug Administration.

1990Judith Ann (Torma) Lopacki ’61/’90, ofHuntingdon Valley, Pa., is currentlyworking in fundraising for the Academy ofthe New Church in Bryn Athyn, Pa.

Mary C. Walker ’89/’90, of East Point, Ga.,is currently teaching nursing at ChristianCity non-profit organization near Atlanta.

1992Curtis R. Cockenberg, Jr., of Lansdale,Pa., is currently teaching at St. Joseph’sPreparatory School in Philadelphia. Lastyear, he won the school’s Ignatian Awardand served as the honorary referee for theschool’s track team during the Penn Relays.

Mary Stec, of Chester Springs, Pa., iscurrently attending Widener University inChester, Pa., for her doctorate.

1993Alice Anne Andress-Babinetz, ofDoylestown, Pa., recently began a positionas chief compliance officer at AlbertEinstein Healthcare Network inPhiladelphia.

Charmaine R. (Roman) Fedick, ofPhoenixville, Pa., is currently running herown consulting business, Clinical TrialConsultants, LTD.

Nancy L. Kashlak, of Tamaqua, Pa.,recently returned from her sixth pediatriccardiac surgery medical mission to Hospitalde Niños – Dr. Roberto Gilbert Elizalde inGuayaquil, Ecuador.

Barbara (McHenry) Tournier, ofHorsham, Pa., recently lectured onresearch ethics for GMC’s graduatenursing program.

Don’t Let a SlowEconomy DampenYour GenerousSpirit!Leave a lasting legacy for your almamater by including Gwynedd-MercyCollege in your estate plans. There arecountless ways to remember theCollege in your estate planning bybecoming a member of theMaryBernard Graham Society. Your gift, nomatter how large or small, will make animpact on our students for many years tocome.

Special benefits of membership include:• An invitation to the Mary Bernard

Graham Society annual reception• Recognition at the annual Founders’

Society reception for major donors• Exclusive correspondence from

President Kathleen Owens, PhD• VIP invitations to select College

events

For more information, contact theOffice of Institutional Advancement at215-641-5550, or visit the “Giving toGMC” section of gmc.edu.

30 Today

Andrea L. (Scherer) Allen ’06, of NorthWales, Pa., was married on December 19,2009.

Nicole E. (Andreacchio) Amelio ’06/’08,of Aston, Pa., married Rich Amelio onOctober 10, 2009.

Melissa M. (Burks) Banes ’07, ofHarleysville, Pa., married Thomas Banes inAugust 2009.

Robert E. Barnhart III ’07, of WillowGrove, Pa., is engaged to Susan J. Winski’07. A July 7, 2012 wedding is planned.

Megan (Ayling) Binns ’04, of Hatboro,Pa., married Jamie Binns on July 18, 2009.

Alana C. (Rapine) Crotzer ’04, ofHarleysville, Pa., married Ian Crotzer onJuly 25, 2009.

Mary Jo Daley ’69, of Narberth, Pa.,married Bob Winkleman in July 2009.

Tamara G. (Walton) DeMeno ’05, ofRoyersford, Pa., was married in July 2009.

Stephanie A. Fisher ’08, of Royersford,Pa., is engaged to Brian Mokriski. A May2011 wedding is planned.

Mary M. Foley ’06/’08, of Dallastown, Pa.,is engaged to Joseph R. Wilson ’09.

Alyssa R. Frank ’08, of Warrington, Pa., isengaged to Chris Walters. A March 26,2011 wedding is planned.

Jennifer (Poserina) Gobbi ’05, ofPhiladelphia, Pa., married Alexander Gobbion June 20, 2009.

Amy R. Grebe ’89, of Okinawa, Japan,married Cmdr. David Byman, U.S. Navy, ina July 2010 military wedding.

Jennifer L. McCoy ’08, of Hatboro, Pa.,married Mark Lewis on June 12, 2010.

Elizabeth (Faust) McElroy ’02/’04/’09, ofBoyertown, Pa., married Joshua McElroyon October 6, 2009.

Shannon M. Murphy ’09, of Langhorne,Pa., was married in October 2009.

Jennifer A. (Moyer) Petrucelli ’04, ofLanghorne, Pa., married Dan Petrucelli onSeptember 12, 2009.

Edward Pratt IV ’09 and Nicole S.(Tumolo) Pratt ’07, of North Wales, Pa.,married on August 8, 2009.

Michelle C. Radaszewski ’81, of IndianHarbor Beach, Fla., married Tom Eason inJuly 2008.

Jeremiah D. Thomas ’06/’07, ofDoylestown, Pa., married Caitlin onDecember 28, 2009.

Congratulations!Engagements, Marriages

and Anniversaries

Alana C. (Rapine) and Ian Crotzer

Jennifer (Poserina) and Alexander Gobbi

Today 31

Mary M. Foley and Joseph R. Wilson

Nicole E.(Andreacchio)and Rich Amelio

Elizabeth (Faust)and JoshuaMcElroy

1994Harry Emmerich ’91/’94, of Harleysville,Pa., is currently working as director ofmedical education for Aria Health.

Sarah Kersey, of Deptford, NJ, is happilyretired and doing volunteer ministry work.

1995Taryn S. Mason-Jones ’81/’95, ofNorristown, Pa., was recently promoted tochief social rehabilitation executive atNorristown State Hospital in Norristown, Pa.

Janice E. Stearns, of Roslyn, Pa., iscurrently studying for her master’s degreeat Cabrini College in Radnor, Pa.

1996Cleo M. (Mickel) Gaston, of Charlotte,NC, recently enrolled in the University ofPhoenix online health administrationbachelor’s degree program.

Monica Grace Simon ’92/’96, of Roslyn,Pa., recently earned the Grant ProfessionalCertified (GPC) title conferred by the GrantProfessionals Certification Institute, Inc.

Robert F. Smith, of Hatfield, Pa., iscurrently working as assistant dean ofhumanities and social sciences atNorthampton Community College inBethlehem, Pa.

1997Danielle Vattilana, of Churchville, Pa., iscurrently working as the director ofeducation for The Malvern School.

1999Justine A. Caracappa, of Collegeville, Pa.,is currently doing research inpharmaceutical services.

David C. Page, of Telford, Pa., recentlyretired from his position as director ofelementary education for the North PennSchool District.

2000Sandra M. Gelet, of Spring City, Pa., iscurrently working as a behavioral healththerapist at Devereux in Phoenixville, Pa.

Gary G. Messner, of Souderton, Pa.,recently established the non-profitorganization, Lyfe Dynamics.

2001Jennifer R. Jones, of Perkiomenville, Pa.,recently began a learning and developmentspecialist position at First Niagara FinancialGroup.

Brian Loving, of Doylestown, Pa., recentlyachieved National Board Certification fromThe National Board for ProfessionalTeaching Standards. He is a math teacherat New Hope-Solebury High School in NewHope, Pa.

2002David Brinson, of Royersford, Pa.,recently started his own company,WareSoft, LLC, which designs Web sites forpharmaceutical companies.

Rachael M. Giuliante, of Mays Landing,NJ, is currently working as a nursemanager in a trauma surgical unit atAtlantiCare near Atlantic City.

Kathleen Marie Larkins, of WillowGrove, Pa., is currently teaching nursing atThomas Jefferson University Hospital inPhiladelphia.

2003Daniel J. Balek, Jr., of Levittown, Pa.,recently began working for AVID(Advancement Via IndividualDetermination), working with students inthe academic middle who have a desire toattend college.

W. David Bowman, of Langhorne, Pa.,recently earned his doctorate in educationand superintendent certification fromWidener University in Chester, Pa.

David F. Doose, of Harleysville, Pa., is stillworking as a remote support engineer forMotorola, Inc.

Nancy K. Matteo, of Langhorne, Pa., wasrecently recognized as a distinguishedprincipal in the Archdiocese ofPhiladelphia.

Elaine M. Russo, of East Norriton, Pa., iscurrently working as a regulatorycoordinator at Merck & Co., Inc.

Diana Spangler, of Souderton, Pa., iscurrently working as a Spanish teacher atNorth Penn High School in Lansdale, Pa.,and studying for her doctorate atImmaculata University in Malvern, Pa.

2004Andrea N. Baker, of Cordova, Tenn.,earned a master’s degree in healthcareadministration from the University ofMemphis this May, and is nowcommissioning to become a naval officer.

Brenda K. DiNenno, of Lansdale, Pa., iscurrently working as a Level 4 NICU nurseat Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.

Clifford J. Maloney, of Collegeville, Pa.,recently became principal at RainbowElementary School in Coatesville, Pa.

Karen J. McCarter, of Telford, Pa.,recently accepted a position as anaccountant for the Penn Foundation.

Karl R. Scheibenhofer, of Quakertown,Pa., is currently working as assistantprincipal at Palisades High School inKintnersville, Pa., and studying for hisdoctorate in education at Indiana Universityof Pennsylvania in Indiana, Pa.

Chris M. Seasholtz, of Lansdale, Pa., iscurrently working as a behavior specialistin Chalfont, Pa.

2005Thomas E. Askins, of Montara, Calif., iscurrently working as a special educationteacher at the Spectrum Center, workingwith children with severe emotionaldisorders and autism.

Diane C. Cooney, of Horsham, Pa., wasrecently hired as a business manager atCarson Valley.

Christopher M. Fagan, of Claymont, Del.,was recently promoted to sales manager forDCI Products.

32 Today

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How to submit Class Notes and updateyour contact information

• gmc.edu/alumni “Update YourInformation” form

• E-mail your message and photos toalumni@gmc.edu

• Contact Shannon Bruno, director of alumnirelations, at 215-641-5554

Class Notes PolicyGwynedd-Mercy College welcomes updatesfrom alumni to include in this section ofToday. We make every effort to ensure theaccuracy of this information. If there is anerror or omission of any kind, please acceptour apology and notify the Office of AlumniRelations of the mistake immediately. It maytake two issues of Today for your informationto appear. Class Notes have been edited forspace and clarity.

Keep in touch!

Today 33

Thais R. Fultz, of Philadelphia, Pa., recentlyretired and is substitute teaching at StephanGirard Elementary School in Philadelphia.

Veronica Goodwin, of Reading, Pa., isworking as a nurse at her hometownhospital, Phoenixville Hospital.

Laura A. Heineck, of West Rockhill, Pa., iscurrently working as a literacy coach in theBoyertown Area School District.

Trenay Y. Parker ’03/’05, of Pine Hill, NJ,is currently working as an adjunctprofessor, teaching culinary courses atWilmington University.

2006Tondeleyo L. Claybrook, of Ambler, Pa.,recently accepted a new position incustomer relations for US Airways.

Jonathan C. Cole, of North Wales, Pa., iscurrently studying medicine at Lake ErieCollege of Osteopathic Medicine.

Robert L. Dann ’03/’06, of Horsham, Pa.,was recently promoted to executive vicepresident at Max Spann Real Estate &Auction Co. in Annandale, NJ.

Jennifer L. Derstine ’95/’06, of Lansdale,Pa., is currently working as a library mediaspecialist.

Steven J. Harrell, of Lansdale, Pa., recentlybegan a new position as Philadelphiamanager for www.livingsocial.com.

Regina A. Hebert, of East Norriton, Pa.,recently launched two new onlinebusinesses – Nature Buttons and Crafty Ewe.

Crystal L. Hogate, of Penns Grove, NJ,recently earned a bachelor’s degree fromImmaculata University in Malvern, Pa.

Michael S. Kennedy, of Hatfield, Pa., iscurrently working as a teacher in thePhiladelphia School District and workingon a master’s degree at Pennsylvania StateUniversity.

Mindy A. LaBar, of Warrington, Pa., iscurrently working as a homecare nurse forBayada Nurses.

Joann S. McDonald ’05/’06, of Lansdale,Pa., is currently studying for an associatedegree in human services, and enjoyingtime with her son, Michael, who recentlyreturned from a tour of duty in Iraq.

Timothy J. Robbins, of Roslyn, Pa., iscurrently working as a nurse in theIntensive Care Unit (cardiac surgery) atAbington Memorial Hospital in Abington,Pa.

Amanda L. Stewart, of Boothwyn, Pa., iscurrently working as a NICU nurse atChildren’s Hospital of Philadelphia. Shealso volunteered in Africa for four monthsand is currently going to school for hermaster’s degree.

Jena M. Zenszer, of Hatboro, Pa., iscurrently teaching at an elementary schoolin the Philadelphia School District.

2007Shawna Barry, of Clifton Heights, Pa., iscurrently working as a nurse forCrozer-Chester Medical Center.

Ryan P. Bidden, of Telford, Pa., iscurrently studying nursing at ThomasJefferson University Hospital inPhiladelphia.

Anthony J. Capella, of Philadelphia, Pa.,was recently promoted to sales manager atL.A. Fitness in Warrington, Pa.

Donna D. Gill, of Lansdale, Pa., recentlybegan working as a school nurse in theNorristown Area School District.

Laura M. Graeber, of Warminster, Pa., iscurrently working as an autistic supportteacher in the Council Rock School District.

Salvatore Guzman, of Telford, Pa.,recently became a supervisor of sterilemanufacturing at Merck & Co., Inc.

Richard M. Haas, Jr., of North Wildwood,NJ, is currently teaching eighth grade mathin the Philadelphia School District.

John D. Krohn, of Warrington, Pa., iscurrently enrolled in law school, studyingeducation law.

Jessica L. LeGrand, of Reston, Va., iscurrently working as a veterinarytechnician and assisting service dogs.

Kyle B. Leyrer, of Royersford, Pa., iscurrently working as a police officer.

Marylou Nace ’06/’07, of Hampton, NJ, iscurrently working as a nurse practitioner inthe field of pulmonary care, as well asstudying for her doctorate.

Congratulations!Griffin Babies

Colleen Anderson ’04, of Philadelphia, Pa.,a daughter, Brynn, on January 5, 2010.

Jamie E. Antosh ’09, of Harleysville, Pa., adaughter, Raegan, on February 26, 2010.

Joanne Bilocur ’09, of Glenside, Pa., a son,Oscar, on December 29, 2009.

Melinda R. Boyle ’04, of Harleysville, Pa.,a son, Seth, on January 27, 2010.

Stephanie J. Bratcher ’01/’02, of Telford,Pa., a son, Filas, on August 1, 2009.

Megan A. (Wiley) Brosso ’01/’05, of Hatboro,Pa., a son, Ryan, on February 11, 2009.

Beth Burleigh ’02 and Derek Burleigh’03, of Perkiomenville, Pa., a son, Luke, onMay 16, 2009.

Dana M. Castello ’07, of Warminster, Pa.,a daughter, Giuliana, on November 26, 2009.

Kelly L. (Halteman) Chandler ’02, ofHarleysville, Pa., a daughter, Greta, onSeptember 15, 2009.

Joy E. Davis ’05, of Lansdale, Pa., adaughter, Kaitlyn, on August 29, 2009.

Linda R. Detterline ’88, of Chestertown,Md., a granddaughter, Samantha Paige, inApril 2009.

Caitlin DiLanzo ’07, of Warrington, Pa., adaughter, Olivia, on August 1, 2009.

Melissa D. Emmett ’01, of Wellsville, Pa.,a son, Wesley, on May 28, 2009.

Maryann (Regnery) Fisher ’65, of St.Petersburg, Fla., a granddaughter, MalenaElizabeth.

Sandra V. Fisher ’99/’09, of Philadelphia,Pa., a son, Gerald, in June 2009.

Kathleen (Diehl) Fluss ’67, of Princeton,NJ, a granddaughter, Aubrey Claire, onApril 30, 2008.

Timothy Foley ’02, of Arlington Heights,Ill., a son, Tyler, on November 12, 2009.

Bonnie L. Fuller ’73, of Collegeville, Pa., agrandson, Hunter, on May 16, 2009.

Dorothy (Taylor) Gamble ’98, of Rydal, Pa.,a great-grandson, Aidan, on September 4, 2009.

Kelly L. Giovinazzo ’01, of Pottstown, Pa.,a son, Dominick, on January 12, 2010.

Ethel (Frank) Glackin ’53, of Souderton,Pa., a great-granddaughter, Mackenzie Shea.

Lisa D. Guy-Britt ’05, of Elkins Park, Pa.,twins, Aubrey Elisabeth and Xavier Antiney,on April 17, 2010.

Helen E. Leatherman ’09, of Sellersville,Pa., a daughter, Brooke Elizabeth, onFebruary 17, 2010.

Abha (Das) Mallik ’90, of Lansdale, Pa., agranddaughter, September 2009.

Rebecca S. (McMurtrie) Mann ’06, ofLansdale, Pa., a daughter, Vera Mae, onOctober 9, 2009.

Joanne M. Massa ’01, of Lafayette Hill,Pa., a son, Liam, on February, 18, 2009.

Monica C. Michetti ’07, of Trooper, Pa., ason, Tyler, on February 19, 2009.

Eileen M. O’Rourke ’75/’07, of Gibbsboro,NJ, a grandson, Tristan, on February 2, 2009.

Marla M. Pellegrini ’96/’98, of Doylestown,Pa., a son, Daniel, on March 17, 2009.

Noelle (Romanzo) Plajer ’05, of Lansdale,Pa., a son, Braydon, in April 2010.

Jennifer (Licata) Rafter ’92/’94/’96, ofSouderton, Pa., triplets, Avery, Alyssa andPeyton, on September 14, 2008.

Milton C. Robinson ’09, of Philadelphia,Pa., a daughter, Taylor, on March 11, 2010.

Lisa D. Guy-Britt’s twins, Aubrey Elisabeth andXavier Antiney

Jamie E. Antosh’sdaughter, Raegan

Kelly L.(Halteman)Chandler’sdaughter, Greta Noelle (Romanzo) Plajer’s son, Braydon

34 Today

Timothy J. Sarzynski ’08 and Nicole M.Shuttie ’08/’09, of Bensalem, Pa., adaughter, Hailey, on May 11, 2009.

Stephanie N. Taylor ’07/’08, of Newtown,Pa., a daughter, Keira, on January 22, 2010.

Pamela J. Waldron ’06, of Harleysville, Pa.,a son, Lucas Richard, on January 11, 2010.

Tazia White ’09, of Sanatoga, Pa., adaughter, Ava Lee, on July 5, 2009.

Amy L. (Dougherty) Wolverton ’07, ofQuakertown, Pa., a son, Tristan, inSeptember 2009.

Stephanie N. Taylor’s daughter, Keira

Tazia White’s daughter, Ava Lee

Today 35

Reshma Patel, of Mansfield, NJ, recentlybecame a U.S. citizen, taking her oath infront of students and staff at Eleanor RushIntermediate School in Cinnaminson, NJ,where she teaches third grade. Patelimmigrated to the U.S. in 1998 fromMumbai, India.

Carl J. Pfefferle, Jr., of Philadelphia, Pa.,is currently working as a music teacher atLewis Elkin Elementary School inPhiladelphia.

Patricia Pomroy, of Croydon, Pa., is proudof announce that her daughter, Patricia,recently traveled to Haiti for a humanitariantrip.

Kari A. (Miller) Willauer, of Quakertown,Pa., was recently promoted to operationalsteward at Merck & Co., Inc.

2008Brenda L. (Steigerwalt) Andreas, ofWillow Grove, Pa., is currently working atAbington Memorial Hospital in Abington,Pa., and Pennsylvania OrthopedicsAssociates in Huntington Valley, Pa.

Emily I. Bomba ’07/’08, of Lawrenceville,NJ, recently travelled to Costa Rica tovolunteer with children.

Kalik D. Booker, of Philadelphia, Pa., iscurrently working as an operationsmanager at West Philadelphia PreparatoryCharter School.

Kristina M. Candeloro, of Blackwood, NJ,is currently a teacher at The Goddard School.

Brianna C. Canelli, of Philadelphia, Pa., iscurrently working as a nurse in neonatalintensive care.

Lauren M. Douglass, of Baltimore, Md.,currently works at Johns Hopkins Hospital.

Shaun P. Gallagher, of Philadelphia, Pa.,is currently working in accounting for theCity of Philadelphia.

Angela G. (Mayers) Georgiadis, ofLansdale, Pa., is currently working as acustomer care associate for Health Advocate.

Megan E. Gill, of Philadelphia, Pa.,recently accepted a nursing position atHahnemann University Hospital, inPhiladelphia, working in oncology.

Erica R. Hampton, of Norristown, Pa., iscurrently studying for her doctorate ineducation at Immaculata University inMalvern, Pa.

Jacklyn A. Monteiro, of Philadelphia, Pa.,is proud to announce that her son, Anthony,recently graduated from Temple Universityand will become a dentist.

Michele E. Nikander ’06/’08, of MapleGlen, Pa., is currently working as a nurse atFox Chase Cancer Center in Philadelphia.

Ashley Oleszewski, of San Antonio, Texas,is currently studying for her doctorate ineducational leadership at the University ofTexas at San Antonio.

Mark E. Pappadakis, of Doylestown, Pa.,is currently working as an emergency roomtechnician at Doylestown Hospital, andapplying to medical school.

Kim O. Rodgers, of Wyncote, Pa., iscurrently assistant principal at PhiladelphiaMiddle School.

Kaitlin E. Santarelli, of Glenside, Pa., iscurrently studying for her master’s degreein elementary education at Holy FamilyUniversity.

Maren S. Schofer ’05/’08, of Bethlehem,Pa., recently joined the Peace Corps.

Monica D. Taylor, of Southampton, Pa.,recently received her nursing license.

Tamika D. Washington, of Upper Darby,Pa., recently passed her educationalleadership test.

2009Ashley M. Becker, of Reading, Pa., iscurrently working as a full-time nurse atReading Hospital and Medical Center inReading, Pa., on the medical surgery floor.

Stefanie M. Bingham, of Norristown, Pa.,is currently teaching third grade at EnfieldElementary School in Oreland, Pa.

Lawrence J. Bowler ’03/’09, of Chalfont,Pa., is currently teaching social studies atCentral Bucks High School South inWarrington, Pa.

Kathleen Cummins, of West Chester, Pa.,is currently teaching middle school Englishin the Unionville-Chadds Ford SchoolDistrict.

36 Today

Kailee M. Davis, of Cheltenham, Pa.,currently works in customer service forPrudential.

Victoria A. Edelman ’05/’09, of Lansdale,Pa., recently began a new career as a nursepractitioner for Evercare.

Noelle C. Hartzell, of Gwynedd, Pa.,currently works as an administrative assistantat Johnson’s Controls in Spring House, Pa.

Sheri Monique Johnson ’07/’09, ofPhiladelphia, Pa., currently works as aclinical care coordinator.

Kimberly Ann Kennedy, of Hatfield, Pa.,is currently teaching grades nine through12 American history at a charter school inPhiladelphia.

Stephanie A. Maggio, of Hatfield, Pa., iscurrently working as a special educationteacher in the Souderton Area SchoolDistrict.

Tina L. Mandarano ’05/’09, of Hartsville,Pa., recently became a guidance counselorat Bucks County Community College.

Ruth A. (Crossman) McDevitt, of NorthWales, Pa., is currently teaching sixth gradein the North Penn School District.

Ryan J. McNamara, of Westmont, NJ,recently became a sales representative forGlobal Sports Publications.

Lauren M. Michniewicz, of Lansdale, Pa.,is currently working as a primary learningsupport teacher in the Owen J. RobertsSchool District in Pottstown, Pa.

Jessica M. Mroz, of Horsham, Pa., iscurrently teaching seventh grade math atAbington Junior High School in Abington, Pa.

Cecilia Nguyen, of Ambler, Pa., iscurrently working as a nurse at the Hospitalof the University of Pennsylvania inPhiladelphia.

Stephanie N. Paine, of Langhorne, Pa.,recently began working as a specialeducation teacher for Woods Services inLanghorne, Pa.

Courtney B. Palmer, of Philadelphia, Pa.,is currently working as a nurse at AbingtonMemorial Hospital in Abington, Pa.

Lenore E. Payton-Lyles ’06/’09, ofPhiladelphia, Pa., is currently working as anaccounting analyst for Reger, Rizzo &Darnall LLP in Philadelphia.

Amanda M. Perry ’07/’09, of Media, Pa.,is currently working as a respiratorytherapist for Grand View Hospital andRiddle Memorial Hospital.

Nicole M. Quigley, of Warrington, Pa., iscurrently working as a preschool teacher atthe Malvern School in Horsham, Pa.

Christina (Horan) Reinmiller, of NorthWales, Pa., is currently teaching secondgrade at John Wister Elementary School inEast Germantown, Pa.

Sean M. Romano, of Plymouth Meeting,Pa., is currently working in appliedbehavior analysis and studying for hismaster’s degree in psychology at DrexelUniversity in Philadelphia.

Carla (Ferreira) Schleinkofer, ofHatboro, Pa., is currently studying for hermaster’s degree in nursing at ThomasJefferson University Hospital in Philadelphia.

Erin C. Schlitzer, of Arrot, Pa., iscurrently studying for a master’s degree atMansfield University in Mansfield, Pa.

Joseph W. Schneider, of Philadelphia,Pa., recently began working at Life CycleEngineering in Philadelphia.

Sarah A. Schroding, of Hatfield, Pa., iscurrently working as an eighth gradespecial education teacher.

Andrew F. Severns, of Warrington, Pa., iscurrently running a small cleaning businessand working as a floor trainer at a YMCA.

Virginia E. Shea ’07/’09, of Milton, Vt., iscurrently working as a respiratory caretherapist at Ephrata Hospital and GrandView Hospital.

Cheryl T. Slaughter ’07/’09, of Philadelphia,Pa., recently began working as a nurse atAria Torresdale Hospital in Philadelphia.

Danielle M. Snyder, of Perkasie, Pa., iscurrently teaching in the NorthamptonSchool District.

Lindsay M. Tizol, of Bellmawr, NJ,recently began working as a prison nurse.

Elizabeth M. Walton, of Havertown, Pa.,recently began teaching kindergarten atIthan Elementary School in Wayne, Pa.

Amanda M. Weber, of Conshohocken,Pa., is currently working in thecatheterization laboratory at Lehigh ValleyHospital.

James M. Woodard, of Lansdowne, Pa., iscurrently working as a district manager forSEPTA.

Lyndsay E. Wright, of Warminster, Pa., iscurrently working as a support associate atBARC (Bakersfield Association forRetarded Citizens).

In MemoriamDr. Michael Bevilacqua, of Miami, Fla.,passed away on July 12, 2010. His daughter,Sister Linda Bevilacqua, OP, PhD, served aspresident of Gwynedd-Mercy College from1993 to 2002, during which her father andmother, Nora, attended many campusevents. Dr. Bevilacqua’s brother, CardinalAnthony J. Bevilacqua, is ArchbishopEmeritus of Philadelphia. Condolences maybe sent to Sister Linda at: Barry University,11300 NE Second Avenue, Miami, FL 33161

Kathleen J. DeCecco ’55, of Thorndale,Pa., passed away on January 12, 2010.

Evelyn F. Eldridge ’84, ofAmbler, Pa., passed away onApril 5, 2010.

Nancy (Devine) Eva ’69, of Philadelphia,Pa., passed away on March 16, 2010.

Marianne H. Fischer ’75, of Warrington,Pa., passed away on May 16, 2010.

Noel C. (Callahan) Haas ’60, passed awayon May 10, 2010.

Richard M. Keller ’94, of Harleysville, Pa.,passed away on May 9, 2010.

Mary S. (Smith) Mahr ’91, of LowerPottsgrove, Pa., passed away on March 10,2010.

Sally N. Scheuling ’59, of Philadelphia,Pa., passed away on March 5, 2010.

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 24

Beginning at 7:30 p.m., join us for an evening of comedy,casino games and cocktails!

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 25

The day is packed with events, including athletic games, asalute to the championship teams of 2000, an all-alumnireunion and FallFest.

ATHLETIC GAMES, 11 AM - 4 PM

Show your team spirit and cheer on our athletes at thefollowing games: women’s volleyball, men’s soccer,women’s tennis and women’s field hockey. During half timeat the men’s soccer game, we will salute the Class of 2000champion baseball and women’s basketball teams.

ALL-ALUMNI REUNION, 2 - 5 PM

Enjoy cocktails and hors d’oeuvres while you mingle withthe faculty, administration and friends at this all-alumnireunion.

FALLFEST, 2 - 6 PM

Bring the whole family to enjoy an afternoon of funactivities with game booths and prizes, bingo, food, musicand so much more.

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 26, MASS, 11:30 AM

Join us for our Sunday Mass with Father John Collins, CSsR,campus minister/chaplain.

SIGMA PHI SIGMA INDUCTION AND REUNION, 3 - 5 PM

Were you a member of Sigma Phi Sigma?Watch theinduction ceremony of new members and enjoy cake andrefreshments afterwards.

HomecomingSEPTEMBER24 - 26, 2010

Add these homecomingevents to your calendarand look out for yourinvitation in the mail.

ChangingLives

Office of Institutional Advancement1325 Sumneytown PikeP.O. Box 901Gwynedd Valley, PA 19437-0901

Non-ProfitOrganizationU.S. Postage

PAIDLansdale, PA

Permit No. 444

Supporting the Annual Fund

Nearly every campus initiative that makes asignificant impact for our students is supported bythe Annual Fund, including scholarship support forthose students who need it most. Last year,Gwynedd-Mercy College awarded $12.6 million inscholarships, which benefited more than 92 percentof our students. The future of our campus is brightwith the help from caring alumni like you.

Support Gwynedd-Mercy Collegestudents with a gift to the 2010-2011Annual Fund today.

215-641-5550 • gmc.edu/giving

Tara Sochalski, senior cardiovascular technology majorSteven Bocchese, junior nursing (BSN) majorAnna Candeloro, junior education major