The Scranton Journal, Spring 2026, Volume 47, No.2

SCRANTON JOURNAL

MENTORING AS A FORM OF MAGIS

Moments That Spark a Royal Alumni

‘Pay-It-Forward’ Culture

A ‘Roadmap’ to Forging Our Future: Scranton Unveils New Strategic Plan

Leahy Distinguished Fellow Discusses His Enduring Bond With Scranton

New Strategic Plan a 'Roadmap' to Forging Our

ABOVE: Earlier this season, the Lady Royals made history and national headlines by defeating Division I Pittsburgh, 69-63, in an exhibition game at the Petersen Events Center, Pittsburgh. And, in February, they captured their 11th consecutive Landmark Conference title. No. 11 Kaci Kranson ’26, shown, was named Tournament MVP after averaging 20.5 points and 9.5 rebounds over two dominant postseason wins. The Lady Royals enter the NCAA Tournament with their sights set on the program’s second national title. Get a complete recap of the Lady Royals’ victory over Pitt on page 12.

COVER: Sparking Success Through Mentorship At Volunteers of America in Washington, D.C., Brian Gavin ’00, senior vice president of communications and marketing, relied on Royal talent to expand his team. Shown, Gavin and Peyton Golowski ’23, communication specialist.

There is more Scranton news than we can fit within these pages! Scan here to read the online version of the magazine. Look for QR codes like the one above, throughout The Scranton Journal, which will direct you to web exclusives, including photographs, videos or expanded articles.

EDITOR

Kristie G. Ceruti

DESIGNERS

Vikki Lawhon

Jason Thorne G’13

CONTRIBUTING EDITORS

Matthew Bufano

Zephrin J. Morse

Tom Salitsky

Stan M. Zygmunt ’84, G’95

ASSOCIATE WRITERS

Valarie J. Clark ’12

Marcus Smith ’27

ASSISTANT CLASS

NOTES EDITOR

Margery Gleason

PHOTOGRAPHY

Danielle Antonello-Smolley

Grace Crowley ’23

Grace DiCarlo ’27

Aimee Dilger

Christopher Dolan ’14

Margery Gleason

Byron Maldonado

Frani Mancuso ’93

Chris Neumann, Esq. ’87

Vin Rinella ’25

Anthony Santos ’26

Brian Snee ’97

Meg Sweeney ’20

PRESIDENT

Rev. Joseph G. Marina, S.J.

SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT FOR THE OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT

Gerald C. Zaboski ’87, G’95

VICE PRESIDENT FOR UNIVERSITY ADVANCEMENT

Robert W. Davis, Jr., Ed.D. ’03

SENIOR DIRECTOR OF UNIVERSITY COMMUNICATIONS

Stan M. Zygmunt ’84, G’95

DIRECTOR OF CREATIVE & PRODUCTION SERVICES

Colleen Carter

ONLINE JOURNAL SUPPORT

Jennifer R. Pennington

The Scranton Journal is published by The University of Scranton for its alumni and friends. University Communications Office: The University of Scranton, Scranton, PA 18510-4615. scrantonjournal@scranton.edu

Office of Alumni Engagement: The University of Scranton, Scranton, PA 18510-4624. 570.941.5997 alumni@scranton.edu • scranton.edu/alumni

If this issue is addressed to a graduate who no longer maintains a residence at your home, please tear off the mailing panel and mail it, with the corrected address, to the Office of Alumni Engagement.

The University of Scranton is a Catholic, Jesuit educational institution serving men and women.

©2026 The University of Scranton

THE UNIVERSITY of SCRANTON

A Message from the President

Dear Friends,

Each morning, on the path from my apartment to my office, I pass a statue of “Christ the Teacher.” The sculpture beautifully depicts the awakening of wisdom in an individual, inspired by the lessons of Jesus. Stories within The Scranton Journal vividly bring this concept to life.

As Royals, you embrace mentoring as an expression of magis, a commitment that extends well beyond your time as a student. When our graduates enter the world to share their talents and shape their futures, alumni in similar vocations stand ready as advocates and guides.

This spring issue presents personal narratives of three accomplished mentors: Brian McNany ’99, managing director of investment banking at Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group (MUFG) Bank; Amy Kaiser ’20, a pediatric oncology nurse at New York-Presbyterian Morgan Stanley Children’s Hospital; and Brian Gavin ’00, senior vice president of communication and marketing at Volunteers of America, Washington, D.C.

These fine alumni have distinguished themselves in demanding and influential arenas, steering growth in the corporate sector for one of the world’s largest financial institutions, creating communications strategies for the nation’s largest human services organization, and delivering specialized clinical care to children facing cancer at a premier hospital in the country’s most populous city. Yet alongside professional achievement, each has made mentoring fellow Royals a priority, opening doors, offering guidance and helping translate aspirations into opportunities.

Their stories represent just a fraction of the mentorships that empower students to actualize their ambitions, which is a shared goal at the heart of this University. In December, our Board of Trustees approved a new Strategic Plan built on extensive work by the University Planning Committee. Among its precepts, outlined in this issue, are career-connected learning and success grounded in the Ignatian ideal of cura personalis

That same ideal is exemplified by former U.S. Senator Bob Casey in his new role engaging Royals toward lives of public service. In the pages ahead, he reflects on his work as our first Leahy Distinguished Fellow and on his enduring bond with Scranton.

The magazine also identifies three alumni whose professions connect deeply to their Jesuit education. In Australia, Lyndsey Collins-Praino, Ph.D. ’06 takes a humanistic approach to neuroscience, working closely with people who experience brain diseases such as Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s. In New York City, Matt DiLiberto ’96 balances the roles of Chief Financial Officer, active firefighter and fundraising chair for the FDNY Foundation. And in Washington, D.C., at the Office of Management and Budget, Matthew Tibbitts ’14 draws on a transformative Fulbright teaching experience, assistantships at Georgetown University and an extensive nonprofit background to inform his approach to federal policy.

Please continue to remember the University in your prayers and be assured of mine in return.

God bless you and GO ROYALS !!

Yours Faithfully,

Rev. Joseph G. Marina, S.J. President

Find out how at the Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities’ new website. Do More. Be More.

Scan for more stories from this section, or visit journal.scranton.edu or news.scranton.edu.

A #JesuitEducated Transformation. More than 1,000 students and community members attended the fall Ignatian Values in Action Lecture “Cherished Belonging: The Healing Power of Love in Divided Times,” by Rev. Gregory Boyle, S.J.

Clinical Rehabilitation Counseling Receives Nearly $1

M Grant

One of the University ’s most historic and highest-achieving programs has been awarded a nearly $1 million five-year federal grant. The Clinical Rehabilitation Counseling Program will receive the award from the U.S. Department of Education’s Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA); funds will provide scholarships to graduate students and broaden program accessibility through online and hybrid learning formats. The announcement was made in partnership with U.S. Representative Rob Bresnahan ’12.

Program Celebrates a Milestone

The University’s graduate program in clinical rehabilitation counseling celebrated its 60-year anniversary and reunion in fall 2025. Alumni Rob Froehlich ’95, an associate professor of counseling at George Washington University and staff member at George Washington’s Center for Rehabilitation Counseling, Research and Education, and Helen Froehlich ’95, senior vice president of Utilization Management at Genex, presented, “AI — Where Do We Draw the Line? Ethics and Boundaries.” They are shown here with Lori Bruch, Ed.D., professor emerita of counseling and human services.

Longtime University benefactors Edward Leahy ’68, H’01, and Patricia Leahy reflect on the annual U.S. Conference on Disability they initiated 24 years ago.

Scranton Shines in Regional, National, International Rankings

In its “2026 Best Colleges Report, ” published Sept. 24, 2025, U.S. News and World Report ranked Scranton No. 8 in the Regional Universities (North) category; Scranton has earned a top 10 spot in its category for an astounding 32 consecutive years The University achieved high marks in regional categories:

• No. 3 in “Best Colleges for Veterans”

• No. 9 in “Best Undergraduate Teaching”

• No. 13 (tied) in “Most Innovative Schools”

On a national level, two undergraduate academic programs, Analytics, No. 38, and Accounting, No. 40, ranked in the top 40

Four online programs earned national distinction among the U.S. News 2026 “Best Online Graduate Programs” rankings , including two landing in the top 20: • MBA Finance No. 14 (tied) • MBA Business Analytics No. 16 (tied)

For the complete list of University rankings and other recognitions, visit scranton.edu/ pointsofpride

The University’s Ph.D. in Accounting program was recognized as No. 1 for research in accounting education by Brigham Young University’s Accounting Research Rankings, an internationally recognized benchmark for accounting research productivity.

2026 Carnegie Community Engagement Classification

Answering the Call To Love Your Neighbor

The University has been nationally recognized for its dedication and distinction in community engagement. The 2026 Carnegie Community Engagement Classification, a prestigious designation by the American Council on Education and the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching, listed Scranton as one of just 237 honorees nationwide.

“Since arriving at the University in 2021, I have found the relationship between The University of Scranton and the City of Scranton and the broader community of Northeastern Pennsylvania to be a source of pride, mutual learning and collaboration in pursuit of the common good. The University cannot be successful if Scranton is not flourishing and vice versa,” Rev. Joseph G. Marina, S.J., University of Scranton president said.

1937-2025

HONORING DAVID J. WENZEL ’69, G’74: Veteran, Public Servant, Disability Rights Advocate

The University mourns the loss of a distinguished alumnus and civic leader whose death happened the very same night he was honored by his alma mater.

David J. Wenzel ’69, G’74, a decorated military veteran and public servant, died the evening of Nov. 5 at the Gino J. Merli Veterans Center. He was 80.

A Scranton native who lost both legs and an arm while serving with the U.S. Army in Vietnam, Wenzel returned home and earned a Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree from Scranton. He then dedicated his life to public service, most notably from 1986-90 as the 27th Mayor of Scranton. After leaving office, Wenzel continued working as a pioneering disability rights advocate. Wenzel was the recipient of the inaugural Center for Ethics and Excellence in Public Service (CEEPS) Public Service Award. Going forward, the award will be renamed in his honor. Wenzel’s wife, Janet, accepted on his behalf at the Nov. 5 opening of an exhibit, shown above, at the Weinberg Memorial Library showcasing memorabilia from the honoree’s remarkable career.

From Preparation to Profession

Scranton is preparing Royals and Royals-in-training for prosperous and fulfilling career paths. One recent example: The University of Scranton Small Business Development Center hosted Small Business Ready, an Internship Readiness Training program for an interdisciplinary cohort of students.

Regis Honors Former President

The Superior of the Scranton Jesuit Community, Rev. Joseph M. McShane, S.J., H’04, received the Regis 2025 Deo et Patriae Award at a reception held last November at the Jesuit high school in New York. Fr. McShane led The University of Scranton as president from 1998 to 2003. He is a member of the Regis Class of 1967 and the former President of Fordham University.

Meet the New Members of the Board of Trustees

• Jacqueline A. Cleary ’87

Elizabeth A. Madden ’96

• Francis J. Pearn, CPA ’83

• Mark W. Santarsiero, CPA ’80

Find out how these alumni dedicate their individual areas of excellence to

Bringing global experience to Scranton

Each year on campus, the University’s Asia Club hosts a celebration of the Hindu festivals of Diwali and Navratri, which hold significance for a large part of the community. More than 100 people attended this year’s celebration in October.

“By celebrating Diwali as a campus club, we bring a piece of this global tradition to our University, allowing students, faculty and the wider Scranton community to come together and experience its warmth and beauty,”

Sofiya Magar ’28, a marketing major from Scranton and vice president of the club said.

Faculty Mentorship Fuels Student Research

Scranton’s cybersecurity master’s program emphasizes mentorship, drawing on professors with extensive experience in certified ethical hacking, cyberterrorism and cybersecurity operations. These professional backgrounds bring classroom concepts to life and provide students with practical insights that go far beyond textbooks.

Student Julia Ciaccio’s nationally recognized work on point-ofsale (POS) skimming prevention highlights how Scranton prepares graduates to lead in cybersecurity from day one.

As a junior with a double major (cybercrime and homeland security, and criminal justice),

Ciaccio ’27 is pursuing a cybersecurity master’s degree through Scranton’s accelerated BS/MS program. Under the guidance of Cybersecurity Associate Professor Ismail Onat, Ph.D., Ciaccio conducted research examining ATM and skimming, a growing and costly form of cyber-enabled financial crime.

“I never imagined that a semester paper would be picked up and turned into a publication,” she said. “This opportunity has significantly improved my academic confidence, enhanced my research skills, and deepened my understanding of cybercrime.”

Buse Onat ’26, a senior with a triple major (cybercrime and homeland security, criminal justice and philosophy) is also pursuing her master’s degree in cybercrime investigation and cybersecurity through the accelerated program. Her most recent project — research conducted with Associate Professor Sinchul Back, Ph.D. — uses machine learning for fraud detection, giving her hands-on experience with one of the fastest-growing areas in cybersecurity research.

As emerging threats continue to reshape the cybersecurity landscape, these two students show how graduate-level research can prepare students to meet those challenges with confidence.

Ciaccio’s work did not stop at the classroom level. Her research paper was published through the Orion Policy Institute. Ciaccio also presented it at the annual conference of the American Society of Criminology.

TWO YEARS LATER: Transforming Life Behind Bars

Award-winning Idea Sparks Progress

During his remarks at a State Correctional Institution at Waymart award ceremony last fall, Christopher Haw, Ph.D., shared a quote from Saint John of the Cross: “Where you see no love, put love, and you will draw out love,” which reflects the Jesuit ideals of The University of Scranton, where he is an associate professor of theology and religious studies.

Dr. Haw, the director of the University’s Prison Education Program, was named SCI Waymart’s 2025 Volunteer of the Year for his work educating incarcerated individuals.

While the program offers many college-level courses at SCI Dallas, Dr. Haw has also arranged, over the last few years, for faculty members to give lectures at SCI Waymart.

“Where you see no love, put love, and you will draw out love.”

— Saint John of the Cross

In Development: The Gail and Francis Slattery Center for the Ignatian Humanities is now partnering with the SCI Waymart lecturing initiative by sponsoring faculty to give lectures there during the spring 2026 semester.

Among them: Carolyn Barry, Ph.D., the dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, who lectured on child development and psychology, and Brian Conniff, Ph.D., G’80, a professor of English, who taught literature and poetry.

Find out how it all began. Volunteer faculty and first-cohort Royals

through the University

at

New Enrollment: The current program at the State Correctional Institution at Dallas recently welcomed 19 new students who transferred in from all around the state in a competitive bid to enroll.

Faculty Lead Immersive Experiences

The office of Community-Based Learning (CBL) announces the third cohort of its CBL Faculty Fellows Program, an immersive academic experience that invites students to work with individuals, groups or local organizations to meet community-defined needs.

The 2025-2026 CBL Faculty Fellows and their projects: Kristina Dorkoski, DPT, faculty specialist, Physical Therapy Department.

Project Plan: Invite students to observe clinicians teaching community members in support groups and wellness.

Katherine Stefanelli, Ph.D., assistant professor, Counseling and Human Services Department.

Project Plan: Train students as facilitators in a peerto-peer program required for all first-year students, Royal P.A.C.T., or Promoting Awareness of the College Transition.

Mehmet Yetim, Ph.D., assistant professor, Management and Marketing Department.

Project Plan: Connect classroom learning with real-world impact. Students will apply foundational management knowledge in partnership with Scranton small businesses.

Aaron Ziegler, Ph.D., assistant professor, Health and Human Performance Department.

Project Plan: Encourage students from coast to coast in the online Master of Science (MS) in Speech-Language Pathology program to implement CBL projects and partner with organizations in their own communities.

ICYMI

In Case You Missed It…

Enjoy these photos from a few of our signature alumni events

❶ Class of 2029 Legacy Reception

In August 2025, incoming first-year students of Scranton alumni gathered with their families and Rev. Joseph G. Marina, S.J., University president.

❷ Alumni-Student Golf Outing

In September, Brendan O’Donoghue ’24, James O'Donoghue ’26, Tim Neumann ’27 and Chris Neumann ’24 won the fourth annual Alumni-Student Golf Outing and were presented with the event’s signature purple jackets in recognition of their achievement.

❸ Scrantoberfest

In October, scores of alumni and friends in the Long Island area celebrated Scrantoberfest together at Plattduetsche Park Pavilion.

❹ President’s Business Council Networking Reception

Also in October, students and alumni gathered at Stout Financial District in New York City for a President’s Business Council Networking Reception.

❺ Guinness Tour

In November, alumni and friends enjoyed a pint together at the Guinness Open Gate Brewery in Halethorpe, Maryland.

All alumni are invited to return to campus June 5-7 for Reunion Weekend 2026, when grads with class years ending in “1” and “6” will celebrate their milestone years.

Scan the QR code to join the “Planning To Attend” list! scranton.edu/reunion

University Celebrates Scranton at President’s

Medal Gala in NYC

Amidst a crowd of hundreds of alumni, parents and friends, including three stars of the small screen, the University honored Harry T. Rose ’65, founder and chairman of The Rose Group, one of the largest restaurant franchise companies in the United States, with its President’s Medal at the President’s Medal Gala. The event took place at Pier Sixty, Manhattan’s largest waterfront event venue. The black-tie gala, which benefits the Presidential Scholarship Endowment Fund, featured a VIP yacht excursion

around New York Harbor for table sponsors and their guests with Brian Baumgartner, Andy Buckley and Kate Flannery, aka Kevin, David and Meredith from “The Office.” The University also announced an ambitious effort to permanently endow the Presidential Scholarship Endowment Fund by raising an additional $7 million for the fund by the 2026 President’s Medal Gala. This would bring its lifetime total raised up to $30 million.

Shown from opposite page, top left:  From left, Andy Buckley, Kate Flannery and Brian Baumgartner, aka David, Meredith and Kevin from “The Office,” cruise around New York Harbor with Iggy.  Rev. Joseph G. Marina, S.J., University president, presents Harry T. Rose ’65 with the President’s Medal.  The Presidential Scholars of the Class of 2026 gather for a photo at Pier Sixty.  The Skyline Princess gives Royals a grand tour of New York Harbor.  Royals dance the night away.  Michael Redmond ’26 speaks on behalf of the Presidential Scholars.

PRESIDENT’S MEDAL GALA

SAVE THE DATE for the THURSDAY, OCTOBER 1 , 2026 PIER SIXTY

In Case You Missed It…

In December, alumni, parents and friends of the University in 1 New York, 2 Philadelphia, 3 the Lehigh Valley, 4 Scranton and 5 Washington, D.C., celebrated the holiday season at regional Christmas receptions.

New York Philadelphia Lehigh Valley

Scranton Women’s Basketball Makes History With Stunning Win Over Pitt

The University of Scranton women’s basketball team made national headlines after a landmark achievement that transcends divisions, expectations and the traditional boundaries of college athletics. On November 16, inside the Petersen Events Center in Pittsburgh, Scranton delivered a poised, disciplined and fearless performance to defeat the University of Pittsburgh, 69–63, in an exhibition matchup. The result marked the first known victory by an NCAA Division III women’s basketball program over a Power Conference opponent, placing the Lady Royals in rare and historic company.

From the opening tip, Scranton carried itself with the confidence of a program accustomed to winning. The Lady Royals entered the contest coming off early-season wins over nationally ranked Division III opponents and continued to elevate their level of play against the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) foe. Scranton’s defensive effort anchored the breakthrough, holding Pitt to just 13 points in the decisive fourth quarter while executing on the offensive end with composure uncommon in such an environment.

A key storyline throughout the game was Scranton’s depth and balance. Multiple players contributed timely scoring, and the Lady Royals’ ability to control tempo late helped close out the contest. The coaching staff emphasized attacking the game with the same preparation and competitive mindset used against conference opponents, a message that was translated seamlessly to the court.

Beyond the final score, the significance of the victory resonated widely. The win offered a powerful reminder of the quality found throughout Division III athletics and the strength of the Scranton women’s basketball tradition. For a program with national championships, All-Americans and decades of consistent excellence, the achievement added a new chapter to an already storied history.

Scranton defeated the University of Pittsburgh, 69–63, becoming the first Division III women’s basketball program to beat a Power Conference opponent. The Lady Royals outscored Pitt 25–13 in the fourth quarter to secure the historic exhibition victory at the Petersen Events Center.

For the student-athletes, staff, alumni and campus community, the afternoon in Pittsburgh will be remembered not just for the upset itself, but for the pride it generated across the University. The Lady Royals stepped onto a Power Conference court and proved that opportunity, preparation and belief can converge into something extraordinary.

Scranton’s season continued with momentum, but its historic day at Pittsburgh will stand as a defining moment for years to come.

A Strong Fall Season for Scranton Athletics

The University of Scranton’s fall athletics programs delivered one of the most successful semesters in school history, highlighted by conference championships, national accolades and milestone postseason achievements across multiple teams.

Women’s soccer secured its sixth straight Landmark Conference title behind one of the league’s most balanced lineups and a standout defensive unit, and the Royals were anchored by All-American Aileen Carr ’28. Men’s soccer won the program’s first NCAA Tournament game since 2016 and produced one of the best defensive seasons in Division III history, leading the nation in goals-against average (0.20) and total goals allowed (four). The Royals were also powered by two All-Americans, Logan Campbell ’25, G’26 and Charlie Smith ’26

Field hockey captured the Landmark Conference Championship and went undefeated in conference play for the first time in program history. Senior forward Annie Shaw ’26 earned All-American

Women’s Soccer

honors after leading the team in goals.

Volleyball added to the department-wide momentum with a Landmark runner-up finish and an All-American campaign from Deanna Whelply ’26, who established herself as one of the most dominant attackers in the nation.

Cross country delivered strong postseason performances on both sides, with Emily Hopkins ’26 and Brayden Clarke ’28 earning All-Region honors to cap their standout seasons.

Across the board, Scranton’s fall programs combined championship success, national recognition, and historic statistical achievements, cementing the 2025 season as one of the most complete and decorated in Royal athletics history.

A Shared DNA of Mentorship

ALUMNI MENTORS ‘ PAY IT FORWARD’ THE JESUIT WAY

While attending the University’s President’s Business Council dinner in 2022, Brian McNany ’99 experienced a cannonball moment that set him on a path to mentor alumni from his alma mater.

One of the PBC honorees, Tom O’Brien ’86, told the story about his efforts to hire Scranton alumni at his employer, Morgan Stanley. Initially, there was some hesitation, but once his colleagues saw the talent that came from Scranton, they were on board.

“There’s a delicate balance when looking to advance your career. ...A mentor will focus on the career path, whereas a manager has different interests and might look to just assign more of that same work.”

BRIAN MCNANY ’99, managing director of investment banking at Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group (MUFG) Bank, one of the world’s leading financial groups

“As I listened to Tom, I thought to myself, ‘That’s something I could do, too,’” said McNany, managing director of investment banking at Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group (MUFG) Bank, one of the world’s leading financial groups. Headquartered in Tokyo, MUFG has a global network with approximately 2,000 locations in more than 40 countries.

That night, McNany spoke with Murli Rajan, Ph.D., associate dean of the Kania School of Management (KSOM), to discuss his interest in helping fellow alumni. The rest, as they say, is history.

While McNany’s original intent was to “recreate what Tom (O’Brien) did,” he’s carved his own path, helping students and alumni advance their careers while living out the Jesuit values of cura personalis that he learned while studying finance at the University.

“It can be intimidating if you don’t have someone as a mentor to give you a sense of what to expect in the early years of your career,” said McNany.

Mentoring as a Form of Magis

These “paying it forward” moments align with the KSOM career mentoring initiatives.

“I see it as a form of magis — a way of giving back through service and helping students as they once were helped along their journey,” said Mark Higgins, Ph.D., KSOM dean.

About 150 students in KSOM are matched with University graduates each year to mentor them through the career process. The college also hosts Young Alumni Day, where recent graduates come to campus to speak to students, becoming key contacts for internships and recruitment. Through the Executive in Residence program, the college invites more seasoned alumni like McNany to share their journeys.

McNany believes there is a sweet spot when mentoring is most needed and effective. “Your best moment for alumni engagement is people who are two to five years out of school. Their college years are still feeling fresh, and they can relate to potential gaps in their knowledge.”

Mentoring, he added, is particularly helpful when looking for ways to rise in the ranks at your employer. “There’s a delicate balance when looking to advance your career. Maybe you’ve mastered what you’re doing and can use something more challenging. But you don’t want to look like you aren’t enjoying your current job. A mentor will focus on the career path, whereas a manager has different interests and might look to just assign more of that same work,” he said.

Oncology Nurse: ‘Refill Your Cup Through Relatability’

In the Leahy College of Health Sciences (LCHS), Amy Kaiser ’20 has had the full-circle experience of being on both the receiving and giving ends of mentoring. Teresa Conte, Ph.D. ’94, associate professor of nursing, urged Kaiser, then a student in the Nursing Department, to apply for a fellowship with The Flynn Foundation, which partners with several of the country’s leading cancer hospitals and undergraduate nursing schools to promote oncology nursing as a career path. Kaiser became the first Scranton graduate to be accepted to that program.

That mentoring relationship between faculty member and student, alumna to alumna, has continued over the years. During the employment challenges of the pandemic, Dr. Conte shepherded Kaiser through the process of applying for and being accepted as a pediatric oncology nurse at Duke University Hospital in Durham, North Carolina. The two now serve on the board of the Association of Hematology Oncology Nurses, connect with one

another at professional conferences and are in touch regularly about Scranton nursing alumni.

“She’s really taken me under her wing and has been a huge help in connecting a lot of Scranton nursing alumni,” said Kaiser of Dr. Conte.

With gratitude for the guidance she has received, Kaiser is “giving back,” mentoring nursing alumni and students, including Caroline Oswold ’28, just the second Scranton student to be accepted as a prestigious Fellow to the Flynn Foundation, where Kaiser now serves on the board.

“‘You can’t pour from an empty cup’ is a selfcare quote often said in nursing, especially when discussing burnout,” said Kaiser, now a pediatric oncology nurse at New York-Presbyterian Morgan Stanley Children's Hospital.

“On good days, mentorship helps fill your cup through shared passions, goals and excitement for the profession. After more difficult shifts, mentorship can refill your cup through relatability,

understanding and support. In either case, I think mentorship helps nurses feel more grounded and motivated to grow in their careers, both as mentors and mentees,” she said.

A Shared DNA Among Scranton Alumni

The strength of Scranton’s alumni network shines through in other career paths, too. In the field of communications, getting your foot in the door is extremely competitive, and alumni mentorship can make a real difference, as two of Scranton’s communication alumni point out.

When Brian Gavin ’00, senior vice president of communication and marketing at Volunteers of America in Washington, D.C., was looking to expand his communications department, he was very intentional about where he started that search.

“I immediately thought back to The University of Scranton and the strong foundation it gave

“On good days, mentorship helps fill your cup through shared passions, goals and excitement for the profession. After more difficult shifts, mentorship can refill your cup through relatability, understanding and support.”

me, both professionally and personally,” he said. After reaching back to a former professor, he was connected with Stacy Smulowitz, Ph.D., chair of the department of Communications and Media, who recommended Peyton Golowski ’23.

“From the very first interview, there was an immediate sense of familiarity because of our shared Scranton experience,” said Golowski, communications specialist at Volunteers of America.

other universities. There’s the work ethic, kindness, knowledge and humanity,” she said.

Gavin agrees. “There’s a shared DNA among Scranton alumni. We’re mission-driven, hardworking and grounded in Jesuit values. That common foundation makes mentoring and recruiting more intentional and meaningful,” he said.

All of this is more than a fancy slogan for an advertising campaign. Alumni mentoring at

‘Of

Those to Whom Much Is Given’: Bob Casey Inspires the Next Generation of Leaders

FORMER U.S. SENATOR DISCUSSES HIS ENDURING BOND WITH SCRANTON AND ROLE ENGAGING ROYALS TO SERVICE AS THE UNIVERSITY’S LEAHY DISTINGUISHED FELLOW

Bob Casey and The University of Scranton seem like a natural fit.

For starters, the Jesuit-educated Casey is one of the city’s most recognizable figures from a distinguished career in public service, and the University is the city’s flagship college.

However, the former U.S. Senator has countless other reasons to engage the young people who will help shape Scranton’s and the nation’s future — and it starts with his own past.

“I had a window into The University of Scranton very early in life,” Casey said.

His mother’s cousin, Rev. Henry Butler, S.J., worked for several years as the University’s director of student personnel. “Hank,” as he was known to Casey, died in 1981, just a few weeks into his tenure as the University’s executive vice president.

“He was a remarkable man and a really committed Jesuit,” Casey said.

Casey’s cousin, Bob McGrath ’68, was a star basketball player whose 31-point effort against Susquehanna in 1967 still dots the Royals’ record books. A young Casey was on campus for several basketball games, as well as for the awarding of honorary degrees to his parents, Robert P. Casey H’69 and Ellen H. Casey H’88. The Caseys’ family circle has included other recognizable University of Scranton names like College Football Hall of Fame coach Jack Harding, Casey’s mother’s uncle.

“I believe it’s critically important that young people are inspired and taught that, if you serve in public office, you have to do it ethically.”

— FORMER U.S. SENATOR BOB CASEY

Because of these foundational experiences, his career endeavors and the Jesuit education he and many family members received, Casey understands the gravity that comes with his role as the University’s Leahy Distinguished Fellow in Public Service. The position, supported by Edward ’68 H’01 and Patricia Leahy, was created prior to the start of the 2025-26 academic year.

Casey doesn’t take his position lightly. And he’s often reminded of its purpose.

“When you walk into Brennan Hall, inscribed into the lobby is that passage from Luke 12:48: ‘Of those to whom much is given, much is expected,’” Casey said. “Meaning that, if you’re given opportunities in life, there’s an expectation that you give back. I think that’s consistent with Jesuit principles and Jesuit values, but also very consistent with what public service should be about. It should be an exercise in giving back, especially if you have the opportunity.”

During the fall semester, Casey spoke to more than 10 classes — sometimes more than once — across various academic disciplines, ranging from political science to accounting and areas in between, while also holding office hours and attending numerous University events.

“The students in my communications ethics class could hardly believe that a former U.S. Senator was standing in their classroom,” said Brian Snee, Ph.D., associate professor of communication and media.

“Sen. Casey used the opportunity to encourage them to consider careers in public service. After his visit, several of them told me that his inspirational talk had them

thinking seriously about public service as a means of becoming ‘men and women for others.’”

Casey, who, like his father, graduated from Scranton Preparatory School and College of the Holy Cross, is also putting his Catholic University law degree to work. In addition to working at the University, he is Of Counsel at Philadelphia law firm Dilworth Paxson.

‘Optimistic’ About A New Generation of Problem Solvers

Casey describes public service as an enriching pursuit in which one can learn about the community, the world and its people. He encourages all students, regardless of political learnings or personal beliefs, to advance the common good through ethical leadership

“I believe it’s critically important that young people are inspired and taught that, if you serve in public office, you have to do it ethically,” Casey said. “You can have different points of view or a different philosophy, but everybody has to be ethical all the time. To earn the trust of the people … you have to be ethical and commit yourself to quality public service every single minute that you have the public trust.”

Casey served Pennsylvania from 1997-2005 as Auditor General, 2005-2007 as State Treasurer and 2007-2025 as a U.S. Senator. Known as an effective bipartisan legislator in the U.S. Senate, Casey authored and passed 99 pieces of legislation into law. He was especially instrumental in advancing the rights and well-being of people with disabilities.

Casey understands public service is not at the forefront of many students’ minds as they pursue their degrees. But, if he could at least plant a seed now, it may bear fruit later.

“I’m learning a lot about a new generation … they are confronting challenges with fortitude and optimism and determination,” he said. “Young people make me very optimistic. I think the alumni of The University of Scranton, when they contribute and support the University, they are supporting a generation of students that is going to be prepared to lead, prepared to solve problems and prepared to move our democracy into a brighter future.”

A ‘ Roadmap ’ to Forging Our Future

University Unveils New Strategic Plan Rooted in Jesuit Values and a Renewed Vision

Fire, a powerful symbol in the teachings of St. Ignatius, is also essential to the art of forging, which transforms rigid metal into something strong and malleable. Likewise, the University’s new strategic plan theme, “Forging Our Future, ” reflects adaptability, responding to emerging trends and challenges in higher education while reaffirming Scranton’s enduring mission to educate the whole person and serve the common good.

Approved by the Board of Trustees in December and introduced in January, the plan presents a forward-looking suite of goals designed to guide the University’s priorities through 2026-2030. Each of its four goals is supported by a series of more detailed objectives, operational steps and intended outcomes. These goals are:

Forging Our Future

Cura Personalis : Care of each individual & our campus community

Establish and meet mission-oriented enrollment targets to expand our reach and support institutional sustainability. Future-oriented Enrollment Strategy

Student Success & Retention

Mission , Vision & Values Values

Empower students through academic support, career-connected learning, and student-centered initiatives that promote persistence, increase retention, and foster belonging and success grounded in the Ignatian ideal of cura personalis

Next-Generation Learning & Innovation

Drive future-facing academic and co-curricular programming through bold experimentation, interdisciplinary collaboration and student-focused design, embodying the innovative spirit of Jesuit pedagogy.

Organizational Effectiveness

Modernize, streamline and improve systems and infrastructure to promote efficient and effective processes, data and resourcing necessary to support our strategic goals and the committed care of our institution (cura apostolica).

Cura Apostolica : Care of our institution & its resources

Throughout the planning process, the ideals of cura personalis and cura apostolica, fundamental elements of our Jesuit way of proceeding, informed choices about the plan’s content and directions. These ideals will also inform our approach to the plan’s implementation.

Our Mission

The University of Scranton is a Catholic and Jesuit university animated by the spiritual vision of Saint Ignatius Loyola, a tradition of excellence, and a commitment to the common good. The University is a community dedicated to the formation of students, and to the freedom of inquiry and personal development fundamental to the growth in wisdom and integrity of all who share its life.

Our Vision

We will lead confidently into the future — extending our reach, increasing our impact, and preparing graduates to lead and excel. We will ignite within our students and community a shared dedication to the ideals of Catholic and Jesuit education.

“It is common practice for institutions like ours to create and refresh strategic plans every few years. The preparation of this Strategic Plan, however, was much more than a routine undertaking. It was a necessary act of stewardship led by the broadly representative University Planning Committee… Our work is grounded in a mission that calls us not only to maintain the University but also to nurture and strengthen it,” said University President Rev. Joseph G. Marina, S.J.

“Together, we will meet the challenges that lie ahead through innovation and a focus on students who are at the heart of our shared mission.”

Developed through a comprehensive, collaborative effort led by members of the University Planning Committee, the strategic plan incorporates input from students, faculty, staff, administrators, alumni and the Board of Trustees, bringing together diverse voices to examine current realities and consider future possibilities. Their mission-centered act of stewardship resulted in an operational guide that aligns Scranton’s resources, programs and aspirations.

“The Board of Trustees takes its role in the strategic planning process seriously,” said Kevin J. O'Brien, Esq. '80, chair of the Board of Trustees. “The process began with input from the board, leading to ultimate approval, and will continue through oversight as the plan and its progress mature. The board supports the plan’s emphasis on forging our future with the pillars of enrollment, innovation, student success and operational effectiveness. These areas of focus align with the board’s emphasis on long-range strategies that drive the continued success of the University.”

The strategic plan directs renewed investment in mission-centered enrollment practices and educational and formational programming, including longstanding hallmarks of Jesuit education such as ethical engagement and social justice. At its core are priorities to ensure that every student is known, supported and prepared to thrive intellectually, ethically and professionally as a person for and with others.

“The Jesuit educational tradition calls us to educate not only skilled professionals, but reflective, compassionate

“Together, we will meet the challenges that lie ahead through innovation and a focus on students who are at the heart of our shared mission.”

Rev.

Joseph G. Marina, S.J. University of Scranton President

leaders,” said Tracy Stewart, Ph.D., interim provost and senior vice president for academic affairs and chair of the University Planning Committee. “This strategic plan challenges us to deepen that mission, ensuring our students are prepared to think critically, act justly and engage meaningfully in an increasingly complex world.”

The plan emphasizes innovation and academic strength, experiential and co-curricular learning and renewed enrollment strategies in response to rapidly changing demographics and pathways to higher education. Particular attention is given to improving retention and completion by strengthening advising, enhancing first-year and transfer student experiences, and removing barriers that impede student progress.

‘The

Start of a New Chapter’

University leaders emphasize that the plan is intended to be a living document, adaptable to new insights and emerging challenges while remaining firmly anchored in Jesuit values.

Share Your Story

We’d love to hear about the plan’s impact on your experience as a member of our University community. If you have activities underway or suggestions for action steps related to the plan’s goals and objectives, email planning@scranton.edu to share your story!

“While a strategic plan is a guide, and in most cases its overarching goals should remain consistent over its life, it must also be adaptable and flexible enough to allow its underlying objectives to respond to changes in the environment,” said Mark Higgins, Ph.D., dean of the Kania School of Management and member of the University Planning Committee.

Implementation of the strategic plan will begin immediately, with measurable goals and regular assessment to ensure accountability and adaptability. Academic colleges, administrative and academic departments and other areas of the organization will develop their own goals and objectives to directly support the plan in meaningful and practical ways.

“The publication of the plan is not the end of the process. It is a commencement event in the truest sense — a beginning, the start of a new chapter.

This plan is not just about where we are going, but about who we are called to be,” said Kate Yerkes, assistant provost for planning and institutional effectiveness.

PLAN 2030

LYNDSEY COLLINS-PRAINO, PH.D. ’06

Playing the Long Game Against Cognitive Decline

HUMANISTIC APPROACH TO NEUROSCIENCE

RESEARCH LEADS TO NEW UNDERSTANDING

“Opportunity seldom knocks twice,” as the age-old proverb reminds us. For Lyndsey Collins-Praino, Ph.D. ’06 that unlikely opportunity came during the first day of her freshman year at Scranton. She didn’t hesitate to answer.

As she walked into the lab for the first day, Dr. Collins-Praino said she “fell head over heels in love with research.”

During a General Biology class, Robert Waldeck, Ph.D., associate professor and director of the Neuroscience Program, asked the students if they might be interested in working alongside him in a lab where he was studying spinal cord injury and other behaviors in goldfish.

“I loved the challenge, I loved the puzzle, I loved the data collection, I loved the excitement you get when you're about to analyze your data and discover something new for the first time.”

This simple yet profound decision changed the trajectory of her academic studies and career from being pre-med with a strong interest in neurology to neuroscience and biomedical research (with a brief detour in clinical neuropsychology studies along the way). Today, Dr. Collins-Praino holds several prestigious positions in the School of Pharmacy and Biomedical Science at Adelaide University in Australia. She is head of the Cognition Ageing and

“I ALWAYS TRY TO THINK ABOUT WHAT DR. WALDECK AND OTHER ... FACULTY MEMBERS, SUCH AS DR. TIMOTHY J. CANNON AND DR. THOMAS HOGAN, DID FOR ME WHEN THINKING ABOUT HOW I CAN HELP MENTOR THAT NEXT GENERATION.”

— Lyndsey Collins-Praino, Ph.D. ’06

Neurodegenerative Disease Laboratory (CANDL), which she founded, the lead for International Engagement and an associate professor.

From across the globe, Dr. Collins-Praino is researching the brain mechanisms underlying cognitive decline in healthy aging and in neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s, as well as cognitive decline in other conditions, such as traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injury and children with a prior history of cancer.

“What all of these very different diseases have in common is that cognitive decline can be a major contributor to reducing quality of life for these individuals,” she said. “No matter how far we’ve come in medicine, when it comes to brain disorders, there’s so much that we still don't understand, and there are so many gaps in the treatments available. And so, I really want to be one piece of the puzzle in helping to try to address some of those challenges.”

How Video Games Target Cognitive Decline

Dr. Collins-Praino leads teams of over a dozen researchers and support staff members to explore new treatments for cognitive decline. In their preclinical work, the researchers have been investigating the brain mechanisms that drive cognitive outcomes in neurological disease and trialing new therapies to see whether they can protect against death of neurons or improve cognitive function. In their clinical research, they have been probing new biomarkers that may predict risk of neurodegenerative diseases, like Parkinson’s disease and dementia, for earlier diagnosis and treatment.

She and her teams are also looking at nonpharmacological approaches to cognitive decline.

“Working with a collaborator at Flinders University in South Australia, Dr. David Hobbs, we developed a new cognitive training system, called the NeuroOrb, that uses video games that specifically target the type of cognitive decline that we see in these diseases,” she said. “We’ve been testing whether or not engaging with NeuroOrb improves cognitive function across several neurological conditions,

and we have some really interesting results from our Parkinson’s trial that we’re about to share.”

There is a deeply humanistic approach to Dr. CollinsPraino’s research — something that connects profoundly to her Jesuit education.

“I work closely with the people who are experiencing these disorders. They not only take part in our research, but they actively help shape it,” she said. After participating in one of her group’s studies, a patient shared that he felt like this wasn’t just happening to him, but that he was actively fighting back against his disorder as part of the research team.

A Royal Legacy of Mentorship

Dr. Collins-Praino is also a nationally award-winning neuroscience educator and mentor focused on training the next generation.

“I always try to think about what Dr. Waldeck and other ... faculty members, such as Dr. Timothy J. Cannon and Dr. Thomas Hogan, did for me when thinking about how I can help mentor that next generation,” she said. “I cannot overstate enough how important their mentorship was in shaping my career and helping me get where I am today.”

Her work has been featured widely in the media. She has been the recipient of prestigious research honors, including a South Australian Young Tall Poppy Award, which recognizes outstanding young scientists. Her dedication to teaching has been celebrated through many awards, yet her most meaningful recognition came in the form of a handwritten letter. After attending the research experience day for Parkinson’s patients, a woman wrote to Dr. Collins-Praino to express her hopefulness and gratitude for belonging to a community defined by care.

Outside the lab, Dr. Collins-Praino shows the same level of dedication. “I spend a lot of time with my family. One of the things my husband and I have really tried to inspire in our children is a love of adventure,” she said. The family travels extensively, experiencing new cultures, cuisines and languages. At home in Australia, they enjoy the beaches and beauty of nearby wine regions. And, of course, there are brain games. Even their young children come along for Trivia Night, where their team’s name is, fittingly, The Brainy Bunch.

Submit your news or see additional Class Notes.

Milestones

Names in Gold indicate alumnus/alumna is celebrating his/her reunion year.

1960s

John Lyons ’64 and Connie Ruscik Lyons recently celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary with a party at their home in Jenkintown. The couple was married on October 16,1965, at Sacred Heart Church, Scranton, by Rev. John Albosta. They have two children: John Scott, retired from the FDNY, and Kimberly Ann, of Boise, Idaho, as well as one granddaughter, Kaia, of New York City.

A group of alumni enjoyed an annual outing to Oriole Park at Camden Yards, where the Orioles won 5-1. Row one, from left: Lou Orlando ’67, Tom Myles ’67, John Comey ’67 and Tom Myles IV ’94 Row two: Pete Lally ’67, Gerry Gavin ’67, Skip Minakowski ’67 and Joe Lista ’67

1970s

Joseph O’Laughlin, D.O. FACOI ’71, Grosse Pointe Farms, Michigan, and Anthony Niescier, D.O. ’71, Lower Gwynedd, attended their 50th-year medical school reunion at the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine. Dr. O’Laughlin served as Chief of Gastroenterology at Mt. Clemens Regional Medical Center in Mt. Clemens, Michigan. Dr. Niescier served as Chief of Staff at Suburban General Hospital in Norristown.

In August, members of the Class of 1979 gathered at the home of Dr. Richard Baker in Bethlehem. From left, Rich Baker, M.D. ’79, Bob Massanova ’79, Mike Antolini ’79, Dom Maiorano ’79, G’81, Tom Lynch ’79 and John DiSantis ’79

A group of Scranton alumni continued their annual tradition of gathering for a mini reunion in Cape May, New Jersey, enjoying several days of dinner, drinks and music. The special friends who reunited in October 2025 were, from left, Gary Beilman ’76, Andrea (Rygiel) Beilman ’76, Roe (Bunting) Murphy ’76, Jim Helhowski ’76, Rose (Lally) Doyle ’76, Donna (Lange) Helhowski ’76, John O’Boyle ’74, Lucy (Burke) O’Boyle ’76 and Wayne Wilhelm ’76

Class Notes included in this edition were submitted prior to January 28, 2026. To submit your own news or see additional class notes, visit scranton.edu/classnotes

Members of the Class of 1987 and their spouses gathered on Long Beach Island. From left, Melinda Gremse, Kevin Gremse ’87, Chris Neumann, Esq. ’87, Nancy Lange Neumann ’87, Mark Familo ’87, Nadine Familo, Michael Goldrick ’87, Patricia Goldrick, David Allegra ’88, Dina Mullan and John Mullan ’88

1980s

Ed Burnetta, M.D. ’84, Villanova, is delighted that his son, Chris Burnetta, has committed to the admissions process at Harvard University as a member of the 2027 Men’s Lacrosse recruit group. He will graduate from Haverford School in 2027. Chris will be joining his three sisters as an Ivy attendee. His sister Isabelle graduated from the University of Pennsylvania in 2013, Kristin graduated from Harvard in 2020, and Sabrina is a junior at Cornell University.

Ned Panfile Jr. ’85, Mendham, New Jersey, retired from education as the Coordinator of Athletics and Student Activities at West Morris Mendham High School, New Jersey, after 40 years of service.

Christopher J. Kane ’86, Jupiter, Florida, startup co-founder of 3PL-RX, announced a merger with the American Chain of Warehouses, a nonprofit organization founded in 1911. American Chain provides sales and marketing strategies and services for Warehouse Logistics members across the U.S. and Canada. Christopher will become president; his son, Zach Kane, will be vice president of Administration and Technology. American Chain is one of the oldest Warehouse organizations whose members are long-established family businesses.

Richard W. Peuser ’86, G’87, Brookfield, Maryland, retired on October 31, 2025, from the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) after 37.5 years in public service. His final position was director of the Processing and Release Division, National Declassification Center. As branch chief of the Textual Reference Unit, he assisted thousands of researchers, both at the Washington, D.C., building and at the College Park, Maryland, facility. One of the highlights of his career was assisting the late David McCullough on his book, 1776. “It was truly an honor and privilege working at this incredible institution,” he said.

Rev. Bishop

Journey to a musical with The University of Scranton Players.

Celebrate the Wall of Fame induction of John J. Harding, Director of Athletics at St. Thomas College in Scranton.

Watch as a serpentine walkway (today’s Panuska Commons) transforms campus after the 1980 winter dedication.

Visit the Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Memorial Library construction site.

Celebrate six Fulbright Fellows who broke the 100-mark for Scranton.

Meet a few Royals at their Commencement ceremony when #Royals2011 marked the largest graduating class (1,718 students!).

Embrace the future at the first Job and Internship Fair hosted by the Center for Career Development. 1961 1971 1981 1991 2001 2011 2021 1966 1976 1986 1996 2006 2016

See our Resilient Royals return to campus during the greatest public health crisis in 100 years.

Walk through the decades with Royals celebrating their milestone years in 2026.

Fit check the tennis team’s court wear.

Pay tribute to a Scranton changemaker at the naming of Dexter Hanley College.

Cheer on the dedication of The Byron Recreation Complex.

Stop by as Wynton Marsalis receives an honorary degree. Pictured with Cheryl Boga, director of Performance Music.

Envision the Patrick and Margaret DeNaples Center.

Milestones

1990s

Shortly after celebrating their 35th Reunion, a group of alumni from the Class of 1990 traveled to Ireland for a golf trip that included rounds at both Waterville Golf Links and Tralee Golf Club.

left at

428 Monroe friends gathered in Colorado for their 2025 weekend get-together. The group, who all lived together as students and remain close friends, enjoyed a special reunion this year as all eight members were able to attend: Ingrid (Farally) Burd ’92, Holly (Spiech) Lanigan ’91, Ellen Crawford ’90, Jenn (McGlone) Walsh ’92, Aileen (Abraldes) D’Addario ’92, Kathie (Garvey) Taylor ’92, Noreen (Finnegan) Kempinski ’92 and Jeanne (Hill) Santarsiero ’90

Ruth Parry G’91, Clarks Summit, had her short story, “Love,” accepted for publication in A Daily Gift of Friendship by Teresa Velardi, marking the first story she submitted for publication.

Christopher J. Mullins ’94, Point Pleasant Beach, New Jersey, was named first vice president of New Jersey Association for School Business Officials (NJASBO) for the 2025-2026 school year. Mullins is a school business administrator with nearly three decades of experience in educational administration, financial management and leadership

Margot Royer-Johnson ’95, East Providence, Rhode Island, celebrated her 25th year as head coach of the NCAA Division I Providence College volleyball program in August.

Ron Prislupski ’95, Pittston, has been appointed to the national Board of Directors of the Nativity Miguel Coalition, a network of more than 50 Nativity Miguel schools across the U.S. and Canada committed to advancing equity in education for all students. He currently serves as President of the Nativity Miguel School of Scranton.

Christine Royce, Ed.D. G’95, Newburg, is the recipient of a Fulbright Scholarship to teach and study in Cairo, Egypt, for the spring 2026 semester while on sabbatical from Shippensburg University. As part of this Fulbright, Royce will be teaching at Ain Shams University in Cairo, where her focus will be on the preparation of teachers, specifically in the STEM areas.

Joseph D. Ward ’95, Coral Gables, Florida, has been named President and Chief Operating Officer at Quirch Foods.

Kathryn Ott Lovell ’96, Philadelphia, president and CEO of the Philadelphia Visitor Center Corporation, is helping to lead the city of Philadelphia’s 250th Birthday Celebration.

U.S. Army Colonel Peter A. Mielo ’98, Mayfield, was promoted to Colonel during a ceremony on March 22, 2025, at the Scranton Armed Forces Reserve Center. As the Chief Observer Controller/Trainer, 2nd Mission Command Training Detachment (MCTD), 2nd Brigade, 78th Training Division, U.S. Army Reserve, he assists in providing world-class OC/Ts to the force and evaluators during annual training exercises.

A dozen members of the Class of ’92, and two from ’91, celebrated their “Double Nickels” birthday together in July 2025 with a long weekend on the Chesapeake Bay. Since graduation, the same group has celebrated past milestone birthdays together in Cape May, New Jersey, and with a weekend cruise to the Bahamas.

Kneeling: Angela DePetris Lewis ’92. Middle row, from left: Kara Dugan ’92, VJ Iannone ’92, Jessica Perry Egner ’92, Sue Paige Leahy ’91, Andrea Miele Killian ’92. Back row, from left: Jeanne Duggan-Jones ’91, Debra Robertson Halpin ’92, Tracy Altebrando Young ’92, Janine Pierlott-Lacava ’92, Colleen Nolan ’92, Jennifer DeRobertis Menziuso ’92, Mary Katherine Holland McNeill ’92, Denise Boudreau ’92

2000s

Devin P. DeMarco ’00, Denville, New Jersey, was appointed vice president of business development at First Environment, an award-winning environmental consulting and engineering firm and Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned small business

John P. Gray ’00, Ewing, New Jersey, has joined the firm Greenbaum, Rowe, Smith and Davis LLP as a partner in the Environmental and Energy and Renewable Resources practice areas.

Philip Grieco ’00 relocated to Sarasota, Florida, after accepting a new marketing executive role for Monster Energy Co. Grieco has worked for Monster for almost eight years in roles across Brand Marketing, Strategy and Insights, and now Regional Marketing, in California, Pennsylvania and now Florida.

Brian Eltz ’02, G’05, Millersville, received his master’s in theology from St. Joseph's College of Maine.

Glynnis Jones, OTD, OTR/L ’02, G’03, Albrightsville, recently authored Parent Perspectives: Menstruation and Menstrual Hygiene Management for Autistic Daughters, a peer-reviewed publication in The American Journal of Occupational Therapy: Jones, G., Helsley, S., Fox, R., Tumminello, A., Grasso, A., Potter, A., Wynarczuk, K., Reinson, C. (2025).

Nicole E. Negowetti ’02, Melrose, Massachusetts, published a new book, Feeding the Future, which offers a radical reframing of the global food system to address injustices and existential threats.

Vincent Solomeno ’07, Red Bank, New Jersey, was appointed by Governor Mikie Sherrill to be the New Jersey Commissioner of Veterans Affairs.

William T. Colona ’08, Cresskill, New Jersey, earned a Ph.D. from the Graduate School of Education at Fordham University. His dissertation examined federal lobbying at Catholic colleges and universities.

Sarah Shenton Salfi ’05, Caldwell, New Jersey, was recently appointed CEO of AccessFintech after more than 20 years as a managing director at Goldman Sachs and board advisor for various financial institutions.

2010s

While visiting Chicago, two groups of Scranton alumni ran into each other by chance, proving that all roads really do lead to Scranton and that Royals are everywhere. From left, Katie M. Rhoads Holmes ’08, G’09, Neil Shitut ’17, G’18, Zach Fiscus ’18, Chris Fitzsimmons ’18, Pat Brothwell ’09, Shawn Brothwell ’08 and Maura Hayden ’08

Katelyn Mertz ’12, Harrisburg, graduated with her MSN in May 2022 and her MBA in December 2024 from Pennsylvania Western University and will start her DNP in the summer of 2026. Mertz presented nationally at the International Magnet and Magnet Pathway Conference in October 2025 and will present at the Association of Operating Room Nurses (AORN) Global Surgical Conference and Expo in April 2026 on her work, “Safety Coach Simulation Training: Empowering Nurses to Speak Up in the Operating Room.” Mertz has been the manager of Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center’s 39 Level 1 operating rooms since 2022.

Deborah L. Nealon ’13, G’15, Columbia, Maryland, owner of The MBa Group, announced the successful spin-off of the Medical Business Advisory Division of BlueStone Services Solutions, LLC into a new independent firm: The Medical Business Advisory Group, LLC, DBA The MBa Group. The MBa Group is owned by Nealon

and headquartered in Columbia. Continuing its legacy of trusted expertise, The MBa Group specializes in guiding independent physician practices, hospitals, hospital-based physician groups, Ambulatory Surgical Centers, laboratories and a wide range of other healthcare organizations through today’s complex operational and financial landscape.

CPT Carson Clabeaux, D.O. ’17, University Place, Washington, has been appointed Staff Ophthalmologist, Cataract and Refractive Surgeon. He will also serve as the comprehensive ophthalmologist for the 62nd Medical Brigade, Head and Neck Forward Surgical Team at Madigan Army Medical Center, Joint Base Lewis-McChord (JBLM), Tacoma, Washington.

2020s

Will Craven ’19, Scranton, has joined Moses Taylor Foundation, a private foundation with a mission to improve the health of people in Northeastern Pennsylvania, as its Operations and Grants Officer. In this role, he will support the Foundation’s grant management system, lead internal operations and coordinate organizational initiatives and events.

Scranton alumni working at NYC’s No.1 commercial real estate landlord, SL Green Realty Corp. From left, Kieran Gruby ’24, Dana Loeffler ’15, Thomas Dao ’24, Elissia Velez ’15, Joseph Gale ’25, Gabrielle Andiario ’25 and Liam Davis ’25

Samantha Falgout, Ph.D., CPA, PHD’24, Houma, Louisiana, is serving a new twoyear term as member-at-large on the Society of Louisiana CPA (LCPA) 202526 Board of Directors. Dr. Falgout is an assistant professor of Accounting at Nicholls State University in Thibodaux and serves as immediate past president for the LCPA South Central Chapter.

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MATT DILIBERTO ’96

Fighting Fire with the Fire Inside

CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER OF SL GREEN REALTY CORP. AND CHAIRMAN OF THE FDNY FOUNDATION MAKES TIME TO SERVE OTHERS.

At Scranton, students are often encouraged to follow their passions, especially in the service of others. In the professional world, however, conflicts can arise as a result of those passions when we least expect it. Such was the case when Matt DiLiberto ’96 was working as a public accountant for a Big 4 firm while serving his community as a firefighter, and the managing partner of his office told him the firm was “concerned” its investment in his career could go up in smoke the next time the alarm bell rang at the firehouse.

“That was my indication I had to leave,” said DiLiberto nearly 30 years later. “The most gratifying thing, short of my kids, that I’ve done in my life is all of my firefighting and EMS work.

“To look at somebody who’s putting their life on the line for the sake of others and tell them, ‘We frown upon that,’ is not a place I want to work.”

DiLiberto shares this story from his office at SL Green Realty Corp., New York City’s largest office landlord, where he has worked for the last 21 years; he’s

“IF YOU WANT TO ACHIEVE YOUR ULTIMATE GOAL, YOU HAVE TO GET AFTER IT YOURSELF. YOU CAN’T RELY ON IT FINDING YOU.”

— Matt DiLiberto ’96

Read about Matt DiLiberto’s experience as a mentor.

also remained an active firefighter since that fateful meeting. As SL Green’s chief financial officer, he handles its accounting, finance, cash management, corporate capital market functions and investor relations. While overseeing the financial destiny of a $15 billion company would keep most people busy enough, DiLiberto also chairs the FDNY Foundation, the official non-profit of the New York City Fire Department, where he recently oversaw a gala dinner that raised $4.2 million. Factor in the demands of his Rumson, New Jersey, household, which he shares with his wife, Amanda, and their three young children, and one might suspect that DiLiberto must have access to a time machine to be able to keep up with everything. How does he juggle it all? The answer is simple: Matt DiLiberto is unapologetically himself whether he’s in the board room or the firehouse.

“I’m more direct … than most CFOs,” DiLiberto said. “They don’t get the ‘work me,’ they get me. I am me here in the office, and I’m me at the firehouse.”

Lessons learned

DiLiberto began his love affair with firefighting when his father became a firefighter.

“I was at the firehouse all the time,” he said. “It just got in my head at an early age.”

Another thing that got in his head was the “financial mindset,” or the love of making and managing his own money. At Scranton, he majored in accounting, joined the Accounting Society and eventually became its president. He also made a point of getting to know his professors, especially Michael Mensah, Ph.D., who would later become dean and dean emeritus

of the Kania School of Management. Through those experiences, DiLiberto learned the importance of forging personal relationships; he also learned how much he could accomplish by rising early and working in a quiet place.

“I had a corner of the library that probably most people didn’t know even existed, and that’s where I got work done,” he said.

Two careers, one mindset

No two days are alike for DiLiberto.

“It’s 50 percent investor relations, 50 percent everything else as CFO, and then 50 percent FDNY – that’s my professional life,” he said.

In case you missed it, DiLiberto casually mentioned that he utilizes 150 percent of his time, which should be impossible; he does this by setting his “time machine,” aka his internal alarm clock, to 3:45 a.m. each day and getting ahead of the curve while most of the world is still asleep.

“WE HAVE A VERY SIMPLE DIRECTIVE AS THE OFFICIAL CHARITY OF THE FDNY — RAISE AS MUCH MONEY AS POSSIBLE TO SUPPORT THE NEEDS OF THE DEPARTMENT. I’M IN AWE OF THE DEPARTMENT AND THE PEOPLE THAT WORK THERE.”

“(SL Green is) 24-7,” he said. “It’s a very stressful but adrenaline-filled and rewarding place to work. You have to have a certain personality for it.”

That personality clearly enjoys connecting with others, a skill that serves DiLiberto well in his role as chairman of the FDNY Foundation.

“We have a very simple directive as the official charity of the FDNY — raise as much money as possible to support the needs of the department,” he said. “I’m in awe of the department and the people that work there.”

In all his endeavors, DiLiberto advocates boldly pursuing one’s goals, a bit of preaching he’s practiced since his Scranton days.

“If you want to achieve your ultimate goal, you have to get after it yourself,” he said. “You can’t rely on it finding you.”

Brenna Anderson ’15 and Francis Degnan ’16 were married on Aug. 30, 2025. They were surrounded by college roommates, friends, cousins, siblings and an aunt, who all attended Scranton.

Valerie Ebert, DVM ’02, G’04 and William O’Hara were married in Honesdale on June 14, 2025.

Jaclyn Potapchuk ’05 married James D. Vaughan ’09 on Dec. 31, 2024.

Jessica Nickel ’16, G’17 married Mitchell Prescott on Jan. 25, 2025.

Allison Smith ’16, G’18 married Evan DeGraw on May 17, 2025.

From Jesuit Roots to the White House

A wooded trail on Theodore Roosevelt Island provides a sanctuary where Matt Tibbitts ’14 likes to organize his thoughts after the workday. Looking across the Potomac River toward Georgetown, he reflects on the path that brought him to public service: a Scranton education grounded in Jesuit values, transformative experiences abroad and a career devoted to translating global insight into government operations.

From classrooms in Chile to a small community in Honduras, from a Fulbright teaching year in Malaysia to a federal role in Washington, D.C., each step has widened the lens through which he views the nation’s impact in the world.

“I’m fortunate enough to say that I'm in what I would consider a dream role,” Tibbitts said of his position as program examiner with the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), where he has served since 2022, across two presidential administrations.

“We touch every part of the government through the funding and the development of the President’s budget and policy conversations. And, we play a unique role in collaborating between the agencies, the policy councils, policy leadership and the White House,” Tibbitts said.

Nearly four years ago, he entered the prestigious Presidential Management Fellows (PMF) program in the Office of Federal Procurement Policy. The PMF program provides a paid fellowship for recent graduate students seeking careers in U.S. government agencies.

“To get a government job ... can be a slow process at times. PMF fast-tracks you,” he said. “I started networking within the building and ended up with the International Affairs Division.”

His advice, from personal experience: “Careers are not necessarily linear, especially in D.C. You have to create and trust your own path.”

Service at His Core Tibbitts views a Fulbright English Teaching Assistantship (ETA) as the impetus for his career.

“That year was transformational ... realizing this wasn’t just an important part of my life, but something I wanted to orient my career around,” said Tibbitts, who put that motivation into practice within the nonprofit landscape.

Four years of experience and three continents later, he pursued graduate studies at Georgetown University, drawn by proximity to future pursuits and faith-based foundation. “Jesuit education means service to others, and that has always been at the forefront for me.”

As a first-year student-athlete at Scranton in 2010, the Presidential Scholar connected instantly with the University’s mission, echoing lessons from his family in West Hartford, Connecticut. “One of my favorite buildings is Brennan Hall, because it has that phrase on the wall, ‘To whom much is given, much is expected.’ Growing up, I would hear that a lot from my parents. We were very involved in our church and community.

“Going to Scranton, I continued that. We did a lot of volunteering, whether it was through the lacrosse team or other avenues.”

Tibbitts said parents, Jeff and Kate, provide unconditional encouragement: “Going abroad for long periods of time was challenging, but they’ve never wavered in their support and were always encouraging me to go on these adventures.”

Future Royals



 A daughter, Reya, to Alicia F. Yanac, D.O. ’10 and her husband, Tom Robinson, of Scituate, Rhode Island, in June 2023, and a son, Rowan, in June 2025.

 A son, Brice Sachs IV, to Brice ’11 and Jasmine Santiago Sachs ’11

 A daughter, Sofia Rose, born April 7, 2025, to Paul and Aileen McCormick ’13 of Yardley.

A daughter, Michaela Ruby, to Stephen ’14 and Marissa Schiling Barbuto ’14, G’15 in April 2025.

 A daughter, Maisy Lane, to Matt and Erin Fetsko Johnson ’16, Syracuse, New York; granddaughter of Frank Fetsko ’86

 Twin boys, Liam and Keegan, born March 17, 2025, to Andrew ’17, G’18 and Kayla Duggan Nealy of Denville, New Jersey.

Announce your newest addition to the University family.

In Memoriam

James P. McDonnell Jr. ’52, Scranton

Samuel A. Valenti, D.D.S. ’52, Pittston

Thomas C. O'Malley ’55, Hamilton, New Jersey

Ronald L. Terranella, Ph.D. ’55, South Abington Township

Robert F. Noto ’57, Dunmore

Msgr. William J. Feldcamp ’59, Scranton

Arthur J. Jordan, O.D. ’59, Scranton

Robert J. Brooks ’60, University Park, Florida

Donald F. McAndrew ’60, Nashua, New Hampshire

Arthur P. Poli ’60, Winchester, Virginia

James J. Grace ’61, Springfield, Virginia

Vincent J. Mondelli ’61, Endicott, New York

Paul J. Angelis, Ph.D. ’62, Mequon, Wisconsin

Richard J. Flynn, M.D. ’63, Bradenton, Florida

Barry McAndrew ’63, Erie

Michael J. Mitchko ’63, Bluffton, South Carolina

LTC Frank X. Quinn ’63, Scotia, New York

Paul A. Shea Sr. ’63, Vienna, Virginia

Robert P. Theis ’63, Scranton

Paul J. Dougherty ’64, G’68, Honesdale

Ronald J. Refice, Ph.D. ’64, G’67, South Abington Township

Vincent D. Balitas, Ph.D. ’65, G’70, Pottsville

Bernard F. Magagna ’66, Swoyersville

Peter J. Coyne ’67, Dresher

Thomas T. Jordan ’67, Scranton

Michael J. Matzko G’67, Bloomsburg

Roman S. Misorek ’67, Duryea

Richard A. Waibel ’67, Stroud Township

William J. Walsh ’67, Rochester, New York

Richard J. Davidson ’68, Dunmore

Joseph T. Sebastianelli ’68, Scranton

Joseph V. Grega ’69, Opelika, Alabama

Robert T. McHugh G’69, Scranton

Frederick W. Pencek G’69, Clarks Summit

Hon. David J. Wenzel ’69, Scranton

Dennis T. Harkins ’70, Plymouth Meeting

Paul J. LaBelle ’70, G’74, South Abington Township

William M. Brady ’71, Duryea

Very Rev. Patrick J. McLaughlin, V.F. ’71, Scranton

Yamini C. Desai ’72, Bloomfield, Connecticut

John J. Flaherty ’72, Wycoff, New Jersey

Frederick Bender, Ph.D. ’73, Lafayette, New Jersey

Walter E. Sack ’74, G’79, Dunmore

Gardner W. Smith ’74, Mechanicsburg

Frank A. Lazenka ’75, The Villages, Florida

Leon J. Rudzinski ’75, Dickson City

Frank B. Kresge G’76, Wind Gap

Patrick P. Mulhern G’76, Tunkhannock

Keith E. Tucker ’76, Roaring Brook Township

Rev. Edward A. Wilson ’76, San Jose, California

Michael D. Sporer ’77, Scranton

Richard B. Daniels G’78, Tunkhannock

Clarence L. Evans Jr. ’78, Factoryville

Arnold L. Ligi Jr. ’78, Daytona Beach, Florida

Kevin J. McCarthy ’78, Marco Island, Florida

Jeffrey McDonough ’78, Scranton

Linda S. Mainwaring G’79, Mountaintop

In Memoriam: Friends and Family

Harrison O. Bush Jr., father of Peter Bush ’79

Gerard Gallagher, father of Sally Pires ’85 and Joanna Gallagher ’90; grandfather of Julia Gallagher ’10

Peggy Diver, mother of Maureen Diver ’90

Jennifer Quattrocchi, wife of Joseph Quattrocchi ’02

Charles Kratz, dean emeritus of the Weinberg Memorial Library

Tom MacKinnon, former vice president for University Advancement

Susan Brown Otto ’79, Bethel, New York

Valerio J. Ungarini ’80, Bristol

Nadia C. Burns ’81, Norfolk, Virginia

Alice R. Coyle, M.D. ’81, Avoca

Diane Kresky Doyle ’81, Harleysville

Thomas P. Borosky G’83, Wyoming

William T. Powell G’83, Endwell, New York

Martin J. Barrett G’85, Hollisterville

Karl G. Margraff ’85, Langhorne

Elena R. Meyers ’85, Scranton

Maureen Maher O’Connor ’85, Saylorsburg

Catharine F. Grow G’87, Mount Pleasant

Kim Newak Carpenter ’89, Omaha, Nebraska

Elizabeth A. Honan ’90, G’95, Scranton

William H. McDonald ’90, Springville, New York

William F. Gil ’92, Lewisberry

Patrice Moeller G’94, Armada, Michigan

Allen R. Coffman G’01, Pocono Township

Lauren R. Propst ’05, Honesdale

Jennifer L. Murphy ’09, Floral Park, New York

Nicholas J. Fasciana G’21, Bay Harbor Island, Florida

Dreaming Big with

Mark Chopko, Esq. ’74

Expert in church-state law establishes scholarship to help future Royals look beyond the horizon.

Once upon a time in Kingston, Mark Chopko, Esq. ’74 dared to dream big.

The son of a machine designer and a homemaker and seamstress who never failed to emphasize the importance of education, Chopko excelled in his studies at West Side Central Catholic High School, becoming both the president and valedictorian of his class. His twin interests in science and debate led him to participate in competitions held at the University, and he became the first person in his household to attend college when he earned a full-tuition Presidential Scholarship to Scranton.

“The scholarship gave me a chance to expand my horizons,” he said. “That opened up all sorts of doors for me.”

Today, given the scope of his extraordinary legal career (See “An Extraordinary Career” sidebar), it’s obvious that Chopko’s big dreams have been realized, which is why he and his wife, Jane, sought to give back by establishing the Chopko Family Scholarship through the Estate Society. Once endowed, it will help put Royals, especially firstgeneration students pursuing science degrees, on the path to a brighter future. His advice to future Chopko Scholars?

“Dream big, ” he said. “I was fortunate in every situation to be able to stand on the shoulders of giants, people who gave me hope, inspiration and guidance.”

School Days

At Scranton, Mark Chopko majored in chemistry and graduated summa cum laude. He then attended Cornell Law School. In 2004, he received the Frank J. O’Hara Distinguished Alumni Award.

“Always look to the horizon, always look beyond the present moment.”

An Extraordinary Career

Mark Chopko became an expert in church-state law while serving as general counsel for the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, where he helped draft the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People and federal legislation protecting religious freedom. He currently serves as senior counsel and practice group leader emeritus at Stradley Ronon Stevens & Young, and he teaches at Georgetown University Law Center.

What will your reason be? Join The Estate Society today.

For questions or to learn more about The University of Scranton’s Estate Society, please visit scranton.edu/plannedgiving or contact Carol Maculloch, director of Planned Giving, at carol.maculloch@scranton.edu or 570-941-7799.