MERCYNEWSFALL 2014A newsletter for the alumni and friends of Mercy College

Mercy College of Ohio announces new presidentWhen Susan C. Wajert, PhD, MSN, MBA, RN, began her position as President and CEO of Mercy College earlier in August, it was a homecoming of sorts.

“Growing up in Ti�n, Ohio, my family always had connections to Toledo,” she says. “We used to come to Toledo to shop, visit relatives, attend festivals, and to eat at local restaurants.

“Having attended the nursing program at Bowling Green State University, the clinical experiences were all in Toledo. I worked at what is now the University of Toledo Health Sciences Campus, and at St. Luke’s Hospital,” Dr. Wajert says. “It seems that no matter where life has taken my family, Toledo and northwest Ohio is considered home.”

Dr. Wajert succeeds John F. Hayward, JD, who served as President of Mercy College from 2005 until his retirement on June 30, 2014. She left Mount St. Joseph University in Cincinnati, Ohio, where she served as Dean of Health Sciences since 2013. She was responsible for the Departments of Athletic Training, Nursing (both undergraduate and graduate), and Physical Therapy. Previously, she served as Chancellor of Trinity College of Nursing and Health Sciences in Rock Island, Illinois, and as Associate Academic Dean for Program Development at Defiance College in Defiance, Ohio. Her experience closely aligns with Mercy College’s goal of expanding programs, increasing the use of technology and more closely working with Mercy Health, formerly Catholic Health Partners.

“The Mercy College mission, along with the values, attracted me to this position. The mission statement is: ‘Mercy College of Ohio, a Catholic institution with a focus on healthcare, educates and inspires students to lead and to serve in the global community.’

Mercy College of Ohio is a well-known and highly respected Catholic institution of higher education which was also an important consideration,” she says.

“Catholic education builds on the College values, which are: compassion for others, valuing the sacredness of life and respecting the human dignity of each person. Our goal is to prepare future professionals who strive for excellence and build on their foundational knowledge to become lifelong learners in their chosen fields, and to serve locally, nationally, and internationally using a model of justice.”

Dr. Wajert received her PhD in management and organizational behavior from Union Institute and University in Cincinnati, Ohio, with an emphasis in quality management and healthcare. She obtained her Master of Science in Nursing in nursing leadership from Norwich University in Northfield, Vermont, and her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Bowling Green State University in Bowling Green, Ohio. She also has a Master of Business Administration from the University of Toledo in Toledo, Ohio.

“The Board of Trustees of Mercy College is excited and pleased that Susan Wajert will be leading Mercy College,” said Carl Barnard, Chairperson, Board of Trustees for Mercy College of Ohio. “As the fourth president of the institution, we are confident that Dr. Wajert will build on the strong foundation of previous presidents and lead the college to new levels of growth.”

“I look forward to working with Dr. Wajert,” said Brian Smith, Executive Vice President, Networks, Mercy Health. “Her experience and commitment to health education give her a valuable background on which to draw as we work together

What’s Inside… 2 Alumni Spotlight

4 Alumni Banquet & Reunion

5 Employee Spotlight

6 Science Lab Ribbon Cutting

7 ANNUAL REPORT 14 Alumni News

15 The Legacy Society

Susan C. Wajert, PhD, MSN, MBA, RN

Wajert, continued on page 4

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Alumni Spotlight: Father Neil KookootheMercy alumnus uses medical and legal background to help death-row inmate appeal and overturn wrongful convictionFather Neil Kookoothe, a Roman Catholic priest, a registered nurse who is a 1982 graduate of the former Mercy School of Nursing and a former medical malpractice defense attorney, used his unique skillset to help free Joe D’Ambrosio from a 22-year period of incarceration in the Ohio prison system and the death sentence he faced.

In 1988, Mr. D’Ambrosio, a 26-year-old Army veteran, was charged with felony murder in the stabbing death of 19-year-old Anthony Klann. Mr. D’Ambrosio had no motive for the crime, but he also had no alibi, as he was home alone asleep when the crime was committed. He knew he was innocent and trusted that his court-appointed attorney would handle his case competently and achieve an acquittal.

“I had never been in trouble before,” he said. “The court system was all new to me. They decided I was guilty simply because people were pointing a finger at me, but I knew there was no evidence to support that claim, so I believed that justice would prevail.”

What he did not know at the time was that the prosecutors withheld at least 10 key pieces of evidence in the case, including the fact that the victim was the only witness in a rape case wherein the real perpetrator was also the rapist. The legal proceedings were swift, and Mr. D’Ambrosio was stunned when he was convicted and sentenced to death.

Fr. Kookoothe first became acquainted with Mr. D’Ambrosio in 1996 when he began ministering to inmates on death row. However, he did not meet Mr. D’Ambrosio personally until December 1998 when he o�ciated the funeral Mass of Mr. D’Ambrosio’s mother.

“On my next visit to the prison, I asked if I could visit with Joe, and the corrections o�cers allowed me to do so, even though I was not on his visitor list,” Fr. Kookoothe said.

While Fr. Kookoothe was there to talk about the loss of his mother, Mr. D’Ambrosio quickly changed the subject.

“I had been on death row for 10 years at this point,” he said. “I had written to every innocence project, every law school, every media outlet and talk show I could think of, trying to find someone who would help me prove my innocence. When Fr. Neil came to see me, I thought, I have a human being in front of me! This is an opportunity! He wanted to talk about my Mom’s funeral, but I was like, ‘Save my life!’ It was a daunting task to convince him to actually look

into my case, but I was determined.”

Fr. Neil said he initially refused Mr. D’Ambrosio’s request.

“I wasn’t too thrilled about looking into a capital murder case,” he admitted. “The complexity of such a case is daunting. But Joe told me his case was the shortest capital case in the history of Ohio – his trial lasted just two-and-a-half days. I was intrigued that a case in which someone’s life was at stake could be decided so quickly. I took his case file home and read it, and

I immediately saw red flags that prompted me to investigate.”

Fr. Kookoothe’s training and experience as a nurse allowed him to immediately see something in the autopsy report and the coroner’s testimony that didn’t add up.

The prosecution’s star witness, Eddie Espinoza, a co-defendant in the case, had testified that another co-defendant, Thomas Michael Keenan, slit Mr. Klann’s throat and that Mr. D’Ambrosio then stabbed him to death in a Cleveland creek. Mr. Espinoza claimed that Mr. Klann screamed for his life after his throat had been slit.

“I looked at the autopsy photos,” Fr. Kookoothe said. “I knew that it was physiologically impossible for a

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person to scream after receiving such extensive neck wounds and two large perforations of the trachea. So I wondered, if Espinoza lied about that, what else might he have lied about? It was my combined medical and legal background that drew me into the case. I started knocking on doors and talking to reporters. We discovered so much evidence that was never introduced at Joe’s trial – some that Joe knew about and some that he didn’t. I got Cleveland Scene Magazine to investigate and then the Cleveland Plain Dealer. We discovered that the man who had accused Joe had raped a young blind man who also struggled with cerebral palsy, and that Anthony Klann, the murder victim, was a witness in that case. We found a total of 14 key pieces of evidence that had not been presented in Joe’s original trial, ten of which the United States 6th Circuit Court of Appeals allowed us to introduce in a retrial.”

On the eve of retrial however, the prosecutors revealed that they had found yet more pieces of evidence that had never been turned over to the defense. The prosecutor had also failed to inform the defense, the State Court or the Federal court that the only eyewitness against Joe had died in April 2007. Realizing that the prosecutors’ sustained and egregious misconduct prejudiced Joe from receiving a constitutional trial, the Federal Court barred re-prosecution in 2009.

“The courts are quick to convict, but slow to overturn,” Mr. D’Ambrosio said. “It is such an uphill battle. I had become accustomed to the highs and lows and long periods of waiting. They look for every possible way to uphold the verdict you are trying to overturn. This was familiar to me but new to Fr. Neil, and at times I had to remind him to be patient.”

Patience and persistence eventually paid oª. In January 2012, The United States Supreme Court

refused to grant Certiorari in the case, thus upholding the bar to re-prosecution in Mr. D’Ambrosio’s case. He was now a free man for the first time in 22 years.

“I am alive, and I am free, after being told for so long I would never be free again,” Mr. D’Ambrosio said. “Leaving prison after 22 years – it was such an overwhelming feeling just to be free – it is impossible to explain in words what that felt like.”

Mr. D’Ambrosio now works for Fr. Kookoothe, who picked him up from prison when he was released and

now employs him in a facilities management role at the Church of Saint Clarence in North Olmsted, Ohio.

“We are a large parish of about 2,000 families,” Fr. Kookoothe said. “Joe serves as a jack of all trades, taking care of plumbing, carpentry, electrical, whatever we need.”

He also joins Fr. Kookoothe for speaking engagements about his case and the death penalty, which he and Fr. Kookoothe oppose.

“We have traveled all over Ohio and throughout the United States,” Joe said. “I have also been to Greece and on five Carribean cruises, and we will be speaking in London, England in October of this year.”

Fr. Kookoothe credits Mercy not only with the medical training that positioned him well to help Mr. D’Ambrosio, but also with instilling in him the values that prompted him to take on the overwhelming task of investigating and appealing the case.

“Mercy doesn’t just teach you to be a nurse,” he said. “Mercy teaches you to be compassionate, empathetic and merciful. Just being shaped by the Mercy Core Values made a huge impact on me. Mercy extends beyond the nursing school, beyond the hospital setting or even healthcare or any particular situation. The Core Values create a viewpoint that opens up possibilities for you to see things in another way.”

For more of Mr. D’Ambrosio’s story, visit http://www.oneforten.com/ and http://www.cnn.com/2014/03/21/us/death-row-stories-dambrosio/index.html?hpt=hp_c2.

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Alumni Banquet and ReunionMAY 29, 2014

Above: Members of the class of 1964 gather for a “photo op” in the foyer of The Premier, location of this year’s reunion.

Left: Ten graduates from the class of 1959 gathered to celebrate their 55th anniversary of commencement from Mercy School of Nursing.

to make Mercy College a more integral part of Mercy Health. Her understanding of the role that higher education can play in a large health system will be extremely important in this eªort.”

In her new role, Dr. Wajert will provide leadership and direction to Mercy College as it continues educating the next generation of nursing and allied healthcare professionals. She will be the chief executive o�cer of the college and assume overall responsibility for the academic institution. She will build upon the college’s 2011-2015 Strategic Plan, developing a vision for the future.

Areas of focus will include growing enrollment, expanding existing programs and oªering new ones, becoming a leader in distance education and improving educational oªerings for all Mercy Health institutions. Dr. Wajert has more than 20 years of experience in higher education, almost entirely in healthcare education. Additionally, she has extensive knowledge of online education and two-year programming.

“As part of Mercy Health, Mercy College of Ohio is positioned for strategic growth, and I look forward to working with the Mercy College team in continuing and building on the legacy of preparing highly qualified healthcare professionals,” Dr. Wajert says.

In her spare time, Dr. Wajert enjoys spending time with her four sons and especially looks forward to time with her grandchild.

Nearly 100 alumni and friends of Mercy joined in a delightful evening of reminiscing and renewing friendships at the Alumni Reunion held on May 29. Members of classes celebrating five year anniversaries were recognized. The largest reunion group was the class of 1964 who were celebrating their 50th anniversary.

The Distinguished Graduate Award was presented to Marie Archambeault Masztak, class of 1964. In accepting her award, Marie noted that she was “trained well at Mercy and learned not only anatomy and physiology, but the true mission of the Mercy community.” Marie serves as a

member of the Mercy Alumni Board and on the Mercy College Foundation Board of Directors. Currently she is Vice-President of N.W. Deca Health, Inc. Her classmate, Anne Bovard Smith, noted in her nomination that, through her fifty years as a nurse, Marie has demonstrated the Mercy Core Values.

Barb Eyler, class of 1980 and President of the Mercy Alumni Board, announced that the Alumni Association has granted the title of honorary alumnus to John Hayward who retired as President of Mercy College on June 30. The Association made a donation of $3,000 to the

College’s Major Gift Campaign in gratitude for Mr. Hayward’s service as President over the past nine years and his continued support of the Alumni Association.

continued support of the Alumni Association. Marsha Hailman Brown, class

of 1967, and her daughter Heather VanderPol, class of 2013, take a break from selling ra°e tickets.

Marie Archambeault Masztak, class of 1964, was the recipient of this year’s Distinguished Graduate Award. Her sister, Claudella Archambeault Jones, class of 1959, received this award in 2002.

Wajert, continued from page 1

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Employee Spotlight: Judy Dudley, MA, RHIAJudy Dudley, MA, RHIA, program chair, Health Information Technology & Medical Coding Certificate, and Associate Professor at Mercy College of Ohio, entered the health information management field upon earning her bachelor’s degree in Medical Records Administration (now known as Health Information Administration).

“I had been torn between pursuing a business degree or a nursing degree,” she said. “I loved that health information management brought together my interests in business and healthcare.”

Upon graduating from Bowling Green State University with her bachelor’s degree, Ms. Dudley began her career at St. Vincent Medical Center, where she was a data analyst in the Quality Assurance/Utilization Review department. She then accepted a position as a Medical-Legal Coordinator in the Health Information Management Department for the former Mercy Hospital and moved into the role of inpatient coder until the hospital closed in 1996.

While coding at Mercy Hospital, Judy concurrently worked as the manager of donor records for the American Red Cross. In the three years between the hospital closing and the opportunity to work at Mercy College, Judy worked as the supervisor of the Imaging Department at NFO Research. “I kept in touch with my former Mercy co-workers, and when I had the opportunity to return, I jumped at it without hesitation.”

Judy joined Mercy College in 1999 as an instructor in the Allied Health Division and became an assistant professor in 2004, shortly after earning her Master of Arts in Organizational Management from Spring Arbor University. She is an associate professor and chair of the Health Information Technology and Medical Coding Certificate programs.

In the 26 years that she has worked in the Health Information Management field, Ms. Dudley has witnessed significant changes.

“It is amazing how it has evolved,” she said. “The changes are becoming more rapid with the advancements in technology, the necessity of data integrity, and the increase of legislation and regulations impacting our field. Data collection has become more sophisticated and complex. It starts before the patient is admitted and continues post-discharge. So many diªerent departments and facilities have to work together, and I enjoy that teamwork.”

As the field of health information has evolved, the college has expanded its oªerings to meet the

growing demand for graduates of its programs.

“We have oªered an associate degree in Health Information Technology since 1997,” Ms. Dudley said. “Last year we added a certificate program in medical coding, and it will move fully online in 2015. Students can earn their certificate in just three semesters. It is a great stand-alone option to gain them entry into healthcare with no experience, and then the credits from the certificate program can be applied toward the associate degree in HIT. Students can continue on to earn a Bachelor of Science in Healthcare Administration, which Mercy College oªers as an online format. The certificate program is also a great option for those who want to broaden their skillset – for example, a medical o�ce manager, nurse, or other clinician. It can open doors to new career options.”

Judy said she has enjoyed watching not only the HIT program, but the entire college grow in her 15 years here.

“When I started here, we had just over 200 students,” she said. “Now we have close to 1200 students. It has been exciting to watch and be a part of that tremendous growth. I also enjoy keeping in touch with our graduates and seeing how well they are doing in their careers and learning about the paths they have taken. They have such varied and interesting jobs. And I am proud of the excellent reputation that Mercy College graduates have among employers.”

Ms. Dudley, who won the NWOHIMA Distinguished Member Award in 2003 and 2013 and the Mercy Health Partners Shining Star Award in 2011, serves on a number of committees for Mercy College and Mercy Health, but her favorite is the Mercy Healthcare Center Mission Committee.

Judy Dudley

Dudley, continued on page 14

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Science Lab Ribbon Cutting Ceremony

Thank You Reception Held for 130th General AssemblyIn light of the success in securing $750,000 in funding through the recently passed state capital bill, John Hayward, President of Mercy College of Ohio, hosted members of the 130th General Assembly, as well as Toledo and Lucas County elected o�cials at the Mercy College Toledo Campus for a thank you lunch. The intent was to provide public thanks to our elected o�cials for their support of the projects. The event took place on Friday, April 25 and included a “hard hat” tour of Phase 1 now under construction. Of the designated funds, $500,000 is in support of renovations and additions to the science laboratories on the Toledo Campus and $250,000 for new space renovation on the Youngstown Campus. Along with state and local o�cials, approximately 100 Mercy and CHP personnel, College faculty, staª, and students attended the event.

Above: Barbara Stoos, PhD, Dean of Science and Mathematics; John Hayward, former President; Carl Barnard, Chair, Board of Trustees; and Luther Gautsche, Chair, Foundation Board of Directors cut the ribbon opening the new science lab.

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It is an honor to lead Mercy College of Ohio, an institution that has a rich heritage of educating healthcare professionals in the Catholic tradition. This is demonstrated by the dedication of our students, faculty, staª, alumni, parents, and friends of Mercy College. I am looking forward to building upon the strong legacy of John F. Hayward, and all of the Mercy College Presidents before me.

Both higher education and healthcare are changing rapidly in the United States and Mercy College is evolving in order to provide a quality educational experience. Be assured that while much is changing Mercy College remains dedicated to its Mission and Core Values.

Mercy College plans to become a more integral part of Mercy Health, formerly Catholic Health Partners, our parent company and the largest healthcare provided in Ohio. Recognizing the importance of oªering co-curricular experiences that complement classroom instruction, trips to the Appalachian

region and Guatemala are being planned as well as exploration of additional serving learning opportunities

At the Toledo campus, Mercy College has embarked on a $3 million dollar science laboratory construction project that includes areas for instruction in chemistry, anatomy and physiology, microbiology, physics, biology and general sciences.

Renovations at the Youngstown campus have increased space by 50% allowing for increased enrollment and additional programs. New programs will be added at both campuses. These improvements would not have been possible without the support of our alumni and friends. If you haven’t been to campus recently, plan on visiting soon to see all of the changes at the College.

Susan C. Wajert, PhDPresident and CEO

DEAR FRIENDS OF MERCY COLLEGE:20

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DEGREES & PROGRAMS BACHELOR OF SCIENCE

Biology Health Care Administration Online Completion Medical Imaging Online Completion Nursing Nursing/RN to BSN Online

ASSOCIATE OF SCIENCE Cardiovascular Technology – Echocardiography – Peripheral Vascular General Studies Health Information Technology Nursing Radiologic Technology

CREDIT CERTIFICATES Community Health Worker EMT Medical Coding Ophthalmic Technology (eye care) Paramedic Polysomnographic Technology (sleep tech)

Mercy College of Ohio is

a Catholic, undergraduate

institution of higher education

founded by the Sisters

of Mercy and sponsored

by Mercy. Our focus is to

provide healthcare and health

science related programs,

continuing professional

education programs, and other

community services. We value

and provide the integration

of general and professional

studies as the basis for

successful career preparation.

WHO WE ARE

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ENROLLMENT 2014

Toledo Campus: 1061

Youngstown Campus: 132

Total Enrollment: 1193

GENDER

Female 86%

Male 14%

AVERAGE AGE: 28

ETHNIC ORIGIN

Caucasian 80%

African American 8%

Hispanic 4%

Other 8%

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STUDENT PROFILE

FINANCIAL AID

As of October 1, 2014, 84%

of Mercy College of Ohio’s

total student population (both

campuses) has applied for

some type of financial aid

(grants, scholarships, work

study, and loans) for the

2014-2015 academic year. The

financial aid department has

awarded $11,715,885.00 in

financial aid.

2014/2015 TUITION

Tuition for full-time students

is $370 per credit hour or

$8,880 annually.

MERCY COLLEGE EMPLOYEES IN TOLEDO AND YOUNGSTOWN

Full-Time Faculty 63

Adjunct Faculty 124

Administrators 18

Full-Time Staª 43

Part-Time Staª 4

37 full-time employees of the

College have doctoral degrees.

STUDENT TO FACULTY RATIO

11:1

10

55% Instruction $8,629,262

22% Institutional Support & Student Services $3,471,235

12% Academic Support $1,821,952

11% Plant Operations $1,642,829

EXPENSES $15,565,278

2013 FINANCIALS

63% Student Tuition & Fees $10,557,219

37% Revenue from A�liates $6,112,899

REVENUE $16,670,118

The Mercy College Foundation received $521,414.56 in gifts and grants during the 2013 calendar year.

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MERCY COLLEGE BOARD OF TRUSTEES 2013-2014

MERCY COLLEGE FOUNDATION BOARD OF DIRECTORS 2013-2014

MERCY COLLEGE BOARD MEMBERS

O�cers

Luther GautscheCHAIR

Amy ButlerVICE-CHAIR

Joan RutherfordTREASURER

Mike WhalenSECRETARY

Members

Carol Berman

Joe Kovaleski

Linda Thompson-Kohli

Bob Maxwell

Marie Masztak

Ron Rimelspach

Sr. Marjorie Rudemiller, RSM

John Hayward

Members

Kathleen Bixler

Sr. June L. Ketterer, S.G.M.

Barbara Martin

Philip McWeeny

Doni Miller

Paul C. Moon

Brian Smith

Kerry R. Tirman

O�cers

Carl BarnardCHAIR

Sister Rita Mary Wasserman, RSMVICE-CHAIR

Marsha ManahanTREASURER

Susan C. WajertSECRETARY

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Sarah Anderson

Carol C. Annesser

No. 1 Anonymous

James Appold

Suzanne Asmus

Joan Bacon

Samantha Badas

Linda Baker

Carl Barnard

Christopher Bates, M.D.

Patricia Beach

Margaret Bellner

Nicole Benedict

Brandy Bennett

Mary Bergs Ph.D.

Carol Berman

Janice Bernard

Ken & Vicki Bertka, M.D.

Dr. James Bier

Kathleen Bihn

Barbara Bilka

Kathleen Bixler

Margaret Black

Sherri Boggs

Sister Sally Bohnett, SND

Ethel Bondy

Maureen Breen

Thomas Brell

Gary Brock

Dr. Regan Brock

Sandra Brockmeyer

Betty Brogle

Loretta Bronson

Jessica Brown

Laraine Brywczynski

Joanne Buckenmeyer

Joan Bunch

Keith Burwell

Amy Butler Esq.

Bernadette Butler

Rosemary Butzer

Rose Byers

Elizabeth Byersmith

Mr. & Mrs. Carlos Calderon

Carol Campbell

Denise Cannon

Mary Carbone

John Carroll

Carly Cene

Everett Charette

Sung-Chang Chun, Ph.D.

Jeanne Cluª

Mary Collet

Ann Collins

Denise Colturi

Gary Comiskey

Kathleen Cook

Jessica Coombs

Theresa Cope

Frank Cosiano, M.D.

David M. Crafts

Helen Crinnion

Debra Crowl

Carol Curran

Lakshmi Dalwalla, Ph.D.

Mary Daly

Sister Barbara Davis, SC

Eleanor Debo

Susan Deckelman

Julia de la Torre

Jim DelVerne

Vickie Delaney

Joanne Denyer

Mary Desmond

Sharon DiSalle

Patricia Diver

Family of Sarah & Joel Dollarhide

Janet Donahue

Norma Dorsey

Judy K. Dudley

R. Dunlap, Ph.D.

Susan Dunn

Harriet Eberly

Lori Z. Edgeworth

Patricia Eggl

Susan Eisel

Sister Karen Elliott, C.PP.S

Christine Emch

Leslie Erwin

Barbara Eyler

Kathleen Faist

Sister Marylouise Fennell, RSM

Jane Fielitz

Noah Foster

Charlotte M. Frary

Dorothy Fry

Joan Funkhouser

F. Anthony Gallagher

Mary Gallagher

Imogene Garbe

Luther Gautsche

Gary George

Carolyn Gerber

Sister Phyllis Ann Gerold, RSM

Elizabeth Ghioldi

Patricia Gill

Carla Gonyer

Megan Gray

Donna Gualtier

Leonard Gurzynski

Joseph Guziolek

Jeªrey Haase

Kathleen Hahn

Nancy Hamman

Jean Hanely

Dr. & Mrs. Daniel Hanson

Mary Hanson

Jennifer Harold

James Harter

James Hawke, O.D.

Laura Haye

John Hayward, J.D.

Cynthia Heins

Heintschel Jeanne

Mary Hendricks

Daniel Hoppe Jr.

Heather Hoppe

Erin House

Margaret Hoyda

Denise Hudgin

Judith Huss

MaryAnn Imm

Kimberly Johnston

Jim & Jennifer Jones

Luanne Kaiser

Joell Kardos

Rosemary Karich

Dr. Deborah Karns

Kathleen Kavanagh

Nancy Keeton

Ann Keller

Mary Keller

George Kellerbauer

Anita Kelly

Sister June Ketterer, SGM

Diane Kielmeyer

Killam Eleanor

Rebecca Kinn

Susan Klarr, Ph.D.

Alice Kliber

Kerry Knuth

Rev. Terry Kohanski

Ann Kolwitz, M.D.

Ruth Kolwitz

Patricia Kosnikowski

Eleanor Kotowicz

Joseph Kovaleski

Lee Krähenbühl, Ph.D.

Todd Kwapich

2013 DONOR LIST20

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Michael LaPlante

Lynn Labardee

Virginia Lambillotte

Sue Lange

Jane Lautermilch

Ernest Lee

Elizabeth Lemon

Julie Leslie

Kathleen Lewis

Catherine Leyman

Ruth Like

Cynthia Lipman

Ret Littleton

Linda Lohner

Dr. Anne Loochtan

Andrew Lorenzoni

Eileen Lyons

Frank Magyar

Andrew Mahoney

Elaine Malinowski

Marsha Manahan

Megan Manahan

Arthur Mancini, M.D.

Margaret Manteuªel

Helen Maros

Victoria Marsh

Marie Masztak

Paul Matura

Robert Maxwell

Patricia Mazur

Patricia McConnell

Dr. Shelly McCoy Grissom

Patricia McDaniel

Patrick McGrady

Molly McHugh

Philip McWeeny, Esq.

Mary Meehan

Margaret Mendoza

Helene Meyer

Diane Mielcarek

Mary Mihalik

Jeanne Miller

Victor Monroe

Rosemarie Montalvo

Gary Moore

Dr. Leisa Morrison-Ritchey

Karen Mortland

Harold Munger, Sr.

Janelle Myers

Michael Neeb, Ph.D.

Patricia Negro

Maria Nowicki, Ph.D.

Cheryl Nutter

Theresa O’Donnell

Dr. & Mrs. Alphonsus Obayuwana

Mary Obert

Gail Odneal

Patricia Oedy-Murray

Aimee Pace

Krista Parker

Jon Patton

Valerie Pauli

Kimberly Pavel

Cheryl Peiªer

Thomas Pezzin

Dianne Pickle

Ruth Pio

Therese Pitzulo

Jennifer Pizio

Jeannine Platt

Pam Pohl

Julie Pooley

Bobbie Pratte

Diane Rahn

Renee Annette Reaume

Dr. & Mrs. Francisco Regueyra

Rita Rehard

Shirley Reuba

Kathleen Reyes

Ron Rimelspach, Esq.

Sarah M. Robarge

Kathryn Roberts-Bubrig

Janette Robertson

Anita Robinson

Jean Rocchi

Lisa Rockwell

JoAnn Rogers

Mary Rose Rohr

Elizabeth Rotterdam

Joan Rutherford

Irma Rutkowski

Audrey Sack

Diane Saunders

Robert Savage

Christine Sawyer

Norma Schmansky

Suzanne Schmersal

Dana Schmidt

Robert Schroder

Gina Schultz

Deborah Scott

Peter Seniuk

Mary Serote

Suzanne Shanahan

Nichole Sharpe

Dennis Sherry

Dr. David Sigmon

Jennifer Skeldon

Thomas Slaven

Anne Smith

Elizabeth Sprunk

Mary Steitz

Brian Sterns

Marjorie Stoma

Marilyn Stoner

Dr. Barbara Stoos

Mary Ann Streacker

Barbara Stundon

Jane Stuntz

Treasure Sucheck, Ph.D.

Dennis Sullivan

Claudia Swantek

Teresa Szablewski

Karen Szabo

Marlene Szurminski

Candace Tavormina

Kathleen Taylor

Teri Thomas

Linda Tull

Mary Ann Ulrich

Madonna VanBrackel

Geraldine Walczak

Mindy Ward

Margaret Watterworth

Ann Waters

Dr. Kimberly Watson

London Weathers

Donnella Webb

Leah Weldy

Mary Welly

Michael Whalen, III

Dr. Linda Wheatley

Martha Whitacre

Margaret Whitman

Family of Pearl Whitmer

Carol Whittaker

Kathleen Wilhelm

Patricia Winkler

Janice Wittman

Kara Wollenweber

Doc Wuntz

Paul Yarab

Lori Yarger

Martha Young

Peggy Zeller

Julie Ziegler

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2013 DONOR LIST

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BUSINESSES/ORGANIZATIONSAmerican Interiors

Bay Park Community Hospital

Cady Group, LLC

Claddaugh Irish Pub

Comprehensive Centers for Pain Management

Comspec International, Inc.

Creative Financial Solutions

Desire2learn Inc.

Dunbar Mechanical, Inc.

Fifth Third Bank

Gateway Recycling & Waste Reduction, Inc.

Glendale Florist

Golf Galaxy

Gradkowski’s Dining & Spirits

Hyatt-Fennell, LLC

JDRM Engineering, Inc.

Kroger Company Foundation

Lathrop Company

MT Business Technologies, Inc.

Madhouse Creative

Mail Works II

Mareda, Inc.

Matthews Books

Mercy Alumni Association

Mercy College Auxiliary

Mercy College of Ohio Faculty

Mercy Hospital of Ti�n

Oª Contact Productions

Rick’s City Diner

Roetzel & Andress

Ruth Kelly Foundation

Sauder Manufacturing Company

Shorty’s Roadhouse

Sisters of the Precious Blood

Speck Sales, Inc.

Toledo Mud Hens

United Way of Greater Toledo

Verizon Wireless

Waterford Bank

White Line Limited

The donor list includes those who have made donations directly to the College, as well as contributions to the College from the Mercy St. Vincent Medical Center Employee Campaign. Please forgive any errors or omissions.

2013 GRANTS Catholic Diocese of Toledo

Mercy Regional Diversity Council

Mercy St. Charles Auxiliary

Mercy St. Vincent Auxiliary

Northeast Ohio Medical University

Ohio Board of Nursing

Sisters of the Precious Blood

The Andersons, Inc.

2013-20

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MISSION OF MERCY COLLEGEMercy College of Ohio, a Catholic institution with a focus on healthcare, educates and inspires students to lead and to serve in the global community.

OUR VISION

We will be the leader in educating individuals committed to intellectual inquiry, social engagement, and lifelong learning.

CORE VALUESCompassionHuman DignityExcellenceServiceSacredness of LifeJustice

2013 DONOR LIST

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Employee AccomplishmentsSharon Bee, MSN, RN-BC, was promoted from Instructor to Assistant Professor, Nursing Division, Toledo Campus.

Sung-Chang Chun, BA, MA, PhD, Associate Professor of Sociology, presented a research paper entitled, “Racial Diªerences in Pension Product Consumption” at the American Sociological Association Conference.

Lorraine Coalmer, MSN, APRN-BC, CCRN, was promoted from Assistant Professor to Associate Professor, Nursing Division, Youngstown Campus.

Zoe DeBlasio, BA, MA, DMin, was promoted from Assistant Professor to Associate Professor, Humanities and Social Sciences Division.

Lori Edgeworth, BA, MEd, has been named Vice-President of Strategic Planning and Enrollment Management.

Sister Karen Elliott, C.PP.S, BS, MA, DMin, has been named Interim Director of Graduate Studies.

Sister Karen Elliott, C.PP.S, BS, MA, DMin, Chair of Religious Studies and Interim Director of Graduate Studies, and Susan Bernheisel, RN, MSN, EdD, Dean of Nursing, co-presented a session entitled, “Seeing Things Whole: An Interdisciplinary Approach to Serving our Neighbors” at the 2nd Annual Changing Culture: Educating the 21st Century Nurse Conference on Friday, August 1, 2014.

Christopher Gibbons, MBA, RT(R)(CT), has been named Interim Dean of Allied Health and will continue to serve as Program Chair for the Bachelor of Science in Medical Imaging program and Interim Program Chair for the Bachelor of Science in Health Care Administration Program.

Christina Siegfried, BS, has been named Interim Dean of Distance Education.

Treasure Sucheck, BS, PhD, Chair of Chemistry, presented a session entitled, “Organic Chemistry II Research Module: Synthesis of Thiophene Derivatives to Mycobacterium Tuberculosis Antigen 85C” at the 2014 Biennial Conference on Chemical Education. Six students from the Spring 2014 Organic Chemistry II course conducted the research project, prepared materials for the presentation and were co-authors for the presentation.

Kimberly Watson, RHIA, BS, MBA, EdD, has been named Interim Vice President of Academic Aªairs/Dean of Faculty.

“We do a lot with local schools including Rosary Cathedral and Stewart Academy,” she said. “We really have an environment here that encourages service, and I love that. I also like that Mercy understands the importance of having a family life. I actually met my husband while working at the former Mercy Hospital, and we have been married for 22 years. In addition to our son and daughter, I have two stepchildren, one of whom graduated from Mercy College with a bachelor’s degree in Healthcare Administration. I enjoy volunteering with my family, watching my kids play sports, and traveling, especially to the beach. I am grateful that my career with Mercy has allowed me to make a diªerence at work and still enjoy the things I love with my family.”

Dudley, continued from page 5

Alumni NewsChristy Saucedo, DNP, CPNP, class of 1998, recently wrote to share the news that she has accomplished her lifelong dream of receiving a Doctorate of Nursing Practice. She graduated in December 2013 with a DNP degree from the University of Toledo/Wright State. Her focus is weight management in children and adolescents. Christy started the WIN (Watchers in Nutrition) program in January, through which she counseled, educated, and monitored children with health concerns associated with obesity. This is an eight week, one-on-one, holistic approach to this disease. Christy says, “My passion and lifelong goal is to help these children from the inside out to understand and achieve a healthy life. The future of our children depends on it!”

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Let us hear from youThe Mercy College Advancement O�ce is here to serve you. Keep your classmates and the College informed of your achievements, career changes, honors and accomplishments through the Mercy News.

Your full name (include maiden if appropriate)

Graduation year (earliest degree)

Street Address

City State Zip

Is this a new address? Yes No

Do you have a seasonal address? Yes No

Street Address

City State Zip

Home phone number (include area code)

Cell phone number (include area code)

Email address

Place of employment

Please submit news of any accomplishments on a separate sheet.

Mail this form to:Sr. Barbara Davis, SC2221 Madison Ave.Toledo, OH 43604

You may contact her by email at barbara.davis@mercycollege.edu or by phone at 419-251-1704. Updates can also be submitted from the Mercy College web site at: mercycollege.edu/alumni–friends

Join the Legacy SocietyHave you remembered Mercy College of Ohio Foundation in your estate plans and not told us? We invite you to join alumni and friends who have made planned gifts on our behalf and welcome you to the Mercy College Legacy Society. Discussing your estate plans with our Advancement O�ce staª ensures that your gift is designated according to your wishes, and allows us to recognize you for your generosity and forethought.

For additional information on the Legacy Society, please contact Mike Whalen, Director of Advancement, at 419-251-1824 or michael.whalen@mercycollege.edu.

In MemoriamDECEASED ALUMNI

01/15/2010 1946 Giovanna Gigliotti DeJohn

03/27/2013 1950 Maxine Brant Lombardi

03/10/2014 1947 Phyllis Elchert Bunge

04/08/2014 1983 Mary L. Elchinger

04/10/2014 1949 Dorothy Haman Maher

04/17/2014 2005 Amy Santus

04/18/2014 1956 Barbara Brack Kozek

04/25/2014 1965 Maureen Zahur Meyer

05/07/2014 1957 Carol LaPointe

05/22/2014 1944 Margaret Wells Manteuªel

07/16/2014 1947 Helen Burkemyer Hill

06/05/2014 1959 Kathleen Kilgus Cramp

08/15/2014 1945 Frances Savage Somers

08/24/2014 1954 Veronica (Bonnie) Murphy Kookoothe (mother of Fr. Neil Kookoothe, class of 1982 and grandmother of Kayla Kookoothe, class of 2011 and 2013)

2221 Madison AvenueToledo, Ohio 43604

Change Service Requested

Non-Pro�t Org.US Postage

PAIDToledo, OH

Permit No. 360

Where Are Mercy Alumni?Our records as of July 8, 2014 indicate that there are 5,017 Mercy grads living in all but one state in the United States. Are you surprised to know that that state is Delaware? Ohio has the highest number of alumni with 3,284, followed by Michigan with 840, and Florida with 165. The next two most populous states that are home to Mercy alumni are California with 68 and Texas with 58.

If you are interested in hosting gatherings for alumni in your area, please contact Sister Barbara Davis, SC, Coordinator of Alumni Relations, at 419.251.1704 or by email at Barbara_Davis@mercy.com

There are approximately 120 Mercy alumni for whom we have no address. If you know a Mercy grad who does not receive communications from Mercy College, please ask him/her to contact us.

Please continue to notify us of any change of address, phone, and/or email.

ALUMNI BY STATES (highest to lowest in terms of number of alumni)

New York 14

Oregon 13

Maryland 11

Missouri and Nevada 10

Minnesota 8

Connecticut and New Jersey 7

Mississippi 6

Iowa, Louisiana, and Massachusetts 5

Alaska, Kansas, and Oklahoma 4

Alabama, Hawaii, Nebraska, and New Mexico 3

Arkansas, Idaho, Maine, Montana, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, West Virginia, and Wyoming

2

North Dakota and Vermont 1

Delaware 0

Ohio 3,284

Michigan 840

Florida 165

California 68

Texas 58

Pennsylvania 57

Arizona and North Carolina 49

South Carolina 46

Indiana 42

Georgia 40

Colorado and Illinois 35

Tennessee 34

Virginia 24

Washington 16

Kentucky and Wisconsin 15