2 Dublin Pilgrimage | 6 Mercy’s Reach to Africa | 12 The End of the Beginning

Gwynedd-Mercy College Spring 2012

As in every year at this time, many of our students are preparing todepart for Alternate Spring Break (ASB) experiences. This year,we are sending service-teams to New Orleans, Biloxi, the Bronx,Cincinnati and the Dominican Republic. Earlier today, I wasprivileged to participate in our campus-based Commissioning

Ceremony where our students were invited to affirm their commitment toservice. Our campus Chaplin, Fr. John Collins, offered an opening reflectionintended to frame the students’ anticipated experience:

“ ‘I will go, Lord, if you lead me…’ and lead us God will, into new andlife-giving experiences that will grow us into compassionate peoplewhose service brings forth transformation in ourselves and in oursociety. Our greatest invitation, and perhaps our deepest challenge aswe embark on our journeys, is to remain open, receptive and empty, sothat we can truly meet the people we are to serve, as they are, and receive from them the giftsthey have to share with us. Unencumbered by our own expectations, we are certain to beblessed with gifts beyond measure!”

While these ASB trips occur annually, every year I am more amazed and humbled by the depths of our students’commitment to the Mercy value of service. They begin preparing for these trips in the fall semester by attendingweekly Sunday-evening gatherings led by our Mercy Works staff, while also raising all the money necessary tosupport their travel, lodging, and supplies intended for those they will serve. Of course, they also forego the moretraditional spring break experience, which might otherwise include sleep, study, partying, work and moresleep…just to mention a few alternatives.

I always come away from these commissioning ceremonies inspired not only by our students, but also by thededicated faculty and staff that travel with our students to these far-flung locations. At the end of each ASB-day, mycolleagues lead a reflection that seeks to collect and share the “gifts” our students have received that day. Byweek’s end, there’s a priceless treasure trove of “gifts” that fortunately fit nicely into each student’s unique, open,sometimes questioning, but always receptive, heart and mind.

As I reflect upon the valued gifts that our students will bring back from their travels, it pleases me to know thatthey were ready to step into the unknown with open hands, open minds and open hearts…ready to do the works ofMercy. They were prepared to rejoice in the gifts of one another, and to share their own gifts generously andgraciously, while welcoming the growth that comes from such openness and reflection.

The experience of our ASB-students is certainly built on the legacy of our founders and sponsors, the Sisters ofMercy; but it is equally nourished, sustained and strengthened by our loyal, dedicated and generous alumni,friends and benefactors. Your support is valued, appreciated, and priceless!

Kathleen Owens, PhDPresident

President’s Message Spring 2012

Priceless

ContentsDublin PilgrimageGMC Students Attend WorldLeadership Conference in Ireland 2

Mercy’s Reach Extends to Africa 6

The End of the Beginning 12

PLUS

President’s Message Inside Cover

Campus News 2

Sports 10

Alumni ProfilesTaking the “Non-Linear” Path to Success 15Eric Brodeur ’92

Pushing Austin’s City Limits 18Cyndi Gornick ’83

Cutting Along the Digital Dotted Lines 20Steve Harrell ’06

Class Notes 22

6

12

2

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

Gerald T. McLaughlinVice President for InstitutionalAdvancement

Editor:Anthony Stipa

Creative Director and Production Manager:Donna Smyrl

Contributors:Erin CorbeDan Freed

Design:Kim Austin Design

Photography:Erin CorbeHunter MartinBrigid O’BrienChris PanterMary Jo PierantozziJim RoeseDonna SmyrlAnthony Stipa

On the Cover: Ten seniors remain from themen’s lacrosse team’s initialrecruiting class: (front row,left to right) Jon-Eric Lane,Michael Henry, Nick Coan(middle row) ThomasStewart, Zach Richter, BenBrown, Robert Lutts (backrow) Ryan Bracalenti, CraigTrueblood, Stefan Hetland

T

2 Today Campus News

Gwynedd-Mercy College Students AttendWorld Leadership Conference

in Ireland

TTen students and two faculty members fromGwynedd-Mercy College spent Aug. 5-14,2011 attending the first Dublin Pilgrimagefor Young Leaders in Dublin, Ireland.

The event was sponsored by MercyInternational Centre, which was the firstHouse of Mercy established by Sisters ofMercy founder Catherine McAuley.Participants traveled from five countries,with 143 students representing 25 mercyschools. The goal was to encouragestudents to gain a better understanding ofthe mercy ideal and to use their newfoundknowledge to become leaders at theirrespective schools.

The centerpiece of the Pilgrimage was athree-day conference at the MercyInternational Centre. Students could attendvarious classes, including a session thatfocused on creative ways to improve prayerand a session that highlighted the needs ofwomen and children in Sudan.

Brigid O’Brien and Mary Jo Pierantozzi ’72—the Gwynedd-Mercy College facultymembers who attended the pilgrimage—both taught sessions during the conference.Pierantozzi taught a session about theinfluence Mercy has on the lives ofconference-goers, while O’Brien spokeabout Mercy Volunteer Corps and gaveinformation on how students can volunteerafter they graduate. “I had two sessions andthey were packed,” recalls O’Brien.

Another memorable moment of theconference was a one woman play, “HeartCentered in God.” Performed by Americanstage actress Lisa Bansavage, the playdocuments the life of Sister CatherineMcAuley. For some students, it was a familiarpresentation—Bansavage also performedthe play as part of Gwynedd-MercyCollege’s Mercy Week in 2010.

Attending the conference with students fromaround the world “was like being among allof your extended family,” says seniorEnglish major Ashley Scheiber. “Everyonehad great ideas that they were willing toshare concerning the Mercy Mission.”

Getting to walk on the grounds of theoriginal House of Mercy was an inspiringmoment, claims senior nursing majorKatherine Klinges. “There is a fountainwhich contains water from each country inwhich Mercy education is present,” she

remembers. Klinges was also appreciativeof a map that displayed all of the Mercysponsored schools in the world. “I felthonored to be one of the dots represented.”

Pierantozzi was also struck by how manyschools have been inspired byCatherine McAuley’s extensive vision.“We didn’t know the extent ofCatherine’s reach,” she says.

Although the main focus of the trip wasto attend the Pilgrimage for YoungLeaders, Gwynedd-Mercy Collegestudents also got a chance to do somesightseeing. They traveled along thecoast of Northern Ireland and spentsome time shopping and eating the localcuisine in Dublin. However, the students’visit to the city of Belfast seems to have left the most lasting impression on many of them.

While in Belfast, the group learned aboutthe city’s history of violence betweenCatholics and Protestants. Known as “TheTroubles,” violence between Catholics andProtestants was rampant in the 1970s and1980s. One of the landmarks that thestudents got to see was a “peace wall,”which was built to separate Catholic andProtestant neighborhoods and allowchildren to play in safety. Religioussegregation is still a major issue in Belfast.“Catholics have to walk down one side ofthe street and Protestants walk down theother side,” explains senior communicationsmajor Beth Harrison. If you walk down thewrong side of the street, she warns, you areliable to have rocks thrown at you.

Many of the rock throwers are children,says senior education major Steven Rufe.“The little kids are still being taught tocontinue The Troubles,” he adds.

“We asked a local for directions and weretold, ‘No, you can’t go that way; that’s theCatholic neighborhood and you need to goaround it,’” says Klinges. “I am still amazedat how deep the conflict runs betweenCatholics and Protestants.”

O’Brien, who planned the Belfast portion ofthe trip, says that to break the conflict inNorthern Ireland into religious terms is anoversimplification. Rather, it is more of aneconomic and political struggle, with theProtestants, or Loyalists to England,holding considerable political power overthe Catholics, or Republicans.

Despite the somber reminders of violence,O’Brien says that she was very impressedby how remarkably pleasant the students

Today 3

A Dream FulfilledKatie Kane ’11 made the trek to Ireland

with a little help from some friends on the Alumni Board.

Katie Kane ’11 had everyintention of crossing “VisitIreland” off her bucket list.She just didn’t think it wouldhappen this quickly. The22-year-old, 2011 graduateof Gwynedd-Mercy Collegewas chosen to representthe school during theDublin Pilgrimage inAugust.

Playing a major role in Kane’s remarkablesummer experience was the College’sAlumni Association Board. A selectionprocess whittled down potential candidatesand determined that Kane was thetop-notch, qualified student they wouldsponsor.

“I don’t even know if I can express what Iowe them,” Kane said. “I wouldn’t havebeen able to do it if it wasn’t for the AlumniAssociation. Now I have the bug and I justwant to go back.”

Kane mentioned that her personalhighlights were visiting CatherineMcAuley’s home and getting to watch someof the younger students involved learnfirst-hand about the Sisters of Mercy. Thelessons she learned and bonds she formedwill provide unforgettable memories for thefuture.

“The fact that this came up and I was able togo with the College [and] my best friends tosee where Catherine McAuley lived—it wasa huge experience,” Kane added.

Kane is the prototypical product of theCollege’s Mercy credo, and lives by it everyday. In October 2011, she was hired as aregistered nurse at Mercy FitzgeraldHospital in Darby, Pa. She strives to serveothers— a proud trait that was cultivated byher cross-Atlantic trip to visit CatherineMcAuley’s homeland.

(Kneeling, left to right) Ashley Scheiber, ReginaSellman, Beth Harrison (Standing, left to right) KatieKane, Amy Vandegrift, Kellie Delhagen, Kate Taylor,Katherine Klinges, Steven Rufe, Mary Ashmore

4 Today

were during the trip into Belfast. They sangand danced every day, she says. Althoughmany Irish themselves are leery aboutgoing into Belfast, O’Brien emphasizes thatthe students from Gwynedd-Mercy Collegewere full of enthusiasm and energy andthoroughly enjoyed the trip.

To pay for the Pilgrimage, students wereasked to personally contribute $300. Therest of the approximately $2,000 cost wasfinanced by fundraisers and also by variousGwynedd-Mercy College organizations,including the Alumni Association and thePresident’s Office. In return for thedonations, the sponsored students wereasked to do volunteer work for the campusbody that sponsored them. Scheiber wassponsored by the College’s HonorsProgram and was asked to speak at theHonors Reception last September.

Although the Pilgrimage is now over, thestudents who took part in the adventureadmit that their lives will never be thesame. “Perhaps what stays with me themost is the complete, utter, and sublimedevotion to service those in need,” saysScheiber, adding that she hopes to continueministering to the less fortunate after shegraduates college.

Harrison says that after attending theconference, she has “a deeper understandingof the Mercy ideal.” She also says that theconference taught her that the time forservice is now. “We cannot wait till nextweek, next month, or next year,” shecomments. “We will become Mercy rolemodels just by performing simple acts ofkindness now, instead of later.” �

GMC students in front of a peace wall in Belfast,Northern Ireland.

A peace wall on the Protestant side that separates West Belfast, Northern Ireland

Lawrence (Larry) Stuardi

As the president and founder of MRAGroup, a real estate advisory andmanagement firm, Larry Stuardi bringstwenty-plus years of leadership to theboard. His day job includes financialanalytics, partnership structuring andinformation technology implementationfor healthcare, academic andtechnology-related clients. Many ofStuardi’s customers are from areamedical facilities, such as Main Line Health, Jefferson HealthSystem, and Crozer-Keystone Health System. The company’s basicprinciples match precisely with the College’s: integrity, compassionand dedication.

Prior to running the MRA Group, Stuardi served as a real estatedeveloper with Rouse & Associates, a Philadelphia-based, nationallyrecognized developer of office, industrial and mixed use residentialproperties.

A graduate of Kutztown University, Stuardi earned a BS in businessadministration. For nine years, he was a member of the KutztownUniversity Foundation Board. Today, he resides in Furlong, Pa.with his wife and three children.

Eileen Zaro ’78

In 2003, Eileen Zaro created PremierSystems Sales, LTD, a computersystems integrator reseller forHewlett-Packard that continues to growsuccessfully in 2012. Her responsibilitiesrange from monitoring the finances ofthe company to developing the strategicand tactical sales plan. Her forecastingability and decisiveness are significantadditions to the College’s board.

Also included in Zaro’s 25 years of sales marketing/consultingmanagement experience is more than a decade’s worth of work atPremier Systems & Peripherals, LTD. From 1990-1994, she workedas an independent consultant establishing a business plan todevelop new markets. Zaro would become president from1994-2003.

Zaro’s professional accomplishments partly derive from hereducational background. In 1978, she graduated on the dean’s listwith a BS in business from Gwynedd-Mercy College. In 1998, Zarocompleted her MBA in business at DeSales University, notchingdistinguished honors.

Today 5

N E W T R U S T E E S 2 0 1 2

GolfTournamentThe 25th Annual Gwynedd-Mercy College Golf Tournament was held on Sept. 19, 2011 atManufacturers’ Golf & Country Club in Fort Washington, Pa. Participants enjoyed lunch, abeautiful day on the course and an awards ceremony that featured numerous raffle and doorprizes. The event raised a total of $66,500 in support of the College’s scholarship program.Many thanks to our sponsors and participants for their support in making the outing a success.

25th Annual Gwynedd-Mercy College Golf Tournament Committee:

Co-Chairmen: Mark Craney, Vice President, Crescent Vending CompanyJay Haenn, President, Lansdale Chrysler Jeep

Committee Members: John Collins, CSsR, Chaplin, Gwynedd-Mercy College Regina Lowrie, President and CEO/Senior Vice President, Continental Bank, Vision Mortgage Capital LLC

Helen Nelson, Copernicus Society of AmericaDonna Smyrl, Creative Services Specialist, Gwynedd-Mercy College

The 26th Annual Gwynedd-Mercy College Golf Tournament will be held on Sept. 24, 2012. For information, please contact Mia McGlynn at 215-641-5568.

6 Today

Mercy’s Reach Extends

. . . to Africa

Today 7

The mission of mercy is vital in today’s world. It seems as thoughmuch of humanity is consumed with the materialistic objects of oursociety. Some may feel superficiality is the only way to stayrelevant, and with what is current.

It is important to broaden your horizons and have life changingexperiences. Gathering perspective and spreading mercy isparticularly significant to Josh Brandenburg ’12. The juniorpsychology major experienced the opportunity of a lifetime—onmultiple occasions.

In 2007, 2008 and recently in 2011, Brandenburg traveled to theKingdom of Swaziland in Africa. With one of the highest HIVinfection rates in the world, life expectancy is a mere 33 years.Brandenburg’s overarching goal was to introduce mercy to a part ofthe world that needs it the most. He went with Bridge CommunityChurch and Visions of Missions Church to participate in what isknown as Swaziland Relief. The churches are located inCheltenham, Pa., and Philadelphia, Pa., respectively. When theyarrived they immediately partnered with a third church from thesmall African town of Matsapha.

The group pulled together to create health clinics, classrooms, andkitchens for the community. They administered much neededmedicine and distributed food and books.

“Service is important for you and for others,” Brandenburg said.“The more you are willing to help others, the more others will bewilling to help you,” he explained.

Growing up only going to private schools, Brandenburg has alwayshad mercy on his mind. “I enjoy being over there,” he admits. “Everyoneknows there are severe problems in Africa and that they need help.It can be very easy to ignore when it’s not in your face,” he added.

The summer 2011 trip resulted in the construction of a communitycenter and classrooms, and the digging of a well to provide cleanwater. The community center and classrooms are not only for thechildren, but for adults as well.

“The children need to have education and the adults need to betaught trades, so they can bring in money for their families,”Brandenburg said.

All of the work he’s put in has led him to choose a new career path.While being a psychology major is interesting, nursing may be histrue calling after all.

“I like learning how or why people act the way they do, but fromthis experience I believe I want to go into the nursing program atGwynedd-Mercy College,” Brandenburg said. “I would enjoy goingover there and working as a nurse.”

Brandenburg’s mercy upbringing has played a role in his philanthropicventures. Joyce Brandenburg ’11, Josh’s mother, also had toexamine her priorities when joining Josh on his trip to Africa in2007. What she thought was a charitable voyage, soon turned into alife changing experience. After returning from Swaziland, Joyce wasinspired to go back to school to receive her nursing degree.

“She really enjoyed the trip, it is just difficult for her to leave ourfamily and my siblings,” explained Brandenburg.

Whether he’s counseling natives who have just received a diagnosisof AIDS or providing those victims with the proper medication tohelp them cope, Brandenburg is truly a motivated and dedicatedperson. He believes whole-heartedly in improving the lives of theless fortunate. He is a clear example of what Gwynedd-MercyCollege expects from their students.

If there were ever any doubts about the mission of mercy in today’ssociety, Brandenburg is helping to restore it. �

Josh Brandenburg’s selfless act of

helping the less fortunate in a

remote part of Africa has also been

a self-educating mission.

Brandenburg and other volunteers meet withpatients to diagnose health issues. He wasfrequently met with long lines of people who had variety of ailments and requests.

8 Today

New DeanGetting Down to BusinessIn the fall of 2011, Gwynedd-MercyCollege’s School of Business welcomed thearrival of a new dean. Heather Pfleger,EdD, has picked up where Interim DeanRalph Hoffman EdD left off, and is well onher way toward strengthening the program.

Pfleger served as the dean for outcomesassessment research at Centenary Collegefrom 2008-2011. The title involved MiddleStates accreditation reports and analyzingstudent learning outcomes. Prior to thisposition (2006-2008), she was the dean forbusiness and education. Pfleger hasdedicated nearly 30 years to working inhigher education.

She received a bachelor’s degree fromDouglass College and a master’s in businessadministration from Fairleigh DickinsonUniversity. In 1999, Pfleger completed herdoctor of education degree from St. John’sUniversity in instructional leadership.

Some of Pfleger’s initiatives includetransferring most of the program’sspecializations under business administrationto stand-alone majors. Following Hoffman’ssuggestion, a “mini” study abroad programwill be made available to students inconjunction with the School of Arts andSciences. Students can visit London andParis while earning up to six credits.

If 2011 was a big year for the School ofBusiness, 2012 will be equally exciting. Theschool’s new dual residence with theSchool of Education broke ground onMarch 14. With solidified leadership, and anew home on the way, the program’s futureis bright. �

CommunicationProgram Adds

Another DimensionBuried beneath the cafeteria at the Waldron Center was a space reserved fortelevision production classes. The antiquated room was filled with artifacts ofbroadcast’s past. However, through the summer of 2011, it was renovated toresemble a more modern day facility.

Equipped with bright fluorescent lights to showcase the studio’s signatureanchor desk, the room is now a resourceful place to spark the minds of theCollege’s communication students. A fully-loaded control room displaysflat-screen television monitors, a technical board and decks for video playback.Three high definition cameras can be used for in-house production and campusevents. A green screen blankets the front left quadrant of the room allowing forimages to be superimposed behind subjects. The immediate breezeway to thestudio features two Apple editing suites and other creative thinking space.

Professor Janis Chakars, director of the communication program, has beenecstatic at the new possibilities made available.

“It’s really important that students not be confined to the classroom,” Chakarssaid. “We want them to engage with the wider world.”

Dubbed “Studio 48” as an homage to the College’s founding in 1948, it willfoster the program for the future. It’s also a unique area for students of anymajor to work on class projects. �

Students have quickly become acclimated to the features of the studio’s control room. Classes havebeen able to evolve from textbooks to Teleprompters, and students are learning practical skills fortheir respective field.

Today 9

On Sept. 24, 2011 six new members wereinducted into Gwynedd-Mercy College’sprestigious Griffins’ Hall of Fame. Beingimmortalized for their athletic andadministrative excellence were Michelle(Costa) Perry ’00, Greg Small ’95, Stefanie Wieland ’03, Maria McHugh,Melissa (Camponelli) Day ’02 and Ryan Willauer ’04.

Perry played her part in filling up the statsheet as the women’s basketball team’sall-time leader in points and rebounds. Theforward was the College’s first KodakAll-American in 2000 and she finished asthe Pennsylvania Athletic Conference (nowColonial States Athletic Conference) Playerof the Year in 1999 and 2000.

Four years of crafty work at the point guardposition helped Small cement his place inthe Hall of Fame. He left Gwynedd-MercyCollege leading the men’s basketball

program and Pennsylvania AthleticConference in assists. Small is also fourthon the list of all-time points scored for theGriffins.

Wieland put her stamp on the women’ssoccer program by booting 68 career goalsfor the Griffins. She not only holds theCollege record for goals, but also assistsand total points. In 1999, she led the entireNCAA Division III with 39 points. Wieland’ssignature year was 2001 when she guidedthe team to its only NCAA Tournamentappearance in program history.

While McHugh never officially donned aGriffin jersey, she still bled Red and Gold.For more than 30 years, she was the voiceof athletic department. She helped securemembership into the NCAA in 1994-1995,and oversaw the addition of men’sbasketball, men’s soccer and men’s tennisduring her tenure. McHugh was also an

early advocate for the construction of TheGriffin Complex.

As a defensive back for the field hockeyteam, Camponelli helped engineer a run tothe 1999 NCAA Tournament. She earnedfirst team all-conference honors in 1999,2000 and 2001, while notching team MVPaccolades in 2000 and 2001.

The baseball team’s staff ace from2001-2004, Willauer is the program’sall-time leader in wins, earned run average,strikeouts, games started, complete games,and innings pitched. In 2001, he had two of the team’s four wins en route to aRegional Runner-Up finish in the NCAATournament. �

(Left to right) Michelle (Costa) Perry ’00, Greg Small ’95,Stefanie Wieland ’03, Maria McHugh, Melissa(Camponelli) Day ’02 and Ryan Willauer ’04

THE SPORTS HALL OF FAMEWELCOMES SIX INDUCTEESTHE SPORTS HALL OF FAMEWELCOMES SIX INDUCTEES

10 Today Sports

Men’s SoccerAn early season swoon put the Griffins intoa scratch-and-claw mentality enteringconference play. However, the teamresponded by powering through its finalfour games with a 3-1 record to creep intothe Colonial States Athletic Conference(CSAC) playoffs. The broad shoulders ofsophomore forward Dan Panepresso andsenior goalie Mike Leonard carried theteam into the semifinals with a 3-0 win overCabrini College. A 1-0 double-overtime lossto Neumann University closed the book onthe team’s late-season surge. Sophomoremidfielder Trevor Sotell earned first teamall-conference, while Panepresso landed onthe second team. Leonard and sophomoremidfielder Christian Pembroke were tappedfor the honorable mention list. The CSACAll-Sportsmanship Team was representedby senior defenseman Ryan Bozarth. Leonardalso earned a spot on the PhiladelphiaInquirer All-Area Academic Team.

Women’s SoccerWith a rebooted offensive attack, thewomen’s soccer team was primed for abreakout 2011 campaign. The Griffinsbattled through two difficult games duringthe Crusader Cup at Alvernia University,finishing 0-1-1. The team hit its stride inconference play, going 7-2-2 and nearlyaveraging three goals per game in thatstretch. Despite two strong wins toconclude the season, including a 4-3 homewin against Neumann University on seniornight, the Griffins were tripped up in the

first round of the CSAC Tournament.Senior forward Gwen Conte paced the teamwith nine goals and eight assists, earningsecond team all-conference honors. Alsoacknowledged with the same accoladeswere senior midfielder Kasey Reid andsophomore midfielder Maura Gifford.Senior goalie Abby Reed was named to theCSAC All-Sportsmanship Team.

Field HockeyHead coach Laura-Ann Lane is constantlysetting high expectations for the fieldhockey team. However, a little push seemsto help the Griffins climb their next hurdle.A 13-win campaign in 2010 was surpassedby 16 in 2011, an elusive CSACChampionship and NCAA Tournamentberth. In the middle of the season the teamrattled off 10-straight wins, including a 5-1win at home against Cabrini College, whobested the Griffins in last season’schampionship game. The two teams would

meet again on Nov. 5 for the 2011 finale, inwhich the Griffins prevailed 3-0.Sophomore forward Maria Karidas wasnamed to the National Field HockeyCoaches’ Association All-South AtlanticRegion Team—the only CSAC player to doso. Ten other members of the team wereawarded all-conference first team, secondteam and honorable mention honors.

Today 11

VolleyballA young Griffins’ squad stumbled early inthe 2011 season, but found consistency bythe end of the year. Anchored by seniormiddle hitter Rachel Lambert, who earneda second team all-conference nod, the teamposted a 3-4 record at The Griffin Complex.She led the team in both kills (198) and blocks(41), while finishing in the CSAC’s top ten forhitting percentage (.316). Senior Maria Stilwellwas selected for her second consecutive CSACAll-Sportsmanship team. The team returnsseven players, including five underclassmen.

Men’s Cross CountryFor the fourth season in a row, the Griffinsclosed out the fall on top of the conference.At the CSAC Championships on Oct. 29, thesquad swept the top five places, with seniorMatt VanDenHengel securing first place.VanDenHengel established a new courserecord for the 8,000-meter track, propellinghimself to The Philadelphia Inquirer AcademicAll-Area Men’s Cross Country Team in theprocess. At the NCAA Division III MideastRegional Championships, the team capturedeighth place out of 47 teams—a programrecord. Sophomore twins Brett and Joe Kubiakplaced seventeenth and twenty-fifth overall,respectively, to garner all-regional medals.

Women’s Cross CountryThe women’s team enjoyed steady successthroughout their fall season. The Griffinsopened the semester by finishing fourth of 15teams at the Delaware Valley CollegeInvitational. On Sept. 24, the squad placedsecond of nine teams in the CSAC PreviewMeet at Keystone College, a tune-up for theeventual year-end conference championship.In the team’s return to Keystone on Oct. 29,the Griffins duplicated their second placefinish, with senior Katherine Klinges capturingthe individual crown. Klinges would also go onto be named to The Philadelphia InquirerAcademic All-Area Women’s Cross CountryTeam. The team rounded out its season byfinishing 20th of forty-seven teams at theNCAA Division III Mideast RegionalChampionships at DeSales University.

Women’s TennisOnce again the CSAC proved no match forthe Griffins as they swept conference playwith a dazzling 10-0 record and claimed theirfourth straight conference championship.Sophomore Rachel Fein (21-1), juniorChelsea Jones (16-1), and senior JessicaScarpello (17-3) combined for a 54-5 singlesrecord, while the pairing of Fein andScarpello notched a 12-0 doubles record.The team’s only two losses on the seasoncame at the hands of LaSalle University(Division I) and West Chester University(Division II). The CSAC title will grant theGriffins the right to compete at the NCAADivision III Team Tournament in May.

FALLSEASON WRAP-UP

12 Today

THE END OF THE BEGINNINGTen seniors remain from the men’s lacrosseteam’s initial recruiting class. Their coach and captains have plenty of stories to tell.

(Left to right) Ben Brown, Ryan Bracalenti, Zach Richter, Jon-Eric Lane, Thomas Stewart, Michael Henry, Robert Lutts, Craig Trueblood, Nick Coan and Stefan Hetland

Today 13

It was an exhausting process in its entirety,to say the least. But from August of 2007,until the end of 2008, Dana Lindstromadopted 45 unpolished and brash 17-and18-year-old kids. The inaugural head coach ofthe newly organized Gwynedd-Mercy Collegelacrosse program saw a lot of potential inthose early years—on and off the field.

Some four years later, the 10 remainingseniors on the active roster who lock stickson game day have made a completetransformation. The ups, the downs andevery misstep turned lesson learned hasprepared these men for two final goals:commencement and a Colonial StatesAthletic Conference (CSAC) championship.

How Loyola Hall survived such highvoltage testosterone, Lindstrom will neverknow. Two floors of the East Hall werepacked with players trying to provethemselves to their peers and coaches.While they didn’t necessarily need torecruit all freshmen, the staff realized thatit was about creating more than a winningteam, but a winning culture.

“One of the first things we were looking forwas not just a good lacrosse player, but wewere recruiting the character,” Lindstromsaid. “We wanted to find a core of kids thatwere captains of their high school teams[and had their] coach’s recommendations.”

The team’s preliminary practices were heldalongside Evans Road by the Admissions

House. The turf field wouldn’t be finisheduntil the spring of 2009—right around thebeginning of the season. Camaraderie wouldbe forged by battles in literal muddy trenches.

“The very first practice we had it waspouring down rain,” senior five-way captainZach Richter said. “We still went out andplayed and I think that’s always been themindset ever since we’ve been here. Nomatter what, rain or shine, we’re going togo out and play.”

If mistakes in judgment were solely on thefield, Lindstrom would have had an easiertime making corrections. However, heassumed the role of surrogate parent, andbarked at his student-athletes for missing

class and having behavioral hiccups. Foreach class missed by any member of thesquad, the entire team was burdened withthree miles to run. Needless to say, themileage added up.

The five current senior captains, NickCoan, Mike Henry, Craig Trueblood,Jon-Eric Lane and Richter all reflectednostalgically about three consecutive weeksthey had to wake up early and run untilclass sounded better than taking lapsaround campus.

Whether it was the extracurricular trainingsessions, or the grit and desperate need togain respect from opponents two, three and

four years their senior, the Griffins cameout with a dogged resilience.

“A lot of teams our freshman year came outthinking that they were just going to run usover and intimidate us,” Lane said. “Cabrini[College] came out just staring us downand everything, it was a little intimidating.Our freshman year we were probably one ofthe most physical teams in the conference.”

A hard-earned 7-9 record secured a spot inthe four-team CSAC postseason. At CabriniCollege—the conference’s perennialchampion—the Griffins may have beendissected, but a message was sent. One ofthe team’s smallest attackers, StefanHetland, bull rushed Cabrini’s All-Americandefenseman and knocked him out cold witha legal hit that jarred the ball loose.

“That was a very positive thing for usbecause we actually got to play in a playoffgame too,” Lindstrom said of his firstseason. “It wasn’t a pretty game but theyexperienced the atmosphere.”

Griffin men’s lacrosse was now here to stay.By the second year, the maturation processwas well under way and the team hadlearned to work together on the field. Thiscorrelated into less distractions off thefield. A 10-5 record exceeded expectations,and the team met Cabrini in the conferencechampionship. Even though they lost, thecampaign was an overall success. However,the perceived ease with which the team

CraigTrueblood

Nick Coan

MichaelHenry

crossed goals off their checklist proved tobe a negative outcome.

“A lot of us took for granted how we gotthere,” Coan said. “Because we didn’t havethat senior leadership saying ‘Oh, it’s notthat easy to get back [to the playoffs],’ youdidn’t see us in the weight room as much.”

Simply put, last season was a bust. Whileinjuries did contribute to a 6-9 finish,players and coaches conceded that 2011could have been approached differently.

“I think even the staff took it a little forgranted that we’d be back there,”Lindstrom said. We forgot how hard weworked as a team to improve from the yearbefore and we slacked off a little bit.”

Any remnants of last season’s sense ofentitlement have quickly been replacedwith a collective focus and urgency. TenGriffins have solidified their legacy andhelped to root a lacrosse program oncampus, but even they consider thatunderachieving.

“I can say that I don’t want to walk off thefield my last game looking at thescoreboard at Cabrini or here and seeing aloss,” Richter said. “I want to walk awaybeating Cabrini, beating Marywood[University] in the playoffs and getting thatchampionship.”

“We’ve always been counting down to thisyear because we know this is our chanceand I’ve been waiting for four years now,”Coan added.

Whatever happens when the season is over,it is important to leave a reputation behindfor the incoming classes who will behearing second and third-hand stories ofthe “old days.” The 10 seniors—11 countingNick Hummel who is physically unable toplay—will certainly be invested in thefuture of the program. They’ll always bereturning to watch games with a critical eye.

“I want to see the heart,” Trueblood said.“That’s one of the things that let us havethat success freshman year. No matterwhat, you may be bigger, you may be faster,you may be more talented but we’re goingto work harder than you.”

Henry, who was an original co-captain withCoan chipped in, “Killer instinct. Physicalas anything.”

For Lindstrom, it’s a bittersweet end to astoried four-year run. As a coach, youmentally prepare for players to graduate

and move on, but this class will always havean undeniable significance.

“These guys are always going to be veryspecial because they are the first, they’rethe guys that walked into this office andbought into a coach from a school that theyhadn’t heard anything about,” Lindstromsaid. “It took a special [type] to make it.”

This year’s crop of recruits is filled with thesame kind of personalities that made theClass of 2012 so unique. The program isnow a tight-knit family, with leadership atevery level. Those similarly brazen 17- and18-year-olds will have to answer to coaches,as well as senior peers. Not only will thatensure a sturdy support system, but it willtranslate into a lot less running, as well. �

ZachRichter

Jon-EricLane

14 Today

Getting to Los Angeleswas the first hurdle for Eric Brodeur ’92, who has found apermanenthome in themovieindustry.

Nobody has ever decided to pack it all up,point their compass toward the setting sunand make a cross-country trip to LosAngeles, California to “make it small.”Much like the sun, most have ambitionsthat are out of this atmosphere.

Eric Brodeur ’92 knew that film editing wasmore than just a hobby even before he

attended Gwynedd-Mercy College. Twodecades after, he’s gaining recognitionfor his work at notable North Americanfilm festivals. In 2010, he earned the“Best Editing” award at the TreasureCoast International Film Festival for“Ije,” a story about Nigerian siblingswho choose two different life paths.That same year, “Bedrooms” scored“Best Feature” at the NaplesInternational Film Festival in Florida

and the same designation at the ACE FilmFestival in New York City. The movieshowcases four distinct stories about threemarried couples confronting relationshipissues, and 10-year-old twins amidst theirown struggle.

Fast forward to January 2012, and Brodeurhas found a place among the industry’s eliteat the Sundance Film Festival in Park City,Utah. The annual gathering of independentfilmmakers has long been a proving groundfor the up-and-coming crowd—preciselywhere he finds himself.

With more than 4,000 submissions into the“U.S. Dramatic Competition,” Brodeur’ssix-month-long editing project, “FillyBrown,” was selected into the final group of16 films. The story is billed as a “Latino

Today 15

Taking the “Non-Linear”Path to Success

16 Today

urban music drama” andfeatures Gina Rodriguez

and Edward James Olmos.

As an assistant editor, tag-teamingwith several contributors, a second

film—“The Surrogate”—also made theprestigious cut. The movie features HelenHunt and William H. Macy, two silverscreen veterans. Although Brodeur didn’tultimately win top prize, the nomination wasa validation of the countless hours he’slogged in dimly lit editing bays since hisarrival to Los Angeles in 1998.

Brodeur’s career-resetting trek to Californiawas, in reality, a homecoming. While hewas born in the state, his father’s service inthe military took the family to Europe, and

finally Pennsylvania. Most ofhis formative years were spent in

Quakertown, Pa. and he attendedLansdale Catholic High School.

At the time, a computer informationsystems degree seemed like a broadconcept, but at Gwynedd-Mercy College,Brodeur put in early practice on some“prehistoric” machines. The personalcomputer may have been an exotic luxuryin 1992, but it was clear that it was the waveof the future.

“The path that I eventually chose was to dofilm editing,” Brodeur said. “That’s how allmy computer experience parlayed intosuccess. At this point, all the films are madeusing computers. My technologybackground was a huge help in getting myfoot in the door,” he recalls.

In the years leading up to his inevitablejourney to the West Coast, Brodeur spenttime working at Merck, Inc. in NorthWales, Pa. With a passion for filmmakingstill stewing, he decided a change wouldhelp him pursue his goals more earnestly.

“It definitely took a while [to realize what Ineeded to do],” Brodeur said. “I had alwaysloved film, but when you grow up in

Southeastern Pennsylvania, that area’s notknown for filmmaking.”

The early toil of life in Los Angeles was likemany other stories of “pre-success.”Brodeur began working on student filmprojects to gain the experience necessary toland larger assignments. The self-appliedpressures and impatience of an amateur-turning-professional filmmaker can be adifficult period to overcome. Fortunately,Brodeur had the support of his soon-to-bewife Laura. Married in 2002, the couple nowhas two children, a six-year-old andeight-month-old.

It would be inaccurate for Brodeur to saythat he’s close to all of the professionalbenchmarks he has set out to accomplish;he’s still a work in progress. However,living in Los Angeles—Redondo Beach tobe exact—has afforded the opportunity tomeet and interact with industry idols, andinch closer to his dream of working on amajor motion picture.

“I like meeting new people, but I never gointo it from the standpoint as networking,it’s trying to build relationships withpeople,” Brodeur said. “You end upconnecting with certain people.”

An editor who is known in exclusiveHollywood circles that has been influentialto Brodeur is James Haygood, the visionaryeditor behind “Fight Club” and “TRON:Legacy.” He was also involved with the

Today 17

production of the Star Wars-themed SuperBowl commercials by Volkswagen. Whatmakes his work noticeable, according toBrodeur, is that it is unnoticeable.

“I think that you don’t even recognize reallygreat editing,” Brodeur said. “In my case Itend to look at the films that tell a good story.”

Brodeur’s background may be in filmediting, but he can’t rule out a possiblecareer evolution to producer or evendirector. For those close to the industry, it’sa natural progression that can sometimescome with having success in other areas.

For the immediate future, Brodeur willbegin working on a short horror film based

on some of the classics from the 1970s. Thesatisfaction that comes after months oftrimming, tweaking and formatting a filmfor the big screen is everything he couldhave asked for when he reached LosAngeles 14 years ago. As his careercontinues to ascend, it’s safe to say thatsome trips, no matter how long they last,are worth the wait. �

(Left to right) Production members from “Filly Brown”included Monty Bass (assistant picture editor),Brodeur, Krystyna Loboda (production designer),and Jeffrey Simon (art director). In January, the crew reunited for the Sundance Film Festival in Utah.

18 Today

To most outsiders, Austin,Texas is nothing more than theeffervescent city that holstersthe Lone Star State’s renownedswagger. Sure, insiders areprivy to keeping it ‘weird,’ aslogan dedicated to preservingthe city’s uniqueness, but CyndiGornick ’83 wants to peel backany existing superficial label.

For the past 15 years, she has resided inwhat has become a groundswell ofinnovative thinkers. It would only beappropriate to add Gornick’s name to the

list of people creating a cultureof ingenuity in the region.

The initial shock of tragedyquite literally hitting home is,at times, an inconsolablemoment. When BastropCounty was immobilized bydevastating brush fires in

the fall of 2011, Gornick rolled up hersleeves. The southeastern suburb of Austinbore the harsh scars of one of the state’scostliest disasters, as the greater part of1,600 buildings succumbed to extreme heatand pressure.

As the Austin Bridge Builders Alliance’s(ABBA) director of advancement, Gornickjoins the community to solve some of thesecritical dilemmas. When the communicationinfrastructure began to go haywire, ABBA’sresources were used to unite firstresponders and pastors with victims as theywent to see what was left of their homes.

“One person literally went to their homeand their house was gone, but where theporch would have been their dog waslying,” Gornick said. “[The dog] was notdead, but she had third degree burns.”

Pushing Austin’s City Limits

Cyndi Gornick ’83 is infusing the state capital of Texas with faith-based initiatives and good will.

Today 19

The recovery continues even after mediacoverage wanes, and Gornick remains oneof many still involved with deliveringvarious means of support. Between ABBAand running Gornick Consulting Services,her self-titled non-profit organization, she isrestoring faith in much-needed areas. She’salso aligned, through her work with ABBA,with business leaders and pastors fromvarious church denominations in acampaign titled “In the City For the City.”The goal is to implement strategiesdesigned to combat common city problems.

“Major needs of the city—education,affordable housing, hunger andhealthcare,” Gornick said. “We partner withthe city and help in meeting the needs inthe city, while showing the love of Christ.”

There’s a reason for Gornick’s personalcovenant with the disadvantaged andgrief-stricken, and it began at Gwynedd-MercyCollege. After attending North Penn HighSchool in Lansdale, Pa., she earned herbusiness administration degree in threeefficient years at the College. As Gornickreminisces, she believes that the campuswas embedded with a universal feeling ofacceptance or, in other words, mercy.

“It was a huge, huge opportunity for me tobe able to go to Gwynedd-Mercy College,”she said. “It provided me with a wonderfulfoundation for my life’s work of helpingothers.”

After graduating, she found work as anursing home administrator in theDelaware Valley. At Manor HealthCareCorporation, Gornick quickly establishedherself as a leader in the industry. Herknack for reviving underperformingfacilities and developing new programsgrabbed the attention of the professionalservices firm Ernst & Young, LLP. Gornickwas offered a consulting manager’s positionin Tampa, Fla., which she accepted in 1994.

Two years later, she would relocate again,but this time her roots were planted a littledeeper. In 1996, Gornick set off to assumeduties as vice president of health careservices at a non-profit agency in Austin.Local networking opened the door for anopportunity to serve as the executivedirector of Ronald McDonald HouseCharities of Central Texas from 2000-2004.Gornick was heavily involved in communityoutreach and fundraising activities. Theexperience of operating a large-scalecharity organization gave her the flexibilityto move on to more independent work.

These stepping stones would give Gornickthe traction to conceive her own coachingorganization. Gornick Consulting Serviceshelps non-profit ministries and organizationsleverage strengths, overcome challengesand successfully realize their altruisticefforts. She’s found a comfortable nichebalancing this and ABBA, the latter whichhas seen rapid growth since the cataclysmiceffects of Hurricane Katrina in 2005.

“All the evacuees came from New Orleansto Austin—the city was overwhelmed,”Gornick remembers.

“ABBA worked with area churches todonate food, supplies, and appliances. Localairplane hangars were rented out to use asa distribution center.”

While Gornick is wrapped tightly in hercareer, she does make time for family andfriends. She has never been married, buthas two loving roommates—a dog and acat. Around the holiday season and otherspecial occasions, she visits her relatives inthe Gwynedd Valley area. In the summer of2011, Gornick was back on campus for amoment of reflection.

“I love to go and be contemplative in theLady Garden and think about the differenceGwynedd-Mercy College has made in mylife,” Gornick said.

When forecasters deliver bad news,Gornick is one of the first to tap arearesources and begin coping with a crisis.Sometimes events like the Bastrop Firesand Hurricane Katrina are inevitable forcesof nature, so it’s important to have a first aidkit handy. By participating in unprecedentedinitiatives, Gornick is stitching God’sinfluence into Austin, and changing the cityculturally, socially and spiritually. Her noblecontributions may only be a single topplingdomino, but a concerted venture takes thestrength of many leaders. �

(Opposite page, top) Gornick poses with Austin’ssignature bluebonnet flowers. Former First Lady “LadyBird” Johnson created an initiative in the 1960s to“beautify” the city.

Gornick still returns to the Philadelphia suburbs to visitfamily and friends. Here, she is pictured with her sisterDonna as they cheered the Philadelphia Eagles in a2011 playoff game.

m

20 Today

Cutting Along the

Adversity challenged Steve Harrell ’06 to explore a new career at a fast-growing Internet startup.

DIGITAL DOTTED LINES

GHFm >

Today 21

T here’s no shortage ofdeception, deceit andmisrepresentation on theInternet. It’s a known fact thatscam artists are attracted toswindling the averageconsumer on the World Wide

Web. However, as the evolution continues, adefinitive fence has emerged betweenwhat’s fair and what’s foul.

For Steve Harrell ’06,cutting deals that benefitthe retailer and client is hisbusiness. Since 2010, he’sbeen working atLivingSocial, a burgeoninge-commerce website thatoperates in 26 countries andvarious cities across theUnited States. The white-hotsite is somewhat of a hybridbetween eBay and Craigslist.

After subscribing for free, a “Daily Deal” issent to a member email address. Voucherscan be purchased at discounted rates to beredeemed for anything from restaurants,exotic vacations, or evenskydiving—essentially anything. What’sfurther enticing is that if the originalcustomer gets three friends to alsoparticipate, they get the deal forfree. The retailer gains theadvantage of higher traffic andadditional advertising.

“What we’re doing is creatingsocial engagement by targetingonline consumers and creatingan offline experience for them. People aresharing [the deal] on Facebook and Twitterin hopes of possibly getting it for free butthey’re also letting their friends know ‘Hey Ijust bought this awesome deal and youshould too,’” Harrell said.

While the company continues to grow, itslist of hopeful employees is also piling up.As a regional manager for the Philadelphiaand South Jersey areas, Harrell heads asales team that lobbies to merchants, buthe also interviews potential candidates to

work at LivingSocial. Coming from a smallcollege in Gwynedd Valley, Harrell couldhave never predicted he’d end up in suchan enviable position—as he grills graduatesfrom Harvard and Yale.

Just six years ago, he was struggling tocomplete his final semester on campus afteran October 2005 car accident nearly endedhis life. The wreck left physical and mental

scars that still needed time to heal.Despite the jarring event, Harrell’soptimism was rejuvenated.

“Literally at the scene of thecrash, they thought that I wasdead,” Harrell said. “... And then[I] just magically somehow cameback to life in front of their eyeswith this huge gasp of air.”

“After it was all said and done, Ididn’t really know what to do,” Harrell said.“I realized God’s giving me an extra shot atlife here, I’m just going to take some timeoff and have fun before graduating.”

Harrell, who played four years of soccer atthe College, rehabilitated and earned hisdegree in psychology. He didn’t exactlyknow where his career would take him, butduring the next few years his path would

flesh itself out. After working for severalyears at Philly2night.com— acompany that specializes inpromoting and commemorating

the city’s nightlife—he came up with an“edgy” idea at the time. Withoutrealizing it, he hadmirrored the

blueprint of LivingSocial.

When his boss told him heshould “go back to thedrawing board” with hisidea, Harrell knew it wastime for a more creativeendeavor. He had heardabout LivingSocial throughresearching his concept, anddecided to look for anopening at the company.

In March of 2010, he landed a job as amarketing consultant. His influence was feltalmost immediately and in 2011, Harrellspent seven months traveling across thecountry launching LivingSocial’s newmobile product, Instant. As he continues toprogress at the company well into 2012,he’s learned that a backbone in psychologyhas been beneficial to his career selection.

“Everything that I’ve learned atGwynedd-Mercy College, I’ve been able toapply in some way, shape or form,” Harrellsaid. “I could have finished in business andgot into sales, but I feel like I would haveprobably lost out on the people side of thebusiness.”

Harrell has developed the uncanny abilityto evaluate companies and find the root oftheir shortcomings. With a focus onsocietal trends and problem solving, he’s apsychologist without a lab coat or clipboard.

“I’m trying to uncover what it is that [thecompany] physically need[s]. Is it aproblem with a certain product or is it thetime of year, whatever the case is, I’mtrying to dissect the business’ pain-pointsand find a solution,” Harrell said.

Not only is Harrell on the occupationalfast-track, but his personal life is alsobarreling ahead in full-force. In September,he will marry his sweetheart BriannaUlrich. It’s a deal he just couldn’t pass up.

The future for Harrell and LivingSociallooks promising, but thecompany will continue totweak its highly-productivebusiness model. Competitionfrom similar providers likeGroupon stresses theimportance of constantlyimproving. The bottom line isthe dotted line and Harrell istrying to save consumersmoney—and the headachesthat come with illegitimateoffers on the web. �

J

e

Harrell and finacée Brianna.

z

22 Today Class Notes

FROM THE OFFICE OF ALUMNI RELATIONS

Alumni AssociationBoard NominationsThe Office of Alumni Relations is currentlyaccepting nominations for the 2012-2013Alumni Association Board. Nominees mustbe an active member of the GMC AlumniAssociation, able to attend quarterlymeetings, willing to participate on asubcommittee, and interested in enhancingand promoting activities for alumni. Pleasesubmit nominations to the Office of AlumniRelations at schneider.p@gmc.edu or bycalling 215-641-5550. All nominations will bereviewed and decided upon by the currentAlumni Association Board and itsgovernance.

Alumni BenefitsAs alumni of Gwynedd-Mercy College, youqualify for a special group discount of up to20 percent on your auto, home and renter’sinsurance through Group Savings Plus fromLiberty Mutual. With Group Savings Plus,you can enjoy the ease and convenience ofpaying your premiums through checkingaccount deductions with no down paymentor finance charges. You’ll also enjoy fast,easy, round-the-clock claims service and avariety of discounts including multi-car,multi-policy, safe driver, passive restraintsand anti-theft device discounts. For a free,no-obligation quote from Liberty Mutual callJoseph O’Gara at 215-641-0400, ext. 50931, orrequest a free quote online.

Upcoming Alumni EventsSave the date for these exciting alumni events!Invitations and information can be found atwww.gmc.edu/alumni, Gwynedd-MercyAlums on Facebook and in your mailbox!

June 2012• June 24 – GMC at the Phillies: Join fellowGMC alumni along with the Voices ofGwynedd for an afternoon at the ballpark!One hundred spots are available for anall-inclusive afternoon of fun at McFadden’sand Citizens Bank Park. The $50 packageincludes a ticket to a McFadden’s pre-gameparty, including food and cocktails, andentrance to the 1:35 p.m. PhiladelphiaPhillies vs. Tampa Bay Rays game. Toreserve your spot, contact HeatherGoldman at goldman.h@gmc.edu.

1951Marie Hohenwarter, of Venice, Fla.,celebrated her 55th wedding anniversaryby visiting Ireland and sailing back on theQueen Mary.

1960Phyllis Sayko, of Basking Ridge, N.J., hada successful hip replacement.

1961Jeanne Browning, of Waverly, Pa., visitedAntarctica this past winter and enjoyed her50th Reunion in October at GMC.

1964Patricia D’Ambrosio, of Schwenksville,Pa., has a new grandchild, Mason JuliusD’Ambrosio, born this past October.

1966Elaine Howe, of Lancaster, Pa., has newtwin grandchildren, Robbie and Bethany.

1968Carol Lang, of Johnson City, Tenn.,currently has two grandsons and her firstgranddaughter was born this past holidayseason.

Lorraine Manderachi, of Norristown, Pa.,celebrated the marriage of her son onOctober 22, 2011.

1970Donna Boyko, of Holland, Pa., retiredfrom working at the University ofPennsylvania.

1971Ann Schaefer, of Southampton, Pa., hasretired from teaching in the PhiladelphiaSchool District.

1972Marie (Dagney) Dunleavy, of FortBelvoir, Va., is working for the Departmentof the Army in Washington, D.C.

1973Maria Foley, of Flourtown, Pa. (first rowright), is shown with ten of her siblings atthe September 2011 inauguration of herbrother, Tom Foley, as the thirteenthpresident of Mount Aloysius College inCresson, Pa.

1975Barbara Turzer, of Willow Grove, Pa., hasa new job as a teacher’s assistant in theUpper Dublin School District.

Class Notes

(continued on next page)

1976Ida Carr, of Peoria, Ariz., is retired andworking as a school nurse one day a week.

Bonnie Handerhan, of Lansdale, Pa.,wrote a children’s book, “Grandbon has theYuckies.”

1981Lee Krumenacker, of Doylestown, Pa.,attended a cruise in February withmembers of the Class of 1962.

1983Katherine Doll, of Lansdale, Pa., hasadopted twins, Caitlin and Alexis.

Jeanne (Philip) Tigan, of Collegeville, Pa.,was recently promoted to propertymanager for Gambone ManagementCompany in King of Prussia, Pa.

1987Anita (Applegate) Grabowski, ofBrooksville, Fla., is working as a nursepractitioner in Crystal River, Fla.

Marybeth Kensicki, of Collegeville, Pa.,received her doctorate from ImmaculataUniversity in March 2010.

1988Joan Coffin, of Kingstowne, Pa., is aprofessor of neuroscience at King’s College.

Linda Detterline, of Chestertown, Md., islooking forward to retiring within the yearas well as spending time with her threegranddaughters.

1989Lorna Ambrus, of Quakertown, Pa., welcomedher first granddaughter on February 3, 2011.

1990Angela Deitzel, of Harleysville, Pa., is workingas a nurse at Aetna Health in Blue Bell, Pa.

1991Maria Hernandez, of Leola, Pa., receivedher master’s in nursing from WidenerUniversity.

1993Elizabeth Greene, of Middletown, Del., isretired and volunteering at the AmericanLung Association in Delaware. She isexpecting a great grandchild.

1994Lisa Cook, of Carversville, Pa., has retiredfrom a sales manager position.

1996Sylvana Cottone, of Wayne, Pa., works inclinical research at Thomas JeffersonUniversity Medical Center in Philadelphia,Pa.

1999Patricia Brody, of Perkasie, Pa., runs aprivate psychology practice in Doylestown,Pa. She has created a new program to helppeople with overeating disorders.

Carrol Fiorino, of Milford, N.J., is a nursepractitioner in family practice at NorthHunterdon Physicians in Hampton, N.J.

2000Frank Bruno, of Collegeville, Pa., worksas a nurse anesthetist at Lehigh ValleyHealth Center in Allentown, Pa.

Maria Gannon, of Hatfield, Pa., was namedSpecial Education Teacher of the Year byPediatric Therapeutic Services. The awardgranted Pennridge School District $5,000.

An Update from YourAlumni Board…This year the board welcomes four newmembers. We are excited to have them andlook forward to working together on improvingthe future of Gwynedd-Mercy College!

• Steve Harrell ’06 • Tim Mumford ’10• Courtney Cox ’11 • Rob Nonemacker ’08

For the second year in a row, Janet Steiner,our board member who works in GovernmentRelations at Comcast Cable, has helpedfeature Campus Ministry’s AlternativeSpring Break (ASB) trip on “ComcastNewsmakers.” For nine years, ASB hasgiven students the opportunity to travelaround the country and work directly withthose who are less fortunate.

We want to hear from you!Whether it’s a marriage announcement, newbornbaby or exciting professional news, let us know!We’d love to hear all of your life’s milestones.

Submit your information (along with graduationyear) and a photo to be included within one ofthe next two Todaymagazines. High resolutionimages are preferred.

Email: stipa.a@gmc.edu • Call: 267-448-1410

We strive to be as accurate as possible, so ifthere is an error or omission please contact us.

Don’t forget to update us onFacebook and Twitter

www.facebook.com/Gwynedd-Mercy Alumswww.facebook.com/careersgmcwww.twitter.com/gmcin140

September 2012• September 28-30 – Homecoming Weekend:All GMC alumni are invited back tocampus to attend events throughout theweekend, including an all-alumni reunionand FallFest. Championship athletic teamsand Griffin Hall of Fame nominees willalso be commended with a special tribute.

November 2012• 25th and 50th Reunion Mass and Luncheon:The classes of 1987 and 1962 will be ourhonored guests as we celebrate 25 and 50years of devotion to Gwynedd-Mercy College.

FROM THE OFFICE OF ALUMNI RELATIONS

On Friday, Oct. 7, 2011, Gwynedd-MercyCollege honored some of its mostaccomplished alums at the DistinguishedAlumni Awards Dinner. The College’shighest alumni award acknowledges theachievements of outstanding alumni whosepersonal lives, professional success andcommunity service match the objectives oftheir alma mater. Only a snapshot of theirbody of work has been captured below. Thisyear’s decorated alumni were:

• Joseph Donahue ’98 and Thomas Elliott’97, former roommates and basketballteammates, jointly created the Elliot/Donahue Senior Scholar-Athlete Award.

• John Heydt, MD ’83, for hiscontributions to the field of sportsmedicine and the treatment of arthritis.He is the president and CEO of universityphysicians and surgeons at the Universityof California at Irvine Hospital.

• Rosemary Maloney ’72, for herresearch of the patient-caregiverrelationship and volunteer work inGuyana at the Mercy School of Nursing.

• Donna Palmieri ’70, ’94, for herexceptional work with the SoutheasternPennsylvania Chapter of the AmericanRed Cross.

• Nancy Russell ’61, for countless hoursserving the San Francisco Food Bank,California Pacific Medical Center, SanFrancisco Maritime National HistoricPark, and other charity organizations.

• Christine Stainton ’96, for more than25 years of healthcare advocacy and workas an Emergency Response Nurse at theAmerican Red Cross in Philadelphia.

The Ann Fitzpatrick Murray Alumni Awardfor Distinguished Service was also given toLieutenant Colonel Robin Thompson’76. The award selects those alumni whomake significant contributions in the area ofpublic service by sharing or volunteeringhis or her talent, time and resources in thespirit of mercy service. The former flightnurse and educator founded a teen driverawareness program titled “The ART ofDriving.” The endeavor strives to alertteens and parents about the risks faced byyoung drivers, and increase training andearly supervision. Thompson’s daughterwas the victim of a fatal single vehicle caraccident at the age of sixteen.

(Left to right) Donna Palmieri ’70/’94, Lieutenant ColonelRobin Thompson ’76, GMC President Kathleen Owens,PhD, Christine Stainton ’96 and Nancy Russell ’61

Celebrating OurDistinguishedAlumni

Rosella Gray, of Norristown, Pa., receivedher master’s degree in nursing inDecember 2010.

Dorothea Kramer, of Hatfield Pa., is apurchasing coordinator at Almac ClinicalService Center in Eagleville, Pa.

2002Bonita Risso, of Plymouth Meeting, Pa.,works as a retiree health insurance salesrepresentative.

Jillaine Ross, of Woodbridge, Va., hasrecently received a master’s degree ineducation curriculum assessment andeducation, and is working as a resourcespecialist at Prince William County PublicSchool in Virginia.

2003Kimberly Underwood, of Fredericksburg,Va., is in her fifth year of teachingelementary education.

2004Carlo Gonzalez, of Philadelphia, Pa., isgetting his master’s degree from EasternUniversity.

2005Barbara Beck, of Norristown, Pa., isworking as a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner atthe Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.

Maivy DeJoseph, of Philadelphia, Pa.,graduated from Villanova University withher master’s degree in nursing in 2010.

Glenna Vasoli, of Lansdale, Pa., is anadjunct graduate professor specializing inreading at Cabrini College.

2007Christina Lang, of Yardley, Pa., beganwork in August 2011 as the principal of NewHope-Solebury High School in New Hope,Pa.

Daniel Zaffino, of Philadelphia, Pa., isemployed as a nurse at Grandview Hospitalin Perkasie, Pa.

2008Brianna Canelli, of Philadelphia, Pa., isattending Immaculata University to get herbachelor of science in nursing.

Lynn Cassidy, of Harleysville, Pa., isworking as a business/computer teacher atPocono Mountain East Junior High inSwiftwater, Pa.

Jennifer O’Neill, of Feasterville, Pa., isteaching at Council Rock North HighSchool in Newtown, Pa.

Dana Savage, of Burlington, N.J., wasrecently promoted to the position of dean ofstudents at Bridesburg Elementary Schoolin Philadelphia, Pa.

Lauren Zimpfer, of Hellertown, Pa., isworking as a nurse in the emergencydepartment of Lehigh Valley Hospital inAllentown, Pa.

2009Kelly Dyal, of Downingtown, Pa., isworking as a maternity nurse at ChesterCounty Hospital in West Chester, Pa.

Grace Kong, of Jamison, Pa., is workingfor the United States Census Bureau.

Teresa Krans, of Sellersville, Pa., ispursuing a nurse practitioner’s degree atLaSalle University.

Jessi McConaghy, of Oaklyn, N.J., worksas an RN at Kennedy Health System inStratford, N.J.

Ruth McDevitt, of North Wales, Pa., has anew job as a kindergarten teacher in theNorth Penn School District.

David Romanofski, of Philadelphia, Pa., isa writer for Thomas Jefferson UniversityHospital’s newsletter, “Radiation andOncology Quarterly.” He was a guestlecturer last spring for Gwynedd-MercyCollege’s Radiation Therapy Program.

2010Mackenzie Armstrong of Quakertown,Pa., is an instructional support aide in theQuakertown School District.

Krista Ramirez ’06, of Glenside, Pa.,married Michael Brigidi in September of2009.

Megan Brozena ’08, of Trenton, N.J.,married husband Ronald in June of 2009.

Daniel Burns ’11, of Hatboro, Pa., isengaged to Danielle Dallazia. An August2012 wedding is planned.

Kimberly Campoli ’07, of Hatboro, Pa.,married David Tomlinson on February 11,2012.

Christina Braccio ’06, of Blue Bell, Pa.,married Trevor Caruso on December 30,2010.

Julie Cassel ’04, of Lansdale, Pa., isengaged to Charles Ball. An October 2012wedding is planned.

Kevin Dougherty ’09, of Warrington, Pa.,married Kate Goffredo ’09 in July 2011.

Kimberly Gutkowski ’06, of Schwenksville,Pa., is engaged to David Keeley Jr. Awedding is planned on June 23, 2012.

Lee Herko ’08, of Norristown, Pa., marriedlongtime girlfriend Megan on April 30, 2010.

Danielle Kehoe ’10, of Horsham, Pa., willbe married in July 2012.

Laura McNutt ’97, of Harleysville, Pa., willbe married to David Shannon this spring.

Courtney Miller ’06, of Telford, Pa., willbe married to Aaron Leatherman in June of2012.

Cesar Molina ’05, of Lansdale, Pa., marriedMichelle Gerhold ’05 in June 2010. Theyare expecting a baby boy in April 2012.

EueAnne Carney ’06, of Brandon, Miss.,married Jeff Parker in November of 2010.

Victoria Roulston ’92, of Warrington, Pa.,married Samuel Howell on May 20, 2011.

Gina M. Ferriola ’05, of Philadelphia, Pa.,married Timothy Smith on May 28, 2011.They are expecting their first child.

Robert Veight ’06, of Philadelphia, Pa.,married Jillian Egan ’06 on October 17,2009.

Congratulations!Engagements, Marriages

and Anniversaries

Danielle Dallazia and Daniel Burns ’11

Courtney Miller ’06and Aaron Leatherman

Gina Ferriola ’05and Timothy Smith

Congratulations!Griffin Babies

Karen Arakelian ’00, of Laurel, Md., isexpecting a baby girl this year.

Maureen Baskin ’00, of Flourtown, Pa., adaughter, Abigail Louise Baskin, onFebruary 2, 2011.

Susan Cairns ’05, of Trevose, Pa., a son,Brendan, on July 22, 2010.

Laura-Rose Carter ’04, of Levittown, Pa.,a son, Shane, on July 2, 2010.

Sara Cervantes ’04, of Atco, N.J., welcomeda second child, Austin, in December 2011.

Kathleen Covone ’93, of Lansdale, Pa., gavebirth to her second child on June 18, 2011.

Ashley (Ferris) Elding ’08, ofDouglassville, Pa., a son, Nicholas, onJanuary 15, 2012.

Gina Gordon ’94, of WashingtonCrossing, Pa., a daughter, Isabella.

Rick Khan ’09, of Seattle, Wash., adaughter, Roshni Khan-Mall, born on July5, 2009.

Nancy Leshak ’04, of Lansdale, Pa., a son,Roman, on November 3, 2010.

Melissa Ritter ’04, of Broadway, Va.,welcomed her second son on October 10,2011.

Amanda Schlueter ’07, of Philadelphia,Pa., a son, Brayden, born October 18, 2010.

Sarah Schroding ’09, of Hatfield, Pa., adaughter, Andie Rose, on April of 2011.

Mary (Mansolino) Spencer ’00, ofHatboro, Pa., a daughter, Sophia, onDecember 13, 2010.

Adam and Isaac,sons of MelissaRitter ’04

26 Today

Roshni Khan-Mall, daughter of Rick Khan ’09

UpcomingReunions November2012

Gwynedd-Mercy College willhold a Mass and luncheon tohonor the 25th and 50threunions for the classes of

1987 and 1962.

Daniella Coppola, of Jamison, Pa., isattending Roxborough Memorial HospitalSchool of Nursing in Roxborough, Pa. toget her master’s degree.

Monique Eversley, of Philadelphia, Pa.,recently started YHD Events, a businessthat specializes in event coordination andgift basket design.

Benton Janae, of Ottsville, Pa., works as anurse at Lehigh Valley Hospital inAllentown, Pa.

Thomas Joseph, of Oakford, Pa., is ascientist in research and development atEndo Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

Christopher McGullam, of Quakertown,Pa., is a 9th grade science teacher at UnamiMiddle School in Chalfont, Pa.

Adrian Scioli, of Green Lane, Pa., receiveda master’s degree from Norwich Universityand is planning on earning his doctorate.

Mark Shriver, of Horsham, Pa., is workingas a junior programming analyst at NationalComprehensive Cancer Network in FortWashington, Pa.

Matthew Zauflik, of Willow Grove, Pa., isworking as a nurse in the trauma/orthopedic unit of Albert Einstein MedicalCenter in Philadelphia, Pa.

2011Reginald-Chris Mendoza, of Philadelphia,Pa., is an accountant at Daniel Ferrari &Company in Huntingdon Valley, Pa.

Brittany Sumpf, of Newtown Pa., is ahuman resources researcher at VerticalScreen in Warminster, Pa.

Believe it or not, communication did existbefore the invention of Facebook, Skypeand email. You just needed to work a littleharder. Nine members of Gwynedd-MercyCollege’s Class of 1965 can attest to that.For 46 years, they have kept their “sorority”of former nursing students close byorganizing get-togethers and retreatsacross the region.

Catherine Brown Herrmann, MarycarolWhitaker McGovern, Louise CollusiMcSherry, Maria Bello Doran, SheiladeCourcey, Kathleen Kelly Brogan, NancyKauffman Albright, Julie Bechtel Harronand Pat Ruggieri haven’t missed a step.

Through the decades much has changed, buttheir friendship remains the same. In August2011, the group resumed a somewhat new(only a couple of years) tradition to meet inOcean City, N.J. for brunch.

“It’s just been a special bond with all of us,”Ruggieri said. “We pick up right where weleft off when we get together, it’s just fun.”

Among the topics of discussion were,naturally, the GMC glory days. Ruggierisaid that her hour and a half commute tothe College each day brought some of thefondest memories. Looking back, thecarpools with the girls proved to be theadhesive in the friendships she formed.

In the years since graduation, the ninefriends have been present at each other’sweddings, and even their children’sweddings. It’s created an extended family ofsorts. The conversations often shift fromtheir own personal memories together, tothe updates on children and grandchildren.Husbands look forward to reunions just asmuch now, as they get the opportunity tosee the friends they’ve made through thisunique group.

The “Sorority of ’65” has been fortunate toremain in the makeshift tri-state area ofPennsylvania, New Jersey and Maryland.Ruggieri, being the Baltimore outlier, stillowns a beach house in Ocean City, N.J.,along with some of the other women.

While the group meets sporadically inhandfuls, the entire nine are guaranteed tobe under the same roof once or twice ayear. They have been blessed with countlesslaughs through the years, and a specialcamaraderie that has stood the test of time.

“We’ve had more successes and happinessthan failures and agonies in life,” Ruggierisaid.

(L to R) Maria (Bello) Doran, Catherine (Brown)Herrmann, Sheila deCourcey, Marycarol (Whitaker)McGovern, Pat (Pearson) Ruggieri, Louise (Collussi)McSherry, Kathleen (Kelly) Brogan. Also in our“sorority,” but not pictured is Anne “Nancy” (Kaufman)Albright and Julie (Bechtel) Harron.

Today 27

Gwynedd-Mercy College alumnae and“sorority sisters” from the early 60scelebrated 50 years of friendship with acruise to Belize and Cozumel in earlyFebruary, 2012. Matching golf shirts,embroidered with the name Alpha PhiOmega, cruise ship logo and the year2012, sparked much attention andinterest from passengers and crew.

Pictured from left to right, back row: Marianne(Milligan) McDermott ’63 and Sue (Parham)Hovancik ’62; front row: Peggy (Craig) Ehlinger’63/’76, Lee (McCallion) Krumenacker ’62/’81,Maryanne (Bodziak) Doyle ’63, Kathy (Doyle)Dougherty ’63, Sandy (Eyth) Johnson ’63/’96,Marg (Parham) Schwab ’63, and Patsy (John)Kelly ’63/’75

“Sorority”Sisters

“Sorority of ’65” KeepsGMC Spirit Alive in Reunions

InMemoriamSophie Shtendel Levitt, 92, of Melrose Park, anutrition counselor and educator who taught atGwynedd Mercy College for 28 years, diedSaturday, Oct. 22, at home.

Mrs. Levitt was born in Novograd-Volynsky,Russia. Her father died of typhus when she wasan infant. Several months later, in 1920, she andher mother immigrated to the United States.

Mrs. Levitt grew up in North Carolina, New York City, andPhiladelphia. In 1940, she earned a bachelor's degree in homeeconomics from what is now Drexel University, where she met herfuture husband, Semond Levitt. She earned a master's degree innutrition education from Drexel in 1951.

During her long career, Mrs. Levitt established a therapeuticnutrition department at Pennsylvania Hospital and taught nutritionto nurses at Jefferson University Hospital, Mercy FitzgeraldHospital, and the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, amongothers. She was also a nutrition counselor at several nursing homes.

In 1960, she began teaching at Gwynedd Mercy, a Catholic collegeadministered by the Sisters of Mercy. Faculty meetings, with manynuns in attendance, always began with a prayer. At one meeting,Mrs. Levitt, who was Jewish, was asked to say the prayer. Thefaculty liked what she said so much she was always asked to givethe prayer after that, her daughter Jo Ann said.

Mrs. Levitt retired from the college in 1988.

She and her husband bought art on their travels all over the worldand amassed an eclectic collection that included yarn paintingsfrom Mexico and paintings by French expressionist Louis Amalvy.They especially liked to support young artists, their daughter said.

In addition to her daughter, Mrs. Levitt is survived by anotherdaughter, Marjory; a son, Joel; and three grandchildren. Herhusband of 57 years died in 1998.

Linda Jean Graham ’06, of Conshohocken, Pa.,passed away on September 23, 2011.

Jean (Shore) Johns ’04, of Hatfield, Pa., passed away onSeptember 30, 2011.

Julia Ann Modelski ’84, of Sicklerville, N.J., passed away onDecember 21, 2011.

Patricia Ann O’Reilly ’79/’87, of Langhorne, Pa.,passed away on November 29, 2011.

Jane Patricia Sesso ’04, of Gwynedd Valley, Pa., passed away onDecember 20, 2011.

Grace E. Wert ’92, of Malvern, Pa., passed away onNovember 18, 2011.

C’mon, let us in on the secret!

Many alumni and friends have included GMC in their estate plans but haven’thad the opportunity to tell us. Why not let us know? Your future commitment toGMC will assist us in the preparation of distinctive Mercy graduates.

So let us thank you and welcome you into the Mother Mary Bernard GrahamSociety. We’ll keep you informed about our students, achievements andchallenges as we meet the rising demand for graduates who are competent anddiversified leaders.

Contact Jill Dow at dow.j@gmc.edu or 215-542-4661 to share your secret.28 Today

HOMECOMING WEEKEND2012

September 28-30, 2012

Mark your calendar for Homecoming Weekend

The 2012 Homecoming will include an All Alumni Reunion, FallFest, sporting events and more!

For updates, visit gmc.edu/alumni and Gwynedd-Mercy Alums on Facebook.

Are you a snowbird? Do you live in Floridaand want to be sure that you’re invited tothe next GMC on the Road: Florida event?Fill out the form and mail it back to the alumni office:Office of Alumni RelationsGwynedd-Mercy CollegeP.O. Box 901Gwynedd Valley, PA 19437-0901

If you’d like to host an alumni event in Florida, please indicate thatin your response.

Name: ______________________________________________________________

Class Year: _____________Phone Number: _______________________________

Address: ____________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________

E-mail: ______________________________________________________________

� Yes! I’d be interested in hosting a winter alumni event in Florida.

FloridaThe alumni office recently hostedevents on Florida’s East and WestCoast. Next year, we hope to dothe same!

�

Inspiring L

ivesSupporting the Annual FundNearly every campus initiative that makesa significant impact for our students issupported by the Annual Fund,including scholarship support forthose students who need it most.Last year, Gwynedd-Mercy Collegeawarded $12.6 million inscholarships, which benefited morethan 92 percent of our students.The future of our campus is brightwith the help from caring alumnilike you.

Support Gwynedd-Mercy Collegestudents with a gift to the2011-2012 Annual Fund today.

215-641-5550 • gmc.edu/giving

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

Non-ProfitOrganizationU.S. Postage

PAIDLansdale, PAPermit No. 444