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ESU Alumni HeraldSubject1

Fall 2006Volume 19, No. 2

Alumni HeraldFall 2006

Volume 19, No. 2

Sam ’82 and Linda-Lee Troiani ’83 Niedbala:Sam ’82 and Linda-Lee Troiani ’83 Niedbala: Leading the way for the fi rstLeading the way for the fi rst

Comprehensive Campaign - Page 24Comprehensive Campaign - Page 24

TODAY’S DREAM,TOMORROW’S REALITY

Alumni HeraldEast Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania

Science and Technology Center Is Under Way - Page 23Science and Technology Center Is Under Way - Page 23

Retiring Professor Thatcher ’69, M’70 Retiring Professor Thatcher ’69, M’70 leaves legacy of student leaves legacy of student

accomplishment - Page 36accomplishment - Page 36

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Opening Remarks

Dear Friends,

This magazine is an excellent means to catch up on what has been happening at the university. It is entirely fitting that the cover feature in this first issue of the new magazine style format is the inspiring story of alumni Sam and Linda Niedbala. It is a classic en-trepreneurial tale which I feel embodies the true spirit of your university.

Other highlights inside include:

• Alumni Association honors, Alumni Day coverage and Homecoming coverage

• Spotlight on alumnus Darrin Lamont Byrd ’91, who is an up and coming international musical theater performer

• Feature on retired Distinguished Professor of Athletic Training John Thatcher ’69, M’70

A few of the highlights that a visit to your univer-sity would reveal are: A tremendous amount of student activity, with a new record number of students (over 7,000) ; major construction activity on the new Science and Technology Center; dynamic academic initia-tives such as a new organismal biology laboratory/in-digenous animals exhibit; and visits by speakers as prominent as Pakistan’s ambassador to the United Nations and 1960s activist Angela Davis.

Most of you received the university’s Annual Re-port, a 16-month ESU photo calendar which features photographs and other highlights of the past year.Among those highlights is the groundbreaking for the

Science and Technology Center and the kick-off of the public phase of the Comprehensive Campaign. You will read more about this exciting project inside, and you can view the progress of the construction by click-ing on the web cam on the ESU home page.

Thank you for your continued interest in and support of your university. Please let us know what you think of the new Alumni Herald magazine format.

Sincerely,

Robert J. Dillman President

Dr. Dillman at groundbreaking ceremonies for the new Science and Technology Building. (Perry Hebard photo)

ESU Alumni HeraldFrom the President’s Desk

Notice of Nondiscrimination

East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, veteran status, disability or age in its programs and activities in accordance with state and federal laws. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding this policy: Director of Diversity and Equal Opportunity, 200 Prospect Street, 115 Reibman Building, East Stroudsburg, PA 18301, 570-422-3656.

Robert J. Dillman, Ph.D.University President

Isaac W. Sanders, Ph.D.Vice President

for University Advancement

EditorJohn J. Ross

Director of Alumni Engagement

Design Sheree B. Watson

Offi ce of University Relations

ContributorsDavid Bracetty,

Amanda Bruck ’06, Jessica Cohen,

Vincent Dent, Regina Diverio, Michelle Dramé,

Perry Hebard, David Hooper ’05 Bob Kelley ’71,

Christina Fenton Mace ’00 Pete Nevins M’84, Rita M. Plotnicki ’72

Tania Ramirez, Samantha Robinson,

John J. Ross, Michelle Rupp, Douglas F. Smith,

Ryan Yanoshak M’05

Alumni HeraldAlumni HeraldThe Alumni Herald is the

offi cial publication for East Stroudsburg University’s Alumni and

is published three times a year. Please address all correspondence to:

Alumni RelationsEast Stroudsburg University

200 Prospect St.East Stroudsburg, PA 18301

570-422-3533 800-775-8975

Fax: 570-422-3301E-Mail: [email protected]

Web site: http://esualumni.org

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Heart of a WarriorJohn Thatcher ’69, M’70

Table of Contents

Office of University AdvancementAhnert Alumni Center 800-775-8975http://advancement.esu.edu

Isaac W. Sanders, Ph.D. Vice President for University Advancement and Executive Director, ESU Foundation

Laurie SchallerExecutive Staff Assistant

Carolyn Bolt Assistant Vice President for Development

Tonya WilliamsAdministrative Assistant for Development

John J. Ross Director of Alumni Engagement

Michelle Dramé Coordinator of Alumni Services

Tania Ramirez Alumni Relations Secretary

Vincent Dent Director of Major Gifts/Planned Giving

Robert Kelley ’71Major Gifts/Planned Giving Officer

Cynthia LavinMajor Gifts / Planned Giving Secretary

Christina Fenton Mace ’00Coordinator of Annual Funds

John Shewchuk Database Manager

Teresa Werkheiser Coordinator of Donor Relations and Stewardship

Roberta Russell Secretary/Receptionist

Mona UathavikulAccountant

Board of Directors

Roger L. DeLarco ’80President

Lisa Rinaldi Lewis ’80Vice President

Virginia H. Sten ’71Secretary

Laura P. Baatz ’00DeWitt “Chip” A. Blunden ’82

Suzanne A. Chludzinski ’90Nicholas L. DiGregory ’76Dr. Anthony L. Drago ’76

Eugenia S. Eden ’72Robert C. Edwards ’55

Dr. Betty Collins Henrie ’44Patricia Alberts Hibschman ’62

Robert A. Kearn ’58Gerald D. Keyser ’59Susan B. Koomar ’88Deborah A. Kulick ’80John T. Lambert ’54

Jessee W. Landon ’81Ted E. Martz ’47

Mark J. Mecca ’96Maurice J. Molin ’76

Charles J. Morton ’64Gina Rodriguez Morton ‘98

James B. Nesbitt, Jr. ’74“Pinky” O’Neil-Seiler ’57

James “Rocky” Rogers ’85Mike J. Romano, Jr. ’74

Dr. Faye Dallmeyer Soderberg ’58Irving “Itch” Sommer ’50

Holli A. VanHook ’93Timothy M. Weisse ’74

EmeritiBryan L Hill ’71

James “Pat” Hyde ’63Phyllis M. Kirschner ’63

Dr. Frank Michael Pullo ’73John E. Woodling ’68

Fall 2006 1

66Alumnus Scores With Musical TheatreTogether again are, from left, Theo Gilbert, Dr. James Jackson, Oscar Squire, Darrin Byrd ’91, retired ESU Professor Neal Simpson, and Garth Partee. Byrd came to ESU last spring to conduct programs for performing arts students.

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3366

DepartmentsBirths ...................................................................................33Engagements ................................................................. 28-30Gatherings & Events .........................................................8-11Giving Opportunities .............................. 40, inside back coverIn Memoriam ................................................................. 34, 35Message from President Dillman ..................inside front cover Upcoming Events .................................................... back coverWeddings ....................................................................... 30-33“Who’s Doing What”........................................................15-21

Cover StoryNiedbalas lead the way for Comprehensive Campaign.

FeaturesAlumni Awards ..............................................................................................2-3Alumni Day ...................................................................................................4-5Alumni Tony ’69 and Pat Lythgoe ’68 McMunn Host ESU Interns in Ireland ...14Barniak Award Goes to Shoudt ’64, Snyder ’58 .............................................39Hall of Fame: Record Number Are Inducted ............................................. 38-39Homecoming ............................................................................................12-13Soccer Success: Phil Wheddon ’94 ...............................................................22Science and Technology Center Construction Under Way ...............................23

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ESU Alumni Herald

Conrad “Skip” Idukas Service Award: Meghann J. Healy ’02

This award is presented to someone who has made a significant contribu-tion to the university and/or Alumni Association through exceptional volun-teer service.

Megh Healy graduated from ESU with a degree in elementary educa-tion in December 2002. Returning to pursue her graduate degree, Megh had the pleasure of working for the Residence Life Department as a grad-uate assistant hall director in Lenape and Monroe Residence Halls. Her only year living in Monroe happened to be the 64th and final year it served as a residence hall. Along with cur-rent and previous residents of Mon-roe Hall, Megh celebrated the end of a tradition in closing the all-male hall

by organizing a memory book, a commemora-tive T-shirt, and open houses. Megh is now the director of performing ensembles for a non-profit youth organization in Allentown.

Young Alumni Award: David J. DeNotaris ’92

This award is presented to a recent graduate who demonstrated exceptional ability and made signi-ficant strides in his/her chosen profession or whose extraordinary accomplish-ments have brought honor to the university and pride to alumni.

Diagnosed as a child with retinitis pigmen-

tosa, an eye disease that leads to blindness, David struggled to maintain a

fully functional life as his condition worsened

with age. He later found solace and support from many as an ESU student. This served as a catalyst to the enormous success he has had to-day. In �989, David won the International Power Lifting Award in Ottawa, Canada. He has writ-ten a best-selling book titled “Feeling Your Way Through Life,” and has become a formidable motivational speaker for top Fortune 500 com-panies. Also, David has been featured in numer-ous television and radio programs and remains active in speaking engagements to help motivate others.

Humanitarian Award: Maryellen McGee ’69

This award is presented to an ESU graduate who has exhibited meritorious participation in a signifi-cant act or operation of a humanitarian nature.

Maryellen broke down the barriers that existed for families adopting children from China. She worked tirelessly to open interna-tional communication and make it easier for Chinese children to be welcomed into U.S. homes, particularly in her New England Area.

Maryellen quickly became the person, hav-ing gone through the process twice, whom families would turn to when they needed advice on navigating the bureaucracies involved. When adoptions from China were temporarily halted in �993 so the Chinese government could review international adoptions, she helped bring together newly adoptive families with emissaries (to investigate how the adoptions were proceed-ing) from the Chinese government. Ms. McGee would bring families who had adopted children from China together to emphasize Chinese culture, as with the annual Chinese New Year celebration. She helped found the New England branch of Families with Children from China, which now includes over �,000 families. Sadly, she died last year from cancer, and leaves behind her two daughters.

Alumni Awards

A League of Extraordinary Ladies and GentlemenAlumni Association Honors Five Very Special People for Their Exceptional Contributions, Abilities, Humanitarian Work or Teaching

Perry Hebard photos

Meghann J. Healy ’02 and her mother, Cynthia Goodman

David J. DeNotaris ’92, his wife, Mariann Serano DeNo-taris ’92, his mother, and his son, David, Jr.

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Alumni AwardsFall 2006

Great Teacher Award: Lois E. Wagner M’71

This award is presented to active or retired faculty mem-bers with superior teaching abil-ity and extraordinary commit-ment to students at ESU.

Lois, a professor in the Movement Studies and Ex-ercise Science Department, worked at ESU for 36 years be-fore her retirement in 2004. While at ESU she received the Outstanding Service Award from the Varsity S Club twice for her athletic training. She was also one of 35 finalists for athletic trainers for the �972 U.S. Olympic teams. So respected in her field, she was the first woman inducted into the Pennsylvania Athletic Trainers’ Society Hall of Fame in 2004. Part of a Letter of Commendation from the National Athletic Trainers’ Association reads, “You have been one of the pioneers in our field. Your time, efforts, and contribu-tions to not only the field of athletic training but to the role of women in athletic training are greatly appreci-ated.”

Lois has publications, presentations and profes-sional contributions too numerous to mention. She has also been active with the Monroe Unit of the American Cancer Society. Lois even was a member of five mission teams to Cuba to deliver medicine and do community projects. She stays involved with Warrior athletics and its Hall of Fame.

Helen G. Brown ’37 Honor Award: Salome Thomas-El ’86This award is presented to an ESU alumnus/a whose extraordinary accomplish-ments in life have brought honor to the university and pride to alumni.

Salome was born and raised in the inner city of Philadelphia and taught in its school dis-trict since �987. He re-ceived national acclaim as a teacher and chess coach at Vaux Middle School, where his stu-dents have been eight-time National Chess Champions. Armed with only a chess board and a profound belief in their potential, Salome has motivated hundreds of children to continue their education.

He has received an Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters from Ursinus College, the Marcus A. Foster Award as the outstanding School District Administrator in Philadelphia, and the University of Pennsylvania’s distinguished Martin Luther King Award. Salome fre-quently appears on C-SPAN, CNN and NPR Radio. His students were featured in Reader’s Digest, Education Week, NEA Today and Black Enterprise Magazine.

Salome is the author of the best-selling book “I Choose to Stay,” released in March 2003 and purchased by the Walt Disney Company for movie rights. He is principal at Stoddart Fleisher Middle School in Philadel-phia and coordinates after-school chess programs. He lives in Philadelphia with his wife and daughters.

Send news to the

Alumni Herald!

Ahnert Alumni CenterEast Stroudsburg University 200 Prospect StreetEast Stroudsburg, PA 18301FAX: (570) 422-3301 or E-mail: [email protected]

Be sure to include:

◊ your name ◊ graduation year ◊ your name at graduation◊ your major ◊ your home address◊ home and work phone

numbers ◊ e-mail addresses

Photos may be sent by e-mail or by mail. Please identify everyone in the photo. Space limitations restrict us

to publishing only “Who’s Doing What,” wedding and engagement photos.

New baby photos will only be used if ESU alumni are also in the photograph. “Who’s Doing What” news may be featured on the ESU Web site unless you advise us otherwise.

The “Who’s Doing What,” Weddings, Engagements, and Births sections in the Alumni Herald are a report on the

happenings in the lives of ESU alumni.

The information we collect comes from alumni and from various media sources and we believe it is accurate. The Herald does not discriminate against anyone for any reason nor does it reflect the views or attitudes of ESU or its Alumni Association. Any editing that takes place is done solely for the purpose of clarity and /or length.

Salome Thomas-El ’86

Lois E. Wagner M’71

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Alumni Day ESU Alumni Herald

Hundreds returned to campus on June 2 and 3 to reunite and reminisce. Highlights of the weekend included a Hawaiian Luau on Friday night to kick off the weekend, and an art show and farewell reception on Saturday to close the festivities. Of course the most important part of the weekend was seeing friends, as evidenced by the montage of photos on these pages.

Over 30 members from the Class of ’56 returned to campus to celebrate their golden anniversary. Those who attended the lunch are pictured with their 50th anniversary medallions and President Dillman were (L-R) first row: Joan Wentz, Mary “Mike” (Lipton) Hill, Josephine A. Spencer, Harriet Davis Hall, Joan (Chariton) Farrar, President Dillman, Marie Latourette Bartron, Nancy Kern, Bev “BJ” (Woods) Stevens and Mae (Frederick) Jubinsky. Second row: Jean

“Liz” McDonnell-Kee, Charlie Mitke, Karl Schnure, William Morgan, Angela (Bacinelli) Cobb, Clayton Kern, Michaeline Wojcikowski and Regina (Lamson) Williams. Third row: Johanne “Jo” Smith, Rita (Fisher) Blyler, Clyde L. Sweigart, Vincent Tomeo and John McKinney. Fourth row: Kathryn (Jones) Sorensen, Florence Brizzy, Lee Hill, H.J. “Dink” Deibler, Ed Smith, “Jim Bob” Ealey, Philip Jones, Don Griffith and Lew Judy.

Phil Jones ’56 shows off his socks that are more than 50 years old. Jones was part of the “Booee Boys,” whose socks were handmade by sweethearts.

Alumni Day 2006

Perry Hebard photos

4

Fall 2006 Alumni Day

At left, Harriet (Davis) Hall ’56 and George Hall ’58 found the Fountain of Youth at the luau and look just like they did when they were in school!

Above, John Ross, director of alumni engagement, is shown an early postcard

of East Stroudsburg Normal School by Florence “Lem” Brizzy ’56.

The Alumni Association bestowed a top honor to John E. Woodling ’68 (inset) and Bryan L. Hill ’71 (at left with current President Roger DeLarco ’80) by selecting them to be emeriti board members based on their decades of service and leadership roles. Bryan served on the board since 1983 and was president from 1995-2004. In addition to

his alumni service, he was the voice of the Warriors for over 30 years. Professionally recognized for his leadership in the field of corrections, he

served as president of the American Jail Association and is active in numerous community organizations including the Boy Scouts. He is the District 3 superin-tendent of the Delaware River Joint Toll Bridge Commission. John began serving on the board in 1982 and was vice president from 1986 to 2004, except for 1987-88 when he served a year as president. He also served as chairman of the Grants Committee. John is the director of the Monroe County Planning Commission.

At right, Beverly “BJ” Woods Stevens ’56 is greeted by President Dillman and presented

with her 50th anniversary medallion. One of the highlights of the weekend was hospitality that the president and his wife showed at their residence

in a special reception and presentation.

Class of ’56 buddies Lee Hill, Clyde Sweigart, and Karl Henthorn reminisced for hours at the Hawaiian Luau.

5

By Rita M. Plotnicki ’72“Once upon a time, about 20 years ago, I was you,”

Darrin Lamont Byrd, ’9�, told the high school and col-lege students participating in a musical theatre audition workshop at East Stroudsburg University’s Fine and Performing Arts Center in April.

“You can create the life that you want,” he added. “Be confident and go for a performing career, especially if you know that nothing else will make you happy.”

The musical theatre audition workshop was the first event of a week-long residency at his alma mater for Byrd, a musical theatre veteran currently starring as Mufasa in the Hamburg, Germany pro-duction of The Lion King. He also gave two talks on the business aspects of musical theatre and two concerts: one a musi-cal theatre concert featur-ing Byrd and the second with the University Jazz Ensemble as its featured soloist.

Byrd’s residency was spon-sored by a grant from the Penn-sylvania State System of Higher Education Office of Diversity and Equal Opportunity.

The tone of the week’s residency was

set in the audition workshop as Byrd mixed advice and examples from his ESU experiences and his �5 years as a musical theatre performer.

“When I started out, I didn’t like auditioning,” Byrd told the group, “but then I figured out that you have to love auditioning to be successful. Preparation is the key and you need to start long before the audition. Presen-tation is important—walk in and take the room. Your posture is important. Be confident; know your purpose. If you’re not there to book the gig, stay home.

“When I first got to New York, I went to EVERY audition,” he said, “even one for Mary Poppins.” Byrd chuckled and added, “now what was I going to do in

Mary Poppins? Years later, however, I got a call from that director offering me a part that I was right for in the Canadian production of Five Guys Named Moe.”

From Five Guys Named Moe Byrd went on to play major roles in Big River, Dreamgirls, the world tour of Riverdance and his current engagement.

In all of his presentations, Byrd talked about how his ESU experiences shaped his ca-reer. “I came to ESU in the summer of �985 to play football,” he noted, “but playing college level football really hurt.” In the spring of �986 he chanced upon an audition for Of Mice and Men in ESU’s Fine and Performing Arts Center, read for a role and got the part.

Parts in other ESU productions followed. “Professors Jay Brennan and Rob Howell

challenged me to be the best that I could

ESU Alumni HeraldAlumni Spotlight6

How do you get to Broadway? Audition, audition, audition!

ESU grad Darrin Lamont Byrd ’91 passed up football, scored with musical theater

Alumni Spotlight

There is a nurturing atmosphere here with professors who care and

be,” Byrd noted, and, after changing his major three times, graduated from ESU with a degree in theatre in �99�.

While at ESU, Byrd, who enjoyed singing while growing up in Newark and Harrisburg, joined the Con-cert Choir and met the director, Terry L. Flatt, associate professor of music. “Professor Flatt taught me how to use my voice, how to breathe properly, and he also believed in me,” Byrd said. “He inspired me to go forward.”

The mentoring relationship that developed between the two continues to this day. “I saw talent and ability and I also saw a warm, outgoing personality. He always took music and theatre seriously,” Flatt said. “My wife and I look on Darrin as part of the family, like an ad-opted son.”

Neal Simpson, retired head of ESU’s Center for Edu-cational Opportunity, also remembered Byrd’s “outgo-ing personality.” The two met when Byrd was one of Simpson’s students in the Act �0� summer program, and kept in touch over the years. Both are members of Ome-ga Psi Phi Fraternity, whose Omega Xi chapter sponsored a reception for Byrd.

“Every time I walk into Cohen Recital Hall, I feel a rush of emotion from all that I did in there—classes, concerts, musical revues,” Byrd said. “Being back at ESU as a teacher is inspirational. It gives me a sense of purpose to step outside of myself and give back things I learned in the last �5 years.”

All of the participants in the audition workshop were invited to perform with Byrd as part of the musical theatre concert. The group served as backup performers for Byrd’s rendition of “Free at Last” from the musical Big River, a song that is his signature piece.

The musical theatre concert also featured ESU alum-ni Regina Sayles ’03 and Lindsey Buffa ’05; graduating senior Jason Zimmer ’06; and Dennis Carrig, a local actor and co-owner of the Deerhead Inn who has been friends with Byrd since they both appeared together in “Of Mice and Men.”

“I was surprised at the level of talent I found here,” Byrd stated, “especially since this isn’t a specialized per-forming arts school. There is a nurturing atmosphere here with professors who care and many opportunities to be onstage. It’s a place to build yourself up.”

“I am also glad that the Center for Educational Op-portunity is still up and running because it was very instrumental in supporting me while I was at ESU,” he added, “but am disappointed that it is not as strong due to funding cuts and the loss of the summer program that brought me here.”

While an undergraduate Byrd made his first trip to Europe in �988 when the choir toured England. “I remember being in awe of different cultures, different values, different foods,” he recalled. Now he considers himself “a citizen of the world,” with Florence, Italy, as his home base.

After his contract for The Lion King expires in May, 2007, Byrd, who is fluent in Italian, plans to pursue a television career in Italy. “Television will lead you into film,” he said. “I’m pretty confident that things will go as I plan—first to play a major character in a television series and then to go into films.”

“Darrin’s residency has been a special event, espe-cially the musical theatre concert,” Flatt commented. “Our faculty and students appreciated his professional-ism, his even temperament and his sense of caring.”

Fall 2006 Alumni Spotlight 7

Darrin Byrd, right, audition workshop participants, and supporting performers take a bow at the end of “An Evening of Musical Theatre.” Performers include: Erin Dent ’10; April Field (community); Dawn Rother (community); Dennis Carrig (Byrd’s long-time friend and co-owner of The Deerhead Inn); Jason Zimmer ’06; Ryan Groff, a senior theatre major from Perkasie; Regina Sayles ’03; Lindsey M. Buffa ’05; Mike Rogusky ’06; Irwin Antoine (community); Jenell Anne Manzi, a sophomore theatre major from Mount Bethel; Michelle Buzzelli (community); and Heather Werline, a senior theatre major from Levittown.

many opportunities to be on stage; it’s a place to build yourself up.”

ESU Alumni HeraldGatherings and Events

Nearly 30 alumni from the Metro D.C. area gathered on April 2 at the Army Navy Country Club in Arlington, Va., for brunch. This event continues to be a highlight for area alumni, especially this year because Noah Samara ’78, CEO of WorldSpace, was the keynote speaker.

At left, event coordinator and chair of the Metro D.C. Alumni Group, Tom Leshko ’57, visits with class-mate Shirley (Neas) Merring ’57.

Enjoying the food, ambiance and camaraderie were,

from left, Barbara Gustis ’98 and Jill Raimato ’98.

D.C. Gathering

Former roommates gathered to remember the good ’ol days by planning a trip to campus. Sharing in the trip down memory lane were alumnae (L-R) Alissa (Huss) Perrone ’91, Audrey (Hazlett) Everly ’91, Sheila (Corrigan) Zeman ’91, Susie (Lutz) Painton ’90, Sheri (Kramer) Martelucci ’91, and Ellen (Bleach) Sterbenz ’91.

Arizona Alumni Back in East Stroudsburg

Phoenix was the site of this gathering of alumni. Getting together for the first time in a few years were (L-R) Dr. Isaac W. Sanders, vice president for univer-sity advancement, Tage (Bosacco) Wood ’40, Tim Weisse ’74, Pattie Hyland ’75, Brian Smargiassi ’82, and Jane (Cotton) Bruce ’45.

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Thirty-five years after arriving at East Stroudsburg State College, the bonds of friendship are as strong as ever for this group of alumni. A self-described group of “middle class kids” from Scranton, the suburbs of Philly, and the state of Connecticut, arrived as individuals in the fall of �970 and �97� but graduated years later as a cohesive family.

Frank Johnson ’74 recalls, “We had a lot in common … none of us had any money or a car and we didn’t go home on the weekends!” What they did have was each other, and the third floor of Shawnee Hall was their home. In the early ’70s most of them participated in athletics like football, soccer, cross country, basketball, wrestling, baseball or track and field. None of them pledged a fraternity but they formed their own bonds of steel that have remained as strong today as when they were forged.

They supported each other in the hard times and celebrated with each other during the good times. Today they are professionals with their own lives, wives, careers and children; yet they still find time for each other. Over the years they have vacationed in Florida and New York, held special events and joined each other at Homecoming.

It used to be they celebrated with one another at their weddings and the birth of their children; now they still make time to party, but it is at their children’s weddings!

This group of alumni possesses a special relationship that transcends the term “classmate.” In recalling the years of friendship, Frank notes, “We were lucky to find each other, grow up together and appreciate the bond of friendship that will last forever. We are grateful to the university for providing us with the skills to be successful, both in and out of the classroom, and for the quirk-of-fate that brought us together.”

Frank’s family, in addition to his wife, Sarah, and children, includes: Robert Smith ’73 and Diane Smith, Loren Brink ’74, Roger Dontonville ’74 and Anne Dontonville, Lee Fahnestock ’74 and Mollie Fahnestock, Dean Gardner ’74 and Mary (Pakenas)

Gardner ’74, John Helgesen ’74 and Irene Helgesen, Al Keglovits ’74 and Linda (Keenan) Keglovits ’74, Denny Mohn ’74 and Cathy (Mukai) Mohn ’74, Jim Shearouse ’74 and Cherie Shearouse, George Shultz ’74 and Cindy (Masenheimer) Shultz ’74, Scott Willoth ’74 and Denise Willoth, George Vance ’74 and Maryann (Van Dyke) Vance ’75, Frank Hollaran ’75 and Margaret Hollaran, Frank Newby ’75 and Doreen Newby, Dave Hair ’76 and Moira (Portius) Hair ’77.

Gatherings and EventsFall 2006

In the backyard with some of the “Shawnee Boys circa 1971” (L-R) Frank Newby ’75, John Helgesen ’74, Frank Johnson ’74 and his son Reese, George Vance ’74, Frank Hollaran ’75, and Dave Hair ’76.

Celebrating the wedding of a child is a great reason to get together in Towson, Maryland! From left, Jim Shearouse ’74, Cherie Shearouse, Frank Johnson ’74, Sarah Johnson, Dave Hair ’76, Moira (Portius) Hair ’77, George Vance ’74, Maryann (Van Dyke) Vance ’75, George Shultz ’74, Cindy (Masenheimer) Shultz ’74, Dean Gardner ’74, Mary (Pakenas) Gardner ’74, Robert Smith ’73 and Diane Smith.

Shawnee ‘Siblings’ - Forever a ‘Family’9

Alumni HeraldGatherings and Events ESU Alumni Herald

The event is so fantastic that these alumni traveled from New Jersey to join the fun! From left are Carl Catino ’64 and his wife, Jacqueline Catino, with John Masters ’65 and his wife, Susan (Sraj) Masters ’65.

Nearly 40 people attended the �9th Annual Delco Alumni Get-Together. This gathering of mostly alumni who live or work in Delaware County seems to get better each year, and a great time is had by all. The Delco event is the longest running annual alumni event, thanks to the hard work of Nick DiGregory ’76, who was assisted this year by Marcus Lingenfelter ’95.

Delco Event

Nick DiGregory ’76 (right) has the perfect personality for a host as he welcomes

Curtis Bunch ’94.

A sold-out group of nearly 30 alumni, students, faculty, and community members traveled in Italy and France for �4 days led by Brian Sickels of the Theatre Department. One of their favorite places was the Chateau de Versailles in France. The group at Versailles included, from left, Kathy Lord, Rene Wloderczyk, Rosalie Ruiz, Joan Perfetti, Tina Bieryla, Lynette Ott ’92, Lydia Pabon, Kathy Krenitsky, Jack Krenitsky, Craig Ott, Joanne Macaluso, Ana Ruiz, Barbara Stoffa, Alice Murphy, Karen Atwood, Maxine DiMaggio, Prof. Brian Sickels, Beth Haynes, Dan Wypler, Joanne (Fleche) Wagner ’80, Earl Wagner ’67, Kelvin Chu, Rosemary Hopkins, John Scognamiglio (current student), Lorinda Homar M’98, and Linda Vashlishan.

DaVinci Code Tour

�0

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DC Fall 2006The Kennedy Center, complete with the backdrop

of the Washington Monument, served as the most ideal setting for the fall gathering of the

Metro D.C. area alumni. Thanks to the organi-zation of Ron Kochan ’75, alumni dined in the

center and then laughed out loud at the “Shear Madness” of this unique performance! L-R are

Tom Leshko ’57, Jean Miller Leshko ’58, Ron Kochan ’75, Matt Stephens ’96,

Michelle Stephens, Jim Nesbitt ’74, Wanda Nuckolls, Sharon Barkley,

Smiley Shackleford ’85, and Barbara Stephens.

Chicago 2006On a perfect fall evening in Chicago, alumni gathered to reminisce and take in a soccer match at Toyota Park, the new home of the Chicago Fire of the MLS. With the help of Roland Hahn M’99, the Chicago Fire director of Soccer & Team Development, who arranged for great tickets and Stadium Club passes, a great evening was had by all. L-R, Jeff Frantz ’63, Gretchen Angle Frantz ’66, Roland Hahn M’99, and John Ross, ESU director of alumni engagement.

The ViewIt was a day to remember when ESU alumni attended a live episode of the show The View at the ABC Television studios on April 18 in New York. ESU alumni especially enjoyed the witty and hilarious special guest star and comedienne Joan Rivers. Highlighting this event, alumni had a chance to personally greet the hosts of the show and later lunched at the infamous ABC Commissary. From left are: Michelle Dramé, ESU’s coordinator of alumni services; Rodney Applegate ’65; Dr. Isaac W. Sanders, vice president for university advancement; Eileen Applegate ’64, Frank Lanterman, Madeline Casale, Kelly Wilson, and LaShawne Pryor.

Gatherings and EventsFall 2006

It pays to be ESU alumni!ESU alumni!

Have you visited the East Stroudsburg University Alumni Services Web site lately? Check out some of the great benefits offered to ESU grads:

◊ Personal Health Insurance Services - discounted long term care insurance from all the major carriers.

◊ Dick Milham Ford Toyota Scion Discounts -$500 cash back on most new vehicle purchases if you graduated be-tween May 2004 and January 2007. For more details call (800) 565-9191 and mention you are an ESU alumnus/a.

◊ Bank of America (formerly MBNA) Master Card - Call your Alumni Office at (800) 775-8975 or visit your Alumni Services Web site at www.advancement.esu.edu and click on Alumni Relations for more information on the great benefits that are available to ESU grads.


Homecoming was a smashing success! A new twist this year was moving the Fan Zone to the Alumni Center, and it worked out great. There was plenty of room to tailgate, have the Alumni Tent, and the Entertainment Stage as evidenced by the photo above. Those who tailgated, especially the Phi Sigma Kappa fraternity and the Shawnee 3rd Floor Guys (circa 1974 and decked out in their ESSC shirts) did it with style and shared the prize of “Best Tailgate” (see photo below). The festivities actually began on Friday night with a Casino Night. Larry Zaccaro ’77 and his wife, Linnette, above, right, were high rollers on the black jack tables.

ESU Alumni HeraldHomecoming12

HHomecomingomecoming

2006

2006

Photos by David Hooper ’05

andDavid Bracetty


In addition to the music, tailgating, and Alumni Tent, there were things for the kids like a balloon artist, top right, a man on stilts, a face painter, and cotton candy, bottom right. Of course there was a football game, and a big “W” didn’t just stand for Warriors—the team won the game. The cheerleaders led the frenzy, and the crowd, above, had plenty to get excited about!

There was no need to crank your car stereo, the live music in the Fan Zone was second to none. The rock band MSG got

things going thanks to the talent of Regina Sayles “Koilparampil”

’03 (above), Matt Abell ’94 and Skip Detrick. The festivities continued with Bobbi Humphrey

“First Lady of the Flute” (top photo) and her edgy jazz sound.

Fall 2006 Homecoming �3

Photos by David Hooper ’05

andDavid Bracetty

ESU Alumni Herald�4 Alumni Feature

While some students spend their summer break close to home, two ESU Hotel, Restaurant, & Tourism Management (HRTM) students spent theirs across the Atlantic Ocean working hard to complete their internship while enjoying the sites of Ireland. Seniors Steve Gehrke of Kinnelon, N.J., and Jamie Dodge of Long Valley, N.J., took full advantage of their “chance of a lifetime” opportunity in Ireland. An internship offered by Charles “Tony” McMunn ’69 and his wife, Pat (Lythgoe) McMunn ’68, at their pub in Ballybunion, Ireland, helped Steve and Jamie tie their classroom education to real-world experience.

Unlike most internships, this one included a stipend, transportation, lodging, meals and even passports … a generous package, to say the least, and all provided by the McMunns. They have always been supporters of their alma mater. By offering an internship, the McMunns said, “This is a very tangible way for us to help ESU’s most precious commodity, its students.” Tony got the idea when he was vacationing in Alaska and noticed students assisting at that resort.

Steve and Jamie not only had a fantastic time in Ireland, they honed their professional skills by creating a marketing plan, fulfilling their coursework. Steve said, “Things here are amazing. I absolutely love working at McMunns. The homey atmosphere of the place and the rest of the staff are great to be around all the time. Ballybunion itself is some kind of gorgeous metropolis that I would have never known existed until I was lucky enough to visit it.” On being in Ireland, Jamie noted, “The best part of this internship was being in another country, meeting new people, and gaining valuable experience that would not be the same in

the United States. I recommend either a study abroad program or international internship to any student looking for something new and exciting.”

Without the support and coordination from Carol Miller ’81, associate professor of Hotel, Restaurant & Tourism Management, this internship might not exist. Carol noted that internships are essential because they “help students narrow their area of interest while at the same time give them breadth of knowledge.” HRTM students are required to engage in a one-semester internship. Usually this takes place during the junior year (they need to have at least 72 credits to qualify). The faculty adviser meets with the employer, and learning objectives are created. Some students, as is the case with Steve and Jamie, choose to complete the internship as their last academic requirement and hope their internship leads to an offer to continue their employment.

Internships are successful and important for both the students and the employers. Steve remarked, “I think it is important that students have a kind of stepping stone between their education and their actual career. An internship is a great chance for students to see what they’re getting into while they still have some guidance to fall back on.” The McMunns noted, “We got to use their services and really teach them. We have had many interns from top-notch schools like Vanderbilt and the University of Minnesota and we would rank the caliber of the ESU students right with them.”

Alumni employers, if you are interested in offering an internship to ESU students please contact Dennis Steigerwalt, Ph.D., ESU’s director of Career Services, at 570-422-3282 to discuss ways to develop and promote an internship. This truly is a “win-win” situation as the company gets energetic service and the students get much needed practical experience to complement their class work.

Tony McMunn ’69, ESU students Steve Gehrke and Jamie Dodge, and Carol Miller ’81, associate professor of Hotel, Restaurant and Tourism Management at ESU, at McMunn’s in Ballybunion, Ireland.

Internships - The Gift that Keeps on Giving!

Tony ’69 and Pat McMunn ’68 Host Two ESU Student Interns at Their Ireland Pub

�5

1940sMary A. Henning ’45 received the Margaret Wells Award from the Pocono Area Transitional Housing, Inc. She has been a member of many organizations over the course of her life. She is on the advisory board of Head Start and Meals on Wheels.

1950s

Nicholas Gatto ’55 is a retired prin-cipal who doubled his hole-in-one total in three weeks. Gatto aced three different holes at Tioga Country Club in Nichols, N.Y., in 22 days. The odds of making one hole-in-one are pretty long: � in �2,750, according to a Golf Digest report in �999. But making three in a three-week span? That’s worth mentioning.

Marge Worley ’55 recently was in-ducted into the Hall of Fame at In-

terboro High School in Prospect Park for her accomplishments in coaching field hockey and basketball.

Burt Hughes ’57 competed in the National Masters Track & Field Meet in Boston on March 25 & 26. He was a member of the 4 x 400 meter relay team that obtained a gold medal in the 70-79 year age bracket.

Jesse DeEsch, Ph.D. ’59 was awarded the Association for Specialist in Group Work (ASGW) Eminent Ca-reer Award for 2006. His career as a counselor and educator has spanned over 38 years. He has held the posi-tions of chairperson/coordinator of the counseling services program and assistant dean of the College of Lib-eral Arts Education and Sciences at Rider University in New Jersey. Jessie was also a starting center on the �958 ESU Warrior Football team.

1960sLeonard “Len” Pudelka ’61, profes-sor emeritus of history at Hartwick College, received a lifetime service award from the Phi Alpha Theta Na-tional History Honor Society in rec-ognition of his long service at the Phi Alpha Theta 2006 Biennial Conven-tion in Philadelphia.

Charles W. Chronister ’63 was inducted into the Adams County Chapter of the Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame. He formerly was head basketball coach at Hanover High School where he posted a 59-8 record. After four years as an assistant at Gettysburg College, he moved to Bloomsburg University in �97� for the remainder of his coaching career. Be-fore his retirement in 2002, Charles’s Bloomsburg teams had posted a 559-288 record, won nine PSAC East titles and advanced seven times to the NCAA Division II tournament.

John R. Gantz, Ph.D. ’63 was inducted into the International Adult and Continuing Education Hall of Fame. He is a distinguished adult educator in the Department of Defense’s Voluntary Education Program. During his 40-year career, he has held increasingly significant and responsible positions, capping his career as the national Chief of Troops to Teachers Program, which has provided teaching positions for more than 8,000 service men and women after their retirement from military service.

Gary Sparta ’63 was inducted into the Sussex County Sports Hall of Fame for his accomplishments as an athlete, coach and athletic director. In �968 he was selected by the Ver-non Township board of Education to be the district’s first Physical Educa-tion teacher and was responsible for developing the Physical Education program for grades � through 8 and the intramural program for grades 5 through 8.

Katherine Bitow ’68 gathered fellow ESU alumni who graduated between the years �968-�969 for an exciting trip to Chadds Ford for a weekend adventure in April. Some had not seen one another in 38 years. They trav-eled onto the Brandywine River Museum in North Carolina where they shared their love of antiques and wine tasting. Some of the group members attended the Wyeth Exhibit at the Philadelphia Museum of Art. Pictured are: (standing L-R; Vivian Robinson ’69, Kathy McCarthy Treftz ’68, Katharine Seed ’68, Carol Weisbraut Brunnabend ’68, Carol Angelo Pi-nola ’69, Marilyn Barber Hiller ’68, Susan Meell Padfield ’69, and Mary Ellen McNish ’68. Kneeling, from left, are: Judy Briane Armstrong ’68, Katherine Bitow ’68, Bev Sanquilly Bogden ’68, and Joanne Comunale Janette ’68.

1968

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“Who’s Doing What” “Who’s Doing WhatFall 2006

Alumni HeraldESU Alumni Herald“Who’s Doing What”

Michael Boushell ’67 is an author and appeared as a guest speaker on Philadelphia Sports Talk Show Daily News Live on the Comcast Sports Network. Mike’s first novel, “Fresh-man Flash,” was nominated for a Young Readers Choice Award in 2004 and selected by the Pennsyl-vania School Librarians Association for its Recommended Reading List in 2005. His second novel, “Gridiron Hero,” was chosen by the Kansas State Reading Circle to its Recom-mended Reading List for young adults. His third novel, “Freshmen Five,” was published the follow-ing year. He recently completed his fourth novel, “Split-finger Phenom.”

Terrence A. Butler ’69 and his daughter, Ashley, an ESU senior, qualified for the U.S.A. International Crossbow Teams. The teams will compete in the World Crossbow Championships, hosted by the United States, in Clifton, N.J. in July.

Jorene Jameson ’69 has been named senior vice president of development at KERA Broadcast-ing. In her new role, Jorene will be responsible for

securing over $�3 million through memberships, corporate sponsors, grants and other public support. Be-fore this, Jorene served as the chief executive officer for the Girl Scouts.

1970sWilliam Dukett ’70 has been named director of athletics at Washington & Jefferson College. He began his career at the college as the associate head coach for the Presi-dents’ football team, head track and field coach and the head men’s and women’s golf coach.

Earl Hulihan ’70 is vice president of global regulatory affairs and qual-

ity assurance at Medidata Solutions Worldwide. Prior to this Earl served as senior vice president, regulatory consulting services at META Solu-tions, Inc. in Warren, N.J.

Diane DeLarco Dunn ’71 has been nominated to the Who’s Who Among America’s Teachers. Diane will be retiring after teaching 35 years of Health and Physical Education Pre K-�2. She has also coached volleyball, track and basketball as well as other numerous activities at Susquehanna Community School District.

Ronald W. Gerlufsen ’71, who built Brick Memorial’s boys’ basketball and tennis teams into perennial winners during the six years he served as head coach, has resigned to take a vice principal’s position at the same school, Brick Memorial High School in N.J.

Fred M. Richter ’71 is the women’s basketball coach at DeSales Univer-sity. The team’s win over Wilkes in January marked Fred’s 300th career victory. His entire head coaching career has been at DeSales, formerly Allentown College, where he has won two Freedom Conference titles and made five NCAA appearances.

Leslie Lowrey Farmer ’72 teaches and is the director of athletics at Keene High School in Keene, N.H. She won the New Hampshire Ameri-can Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance Teacher of the Year Award in 2002, and the Eastern District Teacher of the Year in 2004, and was a Final Four Candidate for National Teacher of the Year in 2004.

Dr. Linda Groon VanMeter ’72 received her doctorate of philosophy in health administration from Ken-nedy-Western University. Linda is an assistant professor and psycholo-gist in counseling and psychological services at ESU.

Charles W. Green ’73 is the cur-riculum director, overseeing family

and consumer science, health and physical education, art and music for the Stroudsburg School District. His focus also includes community relations, diversity and serving as new teacher induction coordinator.

Joseph P. Papi ’73 has been the prin-cipal of Tunkhannock Area Middle School for �3 years. The school board appointed him athletic director starting this past July.

Rev. Marcia M. Thompson ’73, shown with her dog, Mazie, cel-ebrates 20 years as an ordained minis-ter of the Lutheran Church. She pas-tors Zion Church

and Pre School in Flourtown. She writes a column for the local newspa-per, the Enterprise, and has written a book, Healing of the Heart, published in 2003, and a devotional that will be published by the Evangelical Lu-theran Church in America.

Susan Young Marsh ’74 earned a fellowship at the American Dental Assistants Association. Susan is a member of the Pennsylvania Den-tal Assistants Association and the Lehigh Valley Dental Assistants Society. A 30-year professional, she is also a dental assisting instructor at the Monroe Career and Technical Institute, where she initiated and wrote the curriculum.

Stephen J. Axman M’75 was named the quarterback coach at the Univer-sity of Montana. He earned master’s degrees from Long Island University and ESU. He and his wife, Dr. Marie Axman, an elementary school prin-cipal, have four daughters.

Dr. Janice E. Florey ’75 received the President’s Award from Northamp-ton Community College at the Alumni Association’s Recipes for Success Alumni Awards event at NCC. The President’s Award is given to an individual whose life reflects to

�6

Fall 2006 “Who’s Doing What” 17

the community the unique charac-ter, personality and level of excel-lence typified by an NCC educator.

Gerald P. Strahlendorf ’75 is a photographer whose photographs of Greece were printed and displayed in the Stockton College Hellenic Center and the Ocean City Art Cen-ter exhibit in Ocean City, N.J.

Dr. John R. Dabrowski ’77 is the new US Army Aviation Warfighting Center Historian at Ft. Rucker, Ala. after having worked in this area for the last 16 years. John is also a Colo-nel in the U.S. Army Reserve.

Gary B. Ebbert, Ph.D ’77 has been appointed vice president of anti-body and small molecule manufac-turing for MedImmune, where he is responsible for all antibody and small molecule commercial manu-facturing activities.

Michael Kelly ’77 has been named the new principal at Staunton River High School in Bedford County, Virginia. He worked 11 years as a teacher before transferring to Forest Elementary School where he served for eight years as a principal.

Dr. Barry Purvis ’77 was named 2006 High School Principal of the Year by the Pennsylvania Associa-tion of Elementary and Secondary School Principals, and will represent the state in competition for national honors. He became principal at Chambersburg Area Senior High School three years ago and he credits the educational community and his family for his success.

Gretchen Eysenbach Bicking ’78 has been inducted into the Bristol Township School District Hall of Fame.

Jean Marie Scott ’79 will be del-egated executive authority for the management of the Division of Student Affairs at University of California in Santa Cruz. Formerly, Jean Marie served as associate vice

chancellor for colleges and universi-ty housing services at UC Santa Cruz since 2000. Jean Marie also is a guest lecturer at San Jose State University where she previously taught. She is an accomplished sailor and the mother of a 5-year-old daughter.

1980sMichael S. Lush ’80 was inducted in the Lehigh Valley Chapter of the National Football Foundation Hall of Fame. He was a two-time all-USFL choice and played with the Vikings and Falcons in the NFL and finished with 26 pro career interceptions.

Margaret Watson ’80 recently published her first book, A Graceful Farewell: Putting Your Affairs in Order.” Margaret has been a professional organizer for the past 20 years. Her book resulted from her work with

clients, hospice and dying people.

Karin-Susan Breitlauch ’82 was inducted into Pleasant Valley’s Ath-letic Hall of Fame. A 1979 graduate at age 15, she was a member of the school’s Honor Society, chorus and yearbook staff. She is a member of the Veterinary Dental Society and is certified by the American Veterinary Chiropractic Association since 1999.

Anthony Decker ’83 has been named head strength and condition-ing coach at Temple University. Tony will oversee the strength and condi-tioning programs for all of the Owls’ 24 intercollegiate athletic teams and will work extensively with the football program. He was the win-ner of the prestigious Strength and Conditioning Professional of the Year Award in 1998. Tony has published multiple studies in medical journals and is a noted national speaker.

Following a night on the town, the brothers of AXP joined for a fantastic golf outing at Shawnee Golf Club and Resort on April 8 thanks to the efforts of Michael Fenning ’87. While the weather didn’t exactly cooperate, the boys found the luncheon and spirits to their liking.

From left, back row: Ken Carpenter ’86, Keith Heeley ’87, Mike O’Rouke ’86, Fran Brennen ‘86, Frank Cinelli ’87 Michael Fenning ’87, Eric Hien ’87, Dennis Messinger ’87, Dave Drexinger ‘87, Mike Strausser ’88, Bill Quinlan ’87, Paul McCrone ’88, Paul Fiske ’88, Mike Sylvester ’89, Dave Aull ’89, Mike Richwalski ’89, John Powers ’86. Front row from left: Mike Perko ’86, Don McCarter ’86, Michael DeVito ’86, Dave Marcon ’86, Mark Heltzel ’86, and Bob Stewart ’84. Missing from photo: Phil Link ’89, Marc Duetel ’88, Stan Prodes ’88, Bill Jones ’84, Ed Ahn ’87, Vito Trigiani ’87.

Photo by John Powers ’86

AXP Brothers Reunion Is Swinging


ESU Alumni Herald“Who’s Doing What”

Jeffrey Taylor ’83, a veteran school administrator with nearly 20 years of experience in various high school positions, has been selected as the new principal of St. Joseph High School in Hammonton, N.J.

Col. Daniel Woolever ’83 assumed command of the 369th Recruiting Group at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Tex. Daniel was the chief operations officer at Headquar-ters Air Force Recuiting Service at Randolph Air Force Base in San An-tonio. He has served in the military for 22 years. Daniel graduated from the Army War College and earned a master’s degree in strategic studies.

Dr. Robert A. Dodd ’84 recently earned a doctoral degree in human development/educational leadership from Marywood University. He is a high school football coach for West Scranton and a special education supervisor at the Carbon Lehigh Intermediate Unit in Schnecksville.

Jane A. Harris ’84 returned to col-lege for a second degree after working

for �0 years at the YMCA/YWCA of Hazleton. On May 20, she graduated from College Misericordia with a B.S. in nursing. She was inducted into Sigma Theta Tau, National Nursing Honor Society and accepted a posi-tion with Lehigh Valley Hospital.

Josette M. Chaffier ’85 works for the Developmental Education Services, a training center for adults with a diagnosis of mental retardation in Stroudsburg. As a program specialist, she works with DES clients on de-veloping vocational skills and daily living skills. She also coaches floor hockey and basketball for the Special Olympics and assists with volleyball.

Kevin De Vizia ’86 was named the winner of the Presi-dential Award for Excellence in Math-ematics and Science Teaching by Presi-dent Bush. President

Bush commended him for embody-ing excellence in teaching, devotion to the learning needs of students,

and upholding the high standards that exemplify American education.

Santiago Restrepo ’86 is a third-year head coach at the University of Okla-homa and has catapulted into school history as his volleyball team de-feated the University of Texas for the first time ever. As a result, Restrepo’s team was ranked in the top 25 of the CSTV/AVCA Division I for the first time since �988.

Rosemary Haller ’87 is a health/physical education teacher at Pocono Mountain West. Since the school opened in 2002, she has been shaping the girls’ basketball program into a regional powerhouse.

Vito Trigiani ’87 is a network super-visor for the Bangor District of Penn-sylvania American Water Co. Vito is a certified water treatment operator, responsible for network and produc-tion operations in Bangor, which serves �0,000 customers.

Jami L. Smith Bistocchi ’88 re-ceived the 2006 College Community

�8

ESU alumni from the Washington, D.C. Metro Area Alumni Chapter had a very special treat June 16, courtesy of Colonel Jerry Yingling, USMC, ESU ’75. Jerry was the executive assistant and aide to the deputy commandant of the Marine Corps for Manpower and Reserve Affairs before retiring. Jerry made it possible for several alumni to see the stirring parade that was composed of “The President’s Own” Marine Band, “The Commandant’s Own” Drum and Bugle Corps (featured above), the Marine Corps Silent Drill Platoon, and the Official Color Guard of the Marine Corps.

From the halls of ESU to the Marine Corps in D.C. ...

Colonel Gerald A. Yingling, Jr. ’75Graduated from ESU in 1975 with a bachelor of science degree in biology Commissioned a second lieutenant and designated a Naval aviator on

December 9, 1977First Lieutenant Yingling served

in HMM-162 as personnel officer

Completed Aviation Safety School in 1979 and then served as aviation safety officer while he participated in several Mediterranean and Caribbean deployments, as well as numerous Combined Arms and NATO exercises

Assigned to Naval Air Rework Facility at Cherry Point, N.C., in 1982. Captain Yingling was quality programs officer, assistant flight test officer, and director of safety and standardization

Reassigned in 1985 to HMM-365 at MCAS New River as Aircraft Maintenance Officer, and participated in numerous unit deployments, supporting Landing Force Sixth Fleet requirements in the Mediterranean

Attended the Marine Weapons and Tactics Instructor School in Yuma, Ariz., and was designated a weapons and tactics instructor in 1986

Jerry Yingling ’75 and his wife, Rae

Appreciation Award from SUNY Cortland College. Jami currently serves as the director of the Cortland YWCA Child Care Program.

Kathleen J. Harrington ’88 lived and worked in Iraq for �4 months as a private contractor for the Facilities and Transportation Sector of PCO (Program and Contracting Office), a part of the Iraqi Reconstruction Program and the U.S. Department of Defense. Their mission for the Health Program was to lower the infant mortality rate of Iraq by im-proving the medical facilities across the country. When she arrived, it was 67 percent, and when she left it was 53 percent. They brought much needed medical equipment into the hospitals around the country. She’s back home in Colorado working on a Reach-Back Program with the U.S. and Iraq Coalition. Her photo was taken in a tower overlooking one of Sadaam Hussein’s Palaces.

Renee Ethier Mas-soud ’89 was a recipient of the Tribute to Women in Industry award at the YMCA of Ber-gen County, N.J.’s 32nd annual TWIN

awards dinner. Renee is a director in the ethics and compliance group at KPMG LLP, handling issues related to data privacy. She is also director of the board of SLA, an international association of more than �2,000 information professionals. She is the co-author of Special Libraries and Information Centers: An Introductory Text (4th edition), used in graduate programs.

James L. Pokrivsak Jr., CAA, ’89, M’95 has been the director of athlet-ics in the Easton Area School District

since 2003. Previously, he taught in Pleasant Valley School District and coached football. He lives in Nazareth with his wife, Monica, and three children.

1990sJames Scifers ’90, associate professor and director of the athletic training education program, received the 2006 Western Carolina University Chancellor’s Distinguished Teaching Award winner given annually to the university’s top professor.

Kathleen Flood Eufemio ’91 is the recipient of an outstanding graduate award in nursing from the Univer-sity of Scranton.

Nadeen Edwards M ’92 released her debut album,“Just in Time.” She lives in Stroudsburg with her hus-band, Derek, and two daughters, and teaches math at Stroudsburg Junior High School.

Dennis Dougherty ’93 is an elemen-tary autism teacher in the Brandy-wine School District in Wilmington, Del., where he lives with his wife, Carol, and daughter.

John Jenz M ’93 is associate athletic director at the University of Wis-consin. John had served, among other positions, as assistant athletic director for business operations since 2003. John began his administrative career at ESU where he supervised ticket operations and event staffing while earning his master’s degree.

Steven Lambert ’93 joined the New York University Tisch Center for Hospitality, Tourism and Sports Management in �999 and is associ-

ate director, Industry Relations. He directs the NYU International Hos-pitality Industry Investment Confer-ence of �,500 attendees annually, and is pursuing his M.A. in higher education administration at NYU. He is pictured here during a trip to Dubrovnik, Croatia, and its sur-rounding islands last summer.

Claudine Lombardo ’93 recently earned her �st Degree Black Belt with Tiger Schulmann’s Karate. She has been training in martial arts for near-ly four years and passed the multiple tests needed the first time, which only a handful of students are able to do. She plans to join their Junior Instructor program, where she will be certified to teach.

Cory C. Reed ’93 has been named marketing director for DIRT North-East in Weedsport, N.Y. He worked at this office from �995 to 2004 before spending the past season at Orange County Fair (N.Y.) Speedway as com-petition director.

Lynn Kauffman Sands ’93 enjoyed a fun vacation at Disney World in Florida with fellow ESU alumni and family. Backrow, L-R; Lynn Kauff-man Sands ’93, Victoria Sands, Henry Sands ’93, Dave Purdy ’93, and Dana Beukenkamp Purdy ’93. Front, L-R: Zach Sands, Evan and Ayden Purdy.

�9“Who’s Doing What”Fall 2006

Michael A. Stracco ’93, teaches freshman and junior English and produces the drama and musical pro-ductions at Rutherford High School in Rutherford, N.J. He earned his master’s degree in educational tech-nology and was named in “Who’s Who in American Teachers” for the third consecutive year.

Jamie L. Werner ’93 is environ-mental outreach coordinator for Lackawanna College, where she develops activities for the college’s Environmental Institute, including workshops, seminars and children’s programs. She also engages in grant writing and special projects admin-istration.

Peter Fagan ’94 was awarded the Dr. Daniel Bratton Service to the Asso-ciation Award by the College Stu-dent Personnel Association of New York State. This award recognizes the contributions he made, most nota-bly chairing the statewide confer-ence in 2005 that achieved national recognition by being awarded the ACPA’s State and International Divi-sion Innovation Award at the 2006 ACPA National Convention. Peter is writing his dissertation for a Ph.D. in professional studies in education through Capella University.

Thomas Hanna M’94 is head coach of the volleyball program at Marist College, Poughkeepsie, N.Y. He served as an assistant coach when he was an undergraduate student at Marist and as interim head coach from November 1990 to May 1991.

Donna A. McCartney ’94 and her partner, Jasmine Abrams, opened DM Studios in Marshalls Creek, a gal-lery, custom frame shop and decora-tive wall painting business. They will bring in artwork from established and new artists, and offer classes.

Angelo Borzio ’95 recently won the heavyweight class in the 240-270 pounds category in the USA Beach Nationals and a bid to the World Championships in Turkey.

William B. Conley ’95 is men’s and women’s cross country coach at Goldey-Beacom College. He is a sci-ence teacher at Gauger-Cobbs Middle School and resides in Earleville, Md.

Judith Williams ’95 is an associate professor of nursing at Northamp-ton Community College.

Dr. Dana A. Hysock ’96 received her Ph.D. in sociology from the Uni-versity of Delaware and is an assis-tant professor of sociology at Macon State College in Georgia.

Jamie Schietzelt Iacobacci ’96 is the senior graphic designer at Alamo Title Company in Austin, Texas. She and her husband, Mike, have a daughter, Paige Elena. They bought a florist shop in Austin.

Dr. Amy J. Rinker ’96, received her Ph.D. from New York Chiropractic College. Amy practices out of her home in West Chester

and plans to open her private busi-ness in the near future.

Alex Rolon ’96 is a tenured assis-tant professor of mathematics at Northampton Community College.

James Sacco ’96 was awarded a Doc-tor of Osteopathic Medicine Degree from Philadelphia College of Osteo-pathic Medicine.

Elba Carides ’97 was granted a stan-dard appointment, the equivalent of tenure as an assistant professor at Northampton Community College.

Vicki Pede M’97 is superintendent of the Morris Plains School District (K-8) and principal of the Mountain Way School (K-2) in New Jersey.

Krystal Slivinski ’97 is executive director for Alpha Sigma Alpha Na-tional Sorority at the headquarters in Indianapolis, Ind.

Kevin Broadhurst ’99 is area direc-tor of government and community affairs for Chester County at Comcast Cable. He is responsible for 58 mu-nicipalities and 119,000 households served by Comcast.

Anthony F. Surace ’99 is the man-ager of sports medicine and athletic training with Niagara Falls Memo-rial Medical Center and University Sports Medicine of Niagara, N.Y. Tony is also the assistant director of Sports Medicine Concepts, Inc., in Geneseo, N.Y.

2000sKelly Bradley ’00 published her first novel, Frightful Forest, a juvenile action/adventure story, and has had a signing at the Waldenbooks bookstore in

the Stroud Mall. She resides in East Stroudsburg where she has been teaching elementary school chil-dren for six years. Kelly is pictured, on left, with her novel and illustra-tor Heather Lionetti.

Jean A. Hazelwood M’00 is director of athletic facilities at Randolph-Ma-con Woman’s College in Lynchburg, Va. She will be responsible for the daily operation and programming of the 120,000-square-foot athletics, recreation, fitness and dance center scheduled to open in fall 2008.

Eugene F. Bazzarelli ’01, former ESU Club Lacrosse captain, an-chored the defense for the Italian National Team at the World Lacrosse Championships in London, On-tario.

ESU Alumni Herald“Who’s Doing What”20


Jeremy Bolles, Esq. ’01 is an as-sistant district attorney with the Monroe County D.A.’s office in Stroudsburg.

Benjamin J. Brenneman ’01 was awarded a new car for winning the season finale of “Pros vs. Joes” on Spike TV.

Matthew Tyler Giobbi ’01 is an adjunct faculty member at Rutgers University, teaching history of psy-chology, and at DeSales University, teaching social psych, development and abnormal psychology. Matthew is also studying under film maker John Waters and French philosopher Jean Baudrillard for the D. Phil (Ph.D.) in continental philosophy and media studies at the European Grad-uate School in Switzerland.

Matthew Kretiv ’02 is pursuing his acting career in New York. He has been on Court TV productions as well as a pilot episode of “Barfly” produced by Jade Barrymore, and was the lead in an off-off Broadway play called Spare the Goldfish, Spoil the Child. Most recently, he has acted in productions with the Met-ropolitan Opera.

Beldina Opiyo-Omolo ’02, M’04 founded the non-profit organization Alice’s Visionary Project Foundation which provides meals and constructs buildings in Amilo, Kenya.

Regina Sayles Koilparampil ’03 will release a CD titled “It’s Home.” She performed all the vocals and guitar for the album. On weekends, she usu-ally is booked at various clubs and performed at The First Friday concert at the National Theatre.

Jonathan H. Pry ’03, former quar-terback at ESU, is quarterbacks coach at South Carolina State University.

Andrew E. Said ’03 received an outstanding graduate award in com-munity counseling from the Uni-versity of Scranton. He is a certified counselor and a behavior specialist

consultant for children diagnosed with development disabilities.

Neal Michael Thatcher ’03 received his juris doctorate on May 21 from Widener University School of Law. The magna cum laude graduate was inducted into Phi Kappa Phi Nation-al Honor Society. He also received the Association of Pennsylvania State College and University Facul-ties Honors Award and the William D. McFadden Scholarship Award.

Matt Viggiano M’03 is men’s soc-cer assistant coach at Iona College. Matt has a National Soccer Coaches Association of America advanced national license, is a staff coach with Eastern New York Olympic Develop-ment Program, and coaches with the U.S. club soccer program Middle-path Football Club.

Ronald “Joe” Camacho ’04 is a police officer in Dover, N.J. He previously was a paraprofessional in the special education department of Mountain Lakes, N.J., High School.

Melissa Fabbricatore ’04 completed a visual-history book of Pittston. She has always had an interest in captur-ing the past for future generations to enjoy.

Barry S. Krammes ’04 finished fifth in the nation in the javelin throw at the 2006 AT&T USA Outdoor Track & Field National Championships.

Jayleen Galarza ’05 was selected to become AmeriCorps Vista Member for ESU Host Campus Program. She also received the Shirley Chisholm Award from ESU’s Commission for Women, Commission on Diversity, and the Women’s Studies/Women’s Center based on her academic excel-lence, commitment to social justice and social activism.

Brian Pedone ’05, center, together with ESU senior Michael P. Moyni-han III, at right, founded Grad Techs, a computer security company and developed software to evaluate student and employee documents for plagiarism. They won $20,000 as part of the fourth annual Great Val-ley Business Plan Competition. They are pictured with N. Paul Schembari, ESU professor of computer science.

Janelle R. Wagner ’05 joined the Greencastle-Antrim public school staff as a third-grade teacher in Gre-encastle.

Joseph Garrera M’06 has been named executive director of the Le-high County Historical Society. He served eight years as the president of the Lincoln Group of New York, a nonprofit that hosts lectures on the latest Lincoln research by historians.

Fall 2006 “Who’s Doing What” 21

What’s New at ESU?They say a picture’s worth 1,000 words — click on the Photo Gallery on ESU’s home page, www.esu.edu, and take a pictorial tour of the fall semester.

Or click on “Top Stories” and read all the news.


ESU Alumni HeraldAlumni Spotlight22

From ESU to Team USA, Phil Whed-don ’94 has had a hand in coaching some of the best goalkeepers in the world. Now, he can say he did it on the world’s biggest soccer stage as goalie coach of the United States Men’s National Team. The red, white and blue and their coaching staff traveled to Germany to compete in the FIFA World Cup. The tournament, held every four years, pits the top 32 coun-tries in the world against each other for a month-long competition.

Although they hoped to advance further in the tournament, Phil noted, “Being a part of the World Cup is a dream for anyone who loves soccer, and it more than lived up to my expectations. Despite the disappointing results, everything was first-class, from the hotel to the training sessions and overall treatment by the German public.”

A native of Basingstoke, England, Phil came to ESU after receiving his degree in business finance from Crewe and Alsager College in England. Jerry Sheska, ESU men’s head soccer coach, gave Wheddon the oppor-tunity to coach after finding that he was ineligible to play. Wheddon recalled, “Coach Sheska asked if I would be his goalkeeper coach. I was also asked to coach the women’s goalkeepers which taught me flexibility and different ways to approach coaching the men’s and women’s game. What it really did was help me get my career going.” He graduated from ESU in �994 with a degree in physical education and sport management.

Like every coach, Wheddon has his own philosophy on how the game should be played and how he feels players best respond. His philosophy is simple and con-tinues to be very successful. “I keep training sessions as functional as possible and as closely related to the game as we can,” Wheddon said. “We will warm up with sim-ple footwork and handling exercises. The sessions prog-ress from simple to complex and the keepers see shots without defenders or attackers. Then we incorporate balls from the sides and players finishing from varying angles and distances. More attackers and defenders are

added so the sessions begin to look like games.”Before becoming the U.S. Men’s National Team

goalkeeper coach, Wheddon has been the U.S. Wom-en’s National Team goalkeeper coach since 2002. He assisted in the FIFA Women’s World Cup and was with the team during the World Cup in 2003 and coached Briana Scurry in the Olympics in 2004. “Coaching the Women’s World Cup was unbelievable,” Wheddon said. “Then we won gold in the Olympics in 2004 and I thought life could not get any better.”

It did get better with his hard work and the chance to coach in this year’s World Cup. “I will always remem-ber the feeling I had before we played Italy. I have never heard our National Anthem sung with such passion as it was by the fans in the stadium. It still gives me goose bumps. The fans played a huge part in that game, especially when things did not go our way. It made me exceptionally proud to be an American. Those types of memories will stand out for me.”

Phil, who has professional playing experience in England and the United States, resides in Connecticut with his wife and two children.

Phil Wheddon ’94 Coaches U.S in

World Cup

Alumni Spotlight

Phil Wheddon ’94 warms up U.S. Men’s National goalkeeper Kasey Keller.

Send your news to [email protected] or fax to (570) 422-3301.

Comprehensive CampaignFall 2006

Today’s Dream, Tomorrow’s RealToday’s Dream, Tomorrow’s Realityity

ESU launched the public phase of its first major Comprehensive Campaign on a beautiful April day, as 19 hard hat-clad alumni, administrators and dignitaries plunged ceremonial shovels into ground on which the new $36 million Science and Technology Center is being constructed.

Vice President for University Advancement Dr. Isaac W. Sanders presided over the groundbreaking and kick-off of the “public phase” of the Comprehensive Cam-paign, “Today’s Dream, Tomorrow’s Reality.” Assisting him were general campaign co-chairs Dr. Sam Niedbala ’82 and Linda Lee (Troiani) Niedbala ’83, among others. The Comprehensive Campaign has already achieved more than half of its $15 million goal.

The Science and Technology Center will be the first new major academic building at East Stroudsburg Uni-versity since 1979. The building is the centerpiece of a Comprehensive Campaign, which also is raising funds for the Annual Fund, Athletic Facilities Renovation, Endowment (scholarships), and the Fine and Performing Arts Endowment.

Construction site work at the corner of Normal and Ransberry Streets is under way. Completion is projected for fall 2008. The Science and Technology Center will accommodate diverse university academic departments ranging from mathematics to computer sciences, chem-istry, biology, biotechnology, and physics. The cost to build the Science and Technology Center will exceed $36 million.

The 124,000-square-foot-structure will include research, classroom, and faculty office space. The center was identified as the university’s most needed facility in the Campus Master Plan. The building and its academic

mission have been identified as a potential stimulant for regional economic growth and development.

“The center will be much more than simply another academic building,” said University President Dr. Robert J. Dillman. “The concept for the new center is all about inspiring and stimulating the faculty and empower-ing our students to take ideas from concept to reality. Ultimately we will provide the necessary tools for our students to succeed and excel in the new professions of the 21st century as well as the time-honored occupations such as teaching.”

More than $14 million in state and federal dollars have been allocated to the building. This includes $13.6 million announced by former Pennsylvania Governor Mark Schweiker in January 2002 and a $500,000 federal grant announced by U.S. Senator Arlen Specter in March 2002. The balance of the cost of construction will be provided by the ESU Foundation through private gifts.

For information about making a gift, call 800-775-8975 or visit http://advancement.esu.edu.

23

Comprehensive Campaign Level Rises As Shovels Dig In for ESU’s New Science and Technology Center

Construction was well under way by late November, right.Photo by Michelle Rupp

Photo byPerry Hebard


ESU Alumni HeraldCover Story24

Sam ’82 and Linda-Lee Troiani ’83 Niedbala: Wedded to Helping ESU Succeed In Its Largest Fund Drive Ever

Teasing Linda-Lee (Troiani) ’83 and R. Sam ’82 Niedbala about how they met is too easy. It isn’t often you hear that a couple came together across the mat in a college judo class. The very idea makes otherwise intelligent people crack the

lamest of jokes. In the telling of their story, the pair has taken to adding their own cracks: “I dropped out—out of fear,” Sam

deadpans. “Yes, he flipped over me,” adds Linda-Lee.

Leading the Way

Linda-Lee Troiani Niedbala ’83 and Sam Niedbala ’82 address the crowd at the ground-breaking ceremony for the new Science and Technology Center.

Story by Regina Diverio Photo by Perry Hebard

Fall 2006 Cover Story

Linda-Lee and Sam began dat-ing when she was a freshman at ESU. Married now nearly 22 years and blessed with two children, Carl John and Jacqueline, the Emmaus pair still seem like college sweet-hearts, gently adding to each other’s thoughts and clarifying each other’s points.

Naturally, they have a tender spot for the university. That affec-tion is one of several reasons they agreed to co-chair ESU’s compre-hensive campaign, Today’s Dream, Tomorrow’s Reality, and to contrib-ute $� million toward the $�5 mil-lion goal.

As they will tell you, ESU not only brought them together, but it also gave them the academic grounding and the guidance they needed to chart their futures. In his sophomore year, Sam was a

physical education major by de-fault—he liked the track program and couldn’t pinpoint an alterna-tive course of study. Professor Den-nis Erb wouldn’t let that decision languish. “What do you want to do with your life?” he probed.

“Everyone needs a mentor who will ask those questions,” Sam says. “We concluded: Chemistry. And that really changed my life and my career path forever.”

The professor warned him that the course of study would be a hard one, but Sam was determined. Mak-ing up for lost time, he scheduled �8 credits of chemistry each semester of his senior year. “That’s how I lost my hair,” he jokes.

Another professor, Philip Keim, urged Sam to pursue graduate study

25

Continued on next page

“This effort is important and will

set ESU apart and make it com-

petitive with private schools. Why

shouldn’t ESU students have the

same opportunities and the same

caliber of facilities that private

schools have? They are part of

the majority of our country, and

they’re going to be running it

some day. They need to have the

best.”

Linda-Lee Troiani Niedbala ’83

TODAY’S DREAM,TOMORROW’S REALITY

RFM Photography, AllentownAbove, Linda-Lee and Sam with children Jackie and Carl

ESU Alumni HeraldCover Story

and wrote to Lehigh University on his behalf; on the professor’s word, the university accepted Sam without entrance exams. He went on to earn a master’s and doctorate in chemistry from Lehigh; today, he is a professor of practice in the school’s chemistry department. But the trajectory that brought him there begs telling. His story is that of the classic entrepre-neur, and it is Linda-Lee’s story as well.

Cutting-edge technologies born in a basement

An ESU biology major, Linda-Lee went on to become a registered respiratory therapist before switch-ing course and earning a master’s in secondary education from St. Peter’s College. But while she and Sam had their day jobs, their future lay in the basement of their New Jersey home. The couple had teamed up with two acquaintances, one skilled in finance and the other in marketing, to form STC Technologies. The group didn’t know each other well, but their individual skills covered all bases and made them an efficient team. “It was almost like an arranged marriage,” Sam says.

His role in the mix was to be the idea man. “Sam is always thinking of what people need that is not yet

expressed,” says Linda-Lee. “He’s good at listening to people and really hearing them and responding. It’s his God-given gift, and it has en-abled him to be as successful as he’s been with business in particular.”

STC began creating and pitching a diversity of products. Among the first was a sunscreen on a towelette. The group hit the road, carrying the product from buyer to buyer, hoping for some interest. Back then, Sam recalls, Kmart—not Wal-Mart—was the “gorilla in the market.” STC’s product made it onto Kmart store shelves in a limited capacity, and when one of the partners ran into the Kmart CEO at a college alumni event, he thanked the man for giv-ing STC a test market. The following Monday Kmart’s buyer called with a directive from the boss to take the product chainwide.

“I always say there’s no such thing as luck,” Sam says. “I believe in destiny.”

“And God designs it,” adds Linda-Lee.

STC eventually licensed that sun-screen product to Schering Plough, which owns Coppertone, and turned to creating prototypes of products that tapped Sam’s background in clinical chemistry and medical diagnostics. The company relocated to Pennsylvania and received a small grant from the Ben Franklin Tech-

nology Partners of Northeast Penn-sylvania, a state-funded initiative to help entrepreneurs get their ideas off the ground. The going was tough; all of the partners held other part-time jobs to pay the rent.

By that time, Linda-Lee was focused on caring for a newborn who slept only in short spurts and keep-ing the household running. Sam was out the door at dawn to the Ben Franklin labs and then off to his job at a medical diagnostics company, not returning home until 9 at night. The pace was relentless.

“We met the bare minimum for sustenance, but that never bothered me,” recalls Linda-Lee. “It was the time apart that bothered me.”

So when the company Sam worked for announced its impend-ing move to England, inviting him to come along with the rest of the re-search and development team, it was the opportunity the couple needed to step off the treadmill. Sam refused the offer and took a severance pack-age that would buy them some time to regroup.

“It was a godsend,” says Linda-Lee. “It was the break we needed.”

That severance package and the grant from the Ben Franklin project “bridged us,” says Sam. “We had dia-pers and macaroni and cheese and we made the mortgage payments.”

Looking back on their lean years,

Linda-Lee says, “I was never

fearful through the process.

I had faith in God and in my

husband. We believed in the goal.

We always saw it as attainable,

and that’s how we feel about the

campaign at ESU.”

26

Cover StoryFall 2006

Developing technology of national note - first rapid

test for HIVMost important, their fledgling

company was growing stronger each day. They developed a cryogenic treatment for warts that Compound W markets today, and they created the diagnostic tests for detecting substance abuse used by count-less life insurance companies, law enforcement agencies, and health organizations. Most notably, after merging into the public market in 2000 as OraSure Technologies, Inc., they developed the first rapid test for detecting HIV using saliva—a technology endorsed by President George Bush in his State-of-the-Union address as a way to curtail the spread of AIDS.

That merger marked the end of the first phase of the company’s life. Sam agreed to stay on with OraSure as executive vice president and chief scientific officer for three years—he actually stayed for four—but he and Linda-Lee began planning the next phase of their lives together.

“I traveled 100,000 miles a year on airplanes for a long, long time, giving speeches at research meet-ings, spending time with custom-ers,” Sam says. “My philosophy was to go out, shake hands, and look them in the eye, and that required shoe leather.”

“We wanted to take advantage of the fruits of our labor and spend time with our high schoolers,” says Linda-Lee. Even with all of that traveling, she notes, Sam was never an absentee father, but he had put his own hobbies on hold all those

years. Today, he has the best of all worlds, developing applications for clinical medicine in the research lab at Lehigh and sharing his expertise with students, with time enough to spare so he and his son can surf and kayak year round and he and his daughter can do what she likes best—shopping.

Looking back on those lean years, Linda-Lee says, “I was never fearful through the process. I had faith in God and in my husband. We believed in the goal. We always saw it as attainable, and that’s how we feel about the campaign at ESU.”

President Dillman’s vision of Center for Research and Economic Development brings them back to ESU

When their company went public, the Niedbalas began get-ting reacquainted with ESU and were wowed by President Robert Dillman’s vision. “He truly has a confidence and an expectation that the students at ESU will succeed and succeed well, and that they will be the leaders of our community in the future,” says Linda-Lee.

That vision led to the creation in 1999 of the Center for Research and Economic Development, on whose board Sam serves. The center is focused on entrepreneurial innova-tion, applied research, and work-force training. The intention, Sam explains, is to work with professors to see what companies could de-velop out of the university to create jobs and business opportunities.

The idea has taken off, infused by plans for the new Science and Technology Center. “The new building is encouraging entrepre-neurs to work alongside professors to bring new technology to the com-munity,” Sam says. “It’s great for job creation while students get practical real-world experience.”

The couple is particularly excited by the interdisciplinary mindset at ESU, which mirrors that of industry today, where scientists work alongside financial, marketing, and management experts. “Gone are the days of silos between disci-plines,” Sam says. “Industry is based on teams, and having ESU students be aware of those roles and know how to work between them only increases their value.”

Helping ESU to achieve the goals set forth in the campaign dovetails neatly with the Niedbalas’ own mas-ter plan. Deeply spiritual, the two see their involvement as part of their own faith walk.

“Our conviction is to use our resources for far-reaching goals, not just short-term gratification—al-though that can be fun too,” says Linda-Lee with a smile. “This ef-fort is important and will set ESU apart and make it competitive with private schools. Why shouldn’t ESU students have the same opportuni-ties and the same caliber of facilities that private schools have? They are part of the majority of our country, and they’re going to be running it some day. They need to have the best.”

“Gone are the days of silos between disciplines. Industry is based on

teams, and having ESU students be aware of those roles and know how

to work between them only increases their value.”

- Sam Niedbala ’82

27


Editor’s note: The Engagements, Wed-dings, Births and “Who’s Doing What” listings were compiled as of October 31. Over the summer our computer server crashed, and as a result some informa-tion was lost. If your news is not in this issue, we apologize; please re-send the information for inclusion in the next issue. Have a great holiday season!

Michael D. Kuhns ’95 and Chris-tine Varone announce their engage-ment. They work at the Pocono Record in Stroudsburg. Mike is sports editor and Christine is an ac-counting supervisor. Their wedding was planned for October.

Christopher M. Baines ’96 and Coni Poster announce their engage-ment. Chris is a program manager for Bethesda Day Treatment Center in Lehighton. The bride-elect is a registered nurse in the cardiac unit at Concord Hospital in Concord, N.H.

Tammi J. Wallace ’97 and William B. Oyler V were to be married in Oc-tober. Tammi is employed by Cecil County Public School, Elkton, Md. William is employed by ING Direct, Wilmington, Del.

Erin Flower ’98 and Christian Ro-guso announced plans to marry in September. Erin is employed by Val-ley Furniture Shop in Watchung, N.J. Her fiance is employed with Golfsmith in Bridgewater, N.J.

Bryan Burk-holder ’99 and Kelly L. Herr ’01 have announced their engage-ment. Bryan is an account executive for

APEX Asset Management, LLC and Kelly is coordinator of community relations for the Lancaster School

District. Their wedding was planned for November.

Michael Rosenthal ’99 and Amy Miller are engaged. Michael is a production manager with BML Pro-ductions Inc. in Raritan, N.J. Amy is an assistant media director at Kerwin Communications in West Caldwell, N.J. An October wedding was planned.

Elysa Katz ’00 and Thomas Handley are engaged. Elysa is a social worker for Chester County Department of Children, Youth and Families. Thomas is a high school math teacher for Bishop Eustace Prepara-tory School. A wedding is planned for October 2007.

Daniel LaMagna ’00 announces his engagement to Michele Minkler. Dan was named the running backs coach at Lackawanna College, where he is an assistant football coach. Michele is a fourth-grade teacher at Abington Heights Elementary. A winter wedding is planned.

Jennifer A. Potacco ’01 and Ernie Andreoli Jr. announced their en-gagement. Jennifer is the director of social services and activities at Heri-tage House in Wilkes Barre. Ernie is a Volkswagen technician with Kelly Motor Co., Scranton. The wedding was planned for October.

Vincent Zelizo ’01 and Elizabeth Carrie Lawrence ’02 announced plans to marry in July at Waterloo United Methodist Church in Stan-hope, N.J. Vin is an admissions counselor for Centenary College and Carrie is a teacher in the Byram Township School District. They live in Portland.

Joseph D. Bull ’02 is engaged to Jen-nifer Sink. Joseph is a senior consul-tant for Booz Allen Hamilton in Los Angeles, Calif. Jennifer is a special education teacher in Torrence, Calif. A wedding is planned for August 2, 2008.

Crystal L. Burger ’02 and Ronald J. Mickalowski, Jr. announced their engagement. The bride-to-be works for the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection in the Scranton District Office. Her fiance works for Associated Wholesalers Inc. in Robesonia. The wedding was to take place in September.

Jenny I. Hackett ’02 and Eric Kuntz were engaged on March 20. Jenny is a fourth-grade

teacher at Pleasant Valley School District in Brodheadsville. Eric is an inventory forester for the Pennsyl-vania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources in Spring Mills. A wedding is planned for Oc-tober 7, 2007.

Steve O’Hara ’02, M’04 and Angela Lager ’04 have an-nounced their en-gagement. Steven is a software devel-oper with IS Part-ner of Plymouth Meeting. Angi is

a personal banker for Embassy Bank for the Lehigh Valley. A September 8, 2007, wedding is planned.

Daniel Bratton ’03 and Heather Clouser ’02, M’03 announced their engagement. Dan is a middle school social studies teacher and var-sity football coach

at Governor Mifflin School District in Shillington and Heather is employed at Gettysburg College as an assistant athletic trainer. Their wedding is scheduled for June 16, 2007.

EngagementsESU Alumni HeraldEngagements28 ggg


Nicholas A. Caprioli ’03 and Kris-tina Landaeta are engaged to marry. Nicholas is an electronics engineer at Tobyhanna Army Depot in Toby-hanna. The bride-elect is a summer camp director with Pocono Family YMCA. A wedding will take place in summer of 2007.

Louis Chandler ’03 and Melissa Rath announced their engagement. Louis is employed by Palmyra School District. Melissa is employed at Mil-ton Hershey Elementary School. A wedding was planned for August �2.

Rachel Hartung ’03 and Stephen Ryan Emmerthal are engaged. Ra-chel is the head women’s basketball coach at Wilkes University, Wilkes Barre. Her fiance is employed by RCN, a cable computer technology company in Wilkes Barre, and will pursue a master’s degree.

Keith R. Kishbaugh ’03 and Cyn-thia Washington are engaged. Keith is a teacher for Berkeley County School District in Martinsburg, W. Va. Cynthia is pursuing a bachelor of science degree in elementary education at ESU. The wedding is planned for June 2008.

Stephanie L. Paige ’03 is engaged to James Hardy, Jr. Stephanie is an intensive case manager for Salisbury Behavioral Health in East Strouds-burg. Her fiance is employed with LTS Builders in East Stroudsburg. A wedding is planned for May 2007.

Jennifer Reed ’03 and Jeremy Hahn announced their engagement. The bride-to-be is an ad-missions specialist at KidsPeace. The prospective groom is an account execu-tive at the Morning

Call. A wedding is planned for June 22, 2007.

Charla Riggi ’03 and James McG-lynn are engaged. Charla is a re-

searcher for Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia in New York City. James is a senior accountant at PKF, Intl. in Manhattan. The couple were to wed on September 29.

Heidi L. Huffert ’04 and Kevin Lee Zacharias are engaged. Heidi is employed by The RedCo Group, Le-highton. Kevin is a union pipe fitter in Scranton. A wedding has been planned for October 2007.

Brendon Kur ’04 and Stacey Hef-fner ’04 have announced their engagement. Stacey is employed by Split Rock Resort in Lake Harmony. Brendon is employed by Pocono Mountain School District in Pocono Pines. A wedding has been planned for July 28, 2007.

Melissa A. Mallick ’04 and Jake Switzer an-nounce their engagement. A wedding

has been planned for June 23, 2007.

John A. McDonald ’04 and Carrie Ann Snell announce their engage-ment. John is a sales supervisor for Unitrin Direct, Scranton. The bride-to-be is a kindergarten teacher for the Lake-Lehman School District, Lehman Township. A July �4 wed-ding was planned.

Anthony P. Pagotto ’04 and Erica Briggs announced their engage-ment. Anthony is the pastor of St. James Lutheran Church, Nescopeck. Erica is employed by Pocono Moun-tain School District. The couple was to marry on September 2.

Jeffrey Pilch ’04 and Kristen M. Matrunich announced their engage-ment. The prospective groom is creative director for API Productions and Multi-Media Advertising, Kings-ton. The bride-to-be is a co-manager for Bath and Body Works in the Wyoming Valley Mall, Wilkes-Barre. An October 7 wedding was planned.

Lisa M. Dailey ’05 and Jeffery Kojeszewski are engaged. Lisa is a first-grade teacher at Coolbaugh Learning Center in Pocono Moun-tain School District. Her fiancé is a non-teaching assistant at Pocono Mountain East High School, Swift-water. A July wedding was planned.

Samuel P. Jones ’05 and Sarah Schnader are engaged. Samuel is a counselor with KidsPeace in Ore-field. Sarah attends ESU. A wedding is planned for September 2008.

Jessica L. Lambert ’05 and Thomas Kutylowski Jr. are engaged. Jessica is a special education teacher at Colo-nial Intermediate Unit 20 in Easton. Her fiancé is a mechanical engineer with Burns and Roe Enterprises Inc. in Mount Laurel. A wedding is planned for July �4, 2007.

Daniel A. Nealon ’05 and Nicole Ann Wellington ’05 are engaged. Daniel is employed at Shelley’s Lum-ber, Freeland. Nicole is employed at Evergreen Behavioral Intervention for Children, Luzerne. A November wedding was planned.

Nicholas Paust ’05 and Jennifer Gambino announce their engage-ment. The groom-to-be is employed with Bi-County Paving in Queens, N.Y. The bride-to-be is employed at Burberry in Tannersville. A wedding is planned for November 3, 2007.

Sandra Peck ’05 and Daniel Erb are engaged. Sandra is a kindergarten teacher at Resica Elementary School in East Stroudsburg Area School Dis-trict. Daniel is owner of Erb’s Land-scaping, Mount Pocono.

Brian H. Ramage ’05 and Trish Pratt ’06 are engaged. Brian is a fit-ness co-director at the Annex, part of The Chatham Club in Chatham, N.J. Trish is pursuing her bachelor’s de-gree in mathematics at ESU and will graduate in December. The wedding is planned for May �8, 2007.

Fall 2006 Engagements 29

ESU Alumni HeraldEngagements and Weddings

Greg Wolfgang ’85 and Amy San-zone were married on July 2, 2005. Greg is the chair-man of the depart-ment of English at William Penn Se-nior High School

in York. Amy is a learning support teacher at the same high school. The couple reside in York.

Dan Mantis Wirth ’87 and Khrysteen Exposito were handfasted in a Celtic pagan ceremony on May �, 2005, in Lockridge Park

in Alburtis. Dan does environmental emissions reporting for Tyco Health-care in Phillipsburg, N.J. Khrys is a business analyst for BOC Gases in Murray Hill, N.J. They were expecting their first child in October.

Dawn M. Kollar ’90 and Michael Blaum were married on August �3 at Water Gap Country Club in Dela-ware Water Gap. Dawn is employed at the House of Candles in Hen-ryville. Michael owns EMB Builders and Excavation. They live in Neola.

Alissa R. Morris ’93 and Michael D. Alexander were married on October �6, 2005, at the Marriott Philadelphia Downtown. Alis-sa is a textbook manager with Barnes & Noble

College Bookstores, Inc. at Drexel University. Michael is an architect working in Center City Philadelphia. The couple reside in Abington.

Paul Shemansky ’96 and Mercy A. Hendren exchanged wedding vows on October 7, 2005, at the Chateau Resort in Tannersville. The groom is a policy liaison for the Senate of Pennsylvania and an adjunct lectur-er in history and political science at DeSales University and Northamp-ton Community College. The bride is an art teacher at J.T. Lambert Intermidiate School in East Strouds-burg and an adjunct professor of art education for Kutztown University. They live in East Stroudsburg.

Andrew Sloaf ’96 and Mindy Frankel ’98 were married on August �9 in LaConner, Wash. The bridal party included ESU alumni Maryellyn Higgins Muller

’98, Jennifer Flanagan ’98, Jayne Dougherty ’98 and Jake Mills ’99. Many more from ESU made the trip to Washington for the wedding: Molly Zepp ’98, Sue Kellenbenz ’99, Krista Dovin Jacobs ’98, Dan Fey ’00 & Amy Corwin Fey ’98, Brian Maier ’98, Jennifer Parncutt ’98, Jennifer DiMinni ’98, Mark Sokolowski ’97, Brian Koch ’99, Kendyle Crawford Mills ’00, Rico Gallo ’95, Jeremy Young ’96, Cathy Merli ’98, Dan Janda ’96, Christy Connolly ’03 and Chris Magarelli ’01. Mindy is a training specialist for a large technology company and Andy manages a commercial salmon

hatchery. Mindy and Andy moved to Seattle, over seven years ago and now reside in Rochester, Wash.

Heather M. MacIntire ’98 and Matthew Siptroth married on July �5 at Shawnee Inn & Golf Resort. The bride is a fourth-grade teacher at Pleasant Valley Elementary School. The groom is an assistant golf course superintendent with Shawnee Inn & Golf Resort. They live in Shawnee-on-Delaware.

Jonathan M. Sassi ’98 and Kristin T. Prebola were united in marriage on August 20, 2005, at Sacred Heart Church in Plains Township. Jona-than is employed by the Common-wealth of Pennsylvania State De-partment of Health in Wilkes-Barre. Kristin is a business consultant for the Wilkes University Small Business Development Center. The couple reside in Plains Township.

Michelle Hawk ’99 and Richard Brady were married on January 7, 2005, at Saint

Mark’s Church in Bristol. The bridal party included ESU alumnae and Tri Sigma sisters, Lisa Bascio ’96, Carol Bethel Pollock ’97, Andria Squil-lari ’98, Christy DiValerio ’99, Amy Kulesa ’99 and Jennifer Royall ’00. Another ESU/Tri Sigma alumna in attendance was Erin Ennis Werner ’98. Michelle is the assistant coordi-nator of housing programs for the Bucks County Housing Authority and Rich works in the web-based ser-vice department for Merrill Lynch. The couple reside in Bristol.

Melinda Haberstich ’99 and Thomas J. Froncek Jr. were united in marriage on September 3, 2005, at St. Therese’s Church, Shaver-town. Melinda is employed in the emergency department at St. Mary’s Hospital in Richmond, Va. Thomas

Weddings

30

Timothy Strenfel ’05 and Andrea Cannavale ’05 plan to marry. The prospective groom is a substitute teacher in the Hanover Area School District. The bride-to-be is employed by the Luzerne County Intermedi-ate Unit. The couple planned to ex-change vows in August.

Brittany S. Kulp ’06 and Timothy Kramer are engaged. Timothy is employed with Traffic Planning and Design in Pottstown. A wedding is planned for July 7, 2007.

WeddingsFall 2006 3�

is employed at Dominion Resources as a business systems analyst. The couple reside in Richmond, Va.

Charles Cosmark III ’00 and Jen-nifer Rotondella ’04 married on August �3, 2005, at St. Mary’s Visi-tation Church in Dickson City. ESU alumni included in the bridal

party: Brian Smith ’00, Chris Hon-ney ’05 and Alyssa Acken ’04. ESU alumni attending the wedding: Megan O’Hara ’04, Megan Mroz-inski ’04, Bonnie George ’04 and Heather Dolinsky ’04. Charles is the assistant general manager for Residence Inn, Columbus, Ohio, and Jennifer is a kindergarten teacher for Columbus Public Schools. They live in Westerville, Ohio.

Nicole Ellis ’00 married Mark Lemon-celli on Oc-tober 7, 2005, at Ehrhardt’s Waterfront

Resort in Hawley. ESU alumni in attendance were: Jenelle Timmins ’00, bridesmaid, Kevin Ogborn ’97, reader, Jen DelGrosso ’01, reader, Mike DelGrosso ’92, Robin Kemp ’98, Michael Blough ’87, and Gary Moss ’98. They are employed by Pocono Mountain School District; Nicole is a fifth-grade math teacher, and Mark, a high school history teacher.

Elizabeth Mori-son ’00 and Randy Heffner exchanged vows on October 22, 2005, at Pleas-antdale Presby-terian Church in West Orange, N.J. ESU alumni

in the wedding party were: Laura Salamone ’01, Len Traber ’00, Mark

Wachter ’01, Tim Crouch ’00 and Mike Tait ’01. Other alumni in atten-dance were: Meaghan McCoy ’00, Kendyle Crawford ’00, Stacy Aaron ’00, Stacy Hamm ’00, Linda Zavits-ki ’02, Billy D’Andrea ’00, and Tom ’99 and Kate ’99 Weinberg.

Nicole Serwin ’00 and Robert Craven exchanged wedding vows on June 3 at Sandals Grande St. Lucian Spa and Resort in St. Lucia. The bride is employed at Pocono Medical Cen-ter in East Stroudsburg. The groom is an electrician with Leber and Bon-ham Electrical Contractors, Local 8�, in Waverly. They live in Moscow.

Matthew F. Smith ’00 and Charlene M. DeLuca ’03 were united in marriage on October 22, 2005, at Our Lady of Victory

Church in Tannersville. The groom is employed by McLane Northeast in Baldwinsville, N.Y., and Mt. Bethel Beverage. The bride is a teacher with Pocono Mountain School District. They live in Bangor.

Craig Mesick ’01 and Joyce Weber ’01 were married June 25, 2005, at St. Elizabeth’s Church in Avon, N.J. Craig is an assistant vice president for the Bank of New York

in Malvern. Joyce is a behavior ana-lyst for Devereux in Berwyn. The couple live in Fort Washington.

Jon A. Pavuk ’01 and Aubrey L. Gaines ’99 were married on July 9, 2005, in Hope, N.J. ESU alumni in the wedding party were: Jessica

Casey ’99, Karen O’Hanlon ’00, Samantha Hall ’99, Jennifer Novak Mackey ’99, Carrie Schreckengost Froemel ’99, Paul Shemansky ’96, M ’01, Aaron Mariano ’03, David Mason ’02, John DeCusatis ’00 and Greg Garzio ’95. Jon is a teacher in the Pleasant Valley School District. Aubrey is a special education teacher in the Pocono Mountain School Dis-trict. They live in Tobyhanna.

John M. Alunni ’02 and Melissa A. Panunzio were joined in marriage at St. Thomas Aquinas Church, Arch-bald. John is a residential treatment facility case manager at St. Michael’s School, Tunkhannock. Melissa is a speech-language pathologist at Genesis Rehabilitation Services at Little Flower Manor, Wilkes Barre. The couple live in Shavertown.

Ashleigh S. Coffman ’02 married Jason A. Snyder on July 9, 2005, at Cherry Lane United Methodist Church. Ashleigh works for sanofi pasteur, Swiftwater. Jason is em-ployed at J.A. Snyder Entities, Strouds-burg. The couple live in Scotrun. Tracey L. Halowich M’02 and Mi-chael F. Wagner were married June 22, 2006, aboard the Carnival cruise ship “Inspiration” in the Grand Cay-man Islands. Upon returning from the cruise, a reception was held at Checkerboard Pavilion, Trucksville. Tracy is a high school principal in the Lake-Lehman School District. Francis is a science teacher in the Jim Thorpe School District. The couple reside in Forty Fort.

Kelly Keres-tur ’02 and Jared Ho-jnowski were married on May 7 at the Chateau at

Camelback. The wedding party in-cluded Diana DiMino ’02 and Julie Cutter ’05. Kelly is a French teacher at Lehman Intermediate. Jared returned home in April from his tour in Iraq. The couple live in Bushkill.

Alumni HeraldWeddings ESU Alumni Herald

Jennifer J. Nicholson M’02 and Joseph S. Agolino exchanged vows on July 9, 2005, at St. Luke’s Church in Stroudsburg followed by a recep-tion at Ridgecrest at Stroudsmoor Country Inn. The bride is employed by East Stroudsburg Area School Dis-trict and the groom is employed by Pleasant Valley School District.

Jason S. Sullivan ’02 and Jennifer L. Barnes ’00 married on July 2, 2005, at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church in Boonton, N.J. ESU alumni in the bridal party

included Tracey Fedzina Brucker ’00, Jackie Geli ’01, Grace Ann Lombardi Fiocco ’00, Maria Har-nett ’03 and Carolyn Mustachio ’02. Groomsmen included Brian Brucker ’00, Brendon Kur ’04, and Jared Campbell ’04. Alumni in at-tendance included Stacy Heffner ’04, Joseph Muzyka ’01, Erin Dun-levy Muzyka ’00, Amy Daugherty ’00, Brent Johnson ’03, Matt Hess ’03 and Stan Zalewski ’05. Jason is an account manager for First Hori-zon Financial Services and Jennifer is a first-grade teacher at Our Lady of Mount Carmel School in Boonton, N.J. The couple reside in Boonton Township, N.J.

Steven P. Fidler Jr. ’03 and Erin L. Lobb ’02 ex-changed vows on June 25, 2005 at Lower Providence Presbyterian Church in Lower Providence. ESU alumnus in the wedding party

was Jason Donoghue ’03. Steve is employed by Main Line Distributors in King of Prussia. Erin is an athletic trainer and strength and condition-ing coach at Chestnut Hill College in Philadelphia. The couple reside in Collegeville.

Stephanie A. Har-ris ’03 and James Mosher were united in marriage on October 29, 2005, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Williamstown, N.J. ESU alumna

Cheryl Fries ’04 was in the wedding party. Other alumni in attendance were: Bethany Geiger ’04, Rachel Weida ’04, Rachel Holly ’04, Jea-nette Negri ’03, Jason Beani ’05 and Megan Drobniak ’04. Stephanie is a graphic designer for Harmon Media Group, Trader Publishing. The couple reside in Virginia Beach, Va.

Jennifer Payne ’03 and Mark Fether-man were united in marriage on May 27 at the Chateau at Camelback in Tannersville. The bride is em-ployed with Monroe County Chil-dren & Youth Services. The groom is employed with Young Volkswagen. They live in Stroudsburg.Michael Zimorowicz ’03 and Jessica Turner married on February 8 at the Sandals Royal Bahamian in Nassau, Bahamas. The groom is a beverage manager at Great Wolf Lodge in Scot-run. The bride is a mortgage proces-sor with Lendia, Inc. in Succasunna, N.J. They live in East Stroudsburg.

Danielle R. Black ’04 and Jonathan Park were married on August �2 at East Stroudsburg United Methodist Church. Both are employed by Wal-Mart in Hazelton and Johnathan is also an intern at BRCTV�3/LVTV. They live in Summit Hill.

Matthew S. Brown ’04 and Stepha-nie S. Lahr wed on November 5, 2005, at Rooke Chapel, Bucknell University. The groom is employed by Service �st Federal Credit Union, Danville. The bride is a manager at Dunkin Donuts, Selinsgrove. The couple live in Northumberland.

Kimberly A. Ferlick ’04 and Bryan D. Kioske were married on April 8 at The Rio All-Suite Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, Nev. Kim is a biology

teacher with Montgomery County Public Schools in Potomac, Md. She is also the assistant athletic direc-tor and varsity softball coach at the high school. Bryan is employed by the United States Postal Service in Hagerstown, Md. The couple reside in Poolesville, Md.

Kate Heitman ’04 married Jason Weite on September �7, 2005, at Hideaway Hills in Kresgeville. The bride works at ESSA Bank & Trust in Stroudsburg. The groom is em-ployed by R.J. Groner in Strouds-burg. They live in East Stroudsburg.

Jeffrey Thomas Roberts ’04 and Lori Ann Markovitch ’03 were married July 23, 2005, in St. David’s Church, Scranton. Jeffrey is pursu-ing a master’s degree in education at Wilkes University and is a chem-istry/physical science teacher in the Hazleton Area School District. Lori is a lab analyst with Enzyme Devel-opment Corp., Scranton. The cou-ple reside in Wilkes-Barre Township.

Kristen Cody ’05 married Scott Lit-tlefield on February 25 at St. Thomas More Roman Catholic Church in Pottstown. Kristen is a Mall Market-ing Manager and

Scott has a successful career in Inside Sales. They reside in Marlton, N.J.

Lynn Correll ’05 and Juliusz Czar-necki were united in marriage on October �, 2005, at Christ United Church of Christ in McKeansburg. They live in Stroudsburg.

Tara-Kate Petrillo ’05 and Stephen D. Himes were married on July �5 at Brookville Presbyterian Church in Brookville. The bride is a substitute teacher. The groom is a physical therapist at Punxsutawney Hospital.They live in Punxsutawney.

32

BirthsFall 2006 33

BirthsRobert Tremblay ’89 and Jane Tremblay, Dracut, Mass., a son, Lucas Benjamin, born April 13.

Raymond J. Solinski ’90 and Bar-bara Solinski, Cincinnati, Ohio, wel-comed their second son, Benjamin Patrick on March 19.

David Comiciotto ’91 and Chris-tine Marchese Comiciotto ’92, Schwenksville, a son, Evan Warren, born February 6, 2006. Evan was welcomed by brother Matthew and sister Grace.

Dawn A. Doktorski Sconzo ’91 and Marc Sconzo, Verona, N.J., an-nounce the arrival of their daughter, Rebecca Sophia, on September 2, 2005.

Michael Powers ’93 and Andrea Bajadek Powers ’94, Edison, N.J., a daughter, Kai-tlyn Elizabeth, born December 17, 2005.

Stacey Chassner Mullen ’94 and Matt Mullen, Apex, N.C., a son, Jamison Luke, born March 13.

Denise Staffa Wright ’94 and Brian Wright, Myrtle Beach, S.C., a son, Brady James, born December 31, 2005, at 10 p.m.

Tracy Foster Emery ’95 and John Emery, Hainesport, N.J., a son, Colin Michael, born on August 23, 2005.

Vanessa Laino-Stultz ’96 and Tommy Stultz, Tobyhanna, a daugh-ter, Madelyne Lucia, born August 2, 2005.

Bryan C. Treude ’96 and Patricia Betzal Treude ’97, Springfield, twins, Colin and Erin, born December 8, 2005.

Brent Watkins ’96 and Kimberli Fithian Watkins ’95, New Holland, a daughter, Kaleigh Isabel, born May 12, 2005. She was welcomed home by big sisters Mackenzie and Lind-sey.

Jane Sal-ak Spera ’97 and Anthony Spera, New Windsor, Md., a daughter,

Julia Jane, born September 22, 2005. She joins big brother and sister, Ja-cob and Rachel.

Nicole Troiano Brasof ’98 and Randy Brasof, New Hope, a daugh-ter, Autumn Teresa, born July 19. Autumn was welcomed by brother, Holden.

Erica Larsen Puopolo ’98 and Da-vid Puopolo, Laurence Harbor, N.J., a girl, Katelyn Marie, born July 15.

Jaclyn Kotanchik Wright ’99 and Thomas Wright, Downington, a son, Jakob Charles, born on December 19, 2005. Jake joins big brother, Tommy.

Marlen Elias Hor-vath ’00, M’04 and Charles W. Horvath, Easton, a son, Elias, born June 1, 2005.

Jill Alesan-dro Johnson ’01 and Dan Johnson, Mil-ford, a daugh-ter, Natalee Nichole Rose, born March 2.

Michael Webster ’02 and Melissa Werner Webster ’02, Shilington, a girl, Hailey, born in November 2005.

Jill Marie Diesinger Rath-mell ’03 and Na-than Rathmell, Bethlehem, a son, Nathan, Jr., born on Decem-ber 7, 2005.

Send your news to [email protected] or fax to (570) 422-3301.


ESU Alumni HeraldIn Memoriam34

In Memoriam

Natalie M. Farrell Mertens ’24Ann M. Reilly, M’24Joseph A. Trigiani ’27Mabel M. Lynch Connell ’28Grace DelGrosso ’28Helen Harvey Jones ’28Mildred Evans Beers ’29Carrie E. Wagner Dutt ’29Martha L. Gill ’30Mildred R. Adams Layton ’32Marion E. Hartzell Stah ’32Jeannette Prosser Davis ’34Genevieve Yuskavich Doyle ’34Robert A. Oldis ’34Eleanor J. Skovronsky ’34Vera V. Roberts Wood ’34Beulah B. Butz Boyle ’35Neal Fenton Flint ’35Lelia R. Leedecker Kennedy ’35William T. Rusk ’35John P. Childs ’36Mary K. Jordan Doughton ’36Anne E. Moore Wisher ’36Alice R. McAndrew Atherholt ’37Katharine “Kitty” Fox Walck ’37Mary L. Kerwin Gilbert ’40Wallace J. Musselman ’41Helenmary A. Duganne Pence ’41Jack P. Thomas ’41Frank E. Mignoni ’42Eugene F. Lash ’43Nevin R. Nonnemacher ’43Edna Miller Dilliplane ’45Jean D. Terry ’46Benjamin J. Jones ’47Charles W. Dubbs ’48Robert P. McCullough ’48Harry E. Werkheiser ’48Marion Price Cooper ’49Marian G. Love Reniska ’49Edna F. Ponder ’50Richard W. Brubaker ’51Grace Burkhart Myer ’53Jeanne Luckenbill Bowers ’54

Marilyn L. Dautrich Cockley ’54Shirley S. Hamblin Hummel ’54Arthur E. Schaare ’54William J. Sibley ’55George Barna ’56Shirley A. McClure ’56Robert J. Graham ’57William C. Pfeffer, Jr. ’57Marilyn Miller Butz ’58John Rogers ’59Barbara J. McCracken Sharkey ’59Charles L. Graefe ’60Raymond T. Kressler ’60James A. Lindenmuth ’60John R. Oravec ’60George Martin, Jr. ’62Lynn E. Cope ’63Leah A. Redmond Haffner ’64Carol A. Fox Young ’64John L. Behler ’68William T. Clancy III ’68Maryellen M. McGee ’69Carol A. Hargreaves Maclary ’70Rev. George M. Doll, Jr. ’71Richard J. Greenwood ’71Robert Charles Barron ’72Mary A. Tysver ’72Daniel J. Kozak ’73Woodrow W. Brader M’73Natalie A. Mizerak ’74Robert “Skeets” M. Weber ’74Ruth S. Steers Moreton ’79Robert J. Solliday ’80Walter L. Von Ignatius, Jr. ’80John H. Schumacher II ’81Wilma N. Dietrich ’85Richard J. Farmer ’85Joseph D. Kovacs ’85George Taptich ’86Robert A. Vellucci ’86Vaidehi M. Patel ’90Jason E. Brunell ’03

Send your news to the

Alumni HeraldSend “Who’s Doing What”

news as well as wedding, engagement and birth

announcements to:

Henry A. Ahnert, Jr., Alumni Center

East Stroudsburg University 200 Prospect Street

East Stroudsburg, PA �830�

Fax: (570) 422-330� or E-mail: [email protected]

Be sure to include: • your name • graduation year • your name at graduation• your major • your home address• home and work phone

numbers • e-mail addresses

Photos may be sent by e-mail or by mail. Please identify everyone in the photo. Space limitations restrict us to publishing only “Who’s Doing What,” wedding and engagement photos. New baby photos will only be used if ESU alumni are also in the photograph. “Who’s Doing What” news may be featured on the ESU Web site unless you advise us otherwise.

The “Who’s Doing What,” Weddings, Engagements, and Births sections in the Alumni Herald are a report on the happenings in the lives of East Stroudsburg University alumni. The information we collect comes from alumni and from various media sources and we believe it is accurate. The Alumni Herald does not discriminate against anyone for any reason nor does it reflect the views or attitudes of ESU or its Alumni Association. Any editing that takes place is done solely for the purpose of clarity and /or length.

Fall 2006 In Memoriam 35

Clyde ‘Red’Witman

One of East Stroudsburg’s most successful and most beloved coaches, Clyde ‘Red’ Witman, 74, collapsed and died suddenly April 30th.

Witman coached the ESU wrestling team for �7 seasons, guiding the team to a record of �80-76-6. His teams won two Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference titles in �968 and �97�. His �965-66 squad placed seventh in the NCAA Division � championships.

He coached two NCAA champions, 22 conference champions and four Eastern Intercollegiate Wrestling Association (EIWA) champions. His wrestlers earned All-American honors 24 times.

His influence on East Stroudsburg went far beyond his coaching record. He served as the school’s athletic director for nine years and was a faculty member for 25 years. He retired in �986.

First and foremost, however, he was a teacher, mentor and friend to a generation of students, almost all of them went to highly-successful careers, many as wrestling coaches and officials.

In �995, he was presented with one of the ESU

Alumni Association’s Great Teacher Awards. In introducing Witman at the Alumni Association banquet, former sports information director Pete Nevins commented.

“I don’t know what Clyde will say in accepting this award,” Nevins said. “He may pepper his conversation with historical references. We may learn about Thucydides and The Peloponnesian War as well as his career at ESU. He may talk about his upbringing in Lancaster County. He may talk about his service in the United States Army. He has a tendency to elaborate, expand and embellish on his remarks.”

Witman at one time commented: “I am Clyde Witman – I have my own level of humor, my own syndrome of behavior when dealing with people and this comes natural. The greatest benefit I have ever gotten from my years at East Stroudsburg is that many of my former students have become very good friends. This is very precious to me and more important than any of the awards or won-and-lost records.”

Hundreds of his good friends, including ESU graduates, honored Witman either by attending the funeral services in Ephrata or by sending their sympathy messages to his wife, Jacqueline, and sons, Keith and Mitchell.

John Eiler first came to East Stroudsburg State College as a stu-dent in �930 and still was following the Warriors during the fall of 2005 as an avid fan 75 years later. He died August �7th at the Stroud Manor in East Stroudsburg.

“I’ve never known anyone in my life who got the respect from everyone that Mr. Eiler did,” said Jerry Sheska, who played soccer for Eiler as a student. “No one had a bad word to say about him. We all loved him. He was basically a father figure for all of us.”

Eiler came to East Stroudsburg from Schuylkill Haven. He was a football center, gymnast and track and field competitor and was named the best all-around athlete in his class.

After coaching at Slippery Rock for ten years, he returned to East Stroudsburg in �956 and led the War-rior soccer teams from �956 to �965.

He led the Warriors to the NAIA national championship in �962. His �964 and �965 teams both reached the quarter-finals of the NCAA Divi-sion � Soccer Tournament before losing twice to Michigan State.

His overall coaching record was �50-4�-6 over 20 seasons including a 77-25-7 mark at East Stroudsburg.

Eiler’s coaching technique was “unique compared to today’s world,” according to Sheska, the ESU soccer coach for the last 24 years. “He was low-key, quiet, direct and as his play-ers attest, above all honest.

“I never heard him raise his voice,” said Sheska. “He got across what he wanted by directly tell-ing you what he expected; we all followed his direction because we respected him so much. I don’t know many coaches who do that any more.”

Eiler took over as the school’s athletic director at East Stroudsburg

in �960 and served in the position for �8 years until his retirement in �978.

After his retirement, Eiler and his wife, Betty, split the year between homes in Bishop’s Colony, Say-lorsburg and Pompano Beach, Fla. The Eilers were married for 66 years when Betty died in December, 2003. Eiler then moved back north to the Pocono Lutheran Village in East Stroudsburg.

Beloved Coach Clyde ‘Red’ Witman Dies Suddenly at Age 74

John Eiler ’34 Dies; Respected Soccer Coach and Athletic Director for ESU

Eiler during ground-breaking ceremonies for renovations at the Eiler-Martin Stadium.

ESU Alumni HeraldWarrior Spotlight

When John M. Hauth ’83, associate professor of athletic training, nominated ESU athletic training colleague John Thatcher ’69, M’70 for a national award in 2002, he wrote to graduates and asked them “to send letters of support for the nomination if you feel so inclined.”

He expected to receive a handful of responses, perhaps as many as a dozen.

Instead he was inundated by a vir-tual mailbag full of warm, heartfelt and sometimes long endorsements of John’s candidacy for the award.

“I received more than 200 letters from our graduates about John, how good a teacher, mentor and friend he was, which I forwarded on to the commit-tee,” said Hauth. “That shows the respect and appreciation which graduates have for John and for his role in getting them started on their careers.”

Perhaps it wasn’t surprising, particu-larly with all the alumni support, that Thatcher won the award, the Sayers ‘Bud’ Miller Distinguished Athletic Training Education Award from the National Ath-letic Trainers Association (NATA). It is the highest award which can be bestowed on

an athletic training educator. Shortly after that,

he was inducted into the Pennsylvania Ath-letic Trainers (PATS) Hall of Fame in 2002 for his

contributions to the profession, the State

of Pennsylvania and PATS.

Thatcher helped start the

Athletic Train-ing Education

program at the then East Stroudsburg State College in 1974. He served as its director for 31 years before turning the directorship over to Hauth, one of his former students, last year.

After 37 years associated with the school, Thatcher retired in early June. He left a legacy of talented disciples working at schools throughout the region.

“I’d say we have hundreds and hun-dreds and hundreds of graduates working in athletic training,” said Thatcher. “And they are just not average professionals; many are leaders in the field.”

And Thatcher touched them all. Un-like most disciplines, the athletic training field involves hands-on teaching, demon-strating the skills in laboratory settings and then working with students to help them master those skills.

“John was not only a great athletic trainer working with teams and athletes, but he was one of the best, if not the best teacher I’ve ever seen,” said Hauth. “He made the students excited about what they were learning and about their future careers.”

“It wasn’t just in the classroom either,” Hauth continued. “John spent countless hours in his office advising stu-dents and helping them. He always could find a way to make even the most difficult concepts understandable to people who otherwise couldn’t grasp the knowledge.”

With his outgoing and genial person-ality, Thatcher infused the students with his own love for athletic training.

“It is really a great profession,” said Thatcher. “As a trainer, you are in a posi-tion to really get to know the athletes who are generally wonderful people. Athletes are very vulnerable when they are injured

36

John Thatcher ’69, M’70 Leaves Legacy Of Student Accomplishment As He Retires

John Thatcher ’69, M’70

Above, Thatcher in the 1969 Stroud yearboook.

At right, in the classroom in 2002.

Story by Pete Nevins M’84

Heart of a Warrior


Fall 2006 Warrior Spotlight

so therefore if you can provide them with adequate advice, the right kind of treatment and give them the psychological support they need, there is a very close relationship that develops.”

The first ESU athletic trainers in the approved curriculum, four of them, graduated in 1975.

“By 1980, we had more than a dozen graduates each year and now our program has about 100 students with around 25 in our graduating classes,” Thatcher explained. “More than half our graduates have earned advanced degrees within a year of graduating and some have gone on to earn doctorates.”

The graduates all have one thing in common, Hauth emphasizes. “Look at the great people who came

out of our program. Whether they are now educators, researchers, sports medicine clinicians or high school, college or professional trainers, John Thatcher taught and prepared them all; he certainly played a large part in their future successes,” Hauth said.

In retirement, the Thatchers, John and the former Pam Jennings ’70, his wife of 34 years, moved to Dundee, N.Y. in the Finger Lakes region where they own a house.

“I had no apprehensions about retiring,” he states. “Pam (an ele-mentary teacher in the East Strouds-burg school district for 22 years) and I are both very active; we’re not at a loss for things to do. I’ll miss teach-ing very, very much, however. I love what I did.

“I always thought this was the

way to retire. Going out when the students were still saying, ‘Hey, why are you leaving? Instead of ‘Thank God that old guy is getting out of here.’ My wife is in the same place - the kids and colleagues saying, ‘Oh my gosh, we’re going to miss you so much; you were such a good teach-er.’ Those are the things you want said about you; go out on the top of your game.”

And Thatcher was at the top of his game as an East Stroudsburg athletic training educator for more than three decades. His successor, John Hauth, and hundreds of other graduates can attest to that. With their letters, many already have.

37

At left, John Thatcher ’69, M’70, distinguished professor of athletic training, works with Flo Batten, a graduate assistant in the Athletic Training Department, and student Brad Treadway on techniques to assist soccer player Charlene Conklin.

Photo by Perry Hebard

‘We have hundreds and hundreds and hundreds of graduates working in athletic training. And they are just not average professionals; many are leaders in the field.’

John Thatcher ’69, M’70, distinguished professor of athletic training


ESU Alumni Herald

By Pete Nevins M’84Twelve former athletes and

coaches, the largest number ever, were inducted into the East Strouds-burg University Athletic Hall of Fame on the school’s Homecoming Day, Saturday, October 21.

One reason for the increase in the size of the induction class is that three athletes, the Detzi triplets, were inducted together. Joe, Jeff and John Detzi, all 1979 graduates, were members of the Warrior football teams from 1975 to 1978 which posted a combined 35-3-1 record and won three Pennsylvania State Athlet-ic Conference titles.

Joe was an All-Conference inside linebacker and one of the team’s leading tacklers. Jeff, also an All-Conference pick, and John were offensive lineman. They now work together as owners of Detzi’s Tavern in Wind Gap.

Two other football players, offen-sive guard Art Schisler ’62 and All-America quarterback Andy Baranak

’84 were honored.Other male athletes chosen

were All-America soccer midfielder Blaz Stimac ’77, two-sport athlete and long-time athletic trainer John Thatcher ’69, M’70 and the late Dr. Charles Wolbers, ESU men’s tennis coach for 23 years and women’s ten-nis coach for one year.

Two record-breaking women’s basketball players, Claudine Simard ’93 and Lori Pio ’96 joined the Ath-letic Hall of Fame along with out-standing gymnast Suzette Gosling Owens ’77 and field hockey standout Aimee Ross Ellison ’91.

For the third year, a team was singled out for Hall of Fame recogni-tion— the national quarter-finalist 1970-71 women’s basketball squad.

The selections for the 29th Ath-letic Hall of Fame class were made by a committee headed by Dr. Tom Gio-glio, athletic director. The commit-tee included long-time coaches and athletic administrators and former players representing a cross-section

of both athletic eras and sports. An ESU athlete is eligible to be consid-ered for Hall of Fame selection ten years after graduation.

Schisler was a starting guard on Coach Jack Gregory’s first football teams from 1959 to 1961. He pulled out to power the team’s Wing-T of-fense and lead the way for All-Confer-ence running back Toby Barkman. Over the three years, the Warriors compiled a record of 18-6-2.

Baranek made the Kodak Little-America first team as a quarterback in 1983 and was a three-time All-PSAC choice. He set four school passing records and led the Warriors to PSAC Eastern Division titles in both 1982 and 1983 and to the over-all crown in 1982.

Stimac was a two-time All-Amer-ica choice as a midfielder in 1975 and 1976. He made the All-PSAC team four straight years and the All-Re-gion team three times. He helped the ESU booters to a four-year record

38

Record Number Enter Warriors’ Hall of FameRecord Number Enter Warriors’ Hall of Fame

(L-R) Standing: Debra Martin ’74, Chris Lentz Zobel ’72, Sharon Archer ’74, Sharon Whitman Krimmel ’74, Art Schisler ’62, Betty Lou Murphy ’68, Lori Pio ’96, Jeff Detzi ’79, John Detzi ’79, Joe Detzi ’79, John Thatcher ’69, M’70, and Kate Formiconi Sola ’73. Sitting: Lynn Breedy ’71, Mary Jane Wolbers, Suzette Gosling Owens ’77, Aimee Ross Ellison ’91, Claudine Simard ’93, Polly Case Glowatz ’74, Marian Braine Ressler ’73, and Nancy Weaver ’74.

Photo by David Hooper ’05

Continued on next page


Warrior SpiritFall 2006 39

Shoudt, Snyder Receive Barniak Shoudt, Snyder Receive Barniak Award at Homecoming 2006Award at Homecoming 2006

At Homecoming the Alumni Association honored At Homecoming the Alumni Association honored Robert B. Shoudt ’64 Robert B. Shoudt ’64 and and Roy G. Snyder ’58 Roy G. Snyder ’58 as win-as win-ners of the Jim Barniak Award, presented to alumni for ners of the Jim Barniak Award, presented to alumni for exceptional achievement in athletics after graduation. exceptional achievement in athletics after graduation.

Bob Shoudt became well-known throughout Bob Shoudt became well-known throughout Pennsylvania in Track and Field. He was an NCAA Pennsylvania in Track and Field. He was an NCAA Division I Track and Field Coach of the Year for Indoor Division I Track and Field Coach of the Year for Indoor Track and Field, and he coached the world record in the Track and Field, and he coached the world record in the distance medley relay, American Collegiate record 4 x distance medley relay, American Collegiate record 4 x 800 relay, three national individual champions, 41 All 800 relay, three national individual champions, 41 All Americans, four Olympic trials qualifiers, and was a Americans, four Olympic trials qualifiers, and was a six time Big East Conference coach of the year. He also six time Big East Conference coach of the year. He also coached five Middle Atlantic Conference (MAC) team coached five Middle Atlantic Conference (MAC) team championships, was a four time MAC coach of the year, championships, was a four time MAC coach of the year, coached three high school national champions, and coached three high school national champions, and six High School All Americans. He was also a founding six High School All Americans. He was also a founding father of the Pennsylvania State Indoor Track and father of the Pennsylvania State Indoor Track and Field Championships, the Montgomery County Cross Field Championships, the Montgomery County Cross Country Championships, and the Chichester Relays. Country Championships, and the Chichester Relays.

Roy Snyder began his swimming coaching career in Roy Snyder began his swimming coaching career in 1958 at the Reading YMCA where he coached numerous 1958 at the Reading YMCA where he coached numerous state and national age group champions during his six state and national age group champions during his six year YMCA career. In 1964, Roy opened the first school year YMCA career. In 1964, Roy opened the first school pool in Berks County at Wilson High School. At Wilson, pool in Berks County at Wilson High School. At Wilson, his swim teams won the Central Penn League title, his swim teams won the Central Penn League title, 10 Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association 10 Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association (PIAA) District three AAA championships, and two PIAA (PIAA) District three AAA championships, and two PIAA State AAA Team titles. His teams recently compiled a 97 State AAA Team titles. His teams recently compiled a 97 straight dual meet win streak that lasted for seven years. straight dual meet win streak that lasted for seven years.

Roy has coached two national interscholastic Roy has coached two national interscholastic record holders, over 120 High School All-American record holders, over 120 High School All-American swimmers and water polo players, more than 110 PIAA swimmers and water polo players, more than 110 PIAA District champs, and 20 PIAA state winners. For his District champs, and 20 PIAA state winners. For his efforts he was awarded the Pennsylvania Swimming efforts he was awarded the Pennsylvania Swimming Administrator of the Year Award and the Reading YMCA Administrator of the Year Award and the Reading YMCA Dr. Councilman Service to Youth Award. He also was Dr. Councilman Service to Youth Award. He also was inducted into the Berks County Swimming Hall of inducted into the Berks County Swimming Hall of Fame, the Pennsylvania Swimming Hall of Fame at Penn Fame, the Pennsylvania Swimming Hall of Fame at Penn State, the Berks County Chapter of the Pennsylvania State, the Berks County Chapter of the Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame, and was the 2002 Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame, and was the 2002 Pennsylvania Coach of the Year. Coach of the Year.

(L-R) Bob Shoudt ’64 and Roy Snyder ’58 were congratulated at mid-field by President Dillman and the Homecoming crowd.

Photo by David Hooper ’05

of 41-21-3 and conference titles in 1973 and 1976.

Thatcher played soccer and com-peted in track and field as a student. He served as ESU’s head athletic trainer for 25 years from 1974 to 1999. He was named the nation’s outstanding athletic training educa-tor by the National Athletic Trainers’ Association in 2001.

Dr. Wolbers guided ESU men’s tennis teams to ten conference championships and the women’s squad to one from 1963 to 1985. His 1969 men’s squad finished third in the NCAA Division II Tennis Tourna-ment. The Wolbers Tennis Courts on campus are named in his honor.

Simard is the leading scorer in ESU basketball history with 1,733

career points. She holds the school and PSAC career record with 535 free throws. She made the All-Confer-ence and All-ECAC Region team as a senior after averaging 20.0 points and 7.6 rebounds per game.

Pio grabbed a school-record 1,013 rebounds and scored 1,527 points during her career. She holds school marks for career and season field goal shooting. She was a two-time All-PSAC first team player and was a key member of the Warriors’ 1995 PSAC championship team.

Owens set school gymnastics record in every event with marks of 9.00 in the floor exercise, 8.80 on the uneven bars, 9.15 in the vaulting, 8.50 on the balance beam and 35.15 overall. She became the school’s first AIAA national championship

qualifier in 1977.Ellison was chosen on the

National Field Hockey Coaches’ As-sociation All-America second team in 1989. She was chosen on the All-PSAC first team twice. She scored 35 goals over a four-year period from 1986-89, fourth best in the school’s history.

The 1970-71 women’s basketball team gained the school’s first berth in the AIAW national championships which included colleges from all divisions. The Betty Lou Murphy-coached team beat Marshall in the first round before losing to Missis-sippi College in the quarter finals. The team finished with a 13-3 record, which tied the school victory record.

Triplets and Entire Basketball Team Are Among InducteesTriplets and Entire Basketball Team Are Among InducteesContinued from previous page


ESU Alumni HeraldGiving Opportunities40

The Heritage Society was established by the East Stroudsburg University Foundation to recognize those alumni and friends who are interested in the long-term viability of the university. Heritage Society members make planned giving provisions to support ESU through:

◊ Will bequests ◊ Insurance beneficiary designations ◊ Charitable Remainder Trusts ◊ Pooled Income Fund ◊ Charitable Annuities ◊ Donations from retirement benefits such as IRAs ◊ Other planned giving options

Giving to ESU through the Heritage Society allows you to support ESU and provide for the future well-being of your family through planned giving. These types of gifts are donations that will live on, supporting ESU for generations to come. For more information on how you can join the Heritage Society, please call Robert Kelley ’71 (570) 422-3531 or Vincent Dent (570) 422-3936 or toll-free, (800) 775-8975.

HERITAGEHERITAGESOCIETYSOCIETY

EAST STROUDSBURG UNIVERSITY

The Friends of ESU Athletics Phona-thon will be held from January 28 to Febru-ary 7. Student callers will contact former athletes, alumni and fans to support grants-in-aid programs for student athletes. Phone calls will be made between 6 p.m. and 9 p.m. When you receive your call, consider a pledge of $50, $100, even $500. Please show your Warrior spirit by being as generous as you can.

This year’s goal is $66,500. Whatever your contribution, large or small, know that your gift will impact the future for more than 450 student athletes who repre-sent our University. So don’t be caught on the sidelines, instead, prepare to get in the game! We’re counting on you to make the difference.

For more information, call (800) 775-8975 or visit http://advancement.esu.edu.

The Class of ’62 Scholarship Committee hosted a luncheon for their scholarship win-ners. This year the committee awarded five students with $1,000 each.

Pictured are, back row, from left, committee members: Ken Benner, Bob Sweeney, Diane (Miller) Freed, Patricia (Alberts) Hibschman, Lynn (Dambach) Walton, and Dave Luning. Unable to attend were Betsy (Reinhard) Masenheimer, Arthur Schisler and Ted Laurenseon. Seated, from left, are Michelle L. Weaver, New Holland, a senior physical education major; Kimberly L. Ramage, East Stroudsburg, a senior special education major; and Erica J. DiMarzio, Shohola, a senior English major. Insert is Kevin R. Merkel, Bethlehem, a freshman business management ma-jor. Unable to attend was Alisa D. Keiper, Stroudsburg, a senior elementary major.

Change in Minimum Endowed Scholarship Rate

Beginning July 1, 2007, the minimum amount required to endow a scholarship through the ESU Foundation Office will be raised from $10,000 to $20,000. Endowed scholarship accounts opened with a minimum $1,000 deposit prior to July 1, 2007, may still be endowed under the $10,000 minimum level. Please contact Vincent Dent at (570) 422-3936 or Robert Kelly ’71 at (570) 422-3531, if you have any questions or if you are interested in establishing an endowed scholarship.

Class of ’62 Awards $1,000 Class of ’62 Awards $1,000 Scholarships to Five StudentsScholarships to Five Students

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Friends of ESU Athletics To Hold Phonathon from Jan. 28-Feb. 7


Sample Annuity Rates Single Life Double Life Age Annuity Rate Age Annuity Rate 60 5.7% 70/70 5.9% 65 6.0% 75/70 6.1% 70 6.5% 81/80 7.0% 75 7.1% 80 8.0%


36 ESU Alumni HeraldSubject

NON-PROFIT ORGUS POSTAGE

PAIDEAST STROUDSBURG

UNIVERSITY OF PA

Alumni AssociationEast Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania200 Prospect StreetEast Stroudsburg, PA 18301-2999

www.esualumni.org

Upcoming EventsUpcoming EventsFollowing is a partial, preliminary list. For current information visit http://esualumni.org or http://advancement.esu.edu or call the Alumni Offi ce at 570-422-3533.

February 12 NYC Alumni Social The NYC area alumni will join other PA State System alumni at Dave and Busters at 234 W. 42nd St. $20 per person includes appetizer buffet and beverages.

March 2-9 Florida Trip Beginning with Englewood, FL we’ll begin a series of gatherings across the state. Check the website for locations on the east and west coasts of the Sunshine State.

March 24 King Tut Trip Don’t miss this once-in-a-lifetime exhibit at the Franklin Institute in Philadelphia. Travel by luxury motorcoach from ESU for $50 per person. Trip includes entrance to the Franklin Institute, the King Tut exhibit, and an IMAX viewing.

March 31 ESU Couples Dinner Alumni who are coupled with an alumnus/a are invited back to campus to toast the night away and take a walk down memory lane over a special dinner with entertainment to follow for $25 per couple.

April 7-18 Jewels of China Cruise Discover China’s most renowned imperial treasures and travel along the legendary Yangtze River as you take this journey from Shanghai to Beijing. Prices start at $2,827.

April 14 NYC Car Show or Met Trip Leave ESU via motorcoach for NYC to see what’s hot in automobiles at the NY International Auto Show at the Jacob Javits Center or take in 5,000 years of art at the famous NY Metropolitan Museum of Art. $25 per person for auto show, $30 for museum.

April 22 Metro DC Brunch Treat yourself to an elegant brunch at the Army Navy Country Club in Arlington, Va.

May 26- June 6 Waterways of the Czars Travel with Professor Brian Sickels from St. Petersburg to Moscow along the majestic Svir River. Prices start at $3,990.

June 1 & 2 Alumni Reunion If your class year ends in a “2” or a “7” make plans to reunite with classmates this summer for a memorable weekend.

July 4-16 British Isles Cruise From the spectacular vantage point of the Grand Princess, a British Isles cruise presents an enticing array of destinations: Ireland, Scotland, Wales and France. Prices start at $3,425.

August 12 Alaska Cruise Sail aboard the ms Amsterdam roundtrip from Seattle, Wash. to the breathtaking glaciers of Alaska. Witness the spectacular wilderness that is home to bald eagles, whales, and bears. Prices start at $1,641.

October 6 Homecoming Everyone’s favorite event! Mark your calendars today for this fun fi lled weekend.

October 27- Nov. 8 African Safari The best of Kenya driving safari allows you to visit magnifi cent national parks and see the beautiful country side via a minibus equipped with a roof viewing hatch and an experienced guide. Prices start at $4,500.

Other Spring/Summer/Fall events in the making:

CaliforniaMontgomery County (PA) DELCO (PA) 20th Annual GatheringBucks County (PA)AtlantaDelawareNorth CarolinaAlumni Golf Outing NJ Beach BashScranton/Wilkes BarreNYC taping of an ABC TV show

Mail your reservation/request to:Ahnert Alumni Center

East Stroudsburg University200 Prospect Street

East Stroudsburg, PA 18301

Or call in your guaranteed reservation to Tania at 800-775-8975 , visit www.esualumni.org or email

[email protected]

ESU Offi ce of Alumni Relations


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