Editor's Note: As we were putting the finishing touches on this issue of Mercyhurst Magazine, which has as its theme "leadership," it became apparent that were we to push back our deadline, we would find ourselves in the fortunate position of announcing our newest leader, president-elect Dr. Thomas J. Gamble. Here, the soon-to-be 11th president of Mercyhurst College headlines a host of inspiring leaders, from coaches to educators to alumni, whose stories we share with you on the following pages.

Mercyhurst welcomes 11th president: Thomas J. Gamble, Ph.D.

Mercyhurst observed a milestone day on Friday, Oct. 28, 2005, with the announcement that Thomas J. Gamble, Ph.D. had been elected the college's 11th president. The revelation was made in the Mary D'Angelo Performing Arts Center before an audience of approximately 600 that received the news with a standing ovation and jubilant round of applause.

Gamble, the college's vice president of academic affairs who has also served the college as director of the Mercyhurst Civic Institute and as associate professor of criminal justice and psychology, was humbled by the overwhelming endorsement.

"I feel fortunate indeed to have been chosen to lead this wonderful institution into the future and I vow that I will fulfill my duties as president of Mercyhurst College with great energy, great enthusiasm and a deep commitment to those principles we hold dear," Gamble told the crowd that included his wife Mary and their three children: Mary Elizabeth, William and Thomas.

He succeeds Mercyhursts 10th president, Dr. Michael J. McQuillen, effective March 1,

2006.

Gamble rose to the top of a list of 50 national candidates who were considered as part of an exhaustive 10-month search by the 17-member Presidential Search Committee headed by William C. Sennett, Esq. The committee included every constituency: trustees, Sisters of Mercy, administrators, alumni, faculty and students. They were assisted in their efforts by Academic Search Consulting Services and senior consultant Dr. Jamie Ferrare.

In announcing Gamble as the committees pick and, subsequently, the board of trustees' choice, trustee chair Marlene Mosco '68 said, "Dr. Gamble is a scholar with a deep commit­

ment to higher education as well as a proven and effective administrator. With Dr. Gamble as president, Mercyhurst College will be in extremely capable hands and will continue to make tremendous progress as we head into our 80th year."

Sennett, likewise, expressed his faith in Gamble, adding, "We have a new leader who blends into his life

the Mercy characteristics of Truth, Integrity, Mercy and Justice. He has demonstrated the ability to lead

Mercyhurst to the next level of achievement."

Gamble earned his bachelor's degree in philosophy from Gannon University and a master's degree and doctorate in psychology from Syracuse University. He also holds a doctoral degree from the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs at Syracuse. Following graduate studies at Syracuse, he was awarded a post­doctoral fellowship in the child psychology program at Yale University where he spent two years. While at Yale, Gamble became affiliated with the Yale Bush Center for Child Development and Social Policy and is a graduate of that post-doctoral program. Prior to coming to Mercyhurst in 1997, he worked in various capacities in Erie County government, including executive director of the Erie County Office of Children and Youth.

In accepting his new charge, Gamble told members of the college community that he intends to pre­serve and strengthen "this institution we all love, and to assure its future vibrancy" through significant new

i

initiatives, among them: Drive up applications to more than 3,000 to improve student quality and increase diversity on the Erie campus, develop additional graduate programs consistent with xMercyhurst's academic strengths, increase distance learning offerings, expand programs and enrollment at Mercyhurst North East, and move to identify academic programs for Mercyhurst West.

Gamble spoke highly of Mercyhursts strengths, particularly those derived from its Catholic identity and Mercy heritage, which provide "a profound history of faith-seeking understanding and of compassionate service to those in need."

In addition, he said, Mercyhursts commitment to the centrality of the liberal arts is crucial to its identity and must be preserved and strengthened.

"Because of its Mercy Catholicity, Mercyhurst is called to combine the power and the beauty of the liberal arts with a deep appreciation for the dignity of work," he said. "It is this combination that points to the special role of xMercyhurst College. Preparing students for ethical and competent service to their commu­nity through the deep integration of the liberal arts with professional preparation goes to the very heart of Mercyhursts mission and connects its past to its future"

Story by Debbie Morton, photo by Rich Forsgren '84 Reprinted with permission of Times

Publishing Co., Erie, Pa. Copyright 2005

In This Issue Interim presidency presents challenges, joys

Frank Hagan spies changes in academia

Film series succeeds as fascinating exploration of the frontiers of cinema

Looking back: Janet Price among the vanguard in Mercyhurst women's sports

From cradle to college and beyond ... Lanzillo: The making of a leader

Sisters seek creative solutions to universal challenges

Greetings from Dublin... a message from Sister JoAnne Courneen, RSM '66

A Tale of Four Women: Legacies create intimate portrait of Mercyhurst

Omigosh it's over! - Captain Chrissy Yule '05 reflects on her Mercyhurst ice hockey career

Judith Pitney '66 - Leadership makes for 'risky business'

Brian Dougherty '83 wants his students to learn from his life lessons

Alumna Ann Badach '98 shows that leadership pays dividends down the road

Alumnus challenges students, college to lead way to the future

Class Notes... 2005

Michael Fuhrman - Memoirs of a jock

Mercyhurst dedicates new building at North East

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Volume 22 Issue 1 Winter 2005

On the Cover: This surrealistic view of the Michele and Tom Ridge Health and Safety Building at Mercyhurst North East was created by North East, Pa., photographer Ed Bernik. For more on the dedication of the newest addition to the North East campus, please see the inside back cover of this issue.

Issue Editor Gennifer Biggs Director of Publications and Web Development

Contributing Writers Gennifer Biggs

Deborah Wallace Morton, Assistant Director of Publications

Photographers Gennifer Biggs, Debbie Morton, Paul Lorei, Ed Bernik and Gary Peterson '86

Class Notes Editor Tammy Roche Gandolfo 76 tgandolf@mercyhurst.edu 814.824.2004

The Office of Publications and Web Development, a division of the Institutional Advancement Office, produces Mercyhurst Magazine.

Vice President of Institutional Advancement Gary L. Bukowski CFRE 73 gbukowski@mercyhurst.edu 814.824.2246

Director of Alumni Services

Patricia Liebel '53 pliebel@mercyhurst.edu 800.845.8568 814.824.2538 Fax:814-824.2153

Send your change of address to: Mercyhurst Magazine Mercyhurst College 501 E. 38th St. Erie, PA 16546 Fax: 814.824.2473

Mercyhurst Magazine / Winter 2005

Interim presidency presents challenges, joys

Dr. Michael J. McQuillen

After 34 years of unyielding devotion to Mercyhurst, both at the faculty and administrative levels, Dr. Michael J. McQuillen finds himself nearing the end of his tenure as president during one of the most significant periods in col­lege history.

Leaders play a crucial role during the implementation of change, the time from the announcement of change through the installation of that change. During this middle period, constituencies often are characterized by confusion, anxiety, and a lack of clarity about direction. Transitioning can produce an emotional quagmire for some, wondering what the future will bring.

For McQuillen, a former academic dean and beloved history professor, this particular juncture in history, a time when Mercyhurst is welcoming a new president after 25 years of visionary leadership by former president Dr. Wil­liam P. Garvey, is something of a deja vu. It is a time that he approaches with optimism, both personally and profession­ally, with the surety that Mercyhurst, as it has always done in the past, will embrace change and emerge the stronger for it.

McQuillen's time on the Hill has taken him through the presidential transitions of Sister Carolyn Herrmann to Dr. Marion Shane to Dr. Garvey. In each instance, there was a specific set of burning issues, much like there is now, and it was the prevailing spirit of mercy that saw the college through those challenges.

So here he is - the middleman - one who has assumed the presidency in this period of transition, quite simply, because, "I felt it was the right thing to do."

As leader pro tern, McQuillen's goals have not been bold, but neither have they been shallow in scope.

"My time has been spent, at least in part, challenging the college community to look ahead, to be optimistic about the future and to generate a positive spirit so that our new president will be able to move forward with the strength of momentum that has been developed during the past two decades," said McQuillen, who assumed the presidency March 7, 2005.

In addition to elevating morale among Mercyhurst con­stituencies, McQuillen committed himself to maintaining a strong budget posture and developing creative recruitment strategies for attracting top students.

He also began the official drive toward Mercyhurst West and the future of what is expected to be a thriving third campus in west Erie County. McQuillen said that initiative is well positioned for the college's new president to take up the reins.

The new president, he said, will face many challenges, not the least of which is finding new avenues toward growth outside of those previous well-marked channels.

"We are reaching a plateau in terms of growth and are facing tremendous space constraints on our campus," he said. "We need to find alternative ways of getting funds outside of tuition, be it through grants, or creative ways of utilizing existing resources."

For his part, McQuillen last fall introduced several initia­tives that he believes are fundamental to building momen­tum, among them a plan to strengthen the college's Web site as a recruiting tool and to overhaul Mercyhurst publications campus-wide to reflect consistency and distinction.

Mercyhurst Magazine / Winter 2005

Mercyhurst President Michael J. McQuillen talks with alumni services director Pat Liebel '53, at left, and Jeanne Ledoux Linek '48 at the Buffalo, N.Y. alumni reception held in May.

He also stressed the need to strengthen programs across

the board at xMercyhurst, pointing to the new physics lab in

Zurn as a manifestation of the college's mandate to advance

the sciences. He called Mercyhurst's internship and co-op

programs "the best in the region" and urged that they be

strengthened through the career services office.

"We have an extremely bright and forward-thinking fac­

ulty and administration as well as a talented study body that

are at the heart of outstanding programs and resources," he

said. "Our job in the years ahead will be to strengthen them

all as we move toward the next level of excellence."

He compared Mercyhurst's current transition to a similar

time in his past. When he arrived on campus in 1971, he

encountered a Mercyhurst transitioning from an all-

women's college to a coeducational institution, and from a

faculty and administration dominated by Sisters of Mercy to

a predominantly lay constituency.

"There were heated battles, but there was also a sense

of moving to a higher level; that is where I believe we are

today," he said.

As for his personal legacy at xMercyhurst, McQuillen said,

"I would like to be remembered as having done my best,

whether in the classroom or administration, and for caring

deeply for this college and the people who serve it."

Story by Debbie Morton, photos by Paul Lorei,

Gary Peterson '86

two decades/'

- Dr. Michael J. McQuillen,

10th president, Mercyhurst College

Mercyhurst Magazine Winter2005

changes xu-_ _ _ Hagan. Frank Hagan.

OK, so maybe he's not the James Bond of iMercyhurst, and maybe his encounters with fearsome adversaries haven't been up close and personal. Still, his research has afforded him glimpses of the Russian underworld, the lucrative East European cigarette smuggling racket, the crime enter­prises of the Yakuza, and the world of white collar crime in America.

Hagan is one of Mercyhurst's most prolific scholars, the author of seven books and more than 60 articles, mono­graphs and papers. A Fellow of the Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences, he is also a sought-after lecturer and con­sultant on organized, white collar and professional crime. He holds a bachelor of arts degree from Gannon University, a masters from the University of Maryland, and his doctor­ate from Case Western Reserve University, all in sociology. His family consists of wife, MaryAnn, and daughter, Shan­non Glennon '97 '03, of Erie.

A Mercyhurst mainstay since 1975, and before that from 1971-1973, Hagan views the college through the eyes of a veteran scholar who has observed its evolution over the course of more than 30 years.

He remembers when he first arrived on the Hill and inquired about the whereabouts of his phone and filing cabinet.

"I was told that first-year faculty didn't get filing cabinets and that only department chairpersons got phones," he said. "If you got a phone call, they'd announce your name over the PA system on the first floor of Preston and you'd run down the hallway to a little closet to take it. I remember a few of us put a sign on the door that read: CLARK KENT!"

Hagan's work on international extortion and corruption, assassins, and espionage has brought him, and Mercyhurst, exposure in international circles, as have his books. His text, Research Methods in Criminal Justice and Criminology, is in its seventh edition and used at more than 200 colleges and universities worldwide.

He laughs when asked whether he would have enjoyed a more hands-on career in a specialty that is both glamorous and notorious. He offers an emphatic "no," but not before relating the story of his one-time brush with a Mob hit man.

"I was living in Cleveland in 1973," he started. "My wife and I had an apartment and, as I was to find out later, the person who lived above us was a hit man for the Irish Mafia. On one occasion we double dated with him and I'm sure people probably thought I was a member of the Mob, too. I was with him and had an Irish name. What else would you think?"

Years later, Hagan said he learned through the news that this man had killed a judge's wife, and was later convicted of the murder.

"I had no clue," he remarked. But, without a doubt, living vicariously through his

research and spy novels was as close to the criminal mind as Hagan would ever want to get again.

By virtue of his reputation in criminal justice circles, Hagan could have gone anywhere in academia, but opted to stay at Mercyhurst, an institution founded by the Sisters of Mercy.

"I think it was written in the stars," he said. "I was born in Mercy Hospital in Pittsburgh. I grew up in an old Irish neighborhood called The Ward on the North Side and I went to St. Peter's grade school, which was run by the Sisters of Mercy. They were always warm, encouraging and kindly, just like here, and I think they fulfilled their mission with me, taking a poor working-class kid from Pittsburgh and giving him a first-class education and the confidence to feel he could do anything."

What Hagan has done is help to grow a criminal justice program at Mercyhurst that has earned a reputation as one of the best in the country among smaller schools.

As senior criminal justice and sociology professor at Mercyhurst and director of the James V. Kinnane Graduate Program in Administration of Justice, Hagan has touched the lives of both undergraduate and graduate students, not to mention doctoral students whom he has taught through the Interdisciplinary Doctoral Program in Educational Leadership offered at Mercyhurst in conjunction with Duquesne University.

"One of the things I've been most gratified by over the years is the success of our criminal justice students," he said. "We have graduates of our program who are tenured at major universities and are my colleagues now. We have a graduate who is director of training for the Federal Bureau of Prisons, and another with the U.S. Probation Office. I wish I could mention them all. For a small college, we have a big footprint."

4 Mercyhurst Magazine / Winter 2005

"I was told that first-year faculty didn't get filing cabinets

and that only department chairpersons got phones. If you

got a phone call, they'd announce your name over the PA

system on the first floor of Preston and you'd run down the

hallway to a little closet to take it!'

- Dr. Frank Hagan,

Criminal Justice/Sociology Professor

Hagan received an unexpected compliment recently when his former student, 2nd Lt. Met Berisha '00, U.S. Army, director of security at a United States airbase in Uz­bekistan, agreed to teach a criminology course for the Army and to his surprise was furnished with Hagan's Introduction to Criminology text (sixth edition).

"He's using my book and developing PowerPoint presen­tations that I am going to use in my classes at Mercyhurst," Hagan said. "It's stuff like that that is really gratifying to me."

During the past 30 years, Hagan has watched time and again as Mercyhurst faced challenge, change, controversy, and emerged triumphant.

In this historic academic year, Mercyhurst again directs its attention to a momentous change, the inauguration of a new president to replace Dr. Michael McQuillen, who accepted the interim presidency following the retirement in February 2005 of Dr. William P. Garvey, who guided Mercy­hurst through a period of phenomenal growth and prestige for 25 years.

It's difficult, perhaps, for modern-day faculty, staff and students to imagine Mercyhurst as anything but a beautiful and thriving college. It takes someone like Hagan, whose tenure spans 30 years, to see the peaks and valleys that Mer­cyhurst traversed to achieve what it has today.

There were times, Hagan recalled, when Mercyhurst didn't look at all as it does today - money was tight, main­tenance was deferred and "there was even the concern that we might fold."

But then, he added, "Dr. Garvey came along and took the college to where it is today."

With two campuses, Erie and North East, boasting a combined enrollment exceeding 4,000 students, and plans progressing toward the establishment of a third campus in western Erie County, Mercyhurst is on the cusp of fulfilling a key component of its strategic plan and responding to the growing educational needs of the greater Erie community and beyond.

"I think we have been fortunate to have strong leaders like Mike McQuillen and Tom Gamble in place," Hagan

said, adding that he believes the strength of the current leadership is crucial to facilitating a smooth transition as the college welcomes its 11th president. He is confident that Mercyhurst will continue the vision and momentum of the Garvey years as it heads into its 80th year.

Many questions remain to be addressed as Mercyhurst moves forward, though. With the college now offering five master's degree programs, Hagan said there is a compelling need to reevaluate its identity as a small, liberal arts college devoted to teaching in the context of expansion into the world of graduate education.

"It's great for our faculty to have graduate programs like these because they get to teach at a more sophisticated level," he said. "But, it also changes the fundamental nature of the institution."

Hagan also said the college may need to more closely consider its growth curve.

"Ever since I came here, it's been growth, growth, growth, and we've done it well," he said, acknowledging the college's newest stake in west county. "But, I think at some point, we should be prepared for a period of stabilization, which isn't bad. I just think we need to consider at what kind of pace we want to grow in the years ahead."

As for Hagan himself, he hopes to grow with Mercyhurst, whatever direction it takes.

"I'd like to keep teaching as long as I'm not boring people," he said with a wink, never one to miss taking a humorous potshot, even at his own expense.

Last year, Hagan was unable to attend a meeting of the Northeastern Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences in Bristol, R.I., where he was to receive the academy's Founders Award. So, he wrote an acceptance speech and asked friend and Mercyhurst colleague Dr. Peter Benekos to deliver it.

The joke was on Benekos when he read the conclusion to Hagan's otherwise humble remarks: "As a small token of my thanks tonight, the drinks are on Pete Benekos!"

Story by Debbie Morton, photo from Mercyhurst files

Mercyhurst Magazine / Winter 2005 5

Film series succeeds as fascinating exploration of the frontiers of cinema

The next time you re sitting beside someone sucking down a liter of Coke and chomping on fistfuls of popcorn, you might want to consider a less mundane approach to moviegoing.

In recent years, a record number of area moviegoers have discovered the Guelcher Film Series at Mercyhurst College as a fascinating exploration of the frontiers of cinema. Near­ly every Wednesday during the school year, the independent film series brings a challenging, relevant and sometimes controversial film to the Mary D'Angelo Performing Arts Center.

As PAC director since 1996, Michael Fuhrman '85 is charged with selecting the 32 to 35 movies shown on campus each year, and is largely responsible for the series' growth and popularity. What's more, the film series repre­sents only a fourth of Fuhrman's responsibilities as head of the PAC. _

The numbers speak for themselves. Total ticket sales for the 14 movies shown during the 1996-97 season were 1,639. That number spiked to 9,006 during the 2004-2005 season when 30 movies were shown. Student attendance likewise has skyrocketed, especially among Mercyhurst students. During the 1996-97 season, 165 Mercyhurst students bought tickets. By the 2004-2005 season, attendance had grown to 1,950 students.

"This shows me that Mercyhurst is attracting

students interested in learning about different cultures through film," Fuhrman said. "It also says to me that there is a culturally vibrant community out there, and we don't always get that recognition. That, to me, is really the success of this film series."

Fuhrman screens 85 percent of the movies shown in the PAC, choosing from a wide array of genres: independent ("indie"), documentary, and international. Besides travel­ing to movie houses in the tri-state area once a month to preview films, he is widely read on the subject, relying on national and international periodicals, the Internet Movie Database, Film Comment, and The New Yorker to keep his finger on the pulse of what's happening in the industry.

Last season alone, Fuhrman picked more than a dozen films that went on to earn Academy Award nominations in one category or another.

Mary D'Angelo Performing Arts Center director Michael Fuhrman '85 stands in the lobby of his workspace, which features some of the best entertainment - both on screen and on stage -in the Erie region.

The former football player-turned-ballet dancer - a man deeply committed to nurturing the cultural complexity of the Erie community - is reluctant to take credit for the film series' success, but there's no denying his ability to make the hot picks.

How does he do it? "I guess its sort of like being a chef," he analogized. "You

don't always have to follow the recipe. You know what your audience appreciates, but you aren t afraid to test them. You are confident enough to throw in a few capers, and maybe some tarragon instead of oregano."

Probably the all-time biggest hit at the PAC box office was the Academy Award-winning "Lost in Translation," which drew 1,000 moviegoers, 200 of whom had to be turned away.

"A lot of people thought it was the most boring film in the world," he said. "Then there were others who loved it."

Fuhrman considers all sorts of criteria when selecting films, but he won't hesitate to make a pick "just because I think the Mercyhurst students will enjoy it." That's how "Monty Python and the Holy Grail" made its way to the PAC screen.

Typically, though, Fuhrman's choices represent the antith­esis of moviegoing as escapism.

"I think this series lets you link up with and learn about the world," he said. "When I put a season together, I con­sider what's happening in our society today. 'The Promise,' for example, was a beautiful and inspiring film shot in Israel and Palestine that really gave the audience a glimpse into that area of the world."

Among other recent foreign films that generated consid­erable audience appreciation, he said, were the Moroccan "AH Zowa;" "Shall We Dance," a Japanese film; and a Chinese picture called "The Mask."

While nudity isn't taboo with the film series, Fuhrman carefully considers the degree of nudity and the level of pro­fane language in a film before he books it. He also admits to walking a fine line in terms of reserving films that might ignite controversy.

There was one film - "In the Company of Men" - that featured a white man fighting his way up the corporate ladder, who, in an attempt to humiliate a black subordinate, abused his authority by forcing the black man to remove his pants.

"It got a couple people in the audience exercised, but we felt it was a valid film that exposed the dark side of the cor­porate world and illustrated what lengths some people will go to to get ahead," Fuhrman recalled. "It's not always easy, but we attempt to strike a balance between what we are as a Catholic institution and what we are as a market of free ideas and expression."

6 Mercyhurst Magazine / Winter 2005

Beyond his own propensity for making choice movie

picks,. Fuhrman points to a number of other reasons that

have propelled the film series into its current state of grace:

donors Robert and Elizabeth '58 Guelcher, whose support

not only provides a financial resource but validates the

cultural merit of the series; the aesthetics of the concert hall

in which the movies are shown and the technical sophistica­

tion of its 35-mm production system; the high visibility of

the series generated through Erie Times-News reviews; not

to mention the emergence of a counterculture in America

that is responding favorably to "indie" films as opposed to

the glut of formulaic Hollywood flicks.

The college's independent film series started in the early

1980s with three or four movies a term, and Fuhrman said it

was the vision of that original group, headed by the late Dr.

George Garrelts, who had taught theology at Mercyhurst

from 1979 to 1997, that broke ground and established the

foundation for its current success.

That group organized a series known as "Films for Dis­

cussion." The movies were shown in the intimate 275-seat

Zurn Recital Hall to audiences numbering anywhere from a

dozen to 50 people.

"A lot of the films were challenging with very gripping

issues, and a core group would stay afterward and discuss

them," Fuhrman recalled. "The series was a conduit to

thoughtful dialogue and, in that sense, it assumed an ele­

ment of real academia."

With the move to the PAC in the mid '90s, a concert hall

cavernous by comparison to its predecessor, the two-pro­

jector, 16-mm format lacked the guts to fill the 800-seat

venue with adequate sound.

"What really set us apart was when we moved to the 35-

mm format; essentially, we went from playing an 8-track to

a DVD," Fuhrman said. "With a little luck and support from

the administration, we were able to get a 35-mm projector

through the military, and it is absolutely phenomenal."

Over the years, the PAC has enhanced its movie house

capabilities by upgrading the sound system, installing a per­

forated screen and adding computer automation. Fuhrman

also credits technical director Randy Stankey, calling him

"one of the finest projectionists in the tri-state region."

Like anybody at the top of his game, Fuhrman knows it

takes a ton of work to stay there.

"Once you get a sellout, people expect you to do it again

and again," he said. "But, I know there is a life to everything.

There are natural ebbs and flows and, right now, we just

happen to be riding a wave."

Still, it would appear that as long as Fuhrman goes spar­

ingly with the cayenne pepper, he seems to have found a

recipe that keeps moviegoers coming back for more.

Story and photo by Debbie Morton

For more information on Michael Fuhrman, be sure to read the article "Michael Fuhrman - Memiors of a Jock" on page 28.

Upcoming Events! In addition to the Guelcher Film Series, the 2005-06 season at the Mary D'Angelo Performing Arts Center includes live performances by artists like Pink Martini, the Celtic Tenors, Nashville Mandolin Ensemble and Jesse Cook.

For more PAC offerings, visit http://pac.mercyhurst.edu/events.php

Sat., Jan. 28, at 8 PM Maria Schneider Orchestra

Fri., Feb. 17, at 8 PM Pink Martini

Fri., March 10, at 8 PM The Celtic Tenors

Sun., March 12, at 2 PM Nashville Mandolin Ensemble

Sun., March 19, at 2 PM David Krakauer and Trio Solisti Walker Recital Hall

Sat., April 8, at 8 PM Jesse Cook

Thurs., April 13, at 7:30 PM Trio Joubran Walker Recital Hall

I Mercyhurst Magazine / Winter 2005 7

II

•II I • I

Janet Price, shown here in 1974 with the women's basketball team, was the first female coach at Mercyhurst College, and a pioneer in sportsmedicine.

"For the men, athletics was a recruiting tool, but for us, it was just a reflection of extreme interest!'

Janet Price, retired director of

Mercyhurst sportsmedicine

department and first head

women's basketball coach

There really is no slowing Janet Price down. Sure, she retired, but that doesn't really mean anything.

There is golf three times a week, birding with the Audubon Society, her gardens - plenty to keep her up and about since she hung up her hat and walked down the Hill toward retirement in 2002.

But then again, Price was never one for sitting around. She landed at Mercyhurst College in 1969, just as the col­

lege was going coeducational, and began teaching physical education.

"People think you have to change jobs to keep from be­ing bored," said Price, smiling at her memories of the early days at the 'Hurst. "But that is not the case at Mercyhurst; I probably wore five hats while I was here. It really was an op­portunity if you were in tune with your profession and our students' needs; that is how it evolved for me. You don't get that opportunity often."

When Price first started teaching, her responsibilities included phys ed classes and intramurals for the female students, and from that would evolve organized women's sports at Mercyhurst - all under the tutelage of Price. What began as a reflection on the competitive nature of the young women enrolled at Mercyhurst in the 1960s and 1970s would eventually grow to encompass 12 NCAA women's varsity teams, including a women's rowing team that brought home the college's first national title in 2004.

"It started so casually; we played other teams, had a little social hour afterward," said Price. "Then we started talking about a more organized way of doing things, and we started the Keystone Conference with all the area colleges."

Soon, the talk turned to varsity sports, and under the leadership of Price and with the full encouragement of the administration, efforts focused on that next step.

Price laughs remembering the odd problems that had to be solved: "We couldn't even get women's uniforms, the people from Erie Sports Store had to come up and measure our girls and they all had tailor-made uniforms."

"For the men, athletics was a recruiting tool, but for us, it was just a reflection of extreme interest," said Price. "I'd start a sport, coach for a while, then move on and let them hire a part-time coach as I started on the next one."

Those early intramurals evolved into varsity teams over time - first basketball, then volleyball, followed by tennis and softball. Today female student-athletes can participate in those sports as well as field hockey, ice hockey, cross country, golf, lacrosse, rowing, soccer and water polo.

8 Mercvhurst Magazine Winter 2005

I • • in

The entire process unfolded in 1972, about the same

time Congress passed several amendments to the landmark

Civil Rights Act of 1964. One of those amendments would

change women's sports forever-Title 9. But at Mercyhurst,

it would be some time before scholarships, financial support

and the inclusion by the NCAA of women's sports would

fuel even more athletic opportunities for women. Until

then, it was up to the enthusiasm of students and members

of the administration, such as Price, to open the doors for

female athletes.

"Once the NCAA expanded to include women, it became

big business," recalled Price, who eventually assumed the

mantle of assistant athletic director in order to handle

women's sports at Mercyhurst. Perhaps luckily, about that

same time, health and wellness had become a new trend

in the United States, and Price quickly picked up on that

movement.

"We realized it could be a field of study," she explained.

And she was right.

Sportsmedicine had its start when Price and Brad Jacob-

son, who succeeded Price as sportsmed department direc­

tor after her retirement, contacted owners of big businesses

and directors of a few existing sportsmedicine programs

to determine what training students could get that would

make them a good fit in the real world.

Since Jacobson had been hired as an athletic trainer for

the college, it was a simple first step to offer athletic train­

ing, but since then, the department has evolved to include

several tracks, including health/fitness promotion, pre-

physical therapy and pre-medicine. With three full-time

faculty, and nearly 130 students enrolled in the program, it

has surpassed Price's expectations.

"Our rep was built on the number of our students who

were successfully going on to graduate school. That was

something we never could have anticipated," said Price.

Those successful graduates helped counter the feeling, both

on campus and off, that sportsmedicine is not an "academ­

ic" subject.

"Sometimes that feeling that we weren't truly academic

led to feelings of isolation," admitted Price, quickly adding

that it was never an intentional shun. But to battle that, she

became heavily involved with the college's governance pro­

cess in order to stay in touch, and encouraged her depart­

mental colleagues to do likewise.

"We created connections that way, and it was wonderful,"

said Price.

Janet Price, top left, also coached women's tennis (this is 1974) and women's volleyball, among others.

Whether the creative and encouraging atmosphere Price

enjoyed still exists at Mercyhurst is a question Price had to

ponder.

"There was such a feeling then that we could try any­

thing," she said. "It would be harder now because then we

were small and growing and we needed some creativity and

freedom to do that. Now Mercyhurst is large, established

... but there are still some nooks and crannies where those

with vision can still make a difference."

All those days of breaking new ground may be in the past

for Price, but retirement hasn't meant slowing down.

"Time is all about now, I don't live in the past or the

future," said Price, who admits that while her time at Mer­

cyhurst was invigorating and rewarding, she doesn't miss it

now that she has adjusted to retirement.

"I knew my whole life, when I was teaching, 1 was here,"

said Price, who admitted that knowledge made her a bit

anxious about retirement. "But I haven't had time to even

miss work."

Story by Gennifer Biggs, photos from 1974 Mercyhurst yearbook

Mercyhurst Magazine / Winter 2005 9

From cradle to college and beyond... Lanzillo: The making of a leader

"I remember when adding football at

Mercyhurst was being debated back

in the early '80s. There were a lot of

naysayers; some feared dozens of no-

neck meatheads would be brought

to campus. But the outcome was just

the opposite. I remember, statistically,

the football players were a fine group

of scholar-athletes and great additions

to the college. It was a risk back then,

but it worked out well."

- Richard Lanzillo, Esq. '83, Mercyhurst Trustee and former MSG president, shown above with his wife Jo-Ann

As one of Mercyhurst College's youthful leaders - a two-time Mercyhurst Student Government president and Carpe Diem Award recipient - Richard Lanzillo, Esq. '83 was on familiar terrain when he walked into his first board of trustees meeting as a grown man.

"Walking in in your mid 40s is a lot easier than at 19," he said, comparing his appointment to the board in 2003 with his tenure as a student trustee representing his fellow classmates.

"My greatest concern going into my first trustees meet­ing as a student was scaring up a suit that fit," he quipped. "It was pretty intimidating for me."

Back then, Lanzillo was something of a social animal and his platform centered on student activities and creating in­novative educational and recreational opportunities.

"In 1980, if you had a good idea and a willingness to put effort into it, people were willing to follow, especially if you could convince them it was something novel," he said. "At that age, everyone is looking for new experiences."

But, seriously, he said, part of being a good leader is understanding who and what you are serving.

As a student, that was easy.

"The complaint time and again had been 'there's noth­ing to do on campus,'" he said. "So, a group of us worked together to come up with some new ideas."

Toward that end, Lanzillo was very successful. During his tenure as MSG president, his administration worked with faculty, particularly the late Dr. George Garrelts, who taught theology at Mercyhurst from 1979 to 1997, to establish a cultural film series, a precursor of the acclaimed Robert and Elizabeth '58 Guelcher Film Series.

"We had an annual Spring Weekend that included every­thing from an outdoor dance in The Grotto to hospital bed races," he recalled. "And ours was the first group to bring in some really significant entertainers, like comedian David Brenner."

But, it wasn't all fun and games. Lanzillo can take credit for instituting a lecture series in collaboration with the col­lege administration that brought to campus such notables as Pulitzer Prize-winning historian Doris Kearns Goodwin, who talked to Mercyhurst students on the eve of the 1980 presidential election between Ronald Reagan and Jimmy Carter.

1 0 Mercyhurst Magazine / Winter 2005

While at Mercyhurst, Lanzillo majored in history and minored in business. He also met his wife, Jo-Ann Israel '86, at Mercyhurst. Today, they are the parents of two daughters, Amanda, 14, a junior at Mercyhurst Prep; and Elizabeth, 11, who attends Asbury Elementary School in Millcreek Town­ship.

Another Lanzillo coup, meanwhile, was hosting Cal Thomas, one of Americas leading political columnists and broadcast veterans, in a debate against former Mercyhurst faculty Barry Grossman of Erie.

As effortlessly as he appeared to get things done, Lanzillo said he learned from the best, even if it was by osmosis.

"As I recall, during my tenure as a student on the board, the trustees were debating some pretty lively issues, like the direction of athletics, and many of the people I work with now on the board, I admired as leaders back then ... people like Bill Sennett, Jane Theuerkauf, Bill Grant, Sister Maura Smith and the late Al Duval. They, along with Dr. (William) Garvey, of course, made a lasting impression on me with their collective vision."

Lanzillo observed that Mercyhurst leaders, from the be­ginning with the founding Sisters of Mercy, have always had the guts to take measured risks.

"I think that is a quality that has served this institution well," he said. "The college has been willing to do things that aren't a guaranteed success - not recklessly, of course; they calculate the risk well.

"I remember when adding football at Mercyhurst was being debated back in the early '80s. There were a lot of nay-sayers; some feared dozens of no-neck meatheads would be brought to campus. But the outcome was just the opposite. I remember, statistically, the football players were a fine group of scholar-athletes and great additions to the college. It was a risk back then, but it worked out well."

As a junior trustee, Lanzillo admits the Mercyhurst of today is a far cry from the Mercyhurst he attended in the early '80s, and he is in the process of "relearning" it so he can bring a sense of enlightenment to major issues facing this board.

"I think the two greatest challenges we face are the selec­tion of a new president and turning the west Erie County initiative into a reality," Lanzillo said last fall. "We are in a time of transition and my goal is to see us emerge from it with the same strength we had going in."

Part of leading, Lanzillo said, is being willing to commit the time.

Richard Lanzillo, Esq. '83

"My family and friends would probably tell you I'm a workaholic," he said. "But, I think they'd also tell you that I keep a pretty good sense of humor and try not to take myself too seriously."

Leaders come in all shapes and sizes, temperaments, organizational styles, so tossing a little humor into the mix can't hurt, he figures.

Some leaders - the best of the bunch - he notes, have a rare, intangible quality.

"I think the true mark of a great leader is the ability to inspire others to follow your lead, and that's a quality you ei­ther have or you don't have," he said. "Mercyhurst has been very fortunate in its history to have leaders with that quality, and we need to continue looking in that direction as we face our collective future."

Story by Debbie Morton,

contributed photos

Mercyhurst Magazine / Winter 2005 1 1

Sisters seek creative solutions to universal challenges

Sister Bernadette Bell, RSM '53, president of the Erie Regional Community of the Sisters of Mercy, jokes that the only thing in her office older than her is a 76-year-old tod­dler-sized teddy bear named Prince.

The childhood companion of her late brother, Prince has welcomed generations of new additions to Sister Bernadette s family and is en route to her great nephew in Columbus, Ohio, with a stopover in Erie for some much needed repairs.

Like Prince, Sister Ber­nadette is a trooper with a wellspring of strength and resilience, vital qualities in an age when the Sisters of Mercy face universal challenges pre­sented by their dwindling numbers.

Although she has been in office only for a year, Sister Bernadette's learn­ing curve is marginal; she already served eight years as vice president under the previous lead­ership of Sister JoAnne Courneen, RSM '66.

She knows her four-year tenure will be fraught with change,

"We aren't in the classroom in the

numbers we used to be, but we've

evolved to fill many different roles.

That was the teaching of Catherine

McAuley (Sisters of Mercy founder)

-fill a need and move on to another. "

- Sister Bernadette Bell, RSM '53,

president of the Erie Regional

Community of the Sisters of Mercy

and it is that challenge that energizes her. She doesn't bemoan the fact that she could be enjoying retirement. As a rule, she said, the Mercy Sisters don t focus on age or its perceived limitations. To do so would be folly considering that the average age of the 60 Sisters who make Erie their home is 71.

"We don t think about age or retiring," Sister Bernadette said. "There's too much to be done. Sister Maura (Smith) once said, 'We don't retire. We get recycled.' And that's

true. tt

1 2 Mercyhurst Magazine / Winter 2005

Despite their declining numbers, Erie's Sisters continue to serve the poor, the sick and the undereducated in their various ministries.

Visionaries as they are, though, they see their world evolving, their sisters aging, their finances tightening and they are brainstorming for creative solutions.

They are in the midst of merger talks with Mercy commu­nities in Rochester, Buffalo, Pittsburgh and the Philippines. The plan is for one administration by 2008, a move that would provide a sharing of resources and free more Sisters for ministry.

The new configuration is a plan devised by The Institute of the Sisters of Mercy of the Americas, which represents 25 regional communities in North, Central and South America. Under the new plan, the 25 communities would consolidate their respective governing bodies into six areas (five in the United States and one for South and Central America).

Erie would become part of the NYPPAW community that would total 590 members and represent 13 percent of the Institute.

While the new configuration will solve some problems, Sister Bernadette said nobody views it as a panacea.

"We're all having the same problems and we have to keep looking for new ways of handling them," she said.

The Sisters have turned to government grants as one way to help sustain their ministries. They have delved more into local fund raising, and are grappling with ways to offset the high cost of caring for their elderly, acknowledging that the infirmary is one of their biggest expenses.

Being resourceful through partnership is another avenue the Mercy Sisters continually explore. They are working with the Benedictines and the Sisters of St. Joseph in an or­ganization fittingly called POWR - Partnership of Women Religious - through which they collaborate on 12 different ministries locally, among them Erie DAWN and the House of Healing.

While their presence in schools has shrunk, the Mercy Sisters continue to educate "from the womb to the tomb," said Sister Bernadette, pointing to the preschool in the base­ment of their Motherhouse to the adjacent Mercy Center on Aging as examples.

"We aren't in the classroom in the numbers we used to be," she said. "But, we've evolved to fill many different roles. That was the teaching of Catherine McAuley (Sisters of Mercy founder) - fill a need and move on to another."

Still, there is the concern that the Sisters - less in number and spread over far more territory - are losing their pres­ence in the community. Even at Mercyhurst College, there is some anxiety that the Sisters are no longer as visible as they once were.

In recent years Sister Lisa Mary McCartney, RSM 71, made history as the last remaining Sister of Mercy to serve full time on the Mercyhurst faculty, a post she vacated in 2004 to assume the vice presidency of the Erie Sisters.

She continues to face the challenge of how to best pass on the Sisters' legacy at Mercyhurst.

"We've started, but we have a way to go," she said. "We've returned to starting the school year with the Mass of the Holy Spirit, we have the Ambassadors who pass on our his­tory and tradition, and we must continue to find those kinds of creative activities and seek the right people to whom we can pass on our sacred trust"

In the bigger picture, Sister is currently working with the Conference for Mercy Higher Education, an effort designed to facilitate collaboration among the 18 Mercy colleges and universities in the country.

"With fewer Sisters of Mercy, we need to figure out a way to preserve our Catholic identity and our legacy in the

i schools," Sister Lisa Mary said. "The hope is that our col-leges and universities will collaborate in some way, seeing one another as resources, and will strengthen the relation­ship between the Sisters and the institutions."

That and the many complex challenges facing the Sisters of Mercy were at the forefront of the 4th Institute Chapter in Laredo, Texas, last June. The meeting is held once every six years and is attended by representatives of all the Mercy communities.

"We have a lot to be grateful for and I'm very optimistic in the way we are addressing our future," Sister Bernadette said upon her return. "The highlight of the chapter was the election of five graced women of Mercy to lead the Institute forward toward the new dawn."'

On the homefront, a recent open house sponsored by the Erie Sisters welcomed seven young women who came to explore a possible calling.

"That may not seem like a large number, but these young women know what they want," Sister said. "They are not fresh out of high school like in the old days. They've been around and they've decided they want religious life.

"So, even though our Sisters are getting older and there are not as many young ones coming through the doors, we are open to change because we live in hope."

Sister JoAnne Courneen...

Story by Debbie Morton, contributed photos

A little more than a year ago, in Septem­ber 2004, Sister JoAnne Courneen, RSM '66 began a two-year appointment as

finance director of the Mercy Internation­al Centre, the original home of the Sisters of Mercy founded by Catherine McAuley in Dublin, Ireland. Previously, Sister completed two four-year terms as president of the Erie Regional Community of the Sisters of Mercy Following is a message from Sister JoAnne to the Mercyhurst College community

Dear Friends: I have been living at Mercy International Centre (MIC) in Dublin,

Ireland, for a year now and, yet, I feel as if I have been here much longer. There has been much to learn in my position as finance director where foreign currency, exchange rates and bank drafts are a way of life. By the end of my two years here, I will have mastered some of the financial prac­tices, learned new terminology for various transactions and, just maybe, I'll be able to write the date the Irish way.

Catherine McAuley founded the first House of Mercy here on Lower Baggot Street in 1828. Here, she housed and educated many poor women and children while at the same time founded the Sisters of Mercy. Now, as Mercy International Centre, 64a Lower Baggot Street is a place of renewal and spiritual enrichment for Sisters, associates and lay colleagues from all over the world. Seven Sisters of Mercy and a lay associate, as­sisted by volunteers, offer hospitality and experiences to guests who come for inspiration and insight into the spirit of Catherine.

Our Sisters are represented in more than 40 countries around the world so the cultures of our communities and our ministries are diverse. Still, we find we are united in one Mercy spirit. Strangers walk through our doors as visitors and leave as friends. There is an excitement in meeting one another and in listening to lay colleagues say, "I work with the Sisters of Mercy" or "I was taught by the Sisters of Mercy" or "I couldn't go home without visiting Catherine's House." They find they have "come home"

On occasion, the person ringing the doorbell has been someone I know, or someone associated with Erie, or even Mercyhurst College. Just this past June, a group of Mercyhurst students and faculty Dr. David Livings­ton, Dr. Daniel McFee and Dr. Mary Hembrow Snyder came visiting as part of a religious studies department trip. Those are special moments when I can share my two worlds, the Irish Mercy heritage here with the manifestation of that spirit in the ministry from home.

Hopefully, during my stay here, I will have an opportunity to welcome many visitors from Erie to Mercy International Centre, where the Mercy World began.

Peace, Sister JoAnne

sjcourneen@hotmail.com

Mercyhurst Magazine Winter 2005 1 3

Everyone at Mercyhurst College is part of the metaphori­cal family, but some students claim an even stronger bond. They chose Mercyhurst, in part, because of an inbred rever­ence that only another "legacy" could understand.

Sophomore Liesl Wagner of Erie is such a student.

Liesl, a fourth-genera­tion legacy, was raised on a medley of Mercyhurst lore passed from generation to generation by her grand­mother's aunt, the late Sister Mary Andre Ahearn '52; her late grandmother, Dorothy Ahearn Fuhrmann '82; and her mother, Jane Fuhrmann Wagner '99.

Not only are these alum­nae connected by virtue of their decision to attend Mercyhurst, but by their choice of career; all became teachers. True to the idiom, the apple doesn't fall far from the tree, Liesl likewise is following the same path. She is a secondary educa­tion/Spanish major.

As students, the expe­riences of Liesl and her ancestors are markedly different, but the striking

aesthetics of the campus and the sense of belonging that one discovers at Mercyhurst are trademarks that have stood the test of time.

As a young girl growing up on Florida Avenue, Jane Fuhrmann and her neighborhood friends envisioned

A Tale of Four Women

Dorothy Ahearn Fuhrmann '82, Jane Fuhrmann Wagner '99 and Liesl Wagner '08

Mercyhurst as their own personal playground. They'd pack lunches and picnic in the Grotto, where they would deliver bouquets of fresh flowers at the statue of the Blessed Virgin.

"Back then, there was no student union and the addition to the cafeteria hadn't been built so, in a child's mind, the Grotto was like a wilderness," Jane remembered. "In the summer, it was cool and secluded because of all the shade trees. It was a beautiful place, and that hasn't changed."

As a high school student at the former St. Benedict Acad­emy, Jane worked in the Mercyhurst College cafeteria.

"The Sisters who lived in Egan had a dining room in the back of the kitchen," she said. "There were about 20 Sisters and my job was to take care of them at meal time. I would set the table, put their food out and clear when they were done. Once a month, there was a feast day celebration and we would break out the linens, the fine china, and the crys­tal goblets and they would have a fancy dinner."

Many of the Sisters knew Jane's great aunt, Sister Mary Andre, and treated Jane as family. In fact, Jane confided, "I think all of them thought I was going to join the order!"

Because Mercyhurst had been a prominent fixture in her life since childhood, Jane said she took it for granted she would attend college there, too. Her mother's positive experience was another convincing factor.

Dorothy Ahearn Fuhrmann had long desired a teaching career, but, instead, chose marriage and stayed home to raise three children, all of whom became Mercyhurst alum­ni: Jane '99, Eda Fuhrmann Burhenn '94 and D.J. Fuhrmann '87. Dorothy's sister, Colleen Ahearn '65, is also a member of this prolific legacy family.

Dorothy, meanwhile, began her college career taking an occasional course in hopes of pursuing a more demanding schedule eventually. Once her youngest entered school full time, so did she.

"My mom was in her mid 40s when she started at Mer­cyhurst, and I remember her fearing that she would feel old and out of place, but that never happened," Jane said "I remember her doing projects with traditional-aged stu­dents, and I thought, 'how cool that my mom is friends with all these younger people.'"

In 1979, while Dorothy was thriving as an adult student at Mercyhurst, Jane arrived on the scene, not as a child at play or a teen-ager at work, but as a freshman student.

"Mom and I actually had a class together," Jane remem­bered. "It was a dinner theatre course. Our class performed LU'Abner and we both had parts in it."

After graduating, Dorothy accepted a teaching job at the former St. John the Baptist Elementary School, now St. John/Holy Rosary Eastside Catholic. But Jane's college career took a detour when she opted to marry at the end of her junior year.

1 4 Mercyhurst Magazine / Winter 2005

Dorothy Ahearn Fuhrmann '82 and her sister Colleen Ahearn '65

In the years that followed, she and husband Kevin raised four daughters: Hanni, Brigitta, Liesl and Amelia. When the demands of childrearing lightened, Jane, like her mother before her, decided to complete her education as an adult student at Mercyhurst. She graduated in 1999 with a degree in elementary education.

Again, she followed her mother's lead by taking a teach­ing job at St. John/Holy Rosary, where she remains to this day. What's more, her children are fifth-generation legacies at St. John's, and Liesl has moved on to Mercyhurst, where she is building another generation of memories.

"Maybe it's because I've known Mercyhurst since I was little," Liesl said, "but I've always felt a sense of belonging here."

Still, that intimacy almost had the opposite effect. "I thought I knew everything about Mercyhurst from my

family so I didn't feel the need to look any closer," Liesl said. "Back then, I was actually leaning more toward Canisius because, growing up, I did Irish dancing in Buffalo and was very comfortable with the city."

The turning point came when she acquiesced to her mother's request to take a tour of Mercyhurst.

"I told her the only way to give Mercyhurst a fair shake was to check it out just like she would any other school," Jane said.

That advice made all the difference. "I toured with an Ambassador who had a huge influence

on the way I viewed the college," Liesl said. "Not only was it beautiful, but I learned there was so much more going on than I ever thought."

Today Liesl is an Ambassador, and eagerly puts her own spin on the legacy of her family for prospective students. As one who enjoys experiencing "a little bit of everything" Liesl has a busy social life at Mercyhurst, continues to dance and to teach dancing, and is an active volunteer, last year participating in Mercyhurst Service Learning's Border Awareness Experience, an alternative spring break trip. Dr. Thomas Forsthoefel, associate professor of religious studies, accompanied Liesl and seven other students to El Paso, Texas, and Juarez, Mexico, where they met with Border Patrol officials, human rights activists, and environmental groups to understand the cultural, economic, and political issues affecting the border.

When Liesl told her mom that Forsthoefel was her guide on the trip, Jane smiled at the irony.

"I know him," she said. "I took a class from him." Small world, she found, smaller still, Mercyworld.

"I toured with an Ambassador who had a huge

influence on the way I viewed the college. Not only

was it beautiful, but I learned there was so much

more going on than I ever thought!'

- Liesl Wagner '08

Story by Debbie Morton, contributed photos

Mercyhurst Magazine / Winter 2005 1 5

Captain Chrissy Yule '05 reflects on her Mercyhurst ice hockey career

"After the Harvard game, I remember being in the locker room and looking in (senior goalie) Desi Clark's eyes ...we had this 'omigosh ifs over' connection. Suddenly, we looked around the room and there was that same sense from all the other seniors. Then we saw the younger players looking at us and you could tell they knew exactly what we were feeling. For us, it was over. For them, you could see it in their eyes. They knew they'd be back. And when they go back, we go back. The spirit carries on. "

- Chrissy Yule '05, former captain of the women's ice hockey team

The whack of pucks hitting the boards, the swoosh of skates crisscrossing the ice, the Zamboni barreling down the rink, jubilant outbursts eddying upward from the spectator stands ... how do you ever say goodbye to the sights and sensations that make women's ice hockey at Mercyhurst College such a rush?

For senior captain Chrissy Yule '05, the experience was bittersweet. At 24, she felt ready to move on, to take the skills she had honed at Mercyhurst and create a niche career in prenatal and infant massage. But, being a rink rat since the age of 9, hanging up her skates was definitely painful, especially at Mercyhurst, where she played every game since day one of her freshman year. In fact, Yule holds the record for "most games played" - 33 her freshman year; 34, sopho­more; 36, junior; and 37 as a senior.

From her game-winning goal in the GLWHA champion­ship game against Findlay her freshman year to the fabulous finale of her Mercyhurst career, the NCAA quarterfinal against Harvard last March; those 140 games are fodder for some pretty thrilling memories. That's what makes saying goodbye so tough.

"After the Harvard game, 1 remember being in the locker room and looking in (senior goalie) Desi Clark's eyes ... we had this 'omigosh it's over' connection," said the 5'8" forward from Brampton, Ontario. "Suddenly, we looked around the room and there was that same sense from all the other seniors. Then we saw the younger players looking at us and you could tell they knew exactly what we were feeling. For us, it was over. For them, you could see it in their eyes. They knew they'd be back. And when they go back, we go back. The spirit carries on."

And that's as it should be. A good leader inspires great­ness, and greatness begets greatness. That is what Mercy­hurst women's hockey has aspired to since the program began in 1999, and each year has yielded new milestones. Last year, the Lakers compiled a record of 28-7-2, winning both the CHA regular season and tournament titles. For the first time, the women reached the NCAA playoffs and, despite a 5-4 triple overtime loss at Harvard in the quarter­final, did themselves and the college proud.

Reflecting on her career, particularly her leadership ten­ure as alternate captain her sophomore year, co-captain her junior year, and captain her senior year, Yule said she had some amazing predecessors from whom to learn.

1 6 Mercyhurst Magazine / Winter 2005

The first trip the Lady Lakers took to the NCAA playoffs landed them on the ice against historic ice hockey powerhouse Harvard.

"Somebody once asked me, 'How do you become a

leader?' and I said you learn from the best. You find some­

body who inspires you to be like them. For me, that was CJ.

Ireland. She was our first captain at Mercyhurst. I admired

how each and every player respected her. She had this won­

derful, well-rounded kind of leadership style that I felt was

critical to inspire a team to be successful. I looked to CJ to

see what it took to be a captain and to be successful. I hope

other girls have seen the same things in me. That's how you

keep the momentum going."

The force at the helm - head Coach Mike Sisti - is a role

model whose influence has been far-reaching.

"This program has climbed the ladder of success because

of the leadership of so many great people, especially the

man who started it all with every intention of representing

our college and the city with pride and passion, and that

would be Coach Sisti himself," Yule said. "So many girls have

passed through our program and learned much from our

coaching staff. I do believe they prepared us for adversity

and taught us the importance of character."

As for her role, Yule said being empathetic is one of the

strengths she summoned to lead her teammates through

successful seasons.

"When girls come to college, some as young as 17,1 think

they need that kind of emotional sturdiness within the pro­

gram that I think I was able to provide," Yule said.

One Yule initiative that proved effective last year was

class meetings. The team met as a unit regularly, but Yule

decided to initiate captains meetings with each individual

class to solicit input from younger players who might not be

comfortable speaking out in the larger group.

"As team captain, you are the voice and the pulse of the

entire team," Yule said. "I think the individual meetings gave

us a variety of views and that had a huge impact on our

success."

Another Yule trademark was her willingness to speak out.

Whether chanting words of encouragement on the ice or

voicing her opinion on how to better the program, she was

never one to spare words.

Her dependability went a long way toward boosting the

team's efforts as well. While other players may have been

sidelined by injury, relegated to the bench as punishment, or

removed from a game by virtue of a coaching decision, Yule

incurred none of the above.

"I was lucky not to have been in those situations and I

think that had a lot to do with being captain," she said. "You

have to set the bar for your team."

Now situated in her hometown of Brampton, the daugh­

ter of Fatima Seabrook and Charles Yule is looking forward

to a whole new life. Armed with a bachelor's degree in

sportsmedicine, Yule's plan is to attend massage therapy

school and start her own clinic specializing in prenatal and

infant massage.

But Mercyhurst will never be far from her thoughts.

"The memory I'll never forget is the first time I put my

jersey on - I had worked so hard to get to Mercyhurst

- and the last time I took it off - knowing I'd never wear it

again." •

Story by Debbie Morton, contributed photos

Mercyhurst Magazine / Winter 2005 1 7

LEADERSHIP MAKES FOR

i

Judith Pitney '67

BUSINESS It was the spring of 1966, the end of Judith Pitney's junior

year at Mercyhurst College. As other students were emerg­ing from the after-finals haze and eagerly anticipating a re­spite from the rigor of academia, Pitney was still hunkered down in Old Main.

As incoming Mercyhurst Stu­dent Government president, she was in the throes of producing the college's first student handbook. Mercyhurst had no such guide and was in a transition period, attempting to distance itself from unrealistically strict protocols of the past and commit to paper a modern set of rules governing stu­dent life. Pitney had put together a small team of students that stayed on campus two weeks after classes ended to physically assemble the handbook.

"I can still see us now collating that manual," she said. In reflecting, there was no woe is me, if only we had had

a PC...

From where Pitney stood, "It was a wonderful experi­ence, taking something from an idea and delivering the finished product."

It was also a lesson in organizational skills that she has fine-tuned throughout her professional career to its pin­nacle at the University of Michigan, where she has spent nearly two decades. In her current position as the execu-

?

tive director of resource planning and management for the College of Engineering, which she has held since 1992, she supervises a staff of 18 and is responsible for a 2006 fiscal year operating budget of $320 million and $110 million in new capital projects.

As a senior administrator at one of the most prestigious universities in the country, Pitney knows a little bit about leadership.

Without a doubt, she said, getting to the top demands a certain degree of risk-taking. She offered up one of her own. From 1982 to 1987, Pitney was associate provost at South­ern Methodist University, commanding a very comfortable annual salary, not to mention considerable respect and prestige. Still, she felt that she had reached a plateau and could go no further without a terminal degree. So, at 42, she relinquished her job and enrolled in graduate school at Michigan, returning to a life of hitting the books 24-7 and living on a graduate assistantship stipend.

The risk paid off and, in 1988, she earned a post as direc­tor of planning and administrative services in the office of the vice president for research at Michigan, and has contin­ued to advance steadily from there.

Her success at Michigan is the result not only of calcu­lated risk-taking, but of hard work, taking responsibility, loyalty and strict adherence to ethical standards, all qualities instilled in her by her parents, Margaret Pitney and the late Jerome Pitney.

It was during her years at Mercyhurst College, then an all-girls school, that she was given the forum to hone the skills that would one day form the foundation of her ascent into the world of leadership in higher education. At Mercyhurst, she developed her communication skills, which she identified as crucial to effective leadership; her writing and organizational skills; as well as an appetite for lifelong learning. : I

Pitney is both satisfied and challenged by her work at Michigan, but she admits she probably wouldn't have fared as well as an undergrad at the Big Ten powerhouse as she did at Mercyhurst.

"I grew up in the small town of Saratoga Springs, N.Y., and my high school graduating class was only about 100 students. I always knew I wanted a small college.

"I was a very competitive student who wanted to come out on top all the time, so being at a smaller school, where you had personal interaction with the faculty, provided reinforcement when I did well and gave me confidence," she said, crediting mentors like Sister Mary Charles Weschler, RSM '40, Sister Mary Matthew Baltus, RSM '45, and Dick Kubiak.

In addition, not having to compete with males provided more opportunities to assume positions of leadership. Pitney took advantage of them, becoming editor of the Merciad student newspaper her junior year and student government president her senior year.

1 8 Mercyhurst Magazine / Winter 2(M)r>

"Those were very formative experiences for me," she said. Pitney graduated cum laude from Mercyhurst in 1967

with a bachelor of arts degree in history. Twice she has been honored by the college: in 1974 as recipient of the Distin-guished Alumni Award, and in 1986 as a recipient of the 60th Anniversary Achievement Awards. Over the years, she has graciously given back to the college; in 2002, she and her mother provided funds to rehabilitate the stained glass window in the Queens Chapel.

Meanwhile, she went on to earn her master's degree in British history from the University of Wisconsin, did M.B.A. coursework at Texas Woman's University and Southern Methodist University between 1983 and 1986, and earned her doctorate in higher education at Michigan in 1991.

The work ethic Pitney brought to her studies she also brought to her career; among her positions in higher education are stints in Washington, D.C., as acting deputy assistant secretary for legislation education at the U.S. De­partment of Health, Education and Welfare, and director of Washington Internships for Education, a Ford Foundation Project of the Institute for Educational Leadership.

"To reach positions of leadership, you have to be prepared to work harder than everybody else," she said. "I am reason­ably certain that you don't end up in a leadership position working only 40 hours a week. Career progression is putting in the time and grabbing new responsibilities on top of the job you already haw." W^^^

Its also being true to yourself, being willing to invest more time in getting a job done than, perhaps, another col­league would and not letting it embitter you.

"You have to focus on your own satisfaction" she said. "I compare myself to myself, not to anybody else"

When asked where to from here, Pitney said her job at Michigan is the one from which she intends to retire someday. And then will she finally relax? Not a chance. She's too driven a woman to slow down, although she might be inclined to change course.

She just bought her dream home on two acres where she intends to pursue her interests in gardening, floral arrang­ing, cooking and entertaining, and, hopefully, parlay them into a second career.

She is a woman who lives moment to moment the Mer­cyhurst tenet of dedication to lifelong learning.

"I tell everybody that the most energizing thing about my career is that there isn't a day that I don't go home at night and think about what I've learned and tally it all up as extraordinarily significant."

Story by Debbie Morton, photos by Paul Lorei

Judith Pitney '67, second from right, visited Mercyhurst in 2002 with her family, mother Margaret C. Pitney, her sister Kathleen Pitney and Kathleen's son Michael. The family provided renovation funds for the stained glass window in the Queen's Chapel. The Pitneys dedicated the window in the memory of Jerome V. Pitney, a devoted husband and father, and Jerome V. Pitney III, a loving son and brother.

"CAREER PROGRESSION IS PUTTING IN THE TIME AND GRABBING NEW RESPONSIBILITIES ON TOP OF THE JOB YOU ALREADY HAVE.

»

- Judith Pitney '67

Mercyhurst Magazine / Winter 2005 1 9

It probably seemed like a good idea at the time. Brian Dougherty was hanging with friends enrolled as

education majors at Mercyhurst College in the early 1980s, debating decisions made by the local school district's board of directors. Dougherty could see both sides - his father was an administrator in the district, but his friends were future teachers.

The deliberations raged on, and next thing he knew, he was running for office.

"It was all because of an off-the-cuff remark: 'If you think you could do it better, why don t you run?' So I did, but I never expected to win," said Dougherty, shaking his head. "Next thing I knew, it was 4 a.m. and the Erie Times-News was calling to tell me I had won."

The ability to focus on what he wants, and making a change in the world around him, has been with Dougherty since those early days. He didn't stop at winning that seat on the Erie School District board at age 21, instead, from there, he ran for and won a seat on Erie City Council.

"... I was raised to say something

when I had something to say. And

Mercyhurst brought out a level of

confidence in me that I've brought

to the table wherever I go."

- Brian Dougherty '83

But after an unsuccessful run for the Pennsylvania House of Representatives in 1990, Dougherty hung up his political ambitions and focused on a different approach to leader­ship.

He earned his teaching certificate, rolled up his sleeves and went to work.

Moving up through the ranks seemed natural to Dough­erty though, and that didn't change with his career shift.

Today he sits in his office at the Corry Area School Dis­trict, his requisite identification badge hanging on a black and gold lanyard reading simply: Dr. Dougherty.

That title just doesn't do Superintendent Dougherty justice.

After graduating from Mercyhurst in 1983 with a degree in history and philosophy, Dougherty served four years on the school district board, four years on Erie City Council, and in 1991, moved from a very public life to a private one.

"I've always been around kids, and I was always dancing around the fringe of teaching," said Dougherty. After teach­ing for several years in the Erie School District and earning his master of science degree in psychology, Dougherty be­came principal at Mount Calvary Catholic Grade School in 2000 and started work on his doctoral degree in educational leadership at the University of Pittsburgh.

After serving as assistant superintendent in Athens, Pa., in Bradford County - "That was truly a rural school district; we had bears on the playground" - from August 2002 until spring 2005 and finishing his doctoral degree, Dougherty assumed the challenge of superintendent at Corry in August 2005.

He is surrounded by a community he describes as well balanced in terms of academics and economy, and is look­ing forward to working with a cadre of young, enthusiastic teachers paired with an experienced and dedicated admin­istration.

Dougherty tracks his leadership tilt back to his parents, and Mercyhurst College.

"I think it is partly being Irish, and partly because I was raised to say something when I had something to say," said Dougherty. "And Mercyhurst brought out a level of confi­dence in me that I've brought to the table wherever I go."

That confidence might have helped him tackle the tough task of serving in public office at a young age, that and a bit of naivete.

"I think the best part of that experience was being taken seriously by my peers, even when I was out in left field," said Dougherty. "I probably didn't appreciate then that evalu­ation of my ideas, no matter how crazy. Now I do upon reflection."

Dougherty said he learned important lessons in those early years, and tries to pass them along to students who come to him for advice.

2 0 rV lercyhurst Magazine / Winter 2005

"I think the best part of that

L l

y

seriously by my peers, even

when I was out in left field,

robably didn't appreciate

then that evaluation of my

ideas, no matter how crazy

Now I do upon reflection."

- Brian Dougherty '83

Brian Dougherty shares his experiences with those younger as new superintendent of the Corry Area School District.

"When students do come to me, I usually advise them to get some life experience before they lead," said Dougherty. "Service isn't so much a lark as a commitment. There is something to be said about the life experience you bring to the table. There were times that brought me to my knees, I was naive and I needed more."

As Dougherty moves back to the area, accompanied by his wife Brenda Servidio and their three daughters, Maria, 15, Brennan, 8, and Erin, 6, he has been able to reconnect somewhat to the Mercyhurst of his memory. An advisee of retired President Dr. William Garvey, and a former student of current president Dr. Michael McQuillen, Dougherty looks forward to becoming involved with his alma mater.

"Mercyhurst was a pivot point in my life," reminisces Dougherty, who recalls a first term class load that included the triple threat of Garvey, McQuillen and political science instructor David Bethune.

"I remember Garvey was always late, always had coffee. But nobody dared to leave, so we waited," said Dougherty laughing out loud at the memory. "And McQuillen, he was just a wealth of knowledge. Then it was the SALT treaties, and he could go on for hours. Dr. Bethune, he was about politics, and brought this certain Southern flair to the classroom.

"I knew if I could get through that term, I could handle anything else"

And so, it seems, he has.

Story and photo by Gennifer Biggs

iMercyhurst Magazine / Winter 2005 2 1

Alumna Ann Badach '98 shows that leadership pays dividends down the road

Ann Badach '98

When you meet Ann Badach, sit down in her office within the walls of St. Mark's Seminary, you just want to tell her ... well... everything.

Badach has the warm smile of your favorite aunt. You know the one, she's your mom's youngest sister, not that dif­ferent in age from you, but older and wiser nonetheless. You just know, in your heart, her advice would be sage.

It can't be a coincidence that advice is Badach's business; she is the director of family ministries for the Catholic Dio­cese of Erie, charged with overseeing the marriage prepa­ration classes, marriage enrichment programs and family ministry.

"Family is at the heart of our society. That is where it all starts and ends," said Badach. Sitting in a comfortable chair in her office - not behind her desk, of course - she smiled at the memories of the long, winding road that led her to her current resting point.

"Oh, it is a wonderful story," Badach said when asked how she arrived at Mercyhurst College. It was in 1982 that Badach first enrolled in Mercyhurst, the only college in the area that accepted nontraditional students. The name she uttered as her guiding light then is one well known to most adult students: Lillian Cohen, who served until her retire­ment in 2005 as the heart of the adult college.

"She said to me: T know you can do this'' said Badach. "She planted the first seeds in my heart. So I dived in enthu­siastically. While some professors weren't really sure what to do with me, they embraced me. They nurtured, encouraged me. My loyalty to Mercyhurst is so closely tied with those first people who wouldn't let me lose confidence in myself. They taught me study skills, they taught me to write - I'd been out of the classroom so long, it was like starting over. But they stuck with me."

Badach soon learned that education is not inexpensive, and her funds were depleted.

"I had bills to pay, and a car payment, and so I finally stopped because I had to," she said. "But Mercyhurst wouldn't let me go; they hired me instead."

Ironically, Badach worked in space Mercyhurst rented at St. Mark's; the college used the building for music courses and the Mercyhurst Career Institute. That was where Badach met Cathy Anderson, now vice president of student services, and Joy McQuillen, now retired from Mercyhurst student services and the wife of current president, Dr. Mi­chael McQuillen.

"We grew to be wonderful friends, and they were the legs of my tripod of support," said Badach of Anderson, McQuil­len and Cohen. "If any one of them had fallen, I wouldn't have succeeded."

Soon Badach began moving through the other phases of her life. She met her husband Greg in 1986, married and started her family, and then reached another crossroad.

"We made the decision that I would be a stay-at-home mom, so I left... again," said Badach with a laugh. She started to supplement the family income with evening work at Hamot Medical Center, and enjoyed the wonders of her family

"Being a full-time mom was very important to me," said Badach, turning serious. "There are quiet leaders - those who make decisions and take responsibility - in ways that are often overlooked, and parents are those people. They are people willing to step up to the challenge, to forgo some­thing they want for the better good."

2 2 Mercyhurst Magazine / Winter 2005

But life is a circle, according to Badach, and that it was about to bring her back to Mercyhurst.

In 1995, Anderson called. The college was launching an official adult college, the iMcAuley Center, and she wanted Badach to join the team as an office manager.

"My kids were all for it, they told me it was my turn," said Badach. So back to the 'Hurst she went. "Being back on campus was life-giving to me. To see how it had grown was wonderful, and after a while, I hungered to finish my degree."

Soon, she found her niche: Family Ecology. "Through the inspiration of professors like Sally Ondre-

jcak, I found the part of me that has always wanted to help others to grow, develop and heal. The counseling aspect of that program filled that need for me," said Badach.

In 1998, Badach graduated with honors, and spent several years as a family counselor - an achievement she said is a testament to those who mentored her throughout her journey.

'T was so blessed, not only by an excellent liberal arts education, but also through the people at Mercyhurst who showed me the way. I think leaders beget leaders," said Badach. "Good leaders empower others to lead."

Now, Badach works to follow that example. "If I can empower others with knowledge and resources

and point them in the right direction, that is a good thing," said Badach of her all-volunteer staff and of the leadership teams she mentors in the church's marriage and family programs.

As the family ministries director for the Catholic Diocese of Erie, Badach is responsible for maintaining and develop­ing programs that touch all aspects of family life: whether its the engaged couple who are planning to marry, or the married couple who attempt to live out their marriage vows, or the parents who face the daily obstacles of raising good children.

With her wide smile firmly in place, Badach talks about the hurdles of relationships through which she hopes to help guide families with the help of the traditions of the Catholic Church. One aspect of that is working with volun­teers and individual parishes to allow them to handle their own family ministries.

"Collaboration is the key," said Badach. "Leadership is about communicating with others, sharing ideas and work­ing toward that common goal together."

Badach faces the question each day of how to infuse the traditions of the church into the reality of life: "How can we minister to families already so busy they are living their lives in sound bites? How do we help them in their day-to-day lives?"

Supporting nontraditional families is another goal, as well as assisting children and young adults who want to live out their Catholic identity, but face overpowering influences from the mainstream.

"While some professors weren't really sure what to do with me, they embraced me. They nurtured, encouraged me. My loyalty to Mercyhurst is so closely tied with those first people who wouldn't let me lose confidence in myself. They taught me study skills, they taught me to write - I'd been out of the classroom so long, it was like starting over. But they stuck with me."

- Ann Badach '98

"We need to empower them to stand up for what they believe without feeling like they have to choose between their faith and the secular umbrella of their lives," said Badach, herself the mother of two daughters, Jessica, a freshman at Allegheny College, and Abby, a junior at Villa Maria Academy. "I think it is very hard for young people to stand up and be Catholic Christians. We have a tremendous responsibility to help them do that"

If Badach learned anything at Mercyhurst, she said, it is the power of faith in God - and in other people. "1 learned that, as an individual you can do good things; but, with a community of people to surround and support you, you can do anything!"

"There are many wonderful people out there willing to share their knowledge and provide support to other couples," said Badach about her responsibilities for marriage ministry. "The challenge rests in finding those willing cou­ples to mentor other couples in their relationship journey. It is my hope that people will find the courage to say yes, and that, over time, there will be a greater understanding that marriage is a covenant - and not simply a contract.

"I believe people want marriages and families to work, but we need to give them the tools and show them the way."

Perhaps the reason Badach has such faith is that she inspires it. With a 19-year marriage, two beautiful children, and the knowledge of just how tough life can make the path to dreams, who would you rather get advice from?

Story by Gennifer Biggs, photo by Ed Bernik

Mercyhurst Magazine / Winter 2005 2 3

Alumnus challenges students, college to

lead way to the future

Most mornings I start my day

with a cup of coffee - a neces­

sary ritual to kick start my mind

and body into action. As I

enjoy the sun coming through

' the window today I consider

how this wonderfully warm and

aromatic experience arrived in my

home. Lifting the cup above my head

reveals its origin: Bangladesh. As the

caffeine kicks in, I generate enough energy to lift

the coffeemaker: Made in China. The coffee itself: Belgium

(and I thought they were famous for waffles and beer). I

marvel at how even an everyday occurrence for millions of

Americans - savoring a cup of Java - requires an amaz­

ing array of human and capital resources from around the

globe. This is the world our students will join in the near

future - complex, fast-paced and transformed by globaliza­

tion. A world in need of good, quality leadership to assess

and address the positive and negative economic, social and

environmental impacts associated with globalization.

This letter is not a commentary on the notable benefits

of globalization, nor is it meant to highlight the undeniable,

and less discussed, costs to communities and countries on

every continent. It is, however, important to acknowledge

the reality that real people, real families and real communi­

ties cannot ignore the fiscal and human problems that now

exist. We also must recognize closing our eyes and hoping

for a better tomorrow is not enough - we must prepare the

next generation of leaders for the best and worst of times.

Thus, there has never been a greater need to prepare our

youth - the future leaders of our families, companies and

communities - with skills and values necessary to take

on the inevitable, difficult challenges they will face as the

result of globalization. A difficult task in itself, yet, it is

not enough. We must do more. We need to inspire the

next generation to embrace with courage and honor

the toughest issues facing our communities and our

countries. We must do our part to change the culture of

passing the buck and blaming others that is all too common

among leaders in our society. We must lead by example

and provide the incentives for future leaders to step into

the fray. For it takes more than skill and knowledge to solve

any group or community problems - it takes courage and a

willingness to engage.

Mercyhurst has been inspiring students and preparing

leaders for nearly a century. But our work is far from done

and the stakes have never been greater, the challenges have

2 4 Mercyhurst Magazine / Winter 2005

never been more overwhelming. There is a real crisis of

leadership in all segments of our society. Mercyhurst is in a

powerful position to answer this call to prepare leaders for

the future. More specifically, the foundation of a Mercy­

hurst experience laid by the Sisters of Mercy includes an

excellent, value-driven education with a commitment to

serving others that is essential to preparing future lead­

ers. In addition, the exceptional liberal studies curriculum

combined with professional preparation taught by first-rate

faculty rounds out the extraordinary educational experi­

ence. Mercyhurst does not stand alone in offering this type

of superior collegiate experience, but, it is much less com­

mon than it ought to be.

Mercyhurst, therefore, should recommit itself to seiz­

ing the reins of responsibility in preparing future leaders.

In particular, Mercyhurst ought to raise expectations of

everyone associated with the college: faculty, staff, bene­

factors, supporters and alumni. In each of our respective

roles we must find a way to prepare and inspire students

to literally change the world - one person, one family,

one community at a time, A tall order indeed; but it is far

from Quixotic. In fact, my own experiences have taught me

the power of a college to inspire. As an undergrad, I was

inspired by a few at Mercyhurst to engage the world around

me, to embrace curiosity, challenge assumptions (always)

and to try to positively impact people and organizations

with whom I come in contact. More recently, at the Ken­

nedy School of Government at Harvard University, the fire

lit under me at Mercyhurst all those years ago was reignited

and fanned into a wonderful flame of optimism, hope and

faith in people and possibility. Mercyhurst and the Ken­

nedy School are among a relatively small group of institu­

tions committed to preparing and inspiring generations of

students to change the world. Yet, both can and need to do

abetter job.

Both institutions can do a better job of demonstrating

the power of engaging others in the search for solutions to

complex problems. As exercising leadership in this context

is incredibly difficult and often there is little recognition

as a reward, colleges must offer leadership strategies with

insights, concepts and tools sufficient to prepare students to

take the lead in almost any situation, under almost any orga­

nizational conditions, no matter who's in charge. Students

need to learn leadership is not synonymous with authority.

Students need to discover, practice and assess the strengths,

weaknesses and dangers associated with varying leadership

theories and strategies.

Robin Engel is the current dean of admissions and financial aid at Pine Manor College near Boston, Mass. -an institution committed to preparing women for inclusive leadership and social responsibility.

In closing, I met many wonderful students at Harvard

from scores of countries who are engaged and committed

to the hard and rewarding work of making a difference.

They believe they can change the world in which we live for

the better - and they are right. As an alumnus and former

director of admissions at Mercyhurst, I know the students

at Mercyhurst are equally capable to affect real change and

positively impact our communities, countries and cultures.

The challenge for Mercyhurst is to unlock that potential and

to provide the inspiration - to set a beacon of possibility

beyond their reach - and the encouragement to take the

lead in shaping a better world.

Carpe Diem,

a^rS^ Robin Engel '91

Mercyhurst Magazine / Winter 2005 2 5

Notes... Fall 2005

The Fifties

Rozella Ulan Harpst '54, Jefferson, Ohio, re­

tired in 1993 after nearly 36 years in education.

The Seventies

Jean DeLucia Stang '70, Stow, Ohio, teaches

sociology and psychology classes at the Na­

tional Institute of Technology, Cuyahoga Falls,

Ohio.

Joseph Pacinelli '78, Erie, was recently pro­

moted to president and chief operating officer

of Better Baked Foods Inc. f

The Eighties

Rebecca Martin '82, Erie, has been appointed

to the Pennsylvania Commission for Women

by Governor Edward Rendell. She is vice

president of the Erie Regional Chamber and

Growth Partnership.

Diann Petulla Buckingham '82, Dana Point,

Calif., is now a principal in California, hav­

ing moved from Scottsdale, Ariz., where she

was an elementary school principal. She and

husband Mike want friends to know they just

got a new dog, Honeybear.

Jamie Samilio '83, Falls Church, Va., earned

his master's degree in Christian education

from Virginia Theological Seminary in May

2005.

The Nineties

Jessica (Hughey) Santillo '91, Norristown,

Pa., earned her master's of business admin­

istration in global marketing in May 2005.

Santillo is currently employed as an operations

manager for Wyeth Pharmaceuticals, where, in

February 2005, she earned the Wyeth Pharma­

ceuticals President's Achievement Award.

Raymond Oldach '96, Erie, recently gradu­

ated with distinction from Ohio Northern's

Pettit College of Law at Ohio Northern Uni­

versity. He received the degree of juris doctor.

Lori Hetrick '97, Erie, now works for the ac­

counting firm of Malin, Bergquist & Co. and is

pursuing her CPA license.

Vanessa Pappalardo '97, Lakewood, Ohio,

has graduated from the University of Akron

with a master's degree and nurse practitioner

certification. She has passed her boards and

is working at the Cleveland Clinic Bariatric &

Metabolic Institute.

Aaron Stankiewiz '98, Erie, is the human

resource manager for Erie Waterworks.

The Millennium

Scott Koskoski '00, Williamsville, N.Y., was

recently named associate athletic director for

marketing at Niagara University in suburban

Buffalo, N.Y. Koskoski was with Washington

& Jefferson College near Pittsburgh, Pa., prior

to this.

Anne (Onofrey) McClendon '00, Tuscaloosa,

Ala., has accepted a position at Holy Spirit

School, Tuscaloosa, Ala., as a music teacher/

religious education teacher. She will teach

music in grades K-12 and religious education

to the fifth grade.

Gregory Beato '01, Rochester, N.Y., was

awarded his doctor of osteopathic medicine

degree from Philadelphia College of Osteo­

pathic Medicine on June 5. He is currently

doing an internship at Christiana Care Health

Systems in Newark, Del.

Brandon Gabler '02, Tucson, Ariz., earned

his master of arts in anthropology from the

University of Arizona Dec. 18, 2004. He is

now a doctoral student in anthropology with a

concentration in archaeology at that university.

Laurie Sienkiewicz '02, Sterling, Va., received

her master's degree in reading at Frostburg

State University, Md. She is currently em­

ployed as a third-grade teacher in Loudoun

County, Va.

Jerold Duncan '03, Apollo, Pa., earned his

master of science in athletic training from

West Virginia University on May 15, 2005. He

is working as the head athletic trainer for the

AA affiliate of the Pittsburgh Penguins, the

Wheeling Nailers, in Wheeling, W.Va.

Richard Johns '03, Washington, Pa., earned

his master of arts degree in social and public

policy from Duquesne University on Aug. 4,

2005.

Christopher Meyer '03, Rocky River, Ohio,

is the owner services representative for Flight

Options in Cleveland, Ohio.

James Jackson '04,

Erie, recently joined

PNC Financial Ser­

vices Inc. as a busi­

ness banking officer

at their east Erie

banking center where

his responsibilities

include attraction,

retention and management of the small busi­

ness segment in the east Erie market.

Lindsay Rider '04,

Girard, Ohio, has

joined Akhia Public

Relations consumer a & roup as an assistant

account executive.

She will work with

clients to develop

successful media

relations strategies on the local, regional'and

national level.

Weddings

Terese Wade '96 married Tom Houle July 17,

2005, at the Hyatt Regency, Waikiki, Hawaii.

Nathaniel Mcintosh '97 married Danielle

Stever June 11, 2005, in Manhattan Beach,

Calif.

Shawn Basile '01 married Sarah Pulley '03

Aug. 6, 2005. The wedding party included

Kristen Brown '03, Michael Fleckenstein

'02, Thomas Reznik '01, Brad Alvord '01

and Travis Lindahl '00. 2 6 Mcrcyhurst Magazine / Winter 2005

Celeste Ferrare '01 married Scott Farison '01 July 16, 2005, at St. Elizabeth Church, Pittsburgh, Pa. The wedding party included Anna Budavich '01, Daniel Fauth '01, Shaun Murphy '01, Garrett Patty '02 and Kristopher Vincler '01.

Amy Perry '01 married Ron Cecere June 25,

2005.

Danielle Reid '01 married Jonathan Baumgartner July 2, 2005, in Orchard Park, N.Y. The wedding party included Karen Jan-sen Viggiani '01 and Elizabeth Kahn '01.

>

Brandon Gabler '02 married Rachel Westfall July 23, 2005, in Livonia, Mich.

Emily Koski '02 married Adam McMa-hen Sept. 11, 2004, at Latrobe Presbyterian Church, Latrobe, Pa. The wedding party included Kimberly Russo '02 and Angela Villella '02.

Grainne O'Donovan '02 married James Macklin July 23, 2005, in Wicklow, Ireland.

Michelle Mays '04 married Matthew San­born '04 June 4, 2005, in St. Joseph Church, Niagara Falls, N.Y.

Births

i

\

Catherine Wheeler Melian '93 and husband Paul had a son, Augustine Jose-Guillermo, June 14, 2005 (pictured above).

James Doherty '94 has a son, Patrick Wade, born Aug. 16,2005.

Jodi Dresel Sucharski '94 and husband Jody had twin daughters, Kayla Marie and Haylie Jean, April 29, 2005.

Ronald Fleming '95 and wife Dawn (Wade) '97 had a daughter, Allyson Isabelle, April 7, 2005.

Condolences

Katharine (McKissock) McChesney '95 and husband Todd had a son, David Matthew, April 23, 2005.

Kathleen Fox Holler '96 and husband have two daughters: Erin Therese, 3, and Fiona Catherine Anna, 1.

Christine Glaz Askey '96 and husband Rob­ert had a son, Trent Robert, April 21, 2005.

Dawn DelBianco Graeser '97 and husband Brian had a daughter, Abagail Christine, May 23, 2005.

Todd Hengerer '97 and wife Amanda (Loncto) '97 had a son, Nathan Augustus, March 22, 2005.

Trisha (Klosky) Kirchner '97 and husband Chip had a daughter, Adelynn Margaret, May 9, 2005.

Kathryn (Magee) Zerbe '97 and husband Christopher had a son, Colin Christopher, April 12, 2005.

Sarah (Allen) Lorek '98 and husband Josh had a son, Peter Allen, June 3, 2005.

Kristen Bidinger '99 and Kim Hodgkiss-Lilly '98 had a son, Cayden Otis, June 22, 2005.

Jody Simpson Brecht '99 and husband had a daughter, Rachel Susan, Feb. 10, 2005.

Heidi (Schnaekel) Woodrome '99 and husband Anthony Woodrome '97 had a son, Andrew Connor, July 4, 2005.

Rachelle (Baker) Scott '00 and husband Ja­son Scott '00 had a daughter, Anna Elizabeth, July 14, 2005.

Alumni Bertha M.McHale Ross'31 Ruth Sterrett Konnerth '34 Beatrice Banner Eilers '35 Marion Towne Bender '39 Mary M. Baltus Humers '44 M. Carol Reynolds McCloskey '49 Marguerite Fusaro Rittendale '50 Sister M. Ignatius Schlaak, RSM '50 Mary Kienzle Smith '55 Sister Kathleen Marie Leap, RSM '62 Betty J. Kahl '68 Mary Ann D'Urso Reeher 70

Timothy A. Baker'76 Edward M. Erichson 78 Richard J. Maxwell '04

Father of David M. Bagnoni 79 (Mario S. Bagnoni) Patrick Giammario '00 (Remo Giammario

Mother of Joan O'Malley Ciucevich '60 (Mary O'Malley) Margaret Hock Heetman '65

(Margaret C. Hock) John Ross 75 (Bertha M. McHale Ross '31) Colleen Heher Kerr 79 (Anna Marie Heher)

Husband of Mary Ellen Linney Avery '43

(Robert H. Avery) Margaret Hock Heetmann '65

(Paul R. Heetmann) Teresa Giammario, Housekeeping

(Remo Giammario)

Sister of

Ruth Weber Hanhauser '40 (Jean M. Salchi)

Sister M. Matthew Baltus, RSM '45 (Mary M. Baltus Humers '44)

Mother-In-Law of Suzanne Geltch Heher '67

(Anna Marie Heher)

Friends of the College Gilbert G. Brown William H. Lander, President's Associate

Mercvhurst Magazine / Winter 2(X)5 2 7

Michael Fuhrman - Memoirs of a jock As challengers, Swan Lake and The Nutcracker

may be as formidable as the Steelers or the

Browns.

Think about it, when they're working the kinks

out of their sore muscles after a strenuous work­

out, are a dancer and a linebacker all that different?

Former Mercyhurst middle linebacker-turned-

ballet dancer Michael Fuhrman, who at one time

got as much of a thrill performing a pirouette as he

did sacking a quarterback, speaks from experience.

"Ballet's tougher, definitely," he said. "Both are

physically demanding, but in ballet, you also have

to make it look beautiful and appear effortless."

Nowadays, with the demands of his position as

director of the Mary D'Angelo Performing Arts

Center, Fuhrman is doing neither football nor bal­

let. Of course, he's also 40-something. But the en­

deavors of his youth - football and ballet - helped

frame the man he is today.

The product of Erie's east side, Fuhrman learned

discipline early on. His father was a drill sergeant in

the Army and Michael spent the first seven years of

his life in Germany.

Growing up, the 205-pound linebacker at Academy High

School earned all-city, all-state recognition, and was re­

cruited to play football at West Virginia University. Instead,

he opted to attend Mercyhurst, which had just launched a

football program of its own in 1981.

It was at Mercyhurst that Fuhrman made an inadvertent

side step that literally changed his life.

He needed an easy grade and wanted to meet girls, so he

signed up for a basic ballet class. Hey, he figured if

Lynn Swann could do it, why not Mike Fuhrman?

"I fell in love," he said. "The music, the grace, the

power and sheer athleticism of ballet captivated

me. You've heard of priests and nuns receiving a

calling? Well, so did V

That term Fuhrman dropped football and his

psychology major and committed to dance, a

move that most of his friends and fellow students

accepted with minimal taunting.

"There were a couple jerks - there always are

- but they soon found out a dancer could fight," he

said, grimacing briefly at the flashback.

Fuhrman's turnabout surprised a lot people,

but as he looks back, the arts had a place in his

upbringing, although not an outlet.

"I grew up in a blue-collar environment, and

although I proudly considered myself a jock, I felt

that I didn't quite fit the role," he said. "My parents played a

lot of classical and jazz music in the house and while grow­

ing up in Germany we made numerous excursions up and

down the Rhine River visiting castles.

"It wasn't until I entered Mercyhurst College and hung

up my cleats and put on a pair of tights that the road to

understanding who I am really began."

After graduating in dance, Fuhrman spent three years

working with various professional companies in Germany.

"It was a wonderful experience: getting paid to dance,

traveling throughout Europe and reading four to five books

a month . . . it couldn't get much better than that," he said.

Eventually, he knew he was not going to be a Barysh-

nikov and the prospects of work after 32 were not great, so

he changed course and returned to Mercyhurst where he

earned a second degree, that one in English.

During that time, he was recruited for his support of nu­

merous local arts endeavors and became active in Leader­

ship Erie, which pivoted him into the position of executive

director of the 1995 Erie Bicentennial Commission. There

he developed an innate flair for staging productions, small

and large.

It was during that time that former Mercyhurst College

President Dr. William Garvey took note of Fuhrman's talent

and made an offer: Come run the Mary D'Angelo Perform­

ing Arts Center for us. Fuhrman signed on, and he's been

there ever since where, in addition to directing the popular

Guelcher Film Series, he is responsible for programming

other events, fund raising and grant writing, and handling

the basic day-to-day operations of the PAC.

"Football taught me camaraderie; the exhilaration of

victory, as well as the dejection of defeat," he said. "For

me, football was a deeply meaningful activity to channel

visceral boyhood energy and to build confidence. Yet sports

are ultimately finite; time runs out and in the end there's

a winner and loser. Art, on the other hand, whether the

ballet Swan Lake, Michel­

angelo's La Pieta or the

play Hamlet, lives forever

- it's infinite, I believe,

because it speaks to us on a

personal level."

Fuhrman's days as a

linebacker may be history,

but he admits he still loves

his sports, particularly the

Fighting Irish of Notre

Dame, where he earned a

master's degree in business

in 2003.

Now married to Tina

Kaliszak Fuhrman '90 and

the father of two boys, Er­

ich and Eliot, Fuhrman said he'd like to see his sons grow up

with an exposure to the arts and athletics. If nothing else,

he's one dad who will be able to watch his boys perform a

pirouette or sack a quarterback with equal admiration.

Story by Debbie Morton,

contributed photos

2 8 Mercyhurst Magazine / Winter 2005

\

i Mercyhurst dedicates new building at North East

The saying "Beauty is in the eye of the beholder" suggests a perception subject to individual taste, but all those who beheld the new Michele and Tom Ridge Health and Safety Building at Mercyhurst North East at the Aug. 26 dedica­tion were unanimous in their praise.

From the spectacular 1,400-square-foot serpentine glass wall to the impressive stone colonnade adorning the front entrance, the structure elicited a flurry of ooohs and aaahs from the more than 100 persons gathered to celebrate the building's official unveiling.

Besides being an historic day for Mercyhurst, Aug. 26 also marked a milestone for former Pennsylvania governor Tom Ridge, who celebrated his 60th birthday. He thanked the crowd for its stirring rendition of "Happy Birthday" and also for "the opportunity to be Michele s warm-up act."

The $5.5 million academic building, which houses a library, offices, classrooms and labs as well as North East's burgeoning registered nursing program and the Hirtzel Institute on Aging, was named after the Ridges in honor of their public service and to Michele, in particular, for her lifelong commitment to learning and literacy.

"There is no place I'm happier to be than in a library," said Michele Ridge, who directed the Erie County Library System for 16 years. "I can't tell you how gratifying this is for me and my family."

The Ridges' children, Lesley, a sophomore at Carnegie Mellon University, and Tommy, a high school senior, also attended the 11 a.m. festivities, which marked Tom Ridge's first public appearance since he resigned as the director of Homeland Security Feb. 1.

In her remarks, Michele Ridge remembered the Sisters of Mercy, who founded Mercyhurst, for their vision in guiding the school. She also credited all those who participated "in making this public-private partnership a success."

As governor, Ridge was instrumental in helping the col­lege secure $2 million in state funds for the building, which was also supported by SI million from the Orris C. Hirtzel and Beatrice Dewey Hirtzel Memorial Foundation and $600,000 in funding from the United States departments of education and health and human services - a total of $3.6 million raised as part of the successful "Preserving the Legacy" capital campaign. The remainder of the funds for the building, about $ 1.9 million, came from the college.

Doing the honors are the Ridges: Tom, Lesley, Tommy and Michele.

Also speaking at the dedication was Dr. Gary Brown, ex­ecutive vice president of Mercyhurst North East, who, like many others in attendance, attributed much of Mercyhurst's success to the leadership of retired president Dr. William Garvey. Brown also singled out Tom Billingsley, executive vice president for administration, for shepherding the state and federal paperwork required to advance the project, and Gary Bukowski 73, vice president of institutional advance­ment, for meeting the fund-raising challenge.

Marlene Mosco '68, chair of the college's board of trustees, called Mercyhurst North East "a success beyond our wildest dreams," and showered praise on the many individuals, including several among then-Gov. Ridge s office staff, who worked tirelessly to make the new building a reality.

During his remarks, Ridge praised MNE as "the opportun­ity college" where many students have gone on "to succeed even beyond their own expectations."

The dedication, guided by emcee F. Brady Louis, a Mer­cyhurst trustee and special assistant to the president for Mercyhurst West, concluded with a blessing from MNE campus chaplain Father John "Tex" Hilbert.

Showering the library windows with holy water, Hilbert implored "God's presence with us in all we strive for and accomplish." Then, in a moment of levity, he offered an apology to whomever would be charged with cleaning the new windows.

Story by Debbie Morton, photos by Gennifer Biggs and Ed Bernik

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