Answer Special Call to Serve - King's College

FALL 2009
Deacons-
King’s Graduates
Answer Special Call
to Serve

President’s Message
Dear Fellow Alumni,
As I write this message, King’s College was just notified of a new national distinction. King’s
was placed on an Honor Roll of 100 schools across the country who have been described
as “Best Neighbors” and “Saviors of their Cities.” We were measured on metrics such as
contributions to revitalization, cultural renewal, economic development and community
service. The University of Southern California and the University of Pennsylvania were at the
top of the “25 Best” and King’s was on the “Honor Roll” with schools such as Georgetown,
Syracuse, UCLA and Ohio State. Clearly, King’s was one of the smallest schools on this
prestigious list. This award comes just weeks after the distinction we received from Forbes
magazine, a distinction that is covered in this edition of Pride.
We are justifiably proud of these two latest distinctions. The campus is also overjoyed with
the new Gateway Corners Complex. This beautiful structure not only greatly enhances our
campus, it gives new life to the city by replacing decaying buildings with an exciting, vibrant
center of activity.
However, as I have said often, the real strength of King’s is not in national awards or beautiful
buildings, but in the people who comprise the King’s Community. Tom Tobin’s 56 years of
dedication, enthusiastic faculty and staff like Laurie Ayre and Jacintha Burke, students visiting
Justice Ginsburg and successful alumni such as Mike Angley and Joe Guion all give evidence to
the real strength of King’s. And this issue highlights incredible alumni who are dedicated to the
spiritual, social and material needs of the communities in which they serve within the Roman
Catholic Church. These men minister to others while attending to their own professional and
familial obligations. As King’s alumni, they remind us all of our own rootedness
in faith.
We are proud of our alma mater for very good reason. Thank you
for all you do to help us continue our proud tradition. May God
bless you and your family and may God continue to bless King’s
College.
Sincerely,
Rev. Tom O’Hara, C.S.C., ’71

Contents Fall 2009
PRESIDENT
Rev. Thomas J. O’Hara, C.S.C., Ph.D. ’71
SENIOR STAFF
Director of Campus Ministry
Rev. Richard Hockman, C.S.C.
Vice President for Student Affairs
Janet Mercincavage, C.P.A.
Vice President for Institutional Advancement
Frank H. Oliver, Ed.D.
Vice President for Business Affairs and
Chief Financial Officer
Lisa Marie McCauley, Ed.D., ’82
Vice President for Academic Affairs
Nicholas A. Holodick, Ed.D.
EDITOR
Director of Public Relations
John McAndrew ’84
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
CAMPUS NEWS
P.J. Pyles ’10
Assistant Director of Public Relations
Joseph Giomboni ’03, M.S. ’07
Public Relations Office Coordinator
Nora Conway
SPORTS
Director of Sports Information
Robert Ziadie
ALUMNI
Director of Alumni Relations
Bill Behm ’73
Associate Director of Alumni Relations
Laura Haden ’04
Alumni Secretary
Nancy Harworth
DESIGN
Nanette Bozentka, Llewellyn & McKane, Inc.
PHOTOGRAPHY
Photos by Andy (2, 3, 4, 5, 10, 11, 13, 21, 22, 23, 25, 32, 33)
The Time Leader (4), The Citizens’ Voice (8), Bob Ziadie
(14), Bob Touhey (15, 17), Bob Adams (16)
PRINTING
Llewellyn & McKane, Inc.
PRIDE is published two times a year by the King’s College
Public Relations Office. It is distributed to alumni, parents
of students, donors, and other friends of the College.
Comments should be addressed to Bill Behm, Director of
Alumni Relations, williambehm@kings.edu, (570) 208-
5879; or John McAndrew, Director of Public Relations,
johnmcandrew@kings.edu, (570) 208-5958. Write: PRIDE,
King’s College, Wilkes-Barre, PA 18711
ON THE COVER:
Thomas Eagan’70 is ordained by
Archbishop John Clement Favalora of
the Archdiocese of Miami. A vocation
dating back to Biblical times and
renewed by the Second Vatican Council,
the diaconate allows ordained laypersons
to participate in three areas of ministry;
the Word, the Liturgy and Charity.
2 News on Campus
F Meet the Class of 2013
F
F
F
F
Commencement
Parents Corner Fountain Dedicated
Forbes List of America’s Best Colleges
Students Visit Supreme Court Justice
6 King’s Feature
F King’s Grads Accept Call to Higher Service
11 Faculty Profile
F Laurie Ayre
13 Staff Profile
F Jacintha Burke
14 Monarch Sports
F Volleyball Trio Wrapping Up Memorable Careers
F
F
F
New Swim Coach Named
Winter Sports Preview
Duo Reach 200-hit Plateau
20 Alumni Events & Gatherings
F “Jersey Boys”
F
F
F
F
Easter Egg Hunt
Legacy Luncheon
Naples, Florida
Reunion and Reunion Award Winners
26 Alumni Profiles
F Joe Guion ’50
F Mike Angley ’81
28 News & Notes

News on Campus
Meet the Class of 2013
by P.J. Pyles ’10
Alisa Marino
Alisa Marino referred to King’s as “her high school in a college atmosphere.” A
resident of Waterbury, Connecticut, Marino attended Holy Cross High School, an affiliate
school of King’s.
Marino committed to King’s because of the welcoming environment. Unlike the other
schools she applied to, “King’s gave me a lot of feedback as soon as I applied, I felt like they
were extremely interested and it made me want to be involved,” said Marino.
“I hope to learn what I enjoy doing most academically,” said Marino. She is currently an
undecided major and looks forward during her college experience to learning more about
herself and a career path to follow.
Marino refers to herself as a social butterfly. She relishes meeting new people and making
new friends across campus. At King’s, she is a member of Emerging Leaders, Monarch
Ambassadors and participates in intramural volleyball.
Before graduating, Marino wants to participate in one of King’s service learning trips and
become a Resident Assistant.
Laura Panzitta
Elyssa Molino
Some people choose to take the road less traveled, but for Elyssa Molino, King’s
College is a familiar destination. Both of Molino’s parents are King’s graduates and her
sister is currently a junior at King’s. “At first I didn’t want to follow in my family’s footsteps,
but my visit to King’s changed my mind,” says Molino.
Molino believes that King’s was a great transition from her high school in Maryland.
“I came from a high school of about 1,000 and was especially impressed by the warm
heartedness of the faculty,” says Molino. She was also impressed with the generous
scholarships and financial aid package King’s provided.
Only a few months into her freshman year, Molino insists that she has discovered a lot
about herself and has become emotionally and academically independent. Currently,
Molino is an undeclared major, but is steering toward a path in early childhood education
or as a counselor. She is also interested in photography and aspires to get involved with
the Regis.
At King’s, Molino is an Emerging Leader and would like to volunteer as a tutor for
elementary school children.
Academics come naturally for Laura Panzitta. “I know this sounds odd, but I love
learning, especially in areas that I’m not comfortable, like taking an art class.” Currently
a business administration major with a minor in statistics, Panzitta admitted King’s strong
business program lifted it above other colleges she was considering.
Although both of her parents are alumni and her family is actively involved with King’s,
Panzitta never felt pressure to become a part of the King’s Community. Her decision to
commit to King’s was based on her “plunge” experience, where she stayed on-campus
overnight and shadowed a freshman through her classes.
Panzitta is the recipient of the Presidential Scholarship and is a member of the Honors
Program at King’s. She’s interested in becoming a lector and a tutor.
Outside of King’s, Panzitta enjoys teaching gymnastics and diving. Upon graduation, she
aspires to attend graduate school or law school.
2 Pride ✦ Fall 2009

Kevin Clark
Mathematics, football and poetry writing are not shared interest for many people,
especially young college students. Kevin Clark, football player and aspiring poet, casually
mentioned his passion for writing and said: “I believe it’s a great emotional and stress
release, but sometimes I just write what comes to me.”
When asked why he chose King’s, he referred to himself as a “hometown kind of guy,”
and the idea of coming to a school three hours away from his family near Washington,
D.C., was unimaginable. But one visit to King’s campus and a meeting with faculty and
students changed his mind. “The sense of community is what drew me to King’s, I came
from a great high school community and I saw that in what King’s had to offer,” says Clark.
Clark is majoring in math and secondary education. During Clark’s college experience,
he hopes to better himself as a person and become more involved in co-curricular activities.
After graduation, he plans to move back home, teach and coach football.
Clockwise (from top) Matthew, Rebecca
and Stephen
Christopher Tobias
Matthew, Rebecca and Stephen Hoernle
Christopher Tobias introduced himself to the King’s Community before arriving
for orientation. Determined to become president of the class of 2013, he created a facebook
group shortly after being accepted at King’s.
The Schuylkill Haven native and president of the freshman class said he was easily
persuaded to commit to King’s after his campus visit. “It seems as though everyone is
welcomed and accepted for who they are and where they have come from. It is almost as
though differences regarding culture, race, and religion are accepted and embraced here
at King’s,” said Tobias.
Tobias has an energetic and outgoing personality that he displays in his involvement
at King’s. In his first month on campus, he joined King’s Players, the College’s theatre
department, The Crown, Pre Physician’s Assistant Society, The Biology Club, Chemistry
Club, Circle K, Green Initiative, Save Darfur and the Cross Country Team.
Tobias is majoring in the physician assistant program and is the recipient of the Charles
E. Parente Scholarship that is only offered to one student in every incoming class.
Throughout high school, Tobias was an active leader in community service and fundraising
projects and plans to transfer that commitment to King’s and Wilkes-Barre.
“Three’s a crowd” doesn’t apply to triplets Matthew, Rebecca and Stephen
Hoernle. In choosing colleges, it only seemed natural for the threesome to attend the
same school. King’s was definitely smaller than their school of 4,000 in Easton Pa., but the
welcoming and personable environment instantly won them over.
The Hoernles are the second set of triplets to attend King’s and Rebecca is the first
female triplet in King’s history. “We hope everyone has a chance to experience us together.
We feel we’re better as a group than individually,” says Rebecca.
Matthew, the oldest, is majoring in computer and information systems. At King’s, he is
a member of The Blood Council, Psychology Club, Emerging Leaders and The Ultimate
Frisbee Team. He also is employed in the Admissions Office.
Rebecca, the youngest, is majoring in chemistry and secondary education. At King’s, she
is a member of the Choir, a Monarch Dancer, Emerging Leaders, Monarch Ambassadors,
Chemistry Club and Education Club. She is also employed in the King’s library.
Stephen is majoring in criminal justice. At King’s, he is a member of the Criminal Justice
Club and the Emergency Response Team and works as a lifeguard at the College pool. He
hopes to become more involved in the Wilkes-Barre community.
The triplets have many aspirations for their King’s experience. They are interested in
creating a “Multiple Siblings Club” due to the large number of multiples on campus.
They are also interested in promoting more school spirit and unifying support for all of the
athletic programs by creating a student cheering section called “The Lion’s Den.”
Pride ✦ Fall 2009 3

NEWS ON CAMPUS
U.S. Senator Cites Springsteen Lyrics in
Commencement Address
U.S. Senator Bob Casey, Jr., addresses the 2009 graduates.
nited States Senator Bob Casey, Jr., used a
contemporary musician to help make his
points during his Commencement address to
463 students who received either a master’s or
bachelor’s degree during the May ceremony.
Referring several times to lyrics from the Bruce
Springsteen song “Kingdom of Days,” Senator
Casey urged the graduates to build their own
kingdom of memories and values that will sustain
each of them through whatever may come.
“I hope for each of the graduates and your
families, but especially each of the graduates, my
hope is that you will take the time to not only have
a successful career, full of achievement, full of
success, but also to take the time to build a family
and personal relationships based on trust, mutual
respect and unconditional love,” Casey urged.
Casey also urged the graduates to not be
discouraged by the current economic climate
or international instability by quoting Thomas
Jefferson, saying, “I like the dream of the future
more than the history of the past.”
Celebrating their Commencement are, first row, left to right, Matt Feci, Loriah Webby, Alison Sweeney and Gina Rozaieski, who earned her bachelor’s
degree from King’s in 2008 and a master’s degree in 2009.
Back Row, from left to right, Jon Venarchick, Meredith Phillips, Ryan Derry, Rob Schuett, Matt Van Stone and Phillip Moskowitz.
4 Pride ✦ Fall 2009

Dustin Stark, who received a degree in criminal justice
with a second major in sociology, gets creative with his
mortar board.
Noelle Lyon-Kovaleski, who received a master of science degree in health care
administration, celebrates with her husband, Chuck, and her son, Casey.
A Scranton native and son of former Pennsylvania Governor,
the late Robert Casey, Bob Casey, Jr., served eight years as the
state Auditor General and two years as State Treasurer before
winning election to the U.S. Senate in 2006. The citation
read before Casey was awarded an honorary doctorate noted
his many accomplishments, including his drive for children’s
health care in the United States, debt relief in the Third World
and his lifelong commitment to Catholic moral teachings
throughout his professional life.
“From the time that Senator Casey taught fifth grade in a
Philadelphia inner city school after graduating from college,
he has been a great advocate of improving the quality of
education,” Father O’Hara said in announcing Casey’s selection
as Commencement speaker. “He is keenly aware of the issues
important to the people he represents and provides great
support to Northeast Pennsylvania on a federal level akin to the
support that his father obtained at the state level. The Caseys
are a shining example of a family of faith who dedicated their
lives to public service. Throughout his career, Bob Casey
has been guided by the legacy of his father’s principle that ‘all
public service is a trust, given in faith and accepted in honor.’ ”
Also receiving honorary doctorates during Commencement
were local physician and philanthropist Dr. Susan Sordoni and
Father James Burasa, C.S.C., Superior of the District of East
Africa of the Congregation of Holy Cross, the first African native
to hold that position.
The extended family of twin graduates Ann (far left) and David Kaluzavich (back row center) attended Commencement wearing tee shirts
featuring a baby picture of the two and listing their date of birth and date of graduation. Five other people in the photo also King’s alums,
including the proud father of the twins, Robert (front row, far right)
Pride ✦ Fall 2009 5

King’s Grads
Accept Call to
A Greek translation of the name of St. Stephen,
purported to be the first Deacon, is crown. Appropriately, more
than a dozen graduates of the College named in honor of Christ
the King have answered the call to fill this special role in the
Catholic Church.
Religious scholars believe the origin of the diaconate is
recorded in the sixth chapter of the Acts of the Apostles. A
dispute arose about the division of goods for the poor. When
the argument was brought to the Apostles, they suggested the
crowd select seven upstanding men who were “acknowledged
to be deeply spiritual and prudent” to arbitrate the matter. The
seven candidates were presented to the Apostles who “prayed
over them and imposed hands on them.” Stephen, one of the
seven, was “filled with grace and power.”
The role of a deacon (the word originates from the Greek
diakonos, meaning a servant or helper) was mentioned
frequently in the New Testament and was sometimes applied to
Christ himself.
What followed Biblical times was a centuries-long decline
in the recognition and utilization of deacons. The permanent
diaconate wasn’t officially restored until Vatican Council II and
its place in the three-fold hierarchy of Orders (deacons, priests,
and bishops) was established. The
Council declared that deacons
“…receive the imposition of
hands not unto the priesthood,
but unto a ministry of
service.
For, strengthened by sacramental grace, they are dedicated
to the People of God, in conjunction with the bishop and his
body of priests, in the service of the liturgy, of the Gospel and of
works of charity.”
“This year we celebrate the ‘Year of the Priest’ as proclaimed
by Pope Benedict XVI. Many King’s alumni have accepted the
call to priesthood,” said Father O’Hara recently. “As a Church,
we are grateful for that and as the King’s Community we are
proud of all of our graduates ordained to the priesthood. In this
issue, we also take the opportunity to highlight and celebrate
King’s alumni who have been called to ministry within the
Church as ordained deacons. We are equally grateful to them
for their service and proud of them as King’s graduates.”
The permanent diaconate formation period entails a four
or five-year training period. Diaconal candidates receive
instruction in philosophy, theology, study of the Holy Scriptures,
homiletics, sacramental studies, evangelization, ecclesiology,
counseling, and pastoral care and ministry. Most candidates
also complete a practicum or internship with a community
organization.
Three alumni deacons, Joe DeVizia ’69, John Ziegler ’72 and
Robert Roman ’68, graduated from King’s after spending several
years studying for the priesthood.
Deacon Joe Graham, second from right, is pictured with Deacon Joe DeVizia, far right, following Graham’s ordination. Deacon Joe
Donovan served as Deacon of the Gospel at the ordination. Graham was ordained by Rev. John Dougherty, D.D., V.G., Auxiliary Bishop
of the Scranton Diocese.
6 Pride ✦ Fall 2009

Deacon Gene Kovatch is shown with students at St. Jude School, Mountain Top, at a “blessing of the animals” lesson he had with the children
in conjunction with the feast day of St. Francis of Assisi.
DeVizia, who was a member of the Diocese of Scranton’s
first graduating diaconate class in 1993, was sent to King’s
specifically to prepare for the seminary after graduating from
high school. Even after leaving the seminary and returning to
King’s for his degree, he never stopped reading Scripture and
theology. It was not a hard decision for him to join the first
diaconate class. “Bishop Timlin, who instructed me in the
seminary, ordained me a Deacon. His light hearted comment
to my family was, ‘well, he finally made it.’ ”
Devizia, who is Executive Director of Human Services for
Luzerne County, is currently assigned to All Saints Parish in
Plymouth. One of his ministries is visiting the sick. “My mother
died of cancer and my daughter had a serious childhood illness,
so I would have been happy to never to see another hospital,”
DeVizia said recently. “When sick visits was one of my first
assignments, I think it really helped me to define grace.”
Seminary studies were sandwiched between Ziegler’s
freshman and senior years at King’s. Throughout his subsequent
37-years-and-counting career in public service – currently
Executive Director of the Wilkes-Barre Housing Authority –
Ziegler retained “a strong desire to serve God and my Church.”
“My daughter was still too young when the first diaconate
class was forming, so I joined the second class in 1994,”
Ziegler said recently. Ziegler was one of six King’s graduates
that were ordained in 1999, accounting for almost a third
of the entire class. All six will celebrate the 10 th anniversary
of their ordination this Thanksgiving weekend. As the only
deacon assigned to Holy Family Parish in Luzerne, Ziegler
has a full list of responsibilities, including hospital visitations
and sacramental preparations. He has even taught in the two
subsequent diaconate formations and serves as an advisor to
several candidates in the current class.
The recipient of a history and education degree, Roman
admits that he “always had an interest in serving the Church.”
He entered King’s after spending more than three years studying
for the priesthood. He completed his diaconate studies while
working as a probation officer for the juvenile courts in Luzerne
County. “Of the thousands of men in the Scranton Diocese,
I felt honored to be one 19 chosen by God to serve Him,” said
Ziegler, currently assigned to Our Lady of Grace Church in
Hazleton.
Two other members of the 1999 diaconate class, Joseph
Donovan ’76 and Jim Graham ’01, were veterans of the
Pennsylvania State Police. Admittedly, Donovan didn’t know
the responsibilities of a deacon when he was approached to
replace one who had retired from his parish. He, like all of
the deacons interviewed for this story, was very active in his
parish before beginning his studies. He had served as a lector,
Eucharistic Minister and as a member of several committees,
and had recently retired after 25 years as a state trooper.
Similar to some others interviewed for this story, Donovan
described his ordination as ethereal, “almost as if I was watching
the event from the outside.” He also shares the feelings of
others with regard to the rewards of the position. “Sometimes
I feel like a thief, because what I take from my encounters with
others is much more than I feel that I give.”
Jim Graham received an associate degree from King’s in 1976
and returned after his ordination to receive a bachelor’s degree.
He began his diaconate studies just before his retirement. He
was part of the second diaconate class but was not ordained until
2002, on the same day as the celebration of his parish’s newly
built church. “Doing this ministry is an affirmation of God’s
grace,” Graham said recently. Following several assignments
in the Scranton Diocese, Graham continues his ministry at the
Charleston, S.C., Diocese after recently relocating.
Two other members of the 1999 ordination class spent their
careers in the education field. Thaddeus Wadas ’70 taught
reading and was later an administrator for the Greater Nanticoke
School District and Gene Kovatch ’65 was an English teacher at
Meyers High School.
For Wadas, his parish activities, which included teaching
CCD and being a Eucharistic minister, “prompted me to move
in a direction of preparing the way of the Lord.” Although
he, like some others, felt a bit of trepidation at his ordination,
wondering if he could live up to the commitment, Wadas
admits that being a deacon has led to an increase in his
Pride ✦ Fall 2009 7

own faith. “When you encounter people, all with different
problems, who place their faith in Jesus and God, it bolsters my
own faith. It gives me great joy to help other people through the
Holy Spirit.”
Gene Kovatch began teaching at Meyers High School three
months after his graduation and retired in 1988 following
a 33-year career. A life-long member of St. Jude Parish in
Mountain Top, where he has served as a deacon since his
ordination, Kovatch admitted his call to serve was not “a bolt
out of the blue.” He was very active in parish life, including on
a diocesan level with the then emerging Cursillo movement
with another King’s graduate and eventual diaconate classmate,
John O’Connor ’62. He was very active in retreat work, first
for Catholic men, and later for youth, including some of his
students at Meyers.
“My work with retreats had a deep impact on my spiritual life,
akin to a second baptism, and my time as a deacon has been a
real high,” said Kovatch. “Receiving Holy Orders meant I had
received grace from all seven sacraments.”
O’Connor, like many of the other deacons, admits that he
could not have completed his diaconate studies if not for the
support of his wife. An attorney and life-long member of St.
Ignatius Parish in Kingston, O’Connor and his wife, Mary,
were active in the Cursillio movement as well as establishing
the Family Life Bureau. Mary was one of four wives to also
complete every diaconate class.
“Being a deacon is a lot like raising children,” O’Connor said
recently. “To do the best job, you have to get beyond yourself
and admit it’s all about the needs of the other person.” As the
only deacon in his parish, O’Connor is in charge of all aspects
of outreach activities. “Being a deacon has made me much
more aware of the presence of a loving God in my life and of
God’s presence in everyone I meet.”
Jim Atherton ’84, the only King’s graduate in the Scranton
Diocese’s third and most recent graduating diaconate class
was influenced by other deacon alumni. Atherton was one of
Kovatch’s students at Meyers and attended one of the youth
retreats that he espoused. That retreat and attendance at
Thursday evening prayer services at King’s eventually led to
Atherton converting from the Lutheran faith to Roman Catholic
before his marriage.
A fellow guidance counselor, Marie Donovan, wife of Joe,
spoke highly to Atherton of her husband’s experience. He also
received support from Joe DeVizia, a friend of his wife’s family.
“Whether your involvement in the Church is in a lay capacity
or as a deacon, you hope that the Holy Spirit is leading you,”
said Atherton recently.
Crosby Sparks ’64 is a permanent sub-deacon of the Eastern
Roman Catholic Church and is assigned to St. Anthony and St.
George Maronite Catholic Parish in Wilkes-Barre. A retired
teacher who spent 37 years at GAR High School, Sparks was
ordained in 2006. “Teaching was a 24/7 job, so, while I was very
active with my Church, I wasn’t able to commit to the necessary
study while still working,” Sparks said.
After completing his studies, Sparks, as the sole member of
the ordination class, was able to pick his special date. He chose
his 40th wedding anniversary. His ordination was also one of
the first events involving two merging parishes.
Deacon John O’Connor ’62 comforts a life-long parishioner of St.
Hedwig after the final Mass at the Church. St. Hedwig recently
merged with O’Connor’s parish, St. Ignatius. A lack of priests is
resulting in parishes being consolidated and also increasing the
importance and responsibilities of deacons at their assigned Church.
Several other King’s graduates left the Wyoming Valley
following graduation to establish careers and start families.
Three have answered the call to the diaconate.
Thomas Eagan ’70 moved to the Miami, Florida, area to
attend law school. He will celebrate the first anniversary of his
ordination in December. Still a practicing attorney, Eagan was
very active in parish life before a decision by a law partner to
become a priest influenced him to consider a higher level of
service. He had been previously asked to consider the diaconate,
but family and professional obligations made him defer to a
better time.
“As a King’s student, I was always impressed with the service
of the Holy Cross fathers,” said Eagan. “Beside their teaching
duties, many of them were in the dorms, interacting with the
students on a daily basis. Specifically, Father Ribando was a
friend and an inspiration.”
John Hanna ’64 will celebrate 25 years as a Deacon in the
Diocese of Wheeling Charleston, West Virginia, in 2010. John
was transferred to West Virginia by Union Carbide in the early
1970s and he and his family quickly became involved with their
parish, especially through music ministry.
Travelling requirements for his job actually provided Hanna
an opportunity. “The airplane became my study hall,” Hanna
said. “Since my ordination, I think God has been putting me
where I needed to be at the moment. A number of times,
I’ve been in an airport or airplane and other travelers struck
up a conversation with me. Several times, they’ve asked my
advice with regard to personal problems.” As a Deacon, Hanna
has been able to preside at the marriages of all of three of his
children and the baptisms of all six grandchildren.
Gary Pstrak ’77 is the most recent Deacon, being ordained
in May in the Diocese of Trenton, New Jersey. Employed
by AT&T since graduation, Pstrak, a Wilkes-Barre native, has
moved to Florida and New Jersey for his job.
“Several years ago, I was at a stage in my life where I wanted
to do something more to serve God. Coincidentally, my parish
priest asked me if I was interested in becoming a Deacon. Four
years later, after long trips from the Jersey Shore to Trenton for
my classes, I was ordained. Part of faith is believing you get
placed in certain situations for a reason.”
8 Pride ✦ Fall 2009

King’s Earns Place on
CCAP/Forbes List of America’s Best Colleges
King’s has been placed on an exclusive list of
American academic institutions compiled by The
Center for College Affordability and Productivity
for Forbes magazine based on multiple factors related to
affordability and student and faculty achievement.
The list of 600 institutions, which mixes public and private,
baccalaureate, master’s and doctoral degree granting, and
liberal arts and research driven entities represents only 15
percent of the nearly 4,000 colleges and universities in
the United States. King’s was the only Luzerne County
college or university included in the list and was the highest
ranking of two institutions (also University of Scranton) in
northeastern Pennsylvania.
King’s was also listed in the top 100 in a regionalized list of
northeastern United States colleges and universities.
King’s was included on the list based on its performance
in seven areas. The areas, listed in order of most weighted
to least, were student evaluations of faculty members, low
four-year debt load for typical student borrowers, four-year
graduation rates, listings of alumni in “Who’s Who in
America,” salaries of alumni, students receiving nationally
competitive awards and faculty receiving awards for
scholarship and creative pursuits.
“Any ranking of colleges
and universities is always
somewhat subjective and
ought never to be seen as a
sole criterion of quality of the
institution” said Father O’Hara. “But I’m proud, and,
frankly, not surprised by the fact that King’s ranks so high
relative to national competition in economic and student
outcome categories that are very important concerns of
high school students and their parents.”
The Center for College Affordability and Productivity,
based in Washington, D.C., is dedicated to research on the
issues of rising costs and efficiency in higher education,
with special emphasis on the United States.
The Forbes distinction is in addition to King’s selection
as a “Best Northeastern College” by the Princeton Review,
a student-survey based measure of quality colleges and
universities. Also, for the ninth consecutive year, King’s
was ranked in the top tier in the Best Universities – Masters
in the Northern United States category by U.S. News &
World Report. King’s rank of 38 th among 179 institutions
in that category makes it the highest ranked college or
university in the Wyoming Valley.
King’s Students Meet Supreme Court Justice
Five King’s students in a new course taught for the
first time this spring traveled to the Supreme Court
in Washington, D.C., a visit that culminated in an
opportunity to talk with one of the Court’s nine justices.
The students, led by Joe Cosgrove, adjunct professor
at King’s, met privately with Justice Ruth Bader
Ginsburg in her chambers for an hour, discussing law,
the Court and asking specific questions.
Cosgrove, who has taught Constitutional Law courses
at King’s, unveiled a new course, titled “The Essence
of the Supreme Court,” last spring. Enrollment in the
class was limited to five students who expressed a desire
for a law career.
The students also had guest seating at an oral argument
before the Court on mandatory sentencing guidelines, a private
tour, and a presentation on a decision of the Court at the time
of its announcement.
“Whatever I could teach pales in comparison to what the
students could hear from Justice Ginsburg,” said Cosgrove in a
recent interview.
Jessica McDermott, who graduated in 2008 with a degree in
political science and who took Cosgrove’s Constitutional Law
course, came back to King’s to take the Supreme Court class.
Pictured with Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg (center) is, from left, Jessica
McDermott; Joseph Cosgrove, Esquire; Drew McLaughlin; Caitlyn Tallerico; Amer Elia;
and Stephanie Chesnalavage.
She said it was rewarding to meet Ginsburg and hear her discuss
“how she makes decisions.”
The students visit with Ginsburg came a month after the
Supreme Court Justice had surgery to treat pancreatic cancer.
Cosgrove, who has developed a relationship with Ginsburg
through a mutual friend, described her as “vigorous and
enthusiastic” the day of the visit. He added that he saw “no
indication Justice Ginsburg is ready to retire.”
Later in the semester, the students presented their in-depth
analysis of the case on mandatory sentencing guidelines to the
Wilkes-Barre Law & Library Association.
Pride ✦ Fall 2009 9

NEWS ON CAMPUS
Patrick O’Connor ’64 speaks
at the dedication of the Parents
Corner fountain that honors his
mother and father.
Seven of Patrick and Helen
O’Connor’s ten children
attended the dedication
ceremony. Shown, from left,
is John ’62, Joseph ’68, James,
and Patrick J. O’Connor ’64,
Mary Ellen McCormick,
Patricia Curran and Thomas
O’Connor ’73.
Parents Corner Dedicated
The newest campus landmark was dedicated and its donors recognized at a
ceremony held recently. A fountain located in the newly named Parents
Corner of O’Connor Park (formerly College Park) was funded by a gift from
Patrick J. ’64 and Marie O’Connor in memory of Patrick’s parents, Patrick and
Helen O’Connor.
The fountain was built and the park renamed as a result of a donation by
O’Connor and a matching gift from the law firm which he serves as vice
chairman, Cozen O’Connor, to the Legacy of Excellence Campaign.
Patrick was one of Patrick and Helen’s six sons who graduated from King’s,
five of whom became lawyers.
At the dedication, Father O’Hara noted that the fountain not only pays
tribute to Patrick and Helen O’Connor, but all parents whose sacrifices allow
their sons and daughters to attend King’s.
Representatives
of Cozen O’Connor
remarked how they were
impressed by “a sense
of morals and personal
responsibility” exhibited
by King’s graduates that
have been recruited by
the firm.
“I’ve always loved
parks and I’m glad that
I can help establish this
permanent imprint on
the campus of King’s
College,” said Patrick
O’Connor.
Azar named recipient of
McGowan Scholarship
Rachel Azar, a senior majoring in marketing and accounting, has been selected as
the recipient of the William G. McGowan Scholarship at King’s for the 2009-2010
academic year.
A resident of Allentown, Azar is a consistent Dean’s List student and a member of
the Aquinas Society, Beta Gamma Sigma and Mu Kappa Tau honor societies. She
was also the recipient of a King’s sponsored Moreau Scholarship.
She recently completed a summer internship with PricewaterhouseCoopers
in Florham Park, N.J. During her internship, she researched and analyzed a
company’s financial position, market strength and other factors for a potential
client acquisition. During the previous two academic years, she participated in two
national accounting competitions sponsored by the prestigious accounting firm.
At King’s, she is vice president of Student Government, treasurer of the campus
chapter of the Columbiettes and a level two certified tutor.
The McGowan Scholarship is a partial-tuition award named in honor of William
G. McGowan, a 1952 graduate of King’s who went on to a successful business
career as the founder and chairman of MCI Communications Corporation.
The scholarship is awarded to a full-time student who is pursuing his or her primary
major within King’s McGowan School of Business. Candidates must by entering
their senior year and have achieved a minimum grade-point-average of 3.0. Also,
candidates for the scholarship must be nominated by at least one faculty member of
the McGowan School of Business, which holds international accreditation by The
Association for the Advancement of Collegiate Schools of Business.
10 Pride ✦ Fall 2009

Faculty Profile
Laurie Ayre
Reading plays a significant role in everyday life, whether
it’s done to stay informed or purely for enjoyment.
Associate Professor of Education Dr. Laurie Ayre has
turned this fundamental skill into a career, devoting herself
to educating future teachers to foster literacy in young
children.
Laurie was raised in Glendive, Montana, a small rural
town located near the pine and juniper studded badlands
of Makoshika State Park. As one of six children growing
up in an isolated area (the nearest major airport is 225
miles away), Laurie recalls her childhood being centered
on family; she remembers taking piano lessons and French
from her grandmother and playing games in the gravel
streets with her brothers and sisters.
When it was time to pursue higher education, Laurie
wanted a college with a Catholic identity that was close
to home. She selected the University of Mary in North
Dakota, where she became the first member of her family
to earn a college degree, majoring in elementary education
with minors in music education and French.
A college bus trip to New York introduced Laurie to the
East Coast. She traveled by bus with a group of five women
to New York to visit landmarks and museums and attend
theatre productions. During her stay, a massive snowstorm
hit the Big Apple.
“I remember the look on people’s faces,” says Ayre.
“They were wondering why these women, including two
Benedictine Sisters, were helping push cars out of the snow!
Where we’re from, we were just used to it.”
After eight years as an elementary teacher in Glendive
Public Schools and teaching English and music at St.
Mary’s Grade School in Bismarck, North Dakota, Laurie
knew her true calling would be reading.
She wanted to learn more to help children improve this
fundamental skill and pursued a master’s degree in reading
education from Montana State University in Billings. Her
ultimate career goal was to teach the craft so, knowing
she needed a doctorate to teach at the college level, she
enrolled at Syracuse University.
As she prepared for her dissertation, a professor told her
about an open position at King’s College and suggested
she apply because he had heard positive reviews about
the College and saw similarities between Wilkes-Barre
and her hometown in Montana. Although the topography
is completely different, Laurie noticed the connection:
working-class families and a friendly atmosphere.
Since 1995, Laurie has worked in the College’s education
department, where she currently serves as associate
professor teaching undergraduate literacy classes.
Most of her courses take place off campus at afterschool
programs, such as the Kid’s Café at Heights-Murray
Elementary School and McGLynn Learning Center at
Boulevard Townhomes. After a month of lecture, Laurie
accompanies 20 students per class to the off-campus
locations where she helps undergraduates work one-on-one
with children to develop and improve reading strategies.
During her spare time, Laurie likes to read, mostly
biographies, especially of past presidents. She is enamored
by the French culture and practices speaking the language
with a close friend, who is a native of France, and with a
group of faculty and students who meet during the semester
to speak the language once a week.
One of her passions is singing, which she considers
a work-in-progress. She has taken lessons and plans to
continue them in the future with a former student, who has
a background in music from prestigious Ithaca College.
When considering the path her life and career has taken
to this point, Laurie took a moment to reflect, smiled and
said: “If you try to do your best, and continue to grow, God
takes care of you.”
Pride ✦ Fall 2009 11

NEWS ON CAMPUS
Faculty Update
Isabel Balsamo, McGowan Hispanic Outreach coordinator,
Tish Last, director of corporate, foundations & government
relations, and Michelle Schmude, director of admission,
presented “Enabling Student Success through Mentoring,
Tutoring, and Preparing” at the Governor’s Conference on
Higher Education: Pathways to College Success.
Dr. Bridget Costello, assistant professor of sociology, presented a
paper titled “Cultural influences on individual health strategies:
landscapes and landmarks” at the annual meeting of the Eastern
Sociological Society. Marybeth Sanchez ’09 presented a poster
titled “Tattooing: a practice that runs deeper than skin.”
Dr. James P. Dolhon, professor of speech communication,
recently presented, “Owning Your I.P.P.E.E.’s: IntraPersonal
Patterns for Processing & Expressing Experience,” at the 38th
Annual Conference of The International Society for Exploring
Teaching and Learning, in Las Vegas, Nev.
Dr. Robin Field, assistant professor of English, presented the
paper “Traumatic Past and Ethereal Present in Jana Monji’s
‘Kim’” at the Northeastern Modern Language Association
meeting in Boston. She also presented a paper entitled “Familial
Borderlands: Writing the Second Generation in America” at the
conference “Migration, Border, and the Nation-State,” sponsored
by the United States Association of Commonwealth Language
and Literature, held at Texas Tech University in Lubbock, Texas.
Dr. Bernard Healey, director of the health care administration
graduate program, published his book, Introduction to
Occupational Health in Public Health Practice by Jossey Bass.
Dr. Healey and Bob Zimmerman, adjunct professor, health
care administration program, also co-wrote the book The
New World of Health Promotion: New Program Development,
Implementation, and Evaluation. The book, published by
Jones and Bartlett Publishers, features a forward by Georges
C. Benjamin, executive director, American Public Health
Association.
Professor of Philosophy Dr. William Irwin’s article “Prufrock’s
Question and Roquentin’s Answer” has been published in
the current issue of Philosophy and Literature, the most
highly selective journal in the field with only a five percent
acceptance rate.
Dr. Jonathan Malesic, assistant professor of theology, published
his book, Secret Faith in the Public Square: An Argument for the
Concealment of Christian Identity, by Brazos Press, a division of
Baker Publishing Group.
Dr. Jean P. O’Brien, professor of psychology, and Dr. Jennifer
McClinton-Temple, associate professor of English, presented a
workshop on “Using Assessment to Foster Student Achievement
of Essential Student Outcomes” at a recent conference of the
American Association of Colleges and Universities held in
Baltimore, Md.
Dr. Noreen O’Connor, assistant professor of English, published
an article, entitled “Envisioning a New Parent Track in
Academia” in On Campus With Women, a publication of the
Association of American Colleges and Universities. She also
recently presented the paper “Literary Cubism in The Sound
and the Fury and As I Lay Dying” at the recent Northeastern
Modern Language Association meeting in Boston.
Dr. Amy Parsons, professor of marketing, and Elzbieta
Lepkowska-White of Skidmore College published an article,
titled “Group Projects Using Clients Versus Not Using Clients:
Do Students Perceive Any Differences?” in the Journal of
Marketing Education.
Dr. Terrence Mech, Director, D. Leonard Corgan Library,
conducted the workshop “Continuing Information Literacy
for Everyone: Enhancing the General Education Experience
Through Faculty-Librarian Collaboration” for the faculty of
Bennett College in Greensboro, N.C.
The King’s College WorldPoints Credit Card
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We couldn’t be more proud to offer you this exciting new
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What’s more, the card that rewards you supports our
organization. Each time you make a purchase with your
credit card, a contribution is made to King’s College at no
additional cost to you.
Learn more—call the Alumni Office 570-208-5879 or visit
http://departments.kings.edu/alumni/benefits.htm
12 Pride ✦ Fall 2009

Faces of King’s
Jacintha Burke
Adeline Sobol Krupinski wanted her children to be special,
so she carefully selected each name. She decided to call
her second daughter, Jacintha, after one of the three shepherd
children who witnessed the apparitions of the Blessed Virgin
Mary in the small village of Fatima, Portugal, in 1917.
Jacintha (Krupinski) Burke was raised in Scranton.
Throughout college, she sold shoes at Sears in the Viewmont
Mall until being promoted to cashier. Beside a steady income
to pay tuition, the experience proved profitable in her personal
life; she met her future husband, Bill, who was also employed by
the retailer.
After graduating from Marywood University with a bachelor’s
degree in elementary education, Jacintha was a substitute
teacher before returning to the university for a master’s degree in
reading comprehension.
She credits a mentor, Sister Eamon O’Neill, a former
professor at Marywood, with encouraging her to change
professions. Sr. O’Neill thought she would work well with
the college population and helped her during her job search
following graduation.
Preparation met opportunity when Jacintha saw an
advertisement to teach a reading course at King’s. The part-time
hours worked well with her new responsibilities at home; she
and Bill were the proud parents of their first son, Jonathan.
Jacintha later worked in a number of other part-time
capacities at King’s, including as an academic advisor for firstyear
students, teaching in the College’s summer program, and as
a learning specialist for Act 101.
Around the time her second son, Christopher, stepped on the
bus for his first day of kindergarten, Jacintha was offered a fulltime
position, which later became her current post as director of
the Academic Skills Center.
Before federal law and policy was established, physical and
learning disabilities were considered taboo; many students
pursuing higher education were encouraged not to disclose
such information. In 1990, public perception had changed
and colleges and universities across the nation were focused
on meeting the standards designated in the Americans with
Disabilities Act.
Jacintha teamed with the late Dr. Donald Farmer, former vice
president of academic affairs, to develop services at King’s that
recognized the rights of all individuals with disabilities to have
equal access to a quality education.
“Dr. Farmer was very encouraging and supportive on the
issue of disabilities,” Jacintha said. “He was always looking
forward, and constantly
challenged me to
improve the services we
provided here.”
Today, Jacintha
supervises the Academic
Skills Center, which
offers academic support
services to all students,
including the tutoring
program, learning
workshops and the
writing center.
“My day is unpredictable. I can never foresee what student
need or crisis will walk through my door,” said Jacintha. “In
the process of helping a student resolve an issue or master a
skill, I identify a new resource or deepen my understanding
of the individual’s needs. That means I am better equipped.
Ultimately, I am as much the learner as the advisor or
counselor.”
Jacintha and Bill are at a comfortable point in their lives.
With two grown children, they now have time to travel.
As members of the Genealogical Research Society of
Northeastern Pennsylvania, the couple decided to trace the
Burke family roots through Ireland. Jacintha and her husband
recently spent 10 days on the Emerald Isle, traveling the lush
green landscape in Dublin and Waterford, and stopping to visit
landmarks, such as Blarney Castle and the Book of Kells at
Trinity College.
The highlight of the trip came in Sligo, a drive-by town on
the west coast of Ireland, known for inspiring the works of
poet William Butler Yeats. While staying at Rosses Point on
Sligo Bay, the Burke’s discovered that only Bill’s great-great
grandfather was born there and the rest of his family was from
Mayo. They believe their ancestors stopped at the port-town of
Sligo to prepare for the journey to America.
Considered by colleagues to be compassionate and reserved,
Jacintha breaks free from the mold through her musical
interests. She confesses to listening to the Goo Goo Dolls and
Counting Crows, while still finding time for classic rock-n-roll,
like The Beatles and Bee Gees.
“Most people don’t know it about me, but I’m an aggressive
driver,” said Jacintha with a wry smile. “Music fits my mood.
After 25 years traveling down (Interstate) 81, sometimes rock-nroll
fits the mood. Sometimes you want to beep.”
Pride ✦ Fall 2009 13

Monarch Sports
King’s Volleyball
Trio Wrapping Up
Memorable Careers
When the current women’s volleyball season comes to an
end, it will mark the end of an era for one of the finest
trios ever to play together for four years. For Katherine “Kat”
Clerici, Kaitlyn Malshefski, and Danielle Belfanti, their journey
together through the rigors of collegiate volleyball had their
share of ups and downs. In the end, each will go down as one of
the finest to ever play their individual positions at King’s.
Clerici, a middle hitter, is a fiery, vocal leader who has
served as team captain since her sophomore year. Malshefski,
an outside hitter, is more reserve on the surface, but possesses
excellent athletic ability and is equally passionate about the
game. Both players are among a select group of six Lady
Monarch players to reach the coveted 1,000-kill plateau in
their careers. Clerici is also challenging several school blocking
records. Belfanti plays the defensive-oriented libero position,
where her extreme confidence and acrobatic style of defensive
play, has enabled her to become the program’s all-time record
holder in digs.
When Lady Monarch head coach Bernie Kachinko
successfully recruited all three players to attend King’s in 2006,
he knew he had a core group of players who would be the
foundation of the program for four years.
With Clerici hailing from Seaford, NY, on Long Island,
Kachinko was unable to see her play in person during the high
school season due to King’s schedule. The Monarch mentor,
however, had seen video of her and thought Clerici had a
great deal of potential. Malshefski was a local product and
enjoyed a solid career at Nanticoke High School where she
was named the Wyoming Valley Conference most valuable
player. Malshefski, who also played basketball at Nanticoke and
is a senior member of the King’s basketball team, impressed
Kachinko with her athletic ability and competitive nature. And
Belfanti? Kachinko predicted to those close to the program that
she would emerge as the best defensive specialist ever to play at
King’s.
While Kachinko fully believed each would make a significant
contribution right away, two of the three came to training camp
as freshmen with doubt and anxiety.
“I came in thinking I wasn’t going to play,” Clerici recalled.
“I remember when Coach Kachinko came to see me during
the club volleyball season and I barely played and did not play
well when I did. I was not a good blocker or a good hitter and I
wondered what he saw in me. But I improved a lot during the
summer before my freshman year. I came in and was able to
mesh with everyone. I learned so much my first season. Coach
worked us hard but I took it all in and ran with it.”
Clerici’s growth can be seen in her accomplishments and
statistics. Earning All-Freedom Conference honors in each of
Shown from left, is Clerici, Belfanti and Malshefski
her first three seasons, Clerici accumulated 1,104 kills as of late
September and is approaching King’s third highest total of 1,255
by Michelle Simcoe from 1992-95. Earlier this season, she also
broke the school-record of 372 total blocks set by Simcoe.
For Malshefski, the college game was a major adjustment
as she could no longer rely on her pure athletic ability. To
be successful at the next level, she admittedly had to make
tremendous improvement in her technique and did not feel she
would play much.
“I did not expect to play or to be one of the go-to hitters when
I came to King’s,” she stated. “I was just happy to be playing
and to have a spot on the team. I played high school volleyball
with a bunch of basketball players and my fundamentals were
not good. The preseason my freshman year was so hard, but my
fundamentals improved throughout the year and continue to
improve each year I play. I feel like I have grown a lot as a player
since I came to King’s.”
Malshefski became just the sixth Lady Monarch to register
1,000 kills earlier this season. A two-time All-Freedom
Conference selection, Malshefski has could also challenge
Simcoe’s third-place total by the end of the season.
Ironically, it was the diminutive Belfanti who fully embraced
the challenge of the collegiate game. Belfanti approached her
career with a much different philosophy than her teammates.
She was self-motivated and came to King’s with the goal of
breaking all the school-records for digs. While the Reading
native admits she may have come to King’s overconfident, her
approach included a tremendous work ethic and a desire to
improve.
However, an unexpected twist occurred shortly after she
arrived at training camp when Kachinko elected to move
her from her beloved libero position to play setter. Kachinko
14 Pride ✦ Fall 2009
(See Volleyball on page 18)

Matt Easterday named
Head Swimming Coach,
Aquatics Director at King’s
Matt Easterday became the new head coach of the men’s
and women’s swimming teams, as well as aquatics
director at the college, on September 28.
Easterday comes to King’s with a wealth of swimming
experience and literally grew up around the sport. His mother,
Kim, has been the head swimming coach at McDaniel
College in Maryland for the past 32 seasons. Easterday began
swimming at age six and embarked on competitive swimming
as a 10-year old.
A 1999 graduate of South Carroll High School, Easterday
was forced to compete at the club level because his school
did not have a swim program. Swimming for the Green
Terror Aquatic club from 1994-99, Easterday enjoyed a
highly successful club career where he was twice named the
Maryland State Swimmer of the Year and was also a six-time
Junior National qualifier.
Upon graduating from high school, Easterday enrolled at
Division I University of Maryland. He swam for the Terrapins
for one season, competing primarily in the 200 butterfly and
the 400 individual medley, as well as part-time in the 100
butterfly.
After his freshman year, he elected to transfer to Division
III McDaniel where he enjoyed a successful three-year varsity
career. He set school records in the 200 butterfly as well as in
the 200 and 400 meter relay events. Additionally, he ranks in
the McDaniel top-ten in the 200, 500, and 1000 freestyle; the
100 and 200 butterfly; the 100 and 200 backstroke; and the
200 and 400 individual medley.
After receiving his degree in business administration from
McDaniel in 2004, Easterday was hired as the assistant
swimming coach and assistant aquatics director at Washington
College, Chestertown, Md. In 2006, Easterday was hired as
the assistant swim coach and aquatics director at Franklin and
Marshall College in Lancaster. There, he helped coach two
Centennial Conference men’s team champions, seven NCAA
Division III All-Americans, 12 swimmers who would break
school records, and an additional eight swimmers who would
set new Centennial Conference records.
“I am very excited to be at King’s and look forward to
helping build a winning, successful program,” Easterday
stated. “I was
attracted to
King’s because
the college offers
great academic
programs and a
beautiful campus.
The college is
in a good area of
the country to recruit and I see a lot of similarities to other
schools that I’ve coached at in the past. The Division III motto
is very much instilled in my blood and I just love the type of
student-athlete that attends a Division III institution. I believe
King’s can be very successful at the collegiate level. One of the
biggest things that I want to develop here at King’s is a team
identity. I want people to recognize the swim team not only
around campus, but throughout the conference, and anywhere
in the swimming community. My other big goal is to make
every swimmer at King’s faster than they were. We will make
individual and team goals and meet those goals throughout
the season. I am thrilled to be here and excited to get the ball
rolling.”
At King’s, Easterday will look to continue the growth of a
King’s program that has made steady progress in recent years.
A year ago, the women’s team finished with a 7-8 mark while
the Monarch men were 5-9. Several swimmers return to the
2009-10 squad, providing Easterday with a solid foundation to
build with.
“We are thrilled to have Matt join our staff and believe
he will be an outstanding fit at King’s as well as in the local
swimming community,” said Athletic Director Cheryl Ish.
“Matt has a strong swimming background both as a studentathlete
and as assistant coach and we believe he is more than
ready to make the transition to head coach. I believe Matt
truly understands the Division III philosophy and will be an
excellent mentor to our swimmers. Matt is enthusiastic and
competitive, both traits that will resonate with our current
swimmers and help build our program with future recruits.
Swimming has been such a major part of his entire life and we
are confident his love for the sport will translate to our studentathletes.”
Pride ✦ Fall 2009 15

MONARCH SPORTS
King’s Winter Sports Teams
Set to Embark on Promising Seasons
When the King’s College winter sports teams embark on
their respective 2009-10 campaigns, each team will have its
sights set on enjoying more success than was achieved last
year.
While each squad enjoyed their own level of fulfillment,
optimism is high as youthful squads from last year are expected
to bloom.
Men’s Basketball
After winning back-to-back Freedom Conference
championships in 2007 and 2008, the Monarchs were hit
hard by graduation losses as only one starter returned last
year. An inexperienced King’s squad used the year as a
learning experience and finished the campaign with a 11-14
record, including a lateseason
victory over eventual
Freedom Conference
champion and NCAA
National Tournament “Elite
Eight” qualifier DeSales.
This season, head coach
J.P. Andrejko returns all five
starters and is banking a on
a return to contender status
following the lessons learned.
Leading the list of veterans
in junior center-forward
Kevin Conroy who earned
first-team All-Freedom
Conference status a year ago.
The 6-5, 220-pound Conroy
enjoyed a banner sophomore
Kevin Conroy
year, averaging 16.6 points
and 6.1 rebounds while netting a single game career-high 41
points, the sixth highest single-game total in program history.
The Monarchs also welcome back senior forward Jim
Schule, who averaged 11.0 points and 4.5 rebounds; senior
guard Mike Wagner, 7.9 points and 42 three-pointers;
sophomore point-guard Kyle Stackhouse, 6.9 points, 3.7
rebounds, and 2.8 assists; and sophomore guard Nick Reisig,
6.3 points, 3 rebounds, and 36 three-pointers.
Women’s Basketball
King’s finished last season with an 11-16 record and reached
the semi-finals of the Freedom Conference playoffs. The Lady
Monarchs also graduated record-breaking three-point shooter
Kaitlyn Fiorino, who concluded her career as the program’s
third all-time leading scorer with 1,542 points. However,
Fiorino was the only starter lost as Lady Monarch coach Brian
Donoghue started three freshman and a junior a year ago.
Forward Kaitlyn Malshefski, who averaged 6.6 points with
3.9 rebounds and 24 three-pointers, is the lone senior on the
squad. Sophomore point-guard Brittany Muscatell gained
valuable experience at running the helm and set a Lady
Monarch freshman record with 114 assists while adding 6.3
points and 4.4 rebounds. Sophomore guard-forward Paige
Carlin started 15-of-26 games and averaged 6.1 points and 3.9
rebounds, while sophomore power forward Julianna Lynott
displayed her toughness in 25 starts by leading the team with
7.1 rebounds while contributing 5 points per game.
Donoghue, who enters his fifth season, has brought in a
large freshmen class that comes to King’s with more potential
than any of his previous three recruiting classes. Six-foot
forward Lindsay Atchison, Green Village, N.J., was a thirdteam
senior all-state selection and led Chatham High School
to a 27-4 record. Katlin Michaels of Berwick was the 2008-09
Wyoming Valley Conference “Player of the Year” and scored
1,248 points in her career. Megan Rigous of Warrington, a 5-9
guard, and Scranton native Celia Rader, a 5-5 point-guard, are
also players expected to emerge as key contributors.
Wrestling
Coach Ned McGinley enters his 41 st year at the helm and,
after a 13-14 record last season, has high hopes for 2009-10
with the return of seven starters. Leading the list of veterans
is junior Mike Reilly, the two-time defending Metropolitan
Conference champion at 174-pounds and a two-time NCAA
Division III national tournament qualifier. Reilly concluded
his sophomore year with a fine 29-8 record.
Also back is Taylor Green who sported a 13-3 record at
157-pounds last season. Green was expected to be a top
contender for the Metropolitan Conference crown but a
late-season injury kept him out of the post-season. Senior
Tony Miele was 17-17 at 141 while fellow senior Frankie
Davis posted a 15-14 ledger at 149. Sophomore Mike Tabasco
was 13-17 at 125 while Jerry Robbins, a second-year junior,
finished 8-21.
Swimming
The King’s College swim team hopes to continue the
progress it has made the past few seasons. New head coach
Matt Easterday brings an enthusiastic love for the sport which
figures to trickle down to his swimmers. Last season, the
women’s and men’s swim teams won more meets than they
Maggie Nealer
(See Winter Sports on page 17)
16 Pride ✦ Fall 2009

Knoblauch, Venarchick Achieve
Rare Milestones by
Reaching 200-Hit Plateau
It is not often that a
college baseball or softball
player reaches the coveted
200 base hit plateau. It is
even rarer to have more
than one player reach the
milestone in one season.
Abbey Knoblauch
That is exactly what happed
in the spring when King’s softball standout Abbey Knoblauch
and baseball star Jon Venarchick reached that plateau.
A four-year starter at shortstop and second base, Knoblauch
became just the third King’s softball player to reach the
milestone. Venarchick, a four-year starter who played primarily
at third base, etched his placed in the record books by becoming
the first Monarch baseball player to reach the mark.
Knoblauch concluded a brilliant career at King’s where she
helped the Lady Monarchs to a pair of Freedom Conference
championships and three NCAA Division III national
tournament berths. As a senior, she batted .424 with 16 doubles
14 RBI, and 33 runs as King’s leadoff hitter. She concluded
her career with 208 base hits, ranking second behind Maria
Zangardi ’04 and ahead of Jess Harvey ’02 who tallied 217 and
200 hits, respectively, for the Lady Monarchs.
During her time at King’s, Knoblauch posted a career .411
batting average with 35 doubles, 10 triples, four home runs, 79
RBI, and 132 runs scored. She was a four-time All-Freedom
Conference selection and an MAC All-Academic selection.
Venarchick, meanwhile, also put the wraps on one of the
finest careers at King’s with one of the best single-season
performances.
As a senior, he finished the year by winning the 2009
Freedom Conference batting title, posting a .447 batting
average. His 67 base hits stands as a new King’s single-season
record and ranked first in the Freedom Conference in 2009.
He also led the conference with 10 triples, 118 total bases and a
whopping .787 slugging percentage.
Venarchick also finished the season ranked first on the team
with 46 runs scored and 43 runs batted in 36 games. During the
year, he posted a career-best 14-game hitting streak. After the
streak was snapped, he promptly closed out the season by hitting
safely in the final 11 games of the year. In all, he posted at least
one base hit in 34 of the 36 games in which he played.
Venarchick ended his career with a school-record 227 base
hits. Overall, he finished his four-year career with 41 doubles,
18 triples, 10 home runs, 134 RBI, and 135 runs scored, while
posting a career .383 batting average. Additionally, he was
a two-time All-Freedom
Conference selection and
a three-time MAC All-
Academic choice. He
wrapped up his time at
King’s by receiving the 2009
Middle Atlantic Conference
Baseball Scholar-Athlete
award by posting a 3.544
overall grade-point average as
a biology major.
Venarchick helped the
Monarchs to three berths Jon Venarchick
in the Freedom Conference Tournament during his tenure,
including a Freedom Conference championship and the
program’s first-ever NCAA Division III National Tournament
berth in 2006.
“Both Abbey and Jon enjoyed outstanding careers at King’s,
careers that mirrored each other in many ways,” King’s Director
of Athletics Cheryl Ish stated. “Both were tremendous
competitors and extremely hard workers, but their level of
consistency is what separated them from many athletes. Gamein
and game-out, they were counted on to produce and they
never let the pressure get to them. They came through time
and again and were true leaders in every sense of the word. We
are very proud of what they accomplished at King’s and know
their skill and talents will be greatly missed but always admired.”
Winter Sports (continued from page 16)
had in a number of years as the women went 6-7 while the
men’s team was 5-9. A total of 13 swimmers return to the team
in 2009-10.
The women’s team will be led by senior captain Susan
Hughes and junior Maggie Nealer, who set four individual
school-records a year ago in the 1,650, 1,000, 500, and 200
freestyle events. Amanda Casey set a new school record in the
100 backstroke while she, Krystina Homanko, Becca Smith,
Caitlin Casey, and Nealer were all part of record-setting relay
teams.
For the men, junior Eric Stencovage, a past Middle Atlantic
Conference place-winner, returns to the squad, as does Brian
and Patrick Seslar, who teamed with Stencovage to set the 200
medley relay school-record during the 2007-08 campaign.
Pride ✦ Fall 2009 17

MONARCH SPORTS
Volleyball (continued from page 14)
promised it would be a one-year move until he recruited a setter
for the 2007 season and Belfanti agreed. Belfanti had thrived
at the challenge of digging out powerful shots from opposing
hitters and getting to balls that appeared to be put away but she
also knew that playing setter would not allow her to dominate
the back row, limiting her opportunity to record digs.
“Minor setback,” Belfanti joked when asked how the position
change affected her statistics. “Coming in as a freshman where
you are adjusting to a new place and a new community – to
have your coach take you out of your comfort zone – and move
me to setter, a position I had not played for three years, it was a
real shock. My goal was to kill every back row record and now
I was playing a different position. I grew up in a club volleyball
environment that made you feel like you should go and not just
give 100-percent, you should want to be better than everyone
who came before you. When I looked at the school records on
the Internet, I wanted to come in here and break every record I
could. Setting high goals made me work harder and strive to be
better.”
Oddly enough, Belfanti also admits that she “hated” the move
to setter her first year at King’s, but in the long run, it was what
enabled her, Clerici, and Malshefski to become best friends.
“Our freshmen year was one of the best we had and I loved
it because the three of us were able to gel together so fast,”
Belfanti noted. “It forced us to bond and because we had to
work well together it brought us together on and off the court.
Even though I hated playing setter, we were able to read each
other and really made it work. I am just glad we brought in able
setters after that so I could get to the back row.”
Belfanti recently broke King’s career record of 1,735 digs set
Admission Corner
Accepted Student Day
As your senior year comes to a close and you make your final
college selection, we challenge you to explore all that we have
to offer to determine if King’s College is the right place for you.
You will attend presentations that include: honors and academic
experiences, balancing academics and athletics, leadership
and community service opportunities, internship experiences,
alumni/parent panel, career planning and placement services,
and adjusting to life at college.
Sunday, March 28, 2010
“Give me a break!”
We hear you, King’s alumni! That’s why we’re waiving the
application fee when your child applies to King’s College!
This program is for children of alumni. You are a special member of the King’s
College family!
When your son or daughter applies to King’s, clip the Monarch Money you see
here and attach it to the application or simply note on the application form that
the applicant is the child of an alumnus.
Thank you again for your continued support of King’s College. We look
forward to hearing from your child.
by Sandy Tarabochia from 1998-2001. She is also the singleseason
record holder with 708 kills during a phenomenal 1997
season in which she shattered the previous mark of 585 set by
former all-American Jessica McVey in 2002. Belfanti also owns
school records for most digs in a three-game match (35); fourgame
match (49); and five-game match (45). Her personal best
13 digs in one game is also second all-time at King’s behind
Tarabochia’s 16 set against Scranton in 1999.
Thanks to the contributions of all three, King’s has posted a
74-39 record during their careers, including three straight berths
into the Freedom Conference playoffs. Perhaps more important,
true friendships have blossomed between three young women
who are as different as their positions on the court.
“We meshed and bonded together,” Clerici proudly stated.
“If you didn’t know us you would have thought we had been
playing together since middle school. It has been a great
experience and we have become a family.”
For Kachinko, the prospects of losing Clerici, Malshefski, and
Belfanti at once will be a major loss to the program. At the same
time, he also realizes how lucky he has been to coach all three
together.
“They were my ’Big Three’ recruits in 2006 and were forced to
become leaders at a young age,” Kachinko reflected. “Each is a
fiery competitor with great desire to learn and excel. Everything
I asked them to do individually they have done and they have
been consistent in all they have attempted to do. I could not ask
for three nicer people to have on my team and they have been a
joy to coach. They will go down as one of the premier players to
have played their positions during my time at King’s.”
Upcoming Spring Events
College For A Day
As an accepted student, we invite you to spend a day with us
and get a feel for what it’s like to go to King’s College. You’ll sit
in on classes, meet with professors, coaches, and staff, and get
to know our campus. We’ll have lunch at the Marketplace Café
where you’ll have the chance to meet students and check out
what’s happening that week.
February 8, 19 & 24
March 19 & 24
April 16 & 23
MONARCH MONEY
APPLICATION FEE WAIVER
Contact the King’s College Admission Office: www.kings.edu • admissions@kings.edu • 888-KINGS PA
$
$
Clip this
Coupon Now!
Clip this
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18 Pride ✦ Fall 2009

Athletic Schedule Winter 2009-2010
Men’s Basketball
November:
17 Tue. Penn College of Technology A 7:00 pm
21 Sat. Stevens Tip-Off Tournament N 1:00/3:00 pm
22 Sun. Stevens Tip-Off Tournament N 1:00/3:00 pm
24 Tue. Albright College A 7:00 pm
30 Mon. Muhlenberg College H 8:00 pm
December:
2 Wed. Eastern University * H 8:00 pm
5 Sat. Manhattanville College* A 3:00 pm
11 Sat. King’s Ramada Inn/Monarch Classic H 6:00/8:00 pm
12 Sat. King’s Ramada Inn/Monarch Classic H 1:00/3:00 pm
January:
2 Sat. Wilkes-Barre Challenge H 6:00/8:00 pm
3 Sun. Wilkes-Barre Challenge H 1:00/3:00 pm
6 Wed. Centenary College (NJ) A 7:00 pm
9 Sat. FDU-Florham* H 3:00 pm
11 Mon. PSU-Hazleton A 7:30 pm
13 Wed. Delaware Valley College* A 8:00 pm
16 Sat. Wilkes University* H 3:00 pm
20 Wed. Misericordia University* H 8:00 pm
23 Sat. DeSales University* A 3:00 pm
30 Sat. Manhattanville College* H 3:00 pm
February:
3 Wed. Eastern University* A 8:00 pm
6 Sat. FDU-Florham* A 3:00 pm
10 Wed. Delaware Valley College* H 8:00 pm
13 Sat. DeSales University* H 8:00 pm
16 Tue. Misericordia University* A 8:00 pm
20 Sat. Wilkes University* A 3:00 pm
24 Wed. Freedom Conference Tournament N TBA
27 Sat. Freedom Conference Tournament N TBA
Women’s Basketball
November:
17 Tue. Neumann College A 7:00 pm
20 Fri. Marymount University Tip-Off Classic N 5:30 pm
21 Sat. Marymount University Tip-Off Classic N TBA
22 Sat. Marymount University Tip-Off Classic N TBA
30 Mon. Widener University H 6:00 pm
December:
2 Wed. Eastern University* H 6:00 pm
5 Sat. Manhattanville College* A 1:00 pm
8 Tue. Rutgers-Camden A 7:00 pm
10 Thur. Lycoming College A 7:00 pm
12 Sat. Keystone College A 1:00 pm
January:
2 Sat. ECAC Holiday Tournament N TBA
4 Mon. ECAC Holiday Tournament N TBA
7 Thur. Gwynedd-Mercy College A 7:00 pm
9 Sat. Alumni Game H 10:00 am
9 Sat. FDU-Florham* H 1:00 pm
13 Wed. Delaware Valley College* A 6:00 pm
16 Sat. Wilkes University* H 1:00 pm
20 Wed. Misericordia University* H 6:00 pm
23 Sat. DeSales University* A 1:00 pm
30 Sat. Manhattanville College* H 1:00 pm
February:
3 Wed. Eastern University* A 6:00 pm
6 Sat. FDU-Florham* A 1:00 pm
10 Wed. Delaware Valley College* H 6:00 pm
13 Sat. DeSales University* H 1:00 pm
16 Tue. Misericordia University* A 6:00 pm
20 Sat. Wilkes University* A 1:00 pm
24 Wed. Freedom Conference Tournament N TBA
27 Sat. Freedom Conference Tournament N TBA
November:
Wrestling
7 Sat. Monarch Tournament H 10:00 am
14 Sat. John Reese Duals A 11:00 am
22 Sun. Ohio State University Duals A 12:00 pm
December:
1 Tue. The College of New Jersey* H 7:00 pm
5 Sat. Centenary College (NJ)* A 1:00 pm
9 Wed. Delaware Valley College A 7:00 pm
January:
5 Tue. Hunter College* A 1:00 pm
9 Sat. Pennsylvania/New York Duals A 1:00 pm
@ Lycoming
12 Tue. University of Scranton* H 7:00 pm
15 Fri. Bud Whitehill Duals A 9:00 am
16 Sat. Bud Whitehill Duals A 9:00 am
21 Thur. Muhlenberg College A 7:30 pm
23 Sat. Rhode Island College A 12:00 pm
26 Tue. Lycoming College H 7:00 pm
February:
3 Wed. Elizabethtown College* A 7:00 pm
6 Sat. Messiah College H 12:00 pm
12 Fri. Wilkes University* A 7:00 pm
21 Sun. Metropolitan Tournament A 10:00 am
March:
5 Fri. NCAA Division III Tournament A 10:00 am
6 Sat. NCAA Division III Tournament A 10:00 am
7 Sun. NCAA Division III Tournament A 10:00 am
* MAC Freedom Conference Game
For full-season schedule and results, check
King’s web site, www.kings.edu
Men’s and Women’s Swimming
November:
4 Wed. Lebanon Valley College* H 7:00 pm
7 Sat. Cabrini College H 1:00 pm
7 Sat. College of Notre Dame (MD)^ H 1:00 pm
14 Sat. Mount Saint Mary A 12:00 pm
18 Wed. Elizabethtown College* H 7:00 pm
December:
1 Tue. Misericordia University* A 6:00 pm
5 Sat. Wells College H 2:00 pm
9 Wed. Cazenovia College A 5:00 pm
12 Sat. Ocean County College H 1:00 pm
January:
16 Sat. Messiah College* A 1:00 pm
16 Sat. Arcadia University* N 1:00 pm
20 Wed. FDU-Florham* H 6:00 pm
20 Wed. Lycoming College* H 6:00 pm
23 Sat. Susquehanna University A 1:00 pm
23 Sat. Drew University N 1:00 pm
28 Thur. Ramapo College A 6:00 pm
February:
12 Fri. MAC Swim Championships H All Day
13 Sat. MAC Swim Championships H All Day
14 Sun. MAC Swim Championships H All Day
^Women’s Swim meets only
Pride ✦ Fall 2009 19

Alumni Events & Gatherings
Jersey Boys Broadway Bus Trip
It was a brisk March day when a full busload of King’s Alumni and friends travelled to New York City to see Jersey Boys, the hottest
show on Broadway. The group left King’s College at 8:00 am and had some time for breakfast and shopping before the show. They
arrived at the August Wilson theatre to a sold-out performance. Jersey Boys was everything the reviews said it would be and more!
Everyone left the show wishing they could stay for the next performance to see it again! The cast of Jersey Boys really brought to life
the incredible story of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons. Following the
matinee, everyone had time to enjoy dinner and then they were back on the
bus and on our way home by 8:00 pm. On the ride home, a raffle was held
for an alumni sweatshirt and the lucky winner was Brighid Lodge ’99.
Brighid Lodge ’99 winning the sweatshirt.
Meghan Lodge ’04, Brighid Lodge ’99, Ray
Hiramoto Haden ’04, Laura Haden ’04, Assistant
Director of Alumni Relations
Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees Game
A group of alumni, family and friends came out to
enjoy a baseball game on Friday, July 31, 2009. The
Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees were up against the
Durham Bulls. Although the weather had been
threatening earlier in the day, the King’s group stayed
completely dry to enjoy the game. After a great
game, all in attendance were treated to a breathtaking
fireworks display and complimentary Yankees hats and
food vouchers to enjoy some Dominoes Pizza at a later
time. One of the families pictured here is Robert and
Christine Saunders ’91 with their two children.
20 Pride ✦ Fall 2009

King’s Easter Egg Hunt
Despite a chilly day, over 200 alumni families brought their children and/or
grandchildren to enjoy the first annual King’s College Easter Egg Hunt here on the
College campus. The morning began with cake and coffee (the coffee was generously
donated by Dunkin’ Donuts) and a short welcome. At registration, each child received
a goody bag with toys, some candy and a starter egg. Leo the Lion and the Easter
Bunny were available all morning for pictures and the morning was cap-stoned by the
egg hunt itself! The feeling of excitement filled the air as the children ran through
O’Connor Park and Founder’s Walk, scooping up multi-colored eggs filled with candies
and goodies to enjoy later. A huge THANK YOU goes out to the awesome guys at EKE
who helped make this event possible!
Easter Bunny and Alexander Bray
KWAC Phillies/
Nationals Game
The King’s Washington Area Club (KWAC) hosted a
Phillies/National Baseball game on May 16, 2009. A
good time was held by all. Some attendees pictured here
are: Patricia Cummings ’93, Michael Catell ’91, Janet
Schwarzwalder Timm ’94 and husband Russell.
Legacy Luncheon
Every year, the College continues to grow and it is now very common for current students to have sisters, brothers, uncles, aunts,
cousins, parents or even grandparents who are already a part of the King’s Alumni Community. Each year, the College hosts a
special luncheon for those first-year students whose parents attended King’s College. The Legacy Luncheon is held on move-in day
for first year students. It is an opportunity for new students and alumni parents to get to know today’s King’s College.
Row 1: Valentino Timonte ’80; Loretta Bushick ’13; Cathy
Ortolani ’13; Susan Hayes Ortolani ’88; Jenna Oley ’13; Jill
Jurosky ’13; Kelly DeCosmo ’13; Linda DeCosmo ’83; and
Charles DeCosmo ’06
Row 2: Tom Timonte ’13; Beth Timonte; Eugene Bushick ’79;
Laura Buschick; Vincent Ortolani ’88; Ronald Oley ’76; John
Jurosky ’78; and Frank Skokoski ’80.
Row 3: Stephanie DeRemer ’13; James Panzitta ’82; Laura
Panzitta ’13; Ryan Querci ’13; Lorne Querci ’84; Christina
Marvin ’13; Patricia Marvin ’75; and Joe Boris ’13.
Row 4: Robert W. DeRemer ’81; Paula DeRemer; Colleen Klein
Panzitta ’91; Fr. Tom O'Hara, C.S.C. ’71, President; Bonny
DeNardi Laneski ’84; Elyse Laneski ’13; Susan Boris ’82; Joe
Boris ’83; Laura Haden ’04, assistant director of alumni relations;
and Bill Behm ’73, director of alumni relations.
Pride ✦ Fall 2009 21

ALUMNI NEWS
NYC Bus Trip
On Saturday, June 20, over 50 alumni
travelled with family and friends to the Big
Apple to enjoy the summer sights, shopping
or perhaps a Broadway show. This bus
trip was a day to enjoy on your own. After
arriving at 10 am, the group scattered across
the city to visit museums and do some
shopping. The weather was a little overcast,
but getting away for a day was a welcome
respite for everyone.
Senior and Alumni Party
Dana Marino
’09, Michallynn
Vilushis ’09, Ed
Kilanowski ’09,
Lauren Pyskoty
’09, Adrienne
Zehner ’09, Tracy
Petrilla ’09
Over 1000 alumni, family, and friends joined the class of 2009 to celebrate at
the Senior and Alumni Party, held the night before Commencement. A little
rain could not dampen the spirits of such a festive night. DJ Bounce had a
large group up and dancing, while others preferred to mingle and socialize
with their friends and introduce their families.
Naples
On March 26, 2009 a group of alumni and friends of King’s College gathered at the winter home of Bob ’58 and Martha
Ostrowski. Father Thomas J. O’Hara, C.S.C, ’71 attended the event along with Wilkes-Barre Mayor Thomas Leighton ’82
and his wife Patricia ’82.
Martha Ostrowski, Susan Ostrowski, Dr. Leonard
Medura ’65
Leona Williams, Judy Buckley, Rev. Thomas O’Hara C.S.C. ’71, Peter
Kozloski ’68, Colin Keefer
Lester Smulowitz, Sue Kluger, Mayor Thomas
Leighton ’82, Patricia Leighton ’82
Pat Lenahan ’70, Elaine Marone, Maxine Sher, Bob Ostrowski ’58
22 Pride ✦ Fall 2009

R e u n i o n
King’s Annual Reunion was held on the last weekend in May. Over
250 people celebrated Reunion Weekend beginning with a golf tournament
on Friday and ending with a Memorial Mass and delicious Farewell Brunch on
Sunday. Included in the weekend festivities was the presentation of Alumni
Awards. (Please see page 24 to learn more about the award winners).
Saturday began with some Alumni College Course Listings. This included
Alumni Literature: How to Read a Painting led by Dr. Edmund Napieralski,
Upgrade Your Resume for a Down Economy led by Chris Sutzko the Director of
Career Planning and Placement, A Kids Theatre Class led by Sheileen Corbett
and the First 100 Days of President Obama led by Dr. David Sosar which is
pictured below.
The Class of 1959
Seated: Stanley Urbanski, Dr. William Rusin, Dr.
Leonard Snyder
Standing: Dr. Don Cooney, Bob Kovalchik,
Carmine Taglieri and Vincent Reh
The final touch of the weekend
was the honoring of the
Class of 1959 who returned to
celebrate their 50 th anniversary of
graduation at King’s College.
Meghan Lodge ’04, Joe and Joanne Pignataro Tomasino
’00, Rev. Thomas O’Hara, C.S.C. ’71, Rachel ’04 and Rob
Yenkowski, Brighid Lodge ’99 and Martin Durst ‘08
A picnic in Monarch Court and O’Connor Park followed the
Alumni College courses.
Diane and Mike Moleski ’84, Patricia and Lou Stoltz ’69
Champagne toast at Sunday brunch
Pride ✦ Fall 2009 23

Alumni Awards
Susan M. Henry ’87
The Robert J. Ell Alumni
Award for Outstanding Service
to Alma Mater
As a student in the
1980s, King’s provided
Sue with the tools
she needed for a solid
future. Sue found great
success in her studies
as an English and Mass
Communications major and devoted her
spare time to WRKC, the College’s radio
station where she also met her husband,
Mark.
Following graduation, Sue embarked
on her communications career and joined
the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre area WILK
radio team full-time until 1993. Following
an editorial career in the print media at
The Citizens’ Voice, for nearly 10 years,
Sue returned to her first love in 2002
as a mid-day talk show host at WILK.
Throughout her professional career, Sue
has received numerous awards from the
Associated Press and the Pennsylvania
Association of Broadcasters.
For the past 11 years, Sue has served as
the general manager of WRKC. She also
assists Father Tom Carten, C.S.C., with
“The Radio Home Visitor,” a daily service
to the visually impaired and homebound.
Inspired by Father Tom’s service, Sue
developed “Comunidad,” a program
that mirrors the Radio Home Visitor
and serves the Hispanic community of
the Wyoming Valley. In addition, Sue
has been a volunteer for the College’s
annual Alumni Phonathon and served
as its chairperson in 2008. She is also a
member of the executive committee of
the King’s College Century Club and an
adjunct faculty member in the speech and
mass communications departments.
Robert J. Loftus ’95
The Leo Award
Bob Loftus began his
career at King’s on
an academic scholarship.
Bob received not only
a great education, but
also the opportunity to
establish many friendships he still enjoys
today. Like most students, Bob formed
relationships with many of his peers, but
was equally blessed to form friendships
with his professors too. Perhaps the
person who had the most profound
impact on Bob was Father O’Hara, who
developed in him the core of a King’s
education – not only know how to make a
living, but how to live.
Graduating from King’s with what he
describes as a deep sense of gratefulness,
it is easy to understand why Bob has
remained as faithful and dedicated as an
alumnus as he was a student. In addition
to providing generous financial support
to many of the College’s institutional
advancement initiatives, Bob is also a
member of the College’s President’s
Council.
Bob also carries the King’s commitment
to building community into Northeastern
Pennsylvania by serving in leadership
roles on the boards of several professional
and civic organizations. He is the
president of the Northeast Pennsylvania
Chapter of the American Advertising
Federation and a member of the Junior
Leadership Wilkes-Barre Advisory Board.
He is also a 2005 graduate of Leadership
Wilkes-Barre and a lector and Eucharistic
Minister at St. Therese Church, Wilkes-
Barre. Bob is currently employed as
an account executive at WNEP-TV in
Moosic.
Thomas P. McGuiness ’65
The King’s College Alumni
Award for Service to Society
Several years after
graduation, Tom
and his family moved
to Southern California
where he would begin a
career that would change
the lives of thousands of people. Tom’s
position as vice president of Queen of
the Valley Hospital would inspire his
colleagues and the economically and
socially disadvantaged community they
served in West Covina, California.
Tom and his colleagues were faced
with the daunting task of reducing health
care costs. However, instead of reducing
services to the poor and uninsured Tom
searched for and discovered a win-win
solution that would lower hospital costs
and improve the lives of the poor. Tom
knew the first step would be teaching
people that exercise, eating right, and
getting plenty of rest were the keys to good
health. Tom met with groups as varied as
city councilmen to gang members to ask
them what they needed to improve their
lives. Tom searched for and discovered
ways to meet the needs of both the
distributors and users of community
services. As the program grew the overall
health and lifestyle of the community
improved, and the hospital began to see
a decrease in the utilization of services
by the poor and uninsured. Without a
doubt, Tom, who retired as the senior
vice president for community outreach
of Citrus Valley Health Partners, saved
the hospital thousands of dollars but,
more importantly, Tom’s deep sense of
compassion for his fellow man saved
thousands of lives.
Join us in recognizing
an outstanding educator
by nominating them for
the King’s College Alumni
Outstanding Educator Award!
The alumni office at King’s College is seeking
nominations for its Outstanding Alumni Educator
Award which will be awarded at its educator’s
reception on March 11, 2010.
The award will be conferred on an alumni/alumna
working in the education field who has
made a great impact on their students,
their places of employment,
their community,
and their profession.
If you know an outstanding alumni educator, please visit
www.kingsalumni.info for more information.
Nominations end by Friday, January 8, 2010.
24 Pride ✦ Fall 2009

Campus Neighbor Celebrates
Part of the advantage of having a campus that is
located in downtown Wilkes-Barre is developing a
relationship with nearby businesses. King’s is fortunate
to have several long-standing Main Street neighbors that
past and present students and staff have come to know
personally.
Mention the S&W Diner, Charlie’s Market, Gonda’s,
Liberty Cleaners and Rodano’s and many alumni can
immediately picture the building and its employees. All
these businesses are or were located in a two block area of
North Main Street across from campus.
Senunas’, another long-time King’s neighbor, is
celebrating its golden anniversary this fall.
Helen and John Senunas, Sr., opened the business at
the southeast corner of North Main and E. Jackson Street,
operating the bar in the front and living in the rear portion
of what was then an upscale apartment building.
Given its proximity to campus, the business was a
popular destination for both students and faculty. The
proprietors quickly bonded with the students, becoming
what many alumni describe as “my Wilkes-Barre mom
and dad.”
King’s students appreciated the role Helen and John
played. After John died in 1975, the yearbook published
a tribute to him, alluding to how students referred to the
business as Conference Room “S”. In the tribute, Helen
noted, “John was as much a part of King’s as anyone who
paid tuition.”
In 1996, four months before her death, Helen was
honored at Reunion Weekend for her support of the King’s
Community and she was named an honorary alumnus.
John Senunas III ’83 and his wife, Rose, took ownership
after Helen’s passing. “It was never a thought to not
continue the business,” said John, who helped his parents
during his student days before beginning a sales career
Current owners John and Rose Senunas pose in front of the
“good corner” business.
shortly after graduation. “I remember my father telling
me, ‘that’s a good corner, don’t lose it.’”
Under John and Rose’s leadership, the business was
re-located across Jackson Street in 2002. They bought
the former Charlie’s Market, ending 43 years of leasing
space across the street. Also, the larger space allowed for
a larger kitchen and a full lunch and dinner menu was
soon introduced. Shortly after the move, the College
acquired the former Margarita Apartment Building and,
after considerable renovation, opened Alumni Hall, a
popular student residence.
John fondly recalls stories of his parents’ interaction
with King’s students, including a time when a recent
King’s alumnus who worked for the business had a fight
with his girlfriend. Feeling bad for the young man,
Helen baked a cake that was used as a peace offering.
“I think I’m most proud of the fact that the business has
become not only a part of the College community, but
part of the city of Wilkes-Barre,” said John. “My parents
and now my wife and I take pride in keeping this corner
the right way.”
The King’s alumni office wants graduates who have
memorable Helen or John stories to share them. Please
e-mail alumni@kings.edu and include Senunas in the
subject line. The stories will be shared with the Senunas
family.
Pride ✦ Fall 2009 25

ALUMNI NEWS
Alumni Profile
Joe Guion ’50
As most Americans were commemorating the 40 th
anniversary of the first man on the moon in July, Joe Guion
’50 had already celebrated the golden anniversary of his “15
minutes of fame” when he played a major role in a mission that
was a vital stepping stone in the Space Race.
Guion was typical of the vast majority of students that made
up King’s first freshman class in 1946; he had already served
a tour in the military and was attending King’s on the G.I.
Bill. He entered the U.S. Navy at the age of 17 and spent the
final years of World War II as a member of a gun crew on two
merchant ships deployed to the European Theater.
When he returned home in May 1946 to Northeastern
Pennsylvania, he intended to go to the University of Notre
Dame for his college studies but it was too late to apply for
that fall’s classes. His father had heard about King’s being
established by the Congregation of Holy Cross and Joe applied.
While earning his degree in economics, Joe was a varsity
athlete, a member of the Student Council and Glee Club, and
was the first person to don the Leo the Lion mascot uniform.
“The entire first class at King’s was infused with the sense
of being pioneers,” Guion said. “We didn’t have much in line
of facilities, but we felt like we were a part of something that
would last.”
Guion resumed active duty with the Navy in 1953 and had
various assignments, including an emergency deployment in the
North Atlantic during the Suez Crisis of 1956. He was given
command of his first ship, the USS Kiowa, a year later.
On May 28, 1959, Guion was given an assignment he
says became the highlight of his 30-year naval career, which
included command of two more ships and service in World War
II, the Korean War and the Cold War.
Guion and his crew were tasked with retrieving an object
from the Atlantic Ocean. The object would be landing in the
ocean after travelling 1,500 miles in 16 minutes and would have
two occupants. The names of the “astronauts” were not Glenn,
Armstrong, or even Gagarin, but Able and Baker.
The USS Kiowa was responsible for retrieving the capsule
that would hopefully contain the first monkeys to survive a trip
in space. The American space program had been trying for
more than 10 years to successfully send monkeys into space, but
all the flights failed for various reasons.
Guion knew the key to the monkeys’ survival was an efficient
and quick retrieval. Elements did not make that objective easy.
The missile was to land in the early morning hours, well before
sunrise; the wind was strong and the ocean rough.
“As the missile re-entered the atmosphere, it lit up the sky
bright enough to read a newspaper on the deck of the ship.”
Guion, with Baker, in 1959
The missile landed near its target, but the nose cone portion
which contained the monkeys separated. It took an hour for
Guion’s crew to spot the nose cone and another hour to bring it
aboard the ship. Guion used a large boom to retrieve the nose
section.
“As soon as I picked it up out of the water, it was flying all
over the place. The ship was rolling and the nose cone swung
back and forth on the boom. I was just hoping that nobody
would get hurt.”
Crew members quickly determined that Able, a rhesus
monkey, and Baker, a squirrel monkey, had survived the flight
and the re-entry.
Guion was invited to accompany the monkeys on their trip,
under military escort, to Washington for a news conference.
Able and Baker became instant media darlings; they even
appeared on the cover of Life magazine.
After leaving the Navy in 1973, Guion taught for 10 years
at a community college in Virginia Beach. He also became
heavily involved as a volunteer in church ministry, successfully
using methods he used to build community among his students
to form faith communities at a diocesan level. He received the
Papal Bene Merenti Medal for service to the Church.
Guion has also published two books. His first, Love Songs
on the Journey, consisted of poems and personal reflections. “It
was part of my grieving process after the death of my dear wife,
Magdalen.” His second book, Stolen Votes, published in 2008,
was a fictional account of a plot to rig a 1986 U.S. senatorial
election.
After surviving open heart surgery in April, Guion is “enjoying
life” by working at a church in Timonium, Maryland, and
writing a book detailing how people can stay motivated and
more involved with the Lord.
26 Pride ✦ Fall 2009

Alumni Profile
Mike Angley ’81
Mike Angley ’81 admits that before he entered King’s,
he developed two passions that he has been fortunate
to realize, careers in investigation and, more recently, as a
published and award-winning fiction writer.
As a student at Wyoming Valley West High School, located
only a mile from the King’s campus, Mike developed a life
plan that would involve him working for the Federal Bureau of
Investigation (FBI) and publishing a novel.
While in his final year of study toward earning his degree in
criminal justice and psychology, Mike learned that he would
not be able to go directly from King’s into the FBI.
“Unless you earned either a law or accounting degree, you
needed professional investigative experience before the FBI
would consider you,” Angley said recently.
Mile was able to complete the Air Force ROTC program
while at King’s. He was able to use that experience as what he
thought would be a means to an end, joining the Air Force as a
second lieutenant and possibly earning the practical experience
required by the FBI in the Office of Special Investigations
(OSI).
Mike was able to buck the odds. He was only one of four
people in the country accepted into OSI
right out of college. “I intended to stay for
just the required four years, but I enjoyed
what I was doing so much, I decided to stick
around.”
Angley’s eventual 25-year career in the Air
Force included earning a master’s degree
in national security affairs from the U.S.
Naval Postgraduate School and 13 different
assignments throughout the world. While
most of his early experiences were in Korea
and Japan, he eventually became involved in terrorism and
counterintelligence operations in the Middle East.
“I was part of OSI at a time when our operational strategy
switched from being more defensive in nature (antiterrorism) to
more offensive (counterterrorism).”
Early in his career, while commanding an OSI unit in
northern Japan, Angley conducted an operation that effectively
blocked a KGB agent’s efforts to steal critical U.S. technology.
Following the 1996 Khobar Towers terrorist attack in Saudi
Arabia, Angley was dispatched to command all OSI units
throughout the Middle East, with responsibility for 23 countries.
During his tenure, he and his teams effectively neutralized
numerous terrorist threats to U.S. forces in the region, including
an imminent threat to senior Department of Defense officials
In 1999, he was the Chief of Counterintelligence within
the Directorate of Intelligence, U.S. Strategic Command. His
office was first runner-up for the prestigious Killian Award, a
White House-level honor that annually recognizes the very
best intelligence unit
in the entire U.S.
government.
In 2001, Angley
was named a National
Defense Fellow and
adjunct professor
of International
Relations at Florida
International
University. It was
during this time that
he was able to begin
pursuing his writing
passion. He was able to write a first draft of a novel, but was not
able to complete it before he was again off to Asia.
In 2004, he was commanding all OSI units in South Korea
when he and his teams countered a classified target in Seoul.
For his efforts, the President of South Korea presented him with
a Presidential Citation and medal, and the Korean National
Police Agency (KNPA) Commissioner decorated him with the
KNPA Medal of Cooperation.
It wasn’t until his 2007 retirement as
a colonel from the Air Force that Angley
was able to return to his writing efforts.
Following the adage to “write what you
know,” Angley’s first novel, Child Finder,
published in June, has as its main character
an OSI Special Agent.
While Angley’s experiences serve as
a background, the novel is definitely
fictional. The lead character, Major Patrick
O’Donnell, is led by psychic dreams about missing children
into a web of government intrigue.
During his early OSI experiences, Angley was involved in
child-crime cases. “Those cases really affected me. They broke
my heart and stayed with me.”
“There is definitely some of Mike Angley in Patrick
O’Donnell. O’Donnell is proud of his Irish heritage and his
Catholic faith. He has a strong moral center and is devoted to
his family.”
Given Angley’s status as a rookie author, the novel has met
with unusual success. The Library Journal placed the book on
the Summer Reads List and, just three months after publication,
the Military Writers Society of America awarded the book
a Silver Medal in the fiction category. The book is the first
of three on the character and subject matter. Child Finder:
Resurrection is due to be published in December and Child
Finder: Revelation will be published in December 2010. More
information can be found at www.childfinder.us.
Pride ✦ Fall 2009 27

News & Notes
’50s
Nancy and Frank Nemshick ’56
celebrated their 50 th wedding
anniversary with a dinner party
in Harrisburg, given by their
four children. They have
eight grandchildren. They
were married June 20, 1959 in
Sacred Heart of Jesus Church in
Peckville.
William A. Cook ’59 has
published a book entitled Tracking
Deception and is currently
awaiting the
publication of two
additional works:
The Rape of
Palestine, and The
Chronicles of
Nefaria.
Jim Strome ’59 won the
Neighborly Senior Citizen’s Most
Logged Steps Award for the third
consecutive year. A member of
the Sunshine Senior Center of
Saint Petersburg, FL, the step
program lasted two months in
which Jim logged over 175 miles.
He is also active at Lifestyle’s and
Body Dynamic’s Gyms. Jim has
been a resident of Florida for 14
years.
’60s
Don Zlotek ’60 announced
that his grandson, Justin Zlotek,
Class of 2010 will participate as
a senior member of the football
team 50 years after his grandfather
quarterbacked for the Monarchs.
Anthony J. Mussari, Ph.D. ’63
published a book entitled Step
Into My Heart: Heart Disease and
Open Heart Surgery
My New Best
Friends. In
addition to the
book, Tony
produced a
21-part series
about his
experiences for his
television program Windsor Park
Stories.
Thomas L. Crandell, Ph.D. ’65
and his wife Corinne are
co-authors of a
college textbook
about Human
Development.
The publisher
is McGraw-Hill
Higher
Education and
the most recent
edition was released in 2009.
’70s
Bernard Remakus Ph.D. ’70
was inducted into Who’s Who
in Medicine and Healthcare.
Bernard has also been named
to every edition of America’s
Top Physicians since 2003. He
currently works as a clinical
assistant professor at the Temple
University School of Medicine
and has practiced internal
medicine in Susquehanna County
since 1981. He has published five
books and contributed more than
200 articles to medical literature.
Thomas J. Walsh ’70 retired from
PPL Services in Allentown, Pa
after nearly 39 years of service.
Tom plans to continue residing
in Allentown to live near his
daughter and son. Tom is a
member of the local Ancient
Order of Hibernians and Knights
of Columbus. Tom is also active
with the Allentown Hiking Club
and enjoys playing golf.
Kevin Mitchell ’73 became the
President of the Pennsylvania
Institute of CPA’s at the Annual
Meeting held in June at the
Boardwalk Hotel at Walt Disney
World. The dinner at the
convention was on the set of the
Indiana Jones Show at the Disney
Hollywood Studios.
Pictured are Barry H. Williams,
JD, MT, MBA, CPA, King’s
faculty, Indiana Jones, Tom
Mitchell and Kevin Mitchell ’73.
Brendan Boroski ’74 joined
the staff of Remax Main Line
as a sales associate. Brendan
will be specializing in builder
and client relations through the
Delaware Valley. In the past, his
firm was awarded The Pyramid
Award for “Best Promotion by a
Builder Member” This award was
presented for his work handling
public relations for Dewey
Homes of Wayne, Pa for Extreme
Makeover Home Edition featured
on ABC television.
Old Line Bancshares, Inc.,
announced the appointment
of John P. Davey ’74 to their
Board of Directors. John is the
managing partner of the law
firm O’Malley, Miles, Nylen &
Gilmore, P.A. in Calverton, MD.
Michael W. Bukosky ’75 and
William Krajewski ’75 and their
families gathered together in
Destin, Florida.
JoAnne Mirigliani ’76 became
Board Certified as a Specialist
in Sports Nutrition. JoAnne is a
Registered Dietitian.
Marge Bart ’77 operates the Blue
Chip Farms no-kill animal shelter
in Dallas, PA.
Robert Fortsch ’77 celebrated his
30 th anniversary in the insurance
business. Bob works out of a
Prudential Office in Paramus, NJ.
Peter Gagliardi ’77 published an
online article entitled The Decline
of American Capitalism under
the pen name Matthew Paul after
attending a lecture given by Neil
Weinberg, executive editor of
Forbes, in the McGowan School
of Business building.
Lorraine (Gumienny) Siperko,
Ph.D. ’78 worked on a research
project with a team of scientists
and engineers from the
University of Utah, Iowa State
University, Wyle Life Sciences
and NASA’s Johnson Space
Center in Houston. The project
is for NASA to add biocides to
astronauts’ drinking water to kill
bacteria and viruses. Lorraine’s
group discovered a method to
monitor the concentration of
biocides in the water.
’80s
During the presidential campaign
last fall, King’s alum Boris
Krawczeniuk ’82, a political
reporter for Times Shamrock
newspaper had the opportunity
to interview then presidential
candidate Barack Obama.
Joseph J. Niezgoda ’83
published a book
entitled The Lennon
Prophecy – A New
Examination of the
Death Clues of the
Beatles.
Marilyn (DeGennaro)
Millington ’84 was co-winner
of the Wilkes-Barre Chamber’s
ATHENA Award. The award is
presented annually to women
who show excellence in business
accomplishments, community
service, personal achievements
and assisting other women
working toward their full
leadership potential.
Joe Mossa ’84 was inducted
on November 8, 2008 into the
St. John Vianney High School
(Holmdel, NJ) Sports Hall of
Fame for his years of dedication to
the sport of wrestling, not only as
an outstanding athlete, but also as
a coach.
On the weekend of June 19-20,
members of the King’s College
tennis teams from 1984 through
1987 returned for a reunion with
Coach Bill Eydler ’69.
Pictured are: Rob Olear ’85, Bill
Barnett ’87, Coach Bill Eydler
’69, George Gross ’87, Jerome
Kilmer ’86, Bill Turley ’86
Bob Nocek ’89 is the new Vice
President and Chief Operating
Officer by the Carolina Theatre of
Durham, Inc.
’90s
Health Partners appointed
Eugene T. Diebold, CPA ’91 as
Controller. In this role he will
be primarily responsible for the
financial infrastructure, planning,
reporting and monitoring
functions. He resides in Centre
Square, Pa with his wife Barbara
and their three children.
In December ’08, Susan Snyder
’92 graduated with honors from
Alvernia University’s MBA
program.
28 Pride ✦ Fall 2009

Joseph Newcomer ’94 was
promoted to Senior Manager at
Unisys. Joseph is responsible
for systems integration for a
multi-year project with Customs
and Border Protection. He also
received his Project Management
Professional (PMP) Certification.
He resides in Leesburg, VA with
his wife Diane and their son
Matthew.
Donna Braccini Bittmann ’94
was selected as one of 110 people
across the country to be on the
10 th Anniversary of Who Wants
to Be a Millionaire with Regis
Philbin as a part of the fastest
finger group.
Mary Ives Thompson ’95 coauthored
the book He Says/She
Says Shakespeare with Francesco
A. Ancona. The literary analysis
provides a gender-based analysis of
six of Shakespeare’s most popular
plays.
Major Eric Lindgren USMC ’95,
was awarded a Bronze Star for his
meritorious service in connection
with combat operations against
the enemy while serving as the
Officer in Charge of his Police
Transition Team, I Marine
Expeditionary Force from January
148, 2008 – August 1, 2008
in support of Operation Iraqi
Freedom. During this period,
Major Lindgren led a key role in
support of the mission to establish
police primacy in ensuring
security across the 22,000 square
miles of Iraq’s Al Anbar province.
He and his wife, Cara, reside in
Marcellus, NY. He is currently
employed by the Syracuse Police
Department.
Shelly L. Centini, Esq. ’97 was
named partner at the Dyller
Law Firm. The Dyller Law
Firm concentrates in civil rights
litigation and criminal defense.
Jeannine Lesante
Mazurkiwecz ’97
was one of the
2009 P.E.A.R.L.
award recipients
from the Hazleton
YM/YWCA on
Friday March 13.
She was given the award in the
Communications category.
Jeannine is the Executive News
Director for News 13 in Hazleton
and Vice President of Sam-Son
Productions, Inc. PEARL stands
for professionalism, excellence,
achievement, role model,
responsibility and leadership. It
honors women in the community
who have made contributions to
their community and employers.
’00s
Claudia P. Brodkin ’00, manager
of the undergraduate Chemistry
labs at Virginia Tech, received
the College of Science Diversity
Award for 2008. The annual
award recognizes a faculty or staff
member who has made significant
contributions in diversity on
campus.
Kara Clemente ’02 graduated
from Temple University School
of Pharmacy with a Doctorate
degree in Pharmacy. Kara
has accepted a position with
Giant Food Corporation in the
Philadelphia area.
Amy Dinofrio ’02 was honored
as an Unsung Hero at Pikes
Peak United Way. In addition to
working as a human resources/
technology manager, Amy serves
as President of Special Kids
Special Families. She is also
President-elect/Vice-President
of Interfaith Hospitality Network
and a member of the 2009 class of
Leadership Pikes Peak.
Jonathan Morrissey ’03, a
member of the Business School
Advisory Council, led his
company to it’s largest event
when they created all of the
flower arrangements for the 2009
US Women’s Open (Golf) in
Bethlehem, PA.
Erica Andruscavage ’04 received
a Master of Arts in English
Literature from Mercy College,
Dobbs Ferry, NY. Erica currently
teacher English in Virginia.
James Few
Baird IV ’04
graduated from
the Philadelphia
College of
Osteopathic
Medicine. He
will continue his
medical training at Kennedy
Health System, Stratford, NJ.
Kristina Silvestry ’04 was
honored as a recipient of the
2009 Union County Women of
Excellence Award. Kristina was
the youngest woman honored this
year and works to help some of
the youngest victims of domestic
violence. Kristina holds a
master’s degree in Mental Health
Counseling. She is a primary
counselor at “A Child’s View” a
Union County PALS Program
through the YWCA of Easter
Union County.
Laura Bonin ’06
received her juris
doctorate degree
from Regent
University School
of Law in Virginia
Beach, VA. Laura
also received
Regent’s Academic Merit
Scholarship and graduated in the
top 10 th percentile of her law
school class.
Kristen Sebastian ’06 received
The Best Teachers award from
Pocono Mountain West High
School for the third consecutive
year. This award is given from the
students to teachers in recognition
for being an outstanding teacher
and for making a difference.
Kristen teaches math at the high
school.
Daniel Bauder ’08 was hired
as the Executive Director of the
Chester County (PA) Democratic
Committee.
In Memoriam
Our prayers and condolences are extended to the families of the following alumni
and friends who recently passed away:
Frank X. Briel ’50
Thomas D. McDonald ’50
Charles R. Armstrong ’51
Thomas Tobin ’51
Dr. John F. Duffy, Jr. ’52
Robert J. McBride ’53
Paul S. Rava ’54
John E Saylor, Sr. ’55
Michael R. Manganella ’56
Michael T. Armstrong ’59
Thomas J. Canfield ’60
Frank G. Harrison ’61
Dr. William P. Gruzenski ’63
Richard D. Butler ’65
Alice O’Malley – Former Staff
John Gentry Harris – Former Faculty
Stanley J. Dysleski ’68
William G. Riccetti, Jr. ’70
Mary Elaine Trotta ’72
Allan E. Makowski ’73
Gerald W. Farrell ’74
David G. Reilly ’74
Kevin C. Igoe ’79
Joseph J. Kaminski ’83
John M. Phillips ’83
Irene P. Arnold ’84
Ruth Prodgers ’87
Gregory Kostyak ’86
Frances B. Jacobs ’93
Paul Popielarski ’00
Joan Diana – Former Reference Librarian
Pride ✦ Fall 2009 29

NEWS & NOTES
Alumni Weddings
Debbie Tovcimak ’90 wed King’s College sports information
director Bob Ziadie on June 27 in the Chapel of Christ the King
on the King’s College campus. The ceremony was performed
by King’s College President Reverend Thomas J. O’Hara,
C.S.C.’71. A reception followed at The Woodlands.
Alex Haynes ’03 wed Lauren Costanza ’07 on June 20. The
couple resides in Rhode Island and both work for Trinity
Reperatory Company in Providence. The wedding party
included: Flowergirl Claire Costanza, Bridesmaid Kristen
Phillips, Groomsman/Brother Michael Costanza, Junior
Bridesmaid/Cousin Sarah Dobson, Groomsman Chris Van
Thuyne, Groomsman John Segear, Maid of Honor Alison Taroli,
King’s ’07, Best Man/Brother of Groom Matthew Haynes, Bride
and Groom -- Lauren (Costanza) ’07 and Alexander Haynes
’03, Groomsman Miles Munroe, Bridesmaid Heidi Schnappauf,
Bridesmaid Meaghan Fadden, Bridesmaid/Cousin Lindsey
Costanza, Groomsman Charles Moran, King’s ’03
King’s graduates or employees in attendance include:
Bryan Whitten ’88, Sujin Chong (Confer) Huber ’96, Dan
Broda ’95, Tammy (Stascavage) Broda ’96, Steven Tovcimak ’89,
Cheryl Ish, King’s athletic director/field hockey coach, J.P.
Andrejko, King’s men’s basketball/golf coach, Father Tom
O’Hara ’71, Debbie (Tovcimak) Ziadie ’90, Bob Ziadie, Bernie
Kachinko, King’s volleyball coach, Marina (Gushka) Kachinko
’86, Brian Donoghue, King’s women’s basketball coach, Carol
Shillabeer, King’s athletics secretary; Steve Hoeft ’93, Paula
(DeTemple) Hoeft ’94, Donna Kachinko’97, Jason Jones ’96,
Andrea Zwalinski ’06, Jeff Ney ’94, Molly Ney
Jackie Borthwick ’96 wed
James Galvin October 11,
2008.
Ann McDonough ’02 wed Jason Park
on September 27, 2008. The couple
honeymooned in St. Lucia. They reside in
Kingston, Pa.
Michele Elizabeth Ann Matkins ’02
wed Nathan Hale Bullington on July 30,
at Pettibone Resort on the River in La
Crosse, WI.
Kathryn Meranti ’07 wed Michael J.
Lokuta on May 17, 2008.
Jessica Vogelei ’98 wed
Kyle Derr on September 20,
2008 in Myerstown, Pa. The
couple resides in Huntingdon
Valley, Pa.
Jennifer Petroski ’05 wed Jonathan Siff on
June 20, in Glen Summit, Pa.
King’s Alums in attendance
included: Edward Stankus
’68, Kenneth Kozminski ’02,
Maureen (Coughlin) Kozminski
’03, Cecilia (Diefenderfer)
Giovarelli ’04, Bride - Jennifer
(Petroski) Siff ’05, Groom -
Jonathan Siff, David Petroski
’77, Kelly Coughlin ’03, Kathryn
Ledger ’03.
Nathan Richardson ’07 wed Julie Foster
’06 on August 27, 2008.
30 Pride ✦ Fall 2009

Alumni Births
Congratulations to Joe Mossa
’84 and Lindsay Kulig Mossa
’03 on the birth of their
daughter, Gabriella Rose, on
April 23. Gabriella is also
the granddaughter of John
Kulig ’77 and goddaughter of
Anthony Mossa ’91.
Congratulations to Joseph
S. Chajko, C.P.A. ’94 and
Karen Bankovich-Chajko,
RPH on the birth of their
daughter Sara Ann Elizabeth.
Sara Ann Elizabeth joins
big brother Matthew, 5. Joe
is employed as a manager
of financial planning
and analysis at Verizon
Teleproducts. The family
resides in Phoenixville, Pa.
Congratulations to Daryn and
Claudine Gavin Kratz ’95 on
the birth of their son, Gavin
Douglas on September 24,
2008. Gavin Douglas joins
big sisters Annie Renee, 4 and
Kelly Carole, 2.
Congratulations to Declan
and Mary Ives Thompson
’95 on the birth of their
twins, Erin Teresa and Aidan
Thomas on March 28.
Congratulations to
Christopher and Maureen
Brophy ’96 on the birth
of their son Ryan John on
July 27. Ryan John joins
big brothers Conner, 5
and Aidan, 1, and big sister
Madison, 3. Ryan John is
also the nephew of John F.
Murphy III ’00.
Congratulations to Brian and
Diane Yaegel Corrigan ’96
on the birth of their daughter
Bridgette Marie. Bridgette
Marie joins big sisters Emilia
and Ella.
Congratulations to Alexander
and Jean Machemer Fielding
’96 on the birth of their
daughter, Helen Augusta on
February 23.
Congratulations to Paul
Shovlin ’96 and wife Johanna
on the birth of their daughter
Lana Maria on February
23. Lana Maria is also
the granddaughter of Sue
and Paul Shovlin ’67 and
goddaughter of David and
Maria Shovlin Mathis ’91.
Congratulations to Bob and
Katie Kovach Naegele ’97
on the birth of their son,
Christopher Thomas on
January 14. Christopher joins
big brother Michael Robert, 3.
Congratulations to
Christopher and Rebecca
Saba Beck ’98 announce the
birth of their first son, Ryan
Christopher on August 28 th .
The family resides in Mount
Joy, PA.
Congratulations to Jeremy
and Sue Witkop Morgan
’98 on the birth of their
daughter Abigail Grace on
July 7. The family resides in
Downingtown, Pa.
Congratulations to Darren
Snyder ’98 and Kelly Bray,
Esq. ’02 on the birth of their
son, Alexander Robert Snyder
on February 20.
Congratulations to Louis
De Carlo ’99 and Carolyn
Cullen De Carlo ’98 on the
birth of their son Michael
Louis, born February 10.
Michael Louis is also the
nephew of John Cullen
’93, Brian Cullen ’94, Ann
Marie Dugan Cullen ’94 and
Nicholas De Carlo ’01.
Congratulations to Tina
Ball Jorett ’99 on the birth
of her son, Tyler Richard on
February 10.
Congratulations to David and
Alicia Holzman Bond ’00 on
the birth of their daughter,
Sadie Marie on January 29.
Congratulations to Michael
’00 and Jessica Manzolillo-
Kolinovsky ’01, ’02 on the
birth of their daughter Mayah
Ann on April 9. Mayah joins
big brother Noah Andrew.
Michael currently works as
the King’s College Cross
Country & Track Coach.
Congratulations to David ’01
and Alyson Romann Ferreby
’01 on the birth of their son,
Evan Thomas on June 30.
Congratulations to Ryan
French ’01 and Stephanie
McLain French ’02 on
the birth of their daughter,
Molly Grace on December 6,
2008. The family resides in
Waymart, PA. Molly is also
welcomed by her godparents,
John L. Augustine III
’97 and Kristine French
Augustine ’97.
Congratulations to Dr. Todd
and Laura Phillips Howell
Glynn ’01 on the birth of
their son, Doron Robert on
October 30, 2008. The family
resides in Kingston, Pa.
Congratulations to Scott
and Karen Terris Uszenski
’01 on the birth of their son,
Matthew Michael on March
18. Matthew joins big sister
Maya, age 3.
Congratulations to Giuseppe
and Jennifer DiBrienza-
Zuppardi ’01 on the birth
of their daughter Sara Marie
on February 11. The family
resides in Staten Island, NY.
Congratulations to Rob and
Fran Monte Misener ’02
on the birth of their daughter,
Lucia Catherine on January 20.
Congratulations to Jason and
Therese Adelizzi Schweyer
’03 on the birth of their
daughter, Leah Grace on
June 28.
Congratulations to David
Dretel ’03 and Carrie DePuy
Dretel ’04 on the birth
of their son, Jake Alan on
December 11, 2008.
Congratulations to Michael
and Kathleen Slaugh
Sanford ’04 on the birth of
their daughter Emilia Rose on
December 2, 2008.
Congratulations to Trista and
Richard Jamieson, Jr. ’05 on
the birth of their son, Dillon
Thomas on January 21.
Richard is currently employed
by the Transportation Security
Administration at Seattle-
Tacoma International Airport.
Pride ✦ Fall 2009 31

NEWS & NOTES
Thomas V. Tobin
1926-2009
Tom Tobin ’51, King’s most senior faculty member,
passed away in August.
According to fellow faculty member Barry Williams,
Tobin once wrote in a senior faculty review, “My
association with King’s began at birth.” As a student
and a faculty member, Tobin was a fixture of the
King’s campus for 61 of the 63 years of the College’s
existence and the 83 years of Tom’s existence.
After being identified through high school aptitude
tests as having engineering talents, Tobin took several
classes at King’s College in New York City (now
Columbia University) before entering the United
States Air Force. He was a member of an engineering
team that developed Walkie-Talkie upgrades needed
for the Normandy Invasion. He later worked on the
Manhattan Project, although he never knew his work
would be used in the development of an atomic bomb.
After his military discharge, Tobin, in a previous
Pride profile, said he heard about the formation of
King’s College and felt “it was opened just for me.”
At King’s, he pursued his true passion, biology. He
quickly formed a mentor-protégé relationship with original
King’s faculty member Rev. Frank O’Hara, C.S.C. After being
a lab instructor under O’Hara in his junior and senior years,
Tobin won fellowships from the Danforth and National Science
Foundations for advanced studies which he pursued at Boston
College.
Tobin was hired by King’s in 1952 and given the responsibility
to develop the science curriculum and set up labs.
“There was little money to buy lab equipment. My wife,
Dolores, would often get angry with me because half of
everything we had in our house, including baby food jars and
ketchup bottles, ended up in the lab.
The best things I learned from Father O’Hara were confidence
and friendship, which I tried to pass along to my students.”
Tobin once admitted that he had a reputation for “a no
nonsense, work now, play later” approach to teaching that
often intimidated his students. However, many of those same
students have been consistent in their admissions that it was
Tobin’s thoroughness that allowed them to have an easier time
in advanced graduate and medical school courses than some of
their counterparts.
“There were three major parts of my father’s life: my mother,
me and King’s,” Tobin’s daughter, Cynthia Jackson ’76, said
recently. “King’s wasn’t just a job or career for my dad— it was
his passion, his life’s mission. He was as excited about each new
class and semester as the first year he taught.”
Jackson also recalled, in lieu of a family vacation,
accompanying her father on “road trips” to get eggs for use in
In January, Tom Tobin, center was presented a plaque detailing the faculty
development and research fund established in his honor by former students. Shown
with Tobin are, first row, from left, Dr. Robert Paoletti, professor of biology and
health professions advisor, a position Tobin occupied for many years; Father
O’Hara, C.S.C., president; and Dr. Nicholas Holodick, vice president for academic
affairs; Standing, from left, is Dr. David Glick, associate professor of biology;
Father Tony Grasso, C.S.C., associate vice president for academic affairs and
dean of the faculty; Dr. Ann Yezerski, associate professor and chair of the biology
department; and Frank Oliver, vice president for institutional advancement.
embryology classes. “My father working for King’s during those
early years resulted in financial and time sacrifices for our entire
family, but his dedication to the College never wavered.”
Being the daughter of a biology teacher did have some
advantages - Jackson recalls being “the most popular kid in the
neighborhood” when Tobin brought home an alligator that had
been donated to the College’s biology lab but grew too big to
keep on campus. In the short time before he was able to relocate
it to an amphibian farm in the Poconos, he would walk it in the
neighborhood on a leash.
Befitting Tobin’s special relationship with his mentor, he
received in 1984 the Fr. Frank J. O’Hara Distinguished Service
Professor of the Sciences Award.
During an on-campus memorial service held early in the fall
semester, Tobin was recognized for his humility and devotion
to his Catholic faith, his family, his students and the field of
biology. Tobin rarely had his name stitched on his ever-present
lab coat, instead using the inscription “Theophrastus,” a Greek
philosopher who is widely credited for starting the study of
botany and being the first physiologist. His constant recognition
of those who came before him was also exhibited by the brick
from Northampton Hall, the College’s original building, which
Tobin kept in his office. His habit of whistling in the hallways
was also mentioned by more than one speaker.
A plaque dedicating to Tobin the second floor of the Parente
Life Sciences Center where the biology offices and classrooms
are now located hangs where he taught in his final years of
service to King’s and his students.
32 Pride ✦ Fall 2009

Donor Profile Richard A. Alley, M.D.
Dr. Alley has always understood the importance of
education. His parents, who emigrated to the United
States from Lebanon, stressed academics and the
importance of giving back. Now semi-retired, Dr.
Alley has had a distinguished medical career spanning
almost 50 years and a long record of public service and
charitable efforts. He has also participated in numerous
medical missions to third world countries.
He became a member of the King’s College Board of
Directors in 2006 and was quickly impressed by the
College and its senior staff. “Being a board member
convinced me that King’s was deserving of my time and
financial resources.”
Dr. Alley recently took advantage of a “tax-free” giving
option. “My accountant, pension plan advisors and the
staff at King’s all informed me of this opportunity. Given
the economic downturn of the last year, I thought this
was a good way to make my gift to King’s College.
Unless Congress extends the legislation past December 31, 2009, a window will close on a once in a lifetime
charitable opportunity for philanthropists aged 70½ or older. This is the last year transfers from traditional or
Roth Individual Retirement Accounts can be made to charities without paying income taxes on the distribution.
Funds transferred directly to King’s College from IRAs do not qualify for an income tax deduction, but they do
transfer without incurring any income tax liability, essentially the same net result as a 100% tax deduction.
This is an excellent time to create a named scholarship endowment or other type of legacy at King’s College.
For information contact Frank H. Oliver Vice President for Institutional Advancement at (570) 208-5882 or
e-mail: frankoliver@kings.edu

Non-Profit Org.
U.S. Postage
PAID
Permit No. 281
Wilkes-Barre, PA
A Catholic College sponsored by the Congregation of Holy Cross
Calendar of Events
2009
November
18-21 “An Enemy of the People” by Henrik Ibssen,
7:30 p.m., King’s Theatre
20-30 Artists Exhibition – Widmann Gallery
22 Patron’s Day Mass, King’s Chapel, 12 p.m.
December
4-5 Cantores Christi Regis Christmas Concert
7:30 p.m., J. Carroll McCormick Campus
Ministry Center
5 New York City Bus Trip
8 -10 Brown Bag Theatre Series, King’s Theatre,
Dec 8 and 10 at 12:40 p.m. and
Dec. 9 at 12:10 p.m.
8-10 Evening of One Act Plays, 7:30 p.m.
King’s Theatre
9 Christmas Fair, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.,
Sheehy-Farmer Campus Center
12 Breakfast with Santa
19 Century Club Christmas Party, 7-9 p.m.,
Scandlon Gym
2010
January
10 Alumni Family Mass
11 - Feb. 12 Dynamic Duo, artists Ryan Frania
and Chad Dymond, Widmann Gallery
February
17 “Greater Tuna” by Jaston Williams, Joe Sears
and Ed Howard, 7:30 p.m., King’s Theatre
22 - April 2 Portraits of Our Environment: A
Scale of Perspectives, photographer Bill
Tarutis, Widmann Gallery
March
2 Bacchiocchi-Brown Duo, 7:30 p.m.,
Sheehy-Farmer Campus Center
2-4 Brown Bag Theatre Series, King’s Theatre,
March 2 and 4 at 12:40 p.m. and
March 3 at 12:10 p.m.
27 Easter Egg Hunt
28 Accepted Student Day
April
14 “Stop The World – I Want To Get Off”
book, music and lyrics by Leslie Bricusse
and Anthony Newley, 7:30 p.m.,
King’s Theatre
16 The 22 nd Annual King’s College Exhibit,
Widmann Gallery