Click to view the Spring 2013 Wyoming Seminary Journal.

Spring 2013 

Setting 

the 

Stage 

for 

Success 

In This Issue: New Early Childhood Learning Center | Roat House move | Homecoming Weekend

Editor’s Note 

Change is afoot at 

Wyoming Seminary 

Upper School … 

literally. 

When Upper School students returned to campus after spring break, they discovered that North Sprague 

Avenue is now closed from the intersection of Sprague with Market Street up to the entrance of the Buckingham 

Performing Arts Center. Two sets of gleaming black gates have been installed and will be opened only for 

specified events on campus, such as when the boarders are moving in and out of the Front Campus residence 

halls or if emergency vehicles need access to the area. By closing this portion of Sprague Avenue, the campus now 

has more of a pedestrian campus feel; students, faculty and staff no longer need worry about vehicles bearing 

down on them as they walk about on Front Campus. 

And that is only one of the significant projects taking place at Upper School this spring. Another metamorphosis 

is occurring at Nesbitt Field, where huge piles of dirt and gravel rise up, dwarfing the workmen using backhoes 

and dump trucks to lay the foundation for two new lighted turf fields. Those fields will be ready for rousing 

games of football, soccer and field hockey this fall. Soon the turf will be rolled out, the new grandstand will be 

erected and a new field house will be built, and Nesbitt Stadium will once again be a state-of-the-art facility, just 

as it was when it was first built in 1922. 

The new Kirby Center for Creative Arts is the first major building project at Upper School since 1998, when the 

Sprague Hall addition was constructed. This is the third and largest of the projects now underway, and when it is 

completed in the fall of 2014, it will be a glorious setting for Sem’s performing and visual arts programs. 

We have so much more to tell you about these landmark changes; just turn to the center spread of this Journal 

for the full story. It’s a glimpse into the exciting future of our grand old school, a future that is in so many ways 

made possible by the generous and thoughtful support of our alumni, parents and friends. 

I expect that for the next 18 months or so, taking a walk on Upper School campus will bring me a wealth of 

changes to see, enjoy and celebrate. 

Editor-in-chief

In this 

issue » 

22 

2 News and Laurels 

3 New Creative Arts Center named 

4 Campus Happenings 

8 Scene & Heard 

10 Athletics 

12 Grandparents’ Day 

13 Parents Weekend 

14 Alumni 

15 Homecoming Weekend 

18 2012 Alumni Reunions 

20 Fall Gatherings 

22 Setting the stage for success 

27 Class Notes 

29 Alumni Profile: Christina Boben Orr-Cahall ’65 

31 Marriages 

32 Births 

33 Obituaries 

INSIDE BACK COVER: Naomi Greenwald ’98: Making 

music in the City of Angels 

Setting the stage for success 

The Wyoming Seminary Journal is published 

by Wyoming Seminary twice each year and is 

mailed free of charge to its alumni, parents 

and friends. We welcome submissions and 

story ideas, as well as letters to the editor. 

Please address correspondence to: 

Editor, Wyoming Seminary Journal 


201 North Sprague Avenue 

Kingston, PA 18704 

570-270-2192 

Editor-in-chief: Gail Smallwood 

Contributing writers: Elizabeth Doherty, 

John Shafer ’71 

Design: Sara DeViva ’02, DeViva Design 

Printing: Llewellyn & McKane 

Front Cover: JCJ Architecture 

Photography: 

Michelle Turner Photography 

Wyoming Seminary Staff 

The two-story lobby of the new 

Kirby Center for Creative Arts 

Cover photos: Architect’s drawings of the new Kirby Center for Creative 

Arts at Upper School

News & Laurels 

Three seniors named National Merit 

Finalists 

Three Wyoming Seminary seniors, Jason Curtis, Hannah Gabriel and Henry 

(Gus) Smith, have been named Finalists in the 2013 National Merit Scholarship 

competition, said Jay Harvey ’80, Dean of the Upper School. They now have the 

opportunity to continue in the competition for about 8,300 Merit Scholarship Awards, 

worth more than $34 million, that will be offered this spring. Every Finalist will be 

considered for one of 2,500 National Merit $2,500 Scholarships that will be awarded on 

a state representational basis. Seen are, from left: Curtis, Gabriel and Smith. 

Lower School 

teacher named 

Apple Distinguished 

Educator 

Janel McCormick, sixth grade reading 

teacher at the Lower School, has been 

named a 2013 Apple Distinguished 

Educator (ADE), one of only 75 teachers 

across the nation to be so honored. 

McCormick is one of about 2,000 

educators worldwide who have received 

the honor in recognition of her passionate 

commitment to the use of educational 

technology to improve teaching and 

learning. She routinely incorporates the 

use of iPods, iPads and computers in 

her lesson plans and has presented her 

teaching strategies at several statewide 

educational technology conferences, 

including the annual Pennsylvania 

Education Technology Exposition and 

Conference (PETE & C), the largest 

educational technology conference in the 

Commonwealth. 

Students named to Cum Laude Society 

Janel McCormick and her daughter PAYTON MCCORMICK ’17 

at a recent PETE & C. 

Last fall Wyoming Seminary inducted 10 seniors into the Cum Laude Society, the national academic honor 

society for college preparatory schools. Seen following the induction ceremony are, first row from left: Dakota 

Pace, Danielle Melnick, Amanda Schall, Lauren Fernandez and John Hornung, Sem faculty member. Second 

row, from left: Rachel Gleicher, Sem faculty member; Tyler Martin and Hoang Viet Tran. Third row, from left: 

Hoang Doan Do, Byoungjoon Jang, Henry (Gus) Smith and Qifang Cai. 

Kubasek receives teaching award 

Anthony J. Kubasek, director of instrumental music, recently received the Teaching 

Excellence Award from the Board of Higher Education and Ministry of the United 

Methodist Church. He directs the Wyoming Seminary Orchestra, handbell choir 

and wind ensemble and teaches music at the Upper School. He also serves as the 

music director for the drama department’s musical theater productions and as an 

accompanist for the Lower School choral groups, and coordinates the musical aspects 

of the annual Commencement exercises. 

JAY HARVEY ’80, Dean of the Upper School, is seen at left 

with Anthony J. Kubasek following the Teaching Excellence 

Award presentation.

New creative arts center to be named for 

Allan P. and Marian Sutherland Kirby 

Wyoming Seminary’s performing arts program will soon have an extraordinary venue, thanks to 

a remarkable gift from the F.M. Kirby Foundation of Morristown, N.J. 

Allan Price Kirby 

1892-1973 

Construction has just begun on a new creative 

arts center on the Upper School campus. In 

recognition of and gratitude for a gift of $7.5 

million from the Kirby Foundation, the Wyoming 

Seminary Board of Trustees has announced the 

building will be named the Allan P. and Marian 

Sutherland Kirby Center for Creative Arts. The 

Kirby Center, a 34,652 square foot, two-story 

structure situated next to the Buckingham 

Performing Arts Center, will house Sem’s highly 

regarded music, theater and dance programs 

and will include a new gallery for the visual arts 

program. The $16.3 million project is expected to 

be completed in the fall of 2014. 

Marian Sutherland Kirby 

1892-1980 

S. Dillard Kirby, president and director of 

the Kirby Foundation, said the Kirby Family 

historically has strongly supported education and the arts. The 

Foundation’s gift is in recognition of the important role that Wyoming 

Seminary has traditionally played in the Wyoming Valley as an eminent 

college preparatory school and as a center for exceptional visual 

and performing arts. The school’s many musical, theater and dance 

performances, most of which are free and open to the public, serve as an 

important resource for the enrichment of community life. 

“My grandparents met at Wyoming Seminary and my father and family 

members always felt it was important to have a significant facility in 

their honor on the campus,” Kirby said. “This gift was particularly 

important to my father Fred and I am so grateful that through 

conversations with Kip Nygren he was aware of the final design and 

plans for the building, and fully endorsed our gift before he passed away. 

I know my Mom, who remains on our family foundation Board, plans to 

be around to see the final product. So she says, ‘hurry up!’ ” 

Allan Price Kirby, Dillard Kirby’s grandfather, attended the college prep 

division of Wyoming Seminary and graduated from the Dean School of 

Business in 1914. He served as a member of the Sem Board of Trustees 

from 1941 to 1957 following in the footsteps of his father, Fred Morgan 

Kirby, who was a trustee from 1910 to 1941. Marian Sutherland Kirby 

also attended both the college prep and business school divisions of 

Sem as did her father, Walter C. Sutherland, who graduated from the 

Business School in 1882. 

Through this gift, Wyoming Seminary will be able to provide its 

students with the highest quality arts facility which will enhance their 

educational and artistic performance, as well as provide an inviting 

setting for the public to enjoy outstanding concerts, plays, dance shows 

and visual art displays, said Dr. Kip Nygren, Sem president. 

“I remember meeting with Fred and Walker Kirby shortly after I 

arrived at Sem,” Nygren commented. “Members of the Kirby family 

were coming to northeastern Pennsylvania to look at several of the 

institutions in the Wyoming Valley that the Kirby Foundation had 

supported for generations and of course Wyoming Seminary was one 

of those. That meeting began a wonderful dialogue with Fred that 

ultimately resulted in this marvelous tribute to his parents. In addition 

to all that this facility will provide to our creative arts program, this 

beautiful building will now grace the entrance of the campus when 

families arrive on North Sprague Avenue.” 

This latest gift from the F.M. Kirby Foundation is the largest in school 

history and continues a remarkable legacy of support by the Kirby 

Family. “The immeasurable impact of the Kirby Family and Foundation 

is continuously experienced and appreciated on the Sem Upper School 

campus,” said Richard M. Goldberg ’55, chairman of the Board of 

Trustees. “From the Kirby Library to the Kirby – Lafayette Scholars 

Program, from the President’s Office that bears the Kirby name to 

the Kirby Endowment given to the School in 1921, this family daily 

enhances the lives of the students and faculty at Sem.” 

“Over the years, the legacy of the Kirby Family has been to enrich the 

Wyoming Valley community, and most especially the students, faculty 

and families of Wyoming Seminary,” Nygren said. “This most generous 

gift makes it possible for this grand old school to continue enabling 

talented, dedicated students to develop their own gifts and use them for 

the betterment of their communities.”

Campus Happenings 

Mandarin classes to begin at Upper School 

This fall, the global languages department at Upper School will begin offering classes in Mandarin Chinese, says Elaine Burg, chair 

of the Upper School global languages department. This new language program will join the Upper School’s established programs 

in French, Latin, Russian and Spanish. Students new to Sem in 2013-14 who have a language requirement to fulfill will have the 

opportunity to take Mandarin I classes; beginning in 2014-15 the program will be open to all students and will expand to a four-year 

program by 2016-17. 

Since fall 2011 Lower School students in kindergarten and first grade have been taking part in an exploratory Chinese program, 

learning Mandarin as well as French and Spanish, and the study of Mandarin was extended to second grade for 2012-13. Beginning in 

fall 2013, third grade students will have a choice of French, Mandarin or Spanish for the entire year, and the Mandarin program will be 

extended each year until 2018, when it will be available through eighth grade. 

“Sem is very fortunate because we have students who are native Chinese speakers and they could be excellent resources,” says Elaine 

Eidam, chair of the Lower School global languages department. “We will look for ways to effectively incorporate our native speakers 

into the program on both campuses. Our ultimate goal is to give the students studying Chinese a working use of the language.” 

The school is now conducting a search for a Mandarin Chinese teacher who will live at Upper School, teach at both Upper and Lower 

School and take part in the boarding program. 

New Early Childhood Learning Center dedicated 

Medical engineering highlight of 

Founders’ Day Assembly 

In October Wyoming Seminary dedicated the new Early Childhood Learning Center, 

a renovated house located at 20 Arlington Road in Forty Fort, adjacent to the Lower 

School. The Center houses the Lower School’s preschool class and the new Toddler 

Program, which opened with its first class on Sept. 4, 2012. 

The dedication ceremony featured brief remarks by members of the Sem Board of 

Trustees and school administration, an unveiling of the building sign and a tour of the 

facility. 

The new toddler program includes 13 students, who range in age from 18 months to 

three years, while the preschool class includes 19 students. The facility is designed to 

meet the educational, social, emotional and physical needs of children from toddler to 

preschool in a warm, homelike setting. 

Seen following the unveiling of the building sign are, from left: Clancy Harrison, Sem 

parent; Cash Harrison ’28; Scott Meuser, Sem Trustee and parent; and Dylan 

Harrison, sister to Cash. 

Wyoming Seminary honored some of its 

alumni, such as Dr. Joseph Rasimas ’92, 

Dr. John DonCHess ’26, Dr. Polly 

tHomas ’69, Mr. John Long ’27, 

and the Nesbitt Family, who have made 

significant contributions to the fields of 

science, medicine or technology during 

the third annual Founders’ Day ceremony 

held on Monday, Sept. 24. Dr. William 

S. Pierce ‘54, a cardiothoracic surgeon 

and chemical engineer, was the featured 

speaker. He led the development of the 

Pierce-Conachy Ventricular Assist Device, 

the first pneumatic heart assistant pump 

that is better known as the Penn State Assist 

Pump. Dr. Pierce spoke at an all-school 

assembly in the morning and then visited 

classes during the day.

STEM offering lectures, special events 

Since September 2012 the Louis Maslow STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) School at Wyoming Seminary, under the 

direction of Rachel Bartron, has offered an informative series of lectures, panel discussions and activity days to the Sem community 

and the public. In January 2013 the STEM School hosted a panel discussion about the Marcellus Shale. Held in the Lower School 

Amato Auditorium and open to the public, the discussion featured representatives of the natural gas industry and the Pennsylvania 

Department of Environmental Protection, environmental engineers, science and ethics professors from Wilkes University and King’s 

College, and local and state elected officials and policy makers. Dr. Kip Nygren, Sem president, served as moderator for the event 

which provided a variety of perspectives on the complex issue of the Marcellus Shale natural gas exploration and extraction. 

New robotics club takes on First Tech Challenge 

A passion for building and robotics and the lure of solving 

engineering problems have led four students to found one of 

the Upper School’s newest clubs, the Robotics Club. After 

establishing the club in September 2012, the students worked for 

several months to design, build and program a robot that could 

fit inside an 18-square-inch cube, could extend to a height of five 

feet, and could be controlled by two students. The self-propelled 

robot was programmed to pick up plastic rings of two different 

weights and place them on a PVC rack in the center of a 12-footsquare 

field, as well as on hooks in the corners of the field. 

Club members enjoyed an opportunity to test their design 

against robots from about 30 other schools in Pennsylvania and 

Ohio during the FIRST Tech Challenge, a robotics competition 

held in February at Robert Morris University. Competing for the 

first time in the small team category, the club members found 

that their robot actually worked better than many others, but Robotics club members seen with their robot prior to competing in the FIRST Tech Competition are, 

they had difficulty in controlling it effectively. Although the from left: Irfan PunEKAR ’16, HongYI Wang ’14, Sreeharikesan, NoAH BREWER ’14, 

club co-founder; ZACHARY RIEgel ’14, club co-founder; AndRIY MolCHAnov ’15 and 

Sem students did not finish in the top bracket, they appreciated TylER MARTIn ’13. Not present for photo: HenRY (Gus) Smith ’13, club co-founder. 

the opportunity to meet other robotics enthusiasts, watch the 

winning teams and pick up new ideas for the robot they will build next year. 

“We realized that we need to focus more on strategy and we needed more practice in running the robot,” says LoCCHanan 

Sreeharikesan ’15, a club co-founder. “When we watched some of the other teams, we learned that they build their own parts and 

that gives them more options. One robot had all handmade parts and we might want to do that next year. We were impressed with the 

teams that used treads on their robots because those were more durable. We liked the collaborative atmosphere of the competition, 

where everyone is willing to help out and answer questions. It was fun and we learned a lot.”

Historic home rolls 

to new address on 

North Maple Avenue 

The Roat House begins its journey from Sprague Avenue . . . 

There is nothing like moving a house to stir up interest and attention. So it was with a considerable amount of curiosity, excitement 

and patience that Wyoming Seminary Upper School students, faculty, neighbors and the news media watched an iconic Sem home 

receive a new address. 

With its round turret, big bay windows and broad porch, the Roat House on 286 N. Sprague Avenue has been a dignified resident on 

the edge of the Upper School campus since the 1890s. Originally the home of the Roat family, owners of hardware stores in Kingston 

for more than a century, the three-story, four-bedroom Queen Anne-style house was bequeathed to Sem in 1989, following the death 

of Arthur Roat, class of 1909. The house has been home to several Sem families since 1989; with its large rooms, beautiful interior 

woodwork and Victorian charm, it holds many fond memories for students and faculty alike. 

As plans were developed for the construction of the new Kirby Center for Creative Arts, school officials realized that several faculty 

homes, including the Roat House, would have to be removed to make way for the project. Because of the home’s historic significance 

and aesthetic appeal, officials decided to move it to an empty lot on the corner of West Hoyt Street and North Maple Avenue, about 

250 feet away. 

Enter Wolfe House and Building Movers of Bernville, Pa., a company that has been moving buildings since 1970. Workmen lifted the 

110-ton building off its foundation and, using pneumatic lifts and dollies, turned the house 180 degrees. Then very slowly the workers 

rolled the house through back yards along West Hoyt Street and gradually eased it into its new location, a process that required about 

three hours. The house was raised up and suspended on supports for a few weeks until a new foundation could be built. 

In late January the house’s current residents, Academic Dean/Dean of Faculty Randy Granger, Lower School pre-kindergarten teacher 

Natalie Granger and their family, were able to move back in. They are happy with the new location and the new basement, carpeting 

and heating system. From their second and third story windows they will be able to watch field hockey and lacrosse games on Klassner 

Field across the street, where daughters katHerine ’10, saraH ’11 and emily ’13 have played. 

“Moving the house was really a feat of engineering and it is amazing that nothing moved inside the house. Even the shampoo bottles 

inside the shower didn’t move,” Randy Granger says. “We all love this house and we really enjoy the new views from our porch and 

windows.” 

To see a time-lapse video of the Roat House move, go to www.wyomingseminary.org and click on the Media Gallery tab at the top of 

the page; then click on the Roat House link. 

. . . rolls gently into its new location . . . . . . and awaits the spring and new landscaping.

Yesterday, today & tomorrow. 


2012-13 Annual Giving Campaign 

Every year Wyoming Seminary welcomes new students into the Sem family, 

and year after year, our best source of new families is you … our current 

families and alumni. We appreciate your help in spreading the word! 

If you know of a young person who would benefit from an independent, college prep education, 

please let us know by calling 570-270-2160 or email admission@wyomingseminary.org.

SCENE+ 

HEARD 

Lower School Theater: 

The Primary Players took their first steps in the footlights in 

their fall production of “Annie Jr.” The performance included 

appearances by members of the Lower School faculty and 

administration. Seen on stage are, from left: Ashanti 

Chauhan ’20, who portrayed Annie; Heather Paglia ’21; 

Jonah PASCAl ’21, hAley FriedMAn ’22, Sophia 

gAlante ’22 and Hope Austin ’21. 

Upper School Music: 

A concert titled “The Cool Winds of Winter” heated up the 

Buckingham Performing Arts Center in January, as the Wind 

Ensemble and Jazz Ensemble presented their winter concert. 

Under the direction of Anthony J. Kubasek, the Wind Ensemble 

offered works by Strauss, Main Strommen and Karrick. The Jazz 

Ensemble, directed by James Orfanella, featured music by Dizzy 

Gillespie, Isaac Hayes, John Coltrane and other jazz legends. 

Orfanella accompanied the ensemble on trumpet in several 

numbers. 

Photo courtesy Michelle Turner Photography 

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 

The Middle-School Players visited a land of hidden identities, 

love, wit and practical jokes in their winter production of 

Shakespeare’s comedy “Twelfth Night.” The Players accepted 

donations at the door to benefit local charities. Seen preparing 

for the performance are, first row from left: Riley Green ’18, 

nAqueilla Paul ’19 and Ariana MichAK ’17. Second 

row, from left: Kaley Rider ’18, Anna Bowen ’18, EriCA 

Fletcher ’17 and Lillian Hornung ’18. Third row, 

from left: Josiah Cottle ’18, nAthan Tindell ’19, 

Riley Calpin ’18 and Mei Snow ’17. Fourth row, from 

left: gArrett gAgliardi ’17, gABriel PASCAl ’17 and 

Oonagh White-Spunner ’18. 

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 

Randolph Kelly, principal violist with the Pittsburgh Symphony 

Orchestra, shared his internationally-recognized musical 

expertise with Upper School students during an afternoon 

workshop held in the Great Hall in February. He also presented 

a free public guest artist recital of music by Dvorak, Mozart and 

Telemann, accompanied by members of the Sem string ensemble 

and John Michael Vaida ’00, Amy Iwazumi and Sem artistin-residence 

Christiane Appenheimer-Vaida. Seen is Kelly, left, 

with Chunhui Yu ’13 and Dr. Tsukasa Waltich, accompanist.

wyomingseminary.org 

9 

Pippin is royally confused about life, and he isn’t getting any help 

from the people in his court. The Wyoming Seminary Players 

presented the hit Broadway musical “Pippin,” telling the life story 

of the son of King Charlemagne. Seen during the performance 

are, first row from left: hArold Roberts ’13, Noah 

Sunday LeFKowitz ’14 and Siobhan Brier ’13. Second 

row from left: JASon Curtis ’13, AlySSA Joanlanne 

’13, WilliAM Thede ’13, Gray Smith ’14 and Michael 

Blaine ’13. 

The Wyoming Seminary community welcomed The National 

Players back to Upper School in January, as the nation’s oldest 

running touring theater company presented “Animal Farm.” 

Funded through a grant from the Target Corporation and 

the Upper School Parents Association, the Players offered an 

afternoon performance to the student body, a playwriting 

workshop for local students and an evening performance for the 

public. 

Photo courtesy The National Players 

Works by Handel, Kreisler, Pärt and other classical composers 

brought John Vaida, chair of the visual and performing arts 

department, together in recital with his son John Michael 

Vaida ’00, concertmaster of the Wyoming Seminary Civic 

Orchestra. This “Sunday Afternoon at Sem” recital was the first 

time in 15 years that the two Vaidas have performed together as 

a duo. 

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 

Ryan Frania ’14 presented an exhibition titled “Redesigning 

Reality” at the Widmann Gallery, King’s College in January 

and February. Frania, who began painting in third grade, has 

exhibited widely throughout the Wyoming Valley. His piece, 

titled “Masked Ball,” is one of several works in the exhibition that 

explored abstract portrayals of common objects.



Photo courtesy Times-Shamrock Newspapers 


Athletics 

Henry Cornell ’13 

Nathalie Joanlanne ’15 

Kristen Mericle ’13 

Craig Skudalski ’13 

Soccer’s championship season 

For the first time since 2005, the boys soccer team won the Wyoming 

Valley Conference Division II soccer championship, earning a berth 

in district playoff competition. The Blue Knights advanced to the 

semifinals where they lost in a heartbreaker on penalty kicks, following 

a 1-1 tie and two overtimes; the team finished with a 12-4-1 record. 

Henry Cornell ’13 led the division in goals with 26 and points 

with 60 while scoring three goals or more in a game five times for the 

season. He was named to the All-Star Teams for both the Citizens Voice 

and Times Leader newspapers. 

Girls tennis undefeated in 

league play 

The Wyoming Seminary girls tennis team reigned supreme in league 

play but came up just short in District 2 Class AA competition, 

falling to Scranton Prep. However, Nathalie Joanlanne ’15 

persevered over her Scranton Prep rival, winning the District 2 singles 

championship and progressing to the state singles quarterfinal round. 

She was named Girls Tennis Player of the Year by the Citizens Voice. 

Field hockey competes in state 

tournament 

The field hockey team concluded its season with a winning 14-7-1 

record, earning a second-place finish in District 2 AA and advancing 

to the quarterfinals in the state AA playoffs. Midfielder Morgan 

Malone ’14 was named to the All-State Class AA Field Hockey First 

Team and to the NFHCA Regional All-American First Team. She and 

Mallory Lefkowitz ’14, Kristen Mericle ’13 and Devin 

Holmes ’13 also were named to the Field Hockey All-Star Teams for 

the Citizens Voice and Times Leader. 

Skudalski to take part in 

NHL Draft 

Craig Skudalski ’13, a 6’6”, 218 lb. left wing for the Sem boys ice 

hockey team, is expected to be a fifth-round draft pick in the 2013 

National Hockey League Draft. He already has been drafted in the 

sixth round of the United States Hockey League by the Lincoln Stars 

and plans to join the Stars for one year following graduation from Sem. 

Skudalski, who also plays for the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Knights of 

the Atlantic Junior Hockey League, hopes to play for a nationally topranked 

university team before entering the NHL system.


11 

Second Annual Wrestling Gala 

The families of current members of the Wyoming Seminary wrestling team came together in December 

with Sem wrestling alumni for a celebratory gathering following the Sem Open Wrestling Tournament. 

1››› Albert and Carol Ponte P ’14 and Kim and 

Chuck Moyer P ’14 

2››› Robert Hartman ’48, Dan Boychuck P ’15, 

Thomas Savoca P ’14 and Anne Boychuck P ’15 

3››› Robert Hartman ’48, Sam MitCHell 

’64, Scott Green, head wrestling coach; and 

Ned Hartman ’47 

1 

2 

4››› Joe Rovelli, assistant wrestling coach; Terry 

Casey ’75 and Tom Toggas P ’16 

Fall Sports Review 

Boys Cross Country 

Head Coach – Dr. John Dickinson 

Overall record: 9 – 12 

Girls Cross Country 

Head Coach – Dr. John Dickinson 

Overall record: 9 – 8 

Alannah Trombetta ’14 qualified 

for state competition in Class A. 

4 

3 

Boys Golf 

Head Coach – Matthew Occhiato 

Overall record: 8-4 

Andrew Golden ’15 and Frank 

Henry ’13 qualified for district 

competition. 

Girls Soccer 

Head Coach – Erin Griffin 

Overall record: 3-8 

This is the first year that PIAA girls soccer 

teams in the Wyoming Valley Conference 

played in the fall; previously girls soccer 

was a spring sport.

GRANDPARENTS DAY October 4-5, 2012 

One of the happiest days on campus, Grandparents Day brings students and their grandparents to share their Sem experiences and enjoy 

the day together. From attending chapel and lunch together at Upper School to exploring some iPad apps and experiencing Colonial Day 

at Lower School, Grandparents Day is a day for sharing and smiles. 

1 2 

3 4 5 

1››› Native American Peter Two Suns Lybolt, a member of the Lenape tribe, 

presented the history and culture of local Native American tribes to eighth 

grade students and their grandparents as part of the outdoor Colonial Day 

event. 

2››› Dorothy Sarnevitz and her grandson anDreW sarnevitz ’16 enjoyed the 

day’s events together. 

3››› Judith and Karl Bendixen spent the morning with their grandson benJamin 

paGlia ’19. 

4››› alison louie ’16 welcomed her grandparents William and Mary Gamble to 

the Upper School Grandparents Day Chapel. 

5››› THomas iskra ’23 talked about his second grade projects with his 

grandparents Maureen and Thomas Dougher. 

6 

6››› peyton taylor ’26 was very excited to show off her pre-kindergarten 

classroom to her grandparents Charles and Gene Dilks.


13 

1 

2 

3 

4 

PARENTS WEEKEND October 19-20, 2012 

Two days chock-full of activities and events kept parents and their children busy during the annual Parents Weekend. Parents could attend 

classes and conferences with teachers, enjoy an art gallery exhibit and performing arts showcase, visit with other parents at a special 

reception at President Kip Nygren’s home, learn about college admissions and financial aid, cheer on the Blue Knights wrestling team and 

much more. 

5 

6 

7 

1››› Visiting during the Parent Reception are, from left: Lee Ann 

Lloyd, mother of Jane lloyD ’14; Julie Platt, mother of 

kelly platt ’14; and Valerie Crowe, mother of Jason 

ellis ’13. 

2››› William THEDE, JR. ’13 caught up with his parents 

Maureen and William Thede on Front Campus. 

3››› Rosemary Chromey and riCHarD M. GolDberG ’55 

visit with their daughter leaH GolDberG ’13 in the 

Kirby Library. 

4››› Enjoying the Parent Reception are, from left: russell 

Darr ’79 and Jan Darr, parents of Hannah Darr ’13; 

James Kersey, social sciences faculty; JOHN SHAFer ’71, 

vice president of advancement; and Gordon Kiesling, 

father of GorDon steWart kieslinG ’14. 

5››› mattHEW marsHall ’15 and his parents Dawn 

and Michael Marshall were among the many parents 

and students who visited the Nesbitt Hall Art Gallery 

Exhibition. 

6››› lan li lin ’15 welcomed her mother Qian Liu and father 

Fan Lin to campus for Parents Weekend. 

7››› Maria aGati eDmunds ’80 revisited Sprague Hall with 

her husband Scott and sons sCott ’14, left, and Guy ’15.

ALUMNI 

It’s reunion time! 

…a relaxed, informal, and inclusive set of organized gatherings 

to reconnect with our classmates and remember those who 

have passed; to experience and celebrate the evolution of 

our alma mater; and, through the establishment of a faculty 

development fund, to enable the continued enhancement of 

Wyoming Seminary’s educational program. 

So goes the carefully crafted mission statement of this year’s 

50th reunion class, the venerable Class of 1963! Although its 

intention is to define the purpose behind their own upcoming 

celebration, with a few tweaks the statement is fitting for any of 

the ten returning classes slated to come back to campus in May. 

With a weekend full of scheduled events, plenty of down time 

for reminiscing, a beautiful memorial service to remember those 

who have passed, and a campus transforming before our eyes 

there are so many reasons to come back this year. So make plans 

today by sending in your mailed form or by registering online if 

you are in one of the returning classes. It’s never too late to make 

the decision to return to your alma mater! 

Saturday evening reunion party venues: 

1943 Home of Norman Weiss 

1948 Stettler Learning Resources Center on campus 

1953 Stettler Learning Resources Center on Campus 

1958 Home of John Morris, Dallas 

1963 Stegmaier Mansion, Wilkes Barre 

1968 Home of Carlo Santarelli, Dallas 

1973 Huntsville Golf Club, Lehman 

1978 The Woodlands Inn and Resort, Wilkes Barre 



Julie McCarthy Strzeletz ’81 

Director of Alumni Programs

HOMECOMING 

WEEKEND 

Alumni Career Assembly 

Sports Hall of Fame induction 

Four alumni returned to campus on Friday, Sept. 28 to discuss their 

college educations and career tracks with the Upper School student 

body during the annual Career Assembly. The speakers, whose 

occupations include business, coaching, psychiatry and graduate 

studies, described their college searches, how they felt about the 

universities they attended and the paths they took to their current 

positions. Seen from left are: aDrianna Solorzano ’99, 

President, CEO, and Interior Designer at Butter Interiors; pHilip 

(P.J.) KaCHmar ’07, Fulbright Scholar who recently completed his 

master of arts degree in political science at the University of British 

Columbia; Dr. Joseph J. Rasimas ’92, a research physician 

with the National Institute of Health; and Lauren Powley ’02, 

former Olympian and founder and director of the KaPow Hockey 

Klub. 

The Wyoming Seminary Varsity Club honored six alumni for 

their outstanding athletic achievements during its 37 th Sports 

Hall of Fame induction ceremony and banquet. Inducted were 

Kayanne Vanderburg Barilla ’84, girls athletics; Steven 

Boyanoski ’77, football; Karen Bradley Mendoza ’97, 

girls athletics; Timothy O’Donnell ’99, swimming/triathlon; 

Lauren Powley ’02, field hockey; and Joshua uFberg ’92, 

basketball. Seen following their induction are, seated from left: 

Barilla and Powley. Standing from left: Jennifer Bradley 

Stewart ’93, representing her sister Karen; Gerard O’Donnell, 

representing his son Timothy; Ufberg and Boyanoski. 

Class of 2002 Icebreaker 

Several members of 

the Class of 2002 got 

together Friday evening of 

Homecoming Weekend. 

Seen from left: Dan 

tevet, ADrian 

bisContini, Hume 

ross, alison ris 

ross, leslie DEWees, 

lauren toCzyloWski 

and anDrea paCiotti.

HOMECOMING 

WEEKEND 

Tennis Tournament 

LINDsey Warriner ’13, saraH spillane ’13, anna 

Warriner ’13 and skylar banul ’13 show their support for 

the Blue Knights field hockey team. 

The Alumni-Sem community tennis tournament brought faculty, 

tennis team members and alumni together to enjoy a round-robin 

tournament. Seen prior to the start of play are, first row from 

left: leaH GolDberG ’13, aleXanDra CUDDY ’16, alaina 

SCHukraFT ’13, anita GHosH ’13, natHalie Joanlanne 

’15 and Jin XinG ’14. Second row, from left: ellen HUGHes ’09, 

Jean Ris, Upper School science faculty; Allison Joanlanne, Upper 

School head girls tennis coach; Jill Carrick, Lower School science 

faculty; and Ros Rudin, retired head coach of the girls tennis 

team. Third row, from left: stepHen rosentHal ’93, SCott 

parkHurst ’78, riCHarD HUGHes ’79, Henry Cornell 

’13, Logan Chace, Upper School Director of Residential Life; Ed 

Plaksa, Lower School Coordinator of Middle-School Division; and 

satyasaran sreeHarikesan ’16. 

The Blue Knights battled the Selinsgrove Seals to a 2-2 tie. 

STEPHen HEDDen ’92 

and tuDor Jones ’92 

got together at the 

Homecoming lunch tent. 

Alumni Service Awards 

1 

2 

1››› Eight seniors were nominated by the student body to receive the 2012 Alumni Service 

Awards. Seen following the award presentation are, from left: William tHede, 

Katherine Maximov, Henry Cornell, Devin Holmes, Caroline 

Reppert, Dakota Pace, Lillian Williams and Henry (Gus) Smith. 

2››› Award recipients were Caroline Reppert and Dakota Pace. 

3››› Jami layaou Hearn ’96 received the 2012 Outstanding Alumna Award. Seen 

presenting the award are, from left: Dr. Kip Nygren, Sem president; Hearn; and 

JosepH perFilio ’91, vice president, Alumni Council. 

3


17 

Alumni attend classes 

Homecoming Banner Contest 

It was like déjà vu all over again! Several members of the reunion 

classes spent some time on Friday afternoon sitting in on Bell 

6, 7 and 8 classes. For William koziCki ’92, left, and DR. 

JosepH J. rasimas ’92, right, attending Dr. John Dickinson’s 

AP Chemistry class really brought back memories – but they were 

grateful they didn’t have to turn in any homework! 

Alumni Soccer Game 

The Junior Class (Class of 2014) came out on top in the 

Homecoming Banner Contest for their creative take on the phrase 

“Seal the Deal,” in reference to the Homecoming field hockey game 

against the Selingsgrove Seals. Members of the Alumni Council who 

judged the banners are, from left: Julie MCCartHY strzeletz 

’81, Director of Alumni Programs; patriCia maCK Grosek ’80, 

trent miller ’01, kristyn kelleHer polisHan ’99 with 

her children Anna, Claire and Timothy; JosepH perFilio ’91, 

Alumni Council Vice-President; Jami layaou Hearn ’96 and 

aleXis kropp-KWon ’99. 

Participants in the annual Homecoming 

Alumni Soccer Game were, first row 

from left: TUDor Jones ’92, STEVEN 

molitoris ’97, STEVE HEDDen 

’92, James HUMENANSKY ’07, RYAN 

molitoris ’06, and James LIETO 

’13. Second row, from left: Rev. Charles 

Carrick, head boys soccer coach; 

William KOZICki ’92, PATRICK 

Costello ’95, Jason BRADY ’07, 

Harry FlaCK ’06, STEVEN SOURS 

’89, KOMKRIT KONGmuanG ’13 and 

GriGor KERDikosHvili ’13. 

After school Dan Harris ’97 met with 

members of the Film Club to share his experiences 

in the film industry. Seen during the meeting are, 

front row from left: Julia riDilla ’13, alyssa 

Joanlanne ’13, patriCK CorCoran ’15 

and sara zaman ’15. Standing, from left: ben 

HornunG ’14, William THEDE ’13, Henry 

(Gus) smitH ’13, Dan Harris ’97, Jason 

SHerry ’91, theater director and Film Club 

advisor; natHalie Joanlanne ’15, tiFFany 

usavaGE ’15, lia sminkey ’15, siena 

tabron ’15, sukanya roy ’15 and nesli 

akinCI ’15.

2012 

Alumni Reunion 

2 

1 

Alumni and Faculty Reunion Reception at the home of Sem 

President Dr. Kip Nygren and his wife Marilyn. 

1››› Karen Klassner, Director of Athletics, and Liqian Ma ’02 

2››› Mary Ann Hopkins, retired English faculty, JenniFer 

HarDinG ’92 and CHris vasantrumar ’92 

3››› Dan Krueger, visual arts faculty, ADam riCHarDS ’97, 

salaH zalatimo ’97 and Jason COHen ’97 

3 

1 2 

Reunion Parties at Kevin’s Bar and Grill and 

the River Grill 

1››› Dylan seeley ’07, robert branD ’07, miCHael 

russin ’07, ken suCHoski ’07 and PHilip (PJ) 

kaCHmar ’07 

2››› salaH zalatimo ’97, Dan Harris ’97, Amanda 

Agati and antHony AGati ’97 

3››› Deanna rapp barone ’92, marni HertzberG 

arraGon ’92, allison Gutstein serano ’92 

and kristin narDone HerzinG ’92 

4››› elizabetH blaum ’07 and lauren poWley ’02 

3 4

Class Reunions 

’92 ’97 ’02 ’07 

1992 First Row, with banner: Brian Atherholt and Stephen Hedden; 

Second Row: Susan Striker Cowder, Jean Bart, Chris Vasantrumar, 

Vince DiGiovanni, Paul Naugle, Jennifer Harding, Allison Gutstein 

Serano and Marni Hertzberg Arragon; Third Row: Tudor Jones, 

Joseph (J.J.) Rasimas, Sanjay Udoshi, Eric Myers, Mark Cameron, 

William Kozicki, Deanna Rapp Barone, Kristin Nardone Herzing. 

1997 First Row, with banner: Tina Aquilina, Jennifer Janerich 

Switzer, Adam Richards, Courtney Williams Santarelli; Second 

Row: Emily Slaff Sergio, Daniel Harris, Anthony Agati, Salah 

Zalatimo, Elizabeth Lombardo Tucker, Morgan Phillips Higgins, 

Jason Cohen. 

2002 

From left: Lawrence Bonczar, Dan 

Tevet, Lauren Powley, Alison Ris 

Ross, Hume Ross, Liqian Ma. 

2007 

First Row, with banner: Carrie Craven, Janine 

Musheno, Elizabeth Blaum, Cartrice Carter, Philip 

(PJ) Kachmar. Second row from left: Dylan Seeley, 

Michael Russin, Kenneth Suchoski, Robert Brand, 

James Hockenbury, Jill Juka.

Fall 

GATHERINGS 

State College 

State College – November 8, 2012 

The Allen Street Grill 

First row from left: amanDA reiser ’10, leaH 

levine ’10; Second row from left: Casey Flynn ’11, 

oren ADam ’12, Harry parkHurst ’12, miCHael 

kaCHmar ’10 

San Fr ancisco 

1 2 

San Francisco – January 3, 2013, The Urban Tavern 

1››› Jane Fassett THakar ’80, Nicolas Thakar, JOHN maCHun ’47, Renee Fassett, FreD Fassett ’65 

2››› Jane Fassett THakar ’80, pam JOHnson ’77, louise louCks moore ’55, miCHael imperiale ’78 

From the arts and sciences to competition in the courtroom 

and the pool: Sem Upper School student leaders displayed 

their passions and pitched their club projects to members of 

the Wyoming Seminary Alumni Council during the council’s 

holiday meeting in December. The students prepared proposals 

for project funding and presented them to the council 

members, who distribute funds raised during the annual 

Rusty Flack Open Golf Tournament. Clubs and organizations 

receiving Alumni Council grants for 2013 include the Artisan 

Club, Student Government Dance Marathon, Madrigal Singers, 

the Mock Trial team, Robotics Club, Science Research Group, 

Science Olympiad Team, and the swim team. 

Members of the Alumni Council attending the annual Holiday Gathering in 2012 are, first row from left: Dawn Lombardo 

Gaudino ’87, Jennifer Eidam Davis ’94, Debbie MaseyCHik ’83, RebeCCa JaneriCH ’98, Sarah Killian ’03 and Julie 

mCCarthy Strzeletz ’81. Second row, from left: Sean Robbins ’88, Jason Cohen ’97, Patrica Mack Grosek ’80 and 

Joe Perfilio ’91. Third row, from left: TRENT miller ’01, ALEX FlaCK ’05 and Clem Gover ’00.

Holiday 


21 

GATHERING 

Wilkes-Barre – December 5, 2012 

The Westmoreland Club 

1 

1››› John Dowd, P ’13, ’14, Trustee; Tina Dowd, P ’13, ’14, 

robert EDGerton, JR. ’69 

2››› maX bartikoWsky ’48, JOHN platt ’49, Julie Platt 

P ’14, mary eaGen MCDonalD ’48 

3››› aleX FlaCK ’05, Sally Sprankle, Lower School faculty; 

Daniel volpetti ’03 

4››› JOHN mosCA ’72, roDney kaiser ’72, sean robbins 

’88 

5››› DaviD SCHWAGer ’80, patriCia maCK Grosek ’80, 

Jay Harvey ’80 

2 3 

4 5

Setting the Stage for 

Success 

Architect's rendering of the new Nesbitt 

Memorial Stadium 

Work on the new Nesbitt Memorial Stadium began in January, 2013. 

John Shafer ’71 has spent much of his life at Nesbitt Memorial 

Stadium, first as a student and football team manager and always 

as a fan of the teams that competed each year on the field. So 

it’s not surprising that he felt a touch of wistful nostalgia as he 

watched backhoes and bulldozers pull down the old grandstand 

and locker rooms. 

“I knew how tired the stadium had become and I really didn’t 

expect to have any feelings other than the excitement of looking 

forward to something new,” says Shafer, Sem’s vice president of 

advancement. “I happened to be driving by as they were knocking 

the grandstand down and I had some flashbacks and memories 

of things I had seen on these fields. And since my late father and 

grandfather walked on those fields as the school physicians for so 

many years, there were some memories there as well.” 

But it is the anticipation of a new, state-of-the-art Nesbitt Stadium 

now being built that balances Shafer’s memories of the past. The 

project, which got underway in January, is just one of the three 

major changes now taking place at Wyoming Seminary Upper 

School. 

On the other side of campus, John Vaida, chair of the visual and 

performing arts department, studies the plans for the new Allan P. 

and Marian Sutherland Kirby Center for Creative Arts that is being 

built next to the Buckingham Performing Arts Center (BPAC). 

There are times when he feels some déjà vu; when he came to Sem 

in 1975 he served as a consultant for the design of the present 

BPAC. Now, more than 35 years later, he is deeply involved in the 

design of a new, larger and more advanced facility. 

“In 1975 there was no real music program here at Sem, but that is 

no longer the case,” he says. “Now we have a thriving program and 

we are working to create a facility that will not only meet our needs 

but enhance every aspect of our creative arts programs here. I am 

very excited about the new center, its layout, its size and its design.” 

And a third significant project is now complete: the closing of the 

campus section of North Sprague Avenue. The closure gives the 

campus a welcoming, pedestrian-friendly feel and increases safety 

and security. Now two sets of black steel gates, reminiscent of the 

school’s historic wrought-iron railings, have been installed and can 

be opened on occasion to allow for boarding students to move in 

and out of the dorms, and for emergency vehicles to enter should 

the need arise. 

Thoughtful conversations, significant 

action 

Shortly after Dr. Kip Nygren took office as president in July 2007, 

he established four strategic vision committees to study the school 

mission, academic program, athletics program and arts program. 

The arts committee and athletic committee reported that in both 

areas, the school’s programs had grown significantly in both size 

and quality and had outgrown the limited facilities; in fact, the 

outmoded stadium and BPAC were limiting the programs and the 

school’s ability to attract new talented faculty and coaches. 

In response the Trustees developed a prioritized wish list of 

projects, with a new arts center and a renovated Nesbitt Stadium 

leading the list. To fund these and other vital projects, the Trustees

initiated a new $50 million capital 

campaign, to be conducted in two phases 

and completed in ten years. 

Phase One, which ended in 2010, included 

the construction of the new Klassner Field, 

the new Lull Tennis Center, renovations of 

the third floor of Sprague Hall and the first 

floor of Lower School, the restoration of 

the exteriors of Swetland, Fleck and Darte 

Halls, renovation of a science classroom 

in Nesbitt Hall and new technology, and 

the Kirby Library renovation/Class of ’58 

Project, all at a cost of $10 million. 

Phase Two, which began in 2010 and 

ends in 2015, includes the Kirby Center 

for Creative Arts and an endowment for 

the building, Nesbitt Stadium, the Louis 

Maslow Science Technology Engineering 

and Mathematics (STEM) School and 

renovation of Nesbitt Hall, renovations 

of the second floors of Sprague Hall and 

Lower School, the new Early Childhood 

Learning Center, BPAC refurbishment and 

an increase in the endowment. The cost for 

this phase is $40 million. 

According to John Shafer, the campaign 

has raised about 68 percent of the total 

during its quiet phase, including several 

significant and generous lead gifts for the 

new athletic facilities, the STEM School 

and the Kirby Center. As the campaign 

moves into its public phase, Shafer 

observes that the school’s current students 

and alumni all benefitted from the support 

and vision of the generations that have 

gone before. 

“Now it is our turn to ensure that not only 

today’s students, but the students who will 

come over the next several decades have the 

best facilities they possibly can,” he says. 

“This is a wonderful school with a superb 

staff and faculty,” Richard Goldberg 

’55, chair of the Sem Board of Trustees, 

comments. “The faculty and staff are the 

heart and soul of this institution. We must 

continue to attract and retain the highest 

quality teachers and staff, and compensate 

them appropriately. Our campus is 

absolutely beautiful, but it has an aging 

infrastructure. We have been and are 

workinghard to renovate and restore some 

of our venerable buildings, as well as to 

create new facilities, which will enable our 

students to have the best resources possible 

in order to achieve a superior educational 

experience. 

“We have been very successful in the ‘quiet 

phase’ of our current capital campaign, 

and now is the time for all of us who 

love and support Wyoming Seminary to 

make certain that this institution will 

have the necessary resources and facilities 

for generations to come. I am proud and 

honored to lead our Board at this exciting 

time in thehistory of our school,” he says. 

Allan P. and Marian 

Sutherland Kirby Center 

for Creative Arts 

Over the years, the F. M. Kirby Foundation 

has funded many arts organizations, 

such as the F. M. Kirby Center for the 

Performing Arts, a jewel of downtown 

Wilkes-Barre. By supporting Sem’s new 

creative arts center the foundation is 

aiding the development of many more 

generations of talented artists, says S. 

Dillard Kirby, president and director of the 

Kirby Foundation. 

“We have long understood and appreciated 

the stellar arts program at Wyoming 

Seminary and its role in the broader 

educational experience on campus,” he 

says. “One only needs to review the annual 

graduating class list to appreciate the 

numerous students matriculating to some 

of the top visual and performing arts 

universities in the country. We wanted to 

make sure the physical environment was as 

special as the program.” 

The concert hall 

Allan P. and Marian Sutherland Kirby 

Center for Creative Arts 

Two-story brick structure: 34,652 square feet 

600-seat concert hall with a balcony and a 40 

foot stage; full fly space 

Two-story art gallery 

Choral rehearsal studio 

Dance rehearsal studio 

Two Instrumental Rehearsal Studios 

Two multi-purpose classrooms 

Two teaching studios 

Four practice rooms 

Two dressing rooms 

Fine arts office, music library, student lounge 

The Kirby Center for Creative Arts at the campus entrance

The design for Sem’s Kirby Center has 

stirred the mind of Brian Davis ’73, 

AIA, LEED AP, since at least 2008, when 

the school began making plans for the 

building. Davis, design principal of JCJ 

Architecture in Hartford, Conn., embraced 

the opportunity to create the new center. 

“I am extremely honored and excited to be 

working on this building, which is one of 

the most meaningful projects I have been 

involved with in 20 or 30 years,” he says. 

During the early design stages, Davis 

visited the campus with a group of 

world-renowned professional theatrical 

consultants and designers to study 

the proposed location, see the current 

facilities and determine the school’s needs. 

While attending a Sem student concert 

in the Great Hall, they were so surprised 

and impressed with the quality of the 

performance that they felt further inspired 

and obligated to create a facility that would 

live up to the very high standards and 

quality of the school’s arts programs and 

the talents of the participating students. 

Among the consultants visiting campus 

that day was Russ Cooper of JaffeHolden, 

a prominent acoustics and audio-visual 

design firm, noted for their recent 

renovation of the David H. Koch Theater at 

Lincoln Center. 

The $16.3 million center’s design 

represents Davis’ aspirations to create 

and project a critical yet delicate balance 

between the long and storied traditions 

of the Wyoming Seminary campus and 

the image of a progressive educational 

institution of tomorrow. The building 

will reflect a blend of the present campus 

buildings’ traditional forms, materials, 

proportions and styles, overlaid with 

contemporary detail and application, 

creating a structure with a new, uniquely 

distinctive Sem character. In its setting 

at the entrance to the Upper School on 

Sprague Avenue, the center will establish 

A multi-purpose classroom 

a signature entry and prominent sense of 

arrival, appropriate to the importance of 

the campus. 

As an expression of its function, the 

exterior elevation along Sprague Avenue 

presents an architectural preview of the 

activity that is taking place inside the 

building; an abstract vision of a theater 

stage proscenium. A lantern-like structure 

at the top of the building will be lit when 

a show or concert is presented, and dark 

when no performance is scheduled. The 

entrance and two-story lobby will serve as a 

powerful and memorable “opening act” for 

the center, and Sem’s outstanding visual 

arts program will be on display within the 

strategically designed and positioned twostory 

art gallery, located at the front of the 

performance hall. 

The central feature of the center will be 

the grand performance hall, seating 600 

people on a main floor and balcony. The 

hall has been specifically crafted and 

tailored to meet the exacting requirements 

associated with the orchestral, choral and 

dramatic performances to be presented in 

the space. 

“I am extremely proud of the outcome of 

each component of the project and very 

excited about the fact that the student 

body and faculty will finally have a 

gathering space that can accommodate the 

entire Sem community in a space that is 

designed to meet the elevated level of the 

performances to be presented there,” 

Davis says. 

The anticipation of performing in a 

modern concert hall with exceptional 

acoustics is most exciting for John Vaida. 

In looking back on his nearly 38-year career 

at Sem, Vaida remembers that in 1975 

the school’s music and drama programs 

consisted of one piano, a 10-voice choir, 

no instrumental program, and a theater 

program that presented plays all over 

campus because there was no auditorium 

and no stage (Nelson Chapel, the school’s 

performance space, had been destroyed in 

1972 by Tropical Storm Agnes). Now, the 

music program is strong and vibrant, with 

an active Chorale and Madrigal Singers; a 

full orchestra; string, wind, percussion and 

other ensembles; a jazz band; a handbell 

choir; and a full lesson program. The new 

center has been designed to meet the needs 

of all these groups. 

“The architects and designers carefully 

studied our programs and everyone in 

the department had the opportunity to 

present their ideas and their needs, which 

the designers have tried to accommodate,” 

Vaida says. “Everything in the design has 

been well thought out, from the light 

switches to the placement of windows 

and shelving to the best type of acoustic 

carpeting.” 

For Jason Sherry ’91, director of the school 

drama program, the new center represents 

an opportunity to present productions that 

the more limited BPAC did not allow. For 

example, he notes, the new stage will have 

a 40 foot proscenium, compared to the 24 

foot stage in the BPAC. The new building 

will have a full fly space, much larger than 

the BPAC’s partial one, allowing for larger 

flats and set structures to be used. Sight 

lines and sound and lighting systems also 

will be much improved, he says. 

“This will definitely help attract new and 

talented students and faculty to Sem,” 

says Sherry. “We want students to say ‘I 

want to perform on that stage.’ In many 

ways the creative art center will become 

the visual front porch for visitors to Sem 

and is something that leaves a lasting 

impression.” 

Another aspect of Sem’s performing arts 

program, dance, will enjoy greater freedom 

of movement on the larger stage, says 

Bernardine Vojtko, director of the dance 

program. 

“Though the BPAC has been home to our 

annual performance these many years, 

a larger stage and improved lighting 

capabilities will enhance out dance 

shows and inspire new creative ideas,” 

she says. “It will be wonderful to see our 

entire company filling the new space with 

movement.” 

The new creative arts center, with all its 

features, will serve as an excellent setting 

for Sem’s Performing Arts Institute (PAI), 

an intensive six-week music, theater and

Two new turf fields 

dance program that is becoming nationally 

recognized and attracts students from 

around the world. Nancy Sanderson, PAI 

director, says she thinks the new facility 

will encourage more young artists to enroll 

not only in PAI but also as Sem students. 

“When families of PAI students 

attend performances in the new facility, 

they will see tangible evidence that Sem 

has made a commitment to the arts and 

they might be persuaded to enroll their 

children here,” she says. “I believe we 

need an arts building on campus that 

has a huge presence, something with an 

esthetic that defines our campus and helps 

us compare favorably with other private 

boarding schools. It will help us further 

our reputation for being outstanding in 

the arts.” 

Once the Kirby Center is complete, 

school administration and the visual and 

performing arts department members 

will consider how to make the most of 

the familiar and well-used Great Hall and 

BPAC. 

Nesbitt Memorial 

Stadium 

Wyoming Seminary’s venerable Nesbitt 

Memorial Stadium has been a fixture on 

the Kingston landscape since the early 

1920s. When fans filled the stands to 

capacity on October 7, 1922 for a Sem 

football game against the Syracuse 

University freshmen (the game ended in 

a scoreless tie), it was the first game to be 

played in a facility that was considered 

state-of-the-art; at that time the school’s 

mens teams played only football, baseball 

and track there. 

With the rapid increase in the number of 

field sports for both boys and girls during 

the last 30 years, the stadium and its grass 

field had grown shabby and worn. The 

locker rooms were soon out of date. 

In 2012 the Board of Trustees approved a 

$4 million stadium renewal project. This 

project includes two lighted artificial 

turf fields, two new locker 

room facilities, a permanent 

grandstand along Hoyt Street 

and a welcoming entrance 

way from Hoyt Street, along 

with new landscaping and 

fencing around the field’s 

perimeter. 

The new 3.7-acre stadium 

surface will accommodate 

soccer, football, lacrosse, 

baseball and softball and will 

complement Klassner Field 

for field hockey and lacrosse 

tournaments and larger scale 

competitions. This design allows all the 

school’s field sports to be played in one 

location, for the first time in many decades. 

The new stadium also will enhance the 

return of Sem’s storied football program, 

which was suspended for two years 

(2011 and 2012) due to low participation 

numbers. In January 2013 Dr. Nygren 

announced that Jeffrey N. Hollway of 

Carrollton, Texas, head football coach 

of the Greenhill School, was named the 

new head football coach and will join the 

school community on July 1. 

Construction of the new stadium is 

now underway and is on schedule to be 

completed by August, 2013, in time for the 

first home soccer game and the beginning 

of the football program’s junior varsity 

schedule. Varsity football games will begin 

in fall 2014. 

“Ecstatic” is how Director of Athletics 

Karen Klassner is feeling as she watches the 

construction. “This is a dream come true 

for me,” she says. “I am near retirement 

and one of my personal goals when I 

became director of athletics was to upgrade 

our facilities. A big goal of mine was to 

double-turf the football field and now it 

is happening. I’ve been on a high since the 

locker rooms came down.” 

As word of the new stadium project has 

spread, athletic directors from other 

schools are anxious to schedule games with 

Sem’s Blue Knights, and they all want to 

play at Nesbitt, Klassner says. 

“We will be the only institution, whether 

college or high school, to have three turf 

fields. I think the new stadium will attract 

students and I also think we will be able 

to put together a very competitive summer 

sports program and clinics for ourselves 

and the community, especially since turf 

The original Nesbitt 

Memorial Stadium, 1922 

fields allow you to do a lot on them all year 

round.” 

Sem student athletes also are very excited 

about the new fields and can’t wait to play 

on them, according to Klassner. For the 

Rev. Charles Carrick, varsity soccer coach, 

the prospect of practicing and playing on a 

full-size turf field instead of the very small 

Payne Pettebone grass field in Wyoming is 

appealing. 

Hollway named head 

Football Coach 

Jeffrey N. Hollway of Carrollton, 

Texas, head football coach at 

Greenhill School, Addison, Texas, 

has been named the new head 

football coach at Wyoming 

Seminary. 

Hollway has also been named 

associate director of athletics and 

associate director of admissions and will begin 

work at Sem on July 1. He will be responsible 

for overseeing all aspects of the football 

program and will assist in the management of 

Sem’s athletic program, as well as serve on the 

admission team. 

A 2003 graduate of Ohio Wesleyan University, 

Hollway was a two-time NCAA Div. III All- 

American center in football and three-time All 

North Coast Athletic Conference award winner 

in football and once in lacrosse. He served as 

captain of the Wesleyan Battlin’ Bishops football 

team in 2002. 

“As a coach, my first objective is to win: guide 

the team and give the players the opportunity to 

be successful. But we also have a responsibility 

to each individual that goes beyond the football 

field,” said Hollway. “Our greatest measure of 

success is the outcome after their experience at 

Sem and the quality of life, both personal and 

professional, that our students enjoy after they 

leave us.” 

Hollway holds a bachelor of arts degree in 

physical education from Ohio Wesleyan 

University and a master of arts degree in athletic 

administration from Ohio University.

Nesbitt Memorial 

Stadium 

Two lighted synthetic turf fields, 

210' by 360' and 180' by 360' 

Sports: Football, Soccer, Lacrosse, 

Field Hockey, Baseball, Softball 

Two locker rooms 

Two athletic buildings 

Two team rooms 

Training room 

New grandstand on Hoyt Street 

Entry plaza 

Press box 

“It is very exciting to see the work being 

done and think about what the fields will 

look like,” said Carrick. “It will be nice to 

practice on the same field, not have to carry 

equipment back and forth from another 

field and not be dependent on weather 

conditions like rain. In addition, playing 

on a very narrow field like Payne Pettebone 

lends itself to teams that boot the ball, but 

on a wider field you are able to control the 

ball and spread the team out. The new field 

will definitely change our strategy.” 

North Sprague 

Avenue closure creates 

pedestrian campus 

North Sprague Avenue has been a part of 

Sem since the school’s beginning, and every 

student, teacher and staff member has had 

to keep an eye out for cars when crossing 

the street. 

Beginning March 4, all that changed. 

The street is now closed to motor vehicles 

from the intersection of Sprague Avenue 

and Market Street, up to the entrance of 

the BPAC. The portion of North Sprague 

Avenue from Hoyt Street to the BPAC 

parking lot is now two way, and Hoyt Street 

itself has been changed from one way to 

two way. 

Closing the street has been a goal for 

Dr. Kip Nygren, Sem president, for more 

than four years. Shortly after arriving on 

campus in 2007, he observed that all the 

students, faculty and staff crossed the 

street nearly a thousand times every day. 

He saw safety and security issues that he 

wanted to correct, and he began discussing 

the idea with the Kingston Borough 

manager and council. Two years ago the 

school and the borough, which owns the 

street, came to an agreement: a portion 

of the street would be leased to Sem on 

a yearly basis, and the school could close 

it to motor vehicles, while still allowing 

public pedestrian traffic and emergency 

vehicle access. After another two years 

of negotiations and working with the 

borough to make Hoyt Street two way with 

its own traffic light, Sem received final 

approvals to install the gates and close the 

street. 

“It took some time but it is worth the wait,” 

says Nygren. “Now it will take some more 

time to adjust to this change. We are all 

still walking on the sidewalks.” 

Dean of Upper School Jay Harvey agrees. 

“It is a huge plus to have no buses idling 

and no cars coming down the street when 

students are dropped off each morning. I 

think the community aspect is something 

we will see evolve. It’s going to be an 

incredible retraining opportunity that will 

take a few years because you can’t look at 

the closing of Sprague without looking 

at the Kirby Center construction as going 

hand in hand.” 

To accommodate many of the cars that 

used to park on Sprague Avenue and in 

the BPAC parking lot, the school has built 

a new parking lot across Market Street 

from Sprague Hall and is allowing student 

drivers to park in a municipal lot on South 

Sprague. 

Looking to the future 

Carrying out two major building projects 

at one time on an independent school 

campus is an intricate challenge, requiring 

energy, patience and dedication. At the 

same time, however, the Trustees and 

school administration 

are looking ahead to 

other aspects of Wyoming 

Seminary that have 

pressing needs, which are 

part of the Campaign’s 

Phase Two. With 

thoughtful planning and 

support from the Sem 

community and friends, 

Architect’s rendering of the 

new entrance to Nesbitt 

Memorial Stadium 

these goals will be accomplished as well, 

says John Shafer. 

“I think it is part of the culture of being 

associated with a private institution, 

whether on the secondary level or the 

college level that schools like ours are built 

through and by philanthropy at all levels. 

We are always very fortunate when we have 

some people who step forward and take 

the lead with very significant gifts, but I 

have always been one to believe that every 

gift makes a difference. My fondest hope 

is that everyone connected with Wyoming 

Seminary believes in the institution and 

wants it to thrive for another 170 years.” 

“I know it’s a cliché, but these are very 

exciting times at Wyoming Seminary,” 

says Rob Friedman ’73, Trustee and chair 

of the property committee. “All three of 

the current projects are critical for the 

pragmatic goals of increasing enrollment 

and enhancing the student experience at 

Sem. A state-of-the-‘art’ Kirby Center, a 

modernized Nesbitt Stadium with its two 

lighted fields and the return of football, 

and the extended campus with the closing 

of Sprague Avenue, can only open more 

opportunities for enrollment. Over the 

years I have heard many comments such 

as, ‘the campus looks basically the same as 

it did 40 years ago.’ Beginning next school 

year, everyone can start appreciating the 

new Upper School campus.” 

For Nygren, “The end result of all this 

work is to provide exceptional educational 

programs at Sem, to provide the means 

to continually improve the techniques 

and tools to help Sem students learn, and 

to help them understand how to create a 

meaningful life and a better world.” 

New gates at the entrance 

of the Buckingham 

Performing Arts Center


27 

Class Notes 

1948 

65 th Reunion, May 3-5, 2013 

HAROLD BUCKINGHAM JR., Bloomfield, Conn., 

encourages everyone in his class who is able to plan 

on attending the 65th reunion this spring. He also 

shared with the JOURNAL some anecdotes from his 

classmate, RICHARD LAULOR ’48, who emailed 

him on the occasion of President Obama’s second 

inauguration. He writes, Class president, Dick Laulor, 

who graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1952, wrote, 

“We [USNA cadets] marched in Harry Truman’s Inaugural 

Parade in January 1949. It was cold. We marched with 

the M1 rifle (it’s heavy) and were not permitted to change 

shoulders. We were at ‘right shoulder arms’ the entire parade 

route. In the heavy overcoat, it was agonizing. After we 

passed the Reviewing Stand and turned left on 17th Street, 

we heard the order ’Left shoulder, ARMS!” Every Company 

did a Midshipman’s ‘no-no’ in ranks - we cheered!” Dick also 

wrote of the late JOHN TRIPP ’48, who was in the 

Navy Band as a drummer in WW II. “John was on leave 

and was the drummer in the Cocoanut Grove orchestra the 

night of the infamous fire [which killed 492 people in 1942]. 

He escaped out a kitchen window. After the war, [and back at 

Sem], we had roast lamb for lunch every other Sunday in the 

school dining room. John skipped lunch those days - he said 

the roast lamb smelled like burning flesh.” 

1950 

QUINCY ABBOT, West Hartford, Conn., writes, I have 

authored and self-published a book “From Schoolboy to 

Soldier: The Correspondence and Journals of Edward 

Stanley Abbot: 1853-1863” about my father’s uncle who 

died at the age of 21 from wounds suffered 150 years ago 

at the Battle of Gettysburg. Review copies have been sent 

to a number of places. The first one came back a few days 

ago from midwestbookreview.com: “Offering an insightful 

view of the political opinions of the time, life’s challenges, 

and dissent within the ranks of the Union army,” From 

Schoolboy to Soldier is a fine compilation of letters and 

documents and their value to history, much recommended. 

You can read more about the book at www. 

fromschoolboytosoldier.com. 

MARGERY HUTTER 

SILVER, Auburndale, 

Mass., writes, Research shows 

that having friends contributes 

to healthy ageing. I think that’s 

especially true if that friend 

is from Wyoming Seminary. 

HILMA UNTERBERGER ’44 

and I did not know each other at Seminary; she graduated 

before I arrived. We discovered our connection after we both 

moved to Lasell Village, a retirement community on the 

campus of Lasell College in Auburndale, Mass. We both love 

taking courses here--must be the Seminary influence. 

1956 

FREDERICK FARBER, Drumfries, Va., writes, Now 

fully retired after 30 years as a Naval Officer and 10 years with 

a defense contract. Enjoying Virginia with spouse, Patty. We 

have eight grandchildren. Still coaching youth soccer team. 

KATHLEEN HOWARD SUTHERLAND, Portland, 

Me., writes, For the Sutherlands here in Maine, [last year] 

was pretty well occupied with putting up our Bath condo 

for sale and looking for a suitable one in Portland. We were 

taking advantage of the slightly improved housing market 

to make the move; we have felt for some time that since our 

lives are pretty much centered in Portland, we should move 

there! Finally in early April we got our concrete offer and 

miraculously we found our Portland condo in the next few 

days! We are five minutes from the University of Southern 

Maine and John’s stepmother, Georgia. Other than moving, we 

were kept busy at the Senior College at USM teaching courses, 

John on “Women in U.S. History” and Kathleen on ”The 

Arab Spring.” We also were involved in a three-day program 

on the 1893 Chicago World’s Fair, each of us presenting on 

different aspects of the Fair. We participated in the Senior 

College Readers’ Theater as well as the one in Brunswick. 

Kathleen again took up her enjoyment in singing and joined 

the Singers’ Chorus at the Senior College. This was in addition 

to her painting. Against both our resolutions upon retirement, 

we find ourselves on several college committees! Kathleen 

also has been heavily involved in the World Affairs Council 

of Maine Board of Directors and much to her surprise was 

honored in June with the Beatrice Chapman Minott Award 

for public service at the Annual Dinner. After making some 

improvements to the new condo, we took off for a week to 

Cape Breton in Nova Scotia in July where we rented a cottage 

in the Margaree area at the foot of the Cabot Trail. We made 

day trips up the Trail from this base and John even got in a 

day’s trout fishing, while Kathleen happily painted away at 

the cottage. Enjoyed ourselves immensely! We look forward to 

hearing from you and to welcome you to Portland if possible! 

1957 

DOROTHY MEMOLO BHEDDAH, Port Washington, 

N.Y., writes, After months of our house being on the market, 

garage sales, tag sale, Ebay sales etc., we moved - a total of 

two miles - from our house where we lived for 30 years to a life 

care facility. We are getting settled in an independent living 

apartment, easily becoming accustomed to no roof, no lawn, 

no cooking, no myriad of bills. There are gym and pool on 

the premises so Peter is happy. I am still close to my tennis 

facility so life is good for me as well. New address: 300 East 

Overlook, Apt 427, Port Washington NY 11050. 

1958 

55th Reunion, May 3-5, 2013 

JOHN CHARLTON, North Eastham, Mass., writes, I 

retired in 2009 and I still have a house in Rhinebeck, N.Y. but 

we spend most of our time in our home in Massachusetts on 

Cape Cod. We do some traveling and I do some consulting 

work but mostly we enjoy being free to do what we want. (I do 

not know how I had time to work). 

G. CARL ROBERTS, Burlington, Vt., writes, After 

retiring before turning 70, I now work as a volunteer at a 

local PEG TV station. It’s fun and keeps me involved in the TV 

broadcast technology and local education affairs. This June 

I make my third trip to England to visit a friend, a retired 

British doctor. We plan to tour Scotland and the Orkney 

Islands for a few weeks. I love to walk and explore new places. 

I’m also into genealogy. 

GEORGE THATCHER, Glenwood Springs, Colo., 

writes, Retirement life in Glenwood Springs continues to 

be very enjoyable for myself and Hanne. Plenty of skiing and 

hiking, many fine restaurants, Glenwood’s enormous outdoor 

hot springs pool, cultural activities, particularly in nearby 

Aspen. Over 290 days of sunshine each year. My son Erik and 

daughter Melissa, both living locally, are doing well in their 

careers and in their lives. No grandchildren on the horizon yet. 

1961 

RAYMOND HOWARD, 

Tucson, Ariz., writes, I’ve 

been training and showing 

Romeo, our French Bulldog 

puppy, in dog shows for the 

past few months and the good 

ribbons are mounting up at 

a record pace. Romeo took 

four blue ribbons, two Reserve 

Winner’s, one Winner’s Dog, and Best of Winners in Yuma in 

early December, all this before his first birthday. We’re very 

excited about his future, and have already had inquiries about 

breeding from him when he’s a little older. 

1962 

Al Thomas, Greenville, 

S.C., writes, PETER 

FOLDES ’62 and his wife 

Peggy recently spent a long 

Southern football weekend 

with Al and Kay Thomas 

at Lake Keowee, S.C. The 

highlight of the weekend 

was attending the Clemson/ 

Furman football game. Unfortunately for Al, Furman lost. 

Everybody had a really great time all weekend long.

1963 


KATHLEEN HOURIGAN LIQUE, Nahant, Mass., 

writes, I’ve lived in the Boston area since 1970 when I finished 

graduate school. I’ve worked in program development in 

human services, developing programs to address emergency 

needs such as home care for elders, programs for refugees and 

for people with HIV, and cross cultural training programs. My 

husband Vince and I adopted two girls from Korea and have 

traveled to Asia and other parts of the world. He died seven 

years ago and I retired. I am now active in trying to pass an 

amendment to get rid of corporate personhood and restore our 

democracy. I’m also active in 350.org which addresses climate 

change. Looking forward to seeing all the classmates who 

come to the reunion! 

LINDA RENVILLE WARDELL, Houston, Texas, 

writes, Since retirement we have spent much of our time 

traveling. John had a goal of running a marathon on each 

continent and he has accomplished that, which means we 

have traveled all seven continents (including Antarctica!). 

We also enjoy cruising and have done 21 cruises. We both are 

involved in music. I am a quilter and I am involved in several 

quilting organizations. I volunteer at Memorial Hermann 

Southwest Hospital. 

1967 

ROBERT BURNSIDE, 

JR., Swoyersville, had this 

picture taken of himself 

and writes, That’s me 

channeling a middle-aged 

Walt Whitman in preparation 

for the 150th anniversary 

re-enactment of the Battle of 

Fredericksburg (December, 2012). WW went to Virginia upon 

learning his younger brother, George, a Union soldier, was 

wounded there. He remained in the D.C. area for three years, 

volunteering as an aide in the Army hospitals, and wrote 

some dynamite stuff. I managed to fool 700 Spotsylvania 

County fourth graders on “school day” (the day before the 

battle) because most had never heard of Whitman. One 

said, “Hey Mr. Whitman, I’m from Brooklyn, too---we’re 

homies!” However, more than one teacher cautioned, “Save 

Walt for high school...!” Photo was taken by Robert’s 

cousin FRANK BURNSIDE ’68. 

1968 


CYNTHIA GARMAN, Saline, Mich., writes, Busy in 

semi-retirement-training to be an interim Episcopal priest. 

Shooting sporting clays as weather permits. 

1973 


DAVID CROSBY, Reading, is employed by 

Rubbermaid Commercial Products, but of his 

volunteer work he writes, Over the last 30 years, I’ve spent 

countless hours organizing and leading volunteer work trips 

to maintain parts of the Appalachian Trail in Pa. While it is 

a part of the National Park system, the Appalachian Trail is 

unique in that it stretches over 2,100 miles from Georgia to 

Maine, and is accessible to millions of citizens on the eastern 

seaboard, who need only buy a tankful of gas to reach it! 

The A.T. was laid out entirely by volunteers, and continues 

to be the only National Park that is maintained solely by 

volunteers. I recently completed the “re-construction” of an 

Adirondack-type shelter along the Appalachian Trail in 

Pennsylvania. The Rausch Gap Shelter, near Fort Indiantown 

Gap, had deteriorated from weather-related exposure since its 

original construction in the 1970’s. Leading a team of over 100 

volunteers and coordinating an effort among federal and state 

agencies and several local volunteer groups, I re-designed the 

structure and oversaw its installation at a location over four 

miles from the nearest road! The project was my third major 

shelter building project. I will be stepping down from my 

position as shelters chairman with the Blue Mountain Eagle 

Climbing Club - a 27-year effort - by the end of this year. If you 

have time, go to www.bmecc.org and click on the link to the 

“Rausch Gap Shelter Project” and take a look at the slide show 

– volunteers worked for over 16 months (2700 man-hours) 

to make this latest project become a reality, and I am justly 

proud of their efforts. 

ALAN KLEIN, Calabasas, Calif., writes, I am the proud 

father of two beautiful and highly motivated children. My 

older son, Harrison, is now 16, an inspiring classical and 

jazz musician. He plays with the youth symphony in LA 

and was recently granted a full scholarship to the Berkeley 

School of Music’s summer program in Boston. My younger 

son, Cameron, is interested in acting and spent the summer 

completing a film project. As for me, I continue my career in 

publishing, now the President/Group Publisher of a company 

publishing over 45 magazines around the world, including 

China. 

CRAIG PHILLIPS, 

Baltimore, Md., 

writes, It’s not on 

everyone’s bucket list, 

but it’s been on mine for 

many years. This year I 

was one of the very few 

Americans to visit Iran. 

I was fortunate enough to get into mosques that few infidels 

have ever seen. By chance and choice I met with both powerful 

and lowly Mullahs, and even soldiers, doing my best to spread 

the word of peace. The most amazing thing was having people 

constantly come up to me to inquire if I was American, and 

after confirming I was, professing their love for Americans. 

Anyone interested in hearing more about my experience with 

these sophisticated, wonderful, complex people may e-mail 

me at whosjgalt@aol.com. 

Get connected in our 

Alumni Community! 

The online community will enable you to 

find and connect with your Sem friends 

easier and faster than ever before! 

Visit wyomingseminary.org/alumni-portal 

If you have not already received your 

username and password, please contact 

Media Manager Corinne Felter at 

cfelter@wyomingseminary.org. 

1977 

PAMELA JOHNSON, San Francisco, Calif., recently 

caught up with Sem friends first at the San Francisco 

Gathering in January and later in the month during 

a trip East. 

Seen recently at Conner’s Grillroom in Dallas are 

GEORGE CONYNGHAM JR. ’75, PATRICIA MACK 

GROSEK ’80, REBECCA HARRIS ’77, Pam Johnson 

and Dr. Sal Imperiale. 

1978 


JOAN MORRIS HIPP, Rancho Santa Margarita, Calif., 

writes, Still living in and loving southern California. It is quite 

a change from the Northeast. I spent quite a bit of time back 

there in September 2011 as my parents’ home was devastated 

by flooding. I am happy to report that things are finally getting 

back to normal. I have a daughter, Nancy, in the eighth grade 

and a son, Tobi, in seventh grade. Sports and school dominate 

our lives! 

1979 

CHARLES BRESNAHAN, Cincinnati, Ohio, has been 

named the University of South Florida’s new defensive 

coordinator for the football program. Chuck is a 2008 

inductee of Sem’s Sports Hall of Fame and has had 

an extensive coaching career in both college and 

professional football including coaching with four 

NFL teams. See full story at www.gousfbulls.com. 

1982 

ZAQ HARRISON, Baltimore, Md. HBO and Sports 

Illustrated have teamed up to produce an innovative 

new documentary series titled “Sports in America: 

The defining moments.” In addition to interviewing 

public figures and famous athletes, the producers 

also opened up the project to open submissions from 

the public. Zaq Harrison’s story “They’re all gone” 

was taped for the series that airs in 2013. The story is 

the personal journey that begins with Zaq watching 

live the reporting of the kidnapping and eventual 

murder of the eleven Israeli Olympians by terrorists 

at the 1972 Munich Games. “They’re all gone” weaves 

together the influences from that tragic event and the 

challenges of growing up in a very different America 

than we have today. During the lead up to filming 

Zaq developed an hour long educational program 

(www.wecannotforget.com) to address the vacuum 

surrounding the lack of awareness to the events at 

Munich. “A special thanks to my teachers at Sem who were 

true educators committed to their profession. A special 

thanks to Mrs. Hopkins and Mr. Carver Collins who unlocked 

the beautiful gift of creative writing that I never knew I had. 

This amazing program that was created would never have

A master of the art of presenting art 

In December 2012, Dr. CHRISTINA BOBEN ORR-CAHALL ’65, Seattle, Wash., retired from her 

position as CEO and Director of Seattle’s Experience Music Project (EMP), a unique museum 

dedicated to contemporary pop culture and housed in an eye-popping building that was designed by 

famed architect Frank O. Gehry and inspired by rock ’n’ roll. Before EMP, Dr.Orr-Cahall was the CEO 

and Director of the Norton Museum of Art in West Palm Beach, Fla., for nearly 20 years. Prior to that 

she was Director and President at Corcoran Gallery and College of Art in Washington, D.C. and earlier 

Chief Curator of Art at The Oakland Museum and on the art faculty of California Polytechnic State 

University, San Luis Obispo. 

But long before she took over the helms of these noted museums and cultural programs, “Tina” was a 

student at the Day School (now Lower School). She completed the eighth grade in 1961 and then left 

the valley for Chatham Hall, an all-girls boarding school in Virginia. 

The JOURNAL interviewed Dr. Orr-Cahall in January, now enjoying a new role as grandmother. 

Journal: You have just completed your last month at EMP. What are 

your plans for retirement 

orr-CAHall: The first six months are designated for pure relaxation 

to see if my Type A personality can adjust after 40 years in the museum 

world. I am babysitting my one-year old grandson on Thursday 

afternoons and staying on the board of the Institute for Learning and 

Brain Science at the University of Washington, which is a groundbreaking 

research center for early childhood development. Check out 

their amazing discoveries online under I-LABS (ilabs.washington.edu). 

Journal: You attended the Day School in Forty Fort when it was still 

known as the Wilkes-Barre Day School and later became the Wyoming 

Seminary Day School. You started out in the nursery and went all the 

way through to eighth grade. What are some of your favorite memories 

from those years 

orr-CAHall: It was a really good time in my life. I loved field hockey 

and enjoyed the learning experience of being co-head, along with Deke 

Hall ’65, of the Blue Team in the eighth grade. It was my first lesson in 

leadership: what to do and what NOT to do. I liked all my teachers. The 

absolute stand-out for me was Miss Atwood who taught French. She 

seemed so sophisticated to me, a real role model, and I still love French 

and all languages to this day. 

Journal: Do you have any friends who you remember from back then 

and if so, did you stay in touch 

orr-CAHall: I remember tons of people but I stopped staying in 

touch after high school. I could probably name everyone in our fourth 

grade class for you because Mrs. de Ronde had us memorize how to 

spell everyone’s first and last name. 

Journal: After eighth grade you left for boarding school. How was 

that transition 

orr-CAHall: Going to an all-girls school away from home broadened 

my view of the world while letting me concentrate on academics, but I 

missed home throughout. 

Journal: Your Ph.D. in Art History is from Yale. You studied in Paris 

at the École du Louvre and at Oxford University. I can’t imagine a more 

impressive list of places to study art—clearly you must have been a 

bright student. What was it about art that drew you to that particular 

field of study and what was it about you that drove you to reach so 

high 

orr-CAHall: Learning has always been important to my family and 

my father in particular always emphasized getting the best education 

possible—thus the Day School from the very beginning. I was drawn to 

art history by a painting at the Louvre, which at 14 astonished me, and 

drawn to museums by the Wyoming Valley Historical Society which I 

was allowed to walk to on my own as a kid. 

Journal: Who is your favorite artist 

orr-CAHall: For a museum director that is a little like picking your 

favorite child. But if you pushed me, I would say Manet because he was 

a brilliant painter with new ideas that led the way to Impressionism and 

all that followed—or to put it another way, “the rest is history.” 

Journal: You followed up your impressive education with an equally 

impressive career in the art world. What do you think are your greatest 

career accomplishments 

orr-CAHall: For me it’s not so much what I accomplished but the joy 

and honor of what I experienced. Building collections for people to learn 

from and enjoy, while acknowledging the creativity and contributions of 

the artists who made the work is a great personal reward. 

Journal: We have a beautifully renovated auditorium at the Lower 

School now and are about to begin construction on a new performing 

arts hall with gallery space on our Upper School Campus. Any thoughts 

or advice on its construction and potential 

orr-CAHall: Great news! This will provide enormous opportunities 

to students as artists themselves or as admirers. It is always beneficial to 

give someone young a stage or a gallery wall. 

Journal: Any words of wisdom for our younger Journal readers who 

might be thinking about a career in the art world 

orr-CAHall: It’s a strange, tough art world which is constantly 

morphing, but it is also exciting. Follow your dreams. 

Journal: Tell us a bit about your family, what you like to do together 

and if you ever make it back to the Wyoming Valley. 

orr-CAHall: My husband is Richard Cahall. My son in Seattle is 

Fitz with wife, Becca, and their baby, Teplin. Our other son is Walker 

who is in Portland, Oregon. So, we are all on the West Coast together. 

The boys are also in the arts -- Fitz is a writer and a filmmaker (check 

out “The Dirt Bag Diaries” on line) and Walker is a printmaker. We 

like to cook together, take walks, visit museums, ride horses and play 

long-distance Scrabble among us. I have no immediate family left in the 

Valley and have not returned since my parents passed away in 1990. I 

enjoy getting the Journal to see what everyone has been up to. I do wish 

all of my Day School classmates well and remember them all fondly.

happened without them. I am forever in their debt.” Zaq has 

worked in financial services for the last fifteen years 

and currently lives in Baltimore with his family. He 

can be found on deck most mornings as an assistant 

coach for the Towson University men’s and women’s 

swim team. 

1983 


1984 

DAVID HINKO, Indianapolis, Ind., left Rolls-Royce 

in August after 15 years in various engineering 

and management roles to accept the position as 

Aerospace Sales Director for the Americas for SKF. 

SKF, headquartered in Sweden, is a global leader in 

manufacturing, designing, and supplying bearings. 

Dave continues to live in Indianapolis with his wife 

Celeste and their two children, Steve (8) and Madison 

(7). Dave’s brother and sister, BILL HINKO ’82 and 

VALERIE HINKO O’SUCH ’87, and their families live 

outside Washington D.C. This year, Dave’s parents 

celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary. 

1988 


1993 

20th Reunion, September 27-28, 2013 

1994 

PENNY ANN TREAS SCHADE, Oppenheim, 

Germany, writes, I am grateful to [Sem English faculty] 

Jason Sherry for the live stream of W. Carver Collins’ memorial 

service which enabled me to be “present” to honor an 

exceptional teacher and person. 

1997 

SCOTT YODER, Geneva, N.Y., is the new head 

football coach at Shenandoah University. Scott was 

formerly an assistant coach at Hobart and William 

Smith College. You can read more about him at 

Shenandoah’s website: www.su.edu . 

1998 


MICHELLE PUSHEFSKI, Kingston, writes, In July 

2012, I accepted the position of Manager of eCommerce 

with VaxServe, a division of Sanofi Pasteur, a global vaccine 

manufacturer. As a wholly-owned vaccine distributor, we are 

able to not only sell our own Sanofi Pasteur products, but we 

also have partnerships to offer our competitors products as 

well, such as Merck and Pfizer... making us unique. My new 

role allows me the opportunity to shape the eCommerce plan 

for this division, including marketing, technical projects and 

overall strategy. Since coming aboard, I implemented two 

major projects in 2012, outlined our strategic plans for 2013, 

as well as conducted a User Study with some of our larger 

customers. Prior to joining Sanofi Pasteur, I managed the 

overall Online Marketing Strategy for Toys ’R Us Canada while 

at GSI Commerce in King of Prussia, as well as multiple online 

retailers while at Solid Cactus in Shavertown. As my digital 

marketing background is entirely Retail prior to this venture, 

I look forward to the challenges that this foray into Pharma 

brings. 

HARLEY CHIVERS TOUFANIAN, West Palm Beach, 

Fla., recently joined her husband’s law practice, The 

Law Office of Cyrus K. Toufanian, P.A., in West Palm 

Beach. She concentrates her practice on all aspects 

of marital and family law, while her husband Cyrus 

specializes in criminal trial law. Harley’s mother and 

former Lower School faculty member, Linda Chivers, 

is also residing in West Palm Beach with her husband 

and is a substitute teacher at several Palm Beach 

County schools. 

2001 

NEIL “BUDDY” SHAH, made Forbes magazine’s 

annual 30 under 30 list in its social entrepreneurs 

category for 2013. Neil is a founding partner of 

IDinsight and helps governments and NGOs design 

and test interventions to ensure money goes toward 

programs that work. He currently lives overseas. 

2003 


2008 

5 th Reunion, September 27-28, 2013 

PAUL ANDERSON, Benton, 

graduated on May 26, 2012 

from the U.S. Military Academy 

at West Point with a B. S. 

degree in computer science. He 

was commissioned a Second 

Lieutenant in the U.S. Army 

and is currently in flight school 

at Ft. Rucker, Alabama. Ft. Rucker is known as the 

“Home of Army Aviation.” 

2009 

Seen at UNC vs. Villanova 

Field Hockey Game 

at the University of Delaware in September: ANN 

ROMANOWSKI ’12; KELSEY KOLOJEJCHICK ’09; 

and JESSICA SWOBODA ’11. 

2010 

CONNOR McRAE, Montreal, Quebec, Canada, has 

finished his first novel, “Trespasses,” a story of a 12-yearold 

boy who finds himself at war with the Montreal 

underworld. McRae is currently 

working on the book’s sequel, 

“Crossings.” When he’s not writing, 

McRae enjoys playing hockey and 

rugby. 

2011 

JACK CARTWRIGHT, Moosic, was recently seen 

at the offices of his father, Congressman Matt 

Cartwright following the presidential inauguration 

with Sem classmates OMEED FIROUZI ’11, MOLLY 

ALLEN ’11, NICHOLAS STRZELETZ ’10, and 

BRIDGET BUNTON ’11. 

OMEED FIROUZI, Washington, D.C., met President 

Barack Obama at a campaign reception in September. 

2012 

CHRISTINA BRADLEY, Madison, N.J., writes, Good 

Luck Class of 2013!!! 

RENATA O’DONNELL, Philadelphia, won a best 

attorney award at the Penn College Mock Trial 

Tournament in November and a second best lawyer 

award at the Yale Mock Trial Tournament in 

December. 

YU-LIANG “ANDY” LIU, Seattle, Wash., writes, 

College is a lot of fun, and everyone seems to be enjoying it. 

Hope everyone is working hard and I wish everyone the best.


31 

Marriages 

1973 

DIANE TROUP, Alexandria, Va., married Rick 

Widdekind on October 7, 2012. 

1981 

CONSTANCE JONES, Columbia, S.C. Connie writes, I 

married Rob Manley, from Norfolk, Va, on October 26, 2012 at 

a Elvis Chapel in fabulous Las Vegas. Our most entertaining 

ceremony was attended by over forty close friends and 

colleagues. We reside in Columbia, S.C., where we get tons 

of satisfaction out of fostering puppies for a local rescue 

organization. Rob, who works for Live Nation, travels a great 

deal, so the puppies, in addition to our own two dogs, keep me 

busy. I’m a docent for the wonderful little art museum here; 

still help manage security at a couple music festivals; and also 

spend time painting and gardening. 

1999 

ALEXIS KROPP, Dallas, married 

Young-Nam Kwon on October 6, 2012. 

The couple honeymooned in Reykjavik, 

Iceland following a joyful celebration 

with family and friends. The bride’s 

sisters MADELINE KROPP ’05 and 

CAROLINE KROPP ’09 served as maids 

of honor. Sem’s associate director of 

college guidance, Elizabeth Frosini, was 

one of her bridesmaids. 

1996 

MEGAN DIMOND HOLEMAN ’96 and Anthony 

Holeman were married November 13, 2010. 

Guests at the Kropp-Kwon wedding included many Sem alumni and employees. Seen above are: Front, from 

left: KELLY MERICLE ’09, CAROLINE KROPP ’09, Elizabeth Frosini, MADELINE KROPP ’05, REBECCA 

HOWELL ’05, JILLIAN SEELY ’05, KATIE CALLAHAN ’88, ROBERT PICCONE ’74, JULIE MCCARTHY 

STRZELETZ ’81. Second row, from left: MARJORIE HENRY MARQUART ’78, OLIVIA MARQUART ’09, 

JOHN SHAFER ’71, Jim Doherty, Alexis Kropp-Kwon, Beth Doherty, Heidi Sims, Rebecca Rosengrant, CAROL 

SANTARELLI COURNEEN ’63, CARLO SANTARELLI , JR. ’68, ROBERT SANTARELLI ’ 75. Third row, from 

left: SAMANTHA MARQUART ’07, FRANK HENRY ’50, GIANNA SANTARELLI KARAPELOU ’90, PHILIP 

SANTARELLI ’68, PAUL SANTARELLI ’01, SYLVIA SANTARELLI KROPP ’71, JEFF ANDREWS ’70, FRED 

MARIANACCI ’72, Kay Young, ALI KORNFELD ’05 and STEVE WEST ’05. Photography service by MAUREEN 

METZ GALLAGHER ’91. 

2003 

AIMEE LYNN DUNCAN, Collins, N.Y., married Chad Gernatt on August 25, 2012. Her sister, KATIE DUNCAN 

SINCLAIR ’99 was one of the bridesmaids. Aimee is a graduate of Rochester Institute of Technology. She is 

employed by Black & Blue Steak and Crab Restaurant. The groom is employed by Erie County N.Y. Highway 

Department. 

2005 

HOLLY KOKINDA, Durham, N.C., married Eli Nichols on June 2, 2012 at The Biltmore Estate in Asheville, N.C. 

Holly earned her bachelor’s degree in biology from Duke University and is pursuing a medical degree at Duke 

University School of Medicine. The groom earned his bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering and a master’s 

degree in engineering management from Duke University. He is employed by Electrical Supply Co. of North 

Carolina.

Births 

Cousins, James C. Ask, Jr. (left) and 

R. Clements Gover, Jr. “Bodhi” (right) 

celebrated their first Christmas 

together this year. James Jr. was 

born on February 25, 2012. Bodhi 

arrived 5 months later on August 

8, 2012. They join big sisters Betsy 

Ask, 2 and Layla Gover, 3. The proud 

parents are JAMES ASK ’00 and 

MARY JANE GOVER ASK ’02 and 

CLEM GOVER ’00 and JOANNA 

SIEGEL GOVER ’91. 

2003 

KRISTIN VOROZILCHAK KOWALEK ’03 and ERIC 

KOWALEK ’02, Milton, write, We would like to announce 

the birth of our daughter, Savannah Grace Kowalek. She was 

born on October 4, 2012 and joins proud big brother Jack, who 

turned 2 in September! All are doing well! 

1993 

LISA RHYMES COOKSON, Tulsa, Okla., and husband, 

William Cookson, welcomed their first child, a daughter, 

Rachel Rose, on Sept 17, 2013. 

Sem Faculty 

Sem Math and Latin Instructor, Justin Naylor and his 

wife Dillon welcomed their third son, Thomas John 

Naylor this past September. Thomas joins big brothers 

PETER ’26 and James and all the “big brothers” who 

call Darte Hall their home during the school year. 

1994 

PENNY ANN TREAS SCHADE, Oppenheim, Germany, writes, We celebrate the birth of our son, Miles Anthony Theodor 

on 27th October, 2012. He joins our daughter Lea (9 years). 

1998 

ARIA VAIDA ANTONOPOULOS, Malden, Mass., and her husband James welcomed their daughter, Vicki, on 

December 14, 2012. Vicki weighed 6lbs, 8oz at birth and she and Mom are doing well. Back on Sem’s campus, 

newly minted grandpa, Maestro John Vaida, is also doing pretty well himself! 

2001 

T.J. BRADSHAW and EMILY BLAUM BRADSHAW, Orefield, welcomed their son Connor Thomas Bradshaw, 

born on December 29 at 6:24pm, weighing 7 lbs and 19.5 inches long.


33 

Obituaries 

1920 

JAMES KLINE, Phoenix, Ariz., Date unknown. Mr. 

Kline was a graduate of the Dean School of Business. 

1929 

MARY POWELL BLANDFORD, Pittsburgh, 

March 2012. Mrs. Blandford was a graduate of the 

Dean School of Business. Born in 1910, she was 101 

when she died. She is survived by one child, seven 

grandchildren, 15 great-grandchildren and three 

great-great grandchildren. 

1930 

CHARLOTTE LEWIS CARTER, Dallas, January 14, 

2013. She was a graduate of Wyoming Seminary and 

Drexel University, where she received her bachelor’s 

degree in business administration. For many years 

she was a volunteer at the Nesbitt Hospital and 

was a member of the Nesbitt Hospital Auxiliary. 

She was predeceased by her husband, Leslie, and by 

her siblings EMMA LEWIS WOOLBERT ’34 and 

NELSON LEWIS ’35. She is survived by her children 

and grandchildren. 

1932 

AGNES SEMANICK GOODMAN, Johns Island, 

S.C., September 2, 2012. She was a graduate of the 

Dean School of Business. Mrs. Goodman had been 

employed by the S&H Green Stamp Company, Alta 

Industries and Sears, from where she finally retired 

in 1985. She was preceded in death by her husband, 

Harry, and her daughter, Jane. She is survived by a 

second daughter, her son, five grandsons and many 

great grandchildren. 

1933 

BASIA “BARBARA” KOCYAN MCCOY, Alberta, 

Canada, May 2012. 

1936 

HAROLD SYMONS, Palm Desert, Calif., September 

7, 2012, The Rev. Symons was a graduate of Coughlin 

High School and a postgraduate of Wyoming 

Seminary. He graduated from Syracuse University 

and Drew Theological Seminary. He served Methodist 

churches in New Jersey and Minnesota. He became a 

Naval Chaplain during the Korean War and served for 

more than 28 years, including on the USS Kearsage 

and USS Ticonderoga during Vietnam. Captain 

Symons retired in 1979. Upon retirement, he became 

an Episcopal priest and served various churches. He 

was married to MARY PICKETTE SYMONS ’37 for 

53 years. Upon Mary’s death, he married Alberta 

Bunker, and they were married for 19 years. He is 

survived by his two children and by his sister, RUTH 

SYMONS SADVARY ’51, a graduate of the Dean 

School of Business. 

1938 

ALICE TURNER FRENCH, Schwenksville, November 

8, 2012. Mrs. French worked as a secretary at the 

Schnecksville and Ironton Elementary Schools in 

the Parkland Area School District. She also worked 

at the Wide Awake Book Shop in Kingston for many 

years. She is survived by her children and by her 

grandchildren. 

DOROTHY GILBERT, Wilkes-Barre, November 2, 

2012. Ms. Gilbert enlisted in the Army Nurse Corps 

upon graduating from Nesbitt Hospital Nursing 

School and served in Hawaii and Okinawa, Japan, 

during World War II. When she returned, she earned 

a degree in nursing education at the University of 

Pennsylvania. She was commissioned a missionary 

of the Methodist Church in 1951 and served in the 

Belgian Congo for 27 years. During her furloughs 

from the mission field, she continued her education 

and obtained a certificate in nurse-midwifery and 

a master of public health degree at Johns Hopkins 

University. She continued her work at Mission 

Headquarters in New York, Sierra Leone, Zaire 

and Benin for a total of 40 years. Ms. Gilbert was 

a certified lay speaker for the Methodist Church, a 

delegate to its Wyoming Annual Conference, and an 

organist at two churches. She spoke several languages 

fluently and at age 77, volunteered in Haiti. 

ARCHER PUDDINGTON, Lindale, Texas, March 11, 

2012. Mr. Puddington attended Washington and Lee 

University before joining the U.S. Army and serving 

the country during World War II. Among other 

campaigns, he saw action during the Battle of the 

Bulge. In 1952, he moved to Texas and started his 

own business as a manufacturer’s representative, 

which later became Puddington-Gatewood Inc. The 

company continues to serve a large portion of the 

southwest U.S. He is survived by his wife, Vanita. 

1939 

JOHN PATTEN, Carmel, Ind., January 9, 2013. 

At Wyoming Seminary, he won the Rensselaer 

Polytechnic Institute Medal for excellence in science 

and mathematics. He also was a valued member of 

the swim team. He received his college education 

at the University of Michigan and graduated with 

a degree in BSE in Aeronautical Engineering. Mr. 

Patten was also a member of Delta Upsilon fraternity 

and was elected to the following U of M societies: 

Phi Eta Sigma, Triangles, Vulcans, Scabbard & 

Blade, and Michigama. At Michigan, he became 

deeply interested in competitive swimming. He 

became a star member and captain of the U of M 

team. He was very successful in intercollegiate 

competition, including winning five NCAA national 

championships gold medals. In his senior year, he 

was voted NCAA Swimmer of the Year. After college 

he served as an engineering officer in the Army Air 

Corps. During his career as a licensed professional 

engineer, he worked for Allison’s Division of GMC for 

over 34 years. He is survived by his wife, Anne, and 

their children and grandchildren. 

HELEN TYBURSKI SHIPKOWSKI, Nanticoke, 

February 3, 2011.Mrs. Shipkowski was a graduate of 

the Dean School of Business. 

1940 

FRANK SKLARIS, Duluth, Minn., November 8, 2012. 

1941 

ALICE DAVIES CADWALLADER, Elizabethtown, 

January 23, 2013. She was a graduate of E.L. Meyers 

High School and Seminary’s Dean School of Business. 

She is survived by her husband, Harold, and by her 

daughters SUSAN CADWALLADER ERB ’63 and 

JANE CADWALLADER KELLER ’68 as well as her 


1942 

LOUISE STEGMAIER GOVIN, Trucksville, February 

12, 2013. Mrs. Govin was a graduate of Weylister 

College in Milford, Conn. After graduation, she 

was employed by the American Red Cross, Wilkes- 

Barre. Later in life she was employed by the Sunday 

Independent as the social editor. Preceding her in 

death were her husband, RALPH GOVIN ’43, and 

her siblings FRED STEIGMAIER ’34 and JANE 

STEGMAIER DEWEES ’37. She is survived by her 

children. 

THOMAS ROAN, Kingston, December 13, 2012. Mr. 

Roan was a graduate of the Dean School of Business. 

He served in the U.S. Army during World War II. He 

retired in 1993 from the State of Pennsylvania as 

a regional director of Tax Operations. He was 

preceded in death by his wife, Jean. He is survived 

by his children and grandchildren. 

1943 

RITA MAYLOCK HALLAS, Nanticoke, January 20, 

2013. Mrs. Hallas was a graduate of the Dean School 

of Business. She was employed as a bookkeeper for 

Bergman’s Department Store and had co-owned 

Hallas Dry Cleaners for 60 years. She was preceded in 

death by her husband, George, and two children. She 

is survived by five of her children. 

RUTH PETTEBONE HOFFORD, Wilmington, Del., 

November 27, 2012. Mrs. Hofford was a graduate of 

the Dean School of Business. She is survived by her 

husband, James. 

HENRY RUSSELL, Florence, S.C., November 23, 2012. 

He was a veteran of WW II where he served in the 

U.S. Navy. He is survived by his wife, Linda, and their 

children. He is also survived by his sister, DOROTHY 

RUSSELL MAGRATTEN ’46.

Obituaries, cont’d... 

1944 

MARIAN THOMPSON GLACE, Spring Township, 

December 24, 2012. Mrs. Glace was a graduate of the 

Dean School of Business. She was predeceased by her 

husband, Charles. She is survived by her daughter. 

JUDITH NICHOLSON SCHELLENBERG, Dallas, 

September 30, 2012. Mrs. Schellenberg earned a 

bachelor of arts degree from Wilson College in 

Chambersburg. Following graduation, she lived in 

New York City, married and returned to Dallas. Mrs. 

Schellenberg was a member of Trinity Presbyterian 

Church in Dallas, a sustaining member of the Junior 

League of Wilkes-Barre, and an associate member of 

the Westmoreland Club. Her husbands, Foster Hall 

Rogers and Edward J. Schellenberg preceded her in 

death. She is survived by her daughters. 

1945 

PATRICIA KIELTY MORAN, Kensington, Md., 

September 4, 2012. Mrs. Moran was predeceased 

by her husband, Francis, and by her son, Edward. 

She is survived by three other children and by her 


1946 

MARILYN CREASY IVINS, Houston, Texas, February 

3, 2013. Mrs. Ivins attended Dickinson College and 

Drexel University and earned a master’s degree in 

library science. She married her husband Col. Jack 

Ivins in 1954 and entered the life of military wife and 

mother living in Pennsylvania, Virginia, New York, 

California, France, Germany, North Carolina and 

Texas. Over the years she volunteered at and helped 

set up her children’s school libraries. While in Texas, 

she worked in the Sterling Evans Library at Texas 

A & M University in Research and Development. 

She was preceded in death by her husband and 

by her daughter, Barbara. She is survived by three 

daughters and their families. 

ROBERT POST, November 9, 2012. Mr. Post was a 

graduate of the Dean School of Business. He was a 

graduate of Hanover High School, class of 1943, and 

attended the Philadelphia School of Pharmacy, where 

he earned certification as a Pharmacy Apprentice. 

He then joined the Navy and served during World 

War II as a Certified Hospital Apprentice 1st Class. 

After the war, he entered the Business School at Sem. 

Upon graduation he joined his family’s business, J. B. 

Post Coal and Ice Company. In later years, Mr. Post 

was owner and operator of Leasing Associates, a 

partner in Computerized Mail Services and owner 

and operator of Inca Company, a manufacturer of 

specialty concrete products. Preceding him in death 

was his wife, RUTH WOOD POST ’44. He is survived 

by his children CYNTHIA POST MITCHELL ’75, 

ROBERT POST, JR. ’70, and DEBORAH POST 

STEVENS ’71. 

1947 

ROBERT BULLARD, Towanda, October 26, 2012. 

Following service in the U.S. Army during World 

War II, he attended Sem in 1947 and then earned 

a bachelor of electrical engineering from RPI in 

1952. Upon graduation he took a position with IBM, 

working in various capacities as a manager until his 

retirement in 1988. He obtained a number of patents 

and had a number of disclosures. He was predeceased 

by his wife, Louise. He is survived by his son. 

DORIS BANKS GILL, Allentown, January 18, 2013. 

Mrs. Gill attended Wilkes College and was a long 

time volunteer at the Lehigh Valley Hospital. She is 

survived by her husband Richard and their children 

and grandchildren. 

SPENCE GREENE, Ashley, December 24, 2012. Mr. 

Greene was a graduate of the Dean School of Business. 

He was a descendant of General Nathaniel Green of 

Revolutionary War fame. He was formerly employed 

by the Forty Fort Lumber Co. as a purchasing agent, 

retiring in 1986 after 40 years of service. Mr. Greene 

served with the 8th Air Force in Europe during World 

War II. He was preceded in death by his wife, Irene. 

RUTH LLOYD JONES, Wilkes-Barre, December 18, 

2012. Mrs. Jones was a graduate of GAR Memorial 

High School. She then enlisted in the U.S. Navy, 

serving in various capacities with the WAVES in 

Jacksonville, Fla., and Washington, D.C. After the war, 

she returned home and furthered her education at the 

Dean School of Business and retired from the Social 

Security Office in Wilkes-Barre. She was preceded in 

death by her husband James. She is survived by her 

children and grandchildren. 

GEORGE PURPUR, JR., Seaford, Del., November 22, 

2012. Mr. Purpur served in World War II spending the 

majority of his service time in the Philippines. Upon 

his return, he attended and graduated from Wyoming 

Seminary with the class of 1947. He then went on 

to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and 

graduated with B.S. degree in chemical engineering. 

He later attended LaSalle Extension University in 

Philadelphia. He worked at Merck and Company in 

New Jersey, E.I. DuPont de Nemours in Delaware, and 

Main La Frentz and Co. in Maryland. Later, he was 

employed as the Sussex County Finance Director in 

Georgetown, Delaware. He is survived by his wife, 

Colleen, his children and grandchildren. 

JOHN SAMPSON, Lexington, Mass., February 11, 

2013. Dr. Sampson received his B.S. in physics from 

MIT in 1957, his M.S. from Tufts in 1957, and his Ph.D. 

in physics from Tufts in 1962. He worked as a research 

physicist for the U.S. Air Force in Bedford, Mass., and 

at other scientific research companies. He was an 

officer in the U.S. Navy from 1951-1953 and served as a 

commander in the U.S. Naval Reserve from 1953-1978. 

He is survived by his wife, Georgette, and his children 

and their families. 

1948 

JOSEPH FILCHAK, Wilkes-Barre, January 9, 2013. 

Mr. Filchak was a graduate of Plymouth High School, 

class of 1940. He served in the Army Air Force 

during World War II and graduated from Wyoming 

Seminary’s Dean School Business School after he 

returned from the war. Before retiring, he was 

employed by City Chevrolet and also Valley Chevrolet 

of Wilkes-Barre for a total of 47 years. He is survived 

by his wife Elizabeth and their children. 

MIRIAM THOMAS NOUSSAIR, Forty Fort, October 

6, 2012. Mrs. Noussair earned her baccalaureate 

degree from Drexel University in 1952. Before 

retirement, she was employed by the Thomas 

C. Thomas Company and Tom Hart Realty. She 

was preceded in death by her husband, Nabih 

Noussair, and her sisters THALIA ANN THOMAS 

’52, THERESA THOMAS HABIB ’53 and JANICE 

THOMAS JOSEPH ’57. She is survived by two 

brothers, her sons CHARLES NOUSSAIR ’83 and 

JOSEPH NOUSSAIR ’85 and their families. 

ROBERT PRICE, Kingston, December 2, 2012. Upon 

graduation, Mr. Price enlisted in the U.S. Marine 

Corps and was stationed at Camp Pendleton in San 

Diego, Calif. After he was honorably discharged from 

the Marines, he returned to Wilkes-Barre, where 

he enrolled at Wilkes College, earning a bachelor’s 

degree in business administration. He was employed 

for many years with Outboard Marine Corporation, 

and in 1970, he began working for Nicholson Division 

of Datron Systems Inc., from where he retired as vice 

president of marketing in 1992. He is survived by his 

wife, Rosemary, his daughters and his grandchildren. 

1949 

LEWIS KLEINROCK, Walpole, Mass., December 

3, 2012. Mr. Kleinrock graduated from Williams 

College in 1953 with a BA in political economy. 

From 1953 to 1954 he attended Yale University Law 

School before serving with the U.S. Marine Corps 

as an infantry officer from 1954-57. In 1959 he 

received his MBA degree from Harvard University. 

During the 1960’s he worked in a variety of roles, 

first as an engineer with Standard Oil Company, 

then as a self-employed private investor and later as 

Deputy Director of Investment Research with Chase 

Investors Management Corporation. In 1973 he joined 

John Hancock Mutual Life Insurance Company in 

the area of investments, finally serving as CEO of 

Independent Associates, Inc. An alumni trustee of 

Wyoming Seminary from 1982 to 1985, Mr. Kleinrock 

was a generous supporter of his alma mater prep 

school and was known to advise young students 

who were contemplating a business vocation. He 

received Wyoming Seminary’s Joseph C. Donchess 

Distinguished Service Award in 1991, the school’s 

highest honor. He was predeceased by his sister,


35 

EDITH KLEINROCK ISCOVITZ ’45. He is survived 

by his wife, Peggy, and by his brother, BERNARD 

KLEINROCK ’53. 

JOAN POWELL-FLACK NUSBAUM, Dallas, 

December 6, 2012. Mrs. Nusbaum was raised in Dallas 

and attended the Wilkes-Barre Institute which later 

became the Wyoming Seminary Day School. She 

served for many years on the Board of Directors of 

Diamond Consolidated Industries of Wyoming, Pa. 

She also served on the board of The Boulevard Club 

Condominium Association, Naples, Fla. Preceding 

her in death were her husband Charles D. Flack, 

her second husband, Howard Nusbaum, and her 

son CHARLES “RUSTY” FLACK ’72. Surviving are 

children JANET FLACK ’67; and HAROLD FLACK 

’77; and several grandchildren including CHARLES 

FLACK III ’01; JAIME FLACK ’05; ALEX FLACK 

’05; HAROLD FLACK III ’06; HILARY FLACK ’08; 

MICHAEL FLACK ’10; and MELISSA FLACK ’13. 

SHIRLEY HAVARD SASSAMAN, Shavertown, 

December 22, 2012. Mrs. Sassaman was a graduate 

of the Dean School of Business. Until her retirement, 

she had been employed for the Joy Manufacturing 

Company of Forty Fort. Prior to that, she worked 

as a secretary for the McDonough Law Offices, of 

Scranton. She was preceded in death by her husband, 

Alfred. 

1950 

LOIS BISHER GALLIGAN, Mountain Top, November 

16, 2012. Mrs. Galligan was a graduate of the Dean 

School of Business. She worked for American Chain 

and Cable before she retired and married her husband 

James, who preceded her in death. 

1951 

JANE YEAGER MARKUS, Pottsville, November 9, 

2012. Mrs. Markus was a graduate of the Dean School 

of Business. She worked at the Miners National Bank 

in Pottsville. She was predeceased by her husband 

Frank Markus. She is survived by three children, six 

grandchildren, and four great-grandsons. 

DAN SHIELDS, Southern Shores, N.C. September 22, 

2012. Mr. Shields attended the United States Naval 

Academy and graduated in the class of 1955 (16th 

Company). After 20 years of active service in the Navy 

as an engineer, manager and training administrator, 

he retired as a lieutenant commander. For the next 

22 years he worked for government contractors 

supporting the Naval Sea Systems Command. Upon 

retiring to Southern Shores in 1997, Mr. Shields 

served the community on the town’s Planning Board, 

Property Owners’ Association, Long Range Planning 

Committee, Flood Plain Management Committee and 

Town Council. He is survived by his wife, Carolyn, 

and their children. 

1952 

FRANCES ZIELINSKI GREEN GANNON, Wilkes- 

Barre, February 4, 2013. Mrs. Gannon was a 

graduate of the Dean School of Business. She was 

employed at the former International Color Printing 

Company in the Parsons section of Wilkes-Barre. 

She was preceded in death by her husband, Leo, 

and by her son. She is survived by her daughter and 


A. PETER KANJORSKI, SR., Nanticoke, November 

15, 2012. He was a son of the late A. Peter Kanjorski 

and WANDA NEDBALSKI KANJORSKI ’22. After 

Sem, Mr. Kanjorski attended Lafayette College 

and was a member of the Zeta Psi fraternity before 

transferring to the Wharton School of the University 

of Pennsylvania, earning a B.S. in Economics in 1957. 

He then attended the University of Pennsylvania Law 

School, where he earned a LLB (Bachelor of Laws) 

in 1960 and was admitted to the practice of law in 

Pennsylvania in 1961. Beginning in 1960, he served 

in the U.S. Army Reserves for six years as a member 

of the 402nd Military Police Prisoner of War Camp, 

attaining the rank of First Lieutenant. He practiced 

law with his father and brother at the Kanjorski 

and Kanjorski law firm in Wilkes-Barre. He was 

appointed by Governor Casey to the Commonwealth 

of Pennsylvania’s Workers’ Compensation Appeal 

Board from 1990 to 1995, serving as Chairman of 

the Board. He was then appointed by Secretary 

of Labor Robert Reich to serve as a Judge on the 

United States Department of Labor’s Employees’ 

Compensation Appeals Board until his retirement 

in 2005. He was a member of the Wilkes-Barre Law 

& Library Association and the Pennsylvania Bar 

Association and was a founder and a Director of 

the Earth Conservancy from 1994 to 2004. He was 

preceded in death by his parents and a sister, Wendy. 

He is survived by his wife Nancy, his sons and their 

children. He is also survived by his brother PAUL 

KANJORSKI ’54; sisters ALOISE KANJORSKI 

ZAVOY ’49 and CHARMAINE KANJORSKI 

APONICK ’60. 

WILLIAM SMEDLEY, Kingston, October 29, 2012. 

Dr. Smedley was a graduate of King’s College and 

the Stritch School of Medicine of Loyola University, 

Chicago, Ill. Additionally, he served as a captain in 

the 402nd Military Police Reserve. He was a Fellow 

of the American College of Surgeons and a member 

of the American Board of Surgery. He built his 

medical practice specializing in abdominal disease, 

trauma, general surgery and eating disorders. He 

was a professor in the advanced trauma life support 

unit at Geisinger Medical Center in Danville, the cofounder 

of the Luzerne County Community College 

Surgical Operating Room tech program in Nanticoke, 

and both an adjunct professor at Temple University 

Medical School in Philadelphia and the King’s College 

Physicians Assistant Program in Wilkes-Barre. Dr. 

Smedley was the football team physician for Bishop 

O’Reilly High School, Kingston, from 1973 until its 

closing in 2007. He is survived by his wife Catherine 

and their children. He is also survived by his siblings 

including MARGARET SMEDLEY ‘55. 

1955 

EUGENE HORANZY, Nanticoke, September 19, 

2012. Mr. Horanzy was a graduate of the Dean 

School of Business and attended Wilkes College. He 

served his town by taking membership in Nanticoke 

Redevelopment and the Nanticoke Housing Authority. 

Mr. Horanzy was employed by M&T Bank, formerly 

Franklin Federal Bank, as a loan officer and was vice 

president of both; he also was a veteran of the U.S. 

Army where he served during the Korean Conflict. 

He is survived by his wife, REGINA DRAMINSKI 

HORANZY ’57, their children and grandchildren. 

1959 

BARRY LANDMESSER, Shavertown, November 26, 

2012. After Sem, Mr. Landmesser attended Penn State 

University and Luzerne County Community College. 

He owned and operated an International Harvester 

dealership and then, for 19 years, owned and operated 

L&W Creations, a jewelry distribution business. 

He was predeceased by his wife, Wendy, and by his 

brother, KARL LANDMESSER ’55. He is survived by 

his niece, KIMBERLY WATKINS ’86 and his nephew, 

SCOTT WATKINS ’89. 

1960 

IRWIN GERSTEIN, Mansfield, Conn., January 8, 

2013, while on his honeymoon in the Bahamas. Dr. 

Gerstein earned a bachelor’s degree from Cornell 

University and a Ph.D. in physics from Brown 

University. At the time of his death, he had been 

working for 25 years as a Design Quality Assurance 

engineer for Hamilton Sunstrand. Two years ago, 

he met his wife, Davita Silfen Glasberg, a sociology 

professor and associate dean at the University of 

Connecticut. They were married on January 5. He is 

survived by Davita, his children and grandchildren. 

He is also survived by his brother MARC GERSTEIN 

’52 and sister ELLEN GERSTEIN HOLLANDS ’56. 

HAROLD RITTENMEYER JR., Wilkes-Barre, 

August 28, 2012. Mr. Rittenmeyer attended Wyoming 

Seminary for two years before leaving to attend the 

Stauton Military Academy in Virginia. He served 

with the Pennsylvania National Guard 1st Battalion 

109th Field Artillery from 1964 to 1970. He had been 

employed by The Times Leader and the Citizen’s Voice, 

retiring in 2004 after 32 years. He is survived by his 

sister, SHIRLEY RITTENMEYER BROWN ’59 and by 

his brother, RONALD RITTENMEYER ’65.

1961 

SUZANNE HESS HAZELTON, Town and Country, 

Mo., and East Burke, Vt., October 29, 2012. Mrs. 

Hazelton graduated from Skidmore College in 1965 

with a B.S. in elementary education. From 1965 to 

1966, she taught first grade at the Henry Drinker 

Elementary School in Moscow. She also taught Bible 

School and Sunday School at the Lake Winola United 

Methodist Church in Lake Winola from 1974 to 

1982 and was the swim coach for the Tunkhannock 

Swim Team for the 1981-82 season. Mrs. Hazelton 

and her husband, Russell, were killed as a result 

of an attempted emergency plane landing in a St. 

Louis area lake. Mr. Hazelton, who piloted the small 

aircraft, died at the scene of the crash. Mrs. Hazelton, 

who was the sole passenger, died as a result of injuries 

sustained during the accident. They were both 

survived by their son Chad and daughter Happy and 

by their grandchildren. 

1966 

NICHOLAS SOUCHIK JR., Pittston, October 15, 

2012. After Sem, Mr. Souchik went on to further 

his education at Tri-State University, Ind., where 

he acquired his bachelor’s degree in electrical 

engineering. Later, he went on to acquire his master’s 

degree. Mr. Souchik served as the executive director 

of the Luzerne County Civil Defense. He played an 

instrumental role during the Agnes Flood in helping 

to organize aid for the flood victims. Prior to his 

retirement, he was employed for many years by the 

Department of Defense as an electrical engineer with 

the Department of the Navy. He is survived by his 

children and grandchildren. 

1967 

AMY-LYN POUSER WEBB, Dallas, November 29, 

2012. Mrs. Webb graduated from Wilkes University 

with a teaching degree and taught for many years 

until the birth of her son in 1992. She is survived 

by her son and step-daughters and by her husband, 

Harmon. 

1986 

GUYLER GUTSTEIN, Waterford, Mich., January 14, 

2013. Mr. Gutstein was a graduate of The University 

of Wisconsin and Thomas M. Cooley School of Law in 

Michigan, and served as an editor of the Law Review. 

After graduating from the University of Wisconsin he 

worked directly with PA Congressman Paul Kanjorski 

as a professional staff member. He is survived by his 

son Jack, 13. 

Former Faculty 

BARBARA AIERSTOCK, Myrtle Beach, S.C., 

December 29, 2012. Ms. Aierstock taught at Wyoming 

Seminary from 1954 to 1956. From 1957 to 1965, she 

served as assistant professor and chair of health and 

physical education at Beaver College (now Arcadia 

University), where she coached field hockey and 

basketball. She was named to the Arcadia University 

Athletic Hall of Fame in 2011. From 1969-70, she was 

an assistant professor of physical education at Iowa 

State University. She was a professor of physical 

education at Indiana University of Pennsylvania from 

1972 until her retirement as professor emeritus in 

1992. 

W. CARVER COLLINS, 

Kingston, January 

13, 2013. After his 

education at the U.S. 

Naval Academy and 

the University of 

Pittsburgh, Mr. Collins 

co-founded the William 

Penn Playhouse and 

worked for Chatham 

College in Pittsburgh. He moved his family to the 

Wyoming Valley in 1968 to work for Wilkes College 

and then in 1970 began working at Wyoming 

Seminary. It was at Sem where Mr. Collins flourished 

for 35 years as a teacher of literature, history and 

theater. Directing young actors, building scenery 

and staging productions filled him with purpose. In 

equal measure, he thrived on his ability to inspire 

his students to think and write clearly and concisely. 

He is survived by his daughter MORA COLLINS 

JOHNSON ’78 and his son ROBERT COLLINS ’86. 

You may view memorial comments from Sem alumni 

at wyomingseminary.org/page.cfmp=1568 or at 

Sem’s Facebook page. 

EDWINA BUTLER DOUD, formerly of Scranton area, 

January 1, 2013. She graduated from Russell Sage 

College, Troy, N.Y., in 1948, with a degree in physical 

education. She taught and coached at Wyoming 

Seminary and at Keystone Junior College. She resided 

in Wilmington, Del., for 50 years, before retiring to 

New England in Danvers, Mass. She was preceded in 

death by her husband, Donald. 

MARY CATHERINE 

SHEDLAWSKI, Forty 

Fort, January 27, 2013. Mrs. 

Shedlawski was a graduate 

of Blossburg High School, 

class of 1941.Following 

high school, she went on to 

further her education at St. 

Joseph’s Hospital, School 

of Nursing, Elmira, N.Y. In 1944, she graduated 

as a registered nurse, and was named the class 

valedictorian. Mrs. Shedlawski began her nursing 

career at Blossburg State General Hospital, where 

she met her husband, Dr. Joseph F. Shedlawski. 

In 1947, the couple relocated to Forty Fort, where 

Dr. Shedlawski opened his medical practice. Mrs. 

Shedlawski assisted her husband in his medical 

practice, until the birth of their first child, when 

she shifted into the role of a dedicated homemaker. 

In 1964, Mrs. Shedlawski began a new career as a 

kindergarten teacher at the Wyoming Seminary 

Lower School, Forty Fort. She became the head of the 

program soon thereafter. Throughout her 30-year 

tenure with Wyoming Seminary, she diligently and 

lovingly educated hundreds of children, retiring 

from her position in 1994. She remained actively 

connected to the Wyoming Seminary community 

throughout the years and kept in contact with many 

of her former colleagues and students. In 2008, she 

received the Joseph C. Donchess Distinguished Service 

Award, the school’s highest honor, in recognition 

of her many contributions to Wyoming Seminary. 

She was preceded in death by her husband and by 

her daughter, PAULINE SHEDLAWSKI ’71. She is 

survived by her son, JOSEPH SHEDLAWSKI ’72. You 

may view memorial comments from Sem alumni at 

wyomingseminary.org/page.cfmp=1576 or at Sem’s 

Facebook page.

Naomi Greenwald’s voice has been described as calm, clear, 

comforting – yet raw. Her music is reminiscent of the early 

90s indie rock scene, with a touch of Fleetwood Mac and Ten 

Thousand Maniacs. Her lyrics reflect the trials and triumphs of 

many people in their 20s and early 30s. And on March 26 she 

released her third recording, an EP titled “Composite,” that 

brilliantly displays her unique songwriting style. 

She already has produced two arresting music videos and is 

now performing in clubs in Los Angeles, New York City and 

other locations in between. She also has discovered that she 

has a knack for writing jingles and has already written a few for 

her father’s medical practice and for friends. 

Making 

music 

in the 

City of 

Angels 

And once she completes her Ph.D. in comparative literature 

at the University of Southern California, she hopes to build 

a life balanced between her love of writing and performing 

her singular style of music, and her enjoyment of teaching 

literature. 

“It would be great to be able to support myself with my music, 

at least modestly,” says Greenwald, who has worked as an 

assistant lecturer in USC’s undergraduate honors department, 

“but I would love to try my hand at being a professor, although 

it is a very competitive job market.” 

Greenwald began studying piano and violin in Lower School 

but was drawn to the guitar in eighth grade. She began playing 

in earnest as a freshman in Upper School, after damaging her 

ACL playing soccer. She also began writing songs and soon 

was performing them in coffee house nights in Carpenter 

Hall. She continued writing music and performing now and 

then while earning her bachelor’s and master’s degrees at 

New York University and The New School, but found that the 

frenetic pace and extensive music scene of New York City made 

songwriting more difficult. 

Southern California’s more laid-back rhythm was more 

conducive to her writing, however, and Greenwald quickly 

became acquainted with some of the music industry’s rising 

stars. With the 2011 release of her album “Darkbloom,” 

produced by Dave Trumfio and featuring great musicians such 

as Vincent Jones, Fern Sanchez and Jason Orme, she started 

getting noticed. Her hit single “Don’t Forget Hallelujah” 

was chosen as the National Public Radio Song of the Day in 

September, 2011 (“by far the most exciting moment of my 

music career so far,” she says), she’s been featured as the 

“Writer of the Week” in American Songwriter, and Songwriter’s 

Naomi Greenwald ’98 

Monthly says “her songs have both an intellect and a soul; in 

many ways, Greenwald is a kind of Lennon and McCartney in 

one.” 

Greenwald’s newest EP, “Composite,” reflects her experiences 

as a member of a large family and her feelings about the 

English and American literature she has been reading 

while conducting her Ph.D. research. The EP’s first single 

and video, “So We Try,” recently premiered on American 

Songwriter Magazine’s site (www.americansongwriter.com) 

and is already generating enthusiastic reviews (watch it at 

naomigreenwald.com). 

While Greenwald appreciates being compared to major 

rockers such as Stevie Nicks and Fleetwood Mac, “in the end I 

do have my own voice,” she says. It’s a voice that may one day 

find stardom both in the classroom and in music. 

You may reach Naomi Greenwald at info@naomigreenwald.com

Alumni Office 

College Preparatory School 

201 North Sprague Avenue 

Kingston, Pennsylvania 18704-3593 

address service requested 

Non-Profit 

Organization 

U.S. Postage 

PAID 

Permit No. 29 

Wilkes-Barre, PA 

Notice: Postal regulations require the school to pay a fee for every 

copy not deliverable as addressed. Please notify us of any change 

of address, giving both the new and old addresses. You may e-mail 

changes to alumni@wyomingseminary.org. 

Don’t miss this fall’s Homecoming! 

September 27-28 

All alumni are invited to attend the historic dedication of the new Nesbitt Stadium on Saturday, September 28! Don’t miss 

this opportunity to experience all the new features of this state-of-the-art athletic facility and see why Nesbitt Stadium is 

once again the finest, most modern outdoor athletic complex at any educational institution in northeastern Pennsylvania! 

Celebrating this year are the classes of 1993, 1998, 2003 and 2008 

Visit wyomingseminary.org/alumni for a list of available hotels

Click to view the Spring 2013 Wyoming Seminary Journal.

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