THESE TWO MEDAILLE ALUMS FIND
ADVENTURE
OFF AND ON THE FIELD
Dave Bennett ‘09 MC Ben Dlugosh ‘09 MC For the first time in 11 years, Dave Bennett ‘09 MC and Ben Dlugosh ‘09 MC aren’t playing on the same lacrosse team. The duo became friends quickly as middle schoolers at Palmyra Macedon Schools when they began playing lacrosse in sixth grade, and continued through high school and college at Medaille. Now, they are playing for the English Lacrosse Association (ELA) and are contracted to be in England until April. Bennett is living based in Croydon, a southern borough of London and Dlugosh lives in Eccles, in the Borough of Salford in the City of Manchester. Q: How did this opportunity come about? Dave: Our assistant lacrosse coach at Medaille, Jon Kenney, participated in the program and he gave me a lot of information and advice throughout the process as well. To apply I sent in an application the fall of my senior year and then went to Baltimore for an interview. Q: What was the biggest culture shock? Ben: I have to drive from school to school, and driving over here has proven to be quite difficult. It only took me a few times out to get used to the opposite side of the road, but the two hardest parts of driving here is the fact that every intersection is a roundabout. The roads are very skinny compared to home. I am always nervous I am going to hit the curb, a parked car, or a car coming my way. Q: Do you work there? Ben: I was hired here by the English Lacrosse Association as a Lacrosse Development Officer (LDO). My job is to go into local schools and teach lacrosse in gym class. When I go into these schools, I represent Boardman and Eccles club, the team I play for. I am also the head coach for the Boardman and Eccles under 16 team. My other main job is to start and recruit an under 12 team. Q: What do you do for fun? Dave: I’m lucky in that I live really close to a bunch of other American coaches so we are able to hang out and sightsee almost every day. So when I can’t hang out with my team I always have someone around. My favorite attraction so far has been the Nottinghill Carnival in London. I hadn’t been off the plane more than ten hours when a few of my teammates took me to it. It’s the second biggest street carnival in the world and the biggest in Europe. I think there were around 500,000 people there so it was a very surreal welcome to England. Read the complete Q&A witih Dave and Ben and browse through photos at http://alumni.medaille.edu.
1984
Patricia E. Smith ’84 MC retired from a 20-year career in public relations in 2005. Smith volunteers weekly at a nonprofit literary arts center in South Buffalo, which she helped found. She is also a board member and race chair for the Western New York Affiliate of the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure.
1986
WE’D LIKE TO KNOW. . .
Valerie Pawlowski ’01 MC and her fiancé Jose Bello welcomed a son, Andrew Louis Bello, in September 2009. They will be married in January 2010.
joined NACWAA after serving as Assistant Athletic Director for Athletics Special Events and Club Sports and Assistant Softball Coach at Wellesley College. At Medaille College, she was a member of the varsity soccer, basketball, and softball teams, captaining soccer and softball. Valentine was the first studentathlete in Medaille’s history to be named “Student-Athlete of the Year” as a freshman.
2002
2005
2000
Christopher Wettach ’05 MBA works for the government as a Revenue Agent in Buffalo, NY.
2001 Robby Takac ’86 MC, a member of Medaille’s board of trustees, is founder of the seventh annual Music is Art Festival, which took place on Saturday, September 12, 2009 at the Albright-Knox Art Gallery in Buffalo, NY. Every year the festival features live music dance and art performances as well as art and exhibitions by local artists and performers.
1995 Albert Charles Erni Sr. ’95 BA is a Financial Advisor for Merrill Lynch in Cheektowaga, NY.
1996 Kim Ryan ’96 HRD is a Business & Planning Analyst at M&T Bank.
1999 Amanda Jane (Bach) Eckert ’99 VET is a Veterinary Technician for Seneca Animal Hospital in East Aurora, NY.
2006 Kelly Bineau ’06 HHS is a Recreation Specialist at Loretto in Liverpool, NY.
Padraic Michael CollinsBohrer ’01 MC recently joined the Guest Relations team at the Strong National Museum of Play in Rochester, New York. He works throughout the museum assisting guests in the various exhibits.
Toni L. Vazquez ’02 MBA is running for Amherst Town Board in Amherst, NY.
2004 Jennifer (Earle) Strickland ’04 MSED is an Elementary Education Teacher in the Buffalo City School District.
Reverend Kenneth Kinton ’01 LS is publishing his first book entitled From Narrative to Homily, a textbook for seminary students as well as experienced preachers. The book will be released sometime midyear of 2010. http://kenkinton. authorweblog.com. Tanisha (Stephens) Mackin ’01 MC married Dan Mackin in August 2009. They are expecting their second child (a girl) in January 2010.
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Mark Glende ’06 ED is a Special Education Teacher at Wake County Public Schools in Raleigh, NC. Joelle Palmer (Gates) Guarino ’06 MBA is the Accounts Payable Manager at Advantage Company/Stereo Advantage in Williamsville, NY.
Heather Machin ’06 MC gave birth to a baby girl, Megan Margaret, in September 2008. Megan Valentine ’04 SPM is the new Director of Membership and Convention Services of the National Association of Collegiate Women Athletics Administrators (NACWAA) in Wilmington, NC. Valentine
Laurie (Weaver) Wojtaszczyk ’06 MSED is an Elementary Education Teacher at Nativity of Mary School in Williamsville, NY.
2007
Margaret (Scott) Suraf ’07 and husband Jeremy Suraf welcomed their new baby girl, Lily Karolyn, in August. Deborah Terzian ’07 BA began a custom airbrushing on t-shirts business, Dragonfire Designs, in May 2008. Terzian runs it at the Walden Ave Flea Market in Cheektowaga, NY.
Reverend Howard Patton III ’08 CIS works as an Instructional Technology Coordinator at the Niagara Falls Housing Authority SUNY ATTAIN LAB. Patton is a member of the National Technical Honor Society and the Association of Information Technology Professionals. He is a Literacy Volunteer of America and an HIV/AIDS Peer Educator. He is also an ordained minister and mentors teens. Julie Kay Slate ’08 MBA is an Admissions Counselor for Monroe Community College in Rochester, NY.
Nicholas Michael LaMarca ’08 MHC is an Addictions Counselor for Horizon Health Services. LaMarca served in the US Army from 2002 to 2006, the US National Guard from 2006 to 2009 and received his BSW from SUNY Brockport in 2002. Karen Ann Olay ’08 BA works in manufacturing as a Project Lead for Life Technologies, Inc., in Grand Island, NY.
NEWS
KRISTIN MAJERONI Managing Editor KARA KANE Contributor SUMMER (GEMMATI) HANDZLIK ’08 MC Contributor LISA MURPHY Graphic Design AlumNews is published every other month. For submissions please email alumni@medaille.edu.
Jessica Gregoire ’09 MOL is Senior Clerk for Erie County in the state of New York. Carrie Rosati ’09 MOL works in marketing and sales as an Instruction Sheet Writer for Fisher-Price in East Aurora, NY.
The Medaille College Phonathon reaches out to alumni to help keep them connected to Medaille.Take the time to speak with a student caller. Hear updates about what is happening on campus, and confirm or update your address and e-mail address. You are also offered the opportunity to make an impact on campus by supporting academic programs, scholarships, and student activities by making a financial gift to the Medaille Fund. Our 18 student callers are committed to helping maintain and improve the Medaille experience for students of today and tomorrow. Your help provides great opportunity and experiences for students at Medaille.
VOLUNTEER SPIRIT REMAINS STRONG
“People found their niche on how to stay connected with the Medaille community, while helping embrace our mission of creating a sustainable WNY.” Sara Burke ’09 PSY married Daniel Farmer on Saturday, May 23, 2009. The wedding ceremony and reception took place at Lockport Locks in Lockport, NY. Burke is in her second year of her master’s program in Marriage and Family Therapy at Syracuse University and will be applying for Ph.D. programs in the spring. She hopes to continue her career as a counselor.
• • • PAGE 4 • • •
Your donation can help change a student’s future.
2009
2008 Aniela Baj ’08 MOL is a Legislative Assistant for the City of Buffalo. Baj is also involved in the following social organizations: Adam Mickiewicz Library & Dramatic Circle, Buffalo Rzesow Sister Cities, Buffalo Niagara Sister Cities International, Corpus Christi Church, Friends of the Broadway Market, Youth Leadership Erie County, Erie County Youth Board, East Buffalo Democratic Club, Better Beverage Society, and East Side Historical Association.
The Annual Medaille Phonathon is back in session!
Medaille College ALUM
where you are, who you married, where you’re working now! Send your class note to alumni@medaille.edu
Victoria Ann Hanson ’99 MC has accepted a position with Emory University in Atlanta, GA serving as the Operations Manager for the Dobbs University Center.
Penny L. Marble ’00 BBA, ’02 MBA has accepted the position of Student Services Coordinator for the Rochester Campus of Medaille College’s ALP program. She also continues as a member of the adjunct faculty at both the Rochester and Amherst campuses.
• • • PAGE 3 • • •
-Jerry Inglet Medaille Corporate and Business Community Liason
As non-profit organizations face a decline in public and private financial support, Medaille’s Donate Your Brain for Non-Profit Gain event on October 8 demonstrated that WNY’s volunteer spirit remains strong. Dorthea King-Simpson ’07 MOL, who travelled from Rochester with her co-worker to attend, says, “When I received the invitation, I was immediately drawn to the title. To “donate my brain” implied that someone, other than my employer, was interested in my knowledge and skills.” The event brought 35 non-profits to the Ellicott Square Building, where they set up for the evening to tell a crowd of several dozen potential volunteers about short-term opportunities to lend their time and talents. According to Jerry Inglet, the Medaille corporate and business community liaison who coordinated the event, “People found their niche on how to stay connected with the Medaille community, while helping embrace our mission of creating a sustainable WNY.” To find out more about how to help the participating non-profit organizations, contact Jerry at gji24@medaille.edu.
Kaleidoscope Theatre productions
Special Discount for Alumni
Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde on the BUFFALO CAMPUS
Kaleidoscope Theatre has a new home at Medaille College. Alumni can purchase discounted tickets to individual shows for $10. The next play in the season is “Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde” showing January 29 – February 13 on Fridays at 7:30 p.m. and Saturdays at 3 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. “A Tale of Depravity, Lust, Love, and Horror. A new and shocking version of Robert Louis Stevenson’s classic tale that takes place on the fog-bound streets of Victorian-era London. Henry Jekyll’s experiments with exotic ‘powders and tinctures’ have brought forth his other self – Edward Hyde. Played by four separate actors, Hyde is a sensualist and villain free to commit the sins Jekyll is too civilized to comprehend.” - Kaleidoscope Theatre Productions Tickets may be purchased through the Box Office by calling (716) 479-1587 or online at www.KaleidoscopeTheatreProductions.com. Medaille alumni must provide an alumni association membership ID card when they pick up tickets. To receive your Lifetime Membership Card, register as a member of the online alumni community and yours will be mailed to you.
Above: Wanda Snow, Dorthea King-Simpson ‘07 MOL, Dr. Richard Jurasek and Kristin Majeroni chatting at the event. A Kenan Center representative speaks to attendees.
JOIN US TODAY!
CLASS NOTES • • • PAGE 2 • • •
SPOTLIGHT ALUMS
There are 1094 members in Medaille’s Online Alumni Community. 28% from the Amherst Campus 64% from the Buffalo Campus 8% from the Rochester Campus Have you joined the Online Alumni Community? Represent your campus and join today! http://alumni.medaille.edu/
Young Alumni turn a page on a new chapter at...
Page’s Grille
SPOTLIGHT ALUM This alum’s to-do-list included a
REUNION
AND BAR
Watch for other upcoming events planned by and for young alumni.
OF A DIFFERENT KIND
Jennifer (Earle) Strickland ‘04 MSED completed her “to-do” list when her first novel, REUNION, was published. “An unfinished ‘to-do’ list was, officially, my inspiration. I’ve been writing poems, short stories, and the Great American Novel since I was seven,” says Strickland. “My ‘to-do’ list, since my teenage years, included seeing something good published with my name on the cover. Everything else was done... but that box remained unchecked.” Now, the box is filled. Strickland has yet to discover an adjective greater than “awesome” to describe how she felt when her book was published. “When I find it [the word], that’ll be the word that describes how I felt when I received the completed author’s copy. I cried, I laughed, I called everybody with whom I wanted to share the moment. I even remember shouting up to my mom, in heaven, ‘It’s done, Ma! I finally did it!’” Strickland exclaims. REUNION is set in Buffalo, NY, and is a fictional account of a celebrated female reporter who reluctantly attends her high school reunion. It is the emotional, inspirational, and heartwarming story of Jelise Jones’ journey, and the detours encountered as she tries to hide a secret that, if revealed, could disrupt the lives of many. Strickland’s idea for the novel evolved from what she already knew about reunions. “I’ve successfully planned and presented my high school class reunions, family reunions, and most recently, my childhood community reunion. I’ve witnessed the joys and pains that sometimes surface at these events,” explains Strickland. She plans on writing other books, including the sequels to REUNION: Restoration, which Strickland hopes to see published sometime next year, and Release & Rejoice. “I also have a children’s book idea on one of my desks. There are, of course, other ideas and storylines, but I’m not ready to share them, yet,” adds Strickland, who clarifies that the journey to being published was tedious. “I, with the help of a few patient and faithful family members and friends, went through the grueling editing process at least five times before I signed off on the final galley,” says Strickland. Strickland looks forward to each day and all it has to offer. “I dress myself in both invisible boxing gloves and hugs each day so that I’m prepared for whatever comes my way,” Strickland describes. If given the choice, she would bring these four books if she was stranded on an island: The Bible, The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen R. Covey, Dr. T.D. Jakes’ Reposition Yourself: Living Life Without Limits (Strickland plans to get off the Island!) and Robinson Crusoe by William Defoe.
ALUM
18 Agassiz Circle Buffalo, NY
JOIN OUR
MARK YOUR
CALENDAR
TODAY!
RAMAN...
Keep in touch with your classmates.
A great opportunity to connect and network
Find out about the great events your Alumni Association offers throughout the year. Take advantage of the extra benefits offered to all members of the Online Community. Left: Leah Burch ’03 VET won the pair of Bills tickets.
Update us on what is happening both personally and professionally.
Visit http://alumni.medaille.edu
ALUMNI ASSOCIATION
Right: YAC member Amanda Kolin ’07 SPM with friend Sara.
Left: Jennifer Desiderio ’08 MBA and Nicole Piciulo ’08 MBA catching up with each other.
A night of wings, drinks and the Sabres game brought Medaille’s young alumni together at Page’s Bar and Grille in Depew. All alumni who attended were entered in a drawing for Bills tickets – Leah Burch ’03 VET was the winner. The Young Alumni Committee (YAC) works together actively to plan events for Medaille’s young alumni. Plan to join us Sunday, December 20, at Ralph Wilson Stadium parking lot for the annual Bill tailgate party. The YAC is looking for additional alumni to participate from all degree programs.
Want to join the Young Alumni Committee (YAC)? E-mail alumni@medaille.edu or call Kristin Majeroni at 716-880-3368.
NEWS
alumni association
ONLINE COMMUNITY
Jennifer (Earle) Strickland ‘04 MSED
November 2009 Volume V, Issue lll
MEDAILLE COLLEGE
REGISTER
• • • PAGE 5 • • •
Register For Alumni Events Online http://alumni.medaille.edu Call 716.880.2099 Questions? Email: alumni@medaille.edu Call: 716.880.3368
Nominate an alum for our annual awards!
EVENTS CALENDAR Cirque Dreams Holidaze
Bills vs. Patriots Tailgate Party
Shea’s Performing Arts Center Tuesday, December 15, 2009 6 p.m. cocktail and hors d’oeuvre party 7:30 p.m. show time
Sponsored by the Young Alumni Committee Ralph Wilson Stadium Sunday, December 20, 2009 10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
RAMAN
Rochester Campus Wednesday, January 27, 2010 5:30 -7 p.m.
SAVE THE DATE! Spring Jam 2010 Saturday, March 13 in the Sullivan Center at Buffalo Campus. Stay tuned to find out the theme and band we’ll be jammin’ to!
Visit http://alumni.medaille.edu/events
Mark your calendar for the next RAMAN event at the Rochester Campus on January 27, 2010, from 5:30-7 p.m. Current Medaille students, alumni and local area businesses will attend to network and offer advice. Come build your network and represent your field of expertise. At the October RAMAN event, alumni learned from presenter Greg Taylor the best ways to maximize LinkedIn for networking. Whether familiar or not with LinkedIn, all attendees gain valuable tools to help them utilize the social media website. “Greg outlined many of the features offered, and showcased how best to use LinkedIn. The biggest value for me was learning how best to navigate the site and the features that are available,” relates Charles Bishop ’09 BA. When asked how attending RAMAN events have helped in expanding his network of contacts he responded, “RAMAN events are priceless. They are an integral way to branch out and meet new people as well as learn from guest speakers.”
Recognizing
Alumni
A look at who’s who
for OUTSTANDING INVOLVEMENT with the College and in their communities On September 16, 2009, the second floor of the Sullivan Center was decorated and dressed to hold Medaille’s Alumni Association Awards Ceremony and Donor Recognition Reception. It was a unique opportunity to recognize the Medaille supporters, honor outstanding alumni and staff, and induct new Buffalo and Amherst Alumni Board members. The Distinguished Alumnus Award recipient from the Rochester Campus and new Rochester Alumni Board members were presented at the campuses new building dedication on August 25, 2009. This year’s alumni association award winners are: Jennifer Blackchief ’06 MBA - Distinguished Alumnus
Distinguished Alumnus award recipient Jennifer Blackchief ’06 MBA celebrates the evening with mother Maryann Nowicki.
LaTarcia Kenner Daniels ’04 AS, ’07 BA, ’08 MOL, this year’s new Amherst Board President, addresses guests .
New Amherst Alumni Board Member David Schnettler ’08 MBA dines with wife Maureen and guests during the presentation of awards.
Ann Horn-Jeddy ’99 BA, ’06 MOL - Distinguished Alumnus Michael Piatko ’02 CIS - Distinguished Staff To nominate a graduate for the 2010 Distinguished Alumnus Award or a Medaille employee for the Distinguished Faculty/ Staff Award, please visit http:// medaille.yourmembership. com/?AlumniAwards
Barbara Yendall, last year’s Distinguished Staff Award recipient, presents Mike Piatko ’02 CIS with his award.
Professor Ross Runfola and new Buffalo Alumni Board member Raymond Bailey’06 PSY have a laugh while catching up at the reception.
Register Online at http://alumni.medaille.edu
Ann Horn-Jeddy ’99 BA, ‘06 MOL, after receiving her award at the Rochester Campus in August.