Medaille College Magazine

Winter 2010-11 The magazine of the Medaille College Community BUFFALO I AMHERST I ROCHESTER

Campus News Founders’ Day The GLOW Project How-To...

Sports Roundup Buffalo News photographer Bill Wippert captured a beautiful image at Medaille’s 5th annual tree lighting ceremony Nov. 29, where faculty, students and staff gathered to officially usher in the holiday season.

Inside cover photo: Medaille celebrated its 135th birthday on the Buffalo campus this fall with a party for students, alumni and friends with the unveiling of a new marketing and branding campaign. Events to launch the new campaign at the Amherst and Rochester campuses followed.

Medaille Magazine

Winter 2010-11

inside

4 College News

Everyday science, extraordinary

heroes, and environmental consciousness

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Founders’ Day

Preparations underway for 2011

celebration of community volunteers

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GLOW Project

Medaille brings inspirational stories from remarkable women to Buffalo.

18 How-To...

Medaille alumni explain the who, what, why and how of what they do well.

Looking back on the fall season, with a preview of winter and spring action.

29 Sports Round Up

Printed in Buffalo, NY by United Graphics (www.unitedgraphics.net)

Magazine Editor

Kara Kane

Associate Editor

summer handzlik ’08 mc ’12 mba

Designer

Carla F. Kestner

Contributors

kara kane

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TARA eRWIN

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jasmine mcCoy ‘11 mc

Photography

Kara Kane I kc kratt I Jim McCoy I Medaille Athletics I Muhammad School of Music Christopher Ripley ’12 EDU I michael thomas ’09 vda I bill wippert, buffalo news

Greg Wlosinski ’07 VDA

College Relations Office

Paula R. Valente Vice President for College Relations Gwyn Beyer Administrative Assistant robert k. eisman Webmaster tara erwin Interim Director of Communications Sara Mobilia Fluskey Director of Alumni Relations and Development evelyn hamilton Event and Conference Planner

Board of Trustees 2010-11

Officers: Charles E. Moran, Jr. Chair Stephen L. Cicchinelli ‘98 David Elias Peter Freyburger, DVM

Stuart H. Angert Vice Chair

Horace A. Gioia, Esq. Robert S. Graber ‘96 Ellen E. Grant, Ph.D., LCSW-R

Summer (Gemmati) Handzlik ’08 MC ’12 mba Associate for Alumni Relations and Development Kara Kane Director of Communications carla f. kestner Graphic Designer/Publications Specialist Laura E. Masse Graduate Assistant Vicki Ward Director of Advancement Services

Juanita K. Hunter, Ed.D. Secretary

Richard T. Jurasek, Ph.D. Margaret Kafka ‘90 James R. Kaskie

Michael K. Walsh Treasurer

William H. Pearce, Jr. Heidi A. Raphael ‘85 Robert L. Stevenson

Robby Takac ‘86 Rocco Termini Don Tomasulo ‘79

From the President Two years ago, Medaille College proclaimed a vision for the year 2020: “Medaille College will be known as the leader in preparing learners for career success and a lifelong commitment to a civic and sustainable future in Buffalo, the region and the world.”

As we approach 2011, Medaille is continuing to deliver on that direct and defining promise to our students and our community. We pledged to build on our legacy strengths and to make an unqualified commitment to every student’s success, and since February, Medaille has secured nearly $4 million from federal and private sources that will help us keep that promise.

Beginning with a $400,000 grant from The John R. Oishei Foundation for Project EQUIP in February 2010, support from outside sources continues to gain strength. In August, the U.S. Department of Education renewed Medaille’s Title IV TRIO/Student Support Services grant, which will allow us to continue comprehensive services to 200 low-income, firstgeneration students and students with disabilities. This funding amounts to nearly $1.5 million over five years.

With our 30-year history of TRIO/Student Support Services, our continued funding testifies to our purpose as a college of opportunity and success.

In October 2010, a Title III award from the Department of Education’s “Strengthening Institutions” initiative authorized nearly $2 million over five years for Medaille to improve retention and graduation rates.

Our integrated strategies will centralize our existing student support services and develop a high-impact set of practices that encourage our students from their first day of class until their graduation.

By spring 2011, the College will have a tangible, remarkable symbol of our commitment to students: the planned completion of the Student Success Center, a structure that will expand the existing Huber Hall and consolidate support services under one roof.

With a history of 135 years of education in Buffalo, Medaille continues to seize opportunities and build on its strengths. We remain committed to one constant theme: educating people of all ages and walks of life as they work to achieve their dreams. Thank you for continuing with us on this journey.

Breaking Ground on Student Success Construction for the Student Success Center on the Buffalo campus began in earnest in mid-November. This twostory addition to Huber Hall will nearly double the size of the existing building, creating a 40,000-square-foot facility to house the College’s Advisement Center, Office of Disability Services, Academic Support Center and Career Planning Services. This integrated setting will include two new learning labs, a student technology lounge, four state-of-the-art classrooms and a faculty/ staff technology-training room.

The project is receiving part of a $12 million financing package through the Erie County Industrial Development Agency, which Medaille will use to invest in and to expand facilities on its Buffalo campus. This center represents an investment of approximately $3.4 million into one of the College’s core facilities.

“A college campus, by definition, provides space for living, learning, communicating, research, athletics, wellness — the list goes on,” said Dr. Richard T. Jurasek, president of Medaille

College. “Medaille is not unique in that sense, but we are pioneering expanded services that we know will make a difference in each student’s journey from the first day of classes to graduation weekend. We are very, very proud of that distinction and our commitment to our students.”

Approximately 60 percent of Medaille’s undergraduates are first-generation college students, and this expansion coincides with the development of academic and learning programs that draw together classroom and experiential learning, most visibly through Project EQUIP and other Community 101 initiatives.

Nick Calandra ’11, president of the Student Government Association, addressed the crowd assembled for the official groundbreaking ceremony: “From pens on paper to shovels in the ground, Medaille is much different than when I started as a freshman, and more vibrant than ever.” He continued, “The Student Success Center will give students the tools needed to reach our potential.”

(L-R) Hormoz Mansouri, E.I. Team Engineering; Alfred Culliton, Erie County Industrial Development Agency; Dr. Richard Jurasek, president, Medaille College; Michael LoCurto, Buffalo Common Council member; Gary Bichler, R&P Oak Hill; Nick Calandra ’11, president, Student Government Association; and Michael Walsh, board of trustee, Walsh Duffield Companies, break ground on the Student Success Center. photo by greg wlosinski ‘07 VDA

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Fast Forward Rochester Campus introduces Mental Health Counseling program With the rising need for mental health services throughout western New York, Medaille introduced its Master of Arts in Mental Health Counseling program at the Rochester Campus in September.

Initially offered to a cohort of ten students, the program follows the format that has been delivered through the Amherst Campus since 2007. Open to individuals with pending bachelor’s degrees, this graduate program prepares students for careers in schools, mental health clinics, rehabilitation programs, hospitals and palliative care. Applications are being accepted for spring (January) and fall (August) semesters. For more information, visit sage.medaille.edu.

Fast Forward: a bachelor’s degree in just one year

Medaille’s first online program: BBA in Information Systems

In tandem with its existing BBA programs in Amherst and Rochester, Medaille has created a one-year program leading to a Bachelor of Business Administration. By enrolling in four classes at a time, students meet for four hours on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Aimed toward students transferring from community colleges and those with flexible schedules, the program is among the shortest of its kind in the region.

Recognizing the demand for online degree programs, Medaille developed its first online program, a Bachelor of Business Administration in Information Systems (BBA/IS) in September. As a non-traditional, cohort-based program, the degree is available to adults who have completed 60 or more college credits. A degree in information systems opens the door to careers in business, management, criminal justice, and technology services. Students apply through the School of Adult and Graduate Admissions offices in Amherst and Rochester. For complete details, visit sage.medaille.edu.

Angela Berti ’10 MOL and Kimberly Chiarmonte ’82 HHS ’10 MOL. photo by KC Kratt

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photo by kc kratt

Chris Wopperer ‘09 BBA ‘10 MOL, currently pursuing a graduate degree in organizational leadership, spent four years in the U.S. Marine Corps—including four- and seven-month tours in Iraq.

“Living life has been my greatest teacher.”

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Combat to Classroom Outreach With the creation of an Office of Veteran and Military Affairs that spans three campuses, Medaille continues to take steps to make its programs and services “veteran-friendly.”

Sergio Rodriguez ’08 ASB, a U.S. Marine Corps veteran who served in support of Operation Enduring Sergio Rodriguez Freedom, joined Medaille’s admissions team this summer to coordinate the College’s combat to classroom outreach to service members and veterans in western New York.

In that sense, outreach doesn’t just mean meeting a student’s educational needs. Drawing from his experience with the Erie County Veterans Service Agency, Rodriguez is able to direct students, potential students, and alumni to the governmental benefits to which they are entitled, and to internal resources on campus – financial, academic, and student life – that add value to their time in Medaille’s programs.

One of those students is Chris Wopperer ’09 BBA ’10 MOL, who spent four years in the U.S. Marine Corps, including seven-month and four-month tours in Iraq. “Living life has been my greatest teacher,” he explained. As he pursues a graduate degree in organizational leadership at the Amherst Campus, he also works as the sales manager for Thermal Foams in Buffalo. He notes that the Marines taught him the fundamentals of leadership, and “how to overcome mental challenges that I never thought I could.”

Jennifer Weerheim ’13 MHC offered, “Joining the military was definitely one of the smartest decisions that I could have made.” She cited the fact that Medaille’s mental health counseling program in Amherst is clinically-based, with a work-friendly schedule, as part of the reason for choosing the school. “[The military] has given me the chance to see the world and to experience different cultures with a nice paycheck, and they’ve paid for my bachelor’s and most of my master’s.”

As service members return from overseas, the demand grows for college programs that acknowledge the unique experiences that military service provides. Based on student interest, Medaille is now home to the Medaille Student Veterans Alliance, which provides a networking structure, organizes special events and advocates for veterans’ interests

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in the community. The Medaille Student Veterans Alliance was recently recognized by Medaille’s Student Government Association as a club and it became an official Student Veterans of America chapter on December 9.

With national recognition from Military Times EDGE “Best for Vets: Colleges” list and as a “Military Friendly School” from G.I. Jobs, Medaille continues to demonstrate that its programs and services provide a substantial commitment to veterans and service members.

“Pack a Backpack” supports children of local veterans

Medaille College contributed office supplies and backpacks to WNYHeroes, Inc. as part of a “Pack a Backpack” initiative to start the 2010-11 school year.

The multi-campus effort to support children of local veterans and service members resulted in the collection of 51 backpacks and 25 gym bags over the month of August, which WNYHeroes distributed to families just before the first day of school.

This project was part of Medaille’s ongoing effort to support local veterans through community organizations, including the Arts in Education Institute’s Veterans Art Therapy Program, and student support services through Medaille’s Office of Veterans and Military Affairs.

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Photo by Will O’Leary

“Genius inspires, but it doesn’t necessarily make us learn more.”

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NPR’s Scott Simon Speaks From the minute he took to the podium, audience members who listen regularly to NPR’s Weekend Edition Saturday could recognize the distinctive voice of Scott Simon as he introduced himself.

Although his profession is that of a journalist, broadcaster, author and speaker, Simon is best described as a storyteller – and an award-winning one. His coverage of September 11, and the wars in Kosovo, the Persian Gulf, and Ethiopia won national and international praise. Simon’s 33-year career at NPR has sent him to all 50 U.S. states and dozens of countries. As the consummate example of what a journalist should be, Simon weaves facts into an understandable narrative for his radio,

a serious problem convincing a jury,” said Simon. He suggested rereading Outliers with a more critical eye, with the remark that some of Gladwell’s interpretations confuse correlation with causation. Dr. Gerald Erion, associate professor of humanities, echoed Simon’s statement with, “just because we can criticize a book does not mean the book is worthless. Good books inspire exactly this kind of thoughtful criticism.”

Dr. Mary Louise Hill, associate professor of humanities, commented that, “I like the way [Simon] both read ‘with the grain’ of Gladwell’s book, and also against it, showing the flaws of his arguments. Gladwell has such a strong, assertive voice, and readers are prone to just accept what such a writer says as

event photos by greg wlosinski ‘07 VDA

television and print audiences.

Simon accepted an invitation to speak to first-year students at the Buffalo campus on September 27. As part of Medaille’s firstyear summer reading program, incoming students were tasked with reading Malcolm Gladwell’s Outliers: The Story of Success, a New York Times bestseller. Having previously published Blink and The Tipping Point, Gladwell has established himself as a popular voice for economic, cultural and sociological topics.

“The themes [in Outliers] resonated with me the most in a whole different direction as I contemplated adoption,” said Simon.

“The implied bargain of adoption...is that from the parents’ point of view, the children will have better lives.”

Simon, who has interviewed Gladwell in the past, spoke on the themes in Outliers: chiefly, what makes people and projects successful – particularly in sports. “Very few of the greatest athletes of all time were good coaches or managers,” he offered. “The best coaches were marginal players.”

“Malcolm Gladwell might be right [about his observations on success], but if he was called as an expert witness, he’d have

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true. I was impressed and pleased by the way Simon modeled the process of reading and critical reading. As Simon said, “‘that’s scholarship, right?’”

A book-signing event for Simon’s most recent work, Baby, We Were Meant for Each Other, followed his talk. In the words of Cherie Messore ’80 MC, “Simon’s presentation was fascinating.

He integrated [points from Outliers] beautifully with points from his own recently-published book.”

“I was interested that Scott Simon did not fully support Malcolm Gladwell’s contention [in Outliers] that the circumstances of an individual’s origins contribute substantially to success later in life. He expressed concern that such a belief could undermine a student’s ambition to work hard to achieve success.”

Mark Lavatelli, professor of humanities

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April 13, 2011

www.medaille.edu/founders

Nominations for the next Founders’ Day Celebration, scheduled for April 13, 2011, are now being accepted at www.medaille.edu/founders until February 1, 2011. Nominees will be considered by the Founders’ Day Selection Committee. Winners will be selected based on their accomplishments in contributing to the advancement of their communities.

Leading off the successful re-introduction in April 2010 of Medaille’s Founders’ Day Celebration, the College has kept in touch with last year’s recipients for updates on how they put their awards to use.

Harvest House of Buffalo Progress continues on Harvest House’s relocation of its Baby and Children’s Ministry. The organization needs to move its school in order to make its ministry’s move possible, and they have secured additional funding from outside grants for that phase of the project.

Adoption STAR In August, over 300 people attended Adoption STAR’s annual summer picnic for families who have adopted and who are in the process of adopting. In September, students in Medaille’s master of arts in mental health counseling

program participated in “Understanding Infant Adoption” training. As the New York State-based project partner for this federal grant, Adoption STAR coordinated this professional development opportunity for Medaille students. Each year, Adoption STAR embraces the month of November— National Adoption Month—and does as much as possible to celebrate it with activities throughout western New York.

John Trojanowsky ’75 ED Lancaster Youth Bureau The Lancaster Youth Bureau celebrated a rewarding 40th anniversary. In 2010,

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the Bureau introduced a new Theatre in the Park program, thanks to the Father Medaille Award; the funds from the award went toward the purchase of the needed sound equipment. Among the three summer performances was Celeste

Raspanti’s I Never Saw Another Butterfly, where 15 young people portrayed children of Terezin, a WWII concentration camp. As the cast was preparing to present the Saturday afternoon performance, a bright yellow butterfly flew into the band shell and fluttered above the actors’ heads, and then as the play was about to begin, the butterfly fluttered away, as if to say, “thank you for bringing this play to life again.”

Henri Muhammad ’04 MSED Muhammad School of Music Henri L. Muhammad performs the Tchaikovsky Violin Concerto with MSOM in M&T Plaza, Downtown Buffalo.

Over the summer, the Muhammad School of Music performed all over western New

York, including the M&T Plaza Noonday Concert Series, the Kingdom Visions Revival in Niagara Square, and the Taking it to the Streets rally in Martin Luther King, Jr. Park. An annual enrichment week brought students from all over the country to Buffalo for study and fellowship. In July, Muhammad received the Service to Humanity Award from Masjid Numan, and in October, he received the Community Service Award from Order of the Eastern Star, Paramount Chapter No. 57. The school is preparing for a major performance with internationally renowned jazz violinist Doug Cameron.

“We look forward to bringing the gift of music to a venue near you,” Muhammad said.

Robert F. Moss Big Brothers Big Sisters of Erie County Sadly, Robert F. Moss of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Erie County, a 2010 winner of the Founders’ Day Individual Award, passed away in August. As founder of the BBBS of Erie County, Moss played a pivotal role throughout the chapter’s history, building an organization that now serves about 600 children a year.

Dr. Michael Cropp Olmsted Center for Sight The Olmsted Center For Sight celebrated its 10th Anniversary this summer with the graduation of the 34th class of Statler Center.

The Statler Center provides the physically disabled, blind or visually impaired with tools for successful careers in the hospitality, customer service and call center industries.

For the first time, the Olmsted Center expanded its pre-vocational program for young adults into Genesee County.

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New Members Named to Board of Trustees In July, four new members were named to Medaille’s board of trustees. Each will serve a three-year term.

Robert S. Graber, senior vice president at M&T Bank, earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Medaille; Ellen E. Grant, Ph.D., director of Cornerstone Manor and managing partner at First Advantage Consulting; Heidi A. Raphael, vice president of corporate communication at Greater Media, Inc., earned a bachelor’s degree in communication from

Graber

Grant

Medaille; Rocco Termini, president of Signature Development At the board’s October meeting, David Elias was confirmed as the newest member. Elias is a partner at Alesco Advisors, an investment advisory firm in Pittsford, N.Y. He founded Elias Asset Management, Inc., and served as its CEO and Chief Investment Officer for nearly 25 years. He will also serve a three-year term.

Raphael

Termini

Elias

With sincere appreciation, we acknowledge our supporters.

Annual Report and Honor Roll of Donors In our continued effort to become a more environmentally friendly campus, Medaille College has moved from a printed honor roll of donors to an online listing for a second year. This switch saves nearly $10,000 in printing costs, an estimated $4,200 in postage, and approximately 80 hours in staff time – all resources that will be put to use toward enhancing students’ experience and alumni initiatives.

The report includes financial information and a complete listing of donors, sponsors, and gift-in-kind providers for the 2009-10 fiscal year. We invite you to visit www.medaille.edu/honor_roll to view this publication.

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Medaille 100: Res Halls Go Green In October, Medaille College’s resident students kicked off a “race” between residence halls as a competition to determine which building’s residents could conserve the most energy.

As part of a joint project between Medaille’s Buffalo campus and ARAMARK, the College’s facilities management provider, this unique program engaged resident students in individually and collectively reducing their power consumption over a sixweek period.

Styled in the theme of a race, each residence hall had a “pit crew” that developed programming to motivate residents to power-down appliances and electrical devices. Computer monitors in each residence hall lobby displayed, in real-time, the energy savings seen in each building, allowing students to

The Pit Crew: Joe Lullo, Renee Mines, Ruby Cheng and Brittany Schrimmel.

see immediate results from their actions.

Students were encouraged to produce short videos that documented how they were conserving energy inside the residence halls. They posted these clips to a dedicated Facebook page, which is available at http://bit.ly/medaille100.

After six weeks, the “road race” between the North and South Residence Halls concluded with North beating out South by the slightest of margins.

ARAMARK initiated this program to serve as a model for similar programs at colleges and organizations to promote environmental stewardship and energy consumption reduction.

“I believe that the Medaille 100 competition was impactful to the College, because it really tested the enthusiasm and participation of everyone. I think that this was an excellent opportunity... and I am very proud that I was able to be a part of it.”

Brittany Schrimmel ‘14

Community 101 On Friday, December 10, the Kevin I. Sullivan Campus Center at Medaille College was filled with over 350 first-year students as they presented the results of their community-based learning projects completed over their first semester at the College’s annual Community 101 Fair.

Displaying multimedia and poster presentations to faculty, staff, students and community representatives, the goal of Community 101 is to extend learning beyond the classroom by exploring Buffalo’s history, ecology, technology, leadership and more through hands-on research and collaboration with local organizations.

“It is a pleasure to watch these students engage with their subject matter,” said Dr. Alan Bigelow, professor of humanities.

“They are venturing out into the community, a community

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photo by greg wlosinski ‘07 VDA

which some of them were born in, and others are seeing for the first time. They are actively exploring their surroundings, and applying research and critical thinking skills to analyze local problems and issues.”

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Everyday Science Do animals have fingerprints? What parts of our eyes allow us to see? How does shape affect speed and distance travelled?

Questions are the backbone of scientific inquiry, and for Buffalo middle schoolers, their exploration of scientific questions deepened during a pilot program at Medaille. Through Science Firsthand, a National Science Foundation-sponsored project, 15 freshmen and sophomore biology students serve as “partners in discovery” for middle school students during weekly learning sessions at urban community centers.

With these teams choosing their own paths of investigation, they consider the possibilities posed by the science of the everyday, building experiments embedded in a chemistry curriculum.

As one of several components of Project EQUIP, Dr. Brenda Fredette, associate professor of mathematics and sciences, leads this project. “Many of the students who are involved in the program come from schools that do not have the support to offer hands-on science activities,” said Dr. Fredette.

“This program exposes them to applied science at an early age, and has the additional benefit of exposing them to a college atmosphere.”

“For our students, Science Firsthand allows them to act as positive role models by serving as mentors,” she continued. “It engages them in the course material through their interactions with the middle school students, and the inquiry method of learning forces them to think beyond the textbook as they attempt to answer the questions posed by their middle school partners.”

The program runs throughout this academic year, and Medaille students are assessed based on their performance in the overall course and through written course reflection papers. Assuming a positive impact on student learning, the department hopes to institute more collaborative laboratory sections that involve Science Firsthand.

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“GLOW is about being your best self.”

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The GLOW Project is a powerful program that has been created to inspire, motivate and empower women... providing support, encouragement, ideas and insights to help women overcome what appear to be seemingly insurmountable challenges and obstacles.

The Buffalo premiere of The GLOW Project at Medaille this fall motivated and empowered the women in attendance beyond measure. The 80-minute film showcased a group of dynamic, self-motivated top corporate achievers and successful women business owners who discussed how they tapped into their GLOW to achieve success and happiness

Spear, and Myrna Young shared their reactions to the film.

From the movie and panel discussion, Gerwitz latched onto the idea that to keep the GLOW you need to stay focused.

“Some days slapping on a smile is harder than other days, but by remaining confident and focused on your goals and achievements, the smile will come naturally and effortlessly,”

Brenna Gerwitz ’10 MC (L) and Heidi Raphael ’85 MC, Board of Trustee

during their lowest lows.

“I would highly recommend this film to women of all ages; whether they are just graduating college, like myself, or have been working for 50 years, this film truly is inspirational. It combines many prominent, successful women’s experiences, beliefs and values into a collage of motivational thought,” shared Brenna Gerwitz ’10 MC. Sherrie Gustas ’00 HHS was also moved by the film. “It was very inspiring to experience the personal stories of this collection of amazing women who have been able to tap into their inner strength and emotional resources and turn lives not only around, but into successful empires.”

According to GLOW’S website, “GLOW is about walking in your truth, spreading your wings and soaring into your full potential. GLOW is about being your best self.”

Following the movie, a panel discussion, led by five successful female business leaders and moderated by Eileen Buckley ’85 MC, Interim News Director, WBFO, continued the GLOW. Panelists Marge Kafka ’90 BRD, Cecelia Raine ’02 BBA, Judi

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Cecelia Raine ’02 BBA (L) and her mother, Jane Mulawka

explained Gerwitz.

“Perhaps the most interesting angle for me was that each of them [the women] is truly an example of how it is never too late to get what you really want out of life,” said Gustas.

The GLOW Project has become a powerful program that has inspired, motivated and empowered woman throughout the country, and Medaille was proud to bring it to Buffalo.

“...the women revealed the importance of finding a balance in life, while nurturing things that bring joy to truly understand the GLOW that we share with others.”

Sherrie Gustas ’00 HHS

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News in Brief Jonathan Simeon Croom Scholarship Fund On August 24, 2009, Firefighter Jonathan Simeon Croom responded to a routine call in Buffalo: “Fire at 1815 Genesee St r e e t . . . p e o p l e trapped.” Tragically, Croom passed away while responding to that incident.

A ten-year veteran of the Buffalo Fire Department, Croom was also a member of Medaille’s Public Safety staff. In honor of his sacrifice, a scholarship in his memory has been started. It will benefit undergraduate students of high-need who are enrolled at the Buffalo or Amherst campuses, are active in the community, and are the relative of a first responder.

Medaille will match donations up to $5,000 to fund the scholarship, and gifts will support the academic and personal goals of future generations of Medaille students. To learn more about contributing to the Jonathan Simeon Croom Scholarship Fund, please call (716) 880-2259 or email giving@medaille.edu.

Phonathon nets record donations THANKS TO YOU – alumni, parents and friends of Medaille – the fall Phonathon raised over $25,000 from October 31 to November 30, 2010.

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The Phonathon is a student-driven calling program comprised of Medaille students who are committed to helping continue and improve the Medaille experience for current and future students.

Your donations to the Medaille Fund through the Phonathon make an immediate and positive impact on the lives of the students.

By supporting the College’s students you have chosen to make a sound investment in the future. On behalf of all of our students and faculty members, we thank you for your generous gifts.

Adina Pera ’12

November when assistant professor Dr. Richard L. Jacob’s SOC 301 class hosted the Half-Lete project in Medaille’s Buffalo campus gym as part of its Sport in Society Community Project. The goal of the project was to introduce children to sports in its purest form through socialization, body awareness and the idea that win or lose, trying your best is the most important aspect to competition.

Approximately 30 Medaille students, mostly juniors and seniors, organized the project. They identified groups and schools to participate and created a logo. They also designed the stations throughout the gym that taught the “half-letes” about various physical building block skills such as understanding and following rules, stretching and hand/eye coordination.

“My students were very happy about the project,” said Jacob, who is director of Medaille’s sport management program. “It exceeded their expectations and made them feel like they were making a difference.”

Jacob said he plans on continuing the Half-Lete project with future classes.

Your support today helps us to propel our College and students to new heights.

To make a gift to the Medaille Fund, please visit www.medaille.edu/giving.

Future Mavericks experience Medaille Proving that it’s never too early to instill a love of sports and a healthy lifestyle, about 100 preschoolers were treated to some fun and fitness in

Medaille alum Casey Briggs ’10 CS reads an adventure story to the children to get them in the mood for their action-packed day. The story was written by Brenna Gerwitz ’10 MC, who also designed the Half-Letes logo.

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photos by joe cascio

Getting into the Swing: Downing Fundraiser Best Ever On August 16, 2010 alumni and friends of the College enjoyed a day of golf at Transit Valley Country Club and supported the Allen Lee Downing Memorial Scholarship Fund, helping to raise over $25,000.

Allen Lee Downing was a student in the MBA program at Medaille when he passed away at the age of 27 following a

tragic motorcycle accident. He was an outstanding student, a superior design engineer at Northrop Grumman and a proud Eagle Scout. His passion for learning inspired family and fellow classmates, Jennifer Blackchief ’06 MBA and Bob Cole ’05 MBA, to establish a scholarship in his name.

The scholarship benefits students, undergraduate and graduate, who mirror Allen’s commitment to education and community service.

Next year’s tournament is on August 15, 2011 at Transit Valley Country Club. For more information, visit www.medaille/edu/downing.

Allen Lee Downing’s family and friends and a 2010 scholarship recipient.

L to R: Pete Lonergan, Don Tomasulo ‘79 MC, Tom Donahoe, Ray Bailey ‘06 PSY and Jack McNulty.

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How To...

Are you a teacher, artist, musician? What are your hobbies? Do you paint, exercise, write? Whatever your occupation or leisure pursuit is, you’ve mastered the relevant skill. But have you ever wondered how to do something that you haven’t mastered?

Every day, people around us are honing and performing a talent they’ve mastered. So why not try something new?

We wanted to, so we asked our best assets – our alumni!

We learned to drum with Patrick Mannella, to write with poet Florine Melnyk and author Kim Gordon, to teach with James Bastin, Josh Jones, and Michelle Woodley. We learned how to coach with Nick Wagner, film a reality television show with Brittany Burchett, take a photograph with Mike Thomas and recruit with Camille Jackson.

Come learn with us. And then, share your skills in a “how-to” format at alumni@medaille.edu and we’ll post them online at http://alumni.medaille.edu.

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how to capture the moment

“ I can either show you the moment as it was or I can show you what I want you to see, how I re-interpret the world around me.”

michael thomas ’09 VDA

Every hour someone, somewhere is adding to their collection of baseball cards, coins, antiques and more. Michael Thomas, a freelance photographer, collects antique cameras. “[I’ve] shot film with all of them,” he said. Recently, he built several “through the viewfinder” cameras. “Good photography isn’t just about the equipment; it’s also about composition and the technical ability,” he explained.

In his photography, Thomas captures moments and preserves memories. “I can either show you the moment as it was or I can show you what I want you to see, how I re-interpret the world around me,” he said.

Now Thomas is using his interest in history and creating an ongoing study of Buffalo’s industrial heritage. He has also been volunteering his time to do some behind the scenes photo documentation for ‘Hallways,’ a Public Service Announcement that is helping to increase the awareness and prevention of teenage suicide.

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How do you choose a subject?

In some cases – a wedding, for example – the subject is pre-chosen. When Thomas shoots for ‘fun,’ his subjects are whatever strikes him. “I like history and architecture. The past fascinates me. I like exploring the industrial decay that is my past, our past,” he explained.

“That fascination has become my ‘dereliction’

series; an ongoing study of Buffalo’s now decaying industrial heritage.”

What step occurs after you’ve identified a subject?

“I look for a way to capture the scene or subject that is compelling and interesting,” he explained. When Thomas shoots an image, he wants the viewers to think and feel something.

“I don’t expect people to feel the same way I do, it’s a personal process, but when a viewer feels something, I feel as though I’ve done something right, the image is successful,” he said.

What techniques work best for a still photograph?

Action shot? Candid?

Still shots or portraits are about the uniqueness of the subject, the environment, and lighting.

“The more you are aware of these things when shooting portraits, the better the image will convey something about the subject,” he explained.

“Action shots are about timing and luck.

Anticipation and patience pay off big in photography.” He continued, “candid shots are all about being unobtrusive. If you want to catch your subjects ‘unaware,’ they have to be so comfortable in your presence that they aren’t aware of you as a photographer.”

Become a fan of Thomas on Facebook at www.facebook.com/mwtphoto.

Michael Thomas ’09 VDA medaille.edu

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how to keep a beat

When Shania Twain came to HSBC Arena in Buffalo for a performance in 2003, Patrick Mannella wasn’t one of the 20,000 fans in attendance. He was on stage drumming as one of the country’s most popular recording artists sang to the crowd.

Mannella started drumming when he was 10.

“That was the year [fourth grade] we got to choose what instrument we wanted to play,” he said. “I remember debating between drums and the saxophone. Drums came easier to me and it felt natural to me so I picked drums.”

Today Mannella is a member of Free Henry!, a “free-flowing rock n’ roll jam-band that captures the spirit of pioneering and evocative jazz rhythms.” You might also see him drumming in his car. “Yes, I do drum in the car,” he explained. “I have a pair of sticks in the car just for that reason (at red lights of course).”

How do you keep a beat?

To keep with the beat, “you need to have a good sense of rhythm,” said Mannella. “I think some people are born with natural talent for certain things and music or rhythm is certainly one of them. However, that will only get you so far; you still have to learn the craft.”

Growing up, Mannella was surrounded by rhythm. His mom was an aerobics instructor who practiced her routines

to fast-paced music with fast beats; she also counted the music out loud, leading Mannella to learn how to count music.

Does tapping your foot help you keep a beat?

While drumming, “when you keep a beat it usually will involve the bass drum. So, yes, you will need to tap your foot,” he explained. Mannella recommends tapping something – foot, hand or fingers – when keeping a beat without the bass drum.

Is there a proper way to hold a drum stick?

According to Mannella, the two proper ways to hold a stick are using the match grip and traditional grip. “Match grip is when both hands are over the stick and traditional grip is when you have the stick lay in your left hand and your right hand is over top of the stick,” explained Mannella.

What are the five most important things to do while drumming?

1. Know the tempo of the song beforehand and keep the tempo steady (don’t speed up and slow down).

2. Listen to the other instruments and the story they are telling.

3. Be confident in your grooves.

4. Know what you want to play before you play it – always be a step ahead in your mind.

5. Always know where the one is (every song has a time signature, 4/4 is the most common. It means there are four beats to the measure. ONE, two, three, four, ONE, two, three, four.)

Photographs illustrate each hold: Match grip, left; traditional grip, right.

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how to keep it real

Larry Namer, co-founder of E! Entertainment, once said, “Reality television is television, it’s not a fad.” Brittany Burchett’s opinion harmonizes with Namer’s: new reality shows emerge each season and ratings continue to increase.

Burchett received A master’s in television, radio and film from the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications at Syracuse University in 2010 and got her “big break” just after graduation when she was hired as a production assistant for Bret Michaels’ reality show Life As I Know It on VH1.

Before that, Burchett received some castings for Oxygen’s The Bad Girls Club and Love Games as well as MTV’s The Real World. During this time, Burchett uncovered her passion for reality television.

“I discovered that I loved what I was doing and needed to move to either New York City or Los Angeles,” said Burchett. “Not wanting to be far from my family, I decided that NYC would be it. Through contacts and networking, I was able to start at MTV with the True Life department this fall.”

What makes shooting a reality TV show successful?

According to Burchett, the three most important things when shooting are: being aware of where and when you are shooting; making sure you have all releases signed; making sure everything is charged and that you have extra batteries.

“I know it sounds simple, but you never want to be on a shoot and have your walkie stop working or a camera battery go dead,” explained Burchett.

Another important element is the preparation that goes into the planning of each program. “With Life as I Know It, a lot of work went into picking out beach towels for Bret Michaels’ children to use ... setting up a picnic area and filming Michaels in the best place possible in each city,” she offers.

While the background music on a reality show is important, it’s more important to make sure that the music doesn’t take away from what is happening on screen. “Music is the last portion of the program to be worked on and it should only be used to convey the emotion of what is happening on screen,” said Burchett, who won a college Emmy award from the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Foundation while at Syracuse University.

Casting is highly critical in the success of a reality show. For example, the production department followed five couples for over a week before narrowing it down to the two couples who would be featured on MTV’s True Life: I’m a Newlywed.

Though these shows aim to reflect reality, some parts of the shows are staged. “The story producer could say: ‘Michaels at the end of filming today I need you to have done A, B and C. If you don’t,

we won’t have an episode,’” explains Burchett. This happened on Life As I Know It. The producer staged “the marriage talk” between Michaels and his daughter, telling him how they wanted the talk to happen and things they wanted Michaels to say.

What would you tell a current communication student aspiring to break into the business?

“For anyone trying to break into this industry, it really is all about networking,” she declared. “Also, take time to research companies you are interviewing with.

Know what shows are on their network, what types of shows have worked for them in the past, and what ones haven’t,” said Burchett. She also added that having confidence and believing in yourself is critical, especially in the entertainment field. “If you don’t have confidence in yourself, no one else will.”

Brittany Burchett ’08 MC Winter 2010-11

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how to inspire champions

With experience as a coach for an estimated 70 lacrosse games, Nick Wagner is no stranger to the sidelines.

Starting as the 18-year-old coach of a youth team, Wagner continued in that role at the collegiate level, with a position as assistant coach of the Medaille women’s lacrosse team in 2003 and as head coach in 2007.

Wagner’s successful coaching trajectory includes breaking Medaille’s record of wins in a season in 2007; leading his squad to a 10-5 record, a program best in season wins; and successfully leading the Lady Mavericks to their highest-ever NJCAA ranking.

After his time at Medaille, he led the Erie Community College Kats in Williamsville for three seasons, contributing to the first winning season in program history. Wagner’s 2010 team eclipsed nearly every one of the program’s statistical records, including new marks in total.

He moved south to take over coaching duties for the NCAA D-II Lees-McRae College Lady Bobcat lacrosse program in North Carolina.

What makes for a successful coach?

Wagner attributes his coaching success to the use of his technical skills, coupled with his team building activities, which include working as a solid unit and volunteering in the community. “We also have team dinners to enhance team unity off the field,” he said.

He emphasizes core training with his players, along with cardio workouts. “Lacrosse is physically demanding, and it’s important that players train and strengthen all muscle groups while improving their flexibility and endurance,” he explained. “I start with fundamental core techniques and move into more advanced activities.” These endurance

drills also help prevent injuries and strengthen their muscles so that they can compete at their highest level.

What sort of schedule has worked for you?

During the year, Wagner has his team on a strict practice schedule. “During the spring when we’re in our championship season, we practice five to six times per week. We also do things like weight room workouts and group film sessions,” he explained.

Each fall, for non-championship segments, they dial back their intensive practice schedule to four or five times a week.

What role does motivation play in coaching?

“There is no absolute right way to motivate and inspire people,” Wagner offered. “I try to take an

individual approach to each player to figure out what works.” He continued, “some players are motivated by a coach getting in their face and yelling, while others prefer to be spoken with calmly. In general I always try to lead by setting a positive example for the players.”

What would you tell a current or aspiring athletic coach?

“Your players are your biggest asset and without them performing at their highest level, your team won’t have the success it should,” he said.

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how to make a difference

“I had a mother who, regardless of my academic shortcomings, believed in me and pushed me to be the best that I could be. So many children today don’t have that. So many children need that.”

After graduation, Michelle Woodley boarded a plane and flew to the United Kingdom, where she was offered a position as a supply teacher (substitute teacher) in London.

Now, she has her own classroom teaching year four (grade four). As a primary teacher, she is required to teach all subjects including literacy, math, physical education, religion, design and even French.

“When I was offered this position, the head teacher warned me that the school had failed their inspection and therefore it would be an extremely tough year where we would constantly be monitored and have high expectations put on us,” said Woodley.

Woodley chose to become a teacher when she realized that so many children were not as blessed as she was growing up. “When I look back at the fact that I am a teacher, I can’t help but laugh. I initially had no interest in the profession,” she shared. After high school, Woodley majored in psychology and joined the field of behavior therapy.

Growing up she didn’t always have the best teachers or strong grades, but she had a very strong support system at home. “I had a mother who, regardless of my academic shortcomings, believed in me and pushed me to be the best that I could be. So many children today don’t have that. So many children need that,” explained Woodley. “I don’t think many teachers realize the strong influence they have on their students,” she added.

A typical day for Woodley commences at 8:15 a.m. when she arrives at school and concludes around 6:00 p.m. Two days a week she has staff meetings and does one-on-one tutoring and also runs the student newspaper club.

For Woodley, what started off as an idea turned into reality. After arriving in London, her journey has been a whirlwind. She’s traveled to France, Germany, Portugal, Spain and Greece. But it isn’t the traveling that’s been the highlight. “Highlights are through simple things such as walking around the classroom, having a student look up at me with a great big grin and say, ‘Miss Woodley, I get it!’”

Michelle Woodley ’09 MSED Winter 2010-11

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how to have

Five years ago, Kim Gordon started working on her book, A Modern Christmas Romance.

What began as a short story evolved into a novella, and then a bona fide novel.

“When I first started working on [the story], I didn’t have a computer or even a decent typewriter,” she explained. “I wrote with a pen and paper, or whatever tools happened to be available at the time.”

A Modern Christmas Romance depicts what the first Christmas may have been like if it happened in the 21st century. “The Bible refers to ancient places like Bethlehem, Judea… I wanted to write a story about Buffalo, Erie County and Tonawanda,” she said.

Gordon drew her ideas from a deep and inspiring faith. “The more prayers I said, the faster the ideas began to flow. That is what inspiration is,” she explained.

She has always enjoyed writing and used to write short stories and poetry as a child. Writing a book was a dream, but far from a

reality, until now. “Twenty years ago, I could not have written A Modern Christmas Romance because I did not have enough life experiences,” Gordon offered. “Now, as a mother of two children with autism, I do.”

How do you organize thoughts into ideas and chapters?

To organize her thoughts into a cohesive storyline, Gordon starts by drafting a short story; this serves as her outline.

Whenever a new idea comes to mind, she writes it down immediately and does not filter anything out. As inspiration could strike anywhere, “I wrote ideas on paper napkins in the Carry Out Café at Tops Friendly Market. I also wrote ideas in the margins of a program during a Christmas concert,” she said.

Gordon then read what she had written and decided where new ideas would fit best and formed chapters at the end. “The book has four different stories woven into one novel,” she explained. “I decided where to end each chapter and begin the next by taking note of which character was at the forefront in a given section of text.”

How do you write once you’ve run out of creativity or hit writer’s block?

To combat writer’s block, Gordon would work with her moods.

“If you’re filled with joy and gratitude on a given day, write joyful scenes. If you’re in a miserable mood and you have a headache, write sad scenes,” she advised. “If you’re angry, have your characters get into an argument. When you’re feeling better, have them kiss and make up.”

Gordon also suggests doing the following things: pick a topic with which you are familiar, write from the heart and read plenty of books in the genre that you’re writing.

How do you ensure that the story is grammatically correct?

According to Gordon, proofreading is the hardest part throughout the writing process. “My manuscript was approximately 80,000 words. I read it several times for content and then I read it several times for grammar, spelling and punctuation,” she explains. “When I did the final proofreading…I took a pencil and pointed to each and every word one at a time.” She continued, “It was tedious, but the best way to catch any errors.

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How do you name characters?

Many character names in A Modern Christmas Romance came from the Bible. Gordon had to give those characters a surname; to do this, she made up names that sounded biblical. For other characters, she used street names and sometimes combined syllables from existing first and last names to create new names.

Other characters have a name that mirrors their personality.

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the “write” stuff

“I never write new poems on my computer, I like paper and pen the best. I find it more inspiring than staring at a blank computer screen.”

Poet Florine Melnyk’s first collection of poems, Suspended Imagination, was published in February 2010 by BlazeVox Books. “I started writing poetry when I returned to college in my early thirties and enjoyed it so much that I kept writing,” she explained.

Melnyk says the writing process is “a journey that takes not only inspiration but discipline to keep at it.” During her process, she was motivated by language. “Language is really my first motivation, to experiment with language and see how many different ways you can express something; to express a feeling or emotion, or any thought in a way that it has not been expressed before,” she explained.

in which to write ideas. If she is without a notebook, she’ll grab whatever she can find. “I write spontaneously, and just let the thoughts flow out onto the paper. I actually do not edit very much at all,” she explained.

What would Melnyk tell an aspiring poet?

“Read, read, read and write, write, write,” she offered. “As a poet, I believe it’s important to read a lot of poetry, especially poetry that you like, that inspires you to write.” She continued, “When you write, it adds to your own work, and can influence your work in a positive way.”

How did you create a storyline or recurring theme in your poetry collections?

For a poet, having a theme or common thread woven through poems helps link collections of poetry. “This can be done narratively, or in other ways, like recurring words or phrases,” she explained. “As I’m preparing my second collection of poems, I’ve been thinking of ways to link the poems to form a more cohesive collection.” She continued, “I have the idea, also for a separate project, which is writing a collection of sestinas which is a specific form, another way a poet could group poems for publication.”

What brainstorming activities are useful for finding ideas?

While Melnyk’s collection of poetry was comprised of poems that she wrote over time, she suggests using prompts. “I find it can be helpful for a poet, however, to have a list of writing prompts that they can use in case they are having difficulty thinking of what to write,” she explained. “It can be surprising what you can create using prompts.”

How do you organize your thoughts when writing poetry?

To keep thoughts organized, Melnyk always has a notebook

Florine Melnyk ’05 LIT Winter 2010-11

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how to score in the classroom

The London Knights Hockey Club in London, Ont. has inspired many young Londoners to pick up a stick and strive to excel on the ice. They are now hoping to inspire kids to have that same drive of excellence in the classroom.

Sports programs are widely recognized as giving participants structure, discipline and a sense of belonging. When those participants are children, the program can have a life-long positive impact. James Bastin and Josh Jones, elementary school teachers with the Thames Valley District School Board, took a project from a graduate course at Medaille’s Amherst campus and built it into a program that combines hockey playing with the mathematics curriculum.

would want it, too. That turned into our capstone paper: to research community involvement in the classroom and the effects on student motivation.

We approached the London Knights marketing director and discussed the possibility of working together on the program as a venture that initially was to complete our capstone paper, but turned out to be a business venture with a company, Home Team Advantage, which was recently incorporated.”

How did the idea for your program originate?

“The idea stemmed from our Math, Science and Technology class at Medaille. Our assignment was to create a math center, so we decided to base it around a sport we know well to make it a bit more original and fun to teach. After we completed the center, we knew we would be teaching it to our students, and we knew others

What are the goals of this program?

“The underlying goal of the initiative is to create a motivated and inspired math student by incorporating hockey into the math curriculum to help illustrate and demonstrate real life applications.

The intent is that by connecting an organization within the local community to current curriculum standards, students’

James Bastin ’08 MSED and Joshua Jones ’08 MSED

engagement into challenging material will increase.

This is an online program, where students log into the web page, thus logging into their own hockey jersey and number to feel part of the team.

They then work through a series of math questions and activities based around the local professional hockey players, team and player statistics, alongside hockeybased scenarios.

We currently have several strands prepared for the program and will modify each strand depending on the grade level that is focused with each board that participates. The pilot program in London was geared toward grade 6 and focused on a data management unit.”

How did your teaching degree from Medaille help get the program started?

“We created the online workbooks while working on our capstone paper. We had to be credible, so it forced us to meet with the school boards in London, Ont. to ensure we had their stamp of approval and met the Ontario curriculum standards, as well as approaching the London Knights OHL hockey club to gauge their interest and partnership.

Working through the capstone and working with Mary Beth Scumaci [assistant professor in the School of Education] forced us to research and identify potential obstacles with the program, such as demographic, culture, gender and interest level. Knowing that information, we could modify the program to meet

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everyone’s needs and motivation.”

How did the school boards react to the presentation of your program?

“The school boards loved the idea right from the start. A big initiative in Ontario at the moment is trying to increase the use of technology in the classroom, and this not only caters to that need, but also provides the classroom teacher with an additional resource to work with and have fun with in place of the same old textbook to paper lessons. They wanted a pilot run so we created a grade 6 data management unit where students follow their chosen players’ stats, sort and graph the data. That unit was used by 740 students and 40 schools.”

What is the structure of the program, how exactly does it work?

“The program is strictly online with the use of the organization web site and statistics. Students log onto the web page and work through online math questions that use players’ names, numbers, statistics, personal information and hockey scenarios.

The students are doing math, sometimes without even realizing it.

Each student has their own name and password and when the site loads, their last name appears on the back of a jersey with a selected number to appeal to their desire to be part of the team. The program has been designed so that they can work through the problems, and if they answer correctly, a motivating, ‘He shoots, He scores!’ or a similar animated action occurs and if incorrectly, a similar motivating caption to try again. The program is designed so that teachers can use it to motivate, but also to track where students are having trouble, and whether they are using the program at home.”

giving talks on bullying and teamwork.

When we approached them with this program, they were extremely interested as their interest in expanding that involvement was already present. When we approached their marketing director, he jumped at the opportunity to work with us. Not only are they helping children learn in the classroom, but they are creating life-long Knights fans in the process.”

Will you be adding other classroom lessons in addition to math?

“Yes, this year, angles, fractions and measurement units will be released for grades 4, 5 and 7, respectively. We are also working on a primary SMART board application for the younger grades as well. The goal presently is to create a program that addresses most strands in math from the primary to junior level. We may expand to language arts, or a character education development as well.”

and they felt that was an area of need based on EQAO standardized testing. When offering the program within each school board, the intent is to work with the hockey organization and the local board to determine the needs in that area. As we all know, each demographic is different, and each school board does not necessarily have the same needs or focus, therefore we will tailor the program as needed.”

How are students recruited to participate in the math lessons? Why data management?

“It is up to the teacher if they choose to use the program or not.

It is an additional resource for them.

The school board chose data management as a pilot to gauge the student interest

How did you get involved with the London Knights?

“We approached the London Knights because they are a big part of the London community, both with the community attending games and their involvement in the school classroom already. Before the program, they would visit classrooms

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how to look up in a down economy

“I think people realize that you not only need experience, but you must have the education to set yourself apart from the competition.”

Despite the dreary economic outlook, local employers are actually hiring, with private sector employment in the Buffalo/Niagara Falls metro area increasing by 0.7 percent over the past year, according to the New York State Department of Labor. As a recruiter for Delaware North Companies, Inc. Camille Jackson can attest to this fact as she plays a corporate matchmaker, looking to pair the right candidates and their skill sets with positions her employer wants to fill.

Jackson is no stranger to the world of corporate hiring, having worked for LP Ciminelli, Inc. and the Buffalo Employment & Training Center. She’s been with Delaware North since March 2010, and says today’s job seekers are better educated than their predecessors. “A lot of people are returning to school to improve themselves, their skill set and their marketability.

Most jobs are requiring at least a bachelor’s degree,” she said.

However, Jackson points out that no matter how experienced

and educated a candidate is, the right outlook is essential for optimal job performance. “If someone is not satisfied with their job, they will perform poorly,” she said. “If they’re unhappy, unchallenged, disgruntled…, it will affect their performance; not concentrating on the task at hand, or not caring about the work they produce. Skills and knowledge are just as important, but you must have the right attitude.”

Jackson must engage and work with candidates and her employer to ensure an ideal fit. In order to attract a steady stream of qualified, enthusiastic prospects, she must act as corporate ambassador for her company by cultivating and managing relationships with hiring managers and partners in the community. She must also network with other area professionals and colleagues in the industry, something she finds extremely fulfilling.

But ever the people-person, Jackson says what makes her the happiest is when she’s made a difference in someone’s life.

“When I’ve hired the perfect candidate for that hard to fill position, or I’ve hired a candidate that is best suited for a position and that person may have been looking for employment for over a year…[It’s] the best part of my day.”

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photo by KC Kratt

Mavs Magic!

Few other college sports teams in the nation can boast a record like Medaille’s. Conference championships, national rankings, and All-Americans have become the standard in the Medaille Athletic Department. medaille has one of the fastest-growing Division III athletic programs in the country—and it’s not stopping.

For the fourth year in a row, the Maverick teams improved their winning percentages, finishing at 62%, up from 51% in 2009-10. Twelve of the 14 sports teams qualified for playoff games, four earned trips to the ECAC Tournament, and three qualified for the NCAA Tournament.

Women’s tennis was added as a varsity sport as they competed for the first time this September. This winter the men’s and women’s basketball teams look to repeat their championships while the men’s lacrosse team comes off their first ECAC Tournament appearance and is a favorite to win the NEAC Championship.

One of the biggest highlights in the College’s athletic history transpired this fall when the men’s soccer team went where no other Medaille team has gone before, the Sweet Sixteen!

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Mavs Celebrate Cinderella Season For the first time in Medaille’s history, the men’s soccer team went dancing to the Sweet Sixteen by becoming the first team in AMCC history to accomplish such a feat.

The journey commenced when the Mavs outshot the Lions of Penn State-Altoona in the conference semifinals. This marked their 11th shutout of the season and led them to play the sixth straight AMCC finals competition, where they dominated Penn State-Behrend in overtime at the championship game, and advanced to their fifth NCAA Tournament.

The Mavericks then conquered the University of Rochester and Swarthmore College, with a duo of goalkeepers to thank for their success. Starting goalkeeper Nick Kurtz ’12 was spectacular throughout both matches and dominated in overtime play against Swarthmore, making several critical saves including one in the second overtime that pushed them to a round of penalty kicks. There, the Mavericks replicated their decision from the AMCC finals and pulled goalkeeper Jimmy Frascati ’12, who propelled the Mavericks to the Sweet Sixteen where they were defeated by Messiah College.

“It was a great feeling to beat two quality opponents and get to play in the Sweet Sixteen against the defending national champions. However, our goal was not only to get there but to win, so it was still very upsetting to lose…,” said Dan Krzyzanowicz ’09 MSED, head coach of the men’s soccer team.

During that match, Medaille saw itself in unfamiliar territory against Messiah as they set the tempo and dictated play early. Kurtz, who was outstanding through their journey, and John Taggart ’13, who led the Mavericks throughout NCAA play, blocked three consecutive shots while defense did a solid job limiting the Falcons to only a handful of scoring opportunities.

Medaille came out of halftime looking to take control and force Messiah into their style of play but unfortunately fell short. The Mavericks played tough defense and received remarkable goalkeeping, but Messiah’s offense was too much, thus ending Medaille’s magical tournament run.

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Senior captains Pat Zelko ’11 and Eric Schnirel ’10 attribute the team’s success to its family-like atmosphere and player confidence. “Every player on the roster wanted to win more for their teammates than they did for themselves,” said Zelko.

Coach Krzyzanowicz attributes the team’s success to the family system as well. “What made this team particularly special was how much they bought into the team system and style and owned their role on the team. They really came together and played for each other,” he said.

The men’s soccer team has played at the national level for a few years now and struggled to move beyond the first two rounds of play; now Medaille is on the map.

“We battled the defending national champions for 90 minutes but just didn’t have our best game. Messiah was the better team that day, but Medaille will be in Messiah’s shoes within the next few years,” said Schnirel.

Pictured: John Siefert ’11

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Fall Highlights Women’s Soccer

Katie Botsford ’13

Bryan Proch ’12

John Haberman ’11

Head Coach: Matt Andrews The women’s soccer team played its most difficult nonconference schedule ever heading into the AMCC season and that took its toll on the Lady Mavs as they suffered through a disappointing 3-14-1 season. Despite their overall record the Lady Mavs did manage to make it into the AMCC playoffs with a 3-5-1 conference mark before falling to La Roche College in the quarterfinals. Katie Botsford ’13 and Kara Donner ’13 earned Third Team All Conference honors for their strong play throughout the season.

The Lady Mavs will look to a strong core of returning players and a nice crop of recruits to get back on track in the 2011 season.

Cross Country

Head Coach: Jason Longo The men’s and women’s cross country teams saw their first action of the season at the Daniel Walker Invitational hosted by Buffalo State College where both the men and women’s team finished 10th place on the 8K course. The teams also competed in the Behrend and Harry F. Anderson Invitationals and the Hilbert Invitational where the Lady Mavs came away with the team victory with a score of 31. For the men, Bryan Proch ’12 finished in second place while Ryan Maxwell ’11 finished in fourth.

The Mavericks concluded their 2010 season at the AMCC Championships where the Lady Mavs finished with a team score of 175, earning a 6th place finish in the ten team field and the men took 7th place. Bridget George ’11 wrapped up her career as the top female runner, finishing the 5K course in 23:14 and senior Ryan Maxwell ’11 earned a 39th place finish with a time of 35:31.

Golf

Head Coach: John Edholm Despite the wind at Sheridan Park Golf Course, the golf team earned their first tournament and individual victories of the season at the Medaille Invitational. The Mavs dominated en route to the first place finish by shooting a team score of 329, which was 35 strokes better than the second place finisher. John Haberman ’11 was the tournament medalist shooting a three over 74. At the Hilbert Invitational the Mavs placed second, where they were just two shots back of first place Penn State-Behrend.

The Mavs finished strong in the AMCC finals where they finished at 656 with the winning score of 638, resulting in a third place finish.

The third place finish matches the 2008 effort and is second best in program history.

Women’s Volleyball

Head Coach: Jake Beiter ’07 This fall the Lady Mavs participated in the Tiger Classic in Los Angeles, California where they finished with a 3-1 record.

Also this season, the Lady Mavs earned the program’s first AMCC tournament victory as they rolled past Pitt-Greensburg 3-0. It was a victory that was dominated by Medaille sophomore Andrea Reitz ’13, who posted 11 assists, 9 digs and 4 service aces.

For seniors, the final regular season game was memorable as they swept AMCC from La Roche College 3-0.

They breezed through the first two sets and then made a remarkable comeback in the third to steal the victory. Setter Gina Traniello ’11 led the offense with 30 assists, giving her 1,072 for her career.

photos by Jim McCoy, Christopher Ripley and Medaille Athletics

Winter 2010-11

Amanda Walsh ’13

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Game, set, match: Women’s Tennis storms the courts of the AMCC In its inaugural season, the women’s tennis team took on a competitive 10-match schedule this fall. Playing at the Miller Tennis Center in Williamsville, N.Y., the 10-member team displayed athleticism and drive, but couldn’t overtake established teams in its conference matches. With the leadership of captains Christina Radice ’11 and Mame Yaa Ankoma-Mensa ’11, head coach Katherine Connelly noted that “the players practiced and played to the very best of their abilities. They share a sense of pride in being part of Medaille’s athletic history.”

Winter Preview Men’s Volleyball

Head Coach: Keith Koch ’00 LS ’05 MBA Last season the men’s volleyball team made its eighth NECVA tournament appearance and finished the season with a powerhouse record of 21-10 overall and 8-0 in the NECVA Western Division. The Mavs have a strong group of returning players and will also look to some new faces in hopes of returning to the Molten Final Four. This year, the team joins a new conference called the United Volleyball Conference (UVC) and has high hopes as they begin their new conference affiliation. Other colleges in the UVC include D’Youville College, New York University, and Nazareth College.

Bowling

Head Coach: Mark Metz The Lady Mavericks will have to overcome the graduation of the program’s strongest senior class as they take to the lanes in 2010-11. The Lady Mavericks were in action early, competing in the

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Kutztown University Fall Invitational this October. The Mavs started strong, defeating its first two opponents in the Baker format by a combined 146 pins and later fell in its last four Baker matches and finished eight out of 13 teams. As the season pressed on, Medaille continued to improve as it faced some of the nation’s stiffest competition.

The Lady Mavs are looking to return to sectional play after a year of hiatus; they will need to string together some victories first to get back there.

Men’s Basketball

Head Coach: Mike MacDonald This winter, the men’s basketball team looks to repeat its 2010 championship and clinch the AMCC title again. The season commenced with a tough loss at home to 18th ranked John Carroll University. The team then avenged its second round NCAA Tournament loss from last year when it took to the road and defeated SUNYIT 75-74. When AMCC play opened up on December 1 the Mavs hosted rival Penn StateBehrend in what turned out to be a nip and tuck affair. The Mavs made a late rally, but were unable to overcome a

nine point deficit, falling to the Lions 66-62. This game saw 12 ties and 10 lead changes. The Mavs rebounded from that loss with a road win at AMCC foe Pitt-Greensburg 62-52 to even their overall record at 3-3 and AMCC record at 1-1. The Mavs will look to keep momentum heading into the meat of their schedule.

Women’s Basketball

Head Coach: Pete Lonergan When the Week 1 edition of the D3hoops.com Top 25 Poll came out, the Lady Mavs were slated as the nation’s 25th ranked team. This ranking came after a strong start for Medaille which saw them upset fifth ranked University of Rochester (who made a Final Four run in 2009-10) in the season opener. The Lady Mavs then went on to trounce SUNY Purchase at the NYU Invitational before dropping a tight game against a strong NYU squad on the road. The Lady Mavs are back in the poll for the first time since the 2007-08 season. The team opened league play with a pair of wins over Penn State-Behrend and Pitt-Greensburg. It currently stands at 4-1 overall and 2-0

Winter 2010-11

2009-10: A year worth celebrating

- For the fourth year in a row, Medaille Maverick teams improved their winning percentages, finishing at 62%, up from 51% in 2009-10!

- Twelve of our 14 sports teams qualified for playoff games, with four earning trips to the ECAC Tournament, and three qualifying for the NCAA Tournament.

- Last year, every team competed in tournament play.

Our long list of achievements is made possible thanks to dedicated players, coaches, fans and donors.

Support the Mavericks and cheer us on at a game or make a gift to Medaille Athletics at www.medaille.edu/giving/athletics.

Keep up with our teams at www.medaillesports.com for live game coverage and highlights.

GO MAVS!

in AMCC play. The Lady Mavs are coming off a dominant 2009-10 season which saw them go 26-3 overall and 20-0 in AMCC play as they advanced to the second round of the NCAA Tournament.

Spring Preview Baseball

Head Coach: Paul J. Smaldone The baseball team will look to improve upon its 18-18 record from a year ago as much of the power from its 2010 lineup returns. The Mavs finished AMCC play with a 12-8 mark and returned to the conference playoffs after a year off. The Mavs hit .342 as a team last year while belting 21 home runs. They lost one of the program’s best hurlers with the graduation of Brian Vital ’10, but they return with a strong core of pitchers that will look to lead the Mavs to an AMCC title.

Winter 2010-11

Softball

Head Coach: Dave Polchetti Concluding last season with a 23-12 overall record, the softball team had the most wins in program history and made its first AMCC championship game appearance after a thrilling tournament run. This season, the Lady Mavs will take to the diamond with new head coach Dave Polchetti, who will continue the softball program’s push for an AMCC championship.

Men’s Lacrosse

Head Coach: Chaz Bulera The men’s lacrosse team is one of the favorites to win the NEAC championship coming off its first ever ECAC tournament appearance in 2010. Last year the team set a single season program record for goals at 202 and assists at 113 and looks to break those marks as it heads into the 2011 season. The Mavs will look to a strong recruiting class to come in and make an immediate impact as those players should offer a strong complement to a deep pool of upperclassmen.

Women’s Lacrosse

Head Coach: Sarah McCabe The Lady Mavs will look to rebound after a difficult 2010 season. The team won’t look too far to do so as it won four of the last five games to end last season, finishing with a 4-8 record overall and a 3-4 mark in NEAC play.

Six of the top scorers from last year return, along with the top goalkeeper.

The team’s goal for the 2011 season is to win the NEAC and NAC Tournament titles and earn an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament.

For more sports coverage, team profiles, stats and more, visit www.medaillesports.com.

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Alumni Chat it Up This fall, the Medaille alumni Facebook wall was active. For 26 days, friends posted humorous and insightful responses to correspond with each letter of the alphabet. If you haven’t already, connect with us on Facebook.

Christie Witt ’09 MC A is for Accessories

Nicole Stewart ’05 LS ’06 MOL N is for Nebulous

LaTarcia Kenner-Daniels ’04 ASB, ’07 BBA, ’08 MOL B is for Bug

Dorthea King-Simpson ’07 MOL O is for OBAMA

Barbara Jones ’09 MBA C is for Complex critic craves completion David Bennett ’09 MC D is for Durham University - the grad school I’m studying at in England Tom Pickles ’06 MBA E is for Exfoliate Rachel Berkun ’11 LS F is for Fabulous Dan Mank ’08 CIS G is for Graduate Trish Shanahan-Pokorski ’88 LS H is for Hectic Bryan Burgio ’11 BBA I is for Intelligent Nathaniel Barnes ’11 ED J is for Jump

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Megan Lumadue ’11 BS P is for Personality Anthony Passerino ’11 SM Q is for Quality Angela Byard R is for Reading, ritin,’ ’rithmatic Gord Brown ’03 ED S is for Sept 11. I was there during it. Will never forget it.

Jenna-Lin O’Hare ’12 MC T is for Thinking Mary Lou (Simons) Lemkuil ’93 MC U is for Uhuru...it’s been many years, but I still remember Dr. Watson and how to spell his name.

Michelle Cardella Smith ’03 VT V is for Vet Tech!

Melissa Williams ’06 ED W is for Writing class…one of my favs!

Catherine Letcher Bars ’91 CYS K is for Kindness

Medaille College X is for X-raying animals throughout the Veterinary Technology program!

Anne Marie Taggart ’06 CIS L is for Leadership

Joe Raccuia ’82 MC Y is for Yesterday

Kimberly Rollek ’07 ED M is for Medaille

Tanya Hook ’08 ED ’09 MSED Z is for Zoom – for how fast the years there went.

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The Alumni Association uses Facebook and the Medaille College Alumni group as a way to reconnect, keep up with and reach out to alumni. Comment on our status, send us a message or visit us online at http://alumni.medaille.edu.

Here are some of our participating Facebook friends from A to Z. Join the fun by searching Facebook for Medaille College-Alumni and add us as a friend!

Mobile Messaging

Friends 1,314 friends

See All

Nathaniel Barnes

Catherine Bars

Chris Baumgarden

Dave Bennett

Rachel Berkun

Kelly Blake

Victoria Brennan

Gord Brown

Bryan Burgio

Angela Byard

Michelle Cardella

Jessica Colvenback

With Medaille’s marketing campaign launch in 2010, the College produced TV ads, radio commercials, direct mail pieces— the normal things you’d use to

Chris Duncan

Summer Handzlik

Kate Heinrich

Tanya Hook

Barbara Jones

LaTarcia Kenner

Dorthea King

Megan Lumadue

promote any business.

Normal can be boring.

As the College’s most on-the-go brand ambassador, the Medaille Bug travels the highways and byways of WNY, leaving the “Change Your Mind” Jasmine McCoy

Henri Muhammad

Jenna-Lin O’Hare

Anthony Passerino

message in its wake.

Follow the Bug on Facebook, www.facebook.com/medaillebug, Tom Pickles

Joe Raccuia

Tara Rogers

Trish Shanahan

or Twitter, www.twitter.com/medaillebug.

The Bug accepts fan mail by email: thebug@medaille.edu.

Mary Lou Simmons

Anne Marie Taggart

Tracy Taylor

Deborah Terzian

Michael Thomas

Melissa Williams

Christie Witt

Medaille TRIO

Winter 2010-11

Send the Bug a message by February 1, 2011, and you’ll be entered to win a car-themed prize.

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18 Agassiz Circle

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Buffalo, NY 14214

April 13, 2011

medaille.edu/founders

The Medaille Fund directly impacts students through student scholarships, technological upgrades, faculty development and improvements to infrastructure.

Medaille is thankful for the generous support of alumni, faculty, staff and friends of the College. Your gifts make a difference. Give now at www.medaille.edu/giving or contact the Office of College Relations at giving@medaille.edu or (716) 880-2475.