Winter 2017 Collegium by St. John Fisher College

COLLEGIUM A PUBLICATION OF ST. JOHN FISHER COLLEGE Â· WINTER 2017

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FROM THE PRESIDENT Dear Alumni, Friends, Students, Parents, and Colleagues: I hope 2017 is off to a good start. As I write, construction of the Hermance Family Chapel of St. Basil the Great is progressing well, the expansion and renovation of the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Athletic Center is nearing completion, and the spring 2017 semester is well underway. The rhythm of the semester will unfold as new learning, myriad accomplishments, and celebrations of the wonderful traditions of the College will take place. The work that gets done in a semester is remarkable, as is the speed with which the weeks in it go by.

our dedicated faculty, thanks to the up close and connected nature of the Fisher experience. First to be featured in the series is Steve Stepnick ’08, whose undergraduate career in sociology led to his post college career in police work and law enforcement, and he talks about one faculty member who was instrumental to the path he chose.

As stories began to surface for this issue of Collegium, a common theme emerged: transformation. It is a word I often use when speaking about how transformational education was in my own life, and about the ways a Fisher education is transformational to the students who benefit from it. You will read about transformations as they apply to alumni, the physical campus, academics, and within our own Fisher family.

As a campus community, we are privileged to play a role in the lives of the students we have the opportunity to serve. As a College, we also take pride in the individual success of our graduates and the collective impact of our great institution. Alumni success is an inspiration to our current students and often gives them insight into the possibilities of their own lives.

Many of the stories about transformation share an additional similarity – the impact that practical educational experiences have on our students. Whether a formal internship, a clinical placement, a service-learning class project, a case-based competition, or a shadowing experience, co-curricular learning experiences are vital to our students’ growth and development. These opportunities often lead to the refinement of their skills, interests, and abilities. Further, and in many instances, they lead to employment. We are grateful to the countless Fisher graduates who have provided internship opportunities to our students. The issue also includes a new feature series – inspired by the College’s advertising campaign, “Up Close.” For the next several issues, you will hear from alumni whose lives and careers were directly and positively impacted by 2

Gerard J. Rooney, Ph.D.

For that reason and so many more, I invite you to stay engaged with your alma mater. I would ask you to consider joining my wife, Susan, and me as inaugural members of the Spire Society – our new leadership annual giving program. Your financial support for the College benefits our students directly and helps to advance Fisher in many important ways. Thank you for considering this request, and thank you for your continuing support. I wish you and your family many blessings in the New Year. If your travels bring you to Rochester or to campus, please stop in the President’s Office to say hello. Kind regards,

Gerard J. Rooney, Ph.D. President

COLLEGIUM FEATURES

4 Teddi Turns 35 16 Serve and Protect (cover) 20 The Evolution of the Fisher Nurse 24 From Students to Executives 26 More Than Just the Norm

DEPARTMENTS 6 Campus News 10 College Notes 30 Athletics 32 Class Notes

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Winter 2017. Collegium is a magazine for alumni, friends, students, parents, faculty, and staff of St. John Fisher College and is published by the Office of Marketing and Communications. Letters to the editor are welcome and may be sent to the address below. Diverse views are represented and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the editor or official policies of the College. St. John Fisher College, Collegium Editorial Office: 3690 East Avenue, Rochester, NY 14618 • Email: alumni@sjfc.edu

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Maherly Schaeffer ’98 LAYOUT Maherly Schaeffer ’98 Ashley Flanagan ’17

CONTRIBUTORS Ashley Flanagan ’17 Melissa Greco Lopes Maherly Schaeffer ’98 Cassidy Senefelder ’17 Kate Torok

PHOTOGRAPHY Annette Dragon Photography Melissa Greco Lopes John Smillie Photography Maherly Schaeffer ’98

35 YEARS. 24 HOURS. A LIFETIME OF MEMORIES.

One of Fisher’s most beloved traditions, the Teddi Dance for Love, celebrates 35 years in 2017

hen dancers take the floor for the 2017 Teddi Dance for Love, they step into a legacy 35 years in the making. Transcending well beyond the $1 million the fundraiser has generated for Camp Good Days and Special Times, alumni of the 24-hour dancea-thon say its legacy is in the smiles of children who visit during Camper Hour, the lifelong friendships formed on the dance floor, and the idea that a person can make a difference one dance step at a time. Teddi 35 chair Hilary Wilcox ’17 said the 2017 dance, which will be held from 8 p.m. on Friday, February 17 through 8 p.m. on

Saturday, February 18, will pay homage to dances past, while embracing a strong future. Through the many evolutions of the dance, one thing has remained steady: the desire to help the children and families of Camp Good Days. Gary Mervis launched the Camp in honor of his daughter, Elizabeth “Teddi” Mervis, for whom the dance is named. Teddi was diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor at the age of nine, and her experience inspired Mervis to start a foundation that could offer children and families the opportunity to come together during their often difficult journey. Since its inception, the non-profit has provided more than 45,000 children with summer camp experiences and year-round support programs. Amid the worry and heartache of 4

watching families battle childhood diseases, Mervis saw the deep financial anxiety many parents faced over the course of treatment. “I made a promise when I started Camp that every program or service we provided would be done free of charge,” Mervis said. “The only way we are able to keep this commitment is because of generous individuals and through fundraising like the dance.”

The incredible launch of Camp Good Days – it was the fourth organization of its kind in the country and the first to be started by a lay person – prompted Mervis to seek a writer who could help craft a memoir about its beginnings. He found that person in Dr. Lou Buttino, then a faculty member at Fisher. As Buttino tells it, he was inspired by his experiences visiting the Camp as a part of his research for the memoir.

students, a huge expansion from the small but mighty team that pulled the dances together in the early years. “The students for the first few years had to scourge the landscape for food, water, etc.,” Buttino said. “Of course, the biggest worry, was it going to happen at all?”

But happen it did. Every year without fail, students, faculty, staff, and alumni worked to organize the fundraiser. And every year, the passion for the dance grew. In the late 1990s, students took more ownership of the dance, with captains and committees tasked with raffles and auctions, ordering food and beverages for the dancers, and drumming up interest on and off campus, among other activities.

“Of all I get to do each year, the “I had come back from Camp and time I spend at the dance is the was very moved, and told three most special,” said Mervis. “Here students that we have to do more for are all these kids dancing and the children of Camp Good Days,” working, and they weren’t even he recalled. “I don't remember who born when Teddi died. But, you go it was, and maybe that’s a good to the Athletic Center and you can thing, but somebody said, ‘dance feel Teddi’s spirit there, and these marathon,’ and the rest is history.” students help keep her memory and spirit alive.” Today, Teddi boasts a committee that includes more than 100

CAMPUSNEWS There’s no doubt that these efforts have a positive impact on the children of Camp Good Days. The funds raised support the Teddi Project, which sends a group of children on a week-long trip to the amusement parks in Florida each summer. In December 2016, the Teddi Committee announced Monroe County District Attorney Sandra Doorley as the honorary chair of the event. She will serve as a powerful role model for dancers: in spring 2016, she publicly announced her own fight against multiple myeloma, a rare form of cancer, and has displayed grace and strength throughout her treatment at the Wilmot Cancer Institute.

Another Teddi tradition includes dedicating the dance to a camper. This year, the committee chose to honor Courtney Wagner, the Canandaigua teen who passed away in October 2015 after a courageous battle with cancer. Her spirit inspired the Rochester community, and a viral social media campaign helped get her on The Ellen Show.

year’s milestone Teddi. Alumni can register for the dance in advance at Teddi’s website (teddi.sjfc.edu), or the day of the event. A $50 donation is requested for dancers interested in participating for the full 24 hours; the suggested donation for the mini eight-hour marathon, held from noon to 8 p.m. on Saturday, is $35.

“We wanted to dedicate this year’s dance to Courtney because she was such a loving person,” Wilcox said. “We watched her interview on Ellen at one of our first Teddi meetings and it reminded everyone that we are here for these kids, and even if they are not with us, they still have a huge impact on our lives.”

With an army of passionate alumni and an influx of enthusiastic students eager to carry the dance forward, it’s easy to envision the event dancing well into the future.

Wilcox is hoping for a large alumni turnout to help recognize this

“It’s a tradition that is in the bones of Fisher,” Buttino said. “I doubt it will ever die on campus. It’s like a building, like the air at Fisher.”

TEDDI ALUMNI LOOK BACK ON THE DANCE FOR LOVE

Collegium caught up with Dr. Lou Buttino and a few past chairs of Teddi on their favorite songs, great memories, and advice for the 2017 dancers. Hear what Jennifer Wolford ’99, Dale Stoker ’06, Mary Ciesinski ’08, Stefanie Stanbro ’09, Chris Keyes ’10, and Briana Macaluso ’16 have to say.

Favorite memory

What song pumped you up?

“My senior year, dancing with all my fellow seniors. I got to dance with my mom during the last hour, which was very special.” Dale Stoker

“The Hand Jive!” Jennifer Wolford

“Watching my friend, Jeff, receive the first senior spirit award. He had been battling cancer, but he danced all 24 hours. The committee honored him and named the award after him in his memory.” Jennifer Wolford “I turned 21 at Teddi 25. I was co-chair and everyone at the dance sang me ‘Happy Birthday.’ It wasn’t a ‘normal’ 21st birthday, but it was special and I loved it.” Mary Ciesinski “The Teddi Dance for Love really showed me how important service is in my life and it helped develop that into something that will be with me forever.” Chris Keyes

“’Eye of the Tiger.’ The siren signaling the run-in and the energy that the song brought to it was incredible.” Stefanie Stanbro “’Rock Steady’ by the Whispers, which inspired quite possibly the greatest line dance in the history of the world.” Chris Keyes “’What I did for Love’. I instituted this to be the final song. I went around the dance floor as it was sung, and hugged and thanked each of the dancers. The musical, “A Chorus Line,” was popular at the time, and that’s where the song comes from.” Dr. Lou Buttino

Favorite theme hour? “Michael Jackson Hour, Latin Fever” Chris Keyes “80s all the way!” Mary Ciesinski “Camper Hour!” Jennifer Wolford “Boy Band Hour. It brought back some of the best songs from when I was a child.” Briana Macaluso

Advice for this year’s dancers? “Make new friends, have a ball, and dance like no one is watching. Make it the best one yet! Whoa Teddi!!” Stefanie Stanbro “When your feet ache, and you want to fall asleep, just think about who you are doing this for. The children of Camp Good Days will appreciate every second of it. And don’t stop dancing!” Briana Macaluso “Out of such sadness–the tragedy in the loss of Gary’s daughter and the loss of so many other beautiful young lives–so much love has come through. Enjoy your time and give it all you can … the more you put into Teddi, that much more you will get out of it.” Mary Ciesinski “It is your time. Grow in love. Grow in friendship with others. Grow in knowing that what you are doing will bring a smile to children who you may never know or ever meet.” Dr. Lou Buttino

CAMPUSNEWS

BIRNIE NAMED DEAN OF THE WEGMANS SCHOOL OF PHARMACY

After an extensive national search, the College has appointed Dr. Christine Birnie as the new dean of the Wegmans School of Pharmacy.

“Dr. Birnie brings a strong professional background and significant academic experience to the dean position, both of which have already greatly benefited School of Pharmacy students and graduates,” said President Rooney. “I am pleased that she will continue to lead the School and further strengthen the excellent reputation and impact of Fisher pharmacists in the Rochester community and beyond.”

Birnie working with a Fisher student during a medical mission trip in India. Taking part in the School of Pharmacy's annual Day of Service.

Previously, Birnie had served as the School’s interim dean following the passing of the Founding Dean, Dr. Scott Swigart. Prior to stepping into the role of interim dean, Birnie was a founding faculty member of the School and was

promoted to department chair of pharmaceutical sciences in 2010. Most recently, she has led the School through its accreditation process with the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education, which resulted in the School earning a full eight-year accreditation. In addition, for the last three years, School of Pharmacy graduates have achieved the highest pass rates in the state on the pharmacy national licensure exam.

Birnie received her B.S. in Pharmacy from the University of the Sciences in Philadelphia and continued her studies at the same institution, completing a Ph.D. in the area of pharmaceutics. After working in the industry for a few years, she joined the ranks of academia, serving as a faculty member of Palm Beach Atlantic University in West Palm Beach, Florida. An avid proponent for service and volunteerism, Birnie is very involved in the profession, both locally and globally. She has led or served in more than 20 short-term medical mission trips in at least eight countries, and has initiated a permanent medical clinic in Pune, India, which now serves as a clinical rotation site for Fisher pharmacy students. During her time at the School of Pharmacy, she created the School’s medical mission service program, which has grown to include approximately 30 percent of the student body who participate in at least one of the service-focused trips to

underserved populations around the world. Birnie has been the recipient of several awards, including Teacher of the Year in 2006, Christian Pharmacists Fellowship International’s Warren Weaver Service Award in 2008, Fisher’s Diversity Innovation Bricoleur Award in 2010, and was also named a Fulbright Scholar to India in 2013. “It is my privilege to serve as the permanent dean of the Wegmans School of Pharmacy. The School has built an incredible reputation of distinction, known for its student focus, service commitment, and academic excellence,” said Birnie. “At a time when the roles and responsibilities of pharmacists are expanding, it is an exciting moment to lead the School in the development of the next generation of pharmacy leaders.”

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CAMPUSNEWS

STUDENT BY DAY, FASHIONISTA BY NIGHT

Media management student Ruya Kirac has found the perfect way to blend her passion for writing with her interest in fashion.

In 2013, the Rochester, New York native launched Sweet, Short & Stylish, a fashion and lifestyle blog that has served as an avenue for Kirac to hone her writing skills and put to use the knowledge she’s gained in courses related to digital marketing and social media.

Kirac credits several faculty members at Fisher, including Dr. Hemant “Sashi” Sashittal and Arien Rozelle, with providing the guidance and support she needed to pursue the blog as an entrepreneurial endeavor. Content in courses including internet marketing, social media management, and media research and analytics helped her build a following for a blog and position herself as an influencer. In turn, she’s been able to generate revenue via advertisements and has been tapped to serve as a product reviewer for several national brands, including HP, Dove, and Clarisonic. “Both professors encouraged me to expand the blog and be as professional as possible,” she said, noting that the idea to pitch brands and ask for collaborations came from a media relations course. Kirac also landed a feature story in the Rochester Democrat and Chronicle, after

learning the elements of a media pitch in the same course. In summer 2016, she delved further into the industry through an internship with BCBG, an international women’s fashion company. She helped manage the brand’s social media accounts, creating content for Instagram, and writing for their blog. A fringe benefit: being able to attend fashion shows, company events, and encounter several celebrity sightings. But according to Kirac, it wasn’t all play. “The fashion industry is very hectic and fast paced,” she explained. “A half day would be spent in the office working in silence, and the other half, I’d be running around New York trying to create content.” Through the experience, she learned the elements of creating good content, a lesson she now applies to her own blog. “I learned how to create more visually appealing content,” she said, “and the importance of conveying a cohesive brand.” Her time in New York also helped her elevate her influencer status, and through that, Kirac nabbed an invitation to Made By Google. An influencers-only event, she was able to test out new technology including the Google Pixel Phone and Daydream Virtual Reality before its public release. During the event, which was held in October at the company’s pop-up store on Spring Street, she had the opportunity to network with members of the media and fellow bloggers. “It was exciting to be able to meet really famous bloggers that I watch all the time, and see them in person,” she said. With graduation around the corner, Kirac plans to continue to blog, but hopes to work for a larger fashion brand in the social media realm.

CAMPUSNEWS

TYSON SELECTED FOR THIRD FULBRIGHT

Throughout his 27 year career as a professor in the School of Business, Dr. Thomas Tyson has used his expertise in archival research to explore the history of accounting. He has studied everything from the bookkeeping processes of the early 19th century cotton textile industry in the United States to pre- and post-Civil War slaveholder record-keeping practices in both the United States and British West Indies. It’s this blending of textual analysis and accounting expertise that earned Tyson a third opportunity to participate in the Fulbright Specialist Program, which connects experts from across the United States to collaborations with universities or organizations in more than 140 countries. An internationally recognized scholar in accounting history, Tyson was selected to participate in the U.S. State Departmentsponsored program in 2004 and 2005. In both years, he visited Newcastle University in England. In January 2017, Tyson’s third stint with the program will send him to Durham University, located in northeast England, where he’ll spend three weeks consulting with doctoral students, working with faculty, and presenting several seminars relating to his academic research. He also hopes to hold a two-day seminar on doing accounting history research; a workshop he has delivered previously in Denmark and England. While abroad, he plans to take advantage of the archives and collections within the country; of particular interest is the University of Glasgow’s collection of letters and manuscripts from Wealth of Nations author and Enlightenment figure Adam Smith. Currently, Tyson is co-authoring a paper on Enlightenment principles and slaveholder practices. Before returning to the U.S., Tyson will spend two weeks at Heriot-Watt University in Edinburgh, Scotland, working with faculty members and doctoral students. He hopes both experiences will spark new ideas for scholarship. “It’s great to be able to travel abroad, and work with professors on projects of mutual interest,

where I can share my expertise and participate in co-authored papers,” he said. A prolific writer, Tyson has authored more than 70 peer-reviewed publications and delivered more than 85 academic and professional presentations both in the U.S. and abroad. He also serves on the editorial board of three international accounting history journals, two of which are based in Australia. He has completed funded research projects for the Institute of Management Accounting, Financial Executives Research Foundation, Canadian Embassy, and Academy of Accounting Historians. Tyson has served as distinguished visiting scholar at La Trobe University (Australia) and visiting professor at Deakin and RMIT Universities (Australia), University College Dublin (Ireland), Aarhus University (Denmark), and Newcastle, Warwick, and Durham Universities (United Kingdom). At Fisher, Tyson teaches at both the undergraduate and graduate level, primarily in the areas of international financial reporting standards and financial accounting theory. In recognition of his contributions to academic inquiry, he was twice given one of the College’s highest honors, the Trustees’ Distinguished Scholar Award.

COLLEGENOTES

HIGHLIGHTS Fisher Earns Accolades

For the fourth year in a row, Fisher has been named to Kiplinger’s Personal Finance’s list of the Top 300 Best College Values of 2017. Introduced in 1998, the rankings now combine public schools, private universities, and private liberal arts colleges into a single, comprehensive list. Kiplinger also ranked the top 100 best values in each category. Fisher was listed at No. 294 on the full ranking, and No. 99 on the private universities list. The Wall Street Journal/Times Higher Education 2017 College Rankings placed Fisher among the top universities and colleges in the nation. While Times Higher Education has produced the World University Rankings in the past, this year marks the first time they’ve partnered with the Wall Street Journal to assess colleges and universities in the United States. In this inaugural list, Fisher placed No. 381.

Pharmacy Students Win Big in National Competition

For the third consecutive year, students from the Wegmans School of Pharmacy placed in the Top 10 during the Clinical Skills Competition, held by the American Society of Health-System

competition against seven other teams. As winners of that competition, they were invited to participate in the national competition during the ASHP Midyear Clinical Meeting, held in Las Vegas in December. A case-style competition, the teams are given an overview of a patient case and have two hours to develop a written care plan that addressed all the patient’s problems. To prepare, they worked with Dr. Matt Zak, assistant director of experiential education, to review their local competition results, and also studied disease states they thought might show up in the case. Both students said their fourth-year rotation experience was critical to helping them create a treatment plan for the patient, as the experience exposed them to disease states commonly seen in the hospital setting.

School of Nursing Given PACE Recognition

The Wegmans School of Nursing was recently honored with the Pinnacle Award for Collaboration in Education (PACE); given by Laerdal Medical, a leading provider of medical training products and medical equipment. The School is one of only two nursing education organizations to have ever received the award, which recognizes programs or initiatives that have exhibited consistent excellence in educational philosophy for the purpose of helping to save lives. One of only 13 honorees since 2000, the School was recognized for providing an exceptional educational experience to students through its Glover-

Pharmacists (ASHP). MacKenzie Crist and Seda Donmez, both P4 students, rose to the top against 131 teams from across the nation. Earlier in the fall semester, Crist and Donmez won the School’s internal

Crask Simulation Center. Laerdal representatives visited the College in October to formally present Dr. Dianne Cooney Miner, dean of the School, and Joanne Weinschreider, director of the Simulation Center, with the award.

College Recognized for Community Service

The College has been named to the 2016 President’s Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll, which recognizes the nation’s leading colleges and universities for their commitment to bettering their communities through community service and service-learning. Fisher was included in the education category. The Honor Roll recognition is given to institutions that demonstrate relevant and meaningful service and achieve measurable impacts in the community, particularly activities that address education, health, economic opportunity, the environment, disaster preparedness, or other human needs including support for veterans and military families.

College Celebrates the Dominican Republic during Day of Celebration

On December 3, the College welcomed students, faculty, staff, and community members for the 17th Annual Day of Celebration. This year’s event was themed around the culture and traditions of the Dominican Republic. A campus-wide festival that showcases the celebrations of multiple races, cultures, and ethnicities, the event included “make it and take it” crafts such as coloring and sand art, henna, cookie decorating, cultural exhibits, performances, and food.

COLLEGENOTES

Mental Health Counseling Program Gets Boost

With a shortage of mental health care providers to meet the needs of children in the greater Rochester region, the Mental Health Counseling graduate program has launched the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Counselor Training Program thanks to a $292,000 grant from the Health Resources and Services Administration. With the program, the School will provide expanded support and training for 22 mental health counseling graduate students. “It is imperative that we increase the

number of mental health counselors who are properly equipped to provide effective mental health counseling services to the growing number of young people who need it, but at present, are not receiving it,” said Dr. Robert Rice, clinical director of the program, which is housed in the School of Nursing.

Fisher Holds Bone Marrow Registry Drive

A recent campus campaign aimed at raising awareness of bone marrow donation added an impressive 60 individuals to the worldwide registry. According to Michael Garbin, senior community engagement representative of Be the Match, a typical bone marrow

registration drive results in around 2025 individuals joining the registry.

A Makeover for the Media Arts Lab

The Media Arts Lab has been transformed into an interactive learning space, thanks to a $99,255 grant from the Gladys Brooks Foundation. The lab serves students in the Department of Media and Communication specializing in video and film production, web and graphic design, video game production, and graphics programming, among other interactive media. In honor of the Foundation’s gift, the lab was named the Gladys Brooks Media Arts Lab. The grant helps the department expand its inventory of technical production

From The Angle to Angles

On December 1, the English Department celebrated the end of one era and the beginning of another. The end? Fisher’s literary magazine, The Angle, was published continuously from 1956 to 2011, with poetry, fiction, and artwork contributed by Fisher students and occasionally Fisher faculty. The beginning? As of 2017, the magazine has transformed to a digital publication and is renamed Angles. An enthusiastic group of alumni, current students, and current and former faculty gathered at the launch party to honor the print magazine and introduce the new digital format. In spring 2016, a group of students combed through all the print issues and selected 20 poems and stories from the seven decades of The Angle. They then sought out these writers and interviewed them about their time at Fisher and the role of writing in their lives then and now. These 20 works, and the interviews, are published as the Best of The Angle, which is available for sale and will also be archived in Lavery Library. During the launch party, alumni Jim Bond ’60, Mark Bowers ’98, ’01, and Meg Pritchard ’07, whose works were selected for Best of the Angle, read those poems and stories as well as more recent work. The new Angles will cast a wide net, soliciting submissions from college-age individuals across the country.

perspectives on ourselves and our world,” said Dr. Deborah Uman, chair of the department. Students in ENGL 356 Editing and Publishing created a mission for the magazine, which is to seek fresh, urgent writing that cares about language and pays close attention to it, that uses form and structure purposefully, and that isn’t afraid to take risks. The students emphasized that they value traditions but are keen on challenging them, and believe emerging voices need to be heard, Uman explained. The first online issue will publish in spring 2017, under the guidance of Writer in Residence and department faculty member Stephen West and the students enrolled in ENGL 378 Literary Writing and Publishing.

“It will publish brief prose and poetry that reveals distinct, unique, and important

COLLEGENOTES

equipment, which will feature five large collaborative work stations. The lab’s new infrastructure impacts 28 courses and three student clubs, serving approximately 170 media and communication majors and minors per semester. With some of these classes integrating service-learning projects into the coursework, students will also use the lab to develop websites and other interactive media for local non-profit organizations with limited budgets.

School of Business Hosts International Students The School of Business welcomed visiting students and faculty from Shri Ram College of Commerce (SRCC), a premier and prestigious institution in the field of commerce and economics education and constituent college of University of Delhi, India. SRCC has built collaborative partnerships with reputable business schools and universities abroad.

Fourteen students and one faculty member began their journey to the U.S. by visiting Harvard University, Columbia University, and the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, with their final stop at Fisher. SRCC students began their Fisher visit with a traditional Indian breakfast hosted by School of Business Dean Rama Yelkur, followed by a guided tour of Xerox’s Gil Hatch Center for Customer Innovation, located in Webster. Following their visit to the Xerox campus, the team was welcomed at Fisher’s Victor E. Salerno Center for

American Enterprise. SRCC students were able to participate in several business courses, including Introduction to Corporate Finance and Principles of Marketing. “In the finance class we were covering bonds,” said Dr. Steven Barber, visiting instructor of finance. “I was able to incorporate the collateralized debt financing work I am currently doing with the Green Bank of New York to fund Byrne Dairy’s expansion of its waste water treatment plant in Syracuse.” Yelkur hopes to continue the partnership. “Even though I have been at Fisher for just seven months, I have been developing a relationship with SRCC for many years, taking U.S. students to India on multiple occasions,” said Yelkur. “I am very pleased that the first reciprocal visit was to Fisher and I look forward to further developing this relationship.”

College Names First Recipient of Seward Scholarship Alexandra Hristodoulou ’17 has been selected as the inaugural recipient of the James E. Seward Scholarship. The scholarship honors professor emeritus Jim Seward and his 41 years of college teaching, 29 of which were spent in the Communication/Journalism Department at Fisher. The fund was established by former students, friends, and colleagues within the department on the occasion of his retirement in 2011. At Fisher, Hristodoulou has been an active member of the College’s chapter of the Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA) and the student-run ad agency, The PRIMA Group. She spent one winter break in London, England through a trip coordinated by Fisher’s Resident Scholar in Media Tom Proietti, gaining an international perspective on media and culture. Hristodoulou translated her coursework and student organization experience into a summer internship with Rochester-based media buying agency Butler/Till, and during the fall 2016 semester, was selected to participate in another competitive internship program with Dixon Schwabl, an area advertising, marketing, and publication relations agency. “We’re very honored to be able to offer the first of many Seward Scholarship awards to a very talented media management senior who is sure to be very successful in her professional career,” said Jeremy Sarachan, chair and associate professor in the Department of Media and Communication. Hristodoulou was recently offered a position at Dixon Schwabl as account coordinator and has already started her work there. To honor a professor who impacted your Fisher experience, make a gift to the Fisher Fund for Financial Aid.

COLLEGENOTES

Pharmacy Holds White Coat Ceremony The School of Pharmacy honored more than 80 students during its annual White Coat Ceremony in January.

A rite of passage for students, the ceremony celebrates the successful completion of their first semester at the School and formally welcomes them into the pharmacy profession. John Carlo, senior vice president of pharmacy for Wegmans, delivered the keynote address and Dr. Shawn Fellows, assistant professor of pharmacy practice and administration, led members of the Class of 2020 in reciting the Oath of a Pharmacist.

statistics, teams were tasked with composing a roster that met salary cap and NHL expansion draft guidelines while simultaneously establishing shortand long-term goals for the franchise.

October 28. During the presentation, Maples, associate professor in the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. School of Education, was recognized as setting “the gold standard as an advocate for information literacy.”

Each team was paired with a senior advisor, which included faculty members in sport management and mathematics, College staff, and industry professionals in Rochester. In total, nine teams competed in the challenge.

Dr. Amy Parkhill, associate professor in

The team of sport management majors, Justin White ’18 and Jake Tinker ’17, were selected as the winners after a poster session and presentation to the judges.

RECOGNITION & AWARDS Matthew Colicchia, Nicholas Christiano, Jessica Bolak, Amaris Rodruguez, and Jacob Covert finished first at the regional

Case Competition Brings Sports and Stats Together

This past October, the Sport Studies Department, in conjunction with the Math Department, hosted the inaugural Analytics Case Challenge, bringing together students, faculty, and staff from multiple departments to engage in a practical application of sport statistics and analytics. The case was written by sport management alumnus and current Columbia University graduate student Kyle Stich ’15. Stich also served as a judge alongside Dan Peters ’12 and Steve Pignata ’11, both of the Buffalo Sabres organization. Students from multiple disciplines including sport management, mathematics, and statistics were challenged to build a roster for the NHL’s newest expansion team in Las Vegas, Nevada. Using advanced

Deloitte FanTAXtic case competition in Boston, Massachusetts. The win marks the fifth consecutive year that Fisher students have won the regional competition, securing a bid to the national competition in Dallas where they earned an honorable mention.

the School of Pharmacy, was honored with the Make a Difference Award from 13thirty Cancer Connect, a regional non-profit that provides support for adolescents and young adults impacted by cancer. Parkhill was recognized by the organization during its annual Journeys celebration in October. A passionate advocate for 13Thirty, Parkhill was recognized for her efforts to connect Fisher students to the organization through service-learning courses and volunteer opportunities. For the last three years, Parkhill has taught Introduction to Cancer Biology and Treatment as a service-learning course, which is designed to provide students with a deeper knowledge of the biological and psychosocial aspects of cancer and its treatment. The servicelearning component requires students to team up with a community agency to better understand the impact of cancer and cancer treatment on individuals, families, and communities.

Kate Ross, head of technical services

Dr. Joellen Maples has been named

at Lavery Library, recently won the Audience Choice Award during the Charleston Library Conference's Fast Pitch Competition, sponsored by the Goodall Family Charitable Foundation.

the 2016 Dr. Mark Szarejko Faculty Information Literacy Award recipient. This award, given by Lavery Library to a Fisher faculty member who actively supports information literacy, is named for Dr. Mark Szarejko ’80 in recognition of his support of the library.

Ross presented the Library’s Coordinated Collection Development, which she developed in collaboration with Kourtney Blackburn, access services librarian at Fisher. The pair was awarded $2,500 to help further develop their initiative.

The award was presented by Provost Kevin Railey during the Library’s Fisher Scholarship Celebration, held on

Continued on the next page.

COLLEGENOTES

Various faculty and staff gathered in

November to celebrate milestone years of service during the annual Service Awards Ceremony. Twelve members of the campus community marked more than 20 years of service at Fisher, while more than 75 faculty and staff celebrated milestone years of five, 10, and 15 years. Together, the 112 employees recognized during the ceremony have given 1,505 years of service to the College. President Gerard Rooney hosted the ceremony and also celebrated his own 20 years of service alongside colleagues. Another notable milestone belongs to Dr. Donald Muench ’55, professor of mathematics, who celebrated 50 years of service.

Dr. Judianne Slish has been

appointed to the planning committee for the New York State Leadership in Pharmacy Summit. The primary goal is to create a pharmacy consortium united toward the common goal of advancing pharmacy practice and promoting the importance of a pharmacist managed care to patient outcomes. The secondary goal is to develop a structured advanced training program for pharmacy leaders.

PICTURE PERFECT Photographer John Smillie captured a beautiful Fisher moment on November 13 with this photograph of the supermoon behind the Kearney spire. This marked the largest supermoon since 1948, the year of the College's founding.

Aviana Catarisano and Shane Bloom, members of the School of

Business chapter of international honor society Beta Gamma Sigma (BGS), received scholarships to join more than 350 business students and professionals at the Global Leadership Summit, sponsored by BGS. During the four-day conference, Catarisano and Bloom actively participated in multiple workshops and engaged in hands-on activities while given the opportunity to network with business school students from around the world. Top: President Rooney with Dr. Donald Muench ’55. Employees celebrating 35 years of service include John Harman, Joanie Fraver, Elizabeth Leboffe, and Foek Hioe.

ACADEMIC SCHOLARSHIP Karl Williams, professor of ethics, law, and clinical communication in the School of Pharmacy, presented at the 2016 Alden March Institute Clinical Ethics Conference in November. He discussed the New York State Statutory and Regulatory Response to the Prescription Opioid Epidemic.

Catarisano and Bloom also participated in the Summit’s team competition which gave students a realworld business issue and five hours to research and create a presentation for judges. “BGS is really important because it does not just recognize your academic success, but it also recognizes traits that people have,” said Catarisano.

Members of the Tom Proietti Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSSA)

attended the Public Relations Student Society of America’s National Conference (PRSSANC), “Crossroads of Public Relations,” in Indianapolis, Indiana, from October 21 to 24. Alexandra Hristodoulou, Olivia Rotondo, Claire Sauter, Claire Lupi, Alexandra Ormond, and Jade Rood represented both PRSSA and Fisher’s student-run public relations agency, The PRIMA Group, at the largest gathering of public relations students in the country. Students networked with a variety of speakers including NASA astronaut Scott Kelly, professionals, and peers from across the country and participated in sessions ranging from media relations to internal communication and crisis communication, while developing their professional skills and keeping up with the latest trends in public relations. The trip was sponsored in part by the Department of Media and Communication, the School of Arts and Sciences, and Roberts Communications.

CAMPUSNEWS

SYMPOSIUM BRINGS INTEGRATIVE MEDICINE LEADERS TO CAMPUS

This past November, members of the community spent a day on campus learning how to improve their physical, emotional, mental, social, and spiritual well-being from local and national experts at the inaugural Integrative Medicine Symposium. The symposium featured a keynote address by Dr. Adam Perlman, executive director of Duke Integrative Medicine at Duke University Health Systems and co-author of the book meQuilibrium, 14 Days to Cooler, Calmer, and Happier. Attendees also learned from several other experts at a variety of sessions focusing on mindfulness, the use of natural products in health care, the benefits of wine, and nutrition. With a yoga session led by certified yoga instructor Stency Wegman and a live cooking demonstration with Wegmans Food Markets

Chef Mark Makovec, the symposium welcomed over 100 health and wellness practitioners, community members, students, and members of the Fisher family. The integrative medicine theme was proposed by Dr. Henry Hess ’64, a member of the St. John Fisher College Science and Technology Alumni Hall of Fame, practicing physician, and author of books and studies on the health benefits of wine.

Hess (left) with Perlman

With sponsorship support from Dr. Hess and his wife, Lynn, along with Wegmans Food Markets, additional local companies such as the DelMonte Hotel Group and Constellation Brands joined the health initiative. “As a physician, I have long had an interest in approaching health and medicine with the whole person in mind. Having the opportunity to learn from someone like Dr. Perlman, and to have so many other experts gathering and sharing their knowledge with our community was wonderful,” said Hess. “The support of companies like Wegmans illustrates that this is an important and growing topic. With such strong science and health science programs at Fisher, our graduates are poised to have a positive impact on the health of our community.” The symposium attracted interest from local media in the weeks leading up to the event. Dr. Christine Birnie, dean of the Wegmans School of Pharmacy, and Dr. Beth Sutton-Burke, assistant professor in the School of Pharmacy and chair of the symposium planning committee, were featured on several local television and radio programs.

SERVE and PRO TECT An #UPCLOSE look at how Fisher is transforming the next generation of criminal justice professionals

ever the same. That’s how Steve Stepnick ’08 describes his typical day. From robberies and domestic disputes to motor vehicle accidents, the situations Stepnick walks into as a deputy sheriff with the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office are often chaotic and always unique, save one thing. “You’re normally meeting someone on probably the worst day they’ve had in a long, long time, and coming up with a resolution together is the only option,” he said. Stepnick begins his road patrol duties at 6 a.m., working B Zone, which covers Henrietta, Rush, Mendon, and Wheatland. A graduate of the College’s sociology program, Stepnick stacked his course load with criminology classes, learning everything he could about law enforcement and policing. “I always knew I wanted to be a cop,” he recalled, “and every course I took pushed me further into law enforcement.” Stepnick credits Dr. Barbara Rockell, director of the criminology program, with putting him on the path to a career with the Sheriff’s Office. After graduating, he had originally planned to head back to Buffalo, his hometown, but through Rockell’s encouragement, took the Monroe County civil service exam. His scores earned him a call to take the physical agility test, and he spent that summer preparing to enter the police academy at the Public Safety Training Facility that August. There, Stepnick drew on his coursework to breeze through exams on criminal procedures and law. And, with four years as a member of Fisher’s football program under his belt, he said he had a leg up on the agility and conditioning required to complete the physical training aspects of the academy. A standout on the field, Stepnick was a two-time All-American who ranks as the football program’s

all-time leader in interceptions. This past October, he was among the nine new members inducted into the College’s Athletic Hall of Fame. The parallels between being a teammate and a police officer are many, he said. “On the field, you rely heavily on the other players to make plays; it takes everyone on the field to win a game,” he said. “In police work, it takes everyone there to bring people home at the end of their shift.” In addition to his patrol work, Stepnick is a member of the County’s Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) team, which is activated in high risk circumstances, including hostage situations, barricaded gunman, and active shooters. He engaged in four weeks of intense training to prepare for the position. “It was very physically and mentally demanding, it blew two-a-day practices out of the water in terms of how difficult those four weeks were,” he said, comparing the SWAT training to the pre-season schedule of the football team. He also serves as an instructor at the academy, teaching physical training and firearms to new recruits, several of whom have been Fisher grads. “You automatically have a bond when you work with another Fisher kid,” he said, noting that he’s hosted

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students and alumni on ride-a-longs. “It’s nice to be a guide for them and be there if they have questions.”

She said courses including Prison Nation, Juvenile Justice, and Global Terrorism provided an interesting blend of knowledge, allowing her to explore law enforcement issues at the local, national, and international level.

And, thanks to Rockell, the number of Fisher graduates working in the field is only growing. She is retired from the New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services, the Commission of Correction, In spring 2016, she worked as an intern in the and the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office. A driving Monroe County Sheriff’s Office and through the force behind the expansion of the program, she experience, she spent time in the Crime Analysis draws on her lengthy career to Lab, shadowed a deputy, and toured the provide students with an up close county jail. Maciol also worked a shift in “You automatically look at the career opportunities each of the department’s zones, getting have a bond in law enforcement and criminal a taste of police work in metro, suburban, when you work justice, and calls on her vast network and rural areas. with another of industry professionals to serve as “I was familiar with rural policing, Fisher kid.” adjunct professors and special guest but after the internship with MCSO, speakers in her classes. Those same it broadened my perspective on law professionals have also come to rely enforcement,” she said. “In metro, you are on Rockell for employee referrals, looking for very active, and I’m intrigued by that.” Fisher graduates to fill open positions in a variety of agencies. Like Stepnick, Maciol is a student-athlete, playing for the College’s field hockey team. And similar to his In spring 2014, Fisher began offering criminology as a experiences working with Rockell to look at career major, with 29 undergraduates declaring that course options, under the director’s encouragement, Maciol of study. Today, the program has grown significantly, has already taken several civil service exams, and is with more than 80 students studying criminology. exploring positions with the New York State Police, Senior Amanda Maciol ’17 was among the earliest as well as local and county departments. students to enroll at Fisher as a criminology major. “When I came to Fisher, I was determined to follow She intends to follow in the footsteps of her father, my dad and be an officer on the road,” she said. “But the elected county sheriff in Oneida County. I have a lot more insight through Dr. Rockell; she is very passionate about the program and is always willing to give students advice about the next steps after college.” Rockell says Fisher graduates have pursued careers in policing, drug treatment, probation, border patrol, and the FBI. With cyber security becoming an increasingly hot career choice, the options are only growing. “The major is strong because the jobs are there,” Rockell said. “I tell my students to study what they love, because the career possibilities in criminal justice are limitless.” This is the first in a series featuring #UPCLOSE connections between alumni, faculty, and students.

Rockell and Stepnick catch up during a recent campus visit.

Spire Society Welcomes Founding Members Since its announcement in November 2016, membership in the new Spire Society has grown to more than 75 donors. Named for the soaring and enduring symbol of St. John Fisher College, the Spire Society recognizes annual fund donors committed to investing in our students, our programs, and our mission. Become a founding member of the Spire Society by contacting Director of Leadership Annual Giving, Chris Sullivan ‘94, at (585) 385-8001 or csullivan@sjfc.edu.

Presidents Level: $10,000-$24,999

Michael E. '82 and Christine Haefner Martin L. Keating '75

Scholars Level: $5,000-$9,999

Martin K. and Jill Birmingham Thomas G. '71 and Sandra C. Bowles Daniel J. and Denise Burns Cornelius E. '69 and Patricia Golding

Pioneers Level: $2,500-$4,999

Phillip D. and Tracy E. Castleberry Michael R. Grosodonia, Esq. ’74 and Joanna M. Grosodonia Frank B. Iacovangelo, Esq. '62 and Jean Iacovangelo Joseph B. Laino, Esq. '89 and Susan L. '91 Laino James J. '71 and Kathleen M. Leo

Members Level: $1,000-$2,499

John H. '71 and Carol '74 Almeter Dr. Donald E. and Margaret A. '01 Bain Dr. Michael A. '80 Butler and Kathleen M. '80 McGrane James Cerone '77 Pamela J. '81 and John Chapman Elizabeth C. Ciaccio '83 and David K. Vogt ’82 David J. '82 and Donna M. '81 Cole Dr. Dianne M. Cooney Miner and Dr. R. Edward Miner Father Albert W. Cylwicki, C.S.B. Dr. Richard and Dr. Marcia K. '00 DeJesús-Rueff Maria DiGiambattista-Shafer '81 and Gerard F. Shafer Jacqueline S. DiStefano Gerald C. '67 and Susan C. Eckert Dr. C. McCollister Evarts William P. Farone '57 Edward P. Finnerty, Esq. '73 Mr. Vincent J. Fitzgerald '72 Daniel E. '80 and Kathleen H. Gallagher James G. and Ann J. Gould Melissa L. '94 and William J. '94 Head Margaret J. Hill '84 Mary Ann T. Kiely '81 David A. '62 and Judy Kinsky Jill R. '94, ’03 (MBA) and Jim R. Knittel Matthew K. '75 and Mary Jo S. '78 Korona Galen R. Lewis, Esq. '02 and Mrs. Meaghan Sanders John C. '62 and Judith Lynd Richard W. McGrath '75

Jon M. '84 and Heather G. '85 Williams Dr. Joseph '77 and Mrs. Jane Vacca Robert A. Healy Michael A. '78 and Pamela J. O'Conor William J. '80 and Tracy L. Pellicano Dr. Gerard J. and Susan D. Rooney Janice Campbell-Loss '92 David C. '81 and Heather B. McCullough Peter C. Montemurno '96 Dr. Kevin and Catherine Railey

Daniel M. Meyers '71 Martin Q. Moll, Jr. '82 Anthony Monaco, Esq. '83 Elizabeth Mullin-DiProsa and Francis A. '63 DiProsa Jennifer J. Nackley, Esq. '86 Sharon D. Napier '81 Robert E. O'Brien '85 Daniel H. Overbeck, Esq. '71 and Julie Overbeck Jose J. '95 and Kelly A. Perales Mark S. '83 and Kathleen A. '83 Peterson Thomas P. '67 and Donna M. '79 Proietti Anne D. Riley, Esq. '80 and Timothy M. '80 Riley Paul J. '68 and Brigid Ryan Victor E. '66 and Eileen T. Salerno Monica S. Savino '82 Gary J. Scott '69 William G. '76 and Ivette Shaheen Kathleen M. and Kelly M. Shea Veronica L. Sheehan '88 Kelly L. and Jess D. Sudol Dr. Mark J. Szarejko '80 Dr. Daniel D. '69 and Martha L. Tessoni Dr. Michael W. and Barbara Wischnowski Philip H. and Cheryl S. '86 Yawman Dr. Rama Yelkur Anonymous Donors (3)

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THE REAL MEANING BEHIND THE SPIRE COLLECTION By Fr. Leo Hetzler, C.S.B.

I came to Fisher in 1950 as chairman of the English Department, and taught until 1998. In the last two years, I have taught a number of classes in philosophy. The fall issue of Collegium described how this summer, a crew working to install a refurbished silver spire and golden seven-foot cross atop Kearney Hall, discovered a treasure trove of gifts left behind by the 1952 crew. They were stowed in the upper reaches of the spire and in the golden circle beneath the cross. First of all, there was a handwritten note from Arthur L. Topal: “I made this cross May 1, 1952 at Geo. Ballards Roofing and Sheet Metal Wks. Installed May 8, 1952 by Ed Gommel, Carl Usselman, and Fred Scherer.” This crew also left fishing and hunting licenses, as well as a membership card for the Sheet Metal Workers International Association. In the golden ring below the cross were carefully hammered four newlyminted 1951 copper pennies. At first we might be tempted to dismiss all this as the mere human impulse to mark “Kilroy was here” on hard-to-reach places. But the present-day 2016 crew of installers knew that this was not the case. Something deeper was signified. And they knew exactly what the 1952 crew were telling us. These personal bits of themselves testify that this job was different from others. In a sense, they – at this highest point overlooking the campus – were given the task to

impose on St. John Fisher College its final blessing. Then, too, this was a college intended in greater part for students who would be the first in their families to go to college. Further, on the front cover of this College's initial 1948 announcement about its being built, were the highlighted words, “open to any qualified student regardless of race or religion.” The gifts they left behind indicate that these 1952 workmen felt privileged to be part of this and that they wanted to express their thanks by leaving part of themselves there – union membership cards, fishing and hunting licenses and new pennies. As skilled workers, this was who they were and what they did. And the 2016 crew understood. All this reminds me of the medieval tale of a juggler who was given food and a bed for the night at a monastery. The Lord Abbot kept a wary eye on these guests, especially on entertainers such as this juggler, because a side chapel housed a bejeweled statue of the Blessed Virgin. Sure enough, as the Lord Abbot was making his rounds at three in the morning, he spied the juggler with a satchel slipping through the chapel door. There he spread out a small mat and took out a dozen knives. “Hmm,” thought the Abbot, “useful for prying out precious stones.” But then the Abbot was startled to see a blue ball rise in an arc above the kneeling figure, then a red, then a yellow one, now amid a growing number of knives. The Lord Abbot was angry – this fellow was putting on a

show. This was worse than thievery, it was desecration! The juggler rose slowly to his feet, the growing arc of balls and knives glistening in the light of dozens of little votive candles. At last a ball fell from the arc and others followed it. The figure sank to his knees with a bowed head. Suddenly, the Abbot drew in a sharp breath. The statue of Our Lady came to life and stepped off the pedestal. With her veil, she wiped the perspiration from her juggler's forehead and smiled down at him. From that moment, the Abbot was a different man. I think there are two lessons here for us and for our students. To give God what we have personally achieved through His gifts is always pleasing to Him. Second, to have a high respect for those who work with their hands brings honor to us, for their achievements are to be treasured.

TheTheEVOLUTION of the FISHER NURSE nursing program leads innovations within the profession

n spring 2016, two programs in St. John Fisher College’s Wegmans School of Nursing were named among the top 100 nursing graduate programs in the country, according to a ranking by U.S. News & World Report. It’s an accolade that Dr. Dianne Cooney Miner, dean of the School, said speaks volumes about the significant, transformative growth of Fisher’s nursing program, which celebrated its 25th anniversary in 2016. “There are more than 100 nursing programs in New York State alone,” said Cooney Miner. “To be among the Top 100 in the country is a testament to the high quality education we provide, and the achievements of our graduates.” The School’s legacy began through a partnership with Alfred University School of Nursing, which sent students to Fisher to complete their clinical work in Rochester. In 1989, the College acquired the program from Alfred, and in 1991, graduated the first “Fisher Nurse.” To date, more than 2,400 undergraduate, masters, doctoral, and post-masters certificates have been awarded in the nursing discipline. When Cooney Miner joined Fisher in 2003, enrollment stood around 75 undergraduates and 24 graduate students. Today, there are nearly 1,000 students in the School of Nursing, and it boasts the largest undergraduate major, transfer population, and master’s level programs at the College. Cooney Miner credits much of the expansion to the generosity of the 20

Wegman family, whose $8 million gift to the College resulted in the creation of the School. The largest gift in College history to date, it allowed the School to build a brickand-mortar home, now a 41,000 square-foot building that includes teaching laboratories, computer labs, classrooms, collaborative learning spaces, mental health counseling facilities, the College’s Health and Wellness Center, and the Glover-Crask Simulation Center, a two-story space that mirrors a hospital unit and is outfitted with state-of-the-art technology. “Fisher has been a good steward of the nursing program and so much of that is related to the generosity of the Wegman family and their recognition of the important role that nurses play,” she said. In addition to the growing footprint of the School, the program’s alumni enjoy one of the highest pass rates on the National Council Licensure Examination in New York State. In spring 2016, 100 percent of the May graduates who took the licensure exam passed; Cooney Miner said the formula for success includes doctorateprepared faculty who are engaged in current practice and academic scholarship, strong partnerships with the community, and a deep commitment to students. Dr. Christine Boev is just one example of that formula in action. She joined the faculty in 2003 as a part-time clinical instructor and transitioned to a full-time faculty member in 2011. She still works 24 hours each month in the pediatric cardiac intensive care unit in Strong Memorial Hospital. “I think it is critical that if you are

going to be an effective teacher, you need to stay at the bedside so that you know what’s going on in the health care environment because it changes constantly,” she said. “It also gives me a bit of street credibility with my students. They see me in scrubs and think, ‘she’s a nurse, and she knows what she is talking about.’” As a practitioner and researcher, Boev has focused her academic scholarship around the nursing work environment and how that environment translates into better patient care. Her most recent research explored how positive nurse-physician collaborations can improve patient outcomes, and she’s now pivoting toward how nurses’ well-being effects performance in the workplace. Boev is weaving a review of research around that topic into the research foundations course she teaches at the master’s level, hoping it will speak directly to her students. “It’s one of those great topics that they can relate to because they are already nurses,” she said. “It really looks at how we can introduce

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evidence-based, yet realistic, guidelines to help nurses be at their best.” Developing the nurse of tomorrow is at the forefront of the School’s mission, and through academic research and involvement in professional organizations, Fisher faculty members are involved in the conversation about nursing at the local, regional, national, and international level. One such conversation deals with the growing role of nurse practitioners in the community. “Our graduate program will continue to expand as the need for nurse practitioners increases; they are filling an important role in the community,” said Boev, noting that the School’s strong community health curriculum has helped introduce students to careers as community nurses. One example of that effort is the opening of Prime Care Clinic, which provides integrated health care to underinsured, underserved people in St. Joseph’s Neighborhood Center. Innovative in its nurse practitioner-managed model, the clinic allows nurses to design and deliver care in partnership with mental health professionals. “Faculty and students see patients together, and the integrated model – bringing primary, physical, and mental/behavioral care together – allows them to consider the multiple issues patients may be facing and put efforts in place to manage them all,” Cooney Miner said. “It has a big impact on the health of the people we see at Prime Care.” The School has also recently forged an academic practice

partnership with the Rochester Regional Health System, becoming the preferred school of nursing for its employees seeking advanced degrees. “The partnership is highly innovative; it not only allows us to provide for the health care system and workforce needs right now, but is also a commitment to work together to develop and shape the health care systems and work force of the future,” Cooney Miner said. In recognition of her ongoing commitment to community engagement, last fall, Cooney Miner was tapped by Provost Kevin Railey to serve as the College’s associate vice president for community engagement. In this capacity, she will work to expand Fisher’s efforts in this area. “I see the College – and School – strengthening its role in the community through our continued and expanded engagement activities,” she said. “There’s a strong sense of the importance of developing Fisher students as engaged, knowledgeable citizens who can make an impact on the quality of life in the Rochester region.”

SCHOOL OF NURSING MILESTONES 1977 The Alfred University Nursing Program opens a branch at Fisher.

1991 The nursing program officially becomes a part of St. John Fisher College.

2006 Robert Wegman makes an $8M gift to the

College for the creation of a nursing school. This was the largest gift in the history of the College.

2007 The Wegmans School of Nursing building opens in September.

During its accreditation site visit, the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) gives the Wegmans School of Nursing a perfect score.

2008 The graduate program in Mental Health

Counseling receives a full eight years of accreditation from the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP). The School of Nursing introduces its Doctor of Nursing Practice program.

2011 The School opens the Fisher Prime

Care Clinic in partnership with St. Joseph’s Neighborhood Center, thanks to a $1 million grant from Excellus BlueCross BlueShield.

2012 Wegmans School of Nursing launches an online RN-to-BSN Program in September 2012, the College’s first fully online program.

2013 The College cuts the ribbon on the

Wegmans School of Nursing Simulation Center. State funding secured by Senator Joe Robach with additional support from the Glover-Crask Charitable Trust and the Fred L. Emerson Foundation.

2015 Four programs in the School of Nursing –

undergraduate, master’s, post graduate advanced practice nursing certificate, and doctor of nursing practice – earn a full 10 years of accreditation from the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education. The School earns perfect scores at each visit from the Commission, which works to establish quality standards for nursing education.

2016 The Wegmans School of Nursing launches

three new master’s level programs: Adult/ Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner, Adult/Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner, and Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner programs. These three degrees join two established graduate offerings in the Primary Care Family Nurse Practitioner and Adult/ Gerontology Clinical Nurse Specialist programs. The Master of Science in Mental Health Counseling is granted an eight-year reaccreditation from the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP). 21

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BEAMING WITH SPIRIT On December 5, as work on the Hermance Family Chapel of St. Basil the Great moved ahead, LeChase Construction invited members of the Fisher family to sign the last metal beam before it was put in place. Campus responded and local alumni joined in on the last-minute opportunity to add their names forever to the College's landmark project. “Having this chance to put our names on the beam was really special,” said Danielle Antonio, a freshman and the youngest of four siblings to attend Fisher. “Fisher will always be a part of our family, and now our names will forever be part of the Chapel.”

CAMPUSNEWS

These photos show progress on the Chapel from foundation work (below) to metal structure (above), and interior beam construction through early January. During the Christmas season, members of the construction team put a live, lit tree on the Chapel as seen above at the highest point of the structure. The project is scheduled to be completed this summer.

FROM STUDENTS TO EXECUTIVES:

Fisher Launches New “Executive Intern” Program

ast fall, St. John Fisher College introduced a new initiative to engage highly motivated students into the inner workings of the institution. The program, known as the Executive Intern program, allows students to combine their drive for academic development with their passion for Fisher. After an intensive interview process, four students walked away with the inaugural title of executive intern and went right to work.

to start a similar program at Fisher after seeing the initiative succeed at Elon College. Though starting with just four positions, he anticipates expanding the program into several other major areas of the College in years to come.

“I strongly believe that internships help students develop a sense of their professional self and gain experience that helps them clarify and inform their career goals and aspirations. The opportunity for During this program’s pilot phase, students to work more closely with executive interns are placed the senior leadership of the College in the Offices of the President, will give them a greater insight into Marketing and Communications, the full workings of the institution, Student Affairs, and Institutional and may lead to an interest on Advancement. Within the program, their part in considering a career in the interns work closely with Fisher higher education,” said Rooney. executives and major stakeholders Working directly with Rooney in of the College to not only learn the Office of the President is junior about the operations of the College, Kelsey Michener, an accounting but also help it succeed. and business management double The idea was initially introduced by major. Also a service scholar, President Rooney, who was inspired Michener is highly devoted to 24

community service. She has had past internship experience as an accounts payable intern at Excellus Blue Cross Blue Shield. She says that the Executive Intern program is not only going to bring value to the current interns, but to all Fisher students. Senior Ashley Flanagan is working in the Office of Marketing and Communications as part of the program. A marketing major with minors in strategic communications, visual & performing arts, and digital cultures & technologies, Flanagan’s prior internship experience includes stints as human resources management intern at Delaware North at Ralph Wilson Stadium, as well as a digital marketing and communications intern at OSC, Inc. Flanagan will be working with Kate Torok, director of marketing and communications, as the College launches its new website and will also assist with

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writing articles and press releases, creating content for Fisher social media, and graphic design work for several other projects.

in the Office of Institutional Advancement. While studying abroad in France, Tran had a marketing internship that she says challenged her to adapt to different “I think it will be mutually work environments. In her role beneficial to have a student as executive intern, Tran will be involved with these processes,” working with Phil Castleberry, said Flanagan. “It is important for vice president of institutional Fisher to have a student perspective advancement, as well as the rest of and voice in their marketing the advancement team to develop tactics.” way to better show the impact of philanthropy on the College. Working in the Office of Student Affairs is senior Zach Petroski, Assistant Dean of Students and an economics major and Residential Life Terri Travaglini interdisciplinary studies minor looks forward to the opportunities from Rome, New York. He will for her staff to work more closely be working directly with Terri with a student in their day-to-day Travaglini, the assistant dean of business. students and residential life. “My colleagues and I often talk “I hope to gain knowledge of the about that person or experience inner workings of the College, that made an impact on us as an as well as experience about undergraduate student and got us how each division of the College on the path to working in Student works together to make Fisher a Affairs. It is exciting to think that successful business and keep it this new internship program could moving forward,” said Petroski. be that kind of transformational experience for our students,” she Finally, Diane Tran, a senior said. business management major with a French minor, will intern

KELSEY MICHENER ’18

Office of the President MAJOR Accounting and

Business Management CAMPUS INVOLVEMENT Student Government Association, Teddi, Peer Mentor, Service Scholar, Student Ambassador

ASHLEY FLANAGAN ’17

Marketing and Communications MAJOR Marketing MINORS Strategic Communications,

Visual and Performing Arts, Digital Cultures and Technologies

CAMPUS INVOLVEMENT Student Activities Board, Fisher Swingbirds, Fisher Players, American Marketing Association, Orientation, Student Ambassador, Beta Gamma Sigma Honor Society

Rooney hopes that this initial cohort of executive interns will play a role in further developing the program as well. He plans to meet with the group every few weeks during this first year to learn more from them about their work experiences so far, and also ask for their thoughts on how their roles could be better defined and more impactful for them as students and for the College. “One of the ways that I would measure the success of the program is by our students’ ability to gain practical experience in areas that may expand their understanding of higher education. Students are always the best brand ambassadors for an institution and that is especially true at Fisher. I would hope to have occasions where alumni and friends of the College hear from these students about their experiences – both as undergraduates and as interns in the program – and learn about the impact of a Fisher education,” said Rooney.

ZACH PETROSKI ’17

DIANE TRAN ’17

Student Affairs MAJOR Economics MINOR Interdisciplinary Studies

Institutional Advancement MAJOR Business Management MINOR French

CAMPUS INVOLVEMENT Ski Club, Teddi, Institutional Advancement Student Assistant

CAMPUS INVOLVEMENT Admissions CORE Team, Fisher Players, Orientation, Dale Carnegie Leadership

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MORE THAN JUST THE NORM

In 1997, just one year after earning his communication/journalism degree, Norm Kieffer ’96 returned to Fisher, joining the Athletics Department as sports information director (SID). “Working as the SID was the convergence of things I love: sports, Fisher, and communication,” said Kieffer. “It was my dream job.” When he joined the Athletics Department, the College had a roster of just 11 NCAA Division III programs, a staff of only four full-time coaches, and no website. Kieffer's focus at the time was writing game wrap ups and publicizing results and stories to local radio, TV, and newspapers. And, as a staff of one, that workload kept him very busy. But, it was about to get busier.

colorful wrap ups, student-athlete stories, live stats and video feeds, and recruitment materials supporting all programs. He has mentored dozens of interns and graduate students, including former staff associate Sean Farnsworth ’05 who has recently taken over the reins Kieffer has held so tightly since the ’90s.

Over the years, with enhanced facilities and more teams, the number of fans visiting Fisher for an athletic event has increased greatly. In addition to hosting Buffalo Bills Training Camp, the College has welcomed several major tournaments and championships at both the collegiate and high When Dr. Katherine Keough was school levels. With the increased named president in traffic came interest in sponsorship 1996, she committed support from local and national to strengthening businesses. And Kieffer, with the College's a tireless work ethic, keen athletic programs. knowledge of athletics, and desire Kieffer recalls, “Between our facility to help Fisher, also took on athletic sponsorships. He found that it upgrades, adding was a natural fit for his skills and more programs, and personality. “I enjoyed meeting new the Buffalo Bills making us people, building relationships, and the home of their summer training being able to offer something to camp, Fisher athletics was in the support their businesses while at spotlight.” the same time benefiting Fisher. It Kieffer's responsibilities grew was a fun new challenge.” as athletics expanded, and he It was something he excelled at, was named assistant director of as well. The sponsorship program athletics in 1999. He created a has grown to bring in thousands strong web presence for Fisher athletics and built the department's of dollars in support of the College in addition to strong community social media programs. With fans partnerships that transcend just a expecting results real-time, Kieffer billboard or game announcement. built a sports information office that today provides game results,

“We have had sponsors who are now more aware of the College, and they have encouraged their children and family members to attend Fisher. It became part of the family spirit here.” So, when an opportunity arose for a new athletic development position in the Office of Institutional Advancement, Kieffer's interest was piqued. “I had worked with the advancement staff on several initiatives over the years and was always impressed by their vision. This opportunity will not only help continue our partnership programs, but it will also allow for us to engage and reconnect with many of our alumni, especially former student-athletes, and support our growing athletics program.” You can find Norm Kieffer in his new office on the second floor of the Joseph S. Skalny Welcome Center and he can be reached at nkieffer@sjfc.edu or (585) 899-3897.

CAMPUSNEWS

FISHER PARTNERS TO LAUNCH SAFE MEDICATON DISPOSAL

The Wegmans School of Pharmacy announced a new effort in October to fight prescription medication misuse in the Rochester region. The School, in partnership with the Rochester Area Society of Health System Pharmacists (RASHP), New York State Senator Rich Funke, and Mallinckrodt Pharmaceuticals, will distribute 7,000 medication deactivation pouches to community agencies, encouraging the safe disposal of unused prescription medications. “Unneeded medications open the door for both intentional and unintentional abuse in our community,” said Dr. Matthew Zak, assistant director of experiential education in the School of Pharmacy and president of RASHP. “We’re thrilled to be working with so many entities that realize the importance of this initiative both on a local and national level and are committed to finding solutions to this public health issue.” The user-friendly pouch deactivates prescription medications safely and quickly. After filling the specially formulated pouch with unused medication and regular tap water, it can be sealed and thrown away with the household trash. Pouches are completely biodegradable and safe for landfills. Mallinckrodt, a leading global specialty pharmaceutical company, is donating the pouches as a part of their nationwide one million pouch campaign. “As a company focused on the health and well-being of our patients and communities, Mallinckrodt has long been a strong advocate of addressing the complex issues of opioid misuse and abuse that cause so much harm to families,“ said Mark Trudeau, Mallinckrodt president and chief executive officer. “We share the concerns of parents across the nation, and believe that providing patients with a safe, environmentally responsible way to dispose of unused medications is critical in this fight against prescription drug abuse. Mallinckrodt is committed to working with policy makers,

community leaders, law enforcement and industry partners to ensure the responsible use of pain medication and prevent unused medications from ending up in the wrong hands.” As a member of the New York State Senate’s Joint Senate Task Force on Heroin and Opioid Addiction, Funke called the pouch distribution program an important effort in combating medication misuse.

“When I hosted the Heroin & Opioid Task Force for a public hearing here last year, we heard over and over again that prescription drug abuse often serves as a gateway to heroin addiction,” said Funke. “Whether it’s the student-athlete who gets hooked on a prescribed opiate, or a child who finds an unfinished supply in the medicine cabinet, one of the best ways to decrease the likelihood of dependency is to ensure proper disposal. I thank Fisher and Mallinckrodt for pioneering this innovative solution to better protect families across our region.” The campaign also includes an awareness component; in addition to distributing the pouches, community agencies will receive educational brochures on the safe use and disposal of medication.

Honoring Alumni O

n October 28, Fisher athletics celebrated athletic achievement at the Athletic Hall of Fame induction celebration. Coaches, staff, teammates, and families gathered to celebrate the nine alumni honored for their time as Fisher student-athletes. Honored were Matt Rowe ’90, Kim Crawford Bruno ’99, R.J. Fiorelli ’01, Michael Dugbartey ’04, Andy Campbell ’06, Melissa Hartman ’06, Zach Fuller ’06, Steven Stepnick ’08, and Laurie Quackenbush ’08. A defensive standout, Rowe led the football program during its infancy at the NCAA

Above: Dugbartey gets some assistance. Right: Teammates help Quackenbush celebrate her honor.

Division III level. Volleyball’s Bruno paced the Cardinals to two NCAA Championship appearances and ranks among the College’s allTop, left to right: Fiorelli, Fuller, Campbell, Quackenbush, Bruno, Stepnick, Rowe, Dugbartey, and Hartman. Above: time leaders in kills and Fiorelli and family with Bob Ward. digs. Fiorelli, a standout on the men’s basketball team, scored over 1,000 points, while leading the Cardinals to three NCAA Championship appearances. From the men’s soccer program, Dugbartey was an Empire 8 All-Conference selection for three years. Campbell holds the baseball program’s number one spot as all-time leader in hits and runs. Hartman, an academic All-American, ranks as one the top scorers in women’s basketball history. Fuller, a twotime All-Region selection, helped lead the men’s golf program to its first NCAA appearance. Stepnick is a two-time AllAmerican who ranks as the football program’s all-time leader in interceptions.

CAMPUSNEWS

Quackenbush, who joined the lacrosse program in its first year, finished her career as the program’s all-time leader in goals, assists, ground balls, and draw controls. The nine inductees joined 86 former student-athletes, coaches and honorary selections already admitted into the College’s illustrious Hall of Fame. On Wednesday, November 2, the Buffalo Niagara alumni chapter hosted an awards dinner to honor the region’s outstanding alumni. More than 100 local alumni gathered at Park Country Club in Williamsville for this annual celebration.

contracting and heavy equipment services company based in Buffalo, New York and operating throughout the US and Canada, and previously served as chief executive officer and chief financial officer of Integrated Waste Services, Inc. He is a longtime active member of the Buffalo Niagara Alumni Chapter and he, along with his brother Jon Williams, established the Emilyne S. Williams Fund, an endowed scholarship at the College. Michelle Girardi Zumwalt ’04 was recognized as the Outstanding Young Alumna. Featured in the Winter 2016 edition of Collegium, Zumwalt is a three-time Sports Emmy Award-winner for

Left to right: Langenfeld, Kowalski, Williams, Zumwalt, and President Rooney.

At the dinner, the chapter announced the Dan Maxwell Alumnus of the Year Award in honor of the late Daniel Maxwell ’66, Trustee and esteemed alumnus in the region. Members of the Maxwell family were in attendance as Brian Langenfeld ’02, chapter president, remarked on Maxwell’s impact on both the Fisher family and Buffalo community. The recipient of the Dan Maxwell Alumnus of the Year Award was James F. Williams ’79. A graduate of the accounting program, Williams is the chief financial officer of OSC Holding, Inc., an environmental contracting, demolition

her work on “Inside the NFL,” “Hard Knocks: Training Camp with the Cincinnati Bengals,” and “SoundFX.” She now serves as senior producer with Pegula Sports and Entertainment. John W. Kowalski ’68 was honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award. A veteran of the Vietnam War, Kowalski had a long career as a history teacher and football coach at Medina Central Schools. At Fisher, he was the first president of the club football organization, and still serves the College as a leadership member of the Buffalo Niagara Chapter.

ATHLETICS #GoFisher

KORNAKER CELEBRATES 300

Men’s basketball head coach Rob Kornaker won his 300th career game on December 29 as the Cardinals posted a 95-67 victory over Colby-Sawyer College in the second game of the Woodcliff Hotel and Spa Tournament. Now in his 16th season at Fisher, Kornaker (pictured above, center) owns a career record of 300-123 (.709 winning percentage). He is just one of only three coaches in the storied history of men’s basketball at Fisher, and at press time is just four wins away from tying Naismith Basketball Hall of Famer Bobby Wanzer for career victories at Fisher.

FOOTBALL TEAM INSPIRES WITH THEIR VOICES

This fall, the football team traveled to the University of Pennsylvania to take on Frostburg State in the Eastern College Athletic Conference Asa S. Bushnell Bowl. The team did what they did to start every game: on-field warmups and walkthroughs before taking to the sideline for the national anthem. But when timing and technical glitches cut the anthem from the pregame program, the 30

Under Kornaker, the Cardinals have enjoyed eight seasons with 20 or more or wins, seven trips to the NCAA Division III Championship, and six Empire 8 Conference titles. “I had no idea that this was my 300th win until after the game was over, and I was completely shocked,” said Kornaker after the game. “It’s really humbling to think of the wins we’ve had, but it’s a testament to all the hard work that has been put in by the assistant coaches I’ve had over the years, and obviously the players we’ve had. They are the ones who deserve all the credit.”

Cardinals took matters into their own hands; the team began to sing the national anthem. Spectators in Franklin Stadium quickly joined in, a moment that would be caught on video and would quickly go viral, featured nationally on several news programs. In recognition of their action, the Marine Corps will present the team with the Semper Fi Award at its upcoming football banquet.

ATHLETICS #GoFisher MEN’S VOLLEYBALL COMES TO FISHER

The College will add a new men’s volleyball program to its athletic offerings in fall 2017.

This much-anticipated program will bring an NCAA Division III men’s team to the roster of sports offered at the College, including a well-established women’s volleyball team. Fisher’s program will join the 77 other NCAA Division III men’s programs nationwide, and will compete in the United Volleyball Conference alongside Bard College, Elmira College, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Nazareth College, SUNY New Paltz, New York University, Penn State Behrend, The Sage Colleges, Stevens Institute of Technology, and Vassar College. The initiative is now in the recruiting phase, with plans to celebrate the team’s first serve

HISTORIC SEASONS FOR FALL ATHLETICS

Fisher’s fall athletic programs received historic team accolades. The field hockey team enjoyed a particularly successful fall with an 18-game winning record – the highest running streak in the country. The team finished their season in the NCAA Division III Sweet 16, boasting an overall 19-3 record, the best in the program’s history. The men’s soccer team also saw an historic season, with the program’s first-ever trip to the first round NCAA Division III Tournament. The football team had a notable season as well, placing nine of its members on All-Conference teams and ending their season at 8-3, a strong record and legacy for the 30 graduating seniors. Women’s tennis closed out their fall season with the best record in five years. The men’s cross country team finished their season placing second in the Empire 8 Cross Country championship – the best finish for a

in early 2018. At the collegiate level, the men’s volleyball season runs from January to April. The new team will compete in the Manning & Napier Varsity Gym in the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Athletic Center. “The popularity of men’s volleyball is growing at both the high school and collegiate level, providing an opportune time to add the sport to our roster,” said Bob Ward, athletics director. “We believe that our location, academic offerings, and facilities will allow us to successfully recruit student-athletes to Fisher, and deliver the resources they need to be competitive on the court.” In recent years, Fisher’s athletics program has seen immense growth. With the addition of men’s volleyball, the College will offer 25 athletic programs, with total team rosters including more than 700 student-athletes.

Fisher team in the program’s history. The women’s cross country team, with just one senior, had a successful season and finished fifth at the E8 Championships. The team went on to place 27th overall at the 2016 NCAA Division III Atlantic Regional Championship. Men’s golf closed out their season in Florida finishing 18th at the DIII Golfweek Fall Invitational. Women’s volleyball finished their season in the E8 semi-finals and, with just two seniors, promises to be a force in 2017 as well.

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Visit athletics.sjfc.edu for the most up-todate news on the Cardinals, or follow St. John Fisher College Athletics on Facebook and @FisherAthletics on Twitter.

CLASSNOTES 1966

John Sweet has announced his retirement from Physicians Realty Trust. He was a founder of the company and, since their initial public offering, has served as executive vice president and chief investment officer. Throughout his career, Sweet has served in several financial positions with public and private companies, and has served on the boards of philanthropic organizations. A veteran of the United States Army, Sweet plans to serve as a consultant with Physicians Realty Trust.

1969

Frank Liberti has been appointed president and CEO of the Center for Dispute Settlement. Liberti has been with the Center since 2009 and most recently served as director of police community relations programs.

1971

Paul Bussell has been appointed as executive director of the Justice Coalition in Jacksonville, Florida. He previously served as the executive director of the Jacksonville Lean Consortium, and has been president and CEO of Cerebral Palsy NEFL and Cerebral Palsy of Greater New Orleans. The Justice Coalition is a non-profit, nonpartisan organization serving innocent victims of violent crime.

1972

Dr. Christopher G. Ullrich, M.D., FACR, a member of Charlotte Radiology and two-time past president of the North Carolina Radiological Society (NCRS), was recently awarded the Order of the Long Leaf Pine (OLLP) by Governor Pat McCrory, for extraordinary and exceptional service to North Carolina.

1985

William Pritchard was recently named vice president for institutional advancement at Wesley College. He previously served as an executive director of the foundation at Union Hospital in Elkton, Maryland.

1990

Tom Hammond has been named vice president of corporate strategy and project management at Paychex, Inc.

1995

Gregory Ford has been elected to the Wake County Board of Commissioners in Raleigh, North Carolina.

1996

Julie Greco has been named deputy director of athletic communications at Cornell University.

2002

Jennifer Lake of ABVI and Goodwill of the Finger Lakes was named a recipient of the Forty Under 40 award, sponsored by the Rochester Business Journal.

2003

Robert Lamb III of Bond, Schoeneck &

CARDINALS TAKE FLIGHT

"Fifty years ago, five young men from various parts of New York State stepped onto the campus of St. John Fisher College," writes Jack Stotz ’70. "It was the beginning of a lifelong friendship that continues to this day. We recently spent a weekend in Charlotte, North Carolina, having a few beers, laughing at old Fisher stories...and making a few new memories!" Left to right: Tom Schettino ’70, Bayside (Queens); George Hutchens ’70, Jamestown; Jim O'Loughlin ’70, Binghamton; Stotz, Cheektowaga; and Carl Durso ’69, Cohoes, NY.

King PLLC, was named a recipient of the Forty Under 40 award, sponsored by the Rochester Business Journal.

2005

Aaron Schmitt has been named the director of guest experience for the Pittsburgh Steelers and Heinz Field.

2006

Nate Snyder has been promoted to executive vice president of business operations for the Rochester Knighthawks.

2007

Dan Kapuscinski has been named the announcer for men’s ice hockey at SUNY Oswego. During his time as a student at Fisher, he served as an announcer for several athletic programs, including men’s and women’s basketball. Since graduation, he has worked as the public address voice for several outlets and in public relations for World Racing Group in Concord, NC and the Oswego Speedway. James Whelehan has joined the DiMarco Group as controller. He most recently served as assistant controller for Manning Squires Hennig Co., Inc.

2008

Jenna Van Thof has been promoted to associate vice president of special events at Dixon Schwabl.

2010

Ben Cerow has been named box office manager for Blue Cross Arena and CMAC.

CLASSNOTES Libby Craig has been named sales manager for the Monroe County Sports Commission in Rochester. Michael Craig has joined Lawley Insurance as an insurance advisor specializing in surety bonds for the construction insurance and bonds practice group in Rochester. Jessica Pond has been promoted to audit manager at Dannible and McKee, LLP. She joined the Syracuse firm in 2010 and has specialized in auditing in several industries. Brandon Rosenthal has been named as an assistant coach in the NBA Development League’s Northern Arizona Suns.

2012

Andrew Knoblauch, social and digital media supervisor at Dixon Schwabl, was recognized as a 2016 Rising PR Star by PRNews.

2013

Brandon Harrison has been appointed director of athletic communications at Goucher College in Towson, Maryland.

Nicole Warren joins Firley, Moran, Freer & Eassa, CPA, P.C. in East Syracuse as a staff accountant in the tax department. Warren earned both her MBA and bachelor’s degree from Fisher.

2014

Kathy Damato has been named community relations manager for the Delmarva Shorebirds in Maryland. Brandon Fuentes has signed a professional football deal with the High Country Grizzlies of the National Arena League (NAL) for the 2017 season. He will be joinng the team in Boone, North Carolina for their inaugural season as one of four new teams in the NAL. Fuentes will start as a defensive back and member of special teams. Avery Light has been promoted to marketing manager for the Rochester Knighthawks. Connor Morris has been named field marketing agent for Archrival in Charlotte, North Carolina. Charlie Ragusa has been promoted to social and digital media executive for the Rochester Knighthawks.

2016

Connor Brokaw has joined Cobblestone Capital Advisors as executive assistant to the managing partner. He previously served as an intern with the Rochester division of Oppenheimer Funds. Anthony LaFica has been named sales representative for the Tiger Woods Foundation and Genesis Open in Los Angeles, California. Troy Loporcaro has been named inside sales account executive for the Sacramento River Cats in California. Kayci Nucci has been named digital and social analytics coordinator for NASCAR in Charlotte, North Carolina.

IN MEMORIAM

Norman Reeves ’68 passed away on December 3, 2016. John M. Graham ’72 passed away on December 22, 2016. Sonia Basko ’96 passed away on December 29, 2016. Bob Minzesheimer, professor of communication/jouralism in the late 1970s, passed away on October 15, 2016.

GATHERING IN THE SUNSHINE STATE

Alumna KD Kim ’87 and her husband Ji Kim recently hosted a Fisher dinner party in Orlando, Fla. The group included (left to right) Melissa Head ’94, Donald ’72 and Sheila Preston, James Whelehan ’70 and Patricia Call, the Kims, and Susan Rooney and President Rooney.

ALUMNI AND WINE: A FINE PAIRING

More than 100 alumni and guests attended the annual Alumni Wine Pairing Party in November. Attendees enjoyed live jazz while sampling wines paired with freshly-prepared dishes. Left to right: Ronald Reilley ’74, Jim Mateer ’78, Deb Reilley, Mary Beth Mateer ’78, Meghann Reilley LaPlaca ’09; Kara Race Ricotta ’04, Jenalee Herb ’05, and Nate Driscoll ’06.

LET'S SYNC CALENDARS TEDDI DANCE FOR LOVE February 17-18 (Friday-Saturday)

FIRST FRIDAY LECTURE SERIES March 3 (Friday)

ACCOUNTING AWARDS BANQUET March 16 (Thursday)

PHILANTHROPY WEEK March 20-25 (Monday-Saturday)

EXCELLENCE IN MANAGEMENT AWARDS April 6 (Thursday)

THE LOSS SCIENCE LECTURE April 11 (Tuesday)

FIRST FRIDAY LECTURE SERIES April 7 (Friday)

EDUCATION CELEBRATION May 5 (Friday)

SCHOLARSHIP GOLF TOURNAMENT June 5 (Monday)

WHACKERS AND HACKERS GOLF TOURNAMENT July 14 (Friday)

ALUMNI WEEKEND 2017 October 6-8 (Friday-Sunday)

See all upcoming events at www.sjfc.edu/alumni and follow FisherAlums on Facebook. 34

CLASSNOTES HOW FISHER STOLE MY HEART

By Keri Kephart ’16

Growing up, some students know what they want to be and others don’t. Third grade was the selling point for me. My teacher, Mrs. Law, demonstrated everything I aspired to be: kind, caring, fun, and loving. I was fortunate enough to do a field experience with her and it was very exciting to know that the person I looked up to as a young student was now my mentor. My undergraduate experience at Keuka College shaped the beginnings of my teaching career. School in the first couple of years was all about learning about what it really means to be a teacher. When we have our own classrooms, we then need to apply all of those things learned. Field experiences were something that always helped me to understand what we talked about in class and how to apply that new learning in the classroom. The one thing I noticed was that I knew I wanted to teach and because of that it was always really hard to just observe. I always wondered during those field experiences if I would be able to teach my students one day the same way my third grade teacher taught me. I learned early on that teaching involved so many things such as how to grade papers, help students comprehend the subject you are teaching, and helping them to cope with everyday life challenges. There is one thing, though, you cannot be prepared for: how much you will love your job and the pleasure you get every day knowing that your students are succeeding in everything they do. I was accepted to Fisher in the spring of 2014. While I was growing up, my mom always pushed me to go for my master’s degree, as now most districts require you to have it. This one last degree was going to help me reach my dream. Fisher taught me so many important skills! As a teacher, there are so many things you need to be

able to do, from running records, implementing Common Core, using technology, and making sure your classroom is welcoming and inviting. The professors at Fisher made sure before you graduated all of those things were achievable. In the short time between attending Keuka and starting at Fisher, things had changed a lot. There were new standards, Common Core, new technology, and innovative, new ways to teach students. Teachers are always learning because of the new technology, standards, and ways to help students succeed. While attending Fisher, I was always so excited to go to classes. I owe so much of what I learned to the wonderful professors at Fisher who pushed me and others to do the best we could. After graduating in May of 2015, I was hired as a probationary teacher with Greece Central School District. Not only did I reach a dream of mine, but this was my chance to apply all that I had learned to my real life classroom. Looking back at my starting point at Keuka, I never thought that I would be where I am today. I ended up going to my top choice school for my master’s degree and now I am a teacher for the district I grew up in. Currently teaching sixth grade science, there are many things I learned that I can apply such as how to help students understand the material in different ways, all the cool ways to do experiments, and overall how to help them have fun while learning. Teaching has always been a dream of mine, and thanks to the wonderful professors in the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. School of Education, I get to have that dream come true every day. About the Author: Keri Kephart ’16 earned her master's in education from Fisher and currently works as a sixth-grade science teacher in the Greece Centeral School District.

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A CARDINAL MIGRATION

If youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve visited www.sjfc.edu lately, youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve probably noticed a new look. The College launched the new website, which is responsive across devices, in early January. The change in layout and content was the result of focus groups and strategy meetings involving current and prospective students, faculty, staff, and alumni.

Two years since project kicked off

528 faculty and staff profiles migrated

45 student and alumni quotes featured

1,900 person hours of content migration

760 news stories migrated