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NOTESAlumni

1961 Mikell (Schlotter) Hedley is a research assistant at The University of Toledo.

1964Dr. Jeanne (Henry) Neff is president of the Board of Council for Independent Colleges.

1965 Barbara (May) Hordemann works for Gonzaga University.John Tingle is a self-employed insurance broker in Florida.

1966Rosemary (Peranteau) McCarthy is a home and school visitor for Marple Newton Schools (PA). Al Roth is the Asia products manager for Air Products & Chemicals, Inc.

1967 George Blake is chairman and president of BrandWatch Technologies, Inc., Seattle, Identity Management Assn., Atlanta and chairman of TLC Technologies, Cincinnati.

1968Joseph Kelleher is president/treasurer of Kelleher Corp. in Richmond, VA. Michael Miller, Ph.D. is director of records management practice for Lockheed Martin.

1969 Vincent Cybulski is comptroller for The Village Network.Mary Alice Fitzgerald is chair of the Washington County (OH) Democratic Party. John Geary works for Phillip Morris in Richmond, VA.Charles Sharkey works for the Mendham Group in New Jersey. John Tracey works for National Automotive Finance Assoc.

1970 Rosalie Keane is the owner of NY Crystal Dance Studio. James Kunczt works for Hamlin Steel Products in Pennsylvania. M. Joan McDermott, Ph.D. is director

of women’s studies at Southern Illinois University Carbondale.

1971James Sagona is a vice president at Urbana (OH) University.

1972 Therese (Richard) Catt is a fifth grade teacher at Prince of Peace Catholic School, Alabama.Thomas Dudley is principal of Newmark Realty Capital, Inc. in California.Carol (Erdman) Dunsworth is director of university relations at Towson University. Patrick Gannon is executive director of the Ohio Industrial Commission.Bob O’Neill is executive director for MSS. 1974Rebecca (Williams) DiPasquale is director for the Northwestern Area Agency on Aging for Bel-O-Mar Regional Council. Tom Hedges is an industrial engineer for Spirit Aerosystems in Oklahoma. Cheryl (Costa) Penrose is market research interviewer for TMR, Inc. Greg Sgroi is the owner of G.F. Sgroi Co. of Wheeling. 1975 Joseph Brown, MD completed the Physician Executive MBA program at the University of Tennessee. Julie (Deter) O’Marra is senior program analyst for MBI in Shelton, CT.

1976 Stephen Hydock is an AS400 system administrator for Force 3 in Charleston, WV. Michael Murkley is national sales manager for 94WYSP-FM CBS Radio in Philadelphia.

1977 Kathleen (Pawloski) Donahue is a senior accountant at Contran Corp. of Texas.

1978James Douglas works for ADP in New Jersey.

James and Melinda (Reese) Heitker, reside in Westerville, OH. He works for the Forethought Group, and she works for Sew Much Mor.Daniel Klos owns Daniel H. Klos Law Office in Lancaster, OH.

1979 John Munjas works for Century Equities, Inc. in Ohio.

1980Jim Schmidt is director of behavioral science at Riverside Hospital in Columbus, OH.Nancy Knoblich works for WesBanco in Wheeling. John Lewis is a lawyer with Metz Lewis, LLC, of Pittsburgh.

1981Terri (Gohmann) Arnold is assistant dean of students at the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh.Bruce Bartlett is owner of Medical Services Associates in Pittsburgh. Debbie (Bowen) Chewning is a legal assistant for Hillis, Clark, Martin & Petersen in Seattle.Chris Hanley works for GE Capital Solutions in Philadelphia.

1982 Joseph Bittengle is director and associate professor of radiologic imaging sciences at the University of Arkansas.Lisa Kay (Rhodes) George is a marketing rep for RJ Reynolds Tobacco Company in Maryland.

1983 Susan Andrzejczyk works for the UPMC hospital lab. Elaine (Vermillion) Coker is a safety specialist for Pharmaceutical Product Development in North Carolina.Robert Hicks is an access technology specialist for The Seeing Hand Association, Inc.John Persiani is an attorney in Cincinnati.Karen (Hughes) Showalter works at Georgetown University Hospital.

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NOTESAlumni

1984Christine (Boice) Conley is a medical imaging nurse at St. Clair Hospital in Pittsburgh.

1985 Kevin and Maureen (Lally) Martin ‘84 are the owners of the Celtic Cottage restaurant in Long Branch, NJ.

1986 Norma (Richard) Buchanan is a detective for the Jacksonville (FL) Sheriff.Rev. J. Stephen Vallelonga is pastor of St. Vincent de Paul Church in New Martinsville, WV.

1987 Chris Searl is assistant principal of Creighton Preparatory School in Omaha, NE.

1988Darlene (Snider) Beecher is controller for Bayer Material Science. Tim McDonald is a CPA for Osborn Heirs Co. in Texas. Robert and Christine (DeTemple) Norris ‘87 reside in Kensington, MD. He works for Montgomery County, and she works for JBG Rosenfield Retail. Joseph and Katherine (Pastor) Small reside in McMurray, PA. He works for Eat ‘n Park Hospitality Group, and she is a nurse for Canonsburg Hospital.Edward Smoczynski is manager of E*TRADE Financial in Virginia.

1991Lawrence Messina is WV statehouse reporter/political editor for the Associated Press.Debby (Robinson) Vojvodich is associate dean of academic affairs at Keiser (FL) University.

1992 Tracie Crawshaw, Ph.D. was promoted to the rank of Commander in the US Navy and is chief of manpower and personnel.Michelle (Wetzel) Edwards works for

Timet in Toronto, OH.Gary Ensell works for Universal Industrial Supply of Ohio.William Hill is a content analyst for Choicepoint, Inc. in Ohio. Tim Mudric is associate director of project management at PPD in Ohio.Teresa (Clark) Toriseva is an attorney with Wexler, Toriseva, Wallace in Wheeling.

1993Michael Croy works for Seaway in Aurora, OH.Lori DiBacco is a speech language pathologist for Randolph County (WV) Schools.Jeri (Hawthorne) Garcia is a director for United States Pharmacopeia in Maryland. Lucy (Gray) Kefauver is a counselor at West Virginia Northern Community College.Erik Tavenner is senior solutions consultant for Plus Consulting in Ohio.

1994 Kathleen Hess works for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.Stephanie (Pearl) Nash works for IBM in Fairfax, VA.

1995Todd Rebbel married Lauren Mislak Nov. 25, 2006. He is VP of Atlantic Transportation in Balto, MD.Kathyrn Stephens works at Belmont Technical College (OH).Margaret Tindor-Zapor works for IADT in Pittsburgh.

1996 Karen (Simmons) Anderson is executive director of The PS Project in Parkersburg, WV.Thomas Blackford works for North Carolina Farm Bureau Insurance. Michelle (Groome) Miller works for Wells Fargo Insurance. Phillip Northey is a physician assistant at MVA Fairmont Clinic.

WASHINGTON, DC CHAPTER

More than 65 alumni attended the second

annual DC Alumni Mass at Gonzaga High

School. Julio Giulietti, S.J., WJU president,

celebrated the Mass and updated alumni

on the state of the University during a

reception. Planning is under way to form

an official alumni chapter in the DC area.

A core group of alumni have been meeting

to formulate goals and objectives, as well

as plan events for the coming year.

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1997Jason Anders is physical therapy clinical director for Bodyworks Rehabilitation in Beckley, WV. Stephanie (Markus) Masterson is auditor-in-charge for Parms & Company, LLC of Ohio. Christopher Moore is a history teacher at Charlotte (NC) Middle School. Melikhaya Ntshingwa works for Marquette University. Donna Snider works for Cardinal Health in Dublin, OH.Colin Stockton is an attorney with Moore & Van Allen in Charlotte, NC. Marikathryn “Muff ” (Bartosik) Valenti works for Cardinal Health in Ohio.

1998Brian Bennett is member services manager for Guernsey-Muskingum (OH) Electric Cooperative, Inc. Trisha (Wright) Bush is a market research analyst at WJU’s National Technology Transfer Center.Christopher Elswick is an attorney with Bailey & Wyant, PLLC in Wheeling.Erika Harris MD is a family physician for University Physicians & Surgeons in West Virginia.Karla (Trent) Moeller works for Broadwing Communication in Ohio. John and Amanda (Balser) Naughton ‘99 reside in Powell, OH. He is associate director of admissions at Ohio Wesleyan University. She is a registered nurse at Dublin Methodist Hospital. Jessica Strauss is the owner of WestArk Industrial Cleaning in Clarksburg, WV.

1999Ryan and Beth (Northey) Aaron, announce the birth of daughter, Albree Ann, born Sept. 10, 2007. Karen Cokeley is a supervisor for Highmark Blue Cross. Jason and Libby (Byrum) Culley ‘00 reside in Dublin, OH. He is a dentist and owner of Watermark Dental. She is a marketing communications specialist

for Dramond Innovations.Kevin Dunn is owner of Dunn Title Agency, LLC.Michael Iafrate is a doctoral student at the University of St. Michael’s College, Toronto School of Theology. Charles Jones works for Western Southern Life in Zanesville, OH.Kelly (Nowakowski) Kuchinski is lead physical therapist at East Ohio Regional Hospital.Christopher Lohri is senior associate with Gompers & Associates, PLLC in Wheeling.Mike Oravec is a business systems consultant for Wells Fargo Bank in California.Sandra Shelek is an auditor for Wheeling Island Racetrack & Gaming Resort.

2000Katie (Kapper) Brooks works for Akron Children’s Hospital.Stephen and Mary Beth (Hogan) Criniti announce the birth of their son, Matthew, born Sept. 21, 2007.Karen Dalby is a nurse with Drs. Noble & Wurtzbacher in Wheeling. Jessica DeCola is a software engineer for Cisco Systems in San Jose, CA. Ann Drinkwater is online services program manager for Parsons Brinckerhoff. R. Chad Duffield is an attorney with Farmer, Cline & Campbell, PLLC. in Charleston.Joy Harr is a dentist with Family Dentistry in St. Clairsville, OH. Amy Lilly is senior subcontracts administrator for Orbital Sciences Corp.Cathy Molinaro works for Pittsburgh Public Schools. Sara Ravas is a staff attorney for Thompson, Hine Business Litigation group in Ohio.Kate (Hamer) Rottmayer is house counsel for Grange Mutual Casualty Company in Ohio. Kelly (Gottschalk) Samaha is a respiratory therapist and is center manager for Lincare, Inc in Virginia.

PHILADELPHIACHAPTER

Held its annual post holiday party at the home of Martha Buckley Shields ’64 in January. Nearly 30 alumni were on hand to celebrate the start of 2008 with Rev. Jim O’Brien, S.J. and Kelly Klubert ’85, director of alumni relations. The Chapter announced that it has endowed the Rev. Charles Currie, S.J. Philadelphia Chapter Scholarship and would award money this year. The Chapter will host its annual golf scramble, the Pieco Open, on October 11. Proceeds from the outing go to the Charles Currie Scholarship. Contact the Alumni Office for details.

GIVE ONLINE @ www.wju.edu/advancement

NOTESAlumni

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First Basketball team returns to Wheeling Jesuit University

Wheeling Jesuit University’s first men’s varsity team was honored Saturday, Jan. 26. Many members of the team returned to campus for a weekend of activities, which included a reception hosted by John Egan McAteer ‘61, recognition during the men’s varsity game and a reception hosted by the Alumni Office.

Those attending the weekend included: team manager Douglas Baldy ‘60, John J. Dematte, Sr. ‘60, Todd B. Haberfield ‘60, John J. Mensore ‘60, Donald W. Mercer

‘60, Walter A. Reed, Jr. ’60, McAteer ‘61, Dr. Michael A. Santer ‘61, Jr., and John B. Yasinsky ‘61.

“Fifty years ago, during the 1957-58 school year, these members of the classes of 1960 and 1961 were the first varsity team. This was the beginning of varsity athletics at Wheeling Jesuit and we honor those efforts,” said Dan Sancomb ‘98, director of athletics and men’s head bas-ketball coach. “It was an honor to celebrate our former athletes in this public manner and recognize these men who were the start of athletics at Wheeling Jesuit.”

P resident George W. Bush appointed Chris Frech as deputy assistant to the President for legislative affairs in January.

Frech, a member of the class of 1989, previously served as special assistant to the President for legislative affairs. Prior to this, he served as deputy chief of staff and Rules Committee associate for Congresswoman Deborah Pryce. He re-ceived a master’s degree from West Virginia University.

Frech Joins Bush Administrationas Deputy Assistant

Dan Sancomb congratulates the honorees. Members of the first basketball varsity team

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Rebecca (Slater) Tatar is chief nuclear medicine technologist at Temple (PA) Northeastern Hospital.

2001Penny (Salisbury) Back is an emergency room registered nurse at KCMC in South Carolina.Maria Conforti is a physical therapist for PT Unlimited/OVGH in Pittsburgh.Lawrence and Colleen (O’Hanlon) Harkins reside in Glenshaw, PA. He is a case manager for Renewal, Inc., and she is a registered nurse at UPMC Shadyside.Janel Hartman is a legal assistant for Carlile, Patchen, Murphy in Columbus, OH.Anna Lawrence is a curriculum development specialist for Konica Minolta Business Solutions, New Jersey.Colleen Lucey is a nurse at OVMC in Wheeling.Steve Rice is a trust advisor for PNC Wealth Management in Pittsburgh. He and Amanda Hallock ‘03 were married on July 5, 2008.

2002Stephanie (Gray) Faust is a French teacher for the Brentwood (PA) School District. Jeanene Goodman is a registered nurse for Mt. Carmel (OH) Hospice. Sherre (Casper) Grebenstein is reporter/copyeditor/photographer for The Martinsburg (WV) Journal.

Holly (Cefaldo) Kidwell is assistant coordinator at Texas Sports Medicine Facility.Rachel Lewis is wound care physical therapist at St. Joseph’s (PA) Medical Center. John “Monte” McCormick is senior staff consultant with TripleScreen Search and Staffing in the Philadelphia area.Michael Morris is a staff physical therapist for Rehab Unlimited at Southbridge (OH).Amy (Criniti) Phillips is a doctoral candidate and teaching fellow at Duquesne University. Amy Pietragallo is a traveling nurse for RSI Medical.Crystal (Dunfee) Pietranton is a registered nurse at Wheeling Hospital.Paula (Fitsimmons) Prince is a first grade teacher for Greenville (SC) County Schools.Jim Puglisi is assistant director at St. Edward’s University in Texas.Lisa (Traynor) Richardson is a registered nurse for Trustaff in Ohio. Mark Rodenhauser is a software engineer for Asurion in Texas. Jeremy Steed is clinical marketing specialist for Siemens Medical Solutions in Illinois.

2003Kristie (Bower) Barnett is assistant VP and senior trust officer at WesBanco in Wheeling.

CHARLESTON, WVCHAPTER

The Charleston area alumni met in April to discuss and plan an Alumni/Prospective Student Night on October 1, 2008. The event will be a time for alumni to get together with one another, as well as talk and promote Wheeling Jesuit to prospective undergraduate and graduate students. Call the Alumni Office to make your reservation.

COLUMBUS, OHCHAPTER

The chapter hosted a post holiday party in January. Coordinated by Michael and Debbie (Hoban) Walsh ’82, more than 45 alumni celebrated the beginning of 2008. Rev. Jim O’Brien, S.J. and Kelly Klubert ’85, director of alumni relations attended the gathering. The chapter held a picnic at the home of Marian (Malley) Jones ’80. It was a relaxing day of fun and sun for alumni and their families. Planning is under way for the January post holi-day party. The chapter is forming a task force to look for ways to assist in the re-cruitment of students from the Colum-bus area. For more information about the task force, contact Scott Gallagher at sgallagher@castoinfo.com.

Erin Rebbel married Richard Schwartz Aug. 25, 2007. Wheeling Jesuit alums in the wedding were, Christina Tanner Davis ‘99, Bobbi Feher Norton ‘99, Carrie Huitger ‘99, Cynthia Placiente Los ‘99, Sarah Steiner Yu ‘99, Angela Wiley ‘99, and Todd Rebbel ‘95, ‘97 brother of the bride. Readers were Amanda Balser Naughton ‘99 and Debra Resch Scheffer ‘99. Other WJU grads at the wedding were Dan Harris, Brooks & Jen Belfior Schuler, Shawn Kane, Tom Cecil, Robert Neary, Danielle Beziat Newman, Jason Los, Casper Yu, Jamie Norton, Phil Northey, Mark Jennings, Chrissy Houston & Alison Johnson.

NOTESAlumni

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Ways...to stay involved Alumni Services

The Wheeling Jesuit Alumni Office offers graduates several programs that will benefit them.

Wheeling Jesuit MasterCard – The WJU MasterCard is a way for alumni to support the University each time they use their card. Apply today at www.wju.edu/alumni/resourses_benefits/

Liberty Mutual Insurance and Meyers and Associates – The Wheeling Jesuit University Alumni Office has teamed up with Liberty Mutual and Meyers and Associates to offer alumni high-quality life, health, auto, home and renters insurance at low group rates. Log onto www.wju.edu/alumni/resources_benefits/insoffer.asp for more information on both these offers.

WJU Return Labels – Show your school spirit by using WJU return address labels. Log on and order your labels at www.alumnilabels.com/session.php?sel_univ=120.

Join or start a chapter – Alumni chapters are established in Charleston, WV; Columbus, OH; Morgantown, WV; Wheeling, Pittsburgh; Philadelphia and Washington, DC. Get involved in one of these chapters or contact the Alumni Office about starting one in your area.

Alumni in Admissions – Alumni can help recruit prospective students by becoming a member of the Alumni in Admissions program.

Become a volunteer today at www.wju.edu/alumni/alumniinadmissionsform.asp.

Alumni Council – If you would like to serve on Alumni Council, the body that represents all alumni, contact the Alumni Office at alumni@wju.edu.

Class Agents – This is a chance to be part of the WJU communication network. As a class agent, you can become a vital link between your classmates and the University. Want to become a class agent, email alumni@wju.edu today.

Alumni Award Nominations – Do you know someone deserving of the GOLD, Lewis or Distinguished Alumni awards? Send the Alumni Office the name of the deserving person and why he or she should be recognized. You can submit names by logging onto www.wju.edu/alumni/getinvolved/award.asp.

Facebook – You can stay connected to your alma mater and WJU alumni by joining Facebook. Jesuit Gold is the official Facebook site of Wheeling Jesuit alumni.

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Lindsay (Patti) Ferda is a registered nurse at WVU Hospital.Kristen Foster is a registered nurse at The Ohio State University Medical Center. Tara (Rohde) Hoelscher is a registered nurse at The Ohio State University Medical Center, James Cancer Hospital.Olivia (Schilens) Kostecke is a 10th and 11th grade special education teacher for Portage County (OH).Katie Meng is a labor and employment attorney with the U.S. Department of Justice in Washington, DC.Joshua Reed is a registered nurse at The Ohio State University Medical Center.Melissa Lynn (Arnold) Rhoads is an attorney with Tighe & Cottrell, P.A. in Wilmington, DE.Barbara Roman works for SFT Healthcare in Canton, OH.Andrea Rosica is a caseworker for Meridian Health at Jersey Shore University Medical Center.Nikki (Stenger) Sayre is a kindergarten teacher for Union Local (OH) Schools.Eustice Stapler is a school counselor for Fairfax County (VA) Public Schools. Kevin Tait is a transport respiratory therapist for Flight For Life Colorado.Stephanie Williamson is a registered nurse and respiratory therapist at the Carilion Clinic in West Virginia.

2004Larry Boroski works for the Belmont Correctional Institution in St. Clairsville, OH.Georgeann Canter works at Bridgeport (OH) High School. Kimberly Fox is a family nurse practitioner at MedPoint in Clarksburg, WV.Tiffany Harris is an EDGAR/document specialist for Williams Lea in Wheeling.Megan Sall is an English teacher and assistant track coach for Norfolk (VA) Public Schools.Ben Thomas is manager for Antrin Township (PA). Jayme (Lenz) Verslype is audit senior with Ernst & Young, LLP in Pittsburgh.

2005Aimee Boyer married Jim DiStefano on Aug. 8, 2008. Sara Budacki is a strategic research coordinator for the Corporate Executive Board in Virginia.Anastasia Carter is a group home parent for Davis-Stuart, Inc. in West Virginia. Steven Ellis is a teacher/volunteer for Cristo Rey High School and is serving one year as a Jesuit Volunteer in New York City.Anne Gormley is a second grade teacher at St. Peter’s School in Maryland. Katherine (Kassimer) Hendershot is a pre-school teacher for Wee Care Pre-School in Ohio.Stephanie (Stock) Reese is a human resources assistant for Wheeling Island Racetrack & Gaming Resort.Emilee Romano is a legal secretary for Gordon, Feinblatt, Rothman, Hoffberger & Hollander in Baltimore.Marie Somera is a legal assistant with Berger & Green in Pittsburgh. Katie (Pelikan) Temple is a substitute teacher for Colorado Springs School District 11.Angela Zambito is assistant development director for Catholic Charities WV of the Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston.

2006Joshua Collins is a talk show host on 1370-WVOY in Maryland. Elizabeth (Criasia) Croson is a registered nurse at Georgetown University Hospital. Heather (Fristick) DeFranco is security systems specialist for Bettis Atomic Laboratory in Pittsburgh.Cindy (Shaw) Ealy is administrative assistant for Fresh Start in Ohio.

works for SRA International, a contractor at the U.S. GAO.Shaun Gainer is a kindergarten teacher for Greene County (VA) Schools. Natalie Kozel is a first grade teacher for Greene County (VA) Schools.Annisa Kreis is a sales professional for Cintas in Ohio.

C h r o n i c l e

GIVE ONLINE @ www.wju.edu/advancement

OHIO VALLEYCHAPTER

The Chapter, along with the Alumni Of-fice hosted a dinner prior to the theater production of Man of La Mancha. More than 60 alumni and their families attended the event. A large group of alumni who performed in the 1970s production were on hand for the dinner. The chapter met in April to discuss plans for the 08-09 year. The Chapter is looking to host a holiday party in December. For more information about the chapter, contact Vince Gallagher at vince@firstfinancialpartners.com or Maureen Zambito at mzambito@wju.edu.

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NOTESAlumni

Christopher McCormick works at WVU Medical Center. Aimee Robinson is an accountant with Bodkin, Wilson and Kozicki, PLLC in Wheeling.

2007Erin Bailey is the cheering coach at Niagara University (NY). Lisa (Clever) Baker is an employment-training specialist with Licking Notts Goodwill.Jennifer (Weidger) Brown is a physical therapist for Blue Sky Therapy in Canton, OH.Samuel Childers works for Furnished Quarters in New York.Ashley Duke is a nurse at UPMC Children’s Hospital.Tawni Fuller is a nurse at The Cleveland Clinic. Kerry Monreal is a registered nurse at The Cleveland Clinic.Amber Thompson is a staff nurse at UPMC Shadyside.

In Memoriam

ALUMNIDennis M. Deegan ‘68 died April 20, 2008.

H. Leon Hegner ‘61 died Feb. 7, 2008.M. Michele “Mickie” Heidenreich ‘75 died March 18, 2008.

FAMILY, STAFF & FRIENDSMarie Clare Kammer Gribben, mother of Tom Gribben ‘59, died Feb. 15, 2008.Lt. Colonel David Kapalko, spouse of Rita (Vosvick) Kapalko ‘88, died Feb. 6, 2008.John O’Brien, brother of Rev. James O’Brien, S.J., father of John “Michael” O’Brien ‘88, died Jan. 27, 2008.Lenita O’Neill, mother of Bob O’Neill ‘72, died Jan. 21, 2008.Frank M. Reynolds, father of Frank M. Reynolds, Jr. ‘78, died Jan. 13, 2008.Mary Grace Soccio, mother of MaryAnne (Soccio) Scheuble ‘75, died March 29, 2008. Anita Trainor, spouse of John Trainor ‘62, died Feb. 28, 2008.Kevin Tyska, WJU Lacrosse Coach, died Jan. 21, 2008.Lou Velkovich, father of Jennifer (Velkovich) Kosek ‘99, and Stacey Velkovich ‘06, died April 8, 2008.Cleo Whitecotton, former athletic department secretary, died Jan. 29, 2008.

Wheeling Jesuit’s Vice President of Sponsored Program Davitt McAteer ’66 released a book that examines the nation’s worst min-ing disaster and the history of coalmining in West Virginia and the surrounding area.

“Monongah: The Tragic Story of the 1907 Monongah Mine Disas-ter, the Worst Industrial Accident in U.S. History,” was released in December 2007, a hundred years after the fateful disaster occurred.

McAteer examines the history of the coal mining industry in West Virginia and surrounding states, including the political and social atmosphere and conditions in the mines at the time of the disaster.

The book represents more than 30 years of research, including inter-views with victims’ survivors and descendants. McAteer’s research proves that close to 500 (not the official report of 362) men and boys — many of them immigrants — lost their lives that day, leaving hun-dreds of women widowed and more than 1,000 children orphaned.

McAteer served as Assistant Secretary for Mine Safety and Health in the U.S. Department of Labor during the Clinton administra-tion.

He worked with consumer advocate Ralph Nader to help enact the landmark 1969 Federal Coal Mine Health and Safety Act. In Janu-ary of 2006, West Virginia Gov. Joe Manchin asked McAteer to conduct an independent investigation into the cause of the Sago Mine Disaster and the Aracoma Alma No. 1 mine fire.

Monongah Mine Disaster of 1907 Book Released by McAteer

CLASSNOTESGUIDELINESDo you have news to share with members of the WJU alumni community? Here is a quick overview of the guidelines for Chronicle Classnotes.

• The Classnotes section is one of the first sec-tions we complete for each issue of the Chron-icle and often stop compiling classnotes about three months before the issue is mailed. We try to include all classnotes, but space sometimes limits how many we can run. All classnotes can be viewed at www.wju.edu/alumni

• We do not run information about upcoming marriages, births and other occasions until af-ter the event has occurred.

• Do to space limitations, we will only run one class note per alum per year in the Chronicle.

• We only accept classnotes in written form. No classnotes will be accepted over the phone.

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Lea Ann ‘Beez’ Schell, Ph.D. ’89 has been named the founding director of the Professional Develop-

ment Center at the State University of New York Fre-donia.

Schell began her new position in June and will hold the faculty rank of professor in the department of sports management and exercise science.

A graduate of WJU with a bachelor’s degree in adver-tising/professional writing, Schell also holds a master’s in athletic administration from Slippery Rock Universi-ty and a doctorate in kinesiology from Texas Woman’s University.

Schell Named Founding Director of the Professional Development Center Robert Ritz ’84 was named president and CEO of St. John’s

Hospital, in Springfield, Ill. in April.

“I am thrilled and blessed that I have been invited to join the mission and family at St. John’s. It is a great organization filled at every level with talented and dedicated professionals,” he said.

Ritz holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Wheeling Jesuit. Following graduation, Ritz took a year off before he began graduate school at Cornell University. During that year, he worked as a dishwasher in the kitchen at Wheeling Hospital and as a nursing home housekeeper. He said the move was intentional and helped him decide to pursue a career in health care.

Prior to his appointment at St. John’s, Ritz served as president and CEO of St. Mary’s Health System in Waterbury, Conn. for six years.

Alumnus Named President of Illinois Hospital

IN THE NEXT ISSUE OFTHE CHRONICLE, LOOK FOR: Class Notes:

(Send us your info today)

A Message From the President

Alumni Weekend 2009 Preview

Sports Wrap-up

Academic Highlights

Service Highlights

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WJU ALUMNI WEEKEND 2008

This year, Alumni Council handed out five Clif-ford M. Lewis S.J. Awards. Two of the recipients, Carol Yarnall ’63 and Jay DeFruscio ’87 were not on hand for the presentation. Joining Scott Gallagher ’92, president of Alumni Council, and Julio Giulietti, S.J., University president are Jim Regan, men’s soccer coach, Allen Wojcik ’63 and Terry Lewis ’93.

Joe Saverimuttu ’06 is shown with his mother and father Martina and Gerard following the presentation of the Graduates of the Last Decade or GOLD award. Theresa Bowman Phipps ’01 also received the award but was unable to attend the ceremony.

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WJU ALUMNI WEEKEND 2008

C h r o n i c l e

Members of the Class of 1963 undertook a fund rais-ing goal – to raise money for the new office of Mission and Ministry. Under the leadership of Steve Haid, the class has more than $20,000 committed to the project. Joining Haid for the presentation are Julio Giulietti, S.J. president and Judy Geary ’63, a member of Alumni Council.

Brian McCagh ’68 received this year’s newly renamed St. Ignatius Loyola Distinguished Alumni Award for his dedication and lifelong commitment to providing top notch health care. Julio Giulietti, S.J. president, presented McCagh the Award.

Members of the class of 1963 Allen Wojcik and Tom Kelleher talk about their award winning weekend. Wojcik won a Lewis Award and Kelleher was surprised with the presentation of the Alumni Magis Award for his dedication to the University and its alumni.

Sandra Wunderlich Neilson ’66 was granted an honorary bachelor’s degree during Alumni Weekend. Neilson was unable to finish her degree in 1966 and her classmates petitioned the University to grant her this honorary de-gree. Julio Giulietti, S.J. president, made the presenta-tion during Saturday evening’s dinner. Her family and several classmates were on hand for the special night.