Congratulations to the following students for making the Dean's List for the sessions 1 & 2, Fall 2014. To qualify for Dean’s List, a student must have earned 9 credits in a semester with a minimum 3.25 GPA.

The numbers after the students' names correspond to grade level: 01 freshman, 02 sophomore, 03 junior, 04 senior.

• Adzima, Gregory A., 02
• Ali, Zeanab R.,  03
• Alles, Corrine J., 04
• Amaro, Dalairis, 03
• Amenaghawon, Eseosa T., 03
• Anderson, William G., 03
• Arocho, Victor D., 03
• Attieh, Julieann N., 04
• Bitner, Rebecca J., 04
• Brockel, Heather S., 03
• Broekhuis, Amy K., 04
• Bronstein, Chelsea P., 04
• Burgess, Kelly R., 02
• Cannon, Patricia B., 04
• Carbo, Paul,  04
• Carbonaro, Mei Ying, 04
• Cardell, Kathryn, 04
• Columbo, Nicholas J., 04
• Confer, Christine A., 04
• Corey, Thomas A., 02
• Craft, Heather A., 04
• Cutrone, John M., 03
• Danner, Dianne M., 03
• Dibble, Bekki L., 04
• Doerr, Karoline, 03
• Durdan, Renee L., 01
• Edwards, Justin T., 03
• Ferrara, Michael F., 02
• Frankenfield, Adam K., 03
• Frattone, Angela M., 03
• Gamboa, Becky L., 04
• Gengaro, Lisa V., 03
• Gilbert, Nathan A., 03
• Gonzalez, Jessica L., 04
• Gonzalez, Robert L., 04
• Gonzalez, William R., 02
• Grim, Kelly A., 04
• Gurtowski, Anne, 04
• Hartman, Marianna, 04
• Hlavinka, Lori A., 04
• Hrusovsky, Christine M., 02
• Hunsberger, Jennifer S., 03
• Kehres, Julie A., 04
• King, Cynthia L., 04
• Knotts, Tara L., 03
• Kuhenbeaker, Yvonne, 03
• Kurter, Heidi L., 04
• Larimer, Kristen L., 03
• Latham, Robert S., 03
• Macarro, Wendy L., 04
• Maldonado, John, 01
• Markham, Dorina E., 04
• McConnell, Mark D., 03
• McFadden-Westwood, Lore, 04
• Mendelzon, Jeffery D., 04
• Merrigan, Amie L., 03
• Miller, Bianca M., 04
• Morgan, O'Niel, 03
• Myers, Zachary D., 04
• Nguyen, Leya,  03
• Nolte, Brian O., 03
• Noska, Shannon M., 04
• Oleskowitz Jr., James E., 04
• Oliver, Valerine D., 03
• Orenstein, Elad, 03
• Parsley, William E., 02
• Perotti, Giorgia S., 03
• Perrine, Melissa S., 04
• Phillips, Nicole C., 03
• Ploucha, Zachary J., 03
• Quinn, Colleen, 01
• Reeser, Katie N., 03
• Rivera, Christopher L., 04
• Rivera, Davida V., 03
• Robertson, Ashley B., 03
• Rock, Tiffany R., 04
• Rosa, Sarai, 03
• Ruszkiewicz, Agnieszka, 03
• Scampton, Robert M., 03
• Schiffner, Cassandra L., 04
• Schmoyer, Jenna L., 04
• Senouillet, Geraldo S., 04
• Shively, Gail S., 03
• Smith, Kelly N., 04
• Smyth, Amanda J., 02
• Souder, James M., 03
• Stamatakos, John E., 02
• Stanton, James D., 01
• Valdez, Mayra,  01
• Vanic, John S.,  04
• Warnke, James S., 03
• Watson, Leon W., 03
• Welsh, Mary-Beth T., 03
• Wilcox, Alisha A., 04
• Williams, Jordan P., 03
• Wright, Julie M., 03
• Yates, Terri L.,  04
• Yaw, Daniel J.,  04
• Zahradnik, Kelly A., 04
• Zeuggin, Dana,  04
• Ziegler, Johanna M., 04
• Zimmerman, Scott D., 03
• Zuercher, Logan T., 04

The Salesian Center for Faith & Culture will host the 10th annual Heritage Week at DeSales University, a series of events celebrating the legacy of St. Francis de Sales, patron of DeSales University.  All the events, except for Sunday’s Mass which will take place in Connelly Chapel, will take place in the DeSales University Center on the DeSales campus in Center Valley.  All events are free and open to the public and run Sunday, January 18 through Thursday, January 22. No tickets are required.

The lineup of speakers for Heritage Week begins with the Mass of St. Francis de Sales at 8:00 p.m., on Sunday, January 18, in Connelly Chapel at DeSales University in Center Valley, Pa. Our guest homilist will be Rev. Keith Laskowski ’95, an administrator at Our Lady of Mercy parish in Easton, PA.

On Monday, January 19, at 7:00 p.m. we welcome Gregory Carolan, M.D. of St. Luke’s University Health Network and Kimberly Fritts, D.P.T. of Lehigh Valley Health Network for our forum on biomedical ethics. The topic of discussion will be Sports Medicine and Youth.

Tuesday, January 20,at 7:00 p.m. we welcome our 2015 Hesburgh LecturerGilberto Cardenas, Ph.D., founding director of Notre Dame Institute for Latino Studies. Cardenas will be covering Immigration Issues for our seminar on Law & Society. This event is co-sponsored by the Notre Dame Club of the Lehigh Valley. 

On Wednesday, January 21,at 7:00 p.m., we welcome our special guest John Suler, Ph.D. of Cyberpsychology, Behavior and Social Networking studies at Rider University. The topic of discussion for our Town Hall on Social Communications will be The Psychology of Cyberspace.

The week closes on Thursday, January 22,at 8:00 p.m. with the Wayne R. Kraft Memorial Lecture on faith and culture. Christian Smith, Ph.D., Director of the Notre Dame Center for Social Research will discuss Emerging Adults in Catholic America.

For more information, contact the Salesian Center for Faith & Culture at DeSales University at 610. 282.1100 ext. 1244 or visit us at www.desales.edu/salesian.

Established in 2000, the Salesian Center for Faith & Culture’s mission is to promote the interaction of faith and culture in a mutually beneficial engagement, through academic initiatives that focus on the authentic integration of social concerns and gospel values.  The Salesian Center supports intellectual activity in research studies, dialogue events including public forums and lectures and partnership programs. 

U.S. News and World Report has ranked the DeSales University Online ACCESS program 184th in the nation and the Online MBA program 136th in the nation.

“All of us at DeSales are proud to have both the ACCESS Program (accelerated online bachelor’s degree) and the MBA program named as two of the best online programs in the nation,” said Deborah Booros, dean of lifelong learning. “It’s an admirable tribute to our alumni, current students, faculty and staff.”

“DeSales MBA is thrilled to be named as one of the top online MBA programs in the nation, said Dr. David M. Gilfoil, director of the MBA program.  Improving our ranking by 31 places from last year is an accomplishment that we are extremely proud of. All this, of course, simply means that we have more work to do to crack the top 100 list.”

The 2015 rankings evaluate information and data from more than 1,200 distance education degree programs, up more than 20 percent from the previous year. Only degree-granting programs at regionally accredited institutions that are offered predominantly online were considered. The methodologies incorporate a number of factors, including student engagement, faculty credentials and student services and technology.

The ACCESS program at DeSales has been a regional leader in providing adult education in an accelerated format for more than 35 years. Classes are offered in traditional classrooms, online, or a hybrid of both. Bachelor’s degrees, certificates, or courses for personal enrichment are offered on three campuses, Center Valley, Easton-Area, and Lansdale, Pa.

The DeSales University MBA program is offered online and at four locations, including the main campus in Center Valley, as well as the Easton Area and Lansdale campuses. The program is also hosted at Immaculata University, Lehigh Valley Hospital and the Pocono Medical Center.

Junior and senior accounting students from DeSales University will provide tax preparation assistance free of charge to senior citizens and those with lower incomes through Friday, April 3. The program is part of the United States Internal Revenue Service’s Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program. Students are required to pass a test given by the IRS, in order to receive certification to participate in the program.

This marks the fifteenth consecutive year that DeSales students have participated in the program. Since it was first offered, DeSales students have completed more than 3,200 tax returns for more than 1,500 Lehigh Valley taxpayers.

To schedule a VITA appointment, individuals can call (610) 282-1100, ext. 1868. A DeSales student will return the phone call and provide assistance accordingly. Individuals needing assistance should bring all printed tax information and all documents pertaining to federal, state and local taxes with them to their appointment.

The program is sponsored by the IRS and supervised by Dr. Christopher R. Cocozza, division head of DeSales University’s Division of Business and associate professor of business. Cocozza has served as VITA coordinator at DeSales since the program was initiated at DeSales in 2001. Cocozza holds a bachelor's in accounting and law degree from Fordham University and a master's of law from New York University.

Seventeen undergraduate students traveled to Spain early this January as part of a university sanctioned study abroad opportunity offered to those enrolled in a Global Economic Issues course.

The trip spanned seven days and included excursions in Madrid, Toledo, Segovia, Tarragona and Barcelona, where students toured various contemporary and historical landmarks and experienced many aspects of Spanish culture such as cuisine, dancing, language and worldview.

The course is one of several offered by the University that combines an overseas trip with classroom learning. Previous trips have been to Turkey, France, Ireland, and Switzerland.

The Spain trip was supervised by Dr. Tahereh Hojjat, a professor of economics and finance in the division of business, and aimed to expose students to the increasingly relevant tasks of bridging cultural gaps and further developing independent and critical thinking skills.

“To become global citizens, students must have opportunities to interact and immerse themselves in foreign cultures, and this can easily be achieved with educational travels,” Hojjat said. “Businesses are serving an increasingly globalized set of customers, placing a greater value on international knowledge in the work place. Traveling allows our students to gain such skill and become an increasingly more attractive candidate for the market place. ”

Hojjat, who earned her bachelor’s degree at Tehran University in Iran, focused the course on income inequality, the effects of a high unemployment rate and debt crisis, among other issues over the duration of the fall semester, all of which students were able to observe in practice while in Spain.

“This was my first experience traveling abroad and it was great to have traveled with one of my favorite professors and was able to make memories and create friendships that will hopefully last a lifetime,” said Michelle Foster, a senior accounting and finance double major. “I learned a lot in regards to income inequality during this experience, as we were able to witness firsthand the hardships many individuals have to face in today’s economy.”

The expedition also served as an opportunity for undergraduates to travel abroad who would not have otherwise been able to do so for a whole semester.

“Before I came into college, I promised myself I would go abroad in some way before I graduated,” said John Bayeux, a senior finance and marketing dual major and Spanish minor. “But it always conflicted with cross country and track, as well as with internships during the summer, so I haven’t been able to do it. So when I saw that this class had the international component, and that it fulfilled a finance elective requirement, I knew it was the perfect opportunity.”

Several other overseas trips are set to take place during the coming spring and summer, including jaunts to Rome, India and Ireland.

“Exposure to another culture can have a huge impacts on students’ lives by expanding their horizons and changing the way they see the world,” Hojjat said. “It certainly adds value to their education as they become more prepared for life and become better candidates for careers.”

In conjunction with its upcoming production of Brian Friel’s extraordinary Irish drama, “Dancing at Lughnasa,” Act 1 DeSales University Theatre will offer an afternoon “Tea Talk” enrichment lecture on Sunday, February 8 at 2:00 PM. The purpose of this special event is to provide context that may illuminate deeper themes within the play and enhance the theatre-going experience.

Act 1 is delighted to welcome as guest speaker associate professor and chair of DeSales department of humanities, Juilene Osborne-McKnight. A prolific Irish author and traditional “seanchai”(storyteller) in the ancient Irish tradition, Ms. Osborne-McKnight will share her insights into the significance of the four historic festivals celebrated by the Celts of ancient Ireland while telling stories associated with each.

Written by Brian Friel, “Dancing at Lughnasa” is a memory play about the five brave Mundy sisters as told by the grown son one of the unmarried sister’s. Set in the autumn of 1936, in County Donegal, Ireland, the sisters prepare to celebrate the harvest festival of the god Lugh. Their older brother Jack has just returned home from Africa, changed after 25 years as a missionary priest. A radio nicknamed "Marconi,” which only works intermittently, brings 1930s dance and traditional Irish folk music into the home at rather random moments and then equally randomly ceases to play. This leads the women into sudden outbursts of wild dancing.

The event will take place in the Commonwealth room of the DeSales University Center on the campus of DeSales University, 2755 Station Avenue in Center Valley, PA.  Tickets are $10 per person and include Irish delights such as teas, scones, and cakes. Tickets must be purchased in advance and are not available at the door. For tickets and information, please call the Act 1 box office at 610-282-3192 or online at desales.edu/act1.

“The poetry of this play…like the most fragrant music, strikes deep chords that words cannot begin to touch.” –The New York Times

Act 1 DeSales University Theatre will open the second half of its 2014-2015 season with the award winning “Dancing at Lughnasa.” This extraordinary Irish drama will be presented February 18 to March 1, 2015 on the Main Stage of the Labuda Center for the Performing Arts, Center Valley, PA.

Written by Brian Friel, “Dancing at Lughnasa” is a memory play about the five brave Mundy sisters as told by the grown son one of the unmarried sister’s. Set in the autumn of 1936, in the high grass of County Donegal, Ireland, the sisters prepare to celebrate the harvest festival of the god Lugh. Their older brother Jack has just returned home from Africa, changed after 25 years as a missionary priest at a leper colony in Uganda. A radio nicknamed “Marconi,” which only works intermittently, brings 1930s dance and traditional Irish folk music into the home at rather random moments and then equally randomly ceases to play. This leads the women into sudden outbursts of wild dancing.

“‘Dancing at Lughnasa’ is a play that deals with the themes of memory and change,” says John Bell, head of the DeSales University Division of Performing Arts. “In the play, technology in the form of a newfangled Marconi radio enters the Mundy family’s lives and brings both excitement and fear: the excitement about new opportunities, and the fear that their cultural legacies will slip away. It is the tension between these two emotional forces that gives the play its dramatic power.”

The play was originally presented at the Abbey Theatre in Dublin in 1990. It transferred to London’s National Theatre in 1991, winning the Olivier Award for Best Play, and subsequently to Broadway where it won the Tony Award for Best Play as well as a Drama Desk Award nomination for Outstanding Play.

Chair of Theatre and Artistic Director Dennis Razze directs the production. “‘Dancing at Lughnasa’ is considered one of the greatest modern plays in the English language,” says Razze. “Brian Friel’s poetic language is powerful, poignant, and often humorous—the five Mundy sisters are all unique and wonderfully realized characters. We also plan to have live Irish music before the show and at intermission to help transport the audience to Brian Friel’s Ireland.

The Irish countryside comes to life with sets and costumes by Act 1’s resident creative faculty team: scenic designer Will Neuert and costume designer Amy Best. Guest artist Solomon Weisbard designed the lighting. Sophomore theatre major Leah Nodalski serves as stage manager.

“A play like ‘Dancing at Lughnasa’ is a great challenge for our student actors,” says Bell. “It asks them to work in a time period that is far removed from their own and it challenges them to master the Irish dialect. And, it’s one of the few plays out there that offers a bounty of strong female roles. Here at DeSales, we have such a large contingent of really talented young women, it’s nice to be able to produce a play that will showcase them.”

The production runs February 18 to March 1, 2015 on the Main Stage of the Labuda Center for the Performing Arts. Performances are Wednesdays through Saturdays at 8:00 PM and Sundays at 2:00 PM. There is a morning matinee on Tuesday, February 24 at 9:45 AM, followed by a talk back with the director and cast. A talk back is also scheduled for Sunday, February 22 after the 2:00 PM performance.

Ticket prices are $20 for adults and $18 for students and seniors on Wednesdays and Thursdays, and $24 for adults and $22 for students and seniors on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. Group discounts are available for all performances. Tickets may be purchased by calling the Labuda Center box office at 610-282-3192 or by visiting the web site at desales.edu/act1.

On Sunday, February 22 at 4:30 PM, enjoy a hearty traditional Irish meal and behind-the-scenes conversation with “Dancing at Lughnasa” Director Dennis Razze and Director of Development Deb Walter The cost for the dinner is $32 per person and includes a full bar featuring Irish whiskies and coffees. Reservations may be made online at desales.edu/act1 through the box office at 610.282.3192.

In an effort to improve accessibility for all patrons, the Thursday, February 19, 8:00 PM performance will feature Open Captioning for patrons who are deaf or hearing impaired and Audio Descriptions for patrons who are blind or visually impaired. During Open Captioned performances, all dialogue and sound effects are presented in real-time on an LED screen that is adjacent to the stage. During Audio Described performances, all action and physical appearances are described live through a headset.

The Labuda Center is fully accessible and equipped with a listening enhancement system. Special seating is available for our patrons using wheelchairs or requiring other assistance. Please inform the box office of your needs when ordering tickets.

To assist campus pedestrians during snow events, a network of Priority Snow Paths have been established. (See the paths marked in orange above and clicking the image enlarges it.)

The Priority Snow Paths will be the first walks cleared during a snow event and every attempt will be made to keep those paths open while the snow is falling. Building entrances will be cleared on a prioritized basis with the highest priority going to entrances that lead to Priority Snow Paths.

Priority Snow Paths should be used both when the university is conducting normal operations and is closed due to weather conditions. Bright green signs indicating Priority Snow Paths are posted during the winter months to aid pedestrian's identification of the Priority Snow Paths.

The Priority Snow Paths will allow a person to get from any location on North Campus (Residence Halls) to any other location on South Campus (Academic and Dining). During a snow event, the University encourages the use of Priority Snow Paths and discourages the use of other, uncleared paths. The Priority Snow Paths on South Campus are designed to ease movement between academic buildings, dining facilities, and parking lots.

ADA access was a major factor in determining the Priority Snow Paths. The University endeavors to provide equal mobility access. Of necessity, stairs and routes with stairs have a lower priority than Priority Snow Paths.

All academic, administrative, athletic, and residence building entrances and fire lanes, will be cleared in order to facilitate emergency vehicle and first responder access to the buildings.

Parking lots which service faculty, staff, commuting students, and visitors receive priority attention (marked with a red "P" on the map). Residence Hall lots have a lower priority. Residents are encouraged to leave their cars in their assigned dormitory parking lot during snow events unless requested by DeSales University Police to do otherwise.

For the second time in its history, DeSales University’s mid-year commencement was cancelled on Saturday, January 24, because of snow.

Graduates will receive their diplomas and a program from the ceremony in the mail, and all graduates are invited to walk in the May 2015 commencement.

Rev. Bernard F. O’Connor, OSFS, president of DeSales University, and the DeSales community mailed diplomas to 153 graduating students, including 102 bachelor’s and 51 master’s degrees.

In addition to the January 2015 degree recipients, DeSales awarded 203 degrees to students in September 2014, including 84 bachelor’s and 119 master’s degrees. Because there is no formal September ceremony, these graduates are invited to participate in the January event.

The graduating students from both January 2015 and September 2014 are from the following states: 308 from Pennsylvania; 17 from New Jersey, 5 from New York, 4 from Maryland, 3 each from Connecticut and Florida, 2 each from California, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, Texas, and Florida, and 1 each from Delaware, Illinois, Minnesota, North Carolina, Ohio, South Carolina, Utah, and Virginia.

Congratulations to all our graduates:

• Catherine A. Abreu, B.S.N., Nursing, Cum Laude
• Anima Acheampong, B.S.N., Nursing
• Paul-Anthony Adam, B.A., Management and Marketing
• Fiona M. Adamsky, M.B.A., Management
• Pamela Addo, B.S., Psychology
• Nicholas J. Alderiso, M.S.P.A.S., Physician Assistant
• Emily R. Allen, B.S.N., Nursing
• David E. Angstadt, M.A.C.J., Criminal Justice
• Jason B. Apgar, M.A.C.J., Digital Forensics
• Angela Babio, B.A., Criminal Justice
• Atanas N. Bahtev, B.S., Finance and Accounting
• Emilie A. Baker, B.A., Early Childhood Education, Cum Laude
• Kevin R. Bartholomew, B.S., Management of Information Technology, Cum Laude
• Meredith T. Beck, M.S.P.A.S., Physician Assistant
• Lisa M. Bednarski, M.B.A., Health Care Systems Management
• Jack Beneskenazi, B.S.N., Nursing
• William F. Benitez, B.A., Philosophy
• Andrew L. Berner, B.S., Pharmaceutical Marketing, Cum Laude
• Francis A. Bertola, B.S., Sport Management
• Rebecca J. Bitner, B.A., Law & Society
• Dennis A. Black, B.S., Chemistry
• Lauren A. Bodine, B.S.N., Nursing
• Jennifer B. Bodisch, B.A., English, Summa Cum Laude
• Miranda R. Boni, B.S.N., Nursing, Magna Cum Laude
• Nadine A. Bott, M.S.N., Family Nurse Practitioner
• Patricia A. Bower, M.B.A., Finance
• Tonya Bowers, M.B.A., Management
• Laura K. Boyd, M.B.A., Finance
• Lauryn A. Brady, B.S.N., Nursing
• Blane J. Brandon, M.A.C.J., Criminal Justice
• Jeffrey L. Breidinger, B.S., Sport Management
• Alyssa M. Brendlinger, M.S.P.A.S., Physician Assistant
• Jeanette M. Briody, M.Ed., Technology in Education K-12
• Rachel A. Brobst, M.S.N., Family Nurse Practitioner
• Chad M. Bruckner, B.A., Criminal Justice
• Whitney J. Bruemmer, B.S., Sport Management
• Julie M. Brugger, M.S.P.A.S., Physician Assistant
• Jennifer H. Budd, M.Ed., Special Education
• Orabell Burgess, B.S.N., Nursing, Cum Laude
• Patricia A. Burkholder, M.B.A., Health Care Systems Management
• Nicole L. Buss, B.S., Accounting
• Marissa M. Bzik, M.B.A., Accounting
• Alyssa S. Campbell, M.S.N., MBA, Nurse Executive and Health Care Systems Management
• Devon G. Campbell, M.A.C.J., Digital Forensics
• Julianne R. Campfield, M.S.N., Family Nurse Practitioner
• Kathryn M. Capitano, B.A., Business Administration
• Kathryn Cardell, B.S., Psychology, Summa Cum Laude
• Miranda L. Carter, B.S.N., Nursing, Cum Laude
• Evan Case, M.S.I.S., Information Technology
• Vanessa M. Childs, B.A., Management, Magna Cum Laude
• Charlene E. Christman, M.S.N., Family Nurse Practitioner
• Mary K. Cicale, B.S.N., Nursing, Cum Laude
• Daniel Class, B.S., Psychology
• Tammy L. Clemens, B.A., Human Resource Management
• Alexander J. Clemson, M.B.A., Accounting
• Sydney M. Coleman, B.S., Pharmaceutical Marketing
• Nicholas J. Columbo, B.A., Early Childhood Education
• Barbara J. Colvin, M.B.A., Human Resource Management
• Ann Marie C. Consiglio, B.S., Biology
• Susan D. Cook, M.S.N., Family Nurse Practitioner
• David Cooper, B.S., Accounting
• Lauren L. Coppersmith, M.S.N., Family Nurse Practitioner
• Alma I. Cruz, M.S.N., Family Nurse Practitioner
• Dannielle R. Curry, B.A., Business Administration, Magna Cum Laude
• Christopher J. D'Andrea, M.S.P.A.S., Physician Assistant
• Emily Davis, M.S.P.A.S., Physician Assistant
• Matthew Deibert, B.S., Marketing, Summa Cum Laude
• Duane Deitrich, M.B.A., in a self-designed track
• Rodolfo Delafuente, M.B.A., Project Management
• Katelyn C. Dembeck, M.A.C.J., Investigative Forensics
• Michael A. DeMenno, B.S., Marketing
• Amy J. DePalma, M.S.N., Family Nurse Practitioner
• Alex M. Derderian, M.B.A., Project Management
• Mark Dergham, B.S., Computer Science
• Christen DeRito, M.Ed., Academic Standards & Reform
• Elizabeth A. Desanctis, M.B.A., Management
• Stephanie A. Destefano, B.A., Human Resource Management
• Emily R. Detter, M.S.P.A.S., Physician Assistant
• Christa J. Detweiler, B.S.N., Nursing, Cum Laude
• Peter Detweiler, M.B.A., Marketing
• Justin T. Dickinson, B.S.N., Nursing, Cum Laude
• Paul T. Dickinson, M.A.C.J., Criminal Justice
• Sean M. Distefano, B.S., Management of Information Technology
• Richard J. Ditlow, B.A., Communication
• Bruce M. Donaghy, B.S., Finance
• Timothy J. Donaghy, M.S.N., Family Nurse Practitioner
• Lynette M. Dondero, M.S.N., Family Nurse Practitioner
• Jimmy E. Dorado, B.S., Psychology
• Jeffrey L. Duke, B.A., Early Childhood Education
• David F. Dusza, B.A., History
• Brenda L. Early, B.S.N., Nursing, Cum Laude
• Paul T. Egan, B.S., Mathematics
• Tricia-Kay A. Ellersick, M.S.N., Family Nurse Practitioner
• Jaclyn M. Emmerich, B.S., Psychology
• Karanda L. Erdman, B.S.N., Nursing, Cum Laude
• Michael C. Erdman, M.S.N., Family Nurse Practitioner
• Ericka A. Esposito, B.A., Law & Society, Summa Cum Laude
• Giuseppe C. Esposito, B.S.N., Nursing
• Corey D. Fair, B.S., Marketing and International Business, Summa Cum Laude
• Stephanie M. Fala, B.A., TV/Film
• Jaclyn S. Feather, M.B.A., Project Management
• Sarah M. Fehley, B.A., Criminal Justice
• Lourdes C. Fernandez, M.S.N., Family Nurse Practitioner
• Brooke G. Finkbeiner, B.S., Accounting, Cum Laude
• Peggy B. Finley, M.B.A., Project Management
• Phillip J. Fleck, B.S., Accounting, Summa Cum Laude
• Diana C. Flores, B.S.N., Nursing, Summa Cum Laude
• Seth M. Foreman, B.S., Sport & Exercise Science, Magna Cum Laude
• Joseph J. Fortunato, M.B.A., Management
• Dominica R. Fox, B.S., Psychology
• Cora L. Fulmer, B.A., Criminal Justice
• Cathryn Gabrielli, B.S., Psychology, Magna Cum Laude
• Michael A. Gallagher, B.S., Psychology
• Samantha A. Gambler, M.S.P.A.S., Physician Assistant
• Dale Gardner, B.S., Management of Information Technology and Accounting, Summa Cum Laude
• Mario J. Gentile, B.A., Business Administration
• Karen Giaquinto, M.B.A., in a self-designed track
• Andrew T. Gilbert, B.S.N., Nursing, Cum Laude
• Patricia J. Gischel, B.A., Human Resource Management
• Jessica D. Godbout, M.S.P.A.S., Physician Assistant
• Kimberly B. Godfrey, M.S.N., Family Nurse Practitioner
• Alicia M. Godoy, M.B.A., Accounting
• Shannon L. Gogal, M.B.A., Finance
• Kristin N. Gorman, B.A., Dance
• Kathleen Gould, M.S.N., Family Nurse Practitioner
• Joseph J. Grochowski, M.S.I.S., Information Technology
• Amber M. Gross, M.A.C.J., Investigative Forensics
• James P. Guerrier, B.A., Criminal Justice
• Steven E. Hadid, B.A., Political Science, Cum Laude
• Anasimone E. Hanna, B.A., Theology
• Danica L. Hannis, B.S.N., Nursing
• Suzanne M. Harryn, B.S., Accounting, Magna Cum Laude
• Kyle T. Hash, B.S., Sport Management
• Joseph T. Herm, M.B.A., Marketing
• Laurie L. Heuckeroth, B.A., Management and Finance
• Michael Hiller, M.B.A., Management
• Kristen A. Holaska, B.A., Early Childhood Education
• James A. Holton, M.Ed., Technology in Education K-12
• Dessiree Horst, M.S.P.A.S., Physician Assistant
• Emily C. Humphreys, B.A., Theatre, Magna Cum Laude
• Donna S. Hungarter, M.S.N., Family Nurse Practitioner
• Pamela D. Hunsberger, B.S., Psychology, Cum Laude
• Karissa L. Hunsicker, B.S., Psychology
• Elizabeth Ileli, M.S.I.S., Information Technology
• Sam J. Impink, B.A., Criminal Justice
• Dael L. Jackson, M.B.A., Marketing
• Polly James, M.S.N., Family Nurse Practitioner
• Paul Jancay, M.B.A., Management
• Stephan D. Jokic, B.S., Sport & Exercise Science and Spanish
• Mona L. Jones, B.A., Management
• Daniel J. Jurasits, M.Ed., TESOL
• Christine L. Jurgielewicz, B.S.N., Nursing, Cum Laude
• Matthew T. Juszczuk, B.A., Criminal Justice
• Andrew M. Kabrick, B.S., Accounting
• Bridget R. Kalogerakis, M.S.N., Family Nurse Practitioner
• Adam M. Kane, B.S.N., Nursing, Cum Laude
• Aislinn D. Kari, B.S., Sport Management
• Julie A. Kehres, B.S., Accounting, Cum Laude
• Julie L. Kelchner, B.S., Pharmaceutical Marketing
• Jennifer D. Kelly, B.A., Business Administration, Cum Laude
• Bohdan Khromenko, B.S.N., Nursing
• Jenna L. Kiechel, B.A., Criminal Justice, Cum Laude
• Courtney B. King, B.S.N., Nursing
• Briana L. Kish, M.S.P.A.S., Physician Assistant
• Lauren A. Kline, M.S.P.A.S., Physician Assistant
• Leigh M. Klump, M.S.N., Family Nurse Practitioner
• Elizabeth M. Koles, M.A.C.J., Criminal Justice
• Nicholas D. Konek, B.A., Management, Cum Laude
• Keenan M. Korab, B.A., Law & Society
• Shannon M. Kramer, B.S.N., Nursing, Cum Laude
• Mary E. Krebs, M.B.A., Management
• Joseph A. Kryzan, M.B.A., Health Care Systems Management
• Jason D. Kunkle, M.B.A., Finance
• Jennifer L. Kunkle, B.S., Accounting, Cum Laude
• Renee E. Kunkle, M.S.P.A.S., Physician Assistant
• Lynne L. Kvinnesland, M.Ed., Academic Standards & Reform
• Andrew K. Lapsley, M.S.P.A.S., Physician Assistant
• Indaijah M. Lawrence, B.A., Criminal Justice
• Kelly E. Leese, M.S.P.A.S., Physician Assistant
• Lisa A. Leonard, M.S.N., Family Nurse Practitioner
• Emma C. Lepore, B.A., Dance, Magna Cum Laude
• James R. Lett, M.B.A., Management
• Marc Lewbart, M.B.A., Health Care Systems Management
• Tara M. Linden, M.B.A., Management
• John M. Lindenmuth, B.S., Accounting, Cum Laude
• Michelle C. Lipari, M.S.P.A.S., Physician Assistant
• Katelyn M. Little, B.A., Early Childhood Education
• Jason C. Litzenberger, B.S., Finance
• Guilherme O. Lopes, M.A.C.J., Criminal Justice
• Breanna M. Lucas, M.S.P.A.S., Physician Assistant
• Isabel T. Lui, M.S.P.A.S., Physician Assistant
• Noah L. Mabry, B.S.N., Nursing
• Jose J. Maravi, B.S., Accounting, Summa Cum Laude
• Alyssa B. Marelli, B.S., Pharmaceutical Marketing
• Dorina E. Markham, B.S., Accounting and Finance, Summa Cum Laude
• Brienne P. Marks, M.S.P.A.S., Physician Assistant
• Tina M. Marte, B.S., Accounting, Summa Cum Laude
• Jason T. Martineau, M.B.A., Management
• Felicity Marum, M.S.P.A.S., Physician Assistant
• Donna R. Mason, M.S.N., Family Nurse Practitioner
• Melissa J. Mason, M.S.P.A.S., Physician Assistant
• Edward M. Matyas, M.B.A., Finance
• Brian C. Mauro, B.S., Mathematics
• Stephen T. McCarthy, M.S.P.A.S., Physician Assistant
• Casey K. McCoy, B.A., TV/Film
• Roxanne K. McCracken, M.B.A., Finance
• Susan E. McEwan, B.S., Psychology, Summa Cum Laude
• Melissa L. McIntosh, M.B.A., Finance
• Benjamin G. McKinney, B.A., TV/Film
• Julia A. McMahon, B.S., Biology, Summa Cum Laude
• Justine M. McNulty, M.A.C.J., Digital Forensics
• Katelyn P. McPartland, B.S., Psychology
• Beverly A. Merkel, B.S.N., Nursing, Cum Laude
• Kendy D. Merritt, B.A., Human Resource Management, Cum Laude
• Christopher M. Mezzo, B.A., Criminal Justice
• Christie N. Miller, B.S.N., Nursing, Magna Cum Laude
• Katie E. Miller, B.S., Pharmaceutical Marketing
• Sandra J. Miller, M.B.A., Computer Information Systems
• Kevin B. Mitchell, M.B.A., Marketing
• Maria A. Mock, B.A., Early Childhood Education
• Sarah E. Montano, M.S.N., Family Nurse Practitioner
• Janine Moreira, M.B.A., in a self-designed track
• Maria E. Moser, M.S.P.A.S., Physician Assistant
• Michele A. Mrazik, M.B.A., in a self-designed track
• Samantha Munson, M.B.A., Management
• Jonathan P. Myers, B.S.N., Nursing
• Andrea L. Nappo, B.S.N., Nursing, Cum Laude
• Angela L. Nash, M.B.A., Accounting
• Tammy Neff, M.S.N., Family Nurse Practitioner
• Peter W. Nenstiel, M.B.A., Management
• Anthony N. Ngo, M.S.P.A.S., Physician Assistant
• Elizabeth Nixon, B.A., Theatre
• Ashley C. Noro, M.Ed., Special Education
• Jason W. Nottle, B.S., Management of Information Technology, Summa Cum Laude
• Raquel Nunez, M.S.N., Family Nurse Practitioner
• Nicole M. O'Brien, B.S.N., Nursing
• Timothy P. O'Donnell, B.S., Psychology, Cum Laude
• Kendell C. Oesterle, B.S., Psychology
• Danile C.A. Ohl, M.S.N., Nursing Master
• James E. Oleskowitz Jr., B.A., Business Administration, Summa Cum Laude
• Craig M. Oliver, M.B.A., in a self-designed track
• Kalia D. Onushco, B.A., Criminal Justice
• Jean M. Onyambu, B.S., Psychology
• Noelia Ortiz-Lightner, B.S., Psychology
• Anthony M. Pacelli, B.S.N., Nursing, Summa Cum Laude
• Kinjal A. Padaliya, B.S., Accounting
• Soniarose Palatty, B.S.N., Nursing
• Chloe E. Palma, M.S.P.A.S., Physician Assistant
• Paul R. Pammer, B.S., Biology
• Susan M. Parker, B.A., Human Resource Management
• Amy Pawlowski, M.B.A., Human Resource Management
• Mark J. Payson, M.B.A., Project Management
• Lauren M. Pelliccia, B.S., Psychology
• John M. Pendy, B.A., Criminal Justice
• Richmon E. Penn, B.S., Psychology
• Samantha M. Petrovcic, B.S.N., Nursing
• Adam P. Polkowski, M.S.P.A.S., Physician Assistant
• Devin M. Pond, B.S.N., Nursing, Cum Laude
• Brian P. Poore, M.B.A., Project Management
• Jamie M. Popovice, M.A.C.J., Criminal Justice
• Nadya D. Poretta, M.S.N., Family Nurse Practitioner
• Samir A. Portillo, M.A.C.J., Criminal Justice
• Christine J. Powers, B.A., Early Childhood Education
• Alicia G. Pratt, M.S.N., Family Nurse Practitioner
• Todd Pritchard, M.B.A., Project Management
• Dr. Brennan C. Pursell, M.B.A., in a self-designed track
• Sean H. Raiser, B.S., Mathematics, Magna Cum Laude
• Bradley K. Rauch, M.B.A., Management
• Brianna S. Reilly, M.S.P.A.S., Physician Assistant
• Mary Joy Reinartz, M.B.A., in a self-designed track
• Shannon D. Revit, M.S.N., Family Nurse Practitioner
• Tyler Reyes, B.A., Criminal Justice
• Jennifer L. Rhiel, B.A., Early Childhood Education
• Stephanie N. Rice, B.S.N., Nursing, Cum Laude
• Alexis M. Richardson, B.S., Marketing
• Michele M. Richardson, M.S.P.A.S., Physician Assistant
• Craig A. Ritter, M.B.A., Management
• Loren Robinson, M.B.A., Marketing
• Sergio I. Rodriguez, B.A., Criminal Justice
• Robert E. Rohn, M.B.A., Finance
• Stephanie M. Ronco, M.S.N., Family Nurse Practitioner
• Kari L. Rosenkaimer, B.S.N., Nursing, Cum Laude
• Vincent X. Sadonis, M.B.A., Management
• Victorino A. Sandoval, M.B.A., in a self-designed track
• Migdalia Santiago, B.A., Management
• Robert J. Sawyer, M.B.A., Management
• Cassandra L. Schiffner, B.A., Criminal Justice, Magna Cum Laude
• Kyle D. Schimmoeller, M.S.P.A.S., Physician Assistant
• Cory N. Schmidt, B.S., Finance
• Erik R. Schmolk, M.B.A., Finance
• Jenna L. Schmoyer, B.A., Early Childhood Education, Summa Cum Laude
• Nicole L. Schwartz-Smith, M.Ed., TESOL
• Don S. Severe, B.A., Business Administration
• Jordan C. Shaffer, M.S.P.A.S., Physician Assistant
• Ryan C. Shanley, B.S., Accounting
• Cynthia Sherman, M.B.A., Management
• Leslie Shirock, M.B.A., Management
• Amee L. Siegel, B.S.N., Nursing, Cum Laude
• Heidi L. Signore, B.A., Management
• Andrea Singmaster, M.B.A., Management
• Ann Marie Slavick, M.B.A., Finance
• Louise Smigo, M.S.I.S., Information Technology
• Carly M. Smith, B.S.N., Nursing, Magna Cum Laude
• Elizabeth J. Snover-Gambal, B.A., Criminal Justice
• Debra A. Springer, B.S., Accounting, Summa Cum Laude
• Jenifer Stabinger, M.B.A., in a self-designed track
• Mikaela L. Stang, M.B.A., Project Management
• Amanda M. Steckerl, B.A., Theatre
• Emily J. Stephens, M.S.N., Family Nurse Practitioner
• Andrea L. Stettler, M.B.A., in a self-designed track
• Rachel L. Stevko, B.S.N., Nursing, Magna Cum Laude
• Leonard R. Stires, B.A., Management, Magna Cum Laude
• Peter M. Stone, M.B.A., Marketing
• Kaitlyn N. Strausser, M.S.P.A.S., Physician Assistant
• Ali A. Syed, M.B.A., in a self-designed track
• Alexander F. Talarico, B.S.N., Nursing, Cum Laude
• Kristen E. Taormina, M.S.P.A.S., Physician Assistant
• Joseph Taylor, M.S.P.A.S., Physician Assistant
• Tammy D. Taynton, B.S., Accounting, Summa Cum Laude
• E. Bradley Thackray, M.S.I.S., Information Technology
• Holly E. Tomaszewski, B.S., Psychology
• Antoinette M. Truemper, B.S., Accounting and Business Administration, Magna Cum Laude
• Jaclyn R. Tyson, M.S.N., Family Nurse Practitioner
• Chad A. Unera, B.S., Psychology
• Laura E. Vancuren, B.S.N., Nursing, Magna Cum Laude
• Marika J. Vermeersch, M.S.N., Family Nurse Practitioner
• Debra A. Vitelle, M.S.N., Adult Clinical Nurse Special
• Kera M. Volk, B.S.N., Nursing
• Carolina E. Walker, B.S.N., Nursing, Summa Cum Laude
• Brady A. Walsh, B.S., Sport Management
• Kaylyn V. Wapinsky, B.S.N., Nursing
• Marc Waters, M.S.P.A.S., Physician Assistant
• Jessica Watson, B.S., Accounting
• Stefanie G. Weber, B.A., Human Resource Management
• Amanda J. Wefing, B.A., Human Resource Management
• Brian D. Weibeler, M.B.A., in a self-designed track
• Shelley L. Welliver, B.S., Pharmaceutical Marketing
• Catherine E. Wells, B.A., Early Childhood Education
• Beth A. Werley, B.S.N., Nursing, Summa Cum Laude
• Tracey L. Wessell, B.S.N., Nursing
• Rebecca R. Weyand, B.S., Marketing, Cum Laude
• Veronica A. Whiting, M.B.A., Project Management
• Andrea L. Wicks, M.B.A., Management
• Nicole L. Wieder, B.A., Criminal Justice
• Brian E. Wilcox, M.B.A., Management
• Alex B. Wilson, M.B.A., Human Resource Management
• Rachel L. Winters, M.S.P.A.S., Physician Assistant
• Laura A. Wroge, M.S.P.A.S., Physician Assistant
• Lori A. Yackanicz, M.B.A., Health Care Systems Management
• Kallyn B. Zavilla, M.S.N., Family Nurse Practitioner
• Abigail M. Zeiner, B.A., Communication, Magna Cum Laude
• Jeffrey R. Zellner, M.B.A., Project Management
• John W. Zerfass, M.S.P.A.S., Physician Assistant
• Ronald M. Zsido, B.S., Management of Information Technology, Summa Cum Laude
• Beverley M. Zuccarello, M.S.P.A.S., Physician Assistant

Students honored the memories of Martin Luther King, Jr., Frederick Douglass, Sojourner Truth, and other civil rights activists January 21 through Key Arts Productions’ performance of “The Road to Freedom.” The show is part of the University’s Solidarity Initiative’s Wednesday Night in the Commons series, aimed at promoting unity between cultures.

The interactive show exhibited live music and a slideshow of historical African American figures accompanied by narration. Key Arts Productions is a Philadelphia-based touring company traveling primarily to secondary schools and universities, providing educational multimedia programs promoting civil rights, global and environmental awareness, and student activism.

“We thought it was really important for college students to see the sacrifices of other college students back then in the 60s,” President of Key Arts Productions, Joe Patterson said. “It was a really turbulent time but folks went out and fought for civil rights anyway, even though they knew it was pretty dangerous. But that’s the beauty of it all.”

Solidarity Coordinator and DeSales alumnus, Gui Lopes, brought in Key Arts Productions for the Martin Luther King, Jr. Day-themed “Wednesday Night in the Commons” edition. 

“I think it’s important because it just gives people a different side of things. Its important to realize why we have rights, and how some people didn’t have it as easy as the Caucasian American did,” Lopes said. “And its also fun too, it’s a different experience than in the classroom.” 

The program came two days after famous civil rights leader’s federal holiday, when students prepared food and collected toiletries for the homeless population in Bethlehem, Pa. through the university’s Center for Service and Social Justice (CSSJ).

The CSSJ also offered a free trip for students to see the recently released film, Selma, which chronicles the efforts of the 1965 peaceful march from from Selma, Ala. to the capital city of Montgomery to voice dissatisfaction for the denial of basic and natural rights for black Americans. After Selma, which included ruthless scenes of violence, students divided into groups for open discussion about the film and where society stands today in relation to the 1960s. 

“It’s always good to remember [King’s] legacy and remind us all that we can go out and make a difference no matter how young or how old,” Patterson said. “Just do some service and promote love and peace. Its good that this time of year we kind of focus on that.”

Caroll Neubauer, chairman and CEO of B. Braun of America and B. Braun Medical, Inc., will headline the next installment of the Division of Business’ Executive Forum series, set to be held Tuesday, February 17, in the Gambet Center for Business and Healthcare’s Barbara Walker Breslin Auditorium.

Admittance to the Executive Forum is by invitation only.

Neubauer (right), who has earned law degrees from The Albert Ludwigs University Freiburg, Germany, and Georgetown University, is the chairman of the German American Chamber of Commerce New York and is a member of the President’s Advisory Group of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.

“He’s dynamic. He runs one of the most important companies in the Lehigh Valley and they’re one of the biggest companies in the world in their space. They have an important place in the world because they save lives,” Assistant Professor in the Division of Business and former research and consulting firm CEO, Dr. Steven Aukers, said about scheduling Neubauer for the forum.

Select students will be invited to attend the interactive event, which will feature a conversational segment between Aukers and Neubauer, as well as student question and answer and informal mingling time-allotments.

In addition to business majors, nursing and physician assistant students, who have been training with B. Braun equipment in their skills labs, will be invited as well. B. Braun has donated this equipment to the University in a partnership.

The series is designed as an opportunity to spotlight exemplary leaders of locally based companies to provide students with a concrete model of success to follow outside of classroom learning. This will be the second annual Executive Forum, with last year’s event featuring David DeCampli, Chief Transition Officer of PP&L Corporation. 

“We’re very good about teaching students about, ‘Well, here’s accounting, here’s economics.’ But what is it like to lead? What is it like to work your way up? What is it like to make strategic decisions? So I wanted to have more of a peer-to-peer discussion and have the audience involved,” Aukers said. “He and I will have a discussion and everyone kind of gets to dip in and watch how that works: what two CEO’s think about and talk about.”

Todd Cohen, sales coach and author of Never Sell Alone and Everyone’s in Sales - Stop Apologizing, will speak at DeSales University on March 10, as scheduled by the University’s entrepreneurial-oriented I.D.E.A.S club and the Career Development Center.

Cohen (right), Temple University’s Fox School of Business’ former Sales Executive in Residence, has extensive credentials in sales leadership, posting a combined total of more than $750 million in company income through team sales at companies such as Xerox, LexisNexis, and Gartner Group. Since beginning his public speaking career, Cohen has delivered lectures and coaching seminars for companies including American Express, the American Marketing Association, and the American Institute of Architects.

Cohen will be presenting his “Everyone’s In Sales” talk, modeled after the principles of his second book, which focuses on turning everyday situations and already honed skills into revenue-earning ventures.

“What we’re hoping students will take away from this is the ability to better network for potential employers in the future, but for right now, figuring out how to turn that conversation in an elevator into a job opportunity,” Secretary of the I.D.E.A.S Club, Paul Vizza, said. “It’s about selling yourself.”

I.D.E.A.S, which stands for “Inventing and Developing the Entrepreneurial Association of Student,” seeks to “provide a network for entrepreneurial students and provide them with the resources to further their careers,” per their official mission statement. Vizza, along with I.D.E.A.S club founder, Andrew Ivankovits, worked together on bringing Cohen in for the keynote speech, seeing it as an event that would benefit a majority of the student population.

“His main thing is taking audiences that are non-business people and making them realize the importance of sales and how everyone in the company is involved,” Vizza said.

The event will run from 6-8 p.m. in the Commonwealth Room in the University Center and will have a built-in 45 minute networking and hors d’oeuvres period before Cohen’s presentation. All students, alumni, and members of the Lehigh Valley business community are encouraged to attend.

Go “Around the World in 80 Days” with DeSales University. The university will host its 34^th  annual dinner dance on March 21 in Billera Hall. Cocktail hour will begin at 7 p.m., a gourmet dinner will follow at 8 p.m. and dancing until midnight will conclude the evening. Admission is $225 per person.

According to regular attendees, it’s one of the area’s most anticipated annual events. As the university’s major event-based fundraiser, 100 percent of the evening’s income, about $150,000 annually, goes directly into financial aid for DeSales students, 97 percent of whom receive some form of financial assistance. Chairpersons are Michael & Michele Pessina, and they will be joined by area business, professional, and community leaders as well as DeSales alumni, who are sponsoring tables or providing contributions.

Entertainment will include music provided by The Rich Postmontier Ensemble. Also, as part of the evening’s festivities, six of DeSales’ talented dance students will perform an opening dance number.

During the reception, guests will enjoy assorted hors’doeuvres and a full bar. Dinner will include candied pecan and goat cheese spring mix salad with citrus vinaigrette, carved beef tenderloin with bordelaise sauce, jumbo lump crab & salmon Oscar, fingerling potatoes, asparagus bundle, and salted caramel crunch cake.

Will Neuert, associate professor of theatre, created the decorations for this year’s Around the World in 80 Days-themed dance as he has for the past 17 years. The Around the World in 80 Days celebration will feature themes depicted in the novel and movie of one man’s challenging, speedy, and funny trek around the world. With nods to the countries DeSales students will visit during study abroad trips to global food, visuals and music from around the world, the night promises to be spectacular.

For more information and reservations, click here.

The Earth to DeSales Environmental Club recently held their annual “Weigh the Waste” event in concert with the Earth Week at DeSales environmental awareness initiative.

“Weigh the Waste” is a widely participated national campaign aimed at bringing to light the amount of food regularly thrown away per meal. During the event, members of the club collected unfinished food left on trays taken to be thrown out and weighed and calculated the average waste-per-person.

This year, 294 students participated during the 80 minute period during dinner hours, producing 91.5 lbs. of waste (roughly .31 lbs. per person).

The group also measured the amount of plastic, paper, and Styrofoam waste generated, which totaled another 17.5 lbs.

“A lot of students were surprised and a little grossed-out by the 92 lbs. of food that we collected,” Stefanie Schloo, president of Earth to DeSales said. “The visual aspect of the program--the buckets of food and trash--inspires a bit of self-reflection.”

Though this year’s event spanned 10 minutes less than 2014’s, total food wasted increased by 7.5 lbs. To combat high waste numbers, the club is working with DeSales’ food service, who just added a reusable plastic cup alternative for students.

“We were not surprised by the amount of takeout containers that the students use, but we were [surprised] that the students were,” Sodexo retail manager, Samuel Bannon said. “We limit the amount available by only keeping them out in limited locations to help control their use, but they are available for the students and staff that will be leaving the [University Center].”

In addition to “Weigh the Waste,” Earth to DeSales also plans to start a composting program to help reduce landfill food levels.

For someone who can’t see, Marcus Engel really knows how to give people a new perspective on things.

Engel (right), now a highly successful author and inspirational speaker, talked to students earlier this month about beating adversity and achieving happiness despite circumstances.  This is the ninth year the Missouri native has come to DeSales, brought in as a keynote speaker for the University’s Character U program.

Engel was blinded during college after being struck by a drunk driver while sitting in the passenger seat of friend’s car. He endured numerous surgeries and rehab procedures to fight his way to recovery and “reclaim his life.”

Since his accident, Engel has done just that and more, publishing four books focusing on compassionate patient care and inspiration. He also regularly speaks at colleges and corporations around the country, and recently received his master’s degree from Columbia University in Narrative Medicine.

“I hope my presentation impacted DeSales students where they need it the most,” Engel said. “I hope students who are going into the caregiving professions took away the cornerstone of caregiving: simple human presence. I hope that students who have been struggling with any adversity; grades, family problems, money issues, interpersonal relationships, etc. know that they have the power to set their own path and not be jerked around by life.”

Throughout the presentation, Engel drew laughter from the audience and related to students through a light-hearted, down-to-earth personality.

“Marcus comes to DeSales every year and he never fails to have a positive impact on me,” Character U Peer Mentor, Dan McDonald ’17 said. “The character trait for this month is love, and he spoke about the possibility of loving someone you don’t know. His story is very inspirational and he has certainly overcome a lot of obstacles in his life.”

Trexler Library is currently trialing two databases: Project Muse (Humanities Collection) and Literature Online (LION.  We welcome your thoughts, comments and other feedback.

From Project Muse: (trial ends April 2, 2105)

"Project MUSE is a leading provider of digital humanities and social science content for the scholarly community.  Since 1995 the MUSE journal collections have supported a wide array of research needs at academic, public, special, and school libraries worldwide. MUSE is the trusted source of complete, full-text versions of scholarly journals from many of the world's leading university presses and scholarly societies, with over 120 publishers currently participating. UPCC Book Collections on Project MUSE, launched in January 2012, offer top quality book-length scholarship, fully integrated with MUSE's scholarly journal content. "

 About Literature Online (LION) (trial ends March 20)

This database is a fully searchable library of more than 350,000 works of English and American poetry, drama and prose, hundreds of full-text literature journals, and other key criticism and reference resources.

 You can access the databases from the above links or on our database page.

The first day single tickets became available for the Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival’s upcoming summer season, Thursday February 12th, ticket sales set a new record—an increase of 85% more than the previous record set in June 2011.

“Together with record subscription sales compared to the same time period in previous seasons, this one-day sales record suggests that our 2015 season is poised to set a new standard for PSF,” says Managing Director Casey Gallagher.

“Les Misérables ticket sales are a driving force, but ticket sales for all the productions are significantly ahead of last year, which came close to matching the attendance record of 33,940 set in 2011,” he says.

In one day, 809 tickets were sold for about $38,000, predominantly for Les Misérables. Normal one-day sales in February range between $4,000 and $6,000. (The previous single largest sale day in the box office was on June 13, 2011 when the total sales were $18,400, with about two-thirds for South Pacific.)

“Les Misérables is a sweeping, timeless classic that began its life at a Shakespeare theatre and fits our mission beautifully,” says Patrick Mulcahy, producing artistic director. “It is Shakespearean in scope and scale, and is perhaps the most powerful and moving musical ever created.” 

As part of the licensing agreement, the title could not be announced until after the first of the year, though the other six titles were announced last fall: Shakespeare’s Henry V and Pericles, the American comedy by Larry Shue The Foreigner, and Mark Brown’s Around the World in 80 Days. The children’s productions are a new adaptation of Rapunzel and Shakespeare for Kids.

Once PSF received the rights to produce Les Miz, the option to increase the number of performances was fully explored. “The best we could do was to add two Wednesday matinees to our traditional schedule,” says Gallagher. “We have a total of 10,400 seats available for 22 performances and we expect to sell them all. We encourage patrons to order early.” 

High volume ticket sales continued over the weekend. Tickets may be ordered online at pashakespeare.org, by calling the box office at 610.282.WILL [9455], ext. 1, or in person at the Labuda Center for the Performing Arts on the Center Valley campus of DeSales University. 

Amaranth Foundation is the 2015 season sponsor. Associate season sponsors are the Szarko Family, Harry C. Trexler Trust, Dr. James and Penny Pantano, and Linda Lapos and Paul Wirth.

The Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival, a professional company in residence at DeSales University, is the Official Shakespeare Festival of the Commonwealth and a professional, not-for-profit theatre company. An independent 501 c 3 organization, PSF receives support from DeSales University and relies on contributions from individuals, government agencies, corporations and foundations.

PSF is a constituent of the Theatre Communications Group (TCG), the national Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival organization for the American theatre, and a member of the Greater Philadelphia Cultural Alliance, the Shakespeare Theatre Association, the Lehigh Valley Arts Council, and Discover Lehigh Valley.

Nursing major Karen Holveck ’16 is the 2014-15 nursing scholarship recipient from The Lehigh County Medical Auxiliary Scholarship and Educational Fund (LeCoMASE), which has established a scholarship to benefit undergraduate nursing students at DeSales University.

The scholarship is distributed annually from an endowment established by LeCoMASE and awarded to a student who is a full-time undergraduate nursing major who is entering their senior year. The recipient must also be in good academic standing and a resident of Lehigh County.

Pictured (from left) are Dr. Mary Elizabeth Doyle-Tadduni, chair of the department of nursing and health, Holveck, Barbara Peters, chair of the nursing scholarship program at LeCoMASE, and Martha Maffeo, president of LeCoMASE.

 Hundreds packed the Gambet Center’s Barbara Walker Breslin Auditorium February 17 for the Division of Business’ second annual Executive Forum, headlined by B.Braun Medical, Inc. Chairman and CEO Caroll Neubauer.

During the Forum, Neubauer and Assistant Professor in the Division of Business and former CEO himself Dr. Steven Aukers, conversed about the challenges of heading a company, from ethics in the business world to sustainability and leading by example. The B.Braun executive also stressed to students the value of a strong work ethic, citing examples of miscellaneous jobs he had done like hanging drapes while in college to support himself.

“There are so many jobs I’ve done, but I’ve never been without one,” Neubauer said.

After the discussion segment, Neubauer fielded several questions from audience members—which included students, faculty, local physicians, and B.Braun employees—about the state of the medical business, the direction of the company, medical device excise taxation, and counsel for current undergraduates.

“As a senior, I definitely value his input on leadership and his advice on how to succeed and advance in your career,” said finance and marketing dual major John Bayeux, who interned at B.Braun in 2014. “He told the audience that a great leader is someone who will not ask anyone to do something that they wouldn't do.”

The Forum, open to students from the Division of Business, as well as select physician assistant and nursing majors because B. Braun is a healthcare company, aims to provide a nuanced learning approach.

“I think these types of experiences with a guy like Caroll are amazing,” Aukers said. “This is the type of stuff we talk about in class, things that are really critical to learning a completely different way."

The university’s invitation to Neubauer for the event stemmed from B.Braun Medical, Inc.’s partnership with DeSales, as the company made significant donations to furnish equipment for the nursing and physician assistant classrooms and labs in the newly built Gambet Center. B.Braun now uses the Center to train employees.

Neubauer, however, expressed his enjoyment of interacting with young people and saw the Executive Forum as an opportunity to mentor students.

“I hope that students took away that executives are just like everybody else. They’re afraid, they’re nervous, they’re strong, they’re hard workers,” Neubauer said. “We’re just normal people who like to share their experiences as much, and hopefully can give a good lesson along the way.”

Dozens of DeSales students will be heading to warm and far-off places for spring break this week, but forget about the sunny beaches and loud parties.

Beginning Saturday, more than 60 undergraduates will be taking week-long, service-oriented alternative spring break trip through the University’s Center for Service and Social Justice (CSSJ). Groups will be helping organizations including Feed the Children in Nicaragua, Habitat for Humanity in Lexington, Va. and Lafayette, La., United Saints in New Orleans, La., the American Hiking Association in Jackson, Mo., and the United Way in Washington, D.C.

The service trips have been taken for 15 years now, and are organized and run by the Director of the CSSJ Jaime Gerhart. Each group will include twelve students and a faculty adviser.

“There are several reasons it’s important to go on a spring break trip, one being to build our DeSales community; to have a team of twelve students working together for a common goal,” Gerhart said. “And then also our global community and understanding the concept of solidarity, that even if someone’s 5,000 miles away, they deserve as much compassion and commitment as our next door neighbor.”

Sydney Duffy, a freshman transfer musical theater major, will be traveling to Washington, D.C. to volunteer at a homeless shelter, a food bank and an after school program for United Way and the city’s Boys and Girls Club.

“I’m looking forward to making new friends because I’m new, the experience to see how different it is, because I’ve done service trips in the area but not far away from home,” Duffy said. “Just mainly the experience in itself, mainly the things we’ll do and how i can apply them in my life.”

Exchange student Lauren Patrick from Northern Ireland is going to New Orleans to assist in rebuilding homes affected by natural disasters. The trip will also give her an opportunity to be exposed to more of the country.

“I wanted to see more of America, so I decided this would be the best way, to go with the school,” she said. “And I haven’t done any [service] like that before, so I thought it would be a good experience.”

In addition to volunteering at food banks, building homes and helping with children, students will be undertaking various projects like constructing chicken coops, restoring trails and educating women on first aid. Reflection periods will also be built into their schedules.

“To be with a group of people and say, ‘Okay, there’s a cement block here on Monday, and then on Friday we put up walls and a roof and there’s a family that’s going to live there for the rest of their lives’--You can’t replicate that in a normal week during the school year,” Gerhart said. “So it’s a really special bond between that group of twelve.”