Villanova Magazine - News - Spring 2017

The sights and sounds of Villanova’s launch of its 175th anniversary celebration transformed campus the week of Jan. 15. The kickoff to a year filled with special events included a food drive that yielded 1.75 tons, a dinner à la 1842, an anniversary Mass, a student gala and a winter festival.

Members of the Villanova community gathered Nov. 10 to honor the 2016 recipient of the University’s Mendel Medal, Anthony Fauci, MD, a pioneering HIV/AIDS researcher and the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases at the National Institutes of Health. The next day, Dr. Fauci delivered the Mendel Medal Lecture, in which he described the extraordinary progress in the fight against HIV/AIDS, as well as the remaining challenges.

Villanova University’s newly elected Board of Trustees officers took up their posts Jan. 1. Joseph V. Topper Jr. ’77 VSB, retired president and CEO of CrossAmerica Partners LLP (on right in the picture), now serves as chairperson; Justin G. Gmelich ’90 VSB, global head of Credit Trading at the Goldman Sachs Group Inc., as vice chair; and Nance K. Dicciani, PhD, ’69 COE, co-founder and CEO of RTM Vital Signs LLC, as secretary. All three trustees have been dedicated members of the board and of the Villanova community. In addition, Kerry Kittles ’96 VSB, ’09 MBA, assistant men’s basketball coach at Princeton University and NBA veteran, was elected to the 34-member board.

After the Civil War, “Information Wanted” ads appeared in African- American publications around the nation as newly freed slaves tried to reunite with loved ones. A collaboration between History graduate students and their professor, Judith Giesberg, PhD, and Mother Bethel AME Church in Philadelphia is making these classified ads easily accessible to the public. “Last Seen: Finding Family After Slavery,” which was featured on the CBS Evening News, offers genealogists and researchers a new tool for telling family stories of separation and survival. The database (informationwanted.org) holds names of former slaves, owners, traders, plantation locations and missing relatives.

The Villanova School of Business earned the No. 4 spot in U.S. News & World Report’s annual Best Online Graduate Business Programs ranking. The placement validates VSB’s ability to deliver a high-quality education, regardless of the mode. VSB was also ranked No. 3 for Student Services and Technology, and No. 4 for Student Engagement.

Dominican priest Gustavo Gutiérrez, PhD, the John Cardinal O’Hara Professor of Theology at the University of Notre Dame, received Villanova’s Civitas Dei Medal Nov. 16 in St. Thomas of Villanova Church. A leading thinker in the development of liberation theology in Latin America, Father Gutiérrez also helped to articulate the principle of Catholic social teaching that puts the needs of the poor first. The Rev. Peter M. Donohue, OSA, PhD, ’75 CLAS, University president, along with Barbara Wall, PhD, vice president for Mission and Ministry, presented the medal.

One of the nation’s foremost experts on criminal sentencing, Professor of Law Steven Chanenson received the National Association of Sentencing Commissions’ Richard P. Kern Memorial Award for his contributions to the development of sentencing policy and research. At Villanova University Charles Widger School of Law, Professor Chanenson teaches courses on sentencing, criminal law and procedure, and white-collar crime.

Thanks to the generosity of J. Brien Murphy, MD, and his wife, Maggie (left), nurses and colleagues from Main Line Health institutions and Villanova’s College of Nursing enjoyed the first Dr. Louise Fitzpatrick Lecture. Kathryn Bowles, PhD, RN, FAAN, FACMI, ’90 MSN (third from left) delivered the inaugural talk Nov. 7 at Bryn Mawr Hospital. The lecture series was established to honor M. Louise Fitzpatrick, EdD, RN, FAAN, Connelly Endowed Dean and Professor of Nursing (third from right). Joining in the celebratory evening were Andrea Gilbert, president of Bryn Mawr Hospital (second from right); and Marianne Harkin, vice president of Patient Care Services.

Moeness Amin, PhD, director of the College of Engineering’s Center for Advanced Communications, was awarded the 2017 Fulbright Distinguished Chair in Advanced Science and Technology. Fulbright Distinguished Chair Awards are among the most prestigious appointments in the Fulbright Scholar Program. Dr. Amin will travel to Australia to collaborate on new applications of radar and communications technologies.

Beginning September 2017, the Villanova Executive MBA will be offered in 19 months, reducing the completion schedule by two months. EMBA students will stay at the Inn at Villanova University, where their classes will be held. This remodeled venue provides a modern, collaborative environment for working professionals.

The 11 students in the new Master of Science in Environmental Science program joined in the launch festivities Jan. 26. The Rev. Peter M. Donohue, OSA, PhD, ’75 CLAS, University president, and Adele Lindenmeyr, PhD, dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, shared opening remarks. Christine Knapp ’01 CLAS, director of the Office of Sustainability, City of Philadelphia (fourth from the right), delivered the keynote.

In the 2016–17 academic year, Jacob Elmer, PhD, assistant professor of Chemical Engineering (standing), has earned three national research awards. From the National Science Foundation, Dr. Elmer received $300,000 to streamline the production of genetically engineered T cells to treat leukemia patients, as well as the NSF’s prestigious $500,000 CAREER award. The National Institutes of Health awarded him $254,000—part of a grant with Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia—to study earthworm hemoglobin as a potential blood substitute.

In December, students advised by Mechanical Engineering Professor C. Nataraj, PhD, and Associate Professor Garrett Clayton, PhD, traveled to Hawaii to take part in RobotX, a selective competition on autonomous surface vehicles. Villanova teamed with Florida Atlantic University for the international event.

Villanova University’s Office of Disability Services bestowed the fifth annual Father Bill Atkinson, OSA Humanitarian Award Feb. 23 on Celeste Corcoran and her daughter, Sydney, both of whom survived the Boston Marathon bombing. Celeste and Sydney (fourth and fifth from the right) also were honored at the Feb. 22 Men’s Basketball game.

More than five years ago, the College of Nursing introduced the Standardized Patients With Disabilities Program to give students the opportunity to interact with individuals trained to simulate the health conditions of people with disabilities and to learn about the health issues that affect them. The program has been so successful in improving students’ clinical skills and reshaping the health care landscape to be more inclusive of people with disabilities that the College received the American Association of Colleges of Nursing 2016 Innovations in Professional Nursing Education Award.

Villanova Law’s David F. and Constance B. Girard-diCarlo Center for Ethics, Integrity and Compliance hosted a discussion Oct. 17 featuring Jon M. Huntsman Jr. The two-term governor of Utah, former US ambassador to China and Singapore, and 2012 presidential candidate shared his views on how citizens and lawmakers can repair the politics of Washington, D.C., by putting national needs above partisan ones. Brian Tierney, CEO of Brian and Realtime Media, and former CEO and publisher of The Philadelphia Inquirer, moderated.

University President the Rev. Peter M. Donohue, OSA, PhD, ’75 CLAS and Drosdick Endowed Dean Gary A. Gabriele, PhD (sixth from left), join the Engineering Alumni Society’s 2016 awardees: Anne Roby, PhD, ’86; Brian Bozzo ’07; Brian Glaister ’03; Joanne Dahme ’80; Karen Damara ’11; Hasshi Sudler ’92; Sachin “Dave” Duggal ’01; Alexander Myers ’08, ’10 MS; Joshua Smolinsky ’03, ’13 MS; Stephanie Dantos ’16 CLAS (on behalf of the late Christos Dantos ’80); and William Brown ’84, ’87 MS.

Tyonne Hinson, DrPH, RN, NE-BC, ’01 MSN, director of Nursing, International Medicine and Global Health at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, keynoted the College of Nursing’s Annual Research Symposium March 28 in the Connelly Center. Dr. Hinson, a member of the College’s Board of Consultors, discussed innovative partnerships that promote healthy communities. The event showcases the scholarship of faculty, students and colleagues.

The Center for Peace and Justice Education presented the 2016 Adela Dwyer-St. Thomas of Villanova Peace Award to No Strings International, a nonprofit led by master puppeteers from Jim Henson’s The Muppet Show, Oct. 26. The organization produces puppet-based films that help some of the world’s most vulnerable children build lifesaving skills and overcome trauma.

Two students from Villanova Law took first place at the 2017 John J. Gibbons National Criminal Procedure Moot Court Competition, held March 24–25 at Seton Hall University School of Law. Sarah Burke ’18 and Kaitlyn Macaulay ’18 beat out 43 teams for top honors at the competition. Previously, Burke and Macaulay won Villanova Law’s 57th annual Theodore L. Reimel ’24 CLAS Moot Court Competition.

The exquisitely upgraded Dugan Polk Family Reading Room in Falvey Memorial Library opened in October. This 24-hour study space was made possible by more than $1.5 million in gifts from Villanova parents, including a lead gift from Trisha and Michael Polk P ’16, ’19.

The Villanova School of Business’ Daniel M. DiLella Center for Real Estate has created the Nova Next Council, which brings together rising leaders in the real estate industry. The members will serve as a conduit between students and professionals by shaping the center’s programming, philanthropic efforts and networking opportunities. Mark Thomson ’05 VSB, senior managing director and co-head of Philadelphia, HFF, and Ian Christ ’04 VSB, vice president, US transactions, PGIM Real Estate, are the 2016–17 co-chairs.

The newly renovated Kevin M. Curley Family Exchange in Bartley Hall—made possible by a $2.5 million commitment from Kevin M. Curley ’80 VSB, pictured here with his son, Kevin II ’09 VSB, and daughter, Kathleen—was dedicated in September. This enhanced space provides a multifunctional environment for students, faculty and staff.

Raymond Tierney III ’81 CLAS, P ’10, former global head of Trading Solutions at Bloomberg LP and a passionate champion of Villanova, visits College of Liberal Arts and Sciences students to talk about launching their careers.

Nicholas DeNichilo, PE, FASCE, NAC, president and CEO of Mott MacDonald, delivered the 2017 Patrick J. Cunningham, Jr. and Susan Ward ’80 Endowed Lecture in Engineering. His talk was titled “Business and Professional Ethics—Managing With Integrity.”

In his final race as a Wildcat, senior Patrick Tiernan, a Mathematics major, became the second men’s runner in school history to win a national championship in cross country. He finished first at the NCAA Championships in Terre Haute, Ind. In addition, Tiernan became the first four-time cross country All-American from the Wildcats Men’s program, as well as the first male or female athlete in conference history to win the Big East cross country title four times.

Nine former Villanova student-athletes, along with the Jake Nevin Special Recognition Award winner, were saluted at the 41st annual Hall of Fame Dinner Jan. 28 in the Connelly Center. The 2016 Hall of Fame Class comprises the following inductees: Brian Westbrook ’01 VSB, Football; Jackie Pasquerella ’01 CLAS, Softball; Meghan Sarbanis ’99 CLAS, Rowing; Carrie Tollefson ’99 CLAS, Women’s Track and Field; Matt Longo ’01 VSB, Baseball; Jill Basile ’97 CLAS, Field Hockey; Mike Schwankl ’96 COE, Men’s Swimming; Mary Anne Gabuzda, longtime Athletics staff member (Nevin Award); Steve Lappas, former head coach, Men’s Basketball; Jenn Beisel ’98 CLAS, Women’s Basketball.

Marty Stern was inducted into the United States Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association Coaches Hall of Fame Dec. 14, his 80th birthday. Stern (pictured here with two-time Olympian Vicki Huber Rudawsky ’89 CLAS) led the Wildcats Women’s Cross Country and Track and Field programs 1984–94. During his tenure, the Cross Country program won five consecutive national titles.

The Villanova Women’s Swimming and Diving team won its fourth consecutive Big East title Feb. 25 at the Nassau County Aquatic Center. Darby Goodwin was named the Big East Women’s Most Outstanding Swimmer for the second year in a row. Head Coach Rick Simpson earned Big East Women’s Coach of the Year honors, and Todd Michael was named the Women’s Co-Diving Coach of the Year.

Capping a successful season, the Villanova Men’s Soccer team, led by Tom Carlin, head coach, qualified in November for the NCAA Tournament for the first time in program history. Villanova also notched the fifth season with at least 10 victories.