Class Notes
Published Class Notes
2017
Michael A. Podskoch Jr., a 2017 Summa Cum Laude graduate of Misericordia University, who majored in Government, Law, and National Security, recently graduated May 2020 from Widener University Commonwealth Law School with his Juris Doctor. He received certifications in Environmental and Constitutional Law.
- Class Note
We Remember:
1949
Lucille Disque Bittenbbender: December 1, 2020
Elaine Caravati Ryan: December 24, 2020
1950
Mary Ellen Griffin Landy: November 25, 2020
1954
Lois Piccone Bare: November 25, 2020
Barbara Rittinger Finn: November 30, 2020
1957
Leona Lanza Castor: December 8, 2020
1958
Rose Crofchick Wester: November 14, 2020
1961
Marilyn Carr Sult: December 7, 2020
1963
Kathleen Marie Carroll, RSM: November 21, 2020
Sister Kathleen Marie Carroll served as the Director of Admissions and Resident Life at Misericordia University. She also founded Project Mercy, a furniture bank in Harrisburg.
Florence Soroka: December 24, 2020
Margaret Anne O’Connor, RSM: December 26, 2020
1964
Elaine Shergalis Weiss: November 20, 2020
Mary Jean Delycure Tarantini: November 21, 2020
Karen Gates: November 22, 2020
Eileen Hehir Wolfe: November 28, 2020
Jean Hayes Korshalla: December 6, 2020
1967
Sandra Postupack Luongo: November 28, 2020
1975
Karen Davis Costigan: November 19, 2020
1976
Joseph Sheridan: December 24, 2020
1980
Frances Wiernusz: December 14, 2020
Margaret DeAntona DelPrete: January 2, 2021
1987
Patricia Lynch: December 24, 2020
2002
Jennifer VanFossen Herron: January 2, 2021
Notifications can be made by submitting a Class Note (please include obituary if possible).
- Alumni Memoriam
Michael Lynch DPT ’10, ’14 owner of Mobile Therapy Services LLC In Florida, Chad Madden MSPT ’00 owner of Madden Physical Therapy, Charles Stevens III ’10, ’13 DPT, CLT owner of Mobile Therapy Services in Pennsylvania and co-owner of Mobile Therapy Services LLC In Florida, and James Pumarada DPT ’00 Owner of Complete Physical Rehabilitation attended a Breakthrough PT Summit in Dallas, Texas for leaders in the field of physical therapy.
1965
Dr. Sandra Rossi Kurtinitis ’65 presented as the opening keynote speaker at the Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE) District II Conference in Baltimore, Md. on Feb. 23, 2020.
1967
Dr. Rosemary Dziak ‘67, professor of oral biology at the University of Buffalo School of Dental Medicine, received the 2019 Isiah Lew Memorial Research Award from the American Academy of Implant Dentistry (AAID) Foundation. She was honored for her significant contributions to the field of implant dentistry
1978
Judith Frantz '78, former alumni board member, class agent, young alumnus award, has been promoted to vice president of PNC Bank, Wyoming, PA. The bank recently announced that Judith Frantz, branch manager, has been promoted to vice president. Frantz is a graduate of Misericordia University with a bachelor’s degree in business administration. She is also a graduate of Wilkes University, where she went to earn her MBA.
1986
Pat Keegan; Shirley Pallante Keegan, BS 1991; Maria Pallante-Hyun BA 1986, Hon.D.H.L 2010; Chris Hyun; and Suzanne Pallante Buckley, BA 1988. Misericordia Proud sisters and all former Misericordia Field Hockey players came out to support Madison Keegan ’20 in her senior game on October 6, 2019.
1991
Lesley Murray Plank ’91 and Duane Frank ’87 were united in marriage on January 7, 2020. They first met while students at Misericordia decades ago. After a few years, life took them down different paths. Until, June 2018, where they reconnected after thirty years at Alumni Weekend. Together, they are the parents of four sons, Jacob and Evan Plank, and Dylan and Ian Frank. Duane is the Senior VP of Sales for Axiom Payment Solutions, and Lesley is a Fifth Grade Teacher in the Dallas School District. Duane and Lesley reside together in Dallas, Pennsylvania.
1992
Shelby Girard ’92 accepted a Special Education Teacher position with Buffalo Hearing and Speech Center, Buffalo, NY. The organization serves individuals of all ages and cultural backgrounds through their clinical and education programs. It is the largest freestanding hearing, speech, and learning centers offering this comprehensive scope of services in the US.
2004
Jennifer Yurkon Hetro ’04 a lifelong resident of the Back Mountain, joined the Back Mountain Chamber as its executive director. She graduated from Dallas Senior High School and attended College Misericordia, now Misericordia University, earning her Bachelor of Science in Marketing with minors in Communication and Management. She has spent the last 19 years learning and growing at some of the region’s leading employers, including Benco Dental, Borton-Lawson, Century 21 Smith Hourigan Group, and Cornell-Cookson. She resides in Wyoming with her husband, two children, and their dog.
2005
Christopher Wadas ’05 and his wife, Krista welcomed their son on November 27, 2019.
Michel Lukatchik ’05 and his wife, Jessica welcomed their daughter on December 30, 2019.
Ann Evans Stepanchick ’05 and Joel Stepanchick ’05 welcomed their second child, a daughter, Sophia Rose, on February 4, 2020.
2007
George Brown ’07 was sworn into office as Mayor on January 6, 2020, at the F-M Kirby Center in downtown Wilkes-Barre. Brown says he has an agenda that he believes can change the direction of the city.“First of all safety in the neighborhoods. We have to bring back that safety factor. People want to move back to their neighborhoods. Also, the potholes. Every street you go down there’s a pothole. What street should I take or not take to get to my destination because of potholes.” Said Mayor George Brown.
Christine ’07 and Matthew Mills '08 welcomed their third child, Lucy Ellen Mills on September 17, 2019. Lucy joins big brothers, Gavin (9) and Gage (6).
Angela Grochowski McGill ’07 and her husband, Michael were married on April 18, 2020, and welcomed a bouncing baby boy on June 14, 2020.
2008
Kristin Barsh ’08 welcomed a son Wyatt on March 24, 2020.
Michael Evans '08 has been named the Penn State Scranton Alumni Society's 2019 Alumnus of the year. Michael is the assistant dean for undergraduate nursing education at the Commonwealth Campuses and associate teaching professor of nursing at Penn State University’s College of Nursing.
Leah M Holmberg (Steele) '08 and her husband, Joseph Holmberg, and daughter Kinsley welcomed our son Joseph Kade in March 2019. The Holmberg resides in Harrisburg PA.
Todd DeSando ’08 and his wife, Rachel, welcomed their daughter, Layla Corrine, on July 15, 2019. The family resides in Windermere, FL.
Angela Burda McLaughlin’08 and her husband, Edward, welcomed their first child, Brady Edward, on January 24, 2020.
2010
Regis Rugemanshuro ’10 has been appointed Rwanda’s new Director of Social Security Pensions.
Deanna Lyons ’10 and her husband, Al welcomed their daughter on October 17, 2019.
2011
Robin Razawich Chiapuzzi ’11 and her husband, Michael ’10 welcomed their daughter on November 19, 2019.
Erica Acosta '11 was appointed to the executive committee of the NAACP Wilkes-Barre Branch 2306 by Ronald Felton, president.
2012
Krsytle Novak Farnham ’12 ’17 and Shaun Farnham were united in marriage on July 27, 2019.
2013
Christelle Patrice ’13 and Frank Hoffman welcomed their first child, Luciano Andre Hoffman, on September 18, 2019.
Jim Cerulli '13 is joining Reading & Northern Railroad (RBMN) team as VP - Coal Marketing. He joins Bill Clark, Senior VP Coal Marketing, Mike Sharadin, AVP – Equipment, and the customer service staff who handle all RBMN’s business under VP Customer Service Susan Ludwig. In his new job, Jim will take the lead in dealing with the coal shippers along with the RBMN rail system. He’ll manage the coal service network, car supply for the shippers, relations with the shippers, and development of additional on-line coal facilities.
Dr. Thomas Gottstein ’13 is the clinic director for BenchMark Physical Therapy’s newest outpatient clinic in Georgetown, DE. Thomas is a certified orthopedic clinical specialist.
Marisa Wagner Tucker ’13 and Andrew Tucker ’13,’16 welcomed the birth of their daughter, Estella Josephine on September 13th, 2020.
Amanda Lee ’13, ’16 and Chris Boornazian were married on September 28, 2019 in Glassboro, NJ with a reception in Marlton. Amanda currently works as a physical therapist with BAYADA Home Health Care. The couple resides in Cherry Hill, NJ.
2014
Melissa Ganser Davies ’14 and Rhian Davies welcomed their son on October 8, 2019.
Alyssa McEntee ’14 and Tyler Freas welcomed their daughter on October 11, 2019.
Jacqueline Horn ’14 and her husband, Daniel welcomed a daughter on October 15, 2019.
Maria Williamson Ramirez ’14 has recently been appointed assistant director of faculty development and diversity at the Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development at New York University. She previously served as a senior student advisor at NYU and as coordinator of pre-college programs at Stevens Institute of Technology in New Jersey.
Shannon Joyce Cerulli ’14 and James Cerulli ’13 welcomed their first child, Ella Rose on July 5, 2020.
Kelsey Heller, DPT ’14, ’17 and Spencer Wallach were united in marriage on October 17, 2020 in Binghamton, NY.
2015
Elizabeth Lencki ’15 accepted a CT Technologist position at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center is Middletown, NJ.
2016
Ellen Mahon ’16 and TJ Schaefer ’14 were united in marriage on June 15, 2019.
Kate Michael Jensen ’16 and her husband, Benjamin welcomed their first child together, a baby boy named Peter Lee Jensen on September 21st, 2020. The couple shares a five-year-old daughter named Annie.
2017
Christine Zopf ’17 was awarded a United States Teaching Assistant position from the Fulbright Austria committee for the 2020-21 academic year. She will be teaching English at two high schools in Austria’s capital, Vienna.
Jessica Kreidler '17 and Mark Luksa were married on October 3, 2020. Jessica is a speech therapist with BLaST IU 17.
2019
Alec Rodway ’19 during his first season as the boy's seventh-grade hoops coach at Valley View Intermedia School, Alec’s quick thinking and use of an on-site AED (automated external defibrillator) assisted in saving the life of referee, Sammy Bio. Bio’s family were thankful for AED’s and for those who were “brave enough to help!”
Arianna Catherine Anglovich ’19 and John James Roberts were united in marriage on September 21, 2019, at Our Lady of Victory Parish, Harveys Lake. Arianna earned a Masters of Science degree in nursing. She is employed by Wilkes-Barre General Hospital. The couple resides in Shavertown with their dog, Stella.
- Class Note
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