Greetings Alumni-

Happy New Year! With the change of the year, it always reminds me of our Carpe Diem motto – we are given 12 new months to fill with new opportunities and new excitement. Nearly 100 years ago, the Sisters of Mercy set out with a dream of building our school, and set the foundation for what it means to live a life in the Carpe Diem spirit. In the spirit of our motto, and our foundresses, I hope you will seize all opportunities and chances for growth that 2023 has to offer you.

I am excited to inform you of some changes in our Advancement Office at Mercyhurst. After a decade of primarily working in alumni relations roles, I am moving into a new role, Director of Advancement, where I will oversee a small team solely dedicated to philanthropic and development work (by the way, we're hiring! See here). I know I will continue to work with so many of you, as you continue your generous support of Mercyhurst.

My colleague Meaghan Hubert '16 '18 who has worked in our office since she graduated, will be moving into the role of Director of Alumni and Donor Engagement. I know you will enjoy seeing all that she will do with the alumni role.

As always, Carpe Diem,

Lindsay Frank '12 '14

Director of Advancement

Congratulations to this year's Distinguished Alumni Award recipients and Athletics Hall of Fame inductees - we look forward to celebrating this June at Reunion Weekend.

All are welcome to join and honor these special award winners!

Mark your calendars! Giving Day is March 15th! This Giving Day you can expect…new goals, new areas to support, and new ways to Carpe your Diem.

Be on the lookout for messages from our office in the coming weeks about how to help us get a head start and make your gift early.

Questions about making a gift? Contact Dominic Fucci at (814) 824-3321 or dfucci@mercyhurst.edu

Business Alumni and Student Networking Night 2023

Thursday, March 2

7:00 p.m. on Zoom

Join the Alumni Office and the Walker College of Business for a networking opportunity which will cover job opportunities, resume building, where the field was and where it’s going. Alumni are asked to informally share their experiences with current and prospective students.

Education Alumni and Student Networking Night 2023

Thursday, March 16

7:00 p.m. on Zoom

The Mercyhurst Education Alumni and Student Networking Night is a “teacher talk” night for Education majors and alumni who are current or retired educators. The evening will give alumni teachers and future teachers a chance to connect over their shared passion for education. Our alumni can share their expertise on real life classroom situations, job hunting, surviving the first year, and anything else teacher-related. This is a casual event, so no formal preparation for this discussion is needed.

Mercyhurst vs. Gannon Pregame Reception

Saturday, Jan. 21

5 p.m. at the Roost + Mercyhurst Athletic Center

Registration deadline is Wednesday, Jan. 18 at noon

Baseball 50th Anniversary Celebration

Saturday, Jan 28

1 p.m. at Mercyhurst University

Registration deadline is Friday, Jan. 20

Reunion Weekend 2023 will be celebrated this June 8- 11, on campus at Mercyhurst University!

Landmark celebrations include:

60th Reunion: Class of 1963

55th Reunion: Class of 1968

50th Reunion: Class of 1973

40th Reunion: Class of 1983

25th Reunion: Class of 1998

10th Reunion: Class of 2013

5th Reunion: Class of 2018

Registration for Reunion Weekend will open in early March!

Alumni Office hosts Breakfast with Santa

In December, Mercyhurst alumni and their children, grandchildren, and nieces and nephews attended the annual Mercyhurst Breakfast with Santa event. Children visited Santa and made crafts. Santa was played by our very own former faculty member, Barry McAndrew. Read more about Barry's role as Santa Claus for over 30 years.

Mercyhurst Transfers Land to

Asbury Woods for Conservation

Mercyhurst University and Asbury Woods announced the transfer of 40 acres of land from the university to the nature center, a move that ensures the property will be placed in permanent conservation status.

Mercyhurst slates weeklong observance remembering Martin Luther King Jr.

Mercyhurst University has slated a full week of events in observance of Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday, beginning Monday, Jan. 16. Read more and find a full schedule of events here.

Intel students benefit from partnership with

Security Executive Council

In releasing its 2022 impact statement, showcasing the breadth of its positive influence on the security industry, the Security Executive Council (SEC) specifically highlighted the role of its partnership with Mercyhurst University’s Ridge College of Intelligence Studies & Applied Sciences. Read more about Mercyhurst's partnership.

And, Happenings Beyond the Hurst

Mercyhurst named one of 44 schools to earn President's Award for Academic Excellence

The Presidents' Award for Academic Excellence is awarded to Division II schools that have achieved a four-cohort (2012-15) Academic Success Rate of 90% or higher. This year, 44 member schools earned this honor. Read More.

Four alumni recently met in Nazareth, PA, 21 years since their last reunion.

Sigma Stacey Toth, ‘67 of Erie, Carol Pietrovich Skrocki, ‘67 of Nazareth, Marikae Sorvelli Moraski, ‘67 of Camano Island, WA, and Sylvia King, ’68 of Monroe, CT. Carol had recently moved from her home of 50 years in South Plainfield, NJ. Many memories were shared, but there were a lot of years to catch up. The group had been meeting on Zoom during the pandemic, so the gathering was a culmination of those conversations.

Tony Prusak ‘90 and Allyson Minor, Mercyhurst Hospitality Management faculty member attending the Professional Convention Management Association (PCMA) which was held in Columbus, Ohio.

Mercyhurst alumni can benefit from several great opportunities - check out the list below to learn more!

Connect with Lakers near and far!

Alumni Chapters are available all over the country and are continuing to gather and form. Take a look at the full list to the right for an Alumni Chapter in your area.

Join an Alumni Chapter

Chicago

DMV (DC, Maryland, Virginia)

We need your help with the Alumni Chapters - interested in volunteering as a Chapter representative? Please email Meaghan Hubert '16

Each Chapter will have a few alumni who will serve as the Chapter representatives!

To submit a Class Note, please visit mercyhurst.edu/alumni/class-notes to have your news featured here!

Career News

Thomas Buckley '86 published his first book which became the #1 New Release in several Amazon categories including Golf, Religious, Faith, Christian Faith and Biography.

Kaitlyn Faucett '09 was elected to Lightfoot, Franklin & White LLC firm effective January 1, 2023. Faucett joined Lightfoot as an associate in 2020 as part of the acquisition of Levinthal Wilkins, and is based in the Houston office. She maintains a diverse caseload, including commercial disputes, along with employment, healthcare, personal injury and real estate litigation. In a recent matter, she represented an oil field services provider as a plaintiff in a breach of contract dispute, obtaining summary judgment.

Rev Marshall Lillie '84 celebrated his 22nd year of ministry at his church, the Conneaut Valley Church of the Nazarene on January 15 2023. Rev. Lillie is the longest serving pastor in the history of the church.

Anthony Prusak '90 was named Director of Business Development, USA for the ATS Group. Tony brings a wealth of knowledge and experience with over 30 years in sales and business development in the meetings and events industry. He will be working with our association and housing partners through FHTglobal (a division of the ATS Group) to develop new opportunities for supporting international groups at annual association meetings as well as presenting our meetings/incentives services through Brook Green (a division of the ATS Group) for MICE clients in heading to our global destinations in the US, Monaco/France, London, Edinburgh and Dublin.

Carla (Burrs) Storrs '12 retired from Mercy Center for Women after 15 years of service. Carla has launched her own private practice in behavorial health; "Hopeful Outlook." Carla shared when one journey ends, another begins. She is looking forward to working with individuals seeking psychotherapy. Find her on Psychology Today or visit her website https://carla-storrs.clientsecure.me/

Awards & Accomplishments

Abby Groner '09 was recognized for her efforts as a Public Defender. She was awarded the Rico Award which is a state-wide award given to a Public Defender with 3 years experience or less who is making a difference in the lives of their clients.

Births

Joe Coyne '13 and wife Kelly welcomed their second child, Peyton James, on November 6, 2022 in Cleveland, Ohio. Peyton joins big brother Liam Joseph.

Alumni Deaths

Margaret (Duross) Ashton '63

Sr. Mary Matthew Baltus '45

Patricia (Maley) Burns '56

Nancy (Bronakoski) Cross '68

Joan (Bye) Dengler '60

Geraldine (Defazio) Dougherty '54

Patricia (Gillot) Fluckiger '64

Elizabeth (Schnatter) Guelcher '58

Barbara (Sabo) Leo '63