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SPRING 2002 VOLUME V NUMBER III
Northampton
C O M M U N I T Y C O L L E G E M A G A Z I N E
L ASTING
C ONNECTIONS
NORTHAMPTON
STYLE
L E T T E R F R O M T H E E D I T O R T A B L E O F C O N T E N T S
Northampton
O ur theme this issue is love at,
of, in and from Northampton
Community College. We set
out to look for couples who met
get back on track by understanding
each other’s habits and behavior.
Personalities normally don’t
change through life, and that isn’t
Volume V No. III
FEATURES
here, either as students or as co- necessarily bad, according to Editor
workers. We found many more than Gonzalez. All of us can be classified Paul Joly 8 THE LOVE CONNECTION
Alumni, staff and students and the romances they made, Northampton-style.
we would have guessed. somewhere on the scale between
The articles here can only repre- “introvert” — people who get ener- Contributing Writers
sent the scores of connection stories gy from within, and “extrovert” — 15 CYBERDATING
Heidi Butler
we found. people who draw energy from oth-
James W. Harper 16 FOOD AS LOVE
Since we were dealing with rela- ers. Introverts aren’t necessarily shy
James L. Johnson ’89 The famous way to the heart, and the foods that take us there.
tionships, it seemed appropriate to people, and extroverts aren’t neces-
find out from an expert how differ- sarily bubbly talkative types.This fact Mary Ann Leone ’00
ent personality characteristics affect is nothing new, but the Myers-Briggs Michael E. Nagel
DEPARTMENTS
compatibility between two people. survey can identify clear personality Sandy Stahl
We didn’t have to look far.Virginia characteristics that blend in different
2 CAMPUS NEWS
Gonzalez is a Northampton profes- ways to form predictable behaviors.
Design
sor of counseling who uses a proven Some personality types like to
Susan Williams & Associates 18 PROFILE: JIM BARTHOLOMEW
personality-profiling instrument to plan their lives, while others thrive
help match up individuals with on spontaneity. This kind of person-
19 PROFILE: ROBERT RUTT
career and management positions. ality difference can doom a relation- Photography
Widely used in management devel- ship, or it can introduce interesting Stephen Barth 20 ALUMNI NOTES
opment, the Myers-Briggs Indicator possibilities, according to Gonzalez. Conrad Bowers
is regarded as one of the best meth- Couples who find themselves on
Randy Monceaux 22 PROFILE:ALAN PITOTTI
ods of determining compatibility in opposite ends of this spectrum need
The Morning Call
the workplace. But Gonzalez says to work out ways to get through
Philip Stein 28 PROFILE: SHARON AND KEN KOCHEY
the Myers-Briggs profile can also tell their weekends without one or both
a lot about our compatibility in all becoming completely frustrated. But
29 PROFILE: PAT AND RON DISTEFANO
our emotional relationships. couples who are too similar in an x
When two people fall in love, area like this may have to watch out
30 PROFILE: KAREN AND TIM BRADY
“it’s nice to have traits that are the either for deadly boredom or com- President
same, but you end up with the same plete chaos.
Dr. Robert J. Kopecek 31 PARTNERS
strengths, but also the same weak- Some of the best, most enduring
R.K. Laros Foundation — A legacy of caring for the community.
nesses,” she points out. On the other relationships are those where “we’re
Vice President R&R Provision Company — You’ll never meat two nicer guys.
end of the scale are those couples looking for somebody to round out
we all know that are living examples the person we can’t be,” Gonzalez Institutional Advancement
of the “opposites attract” truism. said. Yet we all know couples who Susan K. Kubik
These opposite personality are so alike in personality they clear-
types sometimes settle into relation- ly were made for each other. Northampton
ships that thrive on each partner On the pages that follow are life Community College
complementing the other. Then stories representing many different Foundation Board Chairman
there are others in which the early combinations of points on the com- Paul J. Mack
thrill from dynamic tension eventual- plex personality spectrum. And
ly becomes more tension than these folks all have one relationship
Publisher
dynamism. “Often they can’t name in common. Can you guess what
what was so attractive, and now that is? Northampton Community
College Foundation
those things only seem annoying,”
3835 Green Pond Road
Gonzalez said. Counselors can use
Bethlehem, PA 18020
personality profiling instruments to
get at these issues and help couples
1
C A M P U S N E W S C A M P U S N E W S
HONORS & ACCOLADES x able professional, a caring mentor and a
GRADS FARING WELL DESPITE SOFT ECONOMY Out of 158 adult literacy programs model of integrity.” He compared her to a
A survey conducted by the Career & Work/Life Services comments, Travel/Tourism all achieved this T he Sales and Marketing Executives
of the Greater Lehigh Valley has pre-
across the state, NCC’s was one of only
three to be accorded “Q-Stamp
palindrome, saying: “No matter which
way you look at her, she is a model of
& Work/Life Services Office “Despite a softening economy, our distinction. sented NCC with its President’s Award — Certification” this past winter. The “Q” consistency and quality.”
shows that 92 percent of last year’s graduates are meeting their goals, find- Graduates of the allied health fields an accolade given to an individual or stands for quality. A rigorous selection x
graduates were either employed or ing themselves well prepared for the commanded the highest salaries. organization that has a major impact on process included review of written Helene Whitaker was one of four
continuing their education as of workforce as well as for continuing Dental hygiene reported a median the community. NCC’s selection was a records showing continuous improve- women from the Lehigh Valley honored
December 2001. Overall 32 percent of their education.” salary of $43,680, followed by regis- “no-brainer,” according to Tim Cain, chair- ment, benchmarking of performance as a “Woman of Distinction” by Girl
the graduating class continued their More than a third of NCC’s 30 tered nursing with $39,468. man of SME’s board. “How many people against state standards, and an on-site Scouts-Great Valley Council. NCC’s vice
education, the highest transfer rate career programs had placement rates Students in transfer programs fared can say they’ve never taken any training visit. In the last decade NCC has become president for administration was singled
since 1974. of 100 percent. Applied Quality and well, too. The survey shows they are courses there, never served on a commit- one of the largest providers of adult out for her professional achievements and
Linda Arra, NCC’s director of Career Standards,Automotive Technology, continuing their education at 58 differ- tee with someone from the college staff, literacy and basic workforce development because she serves as a role model for
Banking, Chemical ent educational institutions, with East never eaten at the college’s restaurant?” programs in Pennsylvania, serving girls and women. Lehigh Valley
Technology, Stroudsburg University, Kutztown he asks. “The college has been a part of close to 3,000 people each year in four Magazine also featured Helene as one of
Computer Aided University, and Penn State attracting all of our lives.” counties. 26 “Movers & Shapers” in the region for
Design, Computer the largest number of graduates. Other x x her efforts to preserve farmland and
Electronics, colleges and universities selected by Readers of The Morning Call’s NCC’s vice president for advancement, recreational space and to enhance urban
Early Childhood members of the Class of 2001 include “Outlook 2002” supplement were pleased Sue Kubik, has been named “Professional areas as co-chair of the Lehigh Valley
Education, Lehigh,Temple, Lafayette, DeSales, to see NCC’s president, Dr. Robert of the Year” by District II of the Council Green Future Fund.
Emergency Cedar Crest, the University of Kopecek, featured as one of “30 people for Advancement and Support of x
Services, Massachusetts, Rutgers, and the who help shape the Lehigh Valley.” The Education. CASE is the largest association NCC’s Board of Trustees has approved
Funeral Service University of North Carolina. article noted that “when he came aboard of educational institutions in the world. promotions for three members of the fac-
Education, Office The survey had an outstanding 97 as president in 1977, the college had Close to 500 people attended the lun- ulty: Effective July 1, Sharon Gavin-Levy
Administration — percent response rate. The graduating 8,000 students, a handful of majors and cheon in Toronto where Sue received the will become a full professor of English,
Foreign Trade class of 666 students was the second budget of $7 million. Today it has nearly award. In introducing her, Bill Lynerd, Sandra Del Cueto will attain the rank of
Option, Special largest in the college’s 34-year history, 23,000 students, more than 33 majors and vice president for university advancement associate professor of Spanish, and Anita
Education, and topped only in 1993 with 676. a $42 million budget. at the University of Baltimore described Dickson will become associate professor
Sue as “an innovative leader, a knowledge- of business administration.
A NIGHT TO REMEMBER address by Dr. John McCartney, a profes- archival footage of the march for the WHO’S NEW ahead and welcomes e-mail at their third straight conference champi-
sor at Lafayette College who teaches a video and has expressed interest in air- sjones@northampton.edu. onship, trouncing Penn State - Delaware
A frican-American, Latino,Asian or
Caucasian. At least for one
course called “The Black Experience” at
NCC; and the premier of a video pro-
ing it on its website. The video is also
available for viewing in the Paul and I f you haven’t met her
yet, stop by and say THREE-PEAT IS SWEET FOR LADY
77-38, whopping Penn State-Berks 74-53,
and racking up a 55-42 victory over arch-
evening it didn’t matter. A “Celebration duced by Mario Acerra, head of NCC’s Harriett Mack Library at NCC. hello to Sherri Jones, rival Manor College in the finale.
SPARTANS
of Unity” held in memory of Martin Radio/TV program, to chronicle the NCC’s new director of “We finally started playing together as
Luther King, Jr. drew close to 300 people
of all races to NCC earlier this semester
experiences of Lehigh
Valley residents who took
the annual fund and I t looked like a sure bet. With four
out of five starters returning from
a team,” said Bowers. While joking that he
alumni relations. A could use a “mental health break,” Coach
last year’s undefeated season in the
for a performance that “filled the Lipkin part in the 1963 March native of the Lehigh Art Wolfe had high praise for the team.
Eastern Pennsylvania Collegiate
Theatre with love,” according to The on Washington. Valley, Sherri gained extensive experience “They wanted it, and they did a super job
Conference, the Lady Spartans were
Express-Times. Titled “Echoes of the in alumni and development work at her — not just the five starters, but all nine
expected to romp to another conference
Coordinated by Professor of Dream,” the video has alma mater, Cornell University. A member players. This victory is definitely the
championship this year. It wasn’t to be.
Counseling Frank Stanton, and assisted since been distributed of Phi Theta Kappa, she is a strong advo- sweetest of the three.”
First Beth Bowers went out with an ankle
by Marcia Theadford of the financial aid to high schools, middle cate for community colleges. She says the injury. Then two other players found
staff, the program included a perfor- schools and public courses she took at Tompkins Cortland themselves ineligible to play for academic
mance by The Roxey Ballet; music by a libraries in Lehigh, Community College and at Corning reasons.
gospel choir led by Associate Professor Northampton and Community College prepared her well for With a disappointing 18-7 record, the
of English Sharon Gavin-Levy; a dramatic Monroe counties. The Cornell. Prior to joining the staff at NCC defending champions entered the EPCC
presentation written by Professor of King Center, established in March, Sherri served as associate direc- play-offs seeded third, facing one team
English Robert Mundhenk and per- in Atlanta by Coretta tor of the annual fund at Muhlenberg
Fine and performing arts major Lateefa Mosley performs a who had beaten them once during the
formed by students and staff; a keynote Scott King, provided College. She looks forward to getting to
scene from “For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide regular season and two who had beaten
When the Rainbow is Enuf.” know many NCC alums in the months them twice. Undaunted, they pulled out
2 3
C A M P U S N E W S C A M P U S N E W S
An early (c. 1970) group of environmental studies students
CHANGE IS IN THE WIND battling the famous wind during field study.
AS ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION BEGINS NCC will have its own
“movie clips” too, with a
video of the winners being
BY MARY ANN LEONE, ’00 second floor of the College Center where shown before the sumptu-
Student Activities is located today. If you ous repast.
sat out there to eat, your lunch would
The wind that sighs
N early everyone on campus has a
tale to tell about buffeting fly back onto your lap, and your hair
The awards selection
committee is comprised of
winds. In the early days, NCC’s would be plastered to your head.” individuals and representa-
before the dawn first president closed the The winds are still tives of organizations who
college after a windblast with us as we trudge were honored during NCC’s
Chases the gloom of night through mud 30th anniversary, including:
knocked out an elec-
Dedicated in 1999, the college’s newest
The curtains of the trical transformer. and stones amidst Patricia Chila, project director
construction pro- of the Hispanic American building, the Student Enrollment Center,
There was also con-
East are drawn, siderable concern that jects. Despite these Organization; Daniel Cohen, provides a starting point for the students
And suddenly— ‘tis light. day that the faculty challenges, enrollment Esquire, chairman of the board of the new millennium.
“offices” (really just flim- continues to grow.When the are Hank and Joanne Barnett and Inez of ProJeCt of Easton; JoAnn
~ “La Vent de l’Esprit” sy trailers) might be in peril. college opened on October 2, 1967, and Ed Donley, long known for their good Dischinat, co-owner of G&J Mobil Pit the Bethlehem Steel Foundation; Robert
Sir Lewis Morris “There is no wind like 450 students were expected. More works in the community. Stop, Inc.; philanthropist Marlene O. C.Wood, chairman of the board of Wood
Northampton wind,” declares long-time than 800 showed up. Since then, more The Community Fabric Awards reflect “Linny” Fowler; Cindy Glick, director of Dining Services, and Dr. John Updegrove,
employee RoseAnn Palsi, Call Center man- than 200,000 have taken classes here and the creative vision of the founders. community relations at Just Born, Inc.; a retired physician.
ager.“There was an open-air patio on the close to 20,000 have earned certificates, Thanks to the ingenuity of The Wood Timothy J. Holt, director corporate rela- “The awards are appropriate,” Harper
degrees or diplomas. Company, the menu for the black-tie tions for Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.; says,“because serving the community
This year marks NCC’s 35th anniver- event will be an exact replica of the actu- James Kostecky, director of corporate sup- with the best possible educational pro-
SPECIAL EVENTS sary. To commemorate the milestone, a al Academy Awards dinner in Hollywood. port programs and executive director of grams and staff has been at the heart
host of exciting activities
of Northampton’s mission since its
are planned, culminating in
QUADFEST — Four different musical events in the the presentation of
inception.”
Quad area, with free food. The theme for the first Earl Page, professor of history and
Community Fabric Awards
one on April 25 will be a 35th birthday party for sociology, recalls when he came for an
to individuals, businesses
NCC. interview in 1971.“The first person [I
and organizations who rep-
saw] was a woman, the second was black,
resent “threads” that come
SPRINGFEST — May 5 from noon to 5 p.m. and the third was Hispanic, and I
together to make a differ-
This annual day of entertainment, games, rides and thought,‘I can teach here.’”
ence in the Lehigh Valley.
displays for the entire family will include a gourmet Page still believes in the benefits
James Harper of NCC’s
of a community college and its accessibili-
luncheon for alumni in a park area designated institutional advancement
ty. Of the students he says,“They are a
“Alumni Gardens.” Classical guitarists and other staff reports that the cele-
mixture of valedictorians, undecideds,
entertainment will add to the festivities. bration, scheduled for
and those forced to come by their par-
October 26, has been in the
ents, and who later blossom. Many times
GRADUATION GALA — May 17 at 7 p.m. planning stages for over a
they leave and then come back more
A glittering semi-formal evening for graduates, year.“There has been a lot
motivated.”
complete with roaming musicians and delicious food. of community involvement,”
In the months ahead, the community is
he says. Scott V. Fainor, presi-
invited to join alumni, students, faculty
COMMENCEMENT — May 23 at 6:30 p.m. dent and CEO of Nazareth
and staff in enjoying the 35th anniversary
A delegate from each graduating class since 1969 National Bank, and Robert
festivities on a beautifully refurbished
will carry a banner specially designed with their Wood, chairman of the
campus ...on the wings of the famous
commencement year in the processional to mark board of The Wood
Northampton wind.
NCC’s 35th anniversary. Company, are serving as co-
chairs. The honorary chairs
Construction begins on the College Center in 1970.
4 5
C A M P U S N E W S C A M P U S N E W S
He said, DIGITAL ART INSTITUTE TAKES SHAPE
she said
“ [NCC students] are a cut above other college students because
they are more serious. They want to be there and many are working.
”
— Larry Melley in an interview with Madeleine Mathias of
The Morning Call regarding his experiences in completing his degree
(and competing in tennis) for NCC at age 77.
BY HEIDI BRIGHT BUTLER over the northeast who want to update
their skills, but who have had trouble
finding training that fits into their work
“ Norman was the one who instilled in me the
sense of being artist. He also gave me a sense of T o be or not to be? Sometimes it’s
hard to tell.
schedules. “There will be very little lec-
ture,” says Greenberg. “Most of the
how seriously you have to take acting to succeed. On the computer screen in Ira instruction will be hands-on.”
It’s a lesson I carry with me every day
— Michael Bentt who plays Sonny Liston in the movie
” Greenberg’s office, a propeller begins to
turn on a model airplane. As the blades
Unlike many other training programs,
the Digital Art Institute will bridge the
“Ali,” speaking of Norman Roberts, his former acting rotate faster and faster, the plane takes fine and commercial arts. It also will be
professor at NCC, in The Morning Call off, performs a dizzying series of stunts, open to professionals in other fields.
lands, and glides slowly to a stop. “The applications for this software are
“ Hold onto [your dreams] like a bulldog holds onto its steak.
— Assistant Director of Financial Aid Marcia Theadford,
” Greenberg didn’t videotape this scene
in his backyard. Like a modern-day
diverse,” Greenberg explains. “Not only
offering students advice during a program in which she and other can it be used to create special effects
Gepetto working in pixels instead of for television and film and illustrations
staff members talked about some of the challenges they have faced
wood, the associate professor of art built for the publishing industry, it can allow
in their careers and personal lives.
the virtual plane and gave it life using a architects to walk a client through a
sophisticated software package called photo-realistic building before construc-
“LightWave 3D.” (To see the animation, tion begins, it can enable law enforce-
click on www.iragreenberg.com/mp.) ment officers to simulate a crime scene,
Starting this spring, artists and other and medical researchers to depict the
professionals who were born too soon
“ I usually pray just
for myself. Lately I’ve to be exposed to this technology in
inner workings of a cell.”
“It is the most mature tool I’ve ever
been finding myself praying school will have a chance to learn how used,” says Greenberg. New to the facul-
to use it in intensive weekend training
a lot more for others.
— Becky Olsen, president of
” sessions conducted in NCC’s state-of-the-
ty this year, Greenberg served as director
of new media for H20 Associates in New
NCC’s Christian Fellowship, art graphics lab. York City before coming to NCC. He
quoted in The Chronicle of “Introduction to LightWave 3D” and holds a master’s in fine arts from the
Higher Education, in an “LightWave 3D Intermediate” will be the University of Pennsylvania and a bache-
article describing the impact first two courses offered at NCC’s new lor’s in fine arts from Cornell.
the events of September 11 “Digital Art Institute.” Classes in other To see samples of artwork generated
had on college students advanced graphics programs may follow, in LightWave 3D, go to
“ Justice exists in society when human beings
are bound together by a mutual recognition
across the country. according to Tom Shillea, who directs
the college’s art programs.
www.newtekpro.com. For
more information about NCC’s
of rights and mutual cooperation for the The institute is expected to attract Digital Art Institute, visit
common good.
”
— Dr. John McCartney, describing Dr. Martin
artists, designers and teachers from all www.digitalartinstitute.com.
Luther King, Jr.’s vision of a just society at the
“Celebration of Unity” held at NCC.
6 7
THE Maria (DelGrosso) Frey, ’81
& Jeffrey Frey
L OVE M aria DelGrosso was excited about the
opportunity to have her 15 minutes of fame.
It wasn’t often that a college student had the
opportunity to be on the radio — especially to support a
cause she believed in.
CONNECTION B Y S A N D Y S TA H L
Back in 1980, as a student assistant in Northampton’s pub-
lic information office, Maria was asked by her supervisor, Sue
Kubik, if she would represent Liberty High
School in a new series of ads to promote
the college.
DelGrosso was asked to help recruit
a male student to represent Freedom High
School graduates.“Sue gave me a list of
men from Freedom and I began leaving
messages,” Maria said.“Jeff just happened to
be the first person to call back.”
W hat is it about academia that makes it a breeding
ground for love connections? If you think about
it, it makes perfect sense.
After all, in college, you spend hours upon hours of your life on
campus.You eat there, study there, perhaps even sleep there.You’re enjoying
Kubik did a preliminary interview with Jeffery. “She came
in and told me he was really cute,” Maria said.
That March, on recording day, Maria and Jeff would meet
for the first time.
“It was love at first sight,” Maria said, smiling.
Jeffrey agreed:“Well, we came from rival high schools,” he
said with a chuckle.“When I met her in the public information
office, I thought she was attractive right away.Things just went
the best of academic and leisure pursuits.You have the rare opportunity to from there.” Maria and Jeffrey Frey, in a photo taken at Northampton
meet a variety of new people, many with similar interests and goals, and many Fortunately, they hit it off, enjoying every minute of the (coincidentally!) on the anniversary of their first date.
studio experience.They watched each other record their
whose views and interests you’ve never encountered. Their three children,Andrew, 13, Rebecca, 9, and Peter, 4, often
memorized scripts, and had time to sneak in some casual con-
Chances are, you know a couple who met and versation as well. Because they had spent a lot of time talking ask them to repeat the story of their meeting.
the day they made their radio spots, Jeffrey said he had no Maria, who currently serves as Northampton’s bursar, says
fell in love at college. Or perhaps you can she is full of constant reminders of their courtship.
trouble making the first phone call to Maria to ask her out.
count yourself among the fortunate who The radio experience continued to give them laughs for a “Jeffrey was a baseball player, so when I walk by the gym
long time. I still get a little twang,” she said.
have Northampton to thank for more
“When we were dating, we’d be driving in the car and
than an education. Here are a few hear each other on the radio.We both thought that was really
stories from some of the lucky ones: funny,” Maria said.
“Maria was one of those special students — the engaging Shawna Gibbs, ’95 (early childhood) and Andy
one with a spark and a warm, caring manner,” Kubik says. Gibbs, ’91 (criminal justice) of Ardley, Pa.
While it’s impossible to know just how many love “When she and Jeff got together you could sense there was I met my husband, Andy at the col-
connections were made at Northampton, it’s safe to something special there, so we were delighted for her and lege in 1993.We were both in the
say that Cupid has struck many times over the past later, as we got to know Jeff, for the two of them.” Kubik, now Presidential Ambassador Scholarship
35 years. Many relationships that began at Northampton — perhaps Northampton’s vice president of institutional advancement, Program. Because we spent so much time together
says she and the others on staff “took special pride in know- through the scholarship, we were able to get to know
in the classroom, or over a cup of coffee in the cafeteria — have
ing we played a small part in bringing them together.” each other and become great friends.We dated through-
continued to thrive. A group of former Northampton students wanted
Jeffrey proposed to Maria on Halloween night in 1981 out college and were married in 1998.We just celebrat-
to share their love stories — in their own words. Look for them in (her ring was a ‘treat’), and the Freys were married in 1982. ed the birth of our son in December of 2001.
these blue boxes, throughout the issue.
8 9
off to a guy not worth pursuing, Sheyla
Sheyla Rivera- had a strong urge to meet the man who Kathy (Fogel) Henderson and
Ramos, ’99 & had just let her down.
“I was really upset, so I went to
James W. Henderson of Lehighton
Wilfred Ramos, ’99 the financial aid office [where Wilfred
My husband James and I met at NCC
in 1977. He was a computer science
was working] and asked for him,” she said.
“When I saw him, I said,‘My name is major and I was a commercial art
O ne day in July, family and friends of
Sheyla Rivera and Wilfred Ramos
received a nondescript manila enve-
lope in the mail. When they opened it, they
Sheyla Rivera and you stood me up. Now that you
know me, you can’t stand me up.’”
As she walked away,Wilfred called out for her phone
number.
major. I was riding on NCC’s equestrian team and was
at Hob Nob Hill taking a riding lesson when he and a
friend of his stopped by. He had dared his friend, who
had never been on a horse, to join the team. My hus-
Ever since their first date, when Sheyla says Wilfred band, who had ridden before, realized that he was
saw something quite unexpected — a wed-
‘let her win’ at racquetball, they’ve been best friends.They missing out on a lot of fun, and decided to join the
ding announcement and framed photo of the
approach life as a team: they took turns putting each team also.
happy newlyweds.The couple told no one
other through school, and worked toward buying a house. When I first met Jim, I didn't like him at all. I
about their wedding date — even their par-
Wilfred went on to receive a degree in individualized thought he bragged too much. But the more I got to
ents were in the dark.
transfer studies, then transferred to DeSales to earn a B.S.
“We had our bridal pictures taken know him, the more my opinion changed. He was pres-
in information technology. Sheyla, who studies CAD, is
early,”Wilfred explained.“We went to the ident of Phi Beta Lambda and convinced me to join.
currently attending Moravian.
courthouse, got married, and went to the post I was also the secretary of the student senate.At that
The couple credits Northampton with changing their
office.Then we sat back and waited for the time, the senate offices were in the same building as
personal and professional lives.
phone calls.” the frat’s office along with the offices of other student
“The reason I was delayed going back to school is
It was a happy moment in a relationship organizations.We shared a common area, so I saw Jim
because I tried to find an environment like Northampton
that didn’t start out well. In fact, it nearly
— I would have never left,” Sheyla said. often in passing. One day, I was in the senate office
didn’t start at all.
doing paperwork when Jim came in.We started talking
Sheyla had been planning to attend the
and before I knew what happened, he had backed me
Monroe Campus, but when she couldn’t get
into a class she wanted, she began to attend up against one of the filing cabinets and kissed me.
the Main Campus. She fell in love with Ann (McGinley) Gralski, ’95 (education) and Bill Then he left! I was so shocked, I just stood there for a
Northampton, and became involved in several Gralski, ’75 (life science) of Harrisburg minute. I realized then and there that he was the one
student activities. In 1997, a mutual friend My husband and I attended NCC in for me.
suggested that Sheyla and Wilfred would be a the mid 70s where we met and fell After that, we did everything together from attend-
good match, and she proceeded to arrange a in love.We will be married 24 years ing frat conventions to horse shows. Our love for each
Rivera-Ramos and Ramos used this photo to surprise their blind date. One Monday morning, Sheyla wait- other grew and in 1979, Jim presented me with an
friends and family members. this April.We have 3 children, Laura 22, and
ed for Wilfred in the cafeteria, but he never engagement ring tied around a white ceramic horse to
Christopher and Maggie, both 17.
showed.While many women might chalk it symbolize how we met.We were married in April 1980
After graduating from NCC, Bill went on to the
University of Pittsburgh where he earned a bachelor’s and left the church in a carriage pulled by a white
degree in life science. From there it was on to Penn horse. This year we will be celebrating our 22nd
State where he earned a master’s degree in environ- anniversary.We have one son, James IV, who is 5 years
Tiffanie (Wood) Jones, ’98, and Lenwood Jones, ’99 old.
mental pollution control. He is now a registered pro-
(both funeral service) of Philadelphia When I think back, I can’t believe how fast time has
fessional engineer and works for an engineering firm
We were both in the mortuary science program, passed and how much NCC’s campus has changed and
in Harrisburg.
and both lived on campus.We became friends grown. NCC certainly enriched my life in more ways
I went on to receive a bachelor’s degree in ele-
since we had some of the same classes together.We than just an excellent education! By the way, although
mentary education from Indiana University of PA.
were married May 6, 2000, and we are both working as funeral regretfully we did not get our diplomas from NCC, Jim
After 16 years as a stay at home mom, I returned to
directors in Philadelphia. I work with my family at Wood Funeral is now a senior Internet analyst. I am a part-time sec-
the work force as an instruction aide at a local ele-
Home in West Philadelphia and Lenwood works for Savin Funeral retary for Concern. I belong to the Carbon County Art
mentary school, where I work with students who
Home in North Philadelphia. We are also the proud parents of a League and exhibit my art work in different shows.
have learning disabilities.
baby boy, Myles Carlin, born February 1.
10 11
Eileen (Evans) Colahan, ’72 & Paul Colahan, ’72
was talking about me. He was telling his friends about (both business administration)
Damian Righi ’99 (specialized diploma in multimedia) Pauline (Rice) some girl who called him, giving them details of our Paul and I met at what was called the
conversation,” she said.“At least he was pretty nice
and Sandy Bojko ’01 (education) Pettit, ’96 about it.”
student house. It was a small house locat-
Sandy and I met at a theater performance of Romeo ed where the dorms are now. Certain
and Juliet the NCC theater was doing a couple of years
& Matthew Pettit After Matthew’s friends left, Pauline introduced
groups of people “hung out” there between classes. There
herself.“He was shocked — he was expecting a tall
ago. I was running sound and she was an usher.Wanda was one sorority and one fraternity on campus whose
blonde,” the petite brunette said with a chuckle.
Guzman (who has since passed away) introduced us.I was showing Pauline and Matthew went outside to conduct the members were usually at “the house,” but there were other
Wanda some audio stuff in the control booth and told her that I thought
"that girl down there" was pretty. So then she goes and calls her up to the
booth and introduces us! I was so nervous....Well then I give Sandy my
number after the play. The next day, Saturday, I was away at a gig.Wanda
P auline Pettit jokes that her life is
like a screenplay. She’s proba-
bly not too far from the truth.
In 1994, one of Pauline’s first classes at
interview at a bench outside College Center.The two
made an immediate connection because of their joint
Asian heritage. From there, they discovered they had
more in common: both of their fathers were Vietnam
individuals who liked to be there also. It was just a real
nice group of people who became very close.
At the time, Paul and I were each steadily dating other
people but we became good friends. He transferred to the
got Sandy’s number from her that day. On Sunday morning, Wanda called veterans who met their wives during the war.They University of Dayton, and I transferred to Lehigh. It was
Northampton was journalism.With that came
my house with her number. I was sleeping, so my mom wrote Sandy’s ended up talking for a while, getting to know each not until we ran into each other between our junior
the responsibility of putting out The
number down. other through their life stories. and senior years at Dayton and Lehigh that we found out
Commuter, the student-run newspaper.
When I got the message, I thought Sandy called me. So I thought I was After she did the interview, Pauline was thinking our personal lives had changed since NCC and we started
Pauline was looking for a story just days from
about Matthew. She discovered that he couldn’t drive dating.
calling her back. In reality she probably never would have called me and I her deadline, after the one she had been
and decided that he needed to get out, so she decided
probably never would have called her! We started dating, and now we're chasing for weeks didn’t pan out. She was We were married in 1976 and have two sons. Our old-
to visit him at the house where he was staying to be
getting married May 18th. desperate, and fresh out of ideas. est son, Trevor, graduated from NCC in 2000 and will grad-
close to campus.A fast friendship developed.
(Righi works at Northampton as a Systems Technician in Academic English professor and former student uate this May from Lehigh University with a B.S. in
As the months passed, Pauline learned about can-
Computing & Media Services.) newspaper advisor Jim von Schilling strongly mechanical engineering. Our youngest son, Ryan, will grad-
cer firsthand, including the emotional and physical
encouraged her to do a profile on a student uate this May from NCC and transfer to either Lehigh or
tolls it took on Matthew’s body. She visited him in the
who was undergoing treatment for leukemia. the University of Dayton in computer engineering. Both of
hospital, where Matthew stayed for weeks at a time.
She resisted at first — the subject
She brought pictures to remind him of all he tri- them have appeared in the NCC television ads and Trevor
was just too heavy.
umphed over.A network of her friends prayed for him. has been on the NCC billboards throughout the valley.
“I really didn’t know much
“I began to realize that our relationship had grown We have always stayed close to NCC and have been
about cancer, and I was nervous
deeper because I had seen some real things he was active in the Alumni Association (Paul is a past president).
about taking on something I didn’t
going through. Sometimes he didn’t want me to be NCC has proved invaluable to our entire family. Since grad-
know about,” she explained.
there, but at the same time, I was the symbol of what uation we have taken numerous other courses at NCC to
“Several times I looked for other
was normal, so he didn’t want to let me go either,” continue to widen our horizons. This semester, I am taking
stories, but nothing came up.”
Pauline said
She called him, and he was a computer course.
The transplant Matthew received was a great suc-
resistant. He had been interviewed Other people who met at NCC, hung out at the house
cess. Doctors, who had given a grim statistic regarding
by several reporters from area and married in our same time frame include Dennis
his survival, were thrilled with the outcome (Matthew
newspapers and he was tired of it. Parsons and Debbie Gaertke who live in Bethlehem and
has been in remission for six years).
But she was persistent, pulling Doug Lindner and Sue Uberoth who live in Saugerties, N.Y.
As the years passed, the couple hit some rocky
every excuse out of the hat We are still in touch with both of these couples.
times, but stayed in touch.After Matthew passed the
(including the fact that she needed
five-year mark in his remission, a major milestone in
it for a class final grade) until he
cancer recovery, he ventured to China for a month to
finally relented.
visit Pauline, who had moved there to teach, and their
They were set to meet in
son Austin, now 4.
Laub Lounge.When Pauline
“It took a few years for us to realize that we were
arrived, the student, Matthew
really going to commit to each other for life.And at
Pettit, was sitting among a group
that point we decided we wanted to do something
of his friends. She recognized him
special, so we got registered by a magistrate in China
from a fundraiser poster, but he
in January 2000,” Pauline said.An American wedding
had no idea what she’d look like.
followed during the summer.That December, Matthew
She slid in nearby to wait for him
moved there to be with his wife and son until they
to finish.
returned to the Lehigh Valley area in July.
“As I tuned in, I realized he
Pauline (Rice) and Matthew Pettit with fireworks, a Chinese
symbol of celebration.
12 13
BY JAMES L. JOHNSON, ’89 With Internet users expected to hit
Joseph Fink & Amy Kissel were talking on the phone. Even 377 million people by 2003, it seems
though Fink knew the sentiment
wasn’t directed to him, he seized
the opportunity:“I love you too,” Fink I n the early 1980s,
Bruce Palmer, ’77,
went techno-surfing
like cyberdating is here to stay. If the
thought of a tailor-made mate revs your
modem, online personals offer the
S ometimes what starts out as a bad day can end
up being one of the best days of your life.
Joseph Fink, ’98, who was working as an aide in
Northampton’s library, had one of those days during the spring
ventured.
“There was about five minutes of silence, and then Amy
said she’d call me tomorrow,” he remembered.“Two weeks
later, she told me she felt the same way.”
for love. Kind of.“PCs were still in
their infancy back then,” says
Palmer, an NCC Foundation Board
member and college Trustee.“I
chance to find someone based on crite-
ria you input.And if it’s shyness that
keeps you off the dance floor, the
onlines allow you to connect without
of 1998.“It seemed nothing was going right,” he explained. Part of what attracted Kissel to Fink, she says, was his went to a place in Wescosville worrying about tripping over your feet,
Little did he know just how much that day would turn kindness. She recalls a time when the couple was in the called Matchmaker, without the or your tongue: message boards mean
around — he was about to meet his future wife. library together. Reaching to check his email, Fink dropped a dot com.They just used written the luxury of tweaking your worst
Amy Kissel, ’99, was in the library doing some work and very heavy bookbag directly onto Kissel’s hand.The sheer questionnaires and index cards. words into witticisms before hitting
the two became fast friends.They started talking on the phone force of several pounds of books nearly broke her thumb.“I After screening, a date was that submit button.Along with elabo-
(“for months on end,” according to Kissel), and a friendship thought I ruined my chances,” Fink said. But what it showed arranged by mutual consent over rate screening processes, electronic
blossomed. Kissel was just how much he cared, after attending to her the phone and you met face to face.”The method worked matchmakers also post your would-be heartthrob’s picture, so
Romance was on Fink’s mind first. He decided to test the every need and apologizing repeatedly.“That’s when I knew I though; he and his wife, Judy, recently celebrated their 17th you can elect or reject the color of their eyes or the quirkiness
waters after he heard her tell a relative,“I love you” while they loved him,” she said. anniversary. of their smile without the slightest commitment.
Just after midnight one New Year’s morning — at 12:03 Today, wired-age lovers can click their way to romance While you're out there trying to score points though,
a.m. to be exact — Fink proposed with online love finders like Kiss.com,AmericanSingles.com, don’t forget what your mother taught you: be polite; don’t be
by hiding a ring under the couch. Yahoo! personals — the list is long and filled with people pushy! Tone of voice and body language won’t be there to
Kissel accepted.When they dis- seeking people, just like you. Kathleen Roldan, public relations help you in the ether world. Come on too strong and your
covered that the anniversary of manager at Match.com, can boast of more than 2.5 million pitch may wind up in the recycle bin. Heidi Muller, relation-
their meeting would occur on a members with profiles posted to their site. ship correspondent for the Webzine,AskMen.com, offers
Saturday in 2002, they decided “We’ve got more than a half million new members regis- advice based on common courtesy:“[Pushiness] is unattractive
that it was meant to be their tering on the site each month,” she says.“Match estimates it is in the real world and even more so in the wired world.The
wedding day. responsible for arranging hundreds of thousands of relation- same rules of etiquette that apply offline are valid online.
After their April 27 ships for its members.”That’s the dating part.The company’s Remember to be courteous and respectful.”
nuptials, they plan to revisit the Web site also boasts 1,400 confirmed marriages, with 75 Before scanning your own image into a JPEG, you should
campus to have some wedding babies (including two sets of twins).And that’s just one site. also be sure to weigh the cons against the pros.While the
photos taken. If spring blossoms with love for the young at heart, the anonymity of email can be a boon to overcoming the
“We were looking for a Web is an all-season bouquet of wildflowers.Type something restraints of shyness, it can also allow for a lot of personality
place to have some outside like ‘online matchmaking’ into Google’s search engine and polishing.At its most harmless, people might lie about their
photos taken, so we decided to you’ll be scrolling a list of over 100,000 sites that might just athletic prowess, or about that new promotion they hope will
choose a place that was signifi- find the him/her of your dreams.You surely won't scroll alone. secrete pheromones of success to tempt their intended. But a
cant to us,” Kissel said.“It works CollegeClub.com, rated the number one college-oriented site truly dark side could emerge if you run into a stalker type of
out perfectly because the location on the Net, conducted a poll of college-aged men and women sicko. So do beware: once you’re out there, you're out there for
is between the ceremony and that generated more than 6,700 responses.To the question: all the world to see.
reception.” Have you ever tried to make a romantic connection online, 83 When it comes down to it, finding romance in the 2000’s
Kissel, who works as a percent said they either use the Internet to do so, or would isn’t all that different from way back in the 1900’s.You just
nurse’s aide at Gracedale County consider using it for that purpose (59 percent had already met meet a whole lot more people, a lot faster.The search to com-
Home in Nazareth, has returned someone). plete ourselves with the love of another is as old as the human
to Northampton to continue her heart.True love? Only time will tell if you’ve found your soul
education, with a major in nurs- mate.The right one lasts a lifetime. Bruce and Judy Palmer can
ing. Fink graduated from Moravian tell you that.
C
in December 2000, and is now
serving as music minister at Our
Lord’s Ascension
Fink and Kissel will marry this spring.
Polish National
Catholic Church,
Bethlehem. YBERDATING
14 15
there’s an element of love in that, however
F OOD AS broadly you want to define it.”
Welcoming the stranger might also lead to
extending the family.When big sister eventually
brings her boyfriend home to dinner, everyone
recognizes this as a serious step toward a mutu-
Dr. Amy Chaballa-Wilde, ’85 (dental assisting) & James Wilde, ’84
(funeral service) of Parkesburg, Chester County
My husband, James Wilde, funeral service class of ’84,
and I, Dr.Amy Chaballa-Wilde, Dental Assisting, class
of ’85, met at Northampton in 1983. We played on the
L
al stamp of approval for the couple’s romance.
college tennis team together (there was not a women’s team at that
“Again,” says Fox,“the meal is used as a bridge
time).We were married in 1991. I am now a periodontist and have a
OVE
to mark the importance of the event, and as an
icebreaker and a demonstration of the family’s practice in Lancaster and my husband is a partner in a funeral home
good will.”The newcomer is assessed, and in in Parkesburg.We have three children, Lindsay, 5, Joseph, 4, and Abby 1.
turn assesses, in the most familial of settings: the
family meal.
ships, the male needs “to make some show of feeding to be
By the time we step out on our own, we have probably
acceptable.” Food and sex are physically linked in the limbic
learned that food is a vortex for virtually every social event.
system of the brain, which controls emotional activity in gen-
BY JAMES L. JOHNSON, ’89 Lupercalia, the Roman precursor to Valentine’s Day, where an From receptions and tea parties, to baby showers and funerals,
eral. Good food, Fox says, equals good sex. Providing food
orgy of food was matched by the behavior of the attending if people are present, so is food.When it’s time for those inti-
then, becomes an important index of a male’s suitability as a
T here is an Asian proverb that runs something
like this: In hell, people starve because their
hands are chained to six-foot-long chopsticks.
Heaven is the same; but in heaven, people feed one another.
couples.That sexy side of mealtime lives on in cookbooks full
of aphrodisiac-type recipies.
Eating is included in everything from celebrations of
friendships to shy, first romances to 75th wedding aniver-
mate social gatherings made for two though, where we eat
may be as important as what is on the menu.Thinking of win-
ning her love with long lingering looks? Choose your eating
venue wisely.Take it from an expert.
mate.“Studies of Western females,” says Fox,“show that one of
the most attractive features of a male is his willingness to pick
up the tab for a meal.”
Men short of funds might suggest a stay-at-home cooking
As this sketch of the realm of eternal reward suggests, saries. Food is one of the ways we say I love you. “Fast food places usually have hard, uncomfortable seats,”
rendezvous. Chef Duncan sees merit in such a scenario, and
mutual nourishment is a good thing. Indeed, in our residence “The connection between food and love seems difficult to says Alan Pitotti ’95, assistant pastry chef at Hotel Hershey.
even ties love to nutrition.“Cooking for one another on your
on earth, much energy is devoted to the care and feeding of deny,” says Elizabeth Bodien, instructor of sociology at NCC. “You’ve got dinner in 30 seconds; you eat it in five or 10 min-
day off,” he says,“can be a great way to share time.And people
one another.The dining ritual is as old as the feast of “One of an infant’s primary concerns is being fed. She wants, utes.They want you in.They want you out. Next customer.”
who cook for one another can prepare low-calorie, low-fat
and hopefully receives, not only food but food given by the Whether you are planning that crucial impression-setting first
meals. It’s a good way to keep your lover healthy, as well as
caregiver in a tender way, with affection. With love.That’s date, fanning the smoldering logs of romance, or even reaffirm-
attractive. In some respects it can lead to the courtship that
important. Feeding is one of the first experiences of life. ing the love of good friendship, Pitotti suggests you do so with
Dawn (Duckworth) Carl ’87 (liberal arts) Escoffier was trying to accomplish.”
Establishing a trusting bond in that pre-language state can be a some intentional time on your hands.“Expect to spend a least
& Dennis Carl ’90 (math-physics) If you do opt for a home-cooked tete-e-tete, try a menu
powerful beginning to a mature and caring adulthood.” If a couple of hours when you fine dine,” he continues.“An inti-
We met in a college algebra class the that fuels the passion. Ellen and Michael Albertson can help.
being loved teaches us to love others, perhaps infant feedings mate dinner lets you forget all the hubbub and mishmosh of
summer of 1986. In July 1987, we mar- Their cookbook, Temptations: Igniting the Pleasure and
also teach us to use food in our relationships.That nervous the hectic lives we lead. It’s not just about not having to cook,
Power of Aphrodisiacs, is based on the idea that sex should be
ried at the UCC church in Broadway, first-date invitation to dinner may have deep-down ties to a far it’s about time to appreciate one another’s company.”
fun. Ellen, a nutritionist and medical journalist, and Michael, a
N.J. Dawn went on to graduate with a liberal arts degree. I earlier, and most wonderful banquet. Showing your her/him that you care enough to slow
former chef, researched a host of scientific evidence to back
graduated in 1990 with an A.S. degree in mathematics with If so, it is a feast that continues throughout our childhood, down your time together is only part of the romantic cuisine
up their claim that aphrodisiacs work.
a physics option.We will be married 15 years this July 25. often on a daily basis with the family meal. Robin Fox, univer- scene.The backlit menus and ceramic-tiled walls of fast food
The couple list such love-foods as chocolate, oysters, gar-
We have no children. sity professor of social theory at Rutgers University, in his beaneries don’t do much to flutter the pulse. Managers of
lic (Nature’s Viagra, they say), and many others that have had
essay, Food and Eating: An Anthropological Perspective, says choice restaurants often outfit their dining rooms to act as
Dawn continued her education at Kutztown and in reputations as bedroom enhancers for thousands of years. But
that along with satisfying our physical needs, eating is a “pro- subliminal siren songs.
1990 graduated with a B.S. in education with a specializa- you'll find chile peppers, asparagus and avocados on their
foundly social urge.” Learning to break bread with others is an “The famous French chef,Auguste Escoffier, made an art
tion in mathematics. She is currently a high school mathe- menu too; along with pumpkin pie spices and lavender, the
everyday ritual.The traditional setting for passing on cultural of the whole dining experience,” says Chef Duncan Howden,
matics teacher in Lexington, Texas, instructing smell of which “improves sex for men.”The couple single out
values, as well as for fostering a sense of sharing and giving, is associate professor of culinary arts at Northampton.“He
calculus, pre-calculus, and Algebra II. I graduated from fruits as well.With their sweet aromas, voluptuous textures
the dinner table.“Mealtimes,” says Fox,“are events when the employed it as a method of seduction: candle light, profession-
Lamar University in Beaumont, Texas in 1996, with a B.S. and bountiful nutrition, fruits, say the Albertsons,“are Cupid’s
whole family or settlement or village comes together. ...Thus, al waiters, table-side cooking.And exotic foods, like oysters
in computer science. I am currently working for the State of cupcakes.”
food becomes not just a symbol of, but the reality of, love and and truffles.”That example is followed today in fine-dining
Texas as a network specialist.We both agree the time spend Sharing our meals promotes good health of mind as well
security.” establishments across the globe.
as body. It is the sharing of ourselves; and that always enriches
at NCC and level of education we received exceeded the Fox’s family circle is large. He welcomes all to table: par- Robin Fox takes Chef Duncan’s example a bit further.A
our sense of love for one another.When it comes to romantic
demands at each respected university. While no unique or ents and children, in-laws, even visitors and strangers. Bodien dimly lit atmosphere, he suggests, with thick carpets, heavy
love, it doesn’t matter if you’re a heavily spiced lover or you
out of the ordinary circumstances surrounds our epoch would agree with his inclusive view of kin.“Family defines the drapes and perhaps even brocade furniture, is surely “reminis-
are tofu bland; or whether you dine with chopsticks, forks or
while attending NCC, Dawn worked under Louise Johnson meal and the meal defines the family,” she says.“Who is wel- cent of a bedroom.”
greasy fingertips. In the search for your significant other, just
in the tutoring office for a couple of years tutoring students comed at the table? Eating is laden with all sorts of social Proponents of gender equality might bristle at another of
keep the adage in mind: the way between the stomach and
meaning. If you are welcomed to share someone’s food, well, Escoffier’s tactics: prices listed only on menus given to the
in mathematics. the heart is one of the truest roads to paradise.
man. But Fox makes clear that, at least in heterosexual relation-
16 17
four-year program. doors only late in 2001. Embassy’s first Would he recommend a
Jim and Gina Bartholomew have permanent location in Bethlehem is cur- Northampton education? “Sure,” he
DOWN (UP & ACROSS) been married 26 years. In that time,
Gina has watched Jim’s progress in the
banking industry, to today’s responsibili-
rently under construction. This move
follows 10 years at PNC Bank, where
Jim had responsibilities in both business
says,“my children are proof positive.
How you express yourself within a
school is how you can say ‘there is no
THROUGH THE FAMILY ties in a new venture with Embassy, a
bank that opened its Lehigh Valley
and private banking as a senior vice
president.
problem in getting the most out of this
setting’.”
BY JAMES HARPER ward to the next two years as “a chance
to experience college life, and help me
was a factor, and, he says,“I was not able
to figure out what line of work I want-
THE RUTTS ARE IN A GROOVE WITH NORTHAMPTON
T his question gets asked many
times: “Why did you decide to
attend Northampton Community
find out what I want to do. I think
Northampton is a good place for me to
get my feet wet for what it’s like to be
ed to be in.”
Many high school graduates believe
staying in close proximity to home has
BY JAMES HARPER the basic skill sets to work with.” He
soon began teaching as a fire school
instructor himself.
however, that she needed to enroll in
Northampton’s early childhood edu-
cation classes and, in fact, worked in
College?” Jim Bartholomew, currently
executive vice president of Embassy
in college.” (An older son, James, who is
now a First Lieutenant in the Army, did
a lot of advantages. After Jim moved on
to Northampton from Bethlehem
H ow many people from one
family can make Northampton In addition, he made a later deci- the college’s day care center for
their “educational home”? The sion to enroll for two full semesters awhile.
Bank and a 1973 graduate of NCC, all his academics at Bloomsburg Catholic High School, he decided to “go
Robert Rutt contingent may hold a at NCC for more computer skills. Dave Rutt completed
responds to the question in his no-non- University, a fact just whispered among west” for new experiences. At
legacy record. Bob himself, Bob’s That became a significant turn in his Northampton’s tourism program as
sense way,“because I wanted to go the Northampton legacies.) Northampton he majored in business
wife Patty, Bob’s youngest brother, career direction. He emphatically did his wife, whom he met in class
there.” In reflection, Jim Bartholomew administration. That led to pursuit of a
Dave (who met his Northampton says,“Career Placement at and eventually married. After
Not only did Bartholomew graduate knows that there was more to his bachelor of science degree from Upper
graduate wife during classes) and Northampton was the significant employment at a number of Holiday
from Northampton, but in ensuing years choice of Northampton than simply Iowa University. Graduate courses in
Bob’s father, Kenneth, have all attend- help to my re-employment.” Inns, Dave decided to stop moving
he served as president of the wanting to enroll. Cost of education bank management followed at both the
ed NCC. A daughter,Amanda, has Computer technology provided him around. Today he is in an information
alumni association and also as a University of Virginia and
applied to Northampton but has not with a new job opportunity and technology position in central
member of the foundation board. Bucknell University.
yet decided on her 2002 fall plans. today Bob is information systems Pennsylvania.
He’s also the proud recipient of Northampton gave him the initial
Bob completed a bachelor of chief for S & L Plastics in Nazareth, a Bob and Patty have two children,
the NCC Alumni Association’s understanding of what the disci-
arts in physics from East Stroudsburg firm specializing in plastic moldings their daughter Amanda, who is on the
Community Service award. pline of study at the college level
University in 1974. He took a reverse and extrusions. verge of high school graduation and
In turn, Jim’s son Matthew was like.
path from most NCC students; he Bob is currently serving his first their son,Adam, a Pen Argyl eighth
graduated from Northampton in “I remember the teachers at
enrolled at Northampton after he year as a member of the Pen Argyl grader. Both children have strong
December of 2001, majoring in NCC were very accessible,” he
completed his undergraduate degree. school board and just stepped down musical interests, singing, playing in
general studies and achieving the states. “It opened me up to meet-
What’s the story? as assistant chief of the Plainfield the school orchestra, jazz bands or
academic distinction of Phi Theta ing kids from other schools and
“Easy to follow,” says Robert Rutt. Township fire department. whatever comes their way.
Kappa. Matthew continues his from other places. It was overall
“I graduated in 1974 when jobs were “Although,” he adds,“I still drive the When asked his view of today’s
education at Moravian College, just a very good experience.”
even tougher to find than they are truck and man the hoses.” At one Northampton Community College,
majoring in sociology. The changes at the college are
today. After ESU graduation, I started time, he was a conductor/brakeman Bob Rutt is definite. “It is a positive
Andrew, a younger son, cur- positive, he notes. “There is a
as a computer operator but was not for the WK&S scenic railroad in place,” he says. “It has evolved with
rently a senior at Bethlehem growth in student diversity and
seeing a great future.” He always had Kempton. the Valley and has been extremely
Catholic High School, will be there is a closer working with the
an interest in serving as a volunteer How about those other family responsive to the community’s
attending Northampton in the fall four-year universities. I also like
fireman, so in 1976 he decided to members? His father Kenneth retired needs.” He views Northampton as
of 2002. His time at the expansion of the non-degree
enroll in Northampton’s new fire from General Public Utilities (GPU) “an early adapter to employment
Northampton will continue the programs and the high popula-
technology program. at the age of 62 and decided he trends,” mentioning the dental assis-
successful Bartholomew legacy. “I tion of adults that take advantage
“At that time,” according to Bob, needed more education. He enrolled tant and funeral programs in particu-
see how neat Northampton of all Northampton has to offer
“lots of volunteer fire company guys in adult education classes at lar. “Northampton does not sit back,”
worked out for my older brother,” the community.” Jim says that he
came to Northampton as a group.” Northampton, focusing on math, he concludes. “I see the school doing
Andrew says. He’s looking for- continues to be impressed that
Soon some of the paid firemen English and computer programs. nothing but continuing with positive
Northampton is able to maintain
enrolled, particularly those looking to Patty Rutt, with a master’s degree in improvements. That includes the
a cost level that allows kids to
advance to lieutenant or captain. education, ran her own day care cen- physical facilities as well as the edu-
attend school, especially those
The Bartholomews Jim (standing), Bob notes:“Northampton provided ter for some years. She decided, cation it provides.”
who may not be interested in a
Andrew (left), Matthew (right).
18 19
A L U M N I N O T E S A L U M N I N O T E S
ACCOUNTING ARCHITECTURAL Tim’s Auto Body in Stroudsburg.The cou- COMPUTER GRAPHICS Margaret Almon & Wayne Stratz
TECHNOLOGY ple lives in Henryville.
x 1991 Curtis A. Kemmerer is a finan- x 1999 Winona A. Dotson is account- x 1998 Julie M. Manno is employed by I met my husband in the fall of 1986 while tutoring at
cial analyst for Merchants National Bank x 1980 Albert James Mitchell and his ing coordinator for Air Products & Pax Christi USA as a web administrator. Northampton’s tutoring center.Wayne had transferred from
of Bangor. He received his bachelor’s wife, Roberta, live in Levittown, with Chemicals Inc. in Allentown.Winona has She and her husband, Andrew, live in NCC to East Stroudsburg (earning a B.A. in biology) and
degree from Shippensburg University. their two children, Sarah and Julie Ann. one child, Qiana. She lives in Lansdale. Waterford.
His wife, Shelly ’91, is also a then came back to tutor. I was a student, tutoring Introduction to
Albert is a carpenter foreman with PA x Mark Blaukovitch is senior project
Northampton grad. The couple lives in Acoustics, Inc. COMPUTER INFORMATION Philosophy. He overheard me talking about Greek philosophers and decided
designer for McTish, Kunkel & Associates
Saylorsburg. in Allentown. He and his wife,Tracey, live SCIENCE this could give him a way to introduce himself. He came up to me in the
AUTOMOTIVE TECHNOLOGY in Catasauqua. library and said there was a book he thought I should read — “Zen and the
ADVERTISING DESIGN x 1986 Donald C. McGennis is senior
x 1993 Chad O’Dell and Karen programmer/analyst at Chico’s FAS Inc. Art of Motorcycle Maintenance,” which has many references to Greek philoso-
x 1991 Michael D. Smull is art director Hammerstone were married on August BUSINESS MANAGEMENT He and his wife, Sharon, have two chil- phy. (I went on the become a librarian and a poet, so recommending a book
for The Dubbs Company in Allentown. 25, in St. Stephen’s Evangelical Lutheran x 1988 Kelly (Statler) Illick is an ancil- dren, Debra and Scott.The family lives in to me in the library was a sure way to catch my attention!) I read the book,
Michael lives in Easton. Church in Bethlehem. Chad is employed lary clerk with Country Meadows Fort Myers, Fla. and we started having long conversations in the cafeteria.
x 1998 Adrianne Marie (Nastasee) with Johnson Controls in Belvidere, N.J. Nursing Center in Bethlehem. Kelly lives
Simcox is a framer at Boulevard Frame In April of 1987, we attended a classical piano concert at NCC’s auditori-
Chad and Karen live in Bethlehem. in Easton with her husband, George, and COMPUTER INFORMATION
and Art in Allentown. She and her hus- um, and later that evening, as he was driving me home, Wayne told me he
their children, Michael, Amber, George, SYSTEMS
band,Timothy, live in Bethlehem. Tonya and Chris. was in love with me, and I was happy to be able to tell him I felt the same
x Julie Marie Possinger and Phillip K. BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION x 1990 Carola L. (Fulop) Molchany is x 1997 Ragan (Rohn) Schoeller is
way.We were married in June of 1992, and will be celebrating our 10th
White were married September 22 at employed by The Univest Corporation in
x 1975 Leroy R. Miller is a program- manager of dining services for Wood anniversary this year.
Water Gap Country Club in Delaware Dining Services at their Lehigh Valley Souderton, in their computer operations
mer/analyst for the U.S. Navy Fleet Wayne’s sister Gail attended NCC for graphic design, and my sister, Cate,
Water Gap. Julie is retail guest service Hospital site. She and her husband, department. Ragan was a Lady Spartan at
Material Support Office in Mechanics-
manager for Walt Disney World in Anthony, live in Allentown. NCC, a member of both the basketball also attended NCC before going on for a master’s in ESL.
burg. Leroy and his wife, Constance, live
Orlando, Fla. She and her husband live in x 1999 Kimberly Elizabeth Davis of and softball teams. She lives in Telford. (Cate is now a professional assistant for NCC’s ESL program.)
in Mechanicsburg.
Kissimmee, Fla. x 1978 John L. Fuller is a sales manag- Norristown is sales leader at Bath & Body
x Jeffery Vorhis and Joette Hoffman Works. She is a student at Penn State COMPUTER INFORMATION
er at Ermefer S.A. He and his wife,
were married October 29, aboard the University with plans to graduate in May TECHNOLOGY
Donna, have two children, Deidre Moran
Royal Caribbean’s Majesty of the Seas, at 2002. degree, 1997. Joseph lives in
and John. The family lives in Kendall x 1998 Guylaine Kirouac-Campbell
port in Miami Beach, Fla. Jeffery is super- x Kelli-Ann Sawyer and Ross Steven CULINARY ARTS Coopersburg.
Park, N.J. is a computer technician for Vista
visor of building and grounds for x 1990 Dale D. Behler is a merchan- Walinske were married August 25 at x 1980 Paul M. Rutkowski is a pro-
Stroudsburg Junior High School.The cou- Bancorp Inc. in Phillipsburg, N.J. She and x 1997 Lynda Smith is lead cook for grammer/analyst at Chrysler First. He
diser at Gibson Greeting. He lives in Cedar Glen Golf Club in New Baltimore, her husband, James, live in Bath with Atria Assisted Living in Bethlehem. She
ple lives in Henryville. Mich. Kelli-Ann is employed by Great lives in Bethlehem.
Dunmore. their two daughters,Vanessa and Alyssa. and her husband, Tom, live in
x 1998 Gina Louise Guerin and John Lakes Technology in Dearborn, Mich.The x 1981 Major Gregory Lawrence
Bowmanstown. Bucchin retired from the U.S. Army in
Hernandez were married November 3 in couple lives in Harrison Township, Mich.
COMPUTER SCIENCE 1996. He is senior project coordinator
Marshalls Creek. Gina is employed with
x 1997 Richard M. Bauer of
DATA PROCESSING for Bombardier/Learjet in Wichita, Kan.
COMPUTER AIDED DESIGN
Bethlehem is a programmer/business x 1969 Ernest John Barbarics is an Gregory earned his bachelor’s degree at
x 1991 Donald E. Lynch is project support analyst at NCC. Richard has a operations consultant at Johnson & Kutztown University. He and his wife,
Pamela M. (Hahn) Grim, ’70 (education) engineer for Greenman-Pedersen, Inc. bachelor’s degree from Muhlenberg Johnson data processing. Ernest and his Kathy, live in Derby, Kan., with their
& Gregory L. Grim, ’70 (electronics technology) Donald received a bachelor’s degree College. wife, Julia, live in Bethlehem with their three children, Caitlin, Andrew and
from Fairmont State College in 1994. He two children, Mark and Kristen. Jillian.
Greg and I met at NCC between classes.When you had free and his wife, Doris, live in Easton.
CRIMINAL JUSTICE x 1971 Larry Resar, Sr. is employed by x 1981 Alan Paul works as a capacity
time, you would be able to get a Coke, and just hang out. and planning analyst at Flserv, Inc. in
EDS in Bethlehem. Larry and his wife,
Greg and I just started talking and he asked me out. We also COMPUTER DATA PROCESSING x 1993 Christopher M. Hess and Joann, live in Easton with their two chil- Philadelphia. He lives in Atco, N.J.
would go to Burger King at 11:00 and I would buy him Whoppers. I guess the Melissa F. Manazer-Hess ’92 (business dren, Larry Jr. and Michael.
x 1991 Tara S. Silfies of Bethlehem is management) live in Easton with their
rest is history! an account executive at Hampson- x 1973 Philip L. Hurst is a senior audit DENTAL HYGIENE
two children. Chris is assistant to the technical specialist for the Federal
We were married in May, 1971, and have been married for 30 years.We have Mowrer-Kreitz in Bethlehem. She attend- manager for Palmer Township. x 1992 Erika V. Szilvagyi and Dr.
ed Mansfield University in Pennsylvania. Reserve Bank of New York in East Robert H. DePaolis were married on
two children, a boy and a girl. Greg is in the electrical supply business, so his x Vincent M. Munjone and Timmery Rutherford, N.J. He lives in Bath.
degree in applied science has been put to good use. I was in banking and then R. Stefancin (general studies) were mar- November 3 in Notre Dame Catholic
x 1976 Joseph M. Lazorik is an appli- Church, Bethlehem. Erika is a registered
took time off to raise our family, before returning to banking. I now work in ried May 5, 2001 in Wesley United cation developer at Ingersoll-Rand in
Methodist Church in Bethlehem.Vincent dental hygienist for the practice of Dr.
retail, and am the manager of a small women’s clothing store.We have moved Annandale, N.J. He holds two degrees Brian J. Miller, II of Bethlehem. The cou-
works for Federal Express. Timmery is from DeSales University: a bachelor’s
several times in the past 30 years, and are now living in Greensboro, N.C. employed by Gap, Inc. They live in ple lives in Hampton, N.J.
degree in business, 1986; and a master’s x 1996 Cindi A. (Dow) Roloson is a
Williams Township.
20 21
A L U M N I N O T E S A L U M N I N O T E S
registered dental hygienist at North
Hunterdon Dental Associates in Clinton,
to have gone right from high school. Northampton’s pro-
N.J. She and her husband, Samuel, live in
Belvidere, N.J.
x 1996 Alison K. Sensenig works as a
CUPCAKE CHEMIST gram was a great stepping stone.”After graduation Pitotti
worked at the Inn of the Falcon, where he fell in love with
dental hygienist for Dr. Michael H. BY JAMES L. JOHNSON, ’89 things sweet. His degree from the CIA is in baking and pas-
Cohen. She lives in Stevens with her hus- try arts.
band, Fred and their son, Ethan. Pitotti has been with Hotel Hershey for nearly a year
x 1998 Michele (LaBar) Leon is a den-
tal hygienist with Dr. Robert Vandragt in
Traverse City, Mich. She lives in Traverse
A lan Pitotti ’95 handles his baking creations with the tender loving
care of a chemist. From just the right blend of chocolate and sauce
for a filled mousse to the right plate for presentation, his desserts are
born with the glistening precision of science.
and a half; long enough to have experienced the major hol-
idays, some of them twice.Valentine’s Day, not surprisingly,
has the hotel’s candle-lit circular dining room, with its
City, Mich., with her husband,
Christopher. “We don’t even call them recipes in baking,” says Pitotti.“We call them for- curved expanse of windows overlooking a formal garden,
mulas.”While recipes in cooking often allow some wiggle room (a pinch of salt packed.The room, actually a semi-circle, was built for
EARLY CHILDHOOD more or less won't ruin the soup), baking is unforgiving. Everything needs atten- romance. Milton Hershey, the founder of Hershey and a
tion to detail.“Aesthetics too,” says Pitotti.“How it looks is as important as how major benefactor to the area, insisted architects design a
x 1990 Nicole A. Preletz and Matthew
J. Griffin ’95 (emergency services) were it tastes.” Pitotti loves the intricate demands of his trade; it was one of the things room without corners or pillars.“He didn’t want there to
married December 28, in Ss. Cyril and that drew him to it.As Hotel Hershey’s assistant pastry chef, he’s got a lot of be a bad seat in the house,” says Pitotti. Even on the busiest
Methodius Catholic Church in demands to love. nights, lovers of all ages have a view of the garden’s twin
Bethlehem. Nicole is a child develop- The life of a chef, especially at a major hotel like Hershey, is anything but reflecting ponds and lighted fountains.
ment specialist for NORWESCAP Early Indeed, at Hotel Hershey romance hangs in the air
boring. During peak season Pitotti and his staff of 10 work their sweet magic to
Head Start in New Jersey. Matthew is an thick as chocolate; the perfect place for hearts to bond.
operations manager for Kistler O’Brien a packed house nearly every night.“From late May, early June,” says Pitotti,
“when Hershey Park’s open, we’re busy — right on through to October.” “We do have our share of proposals,” says Pitotti.“Which
Fire Protection. The couple lives in
Conferences, holidays, long weekenders and local regulars fill the restaurant’s can sometimes be a challenge. One guest asked for a spe-
Bethlehem.
x 1991 Rhonda Lee Geiselman is a months when the park is closed.“We tell our externs just out of school that cial way to give his girl a diamond ring.We came up with a
second grade teacher at Lincoln they’d better love this,” says Pitotti,“because when their friends are out party- chocolate box with chocolate truffles inside, along with
Elementary School. Rhonda received her ing, they’re going to be working their tails off here.” the ring.The servers told me he got down on one knee
bachelor’s degree from Misericordia and proposed right there in the dining room. It turned out Alan Pitotti (right) prepares his love potion at Hotel Hershey.
Pitotti is no stranger to the hard work he asks of young recruits. He’s paid
College. She and her husband, Scott, live great.”
his dues to get to where he is. Fortunately, his work has always been his pas-
in Easton. The staff at Hotel Hershey never shrinks from a chal- everything on the spot, just for you.” For Pitotti and his fel-
x 1993 Donna Marie Fantasia and sion.“I used to enjoy putting off my homework and helping my mom make din-
lenge.Take Friday nights. Once a week, Hotel Hershey low dessert pros it is a night to showcase their art.“We
Dean Michael Davidson were married ner,” says Pitotti.“When we found out that NCC had a culinary arts program, my
invites diners to its Chef’s Table, a unique gourmet experi- love doing Chef’s Table,” he says.“You have to walk into the
September 22, at St. Anne’s Catholic mother encouraged me to try it. I loved it from the start.”
ence that keeps the staff on their toes and tests their cre- refrigerator and start pulling stuff off the shelves and come
Church, Bethlehem. Donna is a graduate Pitotti credits Chefs Duncan Howden and Scott Kalamar for teaching him
of East Stroudsburg University. She is ativity to the max.“It’s six full courses, three flights of up with something fantastic. It’s a really neat feeling to cre-
the fundamentals of his culinary expertise.“I went on to the CIA (Culinary
assistant director of the Knowledge wines and no planned menu,” says Pitotti.“The chef creates ate something new that way.”
Institute of America),” Pitotti continues.“I would have been hugely intimidated
Learning Center. Donna and her husband
live in Bethlehem.
x 1994 Kendra Cristin Johns and
EDUCATION x 1973 Kathleen R. (Marfia) ELECTRONICS TECHNOLOGY EMERGENCY SERVICES FIRE TECHNOLOGY
Julian Earl Kirk were married July 7 at St.
Schaeffer is a substitute teacher in the
Luke’s Catholic Church in Stroudsburg. x 1970 Weda Mosellie is a retired Easton Area School District. She received x 1969 Michael William Sandbrook x 1996 Samuel N. Terry is a x 1977 Walter H. Niedermeyer, a
Kendra is employed as a director/pre- English/Drama teacher. Her interests is retired from Lehigh Portland Cement fire/EMS/911 dispatcher at the Cecil retired firefighter for the City of Allen-
her bachelor’s degree from
kindergarten teacher for Wee Little include her family, her heritage, poetry, Company. He received a bachelor’s County Department of Emergency town, is the mayor of Slatington. He and
Shippensburg University. Kathleen and
Wonders Inc. in Brodheadsville. Kendra and literature. Weda’s poem, “Pray” has degree from the University of New York. Services in Elkton, Md. He holds the his wife, Mary, live in Slatington.
her husband, Edward, live in Easton with
and Julian live in East Stroudsburg. recently been published. She is also Michael and his wife, Kay, have one child, ranks of captain and board of director in
their two children, Brad and Audra.
x 2001 Celena Kay Finney and John known for her award-winning recipes, Douglas.They live in Saugerties, N.Y. the Union Fire Company #1 of Oxford. FUNERAL SERVICE
x 1973 Ronald E. Seeds is retired from
Edward Nelson, Jr. were married July 28 stories and her love of trivia contests. Nutmeg TV Inc. He lives in Newington, x 1981 Barry J. Dutt is senior failure Samuel tells us the love of his life is
at Christ Lutheran Church in Easton. Weda lives in Phillipsburg, N.J. analyst at Agere Systems in Allentown. Heather Stevens. He lives in Oxford. x 1987 Stephen J. Ruggiero and Holly
Conn. Lynn Coccia were married May 18 in St.
Celena works in the early childcare cen- x 1973 Donna K. Ackerman works x Emily Amy and Thomas Frack were Barry lives in Pen Argyl. x 1997 Steven L. Leauber is a utility
ter at NCC. The couple lives in Wilson for John C. Pittman, Inc. as an assembler. x 1997 Tina L. Negri and Michael J. locator for PG Energy. He lives in Elizabeth’s Catholic Church, Pen Argyl.
united in marriage on June 23, in Holy Stephen has two NCC degrees: general
Borough. Donna received her bachelor’s degree Piscitello were married June 17 in Lewisburg.
Cross Lutheran Church, Nazareth. Emily education, 1986; and funeral services,
from East Stroudsburg University. She is a graduate of Moravian College and is Messiah Lutheran Church, Bethlehem.
and her husband, Edward, live in Bath. Tina is employed by Agere Systems. The 1987. He is a funeral director and the
employed by The Guardian.The couple owner of Buerro & Ruggiero Funeral
lives in Nazareth. couple lives in Bethlehem.
Home in Pen Argyl. He and his wife live
in Pen Argyl.
22 23
A L U M N I N O T E S A L U M N I N O T E S
Marianne Lota Weid ’95 (general studies) and Kevin Weid ’94
x 1994 David M. Sitbon volunteered at from Edinboro University. Jamie and his INTERIOR DESIGN MEDICAL BILLING SPECIALIST (education) of Bethlehem
Ground Zero in New York City as part of wife, Lori Ann, live in Allentown, with I graduated from Northampton Community College in the fall
the National Funeral Directors their son, Daniel. x 1990 Valerie May (Miller) Grant x 2000 Sherry B. Cornell is a billing
and her husband, Keith, live in Wendell, coordinator at LVPG Internal Medicine of 1995 with a general studies degree. Kevin graduated in the
Association’s “Fatality Team,” sent in x 1982 Robert S. Gellock is a writer.
response to the September 11 tragedy. He and his wife, La Rue, and their two N.C. Valerie is a homemaker and the in Allentown. She and her husband, spring of 1994.We started dating in October 1993 and he pro-
David is a forensic autopsy technician at children, Mechelle and Monica, live in mother of a daughter, Emma. Richard, and their daughter, Erin, live in posed to me in July of 1994.We then exchanged wedding vows on October 5,
the Philadelphia Office of the Medical Nazareth. Easton.
1996 in Connecticut, where I am originally from.
Examiner. He lives in Northeast LEGAL OFFICE x 2000 Kelly Reibman is a certified
professional coder at Hillcrest Physician Kevin is a postman for the Emmaus Post Office and I work as a secretary in a
Philadelphia. GENERAL STUDIES x 1997 Jessica L. Bartholomew and
x 1995 Dominic Louis Inzillo is a Services/Warren Hospital in small appliance business.
x 1994 Joseph Dotta and Stefanie Cruz Brian H. Trauger were married Washington, N.J. Kelly has one daughter,
banker at MBNA America Bank, NA in I truly can’t believe how much the college has grown and expanded. It looks
were married on May 12 in Our Lady of September 29 at the Whitefield House in Meagan.They live in Nazareth.
Wilmington, Del. He and his wife, Maura, Nazareth. Jessica is employed by Dieter wonderful. I enjoyed my years as a student at Northampton, and if the college
live in Narberth. Mount Carmel Catholic Church, Roseto.
Joseph is employed by New Jersey Brothers Fuel Co., Inc.The couple lives in would become a four-year college, which I believe one day it will, I would defi-
MEDICAL LAB TECHNOLOGY
Transit.The couple lives in Bangor. Bethlehem. nitely return to continue my education.
x Karen Lynn Morgan and John H. x 1976 Lucia M. Knerr is a scientist at
GENERAL EDUCATION
Schultheis were married December 22 at LIBERAL ARTS Orasure Technologies in Bethlehem. She
x 1977 Gayle Frances Hendricks is a Paradise Valley Assembly of God in and her husband, James, and their son,
graphic designer at Lafayette College in x 1974 James C. Williams is regional Andrew, live in Bethlehem. OFFICE ADMINISTRATION PARALEGAL/LEGAL
Paradise Valley. Karen is assistant manag- director of marketing at GenAmerica LEGAL
Easton. Gayle lives in Bethlehem. er for Fashion Bug in Stroud Mall, x 1999 Christine E. Piro is a legal
x 1980 Jamie Scott is a photo market- Financial. He received his bachelor’s
Stroudsburg. The couple lives in OFFICE ADMINISTRATION x 1991 Shelly Lynn (Cory) assistant at Norris, McLaughlin &
ing manager at Rite Aid Corporation in degree from Lehigh University. James and
Hackettstown, N.J. Kemmerer is a legal real estate secre- Marcus, PA in Somerville, N.J. Christine
Trevose. He received a bachelor’s degree his wife, Lynn, and their two children, x 2000 Nicole J. Prichard is a service
tary at Newman, Williams, Mishkin, has two sons,Andrew and Nicholas.They
Emily and Erin, live in Macungie. associate with The Vanguard Group. She
Corveley in Stroudsburg. She and her live in Nazareth.
x 1985 Clare M. Persing is an educa- lives in Easton.
Therese (Sterner) Wescott, ’91 (liberal arts) & husband, Curtis ’91 (accounting), live in x 2001 Christa J. Allison is an admin-
tor/coach for the Bethlehem Area School
Saylorsburg. istrative aide in the Employee
Scott Wescott, ’91 (biological science) of Nazareth District. She received a bachelor’s degree
Benefits/Finance office of the City of
Scott and I met in January 1990.We were enrolled in from Moravian College, and a master’s
Allentown. Christa lives in Easton.
degree from East Stroudsburg University.
an 8 a.m. trigonometry class together. I was not thrilled
Clare and her husband, Thomas, live in
at the prospect of such an early class, but after he Topton. PLASTICS TECHNOLOGY
walked in, I decided to stay enrolled. Scott was not in class for a few days x 1994 Cindy T. Yavor is a travel x 1996 Doreen S. Gehret is produc-
agent/NASCAR promoter at Clark Travel Gregg & Sheila (Stiles) Eagan of Lakeview, N.Y.
due to a death in his family. I had never spoken to him, but when I saw tion planner/team leader at Bosch
in Whitehouse, N.J. Cindy has three My husband and I met an NCC in 1988 in the college Rexroth Corporation in Bethlehem.
him sitting in the lounge one morning before class, I volunteered my
degrees from Northampton; her other cafeteria.We both attended Freedom High School for Doreen lives in Nazareth.
notes that he missed. The rest is history.... two are hotel/restaurant management two years at the same time but in different grades —
Scott was on the baseball team but lived in Saylorsburg. The commute and education; all in 1994. Cindy lives in PRACTICAL NURSING
we had some of the same acquaintances but never crossed paths until we
was too great to go home between class and practice time. He would Center Valley.
x 1995 Melissa Cesanek and Brian met at NCC. x 1979 Cynthia L. (Williams)
spend the hour or two in between with me at my parents' house in near-
Bauman were married October 13 in We were married on April 16, 1993, and we have three beautiful chil- Hammond was promoted to assistant
by Bath.We dated each other solely throughout NCC and afterwards. nurse manager for the orthopedic and
Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary dren, Dwight, 5, Adele, 3, and Chase, 1.We live in Lakeville, N.Y., outside of
Scott graduated with a biology degree and I received a liberal arts Catholic Church, Northampton. Melissa oncology units at Sun Health/Walter O.
Buffalo.Gregg was in the engineering program at NCC and finished his Boswell Memorial Hospital in Sun City,
degree with honors.We both went onto ESU, (I enrolled a year after Scott is employed by Rosenbluth
International. She and her husband live degree at the State University of New York at Buffalo. He received his bach- Ariz. Cynthia lives in Tolleson,Ariz.
because I took a year off to work at NCC and gather money.) I graduated
in Northampton. elor of science in engineering degree in 1995. He is now a manager of x 1994 Jennifer DiTroia and Jeremy
from ESU magna cum laude with a B.S. in speech pathology, and Scott Miles were married October 20 in Ss.
x 2000 Mary Stockman-Smith and process engineering at Niacet Corporation in Niagra Falls, New York. I was
graduated with a B.S. in biology. He was accepted to Widener University her husband, Dave, have two children, Simon and Jude Catholic Church,
enrolled in the early childhood education department at NCC until we
for a master’s in physical therapy. I got a position as a speech therapist for Garrett and Tara. The family lives in Bethlehem. Jennifer is employed by St.
were married and moved to Buffalo in 1993; Now, I am a stay-at-home Luke’s Family Practice. The couple lives
a school district near Widener. Bethlehem.
mom. in Bethlehem.
In 1998, after Scott graduated, we moved back to the area.We were
We have family in Bethlehem that we visit often and every time we
married August 15, 1998 and now reside in Nazareth.We built a home on
pass NCC we tell our children “that’s where Mommy and Daddy first met.”
an acre of land and have a dog that we spoil rotten. Scott is a physical
We have also brought our children to Springfest in May.We both enjoyed
therapist in Bangor and I am a speech-language pathologist for North
attending NCC and are extremely thankful that we met there.
Penn School District.
24 25
A L U M N I N O T E S A L U M N I N O T E S
RADIOGRAPHY REGISTERED NURSING Marquette University. Marjorie and her SECRETARIAL SCIENCE LEGAL
husband, Michael, live in Bethlehem. Bernie Boscoe, ’00 (computer science) and Dan Reed of Bethlehem
x 1993 William F. Buciarski is a pal- x 1970 Maryalice (Duda) Gross is x 1994 Dawn M. Csaszar and Carl A. x 1975 Lori Ann (Dunbar) Lazorik is
liative care registered nurse for the regional sales manager for a group of Nobody wants to admit it, but there is such a thing as “checking
Signore, III were married August 4 in a radiology support associate at St.
Orlando Regional Medical Center in assisted living communities in Luke’s Quakertown Hospital. She and out a class” — scanning the filled seats for potentials. I entered
Calvary United Methodist Church,
Orlando, Fla.William also received a prac- Pennsylvania and New Jersey. She is also Easton. Dawn is director of nursing at her husband, Joseph ’76 (data process- the doorway of my Structured Programming in C++ class and
tical nursing certificate from NCC in a registered chaplain. Maryalice received Arden Courts,Alzheimer’s Assisted Living ing) and their three children, Joseph, Jr., thought it hardly looked promising — most of the guys were way too young, and
1998. He and his wife, Nancy, and their a bachelor’s degree in education from Facility in Allentown.The couple lives in James and Kelly, live in Coopersburg. one in the back was wearing sweatpants of all things — not my type. Reminding
son, Jared, live in Casselberry, Fla. East Stroudsburg University. She and her Bethlehem.
x 2000 Sara Jane Kipp is a radiologic husband, Herman ’70 (education) live in myself that I was here to learn, I sat next to the sweatpanted guy.
x 1997 Jean Bronson-Conway is an SECRETARIAL SCIENCE
technologist at the Northampton Bethlehem. oncology nurse educator. She has one Sweatpants boy, it turned out, is named Danny.We began to talk about all
Imaging Center in Northampton. She x 1977 Carol Guzy, Pulitzer prize-win-
MEDICAL
child, Nat. Jean lives in Virginia Beach,Va. things computers.After class, sweet Danny would walk me to my car. One day, our
lives in Lehighton. ning photographer, had her work fea- x 1974 Patti R. Larsen is an adminis- emails took a more human tone; we even began to discuss topics other than com-
tured in People Magazine’s “Year in trative assistant at Clemson University.
SAFETY, HEALTH AND puters! Finally, it came, the best email one could get:“I’m crazy about you,” he
RADIO/TV Review.” Her photo depicted an emer-
ENVIRONMENTAL
She lives in Clemson, S.C.
gency services officer fighting to hold wrote. I hit the reply button and gave him directions to my house! “Pick me up,” I
x 1991 Matthew David Snyder is a back tears at the funeral of a fellow offi- TECHNOLOGY wrote.“We’re going to go out together.”
digital imaging technician at
SPORT MANAGEMENT
cer who had died in the tragedy of x 2000 Stephen S. Helms is safety, After C++ II, our second class together, the instructor, Professor Krauss, took me
Preservation Resources in Bethlehem. He September 11. Carol lives in Arlington, x 1998 Frank C. Huch, Jr. is opera-
is the writer and director of Anticipating health and environmental specialist for aside and said, “I have never said something like this before, but you and Danny
Va. tions supervisor for Geiger’s Beverages.
Bardot, a religious parable disguised as a Kutztown University of Pennsylvania. should go out.You two would make a cute couple!” I blushed — our secret was out.
x 1977 Constance M. (Pierog) He received a bachelor’s degree from
fetish farce, a take on Samuel Beckett’s Stephen lives in Topton.
Winter is interim allied health division DeSales University. When Frank is not Now we go to Drexel together.
Waiting for Godot. He is debuting the chair for Bossier Parish Community working, he can be found hunting, fish-
SCHOOL AGE (Boscoe works at Northampton as the college’s Web content administrator)
play at the Theater Outlet, August 9-11. College in Bossier City, La. Constance ing or golfing. He lives in Bethlehem.
The production will benefit the earned both her bachelor’s and her mas-
CHILD CARE
American Cancer Society. Matthew ter’s degrees from Idaho State University. x 1997 Judith Ann Strunk and TRAVEL/TOURISM
received an AST from the Art Institute in Constance and her husband, Timothy, Christopher Thomas Becker (education)
Philadelphia. He lives in Allentown. x 1990 Paula S. (Lutz) Bonstein is a
have one child, Madyson.The family live were married June 30 in Our Lady of business development assistant for the
x 1994 Marc Fisher is an editor for in Shreveport, La. Perpetual Help Catholic Church,
Multi Image Group in Boca Raton, Fla. He Lehigh-Northampton Airport Authority
lives in Boynton Beach, Fla. with his wife,
Mona and their daughter,Annabelle.
x 1979 Marcia R. Smith is
CRNP/supervisor at Planned Parenthood
Bethlehem. Judith works for Bethlehem
Area School District Child Care.
at Lehigh Valley International Airport in
Allentown. She and her husband, Mark,
Are you a ‘Who’s Who’
x 2001 Kirk Andrew Moser is an
entertainment technician at Universal
C/S. She lives in Pittsburgh.
x 1980 Susan J. Appel is nurse/manag-
er in the ICU unit at Mercy Health
Christopher is a second-grade teacher in
Pleasant Valley School District. They live
in Bethlehem.
and their son, Parker live in Easton.
x 1995 Christine Reo and Wayne G. at northampton.edu???
Orlando in Florida. Kirk and his wife, Pisarek were married July 6 in St. Mary’s
Beth, live in Orlando, Fla.
Services. Susan lives in Durhan, N.C.
x 1985 Marjorie J. Wharton is a nurse
for Warren Hospital in Phillipsburg, N.J.
She received a bachelor’s degree from
SECRETARIAL SCIENCE
ADMINISTRATION
Catholic Church, Alpha, N.J. Christine is
employed by Adesa Auctions in New
Jersey. The couple lives in Phillipsburg,
S ign up for Northampton Community College’s new
alumni online community to make new connections, or
N.J.
x 1971 Dana E. Bateman is office man-
x 1998 Tracy Rissmiller and Sean rekindle old ones.
ager for B. Braun Medical in Malvern.
Dana lives in Exton.
Conley were married June 23 in St. • Find out whatever happened to that classmate who sat
Joseph’s Catholic Church, Orefield.Tracy
Tom Biechlin, ’94 (advertising design) x 1989 Carol J. (Peterson) Antos is next to you in English. • Share your career and family
is employed by Rosenbluth Interna-
secretary for Student Activities and
& Alissa (Ciamacco) Biechlin, ’95 (radiography) tional.The couple lives in Whitehall. information with fellow Northampton alums. • Sign up for
Housing at NCC. Carol received a second
My husband and I met in art history class in 1992. He was in associate’s degree in early childhood
the advertising design program so he needed to take the class VETERINARY TECHNICIAN an easy-to-remember, permanent email address that follows
from Northampton in 1984; in addition
and I had to take an elective.We were also both members of the to her certificates for early childhood in x 2000 Lorraine L. Earley works at you from address to address, from job to job. • Get
1983, and for word processing, 1988. Saucon Valley Animal Hospital. She lives
Christian Fellowship club and I was a member of student senate and the presi-
Carol and her husband, Bud, have two
involved in alumni activities. • Stay on top of the latest
dent of both CHARTS and Christian Fellowship. in Raleigh, N.C.
children, Douglas and Rebecca.The fami- alumni information
Our first technical date was at the Winter Social that the social activities club ly live in Nazareth.
has every year. From then on we knew we were in love.We were married in 1997,
and have a daughter, Gina, who will be 2 in May.We currently have a house in
It’s easy!
Bethlehem. Visit us at www.northampton.edu/alumni
26 27
D O N O R S P O T L I G H T S D O N O R S P O T L I G H T S
...AND COLLEGE BACK IN THE DAY ... CO-WORKERS NOW LIFE PARTNERS
MAKES THREE BY MICHAEL E. NAGEL up the story.“When people ask about our second meeting, I
tell them that Ron and I traced it back to May of 1995, when
we both attended the Foundation’s art auction, held in a very
BY SUE KUBIK A visitor to Ron and Pat DiStefano’s home feels instantly
at ease. Ever inviting, the house speaks warmly of its grand setting at a home in Easton. Ron was on the front porch
owners and their passions; for gardening, travel and most sig- when I arrived, eating hors d’oeuvres. I’d not talked to Ron in
S haron and Ken Kochey would say that things in life
have a way of ‘coming full circle.’ Their life together
seems to bear that out. They were introduced to each
other on a blind date in December of 1964, which was
nificantly, for each other.They are obviously a couple; she
watches him as he speaks; his eyes twinkle as she fills in the
blanks.They seem to delight in each other’s company and
some time, and we spent 15-20 minutes having the sort of
catching-up conversation that you have with friends and col-
leagues.” It was a chance meeting, but later, as Ron put it “we
their warmth and connection fill the entire home. both sensed a connection.”
arranged by Tom Zern, a colleague of Sharon’s at B.F. Goodrich, The first question of course, is how they met.“Which Ron held a picnic that summer and slipped an invitation
Valley Forge, who knew Ken through the Naval Reserves. time?” asks Ron.“Well,” says Pat,“I usually ask if they want to into Pat’s mailbox at the college.When she didn’t show, he
At the time, Ken was a student at the University of know about the first time or the second time we met. We thought,“bummer, I guess she’s not interested.”Turns out she’d
Florida. Ken and Sharon engaged in a long-distance romance worked together at Northampton for 29 years. I started in the been away and missed the invitation and the picnic.
for less than a year and were married in November of 1965. Library in November of 1970 and Ron started in chemistry in “I assured him I would have come, if I’d known about it,”
Their early life together took them to Washington D.C., back to May of 1971.” laughed Pat.Their first real date was a Phillies game, on
the University of Florida, where Ken got his doctorate, and Ron recalls that his appointment was approved by the September 23, 1995.While both have an unerring ability to
finally to the Lehigh Valley. Thirty-six years later, sitting for this board on April Fool’s Day of 1971.“I was excited and did not recall details, such as first meeting and first date, neither can
interview, they had just returned from a trip they took to take the timing as a bad omen,” he said. recall who won the game.
Yellowstone with, you guessed it,Tom and Helen Zern. While As colleagues, did their paths cross very often? They may “I think we were more interested in each other,” said Pat.
they maintained a good, if sometimes distant friendship have served on committees together, though neither remem- They have other dating stories, like the time Pat left Ron at
throughout their working years, the Kocheys and the Zerns bers for certain.They did serve together on the Executive CelticFest to go home and show her farm, which was up for
have become even closer as both couples retired. Board of the AFT, Northampton’s faculty union.“I was sale. By the time she got home, the prospective buyers had
Dr. Kenneth Kochey was among the earliest staff mem- returned to teaching full time. By then the college had grown secretary,” said Pat “and Ron was treasurer.” In their first life cancelled. Pat, knowing that Ron did not have a sweater, drove
bers hired at this new, upstart college which came to be dramatically and the small upstart school took on a different they were colleagues, little knowing the twist that fate was back to Bethlehem with one for him (from Wind Gap!).
known as Northampton Community College. Sharon, his wife, flavor. But Ken was able to capture some of the feeling of the about to take. Pat and Ron were married in December of 1995 in front
was in the college’s first graduating class. They speak lovingly original campus again when the college opened a branch cam- Tragedy struck when Ron’s first wife, Dorene, was strick- of friends, family and a fireplace at Magnolia’s Vineyard in
of the “early Northampton years.” Out of necessity, the college pus in Monroe county. “Tannersville is an exciting place,” he en with cancer Guthsville. They retired together in 2000 and have enthusiasti-
became the focus of their existence. notes,“it’s small, but growing and very dynamic. To finish my in 1993. She cally embraced this newest period in their lives.Active in their
If you ask Sharon if it was difficult being a student at a career there was a bonus. I came full circle.” passed away in church, they are dedicated community volunteers, working at
college where her husband was an administrator, she will tell Sharon’s path in the Easton School District, where she the fall of 1994. Musikfest, Christkindlmarkt, Celtic Classic and the Kutztown
you that it was sometimes awkward, but that the college was was hired in 1971, having completed a bachelor’s degree at The Dorene PA German Festival.They also enjoy biking, gardening and trav-
so small that most students knew a lot of the faculty and East Stroudsburg University and later a master’s at Lehigh, fol- DiStefano Dental el.A safari to Tanzania and Kenya, with Pat’s daughter, her hus-
administration personally. And the college staff became a fami- lowed a similar route. She started as a classroom teacher, then Hygiene band and his parents, beckons this fall.
ly, in the Kocheys’ words, because just about everybody who specialized in remedial reading, became a reading specialist Scholarship was They get back to Northampton on occasion and Pat, who
was hired came from someplace else. The hard work of get- and then returned to the classroom in 1991. Both feel that “the established by retired from the library, was pleased to see the transformation
ting a new college started lead to long nights and often week- intrinsic rewards of being in education are greatest in the her friends and at the dedication of the Mack Library last year. Ron is in the
ends so socializing with colleagues became a natural out- classroom.” colleagues in process of building a model railroad layout and he and Pat
growth of spending so much time together. There were card Ken retired in 1999, Sharon in 2001. Talking to them memory of her have corroborated on a number of household projects, includ-
parties, progressive dinners and gatherings at local bars and about retirement is like holding a mirror up — they both echo life and her ing the completion of their sunroom and basement, all from
restaurants. And, try as they might, Sharon recalls that,“no the same sentiments. “We loved what we did when we did it, many contribu- an impressively equipped basement workshop.
matter what we were doing, conversation always returned to but people always told us we’d know when it was time to tions to the “If I could pass something on to people, it would be to
the college.” retire and they were right.” Today their life revolves around dental hygiene say that sometimes positive things can happen and they can
Because everybody hired for the developing college was family and friends. Ken continues his longstanding activity profession. be right in front of your nose,” said Pat.“Both of us had down
expected to wear many hats, Ken had three titles: assistant to with the Kiwanis Club, and they both enjoy bridge, travel, golf, Fast forward periods, but when we saw each other that May, we came to
the president, associate dean of continuing education and pro- tennis and just being with each other.And, oh yes, they still to the early sum- believe that there was a light ahead for both of us.”
fessor of mathematics. Throughout his career at Northampton, keep that special place in their hearts for that little college mer of 1995, Ron agrees,“Things can seem cloudy, and suddenly, the
he was also the registrar, associate dean of students, dean of that “gave us a chance to do what we decided to do.” where Pat takes sun comes out,” he said, as they both shared a smile.
students and director of personnel services. In 1976 he
28 29
D O N O R S P O T L I G H T S P A R T N E R S
THE R.K. LAROS FOUNDATION —
A NETWORKED RELATIONSHIP A LEGACY OF CARING FOR THE COMMUNITY
BY MICHAEL E. NAGEL graduate, just like her mother. ways to remember Tim’s dog, we hit
The Bradys are atypically busy, even upon the idea of establishing an endow- BY MICHAEL E. NAGEL
T alk about networking! Karen
and Tim Brady bring a whole
new meaning to the idea.
“I was working on the network
by today’s standards. Karen is pursuing
a master’s degree in business administra-
tion with a concentration in computer
information science, and is “about
ment at the college to support the vet-
tech program, and the Karen and Tim
Brady Scholarship Endowment, which
benefits the vet-tech program and its
T he roots of the R. K. Laros
Foundation run deep and reach
far beyond Bethlehem, its home
halfway there,” she says. Karen is also students, was born.Two dogs, Petey, a base of operation.
implementation, which involved train-
secretary to the Northampton County golden retriever and Dottie, the Brady’s Founded in 1952 by Russell K.
ing college staff during the day,” said
Ambulance Association, which plays off newest Dalmatian, now grace the family Laros, the foundation was part of a nat-
Karen. “Tim was at that time the night
her involvement in the Bethlehem along with three cats (Rusty, Sneaky & ural evolutionary step for this early
shift maintenance supervisor, so coming
Township Fire Company. She has Mulligan). entrepreneur, who operated silk mills in
in for training during the day was a
worked on the ambulance and served as Most days, at around 12:30 PM or a region stretching from the Lehigh
problem. I ended up training him while
the fire company’s photographer, an so,Tim and Karen can be seen having Valley into the Scranton,Wilkes-Barre
I worked late on Fridays.” Prior to this,
involvement originally inspired by her lunch together in the cafeteria in area.The current Sure-Fit building oppo-
they certainly knew each other as col-
curiosity as to why Tim’s past role as College Center. “With our schedules, it site the Bethlehem YMCA is a former
leagues; after all, Karen has worked at
president of the fire company took up sometimes is the only time we can get Laros Silk mill. Even before establishing Students enjoy the cafeteria. The Laros Foundation funded a recent renovation.
Northampton almost continuously since
so much time. together,” said Karen. “And our time the foundation, Russell Laros and his
she graduated almost 28 years ago
Tim serves as a Bethlehem together is important to us,” said Tim. wife, Helen were well know philan- ed from Lafayette College, and so Ministries.
while Tim boasts 26 years at the college,
Township Commissioner, past president thropists in the community, focusing the foundation supported Lafayette, “We also made a grant to Meals on
mostly in physical plant. Both agree,
of the Board of their giving on causes that enhanced St. Luke’s Hospital, Lehigh and later Wheels so that they could buy new
however, that their relationship evolved
Commissioners, and the the community, exhibiting a particular Moravian,” said Mowrer.“As our coolers,” said Mowrer. “It seems like a
out of those Friday training sessions.
Township’s Emergency concern for those individuals who had geographic focus shifted, so did our minor issue to some, but without those
For their first date,Tim cooked
Management Coordinator. slipped past society’s safety nets, even funding priorities.” coolers, Meals on Wheels can’t serve
lunch for Karen on her birthday.
He recently participated in those early days. While true to R.K. Laros’ vision, the the community.”The Laros Foundation
“Chicken, rice and some vegetable,”
in the successful negotia- The Laroses had relatives on the current trustees, who number ten, are also supported a scholarship at
recalls Tim, who seems to be the detail
tion for a new police con- Main Line in Philadelphia, which, when not afraid to revisit how the foundation Northampton Community College
person in the relationship, although he
tract and is an accom- combined with the communities where responds to that vision.“We don’t make in the nursing program.
tends to talk in a spare, almost off-hand
plished organist as well. they had silk mills, resulted in the foun- gifts just because we have before, and As for Mowrer, serving as the secre-
manner.Time revealed and reinforced
As for the dogs, dation supporting charities throughout the trustees are always looking for ways tary to the foundation brings other, per-
similarities; they discovered they both
even here we find a much of Eastern Pennsylvania.“The to break new ground,” said Mowrer. haps unexpected perspectives.
were regulars at Long Beach Island for
Northampton connec- foundation’s early records show that “They’ve done bricks and mortar, but “Three of R.K. Laros’ descendants,
vacations, both are animal lovers (dogs
tion, alas born of tragedy. Mrs. Laros was the driving force behind they are always looking for new and dif- his son, grandson and nephew, none of
& cats) and both had a bent for public
“I had to put my their giving,” said Elizabeth Mowrer, the ferent opportunities and they are not whom live in the Lehigh Valley, are
service.
Dalmatian, Mack, to sleep foundation’s current secretary.“She afraid to take a chance, even though not among our 10 trustees,” Mowrer said.
Their courtship was brief, but, as
after 16 years,” said Tim, made a number of $5 and $10 contribu- every project turns out as we’d hoped.” “Like all of the trustees, they have a
Karen, who tends to be a bit more effu-
“and I was crushed.” tions to various charities, which really Examples of local projects support- deep appreciation for and concern
sive points out,“we’d known each other
Karen had also struggled set the agenda for the generations to ed by the foundation include the Laros about this community, and it’s heart-
for a long time.”
with her cat.“I spent come. Later, her daughter took over for auditorium at St. Luke’s Hospital, the warming to see how much of them-
Married in 1990, they have, among
three days with my cat at her and helped continue the founda- renovated dining room at Northampton selves they pour into this process.The
their wedding photos, a picture taken
the veterinary hospital, tion’s focus on improving the quality of Community College and a family health parents of one of our trustees met at
on campus, with Keystone Hall as the
during which I met two life in the community. room at Donegan Elementary School in Laros silk mill. His father was a security
backdrop.“A reminder of the connec-
graduates of our vet-tech As the silk boom began to contract, Bethlehem.The foundation coordinates guard who has since passed away, but
tions,” explains Tim.Among the connec-
program,” says Karen. so to did the scope of the Laros’ busi- its efforts with the United Way and his mother was and is thrilled that he
tions is Jessie Valek, Karen’s daughter
While thinking about The Bradys at Northampton on their wedding day. ness and the foundation became more other community service agencies like serves on the board.This truly is a fami-
and a Northampton Community College
distinctly Bethlehem.“Mr. Laros graduat- New Bethany Ministries and South Side ly concerned with the community!”
30 31
P A R T N E R S
YOU’LL NEVER MEAT
TWO NICER GUYS
BY SUE KUBIK
A midst candlelight, long
stemmed red roses, choco-
lates and a tantalizing menu
featuring tenderloin of beef and twin
stuffed lobster tails, 170 guests enjoyed
We salute
this year’s Valentine’s Day version of those selfless individuals and organization whose contributions
Classical Cuisine, February 15. The are making dreams come true at Northampton Community College.
annual affair, which raises funds to Every year hundreds of people become a part of the college
benefit the culinary arts and hotel/
restaurant management program at the
through our donor recognition programs.
college, began in 1995. And, since its
inception, the event has been under-
written by R&R Provision Company We’re proud of the company we keep.
of Easton.
R&R Provision Company was
started in 1934 when two meat compa- LAUREATE SOCIETY
ny salesmen, Russell Genua and Ralph R&R Provision Company — a family affair for father Dick, left, and son Rick, right. The Laureate Society is a giving society for members whose cumulative giving to the
Evely, decided to go into business for Not pictured: daughter Cathey Fainor ’85. Foundation exceeds $50,000.
themselves. Genua put in $100, Evely CORNERSTONE SOCIETY
sold his car and used the proceeds to Throughout the years, Dick has growing its current downtown location
buy a truck. Together they traveled to seen a lot of changes in the business: and thinking of moving. The Cornerstone Society is a giving society for individuals who have given, or have caused
Philadelphia, purchased $100 worth of the advent of restaurant chains, a reduc- R&R’s relationship with to have given, $10,000 or more during a three-year period to the Northampton Community
tion in customer loyalty and mergers in Northampton Community College pre- College Foundation.
meat and began selling it from store to
store. Today, R& R Provision Company the food industry. But one thing that dates Classical Cuisine. It began when HERITAGE SOCIETY
is not only a distributor, but also a hasn’t changed is his company’s com- Chef Duncan Howden joined the col- The Heritage Society was established in 1990 to recognize those individuals who have
processor of a variety of beef, pork, mitment to customer service. Rick says lege staff in 1988. Chef Duncan takes provided for the future of Northampton Community College through bequests, trusts, life
lamb and veal products. The company that it’s not unusual for the company to his CULA 115,“Meat, Poultry and Fish insurance policies or similar provisions.
employs 65, specializes in custom cuts get a call for a custom cut of meat at 8 Cutting” class to R&R to give them what
GIFT CLUBS
and quality service and attends to more a.m. and have it on the delivery truck he calls a “real life” look at a true meat
than 3,000 accounts within a 60-mile that same day. The ability to respond cutting operation. “R&R is one of the The following gift clubs exist within the Annual Fund to recognize annual
quickly to customers’ special requests is few houses that still ‘breaks down’ car- giving levels:
radius. Its main customers are indepen-
dent restaurants, hotels and institutions. a distinguishing characteristic of this cass meat,” Duncan explains. “That Trustees Club . . . . . . . .$ 10,000+ Founder’s Club . . . . . . .$ 500 - $ 999
Evely and Genua have long since company that sets it apart from some of means they have the expertise and facil- Benefactor’s Club . . . . .$ 5,000 - $9,999 Associates Club . . . . . . .$ 250 - $ 499
retired. The business is now owned by its competitors. “We pride ourselves on ities to take whole quarters of beef and Chairman’s Club . . . . . .$ 2,500 - $4,999 Friends Club . . . . . . . . .$ 125 - $ 249
the Rogers family: Dick, son Rick and our service,” Dick explains.“We try to process them into fabricated cuts.” President’s Club . . . . . . .$ 1,000 - $2,499 Sustaining Club . . . . . . .$ 1 - $ 124
daughter Cathy Fainor,’85. Dick has take headaches away from restaurant “During my own apprenticeship
been in the business for 42 years. owners. Everything we give them is in 1978, I was introduced to products
‘case ready’. What we give them can go from R&R,” Duncan elaborated. “Since
For information on making a gift to Northampton Community College or to join one of our
He became a part owner in 1975 and
right on the plate.” The company is also then I have been dealing with this giving societies, please contact Michael E. Nagel, Senior Planned & Major Gifts Officer, at
eventually bought out his partners,
focusing a lot on processing items — company and have always found them (610) 861-5449.
gaining complete ownership in 1994.
Rick joined the company in 1990, Kathy branching out into private labels. to be a ‘cut above’ the other companies
in 1994. The philosophy has paid off. R&R in the area.”
now finds itself at a crossroads — out-
32
Northampton Community College
H A P P E N I N G S
APRIL
8 Cooking demonstration by Chef-in-Residence Tom Hannum, 6 p.m.
8 Poetry reading by Juan Delgado, 11 a.m., Monroe Campus
9 Poetry reading by Juan Delgado, 11 a.m., Main Campus
11 Awards ceremony for winners of Kraus Drawing Competition, 11 a.m.
12 Opening of spring theatre production, “The Rover,” 7 p.m.
12 Casino Night to benefit the Alumni Scholarship Fund, 7 p.m.
24 Administrative Professionals/Secretaries Teleconference, 11:45 a.m.
29 Opening of Student Art Exhibition
MAY
2 Student Awards Convocation, 3:30 p.m.
4 Women’s Chorus Concert, 8 p.m.
5 Springfest, Noon-5 p.m.
11 Collegiate Singers Concert, 8 p.m.
20 First summer session begins
23 Commencement, 6:30 p.m.
Visit our web site at www.northampton.edu
For additional information and details, please call the Information Center at 610/861-5300.
Northampton Community College Change Service Requested Non-Profit Org.
3835 Green Pond Road U.S. Postage Paid
Bethlehem, Pennsylvania 18020-7599 Permit #513
Bethlehem, PA
www.northampton.edu
