Mr. Ray Alberigi is a former Lackawanna County Commissioner. Now retired, he was a United State Marine Corps Colonel and was owner of the Ray Alberigi Insurance Agency located in Jessup, Pa. Mr. Alberigi is a former Penn State Nittany Lion football player and was named Alumnus of the Year by the Greater Scranton Chapter of Penn State Alumni Association. Mr. Alberigi remains very active in community affairs. He and his wife, Edel, reside in Jessup.

Mrs. Margaret C. McGrath, daughter of late Pennsylvania Governor Robert Casey, is the owner of the Universal Printing Company, Scranton. Mrs. McGrath serves on numerous boards and is very active in community affairs. Currently Mrs. McGrath serves on the boards of the Drug & Alcohol Treatment Services of Lackawanna County; Day Nursery Association; The Scranton Cultural Center, and is a member of the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council.

Mrs. Katherine J. Oven, is a registered dental hygienist and previously served as business manager with Oven & Padula, LLC, Dunmore. An active sports woman, Mrs. Oven is a member of the United States Golf Association and has served on the Women’s Committee since 2000. She was director of the Central Region of the Pennsylvania State Women’s Golf Association, and serves as a Penn State Lady Lions Rules Official. She is also a walking rules official for the United States Golf Association and has officiated at the US Open and US Amateur since 2000.
 
Mr. Kenneth J. Smith is owner of Smith’s Restaurant, a Scranton landmark, located on Cedar Avenue in Scranton’s south side. Mr. Smith is very active in community affairs and currently serves on the Workforce Investment Board of Lackawanna County. He is chairman of the board of the Youth Council of Lackawanna County and is an active member of both the Friendly Sons of St. Patrick and UNICO.
 
Other members of the Penn State Worthington Scranton Advisory Board are: Heather Acker; Joseph Alu, CPA; Patricia Atkins; Donald Bernstein; David Brown, JD; Dante Cancelli, JD; Declan Carroll; Gavin Cerco; Joseph Crotti, Ph.D.; Dominick DeNaples; Darlene Dunay, DO; Cathy Hardaway; Ann Hawk; Kristin Linde; Albert Magnotta; Christopher Metzger, MD; Gino Mori, MD; Donald Olsommer; Carolyn Pencek, PhD; David Sanders; Maryla Scranton; David Tressler, and Goldye Weinberger.

Emeritus members are: John Atkins; Herbert Axford; Kimberly Barrows, CFP, CLU; Jeffrey Becker, OD; Richard Bishop, JD; Elizabeth Bonczar, PhD; Richard Bovard, JD; James Brady; Warren Davis, VMD; Vito Forlenza, Ed.D; Frank Hubbard; Fred Lettieri; John Martines; Matthew Mackie, Jr.; Richard Matthews, PhD; Sally O’Brien, JD; Nicholas Scandale; Walter Schautz; Richard Walsh;, and Stephen Weissberger, DDS.

Ex Officio members are: Jonathan Bossick, president of the Penn State Worthington Scranton Student Government Association; Kim Bogdan, director of finance for Penn State Worthington Scranton; Christopher DePew, president of the Greater Scranton Penn State Alumni Association; H. Durrell Johnson, PhD, associate director of academic affairs at Penn State Worthington Scranton; Michael Rogers, DDS, president of the Wayne-Pike Penn State Chapter; Richard Pambiano, president of the Penn State Worthington Scranton Alumni Society; Maria Russoniello, director of development for Penn State Worthington Scranton, and Terry Schettini, county extension director of the Penn State Cooperative Extension of Lackawanna County.

The Penn State Worthington Scranton Diversity Committee and the Northeast Pennsylvania Center for Independent Living (NEPACIL) co-sponsored “Project A.B.L.E.” The Program was open to the general public and took place Monday, October 24th in the K. Bruce Sherbine Lounge.

Penn State Diversity Committee Chairperson Janet Melnick, Ph.D., discussed the rationale that created Project A.B.L.E. and explained why the Penn State Diversity Committee felt that participation was so important.  “A parent’s educational support group in Luzerne County created Project A.B.L.E.,” she said. “Their intent was to help people understand the challenges and realities of living with a disability. Project A.B.L.E. consists of a series of workstations which simulate various conditions like fine motor difficulties, mobility challenges, communication disorders, ADD, ADHD and dyslexia. The Diversity Committee here at Penn State Worthington Scranton felt that Project A.B.L.E. provided a unique opportunity for the entire community to begin to understand the day-to-day challenges that our neighbors and friends who live with these conditions face.”

Bob Fox, a member of the Penn State Diversity Committee said, “There is an ancient Chinese proverb that provides an excellent rationale for participating in Project A.B.L.E., I hear and I forget. I see and I remember. I do and I understand. We are hoping that people come out and participate. Understanding is the very best way to show you care.”

Mr. Fox, a 37-year old Penn State senior majoring in Human Development and Family Studies, is interning with NEPACIL. He had a stroke 10 years ago and has faced many of the challenges addressed by Project A.B.L.E. “The difficulties faced by people working with these challenges can be daunting,” he said. “But the isolation and lack of understanding from others can be devastating. We on the Diversity Committee here at Penn State Worthington Scranton believe that opportunities like Project A.B.L.E. help everyone by bridging that gap of understanding and breaking down the isolation.”

Sharon Quinn, manager of consumer affairs for NEPACIL said, “all of us here at the Center are excited to be partnering with Penn State on Project A.B.L.E. and creating internships within their Human Services and Family Studies Program. Project A.B.L.E. offers the ideal vehicle for us to help the entire community by working with the extensive resources at Penn State Worthington Scranton.”

Project A.B.L.E. was well received on campus with enormous student and staff participation. It is hoped that this will mark the beginning of an annual event.

More than 150 scholarships were warded for the 2005-2006 academic year to students attending Penn State Worthington Scranton. Funding sources include scholarships and University-sponsored scholarships.

Scholarships and recipients are:

Ray Alberigi Scholarship:
 Kim Jeryga, Archbald

Joseph and Yvonne Alu Scholarship:
 Victoria DiGuiseppe, Lake Ariel

John and Patricia Atkins Scholarship:
 Webster Roberts, New Milford and Patricia Wagner, Carbondale

Herbert T. Axford Memorial Scholarship:
Brandon Ford, Yatesville and Steven Rowe, New Milford

Sharon Baldassari Kornfeld Memorial Scholarship:
Sharon Philips, Clarks Summit

Barnes & Noble Presidential Scholarships:
Stephen Koytek, Yatesville; Samuel Orlando, Archbald; Stacy Lindsey, Scranton; and Joseph Volansky, Pittston

Margaret Briggs Memorial Scholarship:
Christopher Cunningham, Moscow; Matthew Ferraro, Lake Ariel; Sandra Postrion, Hawley; and Daniel Tatulli, Gouldsboro

Violet & Richard Byron Scholarship:
Joseph Merza, Carbondale

Academic Achievement Scholarships:
Edward Anderson, Archbald; Nicholas Chaykosky, Archbald; Edward Chicoski, Pittston Township; Steven Chimel, Clarks Summit; Christopher Cunningham, Moscow; Curtis Dailey, Yatesville, Victoria DiGuiseppe, Lake Ariel; Clinton Duffy, Lake Ariel; Daniel Fish, Jermyn; Brandon Ford, Yatesville; Julia Hawley,  Nicholson; Benjamin Hegge, Honesdale; Brent Hoban, Lake Ariel; Andrew Jarbola, Moscow; Shari Jenkins, Prompton; James Koons, Bethlehem; Stephen Koytek, Yatesville; Brian Leonard, Olyphant; Stacy Lindsey, Scranton; Joan Margitich, Clarks Summit; David Marino, Scranton; Tia Martini, Moscow; Thomas May, Scranton; Sarah Miletta, Lake Ariel; Laura Plant, Susquehanna; Victoria Richards, Moscow; Nathan Schmidt, Lake Ariel; Joseph Volansky, Pittston; and Randall Williams, Lake Ariel

CINRAM Scholarship:
Lawrence Gaik, Moscow; Justine Walker, Jermyn.

Alfred P. (Fred) Ciotti Memorial Scholarship:
Amanda Farrell, Carbondale and Samuel Orlando, Archbald.

Janet A. Cottone Memorial Scholarship in Nursing:
David Czar, Moscow; Philip Hughes, Scranton; Jane Kuchinski, Moosic; Michel Lipperini, Scranton; Violetta Pena, Scranton; Rhonda Sheehan, Eynon; and Mary Summa, Tunkhannock. 

Harry Dickstein Memorial Scholarship:
Julia Hawley, Factoryville; Stephanie Nast, Factoryville; Mark Smerdon, Pittston.

Dunmore Lions Club Scholarship:
Julie Caswell, Dunmore and Kyle Golden, Dunmore.

David M. and Aleen F. Epstein Scholarship:
Violeta Pena, Scranton.

Eureka Scholarship:
Nicholas Chaykosky, Archbald; Hadyn Cotton, Hawley; and Gina Ignasiak, Nanticoke.

Albert Sr. and Mary Alunni Fagnani Memorial Scholarship:
 Jonathan von Ahnen, Lake Ariel and Joseph Ranner, Honesdale.

Forms Plus Scholarship:
 Stephanie Ferraro, Jermyn.

James D. and Margaret S. Gallagher Honors Scholarship:
Nicholas Nauroth, Factoryville.

James P. and Catherine M. Gilligan Memorial Scholarship:
Andrew Fokes, Lansdale; Michael Gentile, Dunmore; and Heather Sulz, Old Forge.

The Gelb Foundation Scholarship:
 Sarah Miletta, Lake Ariel.

Hahnemann Community Medical Center Nursing Alumni Scholarship:
John Caporelli, Scranton and Gregory Evanina, Throop.

Gertrude Hawk Chocolates Scholarship:
Ashley Sloboda, Milford.

Greater Scranton Jaycees Scholarship:
Kathleen Parlanti, Pottsville.

Greater Scranton Penn State Chapter Scholarship:
Brian Leonard, Olyphant; Joan Margitich, Clarks Summit; and Thomas May, Scranton.

Keith Grover Memorial Scholarship:
 Brent Hoban, Lake Ariel.

Elmer & Louise Hawk College Assistance Grants:
Charlene Connor, Scranton; Michael Faris, Scranton; Matthew Fazen, Moscow; Douglas Hehn, Greentown; Steven Schultz, Olyphant; and Larry Shaffer, Moscow.

Marie D. and John T. Howe Memorial Scholarship:
Shari Jenkins, Prompton.

Frank and Jean Hubbard Scholarship:
Stephen Belton, Moscow; Danielle Calabrisotto, Thornhurst; Lawrence Gaik, Moscow; Steven Gaik, Gouldsboro; Jennie Havenstrite, Moscow; Heather Hoover, Moscow; Abigail Kramer, Moscow; Cari Mancini, Madisonville; Kimberly Schuit, Moscow; and Justin Staniszewski, Moscow.

Information Sciences & Technology Campus Scholarship:
 Keith McCann, Scranton.

Jack Jones Memorial Scholarship:
Lynne Andreoli, Old Forge.

Grace Keen Scholarship:
Rebekah Bernstein, Hamlin, PA and Julie Olver, Honesdale.

Keystone Sanitary Landfill, Inc. Scholarship:
Julie Caswell, Dunmore; Briann Pirritano, Scranton; Amanda Shotto, Throop; and David Stefanski, Dunmore.

Baynard D. and Ethel M. Kunkle Scholarship:
Natassja Bates, Hawley; Andrew Folkes, Lansdale; Heather Hoover, Moscow; Tiffany Inman, Tunkhannock; Kathylee Johnson, Scranton; Jason Lohnes, Gouldsboro; Heather Luklanchuk, Troop; Julie Olver, Honesdale; Autumn Pancek, Tunkhannock; Joseph Ranner, Honesdale; Mary Summa, Tunkhannock.

Erich Kurash Memorial Scholarship:
Matthew Panko, Old Forge.

Anita and George Lesho Scholarship:
Nichole Slusark, Throop.

Anne E. Lohmann Memorial Scholarship:
Dennis Volkland, Taylor.

Albert J. and Catherine Magnotta Memorial Scholarship:
Kimberly Schuit, Moscow; and Joseph McIntyre, Moscow.

Lester and Helen Male Memorial Scholarship:
Shane Flynn, Lakewood; and Heather Hoover, Moscow.

Dorothy Schnerr Minelli Memorial Scholarship:
William Warrick, Jr., Archbald.

Gino and Jean Cavalieri Mori Scholarship:
Maria Pace, Old Forge; and Briann Pirritano, Scranton.

Primo and Vittoria Ciuferri Mori/Paul Robeson Memorial Scholarship:
Hottensiah Fisichella, Lake Ariel.

Eugene C. “Jake” Mullen Memorial Scholarship:
Hottensiah Fisichella, Lake Ariel; and Jacqueline Cole, Honesdale.

Winifred and Gerald Payne Memorial Scholarship:
David Lutz, Dunmore; and Sara Sledzinki, Lake Ariel.

PennStar Bank Scholarship:
 Gregory Zayak, Jermyn.

Penn State Worthington Scranton Scholarship:
Edward Anderson, Archbald; Aukiko Crothamel, Hawley; Michael Gentile, Dunmore; Shawn T. Hanor, Newfoundland; Joseph Volansky, Pittston.

Worthington Scranton Alumni Society Scholarship:
Raymond Nieves, Lake Ariel and Jonathan von Ahnen, Lake Ariel.

Penn State Worthington Scranton Faculty/Staff Scholarship:
Brendan McDevitt, Lake Ariel.

Penn State Worthington Scranton Lion Ambassador Scholarship:
Harry T. Perlmutter, Moscow; and Afghani Roshan, Scranton.

Joan B. and Clayton A. Richmond Memorial Scholarship:
Allasondra Evans, Tunkhannock; and Edward Zelinka, Tunkhannock.

Angelo Rosati Memorial Scholarship:
Gregory Shotto, Throop.

Nicholas and Diane Scandale Scholarship:
Joseph Podwats, Moscow; and Craig Thompson, Lake Ariel.

Schautz Family Scholarship:
Jerry Dayton, New Milford; Peter Helfrich, Hawley; Ashley Kilmer, Nicholson; and Stephen Koytek, Yatesville.

The Scranton Times Scholarship:
Dan Grusaky, Scranton and John McAndrew, Pittston.

James T. Skibinski Memorial Scholarship:
Patrick Ganzer, Dickson City.

Stanley and Mary Sislo Memorial Scholarship:
 Autumn Pencek, Tunkhannock and Keith Kleback, Taylor.

William S. (Billy) Soose Memorial Scholarship:
Craig Thomson, Lake Ariel.

Betty and Armond Strutin Scholarship:
Ashley Sloboda; Milford; and Denise Walker, Susquehanna.

Christopher Sturchio Memorial Scholarship:
Tiffany Inman, Tunkhannock.

Warren and Agnes Thomas Memorial Scholarship:
Nicole Pasternak, __________

David and Joyce Mack Tressler Scholarship:
Megan Clough, Susquehanna; Jillian Jarosh, Blakely; and Heather Kulick, Scranton.

UNICO Scranton Chapter Scholarship:
Steven Chimel, Clarks Summit; and Yomaben Patel, Scranton.

United Gilsonite Laboratories Scholarship:
Joann Blackledge, Blakely.

Wachovia Bank, NA Scholarship:
Curtis Dailey, Yatesville.

Richard M. and Jean McNichols Walsh Scholarship:
Marcy Stanton, Throop.

Wayne-Pike Penn State Chapter Scholarship:
Brent Hoban, Lake Ariel; Benjamin Hegge, Honesdale; and Shari Jenkins, Prompton.

Dr. Stephen J. and Essie Weissberger Scholarship (in memory of Harry and Leah Weissberger and Sam and Irene  Zilenchick):
Adam McCormack, Taylor.

Mabel White Riker & Velma White Memorial Scholarship:
 Michael Faris, Scranton.

H. Leigh Woehling Memorial Scholarship:
Dina Sorensen, New Rochelle, NY; and Michelle Szymanski, Throop.

John Woloschuk Memorial Scholarship:
Louis DeMarco, Moscow; and James Godino, Scranton.

Joseph, Sr., and Catherine Zaydon Memorial Scholarship:
Dana Grinzi, Scranton.

By any account, 38 years is a long time. However, if you are doing something you love, it’s really only the blink of an eye. Michael Abdalla taught math and physics at Penn State Worthington Scranton for 38 years. But he did so much more than that.

For over 17 years, Mr. Abdalla served as varsity men’s basketball coach. He started men’s basketball in 1967 and seemed to have brought a kindly yet clear coaching style into the many classrooms he graced at Penn State Worthington Scranton. He was one of the key faculty in the engineering technology program there until it closed. Then he taught baccalaureate electrical engineering and occasionally technical physics. But mostly he taught math and electronics.  

To those among us fraught with “math angst,” the prospect of a teacher who, students recall, taught with “clear explanation, reasonable expectation and a caring supportive attitude” would have been a god send. And so he seemed to be. In his second year at Penn State Worthington Scranton, the dean rated him “the best instructor at this campus.” This, by way of noting that Mike had received the second highest student rating received by 35 new instructors that year.

In 1999, Abdalla was awarded the Campus Advisory Board’s Excellence in Teaching Award. This marked his 32nd year at Penn State.

Students remembered him in various ways throughout the years. Early on, 1968-69, one student observed, “the instructor had excellent student-teacher relations both in and out of the class. The presentation always stimulated thinking. He encouraged student participation. His classes were not a one-sided “teacher talks only” affair, but rather a give-and-take, question and answer presentation between instructor and students.”  Another student, 30 years later, 1998-99, observed, “He makes you want to be prepared for class. He makes you think by putting you on the spot, but when you can’t do a problem he works you through it. His goal is to make sure that students learn, not just to cover a certain amount of content, and yet he gets everything done.” Remarkably similar observations 30 years apart; that’s consistency.  

Students recall his circulating the room checking work. Giving encouraging pats on the shoulder punctuated by a “you can do it” or “good job.”

A fellow instructor called him, ”an outstanding example of teaching as a vocation, not a job. Deeply religious,” she added, “he lives his religion by example. His vocation is not just to teach math or engineering but to bring a touch of God into the lives of everyone he encounters.”  The instructor concluded with, ”Mike would never verbalize this, he doesn’t need to. His demeanor and behavior say it for him.”

In 1999, summarizing his place in Penn State life, he said that he believes God blessed him with a great job he enjoys and with “the gift of caring for each student as a person.”

Today, Mike Abdalla continues teaching and remains active. He visits prison twice each month. He teaches eighth grade CCD at his church. He and his wife Catherine still live in Moosic where they raised five children and are grandparent to an ever-growing brood.

Months after his formal retirement Mike Abdalla was asked what advise he would give teachers today. “Love your students and love God,” he said without hesitation. “The rest is simple.” 

Bryan Named To Student Service Post At Penn State WS

Mary-Beth Krogh-Jespersen, chancellor of Penn State Worthington Scranton announced the appointment of William V. Bryan as Director of Student and Enrollment Services. Mr. Bryan will supervise admissions, financial aid, counseling, student activities, athletics, career services and student health at the school.

Mr. Bryan’s career began in Garden City, Kansas where he served as director of the student center and dormitories. He was principal of St. Mary’s Elementary and Junior High School in Garden City, returning to Garden City Community College as college coordinator and assistant director of admissions.  He was then promoted to director of admissions.

Mr. Bryan was dean of student affairs as Pratt Community College, Pratt. Kansas and served in that same role at Lindsey Wilson College, Columbia, Kentucky. He was dean of students at Nassau Community College, Long Island, New York, then dean of student services at Minnesota West Community & Technical College prior to his arrival at Penn State Worthington Scranton.

Mr. Bryan attended Garden City Community College. He earned his bachelor of science degree in health, physical education and recreation from Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK. He holds the master of science degree in educational administration from Fort Hays State University, Hays, KS.

Bryan is active in professional and community affairs. He is a member of the Long Island Council of Student Personnel Administrators, the Deans Academy on Student Services, Student Judicial Affairs Association and was president of the Kansas Association of Community College Dean of Student Affairs.

Bryan is active in Kiwanis International, the Knights of Columbus, the American Cancer Society, the American Heart Association, Rotary International and is a Garden City Community College Athletic Hall of Fame Inductee.