Class Notes

Displaying page 1 of 6 for  101 total matches found.

Thomas (Disessa) Di Sessa (1966)
Thomas (Disessa) Di Sessa (1966) writes, "On October 26th I will be embarking on my 25th pediatric cardiovascular humanitarian mission since 1994. Countries that I have helped include Jamaica, Peru, Nicaragua, Dominican Republic, Croatia, Belarus,Ukaraine, China. On these missions I act as the pediatric cardiologist that is part of a large team that provides much needed heart surgery to childrean with congenital heart disease. In this role I have performed diagnostic echocardiograms and diagnostic an interventional catheterizations."  
Submitted on Oct 25 2009
Add Comment | Comments (0)

James King (1979)
James King (1979) writes, "It is good to be home and able to attend at least a portion of the 30th reunion. Go Cats! "  
Submitted on Jun 3 2009
Add Comment | Comments (0)

Alicia Fiorentino (2008)
Alicia Fiorentino (VLS 2008) writes, "I have been selected by the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation as one this year’s Pittsburgh’s 50 Finest based upon my professional achievement and community involvement. I along with 49 other outstanding professionals in the Pittsburgh area will be recognized at a special event at the Omni William Penn Hotel on August 20. In accepting this distinction, I have committed to raise money to help the Foundation realize its mission of controlling and curing cystic fibrosis (CF).

CF is a devastating genetic disease that affects the lungs and digestive system, with the average life expectancy to be mid-thirties. Advances continue to be made in finding a cure, but your help is needed now-more than ever-to help keep up the momentum of this life-saving research.

Your generous gift will be used efficiently and effectively—nearly 90 cents of every dollar of revenue raised is available for investment in vital CF programs to support research, care and education. I invite you to join me by doing either of the following donating toward my participation online at http://www.cff.org/LWC/AliciaFiorentino.

WHIRL Magazine is featuring us in its August issue, and our top sponsors will be recognized along with us. Our top sponsors will also be recognized when we are introduced at a party in our honor Thursday, August 20, 7:00 p.m.-midnight at the Omni William Penn. In addition, we will be able to recognize many of our sponsors in a program handed out the night of the party. If you are interested in attending the event, tickets are $55 in advance or $60 at the door and can be purchased by e-mailing me at alicia_fiorentino@hotmail.com. You will enjoy a fun evening with Pittsburgh’s 50 Finest along with pasta and carving stations, the famous breads of Mancini’s Bakery, samplings from the new veggie menu at Palate Bistro, chocolate from A Taste of Chocolate, cupcakes from CoCo’s Cupcake Café, Bruster’s ice cream, three complimentary beverages, including beer and Coca-Cola products, and dancing the night away in the company of at least 500 guests.
"  
Submitted on May 7 2009
Add Comment | Comments (0)

Andrew Lohr (1959)
Andrew Lohr (1959) writes, "Andy Lohr – Class of 1959
The 50 years after Villanova were as much of a blast as the four years at VU.

I married Pat (Ryan) and together we brought five children to adulthood;
Donna (VU 1980), Andrew (VU 1984), Nancy (VU 1985), Charles (Wagner 1987) and Bill (VU 1988.) With all of nine grandchildren living within three miles of us, we frequently get to see them on a regular basis. Two are now finished their first year of college. Coincidentally, our son Andrew is celebrating his 25th VU reunion this year.
We have been living in Glen Rock NJ for forty years.

I worked for IBM for thirty years in various IT positions, in New York City, Bethesda MD, Franklin Lakes NJ. After retiring from IBM in 1988, I started an IT company in NJ and continue to be active keeping things going.

As a family, we all enjoy skiing and try to get everyone together at Bromley, and again during the summer, get everyone together for sun and fun at Long Beach Island. Pat and I enjoy traveling and have had many opportunities to go to fantastic places. During the summer, we get to enjoy our vacation cottage in Sparta, NJ – no TV, no radio, lots of quiet.

We really look forward to seeing many of our friends at the 50th.
"  
Submitted on May 4 2009
Add Comment | Comments (0)

Kenneth MacGillivray (1959)
Kenneth MacGillivray (1959) writes, " Musings contemplating the 50th Reunion--The "Pie Shoppe", old and then new, Kelly's Forest bar, trips under the main line tracks to get mail, the P&W trolley, rooms and room mates in Mendel, Austin and Sullivan Halls, keeping a "stealth" hearse off-campus, Law School Dean Reuschlein (and later Herbert Fiss) leading the Villanova Singers, snowball fights at Rosemont, mealtime at Dougherty Hall, hearing Dr. Rudhart teach the history of Modern Germany in the first person, the great social events of class '59, twice weekly evening prayers in the Chapel, dorm rosary led by Fr. Kenny, advice and insight from our class sponsor Fr. Weeks, making a work of art out of a fraternity paddle, marching on the NROTC drill field in any weather, summer midshipman cruises to Europe, the Caribbean, and South America, JFK speaking and then getting an honorary degree at our graduation.

Post-Villanova: In brief, I am in my 7th year as a math teacher in a Virginia Beach public high school. I previously was a Navy flier, entering Pensacola in June '59. I was selected the Navy's Flight Instructor of the Year, graduated from Monterey Postgraduate School, the Navy's Test Pilot School, and am a veteran of carrier-based combat missions in Viet Nam. I was privileged to serve as a commander of a tactical jet squadron, an air wing comprising twelve squadrons, and a naval air station. Retiring as a Navy captain in 1986, I entered the airlines. After qualifying in numerous aircraft equipment types, including service as an FAA designated Training Captain, I retired again in 2002 as a civilian airline captain. I was fortunate to survive 43 years logging 16,000 hours of flying in 52 aircraft types without an accident.
My greatest feat was capturing Una May O'Connor as my bride, following a marvelous fourteen month courtship in the San Francisco area, and fathering 3 wonderful children and enjoying our 3 (so far) grandchildiren living nearby. After 46 years of marriage, when duty frequently caused my absence 50% of the time, my wife sweetly smiles when asked how she coped, saying "It was just heavenly, half the time!" And I'm not sure how she means that!"  
Submitted on May 3 2009
Add Comment | Comments (0)

Dennis Keenan (1959)
Dennis Keenan (1959) writes, "Time moves on! Those 5-year reunions have a way of adding up -- wow, #50. As I reflect over the years, the one thing I know with certainty is that my private education at La Salle HS and VU has been a primary mainstay of my life, both professionally and with family and friends. My wife, Janice, of 46 years, and I, are kept busy and travelling with the families of our four children: Monica [Palo Alto, CA]; Michelle [Morristown, NJ]; Dennis [Vancouver, WA]; and Gregory [Kansas City, MO]; and our 10 grandchildren. We have lived in Bellevue, WA [13 years]; Mendham, NJ [13 years]; and currently in Wichita, KS [24 years]. I've been retired for 8 years, and we still haven't made a decision as to "where to retire to"! We wish the best for all of our La Salle and VU friends in the years yet ahead."  
Submitted on Apr 27 2009
Add Comment | Comments (0)

Marjorie Rendell (1973)
The Hon. Marjorie Rendell (VLS 1973): Cedar Crest announced that Marjorie O. Rendell, a judge of the U.S. Court of Appeals and Pennsylvania’s first lady, will receive an honorary degree at the Allentown college’s 139th commencement ceremony on May 16.  
Submitted on Apr 23 2009
Add Comment | Comments (0)

Robert Merkert (1959)
Robert Merkert (1959) writes, "Where have the years gone? It is great looking back and remembering all the good years at Villanova - and all the good times since. Going back 50 years will take me to graduation and my first job at RCA – as a young computer engineer. Upon graduation both VU classmate Dave Roop and I were accepted into the RCA Graduate study program. We worked three days and went to the University of Pennsylvania two days a week. In 1961 I graduated with my MSEE from the U of P.
More significant during this time was my marriage to Marge Coumbe in August of 1960. Some of our 5 year NROTC classmates will remember Marge as Dean Moorehouse’s and Dean Gallen’s secretary. We were married on campus at the chapel by Father Whitley. I met Marge in March of our senior year and managed to take her to the Junior Class prom in May of that year. The rest is history.
We have two children, Hope (VU, 1984) and Bob (Rowan, 1986) – along with 5 grandchildren, John, Ashley, Kyle, Bryce, and Ashton.

From RCA I went to a smaller company, Computer Test, along with Al Stoughton of our class. In 1972 we started our own company, DANYL, along with a third partner. In 1995 we sold the company to Schlumberger. Along the way we got involved with Smart Cards (computer chips on credit cards) and I have been involved with that to the present time. I moved on to SCM Microsystems and CardLogix and continue to sell for both companies into the government marketplace. With some of the proceeds from the sale of DANYL Marge and I established a scholarship, named for Professor Joseph Hicks, for an electrical engineering student at Villanova.
Over the years I have traveled extensively for business, going to Europe, China, Israel, Mexico and throughout the United States. Marge has accompanied me on many of these trips as we often combined vacation with these trips.
Although I am still actively working Marge and I spend about 5 months of the year at our home on Long Beach Island – “the Jersey shore”. We love to ski (I started when I was 50) and usually spend a week in New Hampshire each year.
"  
Submitted on Apr 23 2009
Add Comment | Comments (0)

Gerald Keightley (1959)
Jerry Keightley (1959) writes, "Happily married, great children, sensational grandchildren, successful career, good retirement and one National Basketball championship. Nothing really extraordinary (except the championship) but maybe all of it is. It’s been a wonderful 50 years."  
Submitted on Apr 22 2009
Add Comment | Comments (0)

Lawrence Fox (1973)
Lawrence Fox (VLS 1973), in private practice for 37 years in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, has recently completed the writing of a humorous law-related play entitled “There’s No Justice – Just Court Costs.” The Pennsylvania Playhouse (www.paplayhouse.org ) located in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, will present the world premiere of this original comedy, live on stage August 27, 28, 29, and 30.  
Submitted on Apr 22 2009
Add Comment | Comments (0)

Donald Kempf (1959)
Donald Kempf (1959) writes, "Donald G. Kempf, Jr.: History of the World, Part Me


I am currently a Senior Advisor at Gleacher Partners, an independent investment bank, and Blaqwell Inc., independent consultants to the legal profession. I am also an arbitrator and mediator, adjunct professor of law and private practitioner. I served as executive vice president, chief legal officer, secretary and a member of the management committee of Morgan Stanley from December 1999 until my retirement in 2005. I began my legal career in 1965 at Kirkland & Ellis, was with the firm 35 years (serving on its management committee from 1981 to 1998) and retired as a senior partner in 2000 after joining Morgan Stanley.


In addition to my A.B. from Villanova, I have an L.L.B from Harvard Law School and an M.B.A. from the University of Chicago. Following graduation from Villanova, I served in the United States Marine Corps for three years. I am a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers and frequent author and lecturer. In 2008, I co-authored (with 49 others) the book Your Witness: Lessons on Cross-Examination and Life From Great Chicago Trial Lawyers—a self-selected group. My wife and I will celebrate our 44th anniversary this year. We have three sons and five grandchildren and divide our time among Chicago, Aspen and Florida.
"  
Submitted on Apr 22 2009
Add Comment | Comments (0)

Joseph Brady (1959)
Joseph Brady (1959) writes, "After graduation, I went with Philco in Phila. I worked in the fuze lab on microwave antennas with Charlie kallfeltz. After having my career cut short after 2 years (and getting married at this juncture), I started with GE. This was a different environment and the programs were much bigger. Worked on satellite communications, buoys, mines, and finally after years of losing proposals wound up putting a ground station in Mt. Jackson, VA. (You can see it as you fly past on I-81) Along the way, my wife and i had 3 children (one a VU EE altho he saw greener pastures and got an MBA, our oldest a doctor and our youngest a sreenwriter.)They live in North NJ, Chicago area and LA. We thus have interesting places to go to see our 4 grandchildren. We started traveling in 1987 with a trip to Italy and for the most part have done a big trip every year since then. I retired in 1994 from MartinMarietta(they bought the GE Aerospace group) and have fought the urge to go back ever since. I occupy myself with genealogy(the National Archives was the only building open at night when I was in DC for a radar class in 1985), working out to keep my blood sugar reasonable and I have become a keen (but inept) student of the stock market. We also avoid the cold by going to Sanibel, FL for a few months each winter. I am constantly surprised to hear of retired people who are bored."  
Submitted on Apr 15 2009
Add Comment | Comments (0)

Mary Christina (Keane) Crowley (1959)
Mary Christina (Keane) Crowley (1959) writes, "After obtaining my Master's degree in Nursing from my Alma Mater, I worked for the Philadelphia School District for twenty-four years. I'm now enjoying my retirement taking courses, traveling (Israel and Rome were my favorites), and spending time with my eighteen (soon to be nineteen) grandchildren.
Chris Crowley  
Submitted on Apr 14 2009
Add Comment | Comments (0)

Joseph Mingione (1959)
Joseph Mingione (1959), "Joe retired 9 years ago after 35 years in silicon valley, high tech area where he co-founded three new companies, the last of which being a family-owned software business. Joe and Susan now spend most of their time spoiling their 12 grandchildren and fulfilling their bucket list of travel dreams, including the Galapagos islands and the Villanova sponsored trip to France's Dordogne Valley. Joe lives in Los Altos, CA where he enjoys lots of home hobbies, construction projects, hiking and is an avid wildcat basketball fan."  
Submitted on Apr 13 2009
Add Comment | Comments (0)

John O'Donnell (1959)
John O'Donnell (1959): "A Professor of English Emeritus (Millersville University) lives in Lancaster, PA and, June through September, in Cape May, NJ with his wife of 42 years, Candace, a native of St Louis, a graduate of Washington University, and now also a retired professor of English (Elizabethtown College). His four children, their spouses, and eight grandchildren all live nearby in Lancaster County.
A past president and active member of the Lancaster and Central Pennsylvania Villanova University Alumni Chapter,who has served on the boards of three educational institutions (a large public school district, a Catholic school, and an independent school), John is an avid grandfather, reader, golfer, hiker, community volunteer, and Wildcat sports enthusiast, especially, as a long-time season ticket holder, of men's basketball."  
Submitted on Apr 8 2009
Add Comment | Comments (0)

John Hone (1959)
John Hone (1959) writes, " After graduation, I received an MBA from the Wharton School (Univ Of PA) and then spent three years as a Navy Supply Corps officer on a submarine tender in San Diego.
In December 1961, I was fortunate to marry Joanne Fisher of Columbus Ohio. We have three children, Sue (Fairfield "86"), Michael (Fairfield "87") and David "89"). Our five grandchildren are settled in West Chester PA and Darien CT.
After working in financial and general management for 14 years, in 1979,I started a Marketing and Distribution company from which I retired in 2008.
Our favorite pastime is traveling; we have been all over the world (except Antarctica). Our most recent trip covered Argentina's Lake District, Mendoza Wine Country and Patagonia.

"  
Submitted on Apr 6 2009
Add Comment | Comments (0)

Damian Falcone (2000)
Damian Falcone (2000) writes, "Damian Falcone (2000) writes, "Just wanted to let everyone know that Villanova Alumni, Fans and Friends located in Las Vegas are meeting at JR's Place (5745 S. Durango Las Vegas, NV 89148 • 702-312-2180) for the Final Four Game. You can see the tv advertisement locally or at
http://falconcreditmanagement.com/press.html
""  
Submitted on Apr 3 2009
Add Comment | Comments (0)

Elizabeth Prutting (2008)
Elizabeth Prutting (2008) writes, "Had a great time in Boston this weekend with tons of alumni, students, and Villanova fans! This picture here is of my friends and I with Dante Cunningham after the big win on saturday vs. Pitt. GO NOVA!!!!"  
Submitted on Mar 30 2009
Add Comment | Comments (0)

William Confoy (1959)
William Confoy (1959) writes, "Still in SW Fla but kids & grandkids all moved to Charlotte in "08. working part time in tech sales to vehicle OEM"s in between golf & tennis. Looking forward to the 50th & hoping we don't nap thru it!"  
Submitted on Mar 20 2009
Add Comment | Comments (0)

Michael Solomon (1980)
Michael Solomon (1980) writes, "Michael Solomon (1980) writes, "Michael B. Solomon‘80 Mike Solomon has written a book It Comes from Within which documents his personal struggle with manic depression and bipolar disorder. Mike has dedicated his career to enlightening the public about mental illness and is offering the book at cost to alumni and friends. This insightful collection of published articles and personal writings is a must read by anyone suffering with or affected by mental illness. The cost is $15 which includes shipping and handling. Please email Mike at: scranton48@aol.com to request a copy or for additional information. ""  
Submitted on Mar 18 2009
Add Comment | Comments (0)