Cathy Cummings Haker, who built the Saint Rose athletic offerings from simply men’s and women’s basketball to 19 Division II programs, retired from her position as director of athletics and recreation on July 1.

Haker had 43 years of service to Saint Rose, arriving in 1976 as the head women’s basketball coach. She has taken pride in the Golden Knights’ embodiment of Division II’s Life in the Balance philosophy, in which student-athletes excel academically and athletically while being engaged with the local community.
 
“It has been the dedication and passion of hundreds of coaches, staff members, administrators and faculty over the years, in service to our students and the College, which has brought us so much success,” said Haker. “I will miss the day-to-day interactions with colleagues and our wonderful students, but Saint Rose is woven in the fabric of my being, and I will forever be a Golden Knight!”

Haker was recently featured on the cover of Women@Work magazine, in a story in the Daily Gazette, and a piece on CBS 6.

2010s

Linda Belger G’19 was appointed assistant principal of Somers Intermediate School (Somers, New York). She has been with the Somers school district for 17 years, starting as a permanent substitute teacher and later teaching third and fourth grades. She has been working with groups of teachers and individual classes, using student data and performance results to improve instruction. She has also run professional learning opportunities for fellow administrators, as well as being the school’s English language arts coordinator.

Molly Farrell ’19 started her practicum at the Developmental & Behavioral Pediatrics unit at Albany Medical Center. She wrote: “All of the years of writing papers, analyzing research, presenting information to peers, developing clinical skills, memorizing ethical guidelines, and so many more lessons have all come to this moment: real-life experience.”

Rakiya Adams G’18 has been appointed assistant principal of Bronxville Elementary School (Bronxville, New York). She had most recently been a STEM resource specialist and math coach, and previously a second-grade teacher at Linden Tree Elementary School (Bronx, New York). Before that, she was a universal pre-K teacher in the Bronx.

Dedeou Diarra ’18 will begin his J.D. at Albany Law School next fall.

Connor Nichols G’18 has started a position as marketing assistant at Expert Brand Apparel in Los Angeles, California. “The west coast is wonderful so far. I’ve found a job in marketing that will allow me to gain more experience in the industry.”

Sara Biancosino ’17, game entertainment manager for the Washington Redskins, reported that the team is prepping for the season. “Organized team activities have begun and players are in for training.”

Artavius (Tay) Fisher G’16 announced the birth of his son, Durand Quincy Fisher, on June 26.

Matilda Hart ’16 has become a talent acquisition partner for Monster, as part of the company’s global talent-acquisition team.

Bryan Miltenberg G’16 has been appointed principal of Aquebogue Elementary School in Aquebogue, New York. He was most recently assistant principal at Islip Middle School; before that, he was a middle school dean with Scholars’ Academy (Queens, New York). He began his teaching career at Wantagh High School as an English teacher.

Morgan Denman ’16 is a graphic designer with Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex in Cape Canaveral, Florida.

Paige DeSorbo ‘15 was interviewed by thriveglobal.com about pop culture and women’s self-perception.

Caleb Eick ‘15 has begun a new position as director of outreach with Marcella Sembrich Memorial Association in Bolton Landing, New York. “I am excited to step into this new role with The Sembrich and preserve and promote the artistic heritage of our region. In addition to taking on my new role, I am excited to be singing on the Summer Series with members of The Philadelphia Orchestra. On August 11, The Sembrich presents ‘Give Me Your Tired, Your Poor,’ highlighting the immigrant experience through music. The majority of the program will consist of members of the Philadelphia orchestra in quartet. I will present works by Weil and by Kornhold, and then I will join the quartet and present Irving Berlin’s work titled, ‘Give Me Your Tired, Your Poor.’”

Maria Henain ’18 began working as a legal intern in the U.S. Attorneys Office in Atlanta, Georgia. “I am also attending Emory Law to receive my J.D., and I am honored to hold a position in the USAO.”

Michaëlle Mugisha G’15 was recognized by Assemblymembers Charles D. Fall and Latoya Joyner as an African national who is a mover and shaker in New York State. Mugisha is community impact manager at United Way of the Greater Capital Region.

Victoria Ortiz ’15 is working for the 92^nd Street Y in New York City, as manager for patron insights and engagement. “I’ve been at the 92Y for about four months now. Our marketing department just went through an evolution period and has decided to rebrand as ‘Patron insights and engagement.’ We think it better reflects our team and our goals.”

Luis Tejada ‘15 completed his M.S in Mental Health Counseling from Queens College and is completing an Advanced Certificate in Play Therapy from Brooklyn College.

Dogeli Rojas ‘15 is a Maternal Health Care Program Planner and Analyst working on the New York City initiative funded by the Mayor’s office to reduce maternal mortality and morbidity, and to address the vast racial health disparities related to maternal health. “It’s exciting work!,” she adds.

Brian Xavier Willis ’15 has started up an organization called Same Differences Inc. “The main purpose is bridging the gap between opposing groups through uncomfortable conversations and education. It’s a blog at the moment, but eventually, I’d like to grow into doing events and speaking at colleges or businesses.“

Paige Desorbo ’15 stars on Bravo’s reality TV show, “Summer House,” this season. The episodes air on Mondays at 10 p.m. EST.

Phillip Reid G’14 recently published Effective Leadership for Organizations and Other Institutions with Dorrance Publishing Co. He is an assistant professor in mathematics education at the City University of New York (New York City).

Erika Romero ’14 was recently promoted to associate producer for “The Splendid Table,” a national radio program and podcast. “The show has celebrated the intersection of food and life for more than two decades,” she says.

Andrew J. Williamson ’14 was elected vice president of the Capital Alliance of Young Professionals, Inc. (CAYP) and will begin his term in July.  He is currently finishing a one-year term as treasurer of CAYP and joined the board in May 2018.  He was also elected to serve as a delegate to the Third Judicial District Convention (Supreme Court). He continues to work as a personnel assistant in human resources for Albany County.

Hayley Affronti ’12, who completed her Ph.D. in cellular and molecular biology at the University at Buffalo in 2018, is working as a postdoc in a cancer metabolism lab at the University of Pennsylvania. She also reports that she was recently engaged and is enjoying planning her wedding in her spare time.

Michael Yannucci G’11 was named elementary assistant principal of Lockhart Elementary School. He was most recently an elementary assistant principal in the Plainview-Old Bethpage School District for four years. Before that, he was an elementary reading teacher and a coordinator of English language arts, reading, library media, and art in the Rocky Point School District.

2000s

August Rosa ’08 and Nicholas Warchol ’06 were in the news for the opening of their new business, Post Wine Bar + Kitchen on Lark Street in Albany, New York, which they cofounded with a third partner, Craig Dutra. Rosa founded and runs Pint Sized, a craft-beer bar with locations in Albany and Saratoga. Warchol co-owns the Albany D.P. Dough location with Dutra.

Briana Brinson ‘10, Esq., has become an assistant conflict defender for Albany County Family Court.

Mike Brown G’07 and Death Wish Coffee launched Death Wish Cold Brew, canned rocket fuel that shot to the top of Amazon’s bestselling list when it became available for sale in mid-June. The overcaffeinated refresher is sold only online, until further notice. Death Wish Coffee was also featured on Forbes magazine’s list of best gift ideas for coffee lovers.

Louis Emory ’07 launched Collar City Brewing’s (Troy, New York) first beer, Collared Frog, in collaboration with Frog Alley Brewing Co. of Schenectady.

David Glasner G’07 recently became superintendent of the Shaker Heights School District (Shaker Heights, Ohio) and also completed his Ph.D. in urban education at Cleveland State University.

Juliet L. Gevargis-Mizimakoski G’05 has been appointed principal of Irvington High School in Irvington, New York. She had previously served as high school assistant principal in the South Orangetown Central School District for 11 years. Before that, she was assistant principal at Millennium Art Academy High School in the Bronx and a social studies teacher at Herbert Lehman High School in the Bronx.

Jason Bennett ’01 is the new athletic director at The Covenant School (Charlottesville, Va.) He had been the director of athletics and student activities at Chapelgate Christian Academy outside Baltimore for the past 20 years.

Christopher Harper G’00 was appointed superintendent of the Mayfield Central School District (Mayfield, New York). He was most recently elementary school principal at the Unadilla Valley Central School District (New Berlin, New York). He had previously been principal at Westmoreland Elementary School (Whitesboro, New York) and elementary principal and curriculum coordinator for the Madison Central School District (Madison, New York). He began his teaching career with the Rome City School District, and later was a special-education teacher at Annsville Elementary School (Taberg, New York).

Graham Tichy ‘00 and his band, the New Lowdown, performed at Movies Under the Stars in Albany on July 5.

1990s

Bryan Cady ’98, G’03 and John Halvorsen ’04, G’06, music teachers with the City School District of Albany (CSDA), led the Albany Marching Falcons, the CSDA’s multi-grade marching band, to perform on Omaha Beach for the 75^thanniversary of D-Day in Normandy, France. The ensemble, comprising 49 middle- and high-school musicians, was the only group from a U.S. school district; the only other U.S. band was from Florida State University.

Jackie Kotary ’96 is working as the manager of ticketing for the Events Division of Bonnier Corp., in Winter Park, Florida.

Tatha (Wells) Jourdanais ’95 is an attorney and partner with the Jourdanais Wells Law Firm in Clifton Park, New York.

Kenneth Rulison ’95 is working as victim services coordinator for the Schenectady County District Attorney’s office. He was honored for dedicated service to crime victims in 2008 by the Capital District Coalition for Crime Victim Rights.

Deborah Booth G’92, who is retiring this summer from her 28-year tenure as director of the school library system of the Hamilton-Fulton-Montgomery BOCES, received the Ken Smith SLS Regional Award, which is given to employees who demonstrate library leadership in the BOCES system. Booth was credited with helping to bring area school libraries into the electronic age and with expanding local opportunities via partnerships with other library systems. She is only the fifth person to receive the award in the past 20 years.

1980s

Thomas Lail ’89 received the President’s Award for Excellence at Hudson Valley Community College (HVCC) in Troy, New York. Lail, a professional artist and professor in the department of fine arts, theatre arts, and digital media at HVCC, a faculty member since 1993, was instrumental in creating the school’s fine arts associate’s degree, more than 20 years ago, and has helped establish articulation agreements between HVCC and four-year institutions.

Colleen Ryan ’88, who has more than 30 years of experience in the government, nonprofit and business sectors, recently launched CMR Communications.

Kathy McNeil ’86 is principal of Creative Pixels Marketing in Flanders, New Jersey, and an instructor in graphic design at Fairleigh Dickinson University’s Florham campus (Madison, New Jersey); she also teaches at County College of Morris (Randolph, New Jersey). She has received several national and international design awards, and received the National Institute for Staff and Organizational Development’s (NISOD) national teaching award in 2018.

Iris White ’84 is an education consultant for the State of Connecticut.

Maj. (ret.) Richard F. Newton, Jr. ’81, USAF, reports that he is currently summering in Clinton, New York, and spends his winters in Haines City, Florida, with his spouse of 49 years, Phyllis. He recounts that, after being commissioned as a Second Lieutenant through the AFROTC program at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in 1980, he returned to active duty in February 1981, with notable assignments in Altus AFB, Oklahoma; Randolph AFB, Texas, Lackland AFB, Texas; and Hickam AFB, Hawaii, finally retiring in 1994. He adds that his most memorable Saint Rose class was Human Loss and Grieving: “I have applied what I learned several times since.”

Coleen Paratore ’80 wrote a touching op-ed in the Troy Record on May 11, with a heartfelt thank-you to all the teachers in her life, all the teachers in her children’s lives, and all the other teachers out there. The occasion was Teacher Appreciation Week, but Tornatore said, “Every week should be Teacher Appreciation Week. Every day should be Teacher Appreciation Day.” She gave a special shout out to Sister Lynn Levo ’69, who took her on a tour of Saint Rose, told her it would be a good place for her, and helped her fill out the application.

1970s

Dennis McDonald ’77, G’91, longtime Saint Rose administrator and friend, retired after 34 years with the College. He was most recently vice president of student affairs and Title IX coordinator.

1960s

Carol Jankunas ’64 is enjoying retirement in Fort Collins, Colorado.

Doreen Kelly ’64, who was principal of the Town of Sharon (East Falmouth, Massachusetts), has retired and is living in Falmouth, Massachusetts

In memoriam

Gregory M. Spencer ‘97
Mary Rubino G‘90
Gary Stekloff G ‘88
Candace Schaperjahn G’81
Jean Hopkins ’80 (A familiar face at all Saint Rose women’s basketball games, Hopkins will be remembered at a special women’s basketball event this upcoming season.)
Celeste Marquis Canham ‘79
Alberta Dean Wilson ‘79
Joseph Baciewicz G’77
Mary A. Franke ‘77
Ernest C. Riggi ‘75
William Zwoboda ‘74
Mary Agnes Farr Miknavich ‘68
Sister Laurette Levasseur, CSJ ‘68
Marta Hitchen ’66, G’70
Patricia Cleary Kazmierski ‘67
Eligia Eiholzer ‘64
Sister Mary William Malkoske, OSF ‘64
Patricia Newman Buckley Foster ‘63
Mary Janice Murphy Farrell ‘62
Marie Keniry ‘60
Patricia Leonard ‘60
Sandra Twyon ‘60
Elizabeth A. Gargiulo DiCaprio ’58 (Rose Queen 1958), G’76
Sister Mary Catherine Nelson ’58, G’63
Sister Catherine Crispo ’58 (Sister Catherine had been a Sister of St. Joseph of Carondelet for 75 years, and from 1967 to 1985 worked at The College of Saint Rose. During this time, she taught special education, and served as director of educational media.)
Sister Anne Michael Mirabito, CSJ ’58, G‘64
Sister Frances Eustace ‘55 (A former professor of English at Saint Rose, where she had also served as department chairperson.)
Shirley Gaulin Forts ‘49
Sylvia Peters Persons ‘46
Eleanor Kline Isabella ‘45

Friends of Saint Rose
Carolyn Joan Male
Dr. Karen Hitchcock

Ongoing:
Take a refresher course, or learn something new, at Saint Rose summer sessions.

Saint Rose Summer Academy
For students entering grades 6 to 10, each week offers a varied roster of classes in art, history, adventure, science, sports, writing, and many other subjects. Students can take half- or whole-day classes. The program runs for five one-week sessions, from July until August 2.

And don’t forget to mark your calendars:
September 27:
HOME.COMING and Family Weekend. Come HOME to your alma mater for a weekend of festivities. Celebrate the induction of the newest Golden Roses, the Class of 1969. Attend the annual meeting of the Alumni Association Board. Other events include the Athletic Hall of Fame, The School of Education Tailgate, the Gospel Brunch and more! For more information, visit the 2019 homecoming and family weekend webpage.

October 13:
Painting with a Twist Event, 899 New Loudon Road, Latham, New York. Spend a Sunday afternoon painting with your fellow alumni! Your $35 registration provides you with all the materials you will need: canvas, brushes, paint, etc. The venue is BYOB so feel free to bring snacks and beverages for you and your friends to enjoy during the event. Register for the painting event with this link.

Our 2019 commencement ceremony was a special day, not only for the nearly 1,400 undergraduate and graduate students whose achievements were recognized, but for me as a college president. I was proud to have an esteemed colleague in higher education, Dr. Shirley Ann Jackson, president of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI), serve as our honorary degree recipient and commencement speaker, inspiring our graduates with her personal story of overcoming discrimination and bias as a young woman of color.
 
That young woman would go on to become the first African-American woman to earn a doctorate from MIT. She would receive important appointments by U.S. Presidents, and serve as the first woman president and first African-American president at RPI, but these things would not have happened without a significant amount of grit and determination paired with her incredible intellect. She told our graduating students that “Chance had made me an African-American female, a heritage I proudly embrace. I also saw that I had a choice here. I could give in to ignorance or persevere and pursue excellence.”
 
I appreciate the theme of chance vs. choice as I observe our students, many of whom are counted among underrepresented populations within higher education. They made the choice to pursue their education with the desire to create more options for themselves and their families. That day at commencement, I shook the hands of students whose families fell below the poverty line, who are parents and toted toddlers on their hips as they crossed the stage, and who are older students who returned to Saint Rose to finish degrees they had started long ago.
 
I am so glad all of these graduates made the choice to come to Saint Rose, and I know their time here will serve as a springboard to endless possibilities. As I told our 2019 graduates, “Never doubt the value of what you have earned through your determination. Your degree is yours forever and will pave the way for your future.”
 
We appreciate your continued support of Saint Rose as we work to help our students build bright futures.
 
Best wishes,
 
Carolyn