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Class Notes: April 2019

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2010s

Alquan Higgs ’18 has been accepted into the Higher Education and Student Affairs Masters program at the University of Connecticut with a full scholarship and a graduate assistantship.

Sara Biancosino ’17 is game entertainment manager for Washington Redskins football in Baltimore, Maryland. “We are working on our Draft Night Party in D.C. (April 25), which is sold out, so that is super exciting,” she says.

Joshua Hanif ’17 began a new position as business development executive at Building Intelligence in New York City.

Daniel Speranza ’16 has signed on with the Glens Falls firm of Bartlett, Pontiff, Stewart, & Rhodes P.C. as an associate attorney. Speranza’s new position was reported in the Albany Business Review.

Juliana (Wuerdeman) Chromik ’15 is a teaching assistant with the Watervliet City School District in Watervliet, New York.

Hermann Ettien G’14 began working at the New York State Office of Information Technology Services (Albany, New York) as information system auditor.

Arianna Gaddy-Collington ’14 began as an account clerk with the Troy Housing Authority in Troy, New York.

Nick Specht ‘12 is art director at Tory Burch in New York City.

Ashvi Patel ’11 is working as staff auditor for the City of Garland in Texas. He is a health coach and is working towards CGAP certification for internal audit.

2000s

Sarah Morgan G’09 is working as a teacher in the Anne Arundel County Public Schools in the Baltimore, Maryland, area.

Ryan Barone ’07 is working as photo director at advertising agency Baron & Baron in New York, New York.

Jason Breslin ’07 is working as an associate in Education Improvement Services for the New York State Education Department in Albany, New York. He became a National Board Certified teacher (early childhood generalist) in 2014 and an America Achieves Fellow in 2016-2017. In addition, he authored an op-ed column in the Times Union in November 2016.

David Miclette’s ’02 firm, Elevation Ten Thousand, won 16 awards at the ADDY Awards of the American Advertising Federation and Capital Region Advertising Federation and made the introduction video for the event. The video premiered at Proctor’s GE Theater in early March.

Valerie Rados ’01 has begun working as account planner at LP&M Advertising in Syracuse, New York.

1990s

Jessica (Graziano) Waldorf ’99 is owner of the Right Way Driving Center in Albany, New York.

Andrew J. Rubino ’99 began as legislative committee member at the New York Mortgage Bankers Association.

Maddalena Casabianca-Reade G’97 was featured for the organization she founded, Lap4Life, in honor of her brother Angelo, who succumbed to a rare tumor in 2009. Now in its 11th year, Lap4Life holds an annual walk/run event to raise funds and awareness of desmoid tumors and organ-transplant research.

Ron McLean G’97 was appointed president and CEO of the Cooperative Credit Union Association, a trade association in Marlborough, Mass. He was most recently senior vice president and chief engagement officer of the New York Credit Union Association in Albany. His appointment was announced in the CU Times.

1980s

John Ragusa ’87 was in the news for his improvisatory duo, RiverRun, in which he plays the flute with longtime collaborator, pianist Jeremy Wall. Ragusa lives in New York City and heads the music department at the Rye Country Day School in Westchester County.

Russell Sass ’87 is retired and living in The Villages, Florida.

Elizabeth Anne (Thulen) Smith ’84, G’16 is in Chesterfield, Missouri, working as a financial aid counselor at Ranken Technical College in St. Louis. She recently achieved Distinguished Toastmaster status with Toastmasters International, a nearly century-old nonprofit organization that fosters public-speaking and leadership skills.

1970s

Dr. Diana J. Durham G‘77 began a new venture as a consulting specialist to projects in continuing and interprofessional education in the health professions, in the Los Angeles area, after nearly a decade at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.

Rosemary (Longo) Engelhardt ’70 retired after working as a librarian in the Guilderland Public Library (Guilderland, New York) and now lives in Clearwater Beach, Florida.

1960s

Susan (Heim) Pezzolla ’69 is enjoying retirement, and gardening, in Albany, New York. She received the Distinguished Service Award for Horticulture from the New York State chapter of the National Association of County Agricultural Agents in 2016.

In memoriam
Davida Wohl ’92, G’94
Catherine “Lois” Kenney ‘81
Susanne Dorr G’77
Edward L. Snead ‘74
Sister Florence Joy ’71, RSM
Sister Loretta Ciccarelli ’69, MPV (founder of Beacon of Hope in Leominster)
Virginia Perna, ‘67, G ‘72
Gloria Gauntt Hanson G’63
Anna May Barclay G’59
Frances Taylor ‘58
Annmarie McKeon Keating ‘55
Patricia Byrnes Hartigan ‘52
Elizabeth Lauro ‘50
Sister Catherine Schuyler ‘33, CSJ

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Quaglia Named NE10 Women’s Swimmer of the Year

Colleen Quaglia, Saint Rose swimmer

Sophomore Colleen Quaglia has earned yet another honor following her impressive 2018-19 campaign.

The Northeast-10 Conference announced that she has been named the Women’s Swimmer of the Year, as voted upon by the league’s head coaches. She certainly has the resume to support the distinction.

Quaglia recorded an Honorable Mention All-America performance in the 500-yard freestyle at the NCAA Championships in Indianapolis two weeks ago. She previously was named the NE10 Elite 24 Award Winner for having the highest grade-point-average among all female participants at that NE10 Championships in Worcester, Massachusetts.

Read more about Quaglia’s swimming career at Saint Rose.

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Events at Saint Rose for April 2019 and Beyond

Saint Rose is bursting at the seams with events to entertain and educate this month.

Now through April 27:

Art exhibit: Senior Show, featuring works of fourth-year candidates for B.F.A. and B.S. degrees in graphic design and studio art. The Esther Massry Gallery. Free and open to the public.

Ongoing:

Saint Rose Academy for Youth – Do you have a bright young student in elementary, middle, or high school who would like to have fun while learning coding, photography, forensics, drama, painting, or a variety of other great subjects? Week-long programs run from July 1 to August 2. Find registration information online.

Pre-College Experience – Students ages 13 to 18 can immerse themselves in what they love – this intensive, two-week program for dedicated young people offers music, digital filmmaking, visual art, or criminal justice and forensics (options are available for the day program only, or with room and board). The program runs from July 8 until July 19. Register for the Pre-College Experience online.

April 9:

Faculty recital, 7:30 p.m., Dr. Susan Boddie and Dr. Sherwood Wise, Picotte Recital Hall, Massry Center for the Arts

April 10:

Healthy Minds Campaign: Suicide Prevention Symposium, 7 p.m. A panel of experts in social work, counseling, and psychology from Saint Rose and elsewhere will discuss suicide risk factors, warning signs, treatment, and prevention programs, and invite questions from the audience. Register online for the panel discussion.

Concert: Saint Rose chamber wind ensemble and Saint Rose flute choir, 7:30 p.m., Picotte Recital Hall, Massry Center for the Arts

April 11:

Concert: music industry faculty: Dr. Sean McClowry, 8 p.m., Studio G3

“Careers in the Arts: A panel discussion with Saint Rose alumni,” 5:30 p.m., Picotte Recital Hall, Massry Center for the Arts. Panel features: Katie Hammon ’11, executive director of the Downtown Troy Business Improvement District; Scott Bartley ’93, creative director/partner, Bartley & Dick; and Kathryn Greenwood ’92, director of art and culture programs for Albany International Airport. Moderated by Joe Donahue ’91, senior director of news and programming for WAMC/Northeast Public Radio. Sign up for the free event online.

April 12:

Senior flute recital, Sarah Dworjan, 6 p.m., Picotte Recital Hall, Massry Center for the Arts

Senior violin recital, Philip Iannaco, 8 p.m., Picotte Recital Hall, Massry Center for the Arts

April 13:

Softball vs. Adelphi, noon, Christian Plumeri Sports Complex

Baseball vs. Pace, noon, Christian Plumeri Sports Complex

Softball vs. Adelphi, 2 p.m., Christian Plumeri Sports Complex

Baseball vs. Pace, 3 p.m., Christian Plumeri Sports Complex

Concert: Saint Rose Clarinet Choir, 3 p.m., Picotte Recital Hall, Massry Center for the Arts

Lacrosse vs. Assumption, 6 p.m., Christian Plumeri Sports Complex

Concert: Saint Rose Chamber Choir, 7:30 p.m., Picotte Recital Hall, Massry Center for the Arts

April 14:

Baseball vs. Pace, noon, Christian Plumeri Sports Complex

Softball vs. Adelphi, noon, Christian Plumeri Sports Complex

April 15:

Concert: Vocal jazz ensemble, chamber jazz ensemble, and The Meters ensemble, 7:30 p.m., Studio G3

Cold Case Conference (various locations and times), sponsored by the American Investigative Society of Cold Cases, featuring forensic scientist Dr. Henry Lee, author Aphrodite Jones, and Saint Rose Cold Case Analysis Center advisor and adjunct professor Christopher Kunkle. The program runs April 15 to 16. Find information about the Cold Case Conference online.

April 16:

Concert: Motown ensemble, Queen ensemble, and New Wave ensemble, 7:30 p.m., Studio G3

April 17:

Softball vs. Mercy, 4:30 p.m., Christian Plumeri Sports Complex

Inaugural Picotte Presidential Lecture: “Toward a more meaningful dialogue about the value of higher education,” by Sue Cunningham, president and CEO of the Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE), 6:30 p.m., Touhey Forum, Thelma P. Lally School of Education, 1009 Madison Avenue, Albany. Register for the lecture online.

Performance: Musical theater workshop, 7:30 p.m., Picotte Recital Hall, Massry Center for the Arts

April 18:

“Not by the Book: Women Map New Paths to Education and Growth,” featuring Saint Rose President Carolyn J. Stefanco as a panelist, 5:30 p.m., Hearst Media Center, 645 Albany-Shaker Road, Loudonville, New York. Hosted by Women@Work. Cost is $25 (members); $30 (nonmembers). Register for this Women@Work event online.

Men’s Track and Field at UAlbany Spring Classic, TBA

Women’s Track and Field at UAlbany Spring Classic, TBA

April 19:

Men’s Track and Field at UAlbany Spring Classic, TBA

April 20:

Men’s Track and Field at UAlbany Spring Classic, TBA

April 23:

Lacrosse at Saint Anselm, 4 p.m.

Concert: Saint Rose symphonic band, 7:30 p.m., Picotte Recital Hall, Massry Center for the Arts

April 24:

Baseball vs. Le Moyne, Christian Plumeri Sports Complex

Concert: Saint Rose Men’s Glee, Saint Rose Women’s Chorale, and Saint Rose Madrigals ensemble, 7:30 p.m., Picotte Recital Hall, Massry Center for the Arts

April 25:

Concert: Saint Rose brass choir and Saint Rose percussion ensemble, and Saint Rose chamber brass ensemble, 7:30 p.m., Picotte Recital Hall, Massry Center for the Arts

April 26:

Softball vs. Southern Connecticut State, 4 p.m., Christian Plumeri Sports Complex

Softball vs. Southern Connecticut State, 6 p.m., Christian Plumeri Sports Complex

Concert: Saint Rose instrumental jazz ensemble, 7:30 p.m., Picotte Recital Hall, Massry Center for the Arts

April 27:

Softball vs. Southern Connecticut State, noon, Christian Plumeri Sports Complex

Softball vs. Southern Connecticut State, 2 p.m., Christian Plumeri Sports Complex

Concert: Saint Rose wind ensemble, 7:30 p.m., Picotte Recital Hall, Massry Center for the Arts

Men’s Track and Field at RPI, TBA

Women’s Track and Field at RPI, TBA

April 28:

Baseball at Bryant & Stratton, noon

String program recital, 1:30 p.m., Picotte Recital Hall, Massry Center for the Arts

Baseball at Bryant & Stratton, 3 p.m.

Concert: Saint Rose chamber orchestra, string chamber music ensemble, and new music ensemble, 3:30 p.m., Picotte Recital Hall, Massry Center for the Arts

Concert: Saint Rose Opera Workshop performance and vocal and instrumental chamber ensemble, 7:30 p.m., Picotte Recital Hall, Massry Center for the Arts

April 29:

Concert: Saint Rose double reed ensemble and Saint Rose woodwind quintet, 7:30 p.m., Picotte Recital Hall, Massry Center for the Arts

April 30:

Baseball vs. American International, 3:30 p.m., Christian Plumeri Sports Complex

Concert: Saint Rose Masterworks Chorale and Friends, 7:30 p.m., Picotte Recital Hall, Massry Center for the Arts

May 1:

Concert: Saint Rose Symphonic Orchestra, 7:30 p.m., Picotte Recital Hall, Massry Center for the Arts

May 2:

Concert: Artist development and SMAN Music Publishing Co., 7:30 p.m., Studio G3

May 3:

Baseball vs. New Haven, 3 p.m., Christian Plumeri Sports Complex

 May 4:

Baseball vs. New Haven, noon, Christian Plumeri Sports Complex

Baseball vs. New Haven, 3 p.m., Christian Plumeri Sports Complex

May 5:

Legendary saxophonist Maceo Parker, Premiere Performances Series, 7:30 p.m., Picotte Recital Hall, Massry Center for the Arts. Purchase tickets for the Parker show online.

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A Message from President Carolyn J. Stefanco: March 2019

Saint Rose President Carolyn J. Stefanco

I stepped to the podium on February 18, in front of a row of television cameras, to make a very exciting announcement: Michelle Borisenok, a Saint Rose graduate from the Class of 1980, and her husband, Walt, had made a $1.2 million gift to Saint Rose. The gift will fund the renovation and expansion of what will be named the Michelle Cuozzo Borisenok ’80 House, home to the new Women’s Leadership Institute and a cohort of BOLD Women’s Leadership Network Scholars.

There is no better time for Saint Rose, which began in 1920 to provide women equal access to higher education, to step forward as an advocate for women students, employees, and members of our community, and to empower the men among them as allies. We know in the era of #MeToo and lingering pay gaps, there is still work to be done in order to give women truly equal footing in both work and life.

Michelle’s passion for Saint Rose and desire to give back inspires me, and it certainly inspires the first seven students selected as BOLD Women’s Leadership Network Scholars, who joined me at the news conference last month. The BOLD Scholars, part of an exclusive national program we announced last April, were also introduced to the media during our news conference. What a powerful moment it was for me, as a college president who has devoted much of her work and scholarship to the topic of women’s leadership, to see those students speak publicly about how they want to one day follow the example Michelle has set as an alum of Saint Rose.

The Women’s Leadership Institute and initiatives such as BOLD will help instill confidence in women to advocate for themselves and lift up those around them. The gift by Michelle and Walt also sends another important message to our students. They are now responsible for continuing the life-changing experience they had at Saint Rose by paying it forward. I know our BOLD Scholars are already imagining how they will support Saint Rose one day. I invite our Saint Rose community to talk to us about opportunities to do the same.

There is great pride in our history at Saint Rose, and, together, we are continuing the momentum into the College’s next 100 years.

Best wishes,

Carolyn

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