2022 Trocaire Trailblazer Magazine

Fall Issue 2022
THE MAGAZINE FOR ALUMNI, STUDENTS AND SUPPORTERS OF TROCAIRE COLLEGE
Reflecting on change. Positive change.
A LOOK AT THE PRESIDENT’S
10-YEAR PERSPECTIVE
PAGES 3-4
NATALIE BARNHARD’S STORY AND
2022 COMMENCEMENT SPEECH
PAGES 5-7

THE MAGAZINE OF TROCAIRE COLLEGE
Vol. 8, Issue No. 1
The Trocaire Trailblazer is for alumni and friends
of Trocaire College, a private, career-oriented
Catholic institution that strives to empower
students toward careers of achievement
and lives of purpose through our supportive
environment and hands-on programs in
healthcare, business and technology. It
is published once a year by the Office of
Communications. For more information, email
communications@trocaire.edu.
CONTRIBUTIONS
Jacqueline S. Matheny
Dr. Deirdre O’Rourke
Maryke Payne
BOARD OF
TRUSTEES
SUMMER 2022
Lisa M. Kirisits, CPA
Board Chair
James Notaro, Ph.D.
Board Vice Chair
Tracey A. Maw
Board Corp. Secretary
William Barrett Wadsworth
Board Treasurer
Peg Adams
Brian F. Attea, Esq.
Justin P. Azzarella
Lawrence E. Christ
Sister M. Jeanne Thomas Danahy, RSM
Bassam M. Deeb, Ph.D.
ex-officio member
Sarah E. Gilson
Richard P. Hershberger, Ph.D.
Kathy Jamil
Teresa M. Majors, CPA
Sister Lisa Mary McCartney, RSM, Ph.D.
Gerry Nagle
Michael P. Rade, MD
Jeffrey Rubin, DMD
Sister Mary Ann Schimscheiner, RSM
Thomas H. Waring, Jr.
Board Chair Emeritus
Lisa M. Wheeler
Sean Willett
trocaire.edu
Timothy Sember
Dr. Gary Smith
Colleen Steffen
A LETTER FROM
THE PRESIDENT
It is hard to imagine that it has been 10 years since I
came to Trocaire. What an honor it has been. While
much has changed during this time, much has
remained constant: the commitment and passion
of the faculty and staff, the resilience and drive of
our students, the guidance and values of the Sisters
of Mercy, the dedication of our Board of Trustees
members, the support of our donors and friends, and
the transformative nature of a Trocaire education.
This milestone provided an opportunity to look back,
and share some of our successes and challenges in
this edition of Trailblazer. While we always want
to learn from the past, we are most excited about
what lies ahead for the College. We continue to bring
classes back on campus when they benefit from faceto-face
instruction while providing flexibility for our
students through online offerings. We remain active in the community, building
partnerships with organizations to provide career pathways for our students and
to provide a pipeline of graduates well prepared to enter the workforce. As the
recipient of a Title III Strengthening Institutions grant, Trocaire will carry on the
efforts to increase student success through technology, support services and
retention efforts.
As we recently announced, we are very excited about our cooperative agreement
with Medaille University to explore the opportunities and synergy for our two
institutions. As this effort develops, we will keep you, our stakeholders, informed.
The start of the school year remains an exciting time as we greet new and returning
students. A welcome addition to the campus this fall is the Sisters of Mercy Five
Critical Concerns display that hangs in one of our student engagement spaces, as
well as the Mercy crosses that were hung in classrooms across campus. They are
reminders of the rich history and heritage that brought us here and the mission
that guides our work. We hope you enjoy the picture of the display as well as the
other stories in these pages.
Thank you for being a part of the Trocaire story through your generosity
and engagement.
Bassam M. Deeb, Ph.D.
Trocaire College President

Presidents Dr. Candace Johnson (Roswell) and Dr. Bassam Deeb (Trocaire) at partnership signing ceremony.
THE PRESIDENT’S 10-YEAR PERSPECTIVE
What was it about Trocaire that made you
want to lead this organization?
At the time the job was posted, I was struck by
the emphasis placed on Trocaire empowering
personal enrichment, dignity and self-worth
through education. This resonated with me
personally and professionally. My parents,
who never completed high school, placed a
tremendous emphasis on education, and so
for me education was the path to success.
Professionally, my work in the area of Student
Affairs focused on creating supportive
environments for students to pursue education.
I felt there was a fit. That perception of a fit
was strengthened when I met members of the
Trocaire College community.
Even today, I still feel the connection that
faculty and staff have with the mission and
legacy of the institution, and it gives me great
comfort that we are fulfilling our promise of
not just transforming the lives of our students
through education but also that of their
families and this community.
Early on, you developed a Framework
document to address several areas of the
College. What progress was made on those
initiatives?
The culmination of several months of
discussions with individuals and small groups,
looking at strategic plans, meeting with
board members, etc., resulted in developing
a framework document in early 2013 to
accomplish the following:
• Develop a shared vision that is inclusive of all
members of the College community.
• Engage in a continuous improvement process
in our academic, business and student
support operations that identifies, recognizes
and rewards best practices, collaboration,
service, creativity, flexibility, leadership and
altruistic behavior.
• Be involved in a constant review of the way
our curricula are designed, their relevancy in
today’s society, and their mode of delivery
to give us an edge in the ever-competitive
higher education environment. The concept
of stackable credentials must be the guiding
principle as we develop our non-credit and
credit-bearing programs.
• Continue our tradition of excellence. We
are one of the best places to work in this
community, and we will strive to receive such
recognition in the future.
• Accelerate the work of Trocaire’s new
strategic plan
Over the past 10 years, we have tackled every
one of these items. Some are ongoing and
some we have accomplished more successfully
than others.
This look back also identified some items that
require further evaluation, such as:
• Does Trocaire maintain its niche in the healthrelated
profession? Does it expand or shrink
its non-health-related offerings?
• Does Trocaire continue to provide a careeroriented
approach to higher education at
the certificate and associate level or does
it increase its baccalaureate and liberal
arts offerings?
• Does Trocaire limit its presence to South
Buffalo or expand in other parts of the Greater
Buffalo region? Does the College focus solely
on WNY, or does it expand its vision to include
prospective students from across NYS, other
states and/or other countries?
• Does the College pursue alternative learning
models, such as:
– a “Middle College” concept, which creates
a direct connection with pre-collegiate
environments?
– an online delivery that is expanded on a
course-by-course basis, at the program
level, or both?
• When it comes to ascertaining new program
possibilities or better variations of the
current ones, will we be willing to imagine
and embrace alternate methods of delivery?
• How will we deal with the potential loss
of institutional memory over the next 3 to
5 years?
• How will we deal with offering instruction and
services in a multi-locational environment?
VOL. 8 ISSUE 1 • FALL ISSUE 2022 • TROCAIRE COLLEGE 3

THE PRESIDENT’S 10-YEAR PERSPECTIVE (CONTINUED)
“I see a clear path for Trocaire to be a
bigger player in the higher education
sector in Western New York.”
We have been able to address many of these
items, like adding new baccalaureate programs,
investing in digital learning, and re-engineering
our offerings at Transit. Others, like loss of
institutional memory, have been substantially
impacted by COVID and continue to impact
staffing levels.
What are the important issues for the
College now?
If I answer this question without considering
the impact of the pandemic over the last two
and a half years, I would say that increasing
competition in the higher education sector,
decreasing demographics in the greater
Buffalo region, and the ever-increasing cost
of operating an institution of higher education
are factors that are critical for every college or
university, but especially a place the size of
Trocaire College.
If I add the pandemic, then we have inflation,
substantial challenges in securing the right
faculty and staff to work with our students,
and increased support we must provide our
students in order for them to be successful.
This includes not only academic preparation
but also technological challenges and even
food insecurities.
One of the College’s strategic goals has been
to raise the presence and visibility of Trocaire
in the community. Can you speak to some
of the strides that the College has made in
that area?
When I was hired by the Board of Trustees in
2012, this issue of presence and visibility was
front and center to the agenda of moving the
institution forward. However, there was not a
clear path to accomplish that.
For the first couple of years, many of my
Trocaire colleagues and I attended every
event we could. We decided that it was best
to be seen in person while we developed a
more sequential approach to addressing
this goal. That level of exposure allowed us
an opportunity to connect with like-minded
organizations in town.
We then started to engage in developing
initiatives that created educational pathways
for K-12 students, i.e., PTECH with Lackawanna
School District and BOCES. We then expanded
our efforts to engage our partners like The
McGuire Group and Elderwood to provide
up-skilling for their employees. We then
evolved our work into developing more
strategic relationships like the work we
are doing with the Health Sciences Charter
School, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer
Center, Evergreen Health Services, and Gerard
Place. Three years ago, we invested in our
Workforce Development operation and have
been creating successful partnerships.
Last but not least, the community began to
recognize Trocaire’s effort by being nominated
and/or recognized as a Great College to Work
For, a Western New York Healthiest Employer,
Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Awareness
Award, A Best Value College, and The Buffalo
Diocese Bishop’s Medallion.
These are but a handful of examples of being
present and visible in the community.
No one could have predicted the challenges
higher education would be facing today.
How is the College poised to address those
challenges?
It would be an understatement to say that
we couldn’t have predicted the challenges we
have faced since March of 2020 due to the
pandemic. Yet, there is a strong belief at the
College, among every person who has worked
at or is currently employed in the College. This
belief is based on the following:
1. We know who we are as an institution and
operate within the means we have to serve
the students who are attracted to Trocaire.
2. The College has historically been financially
responsible and efficient as an operation
and as a result we have always been
good custodians of the generosity of this
community to ensure that our students were
direct recipients of the financial support we
have received.
3. Change has been constant at the College, and
so everyone recognized that the pandemic
was just another path to reimagine how
we do things and how to best deliver our
academic offerings for our students.
Given the collaborative work we have done to
deal with the last two and half years, I believe
we are poised to tackle anything that we will
face in the future.
What is your vision for Trocaire over the next
5-10 years?
This is a difficult question to answer at this
time. Frankly the entire higher education sector
is changing, and so it will take a little more
time to see how things settle down. Having
said that, I see a clear path for Trocaire to be a
bigger player in the higher education sector in
Western New York. I see opportunities for us
to grow our reach. I also underscore that what
we do moving forward will build on the legacy
of those who came before us, especially the
Sisters of Mercy, who created a unique, warm
and inclusive place that helps those who are
willing to do the work to better themselves
personally and professionally, which will impact
their families and their communities.
4

Soirée
2022
On April 28, 2022, at Rich’s Atrium, Trocaire
College hosted its first in-person Spring Soirée
since 2019. Friends of the College gathered
for an evening of food and drink dedicated to
a shared commitment to student success in
and beyond Trocaire. The energy in the room
was palpable as attendees shared embraces,
laughter and tears, a blessing denied for
so long by the pandemic. Guests included
representatives from Trocaire’s faculty, staff
and students, College alumni, the Sisters
of Mercy, and individual and organizational
supporters from the region.
The event traditionally recognizes exceptional
members of the Trocaire community who
exemplify the Mercy mission in action. This year,
Dr. Deeb presented the President’s Award to
the James H. Cummings Foundation, accepted
by Charles Kreiner, Board Chair. Since its
founding in 1962, the foundation has granted
over $43 million to non-profit organizations
in Buffalo. Trocaire College received its first
gift from Cummings Foundation in 1972; most
recently, the foundation awarded Trocaire
$110,000 to procure two ultrasound machines
OUR SPONSORS
RUSSELL J. SALVATORE
to enhance learning for Diagnostic Medical
Sonography students. Melissa Archer ’00,
Program Coordinator for NY Project Hope at the
Buffalo Urban League, was honored with the
Distinguished Alumni Award. Melissa is a Board
Certified Licensed Psychiatric Mental Health
Nurse Practitioner who has subsequently
garnered commendation from the National
Urban League for her work orchestrating
free counseling for over 1,000 community
members in response to the May 14th shooting
at the East Buffalo Tops Friendly supermarket.
The Outstanding Student Award recipient
was Kristin Fisher ’22. Kristin will graduate
in December 2022 with an associate’s degree
in Nursing. In addition to her studies, Kristin
works full time and is the mother of two
sons. She still finds time to volunteer both at
Trocaire and in her community.
Spring Soirée generated over $100,000 in tuition
assistance for Trocaire students. Thank you to
all who attended and donated your time and
treasure. A special thank-you to event sponsors
who made the event possible, especially
marquee sponsor, Russell J. Salvatore, Lh.D.
PROFILE
Natalie
Barnhard
Natalie is a 2004
graduate, a 2015
Distinguished Alumni
Award Recipient
and May 2022
Commencement
Keynote Speaker.
Everyone at
graduation found her
words so inspiring
that we wanted to
share them here on
pages 6-7.
Buffalo Urban League | ComDoc | Catholic Health | E3 Communications | Elderwood
Ellen Koessler | Family Choice | Five Star Bank | Independent Health | Key Bank
Melissa Archer/Mona Cares | OLV Charities | Rodriguez Construction | Tom Waring/Note Advisor
Park Edge Sweet Shoppe | Brothers of Mercy | Attea & Attea
5

COMMENCEMENT SPEECH 2022
TROCAIRE COMMENCEMENT SPEECH
MAY 17, 2022
I would like to thank Trocaire College, President
Bassam Deeb, the board of trustees and all
Trocaire faculty and staff for inviting me to
be the distinguished speaker for the 2022
commencement ceremony. It is an honor
to be here today to not only share my story
but hopefully give you all some hope and
inspiration as you begin this next chapter of
your lives.
I remember so vividly sitting in those chairs
where you are now, excited for my future. I
had been working full time during the day
as a Physical Therapist Assistant (a degree
I received from Villa Maria College) for about
two years while also attending classes
at night full time at Trocaire College to
become a massage therapist. I was 24 years
old when I received my second degree and
passed my state board exam to officially be
a Licensed Massage Therapist. Life was great.
I had a boyfriend for almost 2 years and was
looking to buy a starter home that was my
grandmother’s. I remember buying my first
custom-made massage table and starting to
create business cards. I was ready for exciting
new things to come in life. Little did I know
that everything, and I mean everything, was
about to drastically change.
I’d like you all to close your eyes for just a
moment. Think about what it would be like to
lose every natural human ability, to not feel any
sensations on your body, to be unable to move
a muscle. Think about losing all your physical
independence, being unable to perform the
most basic daily tasks and functions, to take
a drink of water, scratch your nose, or move
your hair out of your face. How do you think
you would handle that? If all the plans you
had for your life and future took a drastic turn?
That is exactly what happened to me October
22, 2004, a date I will never forget. It was only 3
weeks after I had passed my state board exam.
While at work in an outpatient orthopedic clinic,
I suffered a devastating spinal cord injury. A
600-pound exercise machine fell on top of me,
causing my neck to break. Lying on the ground,
I couldn’t feel anything and knew how bad this
was and became terrified. I was now living a
nightmare, and life as I knew it would never
be the same.
To say the months that followed were a
challenge would be an understatement. I spent
several months in our local trauma hospital,
ECMC, on a ventilator, battling pneumonia and
trying to medically stabilize. I was an emotional
wreck, trying to wrap my mind around what
had happened. Wondering why it happened.
Wondering how I was supposed to live my life
as a person who was paralyzed.
Because of the limited specialized services in
WNY for people who faced catastrophic injuries
or paralysis, I traveled down to The Shepherd
Center, which is a state-of-the-art center in
Atlanta, Georgia. After transferring there, I
spent months learning everything about my
injury and what to expect. They taught me
how to be my own advocate and use my voice.
I became part of a community that understood
exactly what I was going through.
However, all I wanted to do was be home. If I
could just be home, this nightmare would be
over, right? Well, not exactly.
Returning home, I realized that everything had
changed; the facts of my new reality hit me
hard. I’d never be able to work in my chosen
field. I needed full-time caregivers to help my
parents take care of me. And because it was
too hard for him, my boyfriend broke up with
me. With all of this, I became angry. I was no
longer surrounded by other survivors of a spinal
cord injury who truly understood. I felt so many
emotions I’d never felt before. I had no idea
what to do with all of these horrible feelings.
I remember feeling so defeated that I lost
the ability to use my hands. It was with my
hands that I helped others heal, and now I
had no idea what my purpose was. I’ll never
forget the conversation with my mom about
this, and how I felt all my education was for
nothing and my gift of helping people was
taken from me. She reminded me that God
doesn’t let any situation go unused and that
he had big plans for my life if I allow him to
use me. Being a woman of faith, I prayed for
a new passion and purpose in my life.
For the next year, I tried to do as much as I
could to get better. I started counseling and
continued physical therapy. Because the
therapy wasn’t as specialized as I wanted, I
decided to return to Shepherd Center for their
intensive, activity-based therapy program.
I stayed in Atlanta for the next almost 10
years and focused solely on my own recovery
because there was nothing here in Buffalo. I
was away from friends and family and my
support system, which was incredibly difficult
not only on me but on my family as well.
As I began to heal, I discovered my purpose
in life: to help others going through these
devastating injuries, and I wanted to create
the services people needed right here in
Western New York. I developed the vision
and passion to start a foundation to give
back to people going through what I was.
I created Motion Project Foundation, Inc.
so quality-of-life grants could be given for
the necessary items that someone needed,
which couldn’t get paid for by any other
means. It took time to begin fundraising
events after the foundation was formed
because I was still so focused on my own
recovery. Once we started raising funds and
providing grants, I really felt happy and that
my purpose was in fact to help people living
with spinal cord injuries.
6

COMMENCEMENT SPEECH 2022
“Our greatest glory is not in
never falling, but in rising
every time we fall.” — Confucius
During this time I started to get involved
with advocating for disability rights with
the United Spinal Association. I started the
Western New York Chapter and began going
to Roll on Capitol Hill, an important annual
advocacy event, and had the opportunity to
put a face to the bill we were advocating for.
It was amazing meeting so many people from
all over the country doing incredible work in
their states and hometowns. I was inspired
and felt encouraged and empowered. They
really helped me to develop an even stronger
passion to help the SCI/D community. So I
finally decided to move back home to pursue
my dreams and goals, but little did I know
another major transition was to follow.
All those years of therapy helped keep hope
alive inside me. But in leaving it behind to
pursue other goals and dreams, I felt sad, like
I was giving up. I wondered, could I heal more
or is this it for me? Or, I wondered, am I just
coming to the realization that I’ve gained all
I could in my recovery? It was hard to know
the answers to those questions. But, when I
transitioned home, expecting to pick up my
life and it didn’t happen, a new round of grief
hit me.
I needed time to adjust in many ways. Because
I was always in therapy, I had the mindset of
gaining more function, more strength, more
movement, more, more, more. And, even
though improvements were slow, it kept me
healthy and in shape. But I realized that there
was one stage of grief I hadn’t gone through.
That was acceptance.
Every part of my journey has led me to where I
am today. I realized that the spinal cord injury/
disabled (SCI/D) population needs health and
wellness just as much, if not more, than the
able-bodied community. So I am utilizing
my experience, my education, along with
everything I have learned, to make a change
in my community and be an advocate for my
spinal cord-injured friends. Today, I feel truly
recovered even though I don’t have all of my
function back, because I’m living my best life.
I am finally truly LIVING.
We all face some type of event that has a
big impact on our life. Your hardest thing
you’ve ever gone through is your “hard,” and
that is different for everyone. Allowing your
tragedy to become your biggest triumph isn’t
something that happens overnight. It takes
time for you to heal, to learn and grow. It took
years for me to fully accept my injury and
feel that I’m recovered. I had to go through
the journey, the ups and downs, and allow
myself to grieve and process all the emotions
I was feeling. I used to think, “Why can’t I
have a miracle, and miraculously be healed?”
But as my journey continued, I realized that
if a miracle happened, what would I learn if
life just went back to the way it was? The
challenges I faced throughout my journey
inspired me to make a difference for others
going through the same thing. If I could make
a difference for one other person, it would be
worth it all.
Through my Motion Project Foundation, I
worked hard, and on September 29, 2021, I
opened The Natalie Barnhard Center for Spinal
Cord Injury Rehabilitation and Recovery to
help provide our WNY community intensive
activity-based rehabilitation for those living
with spinal cord injuries as well as other
neurological conditions that cause paralysis. I
was blessed to have the opportunity to do as
much rehab as I did; however, I recognize that
not everybody gets that chance, and even if
they do, it is not easy to be away from your
loved ones. That is why I’m working to create
a community atmosphere where people can
receive the education and support they need.
It’s been a beautiful labor of love and quite the
journey to get to where I am today.
As the graduating class, you are about to start
a new chapter in your life with your chosen
career goals. It’s so exciting looking to the
future and having big dreams.
You can achieve anything you want, despite
the curves and twists life throws. Embrace
change and allow it to propel you forward to do
things unimaginable. We all face challenges
and setbacks, we all make mistakes, but using
that to help you grow and push you to be the
best you can be is rare. I encourage all of you to
push your boundaries and pursue your dreams.
Follow your heart! Mistakes and setbacks are
going to happen. Do not get discouraged when
things do not go your way. Every mistake is
a teaching moment, and what you learn will
help you not to repeat the same mistake and
ultimately make you a better person. Success
does not happen overnight. Everyone starts
off entry level. Pay your dues, build your
reputation in the right way, and success will
be yours.
Here’s a verse I would like to share that has
really helped me:
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares
the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to
harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
Jeremiah 29:11
You can’t control everything that may happen
or come your way, but you can control how
you handle something and your response
to a situation. Don’t become a victim of
circumstance; be the hero of your own life. Use
your education, life experiences and intuition
to make a real change in this world.
Congratulations
class of 2022!
VOL. 8 ISSUE 1 • FALL ISSUE 2022 • TROCAIRE COLLEGE 7

Q & A WITH TIMOTHY SEMBER
Q&A with Timothy Sember
TROCAIRE’S CHIEF MISSION OFFICER
What exactly is a Chief Mission Officer?
In alignment with the Conference for Mercy
Higher Education’s (CMHE’s) focus on
Catholic identity and Mercy heritage, charism
and mission, the Chief Mission Officer
(CMO) provides executive leadership for the
influence, collaboration and impact of mission
activities across the eight core areas of Mission
Integration.
What are the eight core areas?
The eight foundational elements for Mission
Integration and institutional identity are:
Curricular Development and Integration;
Hiring, Orientation and Onboarding; Ongoing
Formation of Mission; Space, Art, Environment,
and Symbolism (see the article in this issue
regarding the Critical Concerns display for an
example of this element); Inclusive Worship;
Ritual and Reflection; Engagement in
Community and Celebrations; Sponsorship,
CMHE and Ecclesial Relations; Catholic Social
Teaching; Critical Concerns in Action.
Is this a new role at Trocaire?
Yes and no. While the title of CMO is new,
the role has been served in a variety of ways
throughout the College’s history. Trocaire
has always and will continue to see that all
members of the campus community are
steeped in mission, that they understand how
it bears upon their particular duties, and that
they take ownership for promoting Trocaire’s
mission and identity. I see my role as CMO in
assisting, resourcing and collaborating with
board members, administration, faculty, staff,
students and alumni to foster Mission and
Trocaire’s heritage as an institution of Mercy
Higher Learning.
What have you discovered about Trocaire in
your time here?
I have been so impressed with the dedication
and commitment at Trocaire to provide the
best opportunity of learning for our students.
One of the unique, and I believe, significant
strengths of Trocaire is the Mercy Action
Project (MAP) course. Each student is given
the opportunity to participate in a co-curricular
course at no cost that focuses on the Mission
of the Sisters of Mercy and to be of service to
the community. As part of the MAP course,
students are asked to reflect on the experience
and how they as individuals were impacted
by the experience. I have been privileged to
review the reflections and quite frankly am
in awe of the responses, which speak to the
transformational growth that takes place.
Anything else you would like to share?
Trocaire College Funding the Future
of WNY Endowed Scholarship Campaign
The College is pleased to announce the public
phase of the Funding the Future of WNY
Endowed Scholarship Campaign. With a goal
of raising $3 million for endowed scholarships,
the Campaign funds will provide students in
need with the important financial support
required to successfully graduate and pursue
their career goals. The Campaign has been
in the “quiet” phase since the fall of 2018.
Now that we are emerging from the pandemic,
The Sisters of Mercy are an incredible force in
the world. Their heritage of service beginning
with the life of Catherine McAuley is truly
astounding. It is a blessing for me to have
joined Trocaire and to have a part in continuing
the Mission. As Catherine said, “We should be
shining lamps, giving light to all around us.”
For more information on CMHE and
Mission go to www.mercyhighered.org
we have significant momentum to meet or
surpass our $3 million goal in the next several
months, bringing the Campaign to a successful
conclusion. We invite those who have not yet
participated in the Campaign to become part
of this important effort to create careers of
achievement and lives of purpose.
For more information or to donate:
trocaire.edu/give
8

COLLABORATION EFFORTS / GRANTS
TROCAIRE LEADS COMMUNITY
COLLABORATION EFFORTS
When Dr. Gary Smith, VP for Innovation and
Workforce Development, arrived at Trocaire in
June of 2019, he saw an opportunity to expand
workforce development and community
engagement through community outreach
and partnerships. After engaging in individual
outreach, he saw that there were many likeminded
community organizations that were
missing opportunities to collaborate.
In the spring of 2021, Dr. Smith and his
counterpart at 716 Ministries, Matt Johnson,
agreed to create an informal Workforce
Development Collaborative that would bring
together like-minded community organizations.
They hosted the first gathering in the summer
of 2021 with leaders from Harvest House, OLV,
Buffalo City Mission, Goodwill, The Salvation
Army and Catholic Charities. The group’s energy
was electric and the dialogue creative about
how they could build off each other’s strengths
and work together to stand up projects and
secure supporting resources with the goal of
making an impact in the community.
An early project was a customer-service
training program funded by the Garman Family
Foundation in partnership with Buffalo City
Mission, Trocaire, 716 Ministries, OLV and
Cazenovia Recovery. Subsequent projects
include IT training at Harvest House with
Trocaire, Healthcare training at Gerard Place
with Trocaire, and a Veterans IT Training
program at the M&T Tech Academy funded
by Foundation 214 with Trocaire.
The Collaborative now meets monthly, as the
list of participants continues to grow to include
more than 50 regional organizations and
employers. Their shared goal is to collaborate
and make Buffalo a better place to live and
work, and to provide opportunity to those
who need it most through talent development.
Examples of this are a partnership among
716 Ministries, Trocaire, The Buffalo Niagara
Partnership and several regional employers
to offer employment training, as well as a
Healthcare Career Exploration program funded
by the Buffalo Common Council.
GRANTS RECEIVED IN 2021-2022
Title III Part A Strengthening Institutions
Program, $2,128,218
National Science Foundation Advancing
Technical Education, $336,458
James H. Cummings Foundation,
$110,000
Foundation 214, $20,000
United Way of Buffalo and Erie County,
$19,000
State Aid for High Needs Nursing Programs,
$5,147
Coordinated Collection Development Aid
(CCDA) Program, $4,766
NY State Education Department Enhancing
Supports & Services for Students with
Disabilities for Postsecondary Success
Program, $2,704
Josephine Goodyear Foundation, $2,500
$2,628,793 in direct grants in the 2021-
2022 academic year
7 million grant dollars awarded since 2017
VOL. 8 ISSUE 1 • FALL ISSUE 2022 • TROCAIRE COLLEGE 9

TROCAIRE.EDU/GIVE
Student Opportunity Scholarship Fund
Please make your gift today to make an immediate and lasting impact on our Trocaire College students.
At Trocaire College, our students are
building careers of achievement and
lives of purpose. Many of these students
are determined to succeed, but require
tuition assistance to stay on track and
graduate. Our goal is to help them make
an impact in their lives and the lives of
everyone in our community.
The Student Opportunity Scholarship
Fund is unique. Unlike other annual funds,
100% of all funds donated go directly
toward providing immediate scholarship
support to current Trocaire students.
That’s right—your gift has an immediate,
and lasting, impact:
• Enables students to continue receiving
a high-quality education, which results
in family-sustaining jobs
• Advances Buffalo’s skilled workforce by
producing career-ready alumni
• Helps bridge the sizeable tuition gap
students may face after all their financial
aid is applied
• Empowers students with personal
enrichment, dignity and self-worth in
the spirit of our founders, The Sisters
of Mercy
1
2
3
A gift today helps make their opportunity
possible tomorrow. Your donation will help
sustain the mission of our College and
positively enrich the community of Western
New York.
Three simple ways to give now
Visit trocaire.edu/give
Fill out the enclosed envelope with a
check made payable to Trocaire College.
Scan this QR code with your smartphone
SISTERS OF MERCY CRITICAL CONCERNS
Meeting the needs of persons who are poor.
That simple statement reflects the origins
of the Sisters of Mercy through the work of
Catherine McAuley, foundress of the Sisters
of Mercy. For close to 200 years, the Sisters of
Mercy have maintained that original focus as
they expanded their presence throughout the
world. As part of their commitment to action
and addressing the root causes of systemic
injustice, they identified five Critical Concerns.
The Critical Concerns are discerned to be
of top priority. These concerns should take
precedence as part of an ongoing mission to
serve the needs of others. The five Critical
Concerns are: Immigration, Racism, Women,
Nonviolence and Earth.
The concern of Immigration reflects a belief
of the dignity of every person, and as such
we are called to work for just and humane
immigration laws, and address policies that
push people to flee their countries. The concern
of Earth speaks to the belief in the need for
sustainability of life, which calls for a lifestyle
and legislation that acknowledges everyone’s
right to water and to address climate change.
The concern of Racism is the belief that
racism is an evil that affects us all. We are
all called to work to recognize and dismantle
systemic racism in order to become an antiracist
multicultural community. The concern of
Nonviolence seeks to work for peace through
prayer, education, personal and communal
practices of nonviolence, and legislative
advocacy to reduce armed conflicts, gun
violence and human rights abuses. The concern
of Women gives special attention to women’s
education, health and spirituality especially
through the work of Mercy schools, colleges,
healthcare institutions and spirituality centers.
Thanks to the efforts of Trocaire’s Mission
Office, a beautiful panel display of the Critical
Concerns now graces the second-floor lounge
on the Choate campus. It is a visible reminder
of the heritage of Trocaire and the legacy of
service by the Sisters of Mercy. In addition to
the Critical Concerns display, Mercy crosses
were installed in classrooms at the Choate
and Transit Road facilities.
In the words of Catherine McAuley, “We
can never say it is enough.” The work of the
Sisters of Mercy as identified in the five Critical
Concerns will continue to be at the heart of all
that Trocaire College strives for as it educates
and transforms lives.
10

GIVING & FOUNDER’S CIRCLES
THANK YOU TO ALL OF THE INDIVIDUALS AND
ORGANIZATIONS THAT SUPPORTED TROCAIRE
JUNE 1, 2021 THROUGH MAY 31, 2022
President’s Circle
($25,000 or more Annually)
John Burgess
William and Geri D. Drew
Amy Habib
James H. Cummings Foundation
Ellen E. Koessler
National Science Foundation
New York State Education Department
Salvatore’s Grand Hotel,
Russell J. Salvatore, Lh.D.
Carol Spangler
Unites States Department of Education
United Way of Buffalo and Erie County
Trustee’s Circle
($5,000 to $24,999 Annually)
ABM Education Facilities Services
Advance 2000 Inc.
Erie County Medical Center Corporation
Vincent & Harriet Palisano Foundation
MidCity Office Furniture
Ellicott Development Company
Foundation 214
Rosemarie Drew
Michael & Mary Beth Cucinotta
Fred & Lisa M. Kirisits
Sarah & Thomas H. Waring, Jr.
Kaleida Health
KeyBank
Kirisits & Associates CPAS, PLLC
Robert E Kozlowski
Drs. Bassam M. and Jodi S. Deeb
Dr. Richard T. Linn
David & Janet Desmon
Christina B. & George J. Eberl
The Paul J. Koessler Foundation, Inc.
The Foundation of the Roman Catholic
Diocese of Buffalo
The McGuire Group
Sisters of Mercy of the Americas
Thomas J. Mitchell ’89
James H. Cummings Foundation
Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Institute
Leadership Circle
($1,000 - $4,999 Annually)
Attea & Attea
Peg Adams
Melissa Archer
Brian F. Attea Esq.
Justin P. Azzarella
Joseph Basil, Sr.
Cynthia Battista
BD&E
Brothers of Mercy
Buffalo Urban League
Karen Chiantella Camacho ’96
Catholic Health
Fady Chamoun
Lawrence E. Christ
Dianna Civello
ComDoc
Mary “Connie” Drew Wyvell
Richard Drew, Jr.
e3communications
Elderwood Administrative Services
Family Choice of New York
Five Star Bank
Sarah E. Gilson
Judith Hager
Angela Laviano Hamister
Dr. Richard P. Hershberger
Hodgson Russ LLP
Jack & Kathleen A. Hoffstetter ’71
Dr. & Mrs. Paul B. Hurley, Jr.
James Iglewski
Independent Health Association
Kathy Jamil
Josephine Goodyear Foundation
Elizabeth N. Kolber
Dr. Allyson M. Lowe
Teresa M. Majors, CPA
Jacqueline S. Matheny
Tracey A. Maw ’94
John & Mary McKeone
Anthony “Drew” McNichol
Gabe McNichol ’19
Michael R. Moravec
Dr. James Notaro & Amber Slichta ’94
Note Advisors, LLC
OLV Homes of Charity
Carl P. & Mary Catherine Paladino Ŧ
Richard C. & Karen E. Penfold
Janet E. Peters
Rodriguez Construction Group
Dr. Michael P. Rade, FACS
Dr. Jeffrey Rubin
Kathleen Saunders
Colleen Siemian
Rob Swann ’96
Mary Alice Walz
Lisa M. Wheeler ’95
Sean Willett
Maureen A. Winnert
Rebecca Wyzykiewicz ’72
Dr. Gary Smith and Dr. Yang Zhao
Friends of Trocaire College
($1 to $999 Annually)
Actuarial Consulting Services
Trinetta Alston ’21
Jewelann Amato ’22
Susan Andrade
Stuart and Joyce Angert
Anonymous
Joanne Baldini ’68
Mollie Ballaro
Barbara A. Bargmann
Christie Baynes
Greg Beatty
Angel & Sean Beiter
Dr. Mary K. Bennett
Rachel Billings
Dr. Jennifer Blickwedehl
Dr. G. Richard Braen
Demetria Bradley ’22
Michele Brancato
Dr. Amy Breski
Brick Oven Bistro, Deli & Wine Bar
Martha A. Bronstein ’86
Thomas J. Bubar ’75
VOL. 8 ISSUE 1 • FALL ISSUE 2022 • TROCAIRE COLLEGE 11

GIVING & FOUNDER’S CIRCLES
Shamon Burns ’21
Naomi Byrne ’83
Juliet Carl ’22
Marissa Carroll ’22
George & Mary Ann Chernowski
Joanne Chmura ’75
Dr. & Mrs. Gabriel Chouchani
Sue Clark ’88
Jeffrey Clemo
Scott Cody
Tiffany Cole ’09
Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo
Kim Cortes
Kathleen Cosgrove-Drury ’74
David & Caroline Croen
Marie Cullum ’85
CSS Health
Ginalyn Dake
Sister M. Jeanne Thomas
Danahy RSM, ’67
Kathleen Dennehy
Jacqueline DeMarco ’95
Monica Diasio ’78
Andrea Dickens ’13
Richard A. DiVita, Sr.
Nicole Dobucki ’21
Susan Domres ’82
Maureen Driscoll Hudack ’70
Diane Eggleston
Barbara Eggleston ’81
Evergreen Health Services
Jennifer Elliott
Patricia Eusanio ’70
Erik Eustice
Renata Filarecki
Jacqueline Flis
Jack & Maureen Fecio ’68
Sarah Fiegl ’22
Deborah Finamore ’73
Kristin Fisher
Jacob Fisher ’14
Agnes Fleig ’71
Lydia Francis ’22
Philomena M. Gallagher
Jean Gebler
Angela Giancarlo
Randall Glass
Carolyn Gorczyca
Ashley Gralke
Therese M. Gorman & Chester S. Moyer
Kelly Govern
Jacqueline Gow
Robert Graeff ’96
Dr. Ellen Grant
Kathleen Higgins Greeley ’76
Don Greyson
Ann Grosso ‘74
Margaret Gutowski ’70
Helene Hamilton ’70
Katie Hamister
Richard Hamister
Tina Hatchett ’22
Elizabeth Miller Hawkins ’73
Maureen Heimerl ’63
Jen Hermann
Colleen Hirsch
Rosemary Hopkins ’76
Dr. Susan Horrocks
Cheryl Hynes ’15
Ilio DiPaolo’s Restaurant
Karen Jackson ’13
Tim Jackson
Dr. Ann-Marie John
Terrell Johnson ’22
Elmer Kagaoan
Erica Kaiser
Veronica “Bonnie” Kane-Lockwood ’75
Kathleen Kelley
Nancy Kelly ’70
Archangela Kervin
Dr. Linda J. Kerwin ’07
Leigh King ’97
Liesbeth Kozlowski
Geraldine Kroll ’76
Katya and Deanna Kroll-Haeick
Genevieve Kruly
Sarah Leuthe ’98
Kim Marie Lind ’81
Mary Ann Long ’80
Chelsea Lorich ’21
Kelly Loss
Linda Mansell ’68
Darcy Martinez ’69
Richard McGilvray, Sr.
Sharon McHenry ’69
Jean McKeown
Sharon McNamara ’77
Matt Melewski
Carole Mikolajczak
Naqwan Miles ’22
Karen and Martin Miller
Millington Lockwood
Business Interior Solutions
Sandra Monacelli ’78
Juanita Morales ’22
Michele Muckle ’87
Murray Roofing Company, Inc.
Gerald A. Nagle
Dr. Nicholas Naples ’77
Kita Nettles ’08
Dr. & Mrs. Charles Niles
Of the Sea, LLC
Dr. Deirdre O’Rourke
Michael & Rhona Osborne
Emily O’Sullivan
Margaret Overdorf
Rachael Patterson ’22
Wendy Paterson
Maryke Payne-Kerr
David Peck ’80
Mary Perschy
Mark Petrie
Christine Pieczonka ’90
Tanya Pierce ’09
Kamu Pindiprolu
Joelle Polanowski ’22
Nicole Politi
Margaret Poole
Aaron Polanski
Powerhouse Real Estate
Jean C. Powers, Esq.
Patricia Preston ’73
Sharon Prise Azurin Esq.
Mary Przepasniak
Samantha Przybysz ’21
RCA Healthcare Management, LLC
Molly McGee Randisi ’72
Lauren Reczek
Faith Reed
Danielle Reusch ’12
Rich Products Corporation
James Rivetti ’90
Renee Roman ’75
Tracy Rozewicz
Arthur Russ, Jr.
Dr. Christine Ryan
Susan Saltzman ’67
Barbara Salvadore
Molly Sayler ’80
Christine Schafer ’86
12

GIVING & FOUNDER’S CIRCLES
John & Patty Schiavone
Sister Mary Ann Schimscheiner
RSM ’67
Ashanti Scott
Colleen Scoville ’84
Dawn Serwacki
Barbara Shaw
Colleen Smith ’75
Dr. Gary Smith and Dr. Yang Zhao
Holly Smith ’22
Maquita Sharp ’22
LeeAnn Marie Speyer ’84
Colleen C. Steffen
Lorie Steinwald ’97
Debra Steriovski
Dr. Susan Stocker ’78
Susan Sullivan
Charmeka Swan ’22
Rose Mary Swanson ’67
Ruthe Swanson
Rachel Suto McCormick ’85
Laura Streeter ’22
Marcus Tantillo ’22
Angela Thomas ’22
Heather Thompson
Suzanne Toland
Trautman Associates
Salvatore Tripi
Trocaire College Board of Trustees
Trocaire College Faculty Association
Trocaire College President’s Council
Meghan Trzenski ’22
Dr. Jean Turcott
Uniland Development Company
United Way of Buffalo & Erie County
Ann Van Pelt ’91
JoAnne Marie Viapiano ’76
Vista Security Group
William Barrett Wadsworth
Kyla Wainwright ’22
Dr. Kelly Wallace
Lorraine Washington ’22
West Herr Ford
Britany Whalen
Christine Whipkey ’10
Dr. Sally White
Amber Wiehe
Adriane Williams
Sheila Williams ’73
Dorothy Worrall
Rosemarie Yager ’76
Dr. Gary Young
Michealene Zaccarine ’96
Amanda Zwifka ’09
Jonathon Zankl
Founder’s Circle
(Lifetime Giving Total of $100,000 or more)
ADF Construction
Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo
James H. Cummings Foundation
Dormitory Authority of the
State of New York
Franklin G. Downing
Amy Habib
Helene Fuld Health Trust
Health Resources & Services Administration,
Nursing Workforce Diversity Program
KeyBank and the First Niagara Foundation
Ellen E. Koessler
Elizabeth N. Kolber
M&T Charitable Foundation
The McGuire Group
National Science Foundation
New York State Education Department
New York State Empire State Development
John R. Oishei Foundation
Carl P. & Mary Catherine Paladino
Vincent & Harriet Palisano Foundation
Richard C. & Karen E. Penfold
Russell J. Salvatore, Lh.D.
Sisters of Mercy of the Americas
The Statler Foundation
United States Department of Education
United States Department of Justice, Office
on Violence Against Women
United States Health Resources and
Services Administration
The Margaret L. Wendt Foundation
Loyalty Circle
(Consecutive Giving 5 years or more)
Mollie & Jeremy Ballaro
Barbara A. Bargmann
Joseph Basil, Sr.
Dr. Jennifer Blickwedehl
Michele Brancato
Paula Braun ’69
Dr. Amy Breski
Martha Bronstein ’86
Thomas J. Bubar ’75
John Burgess
Constance Butler ’67
Karen Chiantella Camacho ’96
Susan Clark ’88
Tiffany Cole ’09
Kathleen Cosgrove-Drury ’74
James H. Cummings Foundation
Sister M. Jeanne Thomas
Danahy RSM, ’67
Drs. Bassam M. & Jodi S. Deeb
Kathleen Dennehy
David & Janet Desmon
Monica Diasio ’78
Barbara Eggleston ’81
Erie County Medical Center Corporation
Deborah Finamore ’73
Jacob Fisher ’14
Philomena M. Gallagher
Mary Genzel
Angela Giancarlo
Carolyn Gorczyca
Kelly Govern
Amy Habib
Helene Hamilton ’70
Jane Higgins ’69
Jack & Kathleen A. Hoffstetter ’71
David & Kristy Holfoth
Jack & Barbara Hudack ’81
Dr. & Mrs. Paul B. Hurley, Jr.
Cheryl Hynes ’15
Edward A. Johnson
Kaleida Health
Veronica “Bonnie” Kane-Lockwood ’75
Dr. Linda J. Kerwin ’07
Dr. Robert Kieffer
Fred & Lisa M. Kirisits
Ellen E. Koessler
Elizabeth N. Kolber
Dr. Richard T. Linn
Jacqueline S. Matheny
Tracey A. Maw ’94
Molly McGee Randisi ’72
Sharon McHenry ’69
Jason Meder RN ’98
Elizabeth Miller Hawkins ’73
Thomas J. Mitchell ’89
Michael R. & Suzanne Moravec
Dr. Nicholas Naples ’77
Dr. James Notaro & Amber Slichta ’94
New York State Education Department
David Peck ’80
VOL. 8 ISSUE 1 • FALL ISSUE 2022 • TROCAIRE COLLEGE 13

GIVING & FOUNDER’S CIRCLES
Richard C. and Karen Penfold
Mary Perschy
Janet Peters
James Poulos
Mary Przepasniak
Donald Roof ’94
Dr. Christine Ryan
Susan Saltzman ’96
Kathleen Saunders
Colleen Scoville ’84
Sisters of Mercy of the Americas
Siobhan C. Smith
Leeann Speyer ’84
Sheila Stanchak ’83
Lorie Steinwald ’97
Debra Steriovski
Rachel Suto McCormick ’85
Cheryl Swain
The Foundation of the Roman Catholic
Diocese of Buffalo
Heather Thompson
JoAnne Marie Viapiano ’76
Vincent & Harriet Palisano Foundation
Thomas H. & Sarah Waring, Jr.
Christine Whipkey ’10
Carol Whitton ’71
Maureen A. Winnert
Rosemarie Yager ’76
Dr. Amy Zielinski
Sister Barbara Ciarico Legacy
Society
(Planned Giving)
Ellen Bowman
Thomas J. Bubar ’75
Dr. Joseph R. Connelly
Maureen English
Dr. & Mrs. Paul B. Hurley, Jr.
Kathleen G. Kearns
Ellen E. Koessler
William F. Marx
Thomas J. Mitchell ’89
Gerald C. Saxe
Mary Alice Walz
Tribute Gifts
Gifts made in honor or memory celebrate the legacy
of cherished individuals by making a difference and
impact in the lives of Trocaire students.
IN MEMORY OF JOHN & HELENE ATTARD
Dorothy Worrall
IN MEMORY OF JACQUELINE BEYER ’86
Jean Gebler
IN MEMORY OF ANNE BURKHARDT
Joelle Polanowski
IN MEMORY OF SISTER BARBARA CIARICO
RSM
Karen and Martin Miller
IN MEMORY OF JOHN CUCINOTTA
Jack & Kathleen A. Hoffstetter ’71
IN MEMORY OF JOHN DEBERGALIS My Baby
Brother Who Inspired Me To Be A Nurse
Leeann Marie Speyer ’84
IN MEMORY OF DAVID DONALDSON, JR.
Dianna Civello
Nicole Politi
IN HONOR OF THE DREW
FAMILY SCHOLARSHIP
Gabe McNichol ’19
IN MEMORY OF ROBYN SWANSON
FLADING ’94
Ruthe Swanson
IN MEMORY OF CHRIST GAETANOS
Nicole Politi
IN HONOR OF SISTER MARGARET MARY
GORMAN RSM, ’64
Therese M. Gorman & Chester S. Moyer
IN HONOR OF Graduation
Laura Streeter ’22
IN HONOR OF Graduation & Getting My RN
Charmeka Swan ’22
IN MEMORY OF HERBERT J. HEIMERL, ESQ.
Maureen Heimerl ’63
IN MEMORY OF NATALIE HOLLAND ’13,
SISTER KIRKLAND, AND DR. FRANK
FOTE, OB-GYN
Dr. Gary Young
IN MEMORY OF JOYCE KAISER
Jack & Kathleen A. Hoffstetter ’71
Erica Kaiser
Linda Mansell ’68
IN MEMORY OF SUZANNE KREUZER
Suzanne Toland
IN MEMORY OF FRED KIRISITS
Jack & Kathleen A. Hoffstetter ’71
IN MEMORY OF SISTER ANNE LILLIS, OSF
Mary Przepasniak
IN HONOR OF SISTER MARIE
ANDRE MAIN RSM, ’62
Debra Steriovski
IN HONOR OF THOMAS J. MITCHELL ’89
Arthur Russ Jr.
IN MEMORY OF My Dad
Angela Thomas ’22
IN HONOR OF My Family
Lorraine Washington ’22
IN HONOR OF My Family
Amanda Zwifka ’22
IN HONOR OF My Teachers
Juliet Carl ’22
IN MEMORY OF JEAN PAWARSKI
Tim Jackson
IN MEMORY OF MARGARET POOLE
Jack & Kathleen A. Hoffstetter ’71
IN HONOR OF RUSSELL J. SALVATORE, Lh,D.
Dr. & Mrs. Charles Niles
IN MEMORY OF RACHEL R. SAVARINO
Angela Giancarlo
IN MEMORY OF ANTHONY & LUCIA
SCHIAVONE
John & Patty Schiavone
IN HONOR OF SISTER MARY ANN
SCHIMSCHEINER RSM, ’67
Jean McKeown
IN MEMORY OF SOPHIA SYZMANOWICZ
Helene M. Hamilton ’70
IN HONOR OF COLLEEN C. STEFFEN, MPA
Cynthia Battista
IN HONOR OF TROCAIRE STUDENTS &
STUDENT LEADERS
Lauren Reczek
IN HONOR OF Your Graduation
Marissa Carroll ’22
IN HONOR OF When You Graduate
Kyla Wainwright ’22
IN MEMORY OF ANN WILLIAMS, RN
Sharon McNamara ’77
14

GIVING & FOUNDER’S CIRCLES
Endowed Scholarships
Endowed scholarships established at Trocaire College
are legacies of generosity. Unlike gifts received for
immediate use, endowed gifts keep giving over time.
These prudently invested funds generate annual
earnings that will be available to provide financial
support to deserving students in perpetuity.
The Karen Burgess Camacho ’96
Endowment Scholarship
The Cucinotta Family Endowed Scholarship
The John C. Cucinotta Memorial
Endowed Scholarship
The Deeb Family Scholarship Fund
The Desmon Family Endowed Scholarship
The Geraldine Stoklosa Drew (Mercy School
of Nursing ’66) Endowed Scholarship Fund
The Richard, Mary, William and Henry Drew
Family Endowed Scholarship Fund
The George J. and Christina B. Eberl
Endowed Scholarship Fund
Erie County Medical Center Corporation
Endowed Scholarship Fund
First Niagara Foundation Endowed
Scholarship Fund
Amy J. and Halim A. Habib Family
Endowment Fund
Fred and Lisa M. Kirisits Endowed
Scholarship Fund
The Ellen E. Klausman Koessler Endowed
Scholarship Fund
Kenneth L. and Katherine G. Koessler
Family Foundation
Paul J. Koessler Foundation
Endowed Scholarship Fund
Paladino Family Endowed Scholarship Fund
Belasario A. & Sara G. Paladino
Memorial Scholarship Fund
Mary C. & Urban J. Pauly Trustee Scholarship
The Berna Savarino Scholarship Fund
Josephine Kozlowski Shipton
Memorial Endowed Scholarship
Sisters of Mercy Scholarship
The Walz Family Endowed Scholarship Fund
The Sarah and Tom Waring
Endowed Scholarship
Trocaire College Community Award
Gifts in Kind
2 Gals and a Broom
773 North
Anderson’s Frozen Custard
Susan Andrade
Ben’s Woodworking
Biehler’s Village Square Liquors
Buffalo Bisons
Buffalo Bros. Burgers
Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra
Ellicott Hotels
Erik Coleman (Owner of Beer By Coleman
& Director at Trocaire College Brewing,
Distilling, & Fermentation Program)
Michael & Mary Beth Cucinotta
Commission on Independent Colleges
and Universities
Community Beer Works
DeaLea Photography
Drs. Bassam M. & Jodi S. Deeb
Diane Eggleston
Excuria Salon and Spa
Georgio’s Limousine Service
Giancarlo’s
Goo Goo Dolls- Robby Takac
Don Greyson
Angela Laviano Hamister
Colleen Hirsch
Jack & Kathleen A. Hoffstetter ’71
Illio DiPaolo Restaurant
Jellystone Park of Western New York
Nick Koziol
Deanna Kroll-Haeick
Stephen and Kelly Loss
Jacqueline S. Matheny
The McGuire Group
McCullagh Coffee
Note Advisors LLC
Ode to Soy Candles
Old Fort Niagara
Oliver’s
Olympic Restaurant
Park Edge Sweet Shoppe
Maryke Payne-Kerr
Kamu Pindiprolu
Janet E. Peters
Meg Poole
Premier Escape Adventures
Resurgence Brewing Company
Rich Products Corporation
Rise Fitness Studio
Riviera Theatre
Timothy Sember
Colleen C. Steffen
Syracuse Mets
Mr. That Sounds Terrific
Tom Burns Photography
Trocaire College Board of Trustees
Trocaire College Enrollment Division
Trocaire College Faculty Association
Trocaire College Finance &
Accounting Department
Trocaire College Human
Resources Department
Trocaire College Institutional
Advancement Division
Trocaire College Massage Therapy Program
Trocaire College President’s Council
Trocaire College Radiologic
Technology Program
Trocaire College Student Affairs Division
Trocaire College Workforce
Development Division
Dr. Mitch Tucker
Dr. Gary Smith and Dr. Yang Zhao
Jeff Ware
Michelle Walh
Thomas H. & Sarah Waring, Jr.
Jennifer Wilson
LEGEND:
Deceased
Current Trustee
Trustee Emeritus/a
President Emeritus
We apologize in advance for any errors.
Please contact Trocaire College, Office of
Institutional Advancement, at 716-827-4340
for any suggested edits or corrections.
Thank you.
VOL. 8 ISSUE 1 • FALL ISSUE 2022 • TROCAIRE COLLEGE 15

Careers of Achievement,
Lives of Purpose.
Main Campus
360 Choate Avenue
Buffalo, NY 14220
2021-2022 FACULTY & STAFF HIGHLIGHTS
FACULTY ACHIEVEMENTS
AMY BRESKI, Ph.D.
NetVUE mini-grant recipient. Scholarly paper
submitted to NetVUE entitled: “Creating
Meaningful Assessments That Inspire
Students to Discover and Explore Their
Vocation: A Journey Towards Calling.” Currently
sits on “The Healing Station Agency” board
and serves as an officer: Communications
Secretary became a member of the IDEA
Committee at Trocaire in June 2022.
JOANNA HILLMAN, Ph.D.
Promoted to Associate Professor. Harvard
Bok Higher Education Teaching Certificate.
Pursuing a Master’s of Science in Education.
ROBERT RESTIANO, Ph.D.
Publication: Restaino et al. Artery Research
(2022) 28:79–88.
MITCH TUCKER, Ph.D.
Appointed to the Erie County Environmental
Management Council Summer 2021.
Promoted to Associate Professor. Chair of
the Conservation Advisory Council of the
Town of Boston, and secured partnership
with WNY PRISM for an invasive speciesmapping
project of the Town Park of Boston.
New Publication: Gerhardt, H. C., Tucker, M. A.,
von Twickel, A., and Walkowiak, W. 2021.
Anuran vocal communication: Effects of
genome size, cell number and cell size. Brain,
Behavior and Evolution, November 17, 2021, 96
(3): 137-146, https://doi.org/10.1159/000520913.
Coordinator of the NYS Climate Smart
Communities program for the Town of Boston.
STAFF ACHIEVEMENTS
Danielle Binda was promoted to Operations
Coordinator of Admissions.
Michele Brancato was promoted to Director
of Library Service.
Maureen Burns was promoted to Operations
Coordinator of Enrollment and Student Affairs.
Jacob Fisher completed his Ph.D. in Education
with a specialization in Nursing Education.
John Holtje was promoted to Senior
Admissions Counselor.
Kate Levy published three research articles.
One of those articles, Treatment of Positive
Urine Cultures at End-of-Life and the Effect
on Terminal Delirium Management, won
the 2021 Renee Holder Literature Award
from the Society of Pain and Palliative Care
Pharmacists. She was the biostatistician on
that study.
Christine Ryan was named Dean of Student
Success and Director of the Title III Grant.
Allison Vazquez facilitated the Trocaire
College Library’s participation in a 24/7
chat service network, which provides our
students round-the-clock access to research
assistance. Led a project to donate or recycle
250 discarded books. Presenting at a regional
library conference in October 2022, where she
will discuss current topics of relevance in the
library community.
Christine Whipkey was promoted to Director
of Workforce Development.
Dr. Yang Zhao, Director of BPS Management
Programs, is a board member of the National
Association for Talent Development (ATD)
Buffalo Niagara Chapter. Dr. Zhao was
recently elected as the President-Elect for
the 2022-2023 Chapter year. She will assume
the President role in 2023-2024. Dr. Zhao
previously served as the Vice President of
Finance on the board from 2020 to 2022.
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