Alumni Extra

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This page is a supplement to All about Alumni from the print edition of ��ý Magazine.

Winter-Spring 2022

Portrait of William Bentrim with his chin resting on his hand, with bookshelves with books and children’s photographs behind him

After writing 40 picture and chapter books, William Bentrim has completed his first science fiction novel.

Book cover art shows a woman with long blonde hair riding a dark wolf. Behind them are purple flowers and behind the flowers is a closeup of the woman’s face, covered from the nose down with the rest of the art. “Kiku’s Quest by William G. Bentrim” is printed in white letters.

William Bentrim ’68 Releases Science-Fiction Novel

The author of 40 picture and chapter books, William Bentrim ’68 has released his first science-fiction novel, Kiku’s Quest. Written for young adults, it is about a genetically engineered warrior who lives on the tough streets of a fringe planet and who is unaware of her special abilities. Released in March 2021 through Bearly Tolerable Publications, the book is available through major retailers.

Ralph Barone ’73: “��ý in the Woods” Reunion Resumes

After missing their 2020 get-together because of the pandemic, the ��ý friends from the early ’70s that dubbed their annual reunion “��ý in the Woods” made it back to the Flying W Ranch near Tionesta last July. Participants included regulars Ralph Barone ’73, George Bender ’73, Gary Cleaver ’73, Jim Griffith ’73, Bob Young ’73, Charlie Morgan ’75, and Charlie Parke, plus new additions Mike Silvestri ’73 and Bob Gibson. Paul Beam ’74 and Fred Gagliardi were unable to make it in 2021. Their weekend activities included golf, kayaking, and trading stories around a campfire. The group welcomes new members. Contact Bob Young at keyrly122@zoominternet.net or George Bender at benderg@zoominternet.net to attend the next gathering, July 8–10, 2022.

Nine men around 70 years old pose for a photo outdoors between two cabin-type structures. Four of them sit in plastic lawn chairs in front, and five stand behind them.

Front row, from left: Charlie Morgan of Penn Hills, Charlie Parke of Presto, George Bender of Sarver, and Ralph Barone of Fairview Park, Ohio. Back row, from left: Mike Silvestri of Fredericksburg, Virginia; Bob Young of Sarver; Bob Gibson of Coraopolis; Gary Cleaver of Easton; and Jim Griffith of Bethel Park.

At least 14 men pose on either side of a sign about Kopchick Hall while the building, in an unfinished state, is visible behind them. McElhaney Hall is behind them on the right.

Brothers of Chi Alpha Sigma/Delta Tau Delta at the construction site of John J. and Char Kopchick Hall in August 2021.

Jim Sadler ’75: Chi Alpha Sigma Reunion

In August, brothers of Chi Alpha Sigma/Delta Tau Delta celebrated the 50th anniversary of the XAS founding with a reunion in Indiana. Jim Sadler ’75 wrote that, while touring the ��ý campus, they paused for photos at the construction site of John J. and Char Kopchick Hall, as John Kopchick ’72, M’75 is a charter member of the fraternity.

John Sanders professional head-and-shoulders portrait

John Sanders ’79 Retires from Norwood

After 25 years at Norwood Financial Corp., John Sanders ’79 retired as senior vice president and retail lending manager. He worked in banking and financial services for 43 years.

Three women and a man in casual clothing pose in a backyard-type setting with plants and bushes and a block wall behind them.

From left: Angela Berna Milliren, Lorraine Milovac, Ethan LaPlaca, and Beth Luther Eger

Angela Berna Milliren ’98 Shares Get-Together Photo

Four ��ý Music Department alumni and friends who hadn’t gotten together since before the pandemic finally made that happen last summer. Lorraine Milovac ’81, Beth Luther Eger ’96, Angela Berna Milliren ’98, and Ethan LaPlaca M’21 gathered at Beth’s home in Wexford to have lunch, sing, and discuss their programs. They all teach high-school choir in the Pittsburgh area and are active in the Pennsylvania Music Educators Association.

Two women wearing face coverings sit in a large, open room and face the camera

Kristin Weaver Phillipine, left, and Lori Buell Zallie at a Florida Gulf Coast University COVID-19 vaccine clinic

Lori Buell Zallie ’83: Alumnae Connections at Vaccine Clinic

A member of the Department of Health Sciences at Florida Gulf Coast University, Lori Buell Zallie ’83 wrote that she received her first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine last year from Kristin Weaver Phillipine ’95, who, as a member of the Student Health Services staff, has led the school’s vaccine distribution.

Vic Conrad ’87 Marks 10 Years as Five Star Wealth Manager

The founder of Pinnacle Financial Strategies, an independent wealth management firm in Wexford, Vic Conrad ’87 recently marked his 10th year of being named a Five Star Wealth Manager in Pittsburgh Magazine. He is one of only 66 professionals who have received this recognition each year since its 2012 start. Vic has been a financial advisor since 1994.

James Cole professional head-and-shoulders portrait on a white background

James Cole ’90 Leads Marshall Dennehey Department

As the assistant director of Marshall Dennehey’s Professional Liability Department for the past year, James Cole ’90 has helped manage a team of more than 120 attorneys as they defend clients in claims and lawsuits. A member of the Philadelphia-based firm for 23 years, Jim is a longtime shareholder and cochair of three practice groups.

Book cover art shows a heavily flooded area in black and white with water almost to the height of the power lines and the Bethlehem Steel Johnstown Plant building on the right. Text on the cover reads, “Disastrous Floods and the Demise of Steel in Johnstown by Pat Farabaugh. Foreword by Richard Burkert, president and CEO of Johnstown Area Heritage Association.”

Pat Farabaugh ’93 Book Explores Floods’ Effects on Johnstown Steel

A professor of communications at Saint Francis University, Pat Farabaugh ’93 recently published the book Disastrous Floods and the Demise of Steel in Johnstown, released by History Press in October. Pat spent four years on the ��ý Journalism Department faculty before leaving in 2011.

Professional head-and-shoulders portrait of Craig Killian on a beige, textured background

Craig Killian ’02 Promoted at Belco

Belco Community Credit Union in Harrisburg recently promoted Craig Killian ’02 to vice president of Account Resolutions, the area responsible for delinquent loan collection, fraud mitigation, and other services. He has been with Belco since 2015 and has worked in financial services more than 20 years.

Book cover art shows cartoon characters including a crab holding a muffin, a cat holding a stick, two human children, a bear with a helmet, a dog with a gold “H” on its collar, a ladybug with pigtails, a frog holding a boom box, and a rodent with an eye patch and a fork under the title, “Snap Comics,” by Gheen, Yost, and Scoot.

Melissa Shoup Gheen ’05 Writes Snap Comics

As a kindergarten through second-grade teacher in Los Angeles, Melissa Shoup Gheen ’05 found many texts for young readers to be too challenging. In response, she created Snap Comics, short stories with picture clues designed to help children become more confident, motivated readers. Melissa credits ��ý faculty members Barbara Kupetz ’73, M’77 and Gary Stoudt with inspiring her as an educator. Her book is available through major retailers.

Portrait of Anthony Todd Carlisle in a classroom or library setting with his arms crossed at the wrist

Anthony Todd Carlisle D’09 Publishes The Souls of Clayhatchee

An associate professor of English/journalism at California University of Pennsylvania, Anthony Todd Carlisle D’09 has published his first novel, The Souls of Clayhatchee, about a man who learns secrets about his parents as he reluctantly travels south to bury his mother in her Alabama hometown. A former newspaper reporter, Todd also served in the US Army Reserve for 14 years, achieving the rank of captain, and was deployed to the Middle East during Operation Iraqi Freedom. His book is available through major retailers.

A baby wrapped in blankets and with a cap on her head has her eyes closed as she lies in a hospital bassinet.

Justin Brown M’13 and Nicole Brown Welcome a Daughter

Justin Brown M’13 and his wife, Nicole, had a daughter, Alayna Renae, December 13, 2021.

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Alumni Extra

Winter-Spring 2022

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