Alumni Insider - King`s College

Alumni Insider
Patrice Persico
Director of Alumni Relations
and Annual Giving
PatricePersico@kings.edu
December 2013
Christmas parties, Christmas lights, Christmas cookies! I love the holidays but I must say I am
equally in love with the Christmas spirit here on campus. For example, amid freezing drizzle and
rain, this year’s annual campus tree lighting ceremony was strikingly lovely as the College
community bundled together under umbrellas and the shelter of the covered walkway at Holy
Cross Hall to hear carols and enjoy hot chocolate and cookies. Before lighting the tree, Fr. Looney,
C.S.C., gave a moving address about the recent passing of Nelson Mandela, who “was a light for
those who lived in the darkness of apartheid.” He hoped the lighting of the tree would “remind us
of our call to allow our minds and hearts to be transformed so that we will be light for those who
live in darkness.”
True Christmas spirit has also been evident to me by the work and generosity of our students,
faculty and staff. One only needs to take a short stroll around campus to see the charitable appeals
and donation boxes that will support people and organizations in need. Some recent examples
include the PA’s for Change program in which Physician Assistant students volunteered at a local animal refuge center and at a
local library. Along with other area colleges, volunteers from King’s raised over $7,000 for local soup kitchens through the Empty
Bowls 2013 event. The King’s College Mini-THON club is raising money for families currently fighting pediatric cancer. The Men’s
Baseball team is collecting Jared boxes for children with chronic illnesses. There is a senior buddy program where students partner
with senior citizens from local senior centers to take them to dinner and a play. The Women’s Basketball team is raising money to
fight brain cancer, in honor of their coach, Brian Donoghue. The list goes on.
For many of us, Christmas is a time of plenty and excess; so much so that we often expect to gain a pound or three at this ti me of
year. Yet it is also a time when we are encouraged to consider others before ourselves. A great example of this was the annual
Hunger for Justice Week at King’s, which saw activities designed to make us all more aware of the plight of the homeless and poor.
During a 60-hour solidarity experience, students constructed cardboard shelters on campus and lived in them over the course of
three days. I am pretty sure that every year they pick the coldest three days in November! Among many noteworthy events was a
poverty simulation program in which more than 150 student participants engaged in an activity that allowed them to better
understand the challenges of living on the edge of poverty. Talk about illumination!
So, yes, Christmas is busy and excessive. But we know that along with the parties and presents, we can and should take time to be
lights in this world in both big and small ways. Acts of kindness, generous hearts, and minds that are open to the suffering of others
can help bring out the true spirit of Christmas in us all.
January 11
NEPA Alumni Club Hockey Game
January 19
Annual Alumni Family Mass & Brunch
January 22
King’s/Wilkes Basketball Pre-game Party
February 13
Couples Theology
March 29
Broadway Trip: Motown the Musical
April 26
NEPA Alumni trip: Tour Historic Hyde
Park, N.Y., and lunch at Culinary
Institute of America
May 31
Travel Club Bermuda Cruise through
June 5
Sept. 26-28
Homecoming/Reunion Weekend
Alumni Family Mass and Brunch
The King’s College family invites you and your family to a special Family Mass on January 19.
Alumni are invited to serve as lectors and gift bearers and a special blessing will be imparted on
all children present at Mass. Afterwards, join us for breakfast in the Walsh Room on the third
floor of the Sheehy-Farmer Campus Center. R.S.V.P. by January 14.
Cost:
$7 per person; children 8 and
Date:
Sunday, January 19, 2014
under are free.
Time:
11:00 a.m Mass; noon brunch
Register:
kingsalumni.info/familymass2014
Place:
Chapel of Christ the King
Kings vs Wilkes Pre-Game Party
It might be cold outside, but it will be hot on January 22 when
alumni from King’s College and Wilkes University meet for a pregame party at Rodano’s on Public Square in downtown WilkesBarre. Before we cheer on the Men’s Basketball teams, we will enjoy
food, drinks and the good-natured rivalry between the Monarchs
and Colonels. Come hang with old friends and meet new ones.
Roundtrip shuttle to the game included. Wear King’s colors!
Date:
Wednesday, January 22, 2014
Time:
6:00 to 7:30 p.m.
Location:
Rodano’s • 53 Public Square •
Wilkes-Barre • Back Room
Cost:
$5 for pizza; roundtrip transportation to
game; cash bar
8:00 p.m. at Scandlon Gym on King’s
campus. Tickets are $4 and sold at door.
Game:
Register:
kingsalumni.info/kingswilkeshoops14
Bermuda Cruise
Perhaps some are dreaming of a white Christmas, but most of us are dreaming of white sandy
beaches and a tropical drink in our hand! Luckily, King’s is offering a five-night Royal Caribbean
cruise to Bermuda at group rates and is hoping to make your dreams a reality in 2014. Travel May
31 through June 5 with alumni and friends and enjoy fine dining, great on-board entertainment, and
the beautiful beaches of Bermuda. Prices include meals, most fees and roundtrip motor coach
transportation from King’s College to the shipyard.
Dates:
May 31– June 5, 2014
Questions?:
(570) 288-9311
Cost:
$915 to $1,125 per person
Register:
kingsalumni.info/bermuda2014
Register for Alumni Events online at www.kingsalumni.info
King’s Announces New Exercise Science Major
A Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science will be offered to students entering King’s
in fall 2014. The program is designed for students interested in the sciences of
health promotion, wellness, and fitness.
According to information supplied by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, market
demand for occupations suitable for exercise science graduates is expected to grow
faster than all other occupations on average.
“The development of this program is a natural progression for King’s College as it
follows its mission of providing students with an excellent liberal arts education
while also preparing them for an ever-changing job market,” said Father John Ryan,
C.S.C., president. Read more.
Former Monarch Wrestler Selected to MAC Hall of Fame
The King’s College wrestling team recognized Larry Danko ’90 for his
selection to the Middle Atlantic Conference Hall of Fame. Danko was selected
to the Hall for his achievements as a wrestler at King’s, which include his threetime All-American placement in the NCAA Division III Wrestling
Championships. Danko was presented with his official Hall of Fame plaque
before a Monarch home wrestling match in November.
Danko currently lives in Wilkes-Barre and is the owner of Danko’s AllLarry Danko ’90 with Coach Ned McGinley
American Fitness in Plains.
Scandlon Expansion Receives Architectural Award
The design of the 41,000 square foot expansion of the Scandlon Physical Education
Center received the Award of Excellence from the Eastern Pennsylvania Chapter of
The American Institute of Architects. The Scandlon Health and Wellness Center
was chosen for the top honor among 16 contestants. The building was designed by
Spillman Farmer Architects and opened in September 2012. Read more.
Lawrence Russo Honored
You may not recognize his name, but you'll recognize at least one piece of his work.
Local sculptor Lawrence Russo is best known for his 24-foot tall statue of Christ
the King, which stands atop the roof of the administration building at King’s College.
Much of Mr. Russo’s work can be found throughout northeastern Pennsylvania and
several other states.
An exhibit honoring the work and talent of the late Russo is currently on display at
the Luzerne County Historical Society through January 31. The exhibit was
assembled by his daughter, Mary Russo Ermel of Forty Fort, and will be archived by
the Society.
Advent Seasonal Reflections Continue
Throughout Advent, Alumni Chaplain, Rev. Genaro Aguilar, C.S.C., has been sending out reflections based on the daily
Gospel reading. These reflections are written by King’s College faculty, staff, alumni, friends, and the religious
community on campus. During this busy season, we hope these personal readings bring you peace and relaxation and
inspire you to reflect on your blessings. Sign up to receive future reflections by sending an email to alumni@kings.edu.
2013 IRA Charitable Rollover
Did you know that you can make a 2013 tax-free gift from your IRA to King’s College?
Individuals who are 70½ and older can rollover up to $100,000 from their IRA accounts to
King’s College free from federal income tax. An IRA Charitable Rollover Gift qualifies for
your 2013 required minimum distribution, permitting you to lower your taxable income for
this year while helping King’s College fulfill its mission. Visit our IRA Charitable Rollover
page at www.legacytokings.org for more information. You can download a free eBrochure
and view a brief video about IRA Charitable Rollovers. Please contact William Lynn,
Director of Major Gifts and Planned Giving, 570-208-5946 or williamlynn@kings.edu, to
learn more about how an IRA rollover gift can help you and our mission. Remember, you
only have until December 31, 2013 to take advantage of this opportunity!
39th Annual Phonathon Wraps Up
Last week the Alumni Relations and Annual Giving Office wrapped up the
Fall Phonathon. Over the course of six weeks, student and alumni callers
reached out to over 9,000 alumni and parents asking for their support of
the 2013-14 annual fund. To date, they raised over $75,000 in gifts and
pledges to bolster King’s programs with the greatest need. If we were not
able to speak with you personally, we hope you will consider our appeal.
Your annual gift to the school, no matter the size, can make a huge impact
on the students currently enrolled. Make your gift today by clicking
below. Thank you!
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