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Aug. 10, 2006

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Pittsburgh artist pays tribute to Sr. Margaret

A Handful of Seed, an exhibition of paintings and drawings by Marie Mawe Charpentier opens Aug. 1 in The Regina A. Quick Center for the Arts at St. Bonaventure University. Conceived as a birthday tribute to Sr. Margaret Carney, O.S.F., S.T.D., the exhibition is a visual record of the people and places of her native Pittsburgh that quietly influenced the woman who would become the 20th president of the University.

Sr. Margaret and Charpentier both grew up in post-industrial Pittsburgh. In her exhibition, Charpentier presents portraits of those in the “chain of people” who made indelible impressions on the future leader, along with evocative landscapes of Pittsburgh and its environs.

The idea for the exhibition came when Sr. Margaret talked with Charpentier several years ago about the many strong women in her past who inspired her, including a sister born with special needs. Charpentier was immediately reminded of Truman Capote’s words from The Grass Harp:

“Have you ever cared about one leaf? We are speaking of love. A leaf, a handful of seed – begin with these, learn a little what it is to love. First, a leaf, a fall of rain, then someone to receive what a leaf has taught you, what a fall of rain has ripened. No easy process, understand; it could take a lifetime, it has mine, and I’ve still never mastered it… I only know how true it is: that love is a chain of love, as nature is a chain of life.”

Nostalgic and poignant, the paintings and drawings in the exhibition avoid the easy solution of a sepia-toned sentimentality, evoking a distant past keyed in the pastel colors of the present. And, while people are the artist’s favorite subjects, even her landscapes are spontaneous, but sure-footed portraits of places.

Joseph LoSchiavo, executive director of the Quick Center said, “I had been thinking of a way the Center could mark Sr. Margaret’s birthday. Then I met Marie in Pittsburgh last year and the ‘seeds’ began to germinate.”

Charpentier studied painting with Henry Koerner, Elizabeth Meyers Castonguay and Herbert Olds. She has held solo exhibitions at the Mt. Lebanon Public Library, Twin Lakes Art Festival and Le Pommier in Pittsburgh. Juried exhibitions include the 2004 Westmoreland Museum of American Art Biennial, the 2004 AMP at the Andy Warhol Museum (highlighting emerging Pittsburgh artists) and the 1995 Westmoreland Art Nationals.

A Handful of Seed opens Aug. 1 and continues through Oct. 29.

The Regina A. Quick Center for the Arts is open Tuesday through Saturday noon to 5 p.m. until Aug. 26. Regular hours beginning Aug. 29 are Tuesday through Friday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturdays and Sundays noon to 4 p.m. Admission to the Quick Center is always free and open to the public. For information on group tours, please contact Jason Trimmer at (716) 375-7686 or jtrimmer@sbu.edu. For general information, call (716) 375-2494, www.sbu.edu or e-mail Quick@sbu.edu.

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Dr. Peggy Burke nominated to national accreditation council's board of examiners

Dr. Peggy Yehl Burke, dean of the School of Education and the School of Graduate Studies at St. Bonaventure University, has been nominated by the Association for Childhood Education International (ACEI) to serve as a Board of Examiners member for the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE).

Board of Examiner (BOE) members visit institutions and make recommendations to NCATE’s accrediting board about the quality of schools, colleges and departments of education across the country. Burke represents one of only 450 people drawn from a national pool of teacher educators, practitioners, policy makers, and subject matter specialists who are trained as a member of the Board of Examiners.

Important commitments and responsibilities accompany the nomination to the board. Nominees must attend a week-long training session. If the training session is completed successfully, then members are expected to serve a three-year term, conducting two five-day visits per year.

Burke specializes in curriculum planning, science education and gender issues in education. An associate professor of education, she has been involved in teacher education at St. Bonaventure for 25 years and has taught courses such as Methods of Teaching Science, Philosophy of Education, Curriculum Development, and Evaluation and Supervision of Instruction.

Burke was named dean of the School of Education at St. Bonaventure in 2004, after serving as interim dean since May 2003. She also served previously as assistant dean for undergraduate studies in education. In June, Burke assumed the duties of dean of the School of Graduate Studies.

Burke holds numerous professional memberships, including St. Bonaventure’s Kappa Delta Pi chapter and Phi Delta Kappa, which she helped bring to the University. She was also co-chair of the commission that developed the Clare College curriculum.

She holds a bachelor’s degree in biology and a master’s in education from St. Bonaventure and a doctorate in curriculum planning from the State University of New York at Buffalo.

Education has undergone many reform efforts in recent years, including the development of high national standards. The NCATE believes that setting and maintaining high national standards in the preparation of school personnel is an important component of improving the education system.

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Sr. Mary Gurley named dean at Georgian Court University

Sr. Mary Gurley, O.S.F., resigned from her position at St. Bonaventure University July 1 to accept the position of dean of the School of Education at Georgian Court University in Lakewood, N.J.

Sr. Mary has served the University in various capacities since September 1998, when she became associate professor of education. She held that position until January 2002 and was awarded tenure in September 2001.

She was coordinator of educational services for the Franciscan Institute and School of Franciscan Studies from January 2002 to August 2005, after which time she took a leave of absence to participate in a Congregational Renewal Program, held by the Sisters of St. Francis.

“Sr. Mary Gurley provided invaluable service as coordinator of educational services to Sr. Margaret Carney, O.S.F., when she was dean of the school as well as to me both as interim and then full-time dean,” said Fr. Michael Cusato, O.F.M., director of the Franciscan Institute and dean of the School of Franciscan Studies. “Her background and degree in education served her well as she informed and guided our students – many of them international students during the regular academic year – through their programs of study here at the Institute. She demonstrated during her tenure with us a profound gift of compassion especially for those far from home, language, friends and culture.”

“The School of Education benefited greatly from Sr. Mary Gurley’s organizational skills and knowledge of elementary schools. These were particularly helpful as we prepared for our first national accreditation visit. She brought a lot of energy and wisdom to our faculty and we wish her well in her new position as dean,” said Dr. Peggy Yehl Burke, dean of the School of Education and School of Graduate Studies.

Sr. Mary’s faith guided her decision when she was offered the position at Georgian Court University, drawing her in both directions.

“It was a tough decision to leave Bonaventure because of the Franciscan spirit that I found at all levels – that sense of being brother and sister together. It’s a unique place that I am very sorry to leave,” Sr. Mary said. “But at the same time, this move will bring me closer to my religious community, which is in Philadelphia.”

Regardless of where she is, Sr. Mary’s dedication to her profession is unwavering.

“My whole life has been education, from being a teacher and principle and then to higher education. Georgian Court will be the fourth college I have been at. I couldn’t resist taking one more turn in education,” Sr. Mary said.

Sr. Mary holds a bachelor’s in English from Neumann College, a master’s in education administration from Rider University, a master’s in Franciscan Studies from St. Bonaventure, and an Ed.D in higher education administration from The Catholic University of America. She also completed post-graduate work in higher education at Harvard University.

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Sr. Margaret honored with festschrift - a collection of essays

The high point of the year for the Franciscan Institute is the Feast of St. Bonaventure, the patron saint of the University, recognized during a two-day celebration, marked by a feast day liturgy, dinner and academic convocation. “The Franciscan Institute entertains the largest summer session on campus, which includes up to 77 students,” said Fr. Michael F. Cusato, O.F.M., director of the Franciscan Institute and dean of the School of Franciscan Studies. “The Feast Day Liturgy has usually been the responsibility of the Institute to plan and carry out for the University’s most important annual liturgical celebration.” This year’s event included the award of an honorary doctorate to Fr. Alcuin Coyle, O.F.M., for more than 50 years of teaching, administrative experience and extraordinary service to the Church after the Second Vatican Council. Br. F. Edward Coughlin, O.F.M., vice president for Franciscan Mission, read the citation honoring Fr. Alcuin.

At a formal dinner following the liturgy, on the occasion of her 65th birthday, Sr. Margaret Carney, O.S.F., S.T.D., president of St. Bonaventure University, was presented with a volume of essays written in her honor. “We decided about a year ago that we wanted to honor her with a collection of scholarly essays, called in academic circles a festschrift. Before Sr. Margaret started her administrative assignments, she was an up-and-coming scholar in her own right until she got conscripted into administration of the Franciscan Institute and now president,” said Fr. Michael. “With fellow colleagues, I was able to draw up a list of scholars from the United States and abroad who have known her and have worked in her particular field of expertise. Over 20 authors contributed essays for this effort. It is, in fact, the 2006 version of our most scholarly periodical Franciscan Studies.”

Sr. Margaret’s festschrift pieces are focused around the theme of the evangelical life – which gives the volume its specific title: “Vita Evangelica: Essays in Honor of Margaret Carney, O.S.F.”

“It is very good way to describe what Franciscan life is all about,” said Fr. Michael. “The Catholic Church tries to define us either as a clerical institute — an institute of priests — or an apostolic institute — one primarily dedicated to mission. The best description of us is that we’re neither. We’re something else, and when we talk about ourselves it’s really about a way of life, the Gospel life, an Evangelical life. Since Sr. Margaret taught a course on that topic and advocated for that understanding in things that she has taught and presented, we thought that this would be a nice capstone to describe the whole orientation of her life and work. We asked our contributing scholars to touch base with that type of a theme in their choice of what to write about.”

During the ceremony, Fr. Canice Connors, O.F.M., Conv., a longtime friend of Sr. Margaret’s from the Pittsburgh Diocese, presented a humorous take on her development as a young woman and religious sister. Sr. Daria Mitchell, O.S.F., interim managing editor of Franciscan Institute Publications, also presented the first of two issues of The Cord dedicated specifically to Sr. Margaret as well. “The Cord articles are more pastorally oriented to cover that aspect of Sr. Margaret’s life in ministry,” said Fr. Michael.

The celebration of the Feast of Bonaventure is also connected to a formal Academic Convocation, this year held on Sunday, July 16, and preceded by Solemn Vespers held in the University Chapel. The ceremony, which honors the scholar chosen by the Franciscan Institute faculty as its recipient of the Franciscan Institute Medal of Scholarship, followed at the Regina A. Quick Center for the Arts. This year’s recipient was Professor Luigi Pellegrini, O.F.M, Cap. He presented an academic address titled “Poverty and Wealth: Bonaventure’s Treatment of Two ‘Not-Irreconcilable’ Realities.”

Also acknowledged at the convocation was Fr. David Flood, O.F.M., who is concluding his work in full-time research at the institute and will be returning to his home province in Montreal.

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Trustee Ellen Grant named vice president at HealthNow

Ellen Grant, Ph.D., a member of St. Bonaventure University’s Board of Trustees since 2001, was promoted to vice president, Behavioral Health, Wellness & Health Promotion, at HealthNow. Grant is active on various committees of St. Bonaventure’s Board of Trustees, including academic affairs, athletics and the faculty handbook committee.

Grant joined the health insurance company in January 2005 as director of behavioral health. In her new role, she will continue to lead initiatives in behavioral health and disease and care management, as well as additional responsibility for health promotion and wellness. She will oversee HealthNow’s $5 million obesity research and treatment initiative in conjunction with the University of Buffalo’s School of Public Health, and member wellness education and worksite health promotions.

Prior to joining HealthNow, Grant served as commissioner of mental health for Erie County for 12 years, president and chief executive officer of Niagara Falls Medical Center and vice president of Buffalo General Hospital.

Grant is a past co-chair and board member of the National Conference for Community and Justice and numerous other service organizations. She remains active on several boards and as a community volunteer and mentor.

Nationally, Grant was recently appointed by the director of the National Institutes of Health to a two-year term on the Recombinant DNA Advisory Committee. In addition, she served on the board of the Black Women’s Health Study at Boston University’s School of Medicine and on the Council of Public Representatives – an advisory board to the National Institutes of Health.

In 1996, she was chosen as one of 12 women internationally to receive a year-long fellowship from the International Women’s Forum Leadership Foundation, which included studies at Harvard University.

She is the recipient of numerous local, state and national awards, including recognition from the National Conference for Community & Justice, an honorary doctorate from Medaille College in Buffalo, the Governor’s Award for Excellence in Health Advocacy, and installation in the Western New York Women’s Hall of Fame.

Business First voted her one of the “Most Influential People in Western New York” in 1997. She is also the recipient of the Western New York Gaudete Medal from St. Bonaventure.

Grant is the author of the book “Managing in Black and White, a Guide for the Professional Woman of Color,” examining management and leadership issues for women of color.

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Connie Horan promoted to director of graduate admissions

A familiar face to both the St. Bonaventure University community and the field of college admissions, Connie Horan has been promoted to director of graduate admissions after 11 years in admissions, eight of which have been at St. Bonaventure.

“Being named director of graduate admissions at St. Bonaventure University marks a turning point in my personal and professional life,” Horan said. “I look forward to continuing my work to enhance the enrollment process for our current and prospective graduate students. I am confident that my 11 years in admissions will serve me well as I begin this new chapter in my career.”

As the new director of graduate admissions, Horan is responsible for overseeing the graduate admissions process as well as coordinating all graduate recruitment activities and communication. She will also design and implement student recruitment plans, advise prospective and current graduate students, supervise graduate recruitment and enrollment staff and maintain graduate studies Web pages.

“Connie has been invaluable in moving our graduate admissions process in a positive direction. She works collaboratively with the graduate school program coordinators to insure that prospective students and applicants receive timely and accurate information. I look forward to her increased involvement in the strategic aspects of graduate student recruitment. She has a strong desire to heighten the emphasis the University places on graduate education,” said Mary Piccioli, dean of enrollment.

Horan received her bachelor’s degree in advertising, with a minor in psychology, from the University of Alabama and holds a master’s degree in counselor education from St. Bonaventure. She began her career in college admissions at the University of Alabama, where she served as senior admissions counselor from 1995 to 1998 before coming to St. Bonaventure as assistant director of admissions in August of 1998. She moved her way up to associate director of admissions at St. Bonaventure in June of 2000.

Horan has seven years of experience in undergraduate admissions but is no stranger to graduate admissions. In September of 2002 she was promoted to senior associate director of admissions for graduate studies, a capacity she held up to her recent promotion to director of graduate admissions.

“I attribute my success in the area of graduate admissions to the seven years of undergraduate student recruitment experience I gained at the University of Alabama and at St. Bonaventure University,” Horan said. “Working at both of these outstanding institutions provided me with the foundation I needed to transition to graduate admissions in September 2002.”

Horan’s dedication to St. Bonaventure extends much further than her work in the admissions office. She has been instrumental to numerous Mt. Irenaeus activities and serves as Student Government Association adviser. She also holds leadership positions within the Diversity Action Committee, the Administrative Resolution Committee, the Commission for the Responsible Use of Alcohol, the Progressive Dinner Committee, the Orientation Team Selection Committee and the Capital Campaign Committee.

Horan also holds membership in several professional college admissions organizations.

In her new capacity, Horan will report directly to Piccioli. Horan said she feels blessed to work with a team of dedicated admissions professionals.

“The graduate and undergraduate admissions staffs work as a team to reach our mutual recruitment goals. I look forward to collaborating with the new dean of Graduate Studies, Dr. Peggy Yehl Burke, as we strive to reach our enrollment goals.” Horan said. “I also value the leadership and support that Mary Piccioli has provided during my tenure at St. Bonaventure. She keeps the enrollment team focused on our tasks while motivating us to never forget that students come first.”

To learn more about the nationally accredited graduate programs offered at St. Bonaventure University, please visit www.sbu.edu for open house and admissions information.

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Sr. Roberta McKelvie accepts appointment with Bernardine Sisters

Sr. Roberta McKelvie, O.S.F., announced that she will be resigning from her position at the Franciscan Institute at St. Bonaventure University Aug. 20 to take on an administrative role with the Bernardine Franciscan Sisters in Reading, Pa.

Sr. Roberta has served as managing editor of Franciscan Institute Publications and editor of The Cord, a popular bimonthly review of Franciscan spirituality, since January 2002.

Under her leadership, a small publications staff published more than two dozen books, six issues of The Cord each year and annual editions of Franciscan Studies, which is an annual scholarly review containing articles in the major languages of Western Europe on Franciscan philosophical and theological thought and history. In addition, the publications catalogue has been re-designed and updated each year since 2003.

“We have continued the tradition of the Franciscan Institute in publishing critical editions of Latin texts, Franciscan theology, philosophy, and history and have expanded our work in contemporary spirituality,” Sr. Roberta said.

She has also served as the coordinator of the Poor Clare Enrichment Program since 2001, conducting five years of the three-week programs in the summer. Over these years, 112 Poor Clare Sisters have come to the University from all over the world, adding a special dimension to the student body of the Institute during the summers.

“My years here have been both challenging and fulfilling. I was able to bring together many facets of my ‘pre-Bonaventure’ life (student, teacher and scholar) and integrate those roles in ways that would not have been possible elsewhere,” Sr. Roberta said. “It is a great privilege to participate in the handling of the traditions – those of the Franciscan family and of the Institute – and I am grateful for the many ways in which I have been blessed while here. St. Bonaventure will continue to be an important part of who I am as I continue my Franciscan journey.”

Sr. Roberta holds bachelor’s degrees in English and secondary education from Alvernia College in Reading, Pa., a master’s in English from Villanova University, a master’s in Franciscan Studies from St. Bonaventure University and a doctorate in historical theology from Fordham University.

Her ministerial experience includes 19 years of work in secondary education and about four years as a college teacher in various adjunct positions. She has served as a staff member of Franciscan Pilgrimage Programs since 1998 and as a retreat and workshop facilitator.

Sr. Roberta was elected to a five-year term with the Congregational Leadership team of the Bernardine Franciscan Sisters at the Sisters’ 15th General Chapter. Consisting of the Congregational Minister and four councilors, the group is responsible for all the Sisters throughout the U.S., Brazil, the Dominican Republic and Liberia. It is also charged with carrying out the enactments of the General Chapter and the revision of the Constitutions of the congregation.

Elected to the position July 20, Sr. Roberta said she will be moving into the role as soon as possible, which means leaving St. Bonaventure by Aug. 20 and moving from Allegany to Reading by mid-September.

She will be succeeded as interim managing editor of Franciscan Institute Publications by Sr. Daria Mitchell, O.S.F., an Oldenbourg (Indiana) Franciscan sister currently serving as editorial assistant at Franciscan Institute Publications.

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University mourns death of Br. Declan McCabe, O.F.M.

Br. Declan McCabe, O.F.M., former assistant administrator of the St. Bonaventure Infirmary and longtime healthcare provider, died on Thursday, July 20, at St. Anthony Hospital in St. Petersburg, Fla., at the age of 75.

Br. Declan, a professed Franciscan friar for 49 years, was born on Aug. 29, 1930, in Brockton, Mass., to James and Mary (Allen) McCabe. He attended the Howard School in Brockton and then Brockton High School for three years. At that point, Br. Declan entered the U.S. Army. When he finished his military service, he completed his high school education, graduating in 1953 from Newman Prep in Boston.

On Feb. 14, 1954, Br. Declan entered the training program for Franciscan lay brothers at St. Stephen’s Friary in Croghan, N.Y., where he learned various trades. On Jan. 24, 1956, he was received into the Franciscan Order at St. Raphael’s Novitiate in Lafayette, N.J., and on Jan. 26, 1957, professed first vows there before Fr. Donald Hoag, O.F.M. On Jan. 26, 1960, he professed final vows at St. Anthony Shrine in Boston before Fr. Celsus Wheeler, O.F.M.

During his early years in the Order, Br. Declan was assigned as supervisor of maintenance in various houses of Holy Name Province, from 1957 to 1960 at Holy Name College in Washington, D.C., and then at Walsh High School. While there, he studied at the St. Francis Hospital School of Practical Nursing, receiving his New York state nursing license in January 1962.

From 1962 to 1963, he maintained the physical plant of St. Francis of Assisi Church and Friary on West 31st Street in New York City. He was transferred in 1963 to St. Stephen’s in Croghan, N.Y., as cook, while attending a cooking school.

In December 1964, he was assigned to the care of the sick and infirm friars at St. Bonaventure Infirmary. In February 1971, he was licensed as a nursing home administrator by New York state and became the assistant administrator of the infirmary. From September 1975 to July 1976, he was again assigned to maintain the physical plant of St. Francis of Assisi Church and Friary, New York City.

After his repeated requests over the years to volunteer for the missions, Br. Declan was assigned in July 1976 to the parish of Santísimo Nombre de Jesús in Lima, Peru. There he worked generously and with great dedication over the years to provide care for the poorest residents of the pueblos jovenes, the shantytowns that have grown up on the outskirts of the city of Lima. He established medical and dental clinics, day care centers and soup kitchens to serve the people. In this way, he sought to help heal the effects of malnutrition, cholera, tuberculosis and the desperation of structural poverty.

“As Franciscans,” Br. Declan once said, “we should be working with the people who are poor. Above all, we should be working by our example.” Br. Declan was totally committed to that work. He often spoke of his humble family roots and how proud and happy he was to have been able to do so much in his life for poor people. He lived a very simple life himself – his only possessions were his beloved clock radio and some books.

Br. Declan suffered a major heart attack several years ago, which forced him to slow down considerably. Finally, after three decades in the missions, failing health caused him to return to the United States. He retired June 8 to St. Anthony’s Friary, St. Petersburg.

The Wake was held on July 23 at Bret Funeral Home in St. Petersburg. The Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated on July 24 at St. Mary, Our Lady of Grace Church in St. Petersburg. Fr. Andrew Reitz, O.F.M., the principal celebrant, and Br. Christopher Coccia, O.F.M., deacon at the Mass, both provincial councilors, represented Holy Name Province. Fr. Russell Becker, O.F.M., director of the Franciscan Missionary Union, preached the homily. Fr. Anthony Wilson, O.F.M., who had lived with Br. Declan in Peru for two decades, spoke after Communion about his work there. Br. Declan was interred at Calvary Catholic Cemetery in Clearwater, Fla.

Br. Declan is survived by his sisters, Catherine Wiseman of New Port Richey, Fla., and Mary Jane Egan of Wallkill, N.Y.; and brothers, Robert McCabe of Lorida, Fla., and James McCabe, to whom condolences may be addressed at 308 Palmetto Lane, Largo, Fla. 34640.

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Newsmakers ...

Lee Coppola, dean of the Russell J. Jandoli School of Journalism and Mass Communication, participated in a Soractic seminar at the Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication in San Francisco. The seminar was a mock hearing on whether a reporter should testify about what he saw and what he wrote before a war tribunal prosecuting a dictator of a ficticious country. Coppola played the prosecutor.

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