Progress & Perseverance - Summer 2021 Falcons soar to new heights amid the pandemic - Cedar Crest College
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CEDAR CREST COLLEGE ALUMNAE NEWSLETTER
Summer 2021
Progress &
Perseverance
Falcons soar to
new heights amid
the pandemic
cedarcrest.edu/alumnae
CEDAR CREST COLLEGE THE CEDAR CREST COLLEGE DECADE CHALLENGE was
held May 18-20. This alumnae fundraising campaign
DEC ADE CHALLENGE unites classes and decades each year through fun
competition and nostalgia. During these three days,
alumnae, spanning decades, shared their CCC pride,
MAY 18-20, 2021 rallied their classmates and made generous gifts totaling
$130,236.12 (exceeding our goal of $125,000)! Gifts to
the Decade Challenge support the Cedar Crest Fund,
which is more important than ever as the fund’s flexibility ensures the College can respond to
the immediate and changing needs of the campus. We are grateful to all our loyal alumnae who
participated in this year’s Decade Challenge – thank you!
A Bequest of
Life Insurance
Is Easier Than You Think
A bequest of your life insurance policy is an easy way for you to
make a gift to us.
It’s as easy as naming Cedar Crest College as beneficiary of all or a
portion of your policy on your beneficiary designation form.
Your life insurance proceeds will help further our work, and your
estate may benefit from an estate tax charitable deduction for the
value of the proceeds paid.
For more information, please contact Michele Moyer,
To learn more about making a bequest of life insurance, please call Director of Development for Individual and Planned Giving at
or visit our website at www.cedarcrestlegacy.org. michele.moyer@cedarcrest.edu or 610-606-4609.
Copyright © 2019 Crescendo Interactive, Inc. HP-2014-159.2-th
Dear fellow alumnae, In This Issue
AS WE LOOK BACK over the past academic year,
the community has certainly faced a number
of challenges, but our students, faculty, staff
and alumnae persevered in so many ways. As
some COVID-19 restrictions were lifted this
spring, we were able
to have alumnae
on campus for a
modified Reunion.
Our students were
also able to return
to some traditional
extracurriculars,
5
such as athletics and
theatre performances
and continue critical
2 8
academic activities, Meet Our New A Home for the New
including student Executive Director of Occupational Therapy
teaching. We have seen our alumnae reaching Diversity and Inclusion Doctorate
out to help each other and their communities
by taking on leadership roles in various
organizations. But, most importantly, we have
4 10
seen everyone come together to ensure that the
New Partnership Aims Education Students
experience our students have at Cedar Crest is to Improve Policing Rise to the Challenge
one that will benefit them for the rest of their in Our Community
lives. We are looking forward to a full return to 12
campus this fall and hope to see many of you
on campus for alumnae activities, including
5 Alumnae Affairs
Cedar Crest Hosts
Reunion 2022. As always, be sure to follow the
Cedar Crest College Alumnae Facebook page for
Annual Forensic Science
Symposium
14
upcoming events and College news. Alumnae in Action
Wishing you all the best this summer, 6 15
Spring Performing Arts
Featured Faculty and Staff
Highlights
Lori A. Gallagher ’08
Director of Alumnae Affairs 7 16
Falcons Leave the Nest
Reflecting Back and
Looking Forward
with Dr. Erika Davis 17
Athletics Returns with
Record-Breaking Season
FOLLOW US! cedarcrest.edu/alumnae @cedarcrestalumnae @cedarcrestcolle @cedarcrestcollege SUMMER 2021 TOUCHPOINTS 1
Meet Our New Executive Director
of Diversity and Inclusion
IN MARCH 2021, Cedar Crest College student life and enrollment services. relations and fundraising and as
welcomed Leon S. John, Jr., Ph.D., Get to know the new member of an adjunct instructor. Throughout
as the new executive director of our Falcon Family: my career, I have often been one of
diversity and inclusion. John most few or the only person of color in
recently served as the director of How did your career journey bring my office or department. This led
alumni engagement at East Strouds- you to Cedar Crest and this role in me to act as the unofficial counsel
burg University in East Stroudsburg, diversity and inclusion? for the growing populations of
PA. His professional background I have worked in almost every students of color at each of these
includes diversity, equity and division of higher education, campuses. Research has shown that
inclusion training, Title IX training, including enrollment management, students often seek out individuals
academic affairs, residence life, residence life, student life, alumni who look like them because they
2 TOUCHPOINTS SUMMER 2021
Meet Our New Executive Director of Diversity and Inclusion
feel more comfortable confiding me. However, no matter where we from there. I also plan to build upon
in and using those individuals as are and what our goals are, we all the momentum that has already been
mentors. Therefore, I got involved strive for the same thing and that established by my predecessor. My
with multiple committees on campus is to be treated equally and with goal is to create a truly equitable and
that worked with diversity, equity respect. I am no different in my goal educational program that will serve
and inclusion initiatives. This for happiness than my colleagues or the needs of CCC’s students, faculty,
drove me to research how BIPOC the students on campus. We may staff, administration and alumni. To
(Black, Indigenous and people of not look the same or have the same get there, I need to be involved with
color) students’ success is affected at upbringings, but we all have the all the diversity, equity and inclusion
predominantly white institutions of initiatives already happening on
higher education (PWIs) based on campus, break down any silos that
their experiences. As a result, I was
involved with various subcommittees
“My goal is to exist and bring all the work together
to create a plan that will reflect
as chair and worked very closely with create a truly several pillars for the community to
colleagues in diversity and inclusion work toward.
offices. This all led me to my position equitable and
here at CCC. educational Any fun facts you can share about
hobbies/interests/family?
What excites you most about joining program that will I feel like my entire life is one fun
the Cedar Crest community? fact—born in Queens, NY, growing
Each college or university has a serve the needs up in the Caribbean, moving to
unique campus culture, and CCC
is no different. It excites me to of CCC’s students, Northeastern Pennsylvania and all the
in-betweens that led to me being here.
work with an institution that is rich
with diversity and prides itself in
faculty, staff, I also teach a film class at Penn State
Scranton because I love movies. I am
celebrating its students’ differences administration a comic book fan (and everything
while preparing them to be leaders associated with that), and I love to use
in their fields upon graduation. I and alumni.” my spare time building with LEGO
look forward to embedding myself bricks and playing video games. I
— Leon S. John, Jr., Ph.D., Executive
into that culture and learning from Director of Diversity and Inclusion also love to read. I have a 14-year-old
those around me while offering my son who keeps me grounded and up
expertise. to speed with the different trends,
same goal. Being open to everyone’s making fun of me along the way. My
What do diversity, equity and differences, cultures, identities and wife is my rock and foundation and
inclusion mean to you? beliefs can open doors to a bigger continues to push me to my limits
Growing up in the Caribbean, world and will make it easier for us all and then some to achieve more.
Trinidad and Tobago, I was to achieve happiness. Finally, I have two dogs, a miniature
surrounded by people who looked pinscher and a miniature pinscher/
like me and who made up the What do you hope to accomplish chihuahua mix, and they contribute
majority of the population. Having at Cedar Crest? What first steps will to the life of my household.
moved to the United States at 17, I you be taking to meet some of these
have been able to adjust to the vast goals?
difference of not seeing or interacting I hope to listen to the needs of the Learn more about Dr. John at
with as many people who look like students and build the program out cedarcrest.edu/news/drjohn.
SUMMER 2021 TOUCHPOINTS 3
Collaboration, Cooperation &
Support: New Partnership Aims to
Improve Policing in Our Community
THIS SPRING, Cedar Crest College
announced a new collaborative
partnership between the College,
the City of Allentown and the
Allentown Police Department.
The partnership, which builds on a
national movement to recognize the
benefits of data-driven, research-based
outcomes related to the practice of
policing in our communities, will
include the creation of the Center for
Police Innovation and Community
Engagement in Allentown.
Scott Hoke, Ph.D., associate
professor of criminal justice and
director of the Master of Science in
Crime Science program, and Kerrie
Baker, Ph.D., professor of psychology,
secured funding to create the Center stresses the importance of collabora- PRESENT AT THE CEREMONY was
and support three years worth of work. tion, cooperation and support,” says Madison Schettig ’21, a criminal
The Center aims to evaluate and President Elizabeth M. Meade, Ph.D. justice major who was hired by
support police practices in four As part of this partnership, the city the Allentown Police Department
areas: police strategy and practice; and police department will work with eight months before her May
community outreach; police Cedar Crest College researchers to graduation to work as a public
organization; and the transferability create a priority list of projects and safety analyst. “If you asked me a
of nationally recognized police initiatives from which the assessment year ago, I would have told you
interventions. Through data sharing work will be selected. this is my dream job,” she says.
and the development of progressive The College is committing student Applying the skills she learned
measurement strategies, the College internship resources to the police in the criminal justice program,
and city are attempting to implement department to assist in developing more Schettig analyzes data and
practices that enhance the quality of detailed crime analysis services—cre- helps the Department identify
life for city residents. ating the opportunity for Cedar Crest crime trends.
“Using our aligned missions and students to gain valuable practical expe-
motivated by the current trends in rience and go on to become strong and
service to the community and in high- confident leaders in their chosen fields. Visit cedarcrest.edu/madison to
er education, an opportunity exists A ceremonial signing event took place read more of Schettig’s story.
to address a national imperative that at Cedar Crest College on March 24.
4 TOUCHPOINTS SUMMER 2021
From the Classroom AFTER THE 18TH ANNUAL Forensic Science Symposium was postponed in March
of 2020, Cedar Crest College hosted two virtual symposiums this academic year.
to the Crime Scene: Since 2002, Cedar Crest forensic science students have organized and led the
annual symposium, which features presentations by regional and national experts,
Cedar Crest Hosts as well as Cedar Crest alumnae.
Annual Forensic At this spring’s symposium, a lineup of speakers discussed cases
in genealogical testing, DNA analysis and forensic investigation.
Science Symposium One presenter was familiar to many true crime fans—retired
forensic science investigator Paul Holes, known for his part in
solving the infamous Golden State Killer case.
The free event is open to anyone interested in forensic Paul Holes
science and provides an opportunity for high school students
to learn more about the College’s forensic science program. Cedar Crest is one of
the top colleges for the study of forensic science and offers one of the few fully
accredited programs in the nation.
To learn more about forensic science at Cedar Crest College, visit
cedarcrest.edu/forensicscience.
Caring for the Crest
Monthly Giving Program
The Caring for the Crest Monthly Giving Program is a special network
of faithful alumnae, parents and friends of Cedar Crest College who
provide critically important and reliable support for current students.
Monthly gifts provide Cedar Crest College with a steady stream of
support throughout the year. As a member of the Caring for the Crest
Monthly Giving Program, you are providing our students — and the
entire campus community — with valuable resources that support
essential activities and programs.
Sign up online at www.cedarcrest.edu/Caring4CCC
Cedar Crest students and
actors from the community
perform in the spring
musical, “FAME.”
PHOTO/AMICO STUDIOS
The Show Did Go On:
Spring Performing Arts Highlights
THE CEDAR CREST COLLEGE performance opportunities either faculty and staff learned livestreaming
Performing Arts Department spent onstage or backstage. Most college logistics, taught students camera
the summer of 2020 strategizing programs and professional theatre techniques and purchased necessary
and adjusting plans for a performing groups gave up early and canceled equipment. Kevin Gallagher, MFA,
arts season during a pandemic. their whole season, but at Cedar Crest, associate professor and technical
Department faculty and staff met we persisted,” says Roxanne Amico, director, led trainings, while faculty
weekly throughout the year to discuss MFA, chair of performing arts. and students honed their skills
upcoming productions and how the With limited indoor theatre throughout the year.
ever-changing state of the pandemic capacity, the department prepared Following a successful run of pro-
would affect live performances. to perform with no live audiences in ductions in fall 2020, the Performing
“Our main goal was to make the space—instead, they turned the Arts Department needed to find a
sure students at the College still had focus to livestreaming. To get ready, spring musical with rights available for
6 TOUCHPOINTS SUMMER 2021
Spring Performing Arts Highlights
livestreaming. Performing arts students was pre-filmed and features five word, dance and visual imagery to
weighed in and selected the 1989 different genres of dance exploring reveal the triumphs, missteps and
musical, “FAME.” “FAME” chronicles “the interconnected nature of society, ongoing transformation of inclusion
the triumphs and hardships of a group plus promoting awareness that and equity at Cedar Crest. The
of students attending New York City’s working against the oppression of any performance featured faculty, staff,
High School of Performing Arts from one group will ultimately benefit the alumnae and current students. The
their first year to graduation. Directed whole,” says Sarah Carlson, artistic original show premiered on April 24 to
by Bill Mutimer with Brian Foley as director and assistant professor of a live audience in Samuels Theatre and
music director, the production ran dance. On April 17, the showcase via YouTube for audiences at home.
February 25-28 with no audience in premiered on YouTube and was “Throughout the entire year, we
attendance. The cast performed on streamed to a limited live audience held weekly meetings, implemented
stage with face coverings and socially- in Samuels Theatre. The event ended COVID mitigation efforts and
distanced blocking. Audiences tuned with an open discussion with the creatively adapted to challenges to
in to watch the musical from viewing show’s choreographers. produce a great season that no one
rooms across campus. The season continued its will ever forget,” concludes Amico.
The season ended with “Spring exploration of race, inclusion and
Dances” and “FACTOR,” both equity with an original collaborative
focused on social justice themes. work, “FACTOR.” Created over the For more information about
The spring dance showcase, “Spring course of a year, “FACTOR” is a performing arts at Cedar Crest, visit
Dances: We Rise and Fall Together,” mixed-media work that uses spoken cedarcrest.edu/stage.
Admissions a new graduate admissions advisor. In February, Deborah Accurso, MA,
was named director of enrollment management, overseeing traditional
Updates: undergraduate, graduate and adult admissions, after serving as director
of admissions in the School of Adult and Graduate Education.
Reflecting Back
and Looking New initiatives from the past year include an articulation agreement
with Lehigh Carbon Community College (LCCC) that facilitates the
Forward with transfer of LCCC students into Cedar Crest’s School of Nursing and
the launch of a Campus Life Exploration Series for prospective and
Dr. Erika Davis incoming Falcons. Work has begun on a new enrollment marketing
campaign and, this summer, the College hosted the first-ever
Graduate Summit—providing an opportunity for Cedar Crest’s
In May 2020, Cedar Crest welcomed a new vice president of graduate program coordinators to plan how they can best increase
enrollment management, Erika Davis, Ed.D. Joining Cedar Crest and improve services for graduate students.
from Mary Baldwin University, Davis has experience with women’s
colleges and HBCUs as well as traditional, online, adult and “I love that the faculty and staff are committed to going above and
graduate enrollment. Now a year into her new role, she reflects on beyond to support our students through the admissions process
her time at Cedar Crest and shares upcoming enrollment initiatives. and their college journey,” Davis says.
Davis shares that, in the past year, admissions met budget goals and Davis, who joined the College amid the pandemic and a decreased
grew graduate enrollment thanks, in part, to the College’s expanding presence of employees on campus, is looking forward to hosting
portfolio of graduate programs. The admissions office also welcomed more on-campus events and making in-person connections with
new team members, including a new traditional admissions staff and faculty, staff and alumnae.A Home for the New Occupational
Therapy Doctorate
CEDAR CREST COLLEGE will welcome occupational therapists in Pennsylvania. will utilize several newly renovated
its first class of Occupational Therapy The College’s introduction of an spaces including a state-of-the-art
Doctorate (OTD) students in August OTD program supports a growing technology lab, the Occupational
2021. The full-time program can be need, both locally and nationally, for Therapy Life Skills Lab, the Pediatric
completed in 33 months and is the professionals in the field. Lab, an updated lobby area and
first entry-level OTD program in the The program is housed in the graduate student lounge.
Lehigh Valley, the third largest region of Hamilton Boulevard Building and “The newly renovated spaces at
8 TOUCHPOINTS SUMMER 2021A Home for the New Occupational Therapy Doctorate
The College’s The new spaces were completed
in March 2021 and will benefit both
introduction of an Cedar Crest students and community
members. In the labs, students will
OTD program participate in simulations of real-life
clinical experiences and can practice
supports a growing therapeutic interventions, evaluations
need, both locally and assessments with paid patient
actors. Students can use the spaces
and nationally, for to conduct research as they complete
their capstone projects. The program
professionals in also has plans to offer occupational
therapy clinics for the community.
the field. The Life Skills Lab features a fully
functioning kitchen, bathroom and
living space for simulated therapeutic
Cedar Crest College add the elements experiences, as well as a clinical space
to make the Occupational Therapy for orthotic labs, splint fabrication
Doctorate program top-notch in and practice of essential clinical skills.
educational capabilities, technology, Designed as both a learning
community engagement and environment for OTD students and a
simulated experiences for experiential future pediatric clinic for underserved
learning,” says Aimee Ketchum, communities in the Lehigh Valley
OTD, OTR/L, CNMI, assistant area, the Pediatric Lab is a full sensory
professor of occupational therapy and gym that mimics an outdoor park. mural, swings to facilitate vestibular
academic fieldwork coordinator. The space boasts an interactive wall activities, a ball pit, scooters
and a horizontal rock-climbing
wall to enhance children’s motor
development, plus an audio-visual
system to allow students to view
OTD Fundraising treatments from another location.
“Our goal is to develop ethical
Cedar Crest is excited to share that the occupational therapy leaders who
Occupational Therapy Doctorate Program are committed to clinical excellence,
has received strong support from three scientifically-informed practice,
long-term community partners. The Arcadia positive social change and advocacy for
Foundation, Keystone Savings Foundation occupational justice, while also serving
and Harry C. Trexler Trust have awarded the the health and occupational needs of
College a combined $110,000 to purchase diverse populations,” says Ketchum.
Occupational therapy students will essential educational equipment, ensuring
get hands-on experience in the newly that the inaugural OTD class will be trained
renovated Life Skills Lab. using state-of-the-art equipment. Learn more about the
Occupational Therapy Doctorate at
cedarcrest.edu/otd.
SUMMER 2021 TOUCHPOINTS 9Education
Students
Rise to the
Challenge
AS THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC drastically Now, two Cedar Crest “Education always was.”
altered the education landscape, many education students share how Pisko found her path at
teachers transitioned their classrooms they rose to the challenge of Cedar Crest, graduating
to and from remote, hybrid and in- student teaching in a pandemic and in May with her Master of
person models. Students of all ages gained valuable experience during this Education and certification in early
have had to adapt to new methods extraordinary time for educators. childhood education.
of instruction and face the unique This past year, Pisko served as a
challenges of pandemic learning. student teacher at Jefferson Elementary
This academic year, Cedar Crest also
Rebecca Pisko ’21
adjusted instruction, offering classes With an undergraduate degree
in a dual-delivery model with online, in communications and marketing,
hybrid and fully face-to-face options. Rebecca Pisko held an editorial job
In the fall, we heard from alumna for four years until she decided to
Lauren Hetrick ’08 about the changes make a career change. “I love to write,
and challenges she was experiencing but it just wasn’t fulfilling and what
as a high school social studies teacher. I was passionate about,” she says.
10 TOUCHPOINTS SUMMER 2021Education Students Rise to the Challenge
School in the Allentown School and improving as a teacher. Be and handle challenges as they
District. She supported a class of 24 flexible, take it one day at a time and come their way. “Hearing about
fourth-grade students as they navigated if things go wrong, that’s okay—it’s their experiences, their struggles,
synchronous, online learning. all part of the process,” she concludes. their reactions and their solutions
Starting in March 2020, the Cedar helped me learn how to handle these
Crest education department modified situations myself,” Jarjous says.
lessons to prepare future teachers for Remote learning has been a
both regular and virtual education major adjustment for schools across
models. “They’ve done a great job of the country, leading to numerous
adapting to the situation,” explains Pis- challenges for both educators and
ko. “We were learning how to teach un- students. For Jarjous, keeping students
der these unusual circumstances while focused and engaged throughout
keeping in mind that someday we’ll be the day was one of these challenges.
back to normal in the classroom.” The melding of home and learning
Throughout her student teaching environments has made it much harder
experience, Pisko encountered many for students to stay focused, and
of the obstacles brought on by remote educators are constantly trying new
education. In a virtual environment, for ways to keep the students engaged in a
example, it can be harder for educators virtual setting. “Getting the students to
to build the trust and understanding sit down, focus and stare at a computer
needed for a successful teacher-student Savannah Jarjous ’21 screen for hours of the day when they’re
relationship. It is easier to get to know at home is difficult,” explains Jarjous.
students and their learning styles Early childhood education major “At home, they’re used to playing with
with face-to-face instruction in the Savannah Jarjous completed her their toys and watching TV, not being
classroom, Pisko explains. It was also student teaching experience this spring focused and in school mode.”
challenging to foster student-to-student at the Jackson Early Childhood Center, Virtual student teaching has taught
relationships, and Pisko’s students a building exclusive to kindergarten Jarjous how to be more flexible and
were at an important age to learn how instruction in the Allentown School creative. The first three years of her
to build friendships. District. Jarjous came to Cedar Crest teacher education prepared her for face-
Pisko believes that she is a more as a transfer student and was “a little to-face instruction in the classroom.
well-rounded educator due to bit behind,” she says. “But I was able Now, the pandemic has shown her
her pandemic student teaching to catch up and graduate on time. It how to take everything she has learned
experience. “I find myself constantly was hard work, but Cedar Crest helped and adapt it to be just as effective in
trying to figure out new ways to go me make it happen.” a virtual environment. “Through this
about teaching things, whether it Her classroom at the Jackson Early experience, I’ve grown and built my
be finding new resources or making Childhood Center was completely confidence as a teacher,” she adds.
my own,” she says. “There’s a lot of online, but the students’ days Since graduating in May, Jarjous
pivoting with online learning, and involved a mix of live instruction and has been a full-time substitute at the
you’re always trying to build and logging off to complete schoolwork. Jackson Early Childhood Center,
better what you’re already doing. I feel Jarjous was able to navigate the teaching a hybrid kindergarten class.
like I’m a better teacher because of it.” challenges that came along with Over the summer, she will be starting
Pisko’s advice for future student this model, thanks to Cedar Crest’s a new position as a fourth-grade
teachers is to be flexible and open to experienced education department teacher at Newcomer Academy, a
learning. “This is a unique experience faculty members. Professors use their school that supports students who are
where you’re constantly getting real-life experiences to teach students new arrivals to the United States and
feedback on your work and growing how to adapt to new circumstances need English language support.
SUMMER 2021 TOUCHPOINTS 11Alumnae Affairs
Cedar Crest Gets Creative
ONE OF THE STRENGTHS of a Cedar Crest
education is that students can pursue their
passions in various areas of study, both in
their major and as extracurricular activities.
As a result, many Cedar Crest graduates,
from all departments, have taken on creative
projects as professionals or hobbyists.
Recognizing the number of Cedar Crest
community members that have creative
projects to show and the need for a more
personal connection during a time of
social distancing, the Office of Institutional
Advancement decided to host an online
art show for alumnae, faculty, staff, students
Reunion Recap and trustees in early 2021.
REUNION WAS HELD on May 21, 22 and 23, 2021, and while it looked Artists were invited to submit examples of
a little different this year, the Office of Institutional Advancement was their work in visual, literary and performing
happy to host several virtual and on-campus events for our alumnae. arts. As a result, 39 individuals submitted
The weekend honored all classes ending in 0s and 5s (who could more than 90 pieces, ranging from
not join us for Reunion last year) and 1s and 6s. As always, alumnae watercolors and acrylics to poems and
from all classes were encouraged to attend. Alumnae in attendance musical productions.
represented classes from 1956-2019, coming from as far away as
Florida to celebrate on campus. We also had alumnae join online from The creative projects were originally
Texas and Illinois. unveiled during a virtual gallery opening
on April 7, 2021, with a keynote by Barbara
Virtual events included Back to School sessions with Scott Hoke, Ph.D., Tebbs Briden ‘59, who spoke about the
associate professor of criminal justice, Karen Bensinger, DNP, assistant importance of art and its impact on her
professor of nursing and Amy Faivre, Ph.D., professor of biology; a life. Briden has stayed connected to Cedar
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion presentation by Atyia Martin, Ph.D., Crest through Reunions and by serving
CEO and Founder of All Aces, Inc.; an interactive murder mystery as the former president of the regional
performance by Without a Cue Productions and Bingo. On Saturday Jersey Alumnae Club; however, one of her
morning, over 60 alumnae came to campus for several in-person most notable contributions to Cedar Crest
events, including the Alumnae Association’s Annual Meeting, a has been her regular participation in past
presentation of the Reunion Giving Awards, President Meade’s State alumnae art shows.
of the College Address, the traditional All-Alumnae Luncheon with
a presentation from Tammy Bean, M.Ed., and the Strawberry Festival. While at Cedar Crest, Briden studied
Reunion continues to be an important tradition at Cedar Crest, as it elementary education and participated
unites classmates and fosters new friendships. We look forward to in the concert choir, song contest and
future alumnae events, both in-person and virtual, in the coming year. the President’s Advisory Council. After
12 TOUCHPOINTS SUMMER 2021Alumnae Affairs
graduation, Briden worked as a preschool
teacher, a secretary and eventually
retired from a position at AT&T as a
quality consultant and supervisor.
Outside of working her nine-to-five job,
Briden had a passion for art that she
actively pursued after retirement. Since
then, she has created various collections,
including watercolors, pastels and
acrylics from realistic landscapes to
colorful abstracts that have been
displayed in numerous galleries. Briden’s
passion for the arts was inspired by her
great-grandmother, whose watercolor
sketchbooks from the mid-1800s have
graced her family’s walls for decades.
In 2002, Briden won two awards for
her work and was published in Victoria
Magazine for her paintings related to a
two-week trip to Paris.
Following Briden’s presentation,
attendees of the virtual opening
watched a preview of each piece. The
gallery is now open for community
viewing at www.cedarcrest.edu/ Pictured, clockwise from top left: Not pictured:
artshow2021. There you can also find
information about submitting your own First Place Runners Up
pieces for next year’s collection. Wave I (Watercolor) by Karen Foreboding (Archival Print) by Richard Begbie ’85
Mattson Pinard ’71 Tulip Bowl (Clay Handbuilt) by Derry Bockner Crosley ’69
In addition to viewing the gallery, visitors Unity Starts Simple (Acrylic) by Justina Neff ’21
also had a chance to vote on their Second Place Oil on Linen by Judith Weight Fritchman ’61
favorite pieces. Proceeds from voting Cherokee Wheels (Reed) by Best Listener. Biggest Heart. Best Friend. (Oil on Canvas) by Emily Graf
went to provide budget relief support to Robin Spaeth Ingram ’74
St. Remy Rain (Photography) by Sue Ingram Keller ’75
the arts at Cedar Crest. The pieces with Charlayne (Oil on Board) by Martha Moore Meskauskas ’66
the most votes are featured here. Third Place
Surrounded by Love (Photography) Calm vs. Fear: The Abyss (Alcohol Ink) by Christina Steigerwalt
by Jennifer Adamson Horn ’00 Around the Town 2020 (Photography) by Robi Shalotsky Ludwig ’87
The next virtual gallery will open in
Symbiosis? (Photography) by Feed the Birds (Photography) by Meg Lewis Schoenemann ’78
April 2022, and all Cedar Crest
Meg Lewis Schoenemann ’78 Gotta Let Go (Official Video) by Dakotah ’06
community members are invited to
submit their work.
SUMMER 2021 TOUCHPOINTS 13Alumnae in Action
MARY LOU DUNZIK-GOUGAR JENNI COTIGNOLA CLARK ’93,
’87, Ph.D., was named president M.Ed., is the founder and current
of the American Nuclear CEO of StarThrower Group, Inc.,
Society for 2020-2021. She is an organization that helps young
the associate dean of the Idaho adults with special needs develop
State University (ISU) College life, job and social skills. The group
of Science and Engineering, associate professor of was established to address the gap in services for
nuclear engineering and a senior reactor operator those with special needs after high school graduation
at ISU’s Aerojet-General Nucleonics nuclear reactor. and support these individuals as they transition
She coordinates the nuclear engineering curriculum from high school to adulthood. The organization
and teaches graduate and undergraduate courses at reaches out to these young adults to provide support
ISU. She also performs nuclear materials research and and opportunities while building community and
is involved in regional and discipline accreditations, friendships. The StarThrower Group facility provides
ISU’s international program development and a space for learning, a place to connect and a place
reactor administration. to feel safe and welcome. Also involved in the
organization are Tina Ball Livezey ’93, board president,
and Linda Bahner ’93, board secretary.
In May, ANTA CISSÉ-GREEN ’95, KRISTINA KRIVICIC ’19, RN, has
LLM, JD, was appointed as the been crowned International
State University of New York’s United Miss Monmouth County,
(SUNY) senior vice chancellor for New Jersey and will represent New
legal affairs and general counsel, Jersey at the international pageant
making her the first female in July. Krivicic was diagnosed
African American to hold this role in SUNY history. with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) at 17 and
Prior to this appointment, Anta was the associate has since been an advocate for chronic/invisible
general counsel and director of legal operations illnesses awareness. She works with the National PCOS
at NYU Langone Health. Cissé-Green is also the Awareness Association and the PCOS Challenge —
president of the Metropolitan Black Bar Association, achieving top fundraiser two years in a row for their
an organization dedicated to “helping its members 5K Awareness Walks. Last March, Krivicic traveled to
accomplish their personal and professional goals, Washington, D.C., as a constituent of the tri-state area
while simultaneously addressing the legal issues that to share her story with congressional members, seek
impact our Black communities.” their support in making September PCOS Awareness
Month and request more funding from the National
Institutes of Health to spread awareness of PCOS.
14 TOUCHPOINTS SUMMER 2021Featured Faculty and Staff
Ivonne Miranda, Ph.D., assistant professor of education, is a recipient of an AAUW
Community Action Grant for $9,212 for the 2021-2022 award year. She will be
collaborating with the Allentown School District to provide early STEM exposure to
fifth-grade girls from diverse backgrounds. STEM activities will be based on male-
dominated STEM fields such as physics, engineering, computer science and more.
Fifth-grade girls will have the opportunity to have a year of innovative hands-on
experiences to explore authentic problems and make meaningful contributions in
STEM fields.
In May, Micah Sadigh, Ph.D., professor of psychology, released his 8th commercially
released musical composition, “A Distant Star.” The composition consists of seven
movements and symbolizes hope in the darkened skies. The piece was written
between 2017 and 2019 and was recorded in early January of this year. The last
movement, “orbiting hope,” is a prelude to the next piece — to be composed in the
future. All proceeds from this composition will go toward educational scholarships.
Calley Stevens Taylor, Ph.D., dean of student success, has been selected as a
co-editor for “Academic Advising Administration: Essential Knowledge & Skills,” 2nd
Edition. The first edition of Academic Advising Administration was intended for
new and veteran advising administrators and meant to appeal to those interested
in building outstanding advising units to serve the mission of their colleges and
universities. Key questions addressed in the first edition: What do we wish we had
known when first hired as administrators? What do we need to know to lead our
offices into the next century? This updated edition, slated for publication in 2023,
looks to build upon, expand and update the information from the first edition.
Alison Wellford, MFA, associate professor and Pan-European MFA program director,
published the article “How Antidiscrimination Law Fails Black Mothers” in The Nation.
She notes that “Title VII’s short period for filing a complaint harms one of the very
populations the law is meant to protect: pregnant or nursing mothers — especially
mothers of color.” Read Wellford’s article here: https://www.thenation.com/article/
society/sexual-harassment-reporting-title-vii/
SUMMER 2021 TOUCHPOINTS 15Falcons Leave the Nest
Read more about the Class of 2021 at cedarcrest.edu/classof2021
Social work student Jonique Pace Four years before enrolling at Cedar For Asher Atwood ’21, nursing runs
’21 completed her 450-hour field Crest, Elizabeth Oleksa ’21 became in the family. Completing her BSN,
experience with Northampton County completely blind due to complications Atwood is following in the footsteps of
Children, Youth and Families and was of diabetes. As an adult student learning her mother and both her grandmothers
offered a full-time position to begin to navigate a new disability, Oleksa was who have all worked as nurses.
after graduation. Pace will serve as overwhelmed and anxious beginning Atwood held leadership roles across
a caseworker in the organization’s this next step in her educational journey. campus, including serving as a student
permanency unit. A personal However, with her seeing eye guide dog, ambassador in the admissions office,
connection inspired her to pursue this Bryce Krispie, at her side, she persevered a First Year Experience Mentor and
path of social work. “I had a caseworker through any challenges that came her co-founder and president of CCC Signs,
growing up and aspired to be like way and flourished both personally Cedar Crest’s first sign language club.
her and help children in need,” Pace and academically. Now, Oleksa will be Now, she is a graduate nurse at Lehigh
explains. “I am super excited to start this attending Rosemont College to earn her Valley Health Network- Cedar Crest on a
new journey.” master’s degree in counseling. medical-surgical floor.
Commencement 2021
Cedar Crest College held its 151st Commencement exercises as two ceremonies over
two days at the PPL Center in downtown Allentown, PA. On Friday, May 14 at 6 p.m.,
the College honored all School of Nursing graduates and all other graduate students.
Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Sciences graduates were honored on Saturday, May
15 at 9 a.m. Maya Ajmera, president and CEO of Society for Science and publisher of
its award-winning magazine, “Science News,” delivered the keynote address and was
awarded an honorary degree. Cedar Crest was delighted to welcome many of our
graduates’ families and friends to celebrate the Class of 2021 in person. Both days of
the ceremony were also livestreamed for those not in attendance.
16 TOUCHPOINTS SUMMER 2021 PHOTO/ISLAND PHOTOGRAPHYATHLETICS RETURNS WITH RECORD- BREAKING SEASON TO THE DELIGHT OF FALCON ATHLETES AND FANS, the Board of Directors of the Colonial States Athletic Conference (CSAC) approved its member colleges to move forward with a competitive season, including conference championships for all spring sports with appropriate safety measures in place at each institution. For Cedar Crest, this meant the return of softball, tennis, lacrosse and track and field. Measures were put into place to ensure the safety of all in attendance, including limited spectators, COVID-19 testing of athletes throughout the season, temperature checks for all guests on game day and restricted interaction between players and fans. All games were livestreamed for those unable to attend in person. PHOTOS/ONE MORE SHOT PHOTOGRAPHY Throughout the season, the Falcons soared with championships and awards in various sports. Most notably, the softball team traveled to Seguin, TX, for the NCAA Division III Regionals, their first-ever NCAA Tournament appearance. The softball program closed its historic season, going 21-5 overall and earning their first CSAC Championship and NCAA Tournament wins in school history. Additionally, the softball team had 11 student-athletes take home 12 CSAC End of Season Awards, including the CSAC Player of the Year. For track and field, the squad placed first out of five at their inaugural meet at the Keystone Invite at Keystone College, participated in their first-ever CSAC Championship Meet and took home 12 End of Season Awards, including CSAC Coach of the Year and the CSAC 3D Award. The Cedar Crest College tennis squad also advanced to back-to-back CSAC Championship matches. The year concluded for the Falcons with 16 athletes inducted into the Chi Alpha Sigma Honor Society.
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Lehigh Valley, PA
Institutional Advancement Permit No. 574
100 College Drive
Allentown, PA 18104
Save the Date for Reunion 2022!
Join us for a combination of virtual and in-person events,
as circumstances allow.
Friday, May 20, 2022 – Sunday, May 22, 2022
Visit www.cedarcrest.edu/reunion in January 2022 for
a list of events, hotel room blocks and other Reunion
information. Registration will open online on March 1,
2022. A printed registration form will be included in the
Spring 2022 issue of Class Notes.
Reunion 2022 will honor all classes ending in 2s and 7s,
but all alumnae and their families are invited to come
home for this special weekend. Events will include
Strawberry Festival, President Meade’s State of the
College Address, the All-Alumnae Luncheon and Awards
Ceremony, a dance party, buffet dinners, happy hours,
social gatherings and much more.You can also read
