Announcements

Keep scrolling to read the latest updates from your fellow Bearcats.

Help a Fellow Bearcat

As Bearcats, we care for each other. We encourage all our alumni to pray for those in need and consider taking further action like donating blood or getting tested for organ donations, as the Catholic Church considers organ donations as a charitable and selfless act of love. Currently, an alum who wishes to remain anonymous is in need of a kidney donation. Please reach out to Simon Stuchlik, SVC Vice President of Marketing, at 724-805-2660 if you or someone you know may be able to help a fellow Bearcat. 

Saint Vincent College Alumni Making an Impact in Dentistry

“Saint Vincent College alumni Dr. Robert Klaich, C’00, and Dr. Brian Klaich, C’98, continue to make their mark in the field of cosmetic dentistry, earning national and international recognition for their expertise and dedication to giving back. Both biology majors at SVC before earning their dental degrees from the University of Pittsburgh, the brothers were recently honored as co-recipients of the prestigious Evy Humanitarian Award by the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry (AACD). This award recognizes their extensive volunteer work with the Give Back A Smile Foundation, which provides dental care to survivors of domestic violence, as well as their broader charitable contributions to the community.

In addition to this distinguished honor, Dr. Robert Klaich received international recognition for a smile makeover at the 2025 Seattle Study Club Symposium in Key Biscayne, FL, where he was awarded “Best Case” in Full Mouth Reconstruction. In a dramatic presentation, the winner’s name was delivered via skydiving members of the Red Bull Air Force, underscoring the prestige of the competition. The Klaich brothers practice cosmetic dentistry at Cranberry Dental Studio in Cranberry Township, where they continue to transform lives through their exceptional skill and compassionate care.”

- Article submitted by Dr. Robert Klaich

1950s

  • Joseph Sansonetti, C'51, is 95 years young and a proud alumni! He was a part of the 1950 Tangerine Bowl win! Joseph was always proud of the education he received from SVC and was a successful business man until he retired at 83. Joseph is the definition of a true Bearcat!

    June 2023

  • Dr. Dino Angelici, C'54, and his wife, Jacqueline Angelici, give their warm regards to Saint Vincent College and especially the class of 1954.

1960s

  • Joseph Yochim, Esq., C'69, was honored with an award for his 50th year as a Pennsylvania Attorney and 50 years as an Erie County Bar Assn member.

  • Roger Woodhour, C'64, is a retired CEO of RollEase, Inc. since May 2005. He is a volunteer Puppy Raiser for The Seeing Eye since 1991; raising 32 pups. Served on the Board for the New Jersey Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired. Worked with the New Jersey State Legislature to enact Dusty's Law that provides for significant punishment for individuals and/or dogs that attack service dogs.

  • Charles Farley, C'65, was inducted into the National High School Athletic Coaches Association in July 2023. On May 9, 2024, he will be inducted into the Connecticut Coaches Hall of Fame. He retired from coaching Track and Field in 2023 and retired from teaching in 2005.

  • Albert Hagovsky, C'67, published a book on Kindle called, "Vietnam 631." The book includes summaries of the 631 letters written by Albert and his then fiancé, Colette (now wife of 53 years) during 1969.

  • Michael Yates, C’67, is the longest serving director of Monthly Review Press in New York City. He became director in 2006, and since then has seen more than 200 books through to publication. Michael served as primary editor for at least 100 of these. The Press recently published his 19th book, The Political Writings of Bhagat Singh, co-edited with Chaman Lal. He first learned to write with some skill at SVC (You can't edit if you can't write!), with his first professors of English, Jim Crenner and Phil Tama showing him the way. Michael was taught great skills of disciplined studying by Fathers Armand and Callistus in their Economics classes and the patience to learn everything he could in every class from Father Roderick. Michael was a college teacher for 45 years, and always tried to pattern himself after those teachers who could make difficult material clear and not so hard to understand. At SVC, his calculus teacher, Dr. Dudzinsky, was a marvel at this. He wants to thank these professors and SVC in general for helping him see how little he knew but how much he might come to know.

  • John Bacon's, P'60, granddaughter, Phoebe Bacon, qualified for the US Olympic Swim Team (200M Back Stroke) in Indianapolis, IN, on 6/21/24. Phoebe will be swimming for the USA at the Paris Olympics this Summer. Go Phoebe!!!

1970s

  • Joe Hoffman, C'78, was chosen as a Best Lawyer in Dallas on January 6, 2025. He will be listed in the May issue of D Magazine. Congrats, Joe!

  • Vince Morris, C'70, recently competed in the Masters World Speedskating Championships. The skating season ended on 2 high notes. On Feb 22/23 travelled to Milwaukee for the Masters Speedskating World Sprint Championship (2 x 500 and 2 X 1000 meter events). Won all 4 events and the Masters World Championship Sprint Title. Then travelled to Norway March 7-9 for the Masters SS World All Around Championship (500, 1000, 1500, and 3000 meter events). Overcame a 3 second deficit going into the final event - 3000 meters- to win the Masters World Championship All Around Title.

1980s

  • Mark Smith, C’89, was named the Deputy County Attorney in Chemung County, New York.

  • Dr. Michael Victor, C'83, I have been recently appointed as president of the board of the Erie County community college of Erie, Pennsylvania. Previously, I served as the 12th president of Mercyhurst University, one of the largest Mercy, Catholic universities in the nation, and prior to that, I served as president of Lake Erie College in Cleveland Ohio. I continue as chairman and CEO of the Victor group of companies doing business as Fralo industries. I served on many charitable boards including, Duquesne University school of law, board of visitors, and the Board of Directors of UPMC Hamot

  • Michael P. Becker (Spotter), C'86, retired as the head of the Mathematics department at Southwest High School in El Centro, California. He was also the Cross Country and Track and Field Coach from 1995-2006, and rejoined in 2019 when his boys, Grant and Kyle entered high school. Michael served a total of 34.5years in the school district before retiring. A fun fact to add, Ryan Jeffries, C'89, was Michael's next door classroom neighbor on campus for 27 years!

  • Tom Burkley, C'82, retired from Dept of Justice, Federal Bureau of Prisons in Canyon City, Colorado. Held position of Healthcare Director in the infamous "Supermax" penitentiary at Florence Correctional Complex. The Supermax penitentiary was recently listed # 1 ranked prison on Netflix series "the top 10 Toughest Prisons in US". Served total of 27 years of federal service including 6 years in US Air Force with 31st Tactical Fighter Wing in Miami, Fl.

1990s

  • Shawn Holup, C’98, is the Vice Principal at Our Lady of the Sacred Heart HS in Coraopolis, PA and in September of 2021 was chosen to serve as the private school representative on the WPIAL Board of Directors. In addition to serving on the WPIAL Board of Directors, Shawn is also a member of the WPIAL softball committee.

  • Jackie (Smith) Kulfan, C'98, started a new role as Director of Research Partnerships at Carnegie Mellon University. She will primarily support the Scott Institute for Energy Innovation to advance research in clean energy and decarbonization. She is excited to get back into clean energy initiatives!

  • Matthew DiGiacomo, C’93, retired from the US Army Reserve on April 30, 2024 after 22.5 years of service as a Lieutenant Colonel in the Judge Advocate Corps. Has been working as a prosecutor at the Allegheny County District Attorney's Office since May 22, 2023 and was recently promoted to the offices Homicide Unit.

  • Lesley Beasom, C'97, was promoted in March 2024 to Associate Director of Competitive Integrated Employment with Achieva.

  • Lesley (Barton) Beasom, C'97, was promoted in March of 2024 to Associate Director of Competitive Integrated Employment with Achieva.

  • Daniel Ott, C'97, was installed as an acolyte by Bishop J. Mark Spalding as he enters his fourth and final year in the Diaconate Program in the Diocese of Nashville, Tennessee.

2000s

  • Sherrie Dunlap Gallagher, C'09, has been promoted to Major Gifts Officer at United Way of Southwestern Pennsylvania, a human services nonprofit covering five counties. In addition to her role, she serves on the United Way's Policy and Advocacy Committee. In the community, Sherrie serves as the Chair of Social Media on the Board for Association of Ladies of Charity Diocese of Pittsburgh and is a member of Ladies of Charity at Saint Mark the Evangelist Parish. Sherrie also serves on the Board of Directors of Pittsburgh North Regional Chamber where she serves as Chair of the Legislative & Economic Development Committee.

  • Josh Kearns, C'09, recently purchased and opened a franchise called Next Day Access in Tampa, FL. The website is available at https://www.nextdayaccess.com/tampa-fl/. The business is focused on mobility and accessibility products to serve the local community with mobility constraints.

  • Dr. Bryan Christensen, C'01, was featured in the Winter 2015 issue of Saint Vincent Magazine for his work for the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) with the Ebola outbreak. Over the summer, he started a new position at CDC as the Associate Director for Preparedness and Response in the Division of High Consequence Pathogens and Pathology. This position circles him back to his Ebola work that we featured in the Winter Magazine.

  • Bryan Macuga, C'02, was appointed as Superintendent of Schools at Steel Valley School District.

  • Rena Rankin, C'08, earned two masters degrees in educational leadership and curriculum, and instruction. She was promoted to middle school principal for next school year in Koidak, Alaska after serving two years as the assistant principal.

  • Dr. Hans Rocha IJzerman, C’03, welcomed his son Simón Antonio Rocha IJzerman on January 11, 2024. He went on unpaid leave from his job as associate professor and became director of his company, Annecy Behavioral Science Lab, which aims to reduce loneliness and social isolation.

  • Rena (Watson) Rankin, C’08, after graduating college, earned two master’s degrees in educational leadership and curriculum and instruction. She was promoted to middle school principal for the next school year in Kodiak, Alaska after serving two years as the assistant principal.

  • Dr. Jamie Dunlap Coates, C'06, has been promoted to the rank of Associate Professor of Physical Therapy, tenure track, at Seton Hill University, where she serves as the Director of Clinical Education in the Doctor of Physical Therapy program.

  • Paul Boland, C'08, was recently notified by The Guinness Book of World Records committee that he had broken the previous world record for the most weight lifted by dumbbell curls in one hour previously set at 35,547 lb. Paul Boland managed to set the new world record at 40,474 lb breaking the previous Arm Curl record by just short of 5,000 lb using the dumbbell. Paul Boland completed 592 repetitions with the 30 lb dumbbell, 276 reps with the 25 lb dumbbell, and 769 reps with the 20 lb dumbbell within the qualifying 60 minutes. Link is here: https://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/world-records/94949-most-weight-lifted-by-dumbbell-curls-in-one-hour-individual

2010s

  • In January 2025, Alé (Muzika) Simmons, C'10, was promoted to Director of Business Development for Clark Hill, an international, full-serivce law firm. Alé has been a member of Clark Hill's Business Development and Marketing team since 2019. In her new role, she will lead business development strategy for the firm.

  • On 17 October, Aileen Mooney, C'11, MPH ('11) and the Domestic Production of Pharmaceutical Products (DP3) project team at the Center for Health Services Research (CHSR) briefed members of the of the National Economic Council, Domestic Policy Council, Veterans Health Administration, Department of Health and Human Services HS ASPR, International Trade Commission, FDA, Office of Pandemic Preparedness, and Department of Defense at the White House on their study goals and the project's impact on national security. The briefing was led by Dr. Tracey Perez Koehlmoos, the principal investigator for the project. The DP3 project is a congressionally directed study on the domestic production of pharmaceuticals and supply chain resiliency that is led by CHSR at The Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences. Ms. Mooney is the program manager and epidemiologist for DP3 and in her final year as a PhD candidate in Public Health (epidemiology) at USUHS.

  • John Zappone, C'10, has joined Pietragallo Gordon Alfano Bosick & Raspanti, LLP as an associate in the Product Liability Practice Group. He represents pharmaceutical, automotive, recreational vehicle, aircraft, and firearm manufacturers in state and federal courts across the country. Recognized as a Rising Star by Pennsylvania Super Lawyers, Mr. Zappone has tried cases and obtained defense verdicts as first chair counsel throughout the Commonwealth.

  • Terrance Kernan, C'12, was named the Athletic Director at Gonzaga College High School. Prior to his promotion, he was serving as the Assistant Director and long-standing member of Gonzaga's math department. Congrats, Terry!

  • David Riehl, C'10, was recently appointed to the Board of Directors at Mainstay Life Services.

  • Jessica Packard, C'19, earned her Ph.D. from Duquesne University in the Biological Sciences. She'll be starting as a Postdoctoral Associate in the School of Medicine, Department of Pediatrics at the University of Pittsburgh in August.

  • Dr. Taylor Easter, C'19, became the newest chiropractor on the team at Dean's Chiropractic Center in Greensburg, PA.

  • Jessica Packard, C’19, earned her Ph.D. from Duquesne University in the Biological Sciences. She will be starting as a Postdoctoral Associate in the School of Medicine, Department of Pediatrics at the University of Pittsburgh in August.

  • Sherrie Dunlap Gallagher, C'09, was promoted to Major Gift Officer at United Way of Southwestern Pennsylvania. She has been with United Way of Southwestern Pennsylvania for 5 years and previously served in a different fundraising role, as Corporate Engagement Manager. Community News: Sherrie serves on the Board of Directors for Pittsburgh North Regional Chamber as an officer- Board Secretary and serves on the Board of the Association of Ladies of Charity Diocese of Pittsburgh as Social Media Chair.

  • Chad Ferri, C'19, was promoted to managing partner on his advisory team at Merrill Lynch in Greensburg.

2020s

  • Mary Anand, C'21, matched to internal residency at Kaiser Permanente Mid-Atlantic in Silver Springs, Maryland. She will begin working as a resident physician in July 2025. She is projected to earn her MD from Eastern Virginia Medical School in May 2025. Attached is a photo with Mary and her grandparents at the Match Day on Friday, March 21, 2025.

  • Ian Tracey, C’21, had the great fortune of being able to teach for two years at Pannonhalma high school, the oldest learning institution in Hungary. He will soon be taking his oath of Hungarian citizenship in late February. He would encourage any SVC students interested in teaching at Pannonhalma to contact Jody Marsh!

  • Grace Noel, C’20, graduated from University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine with a MD degree and accepted an obstetrics/gynecology residency at Case Western Reserve in Cleveland, OH.

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