Contactis published by the

Office of University AdvancementSt. Thomas University16401 NW 37th AvenueMiami Gardens, FL 33054

TEL: 305-628-6660FAX: 305-628-6703

Susan M. SmithEditor & Director of Government

Relationsssmith@stu.edu

Ian ByingtonAssistant Editor

ibyington@stu.edu

Jerry BernfeldAlumni Association Director

jbernfeld@stu.edu

Janine “Gigi” LaudisioDirector of Corporate & BoardDevelopment and Annual Fund

jlaudisio@stu.edu

Beverly S. BachrachVice President

University Advancement & Marketingand Communicationsbbachrac@stu.edu

Rev. Msgr. Franklyn M. CasalePresident

fcasale@stu.edu

For the Class Notes section,we welcome alumni newsand photos, includingcareer changes, marriages,births, memberships andhonors. Please send thisinformation via the newSTU alumni portal athttp://alumni.stu.edu.

Information UpdatePlease keep us informed ofany change in address,employment or contactinformation by completingthe form on the new alumniportal http://alumni.stu.edu.Include the e-mail addressat which you prefer toreceive news about St.Thomas University.Thank you!

Contact is also availableonline at:

www.stu.edu/alumni

St. Thomas University marked a momentous point in itshistory with the September 10th official dedication of theFernandez Family Center for Leadership and Wellness. The62,000 sq. ft. multipurpose facility houses the University’sworld-renowned Sports Administration Programs, BobcatAthletics, The Miniaci Family Lead Now Program, and a state-of-the-art fitness and wellness center.

Archbishop John C. Favalora officiated at the dedicationceremony, attended by Miguel “Mike” Fernandez and his fam-ily, board members, faculty, students and friends of theUniversity. The facility is named for the family of Mr.Fernandez, chairman of MBF Healthcare Partners and one ofFlorida’s leading healthcare entrepreneurs, whose generousdonation spurred its creation.

In a heartfelt speech, Archbishop Favalora stressed hisbelief that participation in college athletics, with its emphasison team spirit, will help reverse the lack of civility in today’sfast-paced, technology-orientated culture.

STU President, Rev. Monsignor Franklyn M. Casale, alsostressed the benefits of athletics for an academic institution. “Itis with the greatest sense of pride that we dedicate this beauti-ful facility,” he said. “Designed to develop both physical well-ness and academic leadership, the Fernandez Center willbecome the heart of this campus, and a symbol of the University’s transformation into one of Florida’s

Spinal Cord Research Project

Dedication of Fernandez Family Center

continued on page 9

Fall 2009Vol. 11 No. 1

continued on page 4

L to R: Michael Fernandez Jr., A lexFernandez, Mike and Constance Fernandez

with Monsignor Casale

The first federally-funded research project atthe new Carnival Cruise Lines Science andTechnology Building began this past summer. Dr.Jeffery Plunkett, Assistant Professor of Biology,together with Research Assistant Professor Dr.Alexis Tapanes-Castillo and six undergraduatebiology students, is studying the possibility offinding cells that can regenerate after spinal cordinjury.

With the reality of many veterans returningfrom the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan with spinalcord injuries, the Department of Defense hasfunded this project for two successive years. Dr.Plunkett’s laboratory will work together with theUniversity of Pittsburgh Medical School in aResearch Consortium.

The team is studying why cells in the brain stem and the spinal cord in human beings do not renew,

Dr. Jeffery Plunkett

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1977 Michael A. Zoovas, B.S., PublicAdministration, retired Chief of Police,Miami Shores, graduate and PastPresident of the FBI National Academyof Florida, is a recognized expert inpremise liability and negligent securitycivil cases. He currently resides in theSarasota, FL, area.

1986 Dr. H. Dennis Harrison, B.A.,Psychology, Medical Director for AlliedHealth in Orlando, writes that hereceived his Master of Public Health(MPH) from Barry University in May2009.

David Witty, M.S., SportsAdministration, was named VicePresident and General Manager of IMGCollege, the sports marketing propertyat the University of Nebraska.

1987 Lizette Lantigua, B.A., CommunicationArts, is founder and creative director ofLantigua Designs, a company designinginvitations, greetingcards, stationery andgifts, specializing inthe Hispanic market.Her company alsodoes original customwork for corpora-tions and individu-als. Lizette welcomes your commentson her work on Facebook.

William Farley, M.S., SportsAdministration, is the Executive VicePresident of the Oklahoma City-basedJim Thorpe Association - OklahomaSports Hall of Fame.

1990Jimmy Garrity, M.S., SportsAdministration, is entering his third sea-son as Assistant Women’s BasketballCoach at the University of NorthCarolina Wilmington. His wife is theWomen’s Tennis Coach and they have

three children, Carly, Corey, and Kasey(4-12 yrs).

Steve Sullivan, M.S., SportsAdministration, is with Beaver SportsProperties as the General Manager atOregon State University.

1991 Teri Chenot, M.S. Marriage and FamilyTherapy, completed her MSN from FAUin 2008, and her Ed.D from University ofNorth Florida in 2007. She is the Chair,College of Nursing, at the University ofPhoenix, North Florida Campus. Terilives in Jacksonville with her husband,Ron, and their two sons , ages 22 and 17,and she is training for her 7th marathon(Jacksonville, December 2009).

1992Bryan Moynihan, M.S., SportsAdministration, left the Texans and isback in the college bowl business in SanAntonio, TX. He is the Director ofTicket Sales and Services with the ValeroAlamo Bowl.

1993Enrique Bradfield, B.A., SportsAdministration, is now the Director ofTicket Operations at the University ofMiami.

1994Marvin Julich Jr., M.S., SportsAdministration, accepted a position withhis alma mater, Samford University, aspart of the advancement team inUniversity Relations. This position giveshim the ability to impact the entire uni-versity, including athletics.

1995Jonathan Almeida, B.S., ComputerScience, currently owns and manages anAnti Money Laundering ComplianceConsulting Company in Edgewater, NJ,servicing 22 International Banks fromCanada, to the U.S. and the CaymanIslands to Chile. He writes “The CS

degree is thefoundation ofmy career path.I am a husbandto my beautifulwife Jessicaand father tomy 12 month-old Max. Maxhas taught meone thing, andthat’s patience.”

1996Scott MacKenzie, M.S., SportsAdministration, is the Regional VicePresident of the West Region with IMGCollege, the nation’s top SportsMarketing Agency that provides sportsmarketing services for several NCAA®Division I universities and conferences.

1997 Kelli (Lloyd) Barrios, B.A., ElementaryEducation, has been teaching for theBroward County Public School Systemfor 11 years. In 2008 she earned herNational Board for Professional TeachingStandards certificate as a MiddleChildhood Generalist to accompany herexisting certification in ExceptionalStudent Education K-12. Kelli teaches5th grade, serves as a mentor to otherteachers seeking national certificationand serves as a cooperating teacher forthree student-intern teachers.

Kathy Farquhar, M.S., Marriage &Family Therapy, presented “MentalHealth and Humanitarian Operations” onbehalf of the US military at MEDCEUR2009 in Nis, Serbia. MEDCEUR 2009brought together the medical militarycomponents of 14 nations in a didacticand live exercise format in September2009, and was a joint effort of the USArmy, Navy, Air Force and Marine Corps.

2000Adam Wald, M.S., Sports Administration,was promoted to Associate AthleticDirector for External Relations with LongBeach State.

Lizette Lantigua

Jonathan, Jessica, andMax Almeida

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2005 Angel A, Curbelo, B.A.,Organizational Leadership, was recent-ly recognized for 30 years of continu-ous and loyal service to Miami-DadeCounty. Angel is currently theAssistant Superintendent, PumpStations Division of the Miami-DadeWater and Sewer Department.

Juandell Brunner, B.A., BusinessStudies, with his wife, Riikka, and son,Jordan, lives in Finland where hecoaches some of that country’s besttennis players, including some interna-tional players. He also helps recruitFinnish players for AmericanUniversities, with one of his top play-ers currently attending Harvard. Hisillustrated children’s book, Beefy’sFirst Lesson, is now in the bookstores;some of theproceeds fromthis book willgo towards cre-ating tenniss cho l a r sh ip sfor underprivi-leged childrenin OsceolaCounty.

2007 Erik Burkhardt, J.D./M.S., SportsAdministration, works as a Sports Agentwith Premier Sports & EntertainmentManagement. In April he had his bestdraft which included six college playersdrafted, including three secondrounders. As a whole, the company rep-resents 42 current players along withseveral coaches.

Ricel A. Valdes, B.A., Political Science,is a Project Support Specialist withResearch Triangle Institute (RTI), one ofthe top five contracting organizations forthe United States Agency forInternational Development (USAID).She works with the Malaria IndoorResidual Spraying project (IRS) whichhelps fight the spread of malaria andreduce the number of overall deaths dueto this disease throughout 14 countrieswithin Africa. Ricel is based at the RTICenter in Washington , DC.

2008Cesar J. Baldelomar, B.A., GlobalLeadership, and B.A., Religious Studies,is currently a graduate student in theReligion, Ethics, and Politics track atHarvard Divinity School, where he

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received a fullscholarship anda stipend. Healso continues tobe active in PaxRomana. Cesaris happy toannounce that inAugust he wedhis high schoolsweetheart, AileenAngulo, inCambridge, MA.

2009Michael Singer, M.B.A, SportsAdministration, recently started his owncompany, Solo Events Group Inc., afull-service events company that caterstowards professional sports, festivalsand fairs.

Name:________________________________________________________________________________________Year Graduated:__________Major:__________________________________Degree: ________________________Address:___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________Home Phone:_____________________________Work Phone: __________________________________________E-mail: _______________________________________________________________________________________Employer:______________________________________Title: __________________________________________Work Address: ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________News for Contact:_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Please fax to the Office of University Advancement at (305) 628-6703 or mail to 16401 NW 37th Ave., Miami, FL 33054

Juandell Brunner

Cesar and AileenBaldelomar

STU Alumni Update Form

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Spinal Cord Research Project, continued from Page 1

whereas zebra fish are able to regenerate cells in their spinalcord after it has been severed. Dr. Plunkett explains that aftersix to 12 weeks zebra fish are able to regain a certain portion ofthe nerves in the spinal cord and regain 70% - 80% of their abil-ity to swim. Although this knowledge has been around for manyyears, no one understood how it happened.

The Plunkett Research Lab is examining the cells in thearea of the newly healed spinal cord of the fish to try to under-stand the genes that are responsible for this phenomenon and tolearn if they can be applied to human beings with spinal corddamage. The cells in mammals do not regenerate because of thepresence of inhibitory molecules known as CSPGs that can alsobe thought of as “stop signs.”These same molecules are present in the fish but for some rea-son some of the cells still manage to regenerate in spite of them.The researchers isolate the cells that do regenerate and comparetheir genes with the genes of the cells that do not regenerate toidentify genes associated with regeneration.

In Pittsburgh, Dr. Plunkett’s colleague, Dr. Martin Oudega,and his research group are translating the findings from thezebra fish into mammals, beginning with rats. Dr. Oudega willtake the rat versions of the regeneration-associated genes identi-fied by Dr. Plunkett and transplant cells with these genes into aspinal-cord-injured rat to determine whether they help the rate torecover from the injury. The ultimate goal of this project, totranslate the result from the research lab to the clinical lab andeventually to humans, is known as “translation from bench tobedside.”

The uniqueness of this project is that at STU undergraduatestudents are working with their professors in this research. Thestudents are Science and Mathematics Fellows, a program fortop Hispanic and other minority students in response to theshortage of minority professionals in the sciences.

“This is a wonderful opportunity to see themselves as sci-entists,” says Dr. Plunkett.

“Research teaches students practical skills and techniquesthat can be used in the workplace, as well as in any type of grad-

STU Alumnus is US Ambassadorto the Vatican

uate program, including medical school,” says Dr. Tapanes-Castillo. “They leave the lab with a tool box. They know howto address problems using the scientific method, communicatetheir findings, and perform basic laboratory procedures.”

The students’ career goals vary – from surgeon and clini-cal researcher, to physician’s assistant and university professor.

“My experience in the lab has given a practical dimensionto the theoretical concepts I learned in class,” says junior MarcSinger, an aspiring surgeon.

“I am privileged as an undergraduate to have the opportu-nity to not only gain research and lab experience, but also towork under grants funded by the Department of Defense andthe National Institutes of Health,” says junior FrancelethiaShabazz, who has the extra responsibility of working as thelab’s research technician.

In the summer of 2011,this project will be taken onestep further. A number ofSTU students will be selectedto travel to Pittsburgh for aninternship working with Dr.Oudega. At the same time,students from the Universityof Pittsburgh will travel toMiami to work in the Plunkettlaboratory. In Pittsburgh, thestudents in Dr. Oudega’s labare also undergraduate andminority students from the inner city.

Drs. Oudega and Plunkett recently presented their find-ings for the first three months of the grant at a “product linereview,” a showcase of national programs all involved inspinal cord regeneration, in Ft. Detrick, Maryland.

The University is grateful to Congresswoman DebbieWasserman Schultz and the other South Florida Members ofCongress for helping secure the funding from the Departmentof Defense for this research. Dr. Plunkett also received fundsfrom a National Institutes of Health Extramural AssociatesResearch Development Award to support this project.

L-R: Dr. Tapenes-Castillo, Taimi Perez, Ana Amador, FrancelethiaShabazz, LaToya Leary

Taimi Perez

Monsignor Casaletraveled toWashington, DC,August 21 to attendthe swearing-in ofMiguel Diaz, Class of1988, as the new USAmbassador to theVatican.

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Alumni NewsAlumni Seminar on InternationalBusiness Development & theChallenge of Globalization

More than 40 alumni from the ’70s, ’80s and ’90s attended the 5thAnnual Day at the Races.at Monmouth Park. An excellent track-side lunch was courtesy of the Class of 1973.

Mark Bratus, Bill Delfinis, Pete Davis, all from the Class of 1973

Sports Administration AlumniConference

STU is hosting a SportsAdministration (SPOAD) AlumniConference January 27, 2010, in the newFernandez Family Center for Leadershipand Wellness.

The Conference will start at noonwith a luncheon and keynote speaker andthen will break into two afternoon ses-sions. Each session will have two panels–for a total of four panels. The event willclose with a brief closing presenter and a networking mixer.

The four panel topics are Sports and the Economy,Sports and Character, The New Sports Marketing—SocialMedia Platforms: and Sports Facilities—Building &Managing.

STU is considered to have one of the top three SportsAdministration Programs in thenation. Our alumni are athletic direc-tors and coaches at various universi-ties, top executives for professionalsports teams (MLB, NBA, NFL,NHL, etc.) and sports media profes-sionals.

The keynote speaker is RickHorrow, Sports Business Analyst forCNN, Fox Sports and the FoxBusiness Channel. Known as the“Sports Professor,” Horrow has been

the architect of 103 deals worth more than $13 billion dollars.Panelists already confirmed for the various topics

include Michael Kelly, ’94, (Former President of the SuperBowl Host Committee and Associate Commissioner for theAtlantic Coast College Football Conference); Bob Moss(Moss & Associates, builder of the new Florida Marlins sta-dium); Rodney Barreto (Chairman of the Super Bowl HostCommittee); Bruce Schulze (President of Land SharkStadium); Michael Godoy, ’95, (SMG–Worldwide Venue &Entertainment Management); Dr. Jayne Greenberg (Directorof Physical Education for Miami-Dade Public Schools); AlAvila, ’86, (VP of the Detroit Tigers); Andy Elisburg, ’89(VP of Operations for the Miami Heat); Michael Nichols,’95, (VP of LPGA Sanctioned Events) Mark Geddis(President of Collegiate Images); Laura Christine, ’94(National VP of Marketing for Skechers); Kirby Hocutt(UM Athletic Director); Bob Agramonte, ’90 (VP, LeesfieldMarketing); Kim Stone (GM, American Airlines Arena);Eric Poms (President, Orange Bowl Committee); SeanFlynn, ’96, (VP of Marketing FL Marlins); Jeff Craney, ’87(VP of Marketing-Miami Heat); Ethan Skolnick(SunSentinel); and Ross Devonport, ’04 (CBS SportsOnline).

For more information and to sign up, please contactGigi Laudisio at jlaudisio@stu.edu or (305) 628-6796.

Michael Kelly

Al Avila

On October 2, the Office of University Advancement, in con-junction with the School of Business, hosted a seminar for localalumni from the School of Business. The three panelists, all STUgraduates, are corporate leaders who conduct their business on aglobal basis. Ably moderated by Tony Villamil, Dean of the Schoolof Business, the discussion focused on the changing global envi-ronment and the challenges of doing business on both a corporateand entrepreneurial level in developing and established interna-tional markets.

The panelists were: Alfred Novas, ’86 MS, CEO ofInteractyx; Alberto Quintana, ’86 MS, Sr. VP & General Managerat Axis-Weber Shandwick; and Manuel Fernandez, ’92 MBA, VP,Mobile Commerce Latin America for MasterCard Worldwide. Weare grateful to New York Life for sponsoring this event.

New Jersey Chapter’s Annual Dayat the Races

L to R: Al Novas, Manuel Fernandez, A lberto Quintana, Dean TonyVillamil

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Capital Campaign Honor Roll

ARAMARK CorporationFlorence Bayuk Educational TrustBlueCross BlueShield of FloridaCalder Race Course, Meg GarzaThe Florida Bar FoundationPaul A. Garcia & FamilyHoly Cross HospitalHugoton FoundationKalliopeia Foundation Joseph W. LawrenceMcCann Worldgroup, John J. Dooner Jr. ’70

Jose and Gloria NavarroNorth Dade Medical FoundationRyder System Charitable FoundationSuntrust BankUnited States Department of DefenseUnited States Department of Education

Listed below are gifts received between October 20, 2008 and October 1, 2009.

United States Department of EnergyStanley G. Tate, Tate EnterprisesGregory & JoAnn Swienton

LAW SCHOOL NAMING CAMPAIGNNeil Gonzalez ’96Daniel R. GordonMichael and Patricia Lamia & FamilyAlfred and Mollie LightThomas W. LightJohn and June Mary MakdisiBrad McCormick ’93Dominick MiniaciCarlos Pastor ’98Ricky Patel ’09Herman J. RussomannoCarlos Santiesteban ’05Masoud and Maria Shojaee

Annual Fund 2008–2009 Honor Roll of DonorsThis list includes donors of $25 and above received between July 1, 2008 and June 30, 2009

$10,000 & AboveBank of America, MBNAJoseph and Suzanne LacherVictor and Lisa MendelsonCommissioner Natacha SeijasGregory and Jo Ann SwientonMario Trueba ’80, BNY MellonFrank E. Walsh, Jr., Sandy Hill Foundation

$5,000 & AboveAmaturo Family Foundation Inc., Joe & Wini AmaturoBankUnited, FSB, Douglas B. Sawyer

Brenda DipanfiloJohn J. Dooner Jr. ’70, McCann Worldgroup

ExxonMobil Foundation Matching Gift Program

Rainier GonzalezJennie P. JanulinMartin Lister & Alvarez, Tim Martin ’87

Dominick F. MiniaciJose and Gloria NavarroGuy Protano, Protano & Sons Inc.Rodger and Grace ShayStanley G. Tate, Tate Enterprises

$2,500-$4,999 American Airlines Incorporated, Peter Dolara

Anchor AUDI, Inc, Edward T. Walsh ’71

Beacon Group Inc., Donald E. Dresback ’69

Camille BuccellatoCalder Race Course, Meg GarzaPatrick L. Cordero ’87, Law Offices of Patrick L. Cordero PA

Bob and Jodi DickinsonJ. Patrick Fitzgerald, Esq., J. Patrick Fitzgerald & Associates PA

Florida Power & Light Company,Aletha Player

Paul A. Garcia, Paul A. Garcia, P.A.KPMG LLP, Hector MojenaLink Construction Group, Guillermo Fernandez

Morrison Brown Argiz & Farra LLP, Tony Argiz

Modular Contractors Inc., Shaun Nowrouzi

Mercedes Ricon ’00, Killian OaksAcademy

Jeanne A. ReveneStephen H. SchottSquire Sanders & Dempsey, Alberto del Castillo

The Haggard Law Firm, PA, Jeannete Lewis ’93

University Credit Union, Sally SimsJulian J. Rodriguez ’73, Julian J. Rodriguez PA

$1,000 to $2,499All Go Construction Systems, Inc., Jose Garcia

Lydia C. AmyAramark CorporationBeverly S. BachrachGary T. Blandino ’77Jane F. Bolin ’07

The Thomas & Agnes Carvel Foundation

Ben H. Chen, Chen & AssociatesCraig T. Chindemi ’82The Continental Group, Inc., Gary Pyott ’79

George L. Cuesta, Cuesta Construction Services, Inc

Philip P. CrowleyDell & Schaefer, P.A., Dennis L.Schaefer

Barbara Del CastilloRicardo Lierra DesotoDorothy DiBuonoThomas P. DoughertyDonald E. Dresback ’69Andrew M. Elisburg ’89Warren FinkFOLLETT Book Store, Gary Spearow

Jose K. Fuentes ’90GEICO DirectGibraltar Bank & Trust, Luis Molina

Rudolph J. Graf ’70Great Florida Bank, Obdulio J. Piedra ’84

Laurie JohnsonBarry KatesDaniel W. Katz ’93James McKinley, McKinley Financial Services

Isabelle L. KirchnerCharles V. Lanza ’89LeMartec Engineering & Construction Corp,Guillermo Garcia-Tunon

Siegfried WiessnerMark J. WolffIsaac Wright ’07

FERNANDEZ FAMILY CENTER FORWELLNESS & LEADERSHIP “Take a Seat Campaign”Msgr. Franklyn M. CasaleGregory and Sandra ChanMaria S. Hughes ’01Jose G. Lebron ’84Bob and Pam Loconto ’05Rev. Gary N. McCloskeyBill and Nancy Nesselt ’83Terry and Marlene O'Connor*Tomas and Agueda Ogazon ’97Paul R. PiersonRichard Raleigh

Jorge L. Lopez ’84Ann P. MachadoFrank E. Marley, The Marley Firm

MasTec Inc., Jorge Mas SantosRobert A. MoeNew York Life Insurance Company, David G. Walter

Alfred R. Novas ’86Leif G. NovieAgueda ’97 and *Tomas OgazonRafael M. Olloqui ’90Sandra R. O'NeilRamon F. Oyarzun ’73Order of Malta South Florida, American Association USA

James & Susan McDonaldPersonal Injury Legal Team, PA, Eduardo Olivera

Paul R. Philip, Sr.Plexus M/2 Holdings, LLC, Hal Martell

Rasco Reininger Perez Esquenazi& Vigil PL, Ramon E. Rasco

Richman Greer PA, Mark A. Romance ’94

Beatriz G. RobinsonRafael J. Roca ’87Francisco J. Rodriguez ’94Earl G. Rubley, South Florida Communications

Herman J. RussomannoSt. Joan of Arc Catholic Church, Nick Ziccardi ’79

Shay Investment Services, Inc., David Wallace

Jose Sierra, Seaboard Marine Ltd.

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Shutts & Bowen LLP, Anitra Lanczi

Anthony J. Soto, Esq. ’89Daniel J. StermerMichelle G. TrcaTropic Supply Inc., Charles Del Vecchio

Edward T. Walsh ’71Waste Services of Florida, Inc, Frank Chiliberti

Natalee Willis ’05The Mary & George ZimmermanFoundation

Charles J. Zwick

$500-$999Douglas R. BeamAudrey BernsteinRichard BuckleyBob Butterworth and Marta PradoPeter Byrnes ’69Ileana CasaisRev. Msgr. Franklyn M. CasaleGail Casale & John PriberPeter J. Cawley ’71Michael DeLucca ’88John D. Doyle ’03Anthony FalorGeneva and *Stanley Gondek ’69Nicole Grandmont-GariboldiBrian J. Huott ’97James P. Lake ’88Ken M. LermanFlorida Marlins, L.P.Mariela P. Martinez ’05Francis MausBrian D. McAuleyMario MurgadoEdward J. O'Donnell ’96, O'Donnell & O'Donnell

Maria M. O'Reilly ’95PGA TOUR, Inc.Stephen H. PutmanRichard RaleighWayne A. Rotolante ’67Patricia SchmergelMaureen Sheehan Paparella ’79Sun Microsystems Foundation Matching Gift Program

UPS FoundationWood Business Systems, Inc, Steve Dessingue

Elizabeth K. Wysong ’87

$250-$499Simon M. Azarnia ’03Drew J. BaumanGregory J. Blackburn ’02Michael J. Blank ’76Leslie BowlerSalvador Castaner

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Annual Fund 2008–2009 Honor Roll of Donors

Joseph T. Cooney ’68 Kevin T. Corcoran ’81Herbert Cousins, Jr., Cousins & Associates

James A. Cox ’68Eric T. Davidson ’95Roberto J. DiazCharles J. Domino ’82Brett A. Elam ’02Mary FlanneryLewis B. FreemanErnesto Gandara, Gandara Lock & Key

Genesis Systems Consulting, Carlos Perez-Abreu

Peter L. GeretyJohn GloverMarilyn Gonzalez ’03Arthur P. Grabowski ’70Ray Guzman ’96Joshua J. Hertz ’01Charles Hoffner ’68Guiyou HuangEric Hoskins Arthur W. KaneJanine “Gigi” R. LaudisioRay LopezJoan R. Lyons ’04Paul D. MaxwellRudolph MoiseRobert M. PerezPerez Abreu Aguerrebere, Carlos Perez-Abreu

Joseph SousRoger Scott ’93Bryan M. Raymond ’96Welta RiceCharles Steinmetz ’75Susan M. SmithAlbert P. TobiaMark E. Tudino ’94Simon N. Vaz ’84Adrienne VynneMary Carter Waren ’85Keith Wilhelm, Athletic AtticKenneth WiseJohn P. Zarrella ’76

$100-$249Michael J. Adrian ’68Brenda AlfaroMark N. Arata ’87Jorge AzorRev. Edward D. BlackwellErika Blanco ’08Marc BoucherRobert L. BoyleThomas R. Bresnahan ’80Jimmie L. Brown ’79Kelly BrowningLenny Burgess

Barbara C. Buzzi ’84Gerard B. Byrnes ’75Marilynn CampanileGary E. Cardenas ’95Raul J. CarrilloBruce CarringtonThomas P. Casey ’70Paul CasmassRobert R. Chafey ’78Michael G. Clancey ’80Robert E. Constant ’01Michael CornelyLaura J. Courtley-Todd ’95 & Sean Todd ’96

Douglas A. CuddyJanie & Thomas Cundy, CUNDYInsurance

Michael E. Deitche ’77Rosemary T. DeVitoMario del ValleAnh T. Do ’05Elizabeth V. DonovanMargaret EllistonMaria V. Errickson ’88Brenda FamThomas FassanellaMolly N. Ferguson ’04Juan H. Fernandez ’78Dominick and Phyllis FerraraBarbara B. Fisher ’90Kevin G. Fritz ’70Bryan T. FroehlePamela GadsonPaul GentileJohn E. Gilger ’94Curtis R. Gilpin ’05Robert M. Golson ’98Elda Gonzalez ’80Barbara J. GrahamLaura P. GreeleyHagai GringartenBrian F. Groden ’82Srabana GuptaMarta GutierrezMaria A. Hare ’84Michael S. Harmon ’94Sharon HendersonLisamarie A. Hickey ’83John C. Higgins ’73George S. HillMary F. Holleran ’91Richard K. HrebikTheodore F. Itzoe ’87Giselle JamisonPatricia H. Johnson ’05Richard J. Kelch ’78Edward Kelly ’92Michael J. KrederMuriel Kroll ’96Benjamin Kudary ’92Nancy Ladd

Pamela L. Loconto ’05Harry LoubrielRobin L. LovettHenry F. LubbenMary Jo D. Macro ’93Michael E. Madden ’70Patricia M. Maldjian ’82Carlos F. Marrero ’93Ivelisse R. MartinezRev. Gary N. McCloskeyTimothy J. MehaffeyMiami Archdiocesan of Catholic Women

Barbara G. Millender ’79Lloyd A. MitchellJulio C. Montiel ’97Kevin R. Moroney ’78Elvira “Toni” Mountain ’04James D. Murphy Jr. ’78Richard E. Murray ’70Joseph W. NealonDaniel W. O'BrienAlex Penelas ’81Barbara A. Perez ’04Steven J. PerriconeFernando L. Pujalt ’00Lourdes PupoRosalyn Renda Rev. Walter T. Richardson ’89Gary L. Richter ’86Steven R. Ripley ’79Ileana M. Rodriguez ’04 Sylvia RodriguezJosefina G. RolandoJ. Michael SamwayFrank J. ScardilliJoseph M. SciortinoSandra M. Secord ’05Rami Shmuely ’05Anthony M. Sloan ’92Christine SteelRonald Surin ’94Maria A. TilsonMichael H. ToomeyReuben N. Trujeque ’82Wachovia Nonprofit & Philanthropic Services

Jerry WeinbergJoseph A. WoernerJames P. Whelan ’68Helen L. Woods ’80Ann Marie YeeShan-Shan 'Sherry' Yeh ’04Juan M. ZamoraRonald J. Ziccardi ’81

$25-$99Genelle G. Alexis ’02Brian W. Babin ’91Brion T. Bailey ’98John P. Bannon

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Annual Fund 2008–2009 Honor Roll of Donors(continued from page 7)

$10,000 & aboveCharles K. GeorgeEdward M. Ricci

$2,500-$4,999Patrick L. Cordero ’87, Law

Offices of Patrick L. Cordero, PAPhilip M. Gerson PA, Philip M. Gerson

William H. Kennedy III ’03New Hope Charities, Rev. Patrick O’Neill

The John Charles & Kathryn S. Redmond Foundation

$1,000-$2,499Ad Valorem Title LLCAustin Burke, Ken StagerContext Medical Group, Inc.Bill Dickey ’91Peter T. Fay

Jeannette F. HauslerFelix M. Lasarte ’94, The Lasarte Law Firm

PCM Medical Center, Inc.Rodier & Rodier PAAnthony J. Soto, Esq. ’89Daryl E. TrawickValle & Associates RehabilitationService

Mark J. Wolff

$500-$999Armando A. Brana ’90Carol L. Zeiner

$250-$499Thomas T. Demas ’94Brett A. Elam ’02Jose R. Fernandez ’01Monica L. GomezFelix J. Mendigutia ’87

William C. Mitchell ’96Jerry B. Murphy ’04Isaura M. Pino ’02Amy D. RonnerLaw Office of Brandon A. Rotbart PA

$100-$249Paul H. Bersach ’98Felix M. Caceres ’07Thomas J. Giblin ’07Neal B. Lechtner ’93Christopher J. Metcalfe ’95Jason K. Psaltides ’87Tony J. Rodriguez ’89Juan M. Saiz ’88Bryan J. Sinclair ’93Suzanne A. Singer ’92

School of Law Annual Fund 2008–2009

Orlando R. Barreto William L. Baumner ’96Alicia M. Benesh ’88William B. Berger ’78Richard H. Berry ’79Weldon J. Brenton ’77Jackie ButlerJose BuenoAlvin G. Bullard ’80James R. Cahill ’77Daniel P. Carlson ’93Arthur A. CarrioneBruno Catrambone ’77Antonio R. Cejas ’06Anthony R. CielJames M. Condon ’73Sheila A. Costello ’95Karen E. Danzeisen ’85Leslie Deely Arthur A. DeRostaing ’72Ross H. Devonport ’04Anthony DiGiorgio ’02Sheri A. Dooley ’07John DuderstadtJeffrey M. Eisen ’87Richard J. Elliston ’80Monique T. Farach ’88Robert C. FavaratoKathryn A. Fedina’79Brian P. Fitzmaurice ’84Eugene W. Fitzpatrick ’68Brian S. Freedman ’90

Kimberly FreemanPatricia S. Freyre ’08David E. Funes ’95Ana C. Garcia ’'79S. Charles G. Garofalo ’04Joan C. Glenn-Barr ’85John T. Glennon ’70Loraine Godinez ’87Ronald E. Golembieski ’77Thomas A. Grey ’86John P. Griffin ’85John M. Guertin ’79Gloria Gyori ’81Edward Halsey ’90Thomas E. Harvey ’92Lilia P. Hogges ’76Raymond Hospitalet ’00Jorge Iber ’84Rosario A. Infiesta ’83Marlene V. Izquierdo ’97Igor N. Jansen ’80Debra H. Jerry ’86Juan E. Jimenez ’74Gary P. Jones ’81Jacquelin J. Kelly ’87Diane M. Kledzik ’93Jodi LaChapelle-GlassJames Lacovaro ’68Kenneth LancasterCynthia M. Lee ’03Elizabeth M. Levitz ’03Javier A. Ley-Soto ’05

Craig S. Litt ’03Susan B. Loretta ’99David G. Luchetti ’86Norberto Mahecha Ivan A. Marin ’95Isaura MariotaMargee D. Martinez ’06Elizabeth T. Melvin ’88Sylvia A. Mitchell-Sanders ’03Kasey M. Mueller ’05Nancy M. Nesselt ’83Robert A. Nicholas ’88Daniel J. Ninestine ’82Maria L. NoyolaLouis A. OcchettiAileen B. O'Gilvie ’06Austin F. O'Malley ’77Nancy J. Olson ’81Jose F. Padro ’80Sylvia PalermoErajh M. Panditaratne ’03Adriana A. Pessoa ’08Dorsena A. Picknell ’80Byron S. Plummer ’90Michael P. Plummer ’97Jean A. Plummer ’90Philip E. Pouey ’96Angel F. Prada ’07Gary C. Pyott ’79Ronnie Quinteros ’04Lilia R. Rada ’81Ronald G. Radloff ’68Arthur J. Roberts ’76

Bruce G. Roberts ’79Henry L. Robinson ’77Patricia A. RussilloJohn A. SabatinoEdward Sallie ’71Angela ScottKenneth M. Shepard ’87Paul R. SilitskiMichelle L. Smith ’00Graciela Solorzano ’05Curtis K. Spann ’08Mary K. StarkWalter D. Stewart ’88Dayren L. Suarez ’08Arturo R. TigeraJill S. ToneyThomas F. Toscani ’70Michael TowleAnthony TripodoCarla L. ValerianiJeff Van CraenenbroeckAna VelosoJohn A. Venturella ’91Frank W. ViggianoJoseph J. Walsh ’81William H. WilliamsGloria H. Wood ’78Pamela L. Young ’82Tomas and Katherine Zita

* deceased

$25-$99Monica G. Arriaga ’08Roy Balleste ’03Amanda Barak ’04Helen J. Bennett ’06Elizabeth A. ComeauxJude M. Faccidomo ’04Rene J. Garcia ’05Karl T. GrubenMelanie E. Horowitz ’94Matthew Kwasman ’08Christine M. Limbert-Barrows ’03Jorge L. Lopez ’84Linda A. McVeigh-Matlack ’95Christopher M. Pardo ’07Ramon G. Regal ’05Wanda I. Rufin ’88Orin S. Shakerdge ’96Emily A. Thomas ’07David J. Tybor ’08

This list includes donors of $25 and above received between July 1, 2008 and June 30, 2009

FFaallll 22000099

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In-Kind Gifts 2008–2009This list includes donations received between July 1, 2008 and June 30, 2009

Cincinnati Reds Baseball ClubCoral Ridge Country ClubPhillip CrowleyRick DeSotoBob DickinsonDolphins Stadium/S. FL Stadium Corporation

Doral Golf Resort & SpaDoubleTree Miami Mart Airport Hotel & Exhibition Center

Perry EllisFallon Fine ArtThe Family of Justin SteelGeomantic DesignsGigi Laudisio

Good ConscienceGrand Cypress ResortGuayabera LadyHilton Bentley Beach HotelHilton Fort Lauderdale MarinaHotel Intercontinental MiamiHyatt Regency HotelIndy Car RacingJW Marriot Washington, D.C.McKinley Financial ServicesMethuslash RhumBNY Mellon Miami DolphinsThe Miami Institute for AestheticManagement

New Orleans SaintsSandy O’NeilPalm Aire Country ClubParamount IndustriesPresident’s Country ClubPristine LimousinePromowarehouseQuiroga Jewelry DesignsThe Rookery at Marco IslandSeminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino

South Florida CommunicationsTampa Sports AuthorityWeston Country Club Golf CourseWometco Enterprises

Advantage Golf CarsTammy AlvarezAmerican Airlines Inc.Aramark Corp.Gary AshworthAtlanta Braves Baseball ClubBacardi USAThe Biltmore HotelBrandsmartBrickell MotorsBroward Center for thePerforming ArtsCalder Race CourseCarnival Cruise LinesChen & Associates

leaders in higher education.” Turning to the assembled ath-letes and students, he wished them “great times in this facility.”

Members of the university's athletic teams paraded withthe Bobcat, their official mascot.

The Fernandez Center’s uniqueness is the fusion of ath-letics, fitness and community-oriented activities with theacademic aspect of sports

The facility will serve as a laboratory for college stu-dents interested in managing or owning sports facilities orbusiness ventures. STU is nationally acclaimed for its Sports

Administration degrees, which focus on sports as a business andinclude Bachelors, Masters and a joint Masters degree with theSchool of Law.

STU will host many University and community events in thismulti-use facility. The first basketball home games are October 30(men) and November 21 (women), well-known comedian DomIrrera will perform November 6, the winter commencement ceremo-ny will be December 19, and the Alumni Sports Seminar will takeplace January 27. We look forward to seeing you there.

Fernandez Family Center for Leadership and Wellness, continued from Page 1

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FFaallll 22000099Campus NewsSTU and MDC Sign Cooperative

Agreement

The STU/MDC agreement establishes a smooth transfer for MDC'sBachelor of Applied Science in Public Safety Management gradu-ates to STU’s Master of Science in Management with a concentra-tion in Justice Administration. This is one way to create a seamlesspathway towards advanced degrees which begins with Miami DadeCounty Public High School students who enroll in dual enrollmentcourses at MDC while in high school and ends with a master's atSTU. The agreement provides an early path to careers that are indemand and recession proof.

Front Row: Monsignor Casale, MDC President Eduardo Padron. Back Row: Dean Tony Villamil, Provost Dr. Gregory Chan.

Dr. Judy Bachay teaches in KosovoAfter teaching

a class in leader-ship at the ZagrebSchool of Economicsand Managementthis past summer,Dr. Judith Bachay,Professor in theDepartment ofSocial Sciencesand Counseling,traveled to Pristinato meet with EhatM i f t a ra j , ’ 0 8 ,L.L.M., Intercultural Human Rights.

Mr. Miftaraj currently heads the Division of International LegalAssistance in the Republic of Kosovo. He provides ethical leader-ship within the field of law, working tirelessly to promote the devel-opment of a democratic and multi-ethic nation. He commented thathis education at STU prepared him to deal with the entire spectrumof issues in human rights and international law.

L to R: Shekelzen Sh. Maqi, Director, Departmentof Legal Affairs, Republic of Kosovo; Dr Bachay;

Ehat Miftaraj

Dr. Pilar Maul Receives FellowshipLast summer, Dr. Pilar Maul, Assistant Professor of

Biology, received the 2009 Kika de la Garza ScienceFellowship from the US Department of Agriculture.

She first spent one weekat the USDA headquarters inWashington DC to learn aboutscholarship, internship andjob opportunities for students.The following four weeks sheworked at the USDA’sSubtropical HorticultureResearch Station in Miamiexploring the various possi-bilities of collaborating withUSDA research scientists. She partnered with Dr. AlanMeerow who works on the improvement of flower bulbs.

Vanessa Sanchez and Jorge Verdecia, both juniors andScience Fellows, worked with her on this project. At the endof the summer, Vanessa was offered a paid part-time job as a“biological aide” in the USDA plant genetics lab.

Another biology major, Emer Bajuelos, also works in thelab as an aide studying molecular biology techniques in plantgenetics. Jorge has decided to pursue the pre-med major atSTU.

Dr. Maul also duplicates this research in her own labora-tory in the Carnival Cruise Lines Science & TechnologyBuilding with her other students.

Dr. Pilar Maul

Current and New Grants at STUUnder the leadership of Dr. John Carpenter, Dean of

Academic Resource Administration, and his team, STUhas applied for 16 federal and state grants over the past twoyears, mostly to support recruitment of well qualified stu-dents and their retention, new technology, and specificacademic programs. New grants recently awarded to theUniversity are as follows:

US Department of Education Title V—$2.25 millionfor 5 years for undergraduate retention

US Department of Education CCRAA—$1.2 millionfor 2 years for the Science and Math Fellows Program

State of Florida Department of Education 21st.Century Centers—$3.2 million for 5 years to establishSTU centers in local high schools

State of Florida Department of Education/ICUF—$352,500 for 3 years to enhance secondary-school SocialScience education

Ongoing grants include the Upward Bound ($1 mil-lion for 4 years) summer program for high school studentsand Project Success ($1.5 million for 5 years) to train fac-ulty and secondary school teachers in ESOL (English forSpeakers of Other Languages) teaching methods.

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FFaallll 22000099 Campus News

The first All You Can Eat Stone Crab Dinner will cele-brate the opening of the Fernandez Family Center for Leadershipand Wellness. A silent auction will also take place. All proceedswill go to STU athletics. Help your favorite STU sports team bypurchasing your tickets directly from an athlete or coach, or pur-chase directly online. Tickets are $80 per person. To purchaseyour ticket and reserve your spot, please register athttp://alumni.stu.edu/stonecrabdinner.

We are excited to have Paul Mainieri, Louisiana StateUniversity Head Coach and STU alumnus (Class of 1982 with aMasters in Sports Administration), as our featured speaker.Mainieri was the STU Head Baseball Coach from 1983 to 1988.He took over the Bobcat program when it had yet to post a win-ning season and turned the program around posting an average of30 wins per season during his six-year stint. In 1984 he wasnamed Sunshine State Conference coach of the year. Four ofMainieri’s teams at St. Thomas were ranked in the NCAADivision II Top 10, and 15 of his STU players entered pro base-ball, with Joe Klink, Dane Johnson, and Dan Rohrmeier eachgoing on to appear on Major League Rosters. Klink played withthe 1987 Minnesota Twins and 1989 Oakland A’s World SeriesChampionship teams while also pitching with the FloridaMarlins in 1994.

In addition, his father Dr. Demie Mainieri was anadjunct faculty member forthe Sports Administrationprogram in the 1980s.

Recently, Mainieri andhis LSU Tigers won the2009 NCAA NationalBaseball Championship. Inhis pursuit of winning theCollege World Series hewas named 2009Southeastern ConferenceCoach of the year and 2009National Coach of the Year

(Baseball America, Collegiate, and Rivals.com). We arehonored that Coach Paul Mainieri will be joining us to kickoff our first Inaugural All You Can Eat Stone Crab Dinner.

Bring your appetite and make sure to wear sneakers asthis event will be held on our brand new basketball court.For those few who do not eat Stone Crabs, we are offeringGrilled Mango Chicken Breast.

For more information, please contact Laura Courtley-Todd at (305) 628-6677 or lcourtle@stu.edu.

Paul Mainieri, Class of 1982,LSU Head Coach

All You Can Eat Stone Crab Dinner at the Fernandez Family CenterSunday, November 1, 2009

5:00 p.m. – Cocktails, Hors d’Oeuvres & Silent Auction6:00 p.m. – Dinner begins

Update from the Office of University Advancement

Dear Alumni and Friends:Once again this fall we are celebrating a new facility at St.

Thomas University. On September 10, less than a year after thededication of the Carnival CruiseLines Science and TechnologyBuilding, the dedication of theFernandez Family Center forLeadership and Wellness took place.Students, staff and faculty are all readyto take advantage of the servicesoffered by this wonderful facility.With its opening, our first CapitalCampaign has met its goals for newconstruction.

We continue to welcome alumnito our University boards. Peter Prieto, BA, Class of 1982, aPartner, Holland & Knight has joined the Board of Trustees. Newalumni members of the President’s Board of Advisors are: CiroButtacavoli, BA, Class of 1981, Partner of Audit Services at Grant

Thornton; Chief Randy Heller, MS, Class of 1993, NorthOperations Division of Miami-Dade Police; Jorge “Buck”Martinez, BA, Class of 1980, Senior Director of ProjectDevelopment at Florida Power & Light; and ManuelFernandez, MBA, Class of 1992, Vice President of LatinAmerica for MasterCard.

Thank you to all our donors – to the Annual Fund and theCapital Campaign. Your support is crucial to the success ofSt. Thomas University. We are grateful that the percentage ofalumni that give continues to grow; we need to increase thispercentage as it reflects on the ranking of the University.

In the next few days you will be receiving First Givinge-mails from fellow alumni requesting your support for thisyear’s Annual Fund. This will be followed up by a letter inthe mail. Your support for the Annual Fund is greatly appre-ciated.

Best Regards,

Beverly S. Bachrach, VP, University Advancement &Marketing and Communications

Beverly Bachrach

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NON-PROFITORGANIZATIONU.S. POSTAGE

PAIDPERMIT NO. 1259SOUTH FLORIDA

FACILITY

Homecoming Weekend 2009Friday, November 6

Alumni Welcome Tent, 6:00 pm

Complimentary beverages and light hors d'oeuvres"An Evening with Dom Irrera" 8:00 pm

Fernandez Family Center for Leadership and Wellness.Saturday, November 7

10:00 am Campus Tour, Homecoming Tailgate Lunch AlumniBasketball game 2:00 pm

Men's basketball scrimmage 3:00 pm. Dance party at Club Mix in Hollywood. 9:00 pm

Sunday, November 8Alumni Mass 11:00 am, Chapel of Saint Anthony.

President's Brunch 12 noon - 1:30 pmEvelyn & George Goldbloom Convocation Hall

For more information please contact Jerry Bernfeld at (305) 474-6857 or jbernfeld@stu.edu

All You Can Eat Stone Crab DinnerSunday, November 1, 5:00 pm

Fernandez Family Center for Leadership and Wellness

Please contact Laura Courtley-Todd for more details at (305) 628-6677 or lcourtle@stu.edu. See Page 11 for more details

“MoveMoment” an exhibition of contemporary art work from Sloveniathrough February 15, 2010, Sardinas Gallery

The collection features the work of 24 painters, sculptors andprintmakers from Slovenia. The Sardinas gallery is locatedon the second floor of the main library of the University.

First Congressional Debate for Candidatesfor District 17

November 4, 2009, 7:00 pm, Moot Court RoomModerator: Michael Putney, reporter for WPLG, Channel 10For more information contact Jason Stewart at (305) 764-9151

Center for Earth Jurisprudence WorkshopsNovember 12, 2009, 10:30 am, Moot Court Room

“In It Together: Protecting the Everglades & Florida Bay”Superintendent of Everglades National Park Dan KimballDecember 3, 2009, time TBA, Moot Court Room

“Restoring the Everglades”Terrence Salt, Principal Deputy Asst. Secretary of the ArmyFor more information contact Mary Munson at (305) 623-2328

OFFICE OF UNIVERSITY ADVANCEMENT16401 N.W. 37th Avenue

Miami Gardens, Florida 33054

First Basketball Games in the FernandezFamily Center

Saturday, October 30, 7:00 pmMen’s Basketball vs. Broward College

Saturday, November 21, 7:00 pmWomen’s Basketball vs. College of the Bahamas

Alumni Sports SeminarWednesday, January 27, 2010, noon-6 pm

For more information contact Gigi Laudisio at (305) 628-6796. See Page 5 for more details

STU Leadership Golf TournamentFriday, April 30, 2010, at Doral Golf Resort & SpaFor more information contact Gigi Laudisio at

(305) 628-6796.