Class Notes
August 2025
Awards & Accomplishments
Ryan Lieser '23 enlisted in the U.S. Army and recently graduated with honors from Basic Training at Fort Leonard Wood, MO, on May 15, 2025. Ryan, a member of C Company 1st Battalion, 210 Infantry Regiment, earned the IRON SOLDIER award, which recognizes the top soldier in hisÌýclassÌýwho demonstrates exceptional physical fitness, stamina, and muscular endurance. While the award primarily focuses on physical fitness, it also reflects a commitment to excellence and a desire to uphold Army standards. Ryan is now stationed at the Defense Language Institute - Department of Defense in Monterey, CA, where he will continue with his education and study of the Russian Language.
Nicholas Bradford '08 is a PÕ¾ÊÓƵ Forensic Biology alumnus who testified as an expert witness in the high-profile Karen Read trial. Bradford's specialty is DNA analysis. He currently works for Bode Technology in Lorton, Virginia. The controversial case is being televised live and covered by news media from across the nation. Read, a 45-year-old-woman, is being retried for the murder of her boyfriend, Boston Police officer John O'Keefe, after a previous trial ended in a mistrial.
Benjamin VanHook '21Ìýcollaborated with Vanessa Bal at Rutgers to publish a paper on strengths-based approaches to diagnosis and assessment inÌý.
Kristen (Kern) Papson '11 was elected to serve a six-year term as bishop of the Northwestern Pennsylvania Synod of the ELCA. The election took place during the synod assembly on June 13-14 at Thiel College in Greenville, PA.
Career News
Leatrice J. Schoolcraft '11 was promoted to the role of Housing Program Director for the Erie County Department of Human Services, Office of Mental Health/Intellectual Disabilities. Leatrice has worked for Erie County since shortly after graduating from PÕ¾ÊÓƵ in 2011.
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Thomas Parilla '88 has been chosen to be the Keynote Speaker at the Nordic Investment and Mining Conference in Stockholm, Sweden, this October. Parilla will speak to a Select Group of Global Mine Owners, Venture Capital, Private Equity, and Family Offices on the State of The Global Economy, provide his outlook for metals pricing for the following year, will discuss the implementation of Basel III and his five-year projections on the valuation of the US FIAT dollar as well.
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John Langer '95 has been selected as a panelist for "From Success to Significance: Building Legacies with Your Family Business" at the Smart Business Dealmakers Conference in Cleveland. John Langer is the President of H. Jack's Plumbing & Heating Co., a family-owned and operated plumbing, heating, cooling, and home remodeling company, founded over 45 years ago, with operations in Ohio, Pennsylvania, and New York that service 350+ municipalities. As a business leader, John strongly believes in supporting the communities in which he and his organization serve.
Angel Clark '04Ìýwas appointed Director of Alumni Engagement for SUNY Fredonia in June. She will lead the university's programming and outreach efforts for its 55,000-member alumni network.
Eric Marks '06 has joined Financial Institutions, Inc. (NASDAQ: FISI), parent company of Five Star Bank and Courier Capital, LLC,Ìýas Senior Vice President, Chief Consumer Banking Officer.
Christopher Martin '09 was announced as Executive Vice President at Soundwave Digital, doubling down on the company's dedication to driving innovation in the AdTech and digital media sectors.
Marriages and Engagements
Kennedy Brown '20 married Matthew LaPaglia '20 on August 16, 2025, at Saranac Lake in the Adirondack Mountains. The couple met at PÕ¾ÊÓƵ eight years ago, where the university not only brought them together but also fostered friendships that have lasted a lifetime. Thirteen of their closest friends, all PÕ¾ÊÓƵ University class of 2020 graduates, joined them in celebrating their wedding.
Alumni Deaths
- Sr. Bernadette Bell, R.S.M. '53
- Jeanette (Mancuso) Gerace '57
- Julianne (Kuhner) Scalise '61
- Sr. Teresa Okonski, R.S.M. '66
- Daniel Bukowski '75
- Jennifer L. Theis '92
Alumni Condolences
Amy (Pfeffer) Bolla '07Ìýon the death of her father, Robert Pfeffer.
Marc McAndrew '88 and Brian McAndrew '89Ìýon the death of their father, retired PÕ¾ÊÓƵ English Faculty MemberÌýBarry McAndrew. Condolences also toÌýJake McAndrew '14, Grandson of Barry. Barry also served for years as the "voice of PÕ¾ÊÓƵ," announcing football and basketball games as well as performing the role of Santa for PÕ¾ÊÓƵ children at Christmas events.
May 2025
Awards & Accomplishments
Ryan Lieser '23 enlisted in the U.S. Army and recently graduated with honors from Basic Training at Fort Leonard Wood, MO on Thursday, May 15. Ryan, a member of C Company 1st Battalion, 210 Infantry Regiment earned the IRON SOLDIER award, which recognizes the top soldier in his class who demonstrates exceptional physical fitness, stamina and muscular endurance. While the award primarily focuses on physical fitness it also reflects a commitment to excellence and a desire to uphold Army standards. Ryan is now stationed at the Defense Language Institute - Department of Defense in Monterey, CA where he will continue with his education and study of the Russian language.
Nicholas Bradford '08 is a PÕ¾ÊÓƵ Forensic Biology alumnus who testified as an expert witness in the high-profile Karen Read trial. Bradford's specialty is DNA analysis. He currently works for Bode Technology in Lorton, VA. The controversial case is being televised live and covered by news media from across the nation. Read, a 45-year-old-woman, is being retried for the murder of her boyfriend, Boston Police officer John O'Keefe, after a previous trial ended in a mistrial.
Career News
Leatrice J. Schoolcraft '11 was promoted to the role of Housing Program Director for the Erie County Department of Human Services, Office of Mental Health/Intellectual Disabilities. Leatrice has worked for Erie County since shortly after graduating from PÕ¾ÊÓƵ in 2011.
Thomas Parilla '88 has been chosen to be the keynote speaker at the Nordic Investment and Mining Conference in Stockholm, Sweden this October. Parilla will speak to a select group of global mine owners and venture capital, private equity, and family offices on the state of the global economy, provide his outlook for metals pricing for the following year, discuss the implementation of Basel III, and give his five-year projections on the valuation of the US FIAT dollar.
John Langer '95 has been selected as a panelist for "From Success to Significance: Building Legacies with Your Family Business" at the Smart Business Dealmakers Conference in Cleveland, Oh. John Langer is the President of H. Jack's Plumbing & Heating Co., a family-owned and operated plumbing, heating, cooling, and home remodeling company, founded over 45 years ago, with operations in Ohio, Pennsylvania, and New York that service 350+ municipalities. As a business leader, John strongly believes in supporting the communities in which he and his organization serve.
Alumni Deaths
- Ronald Kelleher '84
April 2025
Alumni Deaths
- Kathleen Nies ‘57
Career News
Justin Studd '21 recently joined Community Health Services as a certified physician assistant in Fremont, specializing in family medicine. He earned his Bachelor of Science degree from PÕ¾ÊÓƵ University in Erie, PA, where he also played college baseball.
March 2025
Awards & Accomplishments
Christopher Enoch, D.O. '93, a 1989 graduate of West Middlesex High School, went on to earn a bachelor's degree in Sports Medicine from PÕ¾ÊÓƵ College in 1993, graduating magna cum laude.
Patrick Coit ‘13, a PÕ¾ÊÓƵ alumnus, received the Rising Star Award from the Event Service Professionals Association (ESPA).
Career News
Parris Hobbs ‘05 was promoted to Business Relationship Manager at JP Morgan Chase Bank.
Alumni Deaths
- Leah Bellitto '19
- Spencer Wurst '02
Alumni Condolences
Condolences to the family and friends of George R. Metcalf III, former PÕ¾ÊÓƵ Trustee.