PITTSBURGH, Feb. 28, 2013 – As part of its year-long 50th anniversary celebration, La Roche College will induct 50 accomplished graduates into its Distinguished Alumni Circle, recognizing them for outstanding leadership and extraordinary professional success.

La Roche established the Distinguished Alumni Circle to honor graduates of the past 50 years for their professional achievements and dedication to community service. In the fall of 2012, the College sought nominations from alumni, parents, friends and other members of the La Roche community. The 50 inductees exemplify the fundamental values of La Roche College’s mission of preparing students to be leaders in a constantly changing global society.

“La Roche College is honored to recognize these outstanding graduates who have achieved success in their professional lives and contributed in such meaningful ways to their communities,” said Sister Candace Introcaso, CDP, Ph.D., president of La Roche. “It is both gratifying and humbling to think that their La Roche education provided a foundation for such impressive accomplishments. These inspirational leaders truly are the legacy of La Roche.”

The 50 inaugural members will be inducted into the Distinguished Alumni Circle on Friday, April 19 at the College’s 50th Anniversary Gala at the Wyndham Grand Pittsburgh. Bios of each inductee are available at www.laroche.edu/bios. The inaugural members are:

Raymond Amelio, M.S. Human Resources Management ’86, SPHR

Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer, Fraggaso Financial Advisors

Tammy Andreyko M.S. Human Resources Management ’01, Ed.D.

Assistant Superintendent for Academic Advancement, North Allegheny School District

Sister Kathleen Angel, CDP ’68, Ph.D.

 Director, Sisters of Divine Providence at St. Clare’s Villa
Trustee, Professor, La Roche College

Jennifer Rush Bennett ’97, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Biology, Otterbein University

Godfrey Biravanga ’01, CPA
Vice President and Audit Function Manager, PNC Bank

Sister Michele Bisbey, CDP ’71, Ph.D.

Professor of Religious Studies and Ketteler Endowed Chair of Theology, La Roche College

Robert Blosat ’81, M.S. Human Resources Management ’83
Senior Vice President, UPMC Physician Services Division

Vice President, UPMC Physician Development

Linda Harvey Burkley ’87, M.A.

President, Ardis Communications, LLC

Instructor, Susquehanna University

Amarilys Cotijo ’71, M.D.

Medical Director, Mt. Hope Family Practice

Medical Director, ECHO Free Clinic

Diane Cox ’83 MSN ’87, Ph.D.

Retired, Administrator, Office of Family Health at Maricopa County Department of Public Health
Former Professor and Nursing Division Chairperson, La Roche College

Anne Crawford, M.S. Human Resources Management ’85
Medicare Compliance Officer, Highmark, Inc.

Deborah Davison MSHS ’90
CRNA Program Director, Allegheny Valley Hospital/La Roche College School of Anesthesia

Eric Ferguson ’95, M.A.
President and Founder, Metanoia Missions International

Jill L. Ferguson ’92, M.A.
Award-winning Writer, Editor, Public Speaker, Consultant, Educator and Business Owner

Sister Maria Fest, CDP ’65, D.A.
Treasurer and Member of Provincial Leadership Team, Sisters of Divine Providence (Marie de la Roche Province)
Trustee, La Roche College

Brian Franks ’95
Vice President, Creative Marketing, American Eagle Outfitters
Co-owner, HOUSE 15143

Nancy Furbee ’88, M.S. Human Resources Management ’91
Owner, Furbee and Associates, LLC

Sister Linda Gaupin, CDP ’70, Ph.D.
Director of Liturgy, St. John Vianney Parish

James Getz, Jr. ’96
Senior Vice President, Federated Securities, Inc.
Trustee, La Roche College

Greg Gibilisco ’01, M.A.
Director of Visual Design, MAYA Design

Phyllis Hartman M.S. Human Resources Management ’90
Owner and President, PGHR Consulting, Inc.

Yvonne Hennigan ’80, Ed.D.
President and CEO, VivoQuest, Inc.

Kevin Hiles ’83, CPA, CRSP
Vice President, Finance, Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer, Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh

Kathryn Jolley ’81, MBA, ASID
Principal, DRS Architects, Inc.
Vice Chair, La Roche College Board of Trustees

Yohani Kayinamura ’04, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Chemistry, Daytona State College
President and Founder, Umuryango Children’s Network

Emil Kuhar ’78
Retired
Owner, Emil Kuhar Visual Communications

Patricia Liebman ’82, RN
Executive Vice President – Integrated Delivery System – Provider Division, Highmark, Inc.

Angela Longo ’89
Director of Public Relations and Organizational Advancement, Renewal, Inc.
Trustee, La Roche College

Rose Marie Manley ’90, CTP
Treasurer, Allegheny Technologies Incorporated

Carol Marsiglio ’75
Retired
Director of Social Services, Passavant Hospital
Adjunct Professor, La Roche College
Director, North Suburban Adult Services

Sister Kathleen Matz, CDP ’74, M.A.
Associate Director, Office of Evangelization and Catechesis Archdiocese of Detroit

Christopher Meyer ’86
President, CD Meyer, Inc.

Michael Mlinac ’77, MBA, CFP ®
Chief Financial Officer, University of North Texas Foundation, Inc.
Trustee, La Roche College

Brian Moore ’94
Executive Digital Creative Director and Partner, Smith Brothers Agency

C. Kurt Mulzet ’75, J.D.
Senior Attorney, Jones, Gregg, Creehan & Gerace, LLP
Founding Member, La Roche College Alumni Association Executive Board

Col. Judith Patton ’86, Ph.D., FACHE
Management Consultant and Executive Vice President, Eagle Performance
Citizen Airman, U.S. Air Force Reserve

Nicole Pearsall ’93, DVM
Owner/Veterinarian, Penn-Ohio Veterinary Services

Richard Pearsall ’03, M.S.
Owner/Practice Manager, Penn-Ohio Veterinary Services

CAPT. Cynthia Piccirilli ’79, M.D.
Neurosurgeon, Naval Medical Center Portsmouth
Captain, Department Head of Neurosurgery, U.S. Navy

Steven Pohl ’81
Vice President, Financial Planning and Analysis, Novelis, Inc.
Trustee, La Roche College

Ronald Radwanski ’77
Gallery Director, Artist in Residence, ilume GALLERIE

J. Scott Robinette ’88, J.D.
Deputy Secretary for Safety and Labor Management Relations, Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry

Jean-Pierre Rwigema ’03, DMD, DDS
Doctor, Surgery Resident in Oral, Maxillofacial Surgery, UCLA Harbor Medical Center and Kaiser Permanente

Mark Sipper ’82, J.D.
Founder, Sipper’s Perfect Espresso
Adjunct Professor, La Roche College
Arbitrator

Bryson Thornton ’04
Director of Global Communications and Culture, Burger King Worldwide

Thomas White ’97, M.A.
Archivist and Curator of Special Collections, Duquesne University
Adjunct History Professor, Duquesne University and La Roche College

Debra Wolf ’85 MSN ’02, Ph.D.
Associate Professor Nursing, Chatham University
Consultant, Independent Healthcare Informatics

Nancey Wyant M.S. Human Resources Management ’87, Ph.D.
Dean, Hodges University Johnson School of Business

Sister Rita Yeasted, SFCC ’68, Ph.D.
Professor of English, English Department Chair, La Roche College

George Zaffuto M.S. Human Resources Management ’85
Vice President for Administrative Services, La Roche College

Honorary Chairs for the 50th Anniversary Gala are Scott and Susan Lammie. Scott is the vice president for UPMC Insurance Services and chief financial officer of UPMC Health Plan. Larry Richert of KDKA News Radio 1020 will serve as master of ceremonies. The event will feature a silent auction, along with dancing and music by Pittsburgh local band No Bad JuJu. There are corporate sponsorship opportunities at every level. Organizations and individuals interested in supporting or attending the Gala should contact Bobbi Kress La Place at 412-536-1087 or bobbi.laplace@laroche.edu or visit laroche.edu/gala.

About La Roche College: A private, Catholic, co-educational college north of Pittsburgh founded by the Sisters of Divine Providence in 1963, La Roche welcomes students of all religions, ethnic origins and talents. Undergraduates may choose from more than 50 majors, including the top 10 majors most in demand among today’s college students. La Roche combines a quality educational experience with clubs, athletics, social and community volunteer activities, spiritual well-being and more to prepare students for life in a constantly changing global society.