The Distinguished Alumni Award was established in 1984 to honor and acknowledge those Trocaire alumni who are making a difference in their community and/or profession.

This year’s honorees include: Sr. Mary Ann Schimscheiner, RSM, ’67, Local Leader, Sisters of Mercy of the Americas, NyPPAW Communities; Kate M. Callahan, Ph.D., ’72, Executive Director, South Florida Health Information Exchange; Kathy Endres Popielski ’74, Director of Communications, Trocaire College; Mary Ann Long ’80, Director of Patient Care Services, Roswell Park Cancer Institute; Tracey Costanzo Maw ’94, Clinical Operations Coordinator, IM Solutions; and Brian J. Becker ’09, Food & Beverage Manager, The Waldorf Astoria.

This event is dedicated to the 50th Anniversary of the first graduating class of Trocaire College and will be held at Ilio Di Paolo’s Restaurant on South Park Avenue in Blasdell. Tickets may be purchased by contacting Lisa Schaffer at 716.827.4340 or schafferl@trocaire.edu.

Jody Lomeo, CEO of Erie County Medical Center (ECMC) will be our Commencement Speaker. Mr. Lomeo was instrumental in ECMC’s transition from a county department to a New York State Public Benefit Corporation. He served as Board of Directors Chairman during this transition which led to the remarkable financial turnaround of the ECMC Corporation. Mr. Lomeo most recently served as vice-chair of the ECMC Corporation board and is also vice-chair of Great Lakes Health System of Western New York, the board New York State created to combine ECMC and Kaleida Health.

We are so proud of all of our students and are thrilled to join the joy of our graduates this saturday. 

Are you a graduate of Trocaire?  Post your Trocaire journey below, we would love to hear from you!

Every year, the dinner provides us here at Trocaire an opportunity to honor outstanding members of the community whose commitment to education mirrors that of the mission of the Sisters of Trocaire College and the Sisters of Mercy.  The 2011 chosen Reflections honorees were:  Nancy Dobson, Executive Vice President and partner of Uniland Development; Chris Jacobs, co-founder of The Bison Fund and John Kanutsu, president of JEG Contracting. Linda & Gary Tatu, founders of Harvest House of South Buffalo, received the President’s Award for Outstanding Community Service.  President Dr. Hurley, noted, “The 2011 honorees have contributed greatly to Trocaire College and the Western New York community and their commitment to education. The college has been greatly enriched by their presence.”

An event centered around helping students succeed, we felt it was only natural to hear from one of our students, Mark Bryndle.  A second year Registered Nursing student,  Bryndle spoke to the audience about his search for a career where he could make a difference in the community and have an impact on someone’s life.  “Nursing is not an easy program, but it is incredibly rewarding,” noted Bryndle.  He went on to say, “Making the decision to return to school was an easy choice, but not an easy path.  I investigated other programs, but liked what I saw here.  I was drawn to Trocaire’s commitment to the community, with an emphasis on personal empowerment.”

Raising over $105,000 for student scholarships, honorary Chairs of the event (Cindy and Jay Rich), were pleased to announce the event was a huge success with record attendance.  If you would like to know how to get involved with next year’s Reflections event contact the Institutional Advancement Office.

Under Dr. Hurley’s 14 year leadership, Trocaire College has seen enrollment grow from 560 students to almost 1,500 – a dramatic increase.  He will also be remembered for the addition of the first four-year degree programs, the growth of two-year degree offerings, his financial leadership, an augmented faculty, the addition of the location for the Russell J. Salvatore School of Hospitality & Business in Lancaster, and a successful $5.2 million capital campaign.

 “Paul Hurley has taken the college to new heights,” said Trocaire Board of Trustees Chair, Lisa Kirisits. “His presidency will be remembered for building on the legacy of those Sisters who came before him, while honoring their mission with zeal and action.”

Trocaire College and the Sisters of Mercy are widely respected for their emphasis on strong healthcare programs and a welcoming environment for working students seeking a life changing education.

“Our incredible faculty and staff help our students to be successful,” noted President Hurley.  “Their hard work and dedication to the mission of the College and the Sisters of Mercy has always been an inspiration to me.”

Professor Mary Ann Deb, president of the College’s Faculty Senate, noted, “The faculty thanks Dr. Hurley for the support that he has provided during his tenure.  The Senate looks forward to working with the Board in the search for his successor.”

Kirisits stated, “Dr. Hurley has worked diligently to lay a solid foundation for his successor to build upon. He put Trocaire College on the path of financial stability. Now our challenge is to find the right leader who can continue Trocaire’s journey of excellence in higher education.  A Search Committee has been formed with the appointment of Trustee Sharon L. Hanson as Chairwoman.” 

President Hurley, 66, an educator for more than 42 years, cited his desire to remain active in the community, spend time with his grandchildren, and catch up on some long delayed reading and study as primary reasons to step down.

“I am particularly grateful to my wife, Mary, who has been an integral member of the Trocaire community,” stated President Hurley.  “We are honored to have provided access and outreach to so many deserving women and men. I will always cherish my memories of Trocaire and our sponsors, the Sisters of Mercy.”

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After throughly enjoying his time at the show, we interviewed him to see how the experience was being an honored contest winner.  Peter first said,  ”McCormick place  is giant.  It is probably about 3 football fields in length with well over a couple hundred exhibitors on the main floor.  Attendees spend the day walking around looking at everything while there were also several classroom sessions about food trends.  To top it off, there is also a celebrity chef area for demonstrations with icons like Marcus Samuelson and Rick Davis.”

Trocaire Student Peter Del Cotto (left) pictured with Chef Paul Prudhomme (right)

Peter was able to see an insiders view of the hot new products in the industry.  From learning what a “chork” (chopsticks and a fork) was to seeing the new Heinz ketchup container designed for dipping small packets, to interactive menus, to Tobasco’s new wing sauce, Peter pretty much saw it all!

While Peter was a celebrity in the eyes of Chefuniforms.com, Peter also had the chance to see and meet some celebrities himself.  “I saw Rick Bayless who owns several restaurants in Chicago doing food demonstrations along with the very interesting Marcus Samuelson.  I also saw the Deadliest Catch’s Captain of the boat promoting his seafood company.  Finally, I was able to meet Baton Rouge’s very own  Chef Paul Prudhomme and he even gave me some samples of his commercial spice mix!”

When asking Peter how the conference will help him with his schooling at Trocaire, he replied, “I think it gave me a broader sense of the hospitality industry including food and hotel service.  It was a well-balanced of showcasing of everyone in the industry and what is really involved in the business.”

When asking him what his favorite thing about the show was, Peter replied, ”Seeing all the new technology for restaurants and the hospitality industry as a whole.  I was amazed!”

Very thankful for all of his time at the NRA show, Peter would like to thank Chef Uniforms.com for the opportunity!  If you would like to learn more about Trocaire’s hospitality program, please visit www.trocaire.edu or call 716-827-2545 today!