Graduate Schools

Accountancy Class Secretary — Kim Talianko;

ktalianko@alumni.edu

Architecture
Michael D. Brennan, ’92, Ph.D., (US Army Col. Ret.), AIA, Lexington KY, formerly the executive director, Construction and Facilities Management, US Department of Veterans Affairs, Washington DC, announced his new civilian position of senior project executive, Walsh Healthcare, The Walsh Group — Walsh Construction & Archer Western, Lexington KY. He will be delivering world-class projects for the U of Kentucky health care system. I just learned that Ronald J. Carissimi ’57, Sacramento CA, passed away at his home in May 2025. After graduation, Ron fulfilled his ROTC commitment by joining the US Navy and serving in the Naval Construction Battalion (aka the Sea Bees). After his honorable discharge he returned to Sacramento to work for the architectural firm of Barovetto & Thomas and later began his own firm practicing in Sacramento for over five decades. Our prayers and condolences continue to go out to his family and friends. — Orlando T. Maione, FAIA Emeritus, FACHA Emeritus; 27 Bucknell Lane, Stony Brook NY 11790-2521; 631-246-5660; cell 516-578-5320; omaione@optonline.net

Biological Sciences
Parasitologists and virologists among the alumni of the department will be very familiar with Dickson D. “Dick” Despommier ’67Ph.D., who died last Feb. 7 at age 84. Dick spent his career studying Trichinella spiralis and long considered his development of a serologic test for the parasite in swine to be his most impactful scientific contribution, leading to the eradication of the parasite from domestic swine herds and an increase in consumption of pork since it no longer required the meat to be cooked well-done. Virologists will recognize Dick as the founder, along with fellow Columbia U professor Vincent Racaniello, of “This Week in Virology” (TWiV). Until the time of his death, Dick was actively engaged in research and being the “straight” man on TWiV as the nonvirologist posing questions the uninitiated might ask. As a teacher Dick was exceptional, being named “Teacher of the Year” six times, and in 2003, earned that title nationally. Beyond science, Dick always had a smile and tale to tell. He was an active fly fisherman, mostly of trout in the Catskill and Adirondack mountains of NY. He often contributed articles to fly fishing magazines (this once went too far when he disclosed a close friend’s “secret” fishing spot on the Ausable River). — Joan Smith Carter ’71MS and Philip B. Carter ’67, ’71Ph.D.; 12916 Barsanlaw Drive, Raleigh NC 27613-6400; res 919-848-2192; phil@ncsu.edu

History
Out in Sacramento, Rev. Steven Avella, ’79, ’85Ph.D. is enjoying his retirement from Marquette U (June 2024). He had been a full professor of snow, ice, and losing baseball teams. Now, he is a full professor of sunshine and (as of Oct. 20) winning baseball teams. Steve does a good bit of pastoral work (Masses, funerals, anointings). However, he also continued his academic interests. He recently published book, Three More Archbishops of Milwaukee, and is completing a major book on the Catholic Church in WI, while also researching the life of Cardinal Samuel A. Stritch of Chicago. Steve writes, “I miss the classroom, but relish the time to work uninterruptedly on things that interest me. All of this began under the tutelage of Phil Gleason at Notre Dame.” Also retiring in June 2024, was Rev. Wilson D. Miscamble, CSC, ’77MA, ’80Ph.D., ’87MDiv. Bill is a very rare bird, a triple Domer. An adjunct in the History Department during his schooling, Bill joined the full time faculty in 1988 and taught through 2024 when he was granted emeritus status. He wrote, “I had a good run as a teacher and am grateful to God for my long period serving in the department.” In my grad days, 1983-1991, I would see Bill or Steve in the office and become speechless with awe. They were the stars of the department and, in their presence, I was six. Newer alums will remember Fr. Miscamble as Director of Graduate Studies 1991 - 1993, Department Chair 1993 - 1998, and rector of Moreau Seminary from 2000 - 2004. For the last 20 years, he has tried to turn me into a football fan. Progress is slow! Bill is still active in his pastoral ministry at ND and is working on a book about Catholic politicians in the Kennedy era. Back east, I believe, John Rossi ’60MA writes that he will turn 90 in the spring, but is still incredibly active in the field. In 2025, he did three book reviews for “The New Criterion”, three for “University Bookman”, three pieces for the website “BallNine.” The most recent was a sketch of the longtime baseball manager Gene Mauch. He also wrote an analysis of the Graham Greene novel, The End of the Affair which appeared in The American Spectator. John writes occasional memoir type pieces for a local site, “Broad & Liberty”. In all, he estimates publishing around 20 pieces this year, including one on the critic Dwight Macdonald. When asked why he keeps up, John quotes a line from the movie Rocky: “It fills gaps.” He concludes, “Still have fond memories of ND. It was a good time with some great teachers.” Finally, you may have seen TX Governor Greg Abbott promising to purge the state universities of progressive-minded faculty. I am the first victim. On August 20, I was fired from my tenured position. They still refuse to put a cause in writing – 39.5 years of meeting or exceeding every evaluation standard on every evaluation by 13 chairs, winning six teaching awards, and publishing more than anyone else in the department will, I suppose, make it difficult. But, in March of 2024, as faculty are “obligated” to do, I reported gender and ADA discrimination. Exactly eight months later, out of the blue, I was suspended pending termination. Thirteen months before, the dean of the CAS did the same thing to the tenured woman historian who taught race. I teach gender and, in 2009, added the university’s first course about women. I was removed as Department Chair for doing that and, apparently, I have not been forgiven. Be careful out there. — Mary Linehan ’91Ph.D.; maryline113@yahoo.com

Mathematics Class Secretary — Tori Spalding;

574-631-6008; tspaldin@nd.edu

Master of Nonprofit Administration
Greetings to all MNA, EMNA and MSA alumni. The fall football season is always a wonderful time to spend time on our beautiful campus and get together with former friends and classmates, and this one was no exception. It was great spending time with Heather Anderson ’12, Yvonne Delgadillo ’12, Sukeshi O’Neal ’12 and Andrew Wendelborn ’99, ’12MNA. A huge congratulations to Andrew, who was promoted to senior assistant dean for advising and academic operations in July at the Mendoza College of Business. In addition to the undergraduate studies advising team, he now oversees the academic advising team for Mendoza’s graduate programs along with the college’s academic operations team. All MNA, MSA and EMNA alumni are encouraged to submit your news for upcoming Class Notes. You may email me directly at the address below. — Betsy Quinn ’12; betsyquinn@alumni.nd.edu

Master of Science in Management Class Secretary — Maddie Corsaro ’17;

mcorsar1@alumni.nd.edu

Political Science
I love hearing about your professional and personal achievements so please send me news about you or other political science graduate student alumni! — Charlie Kenney; 455 W. Lindsey, Room 205, Norman OK 73019; 405-325-3735; ckenney@ou.edu

Graduate Degrees
Pascal Bailon ’64MS Chemistry: Deep within the research labs of Hoffmann-La Roche, one chemist’s quiet brilliance helped reshape the treatment landscape for a deadly virus that once plagued millions. Pascal Bailon, a lead scientist in Roche’s Nutley NJ facility, played a central role in the development of Pegasys (peginterferon alfa-2a) — a groundbreaking drug for hepatitis C. Pascal Bailon was research director at Hoffmann La-Roche Inc. before retiring. Andrew P. Rajec ’18EMBA had the honor of meeting former Polish president, Nobel Peace Prize winner and Cold War hero Lech Walesa. Andrew currently serves as vice-chairman of Friends of Slovakia. He served as the international cooperation specialist for Albania, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Bulgaria and Romania and as the deputy director for the Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives for the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). He is a recipient of USAID’s Meritorious Honor Award for exemplary service and leadership in furthering the Europe and Eurasia Bureau’s Foreign Policy Interest and USAID programs. — Marvin J. LaHood ’58MA, ’62Ph.D. English; 93 Parkhaven Drive, Amherst NY 14228; 716-691-4648; mlahood@roadrunner.com