Alumni Spotlights

Rev. Leo Patalinghug

Tom Locke, B.A. 1970
With a last name like "Locke," it seems only fitting that this month's CUA spotlight alumnus would find his life's work in a field that dealt with matters of classified information, government intelligence, and global security. For more than 30 years, Tom Locke, B.A. 1970, spent a career with the Federal Bureau of Investigation that allowed him to accomplish exactly that. To learn more, click the photo to the left.

Patrick Hatch, B.A. 1999
This month, CUA shines our spotlight on Patrick Hatch, B.A. 1999, a graduate of The Catholic University of America and Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law. We first learned of Patrick's work as a pro bono attorney in New York State and the District of Columbia thanks to an e-mail from his old classmate Timothy Keator, B.A. 1999. In his fellow alumnus' estimation, Patrick was a perfect candidate for spotlight honors. To learn more, click the photo to the left.

Timothy Kotsis, J.D. 2006
Timothy Kotsis earned his J.D. from CUA’s Columbus School of Law with a certificate in Law and Public Policy. Three short years later, he was halfway around the globe in Iraq, putting his knowledge of law and public policy to use as an adviser for the Department of State. To learn more about Timothy's globe-trotting adventures, click the photo to the left.

Eddie O'Connell, B.A. 1989
They say a college degree can take you anywhere in the world that you want to go. But for Eddie O’Connell, B.A. 1989 — a lifelong resident of the greater Washington, D.C. metropolitan area — his diploma paved the way to a dream job that was just miles away from the very place where he was born. To learn more about Eddie and his work as an Assistant United States Attorney for the District of Columbia, click the photo to the left.

Hank Shields, B.A. 1999
"An excellent education, and access to a city full of prospect" is what Hank Shields values most from his time at CUA. Despite being a politics major and never doing anything directly related to his field of study, this month’s spotlight alumnus is convinced that his time at Catholic University opened the doors to his future and paved the way for his current career. To learn more about Hank, click the photo to the left.

Nancy Rogo Trainer, B.S.Arch. 1982
As a college professor and a professional architect who specializes in designing educational facilities, Nancy Rogo Trainer is one of a only a handful of teachers who can simultaneously lay claim to shaping young minds and the very buildings in which those minds are formed. So when she's not in the classroom, she's designing classrooms. To learn more about Nancy, click the photo to the left.

Paul Lotz, B.S. 1992
As a student, Paul Lotz spent hours in the classroom mastering the finer points of electromagnetics. After class, he was a regular fixture at a number of campus ministry service projects and events. These days, you might say that "things are looking up" for this service-minded scientist, who's busy at work developing a major telescope project for the Discovery Channel. To learn more about Paul, click the photo to the left.

Joe Kenny, B.A. 1976
Joseph Kenny Jr. grew up in a Philadelphia suburb and attended the Catholic University of America from 1972 to 1976, graduating with Bachelor degrees in Economics and Accounting. He reports that the years at CUA were some of the most memorable of his life. To learn more about some of Joe's other memorable experiences in the years after graduating from CUA, click the photo to the left.

Bernadette Snyder, B.A. 2008
In December 2008, Bernadette Snyder, B.A. 2008, and her boyfriend, Justin McClain stopped by the CUA alumni pre-concert reception held just prior to the 20th annual Christmas Concert at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception. Little did Bernadette know that her beau had planned to give this CUA alumna with a most memorable Christmas present of her own. To read their story, click the couple's photo to the left.

Matt Baehr, B.A. 1999
As a student at CUA, Matt Baehr, B.A. 1999, made a name for himself as one of the school's most decorated soccer stars. A four-year starter on the men’s varsity team, Matt was awarded numerous honors including Rookie of the Year, MVP and Conference All-Academic Team. With such a long and impressive soccer resume to his credit, it should come as no surprise that this alum decided to make a career out of his passion. To learn how Matt did just that, click on his photo to the left.

Carol Lynn Maillard, B.A. 1973
Shortly after graduating from CUA, singer and activist Carol Lynn Maillard wasted no time in making her dreams a reality. That same year, this CUA alumna helped found Sweet Honey In The Rock, an a cappella ensemble. In the 35 years since, this extraordinary African-American female vocal group has become a vital and innovative presence in the music culture of our nation's capital and beyond. To learn more about Carol, please click her photo to the left.  

Jerry Reynolds, B.A. 2002
As a student, Jerry Reynolds, B.A. 2002, learned how to manage a crisis firsthand. Jerry was the tour guide coordinator in undergraduate admissions during the fall of his senior year — the same year as the 9/11 terror attacks on New York and Washington, D.C. Five years later, Jerry would put these same skills to use responding to and managing a community development program after Hurricane Katrina on the Gulf Coast. To learn more about Jerry, please click his photo to the left.  

David Hartke, B.S. Arch. 1982
These days, everyone seems to be "going green" in order to conserve energy and natural resources. But this new fad is old hat for David Hartke, B.S.Arch. 1982, past president of CUA's alumni Board of Governors. In fact, this Pennsylvania-based architect has been designing and implementing eco-friendly construction methods for much of his quarter-century career. To learn more about Dave, please click his photo to the left. 

Annemarie Pringle, B.E.E. 1999
Don't let the baseball field in the background fool you. See the hat that Annemarie Pringle, B.E.E. 1999 is wearing? Look again — did you notice the Australian flag? That's just one small souvenir from the many trips abroad that this globe-trotting CUA alumna has made in her career as a computer systems engineer. To learn more about Annemarie, please click her photo to the left. 

Justin Smith, B.C.E. 2002
Several months prior to graduating from CUA, Justin Smith, B.C.E. 2002 learned of an intern position with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) as a result of walking through a CUA career fair at just the right time. Upon acceptance into the program, Justin jumped into the Commission’s developing Geographic Information System (GIS) technology. To learn more about Justin, please click his photo to the left.  

Christopher Rizzo, B.A., 1997
After graduating from CUA in 1997, Christopher Rizzo went on to earn his Juris Doctor degree, and marry his "CUA Sweetheart," Karen Wilson, B.S.N. 1997. Ten years after graduating from CUA, this CUA alum is a happily married father of two, and works for his very own law firm as a NAFTA immigration lawyer. To learn more about Christopher, please click his photo to the left.  

Joe Fisher, B.A., 1975
Joe Fisher was a local high school track star in the 1970's, running cross country and the 1- and 2-mile events. His Spingarn (N.E. Washington, D.C.) coach encouraged Joe to consider Catholic University for its track program and excellent education. Joe did, studying Elementary Education and staying closely connected with CUA for more than 30 years. To learn more about Joe, please click his photo to the left.  

Dr. Mark L. Kraus, M.S., 1979
Mark L. Kraus, Ph.D., earned his B.S. in Oceanography from CUA in 1979, and he’s spent a career working in the field of wildlife preservation ever since."It's been my experience that very few people start out with a Bachelor’s Degree and make a career out of what they wanted to do. I’ve been one of the fortunate few. Working in the field of wildlife preservation is exactly what I wanted to do when I came to Catholic University as a freshman." To learn more about, please click the photo to the left.  

Jessica R. Towhey, B.A., 1997
Jessica R. Towhey, B.A. 1997, is a press secretary for Congressman John Boehner (R-OH), but she'll be the first to admit that she never expected to end up in a career in politics. "In my sophomore year I interned for my home Congressman. Until then, I was a politics major, and after that year, I actually switched majors to English and decided that I wanted nothing to do with politics!" To learn more about Jessica, please click her photo to the left. 

Josie Swantek, B.A., 2000
Josie Swantek, B.A., 2000, has parlayed her dual degree in media studies and drama into a career behind the camera as a writer, producer, and director all over the world. So much so, in fact, that to call this alumna's job an "adventure" might even be something of an understatement! To learn more about Josie and her latest documentary (which was nominated for a 2008 Academy Award!), please click her photo to the left. 

Kevin McVicker, B.A., 1991, M.A., 1994
A native of New Jersey, Kevin P. McVicker, B.A. 1991, M.A. 1994, always knew that he wanted to be in Washington, D.C. Since graduation, he has made quite a name for himself! Kevin graduated from The Catholic University of America with both Bachelor's and Master's Degrees in Political Science. To learn more about Kevin and his career in writing, please click his photo to the left. 

George Motz, B.A., 1990
George Motz, B.A. 1990, is an award-winning freelance Director of Photography based in New York City. Over the past 14 years he has worked on numerous television commercials, films, music videos, documentaries, and promos. In his time since graduation, George has worked with MTV, ESPN, The History Channel, A&E, and more! To learn more about George, please click his photo to the left.

Sister Grace Mary Flickinger, M.S., 1969
Sister Grace Mary Flickinger, M.S. 1969, likes to say that her life has been a story "from one Catholic University to another." Since earning her Masters of Science degree from CUA in 1969, Sister Grace Mary Flickinger has worked nearly four decades at Xavier University of Louisiana. To learn more about this spotlight alumna, please click her photo to the left. 

Mark Adamo, B.M., 1990
Hailed by The Washington Post as "the fastest-rising new opera composer in the country," CUA alumnus Mark Adamo, B.M. 1990, is a busy man. In June of 2007, Adamo's latest concerto premiered at The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C. Later that month, his critically acclaimed opera, Little Women, was staged at CUA. To learn more about Mark, please click his photo to the left. 

Patrick Koucheravy, B.A., 2003
In April of 2003, Captain Patrick Koucheravy, B.A. 2003, was preparing to defend his senior thesis in CUA's department of Business and Economics. Three months later, Koucheravy found himself in basic training with the United States Army, preparing to defend his country on the front lines in Iraq and Afghanistan as a member of the Airborne Rangers. To learn more about Patrick, please click his photo to the left. 

Rev. Stephen Privett, S.J., M.A. 1982, Ph.D. 1989
Rev. Stephen Privett, S.J., began his current tenure as the 27th president of the University of San Francisco on September 15, 2000.  Prior to his appointment at USF, Father Privett served as provost and academic vice president at Santa Clara University. As provost, he was responsible for oversight of student life, intercollegiate athletics, as well as academic affairs. To learn more about this CUA alum, please click his photo to the left. 

Patrick L. Coleman II, B.A., 1994
A fixture at CUA football and basketball games, this month's Spotlight Alum has played an active role in the athletic programs of The Catholic University of America since graduating in 1994. Pat Coleman was kind enough to share his story with us. To learn more about Pat and read all about how this CUA alum permanently changed the blogosphere of NCAA Division III Athletics, please click his photo to the left. 

Lucília Harrington, M.S.L.S., 1986
Graduate school requires an enormous commitment of time, energy and effort. Such things are already in short supply for most people, Lucília Harrington managed to graduate from the School of Library and Information Science in 1986 with two children, a husband, a full time job at the Brazilian Embassy, and a full course load. To learn more about Lucília, please click her photo to the left. 

Luca Callini, B.M.E., 1997
Originally from Rome, Italy, Gianluca (“Luca”) Callini moved to the D.C. area in to attend CUA.  Graduating from Catholic University in 1997 with a Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering, he subsequently moved to Cambridge, MA to attend the Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s Aeronautics & Astronautics graduate program. To learn more about Luca, please click his photo to the left. 

Susan Oetgen, M.M., 1999
Susan Oetgen earned a Master of Music in Vocal Performance from the Catholic University of America in 1999, and still gets nostalgic for the cherry trees in the courtyard of the Rome School of Music, not to mention Dr. Thomas Reilly’s tough love coaching and Dr. Jane Tavernier’s impeccable ear for detail. To learn more about Susan, please click her photo to the left. 

Sarah Donaldson, B.M., 2002
The youngest alumni to be spotlighted to date, Sarah Donaldson feels honored to be recognized for her hard work in the Entertainment World in the four short years since she graduated in 2002.  As a Musical Theatre major earning a Bachelor of Music degree, Sarah attended Catholic University on both academic and music scholarships and was a member of the honors program. To learn more about Sarah, please click her photo to the left. 

K.K. Bruno, M.S.L.S., 1995
K.K. Bruno is Karla Kraynak Bruno, a graduate of The Catholic University of America in 1995 with a Master of Science in Library and Information Science (M.S.L.S.) degree. A former educator and librarian, now a full-time writer in Williamsburg, Virginia, Karla is living her dream of being a published novelist. To learn more about Karla and her latest novel, please click her photo to the left. 

Randy Gross, B.S.N., 1989
Randy Gross is truly, in the words of one of his colleagues, "a trailblazer." After all, when your gender represents merely 6% of the entire population of registered nurses you really have to prove yourself. Indeed, you would be hard pressed to find a more exceptional and dedicated individual than Randy Gross in the healthcare field. To learn more about Randy, please click his photo to the left. 

Samuel J. Parker, B.A., 1969
An accomplished expert in land use and planning issues, Sam has dedicated a large part of his professional life to serving Prince George's County, M.D. - just outside of Washington, D.C. As a result, in early 2006, this CUA alumnus was appointed chairman of the Maryland National Capital Park and Planning Commission. To learn more about Sam, please click his photo to the left. 

David L. Paterson, B.A., 1989
After graduating from CUA, David L. Paterson began his writing career with the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts in London England. In the decade that followed, Paterson earned himself a reputation as being one of the hardest working men *not* yet in show business. But by 2007, he adapted his mother's book, Bridge to Terabithia, into a full-length motion picture for Disney. To learn more about David, please click his photo to the left. 



Who will be the next featured alum?

It could be you! 

Click here to submit a profile for consideration. Each entry must contain a brief biography and a high-quality digital portrait. You can even nominate yourself! Alums selected for an Alumni Spotlight will be profiled in future issue of The Cardinal Alumni Association e-Newsletter, and will be notified in advance of the article's publication.