Pioneers of the Present
Finally, we must recognize the ongoing contributions of the Sisters of Charity at Seton Hill University. With their passion for the mission of the University and their love of the students alight in their hearts, these living Sisters of Charity are part of an enduring legacy of Catholic faith and higher education.
Sister Victoria Marie Gribschaw
Sister Victoria Marie Gribschaw entered the Sisters of Charity community in 1961. She earned her Bachelor's degree in Chemistry from Seton Hill in 1970. Then she went on to receive a Master's degree in Family Resources/Home Economics Education from West Virginia University in 1974. During a sabbatical from teaching, Sister Victoria Marie earned her Ph.D. from Ohio State University in 1985.
Sister Victoria taught in the Home Economics Department in the rank of Instructor from 1974 until 1978. She was promoted to the rank of Assistant Professor of Home Economics and later Associate Professor of Home Economics and Director of Family Studies in 1995. Family Studies was an interdisciplinary program that she helped to create with colleagues from several programs in an effort to increase enrollment.
At the end of the 20th Century, home economics was undergoing much change and the Seton Hill faculty proposed and received approval for two name changes—the first in 1993 to Human Ecology and the second in 1995 to Family and Consumer Sciences.
Over the years, she has served as class advisor for four Seton Hill classes. Her first class, the Class of 1978 will be returning in summer 2018 for their fortieth anniversary of graduation. The year that the Class of 2000 graduated, Sister received the Professor of the Year Award.
She resigned as Chair of the Division of Social Sciences and the division was split into two divisions: The Division of Social Sciences and the Division of Business. When the Family and Consumer Sciences Program closed, Sister Victoria Marie joined the Business Division from 2015 thorugh 2017.
At present, Sister Victoria Marie is serving part-time as Special Assistant to the Provost.
Sister Mary Janice Grindle
Born in 1943 in Pittsburgh, PA, Sister Mary Janice joined the Sisters of Charity in 1962.
She studied Art and History at Seton HIll College, graduating with her degree in 1970. In 1971, she received her Master's in Art Education from Penn State University.
She was hired to teach design and art history at Seton Hill College in 1972. She continued teaching through 1982 and served as Chair of the Art Department for several years.
Sister Mary Janice returned to her education in 1996 and earned a degree in Human Development and Gerontology from St. Joseph's College.
Sister Ann Infanger
Sister Ann Infanger attended Seton Hill College as a Biology Major, graduating in 1955. She entered the Sisters of Charity of Seton Hill the following year. She attended graduate school at Cornell University from 1959 to 1963. She earned a Ph.D in Genetics.
Sister Ann taught Biology courses, including General Biology, Genetics, Microbiology, and Seminar in Evolution, from 1963 until her retirement in 2005.
After receiving her certificate in Pastoral Ministry, Sister Ann taught Faith, Religion, and Society and a Senior Seminar course on Happiness.
Sister Dorothy Jacko
Sister Dorothy Jacko was born in Johnstown, PA in 1936. She entered religious life in 1959.
With a wide range of scholarly interests, Sister Dorothy pursued several paths in her educational career. First, she earned her B.A. in History and Spanish from Seton Hill. Next, she earned a graduate degree in History from Temple University in 1972 and a degree in Liturgy from Notre Dame in 1976. Finally, Sister Dorothy attended Regis College in Boston for her Ph.D. in Theology in 1987.
From 1971 until 2013, Sister taught Theology at Seton Hill College and worked as the Development Director for several years, beginning in 1975.
Sister Susan Jenny
Born in Cleveland, Ohio in 1941, Sister Susan Jenny eventually entered the Sisters of Charity of Seton Hill in 1959.
After receiving her degree in English in 1966 from Seton Hill, Sister Susan eanred her Master's in Theology from St. John's University in 1973.
Sister Susan Jenny has a long history at Seton Hill University. Although she taught Theology from 1969 through 1986, Sister Susan served as the Dean of Women Students from 1970-75 and also worked in Campus Ministry.
Sister Vivien Linkhauer
Sister Vivien Linkhauer entered the Sisters of Charity in 1958 at the age of 18. She earned her Bachelor's degree in French from Seton Hill College.
Beginning in 1965, Sister Vivien, then Louise Vincent, began work as Assistant to the Dean of Women until 1968.
From 1976 until 1989 Sister was a faculty member in the French Department and also served as Academic Dean from 1982 until 1989. In 1989, she was elected to the Sisters of Charity Council as First Councilor. She eventually became the Provincial Superior of the community.
Sister Vivien found herself at Seton Hill once again in 1998 when she became the Associate Dean for Graduate Studies until 2002.
After having served on the Board of Trustees of the College for several years in the late 80s and early 90s, as well as from 2002-2012, Sister Vivien became the Vice President for Mission and Identity, a role she has filled since 2015.
Sister Lois Sculco
Sister Lois Sculco entered the Sisters of Charity in 1960, after earning her undergraduate degree. She became the Assistant Dean of Students in 1968. By 1970, Sister was teaching in the English Department. After seven years of teaching, Sister Lois transitioned to a new role as Dean of Students, a position she held until 1985.
Between 1985 and 1989, Sister served on the Council of the Sisters of Charity. For the two years after, Sister Lois worked under the President of the College as an Assistant.
In 1990, Sister Lois began her term as the Vice President for Administration and Student Life. She later found herself working as the Affirmative Action and Mission Officer from 1997 until 2016.
At present, Sister Lois is working part-time as Executive Director to the President for Alumni Engagement and Mission.
Sister Mary Ann Winters
Sister Mary Ann Winters entered the congregation in 1955 and earned her degree in Biochemistry from Seton Hill in 1967. After receiving her Ph.D. in Biochemistry from the University of Pittsburgh, Sister Mary Ann began her career in undergraduate teaching in 1972. She served as Chair of the Chemistry Department during her tenure.
From 1985-1993, Sister was the Major Superior of the Sisters of Charity of Seton Hill. Although she took a hiatus from teaching, she sat on the Board of Trustees of the College. After some years, Sister Mary Ann returned to Seton Hill as an adjunct Chemistry teacher.
In 2013, she was honored with the Distinguished Alumna Award.
Sister Maureen O'Brien
Sister Maureen O'Brien embraced religious life with the Sisters of Charity in 1962. Afterward, she earned her degree in Music from Seton Hill. Sister continued her education by earning a Master of Arts degree in Religious Studies from the Aquinas Institute of Religious Studies and a certificate in Spiritual Theology from the Toronto School of Theology.
Prior to her work at the College, Sister Maureen dedicated her time and talents as a Director of Religious Education at St. James Parish, Director of the Doran Hall Renewal and Retreat Center, and music teacher. She spent a significant amount of time as Director of Campus Ministry at Greensburg Central Catholic High School.
In 2010, Sister Maureen was welcomed to Seton Hill University. She continues to brighten the campus with her friendly persona while instilling the Catholic faith into daily life.
Sister Gemma Del Duca
Sister Gemma Del Duca, a native of Greensburg, PA, entered the Sisters of Charity in 1950. She earned her undergraduate degree in History from Seton Hill College. From there, she went on to receive a Master of Sacred Sciences in Theology from the Pontifical Institute, Regina Mundi, Rome and a doctorate in Ibero-American Studies from the University of New Mexico.
Sister Gemma taught History courses at the Hill and chaired the department for several years. In addition, she worked in campus ministry at several universities.
In 1975, Sister Gemma moved to Israel to work at Tel Gamaliel, a community for Jewish-Catholic dialogue.
On a return visit to Greensburg in 1987, Sister Gemma approached President Joanne Boyle with the idea to establish The National Catholic Center for Holocaust Education. With co-founder Sister Mary Noel Kernan, Sister Gemma has dedicated her life to encouraging Jewish-Catholic discourse and teaching the history of the Holocaust on an international scale.
For her work, Sister Gemma has received the Elizabeth Seton Medal, the Elie Weisel Holocaust Remembrance Medal, the New Life Award, the Spirit of Anne Frank Award, and the Excellence in the Field of Holocaust Education Award given by Yad Vashem’s International School for Holocaust Studies. She was the first non-Israeli to receive the Yad Vashem Award.
Sister Barbara Ann Smelko
Sister Barbara Ann Smelko entered the Sisters of Charity of Seton Hill in 1960.
She studied Music with an emphasis in piano at Seton Hill College. While studying, she began working part-time as the organist for St. Joseph Chapel after Mother Richard Ann Watson was elected as Major Superior of the Sisters of Charity in 1971.
Sister Barbara Ann attended Notre Dame University and St. Joseph College in Rensselear, Indiana to earn a graduate degree in Church Music and Liturgy. Meanwhile, she taught piano at the College. By 1974, she began teaching full-time at Seton Hill as the secondary piano teacher and chapel organist. Later, Sister Barbara added organ lessons to her studies and class advisor to her responsibilities.
During the years 1971-78, Sister Barbara Ann Smelko witnessed many changes in the study of music at Seton Hill and observed alterations in St. Joseph Chapel. She worked with many gifted teachers, including Sister Helen Muha, and she enjoyed working with the students.
Sister Mary Alma Vandervest
From St. Paul, Minnesota, Elizabeth Margaret Vandervest was born in 1929 and entered the Sisters of Charity in 1950. She took the name Sister Mary Alma.
In 1959, Sister earned her B.A. in Elementary Education from Seton Hill. She later received an M.L.S. degree from the University of Pittsburgh in Library Science.
From 1990 until 2011, Sister Mary Alma valiantly served as the Archivist for Seton Hill College, maintaining and protecting the records of the institution.
Sister Mary Kay Neff
Sister Mary Kay entered the religious community in 1976 after earning her Bachelor's degree in Studio Art from Penn State University. She later earned her M.F.A. in Graphic Design and Photography from the Rochester Institute of Technology in 1987. Furthermore, she completed partial courses toward a degree in Multimedia Technology at Duquesne University.
Sister Mary Kay's career at Seton Hill began in 1979 when she became the Coordinator of Publications and Photography at the College, a role she filled until 1989. Beginning in 1999, Sister became Associate Professor of Art and Art Program Director. The latter role she held until 2010.
A gifted artist, Sister Mary Kay has exhibited her work at local and national venues, garnering a multitude of awards. In addition, she has volunteered her time as Coordinator of the Seton Arts Service Corps.
Sister Mary Kay continues teaching as an Associate Professor of Art and Graphic Design in the present day.
Sister Edith Strong
Sister Edith Strong entered the Sisters of Charity of Seton Hill from Saint Bernadette Parish, Monroeville, Pennsylvania, on September 8, 1964. She earned her Bachelor's Degree in Mathematics from Seton Hill College and her Master's from the University of Wisconsin.
Sister Edith began her career at Seton Hill as a Laboratory Assistant in the Physics Department during the Summers of 1968-69. She later served as an Instructor in the Mathematics Department from August of 1973 through July of 1978. During this period, Sister Edith was the advisor for the Class of 1979. As an Assistant Professor of Mathematics from 1978 to 1982, Sister taught several courses in computer science, including Fortran, programming language for early computers.
In the years 1980-82, Sister Edith was the Chairperson and Co-Founder of the Faculty Development Resource Association, an organization of college faculty in southwestern Pennsylvania with interest in promoting the art of teaching in higher education.
In addition to her work as professor, Sister committed to a role on the Board of Directors of the College from 2002-2007. In 2012, Sister Edith was honored with the Distinguished Alumna Award (Class of 1967).
Sister Clementine O'Friel
Sister Clementine, the current most Senior member of the community, was born in 1920 in Altoona, Pennsylvania. She was given the name Joan Regina. She entered the congregation of the Sisters in 1938 at the age of 18. After serving in local schools, Sister Clementine earned her Bachelor's degree in History with a Psychology minor from Seton Hill in 1953. Later, she earned her Master's in Religion with a Philosophy minor from Catholic University of America.
Sister Clementine taught courses during the Summer Sessions at Seton Hill College.
Sister Janet Neider
Born Janet Marie in 1938, Sister Janet entered the Sisters of Charity in 1957. She went on to earn her B.A. in Elementary Education and English in 1964 and an M.E. in Reading and Language Arts from the University of Pittsburgh in 1970.
She worked as an instructor at the College from 1971-76 and later served at Seton Hill Day Care Center.
Sister Barbara Miller
Born in 1935 in Cleveland, Ohio, Sister Barbara Miller embraced the call to religious life in 1954.
She earned her B.A. from Seton Hill College in 1964, an M.A. in History from the University of Arizona in 1968, an M.A. in History from Notre Dame in 1979, and her Ph.D. in History from Notre Dame in 1980.
Sister Barbara taught at the College from 1979-85 in the History Department. She now dedicates her volunteer time in the Seton Hill College Archives.
Sister Marian Madden
Sister Marian Madden entered the Sisters of Charity in 1954 and was known then as Sister Michael Mary.
Sister began her twelve-year tenure at Seton Hill College as the Director of Financial Aid in 1971. Her task was to make sure that students with financial need were allotted sufficient funds to be able to attend each year.
She evaluated need based on information supplied by the parents or by the students themselves. The aid was called a “financial aid package,” which might consist of a Pennsylvania grant from PHEAA, the PA higher education assistance association, a federal grant, a federal loan, and a work study job. In addition, Seton Hill College allotted scholarships or grants as well. She was responsible for awarding aid of over $2 million each year.
During her administration, Sister Marian supervised a Student Prayer Group called “Friends Called to Love.” The students from both Seton Hill and St. Vincent College met weekly in the Oratory on the 2nd floor of the Administration Building. Several marriages stemmed from that group of SHC and SVC students.
Sister Mary Noel Kernan
Born in 1926 in Pittsburgh, Mary Gerard Kernan entered the Sisters of Charity of Seton Hill in 1948 after studying English and Psychology at Seton Hill College.
She furthered her studies in English at Duquesne University and ultimately earned her Ph.D. from the University of Pittsburgh in 1972.
Beginning in 1971, Sister Mary Noel served as a Professor of English at the College. In 1987, she became the co-founder of the National Catholic Center for Holocaust Education. She filled these roles until 2014. She is now Director Emeritus of the NCCHE.
Sister Grace Hartzog
Sister Grace Hartzog entered the religious life in 1960.
She first began her career at Seton Hill College as an Assistant Professor of Psychology/Education in both departments. While teaching, Sister Grace was Director of the Child Development Center. She was responsible for obtaining the Early Childhood and Elementary Certification Program for the College. In 1979, Sister Grace moved to full-time work within the Education Department.
In 1984, Sister Grace transitioned to her role as Director of Campus Ministry and, shortly thereafter, Dean of Student Services until 1990. During this period, she also taught Child Psychology courses.
At present, Sister Grace Hartzog is serving as Executive Director of the Sisters of Charity Federation.
Sister Gertrude Foley
Gertrude Foley was born in 1932 in Etna, Pennsylvania. She entered the Sisters of Charity in 1950. After earning her B.A. in Latin and Music from Seton Hill College, Sister Gertrude continued her studies at Duquesne University and Fordham University, receiving Master's degrees in Latin and Theology. She earned her doctorate from Aquinas Institute in 1982.
As a former Major Superior and a member of Sisters of Charity Council, Sister Gertrude has served on the Board of Seton Hill College. She briefly worked as the Director of Planning from 1978-79 and has served as an adjunct faculty member throughout the years
Sister Lyn Marie Dwyer
Born in Bronx, New York in 1938, Evelyn Marie Dwyer entered the Sisters of Charity in 1959. She eventually studied Home Economics at Seton Hill College. She later earned an M.A. in Public Management from Carnegie Mellon University in 1994. Sister Lyn also completed requirements in Hospital Dietetics from St. Mary's.
Sr. Lyn taught courses as an adjunct instructor at Seton Hill.
Sister Mary Philip Aaron
Sister Mary Philip Aaron was born in 1932 and entered the congregation in 1950. She earned degrees in Physics and Chemistry before going on to earn a Master's degree in Physics from Arizona State University.
In 1980, Sister Mary Philip joined the team at Project Forward.
From 1984 until 2000, she was the Director of Financial Aid at Seton Hill College.
Sister Jean Boggs
Born in Pittsburgh in 1937, Jean Boggs grew up surrounded by art and her parents fostered her artistics talents throughout her childhood. With familial connections to Seton Hill, it was only natural Jean would attend the College to study Art and Mathematics, graduating with her degree in 1959. She entered religious life shortly thereafter.
In 1964, Sister Jean graduated with a degree from Pius XII Institute.
She began her career at Seton Hill as the Annual Fund Developer in 1968 until she became Director of Admissions in 1974. She continued as Director until 1989.
Sister Brigid Marie Grandey
Born in Rochester, PA as Mary Jean Grandey in 1934, Sister Brigid Marie would enter the Sisters of Charity community in 1952. She received a Bachelor's degree in English with a History minor in 1963. Afterward, she attended the University of Arizona and St. John University, majoring in Theology. In 1983, Sister Brigid Marie earned her Master's in Education from Duquesne University.
Sister worked as an instructor in Education at Seton Hill College.
Sister Susan Yochum
Before entering the community in 1978, Sister Susan Yochum earned her degree from Seton Hill. She went on to receive a Master's degree in Chemistry from Duquesne University and a Ph.D. from Cleveland State University.
Sister Susan held a 31-year teaching position in Chemistry at the University. During her tenure, she served as the Chair of the Natural and Health Sciences division.
In 1998, she was honored with the Professor of the Year Award. During the construction of the Joanne Woodyard Boyle Health and Sciences Center, Sister Susan worked as the project liaison. She served as project administrator of the Seton Hill University Personal Empowerment Program (SHUPEP) with the Integrative Cardiac Health Project at Walter Reed Medical Center and was project director of the Air Force Environmental and Occupational Factors in Women's Health.
At present, Sister Susan Yochum works as the Provost for Seton Hill University, a position she has formally held since 2016.
Board of Trustees
We would be remiss if we did not mention the many Sisters of Charity who have served on the Board of Trustees throughout the years, including the current Council of the Sisters of Charity of Seton Hill. Their dedication and volunteer service as liaisons, benefactors, and supporters of Seton Hill University must be recognized. Thank you.