Mentors
Our faculty and staff dedicate themselves to making connections with each other and our students. In the last edition of the magazine we asked alumni to tell us about the mentors who made the biggest impact on their Bonaventure journey. Here is what they shared.
Great Friends & Mentors Among ROTC
I entered St. Bonaventure as an accounting major. Seven students lived in rooms along the same hallway in Francis Hall. We lived together for four years; we were all in the ROTC program.
We graduated as Army 1st lieutenants and accountants. I would never have made it through without their support and love. One that I now call “Saint” William Brown has been a Franciscan priest in northern Peru for over 60 years. He has built churches and schools, calling forth deacons, priests and nuns. How can you not succeed with role models like that?
— Richard Pardi, ’57
1st Lieutenant Army Ret.
Professor Ralph King
There are several people at St. Bonaventure whom I remember in a special way. One of those is Professor Ralph King. I was enrolled in his Math 104 class my freshman year. His teaching skills, student empathy and constant support made the class a great experience. In my following years he contributed greatly to my meeting the challenges of succeeding as a math major. I always felt comfortable dropping by his office for a chat. He was a wonderful instructor and a wonderful friend. For me, he definitely belongs in the mentor category!
— Terry Kehoe, ’63
Mentor? Father figure? Taskmaster?
Dr. Russell J. Jandoli, of course. He guided, cajoled, pushed for excellence … firmness always tempered with Franciscan kindness. I still have papers he graded (some with so much red they look like he bled on them). Whenever the ego gets too big, I review them.
In a secondary position would be Fr. Gaudens Mohan, O.F.M., who taught Latin. My father knew him, which Gaudens frequently noted, reminding me that Mohan is Monaghan with the “nag” left out.
— Gerard J. Monaghan, ’67
Fr. Evan Banks, O.F.M.
Fr. Evan Banks, O.F.M., stands out among the many who made my 1967-71 Bona journey memorable. Fr. Evan was responsible for student activities, which included sponsoring the Student Senate and the student-run Student Activities Council.
These were turbulent times and Fr. Evan managed to remain fair and constant in his dealings with others. He was a tall, slender, craggy-faced man of few words who walked with dignity. Some students referred to him as “Nails” because he was a man whose demeanor demanded respect. He certainly had mine and my admiration and that of others who knew him and worked with him. He served as guardian of the Friary, too. I’m sure that job demanded the same qualities that made him a mentor for me and for others.
— Jeanne A. Sabrack, ’71
Dr. Helen Jones
I had many mentors at Bona’s.
One was Dr. Helen Jones, history professor. Besides being an excellent teacher, she had great wisdom. When I told her I got a teaching job, she said, “Now you will be a teacher. Don’t ever forget what it was like to be a student.”
I have applied that to many situations in my life in teaching, retail, banking, and ministries through my parish, and have tried to pass it on to others.
— Kevin Fritz, ’74
Phil Eberl
I met Phil Eberl on my first day on campus. I was signing up for classes in the School of Education and he became my undergraduate adviser.
I was a veteran who was feeling his way through the process and was a little lost. In just a few words he said that things would work out and to call him anytime with questions. During that time, he was there with answers and ideas that made the process easier.
After graduation I had questions on applications and getting certificates, which he always helped me with. Once a mentor and now a friend, he was simply the best.
— Dave Hale, ’76
Dr. Patrick Panzarella
Dr. Patrick Panzarella had the largest impact on my Bonaventure journey. He was my professor, coach, mentor and friend. He touched thousands of lives through his tenure at Bonaventure so he wouldn’t even remember me, but his dedication and demeanor were worthy of emulation.
I spent four years on his tennis team. He was a fantastic coach, supporting us through the ups and downs of competition. He had us to his house, drove the bus for our away matches, and was always there for us. Bonaventure is a caring community and he lived the motto – he cared!
— Fran Machina, ’82
Professor Ted Woodruff
As a communications major heading toward a career in TV news, I had nothing in common with economics Professor Ted Woodruff, but we did share a penchant for rushing into the dining hall just as it was closing. We wound up eating many dinners together as we solved the world’s problems before being kicked out by the staff waiting to lock up.
He was brilliant, eccentric and silly. He never married (“What if she snored?”) and never learned to drive. Occasionally, I would take him out for ice cream at a place down the road from campus. It was there he made a comment that made a lasting impact on me: As we sat licking our cones and staring out the window, we noticed a road sign that designated the Olean/Allegany town line.
He said, “Look! You could stand in either town and clap your hands!” I laughed at the simple comment by the former valedictorian of Columbia University and said, “Woody, most people wouldn’t do that.” He said under his breath as he went back to his cone, “I don’t think most people know how to live.”
— Ray Collins, ’85
Coach Kevin McNamee
My mentor at Bona’s was Coach Kevin McNamee, ’76. He coached swimming from 1978-92. He was a rock-solid, uncompromising person. He emphasized discipline and toughness under the umbrella of Franciscan values. He loved the university and its mission, and his guidance led to all of us loving it as well. I couldn’t have asked for anyone better to mentor me through college. My teammates and I were lucky to have had him as a coach.
— Matthew Gianiodis, ’92
Helen Worth
My biggest mentor and greatest inspiration in my St. Bonaventure University path toward becoming an educator is Helen Worth. I will never forget her gentle kindness, supportive encouragement and unwavering strength in everything she did and everyone she came into contact with.
She never hesitated in telling us how she was living with HIV and how it was not the dirty word or thing to be ashamed of that others thought it was, and it never slowed her down. Her obvious love of children and love for education made you love education even more. I’m a better person and educator because of what I learned from her.
— Sara Hovey Eskildsen, ’94
Dr. Stephen Grey-Lewis
The person who had the most impact on my life at St. Bonaventure was Dr. Stephen Grey-Lewis, who guided me academically as I earned my secondary concentration in theater arts, and mentored me as an actor and crew member in 16 Garrett Theatre productions.
Because of the knowledge and confidence I gained from my time with Doc I have been blessed with the opportunity to act in more than a dozen film projects. I honor Doc’s legacy as a member of the Gaithersburg Cultural Arts Advisory Committee and organizer of the Gaithersburg 2021-2022 film series.
— Patrick Opitz, ’01
Dr. Claire Watson
Dr. Claire Watson made the biggest impact on my Bonaventure journey. She was someone who was always there for me, not just with my education but also personal life. She taught me so much in my four years at Bonaventure and I am forever grateful.
— Hayley Calcagno, ’12, ’15
For the Next Edition
More students than ever arrive on campus with their own wheels. But we know that wasn’t the case for earlier generations. How did you get to campus – carpool with a buddy from your hometown? A brutal bus ride from New Jersey? Or did you thumb it across Route 17? Tell us in 100 words: magazine@sbu.edu. We’ll print a collection of responses in the summer issue.