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Under the Arch October 10, 2005 Volume VII, Number 6
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ZAGORSKI, DURATZ TO BE HONORED AT SCHOLARSHIP CELEBRATION Gannon University will recognize a longtime faculty member and a regional philanthropist at its annual Scholarship Celebration. Stanley J. Zagorski, professor emeritus, and James J. Duratz, chairman of the Barco-Duratz Foundation, will be honored at the event. Zagorski and Duratz will be presented the Archbishop Gannon Medal of Distinction, annually given to individuals who have been instrumental in promoting the cause of Catholic higher education. Scholarship Celebration will be held Saturday, Oct. 15, in the Yehl Room of the university’s Waldron Campus Center, 124 West Seventh Street.
More about the award recipients Stanley J. Zagorski Zagorski in 1957 earned a bachelor’s degree in health education and biology from Slippery Rock University and received a master’s of education degree from Edinboro State University. In 1957, he began his teaching career at St. Joseph High School, where he served as chairman of the biology department. He also served as chairman of the biology and science departments at Venango Christian High School and joined then-Gannon College in 1968, as a professor of biology. Zagorski held numerous other positions at Gannon, including director of the radiologic technology, medical technology, environmental studies, and graduate programs, director of the pre-physical therapy and pre-pharmacy programs, graduate program director of natural and environmental studies, and acting, interim, and associate dean of the College of Science and Engineering. Gannon honored him with emeritus status upon his retirement from the faculty. He also served as a student advisor and student teacher supervisor and secured a number of research-related grants for the university, including funding from the National Science Foundation, the Environmental Protection Agency, Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection and Department of Education, Erie County Department of Health, and the Northwest Tri-County Intermediate Unit. A frequent author, Zagorski has written extensively about and has given presentations at symposiums on the environment. He also has served as an officer for state and county offices and has researched and presented special projects on Lake Erie and Presque Isle. Zagorski continues to coordinate the popular Regional Summer School of Excellence, in which high school students spend two weeks at Gannon for intensive lab work, field site study, and aquatic research.
James J. Duratz A veteran of World War II, Duratz graduated from the Pennsylvania State Police Academy in 1948 and in 1956 earned a bachelor’s degree from Allegheny College. In 1959, as general manager of Meadville Master Antenna Inc., Duratz helped pioneer the development and utilization of cable television. Meadville Master Antenna was the first system in the United States to use aluminum sheath cable throughout the entire trunk and feeder lines. Also during his service, the company established its leadership in the development of cable casting, which it has continued to provide since 1967. Duratz and his late wife, Helene Duratz, and his late sister-in-law, Yolanda Barco, have been instrumental in advancing educational opportunities for middle-class students attending Gannon and other western Pennsylvania universities. In 1995, they established the Barco-Duratz Foundation Endowed Scholarship at Gannon with an initial gift of $50,000. The foundation was created to continue the legacy of the late George J. Barco, father of Barco and Mrs. Duratz. George Barco was a Meadville attorney and helped then-Gannon College secure its original charter. In 1998, the foundation made a subsequent $200,000 gift to Gannon, allowing the university to provide additional scholarship aid to students from working-class families. In addition, the James J. Duratz Student Research Fund at Gannon, established by Mr. Duratz in 2003, supports undergraduate research projects in part by allowing students to present their findings at professional conferences. James J. Duratz has served on boards of directors for local, regional, and national businesses and public service organizations. He has received numerous awards and honors for his commitment to and support of Catholic higher education and other endeavors. Gannon University has named him both an Honorary Alumnus and a Distinguished Pennsylvanian, and in 2001, the university presented him with an honorary doctoral degree. Duratz also has served as a member of the Gannon Board of Trustees.
OUR EVENTS
THE PRESIDENT'S SCHEDULE Tuesday, October 11 – Elk County Catholic High School Visit. Wednesday, October 12 – Middle States Commission on Higher Education preliminary site visit. Thursday, October 13 – Washington, D.C., Alumni Luncheon with Ed Gabriel, former United States Ambassador to Morocco. Friday, October 14 – Council of Independent Colleges and Universities executive committee meeting. Saturday, October 15 – Gannon University Scholarship Celebration.
CURRENT BIRTHDAYS Carolyn Galleher. Lee Ann Zietz. Kathleen Lieb. Ram Sundaram. Mary Vagula. Connie Stahon. Judith Mochoskay. Curtis Waite. Susan Carnes. Matthew Wolford. Cynthia Mancini. Julie Fitzpatrick. Adam Anderson. Sister Min-Shik Kim. Jamie Snyder. Dana Kosko. Chet Laprice. Christine Lundt. Kathleen MacMurdy. Ann Oshlick. Barbara Roberts. Robert Rawding. Nick Pronko. Timothy Laher. Mary Draghi. Mike Latzer. Christine Rudzinski. Maria Kuklinski. Patricia Marshall. Janet Goetz.
HEARD ON CAMPUS
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