Wow! I’m actually in the picture here! Having been the chief photographer for The Aquinas and The Windhover, I was usually on the other side of the camera. The picture really brings back some great memories of working on these publication staffs with people like Kevin O’Keefe ’68, Paul Seymour ’68 and Greg Sorcsek ’68. For many of us, our engagement in these activities was a response to a warning by Rev. Bernard Suppé, S.J., who told us, “Don’t let the books get in the way of your education.” He was right, and jumping into the University community socially, spiritually and through extracurricular activities became important facets of our education.
Father Suppé became more of a mentor than he realized. Both in and out of class he related to and greatly influenced many students. His effect on my wife, Linda, and me was to launch us into a search for the deeper meaning of the word “love.” This search led us into many wonderful opportunities and life-changing decisions. One of the most significant of these was a mid-career change from business to the ministry. In the end, those compulsory concentrations in theology and philosophy held more value than my accounting courses when I became the pastor of New Covenant Fellowship in Penfield, N.Y. I’ve served here for 20 years.
My advice to current students is, “Don’t let the books get in the way of your education.” Jump into the community with both feet; it will benefit you and others.
Linda and I had a ball at our 40th reunion. It was great to see old friends and places that held so many memories for us. We stood on the Dionne Campus Green, at about the place where the old student center auditorium was, and said, “Here’s where we met.” When the dates were announced for the 45th reunion, we made our reservation that day. Can’t wait to be back!
– Michael J. McDonald ’68
Name: Michael J. McDonald ’68
Hometown: Pittsford, N.Y.
Family: Wife, Linda; two daughters, three sons, two daughters-in-law, two sons-in-law and 10 terrific grandkids
Occupation: Pastor, New Covenant Fellowship, Penfield, N.Y. Hobbies: Photography, cooking and keeping up with the grandkids
Memorable moments at Scranton: Meeting my wife at a Friday night dance freshman year; my dad, a World War II veteran, pinning my lieutenant’s bars on at graduation; and a thousand more in between those events.
