Winter 2021: Forensics Society Alumni News
Joe Merola, '70 kicked off the Central Catholic Virtual Alumni Speaker Series with a webinar on "What Chemists are Doing to Help During the Current Pandemic." Dr. Merola provided an overview of how chemistry and related fields are contributing to the understanding of viruses in general and COVID-19 in particular. It wasn't exactly everything you ever wanted to know about viruses but were afraid to ask, however it was as close to that as one can get in 45 minutes.
Denny McManus, ‘72 is profiled in the current issue of the Quadrangle. The feature focuses on how Denny has leveraged his knowledge of government and politics to advance the goals of Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank. He also described the important role his CCFS experience has played in his work. Anyone interested in getting involved in anti-hunger advocacy can reach him at dmcmanus@pittsburghfoodbank.org
Ted Rectenwald, ’73 was the first CCFS alumnus to virtually present about his career to Central’s current Speech and Debate team. In Ted’s words, “Despite an invitation to take up to fifteen minutes, I decided that the last thing a room full of Central students needed on their first day back at school was to listen to a droning old windbag. So I kept the narrative of my CCFS experience and subsequent career short and left time for students to ask some probing questions about just how forensics had contributed to any success that I had enjoyed in forty years of international work.”
John Fredette, ’73 manages corporate messaging for global network provider Nokia. In 2018 he was moved to Dallas, not a place he expected to ever live. “Two things strike me about Dallas. The stories of things being bigger in Texas are true. They love to make an impression. And secondly, Dealy Plaza looks almost exactly as it did when JFK was shot there in 1963. It’s like travelling in time back to a moment when the history of the world was changed in an instant. Makes quite an impression.
If you have news you would like to share with your fellow CCFS alumni, please send it to John.Fredette@nokia.com. We look forward to hearing from you.
In memory of Brother Kevin Dalmasse, a group of alumni are organizing a collection of essays to honor his years of service to Central Catholic, La Salle College High School, and the Christian Brothers. Anyone who knew Brother Kevin is encouraged to contribute: whether a former student, peer, or colleague anyone who would like to share a story or reflection can do so through this volume. The essays can be the writer’s memories of Br. Kevin or a topic Br. Kevin was interested in (such as Christianity, education, government, politics, or speech and debate). Alternatively, contributors can also write a short message in Br. Kevin’s remembrance or to honor his immense legacy. Submissions will be compiled in a digital book. Please submit essays and any questions to brotherkevinessays@gmail.com. The deadline for submissions is April 1, 2021 with the digital publication available by May 30, 2021. Visit this link for further details.