Campus News

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, June 1, 2005 - Contact: Sandra Faux or Joseph Giomboni King’s College Public Relations Office, (570) 208-5958.

Service to Alma Mater during Reunion Weekend at the College’s Sheehy-Farmer Campus Center. Named for Robert. J. Ell ’50, the first director of Alumni Affairs who served in that position until his retirement in 1991, this award is conferred upon an alumnus/alumna for extraordinary service, dedication, and commitment to King’ College.

Tippy Kozick of Wilkes-Barre graduated from Coughlin High School and served in the U.S. Navy during WWII. He transferred from Villanova University to King’s College for his sophomore year and quarterbacked the fledgling football team. He was captain of the team and also vice president of the first graduating class in 1950. Kozick and classmate John Engle initiated the annual Basketball and Football Classic games. He chaired King’s Alumni Golf Tournament and the Wilkes-Barre Alumni Association. He supports the Red & Gold and Lady Monarch basketball clubs, volunteered for many years at King’s Alumni Flea Market, and for all 30 of the Alumni Phonathons.

Lucy Wujcik Baloga, a certified school psychologist and Pennsylvania licensed psychologist, is a private practitioner as well as a guidance counselor at Hanover Area High School. She is active in many educational and counseling associations, and she has dedicated much time to Special Olympics, officiating at track and field meets, and to King’s College. Baloga volunteered in almost every Alumni Phonathon, usually serving as Class or Section Chair. In 1994 she served as chairperson, raising $365,693. She is the 1985 American Business Women’s Association Community Woman of the Year and also is an active member of Holy Redeemer parish, serving 13 years as a CCD teacher and lector. Baloga of Plymouth is a 1975 graduate of King’s College.

During Reunion Weekend, King’s College will also recognize Patrick J. O’Connor, formerly of Kingston, with the Outstanding Professional Achievement Award; J.J. Murphy, Wilkes-Barre, with the Leo Award; and Erin Burke Cirelli, of Orange, N.J., will receive the Service to Society Award.