David Blau - 1964

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James E. Cali - 1980 (Deceased)

 

James Cali began his interest in music and theater as a young boy performing with the New Approach and the Singing Boys of Pennsylvania.   He studied fine arts in college and graduated with a B.A. from Lehigh in 1984 and an M.A. from the University of Pittsburgh in 1987.  

His brief career began as an instructor of theater at Mansfield University from 1987 to 1990, where his influence was responsible for the increase in the number of theater majors from 15 to 50.   Under Cali's leadership, Mansfield received the 1990 American College Theater Festival Award for one of the five best productions.

Cali served as an educator at the Stratford Shakespeare Festival in Ontario, Canada and participated in several film and commercial projects.   Additionally, he created a summer theater program at Corning Glass Center, NY, were he served as playwright, stage manager, and actor.   Until his death, in 1966, he contributed as an artist in residence at the center.

Both professionally and academically, Cali directed over 45 plays and acted in over 20.   He wrote three plays, "Catherine", One Woman's Passion", and "An Evening with the President."

From 1990 until his death, Cali was an assistant professor and the professional director in the theater department of the University of Central Florida, as well as the director of the Orlando Theater Downtown.

His numerous awards include the Teaching Incentive award at UCF, best children's theater production for "Charlotte's Web", American College Theater awards for director and scenic design for "Le Ronde", and ensemble direction award and scenic design for "The Dining Room."    At Lehigh University he received the Davis Award for directing, the Williams' Prize for Drama for his portrayal of the rag picker in "The Mad Woman of Chaillot," and the Learning and Leadership Alumni Award.  

His special skills in choreography, song stylization, and mime artistry served him in his incredible career.   Cali was passionate about his life in the theater, displaying boundless energy and enthusiasm for his work.   His love for his students is his legacy.

Nicholas Castellucci, Ph.D. - 1954

Nicholas Castellucci, a true Renaissance man, is a physicist, chemist, consultant, gourmet cook, jazz pianist, author, and lecturer.   He graduated with a B.S. from Moravian College and a Ph.D. in chemistry from the University of Pittsburgh.

Chef Niko is an expert in many cuisines, including classic Northern and Southern Italian, Greek, German, Soul, and Arabic.   He worked as an executive chef for PPG industries in Pittsburgh, where he gave cooking demonstrations to promote sales at national conventions.   He taught gourmet cooking at the Community College of Allegheny County and has written many cookbooks.

An accomplished jazz pianist, Castellucci has been invited to sit in with Stan Kenton and, in 1960, accompanied Sarah Vaughn on tour when her pianist became ill.

Castellucci will probably be remembered best as a chemist.   After graduating from Moravian, he earned a Ph.D. in chemistry at the University of Pittsburgh.   He holds more than 100 patents in chemistry and has won numerous awards in the field.   In addition, Professor Castellucci has written three in-house scientific books:   The Fundamentals of Polymer Chemistry , Silanization of Metal Surfaces to Prevent Corrosion , and The Coordination of Glass Surfaces with Polymers for Composites .   He has over 200 scientific publications and over 300 invention disclosures.   He has been invited at least 50 times to lecture at renowned universities.   His research focuses on surface chemistry, electrochemistry, electrically conductive polymers, and electrodeposition of applied coatings to satisfy the ever-changing requirements of the EPA.  

He has worked as chief engineer for PPG (1966-1980), as a scientist in research and development for U.S. Steel (1980-1984), and as a principal engineer for Northrop Grumman Corporation (1986-1999), where he worked on the B-2 stealth bomber and the F-18 fighter.   He received six awards for his work on the bomber and developed the polymer that enabled it to avoid detection by enemy radar.   In 1998, the EPA gave him an award for stratospheric ozone protection.

W. John Heard - 1939

 

John Heard graduated cum laud from Rider College in 1948 with a B.S. in Business Education.   He obtained a Master's Degree in Education from Penn State University in 1955.  

His career as an educator includes teaching in secondary schools in Bangor, Easton, East Stroudsburg, Liberty, and Northampton School Districts. He was a secondary guidance counselor at Warren County Technical School in New Jersey, Assistant Director of Admissions at Rider College, and the boys' basketball coach (1949-1956) at Bangor High School.

Heard's life is one that reflects years of dedicated commitment to country and community.   He has put countless hours of energy and selfless sacrifice in serving civic, educational, and historic organizations. He is a member (60+ years) of the First United Methodist Church in Bangor, having served as chairman of the administrative board and on numerous committees.   He was an original founder and member of the Slate Belt Youth Boosters Association. He served as a member of the Bangor Area School Board for 12 years.   In addition, the Slate Belt Heritage Center, the Bangor Exchange Club, the Bangor Farm Show Association, the Bangor Alumni Association, the Bangor Public Library, and the Bangor Lions Club have all benefited from his time, talent, and devotion.  

Heard enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1942.   During his three-year military career he traveled completely around the globe, setting foot on six continents.   He ended his military career as a Sgt. Major in the Air Force in the 40 th Bomb Group (B-29's), 58 th Bomb Wing in the 20 th Air Force.   He received five Battle Stars for the American Theater of Operations in China, India-Burma, and the Pacific.

In 2003 Heard was honored by Rider College for his years of dedication and service to Rider College and the community.

Heard married the former Jeanette Piersee in 1944.   They have 5 children, 3 grandchildren, and 3 great-grandchildren.

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Jean Pinto - 1948- 1939

 

Jean Pinto has worked tirelessly since 1963 (42 years) as the director of the New Approach, a diverse group of people aged 4 to 60+, who give concerts to earn money to benefit cancer research.   In the last 35 years, they have earned over $230,000, which has been sent to the University of Pittsburgh Presbyterian Hospital Cancer Research Center.   More recently monies earned have been used for treatment and research at Sacred Heart Hospital in Allentown, PA fulfilling a desire to help local cancer victims.   

The New Approach had modest beginnings.   In 1963 Pinto, assisted by Weldon Reilly, auditioned students to present a concert to benefit the Knights of Columbus building program.   The students enjoyed it so much that they wanted to continue singing together for other benefits.   Older and younger people joined the group and because of their diversity in age and the family atmosphere, they decided that they offered a "new approach" to singing, hence the group's name.

When a member of the original group, Tim Caracio, died of cancer in 1969, they performed their first cancer benefit in his memory.   As the group mourned the loss of its young member, they found strength in their unity and their music.   The tradition of holding concerts to benefit cancer research has continued for 35 years.   The group also holds a Christmas Concert each year to benefit the church in which they hold rehearsals (St. Peter's Lutheran Church in Plainfield Township).

Pinto is unique in her love for music and her quest to get talented people involved in New Approach. She is a mother figure for the group and has inspired many young people to lead better lives by giving them a focus and a family.   Each year she gathers about 65 people to learn music and choreography, creating a production worthy of Broadway.  

Pinto's musical training started at an early age when she studied voice in New York and locally.   She has had no formal training on the piano, yet is an accomplished self-taught pianist.  

Pinto went to school to further her education after her daughter, Kathi, was born.   She took classes in elementary education at Northampton Community College where she received an Associate Degree. She continued her education at East Stroudsburg and Kutztown Universities.   She works as an instructional aide in the fourth grade at DeFranco Elementary School and is in charge of the school's drama production.   Each year she writes an original musical play for this event.

Pinto has influenced countless young people and inspired many others in her many years of dedication to the fight against cancer, a disease that claimed her only daughter, Kathi, in January 2004.