Editorial
Editor’s Note
It feels like just yesterday that 300 Albright alumni and friends were on campus celebrating Alumni Weekend together. And yet, we’re already counting the days until another 600 visitors join us on campus for Homecoming Weekend, Sept. 16-18.
What I personally most enjoy during these gatherings is seeing couples walking the grounds, wearing their cherished red and white while holding hands, sometimes as many as 70 years after meeting each other on campus. And it’s so much fun to see lifelong friends reconnecting and reminiscing with each other, or catching up with their favorite faculty members and coaches.
I wonder how many of you have photos squirrelled away that depict your life and beloved memories from your time at Albright. And I especially wonder how many of you have taken the time to recreate your favorite campus photos, years later.
Whether you’re making new memories or recreating classics, we’d sure love to see your favorite before-and-after Albright memories. Maybe we’ll start a brand-new Albright Homecoming tradition!
Please let us know what you’ve been up to lately, and share your photos with us, anytime, by emailing alumni@albright.edu.
– Carey Manzolillo, MBA
To contact the editor, email cmanzolillo@albright.edu
The Last Word
Pictured (left to right) with Abodalo during funeral services are her former students and Mack’s fraternity brothers, Paul LaPlaca ’11, Mike Moorhouse ’10 and Joe Dallavalle ’10.
Martin Francis Mack, III ’11: Remembering a Fallen Hero
Carla Abodalo was first shocked, and then devastated to learn that “Mack” was gone. After more than 20 years of teaching sociology and criminology, Marty Mack ’11 — who Abodalo describes as “one of the good guys” was the first graduate she knew personally who died in the line of duty.
A conscientious student, Marty once asked Abodalo for advice after having difficulty on a test. “I suggested that he study with an outgoing classmate, Stephanie (Spencer),” said Abodalo. “They started dating and eventually, wonderfully, got married.”
Coming from a military family, Abodalo says that Marty’s lifelong dream was to become a PA trooper. Described as reliable, caring and supportive of others, Marty expressed to his teachers that he felt it was important for troopers to be of “good character.”
“Marty was a curious and engaged student of history, but his determination to become a State Trooper was always firm,” said Albright Professor of History, John R. Pankratz, Ph.D. “Underlying his cheerful, affable manner was a deep layer of physical and mental courage. It led him onto the rugby pitch, where he formed so many of his Albright friendships, and it led him into law enforcement where the ties of comradeship have been even stronger.”
During Marty’s heavily-attended funeral services, Abodalo gave an envelope to Stephanie, full of letters from her students — many of whom described feeling even more resolved to go into law enforcement, following Marty’s death.
“I will carry his legacy for future students to know who he was,” said Abodalo. “He will be missed.”
Martin Francis Mack, III ’11 died March 21 at the age of 33. A Pennsylvania State Police (PSP) Trooper, Martin was killed in the line of duty alongside a fellow trooper, as the pair attempted to help a pedestrian, who was also killed, alongside Interstate 95. A member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon and the lacrosse and rugby teams at Albright, Martin became a sergeant in the U.S. Army National Guard, a member of the PSP Midnight Squad, Belmont, and assistant coach for the Truman lacrosse team. He is survived by his wife, Stephanie (Spencer) Mack ’10, and their daughters, Olivia Reese “Livvie” and Rowan Jane.