Spring 2025 Issue:

Spring 2025

Lights, Camera,
Passion!

Gretchen Morning ’92: From philosophy major to executive producer at Warner Bros. Discovery

Spring 2025

Lights, Camera, Passion!

Gretchen Morning ’92: From philosophy major to executive producer at Warner Bros. Discovery

Content

Features

The Accidental Executive Producer
Gretchen Morning ’92 didn’t plan on showrunning some of the biggest hits on the Discovery Channel. She didn’t plan on anything, in fact, and that’s made all the difference in her world.

Inspired Movement
Moravian University celebrates a half century of dance.

A Blush with Greatness
Makeup artist Amy Zdunowski-Roeder ’96 fine-tunes some of the world’s most iconic faces.

From The President’s Desk

Spring 2025

Moravian Greyhound family and friends,
It is always my pleasure to share the remarkable growth and success Moravian University has experienced over the past decade. Our enrollment has soared from 2,096 in 2013 to 2,967 in 2023, making Moravian the fastest-growing university in the region. This growth is a testament to our unwavering commitment to preparing students for successful careers in vital industries such as nursing, health sciences, business, education, technology, and the arts.

This issue of the Moravian University Magazine celebrates alumni who have made significant contributions to the performing arts. This year, we celebrate the 50th anniversary of dance at Moravian. What began as a component of physical education has blossomed into a vibrant minor, with a dedicated dance studio on our South Campus made possible by generous alumni, whose contributions provided state-of-the-art facilities.

We are incredibly proud of those alumni who have excelled in the arts. Gretchen Morning ’92 is an executive producer at Warner Bros. Discovery, overseeing all aspects of production of many network series. Her leadership and creativity shine as a beacon of what Moravian graduates can achieve.

Amy Zdunowski-Roeder ’96 is a celebrated celebrity makeup artist who has worked with some of the biggest names from the runway and red carpet to stage and screen. Her expertise and artistry exemplify the diverse career paths our graduates pursue.

One of my dear friends, Brian Dailey ’90, is the senior vice president of International Media at Paramount Pictures. He credits his success in the film industry to the strong foundation he built at Moravian. His journey stands as an inspiring testament to the transformative power of a Moravian education.

We remain committed to nurturing our students’ talents and ambitions as we grow and evolve. Thank you for being a part of our vibrant community.

Warm regards,

President Bryon L. Grigsby ’90, P’22, P’26

Spring 2025

Features

Spring 2025

The Accidental Executive Producer

Gretchen Morning ’92 didn’t plan on showrunning some of the biggest hits on the Discovery Channel. She didn’t plan on anything, in fact, and that’s made all the difference in her world..

Spring 2025

Inspired Movement

Moravian University celebrates a half century of dance.

Spring 2025

A Blush with Greatness

Makeup artist Amy Zdunowski-Roeder ’96 fine-tunes some of the world’s most iconic faces.

View Finder

Springtime at Moravian photographed by Rob Cardillo

Why I Play

“I would rather have a good pass than a good shot . . . having an assist or a good pass is so satisfying. I feel like I’m making other people better.”

—Brielle Guarente ’25

Why I Play

Spring 2025

“I would rather have a good pass than a good shot . . . having an assist or a good pass is so satisfying. I feel like I’m making other people better.”

—Brielle Guarente ’25

Community

Spring 2025

An Alum Reflects

Realizing His Passion

Brian Dailey ’90 stepped into “the perfect career.” Then he took a chance on chasing his dream. Today, he is a senior vice president at Paramount Pictures.

Spring 2025

Moravian Moment

The Glee Club Tour of 1920–1921

The Midwest Tour proved that Moravian students could accomplish anything they set their minds to.

Spring 2025

Faculty Focus

Natessa Amin

Natessa Amin, assistant professor of art, explores the hybrid nature of identity through painting, drawing, sculpture, and art installation.

Spring 2025

Student Spotlight

The Dance Healer

Victoria Fauntroy, an athletic trainer to dancers, hones her skills in Moravian’s doctor of athletic training program.

Spring 2025

Ask an Alum

What was one of the most memorable events of your undergraduate years?

It wasn’t the Pulitzer Prize winners that stood out, but rather those events that left a personal imprint.

Ask an Alum

Spring 2025

What was one of the most memorable events of your undergraduate years?

It wasn’t the Pulitzer Prize winners that stood out, but rather those events that left a personal imprint.

Brilliance

Spring 2025

Creators

Ashley Rodrigues ’25 interviewed fans and athletes as a communications intern with Living Sport International Sport Business Programs.

Spring 2025

Thinkpiece

How TV programming pulled viewers’ attention away from the big screen.

Hounds of Moravian

Get to Know
Toby

Toby is a 14-year-old Sheltie who lives with Daina Smolkis ’13. He had been registered as an emotional support dog for Smolkis’s mom, who was undergoing chemotherapy at the time. “When she passed away in 2017, I took him in,” says Smolkis.

Hounds of Moravian

Get to Know 
Toby

Spring 2025

Toby is a 14-year-old Sheltie who lives with Daina Smolkis ’13. He had been registered as an emotional support dog for Smolkis’s mom, who was undergoing chemotherapy at the time. “When she passed away in 2017, I took him in,” says Smolkis.

Alumni

Spring 2025

Alumni

The short film by Jonathan Clark ’16 has garnered wide acclaim.

Spring 2025

In Memoriam

Former president of Moravian University Erv Rokke and Connie Hodson ’68 share remembrances of Betsey Tait Puth ’51, who served on Moravian’s board of trustees for more than 14 years.

A Maine Life

“It’s been a cold winter here, quiet too, a time for looking ahead to spring and back at the past as us older types do. All these people to remember. I do wonder sometimes about that Filipino gold mine and what Imelda did with her shoe collection. A thousand pairs! Kind of funny what your mind conjures up when you let it.”
—Ron dePaolo ’64

Class Notes

1971

John C Prestosh, DO, FACOEP-Dist, received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the American College of Osteopathic Emergency Physicians (ACOEP) on October 7, 2024, in Houston.

1980

Cynthia Greb wrote a book titled Grief and Grace: Stories at the Intersection of Life and Death about her experiences caring for her aging parents as well as various hospice and private clients.

1996

Bradley Lamm, chief of foot and ankle surgery at Paley Institute in West Palm Beach, Florida, has been named a Palm Beach Media Group Top Doctor of 2025.

Spring 2025
Spring 2025

Laurie Riley Brubaker ’82 gave to others whenever she could. Today, her family honors her legacy by giving to initiatives that support the needs and advancement of Moravian University students.

Spring 2025

Placido “Pat” Corpora ’78 and his wife, Sandra, provide assistance to students facing difficulties accessing basic needs or navigating unexpected hardships.

Get to Know Our Lighting the Way Subcommittee Chair

George R. Wacker ’03
Chair
University Alumni
Subcommittee

Flip-book Versions

Spring 2025

Fall 2024

The Future of Education

  • Artificial Intelligence
  • Black and Latino College Readiness 
  • Teachers as Transformational Leaders
Spring 2025

Summer 2024

DIGITAL ONLY

The great outdoors

  • Nature’s healing powers
  • A photo essay: Close-ups of Moravian’s natural wonders
Spring 2025

Spring 2024

Working for the earth

  • Cutting greenhouse gases
  • Protecting coastlines
  • Preserving biodiversity
Spring 2025

Fall 2023

The Food Issue

  • Heat up your cooking skills
  • Follow our food trail
  • Try these wines, ciders, and beers

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