By : Lauren Yancer ' 22
DR . FELICIA CORSARO-BARBIERI Endowed Fund
For more than two decades , Dick and Kathy Target have been friends and benefactors of GMercyU . Kathy is an alumna of the University , and the pair have been involved in a number of projects to help GMercyU .
“ It has been a great ride and it is not over yet ,” Dick said .
Their first project was the Dorothy Zeiser Award for Excellence in Mathematics , which continues to be funded . In the past , the Targets have partnered with the Biology program to provide students with iPads and create bat houses across campus to increase the bat population . In conjunction with The Mercy Center , previously named Campus Ministry , and Mercy Neighborhood Ministries , the Targets have helped sponsor several annual Thanksgiving events and pancake breakfasts in conjunction with the Frances M . Maguire School of Nursing & Health Professions .
Dick has been a member of the President ’ s Council for the past 10 years and a member of the Internal Review Board ( IRB ) for the last three years .
The Targets ’ most recent endeavor with GMercyU is the Dr . Felicia Corsaro-Barbieri Endowed Fund for Undergraduate Research in the Sciences . Lisa McGarry , Dean of the School of Arts & Sciences , reached out to the Targets expressing interest in a fund to commemorate Dr . Corsaro-Barbieri . Dr . Corsaro-Barbieri began her tenure with GMercyU as an Assistant Professor of Chemistry in 1974 and has become a beloved faculty member on campus , earning the Professor Emerita designation in 2021 . To date , the fund has raised $ 35,750 .
The purpose of the fund is to benefit those students who pursue research in their studies . Students will be exposed to hands-on experiential learning and a variety of laboratory techniques to enrich the knowledge they ’ ve gained inside the classroom . Scientific skills gained through undergraduate research will enhance GMercyU students ’ preparation for entry into the workplace .
“ When we do things for GMercyU , all our efforts go directly to the students ,” said Dick .
PRESIDENT ’ S REPORT 7