Rebecca’s commitment to MMI is evident by her service as an esteemed Board member, during which her passion for and dedication to the students, School, and Board were contagious. 

Rebecca served two terms on MMI’s Board of Directors, holding key leadership roles as Secretary from 2000–2002, Vice Chair from 2003–2004 and 2018–2019, and Chair of the Governance Committee. During her time on the Board, she played an instrumental role in two Head of School searches and was a dedicated member of the Wall of Fame Committee from its inception in 2006 to 2019. She also chaired the committee that led MMI’s first successful application for Pennsylvania’s EITC Program, helping expand access to financial aid for students. This program has since garnered MMI $3.9 million in scholarship donations from area businesses.

For over 30 years, Rebecca has built an incredible legal career. Early on, she was a trial litigator across the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. She then served as the Assistant District Attorney for Columbia County, where she authored the County’s first Child Abuse Protocol to minimize the trauma of the criminal justice system on children who had been victimized. Rebecca then founded her own law firm, Warren Law Office, which grew into a multi-county practice. 

In 2012, she ran for and was elected — with seventy-seven percent of the vote in a contested election — as the first female District Attorney in the 26th Judicial District. As District Attorney, Rebecca advocated for safe and compassionate care of the mentally ill, working closely with the state hospital. During her tenure, she created a robust victim’s rights program and chaired the Local Multi-Disciplinary Investigative Team to assist victims of child abuse. 

On multiple occasions, Rebecca has donated professional legal services to MMI and served as a guest speaker, sharing her experience and insights with students. She is a true ambassador for MMI education, inspiring others with her belief in the power of education and wholehearted support for the mission and philosophy of MMI, as demonstrated through her tireless years of service. Her two sons, Grant ’20 and Blake ’24, also graduated from MMI. 

Currently, Rebecca serves as Deputy General Counsel to Milton Hershey School, furthering the school’s mission of educating underprivileged children.

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Dr. David Wagner, a prominent Hazleton-area dentist, was part of the MMI Board of Directors from 1972 to 1983, serving as board chairman from 1978 to 1980. He was also a charter member of MMI’s Honorary Board of Directors, formed in 1996. Dr. Wagner passed away in February 2013. He was an ardent supporter of MMI and the school, which made many strides under his leadership. It was during his time on the board that MMI began offering seventh and eighth grades in 1977. He held the respect of other board members who had many different points of view during a difficult time for the school, which later emerged from that time period in a stronger position. Dr. Wagner’s career in dentistry spanned more than 50 years. He served as president and secretary of the Pennsylvania Dental Society and chairman of the Commission on Dental Accreditation for the American Dental Association. He was a fellow of the Academy of General Dentistry, the International College of Dentists, and the American College of Dentists.

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Emmett Thomas served as coach of the MMl
Boys Baseball Team from 2000 until 2015,
leading them to a district title in 2014. His
tough, but caring personality helped mold his
players into successful human beings while still
encouraging them to have fun and enjoy playing
the “kids’ game” while they had the chance.

To encourage his players and instill a positive mindset, he would tell
them, “Everyone you know can enjoy winning, but you have to learn to
hate losing.”

He is also famous among his friends and former players for his
”Emmett-isms,” such as “Ducks on the Pond” (men on base), and “Be the
pig, not the chicken.”

He also gave good medical advice, encouraging his players to keep
mustard packets in their bags to prevent cramping. Emmett’s most notable
contribution to the MMI Baseball Program may be ending the tradition of
dunking freshman players into Lake Jake, a swampy pond behind the
Drifton Baseball Field (just kidding!).

Emmett’s outgoing personality has made him a popular figure in the MMI
community and Freeland Borough. As a member of the Freeland Sons of
Erin, he has made countless contributions to the community — even being
named Irishman of the Year. If you’ve ever been to a community function
associated with MMI or Freeland Borough, chances are you already know
who Emmett is. In his spare time during the winter months, Emmett also
served as a scorekeeper for the MMI Boys Basketball Team.

Both of Emmett and his wife Rosann’s children attended MMI — Brian
Thomas (’06) and Allison (Thomas) Tulanowski (’09). If you ask those
within the MMI community who know him best, it’s likely they would say
that he helped make MMI a better institution during his tenure. The impact
that he has made on many within the MMI community is something that
will stick with those he’s inspired for a lifetime and beyond.

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Unforgettable, demanding, inspirational – these words have all been used to describe Professor Andrew J. Stofan ‘22. A gentleman of great integrity and character, Mr. Stofan was MMI’s longest-serving faculty member. As a student at MMI, Mr. Stofan was valedictorian of his class and received the Scholarship Prize for Math. As a faculty member, he taught math, German and Latin full-time from 1927 until 1964, and served as a math instructor part-time for a few additional years. He also served as dramatics coach, director and stage manager of MMI’s “all-male” school plays and as a class advisor. Mr. Stofan’s commitment to MMI and his students has been aptly described as “an example of courage, determination, love of learning and love of teaching”.

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Dr. David Stiller ’61 spent nearly 30 years on the faculty of his alma mater before retiring in 2007. As head of the science department 1978-2007, he taught subjects including chemistry and physical science and served as the adviser to a myriad of clubs. He was devoted to his students and spent countless hours on evenings and weekends tutoring students, preparing them for the Advanced Placement Chemistry Exam, leading walks through the woods, and more.  Years ago, before the Internet, Stiller participated in the affectionately termed “traveling road show,” when he, Anthony Gennaro, and other teachers would visit prospective students and their families in their homes to provide them with information on MMI. Stiller was instrumental in launching MMI’s participation in the Pennsylvania Junior Academy of Science and the American Chemistry Society. Throughout his career, he received numerous accolades and awards, including being named the recipient of the David W. Stiller, Ph.D., Chemistry Chair by the Charles T. Butler endowment in recognition of his talent and service.

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Dr. William A. Shergalis ‘58 is the first alumnus to serve as President of MMI. As president from 2001 to 2008, Dr. Shergalis was responsible for enhancements to the curriculum and the addition of a second section of 6th grade and a third section of 9th grade. He was instrumental in developing a comprehensive strategic plan for the school, reorganizing the school’s administrative staff, and expanding the Athletic Program with the addition of girls’ volleyball, boys’ and girls’ soccer, and junior high softball. Prior to becoming MMI President, Dr. Shergalis was a member of the MMI Board of Directors for ten years, having served as board chair from 1997 to 2000. He also chaired the following board committees: Instruction, Financial Aid, Academic Issues and the Executive Committee and was a member of the Development and Public Relations and the Nominating committees. Dr. Shergalis’ career in teaching and education administration has spanned 40 years and has included positions with Widener University, Temple University, Cardinal Newman College, Ohio Dominican College and King’s College. 

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Mr. Samuel Schaeffer, one of MMI’s longest-serving faculty members, served as an English, Social Studies, and History from 1968 until his retirement in 2006. Mr. Schaeffer was much beloved by his students and colleagues and is remembered for his enthusiasm for teaching and his sense of humor. He was also known for his organization, and imparted its importance through his lesson plans and lectures to hundreds of students, guiding them in their studies and research. Throughout his time at MMI, Mr. Schaeffer also served as Academic Dean, advisor to the Minamek, the school yearbook, as well as the Student Council Advisor for 32 years. He even found time to coach the baseball team, the interscholastic bowling team, and advise the bowling club for 25 years.

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For more than three decades, MMI has been a
second home for Michael Scarlato who taught
American History to students from 7th through
12th grades. After a serious health scare in 2020,
he announced that he was retiring at the end of
the 2021 school year to spend more time with his
wife, Tina, and sons, Michael (33) and Mario (29). He is
still engaged with the school though, serving as a substitute teacher
during the 2021-22 and 2022-23 academic years.

“There wasn’t a single day that the alarm went off at 5:30 in the morning
and I didn’t want to be here at MMI. I always thought I would teach until I
was 70 years old because I just absolutely loved what I was doing,” he said.
Michael’s degrees include an Associate of Applied Science from Penn State
University, a Bachelor of Arts in History with a minor in General Business
from King’s College, a Master of Health Administration from Wilkes
University, and his Secondary and Elementary Education Teacher
Certifications.

As a Consumer Education teacher, Scarlato organized class trips to places
such as the New York Stock Exchange, and Garland Commercial Industries.
His social studies classes ventured to places like the South Street Seaport,
Medieval Times Dinner Theater, and the White House.

Back at school, Michael arranged for guests in his classroom and organized
all-school assemblies to allow for the entire MMI community to benefit
from the knowledge and expertise of his visitors. He arranged for speakers
such as U.S. Congressman Louis J. Barletta, State Representative Gerald J.
Mullery, and Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania
Correale F. Stevens.

In addition to being a teacher, Scarlato advised many clubs over the years
including the Prep Talk newspaper, board games, video games, the Interact
Club, and Student Council. He served as the Faculty and Facilities Manager
for the MMI Girls Basketball program and was the initial developer of MMI’s
Summer Camp Program and Summer Concert Series. He organized and
oversaw Act 48 Professional Development classes for the faculty at MMI
and was the advisor for the 8th, 11th, and 12th grades’ annual Stock Market
competitions.

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Mr. William K. Rudewick ’42 served as assistant to the president at MMI from 1975 to 1987. Prior to returning to MMI, he served in the U.S. Air Force, retiring with the rank of lieutenant colonel. Throughout his life, he provided distinguished service to his country and the school that he loved. As assistant to the president, he was responsible for overseeing the faculty, scheduling, co-curricular activities, and discipline. He planned a variety of events, including 1979’s Centennial Celebration and the first Homecoming celebration, which is now an annual event. He also organized sports award banquets and, before a formal alumni office was established, performed duties now handled by that office. Mr. Rudewick volunteered wherever he was needed, including as coach of MMI’s golf team. He and his wife, Louise, were devoted to the school, the students, and the staff. They hosted many staff affairs, including Christmas parties. Their memory lives on in the scholarship started in their honor. Mr. Rudewick passed away in October 2005.

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At the time of his induction, Mr. Joseph G. Rudawski was the longest-serving faculty or administrator in MMI’s history, having devoted more than 40 years of exemplary service to the school. Mr. Rudawski began his career at MMI as a faculty member in 1964 and also served as dean of students and guidance counselor. He became President of MMI in 1973 and served in that capacity until 2001. Under his leadership, MMI’s endowment has grown to more than $17 million. He led MMI’s largest capital campaign raising nearly $10 million and secured the largest bequest in MMI’s history. Mr. Rudawski also directed one of MMI’s most significant building expansion projects to include construction of the Science and Technology wing, the Athletic and Drama Complex and administrative offices. Mr. Rudawski’s guidance and direction has positively impacted the lives of hundreds of MMI students who have gone on to excel in college, in careers and in life.

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