Lorena Tyson '55
Lorena Tyson, Class of 1955, and a lifelong resident of Montclair, New Jersey, has spent decades blazing trails
in education and community service. Raised in a family of strength and resilience,
she overcame the challenges of segregation and racism while forging an exceptional
professional and academic path. Lorena is the daughter of a Bermudian immigrant father
and a mother from Mississippi, whose fortitude shaped her own: her mother, a teacher
turned nanny due to racial barriers, and her father, a self-made business manager
and community advocate.
Lorena’s educational journey began at Immaculate Conception School, where she was
one of only two Black students and graduated with high academic honors. She earned
a bachelor’s degree in Chemistry from the College of Saint Elizabeth and a master’s
degree from The Catholic University of America—all while supporting herself through
hospital and library work.
Her teaching career spanned several decades, with positions at Sacred Heart Academy,
Saint Joseph’s High School, and nine years of service in the Virgin Islands before
returning to Montclair High School. There, she introduced the AP Chemistry curriculum,
chaired the science department, and was named Teacher of the Year in 1989. Her excellence
in education was recognized nationally with the prestigious Princeton Award for Chemistry.
She also held leadership roles on state and educational boards.
Beyond the classroom, Lorena has been a tireless advocate for student opportunity.
She has long served the College of Saint Elizabeth’s Alumnae/i Association, where
she helped establish the Sister Marian José Smith Scholarship Fund and advocated for
state funding through her work with the Educational Opportunity Fund Advisory Board.
Throughout her life, Lorena has remained grounded in faith and deeply proud of her
heritage and community. She has been instrumental in preserving and promoting the
legacy of Black Catholic churches in Montclair, including Saint Peter Claver Church,
and has remained active in civic life through political leadership and alumni engagement.
Her global travels and unwavering dedication to justice, education, and faith have
made her a beacon of strength, humility, and service.
Lorena Tyson’s life is a testament to perseverance and purpose, and her story continues
to inspire generations to rise above adversity and make a meaningful difference in
the world.
Maureen Lavin '67
Maureen Lavin, Class of 1967, is a distinguished alumna of Saint Elizabeth University who has dedicated her career
to the intersection of law, healthcare, and ethics. She earned her bachelor’s degree
in Mathematics from the College of Saint Elizabeth, a Juris Doctor from Fordham University
School of Law, and a master’s degree in Bioethics from the University of Pennsylvania.
As a trial lawyer, Maureen represented physicians and hospitals in the New York courts,
rising through the ranks to become partner, senior partner, managing partner, and
executive committee member. She retired as a senior partner from Wilson, Elser, Moskowitz
& Dicker, LLP, where she led a medical malpractice practice group.
Beyond her legal career, Maureen made significant contributions to the field of healthcare
ethics. She served as an adjunct faculty member at her alma mater, teaching graduate
courses, and was an active member of the Bioethics Committees at Hackensack University
Medical Center and Saint Joseph’s Regional Medical Center. She also served as system
ethicist at Saint Joseph’s and was a member of the Archdiocesan Review Board.
Deeply committed to faith and service, Maureen has been active in several volunteer
ministries, including the Social Justice Ministry at Saint Anastasia Church and the
Food Pantry at Saint Andrew’s Church. She has also served as a Court Appointed Special
Advocate (CASA) in Bergen County, advocating for vulnerable children in the legal
system.
Currently, she serves on the Finance Committee and chairs the Mission & Ministry Committee
of the board of trustees of Peace Ministry, continuing her lifelong dedication to
ethical leadership, Catholic values, and community engagement.
Yolanda Kunz '68
Yolanda Kunz, Class of 1968, is a dedicated philanthropist, educator, and community leader whose lifelong commitment
to early childhood education and interfaith understanding has left a lasting impact
on countless lives.
Yolanda earned her bachelor’s degree from the College of Saint Elizabeth and went
on to receive a master’s degree from Seton Hall University. For over 30 years, she
served as an early childhood educator, shaping the academic and personal development
of young learners. Her leadership and dedication to the field led her to serve as
President of the New Jersey Association of Kindergarten Educators, where she advocated
for excellence in early childhood education across the state.
Deeply committed to the preservation of history and the promotion of tolerance, Yolanda
serves as an Advisory Board member of the College of Saint Elizabeth’s Center for
Holocaust and Genocide Education. Together with her husband, Raymond, she endowed
the Center’s Annual Week of Holocaust Remembrance and Interfaith Dialogue Program,
fostering conversations that build bridges across communities. Additionally, she generously
established an endowment to support the Center’s Kristallnacht Commemoration Program.
Yolanda created the Yolanda and Leo Mazza Scholarship Fund in honor of her parents,
helping to support future generations of students. Her dedication to the College of
Saint Elizabeth extends beyond academics—she has been an active committee member for
the annual Scholarship Benefit Gala and played a pivotal role in launching the North
Jersey Alumni Chapter of SEU. In recognition of her exceptional service and professional
accomplishments, she was honored with the President’s Award by the College.
Yolanda and Raymond Kunz were also honored by the Jewish Foundation for the Righteous
with the prestigious Recognition of Goodness Award, acknowledging their unwavering
support and contributions to Holocaust remembrance and education. In September 2022,
Yolanda proudly became a Seton Associate with the Sisters of Charity of Saint Elizabeth,
through which she continues her devotion to a life of service.
Married for 54 years, Yolanda and Raymond reside in Saddle Brook, New Jersey. They
are the proud parents of two married daughters and the joyful grandparents of six
grandchildren.
Elaine Grillo '77
Elaine Grillo, Class of 1977, is a dedicated educator and generous supporter of higher education, with a lifelong
commitment to teaching and student development. A graduate of the College of Saint
Elizabeth with a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education and Teaching, she went
on to earn a master’s degree in Supervision and Principalship from Montclair State
University in 1983.
Elaine’s passion for education inspired her daughter, Elizabeth, to pursue the same
path through Loyola University Maryland’s undergraduate teacher education program.
Elaine and her husband, Anthony, deepened their relationship with the university by
serving as active members of the Parents Council for six years. Elaine later joined
Loyola’s Board of Trustees, serving for eight years and contributing her insights
as both an educator and a parent. She and her husband further demonstrated their commitment
by endowing the university’s first graduate fellowship to support student research.
Elaine is an active member of Saint Andrew Catholic Church in Newtown, Pennsylvania,
where she volunteers monthly with the H.O.P.E. Ministry (Helping Other People Every
Day) and serves on the parish’s Pastoral Council.
A resident of New Hope, Elaine continues to advocate for strong educational foundations
and believes deeply in the transformative power of research in shaping future educators.
She is the proud mother of three and a devoted grandmother of seven.
