By Rachel Young
Staff Writer

Monsignor Rubino makes many Seton Hill University decisions. He deals with many of these decisions with obstacles in his work from past and present institutions. The Setonian met with Rubino to discuss his current insights and views on his litigation and current work.

Setonian: Describe your experience with the Seton Hill community.

Rubino: I think having a few other institutions on middle states credit commission, you see a lot of different places. The wonderful thing is that you get to see the human spirit here. You get to see how we treat students. There is a relationship between the teacher and the student. And there is also a relationship between faculty and staff.

We are learning and growing. We live out a sense of charity that the Sisters of Charity intended. Few struggle to live. Within the human spirit, we differ with one another. We talk about how we differ openly and honestly.

Setonian: The Seton Hill Community is aware of the lawsuit involving you and administrators from Gannon University. For a confirmation of names, who is suing who?

Rubino: Attorney Lynette Petreska, former chaplain of Gannon is bringing a lawsuit against the current president, bishop Donald Troutman, Antoinne Diralbaldi, and myself.

Setonian: Why is she suing?

Rubino: General discrimination issue. Essentially the same claims she brought
before the equal opportunity commission. She was not successful at that level. The same concerns raised in the complaint is that she did not reach a favorable outcome. Within 90 days, you have a right to a federal suit. She’s feeling like she’s been wrongly treated.

Setonian: What is your outlook as you face this particular challenge?

Rubino: Part of my job as president [of Gannon University] is to deal with myriads of lawsuits. It’s part of the reality on a day-to-day basis. This one is quite hurtful and awful. Petreska has the right to do this.

Setonian: Why do you feel this way?

Rubino: It’s a painful process. Even though it’s awful and painful, it’s how we do business in society. The process, in the end, will dictate the outcome.

Setonian: The Tribune-Review states that you are ‘on loan.’ Can you tell me what this means?

Rubino: This means that I can’t freelance. I’m attached to the diocese of Erie. It was the diocese I was incarnated into. I need permission from my bishop [to work elsewhere].

Setonian: Would you like to remain at Seton Hill or do you think your talents are needed elsewhere?

Rubino: I think there’s a second string going on here. When the Sisters of Charity founded this–what courageous women! Buying a farm was something to be said at the time. I also think that not everyone is open to everything. As we move into Greensburg, I think we’re growing as an institution.

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