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View of the Ravine Apartments from the soccer field.
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AQUINAS COLLEGE MISSION STATEMENT
Aquinas College, an inclusive educational community rooted in the Catholic Dominican tradition, provides a liberal arts education with a global perspective, emphasizes career preparation focused on leadership and ser vice to others, and fosters a commitment to lifelong learning dedicated to the pursuit of truth and the common good.
ALUMNI GIFT ITEMS Aquinas College Bookstore 1607 Robinson Road SE • Grand Rapids MI 49506-1799
VISION STATEMENT
Aquinas College conducts an array of educational programs whose quality and effectiveness cause it to be considered consistently as a premier Catholic liberal arts College in the Midwest. In doing so, it is the College of choice for increasing numbers of students who seek a diverse, but inclusive, learning community that will enable them to increase their knowledge, hone their competencies, develop their character, and answer God’s calling to use their gifts and talents to make a positive difference in our world through their lives,
(616) 459-8281, ext. 4137 • Fax (616) 732-4599 C
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work, and service. Aquinas strives to graduate students of competence, conscience, compassion, and commitment.
DIVERSITY STATEMENT
Aquinas College is committed to equality. This statement of the College speaks to this commitment, as do our history and heritage.We believe that diversity is a blessing, which brings a richness of perspective to our intellectual, cultural, social, and spiritual life. All members of our community—faculty, staff, students—will demonstrate respect for each other regardless of our differences. All of us will be sensitive in our actions, words, and
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deeds. We will demonstrate these sensitivities in our classrooms, curricula, offices, meeting places, and living environments. We will maintain the diversity of our Board of Trustees, faculty, student body, and staff and appreciate the different gifts each brings to this community regardless of age, gender, race, ethnicity, religion, or disability.
Aquinas magazine is a publication of the College Relations Department, Aquinas College, Grand Rapids, Michigan. It is published semi-annually, spring and fall. Comments/suggestions are encouraged: Online: collegerelations@aquinas.edu College Web site: www.aquinas.edu Alumni news: www. aquinas.edu/alumni
Mail:
Aquinas Magazine, College Relations Department Aquinas College, 1607 Robinson Road, S.E. Grand Rapids, MI 49506-1799
Fax: 616-459-2563 • Phone: 616-459-8281, Ext. 4422
See more items on our Web site at www.aqbooks.com DESCRIPTION
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Editorial Team
Cecilia Cunningham
Marty Fahey Nicole Hagen
Gary Eberle V. James Garofalo, Ph.D.
Joelle Kwiatkowski ’02 Sally Reeves
Harry J. Knopke, Ph.D. Shirley Lewis, Ph.D.
Design Greg Becker
Julie Ridenour Melvene Tardy ’87
Paula Meehan ’75 Sister Jean Milhaupt, O.P.
Desktop Publisher Silvija Visockis
Contributors
Bob Niedzielski ’58 Jennifer Rybski, junior
Photography
Rick Albro Terry Bocian ’70
Tonya Schafer ’02 Nicole Selzer
Mikel Cahill Brian Kelly
Michelle Bottrall ’97 Eric Bridge ’92
Melissa Spagnoli, senior Cynthia VanGelderen
Joelle Kwiatkowski ’02 John Niedzielski ’97
Mary Clark-Kaiser
Brad Vedders
Mark Schmidbauer
Greg Vedders Bill Weitzel
SIZE/COLOR
PRICE
GRAY
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A Blanket OR BLACK )
C Baseball Cap ONE SIZE (RED
TOTAL
$28.95
OR BLACK)
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D License Plate Holder
N/A
$9.95
RED
$59.95
E Red Crew Sweatshirt ( S-XXL)
$34.99
F 3' x 5' Flag
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AQUINAS
Aquinas College Contact Information Aquinas Web site . . . . . . . . . . . www.aquinas.edu Main line . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 616-459-8281 Admissions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ext. 5150 1-800-678-9593 Advising/Registrar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ext. 5140 Alumni & Parent Relations . . . . . . . . . . . ext. 4415 alumni@aquinas.edu Alumni Office fax . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 616-732-4481 Bookstore . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ext. 4136 Bookstore Web site . . . . . . . . www.aqbooks.com Bookstore email . . . . . . . . . . aqbooks@iserv.net Career Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ext. 5550 College Relations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ext. 4422 Development Office . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ext. 4490 President’s Office . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ext. 4413 Student Accounts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ext. 5120
FALL 2002
CONTENTS
Parking Access Map of Aquinas College DOWNTOWN GRAND RAPIDS
(Field House)
SOFTBALL FIELD
FULTON ST. ENTRANCE
FACULTY PARKING
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ST. JOSEPH HALL
EAS
(Residence)
E ive
Honeysuckle Lane
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IL CO X PA RK
FUL
TON
ST.
TEMPLE EMANUEL
HRUBY HALL Student Services Center
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ite
Pin
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Entrances for Handicapped Students
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BUKOWSKI CHAPEL
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MAINTENANCE BLDG.
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HOLMDENE ART AND MUSIC CENTER
CAMPUS SAFETY
P FULTON HOUSE
GARDEN
ACADEMIC BUILDING (Woodhouse Library)
WEGE STUDENT CENTER
B ee
F
ch L
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Wege Circle Drive
an e
REGINA HALL
I dw
Gin kgo Lan e
Re ood
F
Lan e
W
e
W ge
ay
Eld erb erry
Historical Marker
Lan e
J
COOK CARRIAGE HOUSE
FIRE LANE
GATE HOUSE (Campus Ministry)
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BALDWIN OBSERVATORY
ROBINSON RD. ENTRANCE
THEATRE ARTS ANNEX
ALBERTUS MAGNUS HALL OF SCIENCE
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K
PAR
SON
P L Y M O U TL H (P
M K IN
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ROA D
ARK ING AFT ER 12
NOO N)
L O T
WOODWARD HOUSE
U SO CC ER FI EL D
DOMINICAN HALL
WOODCOCK HALL KNAPE HALL
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JOHN F. DONNELLY CONFERENCE CENTER
MEIJER HALL LACKS CENTER FOR GRADUATE STUDIES
JORDAN HALL
ROB IN
GATE
GATE
AQUINAS COLLEGE PERFORMING ARTS CENTER
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RAVINE APARTMENTS
(Residence)
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JARECKI CENTER FOR ADVANCED LEARNING
LA NE
rcle Dr
ING
ane
Oak Ci
PARK
V WO O PA RD W A RD K LO ING T
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WILLOWBROOK PRESIDENT’S HOME
WO OD WA RD PA RK ING
ST. THOMAS PARISH
PHYSICAL EDUCATION ASSEMBLY BUILDING
MAYFIELD LOT
VOLUME 1, NUMBER 2
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President’s Message
page 6
Trustee Profiles
page 7
Alumni News Alumni Web Site — New Look
page 10 page 14
Community Outreach Community Leadership Institute Woodrick Institute Emeritus College
page 16 page 18 page 20
Campus News International Programs Elementary Reading Clinic College Conferencing
page 24 page 26 page 29 page 30
Deans’ News Reggio Emilia-Inspired Programs
page 34 page 36
Faculty News
page 38
Student News
page 40
Athletics Coach Wood Commended Athletic Schedules
page 42 page 45
Admissions
page 48
Development Hall of Fame Gala Event
page 50 page 51
Class Notes
page 54
Woodrick Institute Pg. 18
Emeritus College , Pg. 20
Reggio Emilia, Pg. 36
Coach Wood, Pg. 42
BROWNE CENTER
Restricted (Special Permit Only) General Parking (Commuter/Guests) B – Fulton Lot C – Bukowski Chapel Lot E – Lower St. Joseph Lot L – Plymouth Lot (Noon to Midnight) M – East Science Lot Q – Browne Center Lot T – Woodwar d Lot (Visitor Over night Parking)
D – Upper St. Joseph Hall Lot F – We ge Lot G – Academic Building Front Lot H – Holmdene Lot I – Regina Hall Lot N – West Science Lot O – Gate House Lot P – Hruby Hall Lot
Restricted to Residents Only
Restricted for Emergency Use Only No parking at an y time. Use Wood ward Lot. J – Carriage House Lot K – Jordan Hall Lot
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A – Mayfield Lot (Gold Permit) Q – Browne Center Lot/North Section (Brown P ermit) S – Donnelly Conference Center Lot (Green Permit) U – Dominican Hall Lot (Blue Permit) V – Meijer Hall Lot W– Knape Hall Lot P – Hruby Hall Lot - East (Red Permit)
Cover: Reggio Emelia-inspired program at Child Development Center in Grand Ra pids
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Editor’s Note Last March, we published and distributed the first edition of Aquinas magazine. A great deal of time and effort was committed to its design and to developing a communication vehicle that would share, clearly and effectively, the messages of Aquinas and its alumni. Aquinas magazine will continue to grow with your help. Just as the sun and rain contribute to nature’s growth around us, your ideas feed us, guiding the magazine’s continuing development—a “work in progress.” We hope you enjoy it as much as our editorial team has enjoyed pulling it together. We feel the inaugural edition achieved what we had envisioned last fall— creating a publication that accurately reflects what is happening here on campus as well as with the 16,000-plus alumni worldwide. The response has been tremendous. We thank you for that overwhelming vote of confidence. It is our hope to maintain that level of confidence while continuing to improve the magazine’s quality with each issue. Help us by telling us about your new job, family news or unique and interesting stories. Send us your comments, too. Send them to faheymar@aquinas.edu. Look for the next edition in mid-February.
Editor Marty Fahey
Letters to the Editor
’94 Kelly (Serwick) and Jeff VanSkiver, a girl, Meredith Claire, Dec. 2001 ’95 Kathy (Lund) and Dan Dean, a boy, Harrison John, Dec. 2001 ’96 Deedra and Christopher Everett, a boy, Parker Jaymz, June 1999 ’96 Deedra and Christopher Everett, a boy, Martin Alexander, Sept. 2000 ’96 Jennifer (Lee) (MM, 2002) and Randy Reeves, a boy, Cameron Lee, April 2002 ’96 Shannon (Kerridge) and John M. Redding, a girl, Mariah Marie, Sept. 2001 ’97 Angela (Walden) ’99 and Darrell Faraci, a boy, Jacob Peter, April 2002 ’99 Angela (Walden) and Darrell Faraci, ’97, a boy, Jacob Peter, April 2002 ’02 Christina (Wedeven) Wierenga and Jeff Wierenga, a boy, Joshua, May 2001 ’02 Shawanna Rapier and Scottie Footman Jr., a boy, Scottie, Aug. 2001
Marriages
Hope all is well. The new magazine is an excellent piece—great job! I’m proud to display this magazine in my office so that others may take a peek into my alma mater. Also, the reception at the country club was super and I thought well attended. Keep up the good work. Richard De Loof ’ 85 Director/Capital Campaigns St. John Health System Foundation, Detroit
Hello — The Aquinas magazine is terrific! The team did an awesome job on this! Maggie (Studrawa ’01) Holmgren
Congrats on the new Aquinas magazine. It truly puts the College into a new league for alums like me. One thought: Back in 70s, as I recall, there was an attempt, very successful at times I thought, to have several “intellectual” articles in the magazine in addition to all that important information about the schools, the students, the faculty, the alums, etc. Considering the wealth of talent in the alumni pool, it seems you could develop stimulating articles on topics of current interest to all. But, no complaint, keep up the great work! George A. Colburn ’59
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Dear Editors I have just finished reading from cover to cover the first Alumni magazine (spring 2002 issue). Congratulations for a job well done! It brought back many fond memories of my four wonderful years at Aquinas. It was especially great to see how service oriented AQ has become over the last decade. Service and learning was a brand new concept when I was at AQ. It is truly rewarding to realize how far the small initiatives that were taken in the beginning have expanded and grown into such wonderful and inspiring programs. For me, it was especially inspiring to read that the service trip to Wilderness State Park is actually still going on. In 1993
’92 Anne Marie Bonardelli to Dario Matteocci, 1999 ’93 Lynn Block to Mark Rocca in 2002 ’97 Angela Walden ’99 to Darrell Faraci, July 2000 ’98 Jess Fung to Jeffrey Kloosterman, January 2002 ’98 Margaret (Meg) Roberts to Richard Killips, May 2000 ’98 Rose Stempkey to Scott David ’98, July 2002 ’98 Rose Stempkey to Scott David ’98, July 2002 ’99 Angela Walden to Darrell Faraci ’97, July 2000 ’99 Tammy Elkins to David Cramer, March 2002 ’00 Dawn Wierzbicki 2001 to Ryan P. Smith, March 2002 ’00 Tricia Markovich 2001 to Anthony Mosley, Nov. 2000 ’01 Shannon Eggebrecht to Joseph Rinckey, July 2001 ’01 Rebecca Kupiecki to Matt Early, July 2001 ’01 Tricia Markovich to Anthony Mosley ’00, Nov. 2000
’01 Maggie Studrawa to Rob Holmgren, Nov. 2001 ’01 Dawn Wierzbicki to Ryan P. Smith 2000, March 2002 ’02 Anne Bukrey to Michael Dirck Moyer, June 2002 ’02 Alison Ray to Seth Van Andel, June 2002
Deaths ’43 Lorraine Popma, wife of Gerald Popma ’41, Jan. 2002 ’48 Edward Sypniewswi, March 2002 ’50 Robert Bechtold, brother of Patricia Rademacher, Jan. 2002 ’51 Helen Hanson, Jan. 2002 ’51 Neola Wolf Winstrom, Dec. 2001 ’53 Catherine (Kay) Murray, April 2002 ’54 Lloyd Brown, March 2002 ’57 Mariette Hill, sister of Sister Kenneth Fitzgerald, O.P., March 2002 ’58 Evangeline Ferguson, mother of Sister Mary Ann Ferguson, O.P., Feb. 2002 ’59 Sister Eileen Prueter, O.P., March 2002 ’62 Patricia Godlewski, April 2000 ’66 Al Anderson, brother of Sister Catherine Anderson, O.P., Feb. 2002 ’66 John A. Otterbacher, father of Dr. John R. Otterbacher, Jan. 2002 ’69 Anthony Silva, brother of Sister Lupe Silva, O.P., April 2002 ’70 Boyd Gleason, father of Mary (Gleason) Harig, Feb. 2002 ’78 Richard Wolters, husband of Kate Pew Wolters, June 2002 ’82 Paul Zirkelbach, brother of Julie (Zirkelbach) Von Tilius, June 2002 ’88 Estelita (Stella) Ferris, Jan. 2002 ’93 Michael Lynch, father of John Lynch, May 2001 ’97 Michael Lundstrom, father of Jason Lundstrom, April 2002 ’98 Richard Leduc, June 1999 ’00 Michael Lynch, father of Miriam Lynch, May 2002
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1997
2001
2002
Pam Bacon has returned to Aquinas as an assistant to the Registrar.
Rick Mills will begin law school this fall at the University of Detroit Mercy School of Law. He is a Credit Analyst for Federal-Mogul Corporation of Southfield and resides in Royal Oak with his wife, Mary.
Cecilia Tran will be attending Law School at Michigan State University in the fall.
Elizabeth Dudek is a Production Specialist at CCH, Inc., a legal publishing house in Riverwoods, Illinois, a Chicago suburb.
Martha Weaver will be student teaching this fall at Eastern Elementary in Traverse City. She was recently inducted into the math honor society (Pi Mu Epsilon).
Lisa Marie (Kachur) Piatek is the new Director of Adult Student Recruitment of Aquinas College. Lisa will be responsible for the planning and implementation of the recruitment efforts for adult learners in the continuing Education and Graduate Management programs. Lisa is the former Director of Corporate Relations and Special Events at the College.
1998 Margaret (Meg Roberts) Killips was promoted as Activity Director for the Woodland Terrace Retirement Community in Grand Rapids. Greg Stielstra, a graduate of the Master of Management program, works as a disc jockey with Bill Worst ’78, owner of the Pinnacle Center in Hudsonville. Rose (Stempky) David received her Doctor of Optometry degree in May of 2002 from the Michigan College of Optometry. René Palileo has joined Grand Rapids Youth Commonwealth as its Director of Development. He had been with the Volunteer Center of United Way in Chicago as a Corporate Partnership Associate
1999 Tammy (Elkins) Cramer is the Community Outreach Program Director at Flint Circuit on Family Violence, Inc. in McDonough, Georgia. John P. Rice has joined Greenridge Realty, Inc. of Grand Rapids. He is a former financial consultant at Merrill Lynch.
Lanae Gill is the new Resident Director for St. Joseph Hall at Aquinas College. Ellen Harburn is the Coordinator of Special Events/Outreach at Aquinas.
2002 Heidi Hilton has joined New England Financial in Grand Rapids as a Managing Associate in training. Her duties include sales and sales management, recruiting and developing business relationships with other companies that are interested in partnerships with the agency. Currently, she is focusing on the women’s professional sector, contacting area women business owners and executives to develop a consortium that will offer their skills and services to each other, their clients and the clients of New England Financial. Heidi believes that active involvement within the community provides the personal and professional rewards so important in her daily life. Heidi and her husband Zan, have three children, Hunter, Marshall and Ember.
Julie Fredrick joined the Peace Corps and is working in the Philippines.
Beth Pochert will be attending Wayne State University in Detroit to obtain her Ph.D. in Microbiology and Immunology. Victoria Sackett, an outstanding track athlete, is the first woman in Aquinas history to be named as an All-American four years in a row. Omar Flores and Josh Greenwald have joined Aquinas as Admissions Representatives. Flores will be recruiting from high schools in the Grand Rapids, Kent County, and Detroit Areas. Greenwald will be recruiting in mid-Michigan and Thumb-area (eastern Michigan) high schools. Joelle Kwiatkowski has also joined the Aquinas staff as a Staff Assistant to the President. Karl Schantz recently left his position as the Coordinator of Gift Processing at Aquinas to accept a teaching position in Texas. Timothy Stafford is also on the Aquinas staff an as an accountant.
Births ’87 Laura (Grabinski) and Thomas Usakowski, a boy, Daniel Joseph, Oct. 2000 ’87 Sharon (Monty) and Greg Moody, a boy, Adam Gregory, Oct. 2001 ’89 Tamie (McCarthy) and Daniel Rosenburg, a boy, Atlas Xavier, July 2001 ’90 Rita (Visockis) ’92 and Joseph Tomaszewski, a boy, Matthew Antons, August 2001 ’93 Mary Jo (Mangutz) and Bryan Skiendziel, boys, Thomas James and Andrew David, July 2001
Kathryn Kupiecki is the Coordinator of Gift Processing at Aquinas College where she had been the Coordinator of the Aquinas Fund.
2000 Amanda Spitzley opened Landwirte Loft, a restaurant serving German cuisine in Westphalia, Michigan, on April 1, 2002.
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I wrote the grant proposal to Michigan Campus Compact and, having the proposal accepted, took the first group of 10 students with Sister Catherine Williams to Wilderness State Park. And today, eight years later, to read that the service trip continues to happen really made my day on a very wet and gloomy day here in Sri Lanka. Similarly, it’s so wonderful to know that Project PRIDE still flourishes and that all the ‘old’ service trips such as the one to Oaxaca [Mexico] still continue along with the new and exciting trips to Haiti, El Salvador, etc. I was part of the first group of students that went to Mexico with Brother Ben. My four years at AQ played a vital role in making me into who I am today. Being so far away from Aquinas, I often wonder about the latest happenings, news of other alumni, etc. and this magazine brings it all back so well and vividly. Keep up the good work. I look forward to the next edition. Good Luck! Peace. Marisa Fernando ’94
The following two letters were sent to President Knopke; excerpts are reprinted here with permission. - Editor As a recent graduate of Aquinas College, I feel it necessary to express my thanks to the Aquinas community. Of all of the decisions that I have made in my life, the decision to attend Aquinas College was, by far, the most influential. As I
look back at my college career, I can easily identify the deciding factor in my success. The faculty and staff continuously saw me as more than just another student. I was treated as a unique person with individual talents, possibilities and interests. The Aquinas community went out of its way to encourage me to identify my talents, explore the endless possibilities and nurture my diverse interests. In this, the faculty and staff helped me to discover who I was and how I wanted to affect the world around me. This individual treatment made my experience with the Aquinas community priceless. Aquinas College offered me opportunities that no other institution would have. The mission statement expresses the desire to provide students with a ”global perspective,” a focus on “service to others,” and “the pursuit of truth and the common good.” With a faculty and staff that truly cared about me as a person, I have come to see myself not only as a citizen of the United States, but as a citizen of humanity, as well. Congratulations in achieving the goals of your mission statement. My sincerest thank you to everyone who helped make this possible. Beth M. Laux ’02 Rossford, Ohio
ago at Grand Rapids Junior College [now Community College] … but quit after two years to put my husband through school and start our family. God gave me the opportunity to teach music in some of the Christian schools in my community. [However], the schools I teach in gave up [the music program] when they found out I was uncertified. I owed it to the schools to become certified. I was scared! I felt too old to go back to college. [After exploring several other options] I looked into Aquinas. I knew this was where God intended I go to school. He did not always make it easy these past two years, but He gave me professors who took an interest in me and encouraged me. I have been blessed by my experience at Aquinas. My fear has been replaced by pride and thankfulness! In September, at the ripe old age of 44, I will be a certified teacher! Thank you for your part in making Aquinas College a quality institution where students are people and learning is accompanied by caring. Joan Haagsma ’02
Let us hear from you! www.aquinas.edu/alumni faheymar@aquinas.edu
I have to take just a moment and tell you how thankful I am for Aquinas College. I started my college education many years
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Letters may be edited for space.
President’s Message President Harry and Sheila Knopke
“A good deal is happening here … ”
As I write on this lovely, quiet, midsummer evening, the thought of Matthew Arnold’s “Dover Beach” comes to mind. The air is sweet with the fragrances of summer; yet it’s not the roar of pebbles with their tremulous cadence on the strand I hear resounding through Holmdene but the sounds from across the green of the equipment deployed in constructing our new performing arts center. Unlike the melancholic environment Arnold was describing, however, this is an energetic, optimistic campus, fresh from a Commencement that capped an outstanding academic year. The construction sounds— even the seemingly incessant beeping of trucks backing up—are pleasant ones indeed as they signal the emergence of our latest building that will house one of the country’s most unique collaborative efforts in theatre arts education and theatrical productions. The new performing arts facility will be completed next summer; facets of our collaboration with Circle Theatre and the Catholic Secondary Schools have already been initiated, however, led by jointly mounted teaching-learning efforts now underway. In addition to the access they have to a range of new theatre arts opportunities, our traditional students this year are enrolling in courses organized according to the curriculum revisions passed by the faculty last spring. These revisions decreased the overall number of core courses required of each student while retaining the integrity of the essential liberal arts enterprise. In making these changes the faculty has provided our students with flexibility to achieve breadth as well as depth in their studies, to take more electives—and even an additional major— and yet graduate in the traditional time frame. The new curriculum will be supported, in part, by the College’s new advising system, which provides for closer ongoing relationships between faculty and students pursuing majors in their departments. One major described in this issue, Community Leadership, is entering its fourth year of enabling students to develop a foundation of leadership skills they can use in community-centered work. This major also connects students with our Community Leadership Institute, which focuses on external community leadership development. It is one of three college institutes that provide nexus points between the college and the broader community. Another is the Woodrick Institute, also featured in this issue, which connects Aquinas with the community in multiple ways in its diversitycentered work with corporations, organizations, businesses, and school systems, building on Dominican tradition of hospitality and inclusiveness. Finally, the Aquinas Emeritus College, the oldest of our institutes, is thriving by the efforts of new administrative leadership and an expanded board of governors active in, and committed to, lifelong learning. A good deal is happening here; Aquinas College is a vital place where we continue to pursue the highest of standards in the classroom and the community. We are able to do so as the result of your continuing support of time, talent, and treasure.
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1987 Jodie (Schrock) Southwell was named the new vice president of sales and marketing for Priority Health, West Michigan’s largest managed-care company. Southwell is responsible for the planning and coordination of business development and overall sales and marketing. Southwell, wife and mother of two, is celebrating her 15th year at Priority Health.
Apologies to...
1989 Elizabeth Kubik now teaches at the Detroit School of Industrial Arts where she is an English instructor for 9th through 12th grades. Tamie Anne (McCarthy) Rosenburg of Interlochen, Michigan received the 2000 Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST), honoring her as one of the nation’s best K-12 math and science teachers. She is a mathematics teacher at Traverse City West Senior High School.
John Lynch ’93 for erroneously listing him in our Spring 2002 edition as having died. John is very much alive and well and living in Mt. Prospect, Illinois, where he works for Maplechase Co. of Downers Grove. However, we wish to extend our sympathies to John and his sister, Miriam Lynch ’00, on the death of their father, Michael Lynch in May of 2001. We deeply apologize for the distress the erroneous information caused some of our readers.
1991 Alexa Finkler has recently accepted a position with the Minute Maid Company as a Human Resources Generalist in Highstown, New Jersey. Michele Knabe,D.D.S., who earned her doctorate from the University of Illinois College of Dentistry in 1999, has joined the dental practice of Patricia Gilleran, D.D.S., in Chicago.
1988 Patrick A. Miles, Jr., was elected to the Policy Committee at Varnum, Riddering, Schmidt & Howlett LLP in Grand Rapids. He is the first African American to serve in a top leadership capacity at a major Grand Rapids-based law firm. The six-member Policy Committee is responsible for management oversight, strategic decision-making and leadership in firm-wide policies and procedures. Miles joined the firm in 1991 following graduation from Harvard Law School. Miles is a Trustee for the Grand Rapids Bar Association and a Trustee Emeritus of Aquinas College.
Mary Nicholson, a graduate of the Master of Management program, has been appointed the Director of Marketing and Project Management at Autodie International in Grand Rapids.
1992 Anne Marie Bonardelli, a Master of Management graduate, has relocated to Rochester Hills, Michigan, after living in Rome, Italy for five years where she had been on assignment with her employer, EDS. Derek Schafran was promoted to Regional Manager for Enterprise Rent-A-Car in Cary, North Carolina, where he resides with his wife, Annie, and their two children.
1993 Valerie Holtrop moved to Dallas, Texas, where she works from her home as a Manager of International Logistics for Schreiber Foods, Inc., of Green Bay, Wisconsin.
1994 Alec Hosterman recently took a fulltime position at Indiana UniversitySouth Bend in the Communication Arts program.
1995 Katherine Lund Dean, Ph.D., a Master of Management graduate, recently earned her doctorate from St. Louis University where she will be an adjunct professor this fall. She and her husband recently welcomed a son, Harrison, into their family.
1996 Christopher Everett is now the Network Administrator for Meetings & Events International in Evansville, Indiana where he and his wife, Deedra, live with their two sons. Krista Kahle is an Associate with Trkla, Pettigrew, Allen & Payne, Inc., in Chicago. Jennifer (Lee) Reeves, a 2002 graduate of the Master of Management program, is working as a news producer for WOOD-TV in Grand Rapids. Jennifer (Sturm) Lilly is an elementary school teacher in Turlock, California where she resides with her husband.
Recorded memoirs of Aquinas’ history available on CD and cassette (see p. 13).
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Class Notes
1975
Arthur Lee has retired from Washtenaw Community College and the University of Michigan, where he taught mathematics. He and his wife live in Ann Arbor.
Jesse Young, who teaches and coaches at Rockford Public Schools, was selected by the Michigan Inter-scholastic Golf Coaches Association as its Division 1 Boys Golf Coach of the Year.
1967 Sister Constance Fifelski graduated from Catholic Theological Union of Chicago, Illinois, in May 2002.
1972 Wayne Postma was recognized by the Kidney Foundation of Michigan as its 2002 Galaxy Award Recipient for Community Service April 17 in Grand Rapids. Wayne (pictured with his wife, Barbara) became involved with NKF shortly after his own successful kidney transplant in 1986. Postma founded the West Michigan chapter and serves as chairman of NKF of Michigan and continues to lead the organizations growth and development.
1976 Verna Teeuwissen, who has the distinction of being the College’s oldest graduate, celebrated her 90th birthday in August 2001with an open house. She resides in Grand Rapids where she keeps busy, helping her fellow residents at Porter Hills learn more about computers and e-mail.
1978 Bill Worst is the owner and creator of the newly opened Pinnacle Center in Hudsonville, Mich. The Center offers music alternatives in an intimate setting. Greg Stielstra ’98 has also joined Worst at the Pinnacle Center, as a part-time DJ.
1981
submitting
Sister Justine Kane, O.P., was selected this year as one of the 32 finalists for the Chicago-area Golden Apple Award for Excellence in Teaching.
class notes
1984
for the spring Aquinas magazine
1974 Susan (Marcoux) Rowe is the first female to be principal of the prestigious 930 student University of Detroit Jesuit High School and Academy (founded in 1877). Rowe worked at the all-boys school for 17 years having started as a theology teacher moving to campus ministry, dean of students and then academic assistant principal.
is December 1, 2002.
Joseph Dodge recently opened up a law office in Charlotte, North Carolina, specializing in trial law. He lives in Charlotte with his wife and three sons. Anthony “Tony” Lafferty works for Environmental Systems Research Institute as its Government Account Manager responsible for the State of California. Judy (Sturm) Crawford is an active member of St. Mary Magdalen Faith Community where she is involved in Musical Liturgy, and Youth and Adult Faith Formation.
1985 Robert M. Worth, Jr. was honored by the Wyoming-Kentwood (Michigan) Area Chamber of Commerce with the 2001 Volunteer of the Year award.
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Aquinas College Loses a Friend: Fr. James Cusack (1929-2002) By Bill Weitzel, Director of Planned Giving
With a rich Irish brogue and precise timing, no one could bring the punch line of a story to a laughing conclusion better than the Rev. James Cusack. Ordained in June 1956, Fr. Jim carefully guarded the Irish history brought by his grandparents from Ireland during the Potato Famine of 1845. From a farm in Hubbardston, Michigan, he entered the seminary in 1946 to become a parish priest in the Grand Rapids Diocese. While inspiring parishioners in churches throughout West Michigan, Fr. Jim founded Our Lady of Consolation in Rockford and retired in 1995 from Holy Family Parish of Caledonia. Never one to rest, Fr. Jim served as a spiritual mentor to men in need of guidance. Fr. Jim served three terms on the Aquinas Board of Trustees. A fortuitous meeting with Sister Amata Fabbro, O.P., chair of the Theology Department, fueled his interest in Catholic higher education and resulted in the establishment of the Father James C. Cusack Endowment for Theological and Interfaith Studies. The endowment, the oldest programmatic endowment at the College, provides for the latest in religious education materials. Fr. Jim penned a Morning Prayer that we want to share with you:
Trustee Profiles
The deadline for
1958
Good Morning, Lord. Fr. Jim (left) with Sister Amata and President Knopke at a reception hosted by I am healthy. Harry and Sheila Knopke in 2000 honoring Fr. Jim’s loyalty to Aquinas College. I am happy. I am successful. Today, is the greatest day of my life. And, tomorrow will be better. Yesterday is history. Tomorrow is a mystery. Today is a gift. That is why we call it the present Order the beginning. Direct the progress. Perfect the achievement of all I undertake this day. In all that I undertake this day— not to me, O Lord, but to Thy name give glory.
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Baldwin Reception
Bringing National Issues to Aquinas Students: Trustee Emerita Yvonne Sims By Michelle Bottrall ’97, Freelance Writer
Charles Dickens once said that charity begins at home and justice begins next door. It’s pretty obvious that ol’ Charlie never visited with Aquinas Trustee Emerita Yvonne Sims. In the Sims house, charity and justice spend a great deal of time working hand in hand. Sims spends many days volunteering for the National Issues Forum (NIF), a nationwide network of educational and community organizations that deliberate about controversial issues that affect the nation such as racial harmony, alcohol abuse, poverty and welfare reform. She brought the NIF to Aquinas College, folding it into the Community Leadership program. Aquinas now has several student study groups committed to discussing pertinent issues. “Here at Aquinas we recognize that there are enrichment experiences in addition to career preparation experiences,” said George Heartwell, director of the Community Leadership Institute. “The National Issues Forum does a lot to prepare students for life after college and without Yvonne it wouldn’t be here at the College let alone here in Grand Rapids. She is a bulldog with this organization.” This last year, Yvonne spent time on several panel discussions throughout the community, talking about the effects of 9/11 and how we could prevent similar tragedies. “Of course we have to be ready and do what we can action wise if this [9/11] occurs again,” she said. “But what surprised a lot of us is that so many people in the world have bad feelings about us as a country. We became very interested in what we project as an American persona. People generally felt that we hadn’t thought about projecting an image, but that we just go blithely along not lending an ear to people’s problems.” Her work with the NIF got people looking at different ways they could be more sympathetic to world problems. But the NIF is just one of several organizations this 65-year-old grandmother devotes her time. Charity work runs in her blood. It began with her mother, Marcella Alvis, who started the Grand Rapids Silver Charms over 25 years ago. Her mom still works actively with them today, giving out good citizenship awards, and Thanksgiving and Christmas baskets to the needy. When her son, Eugene II, left to go to Brown University, Yvonne put the word out that she had some free time. That’s all it took, she said. Soon, she was so busy with worthwhile causes she didn’t have the heart to say no. Since then she has devoted her time to over 20 different community organizations including the National Issues Forum, the Women’s Resource Center, the Grand Rapids Study Club and the local investment club, Les Meres. Although an alum of the University of Michigan where she graduated with a Master’s in Education and Social Work, Yvonne became interested in Aquinas after her husband, Eugene, graduated from here.
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Yvonne Sims
Aquinas College honored Ralph Belknap Baldwin, Ph.D., a friend of the College at a reception last May, commemorating an astronomy photo exhibit made in memory of Baldwin’s friend, Alfred Hewitt. The exhibit, which is housed in Albertus Hall, features a series of stunning planetary and lunar photographs filmed in outer space and presented to Baldwin by NASA. Baldwin, a world-renowned physicist and astronomer, earned degrees in astronomy and astrophysics. He published his research in several books, including The Face of the Moon Ralph Baldwin (right) with President Knopke. and the Measure of the Moon, and The Moon: A Fundamental Survey. His work was credited with leading indirectly to the U.S. exploration of the moon, and his research data also were used in selecting Apollo’s 11 lunar landing site. During World War II, the Applied Physics Laboratory tapped Baldwin to work at Johns Hopkins University to conduct military research. His latest book, They Never Knew What Hit Them, explains the importance of the proximity fuse, a device that made artillery shells more effective against ground and aircraft targets. The Baldwin Observatory, which bears his name, was dedicated in Guests enjoy the photo display 1994.
President’s Reception for College Benefactors By Cecilia Cunningham, Director of Aquinas Fund
The College continues to flourish because of the significant support of our benefactors to the Aquinas Fund, Performing Arts Center collaboration and the Endowment. In appreciation of this generosity, Board of Trustee member Roger Schiefler and his wife Kathleen hosted the second annual President’s Reception at their East Grand Rapids home this past June. President Harry Knopke highlighted the tremendous progress that has taken place this year toward achieving financial stability and growth. The Aquinas Fund has increased 31 percent to a record $1.7 million, the Performing Arts Center collaboration was successfully completed with a May 6
groundbreaking ceremony, and the Endowment continues to grow with outright gifts and bequests. Omar Flores, a 2002 graduate, personally thanked attendees for helping to fund his Aquinas scholarship and shared what the Ireland
program and community service projects have meant to him. Karen Palmore ’89 spoke of the blessing her Aquinas education has been in shaping her successful business career while offering a positive Christian environment.
Roger and Kathleen Schiefler host the 2002 President’s Reception for benefactors.
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An Evening of Elegance By Lisa Piatek ‘97, Director of Special Events
Aquinas College presented its second annual Evening of Elegance at Gibson’s Restaurant (Grand Rapids) last May. Current and former Aquinas Board of Trustees Greg and Sally Alksnis, Kirk and Lori Bush, John and Chris Wheeler and Ambassador Peter and Joan Secchia hosted the special evening. Nearly one hundred of the College’s alumni and friends attended the evening in support of the Aquinas Fund for student scholarships and core liberal arts programs. Guests were treated to a gourmet cuisine featuring “A Taste of the World,” prepared by Executive
(Left to right) Dr. Lois Ganzi, Dr. Rick Ganzi, Lori Bush (standing), Dr. Barbara DePree, Kirk Bush (standing) Kris DePree, Dr. Maria Hoekstra, Dr. Bill Hoekstra
Chef Andrew Smith of Gibson’s, and an exclusive wine tasting presentation between each course by Andrew Gessell of Veuve Clicquot, Inc., a Newton, California winery. The intimate setting, unique meal
and personal wine tasting presentation delighted the guests. The generosity of our many guests and corporate sponsors helped Aquinas raise more than $10,000 for student scholarships.
Alumni Dominate New Trustee Ranks
Let the Rally Call Be Heard! When the Saints, go marching in…isn’t just a song. It is the rally call for Aquinas alumni this year. The message is “Get involved!” There are opportunities for your time, talent and treasure. If it’s from the treasure chest, here’s a financial incentive—the Wege Foundation has generously agreed to match all new or the increased portion of a gift up to $200,000 for the 2002-2003 fiscal year. So, whatever level of your financial gift, $25, $100, $500, $5,000 or more, get involved and take this opportunity to double the value of that contribution. Since the mid-90s, Aquinas has seen its alumni support fall below 20 percent while other familiar colleges continue to experience strong financial support from their alumni like Calvin (32%), Hope (39%), Alma (32%), Albion (43%), and Kalamazoo (34%). Each Alumni gift, small or large, makes an impact on the campus, even in the national rankings of colleges. The stronger the percentage of Alumni participation the better. Next year, we will publish the participation for each class and the percentage increase over this past year. Gifts to the Aquinas Fund help to support student scholarships and core curriculum programs. Gifts to the endowment help the College in perpetuity. In a recent address, President Harry Knopke stated that “if our alumni would give an average of $100 annually, the College would flourish financially.” Join the parade … When the Saints go marching in … and make an impact by giving to the Aquinas Fund. If you’d rather give of your time and talent, great! Contact us and tell us how you can help, and we’ll let you know where we can put your talents to work. - Cecilia Cunningham, Director of the Aquinas Fund
Development Office
“What I like about Aquinas is the spirit, the caring spirit about the students and by the students here on campus. There is real compassion here and I like that.” She has devoted her life mostly to children and spent many years working within the public school system. She retired as director of the Kent Education Center last March and just finished nine years as an Aquinas Trustee. Despite her avid community involvement, Yvonne works behind the scenes, said her cousin Sharon Smith, the director of career and counseling at Aquinas. “It’s very rare that you find out what Yvonne has done until long after,” she said. “She is one of my role models and my mentor for doing things in the community.” Still, a life that is committed to the community cannot go completely unnoticed. She received the Giants’ Award for Community Service, the Grand Rapids Public School Award for Innovative Contributions, the Life Enricher Award from the Amway Foundation and the NAACP Award naming her the Grand Rapids Administrator for Due Process. “I was never surprised by the awards, but I wasn’t sure if I was always the most deserving. There are lots of other people that deserved them as well, but that’s a good thing because there is always more than enough work to go around.”
616-459-8281, ext. 4408
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cunnicec@aquinas.edu
A record number of alumni will join the College’s Board of Trustees this fall. Four of the six new board members, elected in May 2002 are former students at Aquinas. Carretta Cooke ’78, a native of Detroit, is the Director of African American Student Affairs at Northwestern University (Evanston, Illinois), placing her as the highest ranking African American in the University’s administration. Rich Cook ’92, a graduate of the College’s Master of Management program, is President/CEO of X-Rite Incorporated (Grandville) and is active in several community organizations in Grand Rapids, including the
Board of Directors of the West Michigan World Affairs Council. Marilyn Quinn Drake ’81 is actively involved in the Grand Rapids Art Museum, where she also serves as a member of its Board of Trustees. Tim McGuire ’71 is the retired editor of the Pulitzer Prizewinning Minneapolis Star Tribune and Senior Vice President of the Star Tribune Foundation. He is also the former president of the American Society of Newspaper Editors. He received the Aquinas College Outstanding Alumnus Award in both 1992 and 2001. The Honorable William B. Murphy received his law degree from Wayne State University after attending Aquinas College and now serves as judge for the Michigan Court of Appeals.
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Trustee Profiles
Dr. Luis Tomatis received his medical degree at the Rosario Medical School in Argentina in 1954. In 1995, he finished his surgical career to become the Founding President of the Van Andel Institute and is currently the Director of Medical Affairs for the Richard M. DeVos Family. Dr. Tomatis was honored with the 2001 Aquinas College Reflection Award. His daughter, Gabriela MinhaarTomatis, is a 1982 Aquinas grad.
Alumni News Bob Niedzielski ’58 Vice President, Alumni Association
Alumni Association Board Message Change is inevitable. The world around us changes daily and we ourselves are certainly not the same persons we were when we attended Aquinas. Change is in the air at Aquinas College too. Recently ground was broken on campus for a new theatre. Scheduled for completion in summer 2003, the theatre is the result of a unique collaboration involving Aquinas College, Circle Theatre of Grand Rapids, and the Catholic Secondary Schools of Greater Grand Rapids. The result will be a new performing arts center in the area, which will present a significant opportunity for Aquinas students. Academically, there have been changes too. The Academic Assembly, after months of discussion, adopted new General Education requirements. The num-ber of credit hours required to fulfill the General Education standard has been reduced from 67 to 50 semester hours. The revision brings the Aquinas requirement more in line with that of colleges similar to Aquinas. The Aquinas College Alumni Association has not been immune
to change. Beginning this fall, the Association will operate under updated bylaws. The change will make the Association more compatible both with the goals of Aquinas College and with college and university peer models, or benchmark schools, which the College has been using in its ongoing Program Review. This second edition of Aquinas magazine typifies the changing Alumni Association. One thing has not changed, however. That is the need to include “U” in the affairs of the Al_mni Association. The revised bylaws call for greater use of subcommittees, allowing for greater involvement of alumni in hands-on activities. It also calls for greater diversity of participants, both on the Board and in its activities, with respect to age, ethnicity, gender, and degree earned and geographic representation. If you would be interested in becoming involved in the Aquinas Alumni Association, please contact Melvene Tardy, Director of Alumni and Parent Relations, at 616-459-281, ext. 4415. She will be happy to send you information on the volunteer opportunities
Corrections & Apologies In the spring 2002 issue of Aquinas magazine, we erroneously listed Outstanding Alumni Award honoree Tim J. McGuire ‘71 as a 1977 graduate. In that same article, we listed Distinguished Service Award honoree David Weinandy, Ph.D., as having received his doctorate in Interpersonal Relations from Michigan State University. Weinandy received his doctorate from Bowling Green University.
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Endowment Society Dinner Alan R. Ryan has been a part of Aquinas College since 1985, serving as Board Chairman and now a Trustee Emeritus. Last April, the College honored Ryan during its 2002 Aquinas College Endowment Society Dinner, which also recognizes new members of the Endowment Society. “Alan is a great and dedicated believer in planning and planned giving. His membership in the Aquinas College Endowment Society comes from a carefully charted course of philanthropy and commitment to Catholic higher education,” says Bill Weitzel, director of planned giving. The E.C. “Jack” and Irma Ryan Scholarship Fund was established in memory of his parents in 1989. Ryan gifted the main section of the Cook Carriage House to the College in memory of his late first wife, Carolyn Ryan. During his after dinner remarks, Ryan highlighted the new property, new buildings, new systems, programmatic investments that have evolved and how key decisions, though risky at the time, were made with prayer, hope and, above all, vision and expectation. The important message he stressed is that each of our college constituencies will have a role to play in a longterm endowment building program. There must be realistic planning that will detail strategies, time tables, resources and responsibility to assure achievement, to become a truly “premiere Catholic liberal arts college in the Midwest.”
Alan Ryan (left) introduced by Trustee Lyle Morrison.
Alan Ryan pictured with his wife, Margaret, was recognized for his contributions to Aquinas.
Aquinas College Hall of Fame Gala Event By Sister Jean Milhaupt, O.P., Archivist
On September 27, 2002, Aquinas College will host its inaugural Hall of Fame Gala Event in the Wege Center Ballroom. The climax of the Gala will be the inauguration of the Aquinas College Hall of Fame. The AQ Historical Commission will honor two persons for long-term distinguished achievements that reflect the mission of the College. One is granted to an Alumnus/a and one to a person who has served within the College or supported it from outside. Plaques showing the recipients and their achievements will be displayed in the main lobby of the Academic Building. A committee including representatives of the Historical Commission, faculty, staff and alumni made this year’s selections. Future annual awards nominations will be solicited from the Aquinas community and alumni. For additional information or to obtain tickets for the Gala, contact the Development Department at 616-459-8281, ext. 4490.
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Development
Contemporary Writer Series Fifth Anniversary By Bill Weitzel, Director of Planned Giving
Aquinas College recently honored alums Linda Nemec Foster ‘72 and Tony Foster, M.D., ‘73 for their outstanding support of Aquinas College and especially for the fifth anniversary of the Aquinas College Contemporary Writers Series. Linda also studied at Goddard College in Vermont, where she received her Master of Fine Arts in creative writing in 1979. Linda, an accomplished poet, has been published in numerous journals, reviews and magazines. She won the National Writers’ Voice Poetry Project Fellowship in 1999; Nicholas Roerich Poetry Prize finalist for her book Living in the Fire Nest in 1997; and the Arts Foundation of Michigan Creative Artist Award in Poetry in 1996, just to name a few of her awards. Late last year, Linda was published again with her book Amber Necklace from Gdansk.
Fall 2002 Aquinas College Contemporary Writers Series Thursday, October 3, 7:30 p.m. • Free Speaker: Poet Linda Pasten, Poet and Author Jarecki/Lacks Center, Room 141, 159 Woodward Lane S.E. Thursday, October 17, 7:30 p.m. • Free Speaker: Peter Carey, award-winning short story writer, novelist and screenplay writer Wege Student Center Ballroom
The book was inspired by her Polish American heritage and her first visit to her family’s homeland in 1996. Linda has shared her talents in other ways and from 1980-1998 she taught, lectured and conducted workshops in creative writing for the Michigan Council for the Arts’ Creative-Writers-in-School Program. Linda also was an adjunct professor at Aquinas College in 1999 and was a featured poet at the Aquinas College Writing Conference in 1998. Dr. Foster continued his education at Wayne State University, where he received his Doctorate of Medicine in 1977. Tony is currently a general surgeon in practice with Michigan Medical P.C. Tony and Linda have supported Aquinas College in many ways since their graduation. One of these projects is the Foster Planet Walk, which was dedicated in 1996 on the Aquinas campus. The Foster Planet Walk is a to-scaledistance replica of our solar system. Each planet is a topographically correct bronze cast created by Ron Pederson, mounted on boulders proportionately placed throughout campus and designed to show the relative spacing between the planets. The Contemporary Writers Series was established in 1997. The series is funded through annual and endowment gifts from Tony and Linda and provides students and the Grand Rapids community with the opportunity to meet and listen to readings of nationally prominent writers.
Arizona Alumni: Staying Connected By Cecilia Cunningham, Director of the Aquinas Fund
Maintaining meaningful connections with Aquinas alumni is very important and fun! In an effort to reconnect with alumni, David and Michelle Bottrall ’97 hosted a fabulous and well attended President’s Reception at the Desert Mountain Country Club in Scottsdale, Arizona (February 21). We had a champagne toast to the continued prosperity of the College, as we watched a beautiful sunset from the terrace of the Geronimo Clubhouse. There are already plans for the next reception. Jack ’70 and Tami Hebert are hosting a fall reception at the Wrigley Mansion Club in
Michelle Bottrall ’97 (left), President Knopke (2nd from left) and Trustee David Bottrall (3rd from left) join with Aquinas alumni in watching an Arizona sunset at a reception hosted by the Bottrall’s last Februar y in Scottsdale.
Scottsdale on October 29, 2002, at 6 p.m. Please mark your calendar and watch for invitations in early October. Here’s a call to alumni in the West and southwestern states— Would you like an Aquinas reception or gathering in your city? If you are in the states of Arizona,
Detroit Alumni Reception
(Above) left to right: Dan Timmis ’00, Rob Tubman ’88, Dr. James Karam ’76, Ernest Mathis ’91.
An oak-paneled room of the Country Club of Detroit was the setting for a gathering of Detroit-area alumni, prospective students and friends in April. The reception, hosted by Mrs. Jane (Forton) Cracchiolo ‘53, featured a music program by two outstanding Aquinas students, Sarah Makowski and Brook Baragar, as well as recent graduate, Bill Marfink. The meeting was an opportunity to renew old friendships and
(Right) left to right: Bill Marfink ’87, Barbara Witham McCargar ’77, Chair, Aquinas Music Department, Jane (Forton) Cracchiolo ’53, Margaret (Mayan) Glinke ’56, and Sarah Makowski (senior).
make new acquaintances. The group also heard from Aquinas President, Dr. Harry Knopke, who reviewed the progress of the new Performing Arts Center building now under construction on campus.
Linda Nemec Foster joined by husband Tony (right) and President Knopke reading a selection from her book. h 50
Colorado, New Mexico, Nevada, Utah, Wyoming, Montana, Idaho or Texas, please call Cecilia A. Cunningham at: 616-459-8281, ext. 4408 (direct line) or 800-748-0186 (during regular office hours); e-mail: cunnicec@aquinas.edu
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Chicago Reception By Melvene Tardy ’87, Director of Alumni & Parent Relations
Last May, Chicago-area alumni and President & Mrs. Knopke enjoyed the wonderful hospitality and spectacular view from Kathryn (Burrer ’70) and Richard Hyer’s lakefront home. While some reminisced, others did some professional networking as still others took the opportunity
to take in the breathtaking view from the 13th floor as a small class of sailboats practiced their tacking maneuvers on Lake Michigan below. Many of the alumni, surprisingly, discovered that they lived within blocks of each other! The Class of 1987 had the most alumni in attendance. They included Ann Marie Mahoney, Colleen Ranieri and Alumni Director Melvene Tardy. Recognition also goes to Bill Doerres ’39 for repre-
senting the earliest graduating year. Members of the Chicago alumni discussed the possibility of arranging a Chicago Cubs baseball outing yet this season and another home-based reception for the fall. We’re looking for locations! Would you like to host an alumni reception in your hometown? If so, contact the Alumni & Parent Relations Office at 616-459-8281, ext. 4415, and we’ll arrange to hold an event in your area.
R. Paul Nelson Scholarship Jeanne Gilewski Northview High School St. Catherine Scholarship Laura Brizzolara Forest Hills Northern High School St. Catherine Scholarship David Doppel Utica High School
St. Anselm Scholarship Jennifer Coulon Adams High School, Rochester St. Anselm Scholarship Shannon Boggs Lowell High School, Lowell The recipients presented a cumulative 3.8 grade point average
and an ACT composite score of 30. In addition they bring an impressive resume of extracurricular involvement. If your son or daughter meets the qualifications for this competition, please contact the Admissions Office for more information about future competition at: admissions@aquinas.edu or 1-800-678-9593.
Alumni Golf Outing By Jennifer Rybski, Contributing Writer Golf Committee members surround Fred Hesse ’63, playing in his 23rd consecutive outing. (Left to right) Tony Nolan ’67, Melvene Tardy ’87, Director of Parent & Alumni Relations, Hesse, and Michelle Bottrall ’97.
Historically Speaking Recorded memoirs of Aquinas, featuring interviews with alumni, faculty and staff—past and present—are available in compact discs and audio-cassettes. 1. Modest Beginnings: 1931-1945 2. Beginnings on Robinson Road: 1945-1958 3. Expansion of Facilities: 1959-1968 4. Changing Times:1969-1986 5. Expansion to the Future:1986-1998 Single discs: $10 each or a set of 5 for $40 Single cassettes: $5 each or a set of 5 for $20
The Aquinas College Alumni Association held their 36th annual golf outing for alumni and friends at Boulder Creek Golf Club in Grand Rapids on June 8. With the gracious hospitality of Amy Pollock, Manager Jerry Roberson and his staff, the event was flawless. The beautiful weather brought forth 59 golfers in light-hearted competition, and many new memories that will not be soon forgotten.
Historically Speaking
Narrative Recollections of Aquinas College History
On-campus purchases can be made at the Wege Center Book Store. Telephone or e-mail orders will be taken through the Alumni Association at 616-459-8281, ext. 4415, or e-mail: alumni@aquinas.edu. Sets will be displayed for audition and purchase at Homecoming 2002.
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The Saints Network: Prospecting the Prospects By Jeremy Wood, Admissions Representative
Each year, a number of dedicated alumni assist the Admissions Office with recruiting efforts. The Saints Network volunteers write congratulatory letters to high school seniors who have been accepted for admission to Aquinas, providing unique insights into the College for each of our prospective students and many times making the difference in their college decision. Every three to four months, Saints Network members nationwide take time to congratulate prospective Aquinas students and offer assistance in their college search. Their letters provide prospective students with Aquinas highlights and demonstrate how Aquinas alumni use their degrees—one of the best ways to illustrate success. They also show students how much Aquinas means to its graduates and leave a lasting impression on those considering Aquinas as their college choice. In fact, most of the admissions staff and student workers remember the letters that they received. A few of these alumni also attend college fairs in areas that aren’t easy for admissions representatives to reach such as Alaska, Illinois, Indiana, New Mexico, and New York. The response from students and volunteers alike has been incredible. Because the Saints Network volunteers help Aquinas reach students in unique ways, the time they give to the admissions process is invaluable. Become a part of this unique outreach effort. Join the Saints Network team by contacting Jeremy Wood in the Admissions Office at: 1-800-678-9593 or woodjer@aquinas.edu.
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Admissions
Alumni Calendar
Spectrum Scholarship Competition Attracts Top Prospects in February More than 150 prospective students from half a dozen states competed for a share of the school’s scholarship pot last February. The competition involves a battery of assessment tests including a writing sample, a decision making exercise, and critical thinking/problem solving. Faculty members, more than two dozen, serve as judges for the critical decision-making exercise. These top applicants to the freshman class of 2002 came to Aquinas College last winter to compete for the ultimate prize, one of several fulltuition scholarships. Sponsored by the College’s Admissions Office, the 10th annual Spectrum Scholarship Competition saw students vying for the Jerome Byrne full-tuition and room scholarship, the John Veneklasen fulltuition scholarship, the R. Paul Nelson full-tuition scholarships, the St. Catherine scholarships, and the St. Anselm scholarships. High school grade point average and ACT composite test score are the factors used to determine eligibility to compete. Qualifying students automatically receive a $7,500 merit award. In addition, they can compete for full tuition or an additional $1,000 or $500 through the St. Catherine and St. Anselm scholarship funds. The competition is one of the largest admissions-sponsored events of the year. Since competition began 10 years ago, the number of students participating has more than doubled, from 60 to more than 150 this year. Faculty members designed the competition, not only as a reward for academically talented students, but as an opportunity to identify personal attributes which are not found on a student’s high school transcript. “One of the unexpected results of the Spectrum Competition is the friendship that develops among the students who come to campus to compete,” says Paula Meehan, dean of admissions. “ Those friendships have contributed to an enrollment rate of over 60 percent among scholarship competition participants.” Another positive outcome has been the increase in the cumulative grade points and ACT test scores of incoming students. Parents also get involved on the day of competition. A program of events is designed for parents, including panel discussions, campus tours and an introduction to the city of Grand Rapids. A President’s Reception for parents and students concludes the day’s activities. This year’s scholarship winners are: Jerome Byrne Scholarship Kelly Dittmar Waubonsie Valley High School, Aurora, Illinois John Veneklasen Scholarship Megan Bolich West Catholic High Schoool
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2002 Friday-Sunday September 27-29 Homecoming and GalaWeekend • Aquinas Hall of Fame Gala Event: Dinner and Induction of Honorees into the Aquinas College Hall of Fame, the Aquinas College Athletic Hall of Fame and the Presentation of the Aquinas College Alumni Association Awards • Alumni Association Annual Meeting. All alumni are welcome!
Left to right: Trustee Katherine Donnelly with Esther and Seymour Padnos.
West Michigan Lakeshore Alumni and Friends Reception By Lisa Piatek ‘97, Director of Corporate Relations & Special Events
The evening of July 11 could not have been more perfect as 42 of Aquinas’ alumni and friends from the lakeshore area gathered for a reception at the home of Kirk and Lori (Aquinas Trustee) Bush on Lake Macatawa in Holland. Father Bill Duncan, Kay Donnelly, and Peter and Ulrike Wege played co-hosts for the evening event. The gathering allowed an opportunity for our Lakeshore Alumni and Friends to hear more about the College and the initiatives planned for the school from President Knopke and about the restructuring of the alumni association from Melvene Tardy. The guests enjoyed wonderful cuisine, a beautiful setting, and had an opportunity to see old friends.
• Science Department Alumni Reunion with Dr. John Poje Scholarship Dinner • Master of Management 25th Anniversary Reunion • Joe McCarthy Golf Outing and Dinner • Ireland Studies Program 30th Anniversary Reunion • Golden Saints Alumni Reunion. A Celebration for All Alumni of Classes 1930-1952 • Dr. Bruce Early Memorial Jazz Brunch Featuring the Aquinas College Jazz Ensemble
Date TBD, October Detroit-Area Alumni Reception
Tuesday, October 29 • Arizona Alumni Reception • Wrigley Mansion Club, Scottsdale, Arizona
Homecoming and Gala Weekend 2002 Plans are being finalized for Homecoming and Gala Weekend to be held Friday-Sunday, Sept. 27-29 and you won’t want to miss the fun and excitement. The alumni festivities kick off Friday night with the Hall of Fame Dinner and Induction Ceremony. Anniversary celebrations will mark 30 years for the Ireland Studies Program and 25 years for the Master of Management Program. In addition, a Golden Saints Alumni Reunion will be held for graduates from the Classes of 1930-1952. Activities wrap up Sunday with the Bruce Early Memorial Jazz Brunch. Watch your mail or check the alumni page on the Aquinas Web site (www.aquinas.edu) for more details.
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Saturday, November 16 • Sightseeing, Shows & Shopping in Chicago • Alumni & Friends
For additional information on any listed event, please call the Alumni & Parent Relations Office at 616-459-8281, ext. 4415, or e-mail to alumni@aquinas.edu. Be sure to check the AQ Web site for details on these events and others at www.aquinas.edu.
New Look The new alumni section of the Aquinas Web site demonstrates the latest in Web-based communication technology. This innovative portal keeps alumni and friends of the College connected with current campus developments. Similar technology has been used to develop “The Moose” and “Acorn”, the on-line portals for Aquinas students and employees respectively. In addition to the features found on the home page (shown on opposite page), the Main Menu provides links to the tools and resources listed in the next column.
— Alumni Web Site!
Lloyd Brown ’54 Remembered Lloyd Brown ’54, one of the most prolific scorers in Aquinas College basketball history, passed away last spring in Grand Rapids. Brown still holds the single game scoring mark of 72 points set in 1954. He captained the first Aquinas basketball team that defeated Calvin College. His career scoring average of 19.5 points per game was extraordinary given that the games of that era were normally not high scoring affairs. That average is still 13th on the all-time list of basketball scorers at the College, where he was also active in musical and theatrical productions. Brown, who was a retired salesman for Ameritech Yellow Pages, will be among the first inductees into the Aquinas College Athletics Hall of Fame during the Homecoming Gala Event on September 27.
alumni web site – links Alumni Association - meet the members or volunteer for a committee Book Store - shop on-line at www.aqbooks.com Calendar - check out college events and activities at the click of a mouse FAQ - ask questions and get answers Gallery - view photo albums from recent events Groups - join discussion boards with alumni sharing common interests Members List - search the database of registered alumni and friends Messages - send, receive, and store messages internally within the site Your Account - customize your own interface and profile Search - search the site’s stories, members lists, and more Topics - browse through archived news stories by category Update Info - update your official College contact information from one convenient location
Photo from the Aquinas Herald (student newspaper) published March 3, 1954.
Date Nov. 12 Nov. 16 Nov. 18 Nov. 20 Nov. 26, 30 Dec. 3 Dec. 6
Men’s Basketball
m e m b e r s l i s t One of the most popular features of the new alumni site is the Members List. Registered users can access and search this database of fellow alumni who are members of this on-line community. Clicking on a member’s user name will allow you to to view their profile or to drop them a line via the built-in messaging system.
Dec. 7 Dec. 10 Dec. 13/14 Dec. 20-22 Jan. 4 Jan. 8 Jan. 11 Jan. 14 Jan. 18 Jan. 21 Jan. 25 Jan. 28 Feb. 1 Feb. 4 Feb. 8 Feb. 12 Feb. 15 Feb. 18 Feb. 22 Feb. 26
Opponent Univ. of Michigan/Dearborn** Marygrove College Rochester College** @ Grace Bible Select Bank Classic at VanAndel Arena Ferris State** Brann’s/Aquinas Classic Hope vs. Orchard Lake St. Mary’s St. Clair (Windsor) at Aquinas Brann’s/Aquinas Classic Third place , 1 p.m.; Championship @ IUPU-Fort Wayne @ Taylor University Tournament @ St. Xavier Tournament TBA Calvin College Siena Heights University @ Tri-State University @ Madonna University Indiana tech University** Concordia University** @ Spring Arbor University @ Cornerstone University** @ Siena Heights University** Tri-State University Madonna University** @ Indiana Tech University @ Concordia University Spring Arbor University** Cornerstone University** WHAC Tournament
** denotes JV contest also. 14
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Kyle Verlin (Northview High School) joined Saints 1000-Point Club and received All American honorable mention this past year.
Cross Country
Opponent @Adrian (Devils Lake CC) @Kalamazoo @Alma @Albion @Tri-State Fall invitational Ferris State Aquinas Invitational @Calvin Tri-State
Date Opponent Sept. 5 @Tri-State* (Zollner GC) Sept. 7/8 @Olivet Invitational (Bedford Valley/Marywood GC) Sept. 11 Aquinas* (L.E. Kaufman GC) Sept. 15 @Siena Heights* (Lenawee GC) Sept. 20 @Spring Arbor* (Cascade GC) Sept. 21 @Tri-State Invitational (Zollner GC) Sept. 26 Aquinas Invitational (L.E. Kaufman GC) Sept. 28 @WHAC/MCC Ryder Cup (Zollner GC) Oct. 1 Cornerstone (Thousand oaks GC) *WHAC Conference Jamborees
Date Aug. 30/31
Opponent @ Alma College Tournament
Sept. 3 Sept. 6/7
@ Tri-State @ Defiance College Tournament
Sept. 12 Sept. 14
@ Cornerstone University @ Spring Arbor University
Sept. 17 Sept. 20-22
Madonna University @ Palm Beach Atlantic Tournament/Florida
Sept. 24 Sept. 27/28
Concordia University @ St. Francis Tournament, Joliet, Ilinois
Oct. 1 Oct. 4/5
@ Siena Heights University @ Grace College Tournament
Oct. 8 Oct. 10
@ Albion College Palm Beach Atlantic
Oct. 12 Oct. 15
Tri-State University Spring Arbor Universiiy
Oct. 22 Oct. 25/26
@ Madonna University @ Trinity Christian Tournament
Oct. 29 Nov. 2
Cornerstone University @ Concordia University
Nov. 5 Nov. 8
Siena Heights University Goshen College
Nov. 12 Nov. 15
1st Round WHAC Tournament/TBA Semi-finals WHAC Tournament/TBA
Nov. 16
Championship WHAC Tournament/TBA
Date Sept. 7 Sept. 14 Sept. 21 Sept. 22 Oct. 6 Oct. 12 Oct. 20 Nov. 3 Nov. 17
Opponent Aquinas Invitational/Riverside Park Bulldog Invitational/Big Rapids Natioanl Catholic Inv./South Bend, Ind. Aquinas Open/Riverside Park “Stars” Open Invitational/Lansing Michigan Intercollegiates/Milford WHAC Championship/Jackson NAIA Regional/Jackson NAIA Championships/Kenosha, Wis.
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Date Nov. 10 Nov. 13 Nov. 16 Nov. 22/23 Nov. 29/30 Dec. 6/7 Dec. 11 Dec. 13 Dec. 27-29 Jan. 3/4 Jan. 8 Jan. 11 Jan. 15 Jan. 18 Jan. 22 Jan. 25 Jan. 29 Feb. 1 Feb. 5 Feb. 8 Feb. 12 Feb. 15 Feb. 19 Feb. 22 Feb. 26– Mar. 1 & 3
Opponent Purdue-Calumet University @ Goshen College Kendall College Aquinas College Tournament @ Calvin College Tournament @ Olivet College Tournament @ Calvin College Taylor University St. Xavier University Tournament @ Alma College Tournament Siena Heights University @ Tri-State University @ Madonna University Indiana Tech University Concordia University @ Spring Arbor University @ Cornerstone University @ Siena Heights University Tri-State University Madonna University @Indiana Tech University @ Concordia University Spring Arbor University Cornerstone University WHAC Tournament
9 5 10 6 alumni home page – quick tour
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Women’s Basketball
Women’s Golf Men’s Golf Volleyball
Date Sept. 5 Sept. 12 Sept. 16 Sept. 20 Sept. 22/23 Sept. 26 Oct. 3 Oct. 6 Oct. 10
The header bar provides frequently used links, the current date, and a search engine exclusive to this site.
MooseCast refers to the weather program used on the students’ Web portal, “The Moose!”
The Main Menu provides a drop-down list of links to all of the features offered within this site.
Buddy is the Alumni Web site’s very own instant messaging system, allowing you to chat with other online members.
Look here to see Who’s online. This block will also display the number of private messages waiting for you. All Grand Rapids-area weather information is derived directly from the National Weather Service and NOAA. In case you’re wondering,
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The center panel contains the latest alumni News stories. The icon next to the story represents the general topic of the story. A list of the topic areas can be found by clicking “Topic” in the main menu or on the header bar. You can also submit your own story by clicking “Submit News”
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in the main menu or on the header bar.
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Integrated Surveys provide an instant pulse of the alumni and friends of the College.
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Today’s big story shows you the most popular story among your peers.
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Links to the College’s most recent News Releases can be found here.
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Look here for the latest headlines from the Aquinas Times, the student-run newspaper on campus.
There never was a time when college and community could afford to be disengaged or uninvolved in the life of the other. The “ivory tower” and the “towngown divide” are remnants of an era when academic pursuit supposedly prepared students to take their places in some distant “real world.” Students today, however, already live in that real world. Its challenges are their challenges; its successes and failures shape their lives. Many Aquinas students are employed in the community or live off campus in the neighborhoods around the College. The quality of life in Grand Rapids is of deep and immediate concern to them. The Aquinas Community Leadership Institute (CLI) provides a bridge between the campus and the community. The Institute coordinates internal academic work and external community leadership development. Aquinas undergraduate students can now major in Community Leadership. Directed by 28-year Aquinas faculty member Michael Williams, Ph.D., this innovative program combines academic rigor and experiential learning to help students develop a foundation in leadership skills that they will employ in the community during their student years and following graduation. In the three years the
Community Leadership major has been available, Aquinas students have contributed in the fields of economic development, children’s advocacy, minority leadership development, minority business cultivation, and environmental protection. Certainly the students are richer for the learning experience, but also the community is stronger for the skills, energy, and creativity that our Aquinas students and faculty bring to the work. The Institute also has a mission to develop leadership in the larger community of West Michigan through dialogue, organizational consultations, and the incubation of new community problem-solving initiatives. As the CLI Lead Partner, I conduct organizational consultations with many non-profit and public sector organizations, teaching in the community leadership major, and coordinating student placements. One significant CLI program is the Congregational Leadership Center. Under the direction of the Rev. Victoria Menning, the Center provides leadership development and consultation services to Catholic and Protestant parishes. Its innovative Congregational Asset Mapping program has been lauded as a new tool of parish development and ecumenical interaction.
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Opponent @ Grace Bible/Grand Rapids @ Missouri Baptist @ McKendree College @ Alma College Tournament Alma College Cornerstone University (non-conf.) Univ. of Illinois/Springfield Concordia University* (Homecoming) Saginaw Valley University @ Madonna University*/Livonia Hope College @ Cornerstone University* Tri-State University* @ Spring Arbor University* Indiana Tech University* @ Siena Heights University* Calvin College WHAC Tournament Regionals
*Denotes WHAC Conference game
The Rev. George Heartwell
Women’s Soccer
By George Heartwell, Director of Community Leadership
Men’s Soccer
Community Leadership Institute
Date Aug. 27 Aug. 31 Sept. 1 Sept. 7/8 Sept. 14 Sept. 18 Sept. 22 Sept. 28 Oct. 2 Oct. 7 Oct. 9 Oct. 12 Oct.16 Oct.19 Oct. 23 Oct. 26 Oct. 30 Nov. 2, 6, 9 Nov. 13, 16
Athletic Schedules
COMMUNITY OUTREACH
Date Aug. 30 Aug. 31 Sept. 6 Sept. 7 Sept. 14 Sept. 21 Sept. 22 Sept. 26 Sept. 28 Oct. 1 Oct. 3 Oct. 5 Oct. 8 Oct. 15 Oct. 19 Oct. 22 Oct. 24 Oct. 26 Nov. 2 Nov. 5 Nov. 9
Opponent @ Taylor University St. Joseph’s College (@ Grand Valley State) @ Calvin College @ Hope College Trinity International Grand Valley State University @ St. Francis University, Indiana @ Indiana Wesleyan Concordia University Goshen College Ferris State University @ Cornerstone University @ Madonna University Tri-State University @ Spring Arbor Indiana Tech Robert Morris @ Siena Heights University First Round WHAC Tournament/TBA WHAC Semi-Finals/TBA WHAC Championship/TBA
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For updates, check our Web site: www.aquinas.edu
Senior Student Athletes Recognized The Aquinas Athletic Department recognized two senior student athletes this past spring for their academic strength, service to others, and athletic involvement and success. Denny Briggs of Belding, who graduated cum laude with a bachelor of science degree in business administration, received the Joseph Baker Memorial Award, which is given to the outstanding senior male athlete. Briggs was a member of the men’s soccer team as well as the track team. During his four years, the men’s soccer team won three
Society, had a triple major of economics, mathematics and business. He has also been involved in the student athlete advisory board. Kristen Brady of Bloomfield Hills was awarded the Helen Louise Brogger Award, which is given annually to the outstanding female senior student athlete. A four-year letter winner on the Aquinas volleyball team, Brady was named to the Wolverine Hoosier
Wolverine Hoosier Athletic Conference (WHAC) championships and the track team won seven WHAC championships. In 2000, the Aquinas Pat Hoatlin Award was awarded to Briggs by his teammates as the outstanding underclassman. Briggs, a member of the Pi Mu Epsilon National Math Honor
Athletic All-Americans Aaron Bush (softball), Kurt Brummel (tennis), Henry Holmes (track), Brendan Gary (track), Eric Essick (track), Shawn Gast (track), Lars Petzke (track), Keelin Baine (track), Jaime Anderson (track), Kerry Lucas (track), Sarah Ellis (track). Academic All-Americans Tom Huizing (tennis), Jason Ladd (baseball), Erik Essick (track), Nate Kaiser (track), Lars Petzke (track), Eric Johnson (track), Kirk Kahner (track), Kerry Lucas (track).
Athletic Hall of Fame Established
Kristen Brady, an English major, graduated with a 3.68 GPA.
Denny Briggs graduated with a 3.54 GPA.
Spring 2002 Honors
Athlete Conference All-Academic team as a junior and a senior. “Kristen possesses the outstanding quality of making those around her better players and better people,” said Marc Schulz, her coach. “She is a true teammate in every sense of the word.” She is actively involved in tutoring in reading and English at Creston High School in Grand Rapids and works with several youth and high school volleyball teams as a volunteer coach. During her years at Aquinas, she has volunteered for Project Unite and Habitat for Humanity.
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The Aquinas College Athletic Hall of Fame will be inaugurated on September 27. That night, its first inductees will be recognized for their outstanding achievements in the area of athletics. The ceremony will also generate awareness in current studentathletes of the outstanding individuals that have allowed Aquinas College to be successful in the past. “This ultimate recognition is long overdue on our campus. We have had many success stories and it is time that these are told and retold,” stated Aquinas Athletic Director Terry Bocian. The initial inductions will take place Friday night of homecoming weekend. Tickets or information about the event can be found by calling the Athletic Department at 616-459-8281, ext. 3101.
“… Students are richer for the learning experience, but also the community is stronger for [their] skills, energy and creativity . . . . ”
Get The Lead Out! is an example of CLI functioning as incubator. Paul Haan, Program Partner of CLI, directs a community collaborative addressing the public health concern of lead poisoning of children. When the three-year pilot project is completed and Get The Lead Out! is financially viable, the initiative will become independent of CLI. Until then, CLI will assist by bringing diverse organizations to a common table for strategic planning, followed by capacity building and creative problem solving that leads to systemic change. The Greater Grand Rapids National Issues Forum, a 23-yearold dialogue organization, is now based in the CLI and directed by Aquinas alumna Lisabeth Keegan ’98. This year the National Issues Forum hosted dialogue sessions on the aftermath of 9/11 and on race and ethnic tensions. Recently the National Issues Forum, in partnership with the Grand Rapids Mayor’s Youth Council, facilitated a dialogue among area high school students on the issue of race. Aquinas College is invested in the community of Grand Rapids. CLI is but one example of that investment. The Dominican charisms and the Aquinas College mission statement shape CLI’s engagement with the community. Since 1886, this city has been the College’s home. The Community Leadership Institute intends to make it the best home it can be.
Asset mapping helps Catholic and Protestant parishes with development and ecumenical interaction.
James Ayers protects children from lead hazards by stabilizing the paint on homeowner’s window. Ayers is a member of the CLEAR Corps program hosted by Get The Lead Out! partner agency Home Repair Services.
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COMMUNITY OUTREACH
Woodrick Institute: Helping Business Embrace Diversity By Tonya Schafer ’02, Freelance Writer
The mission of the Woodrick Institute for the Study of Racism and Diversity is to help businesses embrace what has become an exciting fact of life. “The world is more diverse now than ever before,” says Director Steve Robbins. “It’s true: the workforce just doesn’t look like it used to. So it’s critical to move people along in the journey toward diversity—not simply because it’s ‘the right thing to do,’ but because it’s a business imperative.” “Organizations unable to accommodate the needs of their minority personnel suffer from low morale and decreased productivity. The first step toward accommodation is understanding,” Robbins says. To that end, the Institute sponsors a variety of diversity-awareness programs for members of the labor force. The organization’s two-day Healing Racism workshops allow attendees of all races to discuss their perceptions of prejudice in open, non-confrontational environments. Local professionals get a chance to network and delve into diversity issues at the Institute’s monthly Antiracism and Diversity Allies Luncheons, held on the Aquinas College campus. And Diversity Allies Book Club meetings allow the dozens of people who attend them each month to discuss themes included in notable works of multicultural literature.
Tolerance presentations, inclusion workshops, newsletters, and consultation services round out the spate of programs the Woodrick Institute offers. It’s all geared toward one thing—helping businesses adjust to the changes wrought by an increasingly diverse workforce and ensuring that workers feel included regardless of their race and ethnicities. In May, Project Blueprint, a subsidiary of the United Way that trains people of color to serve on community boards, awarded the Woodrick Institute its Champion of Diversity Award for the contributions it has made to the promotion of multicultural awareness. In announcing the Awar d, Project Blueprint Chairperson Linda McCarter told the audience that the Woodrick Institute was developed to carry on that “legacy of passion and commitment and to be a community resource and influential force in dismantling racism and celebrating diversity.” “It’s humbling,” Robbins says. “But it gives us confirmation that we’re doing good work in the community.” He points out that confronting issues of diversity is not simply a “black thing” or a “white thing.” It’s a human thing. “We might have had the cure for cancer by now, but we’ve left so much intellectual power behind because of prejudice that we’ll never really know,” he says. “When it comes to racism, everyone loses.”
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“Fair Play and Honesty” (Excerpts from letter addressed to Athletic Director Terry Bocian)
Contact: Bryan RizzoMedia Director Phone: (734) 432-5604 E-mail: brizzo@madonna.edu
Aquinas, Champions of Character But Not Women’s Outdoor Track April 24, 2002 The Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference (WHAC) has announced a change in the results of the conference Track Championships held last Friday in Grand Rapids. Due to a computer input error, Cornerstone University has been awarded the conference championship. The original results were: Aquinas 170 Cornerstone 168 Spring Arbor 136 Siena Heights 108 Tri-State 49 Concordia 13
Steve Robbins, Ph.D., Director of Operations, Woodrick Institute
That means everyone must take responsibility for its elimination. And thanks to the Woodrick Institute, an increasing number of people are joining the effort. Since its 1999 inception, the Institute has seen corporate membership climb to 15 companies that, for an annual fee, take advantage of diversity-related programs. More than 400 people from a variety of local businesses have gone through the Healing Racism workshops. The number is so high that the Institute has changed them from twice yearly to twice monthly affairs and is training more facilitators to lead them. The Institute, based in a few modest offices tucked into the
As the host of the event, Aquinas College head coach Dave Wood was reviewing the scoring when he noted an error. The discrepancy took place in the high jump. Melissa Abood (Siena Heights University), Cathi Velzen (Cornerstone University) and Vicky Scheffler (Aquinas College) all cleared the same height in the high jump. Velzen and Scheffler tied for third because they both cleared the height on their first attempt while Abood finished fifth because she cleared the same height on her second attempt. When the results were entered in the computer Abood and Velzen’s places were switched by mistake. As a result, the corrected result subtracted three points from Siena Heights’ total and added an additional three points to Cornerstone’s total giving them a winning total of 171 points to Aquinas’ 170 total. The corrected totals are: Cornerstone 171 Aquinas 170 Spring Arbor 136 Siena Heights 105 Tri-State 49 Concordia 13 The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) has undertaken a “Champions of Character” initiative the last two years, emphasizing sportsmanship and integrity. The WHAC commends Aquinas College for demonstrating these ideals in finding and immediately reporting and correcting the scoring error even when it cost them a conference championship. -WHAC-
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“Even when realizing it would cost his women’s team the conference championship, [Coach Wood] corrected the final score, thereby taking second place rather than first. The fact that this email is generated from the Cornerstone campus, the team that was raised to first, should in no way lessen the significant moral lesson and authentic personal credibility due to your Coach Wood, and Aquinas athletics, for his keen sense of fairplay and honesty. Since, as athletic director, I’m sure you receive your fair [or unfair] share of grief by virtue of your position, I thought it was the least I could do to commend you and your coach for this marvelous gesture of good will. I hope this act gets press, not about the new championship, but about the decision of sportsmanship.” Sincerely, Mark A. Lamport, Ph.D. Professor of Educational Ministries Grand Rapids Baptist Seminary
Athletics
AQ Captures Fifth Consecutive WHAC All-Sports Award By Rick Albro, Sports Information Director
The Saints have won the Wolverine Hoosier Athletic Conference (WHAC) All-Sports Trophy for a record-setting fifth consecutive year. The award is given to the college having the highest score based on the best finishes of six sports teams at each school, including men and women’s teams. The WHAC, which originated in 1992, is comprised of Aquinas College, Concordia University, Cornerstone University, Indiana Tech. University, Madonna University, Siena Heights University, Spring Arbor University, and Tri State University. Aquinas began its run of President’s Cup all-sports awards in 1997-98. “What an accomplishment! It is the culmination of a great deal of time, energy and commitment on behalf of our staff and our student athletes”, stated Director of Athletics, Terry Bocian. “We are proud to offer the most comprehensive athletic program in the WHAC,” Bocian added, “to have earned the success we’ve worked hard for is an outstanding reward.” Fourteen sports are recognized as league-sanctioned sports. Aquinas won titles this past year in Men’s Soccer, Men’s Indoor and Outdoor Track and Field, and Women’s Indoor Track and Field.
The Aquinas Way By Terry Bocian ‘70, Athletic Director
Coach Dave Wood Men’s & Women’s Track Coach, Cross Country Coordinator
“ … confronting issues of diversity is not simply a ‘black thing’ or a ‘white thing.’ It’s a human thing.”
Last April 19, Aquinas College swept, or so we thought, the WolverineHoosier Athletic Conference (WHAC) Men’s and Women’s Outdoor Track Championships. Several days later, Dave Wood, coach of the Women’s team, stopped in my office to tell me that following a careful review of the results, he felt that Cornerstone should have been awarded two additional points in the women’s meet. Because the initial results had been so close, this correction would reverse the finish, giving Cornerstone the Women’s championship by one point, positioning Aquinas as runner-up. Apparently, Coach Wood was the only person to meticulously analyze the results. His findings simply could have been swept under the rug. However, the Aquinas way is to do things the right way. Although somewhat disheartening, we knew that it was imperative that we contact the WHAC league commissioner, the WHAC media director, and Cornerstone officials to correct the situation. The sportsmanship and sense of fair play that we instill in our student athletes starts with the administration and coaches who must set the examples. This correction was definitely the proper approach. What follows is a copy of the WHAC Release that was sent to conference members informing them of the error and an excerpt taken from a letter addressed to me from a director at Grand Rapids Baptist Seminary, an affiliate of Cornerstone College, after he learned of our handling of the matter.
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lower level of the Academic Building, is dedicated to helping organizations achieve diversity; it is truly a group effort states Robbins. Student assistants lend helping hands and a number of prominent local businesspersons serve on the Institute’s advisory board. They offer insight as to ways in which their organizations have found success in fostering racial unity and implementing inclusion efforts. “We also get a lot of support from [Aquinas President] Harry Knopke,” says Robbins, who notes that the Woodrick Institute falls in line with the school’s mission of creating an academic and work environment that is inclusive to all. It was Knopke, in fact, who served as a driving force behind the Woodrick Institute’s foundation. “I thought that such an organization would help the College serve as a nexus point with the community,” Knopke says. “And issues of diversity are important ones. They’re relevant to our purpose here at Aquinas.” Bob Woodrick, co-founder of the D&W chain of grocery stores and a long-time proponent of diversity-awareness measures in the Grand Rapids area, provided funding for the Institute that now bears his name. D&W employees are among those who have taken part in Woodrick Institute programs, as have employees of Meijer,
Healing Racism workshop
Steelcase, and law firms like Warner Norcross & Judd. Bruce Christensen, executive director of Warner Norcross & Judd, said he was initially hesitant about attending a Healing Racism workshop. According to Robbins, such hesitancy often indicates denial, or a mentality among members of majority races that says, “I feel included, why don’t other people?” But Christensen’s boss had facilitated a similar event and had recommended that Christensen attend one as well. “I did what any other person would do when their boss ‘suggests’ they do something – I went,” he says. “It was a very powerful experience. I came back thinking that I would like to be more active in the diversity arena.” Christensen now sits on the Institute’s Board of Advisors. The Institute embraces its corporate connections, but is also branching beyond them. It is in the midst of creating a Diversity Development Program that will sponsor similar awareness and educational efforts in schools in the Kent Intermediate School District.
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To fund the program, the Institute solicits memberships from area businesses, which will receive $3 worth of Institute programs for every $1 they invest. Likewise, the Institute hopes to increase its corporate memberships and to forge partnerships similar to its alliance with Diversity Theater, a local organization that sponsors discussions of workplacerelated scenarios reenacted by local performers. In the end Robbins, a former television news producer and marketer who moved to the United States from Vietnam at the age of five, says the mission of the Woodrick Institute boils down to one thing—eliminating the misunderstandings that result in noninclusive work environments. “We need to challenge people, to expose them to different perspectives,” Robbins says. Referring back to the prejudice that may have left society without such technological breakthroughs as the cure for cancer, he asks one simple question: “Do we really want to make that mistake again?”
COMMUNITY OUTREACH
Lifelong Learning at Emeritus College By Tonya Schafer ’02, Freelance Writer
The Aquinas Emeritus College traces its history back to the early 1970s when then-President Norbert Hruby recognized—well ahead of many other college and university leaders—that opportunities for lifelong learning for older adults were sorely missing in the West Michigan area. “We knew it was a population that would enjoy a liberal arts education, maybe more so than the ‘regular’ student population,” explains Sister Aquinas Weber, O.P., Emeritus College Consultant and Aquinas College Chancellor. Backed by a committed vision, a supportive and imaginative College Board of Trustees, and the tireless efforts of both Sisters Aquinas and Agnes Claire Thiel, the Emeritus College was launched in the fall of 1975 with 115 students attending classes throughout the year. Nearly three decades later, annual enrollment has grown to well over 1,000. Representatives from such schools as Eastern Michigan University and Kalamazoo Valley Community College have used the Aquinas curriculum as a model for similar programs on their own campuses. Faculty members from across West Michigan call Aquinas and ask, “How do I sign up to teach for Emeritus?” The program offers a diversity of courses that correspond to the goals maintained by Aquinas College as a whole, says Director of Programs and Development, Rabbi Albert Lewis. Both colleges seek to provide a quality liberal arts educa-
Emeritus College has become a benchmark for other Institutions.
tion regardless of a student’s sex, race, religious affiliation, or— most appropriate in this case—age. Courses have run the gamut from the Ethics of Espionage to Cr eative Writing, from investigations of the Kennedy assassination to analyses of Picasso’s works. They are offered during five fourweek long sessions—two in the fall, two in the spring, and a winter program in Grand Rapids. The four-week Naples, Florida program runs in February and is attended by retirees from throughout the Midwest and East Coast who now live in Florida as well as native Floridians alike. The Curriculum Committee of the Board of Governors offers suggestions for course topics, as do students. The College also offers classes that relate to activities going on in the Grand Rapids area. When a local theater company featured a production by Tennessee Williams, the Emeritus College
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offered a course on this famous American playwright. A class on the Dead Sea Scrolls was offered during the spring 2002 semester, as the documents will soon be featured in an exhibition at the Van Andel Museum Center in downtown Grand Rapids. History classes are among the most popular courses according to Sr. Aquinas. “Anytime we offer a class on World War II, we are going to have the room filled,” she adds. A book seminar is also held six times a semester, allowing students to discuss a work of their own choosing under the direction of a facilitator. The Emeritus College has grown since its beginnings, starting in the Academic Building, moving to Willowbrook (the current President’s home), and eventually taking up residence in the Browne Center (a former estate mansion at the corner of Robinson Road and Woodward Lane).
Covert works with Project PRIDE, tutors, and visits the sisters at Aquinata Hall. Schneider works with Campus Ministry and plans high school retreats. Avery coordinates the Sigsbee Elementary tutoring program. Lindemyer is the founder of Casa Hogar, a student organization that raises money for an orphanage of the same name in Peru and that also raises awareness of poverty issues in general. She, along with Covert and Schneider, dedicates many service hours to the organization. “These four demonstrate how actively involved Aquinas students are in the community,” said Eric Bridge, coordinator of service learning. “I think it ties into the Dominican tradition very well in that we have students who are actively living out their faith. [They] use their gifts and abilities to make the world a better place.”
Semester in California By Melissa Spagnoli, Aquinas senior
It’s amazing how many opportunities Aquinas College has to offer. Some opportunities are more visible than others, like the semester in Ireland or the wide range of Service Learning trips. However, towards the end of my sophomore year, I came across an opportunity that would become one of the greatest experiences in my life. Aquinas is one of 19 Dominican colleges and universities in the United States. The exchange program allows students at one sister school to attend another for one semester. When I heard about this, I decided to take advantage of the
program in my junior year, choosing Dominican University of California. There were several motivating factors—the desire to do something on my own, to apply what my parents had taught me all these years, to discover a new place, and of course, to live in sunny California for four months, too. While at Dominican University, I found things were quite different from Aquinas College. Dominican offered the chance to travel and explore on the weekends as San Francisco and Oakland were only ten minutes away. Aquinas provides many on-campus opportunities to get involved during the week and on the weekends, such as bands, comedians, and community service. The Bay area’s big city environment presented new experiences, including the Homecoming Dance on a Yacht in San Francisco Bay and Christmas caroling on a cable car. Like Aquinas, Dominican is a small college that offers a low student-to-faculty ratio and, thus, more personal attention. I was fortunate to have great professors at both schools who were willing to offer assistance. The semester at Dominican gave me the independence to develop my feeling of self-confidence —oh, and yes, a tan. Although my time in California went fast, it was nice to return to Aquinas. I admire the College’s strong campus ministry program, particularly in the way Bukowski Chapel fills for Mass on Sunday nights. Further, the communication and business departments continue to challenge me. Perhaps, more importantly, I missed my family and the snow— because we all know that you can’t have Christmas without the snow!
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AQ Student Melissa Spagnoli enjoying the warm benefits of the Dominican Exchange Program in California.
Student News
Student and Alumna Win Coveted Addy Awards
To say it’s been an exciting year for Alicia Mey is an understatement. This December, Mey will complete her studies at Aquinas and receive her Master of Management degree. Earlier this year, she received a professional honor when the Ad Club of West Michigan selected her marketing project for Zondervan Books (Grand Rapids) for an Addy Award. Her challenge was to create something that would address the increasing competition in the reference book category. She borrowed a promotion idea she saw elsewhere and customized it to fit Zondervan’s requirements. “InfoShades”, she says, presents a uni-que design, Alicia Mey, Aquinas master of management student, offering a lot of displays the “infoShades” which earned her the Addy information in a Award. small amount of space that is placed on the front of shelf racks offering customers explanations for available reference materials. “They help customers understand which reference books will best meet their need, educate customers on the importance of matching reference books with their preferred Bible translation, and promote Zondervan reference books in retail outlets,” said Mey. She also won a Silver Addy Award at the District level.
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Her efforts didn’t go unnoticed by her employer, either. Shortly after her award recognition, Mey she received a promotion, moving from Senior Promotions Manager to Associate Marketing Director. The Ad Club also recognized another Zondervan employee. Kathy Needham ‘02, marketing director for Zonderkidz, received four Addy Awards for a radio campaign designed for the children’s book division of Zondervan. The Addy’s were for two radio campaigns for children’s Bibles in the NIrV (New International Reader’s Version) translation written at a third grade reading level. She won two awards for the individual radio ads, one for the advertising campaign and one for “best of show” in the broadcast category.
Michigan Campus Compact Recognizes Four Aquinas Students By Sandy Hines (article appears courtesy of The Aquinas Times)
Michigan Campus Compact (MCC) recognized four Aquinas students earlier this year for their commitment to service in the community. MCC, an organization of college and university presidents from around the state, recognizes students who have demonstrated outstanding dedication to community service throughout their educational careers. Junior Allison Lindemyer received the Commitment to Service Award, while senior Mandy Schneider and juniors Mary Clare Avery and Andrea Covert received the Heart and Soul Award.
“Students are not there because they have to be there, they want to be there.” Courses are also held at retirement communities throughout the city as well as several nursing homes. Classes have been scheduled to accommodate the needs of the retirement-aged individuals who attend them. Most are held no earlier than 9:30 a.m. and no later than 3:30 p.m. to help students avoid rush hour traffic. They are not held on Monday mornings, which allows attendees to enjoy three-day weekends. Coffee and cookie breaks are held every hour, providing an easy means to socialize with fellow students. In the early days, the Emeritus College received a number of grants from such institutions as the Grand Rapids Foundation, the Michigan Humanities Council, and the National Endowment for the Humanities. The College is now funded with tuition payments, which equal $60 per four-week course ($40 for the book seminars, $80 for the Naples program), as well as by ticket sales for the Emeritus Dinner, which each year honors an individual who has made significant contributions to the community. The Aquinas Emeritus Board of Governors is composed of people from throughout the community, including some former Emeritus students and, in addition to course planning, offers advice on event coordination, and financial concerns. Scholarships to the College are available and, in fact, are part of the next phase of its community outreach efforts. Lewis says that he forging partnerships with area
churches in the hopes that they will offer partial scholarships, and that he is also consulting with area businesses to underwrite the cost of some courses offered by the College. According to Sr. Aquinas, the Emeritus College is developing initiatives that will allow its expansion into minority communities. “Many older minorities do not feel comfortable attending classes made up mostly of white students, so we need to go where that population is,” she says. In addition, the College plans to present a series of evening courses designed for Aquinas alumni who are members of the “Baby Boomer” generation. These classes will cover such topics as financial planning for retirement and adjusting to an “empty nest.” The College hopes to create new strategic partnerships with a number of businesses and indus-
tries in the western Michigan area as well. Advertisements in Aquinas Emeritus brochures reach over 3,500 people in the 50 and older age group, and local businesses are realizing the opportunity to enhance the lives of older adults that such advertising affords. Ultimately, the Emeritus College provides a rewarding experience for students and professors alike, Sr. Aquinas says. “There’s a lot of give and take. The students are not there because they have to be there, they want to be there. They’re not afraid to ask questions because they’re not getting graded or tested,” she says. “One of our teachers was offering a course on Harry Truman and she said that the students knew more about the topic than she did!” Sr. Aquinas adds. “They really enjoy the opportunity to challenge themselves and we enjoy the opportunity to provide it for them.”
Writing classes are popular as well as art, history and computer courses.
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RETIRING FACULTY
Emeritus College: Albert Lewis By Tonya Schafer ‘02, freelance writer
Rabbi Albert Lewis has long been one of Grand Rapids’ most outspoken advocates for the social and economic rights of senior citizens. Throughout his three decades in the city, Lewis has worked to expand public transportation, helped establish a Hospice, and written a column on senior issues in The Grand Rapids Press. Lewis was also one of the “think tank” members who 28 years ago helped create the Aquinas Emeritus College. Two years after retiring as head of Temple Emanuel, Lewis is back at Aquinas as the Emeritus College’s Director of Programs and Development. He hires faculty members and plans classes, sometimes even serving as an instructor himself.
The position is a perfect fit. “I’m not working crazy hours,” Lewis says, noting that he now has plenty of time to spend with his wife, Shirley, who is Dean of the School of Arts and Sciences at Aquinas, and with their two daughters and four grandsons. Semi-retired he may be, but Lewis is as busy as ever. In addition to his Aquinas duties, Lewis has written a book, The Lord is My Shepherd: Psalms to Accompany Us On Our Journey through Aging, which
will hit store shelves soon. “It’s designed for adults in nursing homes,” Lewis says. “It helps them look back on their lives using the Psalms as a context.” This past spring, Lewis received Junior Achievement’s Edward J. Frey Sr. Distinguished Achievement Award. “But I have a lot more living to do,” he says. “Seniors have such different life experiences and every day I continue to be challenged and encouraged by working with them.”
Welcome to Our New Full-Time Faculty “We’ve had 90-year-olds take computer classes because they want to … e-mail their grandchildren.”
Emeritus College: Mary Shefferly
-Mary Shefferly
By Tonya Schafer, ‘02, freelance writer
Working at Hospice of Greater Grand Rapids gave Mary Shefferly an appreciation for the determination, the judgment, and above all, the wisdom of older adults. That’s why she jumped at the chance to take over as Director of Operations for the Aquinas Emeritus College in October 2001. Shefferly says that interacting with seniors eager to keep their bodies active and their minds sharp is infinitely rewarding. “They’re encountering things that are so different from what they’re used to,” Shefferly says.
Following the reception, guests were treated to the new IMAX feature “Space Station 3-D,” an incredible 45 minute voyage into space filmed in state-of-the-art, three-dimensional film by the astronauts and cosmonauts aboard the International Space Station. Contributions may still be made by contacting the Development Department at Aquinas College at 616-459-8281, ext. 4490.
Mar y Shefferly, Operations Director, and Rabbi Albert Lewis, Programs and Dev elopment Director
“We’ve had 90-year-olds take computer classes because they want to learn how to e-mail their grandchildren.” Shefferly studied social work at Ferris State University, taking classes while her two sons attended high school. The family came to Grand Rapids in 1997 when her husband, Bill, took over as Vice President of Finance and Operations at Aquinas.
Shefferly worked for a time as a hospital social worker but says she has found her niche planning budgets, scheduling classes, and interacting with students in the Emeritus College. “Our program is thriving. It’s amazing how much students love the classes,” Shefferly says. “There’s a real hunger for knowledge out there and I love it. This is where I was meant to be.”
Thomas E. Bahl, associate professor of biology, holds a Ph.D. from Emory University, an M.S. from the University of Georgia and a B.S. from Penn State University. Jennifer Dawson, assistant professor of English, earned a Master and Ph.D. at Michigan State University and has a B.A. from the University of Michigan. Jason Duncan, Ph.D., assistant professor of history. John Hogan, assistant professor of accounting, earned an M.B.A., a B.B.A., and a C.P.A. from Grand Valley State University. Lisa Morgan, assistant professor of education, holds an M.A. from California State University and a B.A. from Bridgewater State College. Lisa Nowak, Ph.D., assistant professor of Spanish. Michel Pichot, visiting associate professor of French, holds a Ph.D. from Penn State University, M.A.’s from Michigan State University and Eastern Michigan University and a B.A. from Atlantic Union College.
Retiring Faculty Receive Emeritus Status By Tonya Schafer ‘02, Freelance Writer
Ask Leo “Bill” Graff, Jr., what he’ll remember most about his time at Aquinas and you’ll get a ready answer. “The people. When I was a young faculty member, I had great mentors—Lew Clingman, Ken Marin, George LaMountain, and Fred Bernard. All were wonderful teachers and became lifelong friends,” he says. In the coming years, many professors will likely say the same thing about Graff, the School’s longest-serving faculty member who retired this summer after thirty years at Aquinas College. Graff was one of five professors granted Emeritus Faculty status by the College’s Board of Trustees in May. Michael Denty, professor of philosophy, John Teusink, professor of biology, Michael Blomme, professor of chemistry, and Andrew Jefchak, professor of English, retired after many years of service to the Aquinas community. Being awarded Emeritus Faculty status “reflects distinguished service,” says President Harry Knopke, who nominated the professors for this honor. “They’ve provided wonderful service. And this is an honorific title they’ll be able to use the rest of their lives.” “It is a great honor to join the ranks of the emeritus faculty. They are a distinguished group that has given much to the college,” says Graff, who now plans to fill his time with travel, research, writing, and volunteer work.
Michael Blomme
Michael Denty
Leo “Bill” Graf, Jr. (left) with Provost Ed Balog.
John Teusink 22
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Faculty News
“Jefchak in Space” Lifts Off to Benefit Endowment By Gary Eberle, English Department Chair
On June 19, over 120 friends of Aquinas College blasted off to the International Space Station as part of an event benefiting the Andrew Jefchak Endowment for Cinema Studies. The event, held at Grand Rapids’ new IMAX theater, capped a year of fundraising efforts and featured the presentation of the very first “Jeffie” award to Aquinas alumna and Trustee Emerita Carol Duba Holm ’61 and her husband Bob. The “Jeffie,” an Oscar-like statuette, created by Aquinas art faculty member Ron Pederson, shows Jefchak standing with a book in one hand and a 16 mm film reel in the other as if on his way to class.The endowment was started in spring of 2001 to honor Jefchak on his retirement from full-time teaching after 30 years at Aquinas.
Achieving over 1000 credit hours each are (left to right) Isabel Butkiewicz, Louise Harley, Betty Anderson, Elizabeth Vittands and Florence Jefferies.
Lifelong Achievement Enrollment has been steadily increasing and now 280 students take advantage of the continuing education classes offered each semester. The experiences of several of the College’s students show that once a thirst for knowledge kicks in, it can’t be quenched. In May,
the Emeritus College sponsored an awards ceremony that honored 25 individuals who had taken over 100 and 1,000 credit hours each. 100 – Lee Abbott 100 – Sister Marie Joseph Ryan 100 – Marion Strodtman 100.5 – Nancy Hubert
100.65 – Lou Papale 101.1 – Eleanore Green 122.25 – Henry Guzzo 200 – Gladys Folkema 200 – Jay Folkema 200 – Marguerite McGraw 200 – Virgilia Wade 210.75 – Dorothy Michael 300 – Helen Carr 300 – Sister Ann Frederick Heiskell 300.3 – Louise Neller 325.55 – Cina Young 400 – Mary Margaret Rapp 410.85 – David Neven 500.7 – Millie Page 600 – Rita Fallon 601.1 – Margaret Cook 700 – Hazel Barnes 800 – Thomas Overkleeft 1050.7 – Isabel Butkiewicz 1130.40 – Louise Harley 1360.05 – Elizabeth Vittands 1500.8 – Betty Anderson 1680.45 – Florence Jefferies
Andy Jefchak addresses the crowd with the “Jeffie” on the podium.
Emeritus Dinner
The “Jeffie.”
During that time, he introduced cinema studies to the English Department curriculum and taught thousands of students to love movies and to view them intelligently. Funds generated by the endowment will be used to continue to develop the Aquinas library’s collection of classic and contempoCarol Duba Holm and husband Bob rary feature films for use in the accept the first “Jeffie” for their endowment support. classroom in both cinema and literature courses. After an initial fundraising campaign on campus, the fund was jump started by the Holms with a $5,000 matching fund grant for money raised in the first year of the campaign. Kathy Fore, director of special gifts, and I put together an alumni and corporate campaign, which, by year’s end, had achieved its goal of raising in excess of $5,000. The Grand Rapids Press, the John Loeks Theaters, and Goodrich Quality Theaters, contributed money to honor Jefchak’s work as a film critic. Those contributions were enhanced by ones from faculty, staff and alumni. The Holms’ $5,000 challenge was easily met. During a June 19 reception, Aquinas President Harry Knopke and John Loeks, owner of the IMAX Theater, offered tributes to Jefchak.
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“I call
By Tonya Schafer ‘02, Freelance Writer
Aquinas
Accepting the 2002 Emeritus Award during a dinner held in his honor this past May, Grand Rapids Mayor John H. Logie expressed appreciation for the support Aquinas College has given him throughout his 11 years in office. “I call Aquinas my ‘strong anchor’ on the eastern edge of the city,” Logie said. “I know it will continue to be so in the future.” Over 250 people attended the Emeritus Evening, which raised $45,000 for the Aquinas Emeritus College. The amount raised by the dinner was “a big chunk of our budget,” noted Emeritus College Director of Programs and Development, Albert Lewis. Logie’s selection as 2002 Emeritus Award recipient pays tribute to
anchor’ on
my ‘strong the eastern edge of the city.” -Mayor Logie
Left to right: Mayor John H. Logie, Susie Logie, Sheila Knopke, and President Knopke.
the years of service he has provided to the Grand Rapids community. Since being elected in 1991 Logie has made it his mission to revitalize the city’s downtown area. “I took a walk down Division Avenue right after I was elected and counted 76 vacant storefronts,” Logie said. So he helped establish Renaissance zones and has overseen such major construction projects as the Van Andel Institute, the Van Andel Arena, and the up-
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coming DeVos Place Convention Center. “The future is so exciting.” Logie said. Aquinas President Harry J. Knopke presented Logie with the award. Previous recipients have included former President Gerald Ford, Amway co-founder Rich DeVos and his wife, Helen, and Wege Foundation Chair and Aquinas College Trustee Emeritus Peter Wege.
Campus News David Mathews, Ph.D., president and chief executive officer of Kettering Foundation, delivers the commencement address to the Class of 2002.
Mary Caroline “Twink” Frey expressing gratitude after receiving an honorary Doctor of Social Science degree .
Ella Sims, Trustee Emerita, being hooded by her daughter, Mary ’86, receives an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree .
Commencement 2002 Aquinas President Harry Knopke told graduates and family members gathered for the 2002 Commencement that the College’s true measure of success is how well we help students “develop a better understanding their own strengths and talents and encouraging them to make a difference in the world around them.” Aquinas College conferred degrees on more than 500 graduates May 11 with 350 of those students participating in the two and a half-hour ceremony. In addition, three community and civic-minded individuals received honorary degrees. “Those who know me, know I am praising God,” said Ella Sims, Trustee Emerita, upon receiving her Doctor of Humane Letters degree for her work as an activist and advocate for the underserved in the Grand Rapids community. “From the cotton fields of Mississippi to here … I had dreams. But when you’re in God’s will, you don’t know where it will take you,” she told the audience. Mary Caroline “Twink” Frey received an honorary Doctor of Social Science degree for nearly a quarter of a century of work on behalf of women and children in the community. She said she would cherish the many ways in which Aquinas has touched her life. But she drew applause and laughter when she noted that her degree puts her with an infamous group of women— “Dr. Ruth, Dr. Laura and Dr. ’‘Twink.’” Twink Frey and her husband, Trustee Jim McKay, established an Endowment Fund that supports the Jane Hibbard Idema Women’s Studies Center at Aquinas. David Mathews, Ph.D., the president and CEO of the research-based Kettering Foundation in Ohio, was awarded an honorary Doctor of Laws degree for “leadership that has furthered the public’s understanding and practice of American democratic principles.” The Foundation has been a strong advocate for civic activism. Delivering the commencement address, Mathews, the former Secretary of Health, Education and Welfare under President Gerald Ford, praised Aquinas’ Community Leadership Program as a model for communities nationwide. The program, he said, teaches people how to make their communities more leaderful by teaching them how to make decisions together. Mathews offered some historical perspective on more than two centuries of grassroots involvement in American democracy. And now, in the wake of the 9/11 crisis, he issued a call for civic involvement among the future leaders who were sitting in the graduate ranks. He pointed out that everything that made America a better country began with six people sitting around a kitchen table. “Everyone in this building has access to a kitchen table and knows six people,” he said. “We are not powerless as citizens, even in a 9/11 world.” He encouraged these future leaders saying “democracy still starts where we live, in our communities. I think our message for this new generation which is facing more uncertainty, perhaps, than any other is that the future is more in your hands than anybody else.”
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Students at East Academy present a play that provided them learning opportunities in writing the play, designing and building the set, creating and distributing advertising posters, and selling tickets.
They learned communication skills by going to each of the classrooms in the school and telling the teachers and students about the play said Baker. They learned math by counting tickets and they learned about writing and drawing by making posters and flyers. Implementation of the Reggio Emilia program began two years ago as part of Aquinas’ commitment to community relationships and quality education in the community and also as a way to give Aquinas students first-hand experience with the innovative program. When Aquinas decided to take the program into the community, one of the first things Aquinas needed to do was find a coordinator. Enter Reggio expert David Kelly. Kelly brought several years of experience to the table as a studio coordinator for the Reggio Emilia inspired program in Chicago area schools. He now serves as an assistant professor of education at Aquinas in addition to his
duties as consultant to the three schools. The Reggio philosophy challenges some of our culture’s basic assumptions about young children, from the way we shape their minds to the pace at which they move through their days. In 1991, Newsweek hailed the program as an exemplary model of early childhood education, yet its philosophies have been slow to catch hold in our country, and the Reggio approach is still rare, especially in education after preschool. “These ideas are incredibly important around the country,” Kelly said. “We are bringing a world viewpoint into this city and we are asking people really hard questions about what does it mean to be a teacher and what does it mean to be a learner. Confronting these new ideas can be challenging.” “The program works to the benefit of [Aquinas] students as well as small children. The over 900 students in our School of Educa-
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tion program have the opportunity to explore the Reggio principles through their college courses and their practicum or student teaching stints. In fact the program is considered so cutting edge that we receive calls from other colleges wanting to get their students into these schools for their own Reggio experience,” said Kelly. “Aquinas is very interested in seeing how these schools can provide different thinking for the students at Aquinas,” Kelly said. “Here they see [the Reggio program] in action. Otherwise they just learn a lot of theory. Aquinas wants to give many different experiences to their students. This is only one, but it’s a good one.” Kate Girard ’02 did her practicum at the Aquinas College Child Development Center, which required 160 hours of experience to satisfy graduation requirements. “I was taking 19 credits a semester and the additional hours were not easy,” she said. “But after completing Reggio, it was just the most valuable experience. I really learned what kind of teacher I want to be.” Kate recently accepted a position as a kindergarten teacher in the Chicago area where she plans to use key elements of her Reggio training to impact the lives of her students. “I want to take the Reggio environment with me,” she said. “The creative, exciting, exploring environment will help me discover what my children are interested in. Then I can incorporate those interests into every area of their learning—the books that they read and the art that they do. Reggio has just integrated itself into my philosophy. It has taught me the incredible power of a child’s mind.”
The Reggio Way
Peace Corps Draws AQ Grad to Philippines
By Michelle Bottrall ’97, Contributing Writer
By Tonya Schafer ‘02, Freelance Writer
Have you heard about the new guy in town? His name is Reggio Emilia and he is Italian. But it’s not Reggio’s good looks that are creating a stir. It’s Reggio’s exciting environments, investigative techniques and innovative ideas that have people talking. You see, Reggio Emilia is an Italian system of education that is quickly changing the lives of the children at three Grand Rapids area schools. The Reggio approach is spreading like wildfire. Two years ago, East Academy in Wyoming, the Child Discovery Center in Grand Rapids, and the Aquinas College Child Development Center introduced the Reggio Emilia inspired program to their students. The system has worked so well that this fall the program will be expanded to include fifth grade students. So where did Reggio come from and how does it work? After World War II, the small Italian town of Reggio Emilia was so ravaged that its citizens banded together and decided to invest as much as possible in their young children, especially in their education. Reggio Emilia’s municipality created programs which serve infants and children up to age six. The plan creates conditions for learning that stimulate thinking in children using the children’s own ideas, observations and creativity to help shape the curriculum. In a typical Reggio classroom you would find a sunlight filled space with children working in several small areas. One area might be partitioned off with a curtain and have a puppet stage, one might
Aquinas student Gretchen Webber helps guide child creativity at the Child Discovery Center at Aquinas.
have two or three children crafting their ABC’s out of clay, another might have the children writing letters and posting them in the “mail center.” “It’s all about the environment of the classroom,” said Marcia Baker, kindergarten teacher and lead teacher for the Reggio Emilia program at East Academy. “You have to look at the room you come into and think ‘Is it about learning and investigating things or children listening to someone telling them what they need to know?’ What are the most important things for kindergartners to be? You want them to be readers and writers and thinkers and be able to show what they know. They can’t do that sitting in rows of desks.” An emergent curriculum is also a mainstay of the program. Topics for study are taken from the talk of children and their interests. For instance, when Baker discovered that many of her afternoon kindergarten students liked to play act during their free time, she encouraged them to do a play. However, unlike most school plays where the children learn a line or two and the
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teacher does everything else, this play involved the children from the beginning to the end. Students who were good at painting and building helped design and build the set. Children who liked to read and write helped write the play based on a favorite book of theirs, Henny Penny. Another group of children talked about advertising and designed posters, flyers and tickets for the show. Every step of the way, the children were involved. “Not only does theater give them a limitless imagination, it helps them learn how to problem solve,” said parent Sherry Lee Allen, whose daughter, Jamie, was Goosy Loosey in the production. “Just the fact that they can accomplish it and it can be so wonderful gives them a real sense of not only accomplishment but that their imaginations can become real. They are only limited by what they can dream up.” In the end, the production ended up being a learning experience that was so much fun, the children didn’t even realize they were fulfilling the state’s requirements regarding their education.
Community service has been part and parcel of Julie Fredrick’s life for as long as she can remember. While attending Aquinas (1998-2002), Fredrick tutored students at St. Andrew’s elementary, worked with Campus Ministry, and even volunteered at a national park in Maine. “But I’d always wanted to do missionary work,” says the Aquinas alumna, who graduated this past May. That’s why Fredrick has decided to put her teaching abilities to use not in a fluorescentlighted American classroom, but rather in the sultry mountains of the Philippines. Fredrick began a Julie Fredrick (right) with Beth Goyette as they prepare two-year stint in the to receive their diplomas last May Peace Corps this summer, using the skills she learned in Aquinas education classes to teach English in a rural community. “I’ll be helping teachers improve their English fluency and I’ll work with kids in the classroom,” Fredrick says. “I love volunteering and children and travel so this is a perfect fit.” Fredrick will be living with a host family and traveling to several communities, making classroom observations and participating in training workshops. Conditions will likely be more primitive than what she is used to, but Fredrick says the semester she spent living in a teepee on a Native American reservation as part
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of the Aquinas study program in Montana has prepared her for that possibility. “I’ve taken so much for granted and I want to learn an appreciation for what I have,” she says. Staff members who have worked with Fredrick say that this latest effort testifies to her selfless nature. “Julie is an excellent example of someone who uses her gifts and abilities to make a difference in the world today,” says Coordinator of Service Learning Eric Bridge. The College acknowledged that fact formally in May when it presented Fredrick with the Monsignor Bukowski Award, an honor given annually to a senior who exhibits outstanding service throughout his or her four years at Aquinas. Fredrick doesn’t miss any chance to give back to the community. When she cut her footlong hair in preparation for the tropical temperatures she will encounter the next two years, Fredrick donated it to Locks of Love, an organization that provides wigs to disadvantaged children who suffer from health-related hair loss. She insists that she isn’t nervous about her adventure. Unrest in the Middle East has touched areas of the Philippines, but the Peace Corps places participants in safe locations, she says, and her sense of mission is enough to see her through. “I’m more excited than nervous,” she says. “I find fulfillment in helping others and in trying to add to their lives in whatever way I can.”
The Global Perspective: International Studies
An Irish Experience
By Kris Lou, Assistant Dean of International and Cultural Studies
By Jennifer Brown ‘02
For the past four years Aquinas College has pursued an ambitious program of internationalization. The College created a series of semesterlong, intensive studyabroad and culturalimmersion programs. Last year, the International and Cultural Studies Program sent over 100 students to study sites in Costa Rica, France, Germany, Haiti, Ireland, Japan, Mexico, Montana (Blackfeet Indian Reservation), and Spain. Aquinas is committed to the idea Kris Lou, Ph.D. that a liberal arts education is a transforming education. As such, it develops the whole person as a contributing citizen of the world community. A liberal arts curriculum focuses on the development of values, addressing ultimate questions, while providing specific skills that contribute to the development of the whole individual as a social agent. In this, our students should acquire the life skills of self-confidence, independence, curiosity, appreciation for diversity and adaptability, through which they can better apply professional competencies. Off campus/international, cultural immersion programs represent a powerful blend of experiential and classroom learning that accomplishes these goals. These programs are excellent vehicles for challenging students to leave their comfort zones, to substitute understanding for suspicion and knowledge for ignorance, to discover their strengths and abilities, for demonstrating the possibilities of community from the family to global level, and for fostering an orientation to lifelong learning. International education, service-learning, and/or internships all have the potential to provide the basis for deep, tacit learning, which in turn inspires and motivates students to become community leaders and positive change agents. The proof of these grand ideals, however, is in the pudding. Accordingly, this year, we are celebrating the 30th anniversary of the Aquinas Ireland Program. This program has produced well over 600 alumni with more than fond memories of the beauty of the Irish people and land. These alumni, like their newer counterparts returning from Japan, Costa Rica, Spain, and other countries, will testify to the transformative power of cultural immersion.
When I was asked to write about my experience in Ireland, I was both excited and apprehensive because I was afraid I would not find the words to express how amazing this experience was for me. Tully Cross became my home away from home. At the trip’s beginning, I was told that if you thought leaving home was hard wait until you leave Ireland. I soon realized the truth of that statement. The semester I spent on the Emerald Isle was the best semester I have ever had. As we drove to Tully Cross, I heard my fellow students making comments like “I didn’t know Ireland had palm trees” or “look at the painted sheep.” I was one of 25 Aquinas students accompanied by professors Curt Bechler, Ph.D., and Lorraine Straw, Ph.D. Curriculum for the fourmonth semester included Irish History, Irish Literature and Irish Culture. The Irish Culture class taught us about the area, an ethnography report, and group trips to historical sites. We also were given the opportunity to complete Global Explorations of Meaning and/or a Service Learning Project. The Service Learning Projects included a community assessment for Connemara National Park; an organizational assessment for a weekly radio program; assistance with the Children’s Theater Program in the national schools; assistance to Youth Reach (i.e., work with struggling teens); classroom aides for the national schools; and visiting the Cleggan Nursing Home.
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School of Management The faculty and staff are looking forward to the beginning of another great school year. We welcome new faculty member John Hogan to the Accounting Department and continue to see excellent students enter both our graduate and undergraduate programs. As faculty members prepare for new classes and students, they will also be continuing the initiatives of self-study and program assessment begun in prior academic years, considering new directions and opportunities as we move forward. A new advising program, in which faculty members are more directly advising and mentoring majors, will also begin. In March, 2001 the School of Management presented a seminar titled, Being Your Best in the Workplace: Creating Positive Interactions through Positive Communication. Penny Avery, Ph.D., and Dave Weinandy, Ph.D., two outstanding Communication Department faculty members who also teach in the Master of Management Program, conducted it. We expect to continue to host a range of seminars in the future. If you are interested in being placed on a mailing list for such events, please contact Lynn Atkins-Rykert, ext. 8000, in the School of Management office (atkinlyn@aquinas.edu). In celebration of the 25th year of the Master of Management program, the School of Management will be hosting an open house in Jarecki Center for Advanced Learning during Homecoming weekend (Sept. 27-29). All are welcome whether you have graduated from the MM program or undergraduate Business, Accounting or CIS. In addition, we would like to know how best to stay connected with you as we move forward. We hope to see the increased involvement of many of our alumni in order to provide the greatest educational opportunity for our students.
Cynthia VanGelderen Dean, School of Management
School of Education It has been a refreshing and productive summer as we prepare for another year of increased enrollments and teacher innovations. Our Master of Science Education and Master in the Art of Teaching students are working on their action research projects, which positively impact their classroom and building-level teaching. The Master in Education and undergraduate students continue to be very successful in finding the teaching positions for which they have prepared. The cooperative charter school with Grand Rapids Public Schools and the cooperative magnet school with Wyoming Public Schools show increased enrollments for the third straight year. The Conductive Education Private School is now a recognized non-profit school with a separate board of directors, which has a cooperative arrangement with Aquinas College for training Physically and Otherwise Health Impaired (POHI) Aquinas College pre-service teachers. Our summer reading clinics, both elementary and secondary, were very successful programs. The International Conference of Education Through Music (ETM) that the School of Education and Music Department co-hosted in July was extremely well received. Cathy Tucci and her husband were able to receive their first daughter in China this summer, adding a new dimension to our joy and wonder for life.
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V. James Garofalo, Ph.D. Dean, School of Education
News from the Deans Curt Bechler, Ph.D., teaching Irish Literature at Sky Walk near Tully Cross.
School of Arts and Sciences
Shirley Lewis, Ph.D. Dean, School of Arts and Sciences
During graduation ceremonies last May, I placed the baccalaureate hoods on students majoring in degrees from the School of Arts and Sciences (SAS). I was moved by the impact that faculty members have on our traditional age and adult students. There was an exchange of warm feelings, smiles of recognition, handshakes and hugs with faculty as students walked through commencement ceremonies. We have really played an important part in helping students shape their lives as they enter adulthood. One graduate crossed the stage with her baby, both wearing mortarboards! For this woman, motherhood and college life were not mutually exclusive, but rather entwined in her daily routine. It’s quite remarkable how our adult students are able to juggle school, jobs and families. So much effort, energy, knowledge and care go into the making of a successful Aquinas student. I often have the opportunity to speak with alumni who are almost unanimous in saying that Aquinas was a life-giving and lifesustaining experience during their formative years. And everyone recalls how much they loved being here! I, too, realize how much I love Aquinas. The College represents so much more than a degree … it is the small, yet priceless, gem that creates, enhances and molds character with good values, impressive and challenging knowledge and fulfilling expectations. Such are the characteristics of the 2002 graduating class in the School of Arts and Sciences. The School of Arts and Sciences has had an active year, ranging from our collaborative nursing program with the University of Detroit Mercy to several new faculty who will begin their careers at Aquinas in fall 2002. About two dozen faculty members from SAS have spent time teaching in the Aquinas Emeritus College, an institution that focuses on the continuing education of our senior population, adults 55 and older. Our Arts and Sciences faculty continues to partake in professional development, making presentations and presenting papers at national and international conferences. Chair of the History Department Chad Gunnoe, Ph.D., spent this summer in Poland, studying and touring. English Department Chair Gary Eberle and Deborah Wickering, Ph.D., assistant professor-in-the-College have books coming out this summer and fall.
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Ireland Studies Program Celebrates 30th Anniversary Saturday Sept. 28, 2002
The courses and projects were designed to immerse us in the life and culture of Tully Cross and to let us experience life in rural Ireland in a very personal way. Friendships with the locals, Irish dancing lessons with the ladies of the town, afternoons over a pot of tea while studying, and long talks with new friends enriched our days, nights and weekends. Classes were made more special when they were taught out in the open where Bechler had to lecture over the “moos” of our neighbors. This is truly the experience and the opportunity of a lifetime. My travel companions and I returned filled with stories, treasuring the friendships we made and a little sad to say goodbye to the life we left behind. Some of my favorite memories are waking up in the morning and looking out the window to see the rain falling and the clouds covering the mountains as the wind whistled along. I looked forward to seeing the painted sheep grazing in the mountains behind the little white cottages or a cow or two running down the street with farmers not far behind. The tiny town of Tully Cross became a
home where I learned to live at a slower pace and to appreciate the beautiful scenery that is often pushed aside. This trip helped met to treasure the culture and to slow my life’s pace. The locals became my friends and the town became a home to me. I find myself longing to go back to the pub, to listen to the traditional Irish music that was played every Sunday evening, and to go for a walk along the ocean or hike in the mountains. Even walking a mile for groceries took on an entirely new meaning. The Irish culture is amazing and taught me more than anyone could ever imagine. I know now that I would not be who I am today without this dream-fulfilling experience.
Jennifer Brown ’02, Bridget Clark, senior, and Renae Rankin, senior, take a short break at a friend’s sheep farm.
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Donnelly Center
A sign and candle placed on a sidewalk in Spain last September echoes global sentiments to the 9/11 tragedy: “For the victims of the United States and for a better world”
September 11, 2001: A View From Abroad By Jeanette Pierce, Junior
Obviously, for the world, our country and myself, this has been a year unlike any other. It was filled with difficult times, amazing courage and small victories. It began when I first arrived in Spain last fall as part of Aquinas’ Global Explorations and Meanings (GEM)
program. I faced obstacles never before experienced. As I overcame them, I developed physical, mental and emotional muscles which I have used to help others overcome similar obstacles. September 11, 2001: Where was I? I was in Spain, far away from anything familiar. My only consolation was my knowledge of world politics that surrounded the issue. Unfortunately, none of the other students experienced that same comfort. They could only ask “Why?” I was able to answer that for them. I offered explanations and worked to help them grasp the events that were happening. I also helped non-Americans understand things from our point of view. Helping others through that difficult time also helped me. It made me realize the importance of education and the magnitude of the gift that made it possible.
Returning to the United States was as difficult as leaving it had been four months earlier. It had changed and so had I. More importantly, I had the opportunity to be that teacher once again. This time, I educated others on the importance of experiencing other cultures. I related my trials and tribulations, as well as my victories and ventures. I opened people’s eyes to a world never before conceived, and I consider that one of my greatest accomplishments ever. The GEM course taught us to think about the “Hero” formula: a person leaves home to face unknown challenges but eventually returns to share stories of battles fought and lessons learned that change people’s lives. I have never felt better, knowing that I have shared my story, both through words and deeds, and it has made a difference in the world.
Aquinas Welcomes New Chaplain By Mary Clark-Kaiser, Director of Campus Ministry
Father Charles Santoro
On August 1, the Rev. Charles Santoro, O.P., began his duties as the new chaplain at Aquinas College. Father Charles, who has master degrees in both Philosophy and Theology, has spent much of his career as a priest serving in Campus Ministry.
He has ministered at Catholic Newman Centers on large university campuses such as South Dakota State University, the University of Arizona and the University of Wisconsin. He has also served as chaplain at a private catholic college, Dominican University near Chicago. For the past seven years, Fr. Charles has served as Pastor of a Dominican Parish in Minneapolis. He says he looks forward to returning to campus ministry. Fr. Charles is interested in ecumenism, politics, including peace and justice issues, movies and sports. He is sure to be among those rooting on the
28
Saints this year as he admits to being an enthusiastic sports fan. Fr. Santoro replaces Fr. Ron Kreul, O.P., who after two years at AQ moved on to Edgewood College in Madison, Wisconsin, where he will apply his knowledge and expertise in the School’s Master of Marriage and Family Therapy program.
Father Ron Kreul
Performing Arts Center —The Curtain is Rising The new $7.0 million Performing Arts Center moved from the drawing Representatives of Aquinas College, Circle Theatre and board to the construction phase with an official groundbreaking ceremony Catholic Secondary Schools break ground May 6. on May 6. More than 300 people crowded the south campus site where representatives of Aquinas, Circle Theatre and the Catholic Secondary Schools of Grand Rapids turned dirt to mark the start of construction. The Theatre, a collaborative venture between Aquinas, Circle Theatre and the Catholic Secondary Schools, will be 28,500 square feet with 410 permanent seats arranged in a stepped-stadium style wrapping a thrust stage. After foundation work was completed in early July, a 250-ton crane moved onto the site to begin placing 80 pre-cast concrete slabs into place, forming the outer perimeter for the two upper floors of the building. The wall slabs weighed between 37,000 and 45,000 pounds and measured between 36 and 41 feet high and eight feet wide. Floor panels were to be placed in early Circle Theatre/Aquinas College Capital August and work was scheduled to begin on the roof trusses. The Theatre is Campaign Co-Chair Kyle Irwin (center) scheduled to open next summer. flanked by Sue Jandernoa (left) and It’s not too late to get involved with Arnette Kraus. the Theatre project. Reserve a seat for yourself or someone close to you. You can have a seat named for $1,000 through the “We’ve Saved a Seat for You” chair campaign. For more information, contact Kathy Fore, Director of Special Gifts, at 616-459-8281, ext. 4423, or via e-mail at forekat@aquinas.edu Visit the Aquinas College Web site for weekly progress reports on construction, including site photographs. There’s a link on the main page or type www.aquinas.edu/news/theatre/.
Over 300 people came together to celebrate the groundbreaking on May 6, 2002. Crews place 20-ton pre-cast concrete walls into place in mid-July forming a portion of the exterior wall of the 28,500 sq. ft. theatre.
33
Poetry Workshops Attract High School Students to Aquinas By Pam Waterbury, Assistant Professor of English
In the 1989 cinematic production “Dead Poets Society,” actor Robin Williams plays an eccentric New England prep school professor who inspires his students through poetry. Though his unusual method of teaching is designed to encourage his students to challenge conventional wisdom, his character, perhaps, embodies that spirit which every English professor attempts to instill in students —a passion for life that manifests itself through their writings or performance. That same effort was evident for a group of high school students who came to Aquinas in mid-May. The students, spoken word poets, came to campus on May 17, performing original works developed during an all day workshop. Forty students and four teachers from several Grand Rapids area schools—Christian High, East Kentwood, Hudsonville, and Ottawa Hills—participated in the third annual Poetry Out Loud. Poetry writing, propmaking, and performance workshops led by faculty from the English, Art, and Music Departments of Aquinas and guest presenters culminated in a “Happening” in which students performed their music accompanied by Aquinas Percussion Band in the Moose Cafe. Students were introduced to the concept of Performance Poetry through videos and original musical compositions by Rupert Kettle, which were performed by percussion musicians in the Amphitheater
Students perform at the “Happening” following the daylong poetr y workshop.
shop led by Dana Freeman, associate professor of art. They picked up performance techniques from Barbara McCargar and Gary Eberle, chairs of the Music and English Departments, respectively. The workshops not only gave students the opportunity to develop new skills in the creative arts, but the chance to interact with their peers from the other area schools. The “Happening” concluded the daylong workshop with students performing their poems for an audience of friends and parents. The event provides an important venue to showcase the talents of students whose interests are not often celebrated or even recognized in most high schools. More importantly, students are exposed to a creative means for expressing their voices and truths.
Poetry writing workshops, directed by Aquinas faculty, guide the students in developing the foundation for their creative efforts.
of the Kretchmer Art and Music Center. English Department faculty —Associate Professors Michelle DeRose and Miriam Pederson and Assistant Pr ofessor Vicki McMillan—led the high school students in poetry writing workshops. Aquinas alumna and poet, Linda Nemic Foster ’72 also led a poetry writing session. The students also learned about mask and prop making in a work-
32
The unqualified success of this program can be seen in the students’ desire to return each year. “My students loved the ‘Happening’, the mask making, and the poetry writing. On the bus ride home, the students were already planning for next year,” said East Kentwood High School teacher Anne Keller. She added, “One of my students says she wants to go to AQ!”
Reading Empowers Students and Impacts Their Future By Anna Goddard, Fieldwork Coordinator, School of Education
Three times per year, Aquinas College hosts the Elementary Reading Clinic. The clinic is open to all first through sixth grade children in the community. In conjunction with the Reading Assessment and Classroom Practices education course, Aquinas students tutor these children in foundational reading skills with an emphasis on comprehension and word identification. Because only one-third of fourth-graders in America read skillfully at grade level, Aquinas School of Education students are taught to identify student-reading challenges early and to intervene Aquinas instructor Phi Tran assists Clinic student, Tierney, with her assignments. quickly. If gone unnoticed or unattended before the fourth grade, reading problems compound and become exponentially more difficult to rectify. A solid foundation of self-esteem is critical for children. When children struggle with reading, they feel stupid in comparison to their peers. Frustration increases, a poor attitude develops, and behavior problems emerge, potentially resulting in even more devastating social implications. Proficient literacy in youth is paramount. Teachers need the knowledge to instill literacy skills in their students. Aquinas College equips its Education students with the expertise they need to empower and educate children. The Elementary Reading Clinic operates every fall and spring semester from 4 to 5:30 p.m., one time per week for 11 weeks at a cost of $150 per student. The clinic also operates every summer from 9:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. five times per week for three weeks at a cost of $300 per student. Through the Frederic H. Chappell Endowment, scholarships are available on a limited basis. Before his death in February 2000, Frederic Chappell was the consummate educator, devoting his life to helping children. In his honor and memory, Luthene Chappell, former Reading Clinic Director of 18 years and Frederic’s wife, established the fund to provide scholarships to those families unable to afford tuition. Donations for the clinic may be made to the Frederic H. Chappell Endowment in care of Bill Weitzel, Director of Planned Giving, at (800) 748-0186 or weitzwil@aquinas.edu. For further information regarding the Elementary Reading Clinic, please contact Sue Liberatore, Reading Clinic Director, at 616-459-8281, ext. 5500, or libersus@aquinas.edu.
29
Women’s Studies Center Brings Jane Goodall to Aquinas College By Jennifer Kotenko, student/ Aquinas Times reporter
Jane Goodall, renowned environmentalist and huSusan Haworth-Hoeppner, director of the manitarian, visited Aquinas Women’s Studies Center, with guest lecturer and renowned environmentalist Jane Goodall. College Feb. 13 to share some of her experiences and to impart her reason for hope. College Conferencing Goodall’s visit was held in conServices: Open for junction with a promotional tour for Roots and Shoots, the environBusiness. mental education program she By Nicole Selzer, Conferencing Services founded that involves people of At Aquinas, education occurs all ages, races, financial situations, on many levels. Professional workand cultures who are committed shops, long-distance learning, to making a difference. seminars and a variety of social acGoodall is famous for begintivities are among the opportunining the longest-ever continuous ties made available through the study of animals in their natural College’s Conferencing Services habitats and for making discoverDepartment. Aquinas offers nearly ies about her subjects that revolua dozen meeting spaces, in additionized the way animals are tion to classrooms, for any variety viewed. of events whether social, profesNow she works to improve sional development or general conditions for the animal kingmeeting. The Conferencing Dedom, the environment, and for all partment handles event schedulmankind. Roots, according to ing and coordinates setup, caterGoodall, provide a firm foundaing, and equipment needs for large tion. Shoots, insignificant as they or small group functions. may seem, have been known to In 1998, the College opened break through brick walls. Like the Jarecki Center for Advanced those shoots, people—through Learning, which houses state of their commitment to extending the art communications technolawareness—are making the world a better place. “Every individual has a role to play and every one of us matters and can make a difference,” Goodall said at Aquinas. “Only love and compassion and respect for all life can dissolve the barriers between groups.” (Article appears courtesy of the Aquinas Times.)
30
ogy. The Center is equipped to provide teleconferencing, video conferencing, and Internet access to meet the technological requirements of our students, staff, faculty and clients. The Conferencing aspect of Aquinas helps to expose the business community to the College, its beautifully wooded surroundings, and the community at large. It’s not uncommon to find one or two wedding receptions or other social events taking place in the Wege Ballroom and the Donnelly Conference Center on any given weekend. An added bonus is the alluring escape that awaits those attending campus events. Guests can take in the serene beauty of the campus with a walk through the gardens, around Wege Pond or across the campus. Throughout the academic year, Aquinas also hosts events that are open to the public, offering a variety of speakers, musical performances and other activities. For more information, contact Juli Galle at 616-459-8281, ext. 5306, Judi Creamer at ext. 5304, or Nicole Selzer at ext. 5305.
The Jarecki Center for Advanced Learning provides an ideal setting for technology-based business meetings as well as social gatherings.
U of M Interim President Draws Huge Crowd for Wege Speaker Series By Tonya Schafer ‘02, Freelance Writer
Wege Speaker Series
Emphasizing the need for environmental conservation efforts, former University of Michigan Interim President B. Joseph White got right to the point. “There isn’t another ozone layer, there are no more rivers, and we can’t keep moving into what’s left of our green spaces. We must act smarter, more responsibly, and more efficiently when it comes to the environment,” White told a crowd of faculty, staff, students, and community members that packed Aquinas College’s Wege Student Center Ballroom April 2. His speech, “From Pollution to Solution: Environmentalists and Business Join Forces” was held in conjunction with the Wege Speaker Series, which each year Joseph White, Ph.D. (sta ge right), former University of Michigan interim brings to campus an individual president, speaks to an ov erflow crowd in the Weg e Center Ballroom for who has devoted himself or herthe 2002 Wege Speaker Series. Series founder, Peter Wege (stage left), and self to the conservation of natural President Knopke (center) listen. resources. Local philanthropist Peter Wege founded the series in 1997. In the years since, it has featured such 2003 noted individuals as environmentalist Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., son and namesake of the former U.S. senator, and economist Herman E. Daly. Series White, who completed a six-month term as interim president of the April 10 University of Michigan on July 31, is a former dean of Michigan’s Business School and has launched such initiatives as the Erb Environmental Management Institute and the Corporate Environmental Management Program. He said that the bulk of responsibility for environmental preservation Speaker: falls on businesses, which must maintain an ethical duty to ensure that their John Knott Jr. practices help—and not hinder—conservation efforts. White cited the case Builder of his own university, which maintains a thriving recycling program, employs a fleet of alternative fuel vehicles, and makes use of energy-saving Developer appliances, as an example of environmental stewardship in action. Preservationist “It takes more than action, though. It also takes education,” said White. He noted that offering courses in such areas as urban planning, the UniverUrban sity is laying a foundation for future conservation efforts and is providing Revitalization tomorrow’s leaders with “the kind of forward thinking Peter Wege offers Expert our generation.”
Wege Ballroom 4 p.m. 31
Women’s Studies Center Brings Jane Goodall to Aquinas College By Jennifer Kotenko, student/ Aquinas Times reporter
Jane Goodall, renowned environmentalist and huSusan Haworth-Hoeppner, director of the manitarian, visited Aquinas Women’s Studies Center, with guest lecturer and renowned environmentalist Jane Goodall. College Feb. 13 to share some of her experiences and to impart her reason for hope. College Conferencing Goodall’s visit was held in conServices: Open for junction with a promotional tour for Roots and Shoots, the environBusiness. mental education program she By Nicole Selzer, Conferencing Services founded that involves people of At Aquinas, education occurs all ages, races, financial situations, on many levels. Professional workand cultures who are committed shops, long-distance learning, to making a difference. seminars and a variety of social acGoodall is famous for begintivities are among the opportunining the longest-ever continuous ties made available through the study of animals in their natural College’s Conferencing Services habitats and for making discoverDepartment. Aquinas offers nearly ies about her subjects that revolua dozen meeting spaces, in additionized the way animals are tion to classrooms, for any variety viewed. of events whether social, profesNow she works to improve sional development or general conditions for the animal kingmeeting. The Conferencing Dedom, the environment, and for all partment handles event schedulmankind. Roots, according to ing and coordinates setup, caterGoodall, provide a firm foundaing, and equipment needs for large tion. Shoots, insignificant as they or small group functions. may seem, have been known to In 1998, the College opened break through brick walls. Like the Jarecki Center for Advanced those shoots, people—through Learning, which houses state of their commitment to extending the art communications technolawareness—are making the world a better place. “Every individual has a role to play and every one of us matters and can make a difference,” Goodall said at Aquinas. “Only love and compassion and respect for all life can dissolve the barriers between groups.” (Article appears courtesy of the Aquinas Times.)
30
ogy. The Center is equipped to provide teleconferencing, video conferencing, and Internet access to meet the technological requirements of our students, staff, faculty and clients. The Conferencing aspect of Aquinas helps to expose the business community to the College, its beautifully wooded surroundings, and the community at large. It’s not uncommon to find one or two wedding receptions or other social events taking place in the Wege Ballroom and the Donnelly Conference Center on any given weekend. An added bonus is the alluring escape that awaits those attending campus events. Guests can take in the serene beauty of the campus with a walk through the gardens, around Wege Pond or across the campus. Throughout the academic year, Aquinas also hosts events that are open to the public, offering a variety of speakers, musical performances and other activities. For more information, contact Juli Galle at 616-459-8281, ext. 5306, Judi Creamer at ext. 5304, or Nicole Selzer at ext. 5305.
The Jarecki Center for Advanced Learning provides an ideal setting for technology-based business meetings as well as social gatherings.
U of M Interim President Draws Huge Crowd for Wege Speaker Series By Tonya Schafer ‘02, Freelance Writer
Wege Speaker Series
Emphasizing the need for environmental conservation efforts, former University of Michigan Interim President B. Joseph White got right to the point. “There isn’t another ozone layer, there are no more rivers, and we can’t keep moving into what’s left of our green spaces. We must act smarter, more responsibly, and more efficiently when it comes to the environment,” White told a crowd of faculty, staff, students, and community members that packed Aquinas College’s Wege Student Center Ballroom April 2. His speech, “From Pollution to Solution: Environmentalists and Business Join Forces” was held in conjunction with the Wege Speaker Series, which each year Joseph White, Ph.D. (sta ge right), former University of Michigan interim brings to campus an individual president, speaks to an ov erflow crowd in the Weg e Center Ballroom for who has devoted himself or herthe 2002 Wege Speaker Series. Series founder, Peter Wege (stage left), and self to the conservation of natural President Knopke (center) listen. resources. Local philanthropist Peter Wege founded the series in 1997. In the years since, it has featured such 2003 noted individuals as environmentalist Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., son and namesake of the former U.S. senator, and economist Herman E. Daly. Series White, who completed a six-month term as interim president of the April 10 University of Michigan on July 31, is a former dean of Michigan’s Business School and has launched such initiatives as the Erb Environmental Management Institute and the Corporate Environmental Management Program. He said that the bulk of responsibility for environmental preservation Speaker: falls on businesses, which must maintain an ethical duty to ensure that their John Knott Jr. practices help—and not hinder—conservation efforts. White cited the case Builder of his own university, which maintains a thriving recycling program, employs a fleet of alternative fuel vehicles, and makes use of energy-saving Developer appliances, as an example of environmental stewardship in action. Preservationist “It takes more than action, though. It also takes education,” said White. He noted that offering courses in such areas as urban planning, the UniverUrban sity is laying a foundation for future conservation efforts and is providing Revitalization tomorrow’s leaders with “the kind of forward thinking Peter Wege offers Expert our generation.”
Wege Ballroom 4 p.m. 31
Poetry Workshops Attract High School Students to Aquinas By Pam Waterbury, Assistant Professor of English
In the 1989 cinematic production “Dead Poets Society,” actor Robin Williams plays an eccentric New England prep school professor who inspires his students through poetry. Though his unusual method of teaching is designed to encourage his students to challenge conventional wisdom, his character, perhaps, embodies that spirit which every English professor attempts to instill in students —a passion for life that manifests itself through their writings or performance. That same effort was evident for a group of high school students who came to Aquinas in mid-May. The students, spoken word poets, came to campus on May 17, performing original works developed during an all day workshop. Forty students and four teachers from several Grand Rapids area schools—Christian High, East Kentwood, Hudsonville, and Ottawa Hills—participated in the third annual Poetry Out Loud. Poetry writing, propmaking, and performance workshops led by faculty from the English, Art, and Music Departments of Aquinas and guest presenters culminated in a “Happening” in which students performed their music accompanied by Aquinas Percussion Band in the Moose Cafe. Students were introduced to the concept of Performance Poetry through videos and original musical compositions by Rupert Kettle, which were performed by percussion musicians in the Amphitheater
Students perform at the “Happening” following the daylong poetr y workshop.
shop led by Dana Freeman, associate professor of art. They picked up performance techniques from Barbara McCargar and Gary Eberle, chairs of the Music and English Departments, respectively. The workshops not only gave students the opportunity to develop new skills in the creative arts, but the chance to interact with their peers from the other area schools. The “Happening” concluded the daylong workshop with students performing their poems for an audience of friends and parents. The event provides an important venue to showcase the talents of students whose interests are not often celebrated or even recognized in most high schools. More importantly, students are exposed to a creative means for expressing their voices and truths.
Poetry writing workshops, directed by Aquinas faculty, guide the students in developing the foundation for their creative efforts.
of the Kretchmer Art and Music Center. English Department faculty —Associate Professors Michelle DeRose and Miriam Pederson and Assistant Pr ofessor Vicki McMillan—led the high school students in poetry writing workshops. Aquinas alumna and poet, Linda Nemic Foster ’72 also led a poetry writing session. The students also learned about mask and prop making in a work-
32
The unqualified success of this program can be seen in the students’ desire to return each year. “My students loved the ‘Happening’, the mask making, and the poetry writing. On the bus ride home, the students were already planning for next year,” said East Kentwood High School teacher Anne Keller. She added, “One of my students says she wants to go to AQ!”
Reading Empowers Students and Impacts Their Future By Anna Goddard, Fieldwork Coordinator, School of Education
Three times per year, Aquinas College hosts the Elementary Reading Clinic. The clinic is open to all first through sixth grade children in the community. In conjunction with the Reading Assessment and Classroom Practices education course, Aquinas students tutor these children in foundational reading skills with an emphasis on comprehension and word identification. Because only one-third of fourth-graders in America read skillfully at grade level, Aquinas School of Education students are taught to identify student-reading challenges early and to intervene Aquinas instructor Phi Tran assists Clinic student, Tierney, with her assignments. quickly. If gone unnoticed or unattended before the fourth grade, reading problems compound and become exponentially more difficult to rectify. A solid foundation of self-esteem is critical for children. When children struggle with reading, they feel stupid in comparison to their peers. Frustration increases, a poor attitude develops, and behavior problems emerge, potentially resulting in even more devastating social implications. Proficient literacy in youth is paramount. Teachers need the knowledge to instill literacy skills in their students. Aquinas College equips its Education students with the expertise they need to empower and educate children. The Elementary Reading Clinic operates every fall and spring semester from 4 to 5:30 p.m., one time per week for 11 weeks at a cost of $150 per student. The clinic also operates every summer from 9:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. five times per week for three weeks at a cost of $300 per student. Through the Frederic H. Chappell Endowment, scholarships are available on a limited basis. Before his death in February 2000, Frederic Chappell was the consummate educator, devoting his life to helping children. In his honor and memory, Luthene Chappell, former Reading Clinic Director of 18 years and Frederic’s wife, established the fund to provide scholarships to those families unable to afford tuition. Donations for the clinic may be made to the Frederic H. Chappell Endowment in care of Bill Weitzel, Director of Planned Giving, at (800) 748-0186 or weitzwil@aquinas.edu. For further information regarding the Elementary Reading Clinic, please contact Sue Liberatore, Reading Clinic Director, at 616-459-8281, ext. 5500, or libersus@aquinas.edu.
29
A sign and candle placed on a sidewalk in Spain last September echoes global sentiments to the 9/11 tragedy: “For the victims of the United States and for a better world”
September 11, 2001: A View From Abroad By Jeanette Pierce, Junior
Obviously, for the world, our country and myself, this has been a year unlike any other. It was filled with difficult times, amazing courage and small victories. It began when I first arrived in Spain last fall as part of Aquinas’ Global Explorations and Meanings (GEM)
program. I faced obstacles never before experienced. As I overcame them, I developed physical, mental and emotional muscles which I have used to help others overcome similar obstacles. September 11, 2001: Where was I? I was in Spain, far away from anything familiar. My only consolation was my knowledge of world politics that surrounded the issue. Unfortunately, none of the other students experienced that same comfort. They could only ask “Why?” I was able to answer that for them. I offered explanations and worked to help them grasp the events that were happening. I also helped non-Americans understand things from our point of view. Helping others through that difficult time also helped me. It made me realize the importance of education and the magnitude of the gift that made it possible.
Returning to the United States was as difficult as leaving it had been four months earlier. It had changed and so had I. More importantly, I had the opportunity to be that teacher once again. This time, I educated others on the importance of experiencing other cultures. I related my trials and tribulations, as well as my victories and ventures. I opened people’s eyes to a world never before conceived, and I consider that one of my greatest accomplishments ever. The GEM course taught us to think about the “Hero” formula: a person leaves home to face unknown challenges but eventually returns to share stories of battles fought and lessons learned that change people’s lives. I have never felt better, knowing that I have shared my story, both through words and deeds, and it has made a difference in the world.
Aquinas Welcomes New Chaplain By Mary Clark-Kaiser, Director of Campus Ministry
Father Charles Santoro
On August 1, the Rev. Charles Santoro, O.P., began his duties as the new chaplain at Aquinas College. Father Charles, who has master degrees in both Philosophy and Theology, has spent much of his career as a priest serving in Campus Ministry.
He has ministered at Catholic Newman Centers on large university campuses such as South Dakota State University, the University of Arizona and the University of Wisconsin. He has also served as chaplain at a private catholic college, Dominican University near Chicago. For the past seven years, Fr. Charles has served as Pastor of a Dominican Parish in Minneapolis. He says he looks forward to returning to campus ministry. Fr. Charles is interested in ecumenism, politics, including peace and justice issues, movies and sports. He is sure to be among those rooting on the
28
Saints this year as he admits to being an enthusiastic sports fan. Fr. Santoro replaces Fr. Ron Kreul, O.P., who after two years at AQ moved on to Edgewood College in Madison, Wisconsin, where he will apply his knowledge and expertise in the School’s Master of Marriage and Family Therapy program.
Father Ron Kreul
Performing Arts Center —The Curtain is Rising The new $7.0 million Performing Arts Center moved from the drawing Representatives of Aquinas College, Circle Theatre and board to the construction phase with an official groundbreaking ceremony Catholic Secondary Schools break ground May 6. on May 6. More than 300 people crowded the south campus site where representatives of Aquinas, Circle Theatre and the Catholic Secondary Schools of Grand Rapids turned dirt to mark the start of construction. The Theatre, a collaborative venture between Aquinas, Circle Theatre and the Catholic Secondary Schools, will be 28,500 square feet with 410 permanent seats arranged in a stepped-stadium style wrapping a thrust stage. After foundation work was completed in early July, a 250-ton crane moved onto the site to begin placing 80 pre-cast concrete slabs into place, forming the outer perimeter for the two upper floors of the building. The wall slabs weighed between 37,000 and 45,000 pounds and measured between 36 and 41 feet high and eight feet wide. Floor panels were to be placed in early Circle Theatre/Aquinas College Capital August and work was scheduled to begin on the roof trusses. The Theatre is Campaign Co-Chair Kyle Irwin (center) scheduled to open next summer. flanked by Sue Jandernoa (left) and It’s not too late to get involved with Arnette Kraus. the Theatre project. Reserve a seat for yourself or someone close to you. You can have a seat named for $1,000 through the “We’ve Saved a Seat for You” chair campaign. For more information, contact Kathy Fore, Director of Special Gifts, at 616-459-8281, ext. 4423, or via e-mail at forekat@aquinas.edu Visit the Aquinas College Web site for weekly progress reports on construction, including site photographs. There’s a link on the main page or type www.aquinas.edu/news/theatre/.
Over 300 people came together to celebrate the groundbreaking on May 6, 2002. Crews place 20-ton pre-cast concrete walls into place in mid-July forming a portion of the exterior wall of the 28,500 sq. ft. theatre.
33
News from the Deans Curt Bechler, Ph.D., teaching Irish Literature at Sky Walk near Tully Cross.
School of Arts and Sciences
Shirley Lewis, Ph.D. Dean, School of Arts and Sciences
During graduation ceremonies last May, I placed the baccalaureate hoods on students majoring in degrees from the School of Arts and Sciences (SAS). I was moved by the impact that faculty members have on our traditional age and adult students. There was an exchange of warm feelings, smiles of recognition, handshakes and hugs with faculty as students walked through commencement ceremonies. We have really played an important part in helping students shape their lives as they enter adulthood. One graduate crossed the stage with her baby, both wearing mortarboards! For this woman, motherhood and college life were not mutually exclusive, but rather entwined in her daily routine. It’s quite remarkable how our adult students are able to juggle school, jobs and families. So much effort, energy, knowledge and care go into the making of a successful Aquinas student. I often have the opportunity to speak with alumni who are almost unanimous in saying that Aquinas was a life-giving and lifesustaining experience during their formative years. And everyone recalls how much they loved being here! I, too, realize how much I love Aquinas. The College represents so much more than a degree … it is the small, yet priceless, gem that creates, enhances and molds character with good values, impressive and challenging knowledge and fulfilling expectations. Such are the characteristics of the 2002 graduating class in the School of Arts and Sciences. The School of Arts and Sciences has had an active year, ranging from our collaborative nursing program with the University of Detroit Mercy to several new faculty who will begin their careers at Aquinas in fall 2002. About two dozen faculty members from SAS have spent time teaching in the Aquinas Emeritus College, an institution that focuses on the continuing education of our senior population, adults 55 and older. Our Arts and Sciences faculty continues to partake in professional development, making presentations and presenting papers at national and international conferences. Chair of the History Department Chad Gunnoe, Ph.D., spent this summer in Poland, studying and touring. English Department Chair Gary Eberle and Deborah Wickering, Ph.D., assistant professor-in-the-College have books coming out this summer and fall.
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Ireland Studies Program Celebrates 30th Anniversary Saturday Sept. 28, 2002
The courses and projects were designed to immerse us in the life and culture of Tully Cross and to let us experience life in rural Ireland in a very personal way. Friendships with the locals, Irish dancing lessons with the ladies of the town, afternoons over a pot of tea while studying, and long talks with new friends enriched our days, nights and weekends. Classes were made more special when they were taught out in the open where Bechler had to lecture over the “moos” of our neighbors. This is truly the experience and the opportunity of a lifetime. My travel companions and I returned filled with stories, treasuring the friendships we made and a little sad to say goodbye to the life we left behind. Some of my favorite memories are waking up in the morning and looking out the window to see the rain falling and the clouds covering the mountains as the wind whistled along. I looked forward to seeing the painted sheep grazing in the mountains behind the little white cottages or a cow or two running down the street with farmers not far behind. The tiny town of Tully Cross became a
home where I learned to live at a slower pace and to appreciate the beautiful scenery that is often pushed aside. This trip helped met to treasure the culture and to slow my life’s pace. The locals became my friends and the town became a home to me. I find myself longing to go back to the pub, to listen to the traditional Irish music that was played every Sunday evening, and to go for a walk along the ocean or hike in the mountains. Even walking a mile for groceries took on an entirely new meaning. The Irish culture is amazing and taught me more than anyone could ever imagine. I know now that I would not be who I am today without this dream-fulfilling experience.
Jennifer Brown ’02, Bridget Clark, senior, and Renae Rankin, senior, take a short break at a friend’s sheep farm.
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Donnelly Center
The Global Perspective: International Studies
An Irish Experience
By Kris Lou, Assistant Dean of International and Cultural Studies
By Jennifer Brown ‘02
For the past four years Aquinas College has pursued an ambitious program of internationalization. The College created a series of semesterlong, intensive studyabroad and culturalimmersion programs. Last year, the International and Cultural Studies Program sent over 100 students to study sites in Costa Rica, France, Germany, Haiti, Ireland, Japan, Mexico, Montana (Blackfeet Indian Reservation), and Spain. Aquinas is committed to the idea Kris Lou, Ph.D. that a liberal arts education is a transforming education. As such, it develops the whole person as a contributing citizen of the world community. A liberal arts curriculum focuses on the development of values, addressing ultimate questions, while providing specific skills that contribute to the development of the whole individual as a social agent. In this, our students should acquire the life skills of self-confidence, independence, curiosity, appreciation for diversity and adaptability, through which they can better apply professional competencies. Off campus/international, cultural immersion programs represent a powerful blend of experiential and classroom learning that accomplishes these goals. These programs are excellent vehicles for challenging students to leave their comfort zones, to substitute understanding for suspicion and knowledge for ignorance, to discover their strengths and abilities, for demonstrating the possibilities of community from the family to global level, and for fostering an orientation to lifelong learning. International education, service-learning, and/or internships all have the potential to provide the basis for deep, tacit learning, which in turn inspires and motivates students to become community leaders and positive change agents. The proof of these grand ideals, however, is in the pudding. Accordingly, this year, we are celebrating the 30th anniversary of the Aquinas Ireland Program. This program has produced well over 600 alumni with more than fond memories of the beauty of the Irish people and land. These alumni, like their newer counterparts returning from Japan, Costa Rica, Spain, and other countries, will testify to the transformative power of cultural immersion.
When I was asked to write about my experience in Ireland, I was both excited and apprehensive because I was afraid I would not find the words to express how amazing this experience was for me. Tully Cross became my home away from home. At the trip’s beginning, I was told that if you thought leaving home was hard wait until you leave Ireland. I soon realized the truth of that statement. The semester I spent on the Emerald Isle was the best semester I have ever had. As we drove to Tully Cross, I heard my fellow students making comments like “I didn’t know Ireland had palm trees” or “look at the painted sheep.” I was one of 25 Aquinas students accompanied by professors Curt Bechler, Ph.D., and Lorraine Straw, Ph.D. Curriculum for the fourmonth semester included Irish History, Irish Literature and Irish Culture. The Irish Culture class taught us about the area, an ethnography report, and group trips to historical sites. We also were given the opportunity to complete Global Explorations of Meaning and/or a Service Learning Project. The Service Learning Projects included a community assessment for Connemara National Park; an organizational assessment for a weekly radio program; assistance with the Children’s Theater Program in the national schools; assistance to Youth Reach (i.e., work with struggling teens); classroom aides for the national schools; and visiting the Cleggan Nursing Home.
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School of Management The faculty and staff are looking forward to the beginning of another great school year. We welcome new faculty member John Hogan to the Accounting Department and continue to see excellent students enter both our graduate and undergraduate programs. As faculty members prepare for new classes and students, they will also be continuing the initiatives of self-study and program assessment begun in prior academic years, considering new directions and opportunities as we move forward. A new advising program, in which faculty members are more directly advising and mentoring majors, will also begin. In March, 2001 the School of Management presented a seminar titled, Being Your Best in the Workplace: Creating Positive Interactions through Positive Communication. Penny Avery, Ph.D., and Dave Weinandy, Ph.D., two outstanding Communication Department faculty members who also teach in the Master of Management Program, conducted it. We expect to continue to host a range of seminars in the future. If you are interested in being placed on a mailing list for such events, please contact Lynn Atkins-Rykert, ext. 8000, in the School of Management office (atkinlyn@aquinas.edu). In celebration of the 25th year of the Master of Management program, the School of Management will be hosting an open house in Jarecki Center for Advanced Learning during Homecoming weekend (Sept. 27-29). All are welcome whether you have graduated from the MM program or undergraduate Business, Accounting or CIS. In addition, we would like to know how best to stay connected with you as we move forward. We hope to see the increased involvement of many of our alumni in order to provide the greatest educational opportunity for our students.
Cynthia VanGelderen Dean, School of Management
School of Education It has been a refreshing and productive summer as we prepare for another year of increased enrollments and teacher innovations. Our Master of Science Education and Master in the Art of Teaching students are working on their action research projects, which positively impact their classroom and building-level teaching. The Master in Education and undergraduate students continue to be very successful in finding the teaching positions for which they have prepared. The cooperative charter school with Grand Rapids Public Schools and the cooperative magnet school with Wyoming Public Schools show increased enrollments for the third straight year. The Conductive Education Private School is now a recognized non-profit school with a separate board of directors, which has a cooperative arrangement with Aquinas College for training Physically and Otherwise Health Impaired (POHI) Aquinas College pre-service teachers. Our summer reading clinics, both elementary and secondary, were very successful programs. The International Conference of Education Through Music (ETM) that the School of Education and Music Department co-hosted in July was extremely well received. Cathy Tucci and her husband were able to receive their first daughter in China this summer, adding a new dimension to our joy and wonder for life.
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V. James Garofalo, Ph.D. Dean, School of Education
The Reggio Way
Peace Corps Draws AQ Grad to Philippines
By Michelle Bottrall ’97, Contributing Writer
By Tonya Schafer ‘02, Freelance Writer
Have you heard about the new guy in town? His name is Reggio Emilia and he is Italian. But it’s not Reggio’s good looks that are creating a stir. It’s Reggio’s exciting environments, investigative techniques and innovative ideas that have people talking. You see, Reggio Emilia is an Italian system of education that is quickly changing the lives of the children at three Grand Rapids area schools. The Reggio approach is spreading like wildfire. Two years ago, East Academy in Wyoming, the Child Discovery Center in Grand Rapids, and the Aquinas College Child Development Center introduced the Reggio Emilia inspired program to their students. The system has worked so well that this fall the program will be expanded to include fifth grade students. So where did Reggio come from and how does it work? After World War II, the small Italian town of Reggio Emilia was so ravaged that its citizens banded together and decided to invest as much as possible in their young children, especially in their education. Reggio Emilia’s municipality created programs which serve infants and children up to age six. The plan creates conditions for learning that stimulate thinking in children using the children’s own ideas, observations and creativity to help shape the curriculum. In a typical Reggio classroom you would find a sunlight filled space with children working in several small areas. One area might be partitioned off with a curtain and have a puppet stage, one might
Aquinas student Gretchen Webber helps guide child creativity at the Child Discovery Center at Aquinas.
have two or three children crafting their ABC’s out of clay, another might have the children writing letters and posting them in the “mail center.” “It’s all about the environment of the classroom,” said Marcia Baker, kindergarten teacher and lead teacher for the Reggio Emilia program at East Academy. “You have to look at the room you come into and think ‘Is it about learning and investigating things or children listening to someone telling them what they need to know?’ What are the most important things for kindergartners to be? You want them to be readers and writers and thinkers and be able to show what they know. They can’t do that sitting in rows of desks.” An emergent curriculum is also a mainstay of the program. Topics for study are taken from the talk of children and their interests. For instance, when Baker discovered that many of her afternoon kindergarten students liked to play act during their free time, she encouraged them to do a play. However, unlike most school plays where the children learn a line or two and the
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teacher does everything else, this play involved the children from the beginning to the end. Students who were good at painting and building helped design and build the set. Children who liked to read and write helped write the play based on a favorite book of theirs, Henny Penny. Another group of children talked about advertising and designed posters, flyers and tickets for the show. Every step of the way, the children were involved. “Not only does theater give them a limitless imagination, it helps them learn how to problem solve,” said parent Sherry Lee Allen, whose daughter, Jamie, was Goosy Loosey in the production. “Just the fact that they can accomplish it and it can be so wonderful gives them a real sense of not only accomplishment but that their imaginations can become real. They are only limited by what they can dream up.” In the end, the production ended up being a learning experience that was so much fun, the children didn’t even realize they were fulfilling the state’s requirements regarding their education.
Community service has been part and parcel of Julie Fredrick’s life for as long as she can remember. While attending Aquinas (1998-2002), Fredrick tutored students at St. Andrew’s elementary, worked with Campus Ministry, and even volunteered at a national park in Maine. “But I’d always wanted to do missionary work,” says the Aquinas alumna, who graduated this past May. That’s why Fredrick has decided to put her teaching abilities to use not in a fluorescentlighted American classroom, but rather in the sultry mountains of the Philippines. Fredrick began a Julie Fredrick (right) with Beth Goyette as they prepare two-year stint in the to receive their diplomas last May Peace Corps this summer, using the skills she learned in Aquinas education classes to teach English in a rural community. “I’ll be helping teachers improve their English fluency and I’ll work with kids in the classroom,” Fredrick says. “I love volunteering and children and travel so this is a perfect fit.” Fredrick will be living with a host family and traveling to several communities, making classroom observations and participating in training workshops. Conditions will likely be more primitive than what she is used to, but Fredrick says the semester she spent living in a teepee on a Native American reservation as part
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of the Aquinas study program in Montana has prepared her for that possibility. “I’ve taken so much for granted and I want to learn an appreciation for what I have,” she says. Staff members who have worked with Fredrick say that this latest effort testifies to her selfless nature. “Julie is an excellent example of someone who uses her gifts and abilities to make a difference in the world today,” says Coordinator of Service Learning Eric Bridge. The College acknowledged that fact formally in May when it presented Fredrick with the Monsignor Bukowski Award, an honor given annually to a senior who exhibits outstanding service throughout his or her four years at Aquinas. Fredrick doesn’t miss any chance to give back to the community. When she cut her footlong hair in preparation for the tropical temperatures she will encounter the next two years, Fredrick donated it to Locks of Love, an organization that provides wigs to disadvantaged children who suffer from health-related hair loss. She insists that she isn’t nervous about her adventure. Unrest in the Middle East has touched areas of the Philippines, but the Peace Corps places participants in safe locations, she says, and her sense of mission is enough to see her through. “I’m more excited than nervous,” she says. “I find fulfillment in helping others and in trying to add to their lives in whatever way I can.”
Campus News David Mathews, Ph.D., president and chief executive officer of Kettering Foundation, delivers the commencement address to the Class of 2002.
Mary Caroline “Twink” Frey expressing gratitude after receiving an honorary Doctor of Social Science degree .
Ella Sims, Trustee Emerita, being hooded by her daughter, Mary ’86, receives an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree .
Commencement 2002 Aquinas President Harry Knopke told graduates and family members gathered for the 2002 Commencement that the College’s true measure of success is how well we help students “develop a better understanding their own strengths and talents and encouraging them to make a difference in the world around them.” Aquinas College conferred degrees on more than 500 graduates May 11 with 350 of those students participating in the two and a half-hour ceremony. In addition, three community and civic-minded individuals received honorary degrees. “Those who know me, know I am praising God,” said Ella Sims, Trustee Emerita, upon receiving her Doctor of Humane Letters degree for her work as an activist and advocate for the underserved in the Grand Rapids community. “From the cotton fields of Mississippi to here … I had dreams. But when you’re in God’s will, you don’t know where it will take you,” she told the audience. Mary Caroline “Twink” Frey received an honorary Doctor of Social Science degree for nearly a quarter of a century of work on behalf of women and children in the community. She said she would cherish the many ways in which Aquinas has touched her life. But she drew applause and laughter when she noted that her degree puts her with an infamous group of women— “Dr. Ruth, Dr. Laura and Dr. ’‘Twink.’” Twink Frey and her husband, Trustee Jim McKay, established an Endowment Fund that supports the Jane Hibbard Idema Women’s Studies Center at Aquinas. David Mathews, Ph.D., the president and CEO of the research-based Kettering Foundation in Ohio, was awarded an honorary Doctor of Laws degree for “leadership that has furthered the public’s understanding and practice of American democratic principles.” The Foundation has been a strong advocate for civic activism. Delivering the commencement address, Mathews, the former Secretary of Health, Education and Welfare under President Gerald Ford, praised Aquinas’ Community Leadership Program as a model for communities nationwide. The program, he said, teaches people how to make their communities more leaderful by teaching them how to make decisions together. Mathews offered some historical perspective on more than two centuries of grassroots involvement in American democracy. And now, in the wake of the 9/11 crisis, he issued a call for civic involvement among the future leaders who were sitting in the graduate ranks. He pointed out that everything that made America a better country began with six people sitting around a kitchen table. “Everyone in this building has access to a kitchen table and knows six people,” he said. “We are not powerless as citizens, even in a 9/11 world.” He encouraged these future leaders saying “democracy still starts where we live, in our communities. I think our message for this new generation which is facing more uncertainty, perhaps, than any other is that the future is more in your hands than anybody else.”
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Students at East Academy present a play that provided them learning opportunities in writing the play, designing and building the set, creating and distributing advertising posters, and selling tickets.
They learned communication skills by going to each of the classrooms in the school and telling the teachers and students about the play said Baker. They learned math by counting tickets and they learned about writing and drawing by making posters and flyers. Implementation of the Reggio Emilia program began two years ago as part of Aquinas’ commitment to community relationships and quality education in the community and also as a way to give Aquinas students first-hand experience with the innovative program. When Aquinas decided to take the program into the community, one of the first things Aquinas needed to do was find a coordinator. Enter Reggio expert David Kelly. Kelly brought several years of experience to the table as a studio coordinator for the Reggio Emilia inspired program in Chicago area schools. He now serves as an assistant professor of education at Aquinas in addition to his
duties as consultant to the three schools. The Reggio philosophy challenges some of our culture’s basic assumptions about young children, from the way we shape their minds to the pace at which they move through their days. In 1991, Newsweek hailed the program as an exemplary model of early childhood education, yet its philosophies have been slow to catch hold in our country, and the Reggio approach is still rare, especially in education after preschool. “These ideas are incredibly important around the country,” Kelly said. “We are bringing a world viewpoint into this city and we are asking people really hard questions about what does it mean to be a teacher and what does it mean to be a learner. Confronting these new ideas can be challenging.” “The program works to the benefit of [Aquinas] students as well as small children. The over 900 students in our School of Educa-
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tion program have the opportunity to explore the Reggio principles through their college courses and their practicum or student teaching stints. In fact the program is considered so cutting edge that we receive calls from other colleges wanting to get their students into these schools for their own Reggio experience,” said Kelly. “Aquinas is very interested in seeing how these schools can provide different thinking for the students at Aquinas,” Kelly said. “Here they see [the Reggio program] in action. Otherwise they just learn a lot of theory. Aquinas wants to give many different experiences to their students. This is only one, but it’s a good one.” Kate Girard ’02 did her practicum at the Aquinas College Child Development Center, which required 160 hours of experience to satisfy graduation requirements. “I was taking 19 credits a semester and the additional hours were not easy,” she said. “But after completing Reggio, it was just the most valuable experience. I really learned what kind of teacher I want to be.” Kate recently accepted a position as a kindergarten teacher in the Chicago area where she plans to use key elements of her Reggio training to impact the lives of her students. “I want to take the Reggio environment with me,” she said. “The creative, exciting, exploring environment will help me discover what my children are interested in. Then I can incorporate those interests into every area of their learning—the books that they read and the art that they do. Reggio has just integrated itself into my philosophy. It has taught me the incredible power of a child’s mind.”
Faculty News
“Jefchak in Space” Lifts Off to Benefit Endowment By Gary Eberle, English Department Chair
On June 19, over 120 friends of Aquinas College blasted off to the International Space Station as part of an event benefiting the Andrew Jefchak Endowment for Cinema Studies. The event, held at Grand Rapids’ new IMAX theater, capped a year of fundraising efforts and featured the presentation of the very first “Jeffie” award to Aquinas alumna and Trustee Emerita Carol Duba Holm ’61 and her husband Bob. The “Jeffie,” an Oscar-like statuette, created by Aquinas art faculty member Ron Pederson, shows Jefchak standing with a book in one hand and a 16 mm film reel in the other as if on his way to class.The endowment was started in spring of 2001 to honor Jefchak on his retirement from full-time teaching after 30 years at Aquinas.
Achieving over 1000 credit hours each are (left to right) Isabel Butkiewicz, Louise Harley, Betty Anderson, Elizabeth Vittands and Florence Jefferies.
Lifelong Achievement Enrollment has been steadily increasing and now 280 students take advantage of the continuing education classes offered each semester. The experiences of several of the College’s students show that once a thirst for knowledge kicks in, it can’t be quenched. In May,
the Emeritus College sponsored an awards ceremony that honored 25 individuals who had taken over 100 and 1,000 credit hours each. 100 – Lee Abbott 100 – Sister Marie Joseph Ryan 100 – Marion Strodtman 100.5 – Nancy Hubert
100.65 – Lou Papale 101.1 – Eleanore Green 122.25 – Henry Guzzo 200 – Gladys Folkema 200 – Jay Folkema 200 – Marguerite McGraw 200 – Virgilia Wade 210.75 – Dorothy Michael 300 – Helen Carr 300 – Sister Ann Frederick Heiskell 300.3 – Louise Neller 325.55 – Cina Young 400 – Mary Margaret Rapp 410.85 – David Neven 500.7 – Millie Page 600 – Rita Fallon 601.1 – Margaret Cook 700 – Hazel Barnes 800 – Thomas Overkleeft 1050.7 – Isabel Butkiewicz 1130.40 – Louise Harley 1360.05 – Elizabeth Vittands 1500.8 – Betty Anderson 1680.45 – Florence Jefferies
Andy Jefchak addresses the crowd with the “Jeffie” on the podium.
Emeritus Dinner
The “Jeffie.”
During that time, he introduced cinema studies to the English Department curriculum and taught thousands of students to love movies and to view them intelligently. Funds generated by the endowment will be used to continue to develop the Aquinas library’s collection of classic and contempoCarol Duba Holm and husband Bob rary feature films for use in the accept the first “Jeffie” for their endowment support. classroom in both cinema and literature courses. After an initial fundraising campaign on campus, the fund was jump started by the Holms with a $5,000 matching fund grant for money raised in the first year of the campaign. Kathy Fore, director of special gifts, and I put together an alumni and corporate campaign, which, by year’s end, had achieved its goal of raising in excess of $5,000. The Grand Rapids Press, the John Loeks Theaters, and Goodrich Quality Theaters, contributed money to honor Jefchak’s work as a film critic. Those contributions were enhanced by ones from faculty, staff and alumni. The Holms’ $5,000 challenge was easily met. During a June 19 reception, Aquinas President Harry Knopke and John Loeks, owner of the IMAX Theater, offered tributes to Jefchak.
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“I call
By Tonya Schafer ‘02, Freelance Writer
Aquinas
Accepting the 2002 Emeritus Award during a dinner held in his honor this past May, Grand Rapids Mayor John H. Logie expressed appreciation for the support Aquinas College has given him throughout his 11 years in office. “I call Aquinas my ‘strong anchor’ on the eastern edge of the city,” Logie said. “I know it will continue to be so in the future.” Over 250 people attended the Emeritus Evening, which raised $45,000 for the Aquinas Emeritus College. The amount raised by the dinner was “a big chunk of our budget,” noted Emeritus College Director of Programs and Development, Albert Lewis. Logie’s selection as 2002 Emeritus Award recipient pays tribute to
anchor’ on
my ‘strong the eastern edge of the city.” -Mayor Logie
Left to right: Mayor John H. Logie, Susie Logie, Sheila Knopke, and President Knopke.
the years of service he has provided to the Grand Rapids community. Since being elected in 1991 Logie has made it his mission to revitalize the city’s downtown area. “I took a walk down Division Avenue right after I was elected and counted 76 vacant storefronts,” Logie said. So he helped establish Renaissance zones and has overseen such major construction projects as the Van Andel Institute, the Van Andel Arena, and the up-
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coming DeVos Place Convention Center. “The future is so exciting.” Logie said. Aquinas President Harry J. Knopke presented Logie with the award. Previous recipients have included former President Gerald Ford, Amway co-founder Rich DeVos and his wife, Helen, and Wege Foundation Chair and Aquinas College Trustee Emeritus Peter Wege.
RETIRING FACULTY
Emeritus College: Albert Lewis By Tonya Schafer ‘02, freelance writer
Rabbi Albert Lewis has long been one of Grand Rapids’ most outspoken advocates for the social and economic rights of senior citizens. Throughout his three decades in the city, Lewis has worked to expand public transportation, helped establish a Hospice, and written a column on senior issues in The Grand Rapids Press. Lewis was also one of the “think tank” members who 28 years ago helped create the Aquinas Emeritus College. Two years after retiring as head of Temple Emanuel, Lewis is back at Aquinas as the Emeritus College’s Director of Programs and Development. He hires faculty members and plans classes, sometimes even serving as an instructor himself.
The position is a perfect fit. “I’m not working crazy hours,” Lewis says, noting that he now has plenty of time to spend with his wife, Shirley, who is Dean of the School of Arts and Sciences at Aquinas, and with their two daughters and four grandsons. Semi-retired he may be, but Lewis is as busy as ever. In addition to his Aquinas duties, Lewis has written a book, The Lord is My Shepherd: Psalms to Accompany Us On Our Journey through Aging, which
will hit store shelves soon. “It’s designed for adults in nursing homes,” Lewis says. “It helps them look back on their lives using the Psalms as a context.” This past spring, Lewis received Junior Achievement’s Edward J. Frey Sr. Distinguished Achievement Award. “But I have a lot more living to do,” he says. “Seniors have such different life experiences and every day I continue to be challenged and encouraged by working with them.”
Welcome to Our New Full-Time Faculty “We’ve had 90-year-olds take computer classes because they want to … e-mail their grandchildren.”
Emeritus College: Mary Shefferly
-Mary Shefferly
By Tonya Schafer, ‘02, freelance writer
Working at Hospice of Greater Grand Rapids gave Mary Shefferly an appreciation for the determination, the judgment, and above all, the wisdom of older adults. That’s why she jumped at the chance to take over as Director of Operations for the Aquinas Emeritus College in October 2001. Shefferly says that interacting with seniors eager to keep their bodies active and their minds sharp is infinitely rewarding. “They’re encountering things that are so different from what they’re used to,” Shefferly says.
Following the reception, guests were treated to the new IMAX feature “Space Station 3-D,” an incredible 45 minute voyage into space filmed in state-of-the-art, three-dimensional film by the astronauts and cosmonauts aboard the International Space Station. Contributions may still be made by contacting the Development Department at Aquinas College at 616-459-8281, ext. 4490.
Mar y Shefferly, Operations Director, and Rabbi Albert Lewis, Programs and Dev elopment Director
“We’ve had 90-year-olds take computer classes because they want to learn how to e-mail their grandchildren.” Shefferly studied social work at Ferris State University, taking classes while her two sons attended high school. The family came to Grand Rapids in 1997 when her husband, Bill, took over as Vice President of Finance and Operations at Aquinas.
Shefferly worked for a time as a hospital social worker but says she has found her niche planning budgets, scheduling classes, and interacting with students in the Emeritus College. “Our program is thriving. It’s amazing how much students love the classes,” Shefferly says. “There’s a real hunger for knowledge out there and I love it. This is where I was meant to be.”
Thomas E. Bahl, associate professor of biology, holds a Ph.D. from Emory University, an M.S. from the University of Georgia and a B.S. from Penn State University. Jennifer Dawson, assistant professor of English, earned a Master and Ph.D. at Michigan State University and has a B.A. from the University of Michigan. Jason Duncan, Ph.D., assistant professor of history. John Hogan, assistant professor of accounting, earned an M.B.A., a B.B.A., and a C.P.A. from Grand Valley State University. Lisa Morgan, assistant professor of education, holds an M.A. from California State University and a B.A. from Bridgewater State College. Lisa Nowak, Ph.D., assistant professor of Spanish. Michel Pichot, visiting associate professor of French, holds a Ph.D. from Penn State University, M.A.’s from Michigan State University and Eastern Michigan University and a B.A. from Atlantic Union College.
Retiring Faculty Receive Emeritus Status By Tonya Schafer ‘02, Freelance Writer
Ask Leo “Bill” Graff, Jr., what he’ll remember most about his time at Aquinas and you’ll get a ready answer. “The people. When I was a young faculty member, I had great mentors—Lew Clingman, Ken Marin, George LaMountain, and Fred Bernard. All were wonderful teachers and became lifelong friends,” he says. In the coming years, many professors will likely say the same thing about Graff, the School’s longest-serving faculty member who retired this summer after thirty years at Aquinas College. Graff was one of five professors granted Emeritus Faculty status by the College’s Board of Trustees in May. Michael Denty, professor of philosophy, John Teusink, professor of biology, Michael Blomme, professor of chemistry, and Andrew Jefchak, professor of English, retired after many years of service to the Aquinas community. Being awarded Emeritus Faculty status “reflects distinguished service,” says President Harry Knopke, who nominated the professors for this honor. “They’ve provided wonderful service. And this is an honorific title they’ll be able to use the rest of their lives.” “It is a great honor to join the ranks of the emeritus faculty. They are a distinguished group that has given much to the college,” says Graff, who now plans to fill his time with travel, research, writing, and volunteer work.
Michael Blomme
Michael Denty
Leo “Bill” Graf, Jr. (left) with Provost Ed Balog.
John Teusink 22
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Student News
Student and Alumna Win Coveted Addy Awards
To say it’s been an exciting year for Alicia Mey is an understatement. This December, Mey will complete her studies at Aquinas and receive her Master of Management degree. Earlier this year, she received a professional honor when the Ad Club of West Michigan selected her marketing project for Zondervan Books (Grand Rapids) for an Addy Award. Her challenge was to create something that would address the increasing competition in the reference book category. She borrowed a promotion idea she saw elsewhere and customized it to fit Zondervan’s requirements. “InfoShades”, she says, presents a uni-que design, Alicia Mey, Aquinas master of management student, offering a lot of displays the “infoShades” which earned her the Addy information in a Award. small amount of space that is placed on the front of shelf racks offering customers explanations for available reference materials. “They help customers understand which reference books will best meet their need, educate customers on the importance of matching reference books with their preferred Bible translation, and promote Zondervan reference books in retail outlets,” said Mey. She also won a Silver Addy Award at the District level.
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Her efforts didn’t go unnoticed by her employer, either. Shortly after her award recognition, Mey she received a promotion, moving from Senior Promotions Manager to Associate Marketing Director. The Ad Club also recognized another Zondervan employee. Kathy Needham ‘02, marketing director for Zonderkidz, received four Addy Awards for a radio campaign designed for the children’s book division of Zondervan. The Addy’s were for two radio campaigns for children’s Bibles in the NIrV (New International Reader’s Version) translation written at a third grade reading level. She won two awards for the individual radio ads, one for the advertising campaign and one for “best of show” in the broadcast category.
Michigan Campus Compact Recognizes Four Aquinas Students By Sandy Hines (article appears courtesy of The Aquinas Times)
Michigan Campus Compact (MCC) recognized four Aquinas students earlier this year for their commitment to service in the community. MCC, an organization of college and university presidents from around the state, recognizes students who have demonstrated outstanding dedication to community service throughout their educational careers. Junior Allison Lindemyer received the Commitment to Service Award, while senior Mandy Schneider and juniors Mary Clare Avery and Andrea Covert received the Heart and Soul Award.
“Students are not there because they have to be there, they want to be there.” Courses are also held at retirement communities throughout the city as well as several nursing homes. Classes have been scheduled to accommodate the needs of the retirement-aged individuals who attend them. Most are held no earlier than 9:30 a.m. and no later than 3:30 p.m. to help students avoid rush hour traffic. They are not held on Monday mornings, which allows attendees to enjoy three-day weekends. Coffee and cookie breaks are held every hour, providing an easy means to socialize with fellow students. In the early days, the Emeritus College received a number of grants from such institutions as the Grand Rapids Foundation, the Michigan Humanities Council, and the National Endowment for the Humanities. The College is now funded with tuition payments, which equal $60 per four-week course ($40 for the book seminars, $80 for the Naples program), as well as by ticket sales for the Emeritus Dinner, which each year honors an individual who has made significant contributions to the community. The Aquinas Emeritus Board of Governors is composed of people from throughout the community, including some former Emeritus students and, in addition to course planning, offers advice on event coordination, and financial concerns. Scholarships to the College are available and, in fact, are part of the next phase of its community outreach efforts. Lewis says that he forging partnerships with area
churches in the hopes that they will offer partial scholarships, and that he is also consulting with area businesses to underwrite the cost of some courses offered by the College. According to Sr. Aquinas, the Emeritus College is developing initiatives that will allow its expansion into minority communities. “Many older minorities do not feel comfortable attending classes made up mostly of white students, so we need to go where that population is,” she says. In addition, the College plans to present a series of evening courses designed for Aquinas alumni who are members of the “Baby Boomer” generation. These classes will cover such topics as financial planning for retirement and adjusting to an “empty nest.” The College hopes to create new strategic partnerships with a number of businesses and indus-
tries in the western Michigan area as well. Advertisements in Aquinas Emeritus brochures reach over 3,500 people in the 50 and older age group, and local businesses are realizing the opportunity to enhance the lives of older adults that such advertising affords. Ultimately, the Emeritus College provides a rewarding experience for students and professors alike, Sr. Aquinas says. “There’s a lot of give and take. The students are not there because they have to be there, they want to be there. They’re not afraid to ask questions because they’re not getting graded or tested,” she says. “One of our teachers was offering a course on Harry Truman and she said that the students knew more about the topic than she did!” Sr. Aquinas adds. “They really enjoy the opportunity to challenge themselves and we enjoy the opportunity to provide it for them.”
Writing classes are popular as well as art, history and computer courses.
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COMMUNITY OUTREACH
Lifelong Learning at Emeritus College By Tonya Schafer ’02, Freelance Writer
The Aquinas Emeritus College traces its history back to the early 1970s when then-President Norbert Hruby recognized—well ahead of many other college and university leaders—that opportunities for lifelong learning for older adults were sorely missing in the West Michigan area. “We knew it was a population that would enjoy a liberal arts education, maybe more so than the ‘regular’ student population,” explains Sister Aquinas Weber, O.P., Emeritus College Consultant and Aquinas College Chancellor. Backed by a committed vision, a supportive and imaginative College Board of Trustees, and the tireless efforts of both Sisters Aquinas and Agnes Claire Thiel, the Emeritus College was launched in the fall of 1975 with 115 students attending classes throughout the year. Nearly three decades later, annual enrollment has grown to well over 1,000. Representatives from such schools as Eastern Michigan University and Kalamazoo Valley Community College have used the Aquinas curriculum as a model for similar programs on their own campuses. Faculty members from across West Michigan call Aquinas and ask, “How do I sign up to teach for Emeritus?” The program offers a diversity of courses that correspond to the goals maintained by Aquinas College as a whole, says Director of Programs and Development, Rabbi Albert Lewis. Both colleges seek to provide a quality liberal arts educa-
Emeritus College has become a benchmark for other Institutions.
tion regardless of a student’s sex, race, religious affiliation, or— most appropriate in this case—age. Courses have run the gamut from the Ethics of Espionage to Cr eative Writing, from investigations of the Kennedy assassination to analyses of Picasso’s works. They are offered during five fourweek long sessions—two in the fall, two in the spring, and a winter program in Grand Rapids. The four-week Naples, Florida program runs in February and is attended by retirees from throughout the Midwest and East Coast who now live in Florida as well as native Floridians alike. The Curriculum Committee of the Board of Governors offers suggestions for course topics, as do students. The College also offers classes that relate to activities going on in the Grand Rapids area. When a local theater company featured a production by Tennessee Williams, the Emeritus College
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offered a course on this famous American playwright. A class on the Dead Sea Scrolls was offered during the spring 2002 semester, as the documents will soon be featured in an exhibition at the Van Andel Museum Center in downtown Grand Rapids. History classes are among the most popular courses according to Sr. Aquinas. “Anytime we offer a class on World War II, we are going to have the room filled,” she adds. A book seminar is also held six times a semester, allowing students to discuss a work of their own choosing under the direction of a facilitator. The Emeritus College has grown since its beginnings, starting in the Academic Building, moving to Willowbrook (the current President’s home), and eventually taking up residence in the Browne Center (a former estate mansion at the corner of Robinson Road and Woodward Lane).
Covert works with Project PRIDE, tutors, and visits the sisters at Aquinata Hall. Schneider works with Campus Ministry and plans high school retreats. Avery coordinates the Sigsbee Elementary tutoring program. Lindemyer is the founder of Casa Hogar, a student organization that raises money for an orphanage of the same name in Peru and that also raises awareness of poverty issues in general. She, along with Covert and Schneider, dedicates many service hours to the organization. “These four demonstrate how actively involved Aquinas students are in the community,” said Eric Bridge, coordinator of service learning. “I think it ties into the Dominican tradition very well in that we have students who are actively living out their faith. [They] use their gifts and abilities to make the world a better place.”
Semester in California By Melissa Spagnoli, Aquinas senior
It’s amazing how many opportunities Aquinas College has to offer. Some opportunities are more visible than others, like the semester in Ireland or the wide range of Service Learning trips. However, towards the end of my sophomore year, I came across an opportunity that would become one of the greatest experiences in my life. Aquinas is one of 19 Dominican colleges and universities in the United States. The exchange program allows students at one sister school to attend another for one semester. When I heard about this, I decided to take advantage of the
program in my junior year, choosing Dominican University of California. There were several motivating factors—the desire to do something on my own, to apply what my parents had taught me all these years, to discover a new place, and of course, to live in sunny California for four months, too. While at Dominican University, I found things were quite different from Aquinas College. Dominican offered the chance to travel and explore on the weekends as San Francisco and Oakland were only ten minutes away. Aquinas provides many on-campus opportunities to get involved during the week and on the weekends, such as bands, comedians, and community service. The Bay area’s big city environment presented new experiences, including the Homecoming Dance on a Yacht in San Francisco Bay and Christmas caroling on a cable car. Like Aquinas, Dominican is a small college that offers a low student-to-faculty ratio and, thus, more personal attention. I was fortunate to have great professors at both schools who were willing to offer assistance. The semester at Dominican gave me the independence to develop my feeling of self-confidence —oh, and yes, a tan. Although my time in California went fast, it was nice to return to Aquinas. I admire the College’s strong campus ministry program, particularly in the way Bukowski Chapel fills for Mass on Sunday nights. Further, the communication and business departments continue to challenge me. Perhaps, more importantly, I missed my family and the snow— because we all know that you can’t have Christmas without the snow!
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AQ Student Melissa Spagnoli enjoying the warm benefits of the Dominican Exchange Program in California.
Athletics
AQ Captures Fifth Consecutive WHAC All-Sports Award By Rick Albro, Sports Information Director
The Saints have won the Wolverine Hoosier Athletic Conference (WHAC) All-Sports Trophy for a record-setting fifth consecutive year. The award is given to the college having the highest score based on the best finishes of six sports teams at each school, including men and women’s teams. The WHAC, which originated in 1992, is comprised of Aquinas College, Concordia University, Cornerstone University, Indiana Tech. University, Madonna University, Siena Heights University, Spring Arbor University, and Tri State University. Aquinas began its run of President’s Cup all-sports awards in 1997-98. “What an accomplishment! It is the culmination of a great deal of time, energy and commitment on behalf of our staff and our student athletes”, stated Director of Athletics, Terry Bocian. “We are proud to offer the most comprehensive athletic program in the WHAC,” Bocian added, “to have earned the success we’ve worked hard for is an outstanding reward.” Fourteen sports are recognized as league-sanctioned sports. Aquinas won titles this past year in Men’s Soccer, Men’s Indoor and Outdoor Track and Field, and Women’s Indoor Track and Field.
The Aquinas Way By Terry Bocian ‘70, Athletic Director
Coach Dave Wood Men’s & Women’s Track Coach, Cross Country Coordinator
“ … confronting issues of diversity is not simply a ‘black thing’ or a ‘white thing.’ It’s a human thing.”
Last April 19, Aquinas College swept, or so we thought, the WolverineHoosier Athletic Conference (WHAC) Men’s and Women’s Outdoor Track Championships. Several days later, Dave Wood, coach of the Women’s team, stopped in my office to tell me that following a careful review of the results, he felt that Cornerstone should have been awarded two additional points in the women’s meet. Because the initial results had been so close, this correction would reverse the finish, giving Cornerstone the Women’s championship by one point, positioning Aquinas as runner-up. Apparently, Coach Wood was the only person to meticulously analyze the results. His findings simply could have been swept under the rug. However, the Aquinas way is to do things the right way. Although somewhat disheartening, we knew that it was imperative that we contact the WHAC league commissioner, the WHAC media director, and Cornerstone officials to correct the situation. The sportsmanship and sense of fair play that we instill in our student athletes starts with the administration and coaches who must set the examples. This correction was definitely the proper approach. What follows is a copy of the WHAC Release that was sent to conference members informing them of the error and an excerpt taken from a letter addressed to me from a director at Grand Rapids Baptist Seminary, an affiliate of Cornerstone College, after he learned of our handling of the matter.
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lower level of the Academic Building, is dedicated to helping organizations achieve diversity; it is truly a group effort states Robbins. Student assistants lend helping hands and a number of prominent local businesspersons serve on the Institute’s advisory board. They offer insight as to ways in which their organizations have found success in fostering racial unity and implementing inclusion efforts. “We also get a lot of support from [Aquinas President] Harry Knopke,” says Robbins, who notes that the Woodrick Institute falls in line with the school’s mission of creating an academic and work environment that is inclusive to all. It was Knopke, in fact, who served as a driving force behind the Woodrick Institute’s foundation. “I thought that such an organization would help the College serve as a nexus point with the community,” Knopke says. “And issues of diversity are important ones. They’re relevant to our purpose here at Aquinas.” Bob Woodrick, co-founder of the D&W chain of grocery stores and a long-time proponent of diversity-awareness measures in the Grand Rapids area, provided funding for the Institute that now bears his name. D&W employees are among those who have taken part in Woodrick Institute programs, as have employees of Meijer,
Healing Racism workshop
Steelcase, and law firms like Warner Norcross & Judd. Bruce Christensen, executive director of Warner Norcross & Judd, said he was initially hesitant about attending a Healing Racism workshop. According to Robbins, such hesitancy often indicates denial, or a mentality among members of majority races that says, “I feel included, why don’t other people?” But Christensen’s boss had facilitated a similar event and had recommended that Christensen attend one as well. “I did what any other person would do when their boss ‘suggests’ they do something – I went,” he says. “It was a very powerful experience. I came back thinking that I would like to be more active in the diversity arena.” Christensen now sits on the Institute’s Board of Advisors. The Institute embraces its corporate connections, but is also branching beyond them. It is in the midst of creating a Diversity Development Program that will sponsor similar awareness and educational efforts in schools in the Kent Intermediate School District.
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To fund the program, the Institute solicits memberships from area businesses, which will receive $3 worth of Institute programs for every $1 they invest. Likewise, the Institute hopes to increase its corporate memberships and to forge partnerships similar to its alliance with Diversity Theater, a local organization that sponsors discussions of workplacerelated scenarios reenacted by local performers. In the end Robbins, a former television news producer and marketer who moved to the United States from Vietnam at the age of five, says the mission of the Woodrick Institute boils down to one thing—eliminating the misunderstandings that result in noninclusive work environments. “We need to challenge people, to expose them to different perspectives,” Robbins says. Referring back to the prejudice that may have left society without such technological breakthroughs as the cure for cancer, he asks one simple question: “Do we really want to make that mistake again?”
COMMUNITY OUTREACH
Woodrick Institute: Helping Business Embrace Diversity By Tonya Schafer ’02, Freelance Writer
The mission of the Woodrick Institute for the Study of Racism and Diversity is to help businesses embrace what has become an exciting fact of life. “The world is more diverse now than ever before,” says Director Steve Robbins. “It’s true: the workforce just doesn’t look like it used to. So it’s critical to move people along in the journey toward diversity—not simply because it’s ‘the right thing to do,’ but because it’s a business imperative.” “Organizations unable to accommodate the needs of their minority personnel suffer from low morale and decreased productivity. The first step toward accommodation is understanding,” Robbins says. To that end, the Institute sponsors a variety of diversity-awareness programs for members of the labor force. The organization’s two-day Healing Racism workshops allow attendees of all races to discuss their perceptions of prejudice in open, non-confrontational environments. Local professionals get a chance to network and delve into diversity issues at the Institute’s monthly Antiracism and Diversity Allies Luncheons, held on the Aquinas College campus. And Diversity Allies Book Club meetings allow the dozens of people who attend them each month to discuss themes included in notable works of multicultural literature.
Tolerance presentations, inclusion workshops, newsletters, and consultation services round out the spate of programs the Woodrick Institute offers. It’s all geared toward one thing—helping businesses adjust to the changes wrought by an increasingly diverse workforce and ensuring that workers feel included regardless of their race and ethnicities. In May, Project Blueprint, a subsidiary of the United Way that trains people of color to serve on community boards, awarded the Woodrick Institute its Champion of Diversity Award for the contributions it has made to the promotion of multicultural awareness. In announcing the Awar d, Project Blueprint Chairperson Linda McCarter told the audience that the Woodrick Institute was developed to carry on that “legacy of passion and commitment and to be a community resource and influential force in dismantling racism and celebrating diversity.” “It’s humbling,” Robbins says. “But it gives us confirmation that we’re doing good work in the community.” He points out that confronting issues of diversity is not simply a “black thing” or a “white thing.” It’s a human thing. “We might have had the cure for cancer by now, but we’ve left so much intellectual power behind because of prejudice that we’ll never really know,” he says. “When it comes to racism, everyone loses.”
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“Fair Play and Honesty” (Excerpts from letter addressed to Athletic Director Terry Bocian)
Contact: Bryan RizzoMedia Director Phone: (734) 432-5604 E-mail: brizzo@madonna.edu
Aquinas, Champions of Character But Not Women’s Outdoor Track April 24, 2002 The Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference (WHAC) has announced a change in the results of the conference Track Championships held last Friday in Grand Rapids. Due to a computer input error, Cornerstone University has been awarded the conference championship. The original results were: Aquinas 170 Cornerstone 168 Spring Arbor 136 Siena Heights 108 Tri-State 49 Concordia 13
Steve Robbins, Ph.D., Director of Operations, Woodrick Institute
That means everyone must take responsibility for its elimination. And thanks to the Woodrick Institute, an increasing number of people are joining the effort. Since its 1999 inception, the Institute has seen corporate membership climb to 15 companies that, for an annual fee, take advantage of diversity-related programs. More than 400 people from a variety of local businesses have gone through the Healing Racism workshops. The number is so high that the Institute has changed them from twice yearly to twice monthly affairs and is training more facilitators to lead them. The Institute, based in a few modest offices tucked into the
As the host of the event, Aquinas College head coach Dave Wood was reviewing the scoring when he noted an error. The discrepancy took place in the high jump. Melissa Abood (Siena Heights University), Cathi Velzen (Cornerstone University) and Vicky Scheffler (Aquinas College) all cleared the same height in the high jump. Velzen and Scheffler tied for third because they both cleared the height on their first attempt while Abood finished fifth because she cleared the same height on her second attempt. When the results were entered in the computer Abood and Velzen’s places were switched by mistake. As a result, the corrected result subtracted three points from Siena Heights’ total and added an additional three points to Cornerstone’s total giving them a winning total of 171 points to Aquinas’ 170 total. The corrected totals are: Cornerstone 171 Aquinas 170 Spring Arbor 136 Siena Heights 105 Tri-State 49 Concordia 13 The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) has undertaken a “Champions of Character” initiative the last two years, emphasizing sportsmanship and integrity. The WHAC commends Aquinas College for demonstrating these ideals in finding and immediately reporting and correcting the scoring error even when it cost them a conference championship. -WHAC-
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“Even when realizing it would cost his women’s team the conference championship, [Coach Wood] corrected the final score, thereby taking second place rather than first. The fact that this email is generated from the Cornerstone campus, the team that was raised to first, should in no way lessen the significant moral lesson and authentic personal credibility due to your Coach Wood, and Aquinas athletics, for his keen sense of fairplay and honesty. Since, as athletic director, I’m sure you receive your fair [or unfair] share of grief by virtue of your position, I thought it was the least I could do to commend you and your coach for this marvelous gesture of good will. I hope this act gets press, not about the new championship, but about the decision of sportsmanship.” Sincerely, Mark A. Lamport, Ph.D. Professor of Educational Ministries Grand Rapids Baptist Seminary
Senior Student Athletes Recognized The Aquinas Athletic Department recognized two senior student athletes this past spring for their academic strength, service to others, and athletic involvement and success. Denny Briggs of Belding, who graduated cum laude with a bachelor of science degree in business administration, received the Joseph Baker Memorial Award, which is given to the outstanding senior male athlete. Briggs was a member of the men’s soccer team as well as the track team. During his four years, the men’s soccer team won three
Society, had a triple major of economics, mathematics and business. He has also been involved in the student athlete advisory board. Kristen Brady of Bloomfield Hills was awarded the Helen Louise Brogger Award, which is given annually to the outstanding female senior student athlete. A four-year letter winner on the Aquinas volleyball team, Brady was named to the Wolverine Hoosier
Wolverine Hoosier Athletic Conference (WHAC) championships and the track team won seven WHAC championships. In 2000, the Aquinas Pat Hoatlin Award was awarded to Briggs by his teammates as the outstanding underclassman. Briggs, a member of the Pi Mu Epsilon National Math Honor
Athletic All-Americans Aaron Bush (softball), Kurt Brummel (tennis), Henry Holmes (track), Brendan Gary (track), Eric Essick (track), Shawn Gast (track), Lars Petzke (track), Keelin Baine (track), Jaime Anderson (track), Kerry Lucas (track), Sarah Ellis (track). Academic All-Americans Tom Huizing (tennis), Jason Ladd (baseball), Erik Essick (track), Nate Kaiser (track), Lars Petzke (track), Eric Johnson (track), Kirk Kahner (track), Kerry Lucas (track).
Athletic Hall of Fame Established
Kristen Brady, an English major, graduated with a 3.68 GPA.
Denny Briggs graduated with a 3.54 GPA.
Spring 2002 Honors
Athlete Conference All-Academic team as a junior and a senior. “Kristen possesses the outstanding quality of making those around her better players and better people,” said Marc Schulz, her coach. “She is a true teammate in every sense of the word.” She is actively involved in tutoring in reading and English at Creston High School in Grand Rapids and works with several youth and high school volleyball teams as a volunteer coach. During her years at Aquinas, she has volunteered for Project Unite and Habitat for Humanity.
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The Aquinas College Athletic Hall of Fame will be inaugurated on September 27. That night, its first inductees will be recognized for their outstanding achievements in the area of athletics. The ceremony will also generate awareness in current studentathletes of the outstanding individuals that have allowed Aquinas College to be successful in the past. “This ultimate recognition is long overdue on our campus. We have had many success stories and it is time that these are told and retold,” stated Aquinas Athletic Director Terry Bocian. The initial inductions will take place Friday night of homecoming weekend. Tickets or information about the event can be found by calling the Athletic Department at 616-459-8281, ext. 3101.
“… Students are richer for the learning experience, but also the community is stronger for [their] skills, energy and creativity . . . . ”
Get The Lead Out! is an example of CLI functioning as incubator. Paul Haan, Program Partner of CLI, directs a community collaborative addressing the public health concern of lead poisoning of children. When the three-year pilot project is completed and Get The Lead Out! is financially viable, the initiative will become independent of CLI. Until then, CLI will assist by bringing diverse organizations to a common table for strategic planning, followed by capacity building and creative problem solving that leads to systemic change. The Greater Grand Rapids National Issues Forum, a 23-yearold dialogue organization, is now based in the CLI and directed by Aquinas alumna Lisabeth Keegan ’98. This year the National Issues Forum hosted dialogue sessions on the aftermath of 9/11 and on race and ethnic tensions. Recently the National Issues Forum, in partnership with the Grand Rapids Mayor’s Youth Council, facilitated a dialogue among area high school students on the issue of race. Aquinas College is invested in the community of Grand Rapids. CLI is but one example of that investment. The Dominican charisms and the Aquinas College mission statement shape CLI’s engagement with the community. Since 1886, this city has been the College’s home. The Community Leadership Institute intends to make it the best home it can be.
Asset mapping helps Catholic and Protestant parishes with development and ecumenical interaction.
James Ayers protects children from lead hazards by stabilizing the paint on homeowner’s window. Ayers is a member of the CLEAR Corps program hosted by Get The Lead Out! partner agency Home Repair Services.
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There never was a time when college and community could afford to be disengaged or uninvolved in the life of the other. The “ivory tower” and the “towngown divide” are remnants of an era when academic pursuit supposedly prepared students to take their places in some distant “real world.” Students today, however, already live in that real world. Its challenges are their challenges; its successes and failures shape their lives. Many Aquinas students are employed in the community or live off campus in the neighborhoods around the College. The quality of life in Grand Rapids is of deep and immediate concern to them. The Aquinas Community Leadership Institute (CLI) provides a bridge between the campus and the community. The Institute coordinates internal academic work and external community leadership development. Aquinas undergraduate students can now major in Community Leadership. Directed by 28-year Aquinas faculty member Michael Williams, Ph.D., this innovative program combines academic rigor and experiential learning to help students develop a foundation in leadership skills that they will employ in the community during their student years and following graduation. In the three years the
Community Leadership major has been available, Aquinas students have contributed in the fields of economic development, children’s advocacy, minority leadership development, minority business cultivation, and environmental protection. Certainly the students are richer for the learning experience, but also the community is stronger for the skills, energy, and creativity that our Aquinas students and faculty bring to the work. The Institute also has a mission to develop leadership in the larger community of West Michigan through dialogue, organizational consultations, and the incubation of new community problem-solving initiatives. As the CLI Lead Partner, I conduct organizational consultations with many non-profit and public sector organizations, teaching in the community leadership major, and coordinating student placements. One significant CLI program is the Congregational Leadership Center. Under the direction of the Rev. Victoria Menning, the Center provides leadership development and consultation services to Catholic and Protestant parishes. Its innovative Congregational Asset Mapping program has been lauded as a new tool of parish development and ecumenical interaction.
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Opponent @ Grace Bible/Grand Rapids @ Missouri Baptist @ McKendree College @ Alma College Tournament Alma College Cornerstone University (non-conf.) Univ. of Illinois/Springfield Concordia University* (Homecoming) Saginaw Valley University @ Madonna University*/Livonia Hope College @ Cornerstone University* Tri-State University* @ Spring Arbor University* Indiana Tech University* @ Siena Heights University* Calvin College WHAC Tournament Regionals
*Denotes WHAC Conference game
The Rev. George Heartwell
Women’s Soccer
By George Heartwell, Director of Community Leadership
Men’s Soccer
Community Leadership Institute
Date Aug. 27 Aug. 31 Sept. 1 Sept. 7/8 Sept. 14 Sept. 18 Sept. 22 Sept. 28 Oct. 2 Oct. 7 Oct. 9 Oct. 12 Oct.16 Oct.19 Oct. 23 Oct. 26 Oct. 30 Nov. 2, 6, 9 Nov. 13, 16
Athletic Schedules
COMMUNITY OUTREACH
Date Aug. 30 Aug. 31 Sept. 6 Sept. 7 Sept. 14 Sept. 21 Sept. 22 Sept. 26 Sept. 28 Oct. 1 Oct. 3 Oct. 5 Oct. 8 Oct. 15 Oct. 19 Oct. 22 Oct. 24 Oct. 26 Nov. 2 Nov. 5 Nov. 9
Opponent @ Taylor University St. Joseph’s College (@ Grand Valley State) @ Calvin College @ Hope College Trinity International Grand Valley State University @ St. Francis University, Indiana @ Indiana Wesleyan Concordia University Goshen College Ferris State University @ Cornerstone University @ Madonna University Tri-State University @ Spring Arbor Indiana Tech Robert Morris @ Siena Heights University First Round WHAC Tournament/TBA WHAC Semi-Finals/TBA WHAC Championship/TBA
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For updates, check our Web site: www.aquinas.edu
Cross Country
Opponent @Adrian (Devils Lake CC) @Kalamazoo @Alma @Albion @Tri-State Fall invitational Ferris State Aquinas Invitational @Calvin Tri-State
Date Opponent Sept. 5 @Tri-State* (Zollner GC) Sept. 7/8 @Olivet Invitational (Bedford Valley/Marywood GC) Sept. 11 Aquinas* (L.E. Kaufman GC) Sept. 15 @Siena Heights* (Lenawee GC) Sept. 20 @Spring Arbor* (Cascade GC) Sept. 21 @Tri-State Invitational (Zollner GC) Sept. 26 Aquinas Invitational (L.E. Kaufman GC) Sept. 28 @WHAC/MCC Ryder Cup (Zollner GC) Oct. 1 Cornerstone (Thousand oaks GC) *WHAC Conference Jamborees
Date Aug. 30/31
Opponent @ Alma College Tournament
Sept. 3 Sept. 6/7
@ Tri-State @ Defiance College Tournament
Sept. 12 Sept. 14
@ Cornerstone University @ Spring Arbor University
Sept. 17 Sept. 20-22
Madonna University @ Palm Beach Atlantic Tournament/Florida
Sept. 24 Sept. 27/28
Concordia University @ St. Francis Tournament, Joliet, Ilinois
Oct. 1 Oct. 4/5
@ Siena Heights University @ Grace College Tournament
Oct. 8 Oct. 10
@ Albion College Palm Beach Atlantic
Oct. 12 Oct. 15
Tri-State University Spring Arbor Universiiy
Oct. 22 Oct. 25/26
@ Madonna University @ Trinity Christian Tournament
Oct. 29 Nov. 2
Cornerstone University @ Concordia University
Nov. 5 Nov. 8
Siena Heights University Goshen College
Nov. 12 Nov. 15
1st Round WHAC Tournament/TBA Semi-finals WHAC Tournament/TBA
Nov. 16
Championship WHAC Tournament/TBA
Date Sept. 7 Sept. 14 Sept. 21 Sept. 22 Oct. 6 Oct. 12 Oct. 20 Nov. 3 Nov. 17
Opponent Aquinas Invitational/Riverside Park Bulldog Invitational/Big Rapids Natioanl Catholic Inv./South Bend, Ind. Aquinas Open/Riverside Park “Stars” Open Invitational/Lansing Michigan Intercollegiates/Milford WHAC Championship/Jackson NAIA Regional/Jackson NAIA Championships/Kenosha, Wis.
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Date Nov. 10 Nov. 13 Nov. 16 Nov. 22/23 Nov. 29/30 Dec. 6/7 Dec. 11 Dec. 13 Dec. 27-29 Jan. 3/4 Jan. 8 Jan. 11 Jan. 15 Jan. 18 Jan. 22 Jan. 25 Jan. 29 Feb. 1 Feb. 5 Feb. 8 Feb. 12 Feb. 15 Feb. 19 Feb. 22 Feb. 26– Mar. 1 & 3
Opponent Purdue-Calumet University @ Goshen College Kendall College Aquinas College Tournament @ Calvin College Tournament @ Olivet College Tournament @ Calvin College Taylor University St. Xavier University Tournament @ Alma College Tournament Siena Heights University @ Tri-State University @ Madonna University Indiana Tech University Concordia University @ Spring Arbor University @ Cornerstone University @ Siena Heights University Tri-State University Madonna University @Indiana Tech University @ Concordia University Spring Arbor University Cornerstone University WHAC Tournament
9 5 10 6 alumni home page – quick tour
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Women’s Basketball
Women’s Golf Men’s Golf Volleyball
Date Sept. 5 Sept. 12 Sept. 16 Sept. 20 Sept. 22/23 Sept. 26 Oct. 3 Oct. 6 Oct. 10
The header bar provides frequently used links, the current date, and a search engine exclusive to this site.
MooseCast refers to the weather program used on the students’ Web portal, “The Moose!”
The Main Menu provides a drop-down list of links to all of the features offered within this site.
Buddy is the Alumni Web site’s very own instant messaging system, allowing you to chat with other online members.
Look here to see Who’s online. This block will also display the number of private messages waiting for you. All Grand Rapids-area weather information is derived directly from the National Weather Service and NOAA. In case you’re wondering,
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The center panel contains the latest alumni News stories. The icon next to the story represents the general topic of the story. A list of the topic areas can be found by clicking “Topic” in the main menu or on the header bar. You can also submit your own story by clicking “Submit News”
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in the main menu or on the header bar.
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Integrated Surveys provide an instant pulse of the alumni and friends of the College.
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Today’s big story shows you the most popular story among your peers.
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Links to the College’s most recent News Releases can be found here.
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Look here for the latest headlines from the Aquinas Times, the student-run newspaper on campus.
New Look The new alumni section of the Aquinas Web site demonstrates the latest in Web-based communication technology. This innovative portal keeps alumni and friends of the College connected with current campus developments. Similar technology has been used to develop “The Moose” and “Acorn”, the on-line portals for Aquinas students and employees respectively. In addition to the features found on the home page (shown on opposite page), the Main Menu provides links to the tools and resources listed in the next column.
— Alumni Web Site!
Lloyd Brown ’54 Remembered Lloyd Brown ’54, one of the most prolific scorers in Aquinas College basketball history, passed away last spring in Grand Rapids. Brown still holds the single game scoring mark of 72 points set in 1954. He captained the first Aquinas basketball team that defeated Calvin College. His career scoring average of 19.5 points per game was extraordinary given that the games of that era were normally not high scoring affairs. That average is still 13th on the all-time list of basketball scorers at the College, where he was also active in musical and theatrical productions. Brown, who was a retired salesman for Ameritech Yellow Pages, will be among the first inductees into the Aquinas College Athletics Hall of Fame during the Homecoming Gala Event on September 27.
alumni web site – links Alumni Association - meet the members or volunteer for a committee Book Store - shop on-line at www.aqbooks.com Calendar - check out college events and activities at the click of a mouse FAQ - ask questions and get answers Gallery - view photo albums from recent events Groups - join discussion boards with alumni sharing common interests Members List - search the database of registered alumni and friends Messages - send, receive, and store messages internally within the site Your Account - customize your own interface and profile Search - search the site’s stories, members lists, and more Topics - browse through archived news stories by category Update Info - update your official College contact information from one convenient location
Photo from the Aquinas Herald (student newspaper) published March 3, 1954.
Date Nov. 12 Nov. 16 Nov. 18 Nov. 20 Nov. 26, 30 Dec. 3 Dec. 6
Men’s Basketball
m e m b e r s l i s t One of the most popular features of the new alumni site is the Members List. Registered users can access and search this database of fellow alumni who are members of this on-line community. Clicking on a member’s user name will allow you to to view their profile or to drop them a line via the built-in messaging system.
Dec. 7 Dec. 10 Dec. 13/14 Dec. 20-22 Jan. 4 Jan. 8 Jan. 11 Jan. 14 Jan. 18 Jan. 21 Jan. 25 Jan. 28 Feb. 1 Feb. 4 Feb. 8 Feb. 12 Feb. 15 Feb. 18 Feb. 22 Feb. 26
Opponent Univ. of Michigan/Dearborn** Marygrove College Rochester College** @ Grace Bible Select Bank Classic at VanAndel Arena Ferris State** Brann’s/Aquinas Classic Hope vs. Orchard Lake St. Mary’s St. Clair (Windsor) at Aquinas Brann’s/Aquinas Classic Third place , 1 p.m.; Championship @ IUPU-Fort Wayne @ Taylor University Tournament @ St. Xavier Tournament TBA Calvin College Siena Heights University @ Tri-State University @ Madonna University Indiana tech University** Concordia University** @ Spring Arbor University @ Cornerstone University** @ Siena Heights University** Tri-State University Madonna University** @ Indiana Tech University @ Concordia University Spring Arbor University** Cornerstone University** WHAC Tournament
** denotes JV contest also. 14
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Kyle Verlin (Northview High School) joined Saints 1000-Point Club and received All American honorable mention this past year.
Admissions
Alumni Calendar
Spectrum Scholarship Competition Attracts Top Prospects in February More than 150 prospective students from half a dozen states competed for a share of the school’s scholarship pot last February. The competition involves a battery of assessment tests including a writing sample, a decision making exercise, and critical thinking/problem solving. Faculty members, more than two dozen, serve as judges for the critical decision-making exercise. These top applicants to the freshman class of 2002 came to Aquinas College last winter to compete for the ultimate prize, one of several fulltuition scholarships. Sponsored by the College’s Admissions Office, the 10th annual Spectrum Scholarship Competition saw students vying for the Jerome Byrne full-tuition and room scholarship, the John Veneklasen fulltuition scholarship, the R. Paul Nelson full-tuition scholarships, the St. Catherine scholarships, and the St. Anselm scholarships. High school grade point average and ACT composite test score are the factors used to determine eligibility to compete. Qualifying students automatically receive a $7,500 merit award. In addition, they can compete for full tuition or an additional $1,000 or $500 through the St. Catherine and St. Anselm scholarship funds. The competition is one of the largest admissions-sponsored events of the year. Since competition began 10 years ago, the number of students participating has more than doubled, from 60 to more than 150 this year. Faculty members designed the competition, not only as a reward for academically talented students, but as an opportunity to identify personal attributes which are not found on a student’s high school transcript. “One of the unexpected results of the Spectrum Competition is the friendship that develops among the students who come to campus to compete,” says Paula Meehan, dean of admissions. “ Those friendships have contributed to an enrollment rate of over 60 percent among scholarship competition participants.” Another positive outcome has been the increase in the cumulative grade points and ACT test scores of incoming students. Parents also get involved on the day of competition. A program of events is designed for parents, including panel discussions, campus tours and an introduction to the city of Grand Rapids. A President’s Reception for parents and students concludes the day’s activities. This year’s scholarship winners are: Jerome Byrne Scholarship Kelly Dittmar Waubonsie Valley High School, Aurora, Illinois John Veneklasen Scholarship Megan Bolich West Catholic High Schoool
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2002 Friday-Sunday September 27-29 Homecoming and GalaWeekend • Aquinas Hall of Fame Gala Event: Dinner and Induction of Honorees into the Aquinas College Hall of Fame, the Aquinas College Athletic Hall of Fame and the Presentation of the Aquinas College Alumni Association Awards • Alumni Association Annual Meeting. All alumni are welcome!
Left to right: Trustee Katherine Donnelly with Esther and Seymour Padnos.
West Michigan Lakeshore Alumni and Friends Reception By Lisa Piatek ‘97, Director of Corporate Relations & Special Events
The evening of July 11 could not have been more perfect as 42 of Aquinas’ alumni and friends from the lakeshore area gathered for a reception at the home of Kirk and Lori (Aquinas Trustee) Bush on Lake Macatawa in Holland. Father Bill Duncan, Kay Donnelly, and Peter and Ulrike Wege played co-hosts for the evening event. The gathering allowed an opportunity for our Lakeshore Alumni and Friends to hear more about the College and the initiatives planned for the school from President Knopke and about the restructuring of the alumni association from Melvene Tardy. The guests enjoyed wonderful cuisine, a beautiful setting, and had an opportunity to see old friends.
• Science Department Alumni Reunion with Dr. John Poje Scholarship Dinner • Master of Management 25th Anniversary Reunion • Joe McCarthy Golf Outing and Dinner • Ireland Studies Program 30th Anniversary Reunion • Golden Saints Alumni Reunion. A Celebration for All Alumni of Classes 1930-1952 • Dr. Bruce Early Memorial Jazz Brunch Featuring the Aquinas College Jazz Ensemble
Date TBD, October Detroit-Area Alumni Reception
Tuesday, October 29 • Arizona Alumni Reception • Wrigley Mansion Club, Scottsdale, Arizona
Homecoming and Gala Weekend 2002 Plans are being finalized for Homecoming and Gala Weekend to be held Friday-Sunday, Sept. 27-29 and you won’t want to miss the fun and excitement. The alumni festivities kick off Friday night with the Hall of Fame Dinner and Induction Ceremony. Anniversary celebrations will mark 30 years for the Ireland Studies Program and 25 years for the Master of Management Program. In addition, a Golden Saints Alumni Reunion will be held for graduates from the Classes of 1930-1952. Activities wrap up Sunday with the Bruce Early Memorial Jazz Brunch. Watch your mail or check the alumni page on the Aquinas Web site (www.aquinas.edu) for more details.
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Saturday, November 16 • Sightseeing, Shows & Shopping in Chicago • Alumni & Friends
For additional information on any listed event, please call the Alumni & Parent Relations Office at 616-459-8281, ext. 4415, or e-mail to alumni@aquinas.edu. Be sure to check the AQ Web site for details on these events and others at www.aquinas.edu.
Chicago Reception By Melvene Tardy ’87, Director of Alumni & Parent Relations
Last May, Chicago-area alumni and President & Mrs. Knopke enjoyed the wonderful hospitality and spectacular view from Kathryn (Burrer ’70) and Richard Hyer’s lakefront home. While some reminisced, others did some professional networking as still others took the opportunity
to take in the breathtaking view from the 13th floor as a small class of sailboats practiced their tacking maneuvers on Lake Michigan below. Many of the alumni, surprisingly, discovered that they lived within blocks of each other! The Class of 1987 had the most alumni in attendance. They included Ann Marie Mahoney, Colleen Ranieri and Alumni Director Melvene Tardy. Recognition also goes to Bill Doerres ’39 for repre-
senting the earliest graduating year. Members of the Chicago alumni discussed the possibility of arranging a Chicago Cubs baseball outing yet this season and another home-based reception for the fall. We’re looking for locations! Would you like to host an alumni reception in your hometown? If so, contact the Alumni & Parent Relations Office at 616-459-8281, ext. 4415, and we’ll arrange to hold an event in your area.
R. Paul Nelson Scholarship Jeanne Gilewski Northview High School St. Catherine Scholarship Laura Brizzolara Forest Hills Northern High School St. Catherine Scholarship David Doppel Utica High School
St. Anselm Scholarship Jennifer Coulon Adams High School, Rochester St. Anselm Scholarship Shannon Boggs Lowell High School, Lowell The recipients presented a cumulative 3.8 grade point average
and an ACT composite score of 30. In addition they bring an impressive resume of extracurricular involvement. If your son or daughter meets the qualifications for this competition, please contact the Admissions Office for more information about future competition at: admissions@aquinas.edu or 1-800-678-9593.
Alumni Golf Outing By Jennifer Rybski, Contributing Writer Golf Committee members surround Fred Hesse ’63, playing in his 23rd consecutive outing. (Left to right) Tony Nolan ’67, Melvene Tardy ’87, Director of Parent & Alumni Relations, Hesse, and Michelle Bottrall ’97.
Historically Speaking Recorded memoirs of Aquinas, featuring interviews with alumni, faculty and staff—past and present—are available in compact discs and audio-cassettes. 1. Modest Beginnings: 1931-1945 2. Beginnings on Robinson Road: 1945-1958 3. Expansion of Facilities: 1959-1968 4. Changing Times:1969-1986 5. Expansion to the Future:1986-1998 Single discs: $10 each or a set of 5 for $40 Single cassettes: $5 each or a set of 5 for $20
The Aquinas College Alumni Association held their 36th annual golf outing for alumni and friends at Boulder Creek Golf Club in Grand Rapids on June 8. With the gracious hospitality of Amy Pollock, Manager Jerry Roberson and his staff, the event was flawless. The beautiful weather brought forth 59 golfers in light-hearted competition, and many new memories that will not be soon forgotten.
Historically Speaking
Narrative Recollections of Aquinas College History
On-campus purchases can be made at the Wege Center Book Store. Telephone or e-mail orders will be taken through the Alumni Association at 616-459-8281, ext. 4415, or e-mail: alumni@aquinas.edu. Sets will be displayed for audition and purchase at Homecoming 2002.
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The Saints Network: Prospecting the Prospects By Jeremy Wood, Admissions Representative
Each year, a number of dedicated alumni assist the Admissions Office with recruiting efforts. The Saints Network volunteers write congratulatory letters to high school seniors who have been accepted for admission to Aquinas, providing unique insights into the College for each of our prospective students and many times making the difference in their college decision. Every three to four months, Saints Network members nationwide take time to congratulate prospective Aquinas students and offer assistance in their college search. Their letters provide prospective students with Aquinas highlights and demonstrate how Aquinas alumni use their degrees—one of the best ways to illustrate success. They also show students how much Aquinas means to its graduates and leave a lasting impression on those considering Aquinas as their college choice. In fact, most of the admissions staff and student workers remember the letters that they received. A few of these alumni also attend college fairs in areas that aren’t easy for admissions representatives to reach such as Alaska, Illinois, Indiana, New Mexico, and New York. The response from students and volunteers alike has been incredible. Because the Saints Network volunteers help Aquinas reach students in unique ways, the time they give to the admissions process is invaluable. Become a part of this unique outreach effort. Join the Saints Network team by contacting Jeremy Wood in the Admissions Office at: 1-800-678-9593 or woodjer@aquinas.edu.
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Development
Contemporary Writer Series Fifth Anniversary By Bill Weitzel, Director of Planned Giving
Aquinas College recently honored alums Linda Nemec Foster ‘72 and Tony Foster, M.D., ‘73 for their outstanding support of Aquinas College and especially for the fifth anniversary of the Aquinas College Contemporary Writers Series. Linda also studied at Goddard College in Vermont, where she received her Master of Fine Arts in creative writing in 1979. Linda, an accomplished poet, has been published in numerous journals, reviews and magazines. She won the National Writers’ Voice Poetry Project Fellowship in 1999; Nicholas Roerich Poetry Prize finalist for her book Living in the Fire Nest in 1997; and the Arts Foundation of Michigan Creative Artist Award in Poetry in 1996, just to name a few of her awards. Late last year, Linda was published again with her book Amber Necklace from Gdansk.
Fall 2002 Aquinas College Contemporary Writers Series Thursday, October 3, 7:30 p.m. • Free Speaker: Poet Linda Pasten, Poet and Author Jarecki/Lacks Center, Room 141, 159 Woodward Lane S.E. Thursday, October 17, 7:30 p.m. • Free Speaker: Peter Carey, award-winning short story writer, novelist and screenplay writer Wege Student Center Ballroom
The book was inspired by her Polish American heritage and her first visit to her family’s homeland in 1996. Linda has shared her talents in other ways and from 1980-1998 she taught, lectured and conducted workshops in creative writing for the Michigan Council for the Arts’ Creative-Writers-in-School Program. Linda also was an adjunct professor at Aquinas College in 1999 and was a featured poet at the Aquinas College Writing Conference in 1998. Dr. Foster continued his education at Wayne State University, where he received his Doctorate of Medicine in 1977. Tony is currently a general surgeon in practice with Michigan Medical P.C. Tony and Linda have supported Aquinas College in many ways since their graduation. One of these projects is the Foster Planet Walk, which was dedicated in 1996 on the Aquinas campus. The Foster Planet Walk is a to-scaledistance replica of our solar system. Each planet is a topographically correct bronze cast created by Ron Pederson, mounted on boulders proportionately placed throughout campus and designed to show the relative spacing between the planets. The Contemporary Writers Series was established in 1997. The series is funded through annual and endowment gifts from Tony and Linda and provides students and the Grand Rapids community with the opportunity to meet and listen to readings of nationally prominent writers.
Arizona Alumni: Staying Connected By Cecilia Cunningham, Director of the Aquinas Fund
Maintaining meaningful connections with Aquinas alumni is very important and fun! In an effort to reconnect with alumni, David and Michelle Bottrall ’97 hosted a fabulous and well attended President’s Reception at the Desert Mountain Country Club in Scottsdale, Arizona (February 21). We had a champagne toast to the continued prosperity of the College, as we watched a beautiful sunset from the terrace of the Geronimo Clubhouse. There are already plans for the next reception. Jack ’70 and Tami Hebert are hosting a fall reception at the Wrigley Mansion Club in
Michelle Bottrall ’97 (left), President Knopke (2nd from left) and Trustee David Bottrall (3rd from left) join with Aquinas alumni in watching an Arizona sunset at a reception hosted by the Bottrall’s last Februar y in Scottsdale.
Scottsdale on October 29, 2002, at 6 p.m. Please mark your calendar and watch for invitations in early October. Here’s a call to alumni in the West and southwestern states— Would you like an Aquinas reception or gathering in your city? If you are in the states of Arizona,
Detroit Alumni Reception
(Above) left to right: Dan Timmis ’00, Rob Tubman ’88, Dr. James Karam ’76, Ernest Mathis ’91.
An oak-paneled room of the Country Club of Detroit was the setting for a gathering of Detroit-area alumni, prospective students and friends in April. The reception, hosted by Mrs. Jane (Forton) Cracchiolo ‘53, featured a music program by two outstanding Aquinas students, Sarah Makowski and Brook Baragar, as well as recent graduate, Bill Marfink. The meeting was an opportunity to renew old friendships and
(Right) left to right: Bill Marfink ’87, Barbara Witham McCargar ’77, Chair, Aquinas Music Department, Jane (Forton) Cracchiolo ’53, Margaret (Mayan) Glinke ’56, and Sarah Makowski (senior).
make new acquaintances. The group also heard from Aquinas President, Dr. Harry Knopke, who reviewed the progress of the new Performing Arts Center building now under construction on campus.
Linda Nemec Foster joined by husband Tony (right) and President Knopke reading a selection from her book. h 50
Colorado, New Mexico, Nevada, Utah, Wyoming, Montana, Idaho or Texas, please call Cecilia A. Cunningham at: 616-459-8281, ext. 4408 (direct line) or 800-748-0186 (during regular office hours); e-mail: cunnicec@aquinas.edu
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Alumni News Bob Niedzielski ’58 Vice President, Alumni Association
Alumni Association Board Message Change is inevitable. The world around us changes daily and we ourselves are certainly not the same persons we were when we attended Aquinas. Change is in the air at Aquinas College too. Recently ground was broken on campus for a new theatre. Scheduled for completion in summer 2003, the theatre is the result of a unique collaboration involving Aquinas College, Circle Theatre of Grand Rapids, and the Catholic Secondary Schools of Greater Grand Rapids. The result will be a new performing arts center in the area, which will present a significant opportunity for Aquinas students. Academically, there have been changes too. The Academic Assembly, after months of discussion, adopted new General Education requirements. The num-ber of credit hours required to fulfill the General Education standard has been reduced from 67 to 50 semester hours. The revision brings the Aquinas requirement more in line with that of colleges similar to Aquinas. The Aquinas College Alumni Association has not been immune
to change. Beginning this fall, the Association will operate under updated bylaws. The change will make the Association more compatible both with the goals of Aquinas College and with college and university peer models, or benchmark schools, which the College has been using in its ongoing Program Review. This second edition of Aquinas magazine typifies the changing Alumni Association. One thing has not changed, however. That is the need to include “U” in the affairs of the Al_mni Association. The revised bylaws call for greater use of subcommittees, allowing for greater involvement of alumni in hands-on activities. It also calls for greater diversity of participants, both on the Board and in its activities, with respect to age, ethnicity, gender, and degree earned and geographic representation. If you would be interested in becoming involved in the Aquinas Alumni Association, please contact Melvene Tardy, Director of Alumni and Parent Relations, at 616-459-281, ext. 4415. She will be happy to send you information on the volunteer opportunities
Corrections & Apologies In the spring 2002 issue of Aquinas magazine, we erroneously listed Outstanding Alumni Award honoree Tim J. McGuire ‘71 as a 1977 graduate. In that same article, we listed Distinguished Service Award honoree David Weinandy, Ph.D., as having received his doctorate in Interpersonal Relations from Michigan State University. Weinandy received his doctorate from Bowling Green University.
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Endowment Society Dinner Alan R. Ryan has been a part of Aquinas College since 1985, serving as Board Chairman and now a Trustee Emeritus. Last April, the College honored Ryan during its 2002 Aquinas College Endowment Society Dinner, which also recognizes new members of the Endowment Society. “Alan is a great and dedicated believer in planning and planned giving. His membership in the Aquinas College Endowment Society comes from a carefully charted course of philanthropy and commitment to Catholic higher education,” says Bill Weitzel, director of planned giving. The E.C. “Jack” and Irma Ryan Scholarship Fund was established in memory of his parents in 1989. Ryan gifted the main section of the Cook Carriage House to the College in memory of his late first wife, Carolyn Ryan. During his after dinner remarks, Ryan highlighted the new property, new buildings, new systems, programmatic investments that have evolved and how key decisions, though risky at the time, were made with prayer, hope and, above all, vision and expectation. The important message he stressed is that each of our college constituencies will have a role to play in a longterm endowment building program. There must be realistic planning that will detail strategies, time tables, resources and responsibility to assure achievement, to become a truly “premiere Catholic liberal arts college in the Midwest.”
Alan Ryan (left) introduced by Trustee Lyle Morrison.
Alan Ryan pictured with his wife, Margaret, was recognized for his contributions to Aquinas.
Aquinas College Hall of Fame Gala Event By Sister Jean Milhaupt, O.P., Archivist
On September 27, 2002, Aquinas College will host its inaugural Hall of Fame Gala Event in the Wege Center Ballroom. The climax of the Gala will be the inauguration of the Aquinas College Hall of Fame. The AQ Historical Commission will honor two persons for long-term distinguished achievements that reflect the mission of the College. One is granted to an Alumnus/a and one to a person who has served within the College or supported it from outside. Plaques showing the recipients and their achievements will be displayed in the main lobby of the Academic Building. A committee including representatives of the Historical Commission, faculty, staff and alumni made this year’s selections. Future annual awards nominations will be solicited from the Aquinas community and alumni. For additional information or to obtain tickets for the Gala, contact the Development Department at 616-459-8281, ext. 4490.
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An Evening of Elegance By Lisa Piatek ‘97, Director of Special Events
Aquinas College presented its second annual Evening of Elegance at Gibson’s Restaurant (Grand Rapids) last May. Current and former Aquinas Board of Trustees Greg and Sally Alksnis, Kirk and Lori Bush, John and Chris Wheeler and Ambassador Peter and Joan Secchia hosted the special evening. Nearly one hundred of the College’s alumni and friends attended the evening in support of the Aquinas Fund for student scholarships and core liberal arts programs. Guests were treated to a gourmet cuisine featuring “A Taste of the World,” prepared by Executive
(Left to right) Dr. Lois Ganzi, Dr. Rick Ganzi, Lori Bush (standing), Dr. Barbara DePree, Kirk Bush (standing) Kris DePree, Dr. Maria Hoekstra, Dr. Bill Hoekstra
Chef Andrew Smith of Gibson’s, and an exclusive wine tasting presentation between each course by Andrew Gessell of Veuve Clicquot, Inc., a Newton, California winery. The intimate setting, unique meal
and personal wine tasting presentation delighted the guests. The generosity of our many guests and corporate sponsors helped Aquinas raise more than $10,000 for student scholarships.
Alumni Dominate New Trustee Ranks
Let the Rally Call Be Heard! When the Saints, go marching in…isn’t just a song. It is the rally call for Aquinas alumni this year. The message is “Get involved!” There are opportunities for your time, talent and treasure. If it’s from the treasure chest, here’s a financial incentive—the Wege Foundation has generously agreed to match all new or the increased portion of a gift up to $200,000 for the 2002-2003 fiscal year. So, whatever level of your financial gift, $25, $100, $500, $5,000 or more, get involved and take this opportunity to double the value of that contribution. Since the mid-90s, Aquinas has seen its alumni support fall below 20 percent while other familiar colleges continue to experience strong financial support from their alumni like Calvin (32%), Hope (39%), Alma (32%), Albion (43%), and Kalamazoo (34%). Each Alumni gift, small or large, makes an impact on the campus, even in the national rankings of colleges. The stronger the percentage of Alumni participation the better. Next year, we will publish the participation for each class and the percentage increase over this past year. Gifts to the Aquinas Fund help to support student scholarships and core curriculum programs. Gifts to the endowment help the College in perpetuity. In a recent address, President Harry Knopke stated that “if our alumni would give an average of $100 annually, the College would flourish financially.” Join the parade … When the Saints go marching in … and make an impact by giving to the Aquinas Fund. If you’d rather give of your time and talent, great! Contact us and tell us how you can help, and we’ll let you know where we can put your talents to work. - Cecilia Cunningham, Director of the Aquinas Fund
Development Office
“What I like about Aquinas is the spirit, the caring spirit about the students and by the students here on campus. There is real compassion here and I like that.” She has devoted her life mostly to children and spent many years working within the public school system. She retired as director of the Kent Education Center last March and just finished nine years as an Aquinas Trustee. Despite her avid community involvement, Yvonne works behind the scenes, said her cousin Sharon Smith, the director of career and counseling at Aquinas. “It’s very rare that you find out what Yvonne has done until long after,” she said. “She is one of my role models and my mentor for doing things in the community.” Still, a life that is committed to the community cannot go completely unnoticed. She received the Giants’ Award for Community Service, the Grand Rapids Public School Award for Innovative Contributions, the Life Enricher Award from the Amway Foundation and the NAACP Award naming her the Grand Rapids Administrator for Due Process. “I was never surprised by the awards, but I wasn’t sure if I was always the most deserving. There are lots of other people that deserved them as well, but that’s a good thing because there is always more than enough work to go around.”
616-459-8281, ext. 4408
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cunnicec@aquinas.edu
A record number of alumni will join the College’s Board of Trustees this fall. Four of the six new board members, elected in May 2002 are former students at Aquinas. Carretta Cooke ’78, a native of Detroit, is the Director of African American Student Affairs at Northwestern University (Evanston, Illinois), placing her as the highest ranking African American in the University’s administration. Rich Cook ’92, a graduate of the College’s Master of Management program, is President/CEO of X-Rite Incorporated (Grandville) and is active in several community organizations in Grand Rapids, including the
Board of Directors of the West Michigan World Affairs Council. Marilyn Quinn Drake ’81 is actively involved in the Grand Rapids Art Museum, where she also serves as a member of its Board of Trustees. Tim McGuire ’71 is the retired editor of the Pulitzer Prizewinning Minneapolis Star Tribune and Senior Vice President of the Star Tribune Foundation. He is also the former president of the American Society of Newspaper Editors. He received the Aquinas College Outstanding Alumnus Award in both 1992 and 2001. The Honorable William B. Murphy received his law degree from Wayne State University after attending Aquinas College and now serves as judge for the Michigan Court of Appeals.
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Trustee Profiles
Dr. Luis Tomatis received his medical degree at the Rosario Medical School in Argentina in 1954. In 1995, he finished his surgical career to become the Founding President of the Van Andel Institute and is currently the Director of Medical Affairs for the Richard M. DeVos Family. Dr. Tomatis was honored with the 2001 Aquinas College Reflection Award. His daughter, Gabriela MinhaarTomatis, is a 1982 Aquinas grad.
Baldwin Reception
Bringing National Issues to Aquinas Students: Trustee Emerita Yvonne Sims By Michelle Bottrall ’97, Freelance Writer
Charles Dickens once said that charity begins at home and justice begins next door. It’s pretty obvious that ol’ Charlie never visited with Aquinas Trustee Emerita Yvonne Sims. In the Sims house, charity and justice spend a great deal of time working hand in hand. Sims spends many days volunteering for the National Issues Forum (NIF), a nationwide network of educational and community organizations that deliberate about controversial issues that affect the nation such as racial harmony, alcohol abuse, poverty and welfare reform. She brought the NIF to Aquinas College, folding it into the Community Leadership program. Aquinas now has several student study groups committed to discussing pertinent issues. “Here at Aquinas we recognize that there are enrichment experiences in addition to career preparation experiences,” said George Heartwell, director of the Community Leadership Institute. “The National Issues Forum does a lot to prepare students for life after college and without Yvonne it wouldn’t be here at the College let alone here in Grand Rapids. She is a bulldog with this organization.” This last year, Yvonne spent time on several panel discussions throughout the community, talking about the effects of 9/11 and how we could prevent similar tragedies. “Of course we have to be ready and do what we can action wise if this [9/11] occurs again,” she said. “But what surprised a lot of us is that so many people in the world have bad feelings about us as a country. We became very interested in what we project as an American persona. People generally felt that we hadn’t thought about projecting an image, but that we just go blithely along not lending an ear to people’s problems.” Her work with the NIF got people looking at different ways they could be more sympathetic to world problems. But the NIF is just one of several organizations this 65-year-old grandmother devotes her time. Charity work runs in her blood. It began with her mother, Marcella Alvis, who started the Grand Rapids Silver Charms over 25 years ago. Her mom still works actively with them today, giving out good citizenship awards, and Thanksgiving and Christmas baskets to the needy. When her son, Eugene II, left to go to Brown University, Yvonne put the word out that she had some free time. That’s all it took, she said. Soon, she was so busy with worthwhile causes she didn’t have the heart to say no. Since then she has devoted her time to over 20 different community organizations including the National Issues Forum, the Women’s Resource Center, the Grand Rapids Study Club and the local investment club, Les Meres. Although an alum of the University of Michigan where she graduated with a Master’s in Education and Social Work, Yvonne became interested in Aquinas after her husband, Eugene, graduated from here.
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Yvonne Sims
Aquinas College honored Ralph Belknap Baldwin, Ph.D., a friend of the College at a reception last May, commemorating an astronomy photo exhibit made in memory of Baldwin’s friend, Alfred Hewitt. The exhibit, which is housed in Albertus Hall, features a series of stunning planetary and lunar photographs filmed in outer space and presented to Baldwin by NASA. Baldwin, a world-renowned physicist and astronomer, earned degrees in astronomy and astrophysics. He published his research in several books, including The Face of the Moon Ralph Baldwin (right) with President Knopke. and the Measure of the Moon, and The Moon: A Fundamental Survey. His work was credited with leading indirectly to the U.S. exploration of the moon, and his research data also were used in selecting Apollo’s 11 lunar landing site. During World War II, the Applied Physics Laboratory tapped Baldwin to work at Johns Hopkins University to conduct military research. His latest book, They Never Knew What Hit Them, explains the importance of the proximity fuse, a device that made artillery shells more effective against ground and aircraft targets. The Baldwin Observatory, which bears his name, was dedicated in Guests enjoy the photo display 1994.
President’s Reception for College Benefactors By Cecilia Cunningham, Director of Aquinas Fund
The College continues to flourish because of the significant support of our benefactors to the Aquinas Fund, Performing Arts Center collaboration and the Endowment. In appreciation of this generosity, Board of Trustee member Roger Schiefler and his wife Kathleen hosted the second annual President’s Reception at their East Grand Rapids home this past June. President Harry Knopke highlighted the tremendous progress that has taken place this year toward achieving financial stability and growth. The Aquinas Fund has increased 31 percent to a record $1.7 million, the Performing Arts Center collaboration was successfully completed with a May 6
groundbreaking ceremony, and the Endowment continues to grow with outright gifts and bequests. Omar Flores, a 2002 graduate, personally thanked attendees for helping to fund his Aquinas scholarship and shared what the Ireland
program and community service projects have meant to him. Karen Palmore ’89 spoke of the blessing her Aquinas education has been in shaping her successful business career while offering a positive Christian environment.
Roger and Kathleen Schiefler host the 2002 President’s Reception for benefactors.
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Class Notes
1975
Arthur Lee has retired from Washtenaw Community College and the University of Michigan, where he taught mathematics. He and his wife live in Ann Arbor.
Jesse Young, who teaches and coaches at Rockford Public Schools, was selected by the Michigan Inter-scholastic Golf Coaches Association as its Division 1 Boys Golf Coach of the Year.
1967 Sister Constance Fifelski graduated from Catholic Theological Union of Chicago, Illinois, in May 2002.
1972 Wayne Postma was recognized by the Kidney Foundation of Michigan as its 2002 Galaxy Award Recipient for Community Service April 17 in Grand Rapids. Wayne (pictured with his wife, Barbara) became involved with NKF shortly after his own successful kidney transplant in 1986. Postma founded the West Michigan chapter and serves as chairman of NKF of Michigan and continues to lead the organizations growth and development.
1976 Verna Teeuwissen, who has the distinction of being the College’s oldest graduate, celebrated her 90th birthday in August 2001with an open house. She resides in Grand Rapids where she keeps busy, helping her fellow residents at Porter Hills learn more about computers and e-mail.
1978 Bill Worst is the owner and creator of the newly opened Pinnacle Center in Hudsonville, Mich. The Center offers music alternatives in an intimate setting. Greg Stielstra ’98 has also joined Worst at the Pinnacle Center, as a part-time DJ.
1981
submitting
Sister Justine Kane, O.P., was selected this year as one of the 32 finalists for the Chicago-area Golden Apple Award for Excellence in Teaching.
class notes
1984
for the spring Aquinas magazine
1974 Susan (Marcoux) Rowe is the first female to be principal of the prestigious 930 student University of Detroit Jesuit High School and Academy (founded in 1877). Rowe worked at the all-boys school for 17 years having started as a theology teacher moving to campus ministry, dean of students and then academic assistant principal.
is December 1, 2002.
Joseph Dodge recently opened up a law office in Charlotte, North Carolina, specializing in trial law. He lives in Charlotte with his wife and three sons. Anthony “Tony” Lafferty works for Environmental Systems Research Institute as its Government Account Manager responsible for the State of California. Judy (Sturm) Crawford is an active member of St. Mary Magdalen Faith Community where she is involved in Musical Liturgy, and Youth and Adult Faith Formation.
1985 Robert M. Worth, Jr. was honored by the Wyoming-Kentwood (Michigan) Area Chamber of Commerce with the 2001 Volunteer of the Year award.
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Aquinas College Loses a Friend: Fr. James Cusack (1929-2002) By Bill Weitzel, Director of Planned Giving
With a rich Irish brogue and precise timing, no one could bring the punch line of a story to a laughing conclusion better than the Rev. James Cusack. Ordained in June 1956, Fr. Jim carefully guarded the Irish history brought by his grandparents from Ireland during the Potato Famine of 1845. From a farm in Hubbardston, Michigan, he entered the seminary in 1946 to become a parish priest in the Grand Rapids Diocese. While inspiring parishioners in churches throughout West Michigan, Fr. Jim founded Our Lady of Consolation in Rockford and retired in 1995 from Holy Family Parish of Caledonia. Never one to rest, Fr. Jim served as a spiritual mentor to men in need of guidance. Fr. Jim served three terms on the Aquinas Board of Trustees. A fortuitous meeting with Sister Amata Fabbro, O.P., chair of the Theology Department, fueled his interest in Catholic higher education and resulted in the establishment of the Father James C. Cusack Endowment for Theological and Interfaith Studies. The endowment, the oldest programmatic endowment at the College, provides for the latest in religious education materials. Fr. Jim penned a Morning Prayer that we want to share with you:
Trustee Profiles
The deadline for
1958
Good Morning, Lord. Fr. Jim (left) with Sister Amata and President Knopke at a reception hosted by I am healthy. Harry and Sheila Knopke in 2000 honoring Fr. Jim’s loyalty to Aquinas College. I am happy. I am successful. Today, is the greatest day of my life. And, tomorrow will be better. Yesterday is history. Tomorrow is a mystery. Today is a gift. That is why we call it the present Order the beginning. Direct the progress. Perfect the achievement of all I undertake this day. In all that I undertake this day— not to me, O Lord, but to Thy name give glory.
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President’s Message President Harry and Sheila Knopke
“A good deal is happening here … ”
As I write on this lovely, quiet, midsummer evening, the thought of Matthew Arnold’s “Dover Beach” comes to mind. The air is sweet with the fragrances of summer; yet it’s not the roar of pebbles with their tremulous cadence on the strand I hear resounding through Holmdene but the sounds from across the green of the equipment deployed in constructing our new performing arts center. Unlike the melancholic environment Arnold was describing, however, this is an energetic, optimistic campus, fresh from a Commencement that capped an outstanding academic year. The construction sounds— even the seemingly incessant beeping of trucks backing up—are pleasant ones indeed as they signal the emergence of our latest building that will house one of the country’s most unique collaborative efforts in theatre arts education and theatrical productions. The new performing arts facility will be completed next summer; facets of our collaboration with Circle Theatre and the Catholic Secondary Schools have already been initiated, however, led by jointly mounted teaching-learning efforts now underway. In addition to the access they have to a range of new theatre arts opportunities, our traditional students this year are enrolling in courses organized according to the curriculum revisions passed by the faculty last spring. These revisions decreased the overall number of core courses required of each student while retaining the integrity of the essential liberal arts enterprise. In making these changes the faculty has provided our students with flexibility to achieve breadth as well as depth in their studies, to take more electives—and even an additional major— and yet graduate in the traditional time frame. The new curriculum will be supported, in part, by the College’s new advising system, which provides for closer ongoing relationships between faculty and students pursuing majors in their departments. One major described in this issue, Community Leadership, is entering its fourth year of enabling students to develop a foundation of leadership skills they can use in community-centered work. This major also connects students with our Community Leadership Institute, which focuses on external community leadership development. It is one of three college institutes that provide nexus points between the college and the broader community. Another is the Woodrick Institute, also featured in this issue, which connects Aquinas with the community in multiple ways in its diversitycentered work with corporations, organizations, businesses, and school systems, building on Dominican tradition of hospitality and inclusiveness. Finally, the Aquinas Emeritus College, the oldest of our institutes, is thriving by the efforts of new administrative leadership and an expanded board of governors active in, and committed to, lifelong learning. A good deal is happening here; Aquinas College is a vital place where we continue to pursue the highest of standards in the classroom and the community. We are able to do so as the result of your continuing support of time, talent, and treasure.
6
1987 Jodie (Schrock) Southwell was named the new vice president of sales and marketing for Priority Health, West Michigan’s largest managed-care company. Southwell is responsible for the planning and coordination of business development and overall sales and marketing. Southwell, wife and mother of two, is celebrating her 15th year at Priority Health.
Apologies to...
1989 Elizabeth Kubik now teaches at the Detroit School of Industrial Arts where she is an English instructor for 9th through 12th grades. Tamie Anne (McCarthy) Rosenburg of Interlochen, Michigan received the 2000 Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST), honoring her as one of the nation’s best K-12 math and science teachers. She is a mathematics teacher at Traverse City West Senior High School.
John Lynch ’93 for erroneously listing him in our Spring 2002 edition as having died. John is very much alive and well and living in Mt. Prospect, Illinois, where he works for Maplechase Co. of Downers Grove. However, we wish to extend our sympathies to John and his sister, Miriam Lynch ’00, on the death of their father, Michael Lynch in May of 2001. We deeply apologize for the distress the erroneous information caused some of our readers.
1991 Alexa Finkler has recently accepted a position with the Minute Maid Company as a Human Resources Generalist in Highstown, New Jersey. Michele Knabe,D.D.S., who earned her doctorate from the University of Illinois College of Dentistry in 1999, has joined the dental practice of Patricia Gilleran, D.D.S., in Chicago.
1988 Patrick A. Miles, Jr., was elected to the Policy Committee at Varnum, Riddering, Schmidt & Howlett LLP in Grand Rapids. He is the first African American to serve in a top leadership capacity at a major Grand Rapids-based law firm. The six-member Policy Committee is responsible for management oversight, strategic decision-making and leadership in firm-wide policies and procedures. Miles joined the firm in 1991 following graduation from Harvard Law School. Miles is a Trustee for the Grand Rapids Bar Association and a Trustee Emeritus of Aquinas College.
Mary Nicholson, a graduate of the Master of Management program, has been appointed the Director of Marketing and Project Management at Autodie International in Grand Rapids.
1992 Anne Marie Bonardelli, a Master of Management graduate, has relocated to Rochester Hills, Michigan, after living in Rome, Italy for five years where she had been on assignment with her employer, EDS. Derek Schafran was promoted to Regional Manager for Enterprise Rent-A-Car in Cary, North Carolina, where he resides with his wife, Annie, and their two children.
1993 Valerie Holtrop moved to Dallas, Texas, where she works from her home as a Manager of International Logistics for Schreiber Foods, Inc., of Green Bay, Wisconsin.
1994 Alec Hosterman recently took a fulltime position at Indiana UniversitySouth Bend in the Communication Arts program.
1995 Katherine Lund Dean, Ph.D., a Master of Management graduate, recently earned her doctorate from St. Louis University where she will be an adjunct professor this fall. She and her husband recently welcomed a son, Harrison, into their family.
1996 Christopher Everett is now the Network Administrator for Meetings & Events International in Evansville, Indiana where he and his wife, Deedra, live with their two sons. Krista Kahle is an Associate with Trkla, Pettigrew, Allen & Payne, Inc., in Chicago. Jennifer (Lee) Reeves, a 2002 graduate of the Master of Management program, is working as a news producer for WOOD-TV in Grand Rapids. Jennifer (Sturm) Lilly is an elementary school teacher in Turlock, California where she resides with her husband.
Recorded memoirs of Aquinas’ history available on CD and cassette (see p. 13).
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1997
2001
2002
Pam Bacon has returned to Aquinas as an assistant to the Registrar.
Rick Mills will begin law school this fall at the University of Detroit Mercy School of Law. He is a Credit Analyst for Federal-Mogul Corporation of Southfield and resides in Royal Oak with his wife, Mary.
Cecilia Tran will be attending Law School at Michigan State University in the fall.
Elizabeth Dudek is a Production Specialist at CCH, Inc., a legal publishing house in Riverwoods, Illinois, a Chicago suburb.
Martha Weaver will be student teaching this fall at Eastern Elementary in Traverse City. She was recently inducted into the math honor society (Pi Mu Epsilon).
Lisa Marie (Kachur) Piatek is the new Director of Adult Student Recruitment of Aquinas College. Lisa will be responsible for the planning and implementation of the recruitment efforts for adult learners in the continuing Education and Graduate Management programs. Lisa is the former Director of Corporate Relations and Special Events at the College.
1998 Margaret (Meg Roberts) Killips was promoted as Activity Director for the Woodland Terrace Retirement Community in Grand Rapids. Greg Stielstra, a graduate of the Master of Management program, works as a disc jockey with Bill Worst ’78, owner of the Pinnacle Center in Hudsonville. Rose (Stempky) David received her Doctor of Optometry degree in May of 2002 from the Michigan College of Optometry. René Palileo has joined Grand Rapids Youth Commonwealth as its Director of Development. He had been with the Volunteer Center of United Way in Chicago as a Corporate Partnership Associate
1999 Tammy (Elkins) Cramer is the Community Outreach Program Director at Flint Circuit on Family Violence, Inc. in McDonough, Georgia. John P. Rice has joined Greenridge Realty, Inc. of Grand Rapids. He is a former financial consultant at Merrill Lynch.
Lanae Gill is the new Resident Director for St. Joseph Hall at Aquinas College. Ellen Harburn is the Coordinator of Special Events/Outreach at Aquinas.
2002 Heidi Hilton has joined New England Financial in Grand Rapids as a Managing Associate in training. Her duties include sales and sales management, recruiting and developing business relationships with other companies that are interested in partnerships with the agency. Currently, she is focusing on the women’s professional sector, contacting area women business owners and executives to develop a consortium that will offer their skills and services to each other, their clients and the clients of New England Financial. Heidi believes that active involvement within the community provides the personal and professional rewards so important in her daily life. Heidi and her husband Zan, have three children, Hunter, Marshall and Ember.
Julie Fredrick joined the Peace Corps and is working in the Philippines.
Beth Pochert will be attending Wayne State University in Detroit to obtain her Ph.D. in Microbiology and Immunology. Victoria Sackett, an outstanding track athlete, is the first woman in Aquinas history to be named as an All-American four years in a row. Omar Flores and Josh Greenwald have joined Aquinas as Admissions Representatives. Flores will be recruiting from high schools in the Grand Rapids, Kent County, and Detroit Areas. Greenwald will be recruiting in mid-Michigan and Thumb-area (eastern Michigan) high schools. Joelle Kwiatkowski has also joined the Aquinas staff as a Staff Assistant to the President. Karl Schantz recently left his position as the Coordinator of Gift Processing at Aquinas to accept a teaching position in Texas. Timothy Stafford is also on the Aquinas staff an as an accountant.
Births ’87 Laura (Grabinski) and Thomas Usakowski, a boy, Daniel Joseph, Oct. 2000 ’87 Sharon (Monty) and Greg Moody, a boy, Adam Gregory, Oct. 2001 ’89 Tamie (McCarthy) and Daniel Rosenburg, a boy, Atlas Xavier, July 2001 ’90 Rita (Visockis) ’92 and Joseph Tomaszewski, a boy, Matthew Antons, August 2001 ’93 Mary Jo (Mangutz) and Bryan Skiendziel, boys, Thomas James and Andrew David, July 2001
Kathryn Kupiecki is the Coordinator of Gift Processing at Aquinas College where she had been the Coordinator of the Aquinas Fund.
2000 Amanda Spitzley opened Landwirte Loft, a restaurant serving German cuisine in Westphalia, Michigan, on April 1, 2002.
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I wrote the grant proposal to Michigan Campus Compact and, having the proposal accepted, took the first group of 10 students with Sister Catherine Williams to Wilderness State Park. And today, eight years later, to read that the service trip continues to happen really made my day on a very wet and gloomy day here in Sri Lanka. Similarly, it’s so wonderful to know that Project PRIDE still flourishes and that all the ‘old’ service trips such as the one to Oaxaca [Mexico] still continue along with the new and exciting trips to Haiti, El Salvador, etc. I was part of the first group of students that went to Mexico with Brother Ben. My four years at AQ played a vital role in making me into who I am today. Being so far away from Aquinas, I often wonder about the latest happenings, news of other alumni, etc. and this magazine brings it all back so well and vividly. Keep up the good work. I look forward to the next edition. Good Luck! Peace. Marisa Fernando ’94
The following two letters were sent to President Knopke; excerpts are reprinted here with permission. - Editor As a recent graduate of Aquinas College, I feel it necessary to express my thanks to the Aquinas community. Of all of the decisions that I have made in my life, the decision to attend Aquinas College was, by far, the most influential. As I
look back at my college career, I can easily identify the deciding factor in my success. The faculty and staff continuously saw me as more than just another student. I was treated as a unique person with individual talents, possibilities and interests. The Aquinas community went out of its way to encourage me to identify my talents, explore the endless possibilities and nurture my diverse interests. In this, the faculty and staff helped me to discover who I was and how I wanted to affect the world around me. This individual treatment made my experience with the Aquinas community priceless. Aquinas College offered me opportunities that no other institution would have. The mission statement expresses the desire to provide students with a ”global perspective,” a focus on “service to others,” and “the pursuit of truth and the common good.” With a faculty and staff that truly cared about me as a person, I have come to see myself not only as a citizen of the United States, but as a citizen of humanity, as well. Congratulations in achieving the goals of your mission statement. My sincerest thank you to everyone who helped make this possible. Beth M. Laux ’02 Rossford, Ohio
ago at Grand Rapids Junior College [now Community College] … but quit after two years to put my husband through school and start our family. God gave me the opportunity to teach music in some of the Christian schools in my community. [However], the schools I teach in gave up [the music program] when they found out I was uncertified. I owed it to the schools to become certified. I was scared! I felt too old to go back to college. [After exploring several other options] I looked into Aquinas. I knew this was where God intended I go to school. He did not always make it easy these past two years, but He gave me professors who took an interest in me and encouraged me. I have been blessed by my experience at Aquinas. My fear has been replaced by pride and thankfulness! In September, at the ripe old age of 44, I will be a certified teacher! Thank you for your part in making Aquinas College a quality institution where students are people and learning is accompanied by caring. Joan Haagsma ’02
Let us hear from you! www.aquinas.edu/alumni faheymar@aquinas.edu
I have to take just a moment and tell you how thankful I am for Aquinas College. I started my college education many years
5
Letters may be edited for space.
Editor’s Note Last March, we published and distributed the first edition of Aquinas magazine. A great deal of time and effort was committed to its design and to developing a communication vehicle that would share, clearly and effectively, the messages of Aquinas and its alumni. Aquinas magazine will continue to grow with your help. Just as the sun and rain contribute to nature’s growth around us, your ideas feed us, guiding the magazine’s continuing development—a “work in progress.” We hope you enjoy it as much as our editorial team has enjoyed pulling it together. We feel the inaugural edition achieved what we had envisioned last fall— creating a publication that accurately reflects what is happening here on campus as well as with the 16,000-plus alumni worldwide. The response has been tremendous. We thank you for that overwhelming vote of confidence. It is our hope to maintain that level of confidence while continuing to improve the magazine’s quality with each issue. Help us by telling us about your new job, family news or unique and interesting stories. Send us your comments, too. Send them to faheymar@aquinas.edu. Look for the next edition in mid-February.
Editor Marty Fahey
Letters to the Editor
’94 Kelly (Serwick) and Jeff VanSkiver, a girl, Meredith Claire, Dec. 2001 ’95 Kathy (Lund) and Dan Dean, a boy, Harrison John, Dec. 2001 ’96 Deedra and Christopher Everett, a boy, Parker Jaymz, June 1999 ’96 Deedra and Christopher Everett, a boy, Martin Alexander, Sept. 2000 ’96 Jennifer (Lee) (MM, 2002) and Randy Reeves, a boy, Cameron Lee, April 2002 ’96 Shannon (Kerridge) and John M. Redding, a girl, Mariah Marie, Sept. 2001 ’97 Angela (Walden) ’99 and Darrell Faraci, a boy, Jacob Peter, April 2002 ’99 Angela (Walden) and Darrell Faraci, ’97, a boy, Jacob Peter, April 2002 ’02 Christina (Wedeven) Wierenga and Jeff Wierenga, a boy, Joshua, May 2001 ’02 Shawanna Rapier and Scottie Footman Jr., a boy, Scottie, Aug. 2001
Marriages
Hope all is well. The new magazine is an excellent piece—great job! I’m proud to display this magazine in my office so that others may take a peek into my alma mater. Also, the reception at the country club was super and I thought well attended. Keep up the good work. Richard De Loof ’ 85 Director/Capital Campaigns St. John Health System Foundation, Detroit
Hello — The Aquinas magazine is terrific! The team did an awesome job on this! Maggie (Studrawa ’01) Holmgren
Congrats on the new Aquinas magazine. It truly puts the College into a new league for alums like me. One thought: Back in 70s, as I recall, there was an attempt, very successful at times I thought, to have several “intellectual” articles in the magazine in addition to all that important information about the schools, the students, the faculty, the alums, etc. Considering the wealth of talent in the alumni pool, it seems you could develop stimulating articles on topics of current interest to all. But, no complaint, keep up the great work! George A. Colburn ’59
4
Dear Editors I have just finished reading from cover to cover the first Alumni magazine (spring 2002 issue). Congratulations for a job well done! It brought back many fond memories of my four wonderful years at Aquinas. It was especially great to see how service oriented AQ has become over the last decade. Service and learning was a brand new concept when I was at AQ. It is truly rewarding to realize how far the small initiatives that were taken in the beginning have expanded and grown into such wonderful and inspiring programs. For me, it was especially inspiring to read that the service trip to Wilderness State Park is actually still going on. In 1993
’92 Anne Marie Bonardelli to Dario Matteocci, 1999 ’93 Lynn Block to Mark Rocca in 2002 ’97 Angela Walden ’99 to Darrell Faraci, July 2000 ’98 Jess Fung to Jeffrey Kloosterman, January 2002 ’98 Margaret (Meg) Roberts to Richard Killips, May 2000 ’98 Rose Stempkey to Scott David ’98, July 2002 ’98 Rose Stempkey to Scott David ’98, July 2002 ’99 Angela Walden to Darrell Faraci ’97, July 2000 ’99 Tammy Elkins to David Cramer, March 2002 ’00 Dawn Wierzbicki 2001 to Ryan P. Smith, March 2002 ’00 Tricia Markovich 2001 to Anthony Mosley, Nov. 2000 ’01 Shannon Eggebrecht to Joseph Rinckey, July 2001 ’01 Rebecca Kupiecki to Matt Early, July 2001 ’01 Tricia Markovich to Anthony Mosley ’00, Nov. 2000
’01 Maggie Studrawa to Rob Holmgren, Nov. 2001 ’01 Dawn Wierzbicki to Ryan P. Smith 2000, March 2002 ’02 Anne Bukrey to Michael Dirck Moyer, June 2002 ’02 Alison Ray to Seth Van Andel, June 2002
Deaths ’43 Lorraine Popma, wife of Gerald Popma ’41, Jan. 2002 ’48 Edward Sypniewswi, March 2002 ’50 Robert Bechtold, brother of Patricia Rademacher, Jan. 2002 ’51 Helen Hanson, Jan. 2002 ’51 Neola Wolf Winstrom, Dec. 2001 ’53 Catherine (Kay) Murray, April 2002 ’54 Lloyd Brown, March 2002 ’57 Mariette Hill, sister of Sister Kenneth Fitzgerald, O.P., March 2002 ’58 Evangeline Ferguson, mother of Sister Mary Ann Ferguson, O.P., Feb. 2002 ’59 Sister Eileen Prueter, O.P., March 2002 ’62 Patricia Godlewski, April 2000 ’66 Al Anderson, brother of Sister Catherine Anderson, O.P., Feb. 2002 ’66 John A. Otterbacher, father of Dr. John R. Otterbacher, Jan. 2002 ’69 Anthony Silva, brother of Sister Lupe Silva, O.P., April 2002 ’70 Boyd Gleason, father of Mary (Gleason) Harig, Feb. 2002 ’78 Richard Wolters, husband of Kate Pew Wolters, June 2002 ’82 Paul Zirkelbach, brother of Julie (Zirkelbach) Von Tilius, June 2002 ’88 Estelita (Stella) Ferris, Jan. 2002 ’93 Michael Lynch, father of John Lynch, May 2001 ’97 Michael Lundstrom, father of Jason Lundstrom, April 2002 ’98 Richard Leduc, June 1999 ’00 Michael Lynch, father of Miriam Lynch, May 2002
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AQUINAS
Aquinas College Contact Information Aquinas Web site . . . . . . . . . . . www.aquinas.edu Main line . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 616-459-8281 Admissions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ext. 5150 1-800-678-9593 Advising/Registrar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ext. 5140 Alumni & Parent Relations . . . . . . . . . . . ext. 4415 alumni@aquinas.edu Alumni Office fax . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 616-732-4481 Bookstore . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ext. 4136 Bookstore Web site . . . . . . . . www.aqbooks.com Bookstore email . . . . . . . . . . aqbooks@iserv.net Career Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ext. 5550 College Relations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ext. 4422 Development Office . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ext. 4490 President’s Office . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ext. 4413 Student Accounts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ext. 5120
FALL 2002
CONTENTS
Parking Access Map of Aquinas College DOWNTOWN GRAND RAPIDS
(Field House)
SOFTBALL FIELD
FULTON ST. ENTRANCE
FACULTY PARKING
A
ST. JOSEPH HALL
EAS
(Residence)
E ive
Honeysuckle Lane
eL
D
IL CO X PA RK
FUL
TON
ST.
TEMPLE EMANUEL
HRUBY HALL Student Services Center
C
ite
Pin
W
Entrances for Handicapped Students
T
BUKOWSKI CHAPEL
Wh
MAINTENANCE BLDG.
B
HOLMDENE ART AND MUSIC CENTER
CAMPUS SAFETY
P FULTON HOUSE
GARDEN
ACADEMIC BUILDING (Woodhouse Library)
WEGE STUDENT CENTER
B ee
F
ch L
H
Wege Circle Drive
an e
REGINA HALL
I dw
Gin kgo Lan e
Re ood
F
Lan e
W
e
W ge
ay
Eld erb erry
Historical Marker
Lan e
J
COOK CARRIAGE HOUSE
FIRE LANE
GATE HOUSE (Campus Ministry)
O
BALDWIN OBSERVATORY
ROBINSON RD. ENTRANCE
THEATRE ARTS ANNEX
ALBERTUS MAGNUS HALL OF SCIENCE
N
K
PAR
SON
P L Y M O U TL H (P
M K IN
G
ROA D
ARK ING AFT ER 12
NOO N)
L O T
WOODWARD HOUSE
U SO CC ER FI EL D
DOMINICAN HALL
WOODCOCK HALL KNAPE HALL
W S
JOHN F. DONNELLY CONFERENCE CENTER
MEIJER HALL LACKS CENTER FOR GRADUATE STUDIES
JORDAN HALL
ROB IN
GATE
GATE
AQUINAS COLLEGE PERFORMING ARTS CENTER
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RAVINE APARTMENTS
(Residence)
G
JARECKI CENTER FOR ADVANCED LEARNING
LA NE
rcle Dr
ING
ane
Oak Ci
PARK
V WO O PA RD W A RD K LO ING T
T
WILLOWBROOK PRESIDENT’S HOME
WO OD WA RD PA RK ING
ST. THOMAS PARISH
PHYSICAL EDUCATION ASSEMBLY BUILDING
MAYFIELD LOT
VOLUME 1, NUMBER 2
Q
SE
President’s Message
page 6
Trustee Profiles
page 7
Alumni News Alumni Web Site — New Look
page 10 page 14
Community Outreach Community Leadership Institute Woodrick Institute Emeritus College
page 16 page 18 page 20
Campus News International Programs Elementary Reading Clinic College Conferencing
page 24 page 26 page 29 page 30
Deans’ News Reggio Emilia-Inspired Programs
page 34 page 36
Faculty News
page 38
Student News
page 40
Athletics Coach Wood Commended Athletic Schedules
page 42 page 45
Admissions
page 48
Development Hall of Fame Gala Event
page 50 page 51
Class Notes
page 54
Woodrick Institute Pg. 18
Emeritus College , Pg. 20
Reggio Emilia, Pg. 36
Coach Wood, Pg. 42
BROWNE CENTER
Restricted (Special Permit Only) General Parking (Commuter/Guests) B – Fulton Lot C – Bukowski Chapel Lot E – Lower St. Joseph Lot L – Plymouth Lot (Noon to Midnight) M – East Science Lot Q – Browne Center Lot T – Woodwar d Lot (Visitor Over night Parking)
D – Upper St. Joseph Hall Lot F – We ge Lot G – Academic Building Front Lot H – Holmdene Lot I – Regina Hall Lot N – West Science Lot O – Gate House Lot P – Hruby Hall Lot
Restricted to Residents Only
Restricted for Emergency Use Only No parking at an y time. Use Wood ward Lot. J – Carriage House Lot K – Jordan Hall Lot
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A – Mayfield Lot (Gold Permit) Q – Browne Center Lot/North Section (Brown P ermit) S – Donnelly Conference Center Lot (Green Permit) U – Dominican Hall Lot (Blue Permit) V – Meijer Hall Lot W– Knape Hall Lot P – Hruby Hall Lot - East (Red Permit)
Cover: Reggio Emelia-inspired program at Child Development Center in Grand Ra pids
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AQUINAS COLLEGE MISSION STATEMENT
Aquinas College, an inclusive educational community rooted in the Catholic Dominican tradition, provides a liberal arts education with a global perspective, emphasizes career preparation focused on leadership and ser vice to others, and fosters a commitment to lifelong learning dedicated to the pursuit of truth and the common good.
ALUMNI GIFT ITEMS Aquinas College Bookstore 1607 Robinson Road SE • Grand Rapids MI 49506-1799
VISION STATEMENT
Aquinas College conducts an array of educational programs whose quality and effectiveness cause it to be considered consistently as a premier Catholic liberal arts College in the Midwest. In doing so, it is the College of choice for increasing numbers of students who seek a diverse, but inclusive, learning community that will enable them to increase their knowledge, hone their competencies, develop their character, and answer God’s calling to use their gifts and talents to make a positive difference in our world through their lives,
(616) 459-8281, ext. 4137 • Fax (616) 732-4599 C
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work, and service. Aquinas strives to graduate students of competence, conscience, compassion, and commitment.
DIVERSITY STATEMENT
Aquinas College is committed to equality. This statement of the College speaks to this commitment, as do our history and heritage.We believe that diversity is a blessing, which brings a richness of perspective to our intellectual, cultural, social, and spiritual life. All members of our community—faculty, staff, students—will demonstrate respect for each other regardless of our differences. All of us will be sensitive in our actions, words, and
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deeds. We will demonstrate these sensitivities in our classrooms, curricula, offices, meeting places, and living environments. We will maintain the diversity of our Board of Trustees, faculty, student body, and staff and appreciate the different gifts each brings to this community regardless of age, gender, race, ethnicity, religion, or disability.
Aquinas magazine is a publication of the College Relations Department, Aquinas College, Grand Rapids, Michigan. It is published semi-annually, spring and fall. Comments/suggestions are encouraged: Online: collegerelations@aquinas.edu College Web site: www.aquinas.edu Alumni news: www. aquinas.edu/alumni
Mail:
Aquinas Magazine, College Relations Department Aquinas College, 1607 Robinson Road, S.E. Grand Rapids, MI 49506-1799
Fax: 616-459-2563 • Phone: 616-459-8281, Ext. 4422
See more items on our Web site at www.aqbooks.com DESCRIPTION
QTY
B 15" Sweater Bear (TAN, GRAY
Editorial Team
Cecilia Cunningham
Marty Fahey Nicole Hagen
Gary Eberle V. James Garofalo, Ph.D.
Joelle Kwiatkowski ’02 Sally Reeves
Harry J. Knopke, Ph.D. Shirley Lewis, Ph.D.
Design Greg Becker
Julie Ridenour Melvene Tardy ’87
Paula Meehan ’75 Sister Jean Milhaupt, O.P.
Desktop Publisher Silvija Visockis
Contributors
Bob Niedzielski ’58 Jennifer Rybski, junior
Photography
Rick Albro Terry Bocian ’70
Tonya Schafer ’02 Nicole Selzer
Mikel Cahill Brian Kelly
Michelle Bottrall ’97 Eric Bridge ’92
Melissa Spagnoli, senior Cynthia VanGelderen
Joelle Kwiatkowski ’02 John Niedzielski ’97
Mary Clark-Kaiser
Brad Vedders
Mark Schmidbauer
Greg Vedders Bill Weitzel
SIZE/COLOR
PRICE
GRAY
$29.95
A Blanket OR BLACK )
C Baseball Cap ONE SIZE (RED
TOTAL
$28.95
OR BLACK)
$17.50
D License Plate Holder
N/A
$9.95
RED
$59.95
E Red Crew Sweatshirt ( S-XXL)
$34.99
F 3' x 5' Flag
Order Form (prices good through December 2002) Name _____________________________________ Phone (______)_____________________________________ Address_________________________________________________________________________________________ City_________________________________________________ Credit Card:
VISA
M/C
AMEX
State________ ZIP __________________________
DISCOVER
Card No.__________________________________
Exp. Date _____________________________________
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NONPROFIT ORG U.S. POSTAGE PAID Grand Rapids, MI PERMIT NO. 101 1607 Robinson Road, S.E. Grand Rapids, MI 49506-1799
View of the Ravine Apartments from the soccer field.
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