Benedictine College - Raven Review Fall 2009 by Benedictine College

RAVEN REVIEW Be n e di c ti ne College

At chi son, K ansas

Fall 2 00 9

T he C o ur tney S . Tu r n er C ha r i t a b le Tru st•D avid L . , ’57 an d Re b e cca Re ichenberger, ’59

M oritz•Archd i o c e s e o f K a n s a s C i t y in K ansas•J.E. & L.E. Mabee Foundation•Michael

a n d Marly s H ave r t y •E l i z a b et h ( Z i b bie) Gillespie, ’62 and James E. Ferrell•L. Jane

Westerman •K re s g e Fo u n d a t i o n •M G P Ingredients Inc.•Cloud L. and Sar ah Cr ay•Byron

legacy

G . , ’55 an d J o a n T ho mp s o n •J a m e s V., ’59 and Mar y L. Napier•Muchnic Foundation•J.

E . Dunn C o n st r u c t i o n •T h e C l o u d L. Cr ay Foundation•Jean F. Weitk amp, ’71 and

T homas A . M c D o n n e l l •T he M c D o n nell Foundation, Inc.•The Evah C. Cr ay Residual

Tr ust•K a n s a s I nd e p e n den t C olle ge Fun d •St. Be n e d ict’s A b b ey •Be rn ad in e C. Law, ’55 and

D r. Paolo L a n z a n o •H owa rd G . , ’ 7 5 a nd Rhonda M. Behlmann, ’75 Westerman•Dr. Joseph

L . , ’70 an d C o n st a n c e Br i ck n e r •Ro b er t J., ’53 and Carolyn L. Reintjes•Michael J., ’63

a nd Ma r y A l i c e Ea ste rday •T hom a s A . , ’66 an d L in d a We sse l s•D avid M. , ’67 and Sher r i

L a ughlin•T he Te a g l e Fo u n d a t i o n I n c.•Peter J., ’40 and Dorothea Gilligan•The Ewing

M arion K a u f f m a n Fo u n d a t i o n •K a t hr yn W. Weishar, ’80 and Richard L. Dalzell•T. Kevin,

6 0 and Ma r y C . M c N i cho l a s •J a m e s T. , ’60 and K athleen D. O’Brien•Larr y J., ’60 and Tresa

A . Buessi ng •Ro na l d V. , ’ 5 8 a n d M e r l e Fre u d e n b e rg , ’58 Ke l l y •G e o rg e L . , ’65 and Edrea

. Learned •K n i g ht Fo u n d a t i o n •T he Sunderland Foundation•For ster-Power s Charit able

Tr ust•The W i l l i a m R a n d o l p h H e a r st Foundation, Inc.•Blish-Mize Company•Louis J., ’53

a n d Sue M c Avoy •W i l l i a m T. Ke mp e r Foundation•Rober t S., ’72 and Janet F. Wholey•M

& T Tru st•J a ck a nd K a re n P let z •L aw re n ce S. , ’63 an d L in d a J. K amin sk y •Wakonda P r ayer

H o use•Pat r i ck J . , ’ 7 2 a n d M a r y M a rg aret Sly•Adair/Exchange Bank Foundation•John and

C a ro l Korn i t z e r•J o hn P. , ’ 5 6 a n d M a r y McG ove rn •D r. Jame s K. Bo n g e r s, D.D.S., ’77 and

L i nda Bon g e r s •C a t he r i n V. M e r r i l l Foundation•Mar y Alice Weir Ziegler, ’50•William G

M cGowa n C ha ri t a ble Fu n d•SBC C om mu n icatio n s I n c. •Caro l M. Sho min , ’71•Daniel F.,

7 2 and D o rot hy A . H owa rd, ’7 3 Bea ttie •Matthew D . , ’81 an d An n M. An thony•Br adken,

L t d•Mi chae l J ., ’ 71 a n d C a the r i n e M u rr ay •L awre n ce M. , ’72 an d Jan et L. M unro, ’81,

M EA , ’02 W i l c ox •O ’ M a lley Beve r a ge , I n c. •Farme r s G ro u p, I n c. •Tre anor Architect s,

P. A .•C ha r l e s M ., ’ 71 a n d Su s a n Ada m s •Maril y n Sl ie f Mo r al e s, ’48•H aro l d J. , ’59 and Judit h

M . Sheaha n •D o n a l d L . a n d C ha r l ot te Villeme•Rober t and Andrea Neuhof f•Fr ancis B.,

5 2 and Bo b b i e O ’ M a l l ey •R i cha rd B. and Laur a A . Cr ay•Platte Valley Bank of Missouri•E.

W i lliam Ru g e n , ’ 6 8•T he A r t hu r V i n i ng Davis Foundation•Dr. Thomas L., ’77 and Celina

A . Shriwise •J a m e s W. , ’ 5 2 a n d C ha r l otte R. Humphrey•K ansas City Univer Fasity l l 2 0of 0 9Medicine

•Ju dith Fe rre l l , ’ 5 3 a n d Wi lli a m A . † Tag g ar t•Charl e s H . San Petro , ’62•Stephen D., ’82

a n d Amy E. Ko ha ke, ’ 8 4 M i n n i s •U M B Ban k , n . a. •Jame s V. , ’87 an d D awn H int z•Joseph L.,

’4 5 and La u r a E . Pete r s •M o u n t St . S cholastica•Thomas M., ’66 and Maureen O’Lear y•John

A . Ga ges, ’ 5 0 •The We ste r m a n Fou nd atio n •Bo M. , ’6 4 an d Te rr y A . Fr aser •Laidacker

M . and K a re n S e a b e rg •D a n i e l S . a n d Mar y Carol Garrity•Mar tha S. Kr auland, ’68 and

J os e ph D. M o ne l l o•A r t hu r W. , ’51 an d H arriet M. Catr amb o n e •No rman R., ’60 and

Shirley Yo u n g b e rg •Ste p he n M . , ’ 91 and Joan M. Koechner, ’90 Charbonneau•Soener

Foundatio n •E u g e n e J . , ’ 5 8 a n d K a t hl een A . Gammon, ’56 Vader•Henr y J., ’65 and K aren

V. St a u d i ng e r•Ste p hen E . , ’77 a n d Peg g y McBrid e •R. Ne u ho f f Pro pe r tie s L LC•Dr. Joseph

J ., ’ 65 a n d Bet s y M . Wi lli a m s •D r. Jo hn P. , ’57 an d Maril y n O’G ar a•Jo hn M ., ’66 and

M ar y L. C o chr a n , ’ 7 5 Va n D y ke •D r. Rober t J., ’71 and Susan A . Lueger•Paul D., ’77

a nd K athl e e n A . We ste r m a n •S o u t hwestern Bell Co.•Charles H., ’74 and Mar tha J. Latz,

’76 Raplin g e r •J a m e s F. , ’ 71 a n d Ba r bar a A . Latz, ’71 King•Jack A ., ’70 and K athleen G.

Newman•J o hn T. , ’67 a n d Bo n n i e D u g an•Dr. Michael F., ’81 and Debr a A . Bo land•Atchison

H ospit al A s s o c i a t i o n •M i cha e l G . , ’ 6 9 and Susan M. Conrow, ’69 Gangel•IBM International

Foundatio n •T he Bi l l a n d C a ro l y n K a r lson Charit able Fund•Koch Foundation•Dr. Charles

E . Li nck , J r. , ’ 51 • J o h n J . , ’ 6 9 a n d Ste phanie C. Lynch•Vincent G., ’41 and Betty A . Pierik ,

’4 2 Corbet t •Na n c y L . S chn e i d e r •T RW Foundation•John F., ’42 and M ar y J. Heinen,

’ 4 2 Noth•Fr a nc e s L . B roder i ck •Jay A . , ’69 an d Barb ar a Meye r•D r. D e n nis A ., ’57 and

A l ice Mila c e k , ’ 5 8 D i e d e r i ch•Ke vi n E., ’89 and Pamela A . Schaefer, ’88 Kr amer•Mar y C.

Bo s an a tz•Ma t t hew J. , ’87 a n d Pe gg y Ty n an •By ro n Scott, ’86•D o n al d E . , ’57 and Roselyn

Schmidt•W i l l i a m R . A n to n , ’ 4 2 •D r. Jerome P., ’49 and Pamela M. Schmidt•Kearney

Wornall Fo u n d a t i o n •D r. Pa t r i ck W. Mullins, M.D., ’93•John E., ’66 and Rit a K. Zeorlin,

’6 6 Leland •M i d a m e r i c a n Ba n k & Tr ust Co. n.a.•Patrick F., ’71 and Sylvia A . Schorn, ’72

M c Gee•Ra l p h F., ’6 3 a n d Je r r i ly n n Voss•D o rothy L . McBrid e •D avid D . , ’60 and M ar y Pat

G ueguen , ’ 6 2 Mi l l er •M a r ti n T. H a r t, ’ 57•D L M I nve stme n ts•G e o rg e I . Al d en Tr ust •P hilip

T. Lawlor •M a t t hew Twe n t y - F i ve F d n.•James W., ’75 and Cher yl L. Flood•Easterday

C harit a bl e Fo und at i on •C ha r les J. Be rke l •E u g e n e G . Kristo f , ’49•Michael P., ’82 and

T he resa L . Mc Phe e , ’8 3 M u r p hy •Fr a n k A . , ’58 an d Kitty S. H u g •D r. D an ie l J ., ’68 and Ter r i

C arey•Do n J . , ’ 7 5 a n d Na n c y G e r m a n o•William J., ’82 and Susan L. Berberich•Bernard G.,

’ 67 a n d E l l e n M. M cC a s key, ’ 6 9 Ton qu e st•D r. Ste phan ie C. Van D y n e , D . D.S. and Rober t

H azelwoo d •J a m e s C . , ’ 5 3 a n d M a r i l y n Hinkefent•Tynan & Company•Carrie N. Bremmer,

’ 4 8 •Li o nel G ., ’ 5 5 a n d E i le en Tr u j i llo •E xchan g e Natio n al Ban k & Tru st Co.•Dr. T homas

F. , ’83 an d J o a n M . M oye r, ’ 8 5 Ke m l age•William T. Bowler, Jr., ’49•Helen J. Bolenbach,

’ 61 and No e l D. R iet m a n •M a rk J. , ’ 7 2 an d Barb ar a A . Be l l ow s, ’73 Wett a•Edward A . and

R AVE REVIE M arlene R .N G e l l i nWg s •J o hn P. , ’ 61 a nd Janice 2 A . O’Lear y•Dr. Thomas F., ’79 and Amy

RAVEN REVIEW Benedictine College •Fall 2009 Vol. 38, No. 1

Features

4 10 Million in 10 Months 6 Legacy 8 Jazz Comes Back to College 12 Discovery in Egypt 16 Atchison to Zagreb 18 BC and Global Awareness 24 Alumni Reunion Spotlights Success

ARTICLES

7 S cholarship Memorializes Medics 11 Football in France 14 Beauty and Blar ney 15 V iva Italia 20 Shanghai Graduate 21 New Business Jour nal 22 Hall of Fame 23 Show Me State Shows Raven Spirit

CLASS NOTES

28-31 Class Notes 31 Weddings & Anniversaries 31-32 Births & Adoptions 32-35 Deceased

STAFF

Editor & Art Director Megan Bickford, ’03 Associate Director of Communications mbickford@benedictine.edu

executive editor Steve Johnson Director of Marketing and Communications

Class Notes Kathy Garrison Class Notes Coordinator garrison@benedictine.edu Jenny Carter ’09

Courtney Marshall Director of Alumni Relations cmarshall@benedictine.edu 1.913.426.7428 Benedictine College: 1.800.766.0078 www.benedictine.edu

Message from the

PRESIDENT

Benedictine College continues to enjoy success in many ways. Once again, it looks like we will have record enrollment, both for incoming freshmen and total undergraduate enrollment. In spite of these difficult economic times and the downward trends expected by many private colleges, Benedictine College is adding new living space and more academic opportunities. We’ve significantly expanded the Engineering Program this year, making chemical, civil, mechanical, and electrical engineering degrees available for the first time. We have also approved a nursing program, set to begin in fall 2010, and are already seeing tremendous interest in that program. We have added the Legacy Apartments for upperclassmen and we recently signed a letter of intent with a developer to build row houses along Second Street for additional student housing. Incoming freshman ACT scores are higher than ever and our graduates are highly successful in finding employment or attending graduate and professional schools in their chosen field. On top of it all, we had a tremendous, year-long celebration of our sesquicentennial and the outlook for the future is bright. To stay on this course for success, it is now absolutely essential to complete the funding of the new Academic Center as soon as possible. We need the classroom space for our growing School of Business, along with the Departments of Education, Philosophy and Theology. You will read about the “$10 Million in 10 Months” effort within these pages and I hope you will prayerfully consider helping, especially in these stressful economic times. You all know the value of a Benedictine education. Help us make that knowledge, that faith, and that inspiration available to even more deserving young people. Help us continue along the path toward building one of the great Catholic colleges in America.

Go Ravens!

Class of 1982

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10 onths

million in

Progress toward the goals of the Investing in Excellence campaign has been spectacular, especially in these difficult economic times. Alumni and friends of the college have nearly doubled the endowment and have ensured the means for the school’s ongoing financial needs through annual fund giving. Benedictine’s success in nurturing students in mind, body, and spirit has moved the small college to the forefront of Catholic higher education and led to the highest enrollment in its history. All the good news is tempered, though, with the stress being put on the academic space available. There is one piece of the campaign that must be finished in as strong a fashion as possible … the new Academic Center. Benedictine College will likely see an undergraduate student population of more than 1,400 in the fall. The Dean’s Office already must schedule classes over the lunch hour and into the evening, two things that detract from the sense of community so vital to the Benedictine experience. The School of Business and the Education

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The Final Push for the Academic Center

Department, the largest majors, are using the oldest building on campus, Bishop Fink Hall. Benedictine College is in tremendous need of classroom space.

Jack Newman had seen these pleas before. A 1970 graduate, he had sent in nominal donations over the years and had kept up with the Raven Review, but he classified himself as a passive loyal alumnus. A condition, he thinks, in which many alumni find themselves. Interested but generally disengaged. He reached a turning point in 2004 when he was asked to serve on the Advisory Board for the business department that led to the founding of the School of Business at Benedictine. His background in senior management at Cerner Corporation and KPMG made him a good fit for that group and he started to feel the enthusiasm. After a few trips back to campus, he was hooked once again. “I encourage people to come to campus not just to see the facilities and beauty of the grounds, but to feel the spirit,” he now says.

His enthusiasm soon resulted in an invitation to accept a position on the Benedictine College Board of Directors. Just recently, he took over the reigns as chairman of the Advancement Committee of the Board. Looking at it from the other side, he could see both the great things the college is doing and the urgent need for more classroom space. “Now I can see how much we really need that long overdue academic building,” he said. “The final $10 million of the campaign is critical because it is mostly funding for that building.” He decided to jump-start the final push. “We have missed the chance to have the new building ready for the 2010 academic year (in terms of building a 65,000 square foot facility), so the Advancement Committee decided to target completion for the 2011 academic year,” said Newman. “We looked at the lead time and decided we needed the money, now in cash or cash equivalents, by next February. At the time, it was about 10 months out, so we coined the phrase ‘$10 million in 10 months.’”

Academic Center

The Advancement Committee decided to tackle the “campaign within a campaign” on two broad fronts. First, expand or extend current pledges, and second, find new money. “We took a look at all those generous people who had already given, and we started with ourselves on the board,” Newman said. “We had a 100 percent commitment from the eight members of the Advancement Committee which netted an increase of 40 percent on our original gifts.” That group then raised additional money from the rest of the board, bringing in a total of $350,000 in added contributions from board members. “Keep in mind all of these people had ALREADY given substantial amounts to the campaign,” Newman emphasized. “As we ask others to also consider expanding an existing gift or making a new one, we hope our own commitment shows the dedication the board has to Benedictine College and the young men and women who will benefit from a Benedictine education.” In just the first few months of the program, beginning in May, the college has realized $2.1 million

Built on the eastern edge of the quad and overlooking the bluff between Westerman Hall and St. Benedict Hall, a new 64,000 square foot Academic Center will serve as an enduring landmark of the college’s commitment to academic excellence. The Center’s open rotunda and wide hallways will foster the Benedictine tradition of community while classrooms and faculty offices will house four academic departments on campus: Business, Education, Philosophy, and Theology. Construction of the new Academic Center will provide the infrastructure necessary to meet current space needs while positioning the college for continued growth and success for years to come.

in new contributions toward the construction of the Academic Center. While continuing to seek additional commitments from current donors, the next phase for “$10 Million in 10 Months” is the search for new money, which Newman admitted is a much more difficult proposition.

the Abbey or Mount,” she said. “By taking advantage of the naming opportunities, donors can help make this crucial facility a reality for Benedictine College and also leave an incredible legacy.”

“For this final push, we need help,” Newman said. “We need alums and friends who may be able to contribute themselves now and/or who can lead us to donors or foundations capable of making sizeable contributions. Of course, we are grateful for all levels of gifts, but considering the timeframe for construction, we very much need some six and seven figure donations to make our goal.” According to Kelly J. Vowels, ’85, vice president of advancement at Benedictine, the planned academic building provides numerous opportunities for naming and memorials. “What a great way to remember a family name or honor a favorite professor or a beloved member from

Jack Newman, ’70 To learn more about the campaign, the Academic Center, or naming opportunities, go to the college’s website at www.benedictine. edu or contact Vowels directly at 913.360.7414.

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LEGACY Over the years, many people have honored Benedictine College with bequests in their wills. These legacies have been important to the college both from an endowment and operations perspective. In 2004, Benedictine received an unrestricted gift of more than $775,000 from trusts established by the late Orin and Ann Newton of Wheaton, Ill. Those trusts, established decades before, enabled the construction of St. Scholastica Hall, a women’s residence hall, on the Atchison campus. In April of 2000, Mary Kay McAllister transferred to Benedictine College ownership of a life insurance policy with a value of $4.3 million. She maintained the premium on that policy and when she passed away in 2008, those funds helped the Benedictine College Endowment Fund continue to grow even through difficult economic times.

As a way to show gratitude and recognize all those who have included Benedictine College in their estate plans, the school has established the Legacy Society. The new society will honor those who have named Benedictine in their wills, trusts, life insurance policies, annuities, or retirement plans. It will also include those who have established a life-income plan, such as a gift annuity or charitable remainder trust, and anyone who has established a permanently endowed scholarship at a minimum level of $25,000. “The Legacy Society is a loyal group of our community dedicated to creating one of the great Catholic colleges in America,” said Tim Andrews, ’88, director of planned giving for Benedictine College. “Members, including alumni, friends, faculty and staff, have included the college in their estate plans to ensure that the mission of Benedictine College is lived out for many years to come.” The Legacy Society will be recognized with signage on the wall in Legacy Hall, part of the new Legacy Apartments built in the southwest corner of campus last year. The society will be introduced at the formal dedication of that building, set for September 26, 2009. To be included in the society, all a person has to do is inform the college in writing, and with signature, that Benedictine College has been included in their estate plan. For more information, contact Andrews at 913.360.7363. Documentation and notification can be sent to his attention at the Office of Advancement, Benedictine College, 1020 N. Second St., Atchison, KS, 66002.

R ibbon C utting President Stephen D. Minnis, ’82 gets the festivites started at the Atchison Chamber of Commerece Ribbon Cutting Ceremony for Legacy Hall.

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New Scholarship Memorializes Helicopter

$100,000 Gift Endows Fund An anonymous donor has given Benedictine College a $100,000 gift to endow a scholarship in memory of helicopter medics and, in particular, two fallen comrades with whom he served in Vietnam. The 571st Dustoff Medic Scholarship became available for the 2008-2009 school year. The first recipients were Gabrielle Mullins ’11 and Clinton Ross ’10, both currently cadets enrolled in the U.S. Army’s Reserve Officers’ Training Corps.

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“I didn’t want to leave Benedictine. I was transferring out of necessity. With that additional financial aid, I was able to stay and now I’m looking at BC’s nursing program.” “This couldn’t have come at a better time,” Mullins said. “That scholarship

allowed me to stay at Benedictine College.” Mullins, who is following in a long tradition of military service in her family, was struggling to pay tuition at BC heading into her sophomore year and was in the process of transferring to a public university for financial reasons. When the Dustoff Scholarship came through, it made her day. “I am so grateful,” she said. “I didn’t want to leave Benedictine. I was transferring out of necessity. With that additional financial aid, I was able to stay and now I’m looking at BC’s nursing program.” “We are proud to remember those who serve our country,” said Pete Helgesen, dean of enrollment management at Benedictine College. “This scholarship is unique in its focus on military service both looking back as a memorial and looking forward as a means to a great education.”

Except for the 1st Cavalry’s medevacs, all other aeromedical helicopter evacuation units in Vietnam were known as “dustoff” units. This particular scholarship has been established in memory of two medics, David J. Ewing and Kenneth C. Nokes, who died while on duty in Vietnam. Ewing, from Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, was killed in combat in Quang Tin on May 22, 1969. Nokes, from Vista, California, died in a helicopter crash on September 27, 1970. As an endowed scholarship, the principal has been invested and its earnings are awarded as the scholarship. Eligibility is based on financial need with preference given to veterans. Recipients will have to maintain a 2.5 grade point average to continue the scholarship benefits in subsequent years.

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Jazz Comes back to College independent telephone companies in the nation, by the time he was 39. The company was in an acquisition mode that kept his workload extremely heavy. “You get busy and then you look back and wish you had taken more time to do certain things,” he said. Though he may feel a bit guilty about staying away for so long, he hardly has cause. He has kept up with the college over the years through correspondence and has always donated, using matching company funds to significantly increase his contributions. He managed the sale of Continental Telecom to GTE, but stayed on the board of directors. He later became president and CEO of HBO & Company, a major supplier of hospital computer systems and software, and then Scientific-Atlanta, Inc., the video and cable technology leader acquired by Cisco in 2005.

ifty years ago, a young Jim Napier graduated from St. Benedict’s College with bachelor’s degrees in Business Administration and Finance. A fantastically successful business career followed, along with a wonderful family: Mary Louise, his wife, and six beautiful daughters. Through it all, he’s never forgotten his alma mater.

“I ended up on seven or eight corporate boards,” he said. “And four or five of them had matching gift programs. McKessen had a good one, and Scientific-Atlanta had a 2-for-1 match. I always made sure to turn in the paperwork and sometimes could quadruple my donation.” Over the years, Napier has made significant contributions to Benedictine College through scholarships, the annual fund, endowment, and campaigns, most recently pledging $625,000 for the new Academic Center within the current Investing in Excellence campaign. “This is a very special place, providing a very special education, and we all need to do what we can to support it,” he said. In addition to financial donations, he gave in several other ways. From 1980 to 1984, he served on the school’s board of directors and he remembered the hard times and the abandoned buildings.

“When you’re fortunate, you have to give back,” he said. And he has followed through on that statement, even though he hadn’t been back to Atchison for 25 years.

“I had forgotten how bad Freshman Hall (now the completely refurbished and state-of-the-art Ferrell Hall) had become,” he said. “But now you drive in and it just looks great. It’s nice to come back and see this.”

“I haven’t been on campus since 1984,” he admitted during a visit for his 50th reunion in June.

In 1982, he also contributed as a guest speaker on campus. He was featured in Benedictine’s lecture series, “Private Enterprise: Meeting the Challenges of the Eighties.” In that series, sponsored by the Center for Entrepreneurship, he spoke on federal regulatory policy and its impact on the telecommunications industry. At the time, he was on the board of directors and was a member of the executive committee of the United

He had become president and CEO of Continental Telecom, Inc., one of the largest

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States Independent Telephone Association. That speech took place in the Old Gym, where he had once sat as a student watching the defending national championship basketball team. “The cafeteria food wasn’t too good back then (in the 1950s),” he laughed. “So I spent a lot of time in that building. I was in the Raven Roost eating hamburgers!” He also recalled that he was majoring in business at the insistence of his father. “My father told me I would be majoring in business, not music,” he said. A surprise, considering that not only was his father a music teacher, but his mother was a voice instructor. “He said, ‘I did music and you can see how well off we are,’ but I thought we always had a nice middle-class life,” said Napier with a reminiscent smile. Even though he majored in business, he still kept music in his life. While working in California he was on the board of the Kern Philharmonic and in Atlanta he supports and serves on the board of the Atlanta Symphony. He had played trumpet in a jazz band since he was 16 and even formed a jazz quartet at St. Benedict’s. The quartet held a concert in the Old Gym, selling tickets for 50 cents. In 1958, Napier managed to get the famous jazz pianist Dave Brubeck to give a concert on campus.

Napier with Dave Laughlin, ‘67

“That was right after his Jazz Goes to College album and he was really getting popular,” he said. “I think we sold tickets for $5 and sold it out. Those were great times.” Napier has kept up with a few of his buddies from that era. Claude Worth was his roommate and Mark Flynn, a football hall-of-famer, was a good friend. Chairman of the Board James O’Brien and President Stephen Minnis present Napier with his sesquicentennial plaque recognizing his service on the board.

“Man, fifty years. That’s hard to believe,” he said. “I’m looking forward to catching up.”

Fly-By Sign up for the weekly Raven Fly-By, an email brief of the latest happenings around campus and among alumni. Take a minute, or even longer, every Tuesday to read about Benedictine College and your fellow Ravens. It’s easy, just sign up by sending an email to: skramer@benedictine.edu.

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In the words of MarkTwain:

“Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails.

E x plore .

Dream. discover”.

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Football in

france In spring, a young man’s fancy turns to Paris ... and football? That’s just what happened this past spring when 65 members of the Benedictine College football team traveled to France, accompanied by coaches, staff and parents, to take on a European semi-professional team. Coach Larry Wilcox, ’72, considers these trips a tremendous opportunity to strengthen the team and the college. “We are pleased that we were able to do something of this nature and out of the norm for our team,” he said. “The trips are eye-opening for young people and encourage them to be open to that kind of travel on their own.” Team members embraced the opportunity to immerse themselves in a new culture and spent hours exploring the city beyond the organized tour’s offerings. “It was an awesome experience seeing another culture and history that you’ve only read about in books,” said Chris Jones, ’10. A bus tour of Paris introduced the group to the city of nearly 10 million people. Highlights of their time in Paris included visits to the palace of Versailles, the Cathedral of Notre Dame, Sacre Couer, the Louvre, the Rodin Museum and the Eiffel Tower. A group also travelled to Normandy to visit the site of the D-Day landing and the American Cemetery. At the end of the trip, the team travelled to Amiens to hold a clinic for the Tournai Phoenix football team from Belgium, followed by a game between Benedictine and the Belgians. The Ravens claimed a sound victory over the European champion Belgian team and were impressed with the Belgian team’s sportsmanship and dedication to a traditionally American sport.

Although the clinic and game were a small part of the trip, working with and playing against the Belgian team left a lasting impression on both the Ravens and the Phoenix. “It was a unique experience for them as well (as our players),” Wilcox said. “After the game, a player (from the Belgian team) came up to me and said it had been his dream to play football against Americans,” said Mike Bechina, ’12. “It was awesome!” In a speech to the Ravens and the Tournai Phoenix, Coach Wilcox put it all into perspective, noting that sharing the love of the game was what brought them together. “The score was not the reason we were there,” he said. While exposure to a new culture and the general experience of international travel are the obvious benefits to the team’s trip to Paris, the team is expected to gain additional benefits from the shared experience in a way that adds to team chemistry, a necessary ingredient for a successful season this fall. “It does a lot for building team unity,” Wilcox said. “For the guys to spend a week together like this, it will do a lot to build camaraderie for the fall.” Gus Kautz, ’10, echoed that sentiment. “The whole experience was amazing,” he said. “It was a great bonding experience and we all had a lot of fun.”

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Discovery in

The word “Egypt” evokes romantic images of ancient civilizations, wondrous pyramids and fascinating history. The chance to actually go there and see the burial chamber deep within an ancient pyramid is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. The Discovery Program at Benedictine College provided just that opportunity for a group of students during the spring 2009 semester. “The English and Biology departments put together a course that gave credit in both disciplines and provided a chance to do research and gain inspiration from the cultural and historic sites in Egypt,” said Dr. Julie Bowen, assistant professor of English at Benedictine. “The Spring Break trip moved students to do some great writing and create five Discovery Projects.” The trip covered everything from the Giza Plateau and the Great Pyramid and Sphinx in northern Egypt to the incredible Temple of Abu Simbel, only 30 miles from the Sudanese border in southern Egypt. Luxor, Karnak, the Valley of the Kings, Memphis, the necropolis at Sakkara, Thebes, Kom Ombu, the intact temple at Edfu and an ancient quarry were all stops along the way.

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Justin Pregont ’09 took the class and signed up for the trip after reading a novel, a historical fiction, in which the Egyptian pharaoh, Akhenaten, was one of the main characters. “He was also the subject of a documentary and I was fascinated by him,” Pregont said. “He’s been called everything from the heretic king to the world’s first monotheist. He was so different than any other pharaoh, before or after, that he was definitely an individual and probably brilliant.” Pregont and a Nile crocodile. That curiosity took Pregont and five other Benedictine students from the classroom all the way to the Valley of the Nile. Pregont, specifically, was interested in the ancient city of Thebes and the Luxor Museum.

“I had done my research,” he said. “I knew there were Akhenaten artifacts at the Luxor Museum and I needed to see those for my project.”

Although that particular Museum was not on the tour’s agenda, Pregont made a point of getting there during some free time. His reward was a wealth of statues and carvings depicting the pharaoh and a museum guard that allowed him to take photographs of the artifacts. “This was a huge project for me,” he said. “I bought four or five textbook-like books on Akhenaten and had read everything I could, but being there completed my research in ways I didn’t even imagine.”

taken by him while at the ancient sites in Egypt. It was quite an accomplishment, considering it was the first time he had ever done a Discovery Project, but it was reflective of the spirit of Discovery that drives the program. “Having done it now, I think this is the most fruitful program the college offers,” said Pregont. “If you have the time and are driven to learn, you can take a Discovery Project as far as you want to go.” And that includes exploring the wonders of Egypt.

After a subsequent visit to the Cairo Museum netted BC students at the Great Pyramid. him even more information and background, Pregont was ready to build his Discovery presentation. “I could have given the lecture without the trip, but I wouldn’t have had the complete story. I would have lacked some perspective,” he said. In the end, the majority of his presentation was comprised of original material, with 75 percent of the photographs

Spices for sale in a Nubian village in southern Egypt.

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Ireland After graduation in May, Joseph Brehany, ’09, had one more thing to do. He had to take a long-awaited trip the Emerald Isle. A trip with Benedictine College history professor Dr. Everett Dague was just the ticket. The 10-day tour was Brehany’s first time off the continent.

“One of the best things is simply teaching people that they can do this sort of thing,” he said. “Having done it once, they can see opportunities to do it again.” Dague strives to make the trips affordable and enjoys taking his fellow travelers off the beaten path.

“I wanted to visit the land of my ancestry,” he said.

The group traveled through Ireland with Paddywagon Tours, stayed at hostels, and experienced first-hand the culture and people of Ireland. Their tour guide, Barry, made unscheduled stops, including Our Lady of Knock Shrine in County Mayo and St. Brigid’s Well.

Brehany kept a blog on the Benedictine website to track the group’s activities. The natural beauty of the country, especially County Kerry, impressed him. “While traveling through this area, I found it difficult not to believe in fairies,” he wrote. The Ireland trip is just one example of Benedictine College’s commitment to a liberal arts education. That commitment extends the borders of the campus beyond the familiar confines of Atchison and helps instill in its students a desire for lifelong learning. Trips such as this encourage students to leave their comfort zones and have new experiences. Dr. Dague has traveled with students nearly every year since 2000. This year’s expedition was the third to Ireland. Other student trips have included Scotland, France, and the Caribbean. Next year, Dague plans to lead students to Germany. The trips are not only meant to be educational, but also to broaden horizons through the travel experience. Dague and his wife Wilma, who acts as a chaperone for the trips, have a desire to provide students with an experience that will impact the rest of their lives.

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Beauty and Blarney

with a lot of big concepts.” The level of both passion and violence in the conflict combined with the beauty and history of Ireland made for a thought-provoking experience. Dr. Dague invites alumni to consider traveling with current BC students. Joining him on this trip was alumnus Eric Berry, EMBA ’05, and his daughter, Jenna.

According to Dague, the college offers plenty of study abroad options but not everyone can afford them in terms of money and time. The trips also contribute to the sense of community at the college. “For the students at this stage of their life, this is a major Eric Berry and daughter, Jenna. “I can’t thank Benedictine College event and it will be something they enough for sponsoring the trip,” share with other students,” he said. Berry said. “And of course the Though students prepare for the trips trip wouldn’t have been half as fun in a classroom setting before their without Professor Dague’s insightful departure, the real learning takes guidance, knowledge of Ireland’s place during the actual trip. “In terms history and culture, and shared of education, this isn’t something you sense of joy in the experience, not simply teach in a classroom. We’re to mention his obvious eloquence, dealing with human realities here,” no doubt derived from a previous said Dague. encounter with the Blarney Stone.” Consequently, this trip was not all Blarney Stone kisses and Irish pub visits. A visit to Northern Ireland brought the travelers a different kind of experience. “After the Black Taxi tour, they were a very somber group,” Dague said. “When we got done with our tour of Belfast, they were really wrestling

The opportunity to study abroad is an integral part of Benedictine College’s investment in excellence. Although students have the option of studying in other countries through the International Student Exchange Program, most BC students prefer to study at BC’s Florence campus, now in its fourth year of operation. The Florence program enriches individual students and the college as a whole. For the 44 students who ventured to Florence last year, a semester in Italy is a potentially life-changing experience. “When I give them the orientation, I tell them they will not come back the same,” said Daniel Musso, executive director of the Center for International Education. Musso, includes a quote from J.R.R. Tolkien’s “The Lord of the Rings” in his student orientation sessions: “There is no real going back. Though I may come to the shire, it will not seem the same; for I shall not be the same.” Some students, like Katherine Zackary, take advantage of the Florence program knowing they will experience changes. “I knew it was going to be a great experience to be thrown into a very different environment that would force me to grow up and become more confident in myself,” she said. Anica Schmitz also observed the inevitable changes in herself and her fellow travelers. “Since it’s such a small group, we are together about 24/7 for two and a half months and it’s a great time for growing for everyone. It’s really neat to see the change in everyone on such a deep level,” she said. While students immerse themselves in Italian culture, Benedictine College maintains a presence within that experience through its residential component and the presence of a Benedictine professor and residence director. Schmitz took note of the strong sense of community in Florence. “My favorite part about the Florence program is getting so close to people at Benedictine that I was only an acquaintance with before,” she said. Building community, combined with the enthusiasm the students bring back to the college from their experience abroad, enriches the college and reinforces its goal of excellence. “They (the students) have an understanding of other cultures and the ability to function in another culture,” Musso said. He added that becoming global citizens is something you learn by making friends, meeting people; not by learning it in a classroom. Schmitz’ experience illustrates Musso’s point.

Italy “I have also opened my mind to befriending people very different from myself, yet still holding onto my personal values,” she said.

BC students are strongly encouraged to take advantage of the study abroad program. Aside from promoting and nurturing the Benedictine values of personal growth and community, the program provides benefits extending through time and into the communities the students will impact after they leave BC.

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Croatia

Atchison to Zagreb

Professor John F. Settich recently left 23 of his very best students in Zagreb, Croatia. However, there were no angry parents calling Benedictine College administrators, since all of those students were Croatian and enrolled at the University of Zagreb, where Settich taught during the month of March. Settich is an associate professor and chairman of the Political Science Department at Benedictine College. He took a one semester sabbatical leave from Benedictine, during which he travelled to Eastern Europe and taught a seminar course at the Croatian college. The course was entitled “The American Approach to Politics and Policy” and was a special offering that met two hours per day for 15 consecutive weekdays. Quickly adapting his curricular plan to student preferences, Settich introduced them to a full-scale public policy analysis, including a presentation to national media, political party leaders and university students and faculty. “They wanted to examine how Croatia will adapt, economically and politically, after its anticipated accession to the European Union in 2010,” he said. “I created a proposed outline for the project. The students organized into analytical teams by topic and they created what I entitled ‘The Burnham Plan for Croatia’s Future’.” Among the topics they analyzed were: the nation’s ability to effectively absorb foreign capital investment, the readiness of bureaucracy to respond to rapid change, and considerations of the national psyche and heritage on Croatia’s future growth. A total of 15 major elements were part of the analysis. “My late father’s heritage was Croatian and I wanted to spend an extended period there, learning more about this young democracy, established in 1990 after the fall of the Iron Curtain,” Settich explained. Many students in Croatia choose to study English as their foreign language in elementary and secondary school. “Their spoken and written English skills were superb,” he said, adding that he speaks only what he describes as “dinner table Croatian.” The University of Zagreb was founded in 1669 and its modern political science program counts among its graduates the present foreign minister, the ambassador to the United States, many members of parliament and scores of elected and appointed public officials, according to Settich.

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Settich in Croatia and with his class at the University of Zagreb.

During his stay in Croatia, Settich met with the U.S. ambassador, members of parliament in the ruling party and the parliamentary chairman of a committee intent on passing a law to establish rights for Croatians living abroad, even though their heritage may be several generations distant from the homeland. The Sabor (Croatian Parliament) website features an announcement of Settich’s visit, along with a photo taken with Ivan Bagaric, the committee chairman. Dr. Settich also met with officials from the Archdiocese of Zagreb who are in the process of creating a Catholic University of Croatia, as have many other formerly socialist countries in Eastern Europe. The officials suggested that on future visits to Croatia Settich will have lecture opportunities at the Catholic University, set to begin enrolling students later this year. Major parts of the campus have already been built on the grounds of the former Croatian military academy, he explained.

“Among my students there were: Ante, Livija, Josip, Drazen, Hrvoje, Amalija, Bojana, Petra, Ivan, Tihana and all of the rest,” he said. “I miss them and I look forward to returning to Benedictine students in the fall with new energy and perspective on political science.” Settich graduated from St. Benedict’s College (now Benedictine College) in 1969 and joined the faculty at Benedictine in the fall of 1998 after a 30 year career in politics and management of non-governmental organizations. He lives in Atchison with his wife, Janet, where they operate St. Martin’s Bed and Breakfast. They have four children and five grandchildren. Their daughter Erin is a member of the class of 2010 at Benedictine College. He earned a master’s degree at DePaul University and his PhD at the University of Illinois at Chicago.

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BC Takes Global Awareness to a Personal Level

The population of international students on the campus of Benedictine College comes from the four corners of the earth, bringing students from 15 countries and five continents. Traditionally, the Far East (China and Japan), Africa, Central America, Europe (France, Ireland, Germany, Poland) and Russia have been represented. This year, Sarah Fox-Linton, director of international admissions and retention at Benedictine College, expects 11 new international students for the fall 2009 semester, bringing the total international enrollment to approximately 25. According to Fox-Linton, international students find Benedictine College through a variety of sources. Some find their way to BC through personal contact with friends who have attended Benedictine. Others come to BC because of their interest in sports or attendance at Maur Hill – Mount Academy, a Catholic boarding school also in Atchison. Some students have relatives living nearby. Others find the college through print or online directories like useduguides.com or studyusa.com.

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“We also work with placement agencies in other countries,” FoxLinton said.

dressing more formally for classes and are surprised to see American students coming to class in jeans or sweats.

The sacrifices made by international students in order to study at BC are as varied as the students themselves. Separation from family and home countries and cultures can be difficult and is often compounded by the fact that visa restrictions prevent some students from returning home for their entire college careers.

One surprise may be enough to make up for some of the challenges the students face: “They always comment on how friendly people are,” FoxLinton said.

Cristian Garcia, ’09, came to Benedictine from Chile in 2005. “I was here for 4 1/2 years and was fortunate to be able to go home for Christmas, but that was it,” he said. “I spent the first semester studying English and then started studies for my major.” In his time at Benedictine, the music performance major was part of the concert band, jazz band, and the new drum line. “It was a great time,” he said at graduation. “And now I hope to study at a special drummer’s collective in New York.” Although Benedictine tries to help international students make a smooth transition, the students usually find adjusting to small town America difficult because most of them come from large cities. “One thing that’s hard for them is the lack of public transportation,” FoxLinton said. Differences in food and fashion also pose challenges. Students from most other countries are accustomed to

“When I arrived in the USA, everything was unfamiliar. I missed my family and friends a lot,” said Jung Hwan Hyun of South Korea. “However, after a week, everything had changed. I had lots of friends who made me fun and happy. They helped me adapt to the U.S.A. and college.” To help international students adjust to their new surroundings, meet new friends and experience American life, Benedictine’s Center for International Education encourages participation in the International Buddies program that pairs international students with American students. The American friendship program that pairs students with college employees has also been very successful. Jennifer Carter, ’09, welcomed the opportunity to interact with students from other countries. “I think American BC students have a

Atsuko Mizuno, Haruna Ogawa, and Takako Sekiyama, from Japan.

huge responsibility to reach out to international students to welcome them and introduce them to all the little things that make up America things like s’mores, ice-blocking, donut runs, and so on,” she said. Fox-Linton said international students are an asset to the Benedictine community, adding diversity and opportunities for students to understand the values and cultures of our larger human community. Carter believes both American and international students at the college

benefit from their interaction on campus. “Before I came to BC, I had only heard of countries like Japan and China, and seen them in books and movies,” said Carter. “Now, by knowing the people, I feel like I know the countries.” International students should receive a warm welcome to the college, according to Carter. “Benedictine College is a great location for students to come to experience our country, particularly because many students, faculty and

staff on campus are bursting with Benedictine hospitality,” she said. “I like the BC sense of community and hope to take that back to my classroom,” said Haruna Ogawa, ’09, who will return to Japan to teach English to junior high students. When he first arrived, Omair Siddiqui, ’10, of Pakistan was nervous about being the only Muslim on campus, but Benedictine hospitality soon put him at ease. “They [the students] had a lot of questions to ask, but they treated me as part of the Benedictine family, which was very comforting,” he said. Through its international students program, BC has a chance to reach out to other cultures and share its mission and Benedictine values with people around the world. “International students are so important to have for the U.S.’s relationship with the rest of the world,” Fox-Linton said. “I think of having international students in the United States as a small step toward world peace.”

Above: Clifford Lubbe, South Africa; Cristian Garcia, Chile; Sergey Plotnikov, Russia; and Per-Anders Andersson, Sweden. Right: Laura Meli, Australia. Left Above: Jung Hwan Hyun, of South Korea, on campus in Atchison. Left Bottom: Ni Zhang, of China, at an International Club gathering.

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Shanghai Graduate Walks in Atchison Commencement The walk across the stage on commencement day is figuratively the conclusion of a long journey of learning for college graduates. On May 16, 2009, that walk was literally the culmination of a long journey … all the way from Shanghai in China. Ma Jiaqiang, a 38-year-old, non-traditional student in Benedictine College’s Chinese program in Shanghai, had been curious about the main campus in Atchison throughout his schooling. For graduation, rather than go to Hong Kong for the traditional commencement ceremonies, he decided to satisfy his curiosity and go to the northeast Kansas campus to get his diploma. “I always had the desire to visit America and since I graduated from an American college, I decided to go to the commencement on the home campus,” he said the day before the ceremony. Jiaqiang was proficient in English and had made it a point about learning the language. Shanghai is a very large city with what he termed a globalized economy, making employees who could speak English highly desirable. He said most Chinese students don’t think they will ever leave the country and don’t think about graduate school. He had other plans.

“I was able to find a job with a foreign company, a German company in China,” he said. He already had an associate’s degree in mechanical engineering and, by going to classes in the evening, completed a Bachelor of Science degree in business through Benedictine. He is now the manager of technology applications for a manufacturer of machine tools. “I thought further education in business would be very helpful to my career,” he said. “I eventually started looking at foreign college programs and found Benedictine.” He appreciated that the classes in the Benedictine program were taught in English and he learned a lot about both American and international business. But he still wanted to see America and graduation provided the excuse for travel. “From what I had seen on the Internet, I knew Atchison would be very different from Shanghai (a small Midwestern town with a population of 10,000 versus an urban metropolis with a population of 20 million),” Jiaqiang said. “But I am very pleased to be here at the headquarters of Benedictine College. This is my alma mater.”

New Soccer Field Turf Completed

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School of Business launches New Journal The Journal’s name is an accurate Benedictine College’s School of reflection of its global perspective. Business is the proud parent of a The first issue contains a commentary, bold new enterprise, the Journal of transcripts of two addresses at the International Business. The brain 2008 Global Business Conference, child of former executive director three academic articles and a case of the School of study. Contributing authors have Business, connections to Europe, Africa, Antonio the Middle East and the United Soave, States. Patelli’s plan is to and the continue to invite submissions members from around the world and from of the practitioners and academics International alike. Business Advisory Council, the Journal is edited by Lorenzo Patelli, Ph.D., assistant professor of business at the school. Research is Patelli’s passion and he has served as a reviewer IBAC members Greg Berkin & Davyeon Ross. for several journals in the past. He Within the pages of the Journal, views his work on the Journal as a the invitation to authors states that great opportunity for himself and the journal “is a virtual window considers the journal a promising into the landscape of international asset to the School of Business and the business, and a platform from which college as a whole. practitioners and scholars shed light on these topics.” “I think it’s an example of the level of academic quality of the business school The economic interconnectedness and it helps integrate an international that exists among the nations of the perspective on the campus,” said Dr. world is especially evident and the Kimberly Shankman, dean of the Journal provides the kind of insight college. not commonly found in the business pages of the local newspapers. In “The objective of the Journal of addition to the information contained International Business is to offer a platform for business people who want in the Journal, Patelli believes the spirit that drives the publication is also to contribute with their passion and expertise to preserving and stimulating important. wonder in front of the exceptional “My hope is that we continue to business phenomena occurring in our publish a journal that promotes world,” wrote Patelli in the Journal’s understanding of global inaugural editorial.

interdependence,” Shankman said. The current economic climate and the intricacies of global economic interdependence should raise many questions. Questions, writes Patelli, are essential for knowledge and the lack of questions can have harmful effects. “The Journal’s objective is to offer relevant examples of questions arising within the business world,” he writes. “With these examples, it aims to contribute to the education of asking questions.” This spirit of wonder and curiosity, according to Patelli, is what sustains the attempt to contribute to the understanding of current business topics. Because the economic system is global, Patelli believes the value of the Journal lies in its international perspective on business and the variety of materials it contains. The Journal has the potential of appealing to a broad audience along with the possibility of benefiting the Benedictine community directly as a learning tool for faculty and students. “It can be a tool for alumni to stay connected with our community,” Patellis said. “The Journal is also a nice way to support our academic environment.” Annual subscriptions to the publication are available. For more information, visit the website at www. benedictine.edu/business. Potential contributors can also visit the website for information regarding submissions of comprehensive research works as well as practical articles and commentaries.

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Hall of Fame

Tom Buergler, ’76

Three stirring life stories, three inspiring individuals, three new inductees into the Benedictine College Hall of Fame. Coming up during Homecoming 2009, Joseph Ziemba, ’40, Anthony “Tony” Garofalo, ’72, and Tom Buergler, ’76 will be the next class headed into the Hall of Fame. The Hall of Fame ceremony is set for Saturday, October 24, 2009, at 6:30 p.m. in the Ralph Nolan Gymnasium. For reservations, contact Sue Durkin, special assistant to the president for events, at 913.360.7401 or email her at sdurkin@benedictine.edu. Ziemba was a force to be reckoned with on the football field. The All American’s formidable physical presence combined with his quickness and strength made him a shining star on the squad and major contributor to the success of his team at St. Benedict’s. A talented athlete, Ziemba also excelled on the college’s basketball team and played center on the first Benedictine team invited to an NAIA basketball tournament. Garofalo is the man you want by your side no matter what your sport. He had originally planned on a career in teaching but found his true calling in athletic training at Benedictine College. He remembers working with Benedictine Hall of Famers Larry Gilderhaus (soccer) and Chic Downing (basketball) and has great memories of accompanying the basketball team to the NAIA basketball tournament in 1970. Although he served as an athletic

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Above: Anthony Garofalo, ’72

Left: Joseph Ziemba, ’40

trainer for several sports, Garofalo’s first love is baseball. “Major League baseball has been a phenomenal part of my life and it’s all due to my time at Benedictine College,” he said. He describes his career as a whirlwind and considers himself fortunate to have been involved with baseball for 16 years, 10 of those years with the Chicago Cubs. The third inductee, Buergler, was a Benedictine soccer player with the staying power and the record to deserve the nickname “Rock.” He was a starter in every match of his four seasons at Benedictine and was a major factor in the Ravens’ 29 shutouts during his time at the school. As he was fond of saying, “Nobody gets past the Rock.” An outstanding athlete, Buergler served as captain of the soccer team during his junior and senior years and was named to the NAIA All American Team in 1975. He played a season of professional soccer for the Minnesota Kicks after graduating from Benedictine. He also brings his drive for excellence and his leadership skills to the business arena as owner and operator of Thomas Food Marketing, LLC, a successful food brokerage business. So a football legend, a baseball great, and a soccer star will be center stage for this year’s Hall of Fame ceremony. It’s a stage crowded with memories and friends and a moment you won’t want to miss. Be here for Homecoming 2009.

S how me S tate S hows Raven Spirit Heading into the summer, the Mid-Mo Ravens were flying high. The Benedictine College alumni chapter in central Missouri had worked hard for three years to fully fund the Mid-Mo Scholarship and the group was anxious to hear who the first recipient would be. Unfortunately, the economic downturn had hit home. “We were told that the scholarship would not be awarded,” said Joe Schaefer ’84, one of the chapter founders and the originator of the scholarship project. It turns out that over the past year, their endowment had lost 20% of its value. College endowments across the United States have been decimated by the economic recession. According to the Wall Street Journal, college endowments nationally lost nearly $100 billion, down 23% just between July and November of 2008. The news is even worse for endowed scholarships, which depend on investment gains to fund students. In many cases, scholarship endowments have not only showed no gains, but have actually lost money from the corpus, meaning there is nothing to award. The Mid-Mo Ravens, filled with Benedictine spirit, were not going to stand for that. They decided a deserving student from central Missouri would still receive a scholarship. “Well, we said that’s just not right,” said Schaefer. “We talked among our core group, discussed whether we should try to add money to the endowment and get it back up, and finally decided to raise the funds to give $1000 this fall like we thought would happen from the endowment.” The group got busy very quickly, knowing that the college Financial Aid Office would need to know it had the funds available to award. By mid-June, 26 people had donated to the cause and raised the extra money. “We feel so fortunate to have had the opportunity to have the Benedictine experience that we want (others) to have that opportunity as well,” said Susie (Schaefer) Hinds, ’91, another member of the group.

“We know that Benedictine offers an incredible liberal art education in a faith-based community which in our minds in crucial to an individual’s successes later in life,” continued Hinds. “In this economic downturn it is more crucial than ever to ensure those opportunities are available.” The scholarship and their extra effort to make it happen are just the latest example of Benedictine spirit from the Mid-Mo Ravens. The group has been holding “send-off” events for area students heading to Benedictine College for a long time. “It’s fortunate that we’ve got a good group to help out and share the work,” said Schaefer. “For the send-off, we work with the alumni office, rent a place at a local park, and do some barbecue. Of course, we’ve got to sing the fight song a couple of times.” The group does something else that is probably unique among alumni chapters of any college. Once students from their region arrive at Benedictine and begin their college careers, the local chapter sends them a little care package. “After they get to school, we send them a gift card to Wal-Mart, just 15 or 20 dollars, but it’s a nice thing for them to get,” Schaefer said. “I get a lot of credit that I really don’t deserve. We just have a lot of good people doing a lot of good things.” Thanks to those good people and those good things, one particularly lucky student will be touched by the generosity of the Mid-Mo Ravens this fall.

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It’s not just the classroom education. We were molded by the Rule of St. Benedict Pam Kramer, ’88

Alumni Reunion Spotlights Success Alumni from Benedictine College and its predecessors, Mount St. Scholastica College and St. Benedict’s College, returned to Atchison en masse for the annual Alumni Reunion Weekend. Events included a wine tasting on the Abbey lawn and an old-time ice cream social at the Mount. In recognition of the event, alumni donated more than $450,000 to the college, with the Class of 1959 bringing in $230,000 alone. The gathering culminated with the Reunion Banquet on Saturday night, June 13, and the naming of the Benet Award winners. Pam (Schaefer) Kramer, ’88, of Overland Park, Kan., received the 2009 Offeramus Medal and Lou J. McAvoy, ’53, of Leawood, Kan., received the 2009 Kansas Monk Award. Mount St. Scholastica College, which joined with St. Benedict’s College in 1971 to form Benedictine College, established the Offeramus Medal in 1957 for alumnae who had distinguished themselves in their profession, showed a prominence of service to the civic community, demonstrated outstanding loyalty to the alma mater, and reflected honor on the college through family and social life. In 1960, St. Benedict’s established the corresponding Kansas Monk Award for its graduates. Kramer has extensive experience in marketing and advertising, having

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served in a variety of positions with Sprint for more than 18 years, including assignments in the company’s local, long distance and publishing business units and in corporate brand management. She directed all national advertising, including brand positioning, national television creative, strategy and production, regional advertising efforts and communications with Sprint’s customer base. During her career with Sprint, Kramer led such highly visible and successful efforts as advertising featuring actress Sela Ward and Sprint’s sponsorship of the National Football League. She has served Benedictine College as president of the Alumni Association and was a member of the college’s Board of Directors for eight years. She and her husband, Kevin, co-chaired the annual Benedictine College Scholarship Ball in 2006 and 2007. At the parish level, she is active in various ministries including Christ Renews His Parish, Faith in Action, Mardi Gras committee and as an Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion. Additionally, she has served the school PTO as vice president, president and in many other capacities. Pam and Kevin are also involved at the diocesan level, leading their parish initiative for the Catholic Charities Snow Ball Patrons Committee. They are the proud parents of two daughters, Claire and Libby, and live in Overland Park, Kansas. ““She is one bright, intelligent and classy woman,” said Sister Ann Shepard, OSB, ’67, prioress of Mount St. Scholastica Monastery, during her introduction of Kramer. “But the most important quality of Pam is her faith.”

“Throughout the years, BC has rained down friendships in my life,” Kramer said in her acceptance speech. “What is it that’s different about BC? What binds us all and sets us apart? It’s not just the classroom education. We were molded by the Rule of St. Benedict.” Abbot Barnabas Senecal, OSB, ’60, of St. Benedict’s Abbey, introduced McAvoy, saying, “Lou, you wrapped the Benedictine garment around yourself. The garment of generosity and broad perspective.” McAvoy graduated from St. Benedict’s College, now Benedictine College, in 1953 with a degree in business administration. He went to work in the insurance industry, becoming a career life insurance agent and eventually establishing his own agency, Louis J. McAvoy and Associates. His agency was associated with National Fidelity Life and as that company evolved into one of the early insurance brokerage companies, LJM and Assoc. became an early leader in the business. He founded Target Insurance Services, Inc. in 1982 with his son, Matt, as a successor corporation to LJM and Assoc., and moved the business further into the innovative area of insurance brokering. As a leader in the new field, McAvoy assisted in establishing the National Association of Independent Life Brokerage Agencies (NAILBA) and served as a board member on its first board of directors. McAvoy served on the board of directors of Benedictine College in the 1970s and again in the 1980s. He served on the Cure of Ars Parish Board and was president of the

Cure of Ars School Board. In addition, he served the diocese through his work with Catholic Charities of Kansas City. He and his wife, Sue, were honored with the Cross of the Order of St. Benedict in 1983. The couple has four children: Monica, Mollie, Michael, and Matthew ’81. “My time at St. Benedict has been very rewarding to me,” he said at the banquet. “We are here today due to the efforts of those who came before us and we must all find a way to assist the college.” The president of Benedictine College, Stephen D. Minnis, ’82, also addressed the group. In his traditional “state of the college” address, he told the gathered alumni about the strengths of the college, both fiscally and through it’s curriculum. “Your college has never been stronger,” he said. “Great things have happened since we have fully embraced our mission. It is time for us to be examples to those who follow. We take very seriously that we’re educating people who make their community stronger and the world a better place.”

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Board Meeting

sesquicentennial Current Board Members: (Front row, left to right) Shirley Chenoweth, ’63; Dr. Stephanie Van Dyne; S. Mary Agnes Patterson, OSB, ’69; Kathy O’Hara, Peggy Dunn, S. Mary Irene Nowell, OSB, ‘61. (2nd row) Stephen D. Minnis, ’82; Bob Wholey, ‘72; Bo Fraser, ‘64; Paul Westerman, ‘77; Chris Thompson; S. Anne Shepard, OSB, ‘67; Fr. Gabriel Landis, OSB, ‘99; Fr. James Albers, ‘94; Jack Newman, ‘70. (Back row) Tom McKnew, ’58; Abbot Barnabas Senecal, OSB, ‘60; James T. O’Brien, ’60; Larry Buessing, ‘60; Dave Laughlin, ‘67; Darryl Jones, ‘68; Steve McBride, ‘77; Tom Wessels, ‘66; Kevin Kramer, ’89.

Former board members Judith (Ferrell) Taggart, ’53, and John Settich,’69, visit during the Thursday evening reception.

President Stephen Minnis, ‘82; Chairman James T. O’Brien, ’60; former Chair of the Board Tom Hoenig, ’68, at the Thursday evening dinner.

Emeritus Board Member Dr. Lionel, ’53, and Mrs. Florence Young, with former President Fr. Gerard Senecal, OSB, ’51, at the Thursday reception.

Emeritus Board Member Byron Thompson, ’55, and James T. O’Brien, ‘60, Chairman of the Board of Directors, at the Friday morning board session.

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Jerry Fennell, ’69 and Emeritus Board Member Mike Easterday, ‘63 at at the Thursday evening reception.

Emeritus Board Member Frank O’Malley, ’52; former Board Members Bob Slater, ’54; and Tom Diedrich, ’54; in front of Legacy Hall.

Three ways to get your official Ravengear

1 visit our campus store 2 @ ravenstore.benedictine.edu 3 shop our sporting outposts Located on campus in the Haverty Center Open Game Day Saturdays 10 a.m.-6 p.m. www.ravenstore.benedictine.edu 913.360.7448

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Class Notes

-March 5, 2009 - July 9, 2009

1950s Lou J. McAvoy, ’53, Overland Park, Kan. and Las Vegas, Nev., received the Kansas Monk Award at the alumni reunion banquet, June 13, 2009. Lou retired nearly 10 years ago from Target Insurance Co., Inc., a life insurance brokerage company. In 1983, Benedictine College bestowed upon Lou, and his wife, Sue, the Cross of the Order of St. Benedict Award. The couple has four children; Monica, Mollie, Michael, and Matthew, ‘81.

1960s Wangari M. Maathai, ’64, Kenya, Africa, was in the USA during April 2009 to launch her new book, The Challenge for Africa, where she presents a different vision of Africa, informed by her three decades as an environmental activist and campaigner for democracy. In her book, Wangari illuminates the complex and dynamic nature of the continent, and offers “hardheaded hope” and “realistic options” for change and improvement. Her book tour opened April 14, 2009 in Washington, DC. MG (R) Tom Wessels, ’66, Atlanta, Ga., was presented the USO Patriot Award by the USO of Georgia during the annual Military Affairs Luncheon. Tom has served the past six years as chairman of the Georgia Committee for the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve. Norma J. (Musslyn) Herring, ’68, Leawood, Kan., was a featured artist in March 2009 at Images Galley in Kansas City; and had 22 paintings on display. Dr. Portia Maultsby, ’68, Bloomington, Ind., has been selected by the College of Arts and Sciences Alumni Association of Indiana University for the 2009 Distinguished Faculty Award. The award was based on research, teaching and

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service; and will be presented to Portia on Nov. 6, 2009. Joe Daglen, ’69, Caldwell, Idaho, retired in 2004 from Family Practice medicine. In early retirement, he enjoyed teaching high school geometry, physics, and calculus; and this past year Joe began teaching business math, human anatomy, human cadaver dissection, and astronomy part time at the College of Idaho in Caldwell. Astronomy has been a 25-year hobby for Joe and in the last three years he has been learning astrophotography. Terrance W. Gainer, ’69, Washington, D.C., the U.S. Senate Sergeant at Arms, delivered the 2009 Benedictine College commencement address and received an Honorary Doctor of Laws degree.

Conference of State Bank Supervisors (CSBS) for 2009-2010 at the organization’s 108th annual business meeting. Previously, Gronstal served as Vice Chairman, Treasurer, on the Board of Directors, on the State Regulatory LLC Board of Managers, and as co-chairman of the CSBS Bankers Advisory Board. Fr. William A. Schreiber, V.F., ’75, Humboldt, Iowa, received a reassignment by the Bishop of Sioux City to be pastor of Sacred Heart Parish in Spencer, Iowa effective July 14, 2009. Fr. William was ordained to the priesthood in June 1979, and has served in several parishes throughout the state, most recently at Saint Mary in Humboldt and Saint John the Evangelist in Gilmore City, and as Vicar Forane of the Southeast Deanery. Tim Cannon, ’77, Omaha, Neb., was featured regarding life on and off the court in a March 2009 World-Herald newspaper article, written by Dirk Chatelain. Tim is dean of students and head basketball coach at Bryan High School. Tim and his wife, Shirley, are the parents of three daughters, and are also foster parents.

1980s Terry Gainer, ’69, at commencement.

1970s Charles A. Ray, ’71, North Potomac, Md., was nominated by President Barack Obama for the position of Ambassador to the Republic of Zimbabwe. Charles, a career member of the Foreign Service since 1983, has been the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Prisoners of War/ Missing Personnel Affairs and Director of the Defense Prisoner of War/Missing Personnel Office since 2006. Thomas B. Gronstal, ’73, Spirit Lake, Iowa, was elected chairman-elect of the

Susan (Signaigo) Weich, ’80, is the Metro columnist for the St. Louis Post-Dispatch newspaper, and will be featured in the Sunday, Wednesday, and Friday issues. She has been a reporter and editor with the newspaper for 21 years. Susan resides in St. Charles, Mo., with husband, Dean, and their two children, Rachel and D.J. Jean (Lankenau) Phillips, ’84, Damariscotta, Maine, received her master’s degree in American and New England Studies in May 2009 from the University of Southern Maine. She is a teacher at Wiscasset High School. Jim Lyons, ’87, St. Louis, Mo, Firefighter/ EMT with the Cottleville Fire District in St. Charles County, Mo., along with

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Soccer Coach in Amsterdam Rob Herringer, ’00 and ’04 MEA, Lansing, Kan., head men’s soccer coach and director of athletic giving at Benedictine College, was one of only two American coaches selected by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America to travel to the Netherlands to spend time with the Royal Netherlands Football Association, examining current styles and trends in soccer training and development. He spent six days observing various professional and youth soccer programs. “Any trip of this nature makes you a better coach and manager,” Herringer said. “I have already implemented some concepts into what we are doing with the team at BC. Whenever you get to spend time with proper professional clubs and see how things are organized and executed in preparation for matches, it is always a learning experience. I consider myself a life-long learner, so I crave these experiences so I can continue to improve as a teacher of the game.”

Save the Date

February

272010

39 Annual Scholarship Ball th

BENEDICTINE COLLEGE

Giving from the Heart

two fellow Firefighters, was recognized on March 10, 2009 on the Floor of the Missouri House of Representatives in Jefferson City, Mo for an Ice Rescue they performed on Jan. 21, 2009. The 54-yearold male victim had fallen through the ice while fishing. Lyons crawled across 50 feet of ice into the water with the victim, and the two fellow firefighters pulled them both to safety with the rescue rope Lyons had attached to himself. Pamela A. (Schaefer) Kramer, ’88, Olathe, Kan., received the Offeramus Medal award at the Benedictine College alumni reunion banquet on June 13, 2009. Pam worked in the marketing field for 18 years at SPRINT, directing the brand development and launch of EMBARQ, a spin-off company. She and her husband, Kevin Kramer, ’89, have two children, Libby and Claire.

1990s Angela (Tatro) Locke, MASL ’93, Topeka, Kan., a communications specialist at Topeka Public Schools, received the 2009 Distinguished Staff Award, the highest award the district gives, in the classified

support category. She has worked for the school district for 10 years. Josh, ’97, and Sarah (Bogner) Holthusen, ’97, Wichita, Kan., performed in Atchison during the annual Amelia Earhart Festival in July 2009. Their latest CD, Lead the Way, which features Catholic music, is available through their Website, www. sarahandjoshmusic.com. Also, their songs may be individually downloaded from several sites, including: iTunes, Amazon, Rhapsody, Tradebit, Last FM, and Lala.

7/13/2009 3:53:11 PM

Seth Spurlock, ’97, and his wife, Kristal, in Aug. 2008 moved from Overland Park, Kan., to Alexandria, Egypt, where he accepted a position teaching middle/ high school math at Schutz American School, www.schutzschool.org.eg. There are approximately 260 students, Pre-K through 12th grade, attending the private American school, which teaches an American curriculum. Seth also coaches the girls’ basketball team and Kristal coaches the girls’ volleyball team. The Spurlocks have also enjoyed some sight-seeing in the area, including a Nile Cruise and the Pyramids of Giza.

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Diane (Forge) Bauersfeld, ’99, Loveland, Colo., graduated in Dec. 2001 from the University of Kansas School of Law earning her J.D. degree. She was recently named a Law Librarian Fellow at the University of Denver, where she is studying for her Master’s Degree in Library and Information Science with a law specialization. Diane and her husband Reid have two children, Reid Egan, 4, and Ellory Anne, 2. Major Todd Hanks, ’99, Smithville, Mo., has been deployed to Riad, Saudi Arabia to help train the Saudi Army. He is on a one-year tour. His e-mail is: todd.hanks1@ us.army.mil and he would like to hear from BC friends. Fr. Joseph Irwin, ’99, Duncan, Okla., became pastor of Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Catholic Church in July 2008. He has four mission churches in Marlow, Walters, Waurika, and Ryan, Okla. Shana M. Vaughn, ’99, Kansas City, Mo., owner of Shana Vaughn Designs, hosted an Open House in May 2009, at her new location in Briarcliff Village, 4139 N. Mulberry Dr., Suite B, Kansas City, MO. Shana Vaughn Designs specializes in Fine Flowers, Weddings and Special Events. The Open House showcased Shana’s fresh flower arrangements, and demonstrated how her designs make weddings or special events grand.

2000s Davyeon Ross, ’00, Overland Park, Kan., received the Young Alumni Award from his alma mater during the Champagne Brunch for Graduates in May 2009. He, along with the company he founded in 2007, AthletixNation, was featured in the March 18, 2009 issue of The Kansas City Star and its online site, kansascity. com. AthletixNation, a multi-media sports content platform, provides college sports video and advertising for radio, newspaper and other local media Web sites. R. Christopher Small, CPA, ’02, Cambridge, Mass., was accepted into the doctoral program at Harvard Business School in 2008, where he is currently focusing on research regarding capital markets and taxation. Previously, he worked in public accounting as an auditor and tax manager. He continues to pursue his love of music, and, along with his wife, Saundra, frequently hosts an evening

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of music at their home for friends from the Harvard community. Saundra is a neurosurgical ICU nurse at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston. The couple recently celebrated their first anniversary. Alicia E. Crawford, ’05, Chicago, Ill., is a Professional Development Associate for the Illinois Action for Children. She links licensed and licensed-exempt childcare providers in Cook County with various professional development opportunities to enhance the quality of their programs.

establishing the youth ministry program, at St. Agnes Parish in Roeland Park, Kan. Jon Givens, ’09, Chesterfield, Mo., is an employee of Washington University in St. Louis within its Residential Life office. He also is attending the University of MissouriSt. Louis studying for a master’s degree in Higher Education Administration. Kylie Higley, ’09, Cummings, Kan., is employed with the Guidance Center in Atchison, and in her spare time is planning her spring 2010 wedding.

Aubrey Scott, ’05, Mendham, NJ, became an assistant product manager in March 2009 for the French company, Pierre Fabre Dermo-Cosmetics. She previously was employed by Promotions Unlimited. Justin R., ’06, and Mary Louise R. (Eiberger) DeMoss, ’05, are FOCUS missionaries at the national headquarters in Denver, Colo. Justin and Mary Louise are the parents of two sons, Michael Ray, 2, and John Augustine, 4 months. They have one precious little girl in heaven.

DeMoss Family

Matthew Scarlett, ’08, Phoenix, Ariz., is a manager for Sherwin-Williams Floorcovering.

Mary Nicole Houston, ’09, Urbandale, Iowa, has joined Hy-Vee, Inc. as an assistant manager in Urbandale.

Elizabeth Anders, ’09, Houston, Texas, is studying Biblical Theology at the Augustine Institute in Denver, Colo.

Sarah Marsolek, ’09, Lincoln, Neb., has moved to Kansas where she will teach first grade at Saint Teresa’s School in Hutchinson.

James Arnold, ’09 EMBA, Hiawatha, Kan., is employed with Highland Community College in Kansas, as the new head women’s basketball coach. He formerly worked at North Central Missouri College as their women’s basketball coach and assistant director of residence life. James, and his wife, Lesley, have one daughter, Audrey. Sr. Mary George Brown, FSGM, ’09, Alton, Ill., is teaching K-8 music and Grades 4-8 band at St. Matthew’s School in Champaign, Ill. She is also doing Youth Ministry at St. Matthew’s Parish. Katherine Buchanan, ’09, Questa, NM, has moved to Scotland to attend the University of Stirling, to study Medieval Scottish Castles.

John Macias, ’09, Wichita, Kan., has relocated to Texas to attend the Center for Thomistic Studies at the University of St. Thomas in Houston, in pursuit of a doctorate in philosophy. Margaret McGrath, ’09, Amarillo, Texas, has moved to Germany, where she works for Military Community Youth Ministry on a USA Military Base. Joey Melnyk, ’09, Colby, Kan., is a missionary for FOCUS. Kathryn Meinert, ’09, Irving, Texas, is working for Trinity Fiduciary Partners, a Catholic investing company. Andi Miller, ’09, Bathgate, ND, has joined FOCUS as a missionary.

Katherine Buckmaster, ’09, Henderson, Ky., in May 2009, joined the Dominican Sisters of St. Cecilia in Nashville, Tenn.

Linda Myers, ’09, Halstead, Kan., is attending graduate school at the University of Kansas, studying chemistry.

Michelle Collins, ’09, Shawnee, Kan., is attending graduate school to obtain her MBA at Benedictine College.

Daniel Nelson, ’09, Kenosha, Wis., is enrolled in the law school at Florida International University in Miami.

Erika Deniger-Hagman, ’09, La Crosse, Wis., is working as a youth minister,

Joseph Orrino, ’09, Parker, Colo., has relocated to Minnesota where he is

attending the University of St. Thomas School of Law in Minneapolis.

Larry Oller & Karen (Hoffmann) Oller, ’76

Brittanie Ricardo, ’09, Winchester, Calif., is attending the Western State University College of Law in Fullerton, Calif. Jeanette Richards, ’09, La Crosse, Wis., is employed as a nursing assistant at a Franciscan Sisters’ nursing home. Sarah Rieker, ’09, Wentzville, Mo., is attending St. Luke’s Nursing School in Kansas City, Mo. Madeline Rogers, ’09, Overland Park, Kan., is attending Washburn University School of Law in Topeka, Kan. Natalie Russo, ’09, Godfrey, Ill., is enrolled in the chemistry graduate program at the University of Kansas. Justin Seiter, ’09, Conway, Ark., joined the Peace Corps and anticipates traveling to Latin America in Feb. 2010 to work in the field of information technology. Justin Stowell, ’09, Frankfort, Kan., is attending the University of Kansas School of Medicine. Matthew Vettel, ’09, Westminster, Colo., has accepted to serve with Saint Paul’s Outreach, West St. Paul, Minn., as a Missionary Corps Mission Leader. His assignment is on the Benedictine College campus, where Matthew will engage students in a life of Christian discipleship through teaching and mentoring, plus implement SPO households within the college community. Daniel Volk, ’09, Greeley, Colo., is working for FOCUS in Mission Communications at the headquarters in Denver, Colo.

Engagements & Marriages 1970s Karen (Hoffmann) Dunkelberger, ’76, wed Larry Oller, July 19, 2008. Karen teaches K-8 physical education and Larry is retired. The couple resides in Harper, Kan.

1990s

Rob Olmsted, ’94, wed Veronica Kongs, ’98, Oct. 24, 2008, Marysville, Kan. Veronica is a music teacher at Marysville Elementary School, and Rob is owner of Olmsted Real Estate. They reside in Beattie, Kan.

2000s

Trina Burenheide, ’03, wed Ben Schropfer, Jan. 31, 2009, Lincoln, Neb. She is a certified public accountant at HBE Becker Meyer Love LLP, and he is a trooper assigned to the Carrier Enforcement Division of the Nebraska State Patrol. Catherine Boever, ’06, wed Andrew Jaeger, ’08, May 30, 2009, in Lincoln, Neb., where they reside. Kristen Kountzman, ’06, wed Michael C. Favazza, ’06, June 6, 2009, in St. Louis, Mo. Michael recently graduated from law school at St. Louis University and Kristen teaches at Brennan Wood Elementary School in Jefferson County. The couple resides in St. Louis. Brandi Miller, ’07, wed Gustavo Valdez, June 13, 3009, in Plattsburg, Mo. They reside in Kansas City, Mo. Stephanie Parnow, ’07, wed David Demboski, ’08, June 13, 2009, in Alturas, Calif. Stephanie is a FOCUS missionary at the University of Colorado in Boulder, and David is attending the Augustine Institute. They reside in Boulder.

Ryan Crawford, ’08, wed Margaret McAdams, ’09, April 18, 2009. Ryan works as a youth specialist for the Missouri Division of Youth Services. The couple resides in Waverly, Mo. Jill Reiff, ’08, wed Bret Kotrba, ’09, June 27, 2009, in St. Benedict’s, Kan. The couple resides in Wichita, Kan., where Bret teaches history at Bishop Carroll High School. Michelle See, ’08, wed Justin Coury, June 20, 2009, in Sioux City, Iowa, where they reside. Chelsea Quick, ’09, wed Joseph Gannon, ’09, June 13, 2009, in Mead, Neb. Mollie Wyskowski, ’09, wed Joseph Sheridan, ’09, June 6, 2009. Joseph is employed with the Federal Reserve Bank in Kansas City as a financial analyst in the Financial Management Department and Mollie is a teacher.

Births & Adoptions 1980s

Peter Anthony to Paul and Shannon (Good) Smith, ’89, March 30, 2009. He joins Abby, 17; Jake, 16; Hannah, 14; Zander, 11; Timmy, 10; Kellan, 8; Ellie, 6; Isaac, 5; Gabe, 3; and George, 18 months, in Highlands Ranch, Colo.

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1990s

Rev. Msgr. Michael J. Chonko, ’39, New Castle, Pa., died April 18, 2009.

Jessica Lynn to Connie and Jeff Coyle, ’94, on Jan. 5, 2009. She joins Anna, 7, Julia, 4, and Melissa, 1, in Porter, Texas.

Rita M. (Kohake) Wietharn, ’39, Atchison, died April 28, 2009.

Joseph Ransom to Martha and Kurt Pressler, ’95, April 29, 2009. He joins Christian Hans, 6, and Luke Christopher, 4, in Richardson, Texas.

1940s

Osmond D. Kottmann, ’40, Cortez, Colo., died June 19, 2009. His wife, Maxine Kottmann, and four children are among the survivors.

Jack Thomas to Aaron, ’92, and Erin (Klinginsmith) Barnett, ’97, June 29, 2008. He joins Ellie, 6, and Marcus, 3, in Lenexa, Kan.

Mary Bernadette (Kochevar) Stevens, ’41, Idaho Falls, Idaho, died May 28, 2009. Fr. William Thompson, OSB, ’41, Atchison, died May 30, 2009.

Makena Jacqueline was adopted by Bryan and Tammy (Monso) Figg, ’97, Saint Peters, Mo., June 17, 2009. She was born June 5, 2009; and was welcomed home by big brother, Ayden Figg, 3. Evelyn Grace to Robin and Matthew W. Hall, ’97, Fenton, Mo., March 14, 2009. Sophia Rose to Matthew and Julie (Aguirre) Johnson, ’98, Sept. 12, 2008. She joins Grace, 5, and Benedict, 4, in Wichita, Kan. Emma Rose to Matt and Jennifer (Harper) Davis, ’99, Feb. 5, 2009. She joins Madeline, Felicity, Sophie, and John in Lincoln, Neb. Zachary Edward to Colleen and Ryan D. Brown, ’99, June 28, 2009. He joins Molly Rose in Olathe, Kan.

2000s

Autumn Belle Hoenig with parents John Augustine to Mary Louise R. (Eiberger), ’05, and Justin R. DeMoss, ’06, Feb. 23, 2009. He joins Michael Ray, 2, in Denver, Colo. Henry Lawrence to Annie (Hund), ’06, and John Smilie, ’07, Merriam, Kan., March 15, 2009. Augustine Timothy James to Jacqueline L. (Stock), ’07, and Nathan Hartwell, ’08, Stillwater, Minn., April 20, 2009.

Caroline Alice to Karin and Rick J. Weber, ’99 and ’04 MEA, Atchison, April 30, 2009. She has three older sisters, Bridget, 20, Sarah, 18, and Amber, 11.

Called Home

Kasch Wayse to Brian W. and Lindsay (Turner) Bridgeman, ’00, Sept. 26, 2008, Liberty, Mo.

George J. Wetta, ’34, Wichita, Kan., died Oct. 17, 2008. Survived by his wife, Delphine; and 10 children.

1930s

Connor Cecil to Justin and Kelly (O’Donnell) Francis, ’03, Kansas City, Mo., June 10, 2008.

Raymond J. Krusemark, ’36, Pratt, Kan., died Aug. 29, 2008. Survivors include his wife, Lillian; and four children.

Sofia Marie to Grant, ’03, and Michele (Gamboa) Latta, ’03, Jan. 6, 2009. She joins Dominic Anthony in Shawnee, Kan.

S. Mary David McFarland, OSB, ’36, Atchison, died May 7, 2009. Teacher of mathematics and music, Sister Mary David was the last survivor of the founding staff of Lillis High School, Kansas City, Mo, serving from 1940-44, 1948-53, and 196974.

Scholastica Rose to Sarah and Jon Baxa, ’04, June 11, 2009. She joins Benedict Joseph, 2, in Colwich, Kan. Brendan Reed to Reed, ’02, and Michelle (Roach) McCrory, ’04, April 14, 2009. He joins Addison, 2, in St. Louis, Mo. Autumn Belle to Matthew, ’05, and Clementine (Muhrer) Hoenig, ’06, St. Louis, Mo., May 5, 2009.

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Frank V. Sheehan, ’37, Wheat Ridge, Colo., died June 23, 2007. Sr. Liguori Sullivan, OSB, ’38, Benet Hill Monastery, Colorado Springs, Colo., died Aug. 3, 2007.

John J. Stinson, ’47, Grand Island, Neb., died May 24, 2009. Survivors include his wife, Georgia; four children; and two siblings, Jim Stinson, ’51, and Marge (Stinson) Slaughter, ’43. He was preceded in death by three siblings, including Mary (Stinson) Martin, ’43; and Michaeline (Stinson) Staley, ’49. Harold B. Flanagan, ’49, Saint Louis, Mo., died April 10, 2009. Frank Mattas, ’49, Huntsville, Ala., died June 15, 2008.

1950s

Rose Ann (Monahan) Cahill, ’50, Omaha, Neb., died Feb. 14, 2009. Among the survivors are her husband, Francis, and four children. Mary Ann (Roche) Casey, ’51, Virginia Beach, Va., died July 2, 2009. Survivors include her husband of 58 years, Maurice O. Casey Jr., ’51; seven children; and a sister, Colleen (Roche) Green, ’54. Ruth Mary (Gassman) Morley Kramer, ’51, Edgewater, Fla., died March 24, 2009. Survivors include four children; and in-laws Edna Mae (Morley) and Bill, ’49, Wolters. Joan E. (Herbin) Byrnes, ’52, Hanover, Kan., died March 12, 2009. She was preceded in death by her husband, Bill Byrnes, ’52, in January 2008. Three children survive. Thomas E. Trompeter, ’53, Bay City, Mich., died May 7, 2009. Survivors include his wife, Cecilia; and five children. Mary Lou Diedrich, Sycamore, Ill., died May 20, 2009. Survivors with ties to Benedictine College are her husband, D. Thomas Diedrich, ’54; son, Joe Diedrich, ’85; and brothers-in-law, Ed Diedrich, ’52,

and Joseph J. Diedrich, ’58. Patricia (McBride) Harrison, ’54, Fort Walton Beach, Fla., died May 15, 2009. Her husband, Frank Harrison, died May 17, 2009. Eight children are among the survivors; plus a sister, Margaret (McBride) Kucera, ’52; and sister-in-law, Dorothy McBride, a friend of the college. Patricia was preceded in death by two brothers, including James McBride, ’51. James P. Lemar, ’54, Anthem, Ariz., died Oct. 17, 2007. Bart K. Dill, ’55, Elk Grove Village, Ill., died April 16, 2009. Among the survivors are his wife, Theresa; and three children, including David J. Dill, ‘78. David O’Reilly, Plano, Texas, died July 2, 2009. He was preceded in death by his mother, Helen (Phillips) O’Reilly, ’56. Survivors include his father, Charlie O’Reilly, ’54, and three siblings, Karen O’Reilly Sulzman, ’82, Chuck O’Reilly, ’80, and Chris O’Reilly, ’84. Virginia (Latz) Wilkerson, ’55, Leawood, Kan., died July 31, 2006. Among the survivors is her husband of 47 years, Pat Wilkerson; six children; three nieces and two nephews, Barbara (Latz) King, ’71; Martha (Latz) Raplinger, ’76; Mary (Latz) Gorczyca, ’78; Robert C. Latz, ’73; and Thomas Latz, ’80. She was preceded in death by a son, a brother and sister-in-law, Charles Robert Latz, ’45, and Patricia (Procter) Latz, ’47. Hermelyn H. Fuller, Park Forest, Ill., died May 17, 2009. Among the survivors are her daughter, June C. (Fuller) Anderson, ’56; and grandson, Daniel Anderson, who attended for one year, 1980-81. Thomas P. Higgins, Jr., ’56, Atlanta, Ga., passed away June 22, 2009. Survived by his wife, Mary Ellen (Hense) Higgins, ’54, and nine children, including, Mike, ’82; Sean, ’84; Kelly (Higgins) Sickafoose, ’86; Brian, ’89; and Timothy Higgins, who attended BC. Mary Ellen (Venard) Randall, Broken Arrow, Okla., who attended Mount St. Scholastica College, died March 10, 2008. Among the survivors is her sister, Louise (Venard) Clinton, ’56. James E. Scaletty, ’56, Kansas City, Mo., died May 28, 2009. He played on the 1954 St. Benedicts NAIA National Collegiate Basketball Championship Team. Among the survivors are his wife, Patricia (Kelley) Scaletty, ’56; four children; and siblings,

Fr. Thomas, ’58, and Joseph, who attended SBC one year. Captain James Henry Pirotte USN (Ret.), ’57, Perdido Key, Fla., died Feb. 10, 2009. Among the survivors are his wife, Anne Samuels Pirotte; three children; and siblings, Dr. Richard Pirotte, ’50, and John Pirotte, ’50. Richard “Dick” Senecal, ’57, Atchison, died April 23, 2009. Among the survivors are his wife, Diane; son, Steve Senecal, ’88; and siblings, Clare Senecal Kearney, ’69; Rev. Gerard Senecal, OSB, ’51; Nicholas Senecal, ’59; and Abbot Barnabas Senecal, OSB, ’60.

1960

Constance P. (Roberts) Halloran, ’60, Beaumont, Calif., died July 24, 2008. Among the survivors are her husband, Terrence; and two sons. Rev. Lawrence J. Gyhra, ’62, Lincoln, Neb., died May 17, 2009. He attended SBC for two years, 1958-1960. Mary Bieker, Victoria, Kan., died Friday, Jan. 9, 2009. Two sons, Dennis Bieker, ’63, Larry Bieker, ’67, and granddaughter Lorrie (Bieker) Windholz, ’90, are among the survivors. Ernestina Martinez Flores, Atchison, died Feb. 22, 2009. Among the survivors are three children, including David R. Flores, ’64. Mary Loretta Scheier, Mission, Kan., died March 1, 2009. Survived by four children, including, Jan M. (Scheier) Kieffaber, ’64. Dorothy M. Hartung, Lenexa, Kan., died Oct. 8, 2007. Among the survivors who are alumni of BC, are son, Dale Hartung, ’66; and daughter-in-law, Ruth Ann (Hugunin) Hartung, ’65. James H. Meyer, Kansas City, Mo., died June 6, 2009. Among the survivors are five children, Dolores Meyer Rames, ’66; Jim Meyer Jr., ’69; Susanne Meyer Taylor, ’69; Virginia Meyer Holderby, ’72; and Barb Meyer Teicher. Sr. Mariella Pucka, OSB, ’67, Atchison, died June 1, 2009. Josephine Cillessen Ruzicka, Oklahoma City, Okla., died March 22, 2009. Among the survivors are a daughter, Peggy Ruzicka Peterson, ’68; and a sister, S. Mary Blaise Cillessen, OSB, ’48. Diane “Dee” M. (Skelly) Maak, ’69,

Carlsbad, Calif., died March 23, 2009. Survivors include her children John Maak, Jr., Jana Bayliss, and Michelle LaFleur.

1970s

Ray Gardner, Atchison, died June 19, 2009. Among the survivors are his wife, Dorothy; seven children, including Patrick, ’70; Daniel, ’74; Dennis, ’75; Kevin, ’77; Rex, ’77; and daughter-in-law, Lois (Prohaska) Gardner, ’69. In 1999, Ray and his family received the Kansas Knights of Columbus Family of the Year Award, and also received the Knights of Columbus International Family of the Year Award. James William Heppler, Sr., Kansas City, Kan., died May 11, 2009. Among the survivors are his wife, Annabelle Heppler; eight children, including, James W. Heppler, Jr., ’70; Sr. Maria Heppler, OSB, ’73; Harry and Cathy Heppler, friends of the college; and grandsons, Br. Jeremy Heppler, OSB, ’00; Jason Heppler, ’04; and Jacob Heppler, ’08. Jane Ellen Lottes, Ste. Genevieve, Mo., died April 13, 2009. Survivors include her husband, Richard “Lee” Lottes, ’70; and three children. Susanna T. “Sue” Nolan, Atchison, died May 26, 2009. While her husband, the late Ralph J. Nolan, ’39, coached at St. Benedict’s College, 1950-1970, Sue was known as ‘Mom’ to many of the students. In recent years, Sue attended the NAIA basketball recognitions held in Kansas City. Among Sue’s survivors are five children, Michael P. Nolan, ’70, William J. Nolan, ’77, Connie (Nolan) Moore, Mary (Nolan) Schrick, and Daniel G. Nolan, friends of the college. Lt. Col. James D. Rogers, (Ret.), ’70, died March 4, 2009. His wife, Sue Rogers, survives. Dale L. Campbell, ’71, Atchison, died May 30, 2009. Survivors include his wife, Vicki; three children; and two siblings, Curtis Campbell, ’69; and Martha Jo Campbell, ’92. Eugene S. Capps, LTC (Ret.), ’72, Bowie, Md., died June 13, 2009. Gene had a 32-year career as an Army pilot. Survivors include his wife, Jewel; and three children. Karen L. (Sanders) Reynolds, ’73, Angola, Ind., died May 20, 2009. She was president of the Fox Lake Association. She was preceded in death by her husband, George Reynolds, ’74; and her parents, Joseph

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R., ’42, and Margaret Sanders. Survivors include two daughters; two brothers, including Joe Sanders Jr., ’75; and four sisters, including Phyllis Masri, ’83 and Cynthia Jones, ’78. Frances Kitusky, Lynchburg, Va., died July 1, 2008. Survivors include her husband of 57 years, William Kitusky; and son, Bob Kitusky, who attended BC in 1970.

’78; and JoAnne (Walsh) Stovall, ’80. Warren W. “Rocky” Langford, ’78, Chesterfield, Mo., former Ravens football player, and his 15-year-old son, Brendan, were killed in a plane crash, June 26, 2009. Rocky is survived by his wife, Jennifer; and three daughters, Brianna, Jacquelyn, and Ashleigh.

Ralph D. Cave, Atchison, died Feb. 27, 2009. Among the survivors are his wife, Betty, and daughter, Janet (Cave) Johnston, ’75.

1980s

George H. Cronin, Jr., ’76, San Marcos, Calif., died April 14, 2009. Among the survivors are his wife, Cathy; two children; and his mother, Emily Cronin.

Robert H. Ritzdorf, Colorado Springs, Colo., died Feb. 12, 2009. His daughter, Gail (Ritzdorf) Hickert, ’81, is among the survivors.

Edward John Kochevar, Pueblo, Colo., died Dec. 12, 2007. Survived by his wife, Katherine; and two daughters, Kathleen, friend of the college, and Judy Kochevar, ’76. He was preceded in death by a daughter, Mary Frances (Kochevar) Miller, ’73.

Jane Smith, Atchison, died Feb. 21, 2009. Among the survivors are her husband, Fritz Smith, and a son, Charles R. Smith, ’81.

Rose Mary Diebolt, Baldwin City, Kan., died April 7, 2009. Her husband, Joseph, passed away in January 2003. Among the survivors are six children, including, Dan Diebolt, ’77; Terry Diebolt, a friend of the college; and a daughter-in-law, Betty Halling Diebolt, ’64. Henry George, Dodge City, Kan., died April 27, 2009. He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Alice; and five children, including Pat George, ’78, and Mary (George) Williams, ’80. Jeanne M. Walsh, Overland Park, Kan., died May 17, 2009. Among her survivors are seven children, including Larry Walsh,

Gary G. Pfortmiller, ’80, St. Louis, Mo., died March 30, 2009.

Albert C. Walsh, Gretna, Neb., died May 3, 2009. Among the survivors are his wife, Eleanor; and 10 children, including: Theresa (Walsh) Miner, friend of the college; Dorothy (Walsh) Agnew, ’82; Mary (Walsh) Buresch, ’87; and four siblings, Elizabeth (Walsh) Hecker, ’50; Mary Margaret Walsh, ’48; Catherine (Walsh) Piotrowski, ’58; and William Walsh, ’57. Robert G. Lankenau, Jr., Denver, Colo., died June 13, 2009. He was preceded in death by his wife, MaryAnne Lankenau, in 2005. His daughter, Jean (Lankenau) Phillips, ’84, survives. Mary Ellen Christian, Atchison, died March 20, 2009. Among the survivors are her three daughters, Dr. Dianna Henderson, ’85; Sharon Radetic, friend

of the college; Julie Ellerman, former BC employee; and son-in-law, Matt Radetic, ’78.

1990s

Delbert A. Gentry, Atchison, died June 2, 2009. His son, Jeff D. Gentry, ’93, is among the survivors. William F. Lindquist, Mission, Kan., friend of the college, died March 5, 2009. Among the survivors are his wife, Mary Ruth; six children, including Jane Druten, David and Jack Lindquist, all friends of the college; Susie (Lindquist) English, MEA ’03; grandson, Bill Lindquist, ’94; and a brother, Roy Lindquist, also a friend of the college.

2000s

Jack Chapman, formerly of Atchison, died July 3, 2009. Among the survivors are his daughter, Raquel (Chapman) Huntington, ’08; and grandchildren, Caressa Goehner, a current BC student, and Lane Huntington. Nancy Beth Downey-Hurtado, Santa Ana, Calif., died July 1, 2009. Among the survivors are her husband, Andy Hurtado; and two sons, Adam and Ryan Hurtado, a current BC student. Vincent Snodgrass, Atchison, died May 13, 2009. He had worked as a chauffeur for Mount St. Scholastica for 33 years. His wife, Glenadene Snodgrass, a former MSSC and BC employee from 1958-2003, preceded him in death in Sept. 2007. Two children survive. Marcelline Weishaar, Atchison, friend of the college, died June 8, 2009.

Upcoming Events 9/25 -26 Family Weekend & Legacy Hall Dedication 10/23-24 Homecoming Weekend & Hall of Fame Ceremony 1/20

Mother/Son & Father Daughter Banquet

2/27

Scholarship Ball

R AVE N REVIE W

Life is precious. Sometimes, it ends too soon. This past year, Benedictine College lost two very special young people. Both John Paul Forget (St. Louis, MO) and Cheri Menk (Platte City, MO) were exceptional students whose faith was central to who they were. As difficult as it is to lose them, we find comfort in the knowledge that they are at peace with the Lord. We also take solace in knowing that their unshakeable faith has left a legacy at Benedictine College. John Paul (J.P.) Forget, 20, one of 13 children, came to Benedictine College last fall after spending a year in the seminary studying for the priesthood. “John Paul’s faith has been built up over the years. He was completely relying on God’s direction in his life,” said his mother, Emma Forget. Once he arrived at Benedictine, he quickly became engaged in campus life and ministry. On Dec. 16, Cheri Menk 2008, he was journeying home with four friends after finals when the vehicle he was traveling in hit a patch of black ice on a bridge and spun around, hitting the median. In an effort to avoid an oncoming tractor-trailer that was skidding out of control, he slipped off the bridge into the Missouri River and lost his life. As the community mourned his death, it was evident that he would be remembered because of his faith. Students quickly put a picture of JP in Memorial Chapel, where he attended daily Mass. That picture still greets everyone who walks into the chapel today. Cheri Menk, 20, was full of life and passion. You could see it in her smile. The list of her involvement at Benedictine College after only two years is impressive – member of the conference champion dance team, FOCUS Bible study leader, Dean’s list and … entrepreneur. Yes, in the midst of everything else, she started the Raven School of Dance, which became the most successful student run business the school has ever seen. “Cheri was always working on the Raven School of Dance,” said close friend Hannah Dumpert. “With all of the other things she was involved in, I don’t know how she did it… and through everything, she always smiled.” Her Catholic faith was brought into everything she did. “When she started the Raven School of Dance, she made sure the business plan detailed how modesty, self-respect, and loving others were going to be taught to the students,” said Ms. Dumpert, who will now take over as director of the dance school that teaches over 50 area children. “Whether it be on the dance team, class, or Raven School of Dance, her Catholic faith was always at the core of who she was.“ A few days after celebrating a successful first year of business, Cheri tragically contracted bacterial meningitis and died on May 23, 2009, within just a day of feeling symptoms. Students who had returned home for the summer came back to campus to mourn her death. Hundreds attended the wake, held in the college auditorium. A video of her life shown at the wake gave a glimpse of her legacy to Benedictine. Her vibrant smile and passion will be remembered in everything she touched. John Paul and Cheri, we thank you for your example of how to live.

John Paul (J.P.) Forget

A Legacy that remains...

Their lives may have ended early, but their legacy remains

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Non-Profit U.S. POSTAGE PAID Lawrence, KS PERMIT #116 BENEDICTINE COLLEGE 1020 NORTH SECOND STREET ATCHISON, KANSAS 66002-1499

Commencement

R AVE N REVIE W

2009