Winter 2012
The Doctor Is In. Meet Dr. Linda Henry
SPIRIT of GIVING
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EDITOR Beth Hoffman, ’09
DESIGNER Hayleigh Diebolt
WRITERS Kathy Garrison Tom Hoopes, EMBA ’10 Steve Johnson Vaughn Kohler Rosemary Wilkerson
CLASS NOTES Kathy Garrison
PHOTOGRAPHERS Megan Bickford, ’03 Kelly Elias, ’85 Erika Kelly, ’07
Alzbeta Volk, ’09
WAYS TO GIVE GIVE BY MAIL
Gifts made by check should be payable to Benedictine College and mailed to: Office of Advancement, 1020 North Second Street, Atchison, KS 66002-1499
GIVE BY PHONE 1-800-766-0078 ext. 7416
ONLINE GIVING You may make a gift securely online using your debit or credit card. Visit http://my.benedictine.edu/bcannualfund.
GIFTS OF STOCK By donating appreciated securities or mutual fund shares, you can provide a lasting contribution while receiving tax benefits, such as capital gains tax savings.
REAL ESTATE Your gift provides a convenient way for you to enjoy a charitable deduction based on the current fair market value of your property, and it can reduce the size and complexity of your estate.
ESTATE PLANNING Remember Benedictine in your Will or estate plan. We also offer life-income gifts that provide income and immediate tax benefits. For more information, please contact Tim Andrews at 913-360-7363 or tandrews@benedictine.edu. If you already have named Benedictine College in your estate plan, contact us so we can welcome
A BOLD PLAN
From the Vice President for Advancement, Kelly J. Vowels, ’85 It is an exciting time to be at Benedictine College. The mood here is jubilant. We have just finished our Investment in Excellence Campaign, and we couldn’t have asked for greater success. Our goal was to raise $50 million for Benedictine College. We raised nearly $70 million. We couldn’t be happier, but we also know that this kind of success carries a responsibility with it. At each stage in our past, those who guided the college asked: “How can we ensure future Ravens have the same kind of education and experience we had?” We invite you to join us in asking the same question. Present day Ravens are the guardians of the future. It is up to each of us to be good stewards, as called by St. Benedict himself, to care for creation and the goods of this place, our time, talent and treasure, as gifts from God. It is up to us to ensure that Benedictine College, which has been educating generations for over 150 years, is secure in her future for another 150 years. Benedictine College faculty, staff, administration and board of directors have written a bold new plan, called Benedictine 2020: A Vision for Greatness. One of the elements of this plan is to build a strong endowment fund. A strong endowment strengthens the quality of a Benedictine College education and supports the college not just for one year, one decade, or one generation, but in perpetuity. There is an increased competition for students, faculty and dollars raised. We can’t opt out of the competition. Benedictine 2020 specifies what we need to do to be one of the great Catholic colleges in America, by focusing on the faculty we need, the students we want, and the facilities and a financial foundation to support them. We have reached yet another key point in Benedictine College history. I know we will rise to meet the challenge — but we will need your continued help to make it happen! For Benedictine,
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DOCTOR OF HOSPITALITY
Linda Henry has been Benedictine’s friendly face for decades Linda Becker Henry, ’81, is now Dr. Linda Henry, Ed.D. Currently Vice President for Student Life, for more than 20 years she has served Benedictine college in various capacities —from a residence hall director and director of the EMBA program to director of residence life and dean of students. Not only has Linda invested her time, treasure, and talents in Benedictine College, she has enjoyed a front line position that has allowed her to be an integral part of Benedictine’s ever-increasing growth and success. Spirit of Giving sat down with Linda to learn how much things have changed, and how things have—thankfully—remained the same.
Spirit of Giving: Let’s begin with change. From back then until now, how are things different? Linda Henry: As a staff member, we used to have to spend a lot of time working just to maintain and sustain the college. But now that we’ve experienced such growth and success, we can move beyond that to developing a greater vision for what Benedictine can be. Thanks to donors we have resources and opportunities that allow us to offer those things to our students, too. SOG: What about the college has remained the same? LH: The Benedictine family remains the same! We are committed to building community and enjoying friendships. Faculty and staff members still joyfully serve the students and each other. Everybody opens their lives to everybody else. The Benedictine charism, the way of life based on hospitality and love, was—and is—still strong. SOG: What makes our student life office at Benedictine College unique? LH: We just love our students—that’s what we do best. We want to get to know them. We want to celebrate their joys and be there for them when they are suffering. We want to help them become the best versions of themselves they can possibly be. SOG: Why should students choose Benedictine? LH: I think you choose Benedictine because you want to be part of a family. A lot of student life offices in other colleges talk about wanting to be a great community. But at Benedictine, we want to be a great family—and that’s the model we’ve developed in student life. It’s a framework we use to intentionally plan out our programs, being mindful of what we want our students to
have when they leave here. There are four aspects: 1) community of love – developing a sense of community, 2) spiritual maturity – help them grow in their faith life, 3) social responsibility – serving the community and the world, and 4) personal growth – practicing the virtues as they develop as a person. SOG: What can our readers do to support our student life office? LH: Well, if we’re going to be able to serve more students, we need more funds. Our student life programs host a variety of events—everything from social events to intramural sports, and we always need supplies. In addition to this, we need new furniture in our older residence halls. It costs $50,000 per floor to replace the 30-year-old furniture in student dorms. Also, I would love to provide more outdoor gathering spaces for our students: benches, tables/chairs, firepits, and things like that— they not only add beauty to the campus, but enhance our community. Most items range from $700-$1000. Finally, student leader scholarships and monies available for enhancing our Leadership Seminar program is always welcome. Our readers can find more suggestions at: my.benedictine.edu/give2bcstudentlife SOG: Congratulations on your new doctorate! You are full of enthusiasm for Benedictine College. Give our readers a closing thought. LH: Thanks! Every day, I work with our students. Every day, I am just overwhelmed at how great they are. It is so inspiring. The students make Benedictine College what it is, they are the future. If people really knew how great our students are, they’d be standing in line to support them, financially or otherwise. It is a great thing to give to the young men and women who are going to go out and change the world for the better.
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PILLARS OF COMMUNITY
The Cross of the Order of St. Benedict 2012 Honorees
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enedictine College will recognize Bill and Jean Dunn, Larry, ’63, and Linda Kaminsky, and Kevin, ’60, and Mary McNicholas with the prestigious Cross of the Order of St. Benedict, Saturday, February 25, at the 41st Annual Scholarship Ball, at the Westin Crown Center Hotel in Kansas City. All three couples demonstrate strong moral character and were taught to give back. They are shining examples of servant leadership at its best and their lives are an illustration of the true spirit of the Cross of the Order of St. Benedict. The award was established in 1969 as a way for the college to recognize alumni and friends who have supported charitable institutions, provided civic or religious leadership, and demonstrated professional excellence. This group certainly meets the criteria.
Kevin, ’60 and Mary McNicholas Kevin McNicholas, a Denver native, has been involved in the concession business since he was a teenager, selling popcorn at the old Denver Bears baseball games in the 1950s. Upon graduating from St. Benedict’s College in 1960 with a degree in Business Administration, Kevin returned to Denver where he was able to get a job in management for a concessions company. He formed K-M Concessions in 1971, which handles the concession business for football and baseball games at Mile High Stadium, the National Western Complex, and the Denver Zoo. In 1988, Kevin and business partner, Tom Brantley formed Service Systems Associates, which handles services at zoos, aquariums, aviaries, and botantical gardens around the country. Mary was born in Dallas, the youngest of 11 children. Raised in Denver, she attended St. Philomena’s Catholic Grade School, Bishop Machebeuf High School and Colorado State Teacher’s College. Mary and Kevin met in a restaurant in Cherry Creek
and were married in 1972 in St. Benedict’s Abbey Church. The couple raised three children, Sean, Brendan and Shannon. Mary taught Physical Education and coached girls’ sports at various Catholic schools before she started the East Denver Recreation Soccer League. She coached all three children in soccer and coached Shannon in girls’ sports throughout grade school. Mary is still active in athletics today and currently teaches tennis lessons. Kevin and Mary McNicholas have generously sponsored Benedictine College students. Kevin is hailed as “the man who saved the Joe” by funding key renovations to St. Joseph Hall. Mary is a key consultant in fundraising events. The couple has been active in regional and national non-profits and have received numerous awards. Kevin received the Daniel E. Ritchie Colorado Ethics in Business Award in2000; the Humanitarian Award from the American Ireland Fund in 2003 with co-honoree Sen. George Mitchell; was inducted into the Colorado Restaurant Association Hall of Fame in 2007; and received the 2008 “Torch of Liberty” Award from the Anti-Defamation League. Mary was named Villager of the Year by the towns of Cherry Hill Village/Greenwood Village; received the National Catholic Education Distinguished Graduate Award along with her husband, the Art Reach Volunteer of the Year Award, and the 2009 Catholic Charities Justice and Charity Award.
Benedictine College
Larry, ’63 and Linda Kaminsky
Larry Kaminsky, a 1963 graduate of St. Benedict’s College, where he played football and earned a Bachelor’s degree in business administration and conomics, recently retired as a senior partner and the majority owner of Thomas McGee, L.C., an insurance agency founded in 1910. His career in the industry began in 1966, and for the past 25 years, Larry worked with three other partners in their Kansas City, Missouri office. Over the years, Larry has been very active in the Kansas City professional and non-profit community. Among the many organizations are the American Royal Association, Providence Medical Center Foundation, St. Martin of Tours League, Catholic Charities, and Independent Insurance Agents of America. He also serves on the Board of Directors for Benedictine College. The Kaminskys — members of Benedictine College’s Legacy Society — were an integral part of the college’s Investment in Excellence campaign, with Larry serving on committees that helped shape it. Larry serves as chairman of the board of KVC Behavioral Healthcare, a program committed to utilizing family-centered, culturally informed and evidence-based practices to heal children and their families. The organization currently impacts more than 40,000 children in Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, Kentucky, and West Virginia. Linda is an Atchison native who graduated from Mount St. Scholastica Academy. She went on to become a registered nurse, but spent much of her time as a stay-at-home mom. She met Larry while he was a student and football player at St. Benedict’s; they have been married for 47 years. They are members of Sacred Heart of Jesus Christ Parish in Shawnee, Kansas. They have two children, Kristin and Matt. They are also the proud grandparents of eight.
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Bill and Jean Dunn
Bill and Jean Dunn have known each other since they were young children in the same piano class in the 1930s, when Jean thought Bill was “too smart for his own good.” Bill was a naval aviator during World War II and never forgot Jean. After the war, and several proposals (the final one in the vault of Columbia National Bank where Jean worked), they were married in 1947. A graduate of Rockhurst College in 1946, Bill’s father had him try the business side of construction, company founder John Ernest “Ernie” Dunn. Bill has now been at JE Dunn Construction for more than 65 years and is chairman emeritus of the company. Notable projects in the Kansas City area include Kemper Arena, and the renovation and revitalization of Liberty Memorial. At Benedictine College, the company built the Student Union, St. Scholastica Hall, Mary’s Grotto refurbished Freshman Hall, now known as Elizabeth Hall, and the Ferrell Academic Center. While Bill was busy growing the company, Jean was busy raising a family. The couple had five sons and a daughter, Bill Jr., Terry, Steve, Kevin, Bob, and Mary. The Dunn’s strong devotion to Our Lady led them to fund Mary’s Grotto at Benedictine College, the name had a double meaning for them. Their daughter, Mary, born with Down Syndrome, passed away September 6, 2007. The Dunns are known for their personal, family and corporate philanthropic activity and they have aided many non-profits and educational institutions over the years. Among the long list are Benedictine College, Bishop Miege and St. Thomas Aquinas High Schools, Rockhurst University, United Way, and Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art. Their travel itinerary keeps them out of the Kansas City area for the 2012 Scholarship Ball, so the Dunn’s were honored August 30, 2011, during the Opening Convocation on the campus of Benedictine College.
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WHY I STARTED GIVING
“I couldn’t have gotten anywhere without the school”
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ince he graduated in 1966 with a sociology degree from St. Benedict’s College, many years have passed, and Dennis Harrington has lived an interesting life. From his early days as a platoon sergeant in the United States Marine Corps to his 2002 retirement from the United States Air Force as a full bird colonel, Dennis has enjoyed a variety of experiences—including sharing a barracks with former Chicago mayor Richard M. Daly, serving as a nuclear and biological chemical officer right after 9/11, and playing the role of liaison officer to recruit 32 young men to the United State Air Force Academy. Dennis has seen it all—and, through it all, he’s never lost touch with—or appreciation for his alma mater. That, in part, is why he chose to become a first-time donor to Benedictine College in 2010. “I have 10 brothers. At one time, five of them were at St. Benedict’s College,” Dennis said. “They have given to the College. That got me thinking that I should, too.” Dennis, his 10 brothers, and one sister, were raised by their parents in rural northwest Iowa. At one point, they had no running water and no electricity, which—as Dennis puts it—made it difficult to do your physics homework. “My parents never went to college,” Dennis said. “They weren’t what you would call ‘academic types,’ but they stressed the importance of studying hard to do well and finish high school. They definitely wanted us to go to college.” Dennis’ parents got what they wanted. All 10 of the Harrington boys graduated from college. Vincent, Dennis’ older brother, preceded him as a student at St. Benedict’s College. He was what, in those days, was called a “hilltopper,” which was a student studying for the priesthood. Dennis said it was Vincent’s influence that brought him to Atchison. “I’m glad Vincent influenced me to attend St. Benedict’s,” Dennis said. “It was the perfect fit for me. It was small and I had
great roommates. It molded me into the person I am today.” When asked to share memories of people at St. Benedict’s, Dennis mentioned two names: Fr. Simeon Finnegan and Fr. Conrad Pillar. “Fr. Finnegan was the bursar and Fr. Pillar was chairman of the chemistry department,” Dennis said. “These were great, really nice men. And they were really good at what they did.” While Dennis said that St. Benedict’s was a “great little school,” he knows that—since merging with Mount St. Scholastica College and becoming Benedictine College—there has been a steady increase in size and success. He is very impressed. “I was on campus last June,” Dennis said. “And the thing that struck me is how beautiful it is, how neat and orderly.” Dennis believes that Benedictine College’s success comes, in part, from the hard work of its people. He really appreciates President Stephen D. Minnis, ’82. “When an organization is successful, it starts from the top,” he said. “I’m real impressed with [President Minnis.] You can tell he’s got a real heart for the college. There’s a real attention to detail. As we say in the military, ‘that guy is squared away.’” Dennis Harrington is committed to the continued success of Benedictine College. Now that he is a regular giver, he hopes the success that the College has experienced will be transferred to a deserving student. “When I joined the Marine Corps, they didn’t really ask what my grades were,” Dennis said. “But they said I needed a bacholer’s degree. St. Benedict’s gave me that—and more. I couldn’t have gotten anywhere without the school. Like I said, it molded me into who I am today.” Dennis wants to pass on the favor. “When I was in college, I got a lot of help,” he said. “If my gifts help a needy and deserving student, I would love it.”
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WHEN GIVING PAYS BACKEVENT Atchison Couples Build Legacies with Charitable Gift Annuities What will your legacy be?
You can make a significant impact on the future of Benedictine College through a legacy gift to the college, and at the same time, reap substantial benefits such as payments for life and tax savings. To learn more, please contact Tim Andrews ’88, Executive Director of Alumni & Donor Relations at (913) 360-7363.
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d and Marlene Gellings (left in photo), have made annual gifts to the college, supporting everything from the football and basketball programs to campus ministry and student scholarships, ever since their daughter, Kathy Gellings, graduated from Benedictine College in 1980. In 2007, the Gellings established an endowed scholarship in their names to provide an annual scholarship for Benedictine students. The Gellings also are members of the Benedictine College Legacy Society. Recently, Ed began to think about how he could continue to help the college even after he and Marlene were gone. By establishing a gift annuity, he and his wife could make a gift to the college that pays a fixed income to them for their lives and ultimately pass the remaining value to the Ed and Marlene Gellings Endowed Scholarship for the future. “We decided that a gift annuity was a good way to support the college,” said Marlene. “We knew it would be something that could continue to grow for the college and something that we could use.” Ed could sum up his decision to create
a charitable gift annuity in two words, “Tax avoidance!” If the Gellings do not need the income produced from the portfolio of planned gifts in the future, the gift annuity can continue to grow on its own and generate charitable tax deductions for the Gellings. A charitable gift annuity is a contract between a donor and Benedictine College. The contract states that in exchange for a gift to Benedictine College, the college agrees to pay a donor, and/or another beneficiary, a fixed dollar amount annually for life. An annuity at Benedictine College can be established with a minimum gift of $10,000. Another Atchison couple, Richard, ’62, and his wife, Dolores (Dee) Stiefermann Andra, ’65 (right in photo), Atchison, wanted to mark their upcoming 50th reunions from St. Benedict’s College and Mount St. Scholastica College in a special way. To celebrate this milestone and recognize the importance Benedictine College has played in their lives, the couple donated back to the college the income received from their charitable gift annuity. Rich and Dee established a charitable
gift annuity in December 2010 and became members of the Benedictine College Legacy Society. The income from this planned gift to the college has enabled Rich and Dee to diversify their income and participate in class reunion projects that support the college. “Basically it was a no-brainer,” says Rich. “We contacted the college to say we were interested in setting up an annuity, and we funded it with a stock gift because we didn’t want to take a big hit on taxes. We were able to give to the college; we were able to get a tax deduction; and we will get an income for the rest of our lives, which helps us give to the college again.” Though the economy has been less than forgiving to investors over the past several years, both the Gellings and the Andras felt comfortable providing this type of support to Benedictine College. A charitable gift annuity allows alumni and friends to support Benedictine financially while still retaining regular income from their investment. An avid Ravens sports fan, Ed Gellings said that he and Marlene were glad to give to Benedictine College in this way. “Everybody wins,” said Ed.
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DEVELOPING RELATIONSHIPS
Moss Joins Benedictine College Advancement Team
Paula Moss, a well-known Kansas City area fundraising executive, joined the Benedictine College Office of Advancement as the new Executive Director of Annual Giving. Having served as Vice Chancellor of Stewardship and Development for the Diocese of Kansas City – St. Joseph and Executive Director of the Catholic Community Foundation, she comes to Benedictine with a wealth of experience and contacts.
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e are very pleased to have someone of Paula’s caliber join our team,” said Kelly Vowels, Vice President for Advancement at Benedictine. “She has a strong track record of building quality fundraising programs for non-profits.” Moss was impressed with Benedictine’s focus on graduating strong academic minds with solid Catholic hearts, a phrase she attributed to Benedictine College President Stephen Minnis. She is also aware of the college’s past success in growing the Benedictine fund, managing successful campaigns, and inspiring growth in both enrollment and academic programs. She will be charged with the proverbial “taking it to the next level.” “Benedictine is just coming off a very successful campaign and they have established some strong relationships and built some wonderful momentum,” said Moss. “I also see great vision from the Advancement team. They want to revamp the annual fund, they want to continue to grow, they are not satisfied, and I am excited to see that. I like to see an organization with a plan.” In addition to her experience with the Kansas City – St. Joseph Diocese, she also worked in development for Catholic Charities, serving that organization in both Wichita and Kansas City. Prior to that, she was Director of Planned Giving for Bethany College, her alma mater, and worked for the United Way of Wichita. She has particularly enjoyed the last 15 years working for the Church and is pleased to be able to combine that with a job in higher education. “I have a little feel of working in higher education from my
job at Bethany,” she said. “And I know how fun that is. And I’m passionate about my faith and I know that is very much a part of what is going on at Benedictine College.” Among Moss’s many responsibilities with the Diocese of Kansas City – St. Joseph was oversight of the Bright Futures Fund. That fund provides needs-based grants to students who attend diocesan Catholic schools and live in Kansas City’s urban core. “We deal with some of the poorest of the poor and they take advantage of that program because they believe education will be what changes their children’s lives,” said Moss. “I understand how important education is, and when you combine that with faith life and helping to form our young people, you can’t beat that!” Although she was not seeking a change, Moss received several job offers and believes God was directing her to something new. She had been aware of Benedictine College for many years and had become friends with many of the school’s alumni, including Tim Andrews, the current Executive Director of Alumni and Donor Relations at Benedictine College. Andrews had cordially asked her a few times about the possibility of her coming to work for the college. Finally, Moss felt it might be the right time for the move. “When you talk about a Catholic college, Benedictine is one of the best; true to its academic mission and the mission of the Church,” said Moss. “I am very excited to join the organization.”
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FIND US ANYWHERE
From the Executive Director of Alumni & Donor Relations, Tim C. Andrews, ’88 We like to tell you about all the amazing things going on at Benedictine. Let’s be honest, we have a great story to tell and we like to share it through the Raven Fly-By’s, letters, tweets, Facebook updates, phone calls, magazines, the Spirit of Giving! But enough about Benedictine College, what do you think about Benedictine College? It might seem like that sometimes, right? Benedictine College depends (thrives) on our relationship with you. Led by the example of the monks of St. Benedict’s Abbey, the sisters of Mount St. Scholastica and the Rule of St. Benedict, we see the impact of Benedictine Spirituality on community and relationships. As alumni, we take those relationships with us and rely on them for the rest of our lives. By their very nature, relationships depend on two-way communication. Share with us all that is going on in your life. Marriages, career and education updates, trips, moves, kids, photos-everything! The more you share with us, the stronger our relationship. There are many ways for you to keep us up-to-speed: •Call the Alumni Office at 1-800-766-0078 or send a quick email to alumni@benedictine.edu. •Login to my.benedictine.edu, our secure online community for alumni. My.benedictine.edu, is a great way to update contact information, register for events, give a gift, locate and communicate with classmates or friends. Call our office if you need assistance registering and using my.benedictine.edu. •“Like” us on Facebook: (www.facebook.com/benedictinecollege). This is a source of up-to-the-minute information about alumni, our students, great photos and interesting discussions. •Check out our new blog, www.mybenedictineblog.com. The goal of this blog is to give readers a sense of the Benedictine community and share memories and stories. •Twitter users can follow us @MyBenedictine.
You’re Invited to Reunion June 8-10, 2012
Whenever you can, organize or attend an event in your area. We had over 350 alumni attend events in Lawrence, Minneapolis, Omaha, St. Louis, Denver, and Kansas City last November and December. Finally, come back to Atchison anytime you can. We are currently working on reunion plans for June 8-10, 2012, for all of the classes ending in 2’s and 7’s. That is always a special weekend and all are welcome. Come back for a game or Homecoming next year (October 19-21, 2012) when we will dedicate Ferrell Academic Center. Thanks for all you do for Benedictine!
Go to My.Benedictine.edu/reunion2012
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RAVENS FLOCK TOGETHER
Washington D.C., St. Louis, Omaha, Denver, Lawrence & Kansas City At the end of the year, Benedictine College alumni and friends held parties in St. Louis, Kansas City, Minneapolis/St. Paul, Denver, and Omaha. It is amazing how quickly we reconnect and share with fellow Ravens. A festive time was had by all, and many great photos were taken. We have gathered photographs by participants and by Benedictine College staff members. Visit the Benedictine College Facebook page: www.facebook.com/benedictinecollege Go to benedictinephotos.com to view more photos from this and other events.
St. Louis
Washington, D.C.
Omaha
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Ravens are flying high in the sky, cheer them on their way.
Denver Kansas City
Lawrence
Kansas City
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CLASS NOTES September. 18 – December. 9, 2011 Class notes are condensed. Please refer to http://my.benedictine.edu for full stories and photographs.
William B. Madden, ’55, was recognized by Bishop Miege High School, Nov. 5, 2011, for his leadership, integrity, enthusiastic spirit, and deep faith. He received the 2011 Herbert Rome Stewardship Award at the school’s Chance of a Lifetime fundraiser. Bernie is the owner of Madden-McFarland, a decorating company in Kansas City. He, and his wife, Jacqueline, are the parents of six children, and are residents of Prairie Village, Kan. Marlene Merten Strauss, ’56, Carlsbad, Calif., shared news of the MSSC Class of 1956 Mini-Reunion, Sept. 30-Oct. 2, 2011, in Kansas City. Twenty women enjoyed a variety of activities planned by Diane Mealy Barber, Lyllis Ling, Janelle Knoedel Lazzo and Marge Schumacher Gladbach. The activities began upon arrival at the Embassy Suites hospitality room with wine and snacks, followed by a welcome back dinner at the Gladbach home. On Saturday, several women took a quick tour of the Benedictine College campus; they enjoyed a visit with the Sisters of Mount St. Scholastica and a tour of St. Cecelia’s. For lunch they traveled to Leavenworth, dinner was in Kansas City, and the evening included attending a production of “Noel and Gertie.” On Sunday morning the women gathered for Mass at Redemptorist Church. In addition to the women already named, these classmates also attended the mini-reunion: Phyllis Morris Day, Suzie Burke Gates, Lillian Cummins Graham, Martha Sumonka King, Sister Mary Lucy Kramer, Shirley Farnan Laughlin, Pat Graham Messbarger, Jo Burley Mitchell, Ellen Daldrup Newman, Anne Gleason Russell, Pat Kelley Scaletty, Marlene Haverkamp Sinnott, Pat Coppersmith Torline, Pat Kelly Tower, and Kathy Gammon Vader. The weekend flew by, and they all are looking forward to their annual get-together, which could include a riverboat cruise! James T. O’Brien, ’60, Leawood, Kan., has joined the board of directors for Cognovant Inc., a consumer-health company specializing in mobile, personal health record technology. Jim currently serves as a consultant to the pharmaceutical and health care industries along with being a director of Derma Sciences, Inc. He also serves as Chairman of the Board of Directors for Benedictine College and is a board member of Urban Ranger Corps, working with at-risk inner-city youth in Kansas City. Jim and his wife, Katie, are the parents of three children, David, Denise and Robert. David Leininger, ’68, Richardson, Texas, was selected Dallas Business Journal, Government Entities CFO of the Year, 2011.
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He is Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer for Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART). He joined the company in 2008. David and his wife, Jenny, are the parents of a daughter, Lindsey, and a son, Peter. Thomas Hoenig, ’68, Kansas City, Mo., has been nominated by the White House to be Vice Chairman of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation. The appointment awaits Senate confirmation. Tom retired in Oct. 2011 from the Kansas City Federal Reserve following 20 years as chief executive officer. He had been employed with the Federal Reserve for 36 years. John Severin, ’68, Hiawatha, Kan., will retire as the Hiawatha Superintendent of Schools in June 2012. He has worked 33 years in the district, 10 years as middle school principal, four years as assistant superintendent and 19 years as superintendent. John’s 44-year career in education has included being a teacher, coach, K-12 Principal, and assistant superintendent. Post-retirement plans include traveling and spending time with his grandchildren. Jeannine Kiehl Wyatt, ’69, and daughter, Kate Turner purchased the Express Employment Professional franchise in Lawrence, Kan. The company specializes in area business staffing as well as professional recruitment. Reach Jeannine at jeannine.wyatt@expresspros.com. Ruth Ann Abels Hager, ’72, Florissant, Mo., is the author of Dred & Harriet Scott: Their Family History. On Sept. 27, 2011, she gave a talk and signed books at the Library of Congress in Washington, DC. Ruth Ann, a certified genealogist and at St. Louis County Library reference specialist, researched the family’s story with the support and endorsement of Scott family descendants and the Dred Scott Heritage Foundation. Ruth Ann will have another author event at the Missouri State Archives, located at 600 W. Main Street in Jefferson City, at 7 p.m., March 22, 2012, in recognition of Women’s History Month. Thomas B. Gronstal, ’73, Spirit Lake, Iowa, is the 2011 recipient of the James A. Leach Leadership Award by the Iowa Bankers Association. The award recognizes a distinguished Iowa banker who has made significant, life-long contributions to Iowa communities and the banking industry. Thomas, in his 38-year banking career, is chairman of Carroll County State Bank, where he has worked since 1978. For nearly 10 years, from Feb. 2002 to Jan. 2011, he served as Superintendent of Banking for the State of Iowa. Thomas and his wife, Joan, are the parents of two daughters, Ingrid and Andrea. Tom Gorczyca, ’77, Overland Park, Kan., is Vice President of Sales at O’Fallon Brewery, headquartered in O’Fallon, Mo. He joined the company in November, 2011. Thad Geiger, ’79, Troy, Kan., owner of Geiger Farms and also
Benedictine College Executive Vice President of Troy State Bank, serves on the Kansas Board of Agriculture. In Oct. 2011, he took part in an 11-day trip to Russia to promote agricultural products. He made the trip with Kansas Gov. Sam Brownback, State Agriculture Secretary Dale Rodman and beef producers from around Kansas. The entourage traveled to Moscow, the Tyumen region of Russia and Astana, Kazakhstan, all part of the former USSR. The touring group, was funded through a market access program by the U.S. Agriculture Department, toured farms and ranches in Russia, met with the country’s agricultural ministry and attended the Golden Autumn Livestock Exposition in Moscow.
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Jenny Reichenberger McGinnis, ’96, Roeland Park, Kan., along with her daughter, Molly, 23-months old, and several of her 1996 classmates, April Hernandez Hailey, Christy Berge McGovern, Danielle Durbin Beagle, Joanne Real Burchard, Stephanie Zelfer Riechers, Kelly Cannavan Bjork, Nunzia Corte Hoog, Jen Porter Kirwan and Gretchen Ploehn Schmitz, attended Homecoming 2011. Jenny reports Molly enjoyed her first visit to campus.
Kevin O’Malley, ’79, Lawrence, Kan., is a new Board of Director for the Lawrence Chamber of Commerce. The three-year term began Jan. 2, 2012. Michael W. Walsh, ’80, St. Louis, Mo., was featured in the Nov. 22, 2011 issue of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, for his involvement and leadership to the Old Newsboys Day campaign. He is in his second year as Campaign Chairman, and in his 20th year as a volunteer for the non-profit charitable organization, which provides grants to more than 230 children’s charities in the St. Louis bi-state areas. Michael is the president and CEO of Eagle Bank and Trust Co., which has 12 branches in St. Louis city, Jefferson, Perry and St. Louis counties. Mark Sullivan, ’82, retired Oct. 1, 2011, from the Mission Kansas Police Department. During his 29-year career, he held every rank in the department (Patrol Officer to Chief), and oversaw patrol operations, municipal court, investigations, internal affairs, emergency management, animal control and many administrative duties. He is a member of FBI-Law Enforcement Executive Development Assn., an organization that provides training and education for law enforcement. He currently serves as the National Coordinator for the FBI-LEEDA Regional Representative program. He also does some consulting work. Mark’s wife, Jane McBride Sullivan, ’84, is the Principal at Holy Rosary Catholic School in Bucyrus. They have two boys; David, a senior at Benedictine, and Patrick in eighth grade. They live in Overland Park, Kan. Carla Schaefer-Dovey, ’85, Georgetown, Texas, in Oct. 2011 traveled to Indianapolis, Ind., where she was inducted into the Lottery Industry Hall of Fame. She is Vice-President of International Development for Scientific Games Corp., North American Association of State and Provincial Lotteries (NASPL). Aubrey Marianne born to Gwyn Felder, ’93, and Eric Dixon, Aug. 31, 2011. She joins older sister, Elayna, at the family home in Lenexa, Kan. Gwyn is a wealth advisor at Mariner Wealth Advisors in Leawood. Gordon born to Christen Jones Cota, ’96, and Robert Cota, Nov. 21, 2011. The family resides in West Des Moines, Iowa.
Twins, Eve and Aleck born to Stephen and Erin Bednar Harper, ’97, April 15, 2011. The family resides in Bonner Springs, Kan. Juliet Rachel born to Jim Herron and Diane Rziha Herron, ’97, June 13, 2011. She joins Andrew, 9; Peter, 8; Maria, 5; John, 3; and Michael, 2. Josh Holthusen, ’97, and his wife, Sarah Bogner Holthusen, ’97, Wichita, Kan., have a new Christmas CD. The title is On That First Christmas Night. Sarah sings and Josh plays guitar, and is available at www.sarahandjoshmusic.com. Ileana Nadine born to Darren Botello-Samson, ’97, and Anita Botello-Samson. The family lives in Webb City, Mo. Davyeon Ross, ’00, Overland Park, Kan., Founder and CEO of Digital Sports Ventures (formerly known as AthletixNation), sold his multimedia sports content platform company that delivered college sports video content and applications to websites across the country, to Digital Broadcasting Group in Oct. 2011. DBG is one of the biggest producers and distributors of branded web video content. Davyeon has joined Digital Broadcasting Group and is the executive vice president. Matthew Francis born to Clare Cathers Gotera, ’01, and Jason Gotera, Aug. 23, 2011. Matthew joins big brothers Dominic, 5, and Anthony, 3, at home in Toronto, Canada. Brennan Leigh born to Patricia Gosch Tavares, ’01, and Chris Tavares, Dec. 5, 2011. The family resides in St. Louis, Mo.
Benedictine College Philip Andrew born to Lucas Tappan, ’04, and Katie Sigle Tappan, ’05, July 13, 2011. The family resides in Lawrence, Kan. Jaime Panus, ’05, wed Stephen Mandl, Oct. 8, 2011. They reside in Lee’s Summit, Mo. Calvin Gregory born to Justin Reuter, ’05, and Ashley Reuter, Oct. 7, 2011. The family resides in Olathe, Kan.
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Immaculate Conception in Washington, DC. She will spend the next year at the Novitiate in Upper Marlboro, Maryland understanding her vocation and learning about the Order. Friends able to attend the ceremony included: in the back row, left to right: Katie Goebel, ’09, Michelle Byrne, Sr. Mary Mother of Truth, ’09, Tricia Hutchison, ’08; and front row, left to right: Whitney Danze, ’10, Sr. Mary of Divine Providence, ’10, and Colleen Pesci, ’10.
Thomas Joseph born to Andrew Sciba, ’05, and Catherine Harper Sciba, ’08, Oct. 5. 2011. He joins older brother Andrew Liam, 1, at the family home in Shreveport, La. Luke and Corinne Dashjr, ’07, Dade City, Fla., are the parents of four children: Catherine, David, Edmund, and Faith. Sarah Elizabeth born to Paul Harden, ’07 and Hillary Turnbaugh Harden, ’07, Sept. 17, 2011. The family resides in Columbia, Mo. Eric Lukosi, ’07, Columbia, Mo., gave a 45-minute presentation, “Weaponization and Delivery Systems that Terrorists Use for Chemical and Biological Agents,” at the Center of Excellence Defence Against Terrorism, (COE-DAT), in Ankara, Turkey, Nov. 2-3, 2011. The presentation was a part of a NATO Advanced Research Workshop (ARW) entitled “Technological Dimensions of Defence Against Terrorism.” The purpose of the workshop was to equip participants, who were in the O3-O5 military rank range or civilian equivalent, on the dimensions of technology in DAT, which has never been seen and underline the technological reasons that caused the current situation, as well as to categorize the contributions of technological improvements on terrorism and counterterrorism efforts. The presentation will also be disseminated via a publication in Defense Against Terrorism Review. Eric, a graduate student at the University of Missouri, is a May 2012 candidate for a doctorate degree in Nuclear Engineering. He is currently researching an advanced neutron spectroscopic detection system of which Eric holds a provisional patent on. He has also conducted research on nuclear batteries, nuclear plant safety analyses, active/passive interrogation systems, advanced neutron sources, and plasma physics. Lucia Josephine born to Kenny Buyle, ’08, and Julie Mann Buyle, ’07, Sept. 16, 2011. She joins big brother Raymond, 2, in St. Louis, Mo. Thomas Paul born to Gregory Doring, EMBA ’09, and Adrienne Doring, Prairie Village, Kan., Oct. 9, 2011. Gregory is the Great Plains Regional Director for FOCUS. Claire Westermeyer, ’09, on Dec. 7, 2011, became a novice in the Order of the Servants of the Lord and the Virgin of Matará. She was given the name Sister Mary Mother of Truth. The investiture took place at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the
Dahrys “Reese” Harris, ’10, and Joseph Dobrynski, ’11, wed May 28, 2011. They reside in San Marcos, Texas. Jenna Enevoldsen, ’11, North Kansas City, Mo., in July 2011, joined Cerner Corp., in Kansas City, as a delivery consultant. The company makes software to improve health care, from electronic medical records to programs that help manage hospitals and physician practices. She will partner with clients to upgrade their Cerner solutions to improved levels of efficiency and operations. Jenna also was featured in The Kansas City Star section, “How I Got The Job,” in their Oct. 12, 2011 issue. Hannah Dumpert Hasselquist, ’11, Paola, Kan., is back in the dance studio as a teacher at Paola School of Dance, where she was once a student. Hannah teaches junior jazz, junior lyrical, and the competition team, which includes students from sixth grade to high school seniors. While attending Benedictine College, she was the director of the Raven School of Dance for two years, Aug. 2009-May 2011, and a four-year member of the dance team. Hannah’s full-time job remains as Marketing Program Specialist at Campfire USA in Kansas City, Mo. Nicole Tepper, ’11, Shawnee, Kan., is a Kindergarten teacher at John Paul II Catholic School in Overland Park, Kan.
Benedictine College
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IN MEMORY: Please remember the following alumni, alumnae and friends of Benedictine College who have passed away. For full text, please visit http://my.benedictine.edu, and under Spread the Word, please click on Spirit of Giving Newsletter:
Eternal rest grant unto them O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them: Frances Gearhart Berry, ’39 Maxine M. Kinsinger Dickens, ’39 John Michael Tondra, ’40 Leona Wageman Buman, ’41 Margaret Tunstall Burns, ’41 John F. Noth, ’42 John R. Stubbs, ’42 Robert Langdon Woods, ’43 Margaret A. Powers Itschner, ’49 Gloria Jaskowiak Martin, ’49 Gayle Wood Spellman, ’49 Margaret T. McCue Stark, ’49 Fredrick P. Aldrich, ’51 Lawrence Wenski, ’51 Richard Beechwood, ’52 Aoki Teruo, ’53 Holly Jo Cobb Roark, ’55 Sheila M. Lane, ’56 John Rupp, Jr., ’56 Jim Blake, ’58 Hugh J. O’Reilly, ’58 Eugene “Gene” Joseph Vader, Jr., ’58 John William Mabry Jr., ’59 John Jefferson Wood, ’59 Mary Jo Monahan Biersmith, ’60 S. Mary Hugh Peterson, OSB, ’60 Shirley A. Ahlf, ’61 Mary Lou Cicewski Schieber, ’61 Gerard Brungardt, ’62 Giles G. Walter, ’62 Marilyn J. Watsker Ries, ’63 Wangari Maathai, Ph.D., ’64 Frederick Rost, ’64 Col. Donald S. Aines Sr., (Ret.), ’65 William M. Bergland, ’71 Col. Paul Everett Buckwalter, (Ret.), ’69 Joseph P. Radin, Jr., ’70 Julianne Wolfe-Blair, ’85 Mary George Moss, MEA ’00 Phillip Allred Evelyn Glore Ashford Richard Alyward Rosemary A. Aylward
Skyler Barbee JoAnne Becker Warren A. Bower Luella J. Brinker William E. Delich Barbara Mary Dockery Evelyn “Evie” C. Drees Betty Drinkard Sgt. David Enzbrenner Rosemary A. Favre Isabella Feltmann Marilyn A. Hall French Alice George Evelyn Goedeker Delaney Goodner Robert E. Gwartney Ron Hager Mary Eileen Hair Abigail Mae Hellmer Jean Householder Robert L. Hughes Col. Bernard E. Kane, USAF, (Ret.) Robert J. Keirns Alister P. Kosmicki Ana Krstulic Ted Lesher Michael J. Lykins Opal Marquart Greta Marquis Elaine Marie Martin Franklin L. Morris Nora Kay Brophy Oestman John T. O’Neal George G. Reintjes Helen L. Roland E. Gertrude Richardson Buechner Rose William F. Rudolph Kenneth Shackelford Kenneth R. Schrick Mary Elizabeth Sly Marguerite C. Snapp Gary W. Thomas Eunice I. West Ernestine Marley Wilson Albert John Wohlgemuth, Jr. Melvin E. Wohlgemuth
Benedictine on the web!
MY BENEDICTINE On the My.Benedictine.edu site, members of our Benedictine community can get newsworthy information about the College, register for important events, locate long-lost friends and classmates, and support the ongoing mission of the College. There’s a lot you can do at My.Benedictine.edu. We encourage you to visit often. MY BENEDICTINE BLOG At My Benedictine Blog you’ll find the Benedictine community. You’ll find all sorts of people sharing memories of Benedictine College and updates on what they are doing now. We hope you enjoy the experience of your Benedictine community and we invite you to participate in it as well! So, go to mybenedictineblog.com. If you have something you’d like to write about, or you want to post a photo or video, please call Vaughn Kohler, 913.360.7419 or vkohler@benedictine.edu. BENEDICTINE PHOTOS At benedictinephotos.com, members of the Benedictine community can view and purchase photos of current events happening at Benedictine College as well as ones from our history as MSSC, SBC and BC. All the proceeds from the website are donated to the Benedictine College Fund to help support this beautiful college.
BENEDICTINE COLLEGE OFFICE OF ADVANCEMENT 1020 North Second Street Atchison, KS 66002 913-360-7414 www.benedictine.edu/giving
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What do you think of our Spirit of Giving? Send your comments, suggestions and story ideas to bcadvancement@benedictine.edu.
Thank you for an epic campaign. INVESTING IN
In 2008 Benedictine College began a new fundraising campaign that was bold and far-reaching. At $50 million, it was four times larger than any other campaign in the history of the college. It called for increases in annual giving, endowment, and capital projects. Thanks to you, the campaign was a resounding success, going beyond expectations in many areas. We raised nearly $70 million. The next issue of the Spirit of Giving will tell this wonderful story.
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