SPRING 2016
THE MAGAZINE OF CLARKE UNIVERSITY
ALUMNI TURN PASSIONS INTO CAREER PATHS P. 2
THE DAVID SCHOOL: CLARKE UNIVERSITY PARTNERS WITH SCHOOL IN NEED P. 8 NEW MAJORS OFFERED AT CLARKE P. 14
Dear Alumni and Friends, You undoubtedly noticed that this issue of Clarke: The Magazine came in a different wrapper. I am pleased to include the “first look” recruiting brochure that our admissions counselors share with prospective students at college fairs. The brochure is designed for high school sophomores and juniors who are in the early stages of their college search process. It provides the facts they want in the concise, easy-to-read format they prefer. Please feel free to share it with a high school student you think would benefit from the Clarke experience. Thank you for all you do to share the Clarke story. As this issue goes to print, I am out visiting and meeting with alumni. I thoroughly enjoy this aspect of my role as President of Clarke University. As you know, Clarke alumni are doing amazing things! I am fortunate to have the opportunity to travel and visit with alumni, hearing first-hand the many ways in which they are making an impact in their work and service. As always, the magazine highlights alumni and shares the stories of their exciting and fulfilling lives after Clarke. Stephanie Sweigard’s involvement with Drama at Clarke led her to a career in wardrobe and costume care for professional theatre and dance companies throughout the United States. Joshua Withington’s liberal arts experience at Clarke steered him in the direction of a military career in the U.S. Army. Jonathan Heidler’s degree in Biochemistry has him traveling the Midwest proving an up-close, live and interactive experience about reptiles and amphibians for The Traveling World of Reptiles. Our community of Clarke faculty, staff and students also continue to be engaged in interesting and worthwhile projects. The Clarke Education Department has formed a partnership with The David School in Kentucky. This relationship came to be nearly a decade ago and over the years, Clarke faculty and students have volunteered their time and talents to The David School many times. This experience provides Clarke education students with a very unique opportunity to work with students from different geographic and socioeconomic backgrounds. Biology faculty members and undergraduate students are collaborating with Mayo Clinic on research concerning drug options for treating glaucoma. This collaborative endeavor is made possible because of the new Center for Science Inquiry. I hope you enjoy reading more about their research and findings. The spring semester is always quite busy and this year is no exception. We hosted excellent on-campus lectures throughout the spring, highlighted on page 26, and April will be filled with year-end festivities as we prepare for Commencement in May. This is always an exciting – and exhausting! – time of year. The achievements of our graduates contribute to the success of Clarke University. We love hearing your stories and welcome any and all updates you are willing to share. I hope you enjoy this issue and the opportunity it provides to connect with Clarke. Our thanks to you for your continued care and support. I wish you a beautiful spring! Sincerely,
Joanne M. Burrows, SC, Ph.D. President
TABLE OF CONTENTS | SPRING 16
IN THIS ISSUE CLARKE: THE MAGAZINE OF CLARKE UNIVERSITY is published three times a year for alumni, parents and friends of Clarke University.
ON THE COVER: ALUMNI TURN PASSIONS INTO CAREER PATHS............................................... 2
Joanne M. Burrows, SC, Ph.D. President Bill Biebuyck Vice President for Institutional Advancement Courtney Leonard Executive Director of Development
UNDER THE MICROSCOPE...........................................................................................................6
Alissa Riegler Associate Director of Alumni Relations Gwen Hayes ’07 Assistant Director of Annual Funds
FEATURE STORY: THE DAVID SCHOOL: CLARKE UNIVERSITY PARTNERS WITH SCHOOL IN NEED........................ 8
ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT...................................................................................................................11 FRANCIS J. O’CONNOR WINNERS: WHERE ARE THEY NOW?.......................................................13
FEATURE STORY: CLARKE’S NEWEST MAJORS ARE ON THE CUTTING EDGE .................................14
CLARKE WINS FIRST EVER LACROSSE GAME.............................................................................17 SNAPSHOTS...............................................................................................................................21 ALUMNI NEWS AND NOTES .......................................................................................................23
Ken Brown Executive Director of Marketing and Communication Gayle Langel ’08 Director of Creative Services Susan Cain Copywriter EDITOR: Ken Brown DESIGNER: Gayle Langel ’08 COPYWRITER: Susan Cain Clarke University 1550 Clarke Drive Dubuque, IA 52001-3198 (563)588-6318 Fax: (563)588-6789 Clarke University does not discriminate on the basis of age, gender, race, religion, color, national or ethnic origin, sexual orientation or disability in its educational programs, admissions policies, employment practices, financial aid, athletics or other universityadministered programs. Clarke University complies with all pertinent state and federal regulations concerning affirmative action, non-discrimination and equal employment opportunity.
LECTURE ON THEOLOGY AND EVOLUTION HIGHLIGHTS SPRING SCHEDULE...............................26 PAGE 1
ALUMNI TURN
PASSIONS INTO
CAREER
PATHS Clarke University’s success is measured by the achievements of our graduates. We continue to be fascinated by our graduates’ lives after Clarke. Meet three alumni who have built successful careers on the foundation of their Clarke undergraduate degrees. PAGE 2
CLARKE | THE MAGAZINE OF CLARKE UNIVERSITY
STEPHANIE (RICHARDI) SWEIGARD ’79 Stephanie Sweigard is currently working as a wardrobe assistant for the First National Tour of the Tony Awardwinning musical Kinky Boots. Her duties include caring for and maintaining the costumes for the 32 actors. She also helps train the local dressers in each city while touring the country. Stephanie is looking forward to traveling to Japan with the tour in October 2016. “Kinky Boots is upbeat, funny and touching,” Sweigard said. “It is a joy to go to work every day when you love what you do.” Sweigard came to Clarke from Joliet, Ill., and majored in drama and speech. As a student at Clarke, she participated in 20 theater productions, and Clarke made a lasting impression.
Keeping the sequined, frilly and sometimes outrageous costumes in tip-top shape takes a lot of detailing and time. Sweigard works with two others in the wardrobe department and they also hire seven local wardrobe personnel who they train to assist them. In a one-week visit to a city, they work up to 58 hours prepping, cleaning and dressing the show. When she’s not touring, Sweigard’s home is in North Olmsted, Ohio, where she lives with her husband of 28 years, Ken Sweigard, and their two cats, Lucky and Lenore. The couple has two children, Kati, who graduated in 2014 from Ohio Wesleyan University and is teaching kindergarten in Nakatsugawa, Japan, and Jared, who is a senior at The Ohio State University studying athletic training.
“I could not have had a better college experience,” she said. “The Drama Department gave me the basis for a life- long career in a field I love. I was professionally trained in all areas of theatre while working on five productions per year. I made many diverse friends with whom I am still in touch with today.” During her senior year, Sweigard applied for a position with the Colorado Shakespeare Theatre. She spent the summer there working as a stitcher and dresser for three productions. There she met several talented people, one of whom recommended her to the Cleveland Ballet. She spent 20 years with the ballet costume shop; 18 years as the wardrobe supervisor and two as costume shop supervisor. She traveled to New York, Florida, California, Colorado, Scotland and Ireland. After the closure of the Cleveland Ballet, Sweigard focused on raising her family while working as a union dresser for Broadway productions on tour in Cleveland. Two years ago, she began her current position with “Kinky Boots.”
“If I could tell one thing to future Clarke students, it would be that you most certainly will find your future through Clarke, and the friends, teachers and community will follow you all your life. My motto and the motto of the Kinky Boots production is, you can change the world if you can change your mind.”
PAGE 3
JOSHUA WITHINGTON ’05 Joshua Withington is a captain in the United States Army and a J33 current operations officer at NATO Special Operations Headquarters. He and his wife, Captain Erin A. Stevens, and son, Henry S. Withington III, call Mons, Belgium, home. Withington grew up in Harrisburg, Pa., but was living in Juneau, Alaska, during his years at Clarke. However, he considers Dubuque his “home” when he is in the United States. He has many fond memories of Clarke, including performing on-stage at the Five Flags Center in David Resnick’s ‘Memories of a Non-Jewish Childhood’ as well as his trip to Japan with the Clarke Collegiate Singers.
After graduation from Clarke, where he majored in history and minored in music, Withington was accepted to Army Officer Candidate School and sent to training in July 2006. He was commissioned a second lieutenant in Air Defense Artillery in 2007 and was subsequently promoted twice, to first lieutenant in 2008 and captain in 2010. Withington reflected on his army career highlights. He served as platoon leader of a Counter-Rocket, Artillery and Mortar Platoon in the 101st Airborne Division where he did a tour of Iraq. He became a headquarters company commander in the 1st Stryker Brigade, 25th Infantry Division, where he completed a tour in Afghanistan. Then he served as brigade aviation officer for 1st Stryker Brigade and later was selected to be battery commander of the 12th Missile Defense Battery in Qatar. In his current position in Belgium as a J33 current operations officer for NATO, he is responsible for the tracking management of human and material resources as they are applied in support of the NATO Special Operations Headquarters’ priority efforts. Additionally, he maintains situational awareness and communications with multiple NATO teams in the field worldwide. Withington recently completed his master’s degree and is under consideration for a promotion to major. In his free time, Withington enjoys spending time with his family doing outdoor activities such as snowboarding, hiking and exploring. And his latest big news? “We have twins on the way in August! It should be a fantastic summer.”
“Sister Ladonna (Manternach) helped me pay for the trip to Japan as I was short on money. I never forgot that. Thank you. What other school would have a faculty member who would do that?” he asked. “The new ideas and varied and diverse nature of my classwork during the pursuit of a degree at Clarke exposed me to so many different perspectives I hadn’t really acknowledged previously. The ability to take what I already know or understand and apply that framework to new, seemingly unrelated subjects and problem sets to derive solutions is a skill I learned and honed at Clarke. Without this creativity in problem solving, I would never be able to execute the complex missions and events I am asked to undertake as a leader and officer in the United States Army,” said Withington. PAGE 4
JONATHAN HEIDLER ’14 Jonathan Heidler is a performer and handler with The Traveling World of Reptiles. He travels the Midwest and beyond with unusual snakes and lizards from all over the world. “My favorite part of the job is to enlighten people about the importance of these animals and inspire and educate children,” Heidler said. Heidler grew up idolizing wildlife experts and Animal Planet stars Steve Irwin and Jeff Corwin. Heidler knew
CLARKE | THE MAGAZINE OF CLARKE UNIVERSITY
UPCOMING ALUMNI EVENTS he wanted to be just like them someday. When he was 7 years old, he saw a live performance of The Traveling World of Reptiles, based out of Chicago, and found himself wowed. Now, after graduating from Clarke with a major in biochemistry and minor in biology, he holds his dream job working with the troupe.
APRIL 18-20 Impact Week ONLINE
TUESDAY, MAY 17 Coffee with Clarke Dubuque, Iowa
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 20 Alumni Webinar Series: Ardell Sanders ’99 ONLINE
THURSDAY, MAY 26 CHEERS Iowa City, Iowa
TUESDAY, APRIL 26 Coffee with Clarke: Campus Ministry Dubuque, Iowa THURSDAY, APRIL 28 CHEERS Indianapolis, Ind. TUESDAY, MAY 10 CHEERS Madison, Wis. The Traveling World of Reptiles is an up-close, live and extremely interactive experience about reptiles and amphibians. The performers blend safety and education with a unique style of humor to form a totally original experience that makes their presentation every bit as entertaining as it is educational.
MONDAY, JUNE 6 Clarke University Golf Classic Dubuque, Iowa THURSDAY, JUNE 9 An Evening with Alumni and Friends Philadelphia, Pa. SUNDAY, JUNE 12 Presidential Brunch Fairfax, Va.
THURSDAY, MAY 12 Trivia Night Dubuque, Iowa
Visit clarke.edu/alumni/events for a complete listing of upcoming events and opportunities to connect!
Heidler’s hometown is Channahon, Ill., and he still lives there, traveling around the Chicago area and the Midwest to schools and festivals to perform his educational reptile shows. Does he have a favorite animal? “It's so hard for me to choose a favorite because they are like my children,” he said. “But if I had to pick, I would have to select either my iguana or my red-tail boa constrictor. These two animals truly love to be held.” Heidler holds his time at Clarke in high regard. “My biggest inspirations while going through my education at Clarke were professors Andrea Bixler and Sunil Malapati. They made learning exciting for me. As a child I disliked school. Now when I teach children about reptiles, I try to make learning collaborative and fun. I strive to motivate each individual I educate.”
Become a
CLASS AGENT Class agents are volunteers from each reunion class who help spread the word about homecoming activities to their classmates and motivate them to attend. If you are interested in learning more about becoming a class agent, please contact Alissa Riegler in the Alumni Relations Office at alissa.riegler@clarke.edu.
PAGE 5
UNDER THE GLAUCOMA RESEARCH IN CENTER FOR SCIENCE INQUIRY LAB There are a variety of drugs that help alleviate the effects of glaucoma. But not all drugs work on all people. Why do some drugs work better than others? The Clarke University Biology Department has been doing research on this topic since last summer in an attempt to answer those questions. The results of their work will be shared with the Mayo Clinic.
Clarke students Paige Peters (left) and Theresa Koos work on glaucoma research in the Center for Science Inquiry Student Research Lab. Laura Hecker, Ph.D. and Shaun Bowman, Ph.D., both assistant professors of Biology at Clarke, and three students doing undergraduate research – Ryan Ryba, Theresa Koos and Paige Peters – are working on the study in the Center of Science Inquiry’s Student Research Lab.
PAGE 6
“We are testing drugs that are used to lower pressure in the eye for people who have glaucoma,” Hecker said. “These are the first line of drugs that are typically used by people. However, it is not known exactly how they lower pressure. So that is the overall question we’re trying to get at. How do they act on the structure of the eye to lower pressure?” Glaucoma is actually a group of diseases that result in the death of neurons in the optic nerve. The eye continually produces fluid that exits where the cornea and iris meet, an area called the trabecular meshwork. When the fluid drains too slowly through this meshwork, pressure builds in the eye. This pressure on the optic nerve can lead to the death of these neurons at the back of the eye and cause a loss of vision. “You have to alleviate the pressure somehow or it’s going to start to press on the back part of the eye,” said Hecker. “Those cells start dying in glaucoma and if they start dying they can’t be replaced in the retina and there is loss of vision. Loss usually starts out on the periphery. One of the bad things about glaucoma is it’s asymptomatic. There’s not a lot of pain. You may not notice vision loss until you’ve had some death of cells back there.” What the Clarke team is focusing on in its study is a protein called NEDD9. Hecker did post-doctoral work at the Mayo laboratory and her research group identified NEDD9 as one of the candidates involved in relieving the pressure associated with glaucoma. “We had a little knowledge going in from that experiment,” said Bowman. “That’s what we’re picking up on. We’re
WAY BACK WHEN trying to see what NEDD9 is doing. The next major question is how (NEDD9) is functioning to reduce pressure in the eye.”
75 YEARS AGO
The Clarke team obtained human eye cell lines last summer from the Mayo Clinic. These are cells isolated from donor eyes that do not have glaucoma but cannot be used for cornea transplants for various reasons. They cultivate the cells from the drainage area and test various drugs on them. “Right now we’re expanding on what Mayo started,” said Bowman. Clarke received initial funding for this project through a R.J. McElroy Grant that funds student research projects. The funds run out this semester, however.
NUTRITION COURSE OPEN FOR NURSES Clarke’s Department for Home Economics is offering a special course in Nutrition to the visiting and school nurses of the city and county. Dubuque’s unit of the American Red Cross requested that the course be taught in order to give the nurses a classified knowledge of the use of nutritious foods in the diet. Two groups have been organized, each with the intention of securing a Red Cross certificate in Nutrition.
50 YEARS AGO
“We would love it for the research to continue,” said Bowman. “We are always looking for additional funding. There is plenty of follow up to do. Given more time and resources we can continue this study.”
SENIOR MEG CHAMBERS WINS WOODROW WILSON FELLOWSHIP Clarke Senior Marguerite Chambers has been elected a Woodrow Wilson Fellow and is one of 1,408 new potential teachers for the U.S. colleges and universities, according to the Woodrow Wilson National Fellowship Foundation announcement last week.
25 C L A R K E
U N I V E R S I T Y
GOLFCLASSIC
YEARS AGO
MARY JO BECOMES ALL-MALE DORM Mary Josita Hall will become an all-male dormitory beginning next year, according to Patti Hunter, director of residence life and student activities. The all-male dormitory will be the first of its kind at Clarke. She said the dormitory, which previously had one floor for female students and two for male students, will be changed due to the increasing number of male students enrolling at Clarke and living on campus.
2 0 1 6
JU N E 6 , 2 0 1 6 DUBUQUE GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB Join Golf Classic Chairs Sue ’69 and Steve Juergens and Wanda and Chuck Morrow for this premier golf event to fund six Clarke University scholarships for tri-state students. The Golf Classic offers guests 18-holes of golf and prizes, a midday meal and gourmet steak dinner with live auction. To learn more, visit clarke.edu/golfclassic.
10 YEARS AGO
FIRST-EVER TRACK TEAM STRIVES FOR THE FUTURE In the past, Clarke’s track team has been considered a club sport, but this year, thanks to Coach Michael Warta, the men’s and women’s track and field team will be competitive. The team completed the indoor season in late February. PAGE 7
THE DAVID SCHOOL: CLARKE UNIVERSITY PARTNERS
WITH SCHOOL IN NEED
PAGE 8
CLARKE | THE MAGAZINE OF CLARKE UNIVERSITY
The David School sits in a hollow in the town of David, Ky., and serves children from Floyd County and the surrounding area. People of Appalachia have strong family bonds and very few people leave, despite not having many opportunities for work.
began showing “Country Boys,” a PBS documentary that tells the story of two teenage boys as they navigate the emotional terrain that will change them from boys to men in Appalachian Kentucky. After viewing the documentary, Clarke students and faculty were compelled to do more.
The David School is a tuition-free, alternative high school that relies on the work of volunteers and donations to operate. Retired educators and young people from universities like Clarke often donate their time to help students. Students come to The David School for a variety of reasons. Some students were bullied and others need nontraditional teaching methods. Some students were expelled from the public school system, and The David School is their last hope of receiving a high school diploma. Almost every student who arrives at The David School is between the ages of 14 and 19 and functioning at levels significantly lower than other students their age. This year, the majority of the high school students are performing between the levels of 4th through 7th grade in both reading and math, and more than 90% are living in poverty. Despite such adversity these young people face, the faculty are able to provide a safe and caring environment where students are able to grow, make mistakes and be forgiven. Expectations are high, but students understand that they have the support they need to meet and even exceed those expectations. Current student John Garrett said, “When I got to The David School I could hardly read. I was at a third-grade reading level and now I am at a 12th-grade level.” Another student Brandy Justice added, “At one point in time before I came to The David School, I wanted to just quit. A high school diploma wasn’t important to me until I came here.” Mission trips and the essence of empathy are part of a Clarke’s core values. With that in mind, the Clarke University Education Department has formed a partnership with The David School. Clarke students were first exposed to the school when the Education Department faculty
Founded in 1974, The David School, in David, Ky., delivers a comprehensive educational program for Appalachian high school dropouts and at-risk youths, providing them with the potential to succeed in a non-traditional setting.
A short time later, Assistant Professor of Education Ann Adkins and Instructor of Education Rebecca Bodish contacted The David School to inquire about student volunteer opportunities. Bodish subsequently took groups of Clarke students to The David School four times. Most recently, current students Maggie May, Michaela Hennings, Cassidy Gavin and Alexis Masse journeyed to the school. Clarke students do a variety of services at The David School. They provide educational materials, teach classes, tutor students and help improve learning spaces. The experience allows our students to immerse themselves in a diverse community where they can be involved in the betterment and education of children with backgrounds very different from their own. Clarke students also help PAGE 9
The David School students evaluate what skills they have or want to attain in an effort to determine their paths after high school. They help students make phone calls for job interviews and apply for post-high school education opportunities. Cassidy Gavin was impacted by her volunteer experience at The David School. “The first day we met the students, I immediately felt a connection,” she said. “They were all so willing to get to know me. I loved being able to give them the individual attention they needed. I would love to work at that school someday, and until then, I plan on visiting every chance I get.” Alexis Masse added, “The school has limited school supplies, technology, textbooks, food and gym equipment. It was eye opening, but this is what makes The David School strong. No matter who walks through those doors, The David School works with what they have to make every day worthwhile.” After this most recent group returned from its visit to The David School, Bodish was contacted again by The David School and asked to serve as interim principal. Clarke supported her by granting her a one-year leave of absence to allow her to fill this role.
Bodish said, “We, the students and staff at The David School, are so grateful for the donation of laptops from Clarke. The computers are newer than any computers in the building, and Clarke’s IT staff was instrumental in helping us get them set up to meet our specific needs. The computers have really been a blessing.” Paula Schmidt, chair and associate professor of Education at Clarke, said, “Clarke greatly values its partnership with The David School. It provides our students an opportunity to see education in a completely different way than they’ve ever experienced. They witness diversity in education without ever leaving the country.” Bodish believes The David School must be doing something right. “Two parents said to me, The David School saved my child’s life.” To learn about volunteer opportunities and how you can assist future Clarke students’ travel to The David School, please contact Clarke University Institutional Advancement at (563)588-6405 or make a gift at clarke.edu/give/education.
Bodish has great enthusiasm and love for her work. She said, “Enrollment at the school has nearly doubled! We have opened up classrooms that have been closed for years, hired two more teachers and pulled the old school bus out of retirement in order to accommodate this growth.” The David School’s existing technology could not accommodate that growth. To respond to this need, Bodish approached Andy Bellings, Clarke University’s chief technology officer, about the possibility of Clarke donating used computer equipment to the school. Bellings said, “We were able to refurbish 20 computers for The David School. Rebecca arranged to have the computers delivered to The David School by Clarke student volunteers.” Bellings received a package of hand-written thank you cards. One note read, “Dear Clarke University, President Burrows and Mr. Bellings, Thank you for the laptops to help us with our future and to help us find good jobs. From, Mason B.”
PAGE 10 8
Clarke student volunteer Maggie May helps Ethan in Sr. Kathy's social studies class at The David School. Individual attention enhances the learning environment for students with special needs.
i n m u l A
CLARKE | THE MAGAZINE OF CLARKE UNIVERSITY
ELIZABETH JOHNSON ’05 DEGREE:
Bachelor of Arts in Art History, Law Degree from the University of Iowa CURRENT POSITION:
Administrative Law Judge, Appeals Bureau of Iowa Workforce Development CITY AND STATE:
Des Moines, Iowa
Like many new college students, Liz Johnson ’05 struggled to figure out her direction in life. She began her college career at the University of Iowa, but quickly felt lost among the masses. She transferred to Clarke because she wanted to join a community of people and not merely get an education. “Also, my mother, Susan (Park) Nachazel ’72, went to Clarke back in its all-female days, and she filled my childhood with wonderful stories of the friends she made, the sisters who taught and guided her, and the memories she carried with her,” said Liz. Liz never looked back after coming to Clarke. She immediately immersed herself in activities like the Clarke Student Association, Campus Ministry, and everything art and theatre. It was during these experiences that she made new friends.
“I found a wonderful home among friends studying art and theatre, and those friendships have continued long beyond graduation,” said Liz. “These friends inspire me with their bravery, their brilliance, and their boundless love.” The experiences that Liz had while at Clarke also helped her discover her path to law school. Today, Liz is an administrative law judge. An administrative law judge is not who most people think of as a judge: no gavel, no robe, and no fancy mahogany courtroom. In her role, Liz conducts appeal hearings related to unemployment benefits. “The decisions I make every day intimately affect people’s lives and livelihoods, and I take my position seriously,” said Liz. “Most of my hearings are conducted over the phone, which makes the process accessible for people regardless of where they live. I feel privileged to serve the state of Iowa as an administrative law judge and to fairly apply the law related to unemployment benefits to a wide variety of circumstances.” Liz thanks Clarke’s faculty for helping to prepare her for law school and her current career. “Classes with Sister Joan, Sister Carol, and Norm Freund challenged me to confront long-held assumptions, re-think things I thought I understood, and describe and defend my opinions,” said Liz. “I was never afraid to be called on in law school (thank you, Socratic method!) because thanks to Clarke, I knew how to intellectually stand up for myself.”
Our alumni are making an impact around the world. To view more stories, visit clarke.edu/magazine.
PAGE PAGE11 9
CLARKE UNIVERSITY is proud to host these summer academies and camps
FOR ENTERING GRADES 6-9 JUNE 22-24
Explore the exciting world of nursing through hands-on experience with a high-fidelity simulator, earn your First Aid and CPR certifications and tour a local health care facility.
FOR ENTERING GRADES 7–9
or student musicians with a minimum of 2 years ensemble experience
JUNE 21-26
Sharpen your skills and learn about exciting possibilities in music with professional string musicians.
music r e b m a h c O S D FOR ENTERING GRADES 10-12
advanced 9th graders and graduated seniors welcome
JUNE 21-26
FOR ENTERING GRADES 6–9 JULY 11-14
Discover the basics of food, flavor, cooking and the value of learning to “play with your food.”
FOR ENTERING GRADES 9–12 JULY 11-14
Explore and actively engage in hands-on experiences with cutting-edge technology.
Refine your string skills, work with guest artists and participate in a showcase performance.
FOR MORE INFORMATION OR TO REGISTER FOR A CAMP, PLEASE VISIT
CLARKE.EDU/CLARKEACADEMY PAGE 12
FOR ENTERING GRADES 9–12 JULY 11-14
Learn about the social work profession, issues of social justice and opportunities to get involved in your community.
CLARKE | THE MAGAZINE OF CLARKE UNIVERSITY
FRANCIS J. O’CONNOR WINNERS: WHERE ARE THEY NOW? This is another installment in a series of articles on former Francis J. O’Connor Award winners. Since 1935, this award has been recognized as the most prestigious honor bestowed upon a graduating senior. The Honorable Frank A. O’Connor established the Mary Agnes O’Connor Award in memory of his wife. In 1991, Clarke University in cooperation with the O’Connor family, renamed the award the Francis J. O’Connor Memorial Award to honor the late Francis J. O’Connor, a longtime Clarke trustee. Criteria for the award include demonstrated leadership, cooperation, generosity, kindness and academic achievement. The award recipient is selected by a vote of seniors, faculty and staff.
MARY CATHERINE CASEY WAS THE AWARD RECIPIENT IN 1979. Tell us about your career. The rudder to my career has been driven by the Catholic social teachings. The year following graduation I worked in Japan teaching English for a Catholic missionary organization. During that year the goal was to preach not so much by what I said, but by living what I believed. The next 15 years I worked primarily with the economically poor seeking to transcend the influence of poverty to create a life which engaged their gifts and hopes in work and support systems. In other words, I was involved in social work and social action. Twenty years ago I became a hospital chaplain. It is at this bedside of people healing from surgery, illness and disease that I meet courage, hope, longing and sadness. I have learned that being present and listening is the most powerful prayer that I can utter. I am grateful for the many amazing teachers who have allowed me to be part of their path. What impact did winning the award have on you? Honestly, I was shocked and humbled when I received the award. I continue to feel much of that today. Perhaps feeling humbled and shocked has allowed me to continue much in the same way I was while at Clarke … always aware that there is more for me to learn, more for me to do and more for me to be. What is your fondest memory of Clarke? My fondest memories of Clarke are the amazing friends and women with whom I spent time. I will always be grateful to the BVMs and the professors who called out the best in me and never doubted that I as a woman could accomplish the task. What advice would you give a student today? Take advantage of stretching your mind and soul while at Clarke. Dare to learn in all the arenas that this Catholic liberal arts education offers you. Let your education be a tapestry of class, study, play and service. I am so glad that I did.
To view a full list of Francis J. O'Connor Award winners, visit clarke.edu/magazine.
PAGE PAGE 13 13 15
CLARKE’S NEWEST MAJORS ARE ON THE
CUTTING
EDGE
PAGE 14
CLARKE | THE MAGAZINE OF CLARKE UNIVERSITY
Clarke strives to be progressive in its offering of academic majors. University officials are always scanning the environment for offerings that will best prepare students for careers in today’s world. Here is a look at the three newest additions to Clarke’s academic offerings:
FOOD SCIENCE
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics, employment of food scientists is expected to grow 9 percent from 2012 to 2022. Available jobs in the field include product development, management and marketing, food processing and preservation, quality control and testing laboratory work, government agencies, and sensory analyst. Food Science is an applied science in which chemical, biological and physical principles are applied to study the nature of food and its deterioration; the studies are utilized to evaluate and improve consumer foods and associated processes. Students study principles from a variety of academic fields including chemistry, biology, microbiology, nutrition, engineering and psychology. These principles will be applied to improve the flavor, color, texture and nutritional value, among other factors, in food.
industry is vast and fascinating. Common products that consumers purchase each day have been researched, designed, and scrutinized in advance by a team of food professionals. Food Science offers a lifetime career in the maintenance of a never-ending stream of quality food products. “There were six things I loved about the food science field that led me to choose it as a career: food itself, the people who work in food, the diversity and multi-disciplinarily of the field, good salary opportunities, job security, and finally travel opportunities. Everyone eats not only to live, but for enjoyment as well. All of these factors make a career in the food industry an attractive choice,” added Demir.
ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES
Environmental Studies is an interdisciplinary program that uses the tools of the natural sciences, social sciences, and humanities to solve problems in resource depletion and environmental degradation, which in turn affect human welfare. Environmental studies students at Clarke take basic biology, chemistry, economics and sociology, then choose an emphasis in natural sciences, social sciences, humanities, or business.
Sensory analysis is the focus of Clarke’s food science major, and work will soon begin on the Sensory Evaluation Lab on the third floor of Catherine Byrne Hall. “This is something that will really be unique for Clarke,” said Necla Demir, assistant professor of food science at Clarke. Demir is a native of Turkey, where she earned both a bachelor’s and master’s degree. She also has a master’s from Clemson University and a Ph.D. from the University of Florida. She has held several faculty positions, including at American University in Cairo, and has worked as a consultant in the food science, quality, sensory and safety fields. “Most people don’t realize what a major role food scientists play in the development of products for the global market,” Demir said. “The abundance of disciplines in the food
“The manner in which we use the Earth’s resources affects our quality of life – both short-term and long-term,” said Andrea Bixler, Clarke associate professor of biology. “As the PAGE 15
population of the Earth grows, it is more important than ever that we be good stewards of the environment.” The creation of the environmental studies major ties into one of the main objectives of Clarke’s strategic plan – to capitalize on the momentum in the sciences. The Environmental Studies coursework will be taught in the Center for Science Inquiry. The CSI is a 46,000-square-foot facility that provides flexible and modern spaces designed to seamlessly integrate lecture and lab areas while fostering a collaborative, hands-on learning environment. Also featured in the CSI is a state-of-the-art greenhouse. Occupations in environmental studies are also trending upward. Many companies and communities are very interested in “the triple bottom line” (people, planet and profit) and are looking for employees with a background in sustainability. There are a variety of careers available to environmental studies graduates. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, environmental scientists and specialists project job growth of 15 percent from 2012-22. Jobs available for those with a bachelor’s degree in environmental studies include botanist, ecologist, forest ranger, air and water quality manager, environmental educator, geologist, environmental scientist, natural resource specialist, wildlife manager, conservationist and sustainability coordinator.
SPORT MANAGEMENT
Sport Management is also a rapidly growing industry with a wide variety of occupations. The U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics predicts double-digit percent growth from 20122022 in nearly every job associated with the field. The educational experience extends beyond the classroom. For example, students conduct in-game promotions, produce videos for the web, and host the Crusaders Sports Radio Podcast. Students take ownership of their career paths during freshmen year. In the Foundations of Sport Management class, students draft a career preparation plan that includes the knowledge, skills and experiences they will need to attain their professional goals.
PAGE 16
The Clarke Sport Management Program markets athletic events and entertains spectators on campus In the Global Perspectives in Sport class, the classroom is shared with another country. During the Spring 2016 semester, students not only listened to lectures from various professors in Kenya, but also communicated daily with a partner student from the University of Mount Kenya. “The fieldwork experiences in Sport Management are tailored to each student’s career goals,” said Assistant Professor of Business Teri Stratta. “Clarke Sport Management graduates currently work in professional and minor league sports throughout the world, as well as college and high school sports throughout the nation.” Pursuing a degree in sport management prepares students for exciting careers in the global sport industry, including athletic management, health and fitness management, event management, as well as marketing, sales, public relations and other sport-related positions. The Sport Management program at Clarke is part of the business department and is business focused. Students gain valuable knowledge from a team of experienced business professors, including Stratta, who has a Ph.D. in sport management. Stratta has 24 years of experience in the sport management industry and has held jobs as a marketing research consultant for colleges, for Major League Baseball’s Atlanta Braves and for the Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA).
CLARKE | THE MAGAZINE OF CLARKE UNIVERSITY
CLARKE WINS FIRST EVER LACROSSE GAME The Clarke University men's lacrosse team took to the field for the first time in school history on March 2 and Coach Peter Moore's Crusaders came away with a 9-8 win over city rival University of Dubuque at Oyen Field. Nick Lundberg (FR/Batavia, Ill.) scored three goals and Louis Deeny (FR/Maplewood, Minn.) added two goals and three assists in the season-opening win over the Spartans. Kaleb Cordova (FR/Chula Vista, Calif.) found the back of the net twice for the Crusaders, including the first goal in Clarke history at 5:25 in the opening quarter. “I am very proud of my young team,” said Moore. “I have a great group of guys that came out ready to play and they showed it with this win. This was a huge team win for us, everyone made plays, and it took all 20 of us to get this win. I have told them many times that it is the little things that will win us close games like this one, and they made every little play count and that is how we walk off the field with a win.” “I could not ask for a better group than I have here and I am excited that these guys were able to bring Clarke University the first lacrosse victory in school history so quickly.” Two of Lundberg's goals were man-up goals, including his goal at 5:32 of the fourth quarter that proved to be the game-winner. Christian Haffner (FR/Chula Vista, Calif.) had nine ground balls. Clarke outshot UD 45-27 and owned a 34-19 edge in shots on goal. Clarke goalkeeper Dylan Kelley (FR/Janesville, Wis.) had 11 saves. Meanwhile, the Clarke women’s team had a near-miss in their historic opener, losing at Ottawa (Kan.) University, 11-8, on March 5. Nitshelle Duverseau (FR/Naples, Fla.) scored a hat trick and Danielle Wills (FR/Woodbridge, Va.) added a pair of goals. Clarke goalie Olivia Harris (Mazomanie, Wis.) had 13 saves.
Clarke
T R I V I A Night THURSDAY, MAY 12 MARY JOSITA HALL DINING ROOM
CLARKE UNIVERSITY | 6:30-8:30 P.M. Reservations are requested by Tuesday, May 10, by phone at (563)588-6553, online at clarke.edu/alumni/events or by emailing alumnirelations@clarke.edu.
PAGE 17
AGE PAGE 15 PAGE18 18
CLARKE INKS 3+3 LAW AGREEMENT WITH CREIGHTON Clarke University has a third agreement in place allowing undergraduate students to earn both their bachelor’s and law degrees in six years.
The 3+3 program will allow qualified undergraduates from Clarke admission to the Creighton School of Law after the conclusion of their junior year. The credits earned during their first year of law school will also apply to their undergraduate degree. Students will receive their bachelor’s degree from Clarke University. “We are always looking for opportunities to provide our students a challenging academic experience,” said Clarke President Joanne M. Burrows, SC, Ph.D. “Clarke’s agreement with the Creighton School of Law allows another avenue for our students to advance their education. We are pleased to be able to offer this opportunity for Clarke students and we are thankful for the collaboration with Creighton University.”
Clarke will partner with Creighton University in Omaha, Neb., for a 3+3 program. Clarke also has reached similar agreements with the University of Iowa and Drake University.
“I am excited by this partnership with Clarke University,” said Paul E. McGreal, dean and professor of Law at Creighton University School of Law. “The 3+3 program will bring excellent students into our community and prepare them for a life of service in the legal profession. This partnership also allows graduates to enter the profession a year earlier than their peers, providing a leg up in a competitive legal market.”
h Create a lasting legacy for generations of Clarke students. Since launching the Clarke Lives Endearment Campaign in the fall 2014, 18 new donors have notified us of their estate intentions, bringing Clarke’s total commitments to $23.5 million. START YOUR LIVING LEGACY TODAY Call 888-225-2753 | ClarkeLives.org
CLARKE | THE MAGAZINE OF CLARKE UNIVERSITY
All in a
YEAR’S WORK
The Whitlow Campus Store is a popular destination for the entire Clarke community. The campus store has Clarke gear for everyone from T-shirts and coffee mugs to school supplies and textbooks. Items are often purchased in person and online. We hope you stop by the campus store during your next visit to Clarke.
FALL BACK TO SCHOOL
WEEKEND
In one year, the campus store has:
1,134
BOOKS RENTED
SISTER RAMONA BARWICK, BVM VOLUNTEERS
20 HOURS PER WEEK
FULL-TIME EMPLOYEES
5
STUDENT WORKERS
BUSIEST TIME OF
THE YEAR
6,850 707
BOOKS SOLD
3
CANDY BARS SOLD
960 GREETING
CARDS SOLD
AN AVERAGE OF 36 CUSTOMERS
VISIT THE CAMPUS STORE DAILY
PAGE 19
Dear Alumni and Friends, We often talk about impact at Clarke. In fact, many might say it is our favorite word. As you walk the halls, sit in class, engage with us on social media, read a letter or email, you often experience members of the Clarke community discussing what impact means to them and the type of impact they wish to have on our community and beyond. As we have seen in this issue, impact comes in many forms from alumni pursuing interesting careers, to Clarke’s multi-faceted partnership with The David School where students have the opportunity to experience an often unfamiliar form of socioeconomic diversity within the United States. As we think about our 300 graduating students this year, they too are eager to leave their Clarke home and begin making an impact in their careers and communities. In celebration of their many accomplishments, we look forward to hosting our Toast to Tassels event this month. Additionally, the Clarke Alumni Association Board has collaborated with the Compass and Career Services Office to create a new web-based networking series titled, “Charting your Course.” This webinar series features Clarke alumni and the positive impact they have made in their post-graduation experiences. Three webinars took place this semester and featured Maria Whelan ’72, Zachary Breitbach ’05, and Ardell Sanders ’99. If you didn’t have a chance to participate in these webinars when they first aired, I encourage to view the recordings on our alumni website. I also hope you will consider joining the Clarke University Alumni Network on LinkedIn. This group is dedicated to sharing career information and news as well as providing updates from campus. We also look forward to our travels in the coming months. At each event, we are delighted to get to know you and your connections to Clarke. We plan to visit Joliet, Illinois; Indianapolis, Indiana; Iowa City and Des Moines, Iowa; Madison and Milwaukee, Wisconsin; and Washington, D.C. Finally, as you look ahead to this fall, please mark your calendar for Homecoming Weekend, September 30 – October 2. We have several new events and many alumni favorites planned this year. If you are interested in planning your own homecoming event, please let us know. Thank you for being a special part of our Clarke community. I hope to see you on campus soon. Sincerely,
Courtney Leonard Executive Director of Development and Alumni Relations
PAGE 20
A PHOTO COLLECTION FROM ALUMNI EVENTS ACROSS THE COUNTRY QUAD CITIES Clarke alumni and friends gathered at the Barrel House in early March. Pictured L to R: Tammy (Hutson) Norcross-Reitzler ’85, Angeline More-Kicksey ’67, Eileen (Enzler) O’Brien ’76, Deb (Mettille) Frick ’75, Mitchell Driscoll ’10, Leah (Buls) Driscoll ’10 ’12D NAPLES, FLA. Alumni and friends gathered at Grey Oaks Country Club for Clarke’s annual Presidential Brunch. Pictured L to R: Donald Connor, Olga Connor ’67, Mike Blouin, Dorothy Lemke ’79, Duane Lemke, Kempy Stark
YOUR BEST U!: JOAN LINGEN, BVM ’61, Ph.D. More than 55 Clarke Alumni and friends gathered for a Your Best U presentation titled, “Italy Without a Suitcase.”
CHICAGO CUBS SPRING TRAINING Clarke alumni and friends gathered during opening weekend of spring training for the Chicago Cubs vs. Cincinnati Reds game at Sloan Park in Mesa, Ariz. TEMPE, ARIZ. Clarke alumni and friends visited at the Thirsty Lion Gastro Pub in March. Pictured L to R: John Karrmann, JoDee (Biermann) Karrmann ’84, Susan (Tiedje) Otting ’62, Elizabeth (Penny) McCabe ’62, Jared Vesperman ’16D, James McCabe, Brian McCabe ’13, Charles Deneen ’14, Alumni Board member Marcia (Swanson) Capriotti ’73, Alumni Board member Maryjo (Douglas) Zunk ’79
SARASOTA, FLA. Alumni gathered at Libby’s Café and Bar in February. Pictured L to R: Richard Craven, Mary (Kiernam) Craven ’66, Jeanne (Glenn) Vild ’61, Carol Powers ’01, Clarke Trustee Dennis Powers, Mary Jean Jecklin ’69, Kelley Rea PAGE 21
Want to see more alumni snapshots? Visit clarke.edu/alumni/eventphotos.
GIVE WHAT IT TAKES TO
IT TAKES HEART. IT TAKES VISION. IT TAKES ACTION. IT TAKES YOU.
Almost every student at Clarke receives some sort of financial aid. In fact, many wouldn’t be able to receive an education here without the support of donors like you. So your gift is more than appreciated; it’s necessary. Whatever is near and dear to you about Clarke can now be directly impacted by your gift. You choose where your gift will be used. It’s your gift, your way.
YOUR GIFT. YOUR WAY. PAGE 22
888.225.2753 yourgiftyourway.org
E
ALUMNI
&
NOVEMBER 5, 2015 THROUGH MARCH 18, 2016 NEWS Rita Johann Berg ’50 Crown Point, Ind. Rita moved from Michigan to be "back home again" in Indiana, where she was born and raised. Diana (Borst) Nawrocki ’58 Westchester, Ill. Diana was in a one-woman artist show titled, “A Stitch in Time,” at the Oak Park Conservatory. This show featured her fiber decorative wall hangings. Virginia (Weldon) Erhard ’60 Minnetonka, Minn. Virginia and Leander are both well and enjoying retirement. Chris is still living in Lake Worth, Florida. Alison, Remy and August are in Denver, Colo. Virginia and Leander are well and thriving. In January they went to California and attended the Rose Bowl Parade. Later in the year they visited the NW Angle (the most northern part of continental US). Gerry (Staehlin) Klinglesmith ’62 Socorro, N.M. Eleven outstanding New Mexicans were selected as the 2015 recipients of the Governor's Distinguished Public Service Awards. Dan and Gerry (Staehlin) Klinglesmith ’62 received the award as longtime promoters of getting students interested in science and technology and quintessential community volunteers.
Diane (Redelman) Haubrich ’72 Highland Park, Ill. Gilbert J. Redelman, father of Diane (Redelman) Haubrich ’72 and Theresa (Redelman) Olsen ’75 passed away on February 25, 2016. Gilbert founded the Vasari Art History Award in 1986. Stephanie (Richardi) Sweigard ’79 North Olmsted, Ohio Stephanie is currently in her second year of touring with the Tony Award musical, Kinky Boots, as the wardrobe assistant. She was recently able to spend time with her Clarke College roommate, Marty Wathier ’79 while in Omaha. Her daughter Kati is beginning her second year teaching in Nakatsugawa-shi, Japan. Her son Jared, is a senior at The Ohio State University and spent the summer interning with the New England Patriots athletic training staff. Mark Schechinger ’87 Harlan, Iowa Mark finished his first book of a series titled, "Shelby's Creek,” which came out in January. Mark has also authored hundreds of freelance articles for magazines and newspapers and this was his first novel series. In the year ahead, he plans to revisit France and Germany to continue work on the next book in this series. In between, he resides in Shelby County, Iowa, on the family farm, now being worked by the fifth generation of his family.
Joan Soppe ’90 Moline, Ill. Joan’s glass book was selected for the Rock Island Art Guild Fine Arts Exhibition at the Figge Museum, in Davenport, Iowa. Soppe creates oneof-a-kind or limited edition artist books in her studio. Her work references under-appreciated domestic tasks such as sewing and ironing.
Celeste Pechous ’94 Los Angeles, Calif. Celeste was in the 2016 Super Bowl commercial promoting avocados from Mexico. She was the "blue alien" dressed as a mom.
M - Master’s Degree from Clarke D - Doctorate Degree from Clarke
PAGE 23
Karen Shaffer ’94 Dubuque, Iowa Karen was promoted to manager of the Quality Management Department at UnityPoint Health-Finley Hospital. She has been with Finley Hospital since 1974. Gregg Liddle ’95 Dubuque, Iowa Gregg was presented with the Dupaco Community Credit Union 2015 Professional Cooperative Spirit Award in recognition of his outstanding service, commitment and leadership in the credit union movement. Steve Ervolino ’99 Peosta, Iowa Steve has been promoted to chief information officer at the Dupaco Community Credit Union Pennsylvania Avenue branch. Liz Johnson ’05 Altoona, Iowa Liz is now working as an Administrative Law Judge with Iowa Workforce Development. Joshua Withington ’05 APO, AE Joshua moved to Mons, Belgium and took a job with NATO. Gina Simone ’06 New York, N.Y. Gina performed at Carnegie Hall as part of a group singing back up for Cissy Houston. Jennifer Ready ’08M Dubuque, Iowa Jennifer was hired as vice president of retirement plan services at HK Financial Services. Melissa (Spates) Shannon ’09 Dubuque, Iowa Melissa graduated from the Iowa Hospital Association Health Care Leadership Series. The series exists to develop critical leadership skills and competencies with the overarching objective of increasing retention of committed, quality staff in Iowa hospitals. She is the manager of education at UnityPoint HealthFinley Hospital.
PAGE 24
M - Master’s Degree from Clarke D - Doctorate Degree from Clarke
Lisa Miller ’10M Dubuque, Iowa Lisa was hired as a software solutions manager at Honkamp Krueger & Co. Alexis Rettenberger ’11 Sherrill, Iowa Alexis was hired as a benefits services representative in the benefits department at Cottingham & Butler. Kathleen (Wellman) Herber ’12, ’15M Dubuque, Iowa Kathleen was promoted to vice president of tri-states market at Tag Communications. She has been serving as market director for the past two years growing and managing account relationships from the firm's Dubuque office. Kylee Miller ’12 Rockford, Ill. Kylee graduated from Valparaiso University Law School in May 2015.
BIRTHS Kelly (Wagner) Hart ’03 and Nick, girl, Dubuque, Iowa Amanda (Brauer) Coakley ’06D and Bill, girl, Dubuque, Iowa Melissa (Dean) Cullum ’06 and Jason, Gianna Louise, Cedar Rapids, Iowa Morgan (Ehlers) Dillon ’06 and Ryan ’06, Eleanor and Donovan, Denver, Colo. Andrea (Ternes) Mikulice ’06 and Matt '06, Zelda Louise, Dubuque, Iowa Chelsea (Theisen) Beckman ’07 and Brian, boy, Dubuque, Iowa
Evan (Stickfort) Ventris ’12 Holy Cross, Iowa Evan’s painting, “Rainy Day” was selected for the Rock Island Art Guild Fine Arts Exhibition at the Figge Museum, in Davenport, Iowa. He creates landscapes painted in traditional oil painting on panel. Most of his paintings draw from his immediate surroundings in northeast Iowa. He works in a home studio, in Holy Cross. Christy (Zeimet) Atkinson ’13M Dubuque, Iowa Christy was selected as the AndersonWeber Toyota Scion Lincoln December Teacher of the Month. Mollie Calvert ’15 Rockford, Ill. Mollie was hired as an account service representative in the risk management department at Cottingham & Butler. Brittani Olinger ’15 Strawberry Point, Iowa Brittani was hired as the accountant for the Community Foundation of Greater Dubuque. She manages $70M in funds held at the Foundation. She also has responsibilities in human resources, payroll and accounts payable.
Ashley (Wyatt) Falkos ’07 and Chad, Ella Rose, Streamwood, Ill. Meg (Rickels) Raeder ’07 and Tyler, girl, Dubuque, Iowa Erin (Wegner) Barsema ’08 and Michael, Ethan Charles, La Motte, Iowa Stacy (Rollins) Duran-Veras ’08 and Irving '08, girl, Dubuque, Iowa Michael Vorwald ’08 and Stacey, girl, Peosta, Iowa Paul Schroeder ’09 and Kristin, boy, Dubuque, Iowa Taylor (Kellogg) Cummings ’10 and Shawn, girl, Bellevue, Iowa
Dan Spain ’10 and Jessica, Grady Joseph, Delmar, Iowa Lynn (Delaney) DeMaio ’12M and Chris ’04, boy, Dubuque, Iowa Veronica (Stierman) Gregory ’12 and Andrew, girl, Dubuque, Iowa David Myers ’12M and Courtney, boy, Dubuque, Iowa
KEEP UP with Clarke! LIKE THE ALUMNI FACEBOOK PAGE FACEBOOK.COM/CLARKEALUMNI JOIN OUR NETWORK ON LINKEDIN SEARCH “CLARKE UNIVERSITY ALUMNI NETWORK” VIEW PHOTOS ON FLICKR CLARKE.EDU/FLICKR/ALUMNI
Nicole (Heiderscheit) Breitbach ’15M and Tyler, Dylan Margaret, Dubuque, Iowa
VIEW VIDEOS ON VIMEO VIMEO.COM/CLARKEUNIVERSITY
Aaron Ricks ’15M and Amy, girl, Asbury, Iowa
IN MEMORY Irene (Lawler) Hogan ’45 Joan (Biechler) Schneider ’46 Agnes (Kamper) King ’48 Rosemary (Eversman) Heaney ’49 Joan (Hogan) Schaefer ’49 Ellen Clewell ’51 Bonnie (Haberer) Schnell ’52 Rita (Kolfenbach) Purcell ’55 Margaret (Crane) Lyons ’59 Beverly Baum ’63 Sarah Braig, BVM ’65 Sue (Kreiser) Munno ’65 Eileen (Williams) Peterson ’65 Judith (Johns) Wall ’66 Suzanne (Diers) Blouin ’67 Janet (Thiel) Marxen ’67 Kathleen (Kelly) McGuinness ’68 Linda (Clark) Osterkamp ’81 Terry Green ’85M Beth Otting ’86 Steve Zieser ’92 Bob Peacock ’95 Mary (Sebben) Baumhover ’96 Freddy Miranda Jordan ’02
SHARE YOUR JOY:
SUBMIT A CLASS NOTE YOUR LIFE IS FULL OF AMAZING HAPPENINGS – AND WE LOVE TO SHARE IN YOUR JOY! Share your updates with us for inclusion in the magazine by emailing alumnirelations@clarke.edu or online at clarke.edu/alumni. (Don’t forget to send pictures!)
LECTURE ON THEOLOGY AND EVOLUTION HIGHLIGHTS SPRING SCHEDULE A diverse range of interesting speakers were invited to campus this spring. Our community learned from a distinguished research professor from Georgetown University who lectured on “Evolution and Faith: What is at Stake?” as well as the founder of Krochet Kids, Intl., who talked about sustainable employment and empowerment of women in Peru and Uganda, and several others.
DR. JOHN HAUGHT
SCHEMMEL ENDOWED LECTURE IN THEOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
Jansen Music Hall was packed to capacity on February 11 for Dr. John Haught’s Schemmel Endowed Lecture in Theology and Evolution titled, “Evolution and Faith: What is at Stake?” In his oftentimes humorous lecture (his definition of a theologian: someone who doesn’t make much money, but at least knows why) Haught told the audience that many people can’t reconcile creation and evolution, believing that you have to make a choice of one or the other. However, he illustrated various ways in which we can integrate religious and scientific views. The one he favors is to envision the billions of years of the history of the universe as an unfolding drama.
He also answered his own question as to what is at stake: The existence of a creator; the goodness of creation; human identity; the meaning of Christ; the scope of redemption; divine providence; and wisdom. The argument is made that if God created the universe, why isn’t it perfect? He answered this by saying the “God of Promise” is the ultimate explanation of the universe. “An originally perfect creation is theologically inconceivable,” Haught said. He added that a perfect world would not be distinct from God and that a world without evil and suffering would be a world without a future, a world without freedom and a world without life. Haught’s area of specialization is systematic theology, with a particular interest in issues pertaining to science, cosmology, evolution, ecology and religion. He has authored 20 books and numerous articles and reviews. He lectures internationally on many issues related to science and religion. PAGE 26
DR. DONNA FLEMMING EWY ’86 MACKIN-MAILANDER ALUMNI LECTURE
Dr. Donna Ewy ’86 presented the Mackin-Mailander Alumni Lecture on Healthcare and the Common Good on Feb. 28.
Ewy, the medical director for the newly formed Department of Geriatrics at Via Christi Clinic in Wichita, Kan., asked the Jansen Music Hall audience, “To what degree are we obliged to care for the neediest among us?” Ewy said the key is not to think of taking care of the neediest among us as an “obligation.” She said, “We flourish as humans ourselves if it is our mission to care for the neediest. If we approach our work as our ministry, we will be so much more successful.” Ewy also discussed the issue of the lack of preventive care for those without insurance. The uninsured tend to use emergency care service for primary care and chronic illness treatment, which drives up the cost of healthcare for everyone. “Providing appropriate medical care at the right place and at the right time respects human dignity, contributes to human flourishing, and is more cost effective for society,” she concluded. Ewy graduated from Clarke with majors in math and elementary education. After teaching at St. Columbkille in Dubuque for four years, she attended medical school at the University of Kansas, graduating in 1994. She is a fellow of the American Academy of Family Physicians and is in the process of completing a master’s degree in theology.
CLARKE | THE MAGAZINE OF CLARKE UNIVERSITY
DR. PATRICIA PARKER
KOHL CRECELIUS
Dr. Patricia Parker spoke on “Disease Ecology and Biogeography: Galapagos Birds and their Parasites” at the Mary Murphy, BVM, Endowed Lecture in Biology on March 8 in Jansen Music Hall.
Kohl Crecelius, CEO and co-founder of Krochet Kids Intl., presented the Mackin-Mailander Featured Lecture on March 13 in Jansen Music Hall.
MARY MURPHY, BVM, ENDOWED LECTURE IN BIOLOGY
Parker is currently the Des Lee Professor of Zoological Studies at the University of Missouri-St. Louis and discussed her research in the Galapagos in 2001 and 2002. Parker led a collaborative effort between the University of Missouri-St.Louis, the St. Louis Zoo, and two institutions in Galapagos, the Galapagos National Park and the Charles Darwin Foundation. She discussed her work in attempting to understand the threats posed to Galapagos endemic birds by the arrival of new pathogens. “Our goal is to keep Galapagos, where there have been zero extinctions of endemic birds, from following the same sad fate as the Hawaiian Islands, where a large proportion of the endemic birds have gone extinct due to the arrival of the avian malarial parasite and the avian pox virus,” Parker said. “We have documented that both of these infectious agents exist in Galapagos now, and we are trying to understand what opportunities exist for interventions to keep the islands the model for wildlife conservation that they have been for 60 years.” Parker also has an appointment at the St. Louis Zoo as senior scientist.
MACKIN-MAILANDER FEATURED LECTURE
Crecelius and his team of close friends – Travis, Stewart, and Adam – are on a mission to revolutionize what it means to do business and to do good. As college students in 2007, they founded Krochet Kids intl. (KKi) – a non-profit lifestyle brand focused on empowering communities and engaging customers to make a sustainable impact on global poverty. Based in California, KKi employs more than 100 people in northern Uganda through the production of their handmade headwear and fashion accessories; they have recently started a new program in Peru. Their work connects the producer with the customer through a hand-signed label that accompanies every product. Crecelius' older brother taught him how to crochet in high school, and soon, he began teaching his friends to make hats. Dubbed the "Krochet Kids" by their local newspaper, the friends began selling hats. Inspired by Stewart's summer trip to Uganda during college, the trio decided to teach crocheting to displaced Ugandan women. Selling their creations releases them from the bondage of government camps. Today, through this simple skill, the women can provide for their families and gain economic independence. KKi’s mission is to provide quality, handmade products that not only bring comfort and style, but serve as a vehicle for social change. Their slogan of, "Buy a hat. Change a Life," embodies the difference we can all make through a small act. PAGE 27
FOUR FACULTY MEMBERS TO RETIRE Four long-time faculty members will retire at the end of the spring semester. Gary Arms, Alice Griswold, Diana Russo and George Towfic combined to provide Clarke with more than 70 years of devoted service.
GARY ARMS, Ph.D.
DIANA RUSSO, Ph.D.
Professor of English, 23 years
Associate Professor of Communication, 20 years
“I love Clarke. I believe the people at Clarke, my friends and colleagues, so many students, have shaped me in a thousand positive ways. When I was hired in 1992, Clarke was very much a BVM college. I cannot fully express what an effect on me my BVM friends have had, or the people I have worked most closely with in my department – Ann Pelelo, Anna Kelley, Katie Fischer, Pat Nolan, Sara McAlpin and Evelyn Nadeau. When I think of other friends and students, people I have known for years, well, for me, Clarke has been inspiring. I have had fun here. People have showered me with love and kindness. I have never worked around so many fine human beings. When I think of Clarke, one word springs to mind: Thanks. “Retirement – hmm. I never took a sabbatical in all my years at Clarke, and in a way I think of retirement as my sabbatical. I want to explore a few things.”
ALICE GRISWOLD, MBA Associate Professor of Business, 17 years “Clarke was a great place to teach and learn over the past 17 years – I never really thought of it as a job. There is a unique atmosphere at Clarke that allows for closeness between students, faculty, staff and administrators. It is a warm and caring place where everyone feels like they belong to a larger family. Mostly, I will miss the interaction with students in and out of the classroom – they never cease to amaze me with their observations about life and their insights. “I plan to travel abroad and in the U.S., enjoy oceans and lakes whenever possible, read, do yoga, and spend more time with family - especially my five grandchildren.” PAGE 28
“What I enjoyed most at Clarke was working closely with students on the student magazine and newspaper. There were many late nights and long weekends and many great students. Several of whom won national awards for their work and went on to careers in journalism. I will also miss the wonderful Clarke faculty. In retirement, I plan to teach part time, do editing work and free-lance writing, and continue my volunteer work at elementary schools. I would be happy to receive updates from former students: dianarussoic@gmail.com.”
GEORGE TOWFIC, Ph.D. Professor of Computer Science, 16 years “During my 16 years at Clarke, I enjoyed working in an educational institute where academic directors, faculty and staff support are a phone call or an email away. Having taught in two big Michigan universities, I learned not to take this for granted. “I am most impressed with our wonderful students. For me, Clarke students are the type of students who are full of love, respect and the desire to be challenged. It really makes me happy being able to keep in touch with my current and former students through Linkedin. “With my wife (Samira, who retired last year) staying next to my office for 10 years, Clarke has been literally a second home for me. After retirement, I will spend more time fulfilling my two major hobbies: research and travel. I am already arranging with two of my previous students and clinical research collaborators to continue working on a medical research project. My two children and their wives in Boston and a grandson due soon will definitely keep me on the road for a while.”
THE BACK PAGE A L OOK AT YES T ER DAY AN D TODAY
2011 HALL OF FAME INDUCTEES
Jenni Christopher ’05, Keith Sanders ’91 Chad Schockemoehl ’97, and Jill (Christopher) Kalvig ’98 (Not pictured: Catherine Dunn, BVM, Ph.D.)
2015 HALL OF FAME INDUCTEES
The Clarke University Athletics Hall of Fame recognizes student-athletes, coaches and contributors who have demonstrated extraordinary performance and achievements. Since 2011 there have been 23 inductees, in the Hall of Fame. To see a complete list of Clarke University’s Athletics Hall of Fame members or to nominate someone for this year’s class, visit www.clarkecrusaders.com/halloffame.
Front Row: Whitney Smith-Bringolf ’97 and Trish LoVerde ’05 Back Row: Rick Arrington, Jay Harris ’03 and Jon Cochrane ’01
PAGE 29
1550 Clarke Drive Dubuque, Iowa 52001-3198
C L AR K E . ED U / H O M E C O M IN G
Save THE
Date
CLARKE
2016 HOMECOMING WEEKEND SEPTEMBER 30-OCTOBER 2, 2016