FALL 2015
THE MAGAZINE OF CLARKE UNIVERSITY
CLARKE COMPASS LEARNING EXPERIENCE P.2 LIBERAL ARTS EDUCATION P. 16
Dear Alumni and Friends, I hope the summer months brought you sunshine, time with family and friends and an adventure or two. Summer at Clarke was a nice change of pace with summer classes, kids camps and campus enhancement projects but is quickly coming to an end as we prepare for our 173rd academic year. Skepticism about the value of a college education and especially the value of a liberal arts education has grown shriller in recent years. News outlets, political pundits, federal and state legislators and bloggers of all stripes have painted the liberal arts as unnecessary, even wasteful, educational pursuits. I agree that college should prepare students for the world of work but I cringe when I hear a college education reduced to a simple ROI equation. In this issue of Clarke Magazine, we explore the value of the liberal arts in the contemporary workplace on page 16. At Clarke, we readily embrace the career-readiness component of our mission but we resist the diminishment of our mission to that single focus. We believe with equal fervor in the life-readiness aspects of the college experience. Life and career readiness are two sides of the same coin and intertwine to prepare graduates who will be caring, productive and fulfilled members of their family, society and church. It is our aim to help today’s college student make better connections between these two interdependent goals and to understand more fully how the many and varied pursuits undertaken during their time at Clarke support both goals. To this end, we will launch Clarke Compass this fall. Compass is designed to assist students to draw upon what they learn in their academic, co-curricular and extracurricular endeavors while at Clarke to satisfy eight interconnected career- and life-ready outcomes. Compass will guide students throughout their undergraduate years to discover themselves, their passion and their unique path. Read more about Compass on page 2. In May, we conferred undergraduate and graduate degrees to 315 women and men with whom we have journeyed for two, four and even six years. We know them as well as the faculty and staff knew you when you were a student. We have the same high expectations of today’s students as those faculty and staff members had of you. Clarke’s newest alumni are better writers, thinkers, communicators and collaborators, teachers, entrepreneurs, healthcare providers and artists because of their experiences at Clarke University. When you encounter these newest alumni at future Clarke alumni events, you will find a connection with them that is rooted in your shared Clarke experience. I invite you to enjoy the story and photos from Commencement weekend on page 12. I also encourage you to take us up on our invitation to attend a Clarke event at a location near you. Enjoy this issue of the Clarke Magazine and reading about the many new and exciting things happening on campus. If this is a fifth-year (10, 25 … 50) anniversary for you, we would love to show you firsthand all that is happening at Homecoming. We thank you, our treasured alumni and friends, for your continued care and support. Without your prayers and generosity, we could not deliver on our promise to prepare career- and life-ready graduates who are leaders at work, at home and in their churches and communities. Sincerely,
Joanne M. Burrows, SC, Ph.D. President
TABLE OF CONTENTS | FALL 2015
IN THIS ISSUE CLARKE: THE MAGAZINE OF CLARKE UNIVERSITY is published three times a year for alumni, parents and friends of Clarke University. Joanne M. Burrows, SC, Ph.D. President
ON THE COVER: CLARKE COMPASS LEARNING EXPERIENCE.......................................... 2
ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT.....................................................................................................................5 CLARKE UNIVERSITY GRANTS......................................................................................................6
Bill Biebuyck Vice President for Institutional Advancement Courtney Leonard Executive Director of Development Alissa Riegler Associate Director of Alumni Relations Gwen Hayes ’07 Assistant Director of Annual Funds Ken Brown Executive Director of Marketing and Communication
UNDER THE MICROSCOPE...........................................................................................................8
Gayle Langel ’08 Director of Creative Services
NEW CONFERENCE, NEW COACHES...........................................................................................10
Susan Cain Copywriter
FRANCIS J. O'CONNOR WINNERS: WHERE ARE THEY NOW?........................................................13 BY THE NUMBERS.....................................................................................................................15
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
FEATURE STORY: LIBERAL ARTS EDUCATION...........................16
HOMECOMING SCHEDULE.........................................................................................................18 ALUMNI NEWS AND NOTES .......................................................................................................23
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.
PAGE 1
INTRODUCING THE
CLARKE COMPASS LEARNING EXPERIENCE
start here.
PAGE 2
CLARKE | THE MAGAZINE OF CLARKE UNIVERSITY
Clarke University recognizes the need to equip today’s sophisticated students with professional skills and an understanding of their role in their community and the world, no matter their careers or paths. With this in mind, Clarke University introduces a new way of learning called the Clarke Compass. Compass guides students as they integrate the liberal arts, general education, experiential learning, major courses of study, co-curricular offerings and the BVM Core Values to become career- and life-ready graduates who serve the Common Good. Compass builds upon the University’s mission and values to help students gain a unique understanding of the Common Good, calling them to be active agents in the social issues of their time and take part in making a difference in the world.
have learned so much about myself during my time here at Clarke. I’m excited for this new opportunity to highlight my accomplishments, both inside and outside the classroom, and add them to my resume.” In practical terms, Compass means that as a requirement of graduation, students will complete not only their general education and major courses, but they will be required to fulfill each of the eight requirements that comprise Compass: Spiritual Growth, Communication, Critical Thinking, Integration of Knowledge, Intercultural Engagement, Leadership, Professional Preparedness and Self Sufficiency. “Our students experience so much learning both in lecture and in hands-on, real-world experiences,” said B’Ann Dittmar, director of graduate business studies and Compass committee member. “Compass helps them tangibly track their distinctive ventures, such as being a leader in a student organization or athletic team, completing an internship or clinical experience, studying abroad, participating in a mission trip or attending luncheons and presentations hosted by local business professionals.”
Compass encourages students to discover themselves, their passion and their unique path. Through coursework and internships as well as service, travel and leadership opportunities, students choose experiences that help them make the most of their time at Clarke. Clarke senior Allison Smith (on the cover of this issue) perfectly represents a well-rounded Compass student. She majors in accounting and finance and continually maintains her standing on the Dean’s List. “I have completed internships and hold the record for the Clarke indoor and outdoor high jump on the Crusaders track and field team,” Smith said. “I also had the opportunity to study abroad in Ireland and England. I
Upon graduation, Compass students will not only have an academic transcript documenting their classes, but also a co-curricular record of their engagement experiences during their time at Clarke. This record will allow students to communicate with prospective employers and graduate schools about their holistic college experience. “Over the past three years, many faculty and staff have worked diligently and successfully to develop this distinctive experience for our students,” said Vice President for Academic Affairs Susan Burns. “Their commitment and vision in developing an integrative experience for our students that is rooted in our mission and core values with the Common Good as a center point to the Clarke University undergraduate experience is noteworthy.” Clarke recently hired its director of compass and career services, Kari Vize, who will work closely with faculty, staff and students to coordinate and approve experiences
PAGE 3
that meet Compass requirements and guide students toward career preparation. She will also be integral in implementing the software program that students will utilize to track their Compass journey. “The launch of the Clarke Compass allows me to use my skills and experience to help create an individualized and fulfilling learning opportunity for students, preparing them to meet the challenges of a career and, at the same time, to understand their role in being engaged with their community and the responsibilities they have to society,” Vize said. Completion of Compass will be a graduation requirement starting with the class of 2019.
For more information about The Clarke Compass, visit clarke.edu/magazine.
MEET THE COMPASS STAFF Kari Vize Director of Compass and Career Services Kari Vize comes to Clarke from Black Hawk College in Moline, Ill., where she served as the Student Success Center director and director of TRiO Student Support Services. Vize worked with staff and students to support student success, retention and degree completion. She also aided students in career exploration and planning. Vize has a master’s degree in social work from the University of Iowa and worked in many capacities in the human services field for over 20 years prior to working in higher education. Becky Herrig, ’84M Career Counselor
PAGE 4
Becky holds leadership roles in the private and public sectors and has more than 30 years of teaching experience. She received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Loras College and a Master of Arts from Clarke University. Becky also serves on the Clarke Alumni Board.
COMPASS OUTCOMES
Just like the eight directional sides of a compass, the Clarke Compass has eight outcomes as well. SPIRITUAL GROWTH Students will discover a spiritual center that guides them in respecting and understanding self and other, as rooted in the BVM tradition and practices of Catholic social teaching. COMMUNICATION Students will strengthen and expand their reading, writing, listening and oral expression skills in individual, collaborative and technological settings. CRITICAL THINKING Students will engage in critical and creative inquiry that leads to informed, researched and ethical judgments. INTEGRATION OF KNOWLEDGE Students will connect ideas across the disciplines as they seek solutions to local, national and global problems. INTERCULTURAL ENGAGEMENT Students will collaborate and interact meaningfully in diverse, realworld experiences that enrich their understanding of others’ perspectives and impact the Common Good. LEADERSHIP Students will lead and serve others in the classroom, on campus and in realworld contexts as they help shape the Common Good. PROFESSIONAL PREPAREDNESS Students will apply knowledge and skills in career experiences that set them apart from other graduates. SELF-SUFFICIENCY Students will acquire life-management skills that help them adapt and achieve in a rapidly changing world.
CLARKE | THE MAGAZINE OF CLARKE UNIVERSITY
i n m u l A “I am forever grateful for how Clarke fostered our love for each other and brought us to get married,” she said. “Even though Kyle is not with me anymore, I still have our three beautiful children to cherish and love. I wanted to support Clarke in his honor, so I established a scholarship in his name.” After Molly graduated from Clarke, she taught for a few years and then decided to stay home with her three children. When her children started school, she knew it was the perfect time to launch her own business called Challenge to Change Inc.
MOLLY (JUNK) ANDERSEN SCHREIBER ’99 DEGREE: BA IN ELEMENTARY EDUCATION AND MS IN READING SPECIALTY CURRENT POSITION: OWNER OF CHALLENGE TO CHANGE INC. CITY AND STATE: DUBUQUE, IOWA
Molly was able to do something not all of us get to do – she turned her passion into a career. Prior to owning her own business, she studied elementary education, sang in the choir and worked in the bookstore at Clarke. Molly has always held Clarke near and dear to her heart. It was there where she found her love for reading and writing, which in turn led to her writing and publishing a book. It was also where she met her late husband, Kyle Andersen ’98.
Through Challenge to Change, Molly teaches group fitness, yoga classes, personal training, online training videos and coaching. She also teaches yoga classes for kids. It was these children’s classes that inspired Molly to write a children’s book called, “Sadie Loves Yoga.” “I could never find a children’s book that explained the benefits of yoga in a way they could understand. So, I decided that I would just write that book,” said Molly. “The book is about a young girl who comes to find herself and happiness through the benefits of yoga. The main character in the book, Sadie, was inspired by my three young children, Maggie, Jacob and Maria.” Last May, Molly’s impact was stretched even further as she served on the planning committee for the first-ever Dubuque Yoga Festival. “It was an amazing experience to watch the festival grow from an idea to an actual event,” said Molly. “I am so excited for next year’s festival. Until then, Namaste!”
Our alumni are making an impact around the world. To view more stories, visit clarke.edu/magazine. PAGE 5
GRANTS C L ARKE U N I VERS ITY
Clarke grants include $1.9 million for nursing program
Clarke University received a $1.9 million grant that will help the Clarke Doctor of Nursing Practitioner (DNP) program develop advanced practice nurses who are greatly needed to serve in rural and other underserved areas. The Advanced Nursing Education Grant provided by the Health Resources and Services Administration has awarded Clarke $686,288 for the first year of the program, $697,413 for the program’s second year and $514,725 for the third year. Clarke has both a Family Nursing Practitioner and a Nursing Education and Organizational Leadership concentration in its three-year DNP program. “This grant will be used to expand our teaching resources as our DNP program grows,” said Carmen Wycoff, Clarke Assistant Professor of Nursing. “The grant specifies technology resources, faculty and staff members to be added to the Nursing Department. With these added resources, we will develop the Preceptor Consortium that will help develop preceptors in rural and underserved areas to train advanced practice nurses to provide care based on the specific needs of citizens in those communities.” The vast majority of Iowa is classified as Medically Underserved Areas and many Iowans live in federally designated Health Professional Shortage Areas. While advanced practice nurses could improve access and quality in this area, there are two key barriers present. First is the need to increase the number of relevant clinical sites with qualified and willing preceptors and the second is the need for more doctorally prepared faculty in nursing programs. This grant proposes to address both of these barriers by forming a Preceptor Consortium that will develop new practice sites and preceptors, provide nursing faculty as mentors to preceptors, enhance opportunities for preceptor, faculty and student communication and provide high quality education to DNP students. PAGE 6
Three measurable objectives will be accomplished by Clarke over a three-year period beginning in summer 2015: ˯˯ Recruit and train a consortium of 24 preceptors from rural and urban areas to provide on-going mentoring and communication among university faculty and preceptors for the Clarke DNP program. ˯˯ Engage seven faculty members delivering DNP didactic and clinical courses to share pedagogical skills and teaching expertise with 24 preceptors to advanced student clinical competencies. ˯˯ Provide technology, equipment and supplies to enrich 12 selected courses where students develop clinical competencies and/or content related to rural and underserved populations. The project will be led by Wycoff. She will work with seven members of the Clarke graduate nursing faculty including six doctorally prepared faculty members and one Master of Science in Nursing - Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner who serves as clinical coordinator. Two new clinical sites in rural or underserved areas will be added in fall 2015 to a growing list of 118 current sites with about 38% in rural or underserved areas.
THEATRE ON TOUR
Clarke University's popular Theatre on Tour received a big boost from the city of Dubuque Arts & Cultural Affairs Advisory Commission.
CLARKE | THE MAGAZINE OF CLARKE UNIVERSITY
After reviewing, the commission recommended Clarke’s Theatre on Tour as one of five submissions to be fully funded. Based on the commission’s recommendation, the Dubuque City Council approved $4,350 for Clarke’s spring 2016 tour.
risk screening and conditioning. Typically, 90 percent (54 per term) of clients are ambulatory, so falls are a concern for the majority of the program's clients.
The Clarke University Drama Department will produce a children's musical titled “Elephant and Piggie's We Are in a Play,” (Script and Lyrics by Mo Willems, Music by Deborah Wicks La Puma). The production will involve a live pianist and a cast of five characters. It will be presented to about 16 public and parochial elementary schools in the tri-state area beginning in March 2016 and continuing until the first week in May at no cost to students or teachers. This lively and interactive musical introduces live theater and music to young audiences, and, as it is based on the author's numerous awardwinning books for children, stresses the importance of reading to young children.
Clarke University received a $3,500 grant from the Iowa Department of Natural Resources to present an Environmental Film Series during the 2015-16 academic year.
GERIATRIC WELLNESS PROGRAM
Clarke University received a $10,000 grant from the Mercy Foundation for its Geriatric Wellness Program. Funding will be used to purchase general supplies needed for the program, a Biodex SD Balance System and supervision of students by a licensed physical therapist.
ENVIRONMENTAL FILM SERIES
The Iowa DNR REAP-CEP grant will help Clarke introduce its new Environmental Studies major. In September, October, November, January, February and April, Clarke will show films to students and the public that address an environmental issue impacting us today. Each film will feature a community partner who will lead a group discussion following the film. Partners will showcase their services and be available as a resource to those attending. Each session will be followed up with a “call to action.” The last film session in April will be unique in that students, families and community members will create their own environmental film. Winners of this film contest will be able to present their video and ideas to others and make their own call to action.
JOIN US FOR THESE ENVIRONMENTAL FILMS: Thursday, September 3 | 7 p.m.
FOOD CHAINS
COMMUNITY PARTNER DUBUQUE FOOD CO-OP
Thursday, October 8 | 7 p.m.
CHASING ICE
COMMUNITY PARTNER GREEN DUBUQUE
In 2001, the Clarke University Physical Therapy Department began a pro bono geriatric wellness program providing free direct-service to geriatric clients that serves 120 clients annually. First- and second-year doctoral physical therapy (DPT) students work under the supervision of a faculty member to provide direct service to clients as part of their course work. Clients receive oneon-one service twice per week for 13 weeks, with sessions lasting 45 to 60 minutes. The goal of this project is to enhance the fall prevention component in the geriatric wellness program by incorporating the use of up-to-date technology for fall-
Thursday, November 12 | 7 p.m.
THE CLEAN BIN PROJECT
COMMUNITY PARTNER DUBUQUE METROPOLITAN AREA SOLID WASTE ASSOCIATION
Thursday, January 14 | 6:30 p.m.
THE LORAX
COMMUNITY PARTNER DUBUQUE COUNTY CONSERVATION BOARD
Thursday, February 25 | 7 p.m.
LAST CALL AT THE OASIS
COMMUNITY PARTNER NATIONAL MISSISSIPPI RIVER MUSEUM AND AQUARIUM
Thursday, April 7 | 7 p.m.
SHOWING OF TOP SUBMITTED FILMS
PAGE 7
UNDER THE TOP-NOTCH NURSING DEPARTMENT JUST GOT ANOTHER BOOST The Dubuque Racing Association has awarded Clarke University a $10,000 grant toward the purchase of a nursing simulation device.
muscles, fascia and bones). The system and anatomical viewer will be used in initial training for new nursing students, as well as skill sustainment for advanced students. “The challenges facing nursing education in the 21st century are numerous,” said Jan Lee, professor and chair of the Clarke Nursing Department. “Colleges of nursing are faced with increasing enrollments while clinical placement sites are declining, knowledge to be obtained by the learner has exploded and the severe nursing shortage continues. Although simulation cannot replace actual clinical practice, it is a valuable tool for creating realism before performing hands-on skills during patient care. Accessing a vein on an infant compared to an 80-year-old patient requires different approaches! The use of simulation enables nursing students to practice essential skills in an environment that allows for errors and professional growth without risking patient safety.”
Clarke nursing student Anna Herber ’17 uses the nursing simulation device that helps teach accurate insertion of intravenous needles in a diverse range of patients. The simulator will provide quality educational opportunities for nursing students as they develop the necessary skills to accurately insert intravenous needles in a diverse range of patients. Laerdal's Virtual IV graphics provide visual realism, while a state-of-the-art force feedback device accurately simulates the sense of touch for a truly immersive experience. The Anatomical Viewer allows the student to reposition the arm and isolate particular anatomical features (i.e. skin, nerves, arteries, PAGE 8
This equipment will directly benefit current and future nursing students from Dubuque County and the nearby counties in northeast Iowa, northwest Illinois and southwest Wisconsin. Nearly 100 BSN students will use the proposed simulation technology each year during their initial training and later as they continue practicing with the self-directed learning system. Thirteen or more DNP-NEOL students will use the technology in a course in Clinical Education for Health Professions that specifically addresses the use of simulation in learning. The new equipment was installed in the Nursing Department computer laboratory in June. Faculty were trained this summer using the simulation technology and then prepared course assignments. Faculty will develop a
WAY BACK WHEN
75 schedule of practice times for students to sustain skills at their own pace. Junior level students are introduced to this skill in the fall semester and remediate as necessary. The implementation of Laerdal's Virtual IV will allow students the opportunity to perfect this skill and be better prepared for the clinical setting. Clarke's Department of Nursing is the largest department on campus with 234 undergraduates and 61 graduate students enrolled in the DNP-Family Nurse Practitioner program and 9 in the new DNP-Nurse Educator/Organizational Leadership program. This project will assist Clarke University in educating highly qualified nurses, many of whom will practice in the tri-state area. More than 520 BSN graduates since 2005 live and work within 100 miles of Dubuque with over 70 percent of these in Iowa. “This project will enable Clarke to continue offering outstanding nursing programs and help meet workforce needs as almost 50 percent of the Iowa nursing workforce retires in the next 10 to 15 years,” Lee said. “Last and most important, the patients served by these students will benefit from the competent care of skilled nurses when they are ill and stressed.”
YEARS AGO
LARGE INFLUX FILLS ROSTER TO CAPACITY Single rooms went double, the dining hall accommodated more tables and class rosters mounted in a capacity enrollment of students from Iowa to China which claimed the college for another year. A dormitory expansion was adapted to meet the needs of a larger body of returning upperclassmen and resident freshman who arrived before formal opening for a two-day orientation program.
50 YEARS AGO
NEW DORM AND SCIENCE HALL ADD DIMENSIONS The streamlined dormitory, West Hall, and the curved scienceclassroom building, East Hall, are located at opposite ends of the campus, while the new power house is constructed on back campus. All three buildings are of modern design executed in brick. Ten faculty members and 217 students claim they live in luxury in the well-planned, spacious rooms of West Hall.
25 YEARS AGO
ADULT STUDENTS GET NEW LOUNGE A new lounge for non-traditional age students has been established in room 130 Catherine Byrne Hall replacing the old lounge which has become too small. The new room is more than twice the size of the old area and has several long tables and chairs, individual study desks and a conversation area furnished with sofas and easy chairs. The kitchen has a refrigerator, microwave oven, sink, coffee maker and cabinets. There are also storage units and mailboxes. A telephone will be installed soon.
Thank You FOR YOUR SUPPORT! The 2014-15 Year In Review is available online at clarke.edu/annualreport.
10 YEARS AGO
WIRELESS WOES CAUSED BY STUDENT USE OF ROUTERS If you have a laptop here with you at Clarke, chances are you use the wireless network to access the Internet to do normal tasks such as checking email, researching online and checking Facebook. Many times there are issues using the wireless network. Often, the connection appears slow and is quite frustrating. A major reason for having poor signal is that personal routers are blocking the signal of the school’s network.
NEW CONFERENCE, NEW COACHES FOR CLARKE There was plenty of exciting athletics news during the spring semester and into the summer.
NEW CONFERENCE
Clarke University will join the Heart of America Athletic Conference (HAAC) beginning in 2016. Clarke's application to the HAAC was approved in April by a vote of the league's Council of Presidents.
Clarke's membership in the Midwest Collegiate Conference ended at the completion of the spring 2015 season when the league disbanded. During the 2015-16 season, Clarke will compete as a member of the NAIA's Association of Independent Institutions. Clarke’s first men’s and women’s lacrosse teams will begin play in the spring of 2016 in the Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference (KCAC).
NEW COACHES
"We look forward to our affiliation with quality institutions in an expanding geographic presence," said Clarke Director of Athletics Curt Long. "The Heart of America Conference has a tradition of strong competition and will allow us scheduling opportunities for all of our sports." The Heart of America Athletic Conference currently consists of 10 National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics members: ˯˯ ˯˯ ˯˯ ˯˯ ˯˯ ˯˯ ˯˯ ˯˯ ˯˯ ˯˯
Avila University of Kansas City, Mo. Baker University, of Baldwin City, Kan. Benedictine College, of Atchison, Kan. Central Methodist University, of Fayette, Mo. Culver-Stockton College, of Canton, Mo. Evangel University, of Springfield, Mo. Graceland University of Lamoni, Iowa MidAmerica Nazarene University, of Olathe, Kan. Missouri Valley College, of Marshall, Mo. Peru State College, of Peru, Neb.
Current Midwest Collegiate Conference members Grand View University of Des Moines, Iowa, William Penn University of Oskaloosa, Iowa and Mount Mercy, of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, will join the HAAC at the start of the 201516 intercollegiate campaign.
PAGE 10 8
Nick Clark has been named the university's new head men's volleyball coach. A native of Carleton, Mich., Clark comes to Clarke from NCAA Division II University of West Alabama, where he served as the assistant women's volleyball coach the past two seasons.
Prior to his stint at West Alabama, Clark spent two seasons as assistant men's volleyball coach at NCAA Division I Pfeiffer University. Pfeiffer went 38-14 overall during that time. The 2012 squad won a school and conference record 21 games en route to regular-season and conference tournament championship. Clarke University set a single-season win mark this past season, going 28-8 overall. The Crusaders were 8-2 in NAIA North Conference action and ranked as high as No. 2 in the NAIA Men's Volleyball poll. Mike Merritt, of Cascade, Iowa, has been named the university's new head women's golf coach. Merritt, a native of Bettendorf, Iowa, was the head girls' golf coach at Cascade High School the past four years. He led the
Cougars to three state tournament appearances. Merritt played collegiate golf at Northeast Missouri State and at the University of Northern Iowa. Brooke Ferguson has been named the new head men's and women's cross country coach. Ferguson will also serve as an assistant coach for track and field.
RECORD-SETTING SEASONS
Both the Clarke baseball and softball teams set records for victories in a season. The baseball team finished 30-23 while the softball team finished 31-21.
TYLER WILLS ‘16 MAKES ATHLETIC HISTORY Clarke University's Tyler Wills ’16 of Galena, Ill., made American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) NAIA men's volleyball history when he became the first athlete to be named a four-time AVCA NAIA All-American. Wills was one of 10 athletes cited by the AVCA NAIA Men's Volleyball AllAmerica Committee.
A native of Laurens, Iowa, Ferguson comes to Clarke from Notre Dame College in South Euclid, Ohio, where she served as the first assistant cross country coach/track and field coach the past two years. She served as the college's interim head cross country and track and field coach last year. Former Clarke assistant coach Mason Tangen has been named the new head coach of the university's men's and women's track and field program. Tangen, a native of Blue Grass, Iowa, served as an assistant track and field coach-throws coach at Clarke the past two seasons. Tangen previously served as a graduate assistant at Western Illinois University in the athletic department/compliance office and as assistant track and field coach-assistant throws.
This year's team, the sixth AVCA Men's NAIA All-America Team, features six seniors, three sophomores and one freshman. This class of distinguished individuals includes five outside hitters, two middle blockers, two setters and one libero. Wills, a 6-6 outside hitter, led this year's 28-8 Crusaders in kills (524), kills per set (4.0) and service aces (44). He finished his career ranked second in kills (1,498) and owned school marks for career service aces (151) and attack attempts (3,557).
The Clarke University Athletics Hall of Fame will induct its 2015 class homecoming weekend. Five individuals will be inducted into the Athletics Hall of Fame, which was formed to recognize student-athletes, coaches and contributors who have demonstrated extraordinary performances and achievements in athletics. 2015 CLARKE UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS HALL OF FAME CLASS ˯˯ ˯˯ ˯˯ ˯˯ ˯˯
Rick Arrington Jon Cochrane ’01 Jay Harris ’03 Trish LoVerde ’05 Whitney Smith-Bringolf ’97
PAGE PAGE11 9
DEERE CHAIRMAN GIVES COMMENCEMENT ADDRESS Samuel R. Allen, chairman and chief executive officer of Deere & Company, told the graduates to remember two things during his address at Clarke University’s 172nd Commencement on May. 9 – “carpe diem” and “the how.” Allen said he has a different interpretation of carpe diem than most people. To him, it doesn’t mean “seize the pleasures of the moment,” but rather it is “an injunction to seize the opportunities that come your way. Seize opportunities that will affect your life 10, 20 and even 30 years from now.” Allen described “the how” as simple. “It’s how you do something – honestly, transparently, with integrity. Especially with integrity.” He also received an honorary doctor of humane letters degree at the ceremony. Allen has held his current position as chairman at Deere since 2010. He was named president and chief executive officer in August 2009, and was appointed president and chief operating officer of the company and a member of the Deere & Company Board of Directors in June 2009. Previously, he served as president, Worldwide Construction & Forestry Division, and was responsible for the global operations of John Deere Power Systems. He was also responsible for Deere's intelligent mobile equipment technologies and for Deere's advanced technology and engineering. He has served as a senior officer of the company since 2001, with additional responsibilities in human resources, industrial relations and John Deere Credit's global operations. Since joining John Deere in 1975, Allen has worked in positions of increasing responsibility in the Consumer Products Division, Worldwide Construction & Forestry Division, John Deere Power Systems and the Worldwide Agricultural Division, including managing operations in Latin America, China and East Asia and Australia. He is a 1975 graduate of Purdue University with a bachelor’s degree in industrial management and is a native of Sumter, S.C. Degrees were conferred upon 226 undergraduate candidates and 83 graduate candidates at the May 9 ceremony.
PAGE 12
2015 SPECIAL AWARD
RECIPIENTS FRANCIS J. O’CONNOR MEMORIAL AWARD Adam O’Dell Dubuque, Iowa The most prestigious award bestowed upon a graduating senior, the award is based on demonstrating leadership, cooperation, generosity, kindness and academic achievement. MENEVE DUNHAM AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE IN TEACHING Tim Boffeli Chair and Associate Professor of Psychology The university’s highest award for outstanding teaching, a review committee of faculty and students recommend the selected recipient to the president. ROSE O’TOOLE STAFF RECOGNITION AWARD Curt Long Director of Athletics The award is given annually to acknowledge outstanding achievements that impact institutional success and/or contribute significantly to the mission of Clarke.
Read about what makes this year’s special award recipients noteworthy. Visit clarke.edu/magazine.
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 ANNE (MILES) VYDRA WAS THE AWARD RECIPIENT IN 1965. Tell us about your career. After graduating with a major in English, I joined the strategic marketing team for the supermarket company where I had been a part-time worker throughout high school and college. Eventually I became the communications manager for the company. I wrote everything from training manuals for human resources to press releases for public relations and keynote speeches for eight successive presidents. Along the way, I earned an associate of arts degree in desktop publishing so I could generate documents whose impact was enhanced by graphics. I retired in 2008 after more than 40 years of being a wordsmith who never wrote the same thing twice. What impact did winning the award have on you? No single event, such as the O’Connor Award, has absolutely changed my life, but many events have contributed to my sense of success and survival because they encouraged both selfconfidence and gratitude. How do any of us ever make it through significant challenges like job loss, chronic illness or setbacks of any kind? Likewise, how have we ever celebrated our own lives and those of everyone around us? We have drawn on all the reserves we have ever built and those we’ve been blessed to receive. What is your fondest memory of Clarke? “Memory” suggests something over and done, past, recalled but no longer experienced. In contrast, my fondest thoughts of Clarke live with me still—as a work in progress, an endless wellspring. Fifty years after graduation, my life continues to have purpose and meaning. I can comprehend a poem, appreciate a painting, enjoy a symphony, make a decision, craft an argument, analyze options, celebrate and advocate women’s issues, pay attention to world events, understand friendship, and lots more. Why? Because at the crossroads between my childhood and adulthood, Clarke nudged me in right directions and supported my needs – even those I hardly knew I had.
To view a full list of Francis J. O'Connor Award winners, visit clarke.edu/magazine. PAGE PAGE 13 13 15
FROM THE DESK OF
Bill Biebuyck My mentor told me many years ago, “An organization is not judged so much by what they have, but rather how they maintain and take care of what they have.” I have found this statement to be very true over the years, but it has never been more apparent until I arrived at Clarke. Clarke University’s buildings and grounds are impeccably maintained and preserved. This is of course not by accident. This is an attitude, a culture, a tradition that was woven into the fabric of Clarke many years ago by the BVM Sisters. Often when the time comes for an institution to renovate a building or add a new facility, alumni and friends first examine how the existing facilities were maintained and whether or not they were used to their fullest potential. Once they are convinced the facility has fulfilled its original purpose, they are much more willing to generously invest in the progress a renovation or new construction will bring to the educational community.
MILLION
The new Center for Science Inquiry is a prime example of this type of donor examination and investment. Catherine Byrne Hall continues to be in fine working order; but new technology, teaching methodologies and enrollment growth necessitated a new facility dedicated to the natural science fields. This building expansion also allowed for the former spaces occupied in Catherine Byrne Hall to be repurposed and renovated to accommodate growth in the physical therapy, nursing, and graphic design majors, as well as provide dedicated space for the new food science major. The first phase of the $34 million comprehensive Impact Tomorrow: Campaign for Clarke centered on the construction of the Center for Science Inquiry. The second phase, which totals $6 million, will focus on improving and enhancing the campus life experience for our students. We will expand the Robert and Ruth Kehl Center including the fitness center, lower level locker room facilities and the athletic training space, while also enhancing our outdoor soccer competition field with synthetic turf and the addition of a turf practice field. Similar to the construction of the Center for Science Inquiry, the demand for these campus life improvements is driven by Clarke’s growth and the needs of today’s students. Clarke had 12 varsity sports when the Kehl Center was completed in 1997. We currently have 18 varsity sports comprised of 9 women’s teams and 9 men’s teams. This fall, over 60 percent of the incoming freshman class will participate in varsity athletics. These renovations are critical for Clarke to remain a competitive university among our peer institutions and for our recruitment efforts of future Crusaders. These projects will have a lasting impact on our athletic program while also enhancing the campus life experience for all of our students for many years to come.
Goal: $34 million Total Commitments to Date: $21,555,895
PAGE 14
We look forward to talking with you, our alumni and friends, as we move forward with these exciting plans and seek your support for the future of Clarke University. Thank you so very much. Sincerely,
Bill Biebuyck Vice President for Institutional Advancement
FROM MANY SUPPORTERS COMES
ONE MISSION
Clarke is grateful to have support from many sources. On behalf of the entire university community‌
THANK YOU.
CLARKE UNIVERSITY BY THE NUMBERS 2014-2015 FOUNDATION AND GOVERNMENT GRANTS $1,251,677 was raised from 34 organizations MATCHING GIFTS $55,791 was raised from 53 individuals through 34 matching gift companies ENDOWED SCHOLARSHIPS AND AWARDS $153,778 was raised towards endowed scholarships and awards PARENT GIVING $155,399 was raised from parents of alumni and current students
REVENUE Tuition and Fee Revenue
79.2%
$27,914,452
Government Grants
0.7%
$241,955
Clarke Fund
2.2%
$769,086
Endowment Draw
2.7%
$959,884
Other General Revenue
2.2%
$788,281
13.0%
$4,590,023
TOTAL OPERATING REVENUE
$35,263,681
Auxiliary Revenue
FACULTY AND STAFF GIVING $46,171 was raised from 57 percent of Clarke faculty, faculty emeriti, and staff ALUMNI GIVING 13.8 percent of active alumni participated in a giving program $693,545 was raised from alumni households ESTATE GIFT COMMITMENTS 11 new members of the Mary Frances Clarke Legacy Society
EXPENDITURES Academic Affairs
26.7%
$9,691,076
Financial Aid
27.7%
$10,051,627
ALUMNI EVENTS The Clarke Alumni Association hosted 58 events and connected with 1,270 alumni and friends.
Institutional Support
21.4%
$7,770,716
Student Life and Athletics
6.5%
$2,580,063
Auxiliary Operations
7.1%
$2,064,575
STUDENT SCHOLARSHIPS 329 donor-funded scholarships and awards totaling $347,189 were awarded to Clarke students
Enrollment Management and Marketing
5.7%
$2,068,058
Depreciation
5.7% $2,060,060
DONOR INVESTMENT IN CLARKE Clarke supporters invested $2,613,203 in facility renovations, program and student support, and technology advancements.
TOTAL EXPENDITURES
$36,286,175
The 2014-15 Year In Review is available online at clarke.edu/annualreport.
PAGE 15
VALUE OF A
LIBERAL ARTS EDUCATION IN THE CURRENT MARKET
PAGE 16
CLARKE | THE MAGAZINE OF CLARKE UNIVERSITY
In today’s fast-paced, technological work world, much emphasis is placed on science, technology, engineering and math. Graduates of a liberal arts college such as Clarke University may find themselves asking, what is the value of their liberal arts education? A report recently published by the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) indicates that college seniors who applied for a full-time job and received at least one offer increased by 2 percent in 2014 to nearly 48 percent, thanks to stronger-than-expected job placement for liberal arts degree graduates. In addition, American businesses seek creative thinkers and better communicators in their new hires. The 2015 survey of CEOs by the Association of American Colleges and Universities found that 74 percent said they would recommend a 21st-century liberal education in order to create a more dynamic worker. They recognize the importance of employability skills such as reading, writing, listening, speaking effectively, knowledge of language, critical thinking, problem solving, basic numeracy, information literacy and the capacity to continue to learn for life.
SO WHAT SETS A LIBERAL ARTS DEGREE APART?
A liberal arts education is by nature broad and diverse, rather than narrow and specialized. Choosing courses from many disciplines gives you a well-rounded and useful education. A liberal arts education is not intended to train the student for a specific job, but it does prepare students for the world of work by strengthening their ability to think for themselves, communicate effectively and the capacity for lifelong learning. A liberal arts degree prepares graduates for countless careers. And a liberal arts degree better prepares learners for top graduate and professional schools. The liberal arts serve as a foundation for careers in accounting, business, education, journalism and law. Accounting and business depend on mathematics and economics; education derives from psychology and sociology; journalism requires knowledge of English and history; and law builds upon political science and philosophy.
LIBERAL ARTS AT CLARKE
The liberal arts curriculum at Clarke University sets our graduates apart. Students gain critical thinking and writing skills that are coveted in all professions. Clarke graduates understand the importance of social justice beyond the college campus. They become well-rounded, versatile employees who can work in a field that perhaps has not yet been discovered. Simply put, a liberal arts degree from Clarke ensures our graduates are better in whatever careers are in their futures — even those we can’t yet imagine.
ALUMNI STORY Clarke alumni Kelly Heysinger ‘06, DPT, is the owner of Unified Therapy Services, a pediatric outpatient physical, occupational and speech therapy clinic located in Dubuque. Heysinger feels strongly that her liberal arts degree provided her with the groundwork to become a future business owner in the medical industry. Heysinger graduated three times from Clarke University. She was an undergrad in ’99, earned her master’s degree in physical therapy in ’00 and doctorate in physical therapy in ’06. “My liberal arts degree from Clarke paved the way to my current career. Learning about many different areas helped me discover which areas I wanted to focus my studies. I feel Clarke provided me a strong foundation of core values and the opportunity to grow in my venture into the world of physical therapy,” Heysinger says. “I strive to provide the same core values and sense of tradition to my staff while challenging them to grow in their knowledge base.” Further information can be found on their website www.unifiedtherapy.com or Facebook pages.
AGE 15 PAGE 18
e r u t c Pi self... your There is something for everyone including concerts, athletic events, lectures, special parties and more. Here are just a few of the many events planned for homecoming weekend.
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 2
GOLDEN CELEBRATION | 4:30-9 P.M.
A special reception and dinner for the class of 1965 and previous golden reunion classes with awards presented to the 50th class.
MISSISSIPPI RIVER CRUISE AND HAPPY HOUR | 5-7 P.M.
All aboard! Cruise along the Mississippi River and enjoy complimentary beer and light appetizers on the American Lady Yacht.
SILVER CELEBRATION | 5-7 P.M.
Celebrate your 25th reunion with classmates on the beautiful Mississippi River. Enjoy complimentary appetizers and beer on the American Lady Yacht. Boarding begins at 5 p.m. Advance reservations required.
WELCOME RECEPTION | 8-11 P.M.
Get the party started! All alumni are welcome to join us in the Julien Room for complimentary beer, soft drinks and snacks. Cash bar is also available.
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 3
ALUMNI RECOGNITION BRUNCH | 10:30 A.M. - NOON
Join us for a delicious brunch and recognition of our reunion classes.
, G N I M O C AT HOME 4, 2015! 2 R E B O T OC ALUMNI TENT PARTY | NOON-5 P.M.
Live music, giveaways and prize drawings every half hour. Taco bar and beverages included. Outside the tent enjoy a game of bean bags or activities for the kids.
USO TOUR COLLECTION | NOON-4:30 P.M.
Celebrate the USO tour with a collection of photos, scrapbooks, articles and more.
FACULTY LECTURE SERIES | 1-3 P.M.
Featuring presentations from Renee Pilcher and Louise Kames.
ALUMNI WELCOME CONCERT | 2-3 P.M.
Participate in a musical performance with fellow Clarke alumni and current students.
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 4
GOLF SCRAMBLE | 10 A.M. SHOTGUN START
Alumni and friends are invited to an 18-hole tournament in support of the Clarke athletic department.
SUNDAY LITURGY| 10 A.M.
Join us for Catholic Mass and candle lighting ceremony in remembrance of our deceased alumni.
Visit clarke.edu/homecoming to view a full list of events and to RSVP.
CLARKE | THE MAGAZINE OF CLARKE UNIVERSITY
JOINING A MOST DISTINGUISHED GROUP The annual Distinguished Alumni Awards will be presented at this year’s Alumni Recognition Brunch on Saturday, October 3, during homecoming. The 2015 award recipients are:
MARIA WHELAN ’72
MARY JEAN JECKLIN ’69
2015 Outstanding Achievement Award Recipient Maria Whelan ’72 has dedicated her life to advancing policies and programs that support children and their families. She attributes her parents, her Catholic Worker upbringing and her Clarke University education as critical forces that led her to work in the human service sector. Maria reflects that Clarke was an organization filled with wickedly smart women (and a few smart men), who led and taught through years of political and social turbulence. She has stayed in touch with her beloved "Clarkester" friends, a group of wonderful women who still gather to laugh with and love each other, as they did when they met almost 50 years ago. She married Jack Wuest, her husband of now almost 40 years, and they raised three daughters together. Maria believes that her career and life experience are the sum of all her life's parts.
2015 Humanitarian Service Award Recipient Mary Jean Jecklin’s ’69 life journey has always included elements of world history, adult and lifelong education, assisting the less privileged, and a passion for other countries and cultures. These elements made, and continue to make, her life rich and rewarding. For Mary Jean, this award represents her full-circle experience with Clarke, from learning humanitarian values nearly 50 years ago to receiving recognition for her ongoing efforts to implement those values. She wants to encourage everyone going to the developing world to be not just sight-seeing tourists but emotionally involved, transformed travelers and to motivate current Clarke students to embrace similar experiences. She dedicates her award to BVM Sisters Dorita Clifford and Barbara Kutchera.
ZACHARY BREITBACH ’05
2015 Rising Star Award Recipient
Zachary Breitbach ’05 holds his experience at Clarke University as a model of how to function in his current position where he mentors graduate researchers. He uses a personal teaching approach and makes it a priority to know each student and become invested in his or her success, just as his professors at Clarke did for him. Zach’s career accomplishments have made a major impact in the field of chemistry. He has published more than 40 peer-reviewed research articles, has been cited over 330 times, holds three patents and has presented research at numerous domestic and international conferences. Zach married his wife Kelly (Welch) Breitbach ’05 in 2006 and together they have two boys, Levi, 3, and Gavin, 1.
For full bios of the winners, visit clarke.edu/magazine.
#clarkeday thursday, October 1, 2015
Clarke Day is a day to celebrate all things Clarke. For 24 hours, we will flood the campus and social media sites with Clarke pride, memories, photos and more. Support Clarke on Clarke Day and help us reach our goal of 500 donors in 24 hours.
PAGE 19
Thank You TO OUR INTERNSHIP HOSTS
Clarke University Career Services would like to extend its heartfelt thanks to the following employers who hosted Clarke student interns in the 2014-15 academic year. Because of these valued business and organization partners, Clarke students are well on their way to becoming career- and life-ready individuals. Alliance Publications, Inc. Ameriprise Financial Services - Michael Fleege, CFP Arlington Pain & Therapy Assisi Village at Stonehill Bell Tower Theater Berry Plastics Corporation Boys & Girls Club of Greater Dubuque Carnegie-Stout Public Library Cathedral of St. Raphael Circles Out of Poverty Initiative City of Dubuque Housing Clarke University – Art Department Clarke University – Athletics Department Clarke University – Biology Department Clarke University – Business and Finance Office Clarke University – Business Department Clarke University – Disability Services Clarke University – Drama Department Clarke University – Language and Literature Department Clarke University – Multicultural Center Clarke University – Philosophy Department Clarke University – Psychology Department Clarke University – Quigley Gallery Clarke University – Tenth Muse Clarke University – Writing Center Community Foundation of Greater Dubuque
Countryside Studio Crescent Community Health Center Design Mill Inc. Dubuque Advertiser Inc. Dubuque County I.T. Department Dubuque Fighting Saints Dubuque Museum of Art Dubuque Pony League Baseball Dubuque Rescue Mission DubuqueFest Fine Arts Festival Dupaco Community Credit Union Ellen Kennedy Living Center/Mercy Medical Center Express Employment Professionals Four Oaks of Dubuque Hanover Township Senior Services Hillcrest Family Services Hillcrest Residential Care Facility Hills & Dales Hodge Company Impressive Homes Realty Instock Specialties Inc. Kendall Hunt Publishing Kenosha Visiting Nurses AssociationCorrectional Services Keystone Cedars Assisted Living Lutheran Services in Iowa ManorCare Health Services
McGraw-Hill Education Mentor Dubuque National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium Opening Doors Our Lady of Guadalupe School Plaid Swan Plane Art Designs Inc. Project Concern Quad City Blue Raiders Basketball Reynolds & Kenline, LLP Roger Klosterman & Company, LLP Ruhl & Ruhl Realtors - Eva Dondanville Safe Path Survivor Resources Schlitter Logging LLC/Schlitter Bomb Promotions LLC St. Mark Community Center/ St. Mark Youth Enrichment St. Stephen's Food Bank Streamlines Conference Studio Works/Gallery C Tinley Park Rockers Softball Town Clock Mental Health, PC Unified Therapy Services United Clinical Laboratories Washington Neighborhood Development Corp.
NEED AN INTERN? PAGE 20
If your business or organization is interested in having a student intern, please contact Clarke University Compass and Career Services at (563) 588-6302 or email careerservices@clarke.edu.
A PHOTO COLLECTION FROM ALUMNI EVENTS ACROSS THE COUNTRY IOWA CITY, IOWA (BELOW) L to R: Kate Johnson ’07, Susan Nachazel ’72, Loras Neuroth, Melissa Collier ’08, Joe Collier ’06, President Joanne Burrows, Karen Neuroth ’68, and Bernie Nachazel
NEW YORK, NY (ABOVE) L to R: Ben Graham ’14, April Schuller ’06, Katie (Kropf) Zelle ’01 and Matt Zelle ’01 MADISON, WIS. (BELOW) L to R: Jeanne Kolker ’97, Kristin (Stephany) Weiher ’87, Kathy Warren ’88, Alissa Riegler, Courtney Leonard, Julie Klein ’91, Terri Redmond ’76, Laura (Stephany) Nauman ’97, Tom Nauman ’98 and Jason Klein
ARIZONA (ABOVE) Doctor of Physical Therapy alumni gather in Arizona. L to R: Matt Jaspers ’11, Hannah Day ’14, Associate Professor of Physical Therapy Alecia Thiele, Jake Peterson ’14 (DPT- 2016) and Jordan Palmer ’15 Want to see more alumni snapshots? Visit clarke.edu/alumni/eventphotos.
PAGE 21
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
ALUMNI
&
FEBRUARY 27 THROUGH JULY 20, 2015
NEWS Sue (Coffey) Kehm ’59 Greendale, Wis. Sue and Ray Kehm have generously donated more than 150 art books to the Clarke University Art Department. The art department and the Clarke community are deeply grateful for the thoughtful book donation. Sue is a Clarke University alumna who attended Associate Professor Bryan Zygmont's lecture on Poland during Homecoming Week in 2014. After the lecture she approached Zygmont about the book donation. Her husband, Ray, collected art books during his retirement while working at the Milwaukee Art Museum. Collecting the books became his passion. When it came time to find the books a home, Sue wanted the collection to be used for educational purposes and she donated them to the Clarke Art Department. Virginia (Weldon) Erhard ’60 Minnetonka, Minn. “Lee and I took our son, daughter and two grandsons on a cruise to Alaska for our 50th wedding anniversary.” Theresa (Mitchell) Deppe ’61 Dubuque, Iowa "Our oldest granddaughter, Kaylin Deppe, will graduate from the US Naval Academy on May 22, 2015. She will go into aviation. She is from Almont, Mich."
Mary (Ferris) Loban ’61 Denver, Colo. “My husband, Duane, passed away on March 13, 2015. We were married 48 years. I miss him dearly, although I know he is in a better place.” Joan (DuBay) Tully ’62 Dubuque, Iowa Joan had four pieces of artwork in the "2nd Annual Bellevue Art's Council Member Exhibit" at the Great River Gallery in Bellevue, Iowa on March 7, 2015. Kathy Burns ’67 Alexandria, Va. “I'm keeping busy and I'll head to Australia in September for a series of lectures commemorating the 75th anniversary of the 1st Australian Ambassador to the USA, Sir Richard G. Casey. I spent many hours in the Library of Congress researching his journals.” Shirley McDermott ’67 Cascade, Iowa Shirley wrote a play about a true story of a Confederate spy. "The True Story of John Yates Beall "will be a timely history lesson. McDermott grew up hearing John Yates Beall's story, but as time passed, she realized the "spy story" was unknown to younger generations. She saw potential for a theatrical performance, and she used
her knowledge and network from her theater days at Clarke College to make it happen. McDermott went to Clarke for theater and later taught an adjunct course at the college. Now her idea is coming to life on stage. "The True Story of John Yates Beall" was performed at the Ellen Kennedy Fine Arts Center in July 2015.
Penny (McIntosh) Murphy ’67 Indianapolis, Ind. “My mother, Maryjane Luken McIntosh, passed away on June 17, 2015. At 94, she was the extraordinary mother to 10 and grandmother and great-grandmother to 62!” Susan Dubuisson ’71 Olympia, Wash. Judge Sue Dubuisson received a Washington State Bar Association Local Hero Award. The retired judge is recognized for her 35-year legal career and her service to the community.
M - Master’s Degree from Clarke D - Doctorate Degree from Clarke
PAGE 23
Missy (Sloan) Barbic ’72 Aptos, Calif. “My family and I, including my four-yearold granddaughter, recently returned from a trip to Europe. This was my fourth trip to Europe. We visited Istanbul, Paris, Rome and Florence and Barcelona. We rented apartments in each city and shopped locally. ” Ducki Contreras ’80 Chicago, Ill. “I'm moving from New Jersey, after 33 years, back to my hometown of Chicago to pursue a new career path in dog training and animal behavior. Also motivated by spending precious time with my family and enjoying life. I bring with me many career skills such as cosmetology and home improvement.”
Susan Michelle (Thompson) Jepsen ’81 Sabula, Iowa Susan has been performing weekly water ski shows with the Backwater Gamblers, Rock Island, Ill., who are currently ranked second in the nation, for the past 34 years. Her daughter, Brigit, has been a member for eight years. Brigit skied in her first show at the age of five with her mom, who carried her off the dock, in her arms, at the age of 50. The Backwater Gamblers have been in existence for 36 years. In this picture (above), Susan Michelle is the first woman on the left on the second tier. She is holding her daughter, Brigit (age 11), who is on the 3rd tier. This was Brigit's first pyramid in a ski show! Maureen (Johnson) Minshew ’82 North Las Vegas, Nev. Maureen and her husband, Andy’s, oldest daughter Meghan Minshew was married in a beautiful sunset wedding on May 3, 2015. The AF Military guard attended and Maureen was escorted down the aisle by a US Marine member. PAGE 24
M - Master’s Degree from Clarke D - Doctorate Degree from Clarke
Meghan has a BS Degree in Public Administration/ Business, and her husband, Jon is serving our country in the Air Force.
Frank McClain ’84 Tampa, Fla. Frank is returning to Dubuque to become the Executive Director and Artistic Director of the Grand Opera House. Previously McClain was the director of Opera Tampa, the resident company of the Straz Center for the Performing Arts. Paul Pfohl ’90 Dubuque, Iowa Paul has joined Fidelity Bank & Trust as vice president-commercial lending. He will develop and maintain a commercial loan portfolio in Dubuque and surrounding areas. Pfohl graduated from Clarke University with a business management degree and has an MBA from the University of Iowa. He also received a degree from the Graduate School of Banking in Madison, Wis. He has worked at American Trust & Savings Bank for the past 17 years. Scott Burgmeyer ’94 Norwalk, Iowa Scott was promoted to Chief Improvement Officer with DFS Holdings Inc. Angie (Bicker) Gabriel ’98 Albany, Ill. Angie was featured in the April/May edition of "Backyard Poultry." She submitted an essay in the magazine's generations contest. In the essay, Angie highlighted her poultry roots, which go back generations to her great-great-grandmother. Angie
started raising chickens in 2009 with a flock of 25 Pearl White Leghorns. Her flock has now grown to 40. Angie's poultry plans do not end there. She has big plans for this summer – a new coop and 57 baby chicks. Angie, a former newspaper editor and columnist, is working on a children's book. Kathy Regan ’98 and Michael Regan ’02 Dubuque, Iowa Kathy and Mike Regan, owners of The Cotton Cabin Quilt Shop located on Main Street in Dubuque, Iowa, were chosen as one of the top 10 featured shops across the United States for the Spring/Summer 2015 issue of Quilt Sampler magazine, published by Better Homes and Gardens. The Dubuque shop was chosen from over 3,000 shops in the United States and Canada. The quilt designed by Kathy Regan was on display at the International Quilt Market in Minneapolis, Minn. The quilt can now be seen in the shop on Main Street. Ella Phillips ’01 Saint Paul, Minn. “I'm in my last year at William Mitchell College of Law and will graduate on May 17, 2015. I'm happy to report that I'll be finishing up in the top 25% of my class, with 100+ hours of volunteer work. I have done well and taken advantage of every opportunity I could. I've served as a student mentor for several students, led a couple of student organizations, worked as an editor for our law and diversity journal, and – most recently – participated in moot court.” Matthew Zelle ’01 New York, N.Y. Matthew has joined the executive team at Park Avenue Artists, the distinctive artist-management company. Zelle will hold the title of Executive Vice President at Park Avenue Artists (PAA), co-founded in 2011 by David Lai and Ross Michaels, who share the title of President. Andy Schroeder ’02, ’10M Dubuque, Iowa Andy was elected to the Dupaco Community Credit Union volunteer board of directors in 2014.
Emily Sexton ’03 Vinton, Iowa Emily was named the St. Hilary 2013-2014 Golden Clover Teacher of the Year.
Melissa Dever ’14 Maquoketa, Iowa Melissa accepted a position at Central Intermediate School in DeWitt, Iowa as a 6th grade teacher.
Chelsea (Peters) Schroeder ’04, ’06D Rock Island, Ill. Eight years ago, Chelsea created a fitness group in the quad cities for mothers called “FIT4MOM.” Her new class is called “Stroller Strides.”
Nick Pierce ’14 Asbury, Iowa Nick was hired by the largest medical sales company in the U.S., Stryker Medical, and thanks Clarke professor Michelle Slover for teaching him the anatomical knowledge that he uses daily when meeting with surgeons.
Nicole (Putensen) Neuhaus ’05, ’10 Dubuque, Iowa Kunkel & Associates announced Nicole Neuhaus joined their company as an associate account executive. She previously was in a sales and sales management role for 19 years.
Andrea Timmerman ’14 Dubuque, Iowa Andrea joined Kunkel & Associates as an account administrator. Chelsea Stratton ’15 Cuba City, Wis. Chelsea Anne presented a senior musical theater recital, “I Believe I Can!” in Clarke’s Terence Donaghoe Hall. The recital featured musical selections that Stratton believes reflects her progress through her college years.
BIRTHS Michelle (Lowe) Zurcher ’99 and Tony, girl Dubuque, Iowa Ben Roberts ’01 and Radie (Znaniecki) Roberts ’03, Weston Dubuque, Iowa Julie (Rusniak) Jacques ’03 and Michel, Layla Kathleen Palatine, Ill. Heather Reed ’03 and Keith Tatka, girl Chicago, Ill. Adam Skinner ’03 and Julie, girl Peosta, Iowa Lynn (Roling) Davidshofer ’04 and Adam, boy Epworth, Iowa Phil Petrie ’04 and Anna (Ketterhagen) Petrie ’04, Lucian David Woodside, N.Y.
MARRIAGES
Teena (Williams) Francois ’05 and Kelly, boy Dubuque, Iowa
Heidi (Rhinehart) Hawk ’09 to Rob Hawk Platteville, Wis.
Sarah (Bakke) Helle ’05 and Justin, Brooks Connor Dubuque, Iowa
Shelley (Schlosser) Shafer ’08 Davenport, Iowa UnityPoint Health-Finley Hospital officials broke ground on a new family medicine and walk-in clinic in Peosta, Iowa. Family medicine doctor Michelle Shafer has been hired to help lead the clinic. Shafer is a Dubuque native who is wrapping up a residency program in family medicine.
Alex Kelsheimer ’11 to Julie Saint Louis, Mo.
Kiley (Wegener) Rahe ’05, ’07D and Adam, girl Dyersville, Iowa
Kathleen McDonough ’11 Iowa City, Iowa “I graduated from the University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine with my medical degree (MD) in May. I will have the amazing opportunity to continue training as a resident physician in pediatrics at the University of Iowa Children's Hospital beginning in July."
Brianna (Droessler) Aschliman ’15D to Nathan Aschliman Cuba City, Wis.
Cassie (Reynolds) Okey ’13 to Isaac Okey ’14 Cassville, Wis. Kelsea (English) Bellows ’14 to Tyler Bellows Provo, Utah
Katie (Van Buer) Overstreet ’15 to Luke Overstreet Clinton, Iowa
Dina (Hoke) Rashid ’05 and Tom, Alexis Grace Cedar Rapids, Iowa Sam Murley ’06 and Shelly (Reittinger) Murley ’09, boy Dubuque, Iowa Mark Dumer ’07 and Stephanie, girl Dubuque, Iowa Jeff Rosemeyer ’07 and Mandy, boy Dubuque, Iowa Ashley (Zaehringer) Schneider ’07 and Nolan, boy Dubuque, Iowa Nick Trumm ’07 and Emily, boy Dyersville, Iowa M - Master’s Degree from Clarke D - Doctorate Degree from Clarke
PAGE 25
Amy (Oberbroeckling) Hendricks ’08 and Adam, boy Earlville, Iowa
Kathy (O'Connell) Ellerbach ’11 and Scott, girl Dubuque, Iowa
Jason Pellymonter ’08M and Heidi, boy Durango, Iowa
Lorlie (Dague) Ryan ’11 and Gordon, boy Dubuque, Iowa
Natalie (Deutmeyer) Riniker ’08 and Jeremy, boy Dubuque, Iowa
Michael Till ’12 and Kaitlin (Kilburg) Till ’12, ’14M, William Michael Maquoketa, Iowa
Gabe Freund ’09 and Beth (Staver) Freund ’08, girl East Dubuque, Ill.
Raychel (Nicks) Weber ’12 and Russell, boy Dubuque, Iowa
Megan (Bissell) Heiderscheit ’09 and Troy, girl Farley, Iowa
IN MEMORY
Julie (Pluemer) Pillard ’09, ’11M and Nick, Girl Davenport, Iowa Keri West ’10 and Jason Brown, Nolan Robert Dubuque, Iowa
Lucille (Bodensteiner) Fanning ’39 Mary Jo (Meade) Wallace ’39 Ruth (Donlon) Carroll ’40 Kay (Dwyer) Condon ’40 Velma (Miller) Kinney ’42 Mary Routledge ’45 Mary (Marquez) De La Garza ’46
Jeanette (Lange) Joyce ’47 Pat (Doherty) Schreiber ’47 Mary Kelleher ’51 Odra (Carney) Eberhardt ’52 Helen (Joslin) Schultz ’52 Jeannette (Schuster) Fitzpatrick ’53 Ann (Bitter) Reynolds ’53 Carol (McCauley) Flansburg ’55 Rita (Walsh) Hedberg ’55 Mary (Schemmel) Arms ’57 Peggy Dillon ’57 Mary Struble, BVM ’58 Mary Pat Haley, BVM ’59 Deedee (Lynch) Wallace ’59 Maris Enright-Hajek ’65 Donna Lavelle ’68 Norbert Reburn ’69M Denise (Donahoe) Reints ’70 Denise (Baffoe) Murray ’73 Tracy (Weitzel) Fabiano ’84 Peggy Keith ’86 Troy Malek ’94 Mary Fuhrman ’95, ’00M Scott Long ’97
M - Master’s Degree from Clarke D - Doctorate Degree from Clarke
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 VIEW VIDEOS ON VIMEO VIMEO.COM/CLARKEUNIVERSITY
PAGE 26
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!)
CLARKE | THE MAGAZINE OF CLARKE UNIVERSITY
MEET THE NEW ALUMNI RELATIONS TEAM Courtney Leonard Executive Director of Development Courtney has been part of the Clarke Institutional Advancement Office for two years and prior to that spent seven years working in health care philanthropy at health systems in Madison, Wis., and Ann Arbor, Mich. Courtney earned her B.A. in integrative public relations with minors in marketing and public affairs from Central Michigan University and recently completed her MBA with a concentration in non-profit management from Lawrence Technological University in Southfield, Mich. She is originally from Farmington Hills, Mich., and relocated to Iowa in 2013 to join her husband, Justin, who is a native of Elkader. Courtney looks forward to connecting with our alumni and friends as we travel throughout the country. Alissa Riegler Associate Director of Alumni Relations Alissa has been working at Clarke for the past three years in the annual fund and alumni offices, and previously worked for the Dubuque Regional Humane Society where she coordinated their volunteer programming. Alissa earned her B.A. in leisure, youth and human services from the University of Northern Iowa and is currently pursuing her master’s in organizational leadership at Clarke. She was born and raised in Dubuque and loves being close to her family. She is excited for her new role and the opportunity to continue meeting many of Clarke’s alumni.
UPCOMING ALUMNI EVENTS TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 15 Coffee with Clarke Dubuque, Iowa SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 19 Iowa Hawkeye Football Game and Tailgate Iowa City, Iowa THURSDAY, OCTOBER 1 #CLARKEDAY Online FRIDAY-SUNDAY, OCTOBER 2-4 Clarke Homecoming Dubuque, Iowa TUESDAY, OCTOBER 20 Coffee with Clarke Dubuque, Iowa SATURDAY, OCTOBER 24 Cheers Chicago, Ill. SUNDAY, OCTOBER 25 Mass and Brunch Chicago, Ill. FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 13 Arts at Clarke: Celeste Pechous ’94 Dubuque, Iowa TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 17 Coffee with Clarke Dubuque, Iowa SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 28 Mackin-Mailander Alumni Lecture: Donna (Flemming) Ewy ’86 Dubuque, Iowa Visit clarke.edu/alumni/events for a complete listing of upcoming events and PAGE 27 opportunities to connect!
CLARKE, DRAKE FORGE LAW SCHOOL AGREEMENT Clarke University has entered into an agreement with the Drake University Law School that will allow undergraduate students at Clarke to earn both their bachelor’s and law degrees in six years. Clarke established a similar agreement last year with the University of Iowa. The 3+3 program will allow qualified undergraduates from Clarke admission to the Drake Law School after the conclusion of their junior year. The credits earned during their first year of law school will also apply to their undergraduate degree requirements. Students will receive their bachelor’s degree from Clarke University. “We pride ourselves on providing a high level, challenging academic experience,” said Clarke President Joanne M. Burrows, SC, Ph.D. “Clarke’s agreement with the Drake University Law School is yet another example of our commitment to advancing our students’ educational opportunities. We are pleased to be able to offer this opportunity for Clarke
students and we are thankful for the collaboration with Drake University.” The program allows Clarke students to apply to Drake Law School at the start of their junior year, a year prior to the traditional process. If accepted, they will begin attending law school during what would have been their senior year at Clarke. Clarke 3+3 students accepted to Drake Law School will also be guaranteed a $5,000 scholarship for each of their three years at Drake. “This joint program is a terrific opportunity for students to obtain an undergraduate degree and a law degree in a total of six years, rather than the usual seven,” said Benjamin Ullem, dean of the Drake Law School. “Students save the extra year of tuition plus get into the work force sooner, meaning an additional year of income. We are thrilled about this new partnership with Clarke University.”
h
THE BACK PAGE A L OOK AT YES T ER DAY AN D TODAY
THE IMPACT OF LEGACY One of the things that makes Clarke University special is the amount of legacy students that attend each year. A legacy student is one whose relative(s) are alumni of the same institution. So many Clarke alumni enjoyed their college experience and encourage family members to follow in their footsteps. The same can be said for Elizabeth Courtney ’15 who visited campus years ago with her great aunt who graduated from Clarke in 1953. Now, Elizabeth has joined the Clarke alumni community and will pass on her own love for Clarke to the next generation of her family.
1550 Clarke Drive Dubuque, Iowa 52001-3198
P
AT
f l e s r u o Y e ictur 5 1 0 2 G N I M O C E M HO
clarke.edu/homecoming
4 2 R E B OCTO