20 minute read
alumni
to the Future WJHS RETURNEES
“Walsh Jesuit is special in that we are a very loving and caring community that serves the needs of everyone. Walsh Jesuit truly lives out all the characteristics established by St. Ignatius of Loyola. We are blessed to have students that are tremendous young men and women who come from great families. Serve others as Jesus Christ served all people during his life on earth. He was certainly the model for each of us as to how we should treat all those that we encounter during our lifetime.”
STEVE GRESCOVICH ’74
WJ Speech Teacher & Coach
KELLY (STEURER) VANAS ’98
WJ Science Teacher
“W alsh Jesuit is special to me because it was a wonderful time in my life. It was a great time for me to mature and learn what life really has to offer. Through a beautiful blend of community, spirituality, education and athletics, I feel that I had everything I needed to become a very successful, confident woman. The atmosphere and energy in the school every day is contagious, and I couldn’t help but love every minute I was here. Being a woman for others means being truly selfless. It is a daily challenge, but it means you think of the other person before yourself. Becoming a mother really helped me understand this idea more than I could have imagined. It is having a true concern for the well-being of another person. I feel like Walsh planted the seed and time and experience allowed that seed to grow and flourish.”
WJ English Teacher & Coach
“W alsh Jesuit is a place of extraordinary individuals, and it is special because of the incredible students, faculty, staff, coaches, and parents who create a strong sense of community and who are so committed to the ideals of the “Grad at Grad:” intellectually competent, loving, religious, open to growth, and committed to social justice. When I was a student at Walsh Jesuit, we were introduced to and challenged to become a “man for others,” and this part of the mission of the school has been a central focus of my life. For instance, it instilled in me a belief in social responsibility and serving others. In addition, it has guided my career choices as a teacher and as a coach, and it has taken me around the world as a volunteer with the Peace Corps. Since I started working here, I have been challenged to become a “man for and with others,” and, as a result, I have developed a greater appreciation and understanding of the value of not just serving others but being with others as well and learning to listen and simply be with others.”
CHRIS STOFFL ’08
WJ Math Teacher & Coach
“W alsh Jesuit is filled with people who care about educating the whole person. The care goes beyond report cards when it comes to the student body. Being a Man For and With Others is understanding that life is bigger than just yourself. It doesn’t mean that everyone needs to come back and work at their Alma mater, but that is the path I have followed thus far.”
Celebrating Walsh Jesuit’s Legacy Families,
including WJ’s First FeMale aluM legacy FaMily
STILL SETTING THE WORLD ON fire
Chris Connor ’74 Chris Connor ’74 Chris Connor ’74 receiving WJ’s receiving WJ’s receiving WJ’s Distinguished Distinguished Distinguished 37 Alumnus Award Alumnus Award Alumnus Award
DOING SOMETHING
This past Fall, Janna Hearty ’16 [above] was inducted into Alpha Sigma Nu, the Jesuit Honor Society. Hearty continues to live the Jesuit way — in the greater glory of God, as a woman for and with others. Hearty also recently did volunteer work in A Coruña, Spain as an Assistant English Teacher with the organization, Do Something. At Do Something, she teaches English in small groups of Spanish schoolaged. The teaching philosophy at Do Something focuses on playing as a way of learning a foreign language, so Hearty has the opportunity to expose the students to games, music and culture of the United States.
RELENTLESS
Johnni DiJulius ’11 [right] is in his
first season coaching wrestling at Harvard. In high school, he won three OHSAA state titles at Walsh Jesuit. Known for his many quirks, superstitions and rituals, DiJulius most of all is a perfectionist. DiJulius continued on to a stellar collegiate career at Ohio State. Wrestling at 133 pounds, DiJulius held a record of 115-47, including a 30-8 record his junior year. DiJulius played a crucial role in the Buckeyes journey to win not only the Big Ten crown, but the program’s first NCAA title. DiJulius also qualified for the NCAA Championships four times and won the 2013 Cliff Keen Las Vegas Invitational. After his college, DiJulius was an assistant coach at
“Adam always had that very soft, soothing voice,” said Scott Beigie, his former coach at WJ. “That’s quite different than what he was capable of doing on the football field. But his ‘off the field’ demeanor is his true demeanor. He was always a very mature, unassuming kid. I am not surprised by what he has done, but extremely proud of him.”
Kent State. In one season, DiJulius helped two Golden Flashes qualify for the NCAA meet. He also trained at the Ohio Regional Training Center.
From the young wrestlers DiJulius tutors, to the random lady stuck in a snowdrift at night he stops to help, drives to work, and offers to pick up in the morning, to friends who call him at 3am needing someone sober to drive them home. DiJulius’ approach to life is as a relentless man for others.
ANSWERING GOD’S CALL
Adam Pastor ’16 [below and right],
continues to be an extraordinary Man for Others as a stem cell donor amidst his competitive football season at Mount Union.
Quite simply, Pastor believed it was the right thing to do, because he was answering God’s call. “There was never any question in my mind,” said Pastor. “Once I heard about the program, I decided it was something I wanted to do.”
The “Be a Match” initiative of the Andy Talley Bone Marrow Foundation uses the power of collegiate athletics to recruit stem cell and marrow donors. Pastor, amid a demanding championship season on a No. 2-ranked team, did the stem cell donation procedure at the Gift of Life Marrow Registry, just three days after the Raiders defeated Heidelberg in Tiffin.
“I was going to do this, no matter when it was going to happen,” Pastor said. “I believe that it is our job to take care of all of God’s creations and man is a part of God’s creation and part of this earth. ... It was the righteous thing to do. Football isn’t everything, saving a life is. There are things much bigger than football. I would do it again in a heartbeat. Like I said, I just felt it was the right thing to do.”
He successfully lives differing lifestyles. On the field, he competes in a physically violent game that can push emotions to the brink of rage. Off the field, he has a calm and easygoing heart. Alum, Adam Pastor is a firm believer in AMGD, and he lives his life as such.
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JESUIT INSPIRATION
Hannah Coley’s ’12 [below] Jesuit
education started at WJ, where she
learned the concepts of Ignatian spirituality and Catholic social teachings. Drawn to these concepts, Coley went on to study philosophy at Loyola University Chicago.
“The Jesuits, other than family, have been the most important and incredibly consistent source of support and guidance in my life. I wanted to craft questions for myself and about my identity as a woman who is spiritual and religious,” she explained. “Being part of a Jesuit network in a Jesuit university is exactly where I wanted to be.”
Coley loved her Jesuit experience, so she decided to volunteer at the Jesuit Volunteer Corps as a pastoral assistant and retreat minister in Punta Gorda, Belize. Through JVC, she continued to develop her spiritual life through relationships formed with both Jesuits and other people in the communities.
Following her two years in Belize, Coley moved to the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota to become a spiritual formation teacher. As a teacher at Red Cloud Indian School, she engages with kids in a community that has faced many hardships. Hannah Coley continues to examine her role as a Woman For and With Others through prayer, conversations and lessons.
WHERE THE JOURNEY BEGAN
While Tennessee Titans coach Mike Vrabel ’93 has spent most of his time over the past year preparing his team for Sundays, he still reflects back to where his football journey started: Northeast Ohio.
Before a standout career at The Ohio State University, the Pittsburgh Steelers, New England Patriots and
Kansas City Chiefs, he starred at Walsh Jesuit High School. “I appreciate the education, the discipline and how it prepared me to move on and to go to college,” Vrabel said in a conference call with Cleveland media.
“I am thankful for guys like Gerry Rardin, the football coach there who up until a few years ago, was still coaching. He had the opportunity to come down here and visit with us at Tennessee. I am proud to say that I went to Walsh and proud to say that I was coached by Gerry Rardin.”
A HEART OF GOLD
Joe Heskett ’97 was an Olympian in talent, expectations, heart & in spirit. Heskett is a WJ graduate, a 3-time Ohio wrestling state champion, All-American, NCAA Champion, U.S. Champion, coach, teammate, husband and father of three.
In 2008, Heskett returned to the wrestling room at Ohio State, five days after the World Championships in Baku, Azerbaijan. He was eager to practice after his top five finish for Team USA in the 163 lbs weight class, ensuring the U.S. a spot in the Beijing Olympics. His heart started racing. Heskett fell against a pole in the wrestling room, his chest tightening and energy dissipating. His heart accelerated to 240 beats per minute.
At WJ, friends signed Heskett’s yearbook, “See you in the Olympics,” and WJ coach Bill Barger never doubted it. “He always was one of the best wrestlers in the nation,” Barger said, “and that was always his goal, to win an Olympic gold medal.” At WJ, he dominated, winning three state titles & finishing 41-0 at 152 lbs during his senior season. “You can’t help but love that guy,” Barger said. “He’s a guy you dream of having as a coach. I’m in awe of this kid.”
Heskett accepted a scholarship to Iowa State. There he placed at NCAA’s in third, second, second and finished his collegiate career with a victory for the NCAA Championship. In 2007, his door opened for Beijing. Heskett was the top wrestler at 163 in the nation… for one year.
The diagnosis was arrhythmogenic right ventricular dysplasia, an inherited disorder that caused cardiomyopathy, a weakness or abnormality on the right side of Heskett’s heart. When he woke up in the hospital, he said, “I don’t have much time. I’ve got to get out of here and get back to training.”
The doctor already knew Heskett would need new dreams, now permanently protected by an internal defibrillator that protruded from Heskett’s chest in a fist-sized lump. It looked like Heskett’s heart wanted to escape from his chest and go to the Olympics on its own.
Heshett traveled the world & was the best in the nation, but soon realized his Olympic dreams had to change. Facing this devastating reality, Heskett found he was fortified. “The way I lived my life, I always said, ‘What if you don’t have tomorrow?’ It’s not about a sudden realization, as much as it is that you lived your life like that for a reason. The steps along the way, they helped create Joe Heskett the wrestler; but more important, they created Joe Heskett the human being.”
Outwardly, Joe has moved on to reflection, while Tara, his wife said, “I try to think there must be something bigger out there, and that’s God’s plan for him.” Heskett was born with a rare and usually fatal heart condition, as his condition has shown less than a 2% chance of survival. Contrary to the statistics, Joe was blessed with a second chance at life, a chance to embrace each breath granted to him, and a chance to follow his passion to teach, coach, consult, and develop others. He was done wrestling, but he wasn’t done living. “I am remarkably blessed to be alive,” Heskett said. “This situation, although unfortunate, is the will of our great Lord, and I turn over every fiber of faith to his plan. I don’t have time to ask why and ponder. I will get healthy and I look forward to the next chapter of my life. I do not hang up my shoes easily, but the reality of the situation leaves me with one option and that is to stay optimistic and begin to excel in other areas of my life that I have been extremely blessed to possess.”
Now, as his goals have shifted, Heskett is the Chief Visionary Officer of h Leadership. Heskett has spoken to 10’s of thousands of parents and athletes of all ages over the years, but within the past decade his message has shifted. He is unapologetic about challenging individuals, regardless of age, to strive for their personal best. He recognizes that we must make the best out of today and embrace what we have. Not only does he live by this, but he also inspires this mindset in others.
“We live in a world that values convenience, speed, technology, and entertainment thus priorities are often placed on access, notoriety and power. If you have access, use your access to generate knowledge that can be used to inform and help position others for success. If you have notoriety, use your notoriety as a platform to educate and inspire others to be the best version of themselves. Finally, if you have power … Use your power to be a positive agent of change that will contribute to the betterment of society… We all can leave a legacy, specifically with how we interact, involve and encourage others.”
WALSH JESUIT DISTINGUISHED ALUMNUS
An Incredible Man For & With Others
The award was presented by President Karl Ertle, stating, “Chris and his family have made an unwavering commitment to all things maroon and gold, and I cannot imagine a more worthy recipient of this special WJ award. We celebrate and thank him for all he has done for his alma mater and the Greater Cleveland community.”
The criteria is multi-faceted and Chris checks every box: he has consistently applied high moral and ethical standards, has achieved post-graduation success in service, professional excellence, leadership in civic work and has promoted intellectual and cultural pursuits.
After Walsh Jesuit, Chris graduated from The Ohio State University, where he studied at the Fisher College of Business.
Most importantly, Chris is a MAN FOR AND WITH OTHERS - son to Patricia and her late husband, Michael, and the loving husband of Sara. Chris & Sara are parents of three Warriors: Dan ’03, Erin ’04 (on the Board Committee for Student Life) & Kevin ’08. They all excelled at WJ and have remained committed alumni following their football, hockey, swim & lacrosse days.
Chris and Sara served as General Chairs for the “Greater Glory of God” campaign and are amongst Walsh Jesuit’s most generous benefactors. Connor Hall was dedicated in 2007 to the Connor Family who profoundly enriched the school’s future and made great things possible.
Chris was joined at the award ceremony by his entire family and many friends.
“It was a special night for us to be back at our alma mater to celebrate my dad receiving the Distinguished Alumnus award,” Chris’ daughter Erin Connor Reif shared. “It meant a lot to him to be recognized by such an important institution in his life that has helped shape his approach to giving back to others professionally and civically.” “When I first met Chris, we scored WJ’s swim meets and cheered on our children,” recounts Patti Clair, Walsh Jesuit’s Vice President of Advancement. “Although I knew Chris was the CEO of a Fortune 500 company, he was so humble, genuine and funny. Chris and Sara were active and devoted parents, searching for the best at the school, not only for their own children, but for the entire WJ community. Chris is truly a man for and with others.”
Professionally, Chris is a retired Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of The Sherwin-Williams Company (a multibillion dollar company & global leader in the paint industry). His outstanding leadership of one of Cleveland’s hallmark institutions has garnered him every prestigious award in Northeast Ohio, as he is so incredibly philanthropic.
Chris joined Sherwin-Williams in 1983 as Director of Advertising for the Paint Stores Group. Over his 34-year career, he held many increasingly important leadership roles across most of the company’s business functions, was promoted to CEO in 1999 and retired in 2016.
A friend, Michael Owen ‘72, on Chris’ accomplishment in leading SherwinWilliams said, “During the great recession of 2008, Chris was able to navigate the challenges and not lay off one person. That speaks to the humanity that is in his heart and why Sherwin-Williams was blessed to have him as its leader.”
His many civic and community board engagements have included: the Greater Cleveland Partnership, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, The Playhouse Square Foundation, University Hospitals Health System, United Way Services and many other religious and civic groups.
“Chris and Sara are the most humble and generous people I know,” said Mike Gladstone, guidance counselor at Walsh Jesuit and 30-year friend. “Their generosity to Walsh Jesuit is unparalleled, but it is their many acts of kindness – the handwritten notes or personal phone calls – that mean so much to everyone. Through their leadership, volunteerism and support, they have changed countless lives at Walsh Jesuit and validated the great work of the Jesuits.”
During his commitment to lead many organizations, Chris made it a priority to give back to WJ and served as a sixyear member on the Board and as its Chair in 2000 & 2001. He also continued his dedication to the Jesuit mission by serving the Jesuit Retreat Center, where so many of the WJ students make their Kairos retreat. His love for Walsh Jesuit was especially nurtured by many Jesuits: Fr. Metzger, S.J., Fr. Dickson, S.J. and Fr. Jim King, S.J. Chris often mentions his affection for them, as they challenged his faith to always find the greater glory.
Whether it was as he starred in tennis, led student government, or as one of the ‘10 outstanding seniors’ in his class, Chris lived a challenge of St. Ignatius - to show love in deeds, not just words. Fr. King stated, “Chris is such an eloquent speaker, but his actions for the marginalized speak even louder than his words.”
Today, Chris is embracing the freedom of retirement and pursuing interesting new pastimes. He is a partner in a certified Black Angus cattle farm in Burton, Ohio, and actively involved with his family’s philanthropic foundation.
Walsh Jesuit salutes Chris Connor ’74, Distinguished Alumnus, and wishes him and his family all the best.
c l a s s n o t e s
71 Dean Giulitto ’71 retired
from Civil Service at Fort Knox KY in July of 2019 as a Supervisory Physician for 10 years. Previously served 31 years on active duty in the Army in the Medical Corps. Currently in the 5th & final year of formation to the Permanent Diaconate in the Archdiocese of Louisville, with an Ordination in August, 2020. Dean credits the WJ community for forming his spiritual foundation of faith journey, culminating with ordination as a Permanent Deacon. In January, he began at Saint Meinrad Seminary & School of Theology for a Masters in Theology, with a certificate in Church history.
79 Jim Lash ’79
retired and moved from Minnesota to Florida. 5 children and 14 grandchildren.
81 Glen Witsaman ’81 has
lived in Medina, Ohio for the past 19 years, and raised a family. Former Vice President of AVI Foodsystems. Now the Director of Business Development for Healthcare at the Unidine Company.
89 Tony Sinito ’89 is employed at US Ultrasound as a National Account Manager. Anthony (17), Sophia (14) Biochemistry graduate, spent seven years in formulation R&D, then transitioned into pharmaceutical and capital equipment sales. 90 Andy Foreman ’90 retired
from the USMC in 2015. Working at Harrison County Court of Common Pleas as a probation officer in Ohio. Remarried to Christine.
Augie Manadan ’90 is Chairman
of rheumatology at Cook County hospital and a professor of medicine. Also, directs rheumatology training program at Rush Medical College. He has three children: Jay, Neil & Leena.
Robert Willoughby ’90 married in
August, 2018. He received a Masters in Clinical Psychology from the Michigan School of Professional Psychology, July 2016 and Retired from 15 years as a paramedic in Detroit, March 2017. Robert is currently pursuing a Psy. D. in Clinical Psychology at Michigan School of Psychology. He is expecting to graduate in July 2021. His dissertation topic: The Lived Experience of Private Ambulance Paramedics and EMT’s.
98 Kristen (Broida) Mason-
Glasscott ’98 works for American Health & Wellness Group as VP of Corporate Strategies, in Indianapolis, IN. She has two children: Maya (13) and Gisele (10).
99 Brian Diaz ’98 & Jennifer (Jackoboice) Diaz ’99 have been
married 15 years and have three children Jake (12), Maddie (10) and Maya (6). Brian works at Traffic Control Products as a Territory Manager, and Jennifer is a Primary Care Nurse Practitioner. They regularly attend WJ Alumni Cross Country events, because that’s how they met. All three kids are runners. Jake & Maddie both qualified for the National Youth Cross Country Champs! Reside in Akron. (LEFT)
01 Rick Koplin ’01 is married
to Mollie Koplin. They have a twoyear-old son, Brodie.
03 Matt Riley ’03 moved back
to Bath, Ohio and had his second daughter, Rosalee, in June with his wife Mallory. His first daughter, Sedona, just turned two.
Victoria (Ciraldo) Coli ’03 and her
husband, Joseph welcomed Thomas Ignatius Coli on May 29, 2019. Joseph was welcomed home by a big sister and brother. (RIGHT)
04 Emily (Baab) Fisher ’04 is
married to Kenny Fisher. They have a son, Theodore. Emiily works at the University of Mount Union as Asst. AD & Head Women’s Lacrosse Coach.
