“On Eagles’ Wings” Sculpture Unveiled on Campus
S u m m e r 2011
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Features 2 “On Eagles’ Wings” Sculpture Unveiled on Campus 4
3 Rev. Joseph E. Lingan, S.J. ’75: Gonzaga Alumni Association Man of the Year 4 The 2011 Jim Ronan ’83 Spirit of Gonzaga Photo Contest 10 “Why I Want to Have Steve Shields Remembered at Gonzaga High School With a Memorial Scholarship” by Jim Sell
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Departments 1 Message from the President: Rev. Joseph E. Lingan, S.J.
6 Around Campus 8 Athletic News 14 News Of 17 May They Rest In Peace
Other 7 Gonzaga Board of Trustees Names Two New Members 9
18 Back Cover: Two Dates to Remember! September 18, 2011 – The Inaugural “ Ride to Remember” In Memory of Rev. Allen P. Novotny, S.J. October 14, 2011 – The 27 Annual Kevin W. Carmody Open for Fatherless Boys th
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On the Cover
Students, faculty, staff, and guests sing the Gonzaga alma mater following the unveiling of the sculpture “On Eagles’ Wings” in front of the Carmody Center in March. 13
The Good News (ISSN 1543-3331) is published quarterly in winter, spring, summer, and fall by the Development Office of Gonzaga College High School for the alumni, parents, and friends of Gonzaga. Periodicals Postage Paid at Washington, DC, USPS #954900. Summer 2011, Issue Number 41, Volume 2. Gonzaga College High School is a Roman Catholic, private, independent college-preparatory school for young men, sponsored by the Society of Jesus, a Roman Catholic Order, and governed by an independent Board of Directors. Gonzaga does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin in the administration of educational policies, admission policies, financial aid programs, athletic or other school-administered programs, nor does it discriminate on the basis of sex in its hiring practices. POSTMASTER and those with new addresses, please send address corrections to: The Good News; Attn: Susan Hanifin; Gonzaga College High School; 19 Eye Street, NW; Washington, DC 20001; email: shanifin@gonzaga.org; phone: (202)336-7151. Please send editorial correspondence to the same address as above: Attn: Steve Langevin, Editor, The Good News; email: goodnewseditor@ gonzaga.org; phone: (202)336-7144; fax: (202)842-2085. Email alumni news to Thomas “Mac” Kimmit ’04 at tkimmit@gonzaga.org or Steve Langevin ’89 at slangevin@ gonzaga.org. Visit Gonzaga’s website: www.gonzaga.org Visit Gonzaga’s website: www.gonzaga.org
M e ss a g e from the
President
Dear Alumni, Parents, and Friends of Gonzaga, Christ’s Peace! The picture on the cover of this issue of The Good News From 19 Eye Street captures one of many great Gonzaga moments experienced this academic year. The occasion was the dedication and unveiling of the majestic Eagle sculpture now gracing the entrance to the Carmody Center (see related article on page 2). The picture reveals solidarity of joy and pride as students and alumni faculty hold aloft their clenched righthanded fists as they sing Gonzaga’s Alma Mater: “Hail, Hail, Alma Mater! Sing her praises loudly; Echo ever proudly the Purple and the White!” I invite you to note the gentleman on the right-hand side of the picture, wearing a grey suit and red tie. He is the sculptor, Walter Matia. Following the dedication, he said that he had never experienced such appreciation, pleasure, and pride on the occasion of the unveiling of one of his sculptures. He went on to observe “[That Gonzaga] is a very special place, and I am proud to now feel, in a certain way, a part of it.” I assured him that through his sculpture, his “association with Gonzaga will continue for generations,” and that his work has and will continue to contribute to our tremendous school spirit. Gonzaga’s strength has been its character, and its character is a reflection of the many men and women, Jesuit and lay, who have worked tirelessly, joyfully, intentionally, and with integrity for an institution that serves to educate boys to become young men…mature men, concerned with the welfare of others. The Gonzaga Spirit, about which I often speak, is a Holy Spirit! The Gonzaga Spirit is a generous, infectious, and enduring spirit. I pray that it will always be. As I conclude my term, I acknowledge that it has been both a privilege and an honor to serve as president of my Alma Mater. Now, I ask that you join me in welcoming and supporting our new president, Fr. Steve Planning, S.J. Along with your support, his experience with and deep appreciation for Jesuit secondary education, I am confident that he will serve Gonzaga well, and continue to move Gonzaga forward toward a future for which it is well poised. “Far-famed may her glory be; Staunch her sons in their loyalty; Marching ever on to victory; Gonzaga – Hail!” Finally, once again, I thank you for the many and varied ways you support Gonzaga and help make this school such a unique and special institution and place! Sincerely,
Rev. Joseph E. Lingan, S.J. ’75
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“On Eagles’ Wings” Sculpture Unveiled on Campus
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hanks to the intercession of Brendan O’Neill, Sr. ’60, Gonzaga was the recipient of a 7-foot bronze sculpture of a bald eagle lifting off in flight. The sculpture is the work of renowned sculptor Walter Matia, whose monumental pieces have been purchased by Merrill Lynch, American University, and the NFL’s Houston Texans, among others. The sculpture is a gift from an anonymous benefactor who requested that it be entitled “On Eagles’ Wings.” The sculpture, which sits at the entrance of the Carmody Center, was unveiled to the Gonzaga school community in a ceremony on March 31. After a brief presentation inside the Carmody Center, including remarks by Mr. O’Neill and a prayer of dedication by Gonzaga President Joseph Lingan, S.J. ’75, the students, faculty, staff, and guests moved outside for the statue’s unveiling, which was met with loud applause, followed by the singing of the Alma Mater. Gonzaga is truly fortunate to have received this exceptional piece of art and the school community is grateful for the generosity of the benefactor who made it possible. n
Mr. Brendan O’Neill ’60 addresses the students, faculty, staff, and guests during the statue dedication ceremony. Seated behind him are Fr. Joseph Lingan, S.J. ’75 and Mr. Walter Matia (right).
The statue is unveiled in front of the Carmody Center.
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Rev. Joseph E. Lingan, S.J. ’75 Honored as 2011 Man of the Year
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he Gonzaga Alumni Association honored Rev. Joseph E. Lingan, S.J. of the class of 1975 as its 2011 Man of the Year at the 62nd Annual FatherSon Communion Breakfast on May 1. In honoring Fr. Lingan, the following citation was read at the communion breakfast.
Gonzaga’s nearly 200-year history to serve as the school’s President. After graduating from Gonzaga, Joe Lingan attended Virginia Tech where he received a Bachelor of Science degree in Public Administration in the spring of 1979. In August of that year, he entered the Society of Jesus. He was ordained to the priesthood in 1990. Since that time the Society of Jesus has called on Joe Lingan several times to take
sudden and shocking loss of its beloved President and friend, Father Allen Novotny, S.J. At the time, Father Lingan was on sabbatical in preparation for his next assignment – which we now know is serving as Rector of the Georgetown University Jesuit Community. But because he loves Gonzaga so much, and because the hand of God has time and time again guided him home to Eye Street, Joe Lingan immediately said, “Yes”, he
Fr. Lingan comes from a proud and devoted Gonzaga family that boasts four graduates: Jim ’66, Tom ’70, Bob ’73 and Joe ’75. Additionally, his father, Colonel Bill Lingan, served as Fathers’ Club President and his mother, Bettie Lingan, served as Mothers’ Club President and worked for a time in the school’s Development Office. It is not exaggeration to say that it was families like the Lingans who helped Gonzaga stay alive during very difficult times. Indeed, the Gonzaga that Joe Lingan and his brothers attended in the 1960s and 1970s looked very different from the Gonzaga of today. Much has been written and said over the years of how Gonzaga in those Fr. Lingan is pictured here with members of his family following the Alumni Man of the tough years, with its Year presentation at the Father-Son Communion Breakfast in May. From left to right are worn facilities, dwindling Bob Lingan ’73, Tom Lingan ’70, Fr. Joe Lingan, S.J. ’75, John Lingan, Emma Lingan, enrollment, and positioned Casey Lingan ’96, Patricia Lingan-Fowler, and John Fowler. in a city shaken by social unrest, was on the verge of closing. What was it then, one might ask, that kept the school open? The answer is, what on positions of leadership, including would come back and serve his alma kept the school open, what keeps it several missions back to Eye Street. mater in its time of great need. prospering today, is the one enduring It seems that whenever and It is, therefore, with extreme quality that has never faltered, and wherever there has been a need for gratitude that the Gonzaga Alumni that is the Gonzaga spirit. It has been leadership that called for both a firm Association bestows upon Fr. Joseph said that the Gonzaga spirit is difficult hand and compassionate heart, the E. Lingan, S.J. of the Class of 1975, the to describe, but you know it when Society of Jesus has known it could first alumnus to serve as President of you see it. Today, we see the spirit count on Joe Lingan. Such was the Gonzaga, its Man of the Year Award. n of Gonzaga personified in Father case this past October, when the Joseph Lingan, S.J., the first alumnus in Gonzaga Community suffered the gonzaga.org
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2011 Jim Ronan ’83 Spirit o
Your Light Shines On (A.P.N.) Daniel Coolidge ’14 1st Place – Service/ Spiritual
Ros Cross Chris Brown ’12 1st Place – Black & White
Street Life Timothy Lee Anderson ’11 Best In Show – Color Art
Backstage Christian Forte ’14 1st Place – Campus
Riot Chris Brown ’12 1st Place – Color Art
The annual Jim Ronan ’83 Spirit of Gonzaga Photo Contest was held in April and over fifty entries were
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submitted by Gonzaga’s many talented young photographers. This year’s contest featured the following
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categories: Service/Spiritual, Sports/ Social, Black & White, Campus, and Color Art, in which students could gonzaga.org gonzaga.org
of Gonzaga Photo Contest
The Golden Viper Jordan Person ’14 Best Freshman – Color Art
Dooley Flower Alex Casey ’11 Honorable Mention – Service/Spiritual
Tender Is The Night Will Speros ’11 1st Place – Mobile
Homerun! Andrew Robinson ’13 1st Place – Sports/Social
Hoist The Colors Will Speros ’11 Sports/Social enter one non-Gonzaga-related image. Winners were selected by a panel of judges including Gonzaga fine arts gonzaga.org gonzaga.org
teacher Ms. Jennifer Carter and several Gonzaga parents. Some of the entries, including several category winners,
are shown here with the photographer’s name and the title. Gonzaga Gonzaga l Summer Summer 2011 2011
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Gonzaga
Around Campus
2011 Spanish Honor Society Induction
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hirty-three Gonzaga students were inducted into the National Spanish Honor Society in a ceremony on campus on May 10. These young men earned very high grades in Honors Spanish 3, Spanish 4, and Advanced Placement classes. As part of the ceremony, they pledged to promote Spanish culture and language in the U.S. In addition, they will tutor other students in
Spanish 1 and perform community service in the Latino community in D.C. During the ceremony, current members of the Sociedad Honoraria Hispanica read poetry by famous Spanish authors. Congratulations to the new inductees and Mrs. Leslie Keiser, moderator of Gonzaga’s chapter of the SHH. n
Gonzaga Says “Farewell and Thank You” to Fr. Rokusek
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he Gonzaga school community thanked Fr. Bob Rokusek for his fourteen years of service and ministry to Gonzaga at a reception in his honor on May 12. Dozens of faculty and staff members gathered to wish him well in his upcoming retirement and to thank him for his guidance, assistance, and faithful service. “You have been lively, loyal and inspiring companions, sure signs of our great hearted Father. It has been very good to be here and in your company,” Fr. Rokusek said in appreciation. n
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Gonzaga Debate Team in Final Eight at Nationals
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he Gonzaga Debate Team sent a talented group to the National Catholic Forensics League Debate Tournament on May 28-29 in Washington, D.C. After a grueling day of five debate rounds on Saturday, the underclassman duo of Neil Guleria ’14 (far right) and Stephen Morris ’13 (second from right) did not advance, but they learned a great deal from the experience. The team of Shan Guleria ’12 (far left) and Chris DiMisa ’11 (second from left) was one of thirty-two teams out of 225 from around the country to
advance. On Sunday, Shan and Chris progressed to “Octos,” or the final eight teams, and will receive a trophy, medals, and certificates.
Congratulations to the debate team and its moderators, Mrs. Leslie Keiser and Mrs. Patty Tobin, on a great performance! n
Gonzaga Board of Trustees Names Two New Members Mr. Floyd Adagio
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ack Vardaman, Chairman of the Gonzaga Board of Trustees, announced in May the appointment of two new members to the Gonzaga Board – Mr. Floyd Adagio and Rev. Timothy J. Stephens, S.J. Floyd Adagio is the father of three Gonzaga graduates – Alex ’07, Max ’09, and Nick ’09. He is a Past President of the Gonzaga Fathers’ Club (2005-2006) and he and his wife, Stacy, currently co-chair Eagles’ Wings, Gonzaga’s organization for parents of alumni.
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Floyd serves as President and CEO of Orion Networking, Inc., a technology services and software products firm headquartered in Great Falls, VA. Rev. Tim Stephens, S.J., currently serves as Treasurer of the Maryland Province of the Society of Jesus. Fr. Stephens is no stranger to Gonzaga. He knows and has served the school well. From 1993-1995, he taught English and Religion; from 2004-2009, he taught Economics and Ethics; and he served as Gonzaga’s Director of
Rev. Timothy Stephens, S.J.
Retreats in 2009-2010. Fr. Stephens has also served as the Director of the Loyola Retreat House in Faulkner, MD. The two appointments fill the vacancies left by retiring Board members Mr. Jim Nalls, Jr. ’72, who served on the Board from 2002-2011, and Rev. Ralph Metts, S.J., who has served on the Board since 2003. Gonzaga welcomes Mr. Adagio and Fr. Stephens to the Board of Trustees. n
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Spring
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Gonzaga Crew Team Wins Gold
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he Gonzaga crew team earned its firstever gold medal in the 16-year history of the program at the 85th Annual Stotesbury Cup Regatta in Philadelphia on May 21. The Eagles won the Second Varsity race over St. Alban’s, Chaminade, St. Andrew’s, Holy Spirit, and Thomas Jefferson. In winning the event, the crew earned the historic “Hammer Trophy.” Congratulations to Coach Marc Mandel and the Second Varsity eight crew! n
Eagles Repeat as W.C.A.C. Lacrosse Champions
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he Gonzaga varsity lacrosse team defeated Good Counsel HS, 10-8, to win its second straight Washington Catholic Athletic Conference championship on May 9 at the University of Maryland. In the closely contested game, the Eagles rallied from a three-goal deficit in the second half to score five unanswered
goals and repeat as league champions. Gonzaga finished the season with a record of 19-3.
Congratulations to Coach Casey O’Neill ’96, the coaching staff, and the entire team! n
Gonzaga Tennis Team Captures W.C.A.C. Championship The Gonzaga varsity tennis team won its second consecutive Washington Catholic Athletic Conference championship on May 5. The team won 8 out of 9 matches to win in dominating fashion with 49 points. Anton Zykov ’13 won his second straight singles championship in the #1 position and remained undefeated for the second year in a row. The Eagles also won first place medals in the 2-6 singles positions and in the #1 and #3 doubles positions. Congratulations to Coach Ariel Laguilles ’96 and the entire varsity tennis team! n
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hletic
News
Gonzaga Golf Team Claims Two Championships
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he Gonzaga varsity golf team won two team championships this past season. The Eagles first won the Washington Catholic Athletic Conference title (pictured here) for the second straight year by defeating DeMatha Catholic HS
by 27 strokes in the two-day tournament. They followed their conference title with a two-stroke team victory over Georgetown Prep in the Washington Private Schools (Metro) Golf Championship on May 17. The
Metro Championship tournament features the top two teams from both the W.C.A.C. and the Interstate Athletic Conference. Congratulations to Coach Rob Theriaque and the entire golf team on an outstanding season! n
Gonzaga Rugby Team Continues Winning Streak
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he Gonzaga varsity (“A” side) rugby team continued its streak of championship seasons in 2011. The Eagles, who were ranked #1 in the nation for most of the spring, dominated Mount St. Joseph HS, 42-8, in the Potomac Rugby Union championship game on April 30 (pictured here). It was their twelfth consecutive PRU title. They then handled St. Gregory’s (PA), 55-10, to win the Mid-Atlantic Rugby Football Union title on May 8. The Eagles’ MARFU victory earned them a trip to the USA Rugby High School National Championship tournament in Utah in late May. The Eagles defeated McQuaid Jesuit HS in the first round, lost to Jesuit HS of Sacramento (CA), gonzaga.org
and then downed Charlotte Catholic HS (NC) to finish in third place. Congratulations to the entire Gonzaga rugby program on another outstanding season! n Gonzaga l Summer 2011
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Why I Want to Have Steve Shields Remembered at G by: Jim Sell It’s been more than two years since I got a phone call from Jim Sell, who told me of his interest in starting a scholarship fund in memory of his Vietnam War brother-in-arms, Steve Shields ’66. Jim came to visit me at Gonzaga, and, in time, so did other of Steve Shields’ Army brothers. What stood out to me then – and now – was that they were so moved by Steve’s stories about Gonzaga that in their minds there was one place above all where Steve needed to be remembered, and that was here on Eye Street. Their stories served to remind us, yet again, that Wherever Purple is Worn, Gonzaga men make a positive impact. Steve Shields sure did. Danny Costello ’72 Vice President for Advancement
February 28, 2011
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met Steve Shields in September 1970 at the Infantry Officers Basic Course at Ft. Benning, Georgia. It was difficult time in our history. With the Vietnam War still going full tilt, the demand for Infantry 2nd Lieutenants to lead platoons or fly helicopters was high. There were so many of us in the fall/winter classes of 1970 there were insufficient quarters and the Army paid some to live off base. It’s hard to adequately recapture what we were like back then. The intervening years to be sure don’t help, but some of the feelings were ineffable even when fresh. The worry about being in combat within the next two years, of course, was ever present. The worry about measuring up was there, too. Those elements created a good deal of camaraderie, as did our separateness from much of our generation simply by being at Ft. Benning engaged in that training – in doing what we were doing. For many of us, there was a sense of service, that despite the questions many in our generation had, some we may have shared, we felt we were doing the right thing, at least by our lights. And after four years with 2-S deferments, some of us felt like we had to show up. I know Steve felt that way. Steve was one of those people who naturally attracted others. Whip smart, a great sense of humor accented by a mordant wit, filled to the brim with the books he had read – and there were a ton of them – intensely loyal to Notre Dame and fond of Gonzaga. (Sometimes he’d do the
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Gonzaga Eagle stance with his arms stretched out like wings – I guessed it was a pep rally thing.) He had an infectious, mischievous grin that always anticipated a joke just around the corner. One of my fondest memories of Steve – I often used the pay phone booth in the small bar we had in our BOQ building to call my fiancée. Steve followed me out of the corner of his eye as I climbed in the booth with my fist full of quarters. After I had fed the phone all my coins and dialed, he would push his way in, grab the phone, and announce loudly, “Let me talk some sense into this poor girl’s head.” Rousting me out, he began with, “Of course you do realize, miss, the man is going prematurely bald.” Then he’d settle in for a give and take with her while I stood outside. He always left me enough minutes, handing the phone back announcing to the assembled bar, “There’s no hope for the poor lady; she’s completely lost.” Frankly, my only worry about all of that was that my lady would come to want to spend more time on the phone with him than me. I couldn’t match his wit and charm. No one could. I don’t suppose any of us thought we’d get out of the next two years scotfree, and we all were a little wild, drank a bit too much (it was a different Army then) and we engaged in the usual horse play of young men. I believe a certain amount of license was afforded us by the MPs and our officers because of where we were likely heading at the end of all the training. Some of the stunts we pulled would certainly not be tolerated in today’s
Army. Probably should not have been tolerated then. One night, a crowd of us in cars, including Steve, was coming back from Columbus, more than a little stiff, and were concerned about being waved through the main gate at Benning, where one had to at least slow a bit to be acknowledged by the MPs in the booth that sat between the four traffic lanes. To distract the MPs from the rest of us, one of our number, an outlandishly florid Louisianan, broke from the column of cars and drove his banana yellow, drop-top ’59 Cadillac (there was more fin to the car than there was car) across the median, rolled up to the gate on the wrong side of the road, saluted the MPs, and making a rude remark about the Airborne, went into the night into Benning alighting to the right road once on base. The MPs were flabbergasted, but on seeing the very high number of the bumper sticker on the Caddy, realized we were all 2nd Lieutenants. They grinned at one another and shrugged and waved us all into the base – I guess thinking that most of us would be in Vietnam within a year. In today’s Army, we’d all have been up on charges. We were an experimental class – twelve weeks of training instead of eight – and most of it in the field with very little classroom time. As it turned out, that fall/winter was one of Georgia’s coldest and wettest in decades. That coupled with constant movement with heavy packs (our Ranger tactical training officers and NCOs believed anyone needing more than two hours of sleep was a sissy and shouldn’t be leading a US Army rifle gonzaga.org
Gonzaga High School with a Memorial Scholarship platoon anyway) and other physical training put us in the best shape of our lives. We all come out of there whittled down to bone, gristle, and muscle without an ounce of fat on us. And we thought we were pretty tough, although I guess those that went on to Ranger and jump school later probably found IOBC to have been a snap in comparison. On why IOBC is so demanding, few can match General Colin Powell’s recollection of his 1958 IOBC. “The first day we mustered in front of the Infantry School by the legendary “Follow Me” statue – a bronze infantryman, rifle held high, leading men into battle. It was only forged of metal to me at the time, but in the weeks to follow I was to learn that this statue captured perfectly the infantry officer’s code. We were about to be taught a deadly serious calling, and its creed was ‘Follow Me.’ The infantry officer was to go into battle up front, demonstrating courage, determination, strength, proficiency, and selfless sacrifice. For years, I have told young officers that most of what I know about military life I learned in my first eight weeks at Fort Benning.” After graduating, I lost touch with Steve and the others as we all went our separate ways for additional training – Steve and Ron to helicopter fight school, I to a pacification program to prepare for civic action work in villages in Vietnam, and “Howdy Doody” to airborne school. In Vietnam, Steve, Howdy, and Ron wound up in the thick of it. Howdy was an assistant advisor to a South Vietnamese regiment in Kontum and saved it by calling in a “danger close” B-52 strike in the 1972 Easter Offensive by, as he put it, “fudging the coordinates” (They would not have dropped the bombs if they had known how close to his position Howdy Doody was placing the strike.). Ron and Steve were helicopter pilots, gonzaga.org
with Steve receiving the Silver Star and Ron the Distinguished Flying Cross. These medals are never easily won by combat helicopter pilots because as a group they are expected to encounter danger as a matter of course; it’s part of the job. But in the Easter offensive and later, their courage was especially commonplace and to stand Steve Shields ’66 (center) with his friends Ron (left) and Gower. out among that group and things he had touched. to earn those medals really I found his Mom in a darkened required something. For those who living room and she and I spent a ginflew in the Easter Offensive of 1972 soaked afternoon reminiscing about and later, the phrase “uncommon valor Steve. was common” is completely accurate. What does one do in those I served essentially as an “armed” moments? I had returned and her son Peace Corps volunteer in the hadn’t; I felt guilty for making it home pacification program in I CORPS. I and she asked with her eyes “Why not hasten to add that there were plenty my son, too?” I couldn’t answer that of guys in that program who were then and will always wonder why, too. constantly at great risk, but I was not On leaving that afternoon, I was among them. able to get Steve’s MGB started for On my return home I remembered Cathy by kick-starting it with her at the that Steve lived in Clinton, Maryland, wheel. It was the first time she smiled; so I gave his house a call to get a it was through tears, but it was a smile. bead on him. His Mom answered the His mom and sister wanted me phone. After I asked about Steve, there to take all his gear that afternoon. I was this terrible silence and my heart thought they would regret that once sank; I knew Steve was gone. When they had come out of the fog of their his Mom finally spoke she said, “Steve grief, so I declined. Also, I was heading was killed. We just buried him at West to law school with a wife I had married Point next to his father.” just before going over and we had I still have trouble remembering spent a lot of time away from each that moment without emotion, and other so it was a confusing time. And, frankly hope I never get to a point also, in honesty, I wanted to get away where I no longer do. It is not holding from it all a bit. Steve was not the only on to sadness for its own sake. It’s one I knew that did not come home remembering the value of Steve. and it was all crowding in on me a bit. I stammered out my sympathies. I But I would have taken his items don’t recall whether I asked to come despite those other considerations if I over and see her or she asked me, but did not honestly believe they would in any event I drove over that day. It regret it and want it back. Storage was was a house draped in grief. an issue. In retrospect, I now realize I went to the back door. It was ajar that my old man, a retired U.S. Army and I let myself in and just followed the Colonel who earned a battlefield pain. Steve’s sister, Cathy, still in high commission in WWII, would have school, was in the basement. Steve’s gladly put it in his attic until the family footlocker and gear had arrived that came out of their grief. The point is I day; she had her feet on the edge of wasn’t thinking clearly that afternoon. the open locker, and through tears was Steve and his family hovered in my trying to read one of his books, I guess mind for years. There was, of course, trying to touch him through the last Gonzaga l Summer 2011
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Jim Sell the need for getting on with one’s own life and trying to put the past behind. But I also felt that the family would want to do so, as well, perhaps even more so. They didn’t need any reminders. I struggled with those conflicting feelings and finally resolved to find the family again. In searching the internet, I found Ron and discovered he had been searching for Steve’s family, as well, and I knew I had found a fellow brother-in-arms who, like me, wanted the family to know how special Steve was and how we both still missed him. The sacrifices made by Steve’s unit the Blue Max in helping An Loc from being overrun resulted in the loss of 25% of the air crews. To put that in perspective, the 8th Air Force in WWII, which had the highest percentage of losses among the bomber groups, lost 12% of its crews. You have to bear in mind that this was not a one-time event – day after day Steve and his fellow pilots assembled in the morning and awaited the calls for help and assignments. They all knew that they would again have to fly through the deadly .51 caliber machine gun fire from the anti-aircraft battalions dispatched by the NVA to assist in the offensive. It was estimated that as many as ten such battalions were sent for the offensive. The fire
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could be deadly accurate, using a triangle firing pattern in which three .51 caliber machine guns would lock onto a helicopter from three different angles. It was then, too, when the NVA introduced the heat-seeking missile into the war. The nerve it must have taken to go up each day in the face of it is too incredible to contemplate. The U.S. Senior Advisor at An Loc, Colonel Miller, in writing up Steve’s unit for the Presidential Unit Citation, made a special point of relating how it felt to him and the others besieged at An Loc by three North Vietnamese and Viet Cong divisions, which included tanks used by the NVA for the first time in the war, when they knew Steve and his fellows pilots were in the air coming back through deadly fire to help them. He said cheers would go up on the radio traffic. He wrote of one pilot apologizing for having to leave because he had run out of ammo, but assuring them he would be back as soon as he had rearmed. One Air Force pilot who flew at An Loc at higher altitudes and saw the Cobra gun ships dive repeatedly through the heavy anti aircraft fire close to the ground said he did not see how any survived. But as I said earlier, for those like Steve and Ron flying in Vietnam during the offensive and after with that kind of arsenal on the ground arrayed against them, the phrase “uncommon valor was common” was especially Stephen Shields ’66 true. Steve’s courage should be remembered. I believe that a scholarship at Gonzaga is just about the most fitting way to do so. Steve was a scholar, a man of great learning. I understand he had read and virtually memorized the entire set of the Encyclopedia Britannica before he was thirteen. I was not surprised on hearing this. It
explained how he was able to settle a bar dispute that was getting out of hand by identifying every gem stone and its characteristics. From my childhood, I remembered that particular page in the Encyclopedia Britannica, too, but just that it was there. Steve recalled all of its information. But more importantly, Steve’s sense of duty, courage and self sacrifice epitomizes Gonzaga’s mission of forming “Men for Others.” We can often forget how difficult it can be for young men at a place like Gonzaga – highly competitive and demanding, as only the Jesuits can make it. There’s a reason they’re called the “Pope’s Marines.” The boys can face a lot of worries and self-doubts, etc. It’s a place where even boys are required to have the courage of men at times. Perhaps knowing about what Steve did will help one or two on any given day. Perhaps some will say to themselves, “If he could do that then, maybe I can do what I have to do today.” In closing, I remember a line from a Memorial Day speech given by Justice Holmes, one of the most noted U.S. Supreme Court justices, who was thrice wounded in the Civil War. In recollecting the loss of one of his Harvard classmates who had served with him in the 20th Massachusetts, the Harvard Regiment, he said: “He was little more than a boy, but the grizzled corps commanders knew and admired him; and for us, who not only admired, but loved [him], his death seemed to end a portion of our life also.” That is the sense of loss we will always feel for Steve. But there is something that will always keep Steve in our lives – the edifying examples of his too short life. I believe the Steve Shields Scholarship is a particularly fitting memorial of Steve’s living legacy to help Gonzaga form “Men for Others.” I hope you might, too, and help in some way. Thanks, Jim Sell gonzaga.org
Gonzaga Men Honored on Memorial Day 2011 by Kevin Rue “Friends of Rocky Versace”
The CPT Rocky Versace Plaza and Vietnam Veterans’ Memorial in Alexandria, VA. (photo – Stacy Rausch/Arlington Catholic Herald)
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Vietnam War. he “Friends America.” This year’s of Rocky The FoRV ceremony marked Versace” (FoRV) continue to seek a re-dedication remembered two vignettes about of the Plaza/ Gonzaga men, CPT Rocky Versace Rocky Versace ’55 and Memorial. Thanks ’55 and Mike SP4 Michael Kilduff to donations from Kilduff ’66 from ’66, at a Memorial members of the their classmates Day Ceremony in community and a and others who Alexandria, Virginia, contribution by the knew them either on May 30. The city of Alexandria at Gonzaga or event marked the 9th Recreation & Parks while they were Annual Memorial Day Department to the members of St. Observance at the Plaza maintenance Rita Parish in Captain Rocky Versace fund, the FoRV was Alexandria. They Michael J. Kilduff ’66 Humbert R. “Rocky” Plaza and Vietnam able to contract invite all to visit Versace ’55 Veterans’ Memorial in for professionals these Vietnam Alexandria. The Plaza/Memorial was to re-gild all 67 stars and Remembrance originally dedicated on July 6, 2002, blacken each man’s name beneath his websites for the two men and post an just 2 days prior to President George gold star. The Memorial Day program individual remembrance or send that W. Bush’s presentation of the Medal of included the reading of the 67 names, story to the FoRV at FoRV59@gmail. Honor to the Versace family; it honors a wreath-laying, sounding of “Taps,” com. n the 67 men from Alexandria who reading CPT Versace’s Medal of Honor made the ultimate sacrifice during the Citation, and singing “God Bless gonzaga.org
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Faculty & Staff English teacher Mr. Dave Norton ’00 earned a Master’s degree in journalism from Georgetown University in May…
the Year Award last October. He is the former Director of Aviation Policy and Senior Aviation Advisor to the U.S. Secretary of Transportation. The award was given for his leadership role in gaining legislation which Michael Bobbitt ’90 is the deregulated Artistic Director of Adventure the airline Theatre in Glen Echo, industry and for his Maryland. Under his athletic skills guidance, two of Adventure in basketball Theatre’s shows were and nominated for the 2011 Helen baseball. Hayes Award for Outstanding Jack was Theater Production for Young previously Audiences. The theater’s inducted production of If You Give a into the Athletic Pig a Pancake won the award. Halls of (photo – dctheatrescene.com) Fame at both Maryland and Gonzaga… John Burke ’46 retired 1940s after practicing law in Maryland and Jack Flynn ’42 received the University D.C. for fifty years… of Maryland’s Distinguished Citizen of
Matt Rienzo ’93 was hired in May by the University of the District of Columbia as its new Associate Athletic Director for Marketing and Communications. In this position, he will oversee UDC’s athletic marketing, branding, promotions, and licensing initiatives, as well as the Sports Information Department. (photo – www.guhoyas.com) 1950s Dave Muller ’52 recently completed his sixth guide to the Colorado
Tim Warren ’01 and Sunny Lange were married on June 26, 2010. Celebrating with them at their reception were several Gonzaga alumni. Kneeling are (l to r) Mark Lyman ’99, Eddie Deegan ’01, John Stone ’01, Tim Madden ’01, Connor McCarthy ’02, and Matthew Dugan ’01. Standing (l to r) are Mike Cotter ’65, Paul Warren ’68, Alex Konig ’01, Bobby Mills ’01, Chris Warren ’95, Sean Ketchum ’01, Dan Warren ’72, Jesse Oursler ’99, Tim Warren ’01, Joe Gormley ’99, John Schlegel ’01, Jimmy Nalls ’72, Brendan Hamilton ’01, and John Leubecker ’00.
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outdoors. He still treks in the Colorado high country twice a week… Rev. William Cleary, OSA ’53 celebrated his 50th year of priesthood on June 3. He says he is proud of his Gonzaga education… James Dollahite ’57 has a grandson, Matthew Griffin, who graduated with Gonzaga’s class of 2011. His grandson, Connor Griffin, will enter Gonzaga in September with the class of 2015… Thomas Clark ’59 has two goals in his retirement: to break 90 in golf and to publish a novel. He achieved one of those goals recently with the publishing of his Noah… 1960s Jim Moriarty ’62 published a screenplay entitled Bad Actors (Rev. #5) on www.triggerstreet.com and he is searching for an agent and producer… Msgr. Peter Vaghi ’66 recently published the third installment in his “Pillars of Faith” series. The Commandments We Keep: A Catholic Guide to Living a Moral Life was published by Ave Maria Press of Notre Dame, IN. The first two installments in the series are The Faith We Profess and The Sacraments We Celebrate… Thomas Holtz ’68 recently released an updated collection of architectural and design sketches covering the many different projects and interests of his career. The collection, Architecture and Design
Former Gonzaga parents Dennis and Pam Lucey (Chris ’97) are pictured here with The Honorable Enda Kenny, the newly elected Prime Minister of Ireland, and his wife, Fionnuala, at the National American-Ireland Gala held on March 16 in Washington, D.C. The dinner honored Mr. Kenny and Maryland Governor Martin O’Malley ’81. Mr. Lucey and Mr. Mark Tuohey (P ’92, ’95, ’97) co-chaired this year’s dinner which raised over $750,000 to support programs of peace and reconciliation, arts and culture, education, and community development throughout Ireland. From left to right are Mr. Kenny, Mrs. Lucey, Mrs. Kenny, and Mr. Lucey.
1970-2010, spans his work in the United States, Germany, and Great Britain… 1970s Max Cacas ’72 has joined the staff of SIGNAL Magazine in Fairfax, VA, as Defense Editor, covering the Pentagon and the defense technology community. He also continues as an
adjunct multimedia instructor at the Philip Merrill College of Journalism at the University of Maryland, College Park… Terence Flynn ’78 (P’14) was nominated by President Obama in January to serve as the second Republican member of the National Labor Relations Board… 1980s
1st Lt. Michael Hayes ’05, USAF, graduated and from Euro-NATO Joint Jet Pilot Training (ENJJPT) with distinguished honors and was awarded his pilot’s wings in February 2011. He and his wife, Melissa, will be moving to Panama City, FL, where Michael will begin flying the F-22 Raptor at Tyndall Air Force Base.
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Patrick Ryan ’85 was recently promoted to technical manager at IBM Federal in Bethesda, MD. He is also proud to announce that his son, Conor, will join the Gonzaga Class of
University. He celebrated the final school Mass of Gonzaga’s 2010-2011 academic year in St. Aloysius Church on May 2… Win Sheridan ’89 and his wife Jen welcomed a baby girl named Bentley Jane on April 18… 1990s Michael Bobbitt ’90 is the Artistic Director of Adventure Theatre in Glen Echo, MD, which won the 2011 Helen Hayes Award for Outstanding Theater Production for Young Audiences… Matt Barry ’90 and his wife Claire welcomed a daughter, Sylvia Jay, on March 25… Patrick Collins ’92 and
his wife Lisa welcomed a son, Jacob Patrick, on April 20… Dr. William Gwinn ’93 and his wife Tricia happily announce the birth of their second daughter, Sara Cathleen, on November 4, 2010… Matt Rienzo ’93 was hired by the University of the District of Columbia as its new Associate Athletic Director for Marketing and Communications. He previously coached lacrosse at the University of Notre Dame and most recently at Georgetown University… Mark Lyman ’99 and Meghan O’Sullivan, Gonzaga’s Annual Fund Director, were married on May 21 in St. Aloysius Church. Billy Redfield ’99, Danny
Steve Aro ’07, a recent graduate of Carnegie Mellon University, was named a 2011 Fulbright Scholar in May by the U.S. Student Fulbright Program. Under the program, which is sponsored by the U.S. Department of State, Steve will travel to the University of Western Australia, where he will research the role of physics and magnetism in biology, medicine, and nanotechnology. (photo – www.cmu.edu)
2015 this fall. Patrick and his family live in Rockville, MD… Dr. Francisco Espinel ’89 was married to Dr. Alexandra Davolos in June 2010. In Francisco’s wedding party were David Shaheen ’89, Pierre Chauvet ’89, and Sean Ward ’89. Rob Grant ’89 and Ross McKenna ’90 were also at the wedding, which was held in Dahlgren Chapel on the campus of Georgetown University. Rev. Kevin F. O’Brien, S.J. officiated… Fr. Greg Shaffer ’89 is the chaplain at the Newman Catholic Student Center at George Washington
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LT Paul Miller ’01, USCG, and his bride, LT Erin Slycord, USCG, leave Mary Star of the Sea Catholic Church in LaJolla, CA, following their wedding ceremony.
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May They Rest In Peace Dellegrotti ’99, and John O’Sullivan ’02 were groomsmen. Gonzaga President Fr. Joseph Lingan, S.J. ’75 concelebrated the ceremony… 2000s Timothy Veith ’00 and his wife Ashley welcomed their first child, a daughter named Greta Page, on January 11… LT Paul Miller ’01, USCG, married LT Erin Slycord, USCG, on May 28 at Mary Star of the Sea Catholic Church in LaJolla, CA. Fr. Dave Ungerleider ’69 officiated… Mark Norton ’02 earned a Master’s degree in physiology from Georgetown University in May. He was also accepted into the Georgetown University School of Medicine… 2ndLT Brian Ralston, USMC, ’04 graduated from Marquette University Law School on May 22 and was admitted to the Wisconsin Bar on May 23. He commenced active duty in June to become a Marine Corps JAG officer… Mike Alberi ’07 graduated from Penn State University in May with a business degree… Carlos Marquez ’07 was honored as the “Student of the Year” in the Latin American and Caribbean Studies Program at Emory University in Atlanta, GA. He was presented the award on April 25 by the Department of Spanish and Portuguese… Ryan Lichtenfels ’08 won the men’s 500yard freestyle at the NCAA Division III Swimming National Championships in March. He also netted three All American honors, and his second place 800-yard freestyle relay team set both an Amherst and an NESCAC conference record… David Planning ’11 was selected as a United States Lacrosse All-American in June… n
Nancy J. Appel, Wife of Edward J., Sr. ’64
Eileen M. Clark, Wife of Stephen E. ’62; sister of F. Patrick McGrath, Jr. ’60; daughter of the late Francis P. McGrath ’31; niece of the late Rev. Brian A. McGrath, S.J. ’31
J. Carmody, Sr. ’19; brother-in-law of John J., Jr. ’54 and the late Kevin W. Carmody ’62; uncle of John W. ’82, William J. ’84, Michael J. ’85, and Joseph T. Carmody ’98, L. Maurice IV ’84 and Kevin J. Rowe ’87, and Charles M. ’77, John ’78, and James P. Steele ’83; grandfather of Andrew Fertig ’06, Nicholas C. ’10 and Theodore A. Marcou ’12
Francis A. Connolly, Jr. ’40
Edward B. McAllister ’43
Bro. Timothy Dean, FSC ’49
William E. Mould, Sr., Brother of John C. ’46
Vincent F. Arendes ’59, Son of Joseph R. ’29; father of Michael J. ’85
Mary DeChard, Wife of the late William F. ’47 Marie de Groot, Mother of J. Thomas ’76; sister-in-law of Dr. William ’45 Mary V. Dellatorre, Mother of Dr. Daniel L. ’67 Kathleen Donovan, Wife of Walter J. ’70; mother of Liam P. ’00 William G. Englert, Father of Marc H. ’85 Adelaide M. Flanagan, Daughter of the late Francis J. ’33 Joann W. George, Wife of the late Dr. George P. ’36 Thomas G. Hamp ’59, Brother of Michael G. ’57 Philip L. Jameson, Father of Philip L., Jr. ’92 John J. Kaminski, Father of Dr. Michael J. ’64 Anna M. Keder, Mother of Anthony A. ’72; grandmother of David A. ’01 and Joseph B. ’06 Betty Jane Kern, Wife of the late Gerald J. ’46 Steven Koning, Father of Alexander C. ’01 Dr. Theodore J. LeBlanc, Jr., Brother of D. Thomas ’57; father of Theodore J., III ’70; uncle of Matthew J. Garner ’94 James S. Lertora ’48, Brother of the late John ’45 Catherine M. Lynch, Wife of William P. ’60 Owen J. Malone, Jr., Father of Christopher R. ’78, Owen J., III ’81, and John F. ’83 Louis O. Marcotte ’44
John J. O’Keefe ’47, Father of Patrick J. ’76 and Thomas B. ’88 Rosemary O’Reilly, Sister of the late Francis E. Maloney ’38; mother of Brian F. ’72, Kevin ’75, Denis R. ’76, Thomas M. ’78, and Patrick ’82; grandmother of Michael A. ’06 and Devin J. ’08 Emilio Pineda, Grandfather of Christopher R. Singh ’95 and Gonzaga staff member Conrad M. Singh ’00 Helen C. Riordan, Wife of James E. ’43 John D. Robinson ’47 Eileen C. Roche, Sister of the late William P. ’42 Gene W. Rockwell, Sister of Kurt F. Widmayer ’72 and Derek A. Widmayer ’75 Evangeline W. Rupp, Mother of the late William J. Counselman, Jr. ’58 and Joseph P. Rupp ’70 Francis M. Sharkey ’38 Rita D. Schwartz, Wife of Joseph A., Jr. ’39; mother of Joseph A., III ’64 Patricia Sweeney, Mother of Patrick ’95, Daniel B. ’98, and Joseph ’01 Malcolm B. Templeman, Jr., Brother of Maurice B. ’78 Robert F. Twynham, Brother of James H. ’57; uncle of Robert K. Beard ’69 and Stephen Beard ’71 Robert D. Uhar, Sr., Father of Robert D., Jr. ’71 Melvin S. Yates, Father of Melvin S., II ’91 and Gonzaga staff member Milton ’97
George T. Marcou, Son-in-law of John gonzaga.org
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Periodicals Postage Paid at Washington, D.C. USPS 954-900 ISSN #1543-3331
Gonzaga College High School 19 Eye Street, N.W. Washington, D.C. 20001
PARENTS: If you are still receiving your son’s Good News From 19 Eye Street although he no longer lives with you, let us know so we can update our records and send the magazine directly to him. If you enjoy reading the publication but do not receive a copy of your own, let us know that, also. We would be glad to send a copy to your son’s new address and continue to send you one. Contact the Development Office at (202)336-7151.
Save The Date! October 14, 2011
The 27th Annual Kevin W. Carmody Open for Fatherless Boys The Courses at Andrews Air Force Base
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Save The Date! September 18, 2011
The Inaugural “Ride to Remember”
In Memory of Fr. Allen Novotny, S.J. 8:00 A.M. – Mass at St. Aloysius 9:00 A.M. - Bike Ride through D.C. (Routes vary between 5 and 25 miles.) 11:00 A.M. – 1:00 P.M. – Post-ride Party at Gonzaga! Riders, Volunteers, and Sponsors are needed! Please email BikeRide@gonzaga.org for more information. Look for online signup in the weeks to come! gonzaga.org