MUHS MAGAZINE Vol. 60 Fall 2015
Living out the Jesuit mission AMDG Rev. Gene Merz, SJ ’48, Tom Drexler ’78, Marcus Mescher ’00
For Alumni, Parents, Students and Friends of Marquette University High School
How Does It Work? By Rev. Frank Majka, SJ
Years ago, when I saw my first computer, my initial question was, “How does it work?” I have some understanding of computers now, but by no means do I know the full answer about how they work. That how-does-it-work question applies to more than computers, of course. It reaches all the way to how do life and the world work? I can think of three possible answers. The first is that the world and life work in a fair manner. If you do the right things and live a morally good life, good things will come your way. But if you do bad things then bad things will come your way. The second answer is to say that life and the world are unfair and ruled by a kind of Murphy’s Law—the one that says if a slice of bread falls to the floor, it will almost always land jelly-side down. You are more likely to suffer than be rewarded, the good die young and the bad live to a ripe old age. Your only hope is to do your best, hope to be lucky and enjoy what you have while you have it. The third answer is to believe that you will never really know how life or the world works. You are dealt a hand of cards, but there is no predetermined way as to how you should play them or the end result. If you make the right decisions and take the right risks, it all may play out so that you will enjoy some type of reward, in the next world if not in this one. But then again, nothing’s a sure thing. Which of these three views about life and the world do you believe? Which do you want your children to believe? I think the more fundamental question is: How does God work? If you believe in Christ, then you will believe—and share your belief—that God is loving and faithful, relying on Jesus’ promise to be with us always, (Matthew 28:26) and St. Paul’s assurance that all things will eventually work together for good for those who love God (Romans 8:28). So, it’s ultimately not about how the world or life work but about how God works. And faith assures us that no matter what life or the world send our way, God will never abandon us. That’s how God works.
Rev. Frank Majka, SJ, is alumni chaplain at Marquette University High School. He also has a spiritual blog, “The Bridge” at www.frankmajka.com.
Faith formation at MUHS Dear MUHS Friends, A major challenge for Catholic schools today is how to maintain their Catholic identity with fewer priests, nuns and brothers to staff them. When I graduated from Holy Spirit Grade School on the south side of Milwaukee all of the teachers and administrators were Franciscan sisters. Now most Catholic schools aren’t staffed by priests or religious. The same applies for our Jesuit schools. When I graduated from Marquette High in 1964, the vast majority of teachers and administrators were Jesuits. Last academic year we had seven Jesuits, including two half time and one retiree, and this number will drop further in the near future.
contribute to the school’s mission. Teachers only receive tenure if they do well in all of these areas. Many of the pre-tenured teachers find that our mission training helps them grow in their personal faith development. This is one of the things that makes Marquette High a great place to work; we are a genuine faith community. So I am happy to be able to say during the last year of my ten-year term as president that I believe the Catholic, Jesuit mission is very strong at Marquette High and that our students experience this as much today as ever.
Yours in Christ, So the burden of the mission of Catholic—including Jesuit— education falls largely to laypeople. As we know, lay Catholic educators can do an outstanding job of not only teaching their subject matter but also conveying the Catholic, Jesuit mission to their students. However, this is not automatic. We at Marquette University High School are doing what we can to ensure that our lay teachers, administrators and coaches are equipped to deliver the Catholic, Jesuit mission of MUHS. First, we try to hire practicing Catholics whenever possible. Of course, we want people competent in their area of teaching who are good teachers and administrators and can relate well with our students. We also have wonderful lay teachers from other faith backgrounds who are very attuned to our mission. Second, we have an intensive faith formation program for our new teachers and administrators. Janice Kofler and Father Frank Majka, SJ provide a four-year mission training program during which they meet regularly with pre-tenured teachers for classes on the Jesuit mission and pedagogy as well as the basics of Catholic doctrine and morality. Teachers are expected to actively support our mission through helping on retreats, service trips, liturgies and the like. Our principal Jeff Monday ’84 supervises and evaluates teachers not only on their professional competence but also on how they
Rev. Warren Sazama, SJ ’64 President
Contents
12 MUHS NEWS
4
News briefs
12
Class of 2015 The next destination
24
SPORTS
14
Tennis takes state
18
Hilltopper highlights FEATURES
42
20
Mike Donovan retires
24
Following in the footsteps of St. Ignatius
30
Rev. Gene Merz, SJ ‘48 Leading the way in spiritual direction
36
Tom Drexler ’78 Creating the condition to encounter Christ
42
Marcus Mescher ’00 Meeting students at the intersection of faith and reality
48
Marquette High’s ties to the Civil War ALUMNI UPDATE
50
56
Class notes THEN AND NOW
56
Faith spaces
Editor
Gina Tegge
Design
MUHS Magazine is pub-
Julie Felser
Warren Sazama, SJ ’64
Jena Sher
lished twice a year for and
Contributing Writers
Editing Assistance
Printing
community. As always, we
Cover: Rev. Gene Merz, SJ ’48 in the chapel at the Arrupe House Jesuit Community in Milwaukee. Photo by Abigail
Katie Egan
Kristen Scheuing
The Fox Company
appreciate hearing from
Augustine Beck.
about the Marquette High
you and welcome your com-
Jacob Heinen ’15 James Helf ’16
Photography
ments and suggestions. Please
Jim Kostenko
Abigail Augustine Beck
send your feedback to the
Ben Kozina ‘18
Peter Beck
editor at felser@muhs.edu
Chris Lese ‘92
Katie Egan
or MUHS, 3401 W. Wisconsin
Frank Majka, SJ
Pat Goetzinger
Ave., Milwaukee, WI 53208.
Jon Parsons
Greg Rust/Xavier University
Jane Powers
VIP Photography
Opposite (left to right): Clare Brennan, Alejandro Camacho ’17, Natalie Howard, Sam Pickart ’15, Maddison Underberg, Bella Doucette and Connor Johnson ’16 perform in the spring musical Spamalot. Photo by VIP Photography.
MUHS NEWS
Rev. Michael Marco, SJ voted president-elect
In March, the Board of Directors unanimously voted to appoint Rev. Michael J. Marco, SJ, to be the 11th president of Marquette University High School, effective July 1, 2016. Father Marco will serve as president-elect for the 2015–16 school year and succeed Rev. Warren Sazama, SJ ’64, who completes his term as president on June 30, 2016. Board of Directors chair Bruce Arnold ’74 led the search. “The Ad Hoc Presidential Transition Committee found the best candidate for Marquette High in Father Mike Marco,” Arnold says. “It was not only our hope to find the most qualified person to be our next president, but also to continue our 158-year tradition of having the school’s top leadership position be held by a Jesuit priest. We are thrilled to have both.” Wisconsin Province Provincial Rev. Thomas Lawler, SJ, ’83 supported the appointment. “On behalf of the Jesuits of the Midwest, I am very pleased that the Board of Directors of MUHS has elected Father Mike Marco as the next president,” Lawler says. “Father Marco is a fine Jesuit and priest, and a gifted administrator and leader. I have every confidence that Father Marco will be an excellent leader and will continue Marquette High’s legacy as one of the best high schools in the region.” Father Marco brings to Marquette High more than 20 years of Jesuit secondary education experience, including 10 years of executive experience as president of two other Jesuit high schools in the country. He has served as special assistant to the president at Marquette High since 2013. Marco previously served as president of Georgetown Preparatory School in Maryland from 2010 to 2013, and president of Walsh Jesuit High School in Ohio from 2003 to 2010. From 1996 to 2002, Marco served at Creighton Preparatory High School in Nebraska as a theology teacher and department chair, director of campus ministry and assistant to the president. He also taught psychology and theology and coached baseball at Marquette High early in his career from 1989–92. A Nebraska native, Father Marco holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Creighton University, and a teacher certification from Marquette University. He also holds a master’s degree from Boston College in religious education, and a master of divinity
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Rev. Michael Marco, SJ will succeed Rev. Warren J. Sazama, SJ ’64 as president on June 30, 2016. Marco previously served MUHS as special assistant to the president and as a teacher and coach.
degree from Weston Jesuit School. He studied philosophy for three years at Saint Louis University in preparation of his ordination to the priesthood. Father Marco currently serves on the boards of the Jesuit Schools Network, and Cristo Rey Jesuit High School Milwaukee. Father Sazama has served more than 25 years at Marquette University High School, including the past nine years as president. Following the transition on June 30, 2016, Father Sazama will accept a new assignment within the Wisconsin Province. In 2014 he celebrated his 50th anniversary of entering the Society of Jesus.
MUHS joins effort to revitalize Farewell to Anna Losey,
Milwaukee’s Near West Side
Andre Lesperance James Helf ‘16
Marquette University High School has joined the efforts of Near West Side Partners, Inc., a nonprofit organization formed to revitalize and sustain the Near West Side as a thriving business and residential corridor. Comprising Harley-Davidson, Marquette University, MillerCoors, Potawatomi Business Development Corp., Aurora Health Care, and other businesses, nonprofits, and educational institutions, NWSP will work to promote economic development, improve housing, unify neighborhood identity and branding, and enhance safety for residents and businesses. “So far, the engagement has provided MUHS with the opportunity to connect more easily with others businesses and organizations on this side of town,” says Kriss Schulz, vice president of operations and communication. Schulz, along with Mike Dubis, MUHS director of security, are members of the NWSP safety committee, one of the organization’s four working committees.
“We share best practices and are working to develop safety initiatives that benefit the entire area,” Schulz says. “We also are working closely with the city and police department to monitor crime trends, unite our block watches, and address specific problems in the neighborhood.”
Anna Losey has retired after serving as the main office secretary and the voice of Marquette High for 17 years. “I think that people know in their hearts when it’s time to step down, and I just wanted to do some things that I haven’t had a chance to do working full time,” Losey says. Known for her strong faith life and commitment to Christ, Losey is confident her faith will help guide her in the next steps of her life. “I don’t have a set plan, but all I can tell you is that God has gotten me this far and I pray every day is a new day and I can experience new things in retirement.” After serving at Marquette High for four years as a theology teacher, Andre Lesperance will take on a new challenge serving as a parish ministry coach/consultant for a number of church ministries around the country. “I really believe this is the next step in my unfolding career path that I didn’t even see coming,” Lesperance says of the opportunity he found through the Evangelical Catholics, based in Madison, Wis., and dedicated to helping church leaders build thriving ministries. Even as he moves on, Lesperance says the lessons he learned at Marquette High will not be forgotten any time soon. “Working at Marquette has helped me get deeply in touch with a whole part of the church in Catholic high school education. It’s been really enriching for me.”
The other working committees are housing, commercial development, and neighborhood identity and branding. NWSP will focus on an area bounded roughly by I-43 on the east, I-94 on the south, Highway 41 to the west and on the north, Vliet Street west of 27th Street and the north side of Highland Avenue east of 27th Street.
Longtime receptionist Anna Losey retired in May 2015. Photo by VIP Photography.
www.MUHS.edu 5
MUHS NEWS
Pilgrimage of a lifetime Ben Kozina ’18
In September, Marquette High students Jacob Harrington ’16, Vincent Rettko ’16, Aidan Parks ’18, Kevin Eberle ’18, John Brotherhood ’17, and Jorge Razo Velazquez ’17, and faculty members Jean Morrell and Marie Mansfield set out on a pilgrimage to see Pope Francis in Philadelphia. Along the way, the group stopped at the University of Notre Dame to tour the campus and visit current freshman Peter Schelble ’15. They then traveled to Toledo, Ohio, to see Rev. Tom Doyle, SJ, former MUHS director of campus ministry. On Thursday, September 24, the group arrived at Philadelphia’s St. Joseph’s Preparatory High School, where they and 42 other Jesuit high school groups were welcomed by the school community. “We got out of the van and right away there were people there greeting us and helping us get unloaded,” Eberle says.
The following day, the students heard three speakers talk about the themes of joy, encountering new people, and mercy and forgiveness. Afterward, the students joined discussion groups to reflect upon the speech in the context of Pope Francis’ mission. On Saturday, the group also had a chance to attend three events: the Festival of Families outside the Philadelphia Art Museum, the Pope’s speech at Independence Hall, and the Papal Mass at the Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul. There was a general sense of awe among the group, not only by the amount of people who attended the events, but also by the ability of Pope Francis to connect with people from all walks of life. The students found the experience to be inspiring and eye-opening, helping them to individually grow in their faith, as well as grow as a community of believers. MUHS Spanish teacher Mrs. Mansfield says she gained “a deeper respect for the role of family in society, this being a literal world meeting of families.” She went on to say:
“This topic really hit home for me, being both a mother and a wife, because it renewed my vocation to my own family, not only with the importance of it, but the joy of it as well.” When the pilgrims arrived back at Marquette High on Monday night, they felt a renewed sense of community. Together they had witnessed the divine inspiration of Pope Francis delivering his message of the power of love and family to tens of thousands of believers like themselves.
The “To Philly for Francis” group (left to right): Aidan Parks ’18, Jorge Razo Velazquez ’17, Kevin Eberle ’18, Jean Morrell, John Brotherhood ’17, Marie Mansfield, Vincent Rettko ’16 and Jacob Harrington ’16.
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Hilltopper highlights news Gina Tegge
Cheryl Warner has joined MUHS as the director of the Academic Success Center. Warner is responsible for supporting MUHS students who have academic challenges and diagnosed learning differences. In addition, she works with other MUHS teachers, counselors and parents to develop and implement academic accommodation plans. Previously, Warner was a literature teacher, student services coordinator and administrator at St. Sebastian’s Catholic School. Br. Ken Homan, SJ, has been missioned to MUHS as a regent and teaches theology and serves as an assistant wrestling coach. Janelle Pruhs has joined MUHS as the school receptionist. John Kopriva ’11, Kevin Drees ’11 and Alex Beck ’11 are serving in the Alumni Service Corps for the 2015–16 school year. Kopriva, who teaches chemistry, graduated from George Washington University with a bachelor’s degree in chemistry. Drees earned a bachelor’s degree in Spanish from UW–Madison and assists students studying Spanish and also helps with Campus Ministry activities. Teaching world history, Beck ’11 earned his bachelor’s degree in political science and history from UW–Madison.
Signatures, moderated by Ginny Schauble, was awarded the rank Superior–Nominated for Highest Award from the national Council of Teachers of English. MUHS was one of only three high schools in Wisconsin to receive this recognition for its literary magazine. Seven students received National Scholastic Art awards for their artwork which was put on display at the Milwaukee Art Museum in March. Hank Bauer ’15 received an Honorable Mention in the category of Painting, Nick Bevington ’16 received an Honorable Mention in Drawing and Illustration, Jack Davis ’17 received an honorable Mention in Drawing and Illustration, Souleymane Drame ’18 received an Honorable Mention in Drawing and Illustration, Gavin Hock ’17 received a Silver Key in Drawing and Illustration, Nikolaus Roels ’15 received an Honorable Mention in Sculpture, and Michael Thompson ’15 received a Silver Key in Sculpture. Christopher Povinelli ’16 qualified to compete for a position on the U.S. National Chemistry Olympiad team. This multitiered competition, designed to stimulate and promote achievement in high school chemistry, is sponsored by the American Chemical Society. Gervis Myles ’15, as bassist for the Batterman Ensemble, received the Honors Ensemble Outstanding Performances by a Small Jazz Combo award by DownBeat magazine. Myles’ ensemble, from the Wisconsin Conservatory of Music, competed against other jazz combos from across the country in the magazine’s 38th Annual Student Music Awards.
(Left to right) Michael Enright ’17, Antonio Zizzo ’17 and Patrick Donohue ’17 help with the KaBOOM! Merrill Park playground renovation. On Saturday, September 11, more than 200 MUHS students, parents and employees helped install a new playground play system, a learning center and benches in Merrill Park.
Key Club attended the Key Club Wisconsin–Upper Michigan District Convention, where the Hilltoppers won the Single Service Award–Gold Division for the MUHS Christmas Basket Project and received the Club Spirit Award for an unprecedented sixth consecutive year. Individual awards included Peter Schelble ’15, Outstanding Club President; Donald Foley ’15, Outstanding Club Vice President; Will Kiesling ’16, Outstanding Club Secretary; and Jack Greene ’15, Outstanding Club Treasurer. Kevin Cekanor ’15 received the Sandy Nininger Award in recognition of his outstanding leadership, perseverance and exemplary service to others. In February, Key Club held its annual blood drive in partnership with the Blood Center of Wisconsin and collected 155 donations, providing the opportunity for up to 465 lives to be saved.
www.MUHS.edu 7
MUHS NEWS
Hilltopper highlights news Gina Tegge
Student Conclave sponsored the variety show “Can Jam” and raised the equivalent of $4,000 to help Hunger Task Force in its mission to feed the hungry in the Milwaukee area. A donation of $5 or five cans of non-perishable food items earned admission to this school-wide event showcasing the musical and performing talents of MUHS students. As part of the annual Trash 4 Pizza service project, Freshman Conclave students recruited more than 120 freshmen to help pick up trash in the Merrill Park neighborhood before enjoying a pizza lunch. The Orgullo Latino homeroom hosted the sixth annual Expresate, an open-mic talent show followed by a social and dancing. In February, faculty member David Archibald ’99 and six members of the Hilltoppers Defending Life club attended a Wisconsin Right to Life legislative conference in Madison. They learned how Wisconsin’s state legislative process works and what actions can be taken to protect human life through pro-life legislation. Kevin Cekanor ’15 received the Jesuit Secondary Education Association Award at the 2015 commencement ceremony. The JSEA Award is presented to the graduate who most closely resembles the grad-at-grad ideal: a well-rounded person who is intellectually competent, open to growth, religious, loving and committed to justice in generous service to the people of God. Other JSEA finalists from the Class of 2015 were Evan Bloch, Jacob Heinen, Matt Gottsacker, Alex Klar and Joe Kopriva. The Math Club finished first out of 50 high schools in the Wisconsin Math League. Tyler Nettesheim ’15 and Chris Povinell ’16 tied for sixth place, Zach Sekaran ’18 tied for eighth place, Connor Bachman ’15 tied for 12th place, Brent Carter ’15 tied for 16th place and Ben Malewicki ’16 tied for 26th place. The team also participated in the American Mathematics Competitions, with Nettesheim and John Heffernan ’15 tying for eighth place and Bachman tying for 10th place in Wisconsin out of 591 participants in the AMC 12 exam and Sekaran tying for second place in Wisconsin out of 355 participants in the AMC 10 exam. Nettesheim, Heffernan, Bachman and Sekaran qualified for and took the three-hour American Invitational Math Exam. Of 27 Wisconsin qualifiers, Nettesheim
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Kevin Cekanor ’15 making his way to the stage at graduation to receive the JSEA Award. Cekanor is currently attending Xavier University in Cincinnati. Photo by VIP Photography.
and Sekaran tied for eighth and solved seven of the 15 mind-boggling problems. Heffernan tied for 11th, and Bachman tied for 16th. Jeider Gonzalez ’15 was awarded a 2015 Robert F. Purcell, SJ, Peacemaker Award by Gesu Parish. Gonzalez was one of 11 young adults in Milwaukee recognized for demonstrating outstanding leadership related to conflict resolution, advocacy for justice and peacemaking in their schools or in the larger community. Jensen Stanton ’17 received a “starred first” rating at the Class A Level for his violin solo at the District Solo and Ensemble Competition of the Wisconsin State Music Association. With this rating, he qualified to perform at the State Music and Ensemble festival where he was awarded first place. Greger Makowski ’16 and Gavin Paap ’18 qualified for and participated in the National Catholic Forensic League’s Grand National Tournament in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. Makowski participated in the category of Oral Interpretation of Literature, Paap in Student Congress.
Atticus Clark ’15 and George Carlo Clark ’18 were named to the 2015 Scholastic Shooting Sports Foundation All-Scholastic Team. Atticus and George Carlo are the first MUHS athletes to receive this prestigious award, which recognizes excellence both in the classroom and in the shooting sports. Atticus also received a SSSF scholarship. In January the Forensics Team hosted its first Student Congress in the Common Council Chamber of Milwaukee City Hall. Forty students from 11 schools competed in the mock legislative assembly competition. Students were welcomed by Michael Murphy, president of the Common Council. City Clerk Jim Owczarski ’84 performed the ceremonial oath, and Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett ’72 visited to observe the students in action. The SMART Team studied human pluripotent stem cells, the cell types that have the ability to differentiate into any cell type. In particular, members studied a small molecule called STF-31 which acts as an important inhibitor to the enzyme nicotinamide phosphoribosyltransferase in an important enzymatic pathway
within stem cells. The team’s findings were presented at several poster sessions including one at the Medical College of Wisconsin and another at the American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology conference in Boston. Faculty member Vicki Temple Bonesho and Comparative Cultures students organized a school-wide fundraiser to aid the people of Nepal who were affected by April’s devastating earthquakes. Students and faculty dropped loose change into water jugs placed in the library and Cannon Commons. Juniors and seniors were also encouraged to donate money to the project in lieu of giving flowers to their prom dates. The total amount raised of $2,275 was sent through the Society of Jesus—Jesuit International Missions to assist the people of Nepal. AP Spanish Literature and Culture has been offered to students for the first time this fall. MUHS currently offers 18 Advanced Placement courses. Last May, 405 students took 718 College Board AP exams, a 33 percent increase from the previous year.
Faculty member Jim Schneider (#16) gives Vince Kostos a high-five during the DSHA vs. MUHS faculty softball game, a food-drive and fundraising event to benefit the Hunger Task Force of Milwaukee. Photo by VIP Photography.
www.MUHS.edu 9
MUHS NEWS
Class of 2015 Acceptance list Members of the Class of 2015 were accepted to 190 colleges and universities throughout the U.S. and Europe and received $8.2 million in merit scholarships for freshman year.
Northeast Amherst College Bentley University Boston College Boston University Champlain College Colby College University of Connecticut Cornell University University of the District of Columbia Drexel University Fairfield University Fordham University College of the Holy Cross Le Moyne College Lehigh University University of Maryland, Baltimore County Marymount Manhattan College Merrimack College Muhlenberg College The New School, School of Jazz New York University Northeastern University Pace University, New York City Point Park University Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Rochester Institute of Technology Saint Joseph’s University St. John’s University, New York Syracuse University University of Vermont Villanova University Worcester Polytechnic Institute Yale University
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Southeast
Vanderbilt University
Marquette University
The University of Alabama
University of Virginia
McKendree University
University of West Florida
Miami University, Oxford
Xavier University of
Michigan State University
at Birmingham The University of Alabama at Tuscaloosa
Louisiana
University
Bellarmine University The Catholic University of America
Midwest
University of Michigan
Augsburg College
Milwaukee Area Technical
Clemson University
Augustana College
Duke University
Ball State University
Elon University
Beloit College
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical
Bradley University
University, Florida Florida Gulf Coast University Florida Institute of Technology George Mason University The George Washington University
Michigan Technological
Butler University Cardinal Stritch University Carroll University Carthage College Case Western Reserve University University of Chicago
College Milwaukee Institute of Art and Design Milwaukee School of Engineering Minnesota State University, Mankato University of Minnesota, Duluth University of Minnesota, Twin Cities University of Missouri, Columbia
Georgetown University
Cleveland Institute of Art
Georgia Institute
Cleveland State University
North Central College
Coe College
Northland College
Hampton University
Columbia College Chicago
Northwest Missouri
High Point University
University of Dayton
State University
Howard University
Denison University
Northwestern University
University of Kentucky
DePaul University
University of Notre Dame
Louisiana State University
University of Detroit
Ohio State University
of Technology
Louisiana Tech University Loyola University
Mercy
Purdue University
Drake University
Ripon College
Washington University in St. Louis Western Michigan University Winona State University University of Wisconsin, Eau Claire University of Wisconsin, Green Bay University of Wisconsin, La Crosse University of Wisconsin, Madison University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee University of Wisconsin, Oshkosh University of Wisconsin, Platteville University of Wisconsin, River Falls University of Wisconsin, Stevens Point University of Wisconsin, Stout University of Wisconsin, Waukesha University of Wisconsin, Whitewater Xavier University
Saint John’s University
Ferris State University
Saint Louis University
West
Marymount University
Gustavus Adolphus College
Saint Mary’s University
Arizona State University
University of Miami
Hope College
Mississippi State University
Indiana University
University of Mississippi
at Bloomington
of Minnesota School of the Art Institute of Chicago Southern Illinois University,
Hawaii Pacific University Humboldt State University Johnson & Wales University, Denver Kansas State University University of Kansas Lewis & Clark College Loyola Marymount University Montana State University, Bozeman The University of Montana, Missoula University of Nebraska at Lincoln University of North Dakota University of Oklahoma University of Puget Sound Regis University University of San Diego University of San Francisco Santa Clara University Seattle Pacific University Seattle University South Dakota School of Mines and Technology University of Southern
Edgewood College
Marshall University
Maryland
Gonzaga University
The University of Arizona Baylor University University of Colorado at Boulder
California Southern Methodist University United States Air Force Academy Utah Valley University
The University of North
Iowa State University
Carolina at Chapel Hill
The University of Iowa
University of Richmond
John Carroll University
St. Ambrose University
Savannah College of
Kenyon College
St. Cloud State University
Lewis University
St. Norbert College
The University of Tampa
Loras College
University of St. Thomas
Tulane University
Loyola University Chicago
University of Toledo
Creighton University
International
United States Naval
Luther College
Valparaiso University
University of Denver
University of St. Andrews-
Marian University
Viterbo University
Fort Lewis College
Art and Design
Academy
Carbondale
Colorado Mesa University Colorado State University Fort Collins Colorado State University
Washington State University Tri-Cities University of Washington University of Wyoming
Pueblo
Scotland
www.MUHS.edu 11
MUHS NEWS
Class of 2015 The next destination Members of the Class of 2015 are attending the following colleges and universities.
Creighton University
Swain, Robert**
Thorson, Alex
Mississippi State
Blochowicz, Joshua
Woodward, Robert
Turner, Shawn
University
Young, Kyran
Harris, Dallas
Brown, Nicholas** Cafaro, Nicholas
*
Laface, Colton University of Alabama
University of Iowa
Mattox-Davis, Elijah
Mullen, Daniel**
Miami University, Ohio
von Estorff, Michael
Coon, Adam (JHS)
University of Missouri, Columbia
Cole, Alexander
University of Dayton
Kuhn, John
Franz, Ethan
John Carroll University
University of Miami,
Jeruc, Joseph
Sinense, David*/**/ †
Florida
UW–Waukesha
Kolb, Peter*
Esquivel, Alejandro
Parks Sean
*
Reilley, Jack University of Arizona
Kansas State University
Rokosz, Alexander
University of Denver
Rokosz, Nicholas (JHS)
Alverson, William*
Zizzo, John
O’Malley, Tyler (JHS)
Klar, Alexander** (JHS)
University of Montana
Tsuji, Joseph
Moesel, Andrew
Lampereur, Benjamin Michigan State
Muhlenberg College
University of Kentucky
University
Reit, Nicholas (JHS)
Chaffee, Ryan
Brodd, William
Valentyn, Joseph
May, Reagan
Lagore, Connor
University of Nebraska
Egelhoff, Nicholas Lehigh University Carter, Brenton (JHS)
at Lincoln University of Michigan
Bauer, Henry
Schickert, Isaac
Gabler, Joseph
Baylor University
DePaul University
Heier, Collin
Acciardo, Adrian
Louisiana Tech University
Small, Aaron
Casey, William*
Barham, Henry
Wysong, Michael
Loyola Marymount
Milwaukee Area
University of Detroit Mercy
University
Technical College
Soriano, Jonathan
Cayen, Andrew
Gebhard, Samuel*
Northwestern University
Salazar, Juan
Brizuela Diaz, Carlos (JHS)
Boston University
Carolina at Chapel Hill
Cuevas, JosephCarlos
Butler, Brian Bradley University Mikolajczak, Kevin Cardinal Stritch
Case Western Reserve
Loyola University, Chicago
Van Bibber, Thomas (JHS)
Mikell, Ethan
Milwaukee Institute
Radosevic, Blaise
of Art & Design
Edgewood College
Champlain College
Caballero, Benjamin
Milwaukee School
Champe, Jacob**
of Engineering
Florida Institute
Cooper, Christian
Garcia, Antonio
St. Ambrose University
of Technology
Feider, Peter
Gross, Nicholas (JHS)
Boho, Brent
Pelkowski, Scott
Grebe, Paul*/ †
Sabatino, Thomas* (JHS)
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Schelble, Peter** (JHS)
University of St. Andrews,
Fordham University
Lopez, Saul (JHS)
Minnesota State
Scotland
Rizzo, Nicholas (JHS)
Lyon, Donovan (JHS)
University, Mankato
Fendt, Kieran
Malliet, Christopher
Cephus, Kenneth
Allen, Samuel
St. Cloud State University
Manzano-Arechiga, Francisco
University of Minnesota,
Murphy, Alexander
Twin Cities
Indiana University,
Perea-Hernandez, Eduardo
Gilbert, Michael
Bloomington
Pickart, Samuel* (JHS)
Greif, Charles (JHS)
von Estorff, Keegan
Lewis, Timothy
Heffernan, John*/ † (JHS)
Heinen, Mark*/**
Humboldt State University
Cornell University
University of Notre Dame
Mitchell, Colin
O’Toole, Lucas
D’Amato, Samson Clemson University
Stoeckl, Jacob (JHS)
Marquette University
English, Michael University of Chicago
Kasten, Bryan
Lamont, Dane University Gibson, Owen
Carter, Ryan
Duke University University Gonzalez, Jeider
University of North
Brennan, Ryan
Rozewicz, Jacob
Huppertz, Matthew
Horter, Jack*/**/ † Saint Louis University
*/**/ †
Bloch, Evan (JHS) Elliott, Charles (JHS)
Gottsacker, Matthew (JHS)
U.S. Air Force Academy
Jochem, Peter** (JHS)
DeLeon, Herbert
University of Wisconsin,
Greene, John
Matkovich, Jacob (JHS)
Kler, Gurnoor
Gomez, German
Whitewater
Leas, Nicholas* (JHS)
Keyser, David*/**
Green, Donovan
Hemauer, Michael Howard, Blake
U.S. Naval Academy
Lenz, Daniel
Kopacz, Andrew
Haggerty, Lawrence
Kopriva, Joseph (JHS)
Gingrass, Colton (JHS)
Lowry, Kellan
Lein, Jake
Kimball, Nicholas
Malewicki, Benjamin † (JHS)
Lieungh, Jacob
Quick, David
**
Kohl, Kevin**
Shultz, Scott
Valparaiso University
Mancinelli, Joseph
Luettgen, Bryan
Sinsky, Owen*
Bretl, Robert
Martinez, Miguel
Martinez Hernandez,
Mays, Brian
Prospero, Max
*
Pruhs, Simon*
Alexis
Sanchez, Hector
Saint Mary’s University
Viterbo University
McGinn, Brennan (JHS)
Pirkey, Samuel
Scaffidi, Dante*
of Minnesota
Ludwig, Quinten
McGinn, Thomas (JHS)
Redfern, Parker
Von Rueden, Jacob*
Monnat, Charles (JHS)
Rodriguez, Daniel*
Washington University
Monnat, Samuel (JHS)
Roels, Nikolaus**
Xavier University
St. Norbert College
in St. Louis
Myklebust, Nathan
Sesini, Michael
Bieser, Theodore*/**
Clarke, Sean
Goblirsch, Timothy* (JHS)
Nettesheim, Tyler
Tobin, Evan
Gonzalez, Cesar
Nichol, Mark
Wendelberger, Joshua
University of Washington,
Nichols, James
White, Cullen
Seattle
Ortega, Dennis
Davis, Samuel
Rolfe, Michael
University of Wisconsin,
Foley, Donald*/**/ † (JHS)
Rusch, Maximilian
Oshkosh
Gundersen, Andrew
Sanders, Jacob
Donohue, Ryan*/**
Heinen, Jacob*/** (JHS)
Mason, Eaven
Hovind, Aaron
Gradecki, Jared Loduha, Thaddeus University of St. Thomas Armstrong, Adam Jones, Christopher*
Cekanor, Kevin (JHS)
University of Wisconsin,
**/ †
Duffy, Jonathon
**
Egan, Erict Featherstone, Ian
Klein, Peter
Eau Claire
Sauer, Mitchell
Laudon, Jack**
Kinzy, Matthew
Sazama, Scott**
Sweeney, Eric
McCormick, Brett
Schlidt, Joseph*/**/ †
University of Wisconsin,
Schlidt, Matthew*/**/t
Platteville
Other Plans
University of Wisconsin,
Schumacher, Eric (JHS)
Kunze, Luke
Brown, Liam
Santa Clara University
La Crosse
Siy, Daniel*
Prom, Jonah
Ziskind, Nicklaus
Meinholz, Benjamin
Wiesen, Zachary
*/**
South Dakota School
(JHS)
Surwillo, Michael
of Mines & Technology
Steimle, Christopher University of Wisconsin,
Rice, Ian
Jesuit Novitiate in
Smetek, Samuel (JHS) Steigerwald, Edward*/**
Sjogren, Niko
Luciano, Rafael
(JHS)
St. Paul, Minnesota University of Wisconsin,
Loos, Nathan
Stevens Point
HVAC apprenticeship
Elewa, Ziyad
Meilinger, Nolan
Emery, Luke
Work sharing In Hawaii
Madison
Tadych, Joseph*/**
Imp, Richard
University of S. California
Bachman, Connor** (JHS)
Thompson, Michael
Krull, Lucas
Gap Year
O’Grady, Jack (JHS)
Clark, Atticus*
Ullrich, Peter**/ † (JHS)
McArdle, Devin
Myles, Gervis
Rosales, Antonio (JHS)
Cox, Austin** (JHS)
Vogel, Luke
Moldenhauer, Daniel
Dittlof, Alexander
Wahl, Nicholas (JHS)
Poston, Jacob*
Southern Methodist
Flanagan, Aidan (JHS)
Weiler, Matthew (JHS)
Reilly, Andrew*/**/ †
University
Frommelt, Peter (JHS)
Didier, Theodore
Gildner, Bryce
University of Wisconsin,
Grindel, Samuel (JHS)
Milwaukee
University of Wisconsin,
Syracuse University
Guns, William (JHS)
Alcorta, Noah**
Waukesha
Idarraga, Andrew (JHS)
Hasan, Fares
Andrew, Sergei
Carter, Jack
Hawley, Daniel
Boettcher, Luke*
Esquivel, Alejandro Smith, Sedric
**
**
Seidl, Samuel
University of Toledo
Heinrich, Jack (JHS)
Charapata, Nolan
Wright, Royall
Hollister, Benjamin
Costello, William
*
(JHS) Jesuit Honor Society Son of alumnus ** Grandson of alumnus † Great-grandson of alumnus *
www.MUHS.edu 13
14 MUHS Magazine
SPORTS
Hilltopper underdogs take state, keep tennis tradition alive Jon Parsons
Marquette University High School’s WISAA and WIAA state titles are emblazoned on neatly arranged blue banners hanging above the well-worn doors on the north side of the Humphrey Gymnasium. The numbers are impressive: 142 championships across 15 sports. There are buzzer beaters, record-breaking performances, and come-from-behind victories all hidden behind the numerals exhibited there. If the scores could speak, they would certainly have a lot to say. Epic tales would, no doubt, be told of the MUHS tennis teams in particular, as they have distinguished themselves as the most successful team sport in school and WISAA history. Thirty-two tennis titles are listed—29 over the past 35 seasons—including seven straight between 2007 and 2013. Yes, Marquette has gotten used to exceptional tennis teams over the past three decades. Many of these titles were won under the tutelage of coach Mike Donovan, who led the program for 26 seasons between 1972 and 1999, winning 17 state championships during that time and was inducted into both the MUHS Athletic Hall of Fame and the Wisconsin High School Tennis Coaches’ Association Hall of Fame. “Mike Donovan really set the whole program up for success with the consistency that he provided from the late ’70s through 1999,” says current head coach David R. Frank ’99, noting it really was a testament to Donovan’s coaching and the institution as a whole that two former players have also found success at the highest levels as coaches, first Rev. Rob Kroll, SJ ’83 (2000–04) and then Frank himself (2005–present). “I wouldn’t be coaching this program if it wasn’t for Mike Donovan— or every teacher, every coach I had at Marquette High to make the Marquette High experience what it was for me,” says Frank, adding that similar experiences continue to inspire other tennis alums to return to the program to coach. Currently more than a dozen Hilltopper alumni serve the program in some capacity. According to Frank, this provides for a special environment for the current student–athletes year after year. Opposite: Nick Kallman ‘16. Photo by VIP Photography.
This practice of recruiting former players to coach has seemingly worked spectacularly well, bridging Marquette’s impressive tennis past with its equally impressive tennis present. The Humphrey Gymnasium wall bears the proof of this. Years, mostly sequential, tell the story of the Hilltoppers’ success on the court. Something was different in 2014 though. Behind the strength of a deep and talented lineup, Greater Metro Conference rival Brookfield East emerged as the state’s best squad. Marquette continued to play hard at a high level, but this time the Spartans bested the Hilltoppers at every turn, dual meets and tournaments alike, including a hard-fought match in last year’s state semifinals which MUHS lost 4-3. Entering the 2015 spring campaign, the sting of that semifinal defeat was never far from the Hilltoppers’ minds. “That loss got the team to really double down on their focus, to really put forth everything they had into this 2015 season,” Frank says. And double down they did. On and off the court, preparations for this season began almost immediately after the 2014 season ended. The agenda included hitting sessions, camps, and summer tournaments of course, but there were also team-building activities in an attempt to bolster chemistry among the players as well as workout sessions with a trainer, part of a renewed focus on fitness. “That work, putting in that time together and independently, gave us confidence going into the season” says Frank. The traditional spring break trip to Florida was replaced with a team excursion to Minnesota where a high-ropes course in Mankato helped instill some of those feelings of confidence and camaraderie in the group. “The ropes course put our team into a good mindset of encouraging each other to do our best no matter the circumstances,” Ben Sinense ’17 reflects. The team would need all of that and then some to beat Brookfield East, which began the 2015 season as the consensus No. 1 team in the state. Gone from its lineup was a two-time defending state champion, but three of the top four returning singles players in the state were all swinging rackets for the Spartans. The season began where the last one had ended, as MUHS dropped two early
www.MUHS.edu 15
SPORTS TENNIS
By moving Ethan Mardanus-Budiono ’17 and John Massart ’15 from doubles to singles and shuffling two of the team’s three doubles pairings, MUHS found the right combination at the right time. “To their credit, we had several players who ended up playing in positions that they necessarily did not want to play in, at least at the start of the year,” Frank says. “I am very grateful that our players sacrificed some of their individual goals to really, fully buy into the team concept, and it worked.” Heading into the Greater Metro Conference tournament with a 23-2 record and a No. 2 ranking in the state, things had reached a tipping point of sorts for the Hilltoppers. “Luckily we guessed their lineup correctly,” Frank says, “and put the guys in the best positions to perform best at the end of the season.” Consistent play from top to bottom put Marquette in the finals of every flight of the GMC Tournament on May 19 and 20 and compiling enough points (50) to upset the favored Spartans (47) for Marquette’s eighth tournament championship since 2007. The next week, Marquette High rode the momentum to a victory in the Whitefish Bay Sectional. Six out of the seven individuals and doubles teams went home as champions of their flights and with the win, the team prepared for another trip to UW–Madison’s Nielson Tennis Stadium for the WIAA State Tournament.
Ben Sinense ‘17 (left) and Noah Guillermo ‘18, the No. 3 doubles team. Photo by VIP Photography.
duals to Brookfield East. “They were both close matches and, even though we came up short, the team this year had a belief that the end result could be different if we just focused on improving each and every day,” Frank recalls. Outside the program though, it must have appeared to many that a changing of the guard in Wisconsin high school tennis was well in motion. However, the Hilltoppers persevered. Driving deeper into the season, the MUHS coaches continued strategizing for a way to gain an upper hand on their rival, playing a chess match of sorts with their lineups, moving players around in an attempt to find an edge. According to Frank, in some years, the Hilltoppers are deep and experienced enough to be able to put the same lineup out every match, but this year the Hilltoppers experimented with three potential lineups to match up best with three likely Brookfield East lineups. “In 2015, we needed a strategy to perform our best against the best competition,” he says. “Our team did really well handling that uncertainty.”
16 MUHS Magazine
In the quarterfinals of the WIAA meet, the Hilltoppers drew Neenah High School and dispatched the Rockets 6-1 behind continued strong doubles play as well as three impressive singles victories. On the basis of that victory, the Hilltoppers would, for the second year in a row, face the Spartans in the state semifinals. The match started with doubles play and the Hilltoppers got down to business as Sinense and his partner Noah Guillermo ’18 at No. 3 doubles and Caleb Schifano ’17 and David Sinense ’15 at No. 2 doubles both scored strong victories to start things off. In a rematch of the individual state championship the week before, No. 1 doubles players Kyran Young ’15 and Nick Kallman ’16 again played exceptional tennis to win and give the team a commanding 3-0 lead. MUHS would need one victory in the next four matches to seal the win, but it would not be easy against the Spartans’ talented singles lineup. Playing on adjacent courts, MardanusBudiono and Nick Yang ’18 both battled in tight match-ups before Mardanus-Budiono scored the decisive victory 6-3, 7-6 (7-4). Yang’s opponent then retired, giving MUHS the final margin of victory. Riding high, the Hilltoppers came out hot in the WIAA final and downed the Cardinals of Middleton 5-2 to bring home the 2015 WIAA State Championship. “The feeling was amazing, above cloud nine,” says Ben Sinese. “Being the underdog and finishing on top really allows one to take pride in their hard work.”
Reflecting on the tournament, thoughts naturally go back to the semifinal victory over Brookfield East. “The entire season we always believed that we could take them out,” Kallman says. “Then after the first two duals where we came close to winning at 3 and 4 singles along with sweeping doubles we knew we were well capable of pulling an upset barely anyone else thought possible.”
Frank adds, “They definitely were the most talented team but I think we proved that we were the best team there in terms of our camaraderie, being a team, buying into the team concept. It definitely was an upset. I don’t think any coach in the state would say otherwise.” With the 2015 team now part of Hilltopper tennis lore, thoughts undoubtedly turn to next season and the eventual matchups with the Spartans. “They’re going to be very, very good once again, and they might be tougher to beat because those top three guys return,” Frank says. Meanwhile, the Hilltoppers, who Frank notes returns a lot of talented doubles players, will have the benefit of knowing that the Spartans can be beat. “I think our guys believe, when in 2014 they might not have believed, that we can win without the top singles player or top two singles players,” Frank
adds. “We can win with depth and strength in doubles. That will be our game plan.” To say that depth should be a strength of the team is an understatement, as the Hilltoppers routinely rank among the biggest— if not the biggest—team in the state. In 2015, 120 student-athletes played between the varsity, varsity reserve, and two junior varsity teams. The tennis program has been “no cut” since 2009, and Frank is proud that any MUHS student who wants to play will have a spot on the team. “I sincerely receive more compliments on our program being no cut over the last seven years since 2009 than I’ve gotten for our state championships,” he says. “I truly believe it is much more important to provide these opportunities for Marquette High students to be part of a team even if they’re not the most talented . . . to have the team experience, the exercise and the exposure to a sport that they can do their whole life.” It also turns out that the four digits emblazoned on the north wall in the Humphrey Gymnasium will not be the only thing people will remember about the 2015 Hilltopper tennis team. Not long after bringing home the title, MUHS was notified by the WIAA that they would also be awarded the Sportsmanship Award. The banner commemorating this distinction will prominently hang on the same wall as the state title. “Our program is about more than winning championships,” Frank adds. “We strive to help our students learn and develop life skills and become ‘men for others’ by putting the interests of the team ahead of their personal objectives and by keeping winning and losing in perspective. We focus on what is within our control, such as putting forth full effort, remaining focused and always exhibiting good sportsmanship.” Clearly, this is a game plan that has worked well to this point. As they look to the 2016 season, expect more of the same from the Hilltoppers. For Kallman and the other Hilltoppers, the challenge of what is to come is already on his mind.
“Will we be able to maintain our level of competition and keep that tradition of Marquette tennis alive? That’s the only thing we are thinking about,” he says.
2015 Tennis Team State Champions: Front row (left to right): David Sinense ’15, Caleb Schifano ’17, Coach David Frank ’99, John Massart ’17 and Robbie May ’18. Back row: Nick Yang ’18, Ethan Mardanus-Budiono ’17, Ben Sinense ’17, Alex Rokosz ’15, Kyran Young ’15, Nick Kallman ’16, Noah Guillermo ’18, Owen Gibson ’15 and Danny Royston ’16. Photo by VIP Photography.
www.MUHS.edu 17
SPORTS
Hilltopper highlights sports The basketball team won the Greater Metro Conference and regional titles and finished the season with a record of 21–5, the most wins since 1999 when the team won the WISAA State Championship. Ben Meinholz ’15 was selected to play in the Wisconsin Basketball Coaches Association State All Star game in June. Jacob Matkovich ’15, Brian Mays ’15 and Samuel Smetek ’15 received the Greater Metro Conference Scholar award, given to senior athletes with a GPA of 3.5 or higher. Head basketball coach Casey Kowalewski ’99 was named Greater Metro Conference Coach of the Year.
Swimmers Robbie Bretl ’15, Nick Jelich ’16, Thomas Sargent ’17, Zach Sekeran ’18 and Zach Wiesen ’15 all qualified for the state swim meet. Wiesen received All-State honors for placing in the top 16 in the 100 meter breaststroke. The 200 Free Relay team of Sekaran, Sargent, Wiesen and Jelich finished in 11th place. Diver Lou Locher ’17 also received All-State honors for placing 11th at state. Additionally, Bretl received the Greater Metro Conference Scholar award. Michael Rolfe ’15 advanced to the wrestling state meet in the 195-pound weight class after placing second at sectionals. He also received the Greater Metro Conference Scholar award. Sean Kearney has been named varsity hockey head coach. Kearney has more than 29 years of coaching experience, including 12 years at Marquette High from 1987 to 1992 and 1997 to 2005. Kearney operates a hockey school called Kearney Camps for youth hockey players and coaches a AAA elite summer hockey team, the Milwaukee Tuskers. He is a Level 4 U.S. Hockey-certified coach and a skating instructor at the Pettit National Ice Center. During the school year, Kearney is a counselor at St. Vincent Pallotti Catholic School in Milwaukee. He previously worked as a corporate counselor consultant in the Milwaukee area. Mike Gilbert ’15 received All-State Honorable Mention honors from the Wisconsin Hockey Coaches Association and the Greater Metro Conference Scholar award.
Ben Meinholz ’15. Photo by VIP Photography.
18 MUHS Magazine
Mike Rolfe ’15. Photo by VIP Photography.
The ski team finished in fourth place at the state meet. The team consisted of Billy Alverson ’15, Jack Brooks ’16, Jack Coakley ’17, Matt Malone ’17, Brennan McGinn ’15, Thomas McGinn ’15, Ben Megna ’16, Mark Nichol ’15, and Peter Ullrich ’15 and Nicholas Wahl ’15. Seniors Brennan McGinn, Thomas McGinn, Nichol, Wahl and Ullrich received Greater Metro Conference Scholar awards. Lacrosse goalie Drew Moesel ’15 was named 1st Team All-State by the Wisconsin Lacrosse Federation. Moesel’s fellow lacrosse players Aidan Flanagan ’15, Eric Sweeney ’15 and Colton Gingrass ’15 received Greater Metro Conference Scholar awards. After winning the Greater Metro Conference tournament with a record low score of 289, the varsity golf team finished the season with a third-place finish at sectionals. Harrison Ott ’17 was named by First Team All-State and has verbally committed to attend and play at Vanderbilt University. David Keane ’16 was named All-State Honorable Mention. Additionally, Evan Hussey ’16, John Lapcewich ’16, Colton Neuberger ’16, Ott, William Puchner ’16, Maximilian Rusch ’15, Isaac Schickert ’15 and Nicholas Wahl ’15 all received Academic All-State honors. This recognition is bestowed upon sophomores, juniors or seniors who have a cumulative GPA of 3.25 or higher, and compete in at least 75 percent of varsity matches during the season. Rusch, Shickert and Wahl also received Greater Metro Conference Scholar awards. Joe Schubert ’17 won the wheelchair WIAA state Track & Field team title. He won the 100 and 400 wheelchair events, placed second in the 800 wheelchair event and took fifth place in the shot put. Other WIAA state Track & Field participants included Eric Schumacher ’15, who placed 10th in the high jump and Riley DeMeulenaere ’16, who placed 18th in the 1600-meter race and 14th in the 3200. The 800-meter relay team (Patrick English ’17, Michael Crowley ’16, Joe Erato ’16, Ian Glynn ’16 and alternates Michael Duffy ’17 and Colin Schulz ’17) finished in 13th place. Seniors track members Samuel Smetek, Jack Heinrich, Tim Goblirsch, Keegan von Estorff, Donovan Lyon, Hank Bauer and Schumacher received Greater Metro Conference Scholar awards.
Drew Moesel ’15 (#18 standing) leads the lacrosse team in a pre-game prayer. Photo by VIP Photography.
Tennis players Owen Gibson ’15, Jacob Rozewicz ’15, Edward Steigerwald ’15, and Kyran Young ’15 received Greater Metro Conference Scholar awards. Atticus Clark ’15, Joe Gabler ’15 and Jair Santiago ’17 participated in the Power Lifting state tournament. Santiago finished in fifth place and went on to win a national championship at the USAPL High School National Championships. Jacob Lieungh ’15 and Clark received the NSCA All-American award, recognizing collegiate and high school athletes whose athletic accomplishments reflect their dedication to strength training and conditioning. Baseball players Charlie Monnat ’15, Sam Monnat ’15 and Nick Gross ’15 received Greater Metro Conference Scholar awards. The Noack Strenth & Fitness Center, managed by director Mike Duehring, once again received the National Strength & Conditioning Association—Strength of America Award recognizing top high school strength and conditioning programs. Donald Foley ’15 was named a High School All-American, Honorable Mention by Volleyball magazine. Marquette High was named Boys Sports Program of the Year by the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. The honor is determined by a point system based on a school’s performance in WIAA tournaments.
www.MUHS.edu 19
Mike Donovan retires from the classroom Jim Kostenko
20 MUHS Magazine
FEATURES
For nearly half a century, Mike Donovan served the Marquette University High School community in a variety of roles. As a teacher, Donovan instructed students in the science of biology; as a coach, he guided tennis players on technique and sportsmanship; and as a spiritual leader, Donovan served as the director of the Sophomore Retreat Program. Even after his retirement at the end of the 2014–15 school year, Donovan’s legacy extends far beyond Marquette High’s walls. Born and raised in St. Paul, Minn., Donovan and his twin sister, Michelle, are the oldest of seven siblings. Donovan’s parents believed in the merits of Catholic education. He attended a Catholic grade school, graduated from St. Thomas Military Academy in Minnesota, and then completed his undergraduate education at Marquette University. Donovan taught biology at Pius XI High School from 1964–65, and then returned to the Twin Cities to earn a master’s degree in science education. In 1966, Donovan joined the MUHS faculty as a chemistry teacher. After two years in the classroom, Donovan was encouraged by Rev. Joseph Labaj, SJ ’39, to apply for the principal position at Holy Angels High School. When Holy Angels and Divine Savior high schools merged in 1970, Donovan returned to MUHS to teach biology. Upon his return, Donovan focused on the art of teaching biology and along the way, grew to understand that education has the potential to extend far beyond a classroom. A deeply spiritual man, Donovan wanted to help students to see the deeper meanings of life and emphasized the importance of developing and maintaining one’s relationship with God. According to Donovan, education is not
Above left: A young Mike Donovan (right) in the ring with his younger brother. Above right: Mike sporting his St. Thomas Military Academy letterman jacket on a skiing excursion. Left: Mike Donovan in 1966, his first year teaching at MUHS.
www.MUHS.edu 21
FEATURES MIKE DONOVAN
Mike Donovan on his last day of biology class. Donovan is staying on at MUHS as a part-time tutor.
simply about relaying content. “Our obligation as teachers is to open the minds of our students to the world they live in, and essentially, to teach them how to behave in that world.” That approach to teaching had an enormous impact on countless young men here at MUHS. In the classroom, Donovan’s method revolved around the process of thinking, not the acquisition of truth, but the search. He works the crowd like a symphony conductor eliciting responses from each young man. In response to a student who said he didn’t know an answer, Donovan replied, “That’s why I’m asking you.” Despite a student’s self-doubt, Donovan did not give up; he was always interested in student redemption and recovery. This methodology requires the sacrifice of classroom time in order to facilitate the process of critical thinking and in turn, use the science of biology to see God’s work throughout creation. The transformation of the individual from self-centeredness to being a person for others is always deliberate. Donovan models this slow process and for this, thousands are thankful.
22 MUHS Magazine
Second to Donovan’s love of teaching, is his passion for tennis. Donovan coached tennis from 1972–99 and his teams earned 17 state championships. It is not the wins and championships that come readily to Donovan’s mind as he reflects on his tenure as coach, but the individual players, how they responded to challenges and grew as young men. Emphasizing sportsmanship, succeeding and failing with dignity, and most importantly, how to be men for others, Donovan encouraged his players to look beyond the game in order to see tennis as microcosm of life. Personally and professionally, Mike Donovan will be missed. He has an authenticity about him that draws upon his deep desire to be present and receptive to the gift of human relationship. He enjoys life and the people around him. Donovan clearly models that life is not something to be solved but rather to be lived. Jim Kostenko teaches physical geology and AP chemistry at MUHS.
MEMORIES OF MR. DONOVAN
MUHS many times throughout the day, and I think of the years I spent there as the best of my life. And when I think of MUHS,
JOHN BORITZKE ’74 Mr. Donovan was my counselor and inspired me so much as a teacher that I went on to college as a biology major having enjoyed his class immensely. He always had time for you and clearly was passionate about teaching. Forty years later I still look back and consider Mike Donovan to be one of the best teachers I’ve ever had at any level of education. He deserves an enjoyable and fulfilling retirement. GREG WACKER ’85 Mr. Donovan was one of my favorite and best teachers at MUHS. PATRICK SOSNAY ’92 I cannot begin to thank Mr. Donovan enough for all that he inspired. I work at Johns Hopkins as a physician-scientist studying genetics of lung disease. I regularly think about putting together DNA puzzles in his class. This type of information is the foundation for the science that I do every day. Mr. Donovan (and Mrs. Parrott) taught me that biology is a science, but it also is a narrative. I was so fortunate to be exposed to this in such an eloquent way. BILL JONES ’08
I think of the wonderful people like Mr. Donovan who represent that special place. ELI BORG ’17 During freshmen year I had the privilege of being in Mr. Donovan’s Accelerated Biology class. At the time, I was never really interested in science, or even school for that matter, but that changed after a couple of weeks in his class. As the year went on, I started to wonder why a man with such extensive knowledge of biology would opt to become a teacher rather than some sort of doctor or scientist. I came to realize that Mr. Donovan held others before himself, choosing to educate us because he believed that we could achieve big things. PETER AHN ’17 Some teachers help students discover their vocation in life; Mr. Donovan is one of them. He helped me develop an interest in biology, a subject I wish to study in higher education, and helped me to grow as a person and make good decisions, such as whether white or dark turkey meat is better. He is not just a great teacher, but also a great person who wishes to make sure each one of his students becomes a well-rounded young man.
Mr. Donovan was the true embodiment of a Jesuit college preparatory high school science teacher. Not only was he always so passionate about what he taught in class, he also had a genuine appreciation for the Catholic faith and a sincere understanding of its importance in the lives of his students. Regardless of how much material we needed to cover during a class period, Mr. Donovan always made it a point to begin every class with a prayer. This showed me how to find God in all things and apply the Catholic faith to everything I did as a student at Marquette High and in other life events that followed. BEN KRAHN ’00 I remember Mr. Donovan with fondness. I remember him for always being there, for always being approachable, and for always offering quiet, simple, and gentle words of wisdom. I remember him because he never raised his voice and he never lost his temper. I remember him as a great coach and an exceptional teacher, but I remember him well because he didn’t just coach or teach; he listened. And I remember him best as a friend, as someone who offered so much of his time to his players; as someone who cared not about wins or losses but about character, integrity and human development. I think of
The 1982 and 1983 varsity tennis teams were inducted into the MUHS Athletic Hall of Fame last April. Left to right: Jeff Mazurczak ’82, Jack Kraemer ’82 , Rev. Rob Kroll, SJ ’83, Mike Donovan, Peter Schaefer ’83 and Rev. Warren Sazama, SJ ’64. Photo by VIP Photography.
www.MUHS.edu 23
Following in the footsteps of St. Ignatius 24 MUHS Magazine
Katie Egan and Jane Powers
FEATURES
Last June, social studies teacher Katie Egan and art teacher Jane Powers joined 30 other Jesuit educators on an Ignatian pilgrimage, retracing the footsteps and life of St. Ignatius of Loyola, founder of the Society of Jesus. Led by Rev. Karl Kiser, SJ, president of University of Detroit Jesuit High School and Academy, the group visited the places where Ignatius prayed, lived, worked and, most importantly, where he was inspired by God and the Blessed Virgin Mary to lead a life dedicated to fulfilling the will of God by serving others. Together, Egan and Powers share what they learned about St. Ignatius, along with their experiences and reflections of their trip.
Iñigo’s Castle (Loyola, Spain) Our journey as pilgrims began in Iñigo’s (St. Ignatius’ name in Spanish) castle in the city of Loyola, Spain. Surrounded by plush greenery, hazy mountains and Baroque architecture, we toured his castle, where he lived with his 12 brothers and sisters, and learned of his interest in worldly things such as war, women and pleasing the royal court. He was considered a bold young man working aggressively to serve his country and his king. His life completely changed at the age of 30 when he was wounded in the Battle of Pamplona. Bedridden for months, St. Ignatius read the Story of Christ and the Book of the Saints. There, in the very room in which he convalesced, the place of his great conversion, where he gave his life completely to God, we celebrated Mass. During the homily, Father Kiser said St. Ignatius sought companions who were passionate, discerning and indifferent. We were caught off-guard by the reference to indifference, a concept often associated with the sentiment of nothingness or apathy, but this is not what St. Ignatius had in mind. Father Kiser explained that Ignatius wanted people who were passionate about God and their faith. He wanted companions who were loving, recognized their vocation, and had interests that could enhance their vocation. Yet, he also wanted companions who could step back and look at their passions objectively, possibly walking away from them if necessary, and regularly discern if these passions were unknowingly inviting sin and disillusion into their lives. He wanted companions who were indifferent to all things but the will of God. Ignatius recognized that oftentimes the passions we embrace can cloud our judgment and prevent us from adequately serving God. Thus, we must always maintain a degree of indifference for our passions and frequently engage in the examen to discern the presence of God’s blessings, the presence of sin and the ongoing call God has for each of our lives.
Above, top: The Loyola Basilica and Iñigo’s Castle in Loyola, Spain. Photo by Katie Egan. Opposite and above: The Loyola Basilica. Photo by Katie Egan.
Father Kiser explained that when we are able to clear our minds and hearts of worldly passions and emotions (as Ignatius had done), to become detached from our current state, this is when
www.MUHS.edu 25
FEATURES FOLLOWING ST. IGNATIUS’ FOOTSTEPS
God enters our hearts and makes clear his intention for us. God speaks to us when we are silent. So simple—yet so difficult to do. It is hard to hear anything when surrounded by the noises and distractions of everyday life. St. Ignatius silenced his mind, body and soul and heard the will of God. Montserrat Monastery (Montserrat, Spain) While Ignatius walked and rode his donkey to the magnificent monastery, Montserrat, in the mountains, we took a coach bus. Seven hours later, we were finally in the midst of this magnificent mountain range. High atop the range is the Monastery and Sanctuary, which houses the holy Black Madonna. Pilgrims from all over the world climb this mountain to meditate, pray and pay homage to the special Madonna of Montserrat, who is known to have performed many miracles. The Black Madonna is situated high above the main altar of this gorgeous, Baroque-style church. Behind this altar is a small chapel. Together, the 30 of us celebrated Mass in this opulent, beyond beautiful, chapel. Father Kiser explained that while Ignatius was here, he prayed to the Black Madonna and for three days straight confessed his sins. God forgave him, but Ignatius needed to forgive himself. Ignatius was remarkably hard on himself for his past indiscretions and he was frequently concerned that he was falling short of fully serving God. These sentiments took center stage while spending time at the cathedral and abbey in Montserrat. For three days Ignatius wrote a document confessing every sin he could recall committing over the course of his life, which subsequently started a transformation of self. At this point, Ignatius laid down his sword and dagger in favor of pursuing a life dedicated to God. As Father Kiser explained, we often believe that God wants us to change our persona. Ignatius realized that God indeed had a very specific plan for him but it was not outside his nature. God did not want Ignatius to alter his personality or the essence of who he was, but rather to simply change his focus from working for earthly things to working for God. Same personality, same gifts, but a different path. Church of the Cave (Manresa, Spain) By bus, we follow Ignatius’ journey to the city of Manresa, 35 minutes outside of Montserrat. We stopped at the holy Church of the Cave to celebrate Mass and see the exact place where God and the Blessed Mary spoke to Ignatius. Above, top: The Abbey of Montserrat is situated on the mountain of Montserrat, more than 4,000 feet above the valley floor. Photo by Katie Egan. Above, bottom: St. Ignatius confessed his sins for three days straight and prayed to the Black Madonna, located in the Abbey of Montserrat. Photo by Katie Egan.
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In this cave he spent nine months praying for God’s graces, meditating daily and fasting. Here, he continued to engage in frequent confession as he continued to remain plagued by anxiety that he had
“missed” confessing all sins. It is at this point that Ignatius’ confessor ordered him in the name of the Lord to stop repeatedly confessing the sins of his past life in favor of observing and serving the will of the Lord in the present. It is also during this time, through intense meditation and prayer that Ignatius saw and spoke to God and composed what we know as the Spiritual Exercises. During Mass, Father Kiser delivered an emotional homily, explaining that Ignatius not only wrote the directives and the meditations of the exercises here, but also preached, begged for money and tended to the poor in this community. The prayer that is part of the Spiritual Exercise #46, is the cornerstone of Ignatius’ teaching and spirituality: “In this preparatory prayer I beg God our Lord for grace that all my intentions, actions and operations may be directed purely to the praise and service of his divine Majesty.” Temple of the Sacred Heart of Jesus (Barcelona, Spain) An hour away from Manresa, we arrive in Barcelona, where Ignatius began his studies. He spent countless hours preaching to the people of Barcelona, and at one point, he was jailed by the Dominicans for preaching without being part of the clergy. He also devoted himself to helping the sick (specifically those with leprosy) and the poor by begging for money. We celebrated Mass at the Temple of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, the place where Ignatius’ sword is kept. During Mass, we learned from Father Kiser that Ignatius briefly managed passage to Jerusalem, where he believed he could best serve God in the places where Christ himself walked and preached. Although he believed that Jerusalem was his ultimate destiny, Ignatius only stayed for a few weeks before being sent back to Barcelona by the clergy under the threat of excommunication. Back in Barcelona, he continued his studies in Latin for two years with 8- to 14-year-olds. In his memoirs he described his time working and learning with children as “beloved.” Rome, Italy The last stop on our trip is Rome, Italy, a quick one-hour flight from Barcelona. Rome is magnificent, loaded with 900 Catholic churches, four basilicas and unbelievable art dating as far back as 700 B.C. Layers of history, art, architecture and religion are all piled on top of each other to create this deliciously rich city. In 1537, with his companions, including St. Peter Faber and St. Xavier, in the small Chapel of La Storta, Ignatius had another vision. Jesus appeared, carrying his cross. While from the heavens, the Holy Father looked down, and Ignatius heard these confirming words, “I will be propitious to you in Rome.” They decided to stay in Rome and in 1537 Ignatius was ordained a priest but waited to preside his first Mass—he wanted to do so in the Holy Land. In 1538, frustrated by his inability to travel to Jerusalem, Ignatius finally presided his
Above, top: A daily ritual in the St. Ignatius Chapel in the Church of Gesu includes the revealing of the bronze statue of St. Ignatius. Loud music plays, the large painting slides away and spotlights shine on the revealed artwork. Photo by Katie Egan. Above, bottom: St. Ignatius’ sword is displayed at the Temple of the Sacred Heart of Jesus in Barcelona, Spain. Photo by Katie Egan.
first Mass on Christmas night in the beautiful Papal Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore. This basilica is believed to house the Crypt of the Nativity. Ignatius and his companions gathered to discuss and create a new Catholic community based on the Spiritual Exercises. In 1540, Pope Paul III licensed the Society of Jesus for the caring of “souls in life, and the teaching and preaching of the faith.” The Society of Jesus first took its vows, as a new order of the Catholic Church, at the Basilica of St. Paul Outside-the-Wall. We toured this magnificent basilica and learned that it was, at the time, the papal residence during the construction of St. Peter Basilica in the present-day Vatican City.
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Above the main altar in the Church of Gesu is the ceiling fresco, the Triumph of the Name of Jesus by Giovanni Battista Gaulli. Photo by Katie Egan.
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FEATURES FOLLOWING ST. IGNATIUS’ FOOTSTEPS
In 1548, Pope Paul III, approved the Spiritual Exercises and by 1550 the Society of Jesus was an official Catholic order consisting of 30 priests. As Superior General, 1550–1556, Ignatius wrote thousands of letters to his Society members, encouraging his fellow members of the Society to change lives by spreading the gospel, teaching the Spiritual Exercises, feeding the poor, opening schools and aiding the ill in hospitals. By 1556, the year Ignatius died, there were more than 1,000 members, spread all over the world and working to fulfill their commitment of serving man in order to glorify God. The story of St. Ignatius, and our pilgrimage, culminated in Rome at the Church of the Gesu and his residence, the Jesuit Curia. We celebrated Mass at the church. In his homily, Father Kiser discussed St. Ignatius’ constant desire to live in Jerusalem. He was always trying, in vain, to find passage to the Holy Land in order to do his life’s work in the place where Jesus walked. God clearly had another plan for him. Ignatius realized that Jerusalem was not necessarily a specific geographic place. But rather, wherever he traveled, wherever God sent him, that was his own private Jerusalem. Father Kiser challenged each of us to prayerfully search for our own private Jerusalem, whether it was a thing, person or place. St. Ignatius dared to be true—true to God, true to his fellow man and finally true to himself. He prayerfully forged ahead and fulfilled God’s plan for him, regardless of what others thought of him. He was not a sinless man, but he was a man who used his gifts, fearlessly, for the Greater Glory of God. This pilgrimage brought the reality of these words to life. AMDG
Social studies teacher Katie Egan takes in the scenery at San Sebastian, Spain. Photo by Jane Powers.
EXAMEN
KATIE EGAN As I sat in the Sanctuary of Loyola, I thought about St. Ignatius’s desire for his companions and its relationship to my vocation. How often have I broken plans, overextended myself, and even sacrificed relationships to advance my career? In hindsight, I was always able to rationalize these choices by reminding myself that I am an educator and working in education comes with heightened expectations. I realize now that while there is truth to this mindset, my passion for teaching is also a gateway for the presence of sin in my life. Consequently, if I am to truly embrace the philosophies of Ignatius, it is my responsibility to remember to frequently discern to what degree I need to engage my vocation to avoid abandoning the other important elements that shape my life. JANE POWERS Father Kiser challenged each of us to prayerfully search for our own private Jerusalem. It is not a geographic location, but a personal, sacred moment designated by God. What is my personal Jerusalem? It is Sunday dinner with my children and husband. It is my first cup of coffee at 5:30 a.m. It is creating a painting for a friend and seeing it in her home. It is a young man’s face when he discovers he can paint. It is the young man’s excitement when he centers his first piece of pottery on the wheel. It is speaking to a room full of seniors on the Kairos retreat. It is helping a student make a sign for Homecoming. It is the parents and the students
Art teacher Jane Powers celebrates reaching the top of the mountain in Montserrat, Spain.
at Fine Arts Night. It is believing in second chances.
Photo by Katie Egan.
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Rev. Gene Merz, SJ ’48 Leading the way in spiritual direction Julie Felser
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FEATURES
Each morning, a prominent city official would stop at the retreat center Emmaus House to pray in the chapel on his way to his downtown Des Moines office. One day, the gentleman said to Rev. Eugene Merz SJ ’48, co-founder and then-superior of Emmaus House, “Gene, I have to do something with my life.” Knowing the gentleman and thinking well of him, a puzzled Merz asked, “What do you mean by that?”
“You know I have two adopted children. I go home after work, I have two double martinis and I’m just . . . blotto,” the man said. “Well, you come here in the morning before you go to work. Why don’t you stop on your way home? Come in and dump all the stuff in chapel and give it to the Lord,” Merz suggested. Two months passed and the official’s wife came to visit Merz. Warmly greeting him with a hug, she said, “Father, thank you. You saved our marriage.” Today, Merz reflects on his time at Emmaus House as a “gift and privilege to have served the women and men of the Des Moines Diocese. Just a tremendous gift.” He and Rev. Gary Brophy, SJ, were initially missioned to Iowa in 1974 by then-provincial of the Wisconsin Province Rev. Bruce Biever, SJ ’51, at the request of Bishop Maurice Dingman. On July 31st, the feast of St. Ignatius Loyola, Emmaus House, a center for spiritual reflection and renewal began.
“I felt ‘called and sent’ like in the early Society,” Merz says. “Ignatius would send Jesuits out in twos, one maybe gifted in preaching and the other a good compassionate confessor.”
priests came for spiritual direction and retreats. But Merz began to worry about the safety of the women who while there for an extended retreat would often walk in the neighborhood. At the time, an ex-convict who visited Emmaus House shortly after being released from prison assuaged Merz’s anxiety. “Don’t have to worry, Father. This house casts a long shadow on the city. This is a good, holy place. No one is going to mess with it.” Through his work at Emmaus House, along with his long list of leadership assignments within the Society of Jesus, Merz has become a highly esteemed leader in spiritual direction and renewal. He has directed retreats and Ignatian spirituality workshops in China, Japan, Korea, India, Italy, France, Central America, Canada and the United States. He has co-authored three books with Sister Carol Ann Smith, SHCJ. The first, Moment By Moment: A Retreat In Everyday Life was released in 2000, won the first prize Catholic Press Award for a book by first-time authors and is currently in its third printing. As Pope Francis makes us more aware of the need for discernment in our lives and decisions, their second book, Finding God in Each Moment: The Practice of Discernment in Everyday Life has new relevance. Moments to Remember: Ignatian Wisdom for Aging, was released last June and is already in its second printing. Born on April 19, 1931, at home, the upper flat at 1420 N. 54th St. in Milwaukee, Merz came from humble beginnings. “My parents were poor” Merz says of his father Frank Merz, a salesman for Pritzlaff Hardware, and his mother Alice (nee Martin) Merz, neither of whom had graduated from high school. While the family may have been short on funds, they were strong in faith and active members of St. Sebastian Catholic Parish and School. Merz notes with awe, “More than 25 men have joined the Jesuits from that parish.” Merz contracted pneumonia when he was four-and-a-half years old. To comfort and quiet him during his illness, Merz’s mother
Through the Emmaus House ministry, Merz and Brophy provided much-needed spiritual renewal of the diocese through retreats and programs for priests and lay people. Located in the heart of Des Moines in a neighborhood of need, Emmaus House was named after the story of the disciples’ encounter with Jesus on the road to Emmaus in the Gospel of Luke. Merz explains, “That scripture passage is the perfect paradigm of spiritual direction. It is the experience of the Spiritual Exercises: people experiencing the meaning of their lives in terms of the life, death and Resurrection of Jesus.” Word spread quickly about the ministry. Married people, sisters,
Opposite: Rev. Gene Merz, SJ ’48, spiritual director, celebrating Mass in the chapel at the Arrupe House Jesuit community in Milwaukee. Photo by Abigail Augustine Beck.
A young Gene Merz ’48 (second from left) served as sports editor of the Flambeau Monthly during his junior and senior years at MUHS.
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FEATURES REV. GENE MERZ, SJ ’48
The next logical step on Merz’s path to the priesthood was Marquette High. He admits that the required language classes, Greek and Latin, were a struggle. Despite these challenges, he was popular among classmates and excelled in extra-curriculars. Too small for sports, he was a class and Sodality officer all four years of high school. He served as sports editor of the Flambeau Monthly student newspaper his junior and senior years. Additionally, he was in the Webster Club and took first place in the Wisconsin State Catholic Oratory Contest his junior and senior years. His desire to become a Jesuit was strengthened while at MUHS through spiritual programs and a relationship he developed with then-Jesuit scholastic Bernard Cooke, who eventually would go on to start the theology program at Marquette University and become a nationally recognized theologian. “The first day of school, I’m the first kid he meets and he is the first Jesuit I meet,” Merz remembers. Cooke would serve as a mentor, spiritual director and dear friend to Merz during and after high school. After graduation, Merz entered the Society of Jesus and boarded a midnight train with three other MUHS ’48 classmates, Ray Smith, Phil Fischer and Gene Dutkiewicz. The group arrived in Florissant, Mo., on August 15, 1948, and began their studies and formation at St. Stanislaus Seminary. Rev. Gene Merz, SJ ’48. Photo by Abigail Augustine Beck.
would read to him from books published by the Sisters of Charity. One of those books was about St. Isaac Jogues, a French Jesuit missionary who embarked on dangerous explorations of the St. Lawrence River to share the knowledge and love of God with the Native Americans. As the story began, a young Merz asked his mother about St. Isaac Jogues, “What does he do?” “He’s a Jesuit,” his mother responded. Merz asked her what a Jesuit was. “I don’t know, but they run Marquette University, Marquette High and Gesu.”“I want to be a Jesuit,” proclaimed Merz, even though he had never met a Jesuit priest. He felt strong about his future vocation, but didn’t share it with anyone outside of his family. Priests would often visit Sister Leo’s fifth-grade class at St. Sebastian’s and asked the students if anyone wanted to be priest. “None of your damn business,” Merz says with a chuckle. “I never put my hand up.” Yet, in his mind he was committed to becoming a priest, and as a result, made personal choices reflecting this decision. At eighthgrade parties, Merz passed on playing the popular game Spin the Bottle. “I’m going to be a priest,” Merz thought. “The first time I put my hands on a woman, it will be for a blessing.”
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His initial novitiate formation experience was difficult for many reasons.
“I never doubted my vocation, but that experience taught me many lessons.” Reflecting on that experience, Merz, was in a position to make creative changes when he was novice director at the Jesuit Novitiate in St. Paul, Minn., from 1983 to 1991. After earning his bachelor’s degree in philosophy and master’s degree in education at Saint Louis University, Merz was sent in 1955 to the St. Francis Mission in St. Francis, S.D., on the Rosebud Indian Reservation to teach English, religion and speech. “After three difficult years of studying Philosophy in Latin, the Lakota people loved me back to life,” Merz says of his time on the Rosebud. Weather permitting on Saturdays, Merz would take “the little guys” (first- through fourth-graders) in his dorm out to the canyon on the reservation, where they would play cowboys and Indians. After the kids were exhausted from play, Merz would share stories about Jesus. They would make their way back to the dormitory, shower up, eat dinner and then watch a movie. He says of this weekly ritual, “It was big in their life, it was big in mine. I realized maybe I could tell people about Jesus.”
Seeing that Lakota teenagers needed to build their confidence, Merz organized the first Sioux speech tournament involving four Indian reservations. The next year, he worked with them to write and perform a play. Strong relationships were forged. To this day, Merz still maintains contact with many of the Lakota people he taught. After being ordained at Gesu Parish in 1961 and celebrating his first Mass at St. Sebastian’s Church, Merz returned to the reservation. He received a gift of a handmade beaded vestment from the St. Francis Mission community, which he then wore into chapel to celebrate his first Mass on the reservation. Merz recalls his friend Lloyd One Star saying, “Father, that’s the first time anyone has worn our Indian clothes.”
He eventually moved on to teach theology at Campion Jesuit High School in Prairie du Chien, Wis., and then on to Fusz Memorial Hall at St. Louis University to provide spiritual direction for 160 scholastics. It was during this time—the mid ’60s—that Merz began organizing “annual National Jesuit Colloquiums on Ignatian Spirituality featuring the best theologians from Canada and this country,” he says. Merz remembers the clear call of Vatican II for religious communities to “return to their origins”—the initial charism and grace which founded their communities. Following his years of ministry in St. Louis and at Emmaus House in Des Moines, Merz was asked by his provincial to be his assistant for province renewal. Merz served in this capacity from 1979 until he was missioned to St. Paul in 1983 to be novice director. Merz returned to Milwaukee in 1991 to assist the provincial with province pastoral ministries and in 1994 became rector of the Marquette University Jesuit Community. It was during this time he was elected by his province to attend the General Congregation 34 in Rome. This four-month meeting in 1995 updated the Jesuit Constitutions and addressed pressing worldwide issues such as the situation of women in the church and civil society, interreligious dialogue and faith and culture. Around the same time, Merz got involved with Marquette University’s Center for Ignatian Spirituality. This center, known as CIS, was founded by Rev. Greg Lucey, SJ, in 1991 was dedicated to passing on the Ignatian heritage to the university’s faculty, staff and administrators. Separate from Marquette University structure, it was a unique, creative ministry outreach of the Jesuit Community in service of the university. Lucey hired Sr. Carol Ann Smith, SHCJ in 1991 to be his co-director for the center. It was from this ministry service to the University community that Merz’s first book with Smith, was written. Merz says, “People were hungry, needing balance and meaning in their life, but since people don’t have 30 free days or the money to participate in the Spiritual Exercises at a Retreat Center, we decided to put something together about the Exercises. Initially we were just going to get 50 copies run off at Kinko’s,” Merz says. But, God had other plans; with the help of Rev. Don Doll, SJ ’55, they ended up publishing Moment By Moment: A Retreat In Everyday Life, which is now available in English, Spanish, Korean, Latvian and Chinese.
Above, top: Sr. Pat Scherer lights Rev. Gene Merz’s, SJ ’48 candle during Emmaus House’s 40th anniversary Mass, held at St. Ambrose Cathedral in Des Moines, Iowa. Merz co-founded Emmaus House in 1974. Photo by Anne Marie Cox. Above, bottom: Rev. Gene Merz, SJ ’48 returned to Des Moines, Iowa, last June to help celebrate Emmaus House’s 40th anniversary. He spoke and closed the weekend’s festivities with his reflections in the form of an Ignatian examen.
In 1997, informed by his experience at GC 34 and while recovering from hip surgery, Merz designed his first book a Pathway to God with photographs by Doll. Requested by then-provincial, Rev. Ed Mathie, SJ ’55, this book provided the way for the province to make a 19th Annotation retreat together with a special focus on GC34 documents and the Constitutions.
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FEATURES REV. GENE MERZ, SJ ’48
Merz and Smith’s second book, Finding God in Each Moment: The Practice of Discernment in Everyday Life, came from “our awareness of the need people have for discernment in their lives; the importance of Vatican II documents which had not been read . . . much less lived and a suggestion of what are the nine moments of love in any healthy relationship.” Merz admits the duo’s last book, Moments to Remember: Ignatian Wisdom for Aging, was not easy to write.
“We knew there was a need, but didn’t want it to be a sociological or psychological analysis of aging,” he says. “We wanted to talk about the experience of aging and then help people reflect on their experience in light of God’s abundant blessings.” As Merz reflects on his years as a Jesuit, he says, “I never thought in my 80s I would be writing books and visiting women in prison,” women who have become his new friends, referring to giving an annual retreat at Framingham women’s prison in Massachusetts. He also was asked to present at a professional day for the Boston Archdiocese and will give his talk, The Heart and Art of Spiritual Direction. And, when asked why he is such an effective spiritual director, he says, “For me, the heart of Ignatian spirituality is reflection on experience in order to discover there the action of God. All my life, I’ve seen the importance of helping people to reflect on their experience of God. Formation, all the books I’ve written, conferences, all have confirmed for me that the heart of Ignatian spirituality is reflection on that experience.” Sr. Carol Ann attributes Merz’s spiritual direction effectiveness to being “a man clearly in love with God. Father Merz affects people
as a spiritual director for many reasons, but his deep reverence for a person’s experience is paramount, I think,” she says.
“Having witnessed him interact with people of all ages in a great variety of settings, I am most impressed by his always being himself and ‘the same Gene Merz’ with everyone he meets.” Chuck Lamb, vice president for finance and treasurer at MU, met Merz through the Center of Ignatian Spirituality and has maintained a relationship even after the center’s closing in 2005. “The most telling thing I can say about him is that he truly is ‘a man of God’ who literally will give anything he has to help people,’ Lamb says. “A few winters ago, I noticed that he was not wearing his usual winter coat and asked him if he had misplaced it or worn it out. His response was simple: ‘I gave it to a student who needed it.’ This to me typifies why Gene is the embodiment of what it means to be Jesuit.” When interviewed, a humble Merz is quick to clarify that these accolades don’t define who he is. “When people ask how they should introduce me, it’s not with letters before or after my name,” he says. “My basic identity is not a priest, my basic identity is not about being a Jesuit, my basic identity is having been profoundly loved by God. My whole life has been an experience of God working through me to touch the lives of people,” he says. Last August, Merz celebrated 67 years as a Jesuit, but he still shows no signs of slowing down. He rides his exercise bike every morning and watches what he eats and drinks so he can continue his ministry.
“My life has been very blessed. It is all God’s work. I want to pass along to others what God has given to me.”
This book offers a faith perspective for reflecting on the experience of
“This wonderful book provides encouragement and insight to those who are aging like no other book that I have read. Moments to Remember will be on my shelf and in my heart for years to come.”
Martin Sheen, Actor and Social Activist
“Moments to Remember provides nourishment not just for the individual but also points to the deeper truth that a reflective life nourishes the whole. In an individualistic age, we are in dire need of encouragement for communal wisdom which Smith & Merz provide. At its heart, this is a communal process creating wisdom for the common good.” Sr. Simone Campbell, SSS, Executive Director, Network Lobby
Colleen Carroll Campbell,
Journalist and Author of My Sisters the Saints: A Spiritual Memoir
Sr. Carol Ann Smith, SHCJ is a member of the Society of the Holy Child Jesus and Fr. Eugene Merz, SJ is a member of the Wisconsin Province
of the Society of Jesus. They have co-authored two books: Moment By Moment: A Retreat In Everyday Life, (2000) and Finding God In Each Moment: The Practice of Discernment in Everyday Life (2005).
New City Press of the Focolare
www.newcitypress.com
Smith and Merz
“In Moments to Remember, Sr. Carol Ann Smith and Fr. Eugene F. Merz bring the riches of Ignatian spirituality to bear on the aging process. Their thoughtful, grace-filled book invites readers to contemplate the mysteries of growing older alongside the Christian mysteries of faith, and to find God in all things – even aging. This is a book to be savored and shared.”
Moments to Remember
aging, drawing especially upon the wisdom of St. Ignatius of Loyola. It provides the reader with a context for understanding their spiritual journey and a variety of reflection questions aimed at deepening their gratitude and hope. The book uses poetry and quotations of well-known people to affirm the reader’s reflection process.
ISBN 978-1-56548-574-7 51495 781565
485747
$14.95
Father Merz co-authored three books with Sister Carol Ann Smith, SHCJ, former co-director of the Center for Ignatian Spirituality at Marquette University.
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Tom Drexler ’78 Creating the condition to encounter Christ Julie Felser
FEATURES
Tom Drexler ’78 has a diverse, yet impressive resume.
He has served for more than 30 years at various Catholic institutions, including Belen Jesuit Preparatory School, Georgetown Preparatory School, Creighton University, DePaul University, Jesuit Volunteers International and now at the Ignatian Spirituality Project. His job titles have ranged from teacher, coach and adjunct faculty member to director, assistant vice president and executive director. Yet, Drexler says he has been doing the same thing for three decades—creating the condition to encounter Christ.
“In all of my work, I was simply creating the condition for the possibility, certainly not my doing, but setting the stage and allowing God’s grace to be experienced,” he says. “And to this day, that is what I am doing—creating the condition for the possibility to encounter the unconditional love of God.” Today, Drexler is creating this possibility of encountering Christ’s love with America’s homeless population, estimated to be more than 550,000 people according to the National Alliance to End Homelessness. He is the executive director of the Ignatian Spirituality Project, a Jesuit organization based in Chicago offering overnight retreats—rooted in the Spiritual Exercises and the 12-step recovery program—to men and women who are homeless and in recovery from addictions. The retreat serves as a place for one to experience community, healing and hope, which Drexler says are essential for one to transition out of homelessness. An ISP retreat also provides a safe environment for one to “go to that vulnerable spot in your life, tell your story and then, ideally, locate God in your story,” Drexler says.
“Finding God in all things. It’s profound, yet so simple.” Drexler was working at DePaul University as the assistant vice president of Mission and Values when he learned of the executive director opening at ISP. Rev. Bill Creed, SJ, founder of ISP and Drexler’s spiritual director, informed him of the position. “One day during spiritual direction, Bill Creed, the great spiritual
Opposite: Tom Drexler ’78, executive director of the Ignatian Spirituality Project in Chicago. Photo by Peter Beck.
Tom Drexler ’78 leading an Ignatian Spirituality Retreat retreat in Omaha, Neb.
director he is, got up from his chair and said ‘Spiritual direction is done,’” Drexler recalls. “He then sat down in a different chair and said, ‘I’ll say this once to you. We are hiring our first paid executive director,’ and handed me a job description.” Drexler was intrigued. “I don’t say this in a pejorative way, but I had given countless retreats to people like me—mostly middle-class kids at Catholic schools,” he says. “So the idea of providing a retreat for the poorest of the poor in the United States blew my mind.” Additionally, he says he was drawn to the position because of his “love of Ignatian spirituality, the Exercises and the 12-step program, which essentially saved my life,” referring to his own ongoing recovery from alcoholism. He applied for and was offered the position. Drexler remembers tears forming while he prayed for direction as to whether to accept or decline the job. “Ignatius says that oftentimes grace comes in the form of tears. I interpreted this as being called to this position,” Drexler says. “I wasn’t pursuing it, God was pursuing me.” When Drexler assumed his leadership role in April 2008, ISP retreats were offered in eight U.S. cities. He received a mandate from the board to “take this national” and extend ISP’s reach and influence. Seven years later, ISP conducts more than 200 retreats a year in 29 cities with a network of approximately 800 volunteers and with the support of four full-time and four part-time employees. While the Jesuit non-profit has experienced tremendous growth under Drexler’s tutelage, he says he often reflects back to his first ISP retreat with Creed for continued inspiration and resolve in his job. Drexler and Creed traveled to San Francisco to direct a retreat with 12 men, three each from different homeless shelters, which is
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FEATURES TOM DREXLER ’78
common ISP practice to have retreatants not know one another. Drexler explains that one of the requirements for making the retreat is to be able to listen to someone’s story and to tell your story, to go to that vulnerable spot in your life. “Transparency and vulnerability are severely lacking in our society,” he says. “And even more so with men, and it’s even more difficult with homeless men in a shelter. It’s often easier to be vulnerable with someone you don’t know.” Drexler recalls driving around San Francisco to the different shelters to pick up the men. “The men engaged in some conversation as we drove through the city,” he says. “However, once we started getting into the green hills and some very, very nice homes, things got quiet.” Eventually, the group arrived at the gated-entrance of the Jesuit Retreat House of Los Altos. Drexler read the sign out loud, “Private, Guests Only,” and followed it with, “Well, that’s us,” as he drove through the gate and up the tree-lined road.
Drexler says he noticed an immediate change with the men.
“Seeing the transformation as they walked into the retreat center, were given their own room with a bathroom and shower—you appeal to their dignity, and their dignity will come out,” he says. The retreat experience was a powerful one for both the retreatants and Drexler, who says he came to understand the 12 steps in a more profound way when coupled with the Spiritual Exercises. And, Drexler says he will always remember Mike Anderson, who prior to becoming homeless, worked in IT, had a wife and family and vacationed in Hawaii. Driving in the Tenderloin, a salty neighborhood in San Francisco, Drexler pulled up to the front of the St. Vincent de Paul Society shelter to drop off Anderson. “Actually Tom, you need to drop me
Tom Drexler ’78 co-directed his first Ignatian Spirituality Retreat for the homeless population in San Francisco. Drexler poses with three of the ISP San Francisco retreatants, one of whom is Mike Anderson (front center) who made a lasting impression on Drexler.
38 MUHS Magazine
DeCosse ’78 remembers their lifetime friendship evolving from this experience. “I contributed the lyrics to the melody of ‘Lady Madonna’, which Tom performed. We joked around and bonded over that experience,” says DeCosse, who is the director of campus ethics programs at Santa Clara University. Drexler fondly remembers Brennan holding Mass on the auditorium stage during weekend rehearsals. “That was just so powerful for me because I was developing, in a very significant way, a sense of community,” he says.
The Class of 1978 Senior Follies performers (left to right): Tom Gardner, Tom Drexler, Joe Zastrow, Don Potter and Fred Young.
off in the back,” Anderson said. “Why is that?” Drexler asked. “I lost my bed. If you don’t show up daily to this shelter, you lose your bed. So I need to go to the back, wait in line and hopefully I will get a bed.” “I felt horrible,” Drexler says. “Because he went on this retreat, he lost his place in the shelter.” Anderson saw Drexler’s angst in his face and said, “Tom, get over it! I would gladly lose my bed in order to go on another retreat.” Drexler says of this experience, “I always go back to that moment and think this is what I am fundraising for. It was just a powerful, powerful retreat.” So what makes the ISP retreats so powerful? Drexler draws his answer from a past retreatant who now works at ISP. “On retreat, homeless women and men come to believe they belong. Loneliness is when you feel like you don’t belong. And, if you don’t belong, how will you ever move out,” he explains. “Spiritual connection and belonging are huge pieces of moving beyond homelessness.”
And, Drexler remembers other special moments of community. “I remember powerful Masses on Sunday evenings in the thirdfloor study hall room that would be converted into a chapel,” he says. “I remember senior year working on homecoming and sitting with Charley Stang on the gym floor having a cigarette. I still remember to this day traveling down to Racine with friends to a basketball game against St. Catherine’s. The sense of belonging I felt in those moments was so strong.” But as Drexler reflects on his high school experience, he says it was at MUHS where he met the most influential person in his life— Rev. Don Driscoll, SJ. “I was raised Catholic and had a great experience at Saint Jude’s,” he says. “But my faith took a significant turn for the better when I was at MUHS and it was because of DD.” Driscoll served as Drexler’s counselor, theology teacher and retreat director. Drexler remembers Driscoll teaching him and his junior classmates Ignatian prayer. “He would have us lay on the classroom floor and basically, take us through an Ignatian contemplation. He was visualizing a scene from the gospel
Years earlier, it was this sense of belonging that prompted Drexler to ask his father, a longtime teacher and administrator at Pius XI High School, if he could transfer to MUHS. Drexler had graduated from Saint Jude the Apostle School in Wauwatosa and went on to attend Pius. But many of his grade-school friends were at MUHS. With his father’s blessing, Drexler transferred into Marquette High as a junior. “The ripple effect of going to a Jesuit school was enormous,” he says. “My parents became involved in Gesu Church—Dad still goes there—and I ended up going to Creighton.” Although he already had a group of friends when he got to MUHS, Drexler met more people through the theater program, then directed by Rev. Tom Brennan, SJ. And, he says his Senior Follies experience really solidified his integration into the class. David
Tom Drexler ’78 in the Dominican Republic in 1990 serving as the director of the Semester Abroad Program in the Dominican Republic at Creighton University.
www.MUHS.edu 39
FEATURES TOM DREXLER ’78
and asking us to play a role in that. I got into that. I loved that,” Drexler says. “Here he was, in the late 1970s, teaching a bunch of juniors how to pray. I ate it up.” It was during senior year in his aesthetical theology class, cotaught by Driscoll and Larry Siewert ’59, that Drexler came to understand God’s unconditional love in a much more profound way. As part of this prayer class, students went on a five-day silent retreat, which Drexler says, “was a pivotal point in my faith development,” he says.
“It confirmed that I wanted to make sure that my spiritual life, that my relationship with God, with Christ, would continue to deepen.” Drexler says it’s amazing how close you can become with others in a silent retreat. For a prayer circle exercise, the 12 retreatants, along with Siewert and Driscoll, walked into a room with 15 chairs set in a circle. The empty chair is for Christ. “They had us pray for each other,” Drexler says. “Larry got up, laid his hands on the first guy’s head and prayed over him. He went to the next person and did the same thing. He went to the third person, and at that time, the first guy stood up and prayed over the second person. It continues on and on, so each person prays over everyone else.”
Rev. Don Driscoll, SJ, teaching at MUHS in 1976.
40 MUHS Magazine
Upon Driscoll’s recommendation, Drexler attended Creighton University after graduating from Marquette High. He earned his bachelor’s degree in theology and landed his first job at Belen Jesuit Preparatory School in Miami as a middle school teacher. There, he incorporated lessons learned at MUHS into his classes.
“I took my students into the chapel, had them lie down on the floor and took them through a guided meditation,” Drexler says. “So, clearly, I was just copying what DD did in 1977. There I am in 1986 doing the same dang thing.” After two years at Belen, Drexler was offered a scholarship from Washington Theological Union in Washington, D.C., to pursue his master’s degree in theology. He accepted and moved to D.C., where he also taught theology at Georgetown Preparatory School. It was here, that he and a colleague co-founded Somos Amigos, a three-week service program located in small mountainous villages of the Dominican Republic. Drexler would eventually help establish Somos Amigos at MUHS, which is now in its 22nd year. He recalls co-directing a retreat in the late ’80s at the Damien House for those dying of AIDS. He and the five other retreat
facilitators were trying to think of an activity or ritual to bring healing to the group.
“So what do I suggest? The prayer circle,” Drexler says. “It worked. It was so powerful to have people who are dying pray over you for your health. Again, it comes right from Driscoll, right from Siewert . . . I credit my experience at MUHS for so much. It is amazing.” Drexler would continue his quest to “create the condition to encounter God’s unconditional love,” at Creighton University. In 1991, Drexler became the director of the Dominican Republic Semester Abroad Program, where he designed and implemented a semester-long immersion experience, integrating academics, community living and service internships. Drexler describes the Creighton program as a formative, Ignatian experience to see God in all people. “That’s what it was all about,” he says. “Encountering Christ in the poor and allowing that to knock you off balance and to rethink the things that are important and ask yourself, ‘What have I done for Christ? What am I doing for Christ? What will I do for Christ?’” He would go onto serve 10 years at DePaul University in campus ministry and then in the school’s Office of Mission and Values as assistant vice president. He also served two years as the executive director of Jesuit Volunteers International, a demanding position that he found immensely rewarding. Throughout his career, he felt
Tom Drexler ’78 and his goldendoodle, Sam, live in Chicago. Drexler enjoys running and cooking casual dinners for small groups of family and friends.
called to each position. “There is a beautiful quality, I think, to go where you are being called or where you are needed.” Regardless of where he is called next, he insists he will be doing the same thing—creating the condition to encounter Christ’s unconditional love. He says that he would like to someday go back into full-time pastoral ministry serving a vulnerable population. “Sometimes I daydream about chaplaincy in the jail. Sometimes I daydream about working in a non-traditional high school. Sometimes I daydream about retiring in Puerto Rico and volunteering in a soup kitchen.” As he looks ahead to future possibilities, he always turns back to MUHS as a significant moment in his faith life. “Marquette High was the beginning of a journey that has taken me deeper and deeper into my faith, deep in my relationship with God. It has set me on a path that I continue on today.”
Tom Drexler ’78 with the first Kairos Retreat group at Georgetown Preparatory School. Drexler, a colleague and Georgetown Prep students, who made the Somos Amigos trip, brought the Kairos Retreat from St. Joseph’s Preparatory School in Philadelphia to Georgetown Prep.
www.MUHS.edu 41
Dr. Marcus Mescher ’00 Meeting students at the intersection of faith and reality 42 MUHS Magazine
Julie Felser
FEATURES
Marcus Mescher ’00 describes his Somos Amigos trip as a jarring experience, one that made him acutely aware of the intersection of faith and reality.
In June 1999, Rev. Terry Brennan, SJ, math teacher Beth Piper, Mescher and nine other MUHS students traveled to the Dominican Republic. Before heading to the village of Comedero Abajo, where they would work and live with their host families for the next three weeks, “Padre” Brennan took the group to see the sights of the DR’s capital city Santo Domingo. One of those tourist attractions was the Columbus Lighthouse, a half-mile long, cross-shaped monument representing the Christianization of America and marking the 500th anniversary of Christopher Columbus’ arrival. The massive museum, built in 1992 by the Dominican government at an estimated price of $70 million, sits on the site where dilapidated houses were razed and residents were displaced without being provided alternative housing.
Jumping back into their clean, air-conditioned white van, the group continues driving on their tour until Padre Brennan instructs the driver to stop. Mescher and the others look out the window to see a garbage dump and quietly begin to ask one another, “Why are we here?” Continuing to stare out the windows, the students begin to see people moving amongst the trash. “This wasn’t just a garbage dump,” Mescher explains. “People had made their homes out of other people’s refuse.” Padre Brennan opens the door and leads the way into Cien Fuegos, which means “100 fires.” As the students file out of the van, “the heat and stench hit us in the face,” Mescher vividly recalls. “It was overpowering how awful it smelled and how hot it was.” While trying to adjust to the shocking environment, the group is immediately surrounded by children, some in tattered clothing, some wearing nothing at all. “We were mobbed as if we were celebrities,” Mescher says. “For the next hour, we were human jungle gyms, picking kids up and spinning them around.” The play session is interrupted by a man who approaches Padre Brennan to ask if he will come visit his home. Padre obliges and the group follows.
“We were trekking through the garbage dump, seeing how people used cardboard and corrugated metal and old dirty mattresses to create homes,” Mescher says. They arrive at what Mescher describes as “a cave in the garbage. There was barely room for all of us.” The man’s home is a 20' by 20' space divided in half by a hanging rope covered in old blankets and clothing. On the right side of the make-shift wall, there are frayed towels, bedding and rags on the floor, which serve as the family’s sleeping area. On the other side is a table, one chair and a framed picture of the Sacred Heart of Jesus hanging on the wall—the same image hanging on the wall in Mescher’s home parish, then St. James Catholic Church. Mescher is stunned by the moment.
Opposite: Marcus Mescher ’00, assistant professor of theology at Xavier University. Photo by Greg Rust/Xavier University.
Above, top: Jack Lavin ‘00 (in the wheelbarrow) gets a helping hand from his classmates (left to right) Tim Cavanaugh, Joe Simmons and Marcus Mescher. Above, bottom: The 1999 Somos Amigos group: Front row (left to right): Fr. Terry Brennan, SJ, Joe Donohoo, Ben Krahn, Jack Lavin, Tim Cavanaugh and Beth Piper. Back row: John Meuler, Francis Antao, Pat Bomhack, Nate Morrell, Marc Mescher and Joe Simmons.
“I just remember that being a jarring experience to think about how in this same world there are people living secure and comfortable lives in Mequon praying to that image, bringing their problems to God. And, then there are people living in a garbage dump praying to that image, finding consolation that here Christ is with the poorest of the poor.” Mescher says that picture is seared into his mind. “I can’t get that image out of my head. I think about it often and wonder what it is like for God to look out through that icon into the world that is
www.MUHS.edu 43
FEATURES MARCUS MESCHER ’00
riddled with inequality and marked by such intense—and often senseless—suffering.” He admits that moment, which he describes as an experience that holds him morally accountable, changed the trajectory of his life. “I didn’t know how to acknowledge that reality—a group of people were displaced by their own government, forced to live in a garbage dump, kids picking through the garbage to find food, urinating anywhere.” Mescher says. “We are equals in the eyes of God. They have the same dignity as I do. My life before Somos was completely ignorant of that reality. After Somos, I couldn’t be indifferent to that reality or to the suffering of the people I met. I had to do something.” Mescher decided to pursue a career in international diplomacy or policy and his experience in his International Relations class
senior year with then-scholastic Mark Carr, SJ, confirmed his decision. Mescher’s true desire was to answer the nagging question, “Why do we live in a world marked by so much injustice?” Best friend and classmate Joe Simmons, SJ ’00, who was on the 1999 Somos Amigos trip, recalls Mescher being passionate and engaged in class discussions.
“He liked to argue with people, he still likes to argue with people,” Simmons lightheartedly says. “But it is always done respectfully and always based on integrity and his code.” Striking a more serious tone, Simmons says he admires the way Mescher cares for those around him. “He has integrated the man for others and grad at grad qualities into his life. He is the whole package,” says Simmons, who is currently studying theology and on track to be ordained in June 2017. The best friends met in Rev. Ed Witt, SJ’s, theology class on the first day of school freshman year. Both remember the connection point. “We were wearing the same hideous black and white Nike basketball shoes,” Mescher says. “We hit it off from there.” They were also on the forensics team together. Simmons recalls the duo performing an interpretation of Neil Simon’s The Odd Couple. “It was kind of appropriate since we were constantly bickering. We would always be arguing at tournaments or on trips we took. But we moved beyond the bickering to become best of friends,” says Simmons, who is godfather to Mescher’s oldest son, Noah. Social studies teacher Victoria Temple Bonesho remembers Mescher as a serious young man, deeply committed to academics.
“He was thoughtful beyond measure and always raised the conversation because of the depth of his questions and the skill with which he connected ideas,” she says. Mescher credits Bonesho for helping him elevate his intellect. “Mrs. Bonesho really pushed me. I try to be the college professor that Mrs. Bonesho is in the classroom, pushing you so you find the gear you didn’t even know you had,” says Mescher, who currently is an assistant professor at Xavier University in Cincinnati. Marcus Mescher wears a suit every day to his Xavier classroom. He says it sends a message to his students that this is important and it reminds him that he is in a position of privilege. Photo by Greg Rust /Xavier University.
44 MUHS Magazine
English teacher Tim Prosser remembers Mescher’s enthusiasm for learning, but recalls seeing another side to Mescher while directing
With an expertise in Christian ethics, Marcus Mescher ’00 teaches introduction to theology and upper-level Christian ethics courses at Xavier University. Photo by Greg Rust /Xavier University.
him in Senior Follies. “Follies was intended for a kid like Marc, and he threw himself into it,” Prosser says. “I remember two months of his smiles through every rehearsal.” After graduating from MUHS, Mescher attended Marquette University on scholarship and started as an international affairs major, but he quickly became frustrated. “When I kept asking ‘Why is the world so broken? Why is there so much inequality and injustice? Why do the poor suffer so much?’ professors would explain it away as the result of capitalism or the structures of power, which have always been marked by inequality.” Mescher says. “They took it for granted instead of challenging it. And, I was really turned off by that.” It wasn’t until his senior year theology class with Rev. Thomas Hughson, SJ, that Mescher started to understand. “To be a Christian is to work for justice, which was something I had first learned at Marquette High,” Mescher says.
After graduating from MU, Mescher became the director of Youth Ministry at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Wauwatosa, Wis. and St. Mary’s Visitation Catholic Parish in Elm Grove, Wis. In this role, he led the religious education programs for junior high and high school students. Mescher called it an eye-opening and immensely rewarding experience. “These kids grew up with a lot of privilege, still had so much heartbreak in their lives,” he says. “It was a privilege to accompany them, and to have them share their hurt with me. I tried to empower them in the same way I felt empowered by Mr. [Greg] Meuler, Mr. [Tim] Prosser, Mrs. [Vicki] Bonesho, Mrs. [Carol] Hardtke, Mrs [Anita] Fleisch . . . and the list goes on.” Shaped by this ministry experience and compelled to find ways to more effectively meet the needs of young people, he decided to pursue a graduate degree in theology. His wife, Anne, and he quit their jobs, sold their home and cars and moved to Boston. He
www.MUHS.edu 45
FEATURES MARCUS MESCHER ’00
decided to attend Weston Jesuit School of Theology in Cambridge, which later became part of the School of Theology and Ministry at Boston College, the same place Jesuits attend for formation. “I felt like if it was good enough for the Jesuits, it was good enough for me,” he says. “Also, I had eight years of Jesuit education and I wanted to continue learning in that lens.” He earned his master’s degree in theological ethics in 2009 and continued on, eventually earning his doctoral degree in theology and education from Boston College in 2013. His dissertation explored the intersection of Catholic social teaching and moral formation. “I knew that if I wrote a dissertation on the principle of solidarity, it would sit on a library shelf. What good does that do?” Mescher says. “What I wanted to do was find out what kind of dispositions, attitudes, practices, relationships and environments can actually cultivate solidarity in the world.” He says his dissertation helped inform him about the kind of professor he strives to be. “I want to present theological inquiry and commitment to social justice to students not as an area for
scrutiny alone, but as an invitation to form and fashion your life around these questions,” he says. “And, to have it really affect you and your beliefs and practices, relationships and social location.” Mescher landed his first teaching position at Merrimack College in Massachusetts, where he taught theology and ethics classes for three semesters. In 2014, he joined Xavier University as an assistant professor of Christian ethics, a tenure-track position. He says his teaching style follows the Jesuit tradition—he asks questions instead of providing answers. He explains that he starts almost every class with some type of TV, movie or music video clip that helps illustrate this intersection of faith and reality, and as a way to invite students to be more reflective and discerning about how they respond to living at this intersection of faith and reality, and to develop a heightened social awareness with his students. He uses the example of Tove Lo’s Stay High music video, depicting a young woman partying, drinking, kissing multiple men and women, and then returning home, crying and miserable. “I ask them to compare that with a Thursday, Friday or Saturday night on a college campus and if they can relate to what she is talking about?
Mescher, with his wife, Anne, and their two sons, Noah (blowing bubbles) and Ben, at Hart Park in Wauwatosa, Wis. The Mescher family lives in Cincinnati, where Marcus is an assistant professor at Xavier University and Anne is a community health consultant and nurse at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital. Photo by Abigail Augustine Beck.
46 MUHS Magazine
Do you feel empty at the end of the week? How do you try to fill that emptiness?” he says. “I remind my students that the most important question is ‘Why’? Why go out and drink or hook up? What are you trying to find? Or what are you trying to escape?” He says his students take his questions seriously and provide revealing answers. “Students will be honest and talk about the hurt they feel from broken relationships, the pressure and stress in trying to meet other’s expectations, and their deep desire for attention, affection and acceptance.” And, Mescher challenges his students on a variety of social norms, including how we determine others’ and our own self worth. “Where do we get this sense that our value is tied to what we own or what we wear or what we achieve,” he asks. “Now contrast that with what we read in Scripture that every person is made in the image and likeness of God and we are called to live in a right-relationship with one another.” Ultimately, Mescher is trying to sustain and advance the tradition of Jesuit education by moving his students from social awareness to action. “I
recognize part of my vocation is to carry the banner for being women and men for and with others, to live a faith that does justice,” he says. “I don’t want my students to just understand what that means, but to have them integrate it into who they are becoming.” And, in the Jesuit tradition, he does this through inviting students to reflect on their experiences. “Okay, that’s great you do four hours of service every week to be with and for others. That’s really laudable as college students,” he says. “But does that affect how you act on the weekends? Does it affect what classes you take, what you want to do for a living, where you want to live, who you fall in love with or the movies you watch, the books you read? My work is to help them see that service isn’t an extra-curricular, but a way of life, just as Jesus modeled as the original ‘man for others’,” Mescher says. “This whole line of questioning is inspired by Rev. Pedro Arrupe, SJ’s Fall in love, stay in love, and it will decide everything prayer.” The classroom isn’t the only place these conversations happen. In a more casual setting in a residence hall lounge, Mescher facilitates small group discussions with young men over pizza. “We talk about relationships, how profoundly disappointed they feel about hook-up culture and the social pressures they feel to act a certain
Marcus Mescher accompanied a group of Xavier students on an Alternative Break trip to El Salvador. The group visited the Romero Chapel at the University of Central American in San Salvador. The UCA is the Jesuit University where six Jesuits, their housekeeper and her daughter were murdered (just a few feet away from this chapel) on November 16, 1989.
way,” he says. “What a gift to walk with these young people who are trying to figure out what they want to do with their life.” In May, Mescher accompanied 12 Xavier students on an Alternative Break trip to El Salvador. The purpose of the trip was to share life with those who were affected by the country’s civil war, which lasted from 1980 to 1992. The group listened to stories of women who lost husbands and sons, and who were tortured and raped by government soldiers. Beyond physically accompanying the students on the trip, Mescher explains that his role was to help them reflect on the experience by asking questions. “How do we honor their stories by sharing them with our friends and family? What does it mean to be held accountable to this reality? How does this experience help you understand what it means to be Jesuit educated? How can we be empowered to live in solidarity with our brothers and sisters in El Salvador—or with any of our neighbors in need?” For Mescher, the trip was personally important to him given the legacy of the Jesuit martyrs: the six Jesuits, their housekeeper and her daughter murdered at the University of Central America by the Salvadoran army. “This can be the cost of engaging reality in order to transform it,” he says. As he reflects on his experiences as an educator, Mescher says he loves teaching at Xavier and carrying the torch for Jesuit education. “I love living life at the intersection between church and culture, trying to provide access to sources of wisdom, courage, compassion and generosity in order to help give people meaning and purpose in their life.”
www.MUHS.edu 47
FEATURES
Marquette High’s tie to the Civil War Chris Lese ’92
One day in my American Civil War class, a Marquette High hoodie caught my eye. Across the front were the numbers 1857, the year MUHS precursor St. Aloysius Academy began enrolling students. I started to wonder if any Marquette High graduates had served in the Civil War, which lasted from 1861 to 1865. I began researching census records, plat maps, muster rolls, newspapers accounts and biographical sketches—and through the process, I collected a lot of instructional material I could use to teach students how history is written. And I found a way to bring the Civil War experience a little closer to home, through the experiences of one Marquette High alumnus. Born in County Tipperary in Ireland in 1837, James Lonergan came to the United States three years later, when his family came to America and settled in Utica, N.Y. By 1855, the Lonergans had settled in the Town of Addison in western Washington County, Wis. Lonergan attended Addison public schools before enrolling, at the age of 20, at St. Aloysius in its inaugural year. After leaving the Academy, Lonergan worked as a teacher in Milwaukee. By the end of 1862, enlistments in the Union Army were waning and in March 1863, the U.S. Congress passed a conscription act. Most of the 4,537 Wisconsin men drafted were used to replenish old regiments. The exception was the 34th Wisconsin Volunteer
Infantry Regiment, which was made up of “nine-month men,” and commanded by Fritz Anneke, the famous Forty-Eighter. James Lonergan was assigned to Company F, 34th Regiment as a first lieutenant. The 34th was organized at Milwaukee’s Camp Washburn, which was bounded by what is now Vliet Street on the north and Kilbourn Avenue on the south, with east and west borders at 27th and 35th streets. The camp was situated just blocks north of the site where Marquette High would be built in 1922. Lonergan and his fellow officers were challenged daily by the conscripted men at camp. Many of the soldiers focused more on desertion than drills. The officers urged the “removal of the regiment out of state . . . as the regiment would soon be composed of officers and no privates the way things are now going,” wrote one soldier. The officers got their wish, when the 34th was moved to Kentucky in January, 1863. Worried that soldiers would desert near Milwaukee’s rail depot, the regiment marched eight to ten miles to board a train at a more secure location, under guard of the 27 th Wisconsin Regiment. Not to be deterred, at least 21 soldiers jumped off the train en route to Chicago and another 100 men ran off when the group arrived there at midnight. The regiment’s rebellious behavior did not subside when it reached Kentucky in early February for garrison and fatigue duty. One newspaper noted, “the regiments, with the solitary exception of the 34th, are of high order. Whatever [the 34th] may lack of battalion or Company drill, or on dress parade, the officers make up in holding court martial proceedings.” One hopes this “want of discipline” did not follow Lonergan and five other Companies on their short garrison assignment in Memphis. Despite the many challenges, Lonergan appears to have managed his command well. When the regiment returned to Milwaukee in September 1863, he mustered out of the war “with credit.”
A view of Camp Washburn in Milwaukee looking from the present-day corner of 35th Street and Wisconsin Avenue. Photo provided by Wisconsin Historical Society.
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By 1873, Lonergan had settled in White Bear Lake, Minn., with his wife Sarah and nine children. Lonergan was a successful railroad executive, and although stricken with paralysis later in
MUHS alumnus James Lonergan stands eighth from the left (1883). Photo provided by White Bear Historical Society.
life, he served on numerous civic boards and as an officer in his post of the Grand Army of the Republic, the largest organization of Union Civil War veterans. He died in 1906 and is buried in St. Mary’s Cemetery in White Bear Lake. James Lonergan’s story has been an exciting addition to our Civil War studies in and out of the classroom. His story offers an opportunity to illustrate the complexities of soldier motivation via the 34th Wisconsin. And Marquette High students who participated in the Civil War Summer Adventure through Kentucky and Tennessee, got to walk in Lonergan’s footsteps as a soldier, and hopefully gained a better understanding of what this alumnus experienced during the war.
An advertisement for St. Aloysius Academy (the precursor to MUHS) that ran in a 1858 issue of the Milwaukee Sentinel newspaper.
ALUMNI UPDATE
Class notes Jacob Heinen ’15
Werner Dornacker ’50
rescue trip with their
into Reusable Water:
pliance Assurance at
of the Michigan Probate
is a volunteer with South
son, Jeffrey. The group
Written for the Layperson.
the U.S. Environmental
Judges Association.
West Interfaith, trans-
brought three young
porting those who are in
girls back to the U.S.,
Jim Pittelkow ’63
Washington, D.C. David
John McDermott ’76
their own homes but
one of whom is their
married Mary Becherer
Lanser ’05 is his law clerk.
received the Distinguished
can’t drive, and delivering
newest granddaughter,
on December 26, 2014.
Mike also mentored a
Alumnus of the Year
day-old bakery items to
Perpetua.
student who wrote the
award from Marquette
Protection Agency in
John Cary ’69 received
opera, Scalia/Ginsburg,
University’s College of
Peace. He is retired, and
Dan Kain ’60 has been
Green Bay Packers legend
which premiered in July to
Engineering. He is senior
lives in Franklin, Wis.
inducted into the Silver
Donald Driver’s 2015
a sold-out audience at the
vice president of Global
Castleton Music Festival.
Sales and Marketing for
the nonprofit House of
Circle of the National
Driven To Achieve Award,
Thomas Kieren ’59 is an
Academy of Television
created by Driver to recog-
architectural photographer.
Arts & Sciences’ Boston/
nize and celebrate the
David Murkowski ’75
New York photography
New England chapter
accomplishments of chari-
was reelected to the Kent
Mike Isaacson ’81 won a
retailer B&H recently
for his contributions to
ties, companies, community
County (Mich.) Probate
Tony award as a producer
published his photography
the community and
leaders, and celebrities on
Court, and is also chief
for Best Musical for the
presentation, “Architectural,
the television industry.
a national and local level.
judge. He received the
show Fun Home.
John is executive director
Judicial Contributions in
of the MACC Fund.
Law and Aging Award
Sean Hanish ’86 is the
Interiors & Landscape
Rockwell Automation.
Photography,” as part of
Joseph Reichenberger ’60
the store’s educational
is a professor of civil
from Elder Law of Michigan,
writer, producer, and
program and its year-long
engineering and environ-
Mike Walker ’69 is a
and was named a Leader
director of the film
series given by various
mental science at Loyola
professor of law at the
in the Law by Michigan
Return to Zero, based
photographers.
Marymount University
University of Maryland
Lawyers Weekly. He also
on the loss of his and
in Los Angeles. He and
and director of the National
was appointed to the
wife Kiley’s son on the
Jim Bojar ’60 and his
co-author Madan Arora
Enforcement Training
State Bar of Michigan
day he was supposed
wife, Katie, traveled
recently published a book
Institute in the Office of
Judicial Council and
to be born. The film won
to Ghana on a mission
entitled Turning Sewage
Enforcement and Com-
serves as vice president
the International Press
Top, left to right: Bill Buckett ’80 created a memory shadow box for his father, Dennis Buckett ’53, who was inducted into the MUHS Athletic Hall of Fame as a member of the 1952 football team. Marybeth Becherer and Jim Pittelkow ’63 John Cary ’69, posing with actress Sherri Shepherd (left) and Betina and Donald Driver, received Green Bay Packers Donald Driver’s 2015 Driven To Achieve Award. Bottom, left to right: Sean Hanish ’86 Class of 1984 alumni (left to right) Dave Schnittka, Brian Tobin, Mark Fuhrman, and Joe Witzel in Amsterdam.
50 MUHS Magazine
Association’s Satellite
Iona DeRoche, born on
to being promoted to this
side boutique, Siprut
Anthony Skrinska ’96
Award for Best Motion
January 24, 2015.
position, he served as club
PC, where he is now a
and his spouse, Jennifer,
development manager.
partner and trial attorney.
announce the birth of
Picture Made for Television and was also
Greg Mager ’88 is
nominated for an Emmy
a shareholder at
Mike Matthews ’90 is
Julian Koh ’93 is associate
L. Skrinska, born on
Award, Critic’s Choice,
O’Neil, Cannon, Hollman,
a partner with Foley &
director of the North-
September 30, 2013.
and Satellite Award for
DeJong & Laing S.C.,
Lardner LLP and serves
western University
Best Lead Actress (Minnie
and has been selected
as chair of the Tampa
Information Technology,
Patrick Reid ’97 and his
Driver) in a Movie Made
to be listed among the
Litigation Department
Telecommunications
spouse, Ellie, announce
for Television. Sean also
Leading Lawyers in the
and as chair of the firm’s
and Network Services
the birth of their son,
received a Writer’s Guild
July 2015 issue of M
False Claims Act Liti-
division and leads the
Michael Steven Reid,
of America nomination
Magazine. He practices
gation group.
teams responsible for
born on March 24, 2015.
for Long Form Original
family law at O’Neil’s
Screenplay.
Milwaukee office.
their daughter, Jasmine
voice, video and data Steve Peterson ’90
networking for all of North-
Bill Schmitt ’97 works for
is general manager of
western’s U.S. locations.
Catholic Relief Services.
Rob Birdsell ’88 is the
Damon Key ’90 was in-
Rendition golf course
He joined NUIT-TNS
He just finished a three-
co-founder and managing
ducted into the Wisconsin
in Davidsonville, Md. He
in1997 as a network
year term as country repre-
partner of the Drexel
Basketball Coaches
was named General
engineer after graduating
sentative for Afghanistan.
Fund, a nonprofit venture
Association Basketball
Manager of the Year by
from NU with a bachelor’s
He is on a brief hiatus
philanthropy fund for
Hall of Fame in Sept-
Landscapes Unlimited, a
degree in biomedical
before he begins a new
faith-based and other
ember in Wisconsin
golf management company.
engineering.
position with CRS in Turkey.
private schools.
Dells, Wis. Matt Wawrzyn ’92
E. Michael Duffy ’96 and
John Pentler ’99 and his
Tim DeRoche ’88 and his
Brian Krill ’90 is the dir-
recently merged his
his spouse, Jolie, an-
spouse, Mary, announce
spouse, Simone,
ector of sport education for
business litigation firm
nounce the birth of their
the birth of their daughter,
announce the birth of
the U.S. Ski and Snow-
specializing in patent
daughter, Emerson Juliette
Meara Janet Pentler, born
their daughter, Neve
board Association. Prior
litigation with the plaintiff-
Duffy, born in July 2015.
on December 9, 2014.
Top, left to right: Tim ’88 and Simone DeRoche with newborn daughter, Neve. Eugene Daniel Duffy holds newborn sister, Emerson. Four Horters have graduated from MUHS. Left to right: J. Philip Horter ’82, Jack Horter ’15, John Horter ’56, and John Horter ’13. Bottom, left to right: Jasmine L. Skrinska Michael Steven Reid Meara Janet Pentler
www.MUHS.edu 51
ALUMNI UPDATE CLASS NOTES
Michael Puskarich ’99
at National Jewish Health
David Konkel ’01 and his
their son Henry James
gence at RocketLawnchair,
and his spouse, Maren
and the University of
spouse, Erika, announce
White, born on February
a marketing consultant
Lee, announce the birth
Colorado in Denver. He
the birth of their son,
19, 2015.
agency. He, his wife,
of their son, Gabriel Noah
also serves as the director
Benjamin Robert Konkel,
Puskarich, born on
of the Pediatric Food
born on December 6, 2014.
February 15, 2015.
Allergy Center at National
Maggie, and their two Matt Hoffmann ’02
children, Eve (2) and
and his spouse, Katie,
newborn baby Wayve,
Jewish Health and the
Michael Moscicke ’01 is
announce the birth of
live in Milwaukee.
Steve DeVougas ’00 is
associate director of the
a government relations
their daughter, Charlotte
the chair of the City of
Pediatric Allergy Fellow-
advisor for UW–Madison.
Diane Hoffmann, born
Steve Bode ’03 is an
Milwaukee Fire and Police
ship Training program.
He also serves on the
on April 22, 2015.
assistant coach for the
Commission having
BJ completed a Pediatric
Academic Staff Executive
been elected to the one-
Allergy Fellowship at
Committee and the
Matthew Satchell ’02 is
Marquette University.
year term in July. He is
National Jewish Health.
statewide board of dir-
a captain with the United
He was recognized as
ectors for the Academic
States Air Force, and
one of the nation’s top 15
an attorney specializing
men’s soccer team at
in litigation, product
Kevin Endsley ’01 is vice
Staff Professionals
will teach aerospace
assistant coaches by Col-
liability, and toxic tort with
president of communic-
Representation Organ-
engineering at the USAF
legeSoccerNews.com.
Quarles & Brady LLP.
ations at Chideo, a charity
ization. In March, he
Academy starting in the
network through which
was elected president
fall. He was honored by
James Packee ’03 and his
Tony Gonzalez ’00 received
celebrities and personal-
of the Wisconsin Dance
the Alamogordo (N.M.)
spouse, Ashley, announce
the Young Alumnus
ities can help raise aware-
Council, a statewide
Rotary Club as an American
the birth of their daughter,
of the Year award from
ness and money for the
nonprofit that supports
Hero for his volunteer
Guinevere Jane Packee,
Marquette University.
charity of their choice. He
dance education and
work for STEM. Matthew
born April 23, 2015.
previously did publicity
performance.
and his wife, Abbie, have John Scheid ’03 is a social
BJ Lanser ’00 is assistant
work for primetime and
professor of pediatrics
late-night television at
Aaron White ’01 and
in the Division of Allergy
NBCUniversal.
his spouse, Frances,
Charlie Weber ’02 is the
of Colorado Hospital Trans-
announce the birth of
director of market intelli-
plant Center. He earned
and Clinical Immunology
one child, 2-year-old Emma.
worker for the University
Top, left to right: Michael Puskarich ’99 with his wife, Maren, and their sons, Henry (left), Joseph and baby Gabriel. Henry James White Charlotte Hoffmann (left) with big sister, Annabelle. The Melanie Baier and Patrick Bensen ’06 wedding party (left to right): Ricardo Ruiz, Axel Brunetto, best man Michael Agnello ’06, Melanie Baier, Patrick Benson ’06, Alison Baier, Laura Gerrity and Brooke McEwen Bottom, left to right: James and Ashley Packee with newborn daughter, Guinevere. David Lanser ’05 is a law clerk for Mike Walker ’69 at the U.S. EPA, Office of Enforcement.
52 MUHS Magazine
ALUMNI UPDATE
his master’s degree
residency in family
laboratory, and manu-
Sam Colondro ’08
Graham Charlton ’10
in social work from the
medicine at Columbia St.
factures an award-
married Abby Musselwhite
earned bachelor’s degrees
University of Denver.
Mary’s in Milwaukee.
winning 12-Lead Electro-
on May 24, 2015.
in Spanish and psych-
cardiograph.
ology from the University of
Zachary Fridirici ’04 is an
David Lanser ’05 is a law
ENT resident at Loyola
clerk for Mike Walker ’69,
University Medical Center
director of the National
in Chicago. He is also
Enforcement Training
Bant on June 27, 2015.
founder of MedDocLive,
Institute in the Office of
dedicated to improving
Enforcement and Com-
Kyle Pollard ’06 ran his
dentist in West Bend,
Marcus Trotter ’10 and his
end-user adoption of
pliance Assurance at the
first Boston Marathon
Wis. He graduated from
brother Michael Trotter ’10
electronic medical docu-
U.S. Environmental
and finished with a time
Marquette University
earned Academic All-Big
mentation by providing
Protection Agency in
of 3:28.21. His father,
School of Dentistry
Ten honors for the 2014
medical students and
Washington, D.C.
Dennis Pollard ’74; brother,
in May.
fall sports season as
Michael Courtney ’08
Utah. While attending Utah,
Phil McCarragher ’06
married Tracy Alms on
he swam for its nationally
married Natalie Jean
November 22, 2014.
ranked swim team and was captain his junior year.
Kevin McGinn ’08 is a
David Pollard ’97; and
residents with go-live
members of the UW–Madi-
floor support when using
Patrick Bensen ’06
sister, Beth Hartwig,
BA Sillah ’08 is
son football team. To earn
the software for the first
married Melanie Baier
have run the Boston
attending the University
this honor, student-athletes
time. The company was
on February 28, 2015.
Marathon multiple
of Pennsylvania’s MD/
must be letterwinners
times. Kyle is an English
Master of Business Ad-
who are in at least their
ministration program. He
second academic year
earned his bachelor’s
and carry a cumulative
degree in Human Develop-
grade-point average of
featured in Crain’s Chicago Business magazine, which
Tyler Borst ’06 is the
teacher at Marquette
also named him to its “20
manager of marketing and
University High School.
in their 20s” list.
recruitment at Spaulding Clinical Research, LLC
Jordan LePage ’07 gradu-
mental and Regenerative
at least 3.0. Marcus is
Jordan Hughes ’05
in West Bend, Wis. The
ated from Oklahoma
Biology and Global Health
majoring in psychology
graduated from the Medi-
company operates both
University Law School
and Health Policy from
and Michael is majoring in
cal College of Wisconsin
a clinical pharmacology
in May and passed the
Harvard University.
business and accounting.
and is completing his
unit and a core ECG
Oklahoma Bar Exam.
Top, left to right: Natalie Jean Bant and Phil McCarragher ’06 Kyle Pollard ’06 running the Boston Marathon. Sam Colondro ’08 and Abby Musselwhite with their husky, Koda, and dachshund, Reagan. Bottom, left to right: Left to right: John Goodman ’12, Steven (Buddy) Berg Jr. ’11, James Lueken ’13, Alex Indarraga ’13 and Theodore Boesen ’14 all attend UW-Madison and are members of the school’s crew team. James Tjarksen ‘11 Halsey Smith ’14 (left) and Peter Zeidler ’12 are both students at the United States Military Academy at West Point and recently completed air assault training.
www.MUHS.edu 53
ALUMNI UPDATE CLASS NOTES
Fernando Espino ’11 spoke
and will co-captain the
at Harvard University’s
school’s ultimate Frisbee
Baccalaureate Mass,
team, Catholic Justice.
reading a prayer in English
He also played for the
and Spanish by former
(Washington) DC Breeze, a
El Salvador Archbishop
member of the American
Oscar Romero. Fernando
Ultimate Disc League.
Alumni Award Winners
graduated magna cum laude with a bachelor’s
Gabe Grahek ’13 earned
degree in social studies.
Academic All-Big Ten honors for the winter of
Chris Scott ’11 is
2015 as a member of the
attending University of
UW–Madison wrestling
Wisconsin School
team. To earn this honor,
of Medicine and Public
student-athletes must
Health. He earned his
be letter-winners who
bachelor’s degree from
are in at least their second
UW–Madison in May.
academic year and carry a cumulative grade-point
James Tjarksen ’11
average of at least 3.0.
earned a bachelor’s degree
He is majoring in history
in economics from Yale
and legal studies.
University and is an investment banking
Patrick Shea ’14 attends
analyst with Robert W.
Marquette University
Baird in Chicago. While
and was named to the
at Yale, he played on the
Dean’s List.
Alumni award honorees (left to right) Bruce Arnold ’74, John Novotny ’77, James McKenna ’62, Joe Horning ’87 and John Horning ’86. Photo by Pat Goetzinger.
At the Alumni Awards Reception in July, Marquette University High School honored distinguished alumni James McKenna ’62, Alumnus of the Year; John Horning ’86 and Joe Horning ’87, Alumni Merit Award; and Bruce Arnold ’74 and John Novotny ’77, Alumni Service Award. Save the date! Next year’s Alumni Award Reception will take place on Friday, July 15, 2016.
men’s lacrosse team. Evan (Rudy) Berg ’12 has
Hall of Fame Winners
been a three-year team captain for the Benedictine University men’s lacrosse team. He was named second-team all conference for defense in the Midwest Lacrosse Conference and helped lead Benedictine to its first playoff appearance in the program’s history. Troy Holland ’12 is a senior at Georgetown University
54 MUHS Magazine
The 1989 Varsity Track and Field team was inducted into the MUHS Athletic Hall of Fame in April. Kneeling, left to right: Coaches Dick Basham, Jim Kearney and Terry Kelly. Standing, left to right: Rev. Warren Sazama, SJ ’64, John Brust ’90, Pat Stroebel ’90, Kevin Casper ’91, Tim Ohnmacht ‘89, Mike Papin ’90, Bill Stuart ‘90 (holding plaque), Tim Bonk ’90, Joe Calvey ‘90, Dave Sheridan ’90, Dan Dixon ‘89 and Jeff Mazurczak ’82. Photo by VIP Photography.
ALUMNI UPDATE
May they rest in peace We extend our sincerest sympathy to the families of the alumni listed here and to any alumni who have lost a loved one.
Donald J. Tadych ’47 May 28, 2015
Frank W. Morton ’52 September 23, 2015
Stephen R. O’Neil ’57 January 7, 2015
Thomas J. Miazga ’70 June 1, 2015
Robert W. Cannon ’48 September 22, 2015
Rev. Roland J. Teske, SJ ’52 May 18, 2015
Thomas C. Monday ’58 March 9, 2015
Thomas E. Schmitt ’70 August 6, 2015
Daniel I. Kegel ’37 June 22, 2015
Robert C. Duero ’48 May 11, 2015
Gerald F. Arndorfer ’59 March 19, 2015
Thomas A. Haack ’71 June 2, 2015
Rev. Paul M. Weishar ’38 December 11, 2014
Robert F. Kraus ’48 March 3, 2015
Michael E. Dardis ’59 February 23, 2015
Robert G. Heckel ’71 April 15, 2015
Francis A. Doherty ’39 February 17, 2015
Charles R. Mackay ’48 March 25, 2015
James R. Ehrle ’59 March 23, 2015
Christopher O. Passow ’73 June 22, 2015
John G. Reuteman ’39 June 23, 2015
Rev. Paul M. Esser ’49 February 10, 2015
Raymond F. McCarthy ’41 January 28, 2013
John M. Murray ’49 February 3, 2015
Harold J. Dahmer ’42 August 10, 2015
William B. Volkmann ’49 May 11, 2015
William T. Jens ’42 September 16, 2015
Thomas E. Brennan, Jr. ’50 March 6, 2013
John F. Jung ’42 February 7, 2015
James A. Corroo ’50 August 28, 2015
Rev. James H. Duffy ’44 December 24, 2014
Thomas J. Krizek ’50 August 5, 2015
Louis H. LeMieux ’45 September 9, 2015
Paul J. Mayer ’50 May 25, 2014
Ralph E. Anfang ’46 July 19, 2015
Richard P. Nee ’50 September 29, 2012
Joseph F. Bennett ’46 July 5, 2015
James J. Pillar ’50 April 7, 2015
Thomas J. Cox ’47 July 17, 2015
Gerald F. Ruetz ’50 May 24, 2014
William P. Stemper ’47 April 22, 2015
Ronald J. Multerer ’51 February 27, 2015
Frank T. Crivello ’53 March 27, 2015 Patrick E. Hayes ’53 April 30, 2015 Paul Muschinski ’53 September 9, 2015 William J. Farrell ’54 July 8, 2015 Richard L. Jankowski ’54 July 25, 2015 George J. Kitzman ’54 February 2, 2015 William J. O’Neil ’55 April 2, 2015 Thomas J. Springob ’55 June 26, 2015 Robert A. Kasper ’56 September 14, 2015 Dennis O. O’Hair ’56 May 29, 2015 William P. Pedersen ’56 June 3, 2015 John L. McCoy, Jr. ’57 July 6, 2015 Francis V. McNabb, Jr. ’57 January 29, 2015
Mark L. Lohmann ’59 May 28, 2015 Florian D. Pehowski ’59 May 30, 2015 David J. Mangan, Jr. ’60 March 10, 2015 Thomas P. Driscoll ’61 July 18, 2015 James M. Menzel ’62 March 3, 2015 Timothy J. Larkin, Sr. ’63 April 4, 2015 Duane T. Tutaj ’64 March 17, 2015 David J. Hart ’65 September 14, 2015 Daniel J. Kelly ’66 July 26, 2015 John H. Loebl ’67 September 27, 2015
William P. Clifford ’74 May 16, 2015 Thomas H. Riehle ’74 January 3, 2015 Timothy P. Bohn ’76 January 4, 2015 Joseph F. Nicholson ’81 May 30, 2015 John B. Schlager ’81 March 2, 2015 Michael W. Steinhafel ’82 February 28, 2015 Sedric J. Brown ’91 June 25, 2015 Leonardo P. Barbara ’04 February 16, 2015 Robert C. Blankenheim ’04 August 18, 2015
Kevin J. Kuffel ’68 August 19, 2015 www.MUHS.edu 55
THEN AND NOW
Faith spaces at MUHS Since the days of Archbishop Henni and the dedicated young Jesuits who founded St. Aloysius Academy in 1857 (the precursor to MUHS), faith has been a cornerstone of the MUHS experience. Marquette High’s Jesuit, Catholic tradition has remained constant throughout the school’s history, despite name and physical address changes. In 1925, Marquette High moved into its newly constructed building at 3401 W. Wisconsin Ave. The school’s new third-floor chapel was large enough to accommodate the entire student body and all faculty members, approximately 500 people. Attendance at daily morning Mass was mandatory for students, and then-principal Rev. Thomas Finnegan, SJ, and other Jesuits did not take kindly to young men arriving late. Over the next four decades, enrollment steadily increased at MUHS. The chapel’s footprint shrunk during a late-60s renovation, making way for much-needed academic space. The balcony of the third-floor chapel was converted into fourth-floor classrooms. A new, smaller student chapel was built on the third floor and featured a new sound system, carpet and wallpaper. Then, in 1998, the chapel in the Marquette High Jesuit Residence was renovated to become the new student chapel, St. Ignatius Chapel. The space could hold 300 and was used for special prayer services and the school’s weekly optional Mass. All-school liturgies were, and still are, held in the O’Rourke Performing Arts Hall. Currently, students attend optional Thursday Masses in the Three Holy Companions Chapel, completed in 2008 and dedicated to St. Ignatius Loyola, St. Francis Xavier and St. Peter Faber. These three holy men and university colleagues fulfilled God’s calling through lives of mission, vision and prayer—the same ideals Marquette High strives to instill in its students today. Top: Students attend the Mass of the Immaculate Conception in 1952. At the time, two periods of the day were devoted to Mass. Freshmen and sophomores attended one period, while juniors and seniors the other. Middle: Rev. Warren Sazama, SJ, ’64, then a school counselor and teacher, celebrates Mass in the new third-floor chapel after a late-1970s renovation. Students were given the opportunity to lie on the floor for Mass. Bottom: In the late 1990s, MUHS opened St. Ignatius Chapel, the school’s third student chapel in its history. Opposite: One of the first spiritual events of each new academic year is the Welcome Day Prayer Service. Big brothers, MUHS seniors, play an integral role in the celebration and welcoming freshmen to the MUHS community.
56 MUHS Magazine
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Jesuit education is felt around the world through the work of transformational leaders like Pope Francis. Marquette University High School, one of four Catholic, Jesuit institutions in Milwaukee, provides the opportunity for students to become tranformational leaders. You can see evidence of this right now in the lives and actions of our alumni. Share your experience with Jesuit education at #JesuitEducated. Nativity Jesuit academy
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