20 minute read
Class Notes
Hawks Soar
Dennis Trame ’66
Following the boy’s basketball game on February 8, 2020, Dennis Trame was honored for serving Mater Dei High School in Breese, Ill., since 1966. In addition to announcing the retirement of #23, Trame’s baseball and basketball number, from all athletic programs, the building that houses two gymnasiums and the music room has been named the Dennis V. Trame Center. Trame served as athletic director, head baseball and basketball coach, and history teacher during his 50 years at Mater Dei.
At Dennis Trame Recognition Night, held February 8, 2020, Mr. Trame is pictured with his family (front from left) grandson Carson, daughter Jessica ‘89, wife Cary, son Chris ‘91; (back from left) son-in-law Boyd, grandson Quinn, granddaughters Avery and Madelyn, grandson Braden, and daughter-in-law Danielle.
Patricia (Trish) Highland ’71
Orlando Sports Association recently recognized Trish Highland for her storied 30-year career as an interscholastic athletic administrator. From being the first female high school athletic director in the 6A classification in the state of Florida to overseeing the overall athletic programs of two prominent school districts – Orange County Public Schools and Lake County Schools – Highland exemplifies the word leader.
The Women in Sports Leadership Award recognizes leaders who have helped make the sports industry in Greater Orlando the success it is today. It is an honor reserved for those who have given their time, energy, and passion to improving the industry and taking it in new directions.
’50s
Harold "Dutch" O'Connell ’55 sadly reports the passing of his wife, Patricia, on March 2, 2020, in Lorton, Va.
Murrie Powers Donovan ’56 sadly reports the passing of her husband John (Bud), on December 6, 2021, in Green Bay, Wis.
Sharon Mosher Akright ’59 sadly reports the passing of her husband, Charles, on November 3, 2021, in Quincy.
Robert Dolph ’59 sadly reports the passing of his wife, Jeanne Goodpaster Dolph ’61, on December 5, 2021, in Orland Park, Ill.
’60s
Ronald Sommer ’61 retired after practicing law for almost 55 years in Tucson, Arizona. He and his wife Dee now spend time visiting their children and grandchildren in various parts of the country, along with some international traveling.
Dennis Trame ’66 was honored by Mater Dei high school in Breese, Ill., for his service to the school since 1966. The building that houses the gymnasiums and music room was named the Dennis V. Trame Center.
Denis Yoggerst ’66 sadly reports the passing of his wife, Cheryl, on October 1, 2021, in Ogden, Utah.
James Purdy ’69 and his wife Debbie celebrated their 55th wedding anniversary on August 20, 2021.
Martin Settle ’69 recently published a book called Teaching during the Jurassic: Wit and Wisdom from an Old Hippie Teacher. The book is both a memoir of his teaching days as a secondary English teacher and a guide to good teaching. He was a member of Quincy College's national soccer championship team in 1966. Currently, he lives with his wife Deborah in Charlotte, North Carolina.
’70s
Nancy Selig Wells ’70 sadly reports the passing of her husband, James, on October 21, 2021, in Quincy.
Eugene ’71 and Barbara Rose Delleart ’71 celebrated 51 years of marriage on December 19, 2021. They have three sons and six grandchildren.
Patricia Highland ’71 was given the Women in Sports Leadership Award by The Greater Orlando Sports Commission in September 2021.
Mike Fonck ’72 and his wife, Cindy Powers-Fonck ’73 are both retired and residing in Mishawaka, Ind. They spend most of their time traveling, with their grandkids, or staying involved in their church.
David ’72 and Ann Messick Reis ’71 sadly report the passing of their son, Brian, on November 7, 2021, in Quincy.
Fr. Henry Willenborg, OFM ’72 sadly reports the passing of his mother, Shirley, on November 10, 2021, in Effingham, Ill.
Linda Martin Myers ’75 is now a widow and retired after working for 38 years at St. Peter School as a teacher. She is now working parttime as a substitute teacher's aide at St. Peter School.
Susan Oczkowski ’75 sadly reports the passing of her mother on November 2, 2021.
Kenneth Wilhelm ’75 will retire in July 2022 as executive director of the United Way of Central Oregon after 34 years of service.
Kathleen Miller Connor ’76, Maureen Miller Radice ’79, & Mary Ellen Miller Dunn ’80 sadly report the passing of their mother, Colette Miller, on August 19, 2021.
Jeanne Boesen Stefanowski ’77 and Donna Boesen Stark ’81 sadly report the passing of their mother, Marjorie Boesen, on August 18, 2021, in Wilmette, Ill.
’80s
Joy Newbanks Vandenboom ’81 sadly reports the passing of her husband, Dale, on December 3, 2021, in Quincy.
Eileen Fortini Morehouse ’83 and her husband Kim are both retired after working in Washington, D.C. for 30 years, and have moved to Michigan to be closer to family. Joseph Newkirk ’86 was elected to the board of directors of the Quincy Museum and is currently serving his second term on the board of the Historical Society of Quincy and Adams County.
Joseph Newkirk ’86 was elected to the board of directors of the Quincy Museum.
’90s
Kathy Atkins Baum ’91 and her husband Jim celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary on September 27 in Quincy.
Paula Hannant ’93 retired from Blessing Hospital after 45 years of service.
Todd Eyler ’95 and Kristin Wheeler Eyler ’94 celebrated their 25th anniversary on August 3, 2021.
Tony Graves ’95 graduated summa cum laude from the executive MBA program of the University of Missouri, Columbia in May 2021.
Martin Schafer ’95 is the chief distribution officer for Ethos Life Insurance Services.
Teaching During the Jurassic:
Wit and Wisdom from an Old Hippie Teacher
Martin Settle ’69 is a writer and an assemblage artist. Settle taught English for over 32 years, 15 years as a secondary school teacher at several high schools in the Midwest and the South, followed by 17 years at UNC Charlotte. He has a bachelor’s in English from Quincy College, a master’s in communications from the University of Illinois, and a master’s in English from UNC Charlotte.
Teaching during the Jurassic: Wit and Wisdom from an Old Hippie Teacher is a memoir in the vein of Bill Bryson's A Walk in the Woods. Instead of the Appalachian Trail, we follow all the twists and turns of Martin Settle's teaching career, from his first approach to teaching as a hippie subversive to his eventual triumph as a self-actualized person.
Part memoir, part teaching guide, this book charts the "Jurassic" period of teaching - no personal computers, no cell phones, no internet, and the introduction of new social movements in the classroom (women's rights, civil rights, and gay rights). Settle addresses some of the universals of the profession - how to deal with administrators, behavioral problems in the classroom, the outsider student, the psychologically dangerous student, and more.
Hawks Stay Connected
QU Alumni Services would like your feedback!
Events held on campus, virtually, and in cities across the country are a great opportunity to meet up with friends, make new ones, and stay connected with QU. Have an idea for an alumni event? Interested in hosting an event? Tell us! Your input will allow us to continue to create as many interesting and educational events as possible. We invite you to contact Amanda Summers, coordinator of community relations at a.summers41@quincy.edu and share your ideas. For all the latest alumni events and to find an event in your area go to quincy.edu/alumni/events. In addition to our website, be sure to follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, and Instagram!
Send us your news!
Have news of a wedding, birth, promotion, award, anniversary, retirement, or mission trip? Tell us your story at quincy.edu/alumni/ update-profile.
April Thomas-Powell ’96 graduated with her Ph.D. in Education and Educational Leadership from Oakland University.
Dr. William Duke ’97 has been an assistant football coach at various schools throughout mid-Missouri over the last 15 years and was recently appointed the head football coach of the Tipton Cardinals in Tipton, Missouri. Bill and his wife, Amy Gartner Duke '97 have a son, Jacob, who is attending QU and is part of the Hawk football team.
Paul Sprovieri and Dr. Bridgette Fenton Sprovieri, both ’98, celebrated 20 years of marriage in November 2021. They recently adopted three children, making them a family of seven. Bridgette also recently received her doctorate in educational leadership from NIU.
’00s
Alana Jordan Wright ’02 and her husband Guy converted a school bus to an RV and their family is traveling the US this year. Ryan Walker ’07 and Kari Bakken Walker ’06 announce the birth of Maddyn Walker on February 19, 2017, in Spartansburg, S.C. Maddyn joined big brothers Mason, Marcus, and Myles. Ryan is the varsity boys’ basketball coach for North Myrtle Beach High School.
’10s
Fr. Michael Berndt ’10 is the parochial vicar of St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Parish in Effingham, Ill.
Jeremy Heneghan ’10 is the manager of the Grafton branch of Jersey State bank.
Aron Lee ’10 is the chief operations officer at Douglass Community Services in Hannibal.
Daniel Pedraza ’14 and Gabriela Reyes Casadiego were married on September 11, 2021, in Chicago.
Alana Jordan Wright ’02 and her husband Guy converted a school bus to an RV and their family is traveling the US this year.
ARE YOU A HIGH SCHOOL TEACHER OR COUNSELOR?
Let us know and we will send your class a Hawk Box filled with information on QU and swag items for you and your students. Fill out the form at https://forms.gle/fc9bKLzruQiZ4YZv5
Gary Olson ’08 is the assistant general manager for the Peoria Chiefs. He joined their staff in September 2021.
Ryan Walker ’07 is the varsity boys’ basketball coach for North Myrtle Beach High School. Stephanie Reynolds Dunker ’12 is the Ralls County service coordinator at the North East Community Action Corporation (NECAC) in New London, Mo.
Pablo Ortega ’12 is the director of equity and family engagement for the Lake Washington School District in Kirkland, Wash.
Anjay Marie Clark ’13 is a special education teacher with the Quincy public schools.
James Behrens ’14 and Madalynn Deming Behrens ’14 welcomed their son Hank on March 5, 2021, in Quincy. Hank joins his big sister, Wren.
WANT TO LEARN MORE ABOUT WHAT FELLOW ALUMNI ARE DOING?
Subscribe to Quincy University's alumni podcast From the Hawks Nest, showcasing alumni and student stories, Franciscan perspectives, and all the new and exciting things happening on campus. You can listen to From the Hawks Nest on Apple Podcast, Spotify, and Google Podcasts.
The Class Notes section allows alumni to share the news of their professional achievements and significant life events. Publication of announcements provided to us by alumni does not imply an endorsement by the university. Announcements are published without independent confirmation of the accuracy of the information provided.
Clayton Liesen ’14 and Kristina Imbrescia were married on April 17, 2021, in Boston, Mass. Clayton recently graduated from the Harvard School of Dental Medicine and has returned to Quincy to open River City Endodontics.
Daniel Pedraza ’14 and Gabriela Reyes Casadiego were married on September 11, 2021, in Chicago. Daniel is a patient relations liaison for Northwestern Medicine.
Brandilee Jarrett Winget '20 and her husband Ryan welcomed son MacArthur on September 7, 2021, in Quincy. Julianne Touhy ’15 was chosen by the Professional Convention Management Association Foundation (PCMA) for 20 in their Twenties class of 2022.
Jessica Howell ’17 is the director of campus ministry at QU.
Jamie Lynn Jenkins ’17 is the SOM program coordinator for SIU School of Medicine.
Dominique Lloyd ’17 will be completing her doctorate degree in clinical forensic psychology in May 2022, from The Chicago School of Professionals (Los Angeles campus).
’20s
Erin Enger ’20 is an admin/ receptionist for Auto Detail STL in Saint Louis.
Riley Martin ’20 was drafted by the Chicago Cubs in the 2021 Major League Baseball draft. Riley had been voted the 2021 GLVC Pitcher of the Year, 2021 GLVC Baseball ScholarAthlete of the Year, and 2021 D2CCA Midwest Region Pitcher of the Year.
David Spillman ’20 and Lydia Martens ’21 were married on May 29, 2021.
Brandilee Jarrett Winget ’20 and her husband Ryan welcomed son MacArthur on September 7, 2021.
Kylee Schanbacher ’21 and Brandon Zeiger were engaged on December 18, 2021. Kylee Schanbacher ’21 and Brandon Zeiger were engaged on December 18, 2021.
New Campus Landmark
Quincy University dedicated a new campus street clock in honor of Phil Conover’s, MA, president emeritus, for his outstanding, distinguished, and extended service to the university as a volunteer, trustee, and president.
“Phil Conover has made many profoundly important contributions to Quincy University over a long and distinguished career,” said Brian McGee, Ph.D., the university’s current president. “This beautiful new clock will be a permanent tribute to Phil’s many accomplishments at QU. No president in QU’s history made better use of his time than Phil Conover.”
Are you thinking about ways to protect your future? There’s one simple way you can ensure the people and causes you value are looked after - creating your estate plan. Quincy University has partnered with FreeWill to give our community access to a free estate planning tool. Within just 20 minutes, you can protect the people you love and even support the future of Quincy through a planned gift. Take advantage of this opportunity and get peace of mind by visiting
FreeWill.com/QuincyUniversity
IN MEMORIAM
Henry Franklin (Hank) Constantino ’50
Henry Franklin (Hank) Constantino, 94, passed away on October 15, 2021, in Southport, NC. Hank was born on May 22, 1927, to Samuel and Marian (Wiskirchen) Constantino in Quincy, Ill. After graduating from Quincy Notre Dame High School, he enlisted at the local Naval Enlistment Center and served in the United States Navy as a Seaman, 2nd Class.
Following WWII, Hank enrolled at Quincy College. His success on the Quincy College football team later earned him a place in the QU Sports Hall of Fame. He continued his education, earning his master’s in education from the University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana.
After working in education for a year, he pivoted and began a career in business as a salesman at F.M. Stamper Co., where he eventually accepted the position of national sales manager. In 1965, Hank founded the Constantino Brokerage Company (CBC), one of the most successful and innovative brokerage businesses in the Midwest, headquartered in St. Louis with offices in three states and annual sales of one hundred million dollars.
He co-founded and headed the drive to build the St. Louis Eye Hospital, co-sponsored the NASCAR Junior JohnsonBudweiser Racing Car, founded BIO-KINGDOM focused on outdoor products, and founded UKON LLC, a waste-to-energy startup.
Hank served as a member of the Quincy College Board of Directors and helped raise critical funding for the institution, commemorated in the iconic "Windows to the Future" monument located on campus today.
Hank was a devout Catholic. He was the devoted husband of Jill P. (Harley) Constantino; beloved father of Larry (Debbie), John (Michele), Paul (Julie) Constantino, and Mary Ellen Scherl; a grandfather (Poppy) to eleven and great-grandfather to one.
IN MEMORIAM
Kathlyn "Kay" Step Dodds ’47 on January 29, 2021, Quincy.
Josephine Affre ’48 on November 18, 2021, Quincy.
Fr. Vincent Elsen, OFM ’49 on November 10, 2021, Alton, Ill.
Henry "Hank" Constantino ’50 on October 15, 2021, Southport, N.C.
David E. Gudermuth ’51 on October 15, 2020, Saint Louis, Mo.
Michael F. O'Brien ’51 on July 5, 2021, Mount Prospect, Ill.
William J. Harte ’54 on November 17, 2021, Chicago.
Thomas Hirschinger ’55 on August 21, 2021, Wadsworth, Ohio
Christine Gehrt Wynar ’55 on June 28, 2021, Kansas City, Mo.
John Engelmeyer ’56 on January 6, 2022, Quincy.
Roger E. Venvertloh ’57 on November 29, 2021, Saint Peters, Mo.
Roger Elmer Venvertloh ’57
Roger Elmer Venvertloh, age 87, of Saint Charles, Mo., passed away on Monday, November 29, 2021, in Saint Peters, Missouri.
He was born in Quincy, Ill., on May 21, 1934, to Edward and Zeta Venvertloh (nee Grawe). Roger was a Tax Manager at McDonnell Douglas.
Roger was a faithful member of the Knights of Columbus, a Quincy Notre Dame High School Hall of Fame member, and a graduate of Quincy University. He supported all of the educational institutions that he attended and many other charities. He served on the QU National Alumni Board and was named the Bill O'Donnel Distinguished Alumni of the Year in 2017.
Kathleen McLean Kelahan ’59 on October 2, 2021, Madison, N.J.
Robert Pfyl ’59 on November 11, 2021, Saint Louis.
Judith Finley Durbin ’62 on March 21, 2020, Oklahoma City, Okla.
Rudolph "Rudy" Knappmeyer ’63 on December 24, 2021, Shabbona, Ill.
Charles H. Bloss ’64 on July 12, 2020, Minneapolis, Minn.
Fr. Charles Gunti, OFM ’64 on December 11, 2021, San Antonio, Tex.
David R. Oakley, Sr. ’64 on January 22, 2022, Quincy.
Allen Trochowski ’64 on June 1, 2021, Schaumburg, Ill.
Katherine Rosich ’65 on July 5, 2021, Washington, D.C.
Mary Ann Vahle Logal ’66 on November 27, 2021, Joplin Mo.
Patrice Sheahen Johannes ’67 on April 16, 2021, Wauwatosa, Wis.
He and his wife, Mary Kay (Wayman) ’57 Venvertloh, established the Roger Venvertloh Scholarship in 2019.
Roger and Mary Kay were married in the QU Chapel in 1998. He was the devoted father of three children shared with his late wife Anita (Glossmeyer) Venvertloh, daughter, Lisa (Jim) McCullough; son, Keith Venvertloh; son, Kurt (Jeanette) Venvertloh; a grandfather to many grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Fr. William Cardy, OFM ’68 on November 5, 2021, Saint Louis.
Sr. Darlene Huck, CPPS ’69 on January 19, 2022, O'Fallon, Mo.
Charles R. Loftus ’69 on November 19, 2021, Chicago.
John Kearney ’70 on January 16, 2022, Boise, Idaho.
Xavier Kestler ’71 on December 2, 2021, Cleveland, Ohio.
Melvin E. "Gene" Koch ’71 on July 11, 2021, Quincy.
Jacqueline Bean Garkie ’72 on July 28, 2021, Quincy.
Thomas Stowell ’73 on June 19, 2021, Quincy.
Shirley Richmiller Williams ’73 on October 1, 2021, Hannibal, Mo.
Alan Lee Arp ’74 on January 15, 2022, Quincy.
Michael Koeberlein ’74 on November 11, 2021, Effingham, Ill.
David R Oakley, Sr. ’64
David R Oakley, Sr., 81, passed away on January 22, 2022, in Quincy, Ill. He was born on April 10, 1940.
Dave worked at the Quincy Herald-Whig in the Classified Advertising department, in sales, as a manager, and then as General Advertising Manager.
During that period, Dave was involved in the local Chapter of Sales Marketing and Management and The Quincy Chamber of Commerce. In 1973, Oakley became General Manager of Quincy Broadcasting Company, including WGEM TV and Radio.
In 1984, Oakley founded the consulting business Satisfaction Guaranteed, which focused on sales management, management training and consulting, personal business development, and marketing and management. Local clientele included Niemann Foods, Penn Daniels, Knaphiede Manufacturing, Kirlins, Coca Cola Bottling, Hardee's, and political campaigns.
He volunteered with St. Mary Hospital, United Way, and Transitions of Western Illinois. Dave was the devoted husband to Mary Kane Oakley, his bride of 62 years; father to five children, David (Theresa) Oakley, Michael (Virginia) Oakley, Timothy (Denise), Susan (Vincent) Gauthier, and Catherine (Gary) Bunce; a grandfather to fourteen grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. Dave graduated from Quincy College with honors and was a faithful supporter and advocate for his alma mater.
Patrick Fitzgerald ’75 on October 6, 2021, Hinsdale, Ill.
Michael Marshall ’76 on July 30, 2021, Quincy.
Roger Grawe ’79 on January 11, 2022, Eau Claire, Wis.
Stephen J. Stump ’79 on August 21, 2021, Iowa City, Iowa.
Sr. Eileen Fuchs ’81 on August 26, 2021, Dubuque, Iowa.
Juaneta Johnson Schluckebier ’81 on January 8, 2022, Palmyra, Mo.
Stephen Hendren ’83 on August 7, 2021, Rochester, Ill.
Kathleen Lavery Neuser ’86 on June 17, 2021, Quincy.
Danita Kenady Harpole ’10 on September 28, 2021, New Canton, Ill.
Mashawn Plummer ’15 on December 21, 2021, Chicago.
in your Believe Dreams
Schulz has worked hard and persevered to excel in music which has afforded many opportunities. Through those experiences, he learned there is so much more to the world than the town where you grew up.
Schulz is busy on campus as a member of the symphonic band, marching band, jazz band, choir, children’s opera, chamber choir and serves on the residence life and orientation teams.
“Because of scholarships, I am able to concentrate on what is important to me, education.”
After graduation, Schulz plans to teach and pursue a master’s degree in music.
Schulz is the recipient of the Judy (Perko) Meinze Music Scholarship and the Orville and Rose Ryan Acholarship.
Colby Schulz ’24
Philadelphia, MO Vocal and Instrumental Education Major
1800 College Avenue Quincy, IL 62301-2699
Parents: If this issue is addressed to your son or daughter who no longer maintains a permanent address at home, please notify the Advancement Office of the new mailing address at 217-228-5226, or at qualumni@quincy.edu
Nonprofit Org. U.S. Postage Paid Quincy, Illinois Permit No. 188
After growing up in a small town in Illinois, QU was the perfect fit.
“QU WAS THE RIGHT SMALL LIBERAL ARTS COLLEGE to help me grow and find my niche,” said Mary Kay Beiermann ’68.
“My science classes at QU provided a SOLID ANALYTICAL FOUNDATION for my career in medical laboratory science,” said Mary Kay. “Equally important, the required liberal arts courses helped open up a BROADER VIEW OF LIFE.”
QU ALUMNI FOCUS
Mary Kay Beiermann ’68
St. Louis, Missouri
After graduation, Mary Kay REMAINED CONNECTED to her alma mater. She felt that future students should have the same opportunities she had while on campus.
Mary Kay served 22 years as program director for the School of Clinical Laboratory Science at Mercy Hospital in St. Louis. As program director, she worked with Dr. John Natalini to develop an affiliation with QU PROVIDING INTERNSHIP OPPORTUNITIES for QU majors who lived or wanted to reside in the St. Louis area.
"This affiliation provided an annual excuse for me to visit my alma mater, talk to the students, and see how the CAMPUS WAS MODERNIZING to meet the evolving needs of the students," said Mary Kay.
She hopes that through her support of QU, she might enable another student with limited means to help REALIZE THEIR DREAM of going to college.
“I WAS FORTUNATE TO QUALIFY for an academic scholarship to attend QU; without it, I probably wouldn't have been able to go to college,” said Mary Kay. “One of my classmates, John McCaffrey, kicked off the idea of a class scholarship at our 50th QU reunion, thus was born the Class of '68 Scholarship that hopefully inspires other members of our graduating class to give back if they can,” she said.
SUPPORT THE QU FUND TODAY
at www.quincy.edu/support-qu or call 217-228-5227
