Spring Hill College Magazine | Fall 2012

t h e s p r i n g h i l l c o l l e g e m a g a z i n e | FALL 2 0 1 2

President’s Report: Community Service Initiatives | Remembering Rev. Bobby RImes, S.J. | Honor Roll of Donors

The Spring Hill College Magazine Volume 6, Number 2

Editor: Lindsay Hughes, MLA ’08

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Graphic Designer: Margaret Broach

Photography: Seth Laubinger ’02 Keith Necaise

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Spring Hill College Archives

Contributing Writers: Monde Donaldson Timmie Hathorn ’07 John Kerr Lauren Luckie ’14 Jim Stennett DeMarco Wills ’12

President: Rev. Richard P. Salmi, S.J.

Director of Communications & Institutional Marketing: John Kerr

The Spring Hill College Magazine is published three times a year by the Office of Communications and Institutional Marketing.

Comments:

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should be addressed to:

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Lindsay Hughes, Editor Spring Hill College Magazine, 4000 Dauphin Street Mobile, AL 36608-1791 (251) 380-2289 or (877) SPR-HILL lhughes@shc.edu To update your address or mailing preferences, contact Mindy Hovell, Director of Development Services, at (251) 380-2286 or hovell@shc.edu.

Jim Stennett

FEATURES

8 Investing in Our Youth Lindsay Hughes, MLA ’08

11 Experience, Reflection, Action 14 Greek Community Reaches Out DeMarco Wills ’12

TableofContents

Feature 8

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16 College Remembers Father Bobby Rimes, S.J.

18 Marney Skinner is New President of Alumni Association Monde Donaldson

19 From Small Town to Tinsel Town

20 Chapter Updates 21 Class Notes 22 Upcoming Alumni Events 25 Honor Roll of Donors 2011-2012

President’sLetter

Dear Alumni and Friends, If you have ever called Spring Hill College home, you know well the sense of community that is present on campus. Our students learn the importance of community and it becomes a part of their lives not only while they are here at the Hill but also after they graduate.

That sense of community was celebrated in Spring Hill College’s third annual Ignatian Day of Service when more than 90 staff and faculty members united to serve seven community organizations on the feast of Saint Ignatius Loyola, July 31. I had the pleasure of working with my colleagues at a Habitat for Humanity home, painting and installing flooring. It was a hot and sweaty day of service (Mobile in the summer usually is), but it was an experience to remember and a tradition I am proud to have started and look forward to continuing.

Spring Hill’s alumni community will also be rolling up their sleeves in a service day planned in Washington, D.C., this fall with We Are Family, a senior outreach organization. Alumni here in Mobile will be invited to participate in a service opportunity this coming spring. For so many of our alumni, commitment to volunteerism and serving others stems from their time at Spring Hill. In my conversations with many of you, the Jesuit tradition and commitment to service are ideals that you continue to believe in and exemplify in your own communities.

It is often outside of the classroom that students learn important life lessons. The Albert S. Foley Community Center is at the heart of the College’s commitment to service. Dr. Kathleen Orange, Foley Center director, shared the “Justice Examen Report” with faculty and staff during our opening day discussions in August. The report takes a deeper look into justice programs at Spring Hill. With more than 80 percent of our students participating in service, Spring Hill has had a remarkable impact on our surrounding community. In this issue of the magazine you will find examples of the service-learning projects that appear in “Examen.” The feature story focuses on our students’ tutoring programs in local high schools, an initiative that is supported by Chris Williams ’88 and his company, World Omni Financial Corp.

One cannot measure the impact of service solely on the number of volunteer hours logged. I hope you will find in these pages examples of students and alumni who have become leaders engaged in learning, faith, justice and service for life. In this issue you will also find the Honor Roll of Donors, our way of recognizing and sharing with you the names of those who have given back to Spring Hill College.

Saint Ignatius often encouraged people to strive for magis, from the Latin word for “more.” Magis means doing the more, the greater, for God. I trust that you will find on these pages examples of our students, faculty, staff, alumni and friends living the magis, doing more for others, more for God, here on the Hill and throughout the world.

Sincerely,

Richard P. Salmi, S.J. President

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CampusNews

Ignatian Day of Service grows in its third year Faculty and staff ventured out of their offices and classrooms to serve the Mobile community for the third annual Ignatian Day of Service. Celebrated on July 31, the day honors St. Ignatius Loyola, founder of the Jesuits.

Spring Hill employees volunteered at seven local sites: Mobile Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, Bay Area Food Bank, Habitat for Humanity, Little Flower Catholic School, Little Sisters of the Poor, Penelope’s Closet, and the Ronald McDonald House.

The day of service stemmed from President Richard P. Salmi, S.J., and the administrative staff committee, who wanted to facilitate more interaction between employees and the local community.

“The Ignatian Day of Service is a wonderful way for employees to practice the things that we try to instill in our students,” said Tracey Childs, academic student advocate who coordinated her group’s service at the Ronald McDonald House.

“As a community, we are engaged in prayer, service and reflection. We are able to get to know one another better and learn how our colleagues make an impact on our campus,” Childs said. “But, more importantly, we learn things about people who live in our greater Mobile community. And this newly found Top: The group at Habitat for Humanity spent the day knowledge ignites in us a spirit that wants to do more to help those who most painting and laying flooring. need it.”

Center: Staff members Kathryn O’Hagan, Linda Grizzle and Started in 2010, the service day has grown each year. “The response has Emily Fife walk dogs at the Mobile SPCA. been overwhelming,” said Dr. Samantha Church, associate vice president for Bottom: Curtis Saucier, with the Ronald McDonald House, advancement. “The first year we had 60-plus employees, the second year 80-plus, holds up a cutout of St. Ignatius Loyola, who made an apand this year almost 100. The evaluations of the day have been superb.” pearance at all seven volunteer sites.

Adam Bernot, area coordinator for residence life, served on the service day committee and volunteered at the Bay Area Food Bank. “I got involved in the Ignatian Day of Service because I believe in giving back to my local community,” he said. “Working with the Bay Area Food Bank was an incredibly rewarding experience. In just one morning our group managed to sort 3,000 pounds of food which will help serve 2,300 meals to people in need.”

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CampusNews College launches new mobile Web site Spring Hill College has launched a new Web site for mobile devices. A small team of staff and students from across campus have come together to design and build the mobile-friendly site that will serve as the marketing component of the College’s mobile presence. To access the site, visit www.shc.edu from your mobile device’s Web browser. Or, view the site on your desktop browser by visiting m.shc.edu.

Designed by graphic design student Abbey Roam ’13 and developed and implemented by the College’s Department of Web services, the site is a subset of the content available on the desktop site at www.shc.edu.

The mobile version provides prospective students with easy access to key Admissions pages, including how to apply or schedule a campus visit. From the home screen, visitors can click to view news, events, photos and videos.

The new site incorporates a dining module to display the weekly menu for the campus Marketplace. A campus map module uses Google Maps to display campus buildings and parking zones. The mobile site is tied into the campus RAVE emergency notification system. Emergency alerts and notifications will be displayed prominently on the homepage. The new mobile site will complement the mobile-friendly version of the Badger Athletics site at www.shcbadgers.com.

New students welcomed to SHC community Photos by Seth Laubinger ’02 (Top) New students were welcomed into the Spring Hill College community with a candlelight induction ceremony on Aug. 17.

(Top right) Spring Hill College faculty, staff and students helped new Badgers move into their residence halls on Aug. 17.

(Right) Future students and their families got to know one another at Badger Connection sessions throughout the summer.

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CampusNews Dr. Robert C. Harding publishes new book on space programs in developing countries

Daniel E. García’s film “Pescadora” wins Best Short at New York International Latino Film Festival

Dr. Robert C. Harding, associate professor and chair of the political science department, has authored his fourth book, “Space Policy in Developing Countries: The Search for Security and Development on the Final Frontier,” published by Routledge Publishing. The book analyzes the rationale and history of space programs in countries of the developing world.

Space was at one time the sole domain of the wealthiest developed countries. However, the last couple of decades of the twentieth century and the first decade of the twenty-first century have witnessed the number of countries with state-supported space programs blossom. Today, more than 25 developing states, including the rapidly emerging economic powers of Brazil (seventh-largest), China (second-largest), and India (fourth-largest), possess active national space programs with already proven independent launch capability or concrete plans to achieve it soon.

This work places these programs within the context of international relations theory and foreign policy analysis. Harding categorizes each space program into tiers of development based not only on the level of technology utilized, but on how each fits within the country’s overall national security and/or development policies.

Harding’s principal research interests are space policy, international security, and Latin American politics. He is the author of “Military Foundations of Panamanian Politics,” “The History of Panama” and scholarly articles in a number of refereed journals, including “Air & Space Power Journal.”

Pescadora,” a short film by Daniel E. García, associate professor of communication arts at Spring Hill College, won Best Short at the HBO New York International Latino Film Festival on Sunday, Aug. 19.

Directed by García and Ahna Terpstra, “Pescadora” (Fisherwoman) was shot in Peru, and several of Garcia’s former students worked on the crew. The 20-minute film tells the story of Dora, who has always dreamed of becoming a fisherman like her father. But, everyone in her Peruvian fishing village wants her to marry instead.

This year, NYILFF presented more than 30 features, documentaries and short films in English and Spanish, reflecting America’s cultural diversity as well as the global urban experience.

For more information, visit www.nylatinofilm.com.

This is the fourth award the film has received in only its fifth competitive screening. Learn more about the film at www.pescadorafilm.com.

U.S. News ranks Spring Hill College among best colleges in the South Spring Hill College is ranked once again among the top 20 Southern universities and colleges, according to the 2013 edition of U.S. News & World Report’s “America’s Best Colleges.”

Spring Hill is ranked 17th among the Southern colleges and universities offering a full range of undergraduate majors and master’s programs. The U.S. News rankings are based on several quality measures including academic reputation, graduation and retention rates, faculty resources, student selectivity, peer assessment and graduation rate performance. Colleges and universities are listed in various categories depending on their size, location and other factors.

Spring Hill College is also listed in the region’s “A-Plus Schools for B Students” category, campuses where B students thrive in an engaged student body.

College ranking information is available at www.usnews.com.

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BadgerNews

By Jim Stennett For the latest Badger news visit www.shcbadgers.com

Spring Hill adds track and field, McVey tabbed as head coach Spring Hill College Director of Athletics Jim Hall announced in June the hiring of Craig McVey as the head coach of the Badger men’s and women’s outdoor track and field programs that will open their premier seasons in the spring of 2013.

“We looked at the opportunities available to expand our athletics program, and track and field stood out Craig McVey due to the tremendous potential for growth and the high number of high school athletes who would love the opportunity to continue competing in their sport while getting the outstanding education that Spring Hill offers,” Hall said.

While Spring Hill College does not currently have an oncampus track and field complex, the programs will initially use the collegiate-quality facility located on the adjacent campus of St. Paul’s Episcopal School. An on-campus facility will be considered in future on-campus building projects.

“Our athletes will have the opportunity to compete against not only NAIA programs,” Hall said, “but also in high-quality meets that include colleges and universities from NCAA Division I conferences including the SEC, CUSA and Sun Belt.”

SHC adds competitive cheerleading, Hoskinson named head coach Spring Hill College will add coeducational competitive cheerleading as a varsity sport beginning in fall 2013.

In conjunction with the addition of competitive cheer, sideline cheerleading and dance will be elevated from their current club sport statuses to scholarship programs.

“Cheerleading and dance are highly popular sports in the Southeast, and I believe the outstanding education and campus of Spring Hill College will attract many high-level athletes from around the area,” said Jim Hall, director of athletics and recreation.

Hall also stressed the importance of the new scholarship program for the school’s sideline cheerleading and dance teams. “I am pleased that we are going to be able to offer scholarships in these programs,” he said. “Our new squads

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McVey comes to Spring Hill after 15 years as the associate head track and field coach at the University of Albany (N.Y.) where he was part of 28 America East Conference (AEC) championships and three Intercollegiate Association of Amateur Athletes of America (IC4A) titles.

While at Albany, McVey most recently worked with distance runners and pole-vaulters where he mentored AEC champions including two school record holders who advanced multiple times to the NCAA East Preliminary Round. In the 2008-09 season, he coached two individual conference champions and seven All-Conference recipients including two student-athletes who combined to earn three All-America honors.

McVey began his collegiate coaching career in cross country and track and field at Kansas State in 1983. His athletes captured 18 Big Eight Conference titles and ranked as the top NCAA combined men’s and women’s program. He became the head men’s and women’s cross country and track coach at Hartwick College (N.Y.) in 1988 where his teams eclipsed 83 school records while producing 22 New York Collegiate individual champions during his tenure.

McVey earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Kansas State University. As an undergraduate student, McVey was a member of two Big Eight Conference indoor track and field championship teams and a Big Eight cross country championship team.

BadgerNews in cheer and dance will be valuable additions to our athletic offerings and will dramatically improve our game environments while providing collegiate-level competition opportunities.”

Spring Hill will be the first National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) institution within the state of Alabama and only the second school within the Southern States Athletic Conference (SSAC) to offer the sport. The NAIA recognized cheer as a varsity co-educational sport in 2010 and created a national invitational tournament in 2011.

As head coach of cheerleading and dance, Kristin Hoskinson will guide the Badgers in their first season of competition as a varsity sport. Hoskinson comes to Spring Hill from Ohio University in Athens, Ohio, where she has served as head coach of cheerleading since 2010.

With 10 years of competitive cheerleading and teaching experience at all levels and 16 years of competitive dance experience, Hoskinson will direct the Badgers’ sideline and

competitive cheerleading programs along with the school’s dance team.

A native of Newark, Ohio, Hoskinson received her Bachelor of Specialized Studies in Marketing-Communications from Ohio in 2006. As an undergraduate, she was a four-year member of the Ohio cheerleading team and team captain during the 2005-2006 season. She remained in Athens for the 2006-2007 season as the assistant cheerleading coach and was a vital part of the Bobcat squad that placed in the top 20 at the Universal Cheerleaders Association (UCA) College Nationals in Orlando, Fla. Hoskinson worked for two years at the Memphis, Tenn., headquarters of UCA where she was Northeast Regional Sales Manager. In 2007, she changed roles to Northeast Assistant Regional Manager and Assistant to the Vice President of Staff Development. Hoskinson also helped with Curriculum for UCA and served as a judge for entry tapes of UCA College National Championships.

Stennett named Sports Information Director of the Year The Southern States Athletic Conference (SSAC) named Spring Hill College Sports Information Director Jim Stennett as the 2011-2012 SSAC Sports Information Director of the Year at its annual awards banquet in June.

Stennett has been the SID at Spring Hill since 2007 after serving as the assistant SID at Auburn University Montgomery (AUM) in 2006-2007.

“I was surprised when I heard that I had won the award this year because there are so many great SIDs in our conference,” Stennett said. “To earn the praise of my conference colleagues only makes this a greater honor.”

Outlaw Recreation Center honored

by Exchange Club The Arthur R. Outlaw Recreation Center was honored on Aug. 9 by the Mobile chapter of the National Exchange Club with the annual “So Proudly We Hail” Award for properly displaying the flag of the United States of America in accordance with U.S. Flag Code.

In spring 2012, Spring Hill added illumination to the flagpole in the front of the recreation center that now allows the College to fly the flag 24 hours a day, 365 days a year in any weather conditions. The flagpole was originally the senior class gift from the SHC class of 1994.

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Tutoring program makes positive impact on community

By Lindsay Hughes, MLA ’08

For struggling high-school students, one-on-one tutoring can mean the difference between dropping out of school and earning a diploma.

According to the Alabama Department of Education, the graduation rate in the Mobile County Public School System was 64 percent in 2011. But, tutoring in difficult subjects greatly increases high-risk students’ ability to pass the Alabama High School Graduation Exam and their incentive to stay in school.

For this reason, the main focus of the Albert S. Foley, S.J., Community Service Center is tutoring in the local schools. Last year more than 200 Spring Hill College students tutored in Mobile County schools: eight elementary, three middle and two high schools.

Spring Hill College students work with youth in the Stepping Up program at C.F. Vigor High School in Prichard, Ala., and Mattie T. Blount High School in Eight Mile, Ala. Stepping Up is a mentoring and tutoring program that matches college students with youth needing academic assistance during the school year.

Brandon Liuzza ’13 of Hot Springs, Ark., has tutored students at Vigor in geometry for the past two years. “Many of these students’ lives are unpredictable, and seeing them coming back week after week shows me that they are dedicated to doing better in school,” said Liuzza, a computer information systems

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major. “I feel that I am a small constant in the students’ lives that they can depend on every week. I strive to reinforce that what they are working toward in school is good and will help them in their lives.”

Haley Troxclair ’15, a sophomore from Addis, La., tutors students in geometry and algebra at Vigor. “I hope my tutoring has impacted these students by giving them confidence in their work,” she said. “I think these students come into tutoring knowing the material, but questioning themselves. I think that these students leave tutoring confident that they can do well in class and succeed, because I encourage them to try on their own first and ask for help only if they need it.”

Spring Hill students also prepare Vigor and Blount students for the ACT test. As a result, these students are more likely to attend college and earn scholarships.

Katherine Abalos ’15 tutors ACT prep to athletes at Blount High School who are eligible for athletic scholarships but need to improve their ACT scores.

“These students are so intelligent and eager to learn. Our tutoring has helped them to better understand topics like English, reading, science and math that are covered by the ACT, and we teach them certain test-taking techniques that can benefit them on test day,” said Abalos, a sophomore majoring in psychology. “But, I think even more important than that, our tutoring gave the students more confidence in themselves and you could really see them go from being maybe a little quiet and unsure of themselves to being proud of what they know. I think they understood that we wanted to be there for them, and we were truly interested in their lives and their plans and their achievements.”

A Mobile native, Abalos said she was cognizant of the perceptions in the community that students at Blount High School are unmotivated, and at first she was nervous about tutoring there. “But, from day one, these students welcomed us and were excited to learn, and any fears that I had going into this service disappeared,” she said. “And, now I am even more skeptical of stereotypes because of the way these students prevailed over the stereotypes.”

Lillie Richardson, lead biology teacher in the Freshman Academy at Vigor High School, said all of her students who participate in the Stepping Up program pass the math and biology portions of the high school graduation exam by December of their 10th-grade year. While the tutoring and mentoring program has obvious academic benefits, Richardson said the program benefits the students’ social skills as well.

“Our students see young people who are successful and are giving back in the community, and as a result, they have a better perspective and outlook on life,” she said. “They think, ‘If I stay in school and keep my grades up, I can do this.’”

Richardson added that the program gives the students and their mentors the opportunities to discuss issues outside of academics.

Spring Hill students tutor youth at Blount High School and Vigor High School in math and prepare them for the ACT. Amber Gorden (feature photo at left), Connor Penn (top), and Shendella Vado (bottom) tutor students at Blount High School.

From day one, these students welcomed us and were excited to learn, and any fears that I had going into this service disappeared.”

– Katherine Abalos ’15

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Troxclair said of the conversations with her students, “I also had the chance to talk with my students about their future plans and their goals.

I enjoyed this because even though some of these students may not be in the best situations, they strive for success, and they have aspirations to become something bigger than what some people may see they can be. I have gained a stronger appreciation for these students because I feel they have to work so much harder to be seen as successful and great students.”

Jessica Jones ’13, an accounting major from Mobile, is a graduate of Blount High School. She has tutored algebra to freshmen at her high school alma mater for the past three years. “Not only have my students been successful in Algebra 1,” she said, “but they have also become better persons and more well rounded.”

Chris Williams ’88 graduated from Spring Hill with a degree in communications. He is now a senior business process engineer at World Omni Financial Corp., a division of automotive company JM Family Enterprises, in Mobile. The company’s founder, Jim Moran, believed that its employees should be active participants in their communities, especially providing opportunities for at-risk youth, Williams said.

Williams sees giving back to his community as an investment in the future. For the past decade he has been a classroom volunteer with Junior Achievement of Mobile and has seen firsthand the struggles atrisk youth face in the classroom. “Mobile County has historically had one of the highest drop-out rates in the state,” he explained. “World Omni Financial Corp. saw the need, the opportunity, and felt the obligation to make a difference.”

As an SHC alumnus, Williams knew of the College’s commitment to serving the underserved, particularly in the areas of education. So, he contacted Dr. Kathleen Orange, director of the Foley Center, and the Office of Advancement about a partnership with World Omni. For the past several years, the company has committed funding for the tutoring program at the local high schools, with a goal of reducing the drop-out rate and improving grades and test scores for selected high-risk groups.

Abalos, who was reluctant at first to tutor at Blount, said she could not be more satisfied with her decision to give it a try. “Tutoring at Blount High school has changed me in ways that I never expected that it would,” she said, “and it is gratifying to know that while I am benefiting from this experience, the students are benefiting as well.”

(Below) Marcus Williams helps a student at Blount High School.

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Matthew Malus ’12 works with students from Palmer Pillans Middle School in the Partners in Science program.

Experience Reflection Action Service learning transforms students while benefitting community The former superior general of the Society of Jesus, Rev. Peter-Hans Kolvenbach, S.J., has said, “The real measure of our Jesuit universities lies in who our students become.”

To that end, as part of its last accreditation review, Spring Hill College adopted a quality enhancement plan titled, “Experience, Reflection, Action: An Ignatian Model for Educating for Social Justice and Learning Through Service.” This plan not only committed additional college resources to the development of service learning, it also insisted that every service activity include a reflection component, deepening the

meaning of the students’ experience.

“Our minds must be challenged to think critically and investigate thoroughly,” Kolvenbach said, “but our hearts must also be challenged – not simply by concepts, but through the lived experience, which awakens the understanding and opens the heart.”

More than half of Spring Hill’s student body participates in some type of service each year, and 84 percent of students have been involved in service by the time they graduate. All service-learning initiatives benefit the Mobile community.

The Partners in Science program pairs Spring Hill chemistry students with students from local middle schools. In hopes of encouraging an enthusiasm for studying science, SHC students conduct hands-on laboratory activities with eighth-graders in physical science classes.

Last year Spring Hill partnered with Palmer Pillans Middle School; this year students will visit two classes from Jeremiah A. Denton Middle School.

The Spring Hill students bring all the required materials, including goggles and lab coats, for the class

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Graphic design students show off their design concepts for the Mobile Botanical Gardens. From left are Michelle Conner ’12, Melissa Garcia ’12, Kim Nichols ’12, Yiting Cao ’13, Fredrick Norfleet ’12, and Allison Patrick ’13.

and lab activity. They work in small groups that allow them better develop relationships with one another.

“Through our partnership, we hope to expose Spring Hill students to the science-related opportunities for service in their community, while improving the perceptions of science among the eighth-grade students,” said Dr. Carolyn Simmons, associate professor of chemistry. “Most Spring Hill students reflected that the experience strengthened their ability to communicate with the children.”

Over the years graphic design students have worked in collaboration with many local organizations whose primary purpose is the common good.

The assignments, called Community Through Design, involve students in research, site visits, teamwork, design and presentation of final work to the organization, and written and oral reflection.

Spring Hill students have produced logos, brochures, concepts

and promotional designs used by community partners, including Mobile Botanical Gardens, The South Alabama Coalition of Nonprofits, the Kerrie Castello Cancer Research Foundation, the National Marine Educators Association, and the GrandFriends program at Via Health, Fitness and Enrichment Center. During fall semester 2012 they will design a brochure for St. Mary’s Home’s Trailblazer education program.

Community Through Design projects serve to heighten students’ sense of civic responsibility as well as to challenge them beyond theoretical understanding of design principles and technical skills learned in regular class assignments. Students gain a broader appreciation for the multiple disciplines needed to succeed within their profession.

“Our Community Through Design classes further expose students to a broad range of cultural experiences,” said Janden Richards,

Our hearts must also be challenged – not simply by concepts, but through the lived experience which awakens the understanding and opens the heart.”

– Rev. Peter-Hans Kolvenbach, S.J.

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assistant professor of fine art. “These experiences also build empathy, helping students to identify others’ needs. This helps them question not only how a design looks, but also what it communicates, what it means, and how we can use our skills to design for good.”

Each semester art students create portraits of marginalized persons. Last year, students in assistant professor Wanda Sullivan’s drawing, painting and printmaking classes were paired with residents at Little Sisters of the Poor, a home for the elderly. The students visited with their assigned partners over the course of the semester and created portraits to give to them.

This year art students are doing a variation of the portrait project.

Painting students will create a mural with Palmer Pillans Middle School students in the school’s computer classroom.

Last spring, students in an Introduction to Poetry class visited three inner-city elementary school classrooms to share a love for reading and writing poetry. This servicelearning class channeled students’ imaginative energies, as the Spring Hill students and elementary-school students explored and crafted language together.

Kyle Quinlan ’14 painted a portrait of his subject at Little Sisters of the Poor.

Each week, SHC students visited their assigned classroom, read poetry written by children, and led the young students in creative writing exercises. Activities included writing about colors, wishes, sounds, and comparisons, as well as helping students explore themselves with poems based on topics like “I Used to Be/But Am Now.” The children were free to play with language, try out new ways of saying things, and collaborate with one another. At the end of each class period, the children read their poems to the class.

“The children couldn’t wait for the SHC students to come each week,” said Dr. Catherine Swender, associate professor of English. “Their poems showed a sense of play but also a deeper awareness of the world around them. These are children who for a variety of reasons can feel alienated from language and the means of expressing themselves – who they are and what they value. The bonds formed between these children and the SHC students empowered both groups to experience the transformative power of language and the imagination.”

Spring Hill students collaborate with Impact Alabama in two service initiatives, SaveFirst and FocusFirst.

Impact Alabama is a nonprofit organization that works with higher

Students in Dr. Catherine Swender’s poetry class collaborate with children at Westlawn Elementary School.

education institutions and their surrounding communities to develop social justice projects that enhance students’ senses of social and civic responsibility.

For the past six years, accounting students have helped low-income, working families prepare their taxes through the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program. SaveFirst trains students to provide families free tax preparation services and opportunities for savings and economic improvement.

FocusFirst provides a cost-effective direct response to the vision problems of children who live in urban and rural areas. Under the supervision of Impact Alabama staff, Spring Hill students screen children, ages 6 months to 5 years, in lower-income daycares for vision problems.

For the past 20 years, the College has offered a free English as a Second

Language (ESL) program, which enrolls about 100 students per year.

The program is staffed by teams of Spring Hill students and also offers preparation for the U.S. citizenship test and homework assistance for the school-aged children of the adults in the classes.

In 2011, the college began a program, Global Learning, which looks at critical issues from multidisciplinary perspectives and uses different approaches to engaged learning. The first course, Globalizing the Oil Spill, examined this disaster from ecological, economic, ethical, political and comparative viewpoints. Students and faculty had dinner with several families in Bayou la Batre, Ala., who had been impacted by the spill.

The Global Learning initiative will continue this year with the issue of migration.

The children couldn’t wait for the SHC students to come each week. The bonds formed between these children and the SHC students empowered both groups to experience the transformative power of language and the imagination.”

– Dr. Catherine Swender, Associate Professor of English

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Greek Community

reaches out

By DeMarco Wills ’12

A brief moment with a young girl who has cancer would have a lasting impression on Spring Hill College senior Jessica Jones.

“She was skinny as can be with this beautiful long hair. We were playing Just Dance 3 on the Nintendo Wii when I found out her favorite entertainer was Tina Turner,” said Jones, a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority. “So, I pick one of Tina’s songs to dance to on the game, and she just starts dancing away. Then, she yanks me out of my chair and tells me to dance with her. This little girl’s spirit was so amazing. She goes through chemotherapy all of the time, yet she can still find so much joy in this world.”

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The members of Alpha Kappa Alpha, Delta Chi, Delta Delta Delta, Delta Gamma, Delta Sigma Theta, Lambda Chi Alpha, Phi Mu, and Tau Kappa Epsilon do all they can to give back to the Mobile community.

“This fraternity isn’t just about parties similar to the typical fraternity life everyone sees,” said Cody Welliver, president of Tau Kappa Epsilon. “We really love doing service and giving back to the community.”

The original founders of each fraternity and sorority built their organization on a set of values, including service, to empower its members to become better people.

“Our sorority motto says we were created to give back – not just to the black community but to mankind,” said Jasmine Holly, president of the Iota Nu chapter of Delta Sigma Theta. “It is very important to us that we continue to influence the community.”

Many programs sponsored by the Greek organizations on campus support charities or raise awareness for social injustices.

Members of Delta Delta Delta and Tau Kappa Epsilon plan events throughout the school year to benefit St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. The ladies of Phi Mu, who donate to the Children’s Miracle Network, raised $11,000 last year with their Strike-A-Pin for CMN event.

The fraternities and sororities reach out to involve the residents of Mobile to rally support for their charities. Welliver said Tau Kappa Epsilon, for example, contacts the local media and city officials to draw larger audiences to their philanthropy projects.

Some of the Greek organizations require their members to complete a certain number of service hours every year, but it’s the students’ passion for their organizations and an innate desire to help others that pushes them to complete service project after service project.

“It makes me feel good inside,” Holly said, adding that she’s been volunteering her time since she was a little girl visiting nursing homes with her mother.

Mary Kate McCarthy admits that it’s hard doing all of the service projects with a busy school schedule and social life. For her, these service projects slow down her fast-paced life enough to gain some understanding about the world around her.

Emily Flanders, philanthropy chair of Delta Gamma, said, “I feel that our organization gets a sense of humility from working with these places that share the same mission as our philanthropy. It’s amazing when you give back to something so much bigger than yourself.”

Welliver added, “I get a better sense of who I am. I also get a better sense of why I got the opportunity to come to Spring Hill. It makes me really appreciate the life I’ve been given and the chances I’ve been given.

I think that by doing those service projects it has helped me realize how fortunate I am.”

I feel that our organization gets a sense of humility from working with these places that share the same mission as our philanthropy. It’s amazing when you give back to something so much bigger than yourself.”

(Feature photo at left) Tau Kappa Epsilon Fraternity organizes TKE Week to benefit St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

(Top) The women of Delta Sigma Theta volunteer at the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Walk in downtown Mobile.

(Bottom) Phi Mu sponsors several events throughout the year to benefit the University of South Alabama Children’s and Women’s Hospital, a Children’s Miracle Network Hospital.

– Emily Flanders Philanthropy chair of Delta Gamma 15

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“In one rash, but gracefilled moment, Bobby shut the door against a world that sees as being sufficient, the virtues of beauty, the gift of athleticism and the power of wealth, only in closing that door could he develop his true gifts and choose grace.

– Bill Chambers, nephew

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The Rev. Robert “Bobby” B. Rimes, S.J., a longtime member of Spring Hill’s Jesuit community and beloved theology professor, died May 30, 2012 following a short illness. He was 89 years old and in his 70th year as a Jesuit.

Born in Monroe, La., Rimes came to Spring Hill College as an undergraduate in 1939. An avid baseball player, he was also proud to have served on Spring Hill’s football team. He often joked that Spring Hill football has been undefeated since 1942 when he played on the team. (SHC dropped football as a sport after that year.)

Rimes entered the Society of Jesus in 1942. He studied philosophy at Spring Hill College and theology at St. Mary’s College in Kansas. He was ordained a priest at St. Joseph Chapel in 1955. From 1957 until 1965 Rimes served as assistant master of novices in Grand Coteau, La., and then as master of novices from 1965 until 1975.

He returned to Spring Hill in 1977 and served as rector of the Jesuit community and director of Jesuit tertians.

As a professor of theology, Rimes taught courses in Jesuit spirituality and the New Testament. After his formal retirement from teaching and campus ministry, he continued his ministry of

spiritual direction for students, fellow Jesuits and the local community.

“Well into his 89th year he was still meeting individually with about 30 persons a month, sharing his love of scripture and prayer, the wisdom of his many years of experience and the friendship that came to him so naturally,” said the Rev. Christopher Viscardi, S.J., division chair and professor of theology. “One of his great gifts was knowing not to take himself too seriously and always being ready to laugh at his own foibles.”

Rimes’s nephew Bill Chambers spoke at his memorial Mass, which took place July 6 in St. Joseph Chapel. “I have often asked myself, Why would a man graced with Hollywood good looks and professional-level athleticism choose the bonds of poverty, chastity and obedience as a plan for his life?” Chambers said. “In one rash, but grace-filled moment, Bobby shut the door against a world that sees as being sufficient, the virtues of beauty, the gift of athleticism and the power of wealth, only in closing that door could he develop his true gifts and choose grace.”

In 2010 the College’s campus ministry office was named the Rev. Bobby Rimes, S.J. Center for Campus Ministry,

thanks to a generous gift from alumnus and former trustee Thomas A. Byrne ’82.

“Father Bobby Rimes embodied the values and ideals of a Jesuit education,” Byrne said at the time of the center’s naming. “Remembering how important he was to me and to countless students like me over the years, the opportunity to name the campus ministry center for him seemed a perfect fit.”

Chambers, who described his uncle’s gift for liturgy as “transformative and magnetic,” said, “Uncle Bobby never used the 10 Commandments to bludgeon people toward holiness; he never interpreted the words or actions of Christ as evidence of His desire to fill the void of hell. Everything Bobby said, every action pointed to a God whose essence is love, a God of justice, yes, but a God who allows love to trump everything when confronted with pain, suffering, loneliness – a supreme father figure, desperate to save and slow to pass judgment.”

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Marney Skinner ’85 is new president of alumni association

By Monde Donaldson

Marney Skinner ’85 came to Spring Hill from Belleville, Ill., just outside of St. Louis.

Encouraged by her family and SHC graduates to take a look at the College, she headed south and fell in love with the campus and atmosphere.

I want to share the Spring Hill experience with as many people as I can.”

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In September, Skinner took over as president of the National Alumni Association Board of Directors (NAAB). Her primary focus in leading our 11,500 alumni is to empower them to encourage others to attend Spring Hill and to engage themselves with the College. She will also be the voice of the alumni on the SHC board of trustees as an ex-officio member for the next two years.

“I want to share the Spring Hill experience with as many people as I can,” she said. For the past several years, Skinner has attended college fairs and called prospective students and parents.

Wherever Skinner goes, she is looking for connections to get the Spring Hill name into high schools. “I have always felt like an unpaid recruiter. I am always available to talk to a parent or interested student,” she said. “That is the reason I accepted this position as president.”

She joined the alumni board just three years ago, encouraged by an SHC alumni official who recognized her enthusiasm and passion for the school. “Spring Hill has a family-like atmosphere that encourages individuals to work hard, build strong personal relationships, and make friends for a lifetime,” she said.

Skinner came to Spring Hill on the advice of a family friend, Rev. Tom Singer, O.M.I., and alumnus Dr. Peter Soto ‘52, and for her desire to keep a tradition of Jesuit education alive in the family. Her father was a Saint Louis University graduate and a longtime financial advisor at Edward Jones. After working in pharmaceutical sales for most of her life, Skinner joined Edward Jones in 2008 as a financial advisor. The Jesuit legacy at SHC did not stop with her. Her sister, Amy Skinner Schenk, graduated in 1986 and lives in St. Louis.

Family legacies are a crucial part of the link of getting students to choose Spring Hill, she said. “It’s so easy to encourage your children, grandchildren, family and friends to come to the Hill. Alumni find their strengths in many ways to promote the College. Some might be helpful in fundraising, others in hosting events,” she said. “You have to find your niche. This is my way to contribute and give back to the school.”

If you want to assist Skinner and alumni across the country with admissions or to get involved with chapter activities, visit badgernet. shc.edu/getinvolved to sign up for volunteer opportunities.

An interview with actor Shee’ Dueitt ’08 Major: Communication Arts Hometown: Leaksville, Miss.

What led to your decision to move to Los Angeles?

I have always been a performer. When I wasn’t singing in high school, I was doing a lot of acting and winning awards for it. It was something that I loved, that I could lose myself in. Being from a small town, I had dreams of moving to Los Angeles one day. It wasn’t until a lifelong friend of mine had to come out to L.A. for work, that I saw a door, and I decided to go with him.

I’m proud of myself for taking the step.

What opportunities have you had?

I have been very blessed. My first feature film, “Subprime”, was shot back in April of 2009, just three months after I moved to L.A. In August of that same year, I was the lead in a play titled “A Faded Memory.” I have done some print modeling work as well. I had a small scene on the TV program “Criminal Minds: Suspect Behavior” where I got to work directly with actress-comedienne Janeane Garafalo. I have also worked on several commercials, and this March I shot a film that earned me a Best Supporting Actress nomination at the 168th Hour Christian Film Festival in Glendale, Calif.

I have also met several famous actors that have had lasting impacts on me. One of the most amazing people I have met is Adam Sandler. He is so genuine and down to earth and just a pleasure to be around.

Most important, though, I have been blessed with a wonderful support group of friends that have taught me things about the industry, helped me take the right steps to furthering my career, and been there when home felt like it was even more than 2,000 miles away.

You recently won a new car. How did that happen?

I DID win a new car! I was in the audience of TV game show “Let’s Make a Deal,” and they picked me to be a contestant. I was so excited. I had no idea what was going to happen, but when I picked curtain No. 1 and it revealed a new car, I literally hit the floor – almost completely taking out the host, Wayne Brady! He later referred to me as his stuntwoman. I won a 2011 Nissan Versa, but since they waited a year to air the episode, they gave me something newer and better. I recently picked up the car: A 2012 Nissan Sentra. My parents have given me so much, that I’m giving the car to them as a gift. They couldn’t be more supportive of my dreams, and I could never give back to them all they have given to me.

What is your next step as an actor, and what are your long-term goals?

I have a lead role in an independent film in the works right now, and I am pretty excited about that. It’s unlike any other role I have ever gotten to portray. I would love to keep doing film, but I really want to be on a television series, maybe a comedy.

What I care about is making a living simply doing what I love. Many actors made a living as actors long before anyone ever knew their name. If no one ever knows mine, and I get to still do what I love, that will be just fine with me. I’m keeping at it.

How did Spring Hill prepare you for your career and your adventures?

Spring Hill was a wonderful experience for me. Along with some wonderful professors that I still have close friendships with, I have many friends and unforgettable memories from Spring Hill. Spring Hill prepared me to work hard. Having attended public school every year until Spring Hill, a Jesuit education was new to me. It pushed me to always strive for excellence. Even though my degree isn’t in theater, I took a lot of theater classes, and I walked away with a degree from one of the top liberal arts colleges in the South. I will always carry that with me. I never want to forget where I came from. That is so important. I am in a huge city now, and I meet tons of people, but I am still just Shee’ Dueitt, a Southern, small-town girl.

SPRING HILL COLLEGE MAGAZINE | FALL 2012

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ChapterUpdates

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2

Baton Rouge

Dallas

Baton Rouge alumni and current students enjoyed mudbugs and reconnecting at Walk-On’s Bistreaux and Bar. 1 From left are Caroline Hitt ’13, Rachael Buzbee ’13, Patrick Box ’07 and Johnny Patrick.

Dallas alumni, parents and incoming students gathered at Blue Mesa Grill for a summer happy hour. 3 From left are Wade Vache, Mary Vache ’86, Regina Mentesana, and Katie Winikates ’86.

Chicago

2 Chicago area alumni, from left,

Miami Miami Badgers got together for crawfish (shipped fresh from Louisiana) and barbecue at the home of Tony, Elena, and Joey Cabrera ’11. 4 From left are Tere Manrara ’06, Lucia Baez ’05, Shelley Baer Smith ’06, Aileen Echenique Hamilton ’05 and Georgi Morales Pipkin ’05.

Chelsea Gerstle ’07, Lee May ’08, Jim Gearty ’76 and Robert Stahl ’82 met Rev. Richard P. Salmi, S.J., for a day of fun and horseracing at Arlington Park.

Visit Flickr for the SHC Alumni Photo Gallery www.flickr.com/photos/shcalumni

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SPRING HILL COLLEGE MAGAZINE | FALL 2012

Compiled by Lauren Luckie ’14

Send us your news: alumni@shc.edu or badgernet.shc.edu

1970s Thomas F. Kirwin ’72 recently retired from the Department of Justice after 30 years of being a prosecutor. He has been appointed as a deputy chief financial officer (law enforcement) for the Florida Department of Financial Services and oversees the statewide operations of the department’s three law enforcement agencies.

Reggie Copeland, Jr. ’75 of The Gardner Firm, P.C., has been selected for inclusion in the 2012 edition of Alabama Super Lawyers.

Ed Laurente ’78 celebrated his 25th anniversary working at Vertex Inc., in Berwyn, Pa., where he is the director of software production and distribution.

He also celebrated the 30th anniversary of meeting his wife, Annette. They have been married for 28 years. Ed is interested in buying a 1978 SHC yearbook.

If anyone has a 1978 yearbook they would be willing to sell, please contact Ed at coachdad27@hotmail.com.

Ana M. Diaz Barker ’79/ MBA ’04 retired from IBM Corporation in August 2011 after a 32-year career. She moved in September 2012 with her husband, Jeff, to Soyo, Angola, Africa, where Jeff has accepted a three- to four-year assignment.

Martha Morris Kendall ’79 accepted a position as the inaugural director of development for the board of directors of Waterfowl Chesapeake Inc. in Easton, Md.

1980s Christ N. Coumanis ’85 of Coumanis and York, P.C., was selected for inclusion in the 2012 edition of the Best Lawyers in America.

G.B. Olsen ’85 accepted a position as the new director of advancement for the Gulf Coast Exploreum in Mobile, Ala. Laurie Gulley ’88, principal of St. Bede Elementary Campus, will serve as an elementary consultant for Montgomery Catholic Preparatory School’s new Holy Spirit Elementary Campus in Montgomery, Ala.

Katy Pavelonis ’89 is the general manager for Grand Slam Sports in St. Louis, Mo.

1990s Win Stuardi III ’90 of Helmsing, Leach, Herlong, Newman & Rouse has been selected for inclusion in the 2012 edition of Alabama Super Lawyers.

Joe Ullo ’93, an attorney with Lewis, Longman & Walker, P.A in Tallahassee, Fla., has been named a Super Lawyers 2012 Rising Star in the area of environmental law.

Jim Fry ’97 celebrated his 10th anniversary as a chemistry and marine biology teacher at Malvern Preparatory School in Malvern, Pa. He also returned from a 10-day service trip to Armenia, and completed his doctoral dissertation for a Ph.D. in interdisciplinary education for educational leaders.

Tim Harris ’97 and Alison Wuest ’98 were married on May 5, 2012, in Maroma Beach, Mexico.

Mitch Parsons ’97 and his wife, Michele, announced the birth of their daughter, Maria Rose, on June 30, 2012, in Atlanta.

She weighed 7 pounds, 8.3 ounces.

Andree J. Cigali ’98 and Kevin Pierce were married on June 16, 2012, at St. Joseph Chapel on Spring Hill’s campus.

Kristen Kammer-Hattox ’99 and Brandon Hattox welcomed twins Nola Jewell and Parker Nolan on June 25, 2012. Nola was 5 pounds, 1 ounce and 17 inches; Parker was 5 pounds, 15 ounces and 19.25 inches.

Tori ’99 and Brian Miller announced the birth of their second daughter, Hadley Frances, on July 31, 2012, in Mobile, Ala. Delvin D. Seawright ’99, a second-year accounting Ph.D. student at Morgan State University in Baltimore, Md., has been awarded the national 2012 AGA Academic Full-time Scholarship. He is also a CPA, CGMA, and CGFM.

ClassNotes

2000s Lindsey Weems ’00, a CPA with Hargrove Engineers & Constructors, recently graduated from Alabama Society of CPAs Leadership Academy, a yearlong program designed to build leadership skills.

Eric Jukes, M.D., ’01 finished his general surgery residency in July 2012 and is a practicing general surgeon in Houma, La. Eric married Nathalie Boffy in the Dominican Republic on July 21, 2012.

Kylene Kubiak Rametta ’01 and Todd P. Rametta ’02 announced the birth of their son, Nathan Patrick, on March 18, 2012.

Rick Thome ’01 was named the South Baldwin Chamber Diplomat of the Month for June.

Rev. Frederick G. Boni ‘02 is the pastor of Saint John the Evangelist Parish in Ozark, Ala. Sofia Miranda ’02 and Dr. Felipe Miranda, M.D., announced the birth of their daughter, Carolina Sofia, on March 5, 2012.

Nick D’Alassandro ’03 accepted a position as supervisor at Barfield, Murphy, Shank & Smith, P.C., in Birmingham, Ala. Jeremiah Kolb ’03 and Sarah Pugh Kolb ’03 announced the birth of their third child, Benjamin Wallace, on March 26, 2012. He weighed 8 pounds, 11 ounces.

Benjamin joins older siblings Carson Alexander, 3, and Caroline Stewart, 2.

Margaret Glenn Saverino ’03, Lauren N. Craddock ’07, Emily Ann Jones ’07 and Brittany L. Barns ’08 completed all requirements for the Doctorate of Medicine degree from the University of South Alabama College of Medicine.

Graduation was held May 12, 2012.

Emily Ferrill Rios ’03 and her husband, Gus, welcomed a son, Lucas Charles Rios, on July 16, 2012. Luke joins big brother, Will, age 3. Emily and her family live in Smyrna, Ga.

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ClassNotes Kristi Vaughn July ’04 and her husband, Douglas, welcomed their second child, Douglas July III, on July 25, 2012. He weighed 7 pounds, 14 ounces.

Mary Dolan Schulte ’06 and Matthew Schulte were married July 7, 2012, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Mobile. They will reside in Seattle.

Nikki Standley ’04 is the account manager at DataSource in the greater St. Louis area.

Dawn Yanker Johnson ’06 earned her Ph.D. in chemistry from Washington University in St. Louis.

Dr. Rebecca Alsip ’05 completed her family medicine residency in June 2012 in Spartanburg, S.C. She will join Skylyn Medical Associates in Spartanburg in the practice of family medicine. Dr. Alsip will also teach medical students as a clinical instructor at VCOM-Carolinas.

Mary Florian ’07 took her vows as a nun July 21, 2012. She is now Sr. Mary of the Passion, LSP (Little Sisters of the Poor). She is heading to Kansas City, Mo., to work with the elderly poor before heading to France to take her final vows.

Joanna Buscemi ’05 earned her Ph.D. in clinical psychology from the University of Memphis in August 2011. She is a postdoctoral research fellow in the Department of Preventive Medicine at Northwestern University in Chicago, specializing in health behavior change and obesity treatment.

Christopher Hoffman ’05 and Maura Hughes Hoffman ’06 were deployed to eastern Afghanistan in May 2012. Chris serves as the fire support officer for an infantry battalion, and Maura serves as the contracts and fiscal law and legal assistance attorney for an infantry brigade combat team. Chris and Maura will return “home” to Fort Riley, Kan., in spring 2013.

Finn Cox ’07 and Tjaden O’Dowd were married on Sept. 8, 2012 at St. Joseph Chapel.

Mary Elizabeth McGinn Davis ’07 and Evan Davis ’08 were married in Nashville, Tenn., on April 21, 2012. The couple resides in Birmingham, Ala., where Evan works in pharmaceuticals and Mary Elizabeth works with Southern Living magazine.

Matt LeMond ’07 is opening a Pita Pit franchise in downtown Mobile, Ala. Nolan T. James, Jr. ’08 received his Juris Doctorate degree from the University of Akron School of Law. Stephanie Hoffman Morrow ’09 and Nick Morrow ’08 were married on Aug. 4, 2012 at St. Joseph Chapel.

Kelly Phillips Reed ’09 earned a master’s degree in urban planning from the University of Louisville. She is the executive director of the Urban Enterprise Association for the City of Jeffersonville, Ind. Catie Conn Robb ’09 and John Francis Robb ’09 were married Nov. 19, 2011, at St. Joseph Chapel.

2010s Rob Farrell ’11 is a theology teacher and campus minister for the Academy of Sacred Heart in New Orleans, La. Katelyn Ikner ’11 and Kevin Foster were married on March 3, 2012 at the BraggMitchell Mansion in Mobile, Ala. Ryan Meisemann ’11 is a dispatcher at Kenan Advantage Group in Mobile, Ala. Jasmine Williams ’11 is a full-time reporter at 41NBC/WMGT in Macon, Ga. Patrick Dolan, Jr. ’12 accepted a position as an account executive at AppleOne Insurance Company in Chicago.

Anna Forzano ’12 has been accepted as a graduate student in the chemistry program at Washington University in St. Louis.

Rev. Patrick J. Arensberg ’06 is the parochial vicar of Saint Bede Parish in Montgomery, Ala.

For complete details, additional events and registration, log on to badgernet.shc.edu or call 877-SPR-HILL .

October 10

December 1

December 13

Memphis Happy Hour

Birmingham Christmas Party

Mobile Christmas Party

October 26

December 6

February 2

Baton Rouge Live After Five After-Party and Happy Hour

New York Christmas Party

St. Louis Mardi Gras Party and Fundraiser

October 28

Dallas Christmas Party

New Orleans Saints Viewing Party

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SPRING HILL COLLEGE MAGAZINE | FALL 2012

December 7

February 9 New Orleans Mardi Gras Party

ClassNotes Oldest alumnus J. Bruce Braswell ’35 dies

By Monde Donaldson

J. Bruce Braswell ’35 had his roots on campus. Thought to be the College’s oldest living graduate at the time of his death, Braswell died in Birmingham, Ala., on June 18, 2012.

The youngest of six children, he was born at home on the corner of College Lane and Old Shell Road, Jesuit House 1, as it is called today. According to his daughter Connie Farbach, the old home burned down when Braswell was an infant. The fire service from Mobile didn’t travel all the way to Spring Hill in those days. The college boys from across the street hauled out as much furniture as possible and formed a bucket brigade. In all the excitement, Braswell was tucked into a basket along with some jewelry.

For a few panicky moments, his mother was not sure that he had been taken out of the burning house. But, the basket with baby Braswell was found safe in the cornfield.

The home was rebuilt in 1916 and is now home for the president of Spring Hill College and several other members of the Jesuit community.

During his college years, Braswell simply crossed College Lane from his home to attend Spring Hill College.

“Throughout his long life [my father] practiced and shared some core values that were very strong – integrity, honesty, hard work ethic, economy, and especially love and dedication to family,” his daughter Farbach said. “Because his mind stayed so clear, he was like a time traveler who could relate to us the lifestyle of long ago. … It was a gift to us all to see the world through his eyes.”

After he was laid to rest in the Spring Hill Cemetery not far from campus, his daughter knocked on the door of the house that had once been her father’s childhood home. She was greeted by a Jesuit who showed her around the downstairs and around the yard where her father once played. She was joined by family members who had been waiting in the car. Their tour guide was President Richard P. Salmi, S.J. In their time of mourning, the family was comforted to know that the home was still in good hands.

Congratulations to the following Jesuit Jubilarians: Rev. Christopher A. Billac, S.J. ’58 celebrated 60 years in the Society of Jesus.

Rev. Rodney T. Kissinger, S.J. ’47 celebrated 70 years in the Society of Jesus.

Rev. Clair M. Cazayoux, S.J. ’55 celebrated 50 years in the priesthood.

Rev. James L. Lambert, S.J. ’59 celebrated 60 years in the Society of Jesus.

Rev. Martin L. Elsner, S.J. ’55 celebrated 50 years in the priesthood.

Rev. Donald J. Martin, S.J. ’56 celebrated 50 years in the priesthood.

Rev. Ernest C. Ferlita, S.J. ’50 celebrated 50 years in the priesthood.

Rev. Bert Mead, S.J. ’55 celebrated 50 years in the priesthood.

Rev. A. Gerard Fineran, S.J. ’43 celebrated 75 years in the Society of Jesus.

Rev. Peter S. Rogers, S.J ’68 celebrated 50 years in the Society of Jesus.

Rev. John J. Heaney, S.J. ’47 celebrated 60 years in the priesthood.

Rev. Edward Salazar, S.J. ’68 celebrated 50 years in the Society of Jesus.

Rev. Wayne D. Herpin, S.J. ’68 celebrated 50 years in the Society of Jesus.

Rev. Thomas J. Tierney, S.J ’56 celebrated 50 years in the priesthood.

Rev. Michael Williams, S.J., celebrates 50 years as a Jesuit Rev. Michael Williams, S.J., associate professor of English at Spring Hill College, celebrates his jubilee year in the Society of Jesus. Born and raised in Philadelphia, Williams entered the Maryland Province of the Jesuits in 1962. He graduated from Fordham University in 1968 with specializations in classics, philosophy and English. He received a full doctoral fellowship from the University of Southern California and received a Ph.D. in English in 1975. He also studied at the Jesuit School of Theology at Berkeley and was ordained in 1975.

After ordination, Williams served as assistant dean, and later associate dean, of the College of Arts and Sciences at Gonzaga University in Spokane, Wash., where he remained until 1986. He then then joined the English faculty at Spring Hill College.

In addition to teaching, Williams is very involved in student organizations.

He serves as the faculty advisor to the Jesuit honor society Alpha Sigma Nu, Lambda Chi Alpha Fraternity, and the Knights of Columbus.

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Does Someone You Know Deserve an Award?

Spring Hill College presents several honors annually to outstanding alumni and non-alumni who, through various acts and achievements, have shown their commitment to Spring Hill College and their communities. We encourage you to take a few minutes to nominate outstanding individuals who deserve recognition in these areas.

Ignatian Award Community service and humanitarianism Karopczyc Award Young alumnus for outstanding service to College or community Gautrelet Award Outstanding professional achievement

ClassNotes

In Memoriam Humbert A. Bertolotti, Jr. ’50 Jefferson B. Braswell ’35 Alicia M. Brauer ’07 Michael B. Carmody ’61 Charles Q. Cutshaw ’69 Stuart P. Dowling ’49 Dora A. Franklin Finley ’92 John “Jack” Hildner ’61 Joseph H. Leckich ’57

Athletic Hall of Fame Outstanding athletic achievement

Joseph “Jay” McCann ’77

In adherence to the award descriptions, I hereby nominate:

Rev. Robert M. McCown ’50 Major Charles “Charlie” L. McDermott ’58 Lawrence “Larry” McGinn ‘51

Nominee: Date Submitted:

J. Stewart Moran ’76

Class (if known):

Fari Carter Muscalino ’61

Address:

James C. Nelson ’52

City/State:

Henry Edward Reimer, Jr ’49

Zip Code:

Hon. Hubert P. “Joe” Robertson ’50

Professional Affiliation:

Wayne E. Smith ’61

For the Following Award(s):

Prentiss Joseph “Joe” Spotswood ’50

Richard A. Tonry ’64

Reasons for Nomination:

J. Thomas “Tommy” Williamson Jr. ’56

Bobbie J. Williams Wilson ’03

Submitted by:

Caroline Vella ’71

Address:

Robert P. Viola ’62

City/State/Zip Code: Phone:

Class:

Please detach and send this completed form by Dec. 11, 2012, to: Office of Alumni Programs 4000 Dauphin Street Mobile, AL 36608 Or, complete online at badgernet.shc.edu If you have questions about any of these awards, please call the Alumni Office toll-free SPRING HILL COLLEGE MAGAZINE | FALL 2012 24 at (877) SPR-HILL.

Send us your news for Class Notes: E-mail alumni@shc.edu or log on to BadgerNet at badgernet.shc.edu.

A Spiritual Journey to Spain

In the Footsteps of Ignatius of Loyola & Francis Xavier 12 Days: June 16-27, 2013 Under the spiritual direction of Fr. Ted Dziak, S.J, Fr. Mark Lewis, S.J., and Fr. Bob Gerlich, S.J. Hosted by: Loyola University New Orleans & Spring Hill College Highlights Include: Loyola – home of St. Ignatius Aranzazu – popular Marian devotion for Ignatius Xavier – home of St. Francis Xavier Montserrat – shrine to the Black Madonna Manresa – site of Ignatius’ conversion Barcelona – city tour and sites of Gaudi To be placed on the priority mailing list to receive your brochure and registration form, contact: Fr. Ted Dziak, S.J., at (504) 865-2304 or dziak@loyno.edu

BadgerNet has a new look!

BadgerNet is an online network designed exclusively for Spring Hill College alumni.

As a registered user of BadgerNet, you can access the online alumni directory, update your contact information, register for events, and stay in touch with your alma mater.

Visit badgernet.shc.edu to log in today!

Stay Connected. Stay a Badger.

SPRING HILL COLLEGE MAGAZINE | FALL 2012

Non-Profit Org. U.S. Postage PAID Mobile, AL Permit No. 1450

4000 Dauphin St. • Mobile, AL 36608-1791 • www.shc.edu

Become a fan of the Spring Hill College National Alumni Association on Facebook.

For further details call 877-SPR-HILL

Honoring graduates in Class Years Ending with “3” or “8”

All alumni are invited back to campus to help each of the reunion classes celebrate.