Spring Hill College Magazine Winter 2015-16

SPRING HILL THE SPRING HILL COLLEGE MAGAZINE

WINTER 2015-16

Welcome Back to THE HILL, Dr. Puto!

Spring Hill College Inaugurates Dr. Christopher P. Puto ’64 as the 37th President Inside this issue: PANCAKES WITH THE POPE • UPDATE ON NCAA STATUS • #PURPLEUP, BADGERS!

FROM THE PRESIDENT

Spring Hill College alumni, parents, and friends, Happy New Year! I hope that your holidays were filled with family, friends, and the cheer of the happiest season. I find that the beginning of a new year and a new semester are extraordinarily exciting times; the days ahead are filled with the promise of wonderful progress and development for our students and our community.

Throughout this magazine, you will learn a good deal about me.You’ll see photos of inauguration festivities, you’ll be privy to my strategy for surviving a zombie apocalypse (spoiler: I’ll be praying), and you’ll learn of my strategic plan for successfully moving the College into our third century.

My hope is that you will realize, however, that this magazine is not about me but about our vibrant, active, and successful community. It is about how we as alumni, parents, friends, faculty, staff, and students have come together to make Spring Hill College the best that it can be as we move forward, and how we will continue to illuminate the torch upon the Hilltop.

No, it is not about me. I am here only because our legacy is so brilliant and our future is so exciting, and that is because of YOU. Each of you has left an indelible mark upon Spring Hill College, and you are part of a storied history that only richens as the years go by.

It is a sensational time to be part of the Badger family, and the best is yet to come. Thank you for welcoming me back to this special place. I can’t wait to get to know you!

Sincerely,

Christopher P. Puto, Ph.D. ’64, President

IN THIS ISSUE

THE SPRING HILL COLLEGE MAGAZINE Winter 2015-16 7

NEWS FROM THE HILL

Pancakes with the Pope, SHC welcomes new board members, Family Weekend 2015, and more news from The Hill.

At the inauguration ceremony in September 2015, the Rev. Ronald A. Mercier, S.J., Provincial Superior, Central and Southern Province of the Society of Jesus, right, presents Dr. Christopher P. Puto, 37th president of Spring Hill College, with a special crucifix while missioning him in his new role.

FEATURES Inauguration of Dr. Christopher P. Puto ‘64

13

BADGER ATHLETICS

Updates on SHC’s NCAA status and more from Badger Athletics.

25

ALUMNI NEWS

26 Chapter Updates

16

Journey to the Presidency

by Lindsay Hughes MLA ‘08

28 Class Notes

22

Dr. Puto’s Inaugural Address

32 Parent Profile

23

President to President

24

Reaching Out to Humanity

31 In Memoriam 33 Giving

with SGA President Conner Bueche ’16

by Dr. Leigh Ann Litwiller Berte

Cover art: Dr. Puto in front of St. Joseph Chapel. Photography by Seth Laubinger ‘02.

BADGER TO BADGER 6 Christmas Spirit

35 #PURPLEUP and show your Badger Pride

VIEW FROM THE HILL

The Most Reverend Thomas J. Rodi, Archbishop of Mobile, right, blessed Dr. Christopher P. Puto ‘64 during the Inaugural Mass as Dr. Matthew Baugh, S.J., and Spring Hill Chancellor Rev. Greg Lucey, S.J., look on.

BADGERS BEING BADGERS

SPRING HILL THE SPRING HILL COLLEGE MAGAZINE Winter 2015-16

Editor:

Greta Sharp

Art Director: Sharla Brink ’95

Photography:

Seth Laubinger ‘02

Contributing Writers:

Lindsay Hughes MLA ‘08 Dr. Leigh Ann Litwiller Berte Rinda Mueller Fred Salancy Greta Sharp Jim Stennett

President:

Dr. Christopher P. Puto ‘64

Vice President for Advancement: Fred Salancy

Spring Hill students model current and past tacky Christmas sweaters.

The Tacky Christmas Sweatshirt Tradition Continues!

In the fall of 2013, the Spring Hill College Bookstore debuted its first tacky Christmas sweaters and a new tradition on The Hill was born.

Students choose the winning design via a Facebook vote each year. From the beginning, students, faculty and staff went crazy for them as popularity spread quickly over social media. The bookstore reports that the majority of this year’s sweatshirts sold out in the first few days. Springhillians on campus often receive requests from out-of-town friends and alumni to “run and get me one before they sell out!”

6

Spring Hill College Magazine

Winter 2015-16

The Office of Communications and Institutional Marketing annually publishes two printed issues of The Spring Hill College Magazine.

Comments should be addressed to: Fred Salancy Spring Hill College Magazine 4000 Dauphin Street Mobile, AL 36608-1791 (251) 380-2290 or (877) SPR-HILL fsalancy@shc.edu

To update your address or mailing preferences, contact Advancement Services at (251) 380-2284.

News from THE HILL Pancakes with

the pope

Spring Hill College hosted Pancakes with the Pope, a watch party as Pope Francis made his historic address to a joint session of the United States Congress on Sept. 24, 2015. Hosted by the Office of Campus Ministry, the event served breakfast to more than 100 students of all faiths who gathered in the Price LeBlanc Grand Hall to watch the first pope in history to address Congress.

“Pope Francis is a Jesuit and we are a Jesuit Catholic school, so we’re very excited,” said Colleen Lee, Campus Minister for Service and Retreats.

At the same moment, newly inaugurated SHC President Dr. Christopher P. Puto had the experience of a lifetime, or as he put it, “the experience of two lifetimes.” Alabama Senator Jeff Sessions invited Dr. Puto to hear Pope Francis speak to Congress.

On the day of the event, Dr. Puto was escorted to his seat in the front row of the Gallery after making his way through numerous security checkpoints.

He sat next to the mother of Maine Senator Susan Collins and was thrilled when the chamber erupted with applause when Pope Francis said, “God bless America, the home of the brave and the land of the free!”

While Pope Francis’ speech lasted just under an hour, his remarks on reducing poverty, ending the death penalty, the importance of family and environmental protection made an impact on Spring Hill students. “We should treat others as brothers and sisters — that’s what we need to remember during this immigrant and refugee crisis,” said Nicholas Meinhardt, a freshman from Citronelle, Ala. Social media helped show the world how Spring Hill College celebrated with photos and comments on Facebook and Twitter. “This pope is immediately connected with people all over the world,” said Rev. Greg Lucey, S.J.

www.shc.edu

7

NEWS FROM THE HILL

SHC welcomes new board members Cynthia Figueroa ’95

Rev. Philip G. Steele, S.J.

Cynthia Figueroa is president and CEO of Congreso de Latinos Unidos. Founded in 1977, Congreso is Philadelphia’s largest non-profit agency providing expert services to the Latino community.

Prior to leading Congreso, Figueroa served as the deputy commissioner for Philadelphia’s Department of Human Services (DHS), and as the executive director of Women Against Abuse, the largest domestic violence agency in Pennsylvania.

Rev. Phillip G. Steele, S.J., is rector of the Spring Hill Jesuit Community. He holds a B.A. from St. Louis University, a MFA from Tyler School of Art at Temple University, and a Master of Divinity from the Jesuit School of Theology at Berkley.

Fr. Steele was an art teacher and pastoral director at St. Louis University High and at Regis Jesuit High, and then served as the Jesuit Provincial’s assistant in St. Louis. Most recently, he served as president of Regis Jesuit High School.

Margaret “Peggy” Rolando ’72

Champ Meyercord

Margaret “Peggy” Rolando graduated from Spring Hill College in 1972, and then received her M.A. in 1974 and her J.D. in 1978 from Florida State University. She has been a partner with Shutts & Bowen since 1984.

Rolando is a member of the Board of Governors of the American College of Real Estate Lawyers.

She served as chair of the executive council of the Real Property, Probate and Trust Law Section of The Florida Bar in 2013-14.

A Mobile native, Champ Meyercord’s family has extensive ties to Spring Hill. His father, Ed, was a member of the Board of Visitors, and his sisters Susie (’65) and Pam (’69) are Spring Hill graduates.

After graduating from Birmingham Southern College in 1962, Meyercord pursued a career in the investment business in New York with McLean Securities, Prospect Hill Resources, Hillcrest Partners, Greenwich Capital and Eagle Capital Management.

Elected to Board: 2015

Ex Officio Board Member

Elected to Board: 2015 Served previously from 2000 to 2009

8

Spring Hill College Magazine

Winter 2015-16

Elected to Board: 2015 Serves as chair of the Board’s Investment Committee

Student works to lower debt burden for all Alabama students

Elisabeth Daigle encouraged Spring Hill students from Alabama to petition state congressional members for an increase in funding.

Political science major Elisabeth Daigle took the law into her own hands last spring. As Spring Hill’s ambassador to the Alabama Association of Independent Colleges and Universities (AAICU), she lobbied to increase the annual amount awarded to Alabama residents attending an independent institution in the state through the Alabama State Grant Program (ASGP).

The ASGP was created by an act of the Alabama Legislature in 1978. It impacts the 40 percent of Spring Hill students who are from Alabama. “The Legislature originally authorized the program to allocate $1,200 per student each year,” Daigle explained. “The maximum amount per student last year was only $300, which is less than I would spend, on average, for the cost of textbooks in one semester.”

Aided by Assistant Director of Financial Aid Bethany Andrews, Daigle began a grassroots campaign to rally SHC students to petition Alabama congressional members for an increase in state

funding for students at private institutions. This included an awareness table in the cafeteria, where students signed a banner in support of ASGP. Daigle also encouraged students to write postcards, supplied by the AAICU, noting how they would use the grant money. Answers varied from buying textbooks to studying abroad.

“Students did not realize how little their state was awarding them when they found out what the original intent of the program was,” explained Daigle.

“Once I shed a little bit of light on the subject with the tools provided, the students wanted to make a change and advocated for themselves and their fellow Alabamians on campus by writing a postcard to the Legislature and signing our petition.”

Thanks in part to the work of Daigle and Andrews, the grant amount was increased for the 2015-2016 academic year, with the new amount given to full-time Alabama students reaching $774, more than double the previous amount.

www.shc.edu

9

NEWS FROM THE HILL | Commencement

Jesuits celebrate milestone anniversaries

Br. Ferrell Blank, S.J., pictured left, celebrated 60 years since he joined the Jesuit order, while the Rev. Marvin Kitten, S.J., celebrated the Golden Anniversary of his ordination.

The Spring Hill community gathered in St. Joseph Chapel in early October in celebration of two beloved Jesuits. Brother Ferrell Blank, S.J., celebrated 60 years since he joined the Jesuit order as a brother, and Rev. Marvin Kitten, S.J., celebrated the golden anniversary of his ordination to the priesthood. The Rev. Stephen Campbell, S.J., Rector of the Jesuit community, presided over the Jubilee Mass. It was concelebrated by priests from the Jesuit community. A reception for friends and family followed in the Gautrelet Room.

Br. Blank, a native of Gramercy, La., entered the Society of Jesus as a brother in 1955. He was assigned to Spring Hill College in 1961, and except for a two-year sabbatical, has been a permanent fixture at the College. During his tenure at Spring Hill, he has been involved in many aspects of mechanical maintenance and is a certified plant engineer. Currently, Br. Blank is responsible for maintaining the Jesuit villa in Perdido Beach, Ala.

10

Spring Hill College Magazine

Winter 2015-16

He is a member of the Coast Guard Auxiliary, the Knights of Columbus and the Men of St. Joseph.

Fr. Kitten was born on a cotton farm in Lubbock County, Texas. He majored in theoretical mathematics at Texas Tech University and after working for Geophysical Service he entered the Jesuit novitiate in Grand Coteau, La., in 1953. He went on to earn degrees from Spring Hill College and St. Mary’s College in Kansas. In 1965 he was ordained at St. Joseph Chapel on the campus of Spring Hill College.

Fr. Kitten worked in Campus Ministry at Texas A&M and as Vocations Director for the New Orleans Province. In 2008, he returned to Spring Hill where he served as Campus Minister for Spirituality, guiding many students through the R.C.I.A. process and through the Sacrament of Confirmation.

SHC hosts

b dger

Spring Hill

family weekend SPRING HILL COLLEGE

on The Hill Family Weekend brought nearly 400 people to campus in late October, marking the highest number of registrations in recent history. Family members enjoyed a weekend packed with events that ranged from sporting to scholarly, and offered parents a chance to get involved.

“Family Weekend is a treasured tradition on our campus and one that best represents collaboration across the College,” said Director of Student Involvement Mike Freyaldenhoven. “We were able to vary our programming and add new events while strengthening our most popular events during the weekend.”

The SHC Parents Advisory Council held an open session for all parents interested in connecting more with the College. Career Development and Student Advising Services hosted “You’re studying what? Careers for Liberal Arts majors.” At this session, parents and students learned more about the programming SHC uses to ensure students’ success, and heard from employers on how to graduate career ready.

“We hosted multiple events that reached capacity including the new Welcome Dinner at the Mobile Carnival Museum on Friday and the Murder Mystery Dinner Theatre on Saturday evening,” said Freyaldenhoven. “We expanded our attendance and interactive activities at the Family Picnic and registered almost 100 families for the family photo session on Saturday. Families enjoyed learning what life is like as a Badger and are looking forward to coming back next year.”

MARK YOUR CALENDAR! Badger Family Weekend 2016 is October 21-23, 2016.

www.shc.edu

11

NEWS FROM THE HILL

Pictured (l-r): Business-minded students Chris Portie and Ian Konrad.

STUDENT ATHLETE SHINES: Softball standout Caroline Sagrera completes prestigious summer research program

TAKING THE HILL TO THE CLEANERS: Entreprenuerial students Chris Portie ‘16 and Ian Konrad ‘16 offer solutions for the age-old dilemma of dirty laundy.

Most Springhillians know senior Caroline Sagrera for her outstanding achievements on the softball mound. The Clinton, La., native holds numerous school records for pitching for the Lady Badgers.

But what people don’t know is that she is just as competitive and accomplished in the classroom as well.

Sagrera recently completed a Summer Undergraduate Research Program at the University of Cincinnati Children’s Hospital. As a research assistant in the nephrology lab, she worked to understand the effect and mechanisms of excess protein in the urine, proteinuria, on kidney function and disease.

Last January, she visited Lima, Peru, as part of a volunteer medical assistance group setting up mobile health clinics and free health care in impoverished areas of the country. “This solo journey gave me an experience of a lifetime with some truly amazing people, as well as a new perspective on the hardships those living in thirdworld countries face,” Sagrera said.

Doing laundry is a mundane but necessary part of college life.

Entrepreneurial Badger Chris Portie ’16 had the idea to start an on-campus laundry service, giving students more time to focus on their studies, parttime jobs, and social lives.

Serving as the business’s operations director, Portie approached classmate Ian Konrad ’16, who took on the role of chief account manager, and together they launched KIP’s Laundry Service in the fall of 2014.

KIP’s provides fast, reliable laundry and dry cleaning services to Spring Hill College students, including pickup and delivery right to their residence halls. All of the cleaning, however, is left to the professionals. KIP’s team developed partnerships with two local businesses, Port City Cleaners and Spring Hill Cleaners, who professionally wash, dry, and fold the laundry.

Portie said the lingering idea of leaving a legacy at Spring Hill ultimately prompted him to pursue his plans for an on-campus laundry service. “I began to realize more and more that Spring Hill was such a great place that was offering me every opportunity to succeed,” he said. “I wanted to leave a lasting and positive mark on the College for future classes to partake in and ultimately enjoy.”

12

Spring Hill College Magazine

Winter 2015-16

BADGER News

By Jim Stennett

18 teams compete in Outlaw Golf Classic On Friday, June 26, 2015, the Spring Hill College Department of Athletics celebrated the first year of the Arthur R. Outlaw Memorial Golf Classic at the Spring Hill Golf Course as 18 teams battled for the crown. The event was a huge success and all the participants had a great time while raising funds for the Badger athletic teams.

Participants included new president Dr. Christopher P. Puto and Director of Athletics Jim Hall, as well as Badger Head Coaches Frank Sims and Aaron Niven.

“We want to thank everyone who came out and enjoyed the day with us as well as all the sponsors,” Hall said. “I especially want to thank Assistant

Athletic Director Michael Patrick who organized the entire event and did a great job running his first golf tournament ever.”

Team PES Pro placed first in the shotgun start, scramble format event, while Team Judge Jay York placed first in the second flight in a tiebreaker with Team Tim White.

Coming in at the end of the standings was Team Southern Athletic Association led by Badger men’s basketball Head Coach Aaron Niven. The team won four free golf lessons for the foursome. Niven remarked, “The Badger family can relax knowing that this score is proof I’m doing my job and not spending the summer on the golf course!”

www.shc.edu

13

BADGER NEWS

SHC to repeat NCAA candidacy year two

The Department of Athletics received notification from the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) in July 2015 that the Division II Membership Committee recommended that the College repeat candidacy year two of the membership process.

“We are absolutely committed to achieving full membership status in NCAA Division II,” said Spring Hill College President Dr. Christopher P. Puto. “The added preparatory time will allow us to assure the highest quality educational and athletic experience for our student-athletes, and we fully expect to compete at the highest level.”

Spring Hill College was accepted into the NCAA Division II membership process in July 2013. The Membership Committee’s decision means Spring Hill will repeat year two of the membership process during the 2015-16 academic year. Upon successful completion of year two, the College will become a provisional member of NCAA Division II during the 2016-17 academic year, before potentially gaining full membership status for the 2017-18 academic year.

The decision also means that Badger athletic teams will not be eligible for NCAA post-season competition for the upcoming year.

“Obviously, we are disappointed in this outcome,” said Athletic Director Jim Hall.

“However, as an institution, we understand the committee’s rationale. All indications are that the decision is based on giving the College an additional year to thoroughly test all of its compliance-related policies and procedures. The decision is not reflective of a problem with any of our teams, coaches, issues of student-athlete eligibility, or non-compliance with competition rules. Given the fact that we have several new people in key compliance positions, this will give us an additional year to become even more effective in our operations.”

14

Spring Hill College Magazine

Winter 2015-16

LeBlanc named Assistant Athletic Director for Internal Affairs and Compliance In November 2015, Director of Athletics Jim Hall announced that Chad LeBlanc was hired as assistant athletic director for internal affairs and compliance with responsibility for the school’s NCAA compliance procedures. LeBlanc comes to Spring Hill after a successful two-year stint as a legal consultant with expertise in assessing and interpreting the potential impact of current NCAA marketing, legal, and compliance issues. Prior to his work as a consultant, LeBlanc served as the director of compliance and legal externs at the University of Tennessee.

“I am very pleased that Chad has joined our staff as our assistant athletic director overseeing compliance,” Hall said. “He has significant NCAA compliance experience and has been a part of three very strong compliance departments on the Division I level. I am confident that he will be able to significantly enhance our compliance efforts and rules education across campus as we continue our NCAA Division II membership transition.”

LeBlanc began his career as a compliance assistant at Central Michigan University before spending the next five years as the assistant athletic director for compliance at the University of North Texas.

“I have an appreciation for the mission and tradition that exists at Spring Hill and I am very excited to be a part of this team,” said LeBlanc. “This is a special opportunity and I look forward to helping write the next chapter of Badger athletics.”

LeBlanc holds a juris doctor from Marquette University Law School and a bachelor of science in communications arts from the University of Wisconsin. He was admitted to the State Bar of Wisconsin in 2005 and served as an editorial staff member of the Marquette Sports Law Review in 2003-2004.

see complete athletic coverage at www.shc.badgers.com

Badgers name new Compliance Coordinator and Senior Woman Administrator In June 2015, Director of Athletics Jim Hall announced two administrative changes to the Badger staff. Craig Kennedy, above left, was hired as the Compliance Coordinator on a full-time basis and Badger softball Head Coach Alison SellersCook, M.S. ‘06, above right, was promoted to Assistant Athletic Director/Senior Woman Administrator (SWA).

Kennedy has led the Compliance Office on an interim basis since February 2015 with responsibility for all NCAA compliance-related tasks, rules education, and NCAA reporting.

The Athletics Department created the permanent position of Compliance Coordinator to strengthen the department’s NCAA compliance efforts.

“Craig was an invaluable asset to our department since his arrival in our compliance office,” said Hall. “His practical knowledge of compliance, especially from a coach’s standpoint, is a tremendous asset to our coaching staff as they strive to make an effective transition to compliance with NCAA regulations.”

Softball Head Coach Sellers-Cook holds a 259-233 record in 10 seasons at the reins of the Badger program. In 2013, she led the Badgers to a 49-17 record and National Runner-Up finish at the NAIA National Championship Tournament. Sellers-Cook was named the Southern States Athletic Conference (SSAC) Coach of the Year in 2013, while her entire staff was named the 2013 National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) National Coaching Staff of the Year. She previously served as SWA for Spring Hill College from 2007 to 2013.

“Alison is a great addition to our administrative staff as Assistant Athletic Director/Senior Woman Administrator,” Hall said. “She is doing a great job as our softball coach and I am excited that she has re-assumed the important leadership role of Senior Woman Administrator within our department.”

As the men’s soccer team took on Tampa, Freshman Joakim Aakerlund (4) of Oesterbybruk, Sweden, Freshman Ahmet Demirkan (8) of Vasteras, Sweden, and Senior Andrew McInnis (7) of Mandeville, La., gave their all on the field.

www.shc.edu

15

Journe to the Presidency

By Lindsay Hughes, MLA ‘08

It’s an opportunity he calls a “wonderful happenstance of good luck” and a job he’s been preparing for his whole life.

Dr. Christopher P. Puto ’64 took the reins as the 37th president of Spring Hill College in June 2015 and was formally installed at the inauguration ceremony in September. Inauguration week evoked a whirlwind of emotions for the College’s first lay president. As the big day approached, he felt “first, a sense of excitement that this is really happening, and second, a tinge of anxiety that I hope I don’t foul it up somehow.”

Puto sat in the first row of pews in St. Joseph Chapel for the inaugural Mass of the Holy Spirit. “I had been in that chapel hundreds of times for Mass and to be there now as the president designate at the Mass of the Holy Spirit was overwhelming,” he said. “Mass was celebrated by the Archbishop and concelebrated with all the Jesuits - that’s a dream that one might have. And I’m sitting there in church, living the dream!”

He had been a spectator at inaugurations before, in his roles at Georgetown University and the University of St. Thomas. But this time, all eyes were on him. “I thought long and hard about my own remarks and what they should be, and it was emotional to deliver them. It really was,” he said.

His initial fears were put to rest as the inaugural events unfolded seamlessly and the entire Spring Hill community warmly welcomed him as the College’s new president. “I sense a genuine pervasive feeling of excitement about Spring Hill in everyone with whom I interact, and I am eager to sustain that,” he said.

Puto’s journey to the presidency - a “surprising opportunity” for a lay alumnus - has followed a winding but purposeful path. “In one sense I never thought it was possible,” he said, “and in another sense I had been preparing for this job all my life.”

‘Strong connection with the Jesuits’

Pictured top: In a vintage Spring Hill College (1964) yearbook photo, Dr. Christopher P. Puto (second row, first from left), ROTC members, and supporters pose on the steps of Byrne Memorial Hall, which was the College’s library at that time.

Pictured bottom: Dr. Puto’s senior portrait, circa 1964.

Photo credit: Spring Hill College Archives.

18

Spring Hill College Magazine

The oldest of three children, Puto was born in Detroit, Mich., and raised in Marathon, Fla., in the Florida Keys. He recalled growing up in the small town and his family’s deep commitment to their Catholic faith. “I didn’t go to Catholic school, because there weren’t any Catholic schools,” he said. However, there was a Jesuit parish in Key West called St. Mary Star of the Sea, and a priest would travel 50 miles every Sunday to offer Mass in Marathon. “My catechism was instructed on Sunday mornings by the Jesuit priest who came up to say Mass, so I had a strong connection way back with the Jesuits,” he said.

Puto’s cousin Dennis Sullivan ‘61, who lived across the street from him in Marathon, heard about Spring Hill College from their family in Summerdale, Ala. Sullivan entered Spring Hill in 1957, and Puto followed in his footsteps three years later. Puto came from a graduating class of 26 seniors at Marathon High School to a freshman class of 336 students at Spring Hill College, one of the largest freshman classes in the history of the College at the time.

“Everyone talks about what a small school Spring Hill is - it was giant to me!” Puto said. “The opportunity to meet with people from different places and to interact in the classroom with them and our Jesuit faculty, it transformed me from a typical naive senior from a small town into a much more aware individual ready to enter the world. It helped me understand the significant role faith plays in the way one makes decisions in life. That’s what Spring Hill did for me.”

An economics major, Puto said he was an average student and joked that he made the dean’s list every semester – although not for his outstanding academic performance. “But,” he added, “I did the best work I possibly could, and I loved everything about my Spring Hill experience.”

He was a member of Phi Kappa Theta Fraternity, ROTC, and Scabbard and Blade, the military honor society for ROTC students.

He also worked on campus in the mail room and in the intramural office. The Rev. Arthur Colkin, S.J., nicknamed “Big Art” by the students, was a tall, soft-spoken history professor who was responsible for overseeing the mail room and the intramural program. The jack-ofall-trades Jesuit made a lasting impression on Puto. “He was just a very thoughtful, gentle man. I was impressed with how he organized everything,” Puto recalled. “He came to know every student and their athletic capabilities, and he created leagues of surprisingly comparable teams. I don’t know how he figured it out.”

Puto said he didn’t realize it at the time, but his Jesuit education from Spring Hill asked more of him than simply to learn facts and theories for the sake of having knowledge. “You’re supposed to take that knowledge and put it to use to make the world a better place,” he said. “It’s imbued into you. Sometimes you don’t even know that it’s there, and yet you find yourself using what you’ve learned to do good things.”

Winter 2015-16

‘Being there at the right time’

After graduating from Spring Hill in 1964, Puto was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the U.S. Army, but deferred active duty to earn his MBA at the University of Miami. With a master’s degree under his belt, the Army gave him the “ideal assignment” as a procurement officer, buying helicopters and helicopter parts in St. Louis.

Six months later, Puto and several other young Spring Hill grads were sent to Vietnam. He was in Saigon during the Tet Offensive in January 1968, a crucial turning point in the war. “It was extremely scary to be there, but I was unbelievably lucky when you compare all of the tragic things that happened to people over there,” he said. He remembered Lt. Stephen E. Karopczyc, class of 1965, who was killed during service in the Vietnam War and posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor.

Puto returned home after the war and went to work for Burger King Corporation at its global headquarters in Miami. Executives were trying to position Burger King to be more competitive with McDonald’s, the largest hamburger chain in the country. Puto, who was an allied sales manager at the time, realized Burger King had an advantage with its assembly line mode of production. “McDonald’s produced their hamburgers in a batch mode, so once they finished a batch of burgers, they couldn’t do anything special,” Puto explained. “So, we had an advantage with the customers. We could make a special Whopper just as fast as a regular Whopper.” This strategy laid the foundation for the iconic “Have It Your Way” campaign.

Following his success with Burger King, Puto spent a year living in a small village above Innsbruck, Austria, before moving to Blowing Rock, N.C., a town that reminded him of Innsbruck “but the mountains were half the height.” He worked as an instructor of marketing at Appalachian State University, then pursuing his Ph.D. in business at Duke University.

He was the first person to enroll and graduate from Duke’s new doctoral program in business.

After earning his doctorate in 1985, Puto served five years on the faculty at the University of Michigan, teaching undergraduate, MBA and doctoral students. He spent the next 10 years at the University of Arizona as associate dean and director of the MBA program, director of doctoral studies in marketing, and professor of marketing and psychology.

Then, he received a call from a recruiter to be a dean at Georgetown University, the country’s oldest Catholic and Jesuit university, located in Washington, D.C. “What attracted Georgetown to me was my degree from Spring Hill College,” Puto said. “They knew I knew very well what Jesuit education was all about, and that was important to them.” During his tenure at Georgetown, he served as professor of marketing and dean of The McDonough School of Business, created a comprehensive strategic planning process for the school, and raised $80 million in the first three years of a $150 million capital campaign.

Dr. Christopher P. Puto, center, joins the ranks of Mobile’s leaders of faith, learning and service, represented by the Most Reverend Thomas J. Rodi, Archbishop of Mobile, left, and Spring Hill Chancellor Rev. Greg Lucey, S.J., at right.

www.shc.edu

19

“Each one of our students is an individual in terms of their own soul and their own psyche.

And, yet, as I interact with our students on a daily basis, in each of them there is arguably a piece of me

because I am of Spring Hill.”

– Dr. Christopher P. Puto

In 2002 he got an “intriguing opportunity” to help build the business school at the University of St. Thomas, a Catholic, liberal arts college in St. Paul, Minn. As the Opus Distinguished Chair in the Opus College of Business, he designed and introduced the university’s first full-time MBA program and first full-time M.S. in Accountancy program, as well as redesigned the flagship evening MBA program.

“There are a bunch of keys in my career and each one is involved in plain old good luck,” Puto said, reflecting on his varied corporate and academic accomplishments. “Everything from getting my MBA, my assignment in Vietnam, moving so quickly into the sales role at Burger King, and then at the University of Arizona, the opportunity at Georgetown – it really was just being there at the right time.”

Puto had planned to retire from the University of St. Thomas, “settling down somewhere and just enjoying retirement.” But, as luck would have it, the folks at Spring Hill College had other plans.

20

Spring Hill College Magazine

Winter 2015-16

‘I am of Spring Hill’

The Rev. Gregory F. Lucey, S.J., then president of Spring Hill, met Puto in 2003, when Puto was the dean at Georgetown. Lucey invited him to serve on the SHC Board of Trustees, and he did so until 2012.

In fall 2014, Puto received a call from the search committee that he had been nominated to be a candidate for presidency. He was surprised at the nomination, to say the least, as he was neither a Jesuit nor a priest. However, he learned that the College’s charter had been changed since he was a trustee, and a layperson could become president.

Puto went through the interview process, and in early February 2015 he was offered the job. His response to the offer: “I couldn’t be happier.”

Puto assumed the presidency on June 1, 2015.

Having been at Georgetown in 2001 when John J. “Jack” DeGioia became the first lay president of a Jesuit university in the United States, Puto saw firsthand what it would take to be successful in the role.

“The first year is one of learning, and I’m learning

And, just for fun…

Q&A with Dr. Christopher P. Puto everything I need to know about the intricacies of how Spring Hill works and what’s on people’s minds,” Puto said. “So, I’ve been traveling, meeting lots of people, and I’m trying to touch every piece of the College as quickly and as deeply as I can.”

As part of the strategic planning process, 49 units of faculty, staff and student leaders spent the fall semester conducting in-depth situation analyses on every facet of the College. With the goal of becoming the premier Jesuit, Catholic, liberal arts, residential college in the country, Puto said it’s crucial to understand first what the College does well and what areas need improvement.

Puto is also committed to maintaining and strengthening the College’s Jesuit and Catholic identity. Every five years, the College will provide a report to the Jesuit superior general in Rome of all the activities and programs that connect students, faculty and staff with Jesuit education and spirituality, so the superior general can evaluate and reaffirm the College’s ongoing commitment to its Jesuit heritage. Puto said the College plans to actively recruit more Jesuits – both young and advanced in their formation – to further enhance the Jesuit presence on campus and in the community.

Although the campus has changed since he was a student, Puto said the sense of community and the connection that students have with faculty and staff haven’t changed. “There are parts of this campus that I could walk blindfolded and know exactly where I am,” he said, “and other parts that are totally new to me and exciting and different. That’s an interesting juxtaposition for me.”

As for today’s students, Puto may not relate to every aspect of their lives on the Hill, but he can certainly see himself in them. After all, he, too, is a product of the Spring Hill experience. “Each one of our students is an individual in terms of their own soul and their own psyche. And, yet, as I interact with our students on a daily basis, in each of them there is arguably a piece of me because I am of Spring Hill,” Puto said. “So, I couldn’t feel more comfortable than I do right here with our students.

They are just fabulous.”

If you could live in a book, TV show or movie, what would it be? I think, Star Trek. They discovered

and dealt with so many new and unexplained things that required them to produce thoughtful and innovative solutions.

What words of wisdom would you pass on to your childhood self? The world in which we live is an exciting

place. Be open to new ideas and new opportunities, but use your judgment to then determine which are worth pursuing and which are better off ignored.

If you could master one skill you don’t have right now, what would it be? I cannot sing, but I wish I could.

If you could have one superpower, what would it be and how would you use it? Flawless wisdom. I

would use it to accomplish our goals without accidentally/ unintentionally causing discomfort to others.

How would you survive a zombie apocalypse? First, I would try to be invisible. Then I would begin to pray. :-)

What makes you happiest? This could seem ingenuous, but at my age and stage in life I am happiest when I have been able to help someone achieve their goals/dreams.

Many of my own have already been achieved. That said, I am always happy when I have hit a good golf shot and when I end up with a good golf score. :-)

If you could abolish one piece of modern technology, what would it be and why? It is not really a

piece of technology, but rather an outcome of technology.

I wish our “instant communications” were less intrusive and that the pressure to be available 24/7 for instantaneous responses was less present.

What’s your favorite …

Food: Broiled Florida lobster Place: The country of Austria Movie: Walt Disney’s “Bambi” Book: “Heroic Leadership” by Chris Lowney TV show: “Hogan’s Heroes,” “McHale’s Navy” and “MASH” Band/Singer: Elvis Presley (from the ’50s and early ’60s), Harry Belafonte and Bob Marley; also, Kenny G. and the new age musical group Hiroshima. www.shc.edu

21

excerpts from The Inaugural address of Christopher P. Puto, Ph.D. ’64, 37th president of Spring Hill College September 17, 2015

Inauguration Committee Co-Chairs Maureen Bergan Dr. Jennifer Good Dr. Sharee Broussard Hamilton Carrio Dr. Samantha Church Chris Hughes Billy Kavula Colleen Lee Jim Love Mandi Moore Joy Morris Dr. Charles Mosteller Becky Shirley Todd Warren Sharon Williams

22

Spring Hill College Magazine

Archbishop Rodi, Provincial Fr. Mercier, members of the Spring Hill College Board of Trustees, members of the Spring Hill Jesuit community, faculty, staff, students, Spring Hill alumni and distinguished guests: I am deeply humbled and greatly honored to accept this appointment as the 37th president of this College we love so dearly. I am deeply humbled by the awesome responsibility with which you have entrusted me. I am greatly honored by your confidence that I can succeed in this monumental role and undertaking.

In one of my first actions as president, I want to thank the members of the Inauguration Committee for the truly Herculean job they have done in managing every aspect of this two-day celebration. Each deserves our gratitude and our commendations for a job wonderfully well done! (See sidebar.)

As the first non-Jesuit president since the Jesuits assumed responsibility for the College in 1847, I want to reiterate my commitment to sustaining our Catholic identity and to nurturing our longstanding partnership with the Jesuits. I promise you that none of this will change.

We will always be a Catholic college fully committed to the Jesuit tradition of educational excellence in forming responsible leaders in learning, faith, justice and service to others. Another question on some people’s minds is whether I will take us back to my graduation era of 1964. And, my unequivocal answer is “No,” we are going to build the Spring Hill College of 2064.

Interestingly, the values I experienced as a student here in 1964: That the purpose of a Jesuit education is to provide knowledge to be put to use Ad majorem Dei gloriam inque hominum salutem – for the greater glory of God and the well-being of humankind – these were the same values in place here in 1864 and will be firmly in place for those who graduate from here in 2064. We will continue to educate the whole person – mind, body, and spirit – what we all know as Cura Personalis. We will use technology – not to deliver education – but rather to enhance the educational experience that is unique to a Catholic, Jesuit, liberal arts, residential college.

This beautiful campus is the home of a vibrant residential college community. Every September, we welcome young women and men who only four years earlier were completing the eighth grade and who four years from now will go forth as emerging, responsible leaders committed to using their extensive knowledge to make our world a better and more just place through medicine, science, law, education, the arts, literature, business, philosophy, theology – to name just a few of the lifetime pursuits for which our graduates are well-prepared.

Winter 2015-16

President to President with SGA President Conner Bueche

Spring Hill SGA President Conner Bueche, standing at left, and SGA Vice President Jenia Bello, right, welcomed Dr. Christopher P. Puto on behalf of the student body at the Inauguration.

Spring Hill College Magazine sat down with SGA President Conner Bueche to get his thoughts on the inauguration of the College’s first lay president, as well as the advice he’d offer Dr. Puto in his first year at the College.

While Conner Bueche didn’t have any idea that his term as SGA president would include speaking at a presidential inauguration in September 2015, he was happy to welcome Dr. Christopher P. Puto on behalf of the students with a speech that focused on growth, success and prosperity.

The business student from Baton Rouge also sees the inauguration of Spring Hill’s first lay president as a positive step for the college. “We love the Jesuits,” Bueche stressed. “That won’t ever change. That’s rooted in our experiences at Spring Hill College.”

What’s exciting, he says, is bringing in a president who has experience in the business world.

“It makes him a little more relatable in that sense,” Bueche said, noting the students have warmly welcomed Dr. Puto. SHC’s new leader is a regular at Badger sporting events. “When they score, he jumps,” said Bueche. “His passion and excitement for the whole college is so contagious.”

As Spring Hill enters its third century, the college is working hard to ensure its legacy. “He wants the traditions to stay, but understands it needs to grow and change,” Bueche said. “He understands what this College is, and where it can go. He has firsthand experience with the College; he’s been in the real world and can see where it can go. He knows what needs to be done and how to do it.”

As the voice for the student body, Bueche meets with Dr. Puto twice a month—at Dr. Puto’s request.

“He wants to be sure the students are happy here,” said Bueche. “It’s always refreshing to hear someone who understands this is our home. We eat here; we sleep here.”

From one president to another, Bueche’s best advice for Dr. Puto is simple: good communication. In this sense, Bueche said, the new president follows the Ignatian principle of obedience, of discerning before taking action.

Dr. Puto is focused on making relationships, he said, then talking about the issues. “It’s very Ignatian-like,” Bueche explained. “Until you know where someone’s coming from, you can’t help them get to where they need to go.”

www.shc.edu

23

Reaching Out to Humanity

At the inauguration of Dr. Christopher P. Puto in September, Dr. Leigh Ann Litwiller Berte extended greetings to those gathered on behalf of the Spring Hill College faculty.

Dr. Litwiller Berte is an associate professor of English and writing; she was also honored as the 2015 Teacher of the Year.

Serving as president at Spring Hill College is no small feat. It requires a multitude of skills and the ability to balance a number of different college communities: students, faculty, administrators, alumni, donors and friends.

“The fact that Dr. Puto has first-hand experience with each of these constituencies offers excellent preparation for his leadership at Spring Hill,” explained Associate Professor of English and Writing Dr. Leigh Ann Litwiller Berte. “Further, his Jesuit educational background ensures that he will fulfill his many duties with the heart and disposition so central to our mission.”

One comment made by Spring Hill’s new president in his opening address to the faculty piqued Dr. Litwiller Berte’s attention. “Dr. Puto is the first person, in my ten years here, that I have heard complete the phrase Ad majorem Dei gloriam—the Jesuit motto meaning ‘For the greater glory of God.’ He includes the second part of the phrase—inque hominum salutem, which means ‘and the salvation of mankind.’ What we do here is not just for the greater glory of God, but also to reach out to humanity,” said Dr. Litwiller Berte. “That spoke greatly to me about his engagement with Jesuit values and the Jesuit tradition.”

Excerpted from Dr. Litwiller Berte’s speech at the Inaugural ceremony:

As a professor of American literature and a student of poetry, I could not help but think of famous inauguration poems on an occasion like this. Robert Frost read “The Gift Outright” at John F. Kennedy’s Inauguration; Elizabeth Alexander read her poem “Praise Song for the Day” at Barack Obama’s inauguration.Today, I’d like to close with a few words from a lesser known inaugural poem—written by James Dickey and read at the Kennedy Center gala celebration on the day of Jimmy Carter’s inauguration.The title of the poem is “The Strength of Fields” and the final lines of the poem perfectly capture a sense of optimism and a re-dedication to our core values at Spring Hill College that is appropriate for a new beginning. Dickey writes: Lord, let me shake With purpose. Wild hope can always spring From tended strength. Everything is in that.

That and nothing but kindness. More kindness, dear Lord Of the renewing green. That is where it all has to start: With the simplest things. More kindness will do nothing less Than save every sleeping one And night-walking one Of us.

24

Spring Hill College Magazine

Winter 2015-16

My life belongs to the world. I will do what I can.

ALUMNI News Alumni, friends, faculty, staff, and students all come together for the Mass of the Holy Spirit in St. Joseph Chapel to kick off the inaugural ceremonies of Dr. Christopher P. Puto ‘64.

ALUMNI NEWS | Chapter Updates

BATON ROUGE ALUMNI AND FRIENDS GATHER FOR PRESIDENTIAL RECEPTION

Alumni and friends met at the home of Chris ’91 and Krista ’92 Valluzzo to meet Dr. Christopher Puto, Spring Hill College’s new president.

CENTRAL FLORIDA ALUMNI MEET

Central Florida Badger alumni socialized at the Citrus Club.

Pictured top (l-r): Alyse Quinn ‘10 and Lauren McCarthy ’11. Pictured bottom (l-r): Jim Lane ‘63, John Lane ‘64, Lauren McCarthy ‘11, Alyse Quinn ‘10, Anna Roberts and Chris Roberts ‘83.

CHICAGO ALUMNI CONNECT

Chicago area Badgers gathered at the Lincoln Park Stadium Bar & Grill.

Pictured top (l-r): Patrick Seiter, Kurt Bueche, Kema Bueche, Angele Davis-Kelly ‘90, Dr. Christopher Puto, and Skip Rhorer. Pictured middle: a gathering of friends and alumni; Picture bottom (l-r): Krista Valluzzo `92, Dr. Christopher Puto and Chris Valluzzo `91.

26

Spring Hill College Magazine

Winter 2015-16

Pictured (l-r): Danny Zekert ‘14, Pat Dolan ‘12 and Katie Pendergast ‘12.

see more photos at www.facebook.com/SHCNationalAlums

ST. LOUIS PRESIDENTIAL RECEPTION

Alumni and friends met at the home of Jerry ’71 and Suzzie ’72 Carmody to meet Dr. Christopher P. Puto ‘64, Spring Hill College’s new president.

Pictured left (l-r): Jerry Carmody, Dr. Puto and Suzzie Carmody; pictured top right (l-r): Kristi Sobbe Richter ‘93, Jimmy Dunn, ‘79, Tim Cherre ‘79, Michelle Cherre, and Anne Dielschneider ‘93; pictured bottom right (l-r): Peggy Wellington ‘72, Sue Aubuchon ‘69, Al Graf, and Mary Ann Graf ‘71.

MOBILE FRIENDS AND ALUMNI GET “SNEAK PEEK” AT PORTIER PLACE

Mobile area alumni came ‘back to school’ to meet new president Dr. Christopher Puto and get a preview of the College’s newest residence hall, Portier Place.

Pictured top right (l-r): The Honorable Jill Phillips ‘96 and Fr. Greg Lucey, S.J.; Pictured bottom left: Dr. Puto speaks to alumni, friends, staff and faculty at the “sneak peek” of Portier Place; Pictured bottom right (l-r): Dan Elcan ‘80, Br. Ferrell Blank, S.J., Cory Bronenkamp ‘11 and Christopher Williams ‘07.

www.shc.edu

27

ALUMNI NEWS | Class Notes

1960s

Max Blake ’64 fully retired in July 2015 after 32 years in his family-owned business dealing with team and retail sporting goods. This followed his wife Jean’s ’64 retirement in 2013.

They now plan to relocate to the Washington, D.C., area where both Max and Jean have family.

Dr. Tony Dean ’66 was recently appointed as Senior Vice President for Research and Technology Transfer at the Colorado School of Mines in Golden, Colo. Prior to that, he was Dean of the College of Applied Science and Engineering. He continues to maintain an active research group that focuses on developing detailed kinetic mechanisms for pyrolysis and combustion of fossil and renewable fuels.

William J. O’Donnell ‘68 qualified for and completed the 2015 Boston Marathon at age 70. His qualifying marathon was four hours and five minutes. He also qualified for and completed the 1980 (age 35) and 1985 (age 40) Boston Marathons with qualifying marathons of 2:54 and 2:58, respectively.

1970s

Bryan Bertucci ’72 of Chalmette, La., was honored

by Alpha Sigma Nu, the Jesuit Honor Society, as part of its centennial year celebration.

28

Spring Hill College Magazine

John A. Hendry DDS, ’72 of Lafayette, La., received the Distinguished Alumnus Award from LSU School of Dentistry.

Rev. Francis “Billy” Huete, S.J., ’76 transferred from Jesuit College Prep in Dallas, Texas, to Loyola University in New Orleans where he serves as Rector of the Jesuits. He also teaches freshman theology at Jesuit High School.

Cindy ‘77 and Gerry ’77 Castille celebrated their 39th wedding anniversary on August 14, 2015.

They have two grandchildren: Brady, 5, and Lindsay, 3, with another one on the way.

Jay York ’77 was appointed as a Mobile County District Court Judge on June 15, 2015, by Alabama Governor Robert Bentley.

Taylor Henry ‘79 was honored in Buffalo, N.Y., on June 26, 2015, with a First Place Award for Best Ad Copywriting from the Catholic Press Association of the United States and Canada.

Taylor, Director of Public Affairs and Media Relations for the Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA, based in Washington, D.C., received the award for an advertisement promoting the archdiocese’s annual November benefit. The Catholic Press Association of

Winter 2015-16

the United States and Canada represents 762 member publications, organizations, and individual media professionals throughout the two countries.

1980s

Trustee Tom Byrne Jr. ‘82 and trustee Donal Godfrey, S.J., heard Pope Francis’s New Year’s message, “Peace is always possible,” in St. Peter’s Square.

George Zoghby ’88 and Lindsay Coulter were married July 18, 2015, at St. Joseph Chapel.

1990s

Susan Stimson ’93 is now the Senior Manager of Customer Marketing with PepsiCo in Atlanta, Ga. The Rev. Lisa C. Flores ‘96 and David Musser of New Orleans were married on June 20, 2015, in Dallas, Texas, at Saint Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church.

Paul Kalifeh ’96 is a senior counsel in Salesforce.com’s legal department in San Francisco, Calif., specializing in cloud transactions in the Alliances group.

Jill Phillips ’96 was appointed as a Mobile County District Court Judge on August 14,

send us your news and photos at alumni@shc.edu

2015, by Alabama Governor Robert Bentley.

Horacio J. Wheelock ’97 was appointed to the Fourth Judicial District Court of Nebraska

by Nebraska Governor Pete Ricketts on September 11, 2015.

Brian Lauten ’97 of Dallas, Texas, was selected to the 2015 Texas Super Lawyers list for the second consecutive year.

Jennifer Scalici ’99 of Mobile was recently honored by Alpha Sigma Nu, the Jesuit Honor Society, as part of its centennial year celebration.

2000s

Patrick T. Wittenbrink ’00 of St. Louis, Mo., an associate at Carmody MacDonald, P.C., received the “2015 Up & Coming Lawyers” award from Missouri Lawyers Weekly.

Jonathan ’02 and Mary Wallace Shaver welcomed their son, Jonathan David Shaver, Jr., into the world on August 13, 2015, in New Orleans, La. Sarah Kolb ’03 has joined Christ the King School in Daphne, Ala., as the new junior high math teacher.

Alumni spotlight MAKING CONNECTIONS THAT LAST A LIFETIME Dr. Danielle Cruthirds ‘99

by Rinda Mueller

Having grown up in the area and having a father who is a Spring Hill College alumnus (class of 1970), Danielle Cruthirds was familiar with the southern Jesuit campus.

When she came for a visit though, she was amazed at how beautiful it was. There was a warm and welcoming atmosphere. “Once you enter the gates, you feel like you are in another world. It’s a great place to start living on your own,” she said.

Majoring in biology, the one professor who had the greatest impact on her was Dr. Pat Macnamara. He was known for challenging his students to strive to be excellent, not just acceptable. Outside of the classroom, he was known to be a wonderful mentor, both personally and professionally. “He was the one who planted the seed in my head about pursuing a graduate degree.” Danielle went on to say, “Dr. Mac always made time for his students. After graduation, it was always a highlight to run into him around town.”

Following graduation from Spring Hill, Danielle attended the University of Alabama at Birmingham where she received her Ph.D. in Pharmacology. After a few years of working in biomedical research, she accepted a position at the McWhorter School of Pharmacy at Samford University (Birmingham, Ala.) and is currently an associate professor with primary teaching responsibilities in the pharmaceutical sciences of pathophysiology courses. She also serves as a site team evaluator for the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education, the accrediting body for pharmacy schools.

If Danielle could speak to students who might be considering attending Spring Hill she would like them to know they will not be disappointed. “A strong educational background is key to success in life.

You don’t get a chance to redo your first college experience. Spring Hill does not leave you once you walk across that stage. There are so many people you will meet along the way in life that are either Spring Hill graduates or are affiliated with someone who is. These are the connections that become invaluable as you pursue a career and life down the road.”

www.shc.edu

29

ALUMNI NEWS | Class Notes

Ingrid Alvarado ’05 of New Orleans, La., was recently honored by Alpha Sigma Nu, the Jesuit Honor Society, as part of its centennial year celebration.

Sorority Life at the University of Texas at Dallas.

2010s

Kelsey Berry ‘11 and Zach Sheridan were married October 10, 2015, at St. Joseph Catholic Church in St. Louis, Mo. They reside in Overland Park, Kan.

Amy Wendel Franklin ’05 and her husband Chris welcomed their first child, Lucy Alonna Franklin, on February 19, 2015, in New Orleans, La. Katheryn Overturf Patterson ’06 earned her doctoral degree in Environmental Science and Public Policy from George Mason University last summer.

Katheryn was selected as a finalist for the 2016 class of the Sea Grant Knauss Marine Policy Fellowship in Washington, D.C., where she has been recommended for an executive placement.

Ty ’07 and Timmie ’07 Hathorn welcomed their child, Willa Reese Hathorn, on October 29, 2015, in Dallas, Texas.

Lindsey Staiger ’08 is the People Manager at Federated Sample, helping to build out the Internal Operations Department at a technology start-up in New Orleans, La. Abbey Lynn Angelle ‘09 and Michael Bolton McDermott, Jr. ’09 were married at the Cathedral of Saint John the Evangelist in Lafayette, La., on October 17, 2015.

Kevin Saberre Jr. ’09 became the Director of Fraternity and

30

Spring Hill College Magazine

Elizabeth “Lizzie” Coppejans ‘11 and Alex Del Rio ‘11 were married June 7, 2014, in St. Joseph Chapel.

Wendi Williford ’11 was hired as Technical Operations Analyst for Bluetooth SIG. Matthew Jordan ’12 graduated with master’s degree in American History concentrating in Cold War Politics.

Margaux M. Bodet ‘13 and Matthew Golden were married on June 20, 2015, at St. Joseph Chapel.

Marie Booth ’14 and Cale Finta were married on October 10, 2015, at St. Joseph Chapel.

Olivia Jennings ‘14 and Ben Butera ’13 were married on June 13, 2015, at St. Joseph Chapel.

Elizabeth Neal ’14 is a Senior Associate after finishing training at Edward Jones in St. Louis, Mo. Matthew Keller ‘15 accepted the Sigma Chi 2015 International Balfour Award

Winter 2015-16

(IBA) at the August 1, 2015, closing ceremony of the Balfour Leadership Training Workshop at Bowling Green State University in Bowling Green, Ohio.

Sami Maurer ‘15 started her own t-shirt business in St. Louis, Mo., named Trendy Doll Clothing Company.

Visit her Etsy shop online at https://www.etsy.com/shop/ SamiMaurerDesigns.

Megan St. Germain ’15 accepted a position at St. Joseph’s Academy in Baton Rouge, La., as a part of its Mission Advancement Team.

we want to hear from you!

Please let us know what you’re up to.

Email your news and photos to alumni@shc.edu or submit your Class Note online at www.shc.edu/ alumni.

send us your news and photos at alumni@shc.edu

In Memoriam Douglas Swayze ‘42 Edward J. Moylan ‘43 William A. Haupt ‘44 Francis F. McInnis ‘48 Dr. Sidney C. Phillips, Jr. ‘49 Walter Dorsch ‘50 Allen E. Honeycutt, Sr. ‘50 Dante J. Mangini ‘50 Lt. Col. Malcolm H. Geoghegan, USA Ret. ‘51 Donald E. Mowe ‘51 Albert E. Reynolds, Jr. ‘52 Anthony M. Skivo, Jr. ‘52 William H. Taylor, Jr. ‘53 James F. Donovan, Jr. ‘54 Luis Williams, Sr. ‘54 C. Ben Gladney, Jr. ‘55 S. J. Demeranville, Jr. ‘56 Carl H. Hartley ‘56 Thomas P. Langan, IV ‘56 Rev. Charles G. Coyle, S.J. ‘57 Richard F. Oen ‘57 Francis O’Hara ‘58 John Pierotti ‘58 Mary H. Bonaud ‘59 2nd Lt. John C. McCaffrey ‘59 Joseph M. Allen, Jr. ‘63 A. Bruce Dudley, Jr. ‘63 Susan M. Smith ‘63 Dr. Robert S. Baxter, M.D. ‘64 Mary C. Buhring ‘64 Kenneth L. Kaval ‘64 F. J. Zinn ‘65 Claude R. Putnam ‘67 Dr. R. Kirk Suttell ‘70 Lewis M. Harkey ‘71 Stephen W. Mudd ‘71 Ralph F. Patten, Jr. ‘72 Edward J. Lyons ‘73 Lyteria D. Jenkins ‘77 William D. Kane ‘86 Audrey Jaquay ‘89 E. Steven Croomes ‘96 Clay R. Cozart ‘98 James C. Bledsoe ‘99 Beth C. Ingersoll ‘99 Andrew R. Shotts ‘00 Stephanie Piggott ‘10 Wanda D. Robbins ‘12

Starring g raduates i n c lass years e n d i n g i n “1 ” an d “6”

www.shc.edu

31

PARENT SPOTLIGHT

Searching – and finding – just the right fit

Karen and Tom Novak of Weatherford, Texas, are active members of Spring Hill’s Parent Advisory Council.

With three college-aged children, Dr. Tom and Karen Novak visited 23 campuses looking for the right school. What attracted their daughter, Kim, to Spring Hill College was the small size, its location in the south and Catholic affiliation. “It was everything we were hoping for,” said Tom. “Everybody looks out for our daughter. It’s almost as if we have extended family over there.”

Kim, who is a sophomore and is a Badger Connection orientation leader, will participate in the Nicaraguan immersion trip over the 2016 Mardi Gras break. She plans to spend the fall 2016 semester at SHC’s Italy Center in Bologna.

Even though they live in Weatherford, Texas, Tom and Karen are involved in Spring Hill’s Parent Advisory Council. They also made a leadership gift to the Student Enhancement Project Fund to support career services.

Their involvement, the Novaks said, gives them the opportunity to make some small contribution, as well as meet people who interact with their daughter.

“We want to know who she’s talking about,” Tom said.

“We enjoy going back to visit and seeing people we know.

There’s no way we could do that if we just showed up, took our daughter out to dinner and went home. It’s fun to be involved. We’re somewhat envious of the faculty and staff at the College. It’s tough to be old and crabby when you’re around a bunch of young kids.”

Karen appreciates the involvement of the faculty and staff. “At Spring Hill, Kim has really come into her own,” said Karen. “She has great support from the faculty and other students. I have just fallen in love with Spring Hill.”

The Novaks happily recommend Spring Hill for students looking for a similar experience. “As a parent, if you want to be involved, you can,” said Tom. “If you don’t want to be involved with your kid’s education, it doesn’t matter where they go. If you care, if you want to know the people who are influencing your child on questions of morality, on big picture things, if that’s of interest to you, you should probably look at Spring Hill.”

To make a gift or learn more about the Student Enhancement Project Fund, contact Emily Fife at efife@shc.edu.

32

Spring Hill College Magazine

Winter 2015-16

GIVING

Planting a tree in whose shade you will never sit

by Rinda Mueller

“It is my responsibility to acknowledge my blessings by sharing them. This is not completely unselfish because I find that being able to give – whether it is of my time, my abilities or my resources – makes me very happy.”

When Mary Linda Portner and her parents arrived on campus for the first time in August of 1970, they were unfamiliar with the campus and ended up in front of Quinlan Hall. “If this is my dorm,” Mary Linda thought, “I’m going home!” Retelling the story 45 years later, she laughs “Quinlan Hall was a scary place in those days!”

Fortunately, Mary Linda’s freshman dorm room was in O’Leary Hall, so she decided to give Spring Hill College a try. She graduated in 1974 and has been one of Spring Hill College’s most faithful alumni ever since. Today, Mary Linda and her husband, Paul Fisher, live in Houston, Texas. She is the Director of Advancement at St. Pius X High School, and Paul is the Senior Business Development Director at WorleyParsons. Both are crusaders for education with a dedication that moved them to include their alma maters - Spring Hill College and the University of Texas at Austin - in their bequests.

Mary Linda is deeply passionate about the educational experience she received at Spring Hill College. “As a Jesuit college,” she says, “I believe the most important work of Spring Hill is to instill the values of the Jesuit charism in its students and to make those values integral to their lives.” More than 40 years after leaving the Hill, the principles of St. Ignatius are still a foundational part of her life.

Mary Linda sees a welcome responsibility in ensuring that these experiences and values transcend her generation, and she finds a source of great hope in the Millennials. “They are generous,”

she notes. “They find a variety of ways to give to others from crowdfunding to funding their own foundations. They are largely free from prejudice, and they are concerned about social justice and the environment. They are creative, outside-the-box thinkers. From my experience, professionally and personally, I believe the future is very hopeful.”

This inspiring hope for future generations is what motivates Mary Linda and Paul to give back, and they hope that fellow Badgers and friends of the College will do the same. Her message to those who love Spring Hill College is this: “Alumni and friends of the College should reflect upon what Spring Hill has meant to them – the influence it has had on the people they or their children have become; the friendships that have endured for a lifetime; the memories that are still fresh years after graduation; the Jesuit charism that has shaped their spiritual life. By making a planned gift to Spring Hill, alumni and friends of Spring Hill can continue to support the College, which has meant so much to them in their lifetimes. Making a planned gift is sometimes described as planting a tree in whose shade you will never sit. But we all – alumni especially – have had the good fortune to sit in the sheltering shade of Spring Hill College. It is our responsibility to ensure that future generations of students enjoy the same privilege.”

For information on how you can include Spring Hill in your estate plans, please contact Rinda Mueller at 251380-2285 (direct), 251-422-5908 (cell), or Rmueller@shc. edu. Or, visit our website, www.shc.edu/giving.

www.shc.edu

33

GIVING | Friends of the SHC Library

Friends of the Spring Hill College Library charter member Patrice Baur presented a check representing the Friends’ lifetime contributions to Spring Hill College.

Then-President Rev. Greg Lucey, S.J., acknowledged their generosity at the annual dinner in May 2015.

FRIENDS OF SHC LIBRARY CELEBRATE 25 YEARS OF GIVING Everyone could use a friend like the Friends of the Spring Hill College Library. Established in 1990, the organization has raised more than $500,000 for the library in its 25-year history. In 2015, in celebration of its quarter-century of service to Spring Hill College, the Friends presented the Burke Memorial Library with a $25,000 gift to be used to enhance library services.

“The Burke Library is truly fortunate to have the Friends support its mission of providing collections and space for teaching, learning and research at Spring Hill College,” said Gentry Lankewicz Holbert ‘91, Director, Library & Information Resource Services at the Burke Memorial Library.

Since 1990, the Friends have made significant contributions to education at Spring Hill College.

34

Spring Hill College Magazine

Winter 2015-16

Some of the many projects made possible by the Friends include the Rare Book Room, the Mobile Collection, software and equipment upgrades, E-books, furniture and, of course, books.

All of this was made possible through numerous fundraising projects including the Memorial & Honoree Book Program, the Book Nook used book store in the library, Bibliophile Book Sales and the Annual Book Auction, part of the Annual Dinner celebration.

In addition, the Friends published, marketed and sold five books: the late Dr. Charles Boyle’s Twice Remembered, Sound Mind, Sound Body and Gleanings; a blank book produced by charter board member Patrice Baur; and Fr. Ryan’s Poems, edited by Bob Bahr.

#PURPLEUP | Badger Pride #PURPLEUP is a spirit campaign on campus to promote pride in our College. We started the campaign this summer with Badger Connection (orientation) and consistently encourage faculty, staff, students and families to “purple up” or wear purple on Fridays to show their support. At its basic level, it gives students a reason to show pride in SHC and a reason to wear purple.

–Mike Freyaldenhoven, Director of Student Involvement

Non-Profit Org. U.S. Postage PAID Spring Hill College

4000 Dauphin St.

•

Mobile, AL 36608-1791 • www.shc.edu

“A gift opens the way and ushers the giver into the presence of the great.” –Proverbs 18:16

National give day 2016 24 Hours of Giving: MARCH 18-19, FEAST OF ST. JOSEPH