BC professor among first selected to use James Webb telescope

By Catherine Halbmaier Special

to The Leaven

ATCHISON — After decades of setbacks, NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) is finally operational. Despite high demand, one Benedictine College professor here found himself among the first round of those allowed to conduct research with the telescope.

Astronomy professor Christopher Shingledecker says he has been preparing for this opportunity since graduate school. Over the summer months, his research will continue with the help of a student intern. Shingledecker and his team hope to study the formation of solar systems, gaining a better understanding of how they came into being.

“What we are looking at is starforming regions with JWST,” Shingledecker said. “So, these are the regions of molecular clouds which are collapsing, forming stars, and around the stars, solar systems. Baby stars and baby solar systems — so sort of like the egg and the egg yolk.”

Shingledecker’s research seeks to understand the formation of complex molecules in space. This will lead to a better understanding of our solar system and others, according to Shingledecker.

“What we’re looking at are developing star systems,” said Shingledecker. “You can think of it like bricks. A solar system is like a building made of bricks. Well, what we’re studying is the mud from which you make those bricks and how that affects the resulting building.

“So, what we want to know is: How does the material from which a solar system forms affect what that solar system will look like? We want to know how those are connected so we can better understand what’s out there.”

The James Webb Space Telescope allows Shingledecker’s team to look into these star-forming regions. Shingledecker described the role of stardust in the formation of molecules.

“Stardust is kind of like a train depot,” said Shingledecker. “It serves as an important hub for chemistry, as it turns out, in molecular science. The

James Webb Space Telescope gives us an X-ray view into the depot. We can see which molecules are hiding out there. There are still mysteries remaining.”

Shingledecker is not alone in this endeavor, nor is he the only Catholic to be involved with the James Webb Space Telescope. Others include Michael T Menzel, JWST mission systems engineer at NASA, and Massimo Robberto, branch lead of NIRCam, the near-infrared camera of the JWST.

In addition to his peers, Shingledecker will enlist a student research assistant over the summer. Benedictine College junior Joseph Wandishin is an astronomy major from Denver. He looks forward to his research experience with the James Webb Space Telescope.

“I had always really liked physics from a young age, learning how things worked and applying that to the universe itself,” said Wandishin. “Astronomy is really an extension of physics for me. What I really love about astronomy is looking at a star and wondering, ‘OK, how does it work, how does it function, what rules is it governed by?’”

Wandishin has worked on research with Shingledecker since his freshman year. This is the latest of several projects he will assist with.

“I had a class with him freshman year,” said Wandishin. “My freshman year was [in the] fall of 2020, when they were threatening the lockdown. So, I was like, well, I don’t want to be bored, so I’ll just ask to do research.”

That simple request has turned into several summers of research experience for Wandishin. This summer, he hopes to explore possibilities for the future while in Atchison.

“I like a lot of things,” said Wandishin. “That’s one of the things I kind of want to figure out over the summer, talking to professors and trying to figure out what would be a good career path.”

With the help of Wandishin and his colleagues, Shingledecker hopes to continue this research into the summer and beyond.

“We still have more we need to observe, probably in the summer,” said Shingledecker. “But even after that, we’re hoping to continue this project. It will help us to solve this mystery.”

John and Irene (Buerck) Sheerin, members of St. Joseph Parish, Shawnee, will celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary with a Mass with their family on June 3 and then a trip with their children and grandchildren to Florida in July. The couple was married at Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church in Belgique, Missouri, on May 26, 1973. Their children are: James Sheerin, Eric Sheerin, Julia Chik and Michael Sheerin. They also have 14 grandchildren.

Ginny and Roland Bromert, members of Sacred Heart Parish, Ottawa, will celebrate their 60th wedding anniversary on May 25. The couple was married on May 25, 1963, at Sacred Heart. Their children are: Lauren Klimt, Katherine Schnieders and Jennifer Larson. They also have seven grandchildren.

Fred and Betty Knecht, members of Most Pure of Mary Parish, Topeka, will be celebrate their 60th wedding anniversary on June 1. The couple was married June 1, 1963, at St. Mary Church, Purcell. They have two sons: Michael Knecht, Henderson, Kentucky; and David Knecht, Overland Park. They also have five grandchildren.

David and Shirley Lamott, members of Mother Teresa of Calcutta Parish, Topeka, will celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary on May 28 with family and friends. The couple was married on May 5, 1973, at Most Pure Heart of Mary Church in Topeka. Their children are: Jeff Lamott, Overland Park; and Susan Kolstad, Bentonville, Arkansas. They also have six grandsons.

Ann and Ray Barthuly, members of Immaculate Conception Parish, St. Marys, will celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary on June 3 with a family dinner. The couple was married on June 1, 1973, at Immaculate Conception by Father Al Rockers. Their children are: Amy Grimes and Jodie Barthuly. They also have two grandchildren.

Carl and Dorothy (Dieker) Rolf, members of Corpus Christi Parish, Lawrence, will celebrate their 60th wedding anniversary on May 25. The couple was married on May 25, 1963, at Sacred Heart Church, Emporia. Their children are: Karen Rolf Cronin, Blue Springs, Missouri; Brian Rolf, Davenport, Iowa; and Jason Rolf, Wichita. They also have 11 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

Aquinas hosts bridge building contest

OVERLAND PARK — On April 1, St. Thomas Aquinas High School here hosted a model bridge building contest for Catholic grade school students from around the archdiocese.

The contest was designed to teach the sixth through eighth grade students basic engineering principles.

Each student was given 3/32” basswood, as well as the rules to construct a bridge spanning about one foot. The goal was for the students to create a bridge with the highest efficiency rating.

Lillian Schoenhofer, a seventh grader at St. Paul School in Olathe, was this year’s winner. She was awarded a $500 scholarship to Aquinas.

“I thought it sounded like fun,” Schoenhofer said about the contest. “I’ve never built a bridge before and honestly did not think I had any chance to win.”

Aquinas senior Brayden Bryer helped run the competition.

“I really enjoyed our bridge building competition because not only was it super fun to build and test bridges to find out what worked best,” he said, “but it was also an amazing opportunity for learning the mechanics behind real-life bridges.

“I really wanted the middle schoolers to have that same experience I did, because I know how much I would have appreciated it at their age.”

Sharon and Bill Buscher, members of Christ the King Parish, Topeka, will celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary on May 26. The couple was married on May 26, 1973, at St. Patrick Church, Kingman. They will celebrate by attending a Chicago Cubs game in Chicago this summer. Later, they will take a family vacation to California. Their children are: Jennifer Buscher, Los Angeles; Duane Buscher, Madison, Wisconsin; and Amy Buscher, Chicago. They also have four grandchildren.

Dennis and Joyce (Haug) Henry, members of Sts. Peter and Paul Parish, Seneca, will celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary on May 19. The couple was married May 19, 1973, at St. Mary Church in St. Benedict. They will take a family cruise to celebrate. Their children are: Kelley Engelken, Deanne Nilges and Loren Henry. They also have nine grandchildren.

Josie and Gary Bukaty, members of Holy Angels Parish, Basehor, will celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary on June 2. The couple was married on June 2, 1973, at Holy Angels. They have one son, Daniel, and a granddaughter. They will celebrate with a special vacation with family.

Mike and Jo Dee (Camerer) McGraw, members of Prince of Peace Parish, Olathe, will celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary on June 2. The couple was married at St. Rose of Lima in Columbus, by Father Charles Middleton. Their daughter is Jolie Nieto, Oak Park, Illinois. They also have one grandson. A family vacation to California will take place in June.

Marian (Holthaus) and Ray Rottinghaus, members of Sts. Peter and Paul Parish, Seneca, will celebrate their 60th anniversary on May 25. The couple was married on May 25, 1963, at Sts. Peter and Paul by Father Basil Finken, OSB. Their children are: Monica Woolsoncroft, Dean Rottinghaus, Renae Altenhofen, Jared Rottinghaus and Andrea Crager. They also have nine grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. The family is hosting an open house on May 28 from 2-4 p.m. at the couple’s home.

Debra (Potter) and Michael Beatty, members of Church of the Ascension, Overland Park, celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary on May 5. The couple was married at Holy Cross Church, Overland Park, on May 5, 1973. Their children are: Jennifer Gaguzis and Michael R. Beatty (deceased). They also have four grandchildren. The couple celebrated their anniversary last August with a family trip to Orlando, Florida.

Notice of abuse allegation

The archdiocese has received allegations of sexual abuse of a minor accusing former Bishop Miege High School, Roeland Park, coach, teacher and counselor William (Bill) Van Hecke.

Aquinas students have participated in the Kansas Society of Professional Engineers model bridge building competition for many years, and a student from Aquinas has won that competition for over 20 years in a row. If your school or middle school student is interested in competing next year, contact Rick Hetzel by email at: rhetzel@sta saints.net.

Van Hecke was hired in the fall of 1971 as an English teacher. In 1979, he began working as a school counselor. In these years, Van Hecke also held numerous coaching positions. Van Hecke resigned in 1999 and pled guilty in March 2002 of a crime related to conduct when he was employed at Bishop Miege. Recently, the archdiocese has become aware of and investigated two additional credible allegations accusing Van Hecke of sexual abuse of a minor. These allegations stem from the time frame in which Van Hecke was employed at Bishop Miege. Van Hecke has not served as an employee of Bishop Miege since his conviction.

The purpose of this announcement is to encourage anyone who may have been harmed by Van Hecke while he was employed by Bishop Miege to contact the authorities and then the archdiocesan confidential report line at (913) 647-3051. When addressing allegations of abuse, the archdiocese employs restorative principles, which is a survivor-led approach.

The Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas takes all allegations of misconduct by church personnel very seriously and works to respond to survivors’ needs with urgency, respect and compassion. We encourage anyone with knowledge about any misconduct by a church volunteer, employee, religious or clergy member — regardless of when the abuse may have occurred — to contact civil authorities first, and then make a report to our confidential report line at (913) 647-3051 or online at: www. archkck.org/reportabuse. We care about survivors of abuse. The number of the victim care advocate is (913) 298-9244.