VOICES - Benedictine€¦ · VOICES NEW PARTNERSHIP BenU offers early admission option for...

B E N E D I C T I N E U N I V E R S I T Y M A G A Z I N E

VOICES

N E W PA R T N E R S H I PBenU offers early admission option for undergrads

T E A C H I N G T H E N E X T G E N E R AT I O NProfessor uses Google gift to fund programming camp for girls

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IN ALL THINGS KNOWLEDGEEndowment Will Fund Chemistry ResearchThe David J. Rausch Chemistry

Endowment is close to meeting

its goal of $500,000.

MESA ATHLETICS

IN ALL THINGS COMPASSIONMission Fund Helps Students Finish Their DegreesThis newly established fund provides

assistance to students in need.

ATHLETICS UPDATE

CLASS NOTES

IN MEMORIAM

OUT & ABOUT WITH BENU ALUMNI

Steve Jobs once said, “Design is not just what it looks like and feels like. Design is how it works.”

When we started putting together this issue of Benedictine Voices, we had several conversations about its design. We live in a world where visuals are incredibly important to the art of telling a story and after much consideration, we decided it was time to change the look and feel of the magazine to something more contemporary.

Today’s technology efficiently delivers news stories to our desktops, laptops, and mobile devices with fewer words, larger images and greater speed. This influence has changed the way we consume information, so with this edition, we are unveiling a new look for Benedictine Voices that is more elegant, eye-catching and easier to navigate. We hope you like what you see.

It won’t take you long to notice two recurring themes in this issue – giving back and continually improving our precious University.

We open by honoring our most recent Alumni Achievement Award recipients for displaying leadership, philanthropy and innovation in their career fields.

Just a few pages later, we feature Manuel Barbosa, J.D., B.A. ’69, an immigrant who grew up to become a federal judge and recently was a speaker at our Founders’ Day event.

Our cover story is about a brave sophomore who is benefiting from BenU’s new early medical school admissions agreement with Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine, and on page 20, BenU professor Grace Mirsky, Ph.D, B.S. ’04 pays tribute to her father by creating opportunities for middle school girls.

Professor Emeritus David Rausch, Ph.D, B.S. ’62, who taught chemistry at BenU, shares his passion for the David J. Rausch Chemistry Endowment Fund, and our article about current student Michael Traversa, a beneficiary of the BenU Mission Fund, is heartwarming.

In the realm of sports, Emma Roberts went to the NCAA Division III Cross Country Championship, men’s track and field earned accolades at the NCAA Division III Indoor Championship, Nick Kapetanos was named an Academic All-American and Brayden Olsen was dubbed First Team-NACC.

We close out Voices juxtaposing a tribute to alumni we have lost during the last year with new, exciting updates from past students in the class notes section.

Please know how much I appreciate your support in sustaining the University’s Benedictine charism in the 21st century.

Regards,

Dr Michael BrophyPresident

ISSUEIN THIS

IN ALL THINGS TRANSFORMATIONAlumni Achievement AwardsIn March 2018, 13 notable alumni were

honored for their achievements.

IN ALL THINGS LEARNINGFrom Immigrant to Federal JudgeManuel “Manny” Barbosa, J.D., B.A.’69,

now a retired federal judge, has found a new

passion writing about his experiences.

IN ALL THINGS COMMITMENTPartnership Creates Opportunities for StudentsBenU students can apply for guaranteed

admission at Lake Erie College

of Osteopathic Medicine.

IN ALL THINGS COMMUNITYAlumna Engages Middle School Girls in Programming Grace Mirsky, Ph.D, B.S.‘04, a professor at BenU,

used a Google gift to create a camp for girls.

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Founders IN SUPPORT of THE BENEDICTINE

UNIVERSITY MISSION FUND

SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 29

2 0 1 8

B E N E D I C T I N E U N I V E R S I T Y

b e n . e d u / g a l a

The second annual Benedictine University

Founders’ Gala is an elegant evening of

dancing, dining and entertainment. The gala

supports our Mission Fund, which helps

students in need complete their Benedictine

University education. Your help is critical to our

mission and impacts the lives of so many.

Read more about one student who benefited fromthe Mission Fund on page 30.

For more details and to register, visit:ben.edu/gala

2018RED AND WHITE FOR LIFE

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 12GOLDEN EAGLES CELEBRATION

WOMEN’S VOLLEYBALL VS CUW, 7:00 P.M., RICE CENTER

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 13BLESSING OF BRICKS IN ALUMNI PLAZA, 10:00 A.M. Neff Alumni Center

ART FACULTY BIENNALE – MIXED MEDIA, 10:00 A.M. Art Show, Komechak Art Gallery

TAILGATING AT 10:30 A.M. – 1:30 P.M. Rice/Neuzil Parking Lot

WOMEN’S VOLLEYBALL VS MSOE, NOON Rice Center

FOOTBALL VS WISCONSIN LUTHERAN AT 1:00 P.M. Village of Lisle - Benedictine University Sports Complex

GAME HALFTIME HONOREESGolden Eagles, Class of 1968

WOMEN’S SOCCER VS MSOE, 5:00 P.M. Village of Lisle - Benedictine University Sports Complex

MEN’S SOCCER VS MSOE, 7:30 P.M.Village of Lisle - Benedictine University Sports Complex

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 14ST. PROCOPIUS ABBEYMass said for Alumni Intentions

HO

MEC

OM

ING


Christopher E. Birck, B.A.’88Chris has been the managing general partner

of Oak Street Investments, LP, a Delaware-

based venture firm, since 1999. He has also

served as chairman of Arrowsight, Inc., a

remote video auditing company, since 2001.

Chris graduated from Illinois Benedictine

College (IBC, now Benedictine University)

with a bachelor of arts in business and

economics in 1988. He also earned his master

of business administration from DePaul

University in 1993. He has been a member of

the University’s Board of Trustees since 2014.

On March 3, 2018, 13 accomplished alumni were honored with Alumni

Achievement Awards in the following categories: Distinguished Alumnus,

Visionaries or Rising Stars. These distinctions recognize alumni who display

leadership and innovation in their career fields, as well as a personal dedication

to philanthropic endeavors. Congratulations to all of the 2018 recipients!

Alumni Achievement

AWARDSDistinguished Alumnus

Aimee J. Allbritton, Ph.D.’11, M.S.’08Aimee is vice president of organization

development and chief learning officer

at Memorial Health System in Springfield,

Illinois. She earned her master of

science degree in management and

organizational behavior and her Ph.D.

in organization development from

Benedictine University at Springfield.

Aimee has presented nationally

and internationally as an expert

on executive leadership transitions

and has had her work published.

She is currently working on a book

that will assist health care leaders in

executive leadership transitions.

Richard C. Anderson, M.D., B.S.’88 Richard graduated magna cum laude

from IBC with a bachelor of science

in biochemistry in 1988, and earned

his medical degree from the Loyola

University Stritch School of Medicine

in Maywood, Illinois. He is a thoracic

surgeon with the Peoria Surgical

Group and holds multiple academic

positions with the University of Illinois

College of Medicine at Peoria. Richard

has received numerous accolades

and honors over his career, but he is

most proud of his three Golden Apple

awards for excellence in teaching.

Visionaries

Edward W. Dickson, B.A.’79Ed earned his bachelor of arts in political

science from IBC in 1979. In 1983, he

began a 25-year career with the Federal

Bureau of Investigation, where he worked

significant administrative and criminal

investigations in several field offices. In

2012, New Jersey Governor Chris Christie

asked Ed to serve as the director of New

Jersey’s Office of Homeland Security and

Preparedness. He is now vice president

for global security at Johnson & Johnson

in New Brunswick, New Jersey.

J. Michael Pressimone, Ed.D. ’13Mike is the 14th president of Fontbonne

University in St. Louis, Missouri. He

earned his Ed.D. in higher education and

organizational change from Benedictine

in 2013. Over the course of his higher

education career, Mike has been an active

voice in issues of diversity and racial

justice. Each summer, he hosts a five-

week series of conversations between

white and black Catholics in St. Louis.

I N A L L T H I N G S T R A N S F O R M AT I O N


Michael M. Alebich, D.O., B.S.’07, Mike graduated from Benedictine

in 2007 with a bachelor of science

in health science. He attended

medical school at the Chicago

College of Osteopathic Medicine in

Downers Grove, Illinois, completed

his residency at Stroger Hospital

and Rush University Medical

Center in Chicago, and is now an

attending physician there. Mike’s

honors include the Medical Student

Teaching Award in 2015 and 2016,

and the Osler Award for Inpatient

Medicine Teaching in 2016.

Cynthia L.N. Baranoski, B.S.’95Cindy is one of the leading

pediatric special needs dietitians

in the field, creating and working

with the nutrition program and

interdisciplinary feeding clinic at

the regarded Easter Seals DuPage

& Fox Valley Pediatric Medical

Rehabilitation Center since 1999. She

graduated summa cum laude with a

bachelor of science in nutrition from

Benedictine in 1995, and a master

of science in nutrition from Northern

Illinois University in DeKalb in 1999.

Grace M. Mirsky, Ph.D., B.S.’04Grace earned her bachelor of

science in computer science from

Benedictine in 2004, as well as her

bachelor of science in computer

engineering from the Illinois Institute

of Technology the same year. She

went on to earn her master of

science and a Ph.D. in electrical

engineering from Northwestern

University in Evanston, Illinois. She

is now an assistant professor of

computer science at Benedictine.

For more about Grace, see page 20.

Brett J. Natarelli, J.D., B.A.’05 Brett earned a bachelor of arts in

political science from Benedictine

in 2005. Now a licensed attorney,

he handles a range of litigation

matters and provides compliance

advice related to mortgage

servicing issues. His clients include

banks, mortgage servicers and

other businesses with operations

regulated by federal consumer

finance laws. Since 2010, he has

been a board member of the Illinois

Mortgage Bankers’ Association,

and in 2016, he was honored with

a Best in the Business Award for his

representation of mortgage bankers.

Rising StarsHallie B. Nester, B.A.’00Hallie is the senior vice president of

marketing communications, fast-

moving consumer goods (FMCG) &

retail, North America at Nielsen. She

leads the team responsible for driving

the reputation of the Nielsen brand

in the United States. She earned

her bachelor of arts in writing and

publishing from Benedictine in 2000.

She then earned a master’s degree

in managerial communications from

University in Evanston, Illinois.

Torian A. Richardson, B.B.A.’99For 20 years, Torian has served as

an international thought leader

whose expertise rests in analytics,

culture and people development,

strategy, and stewardship. He

earned a bachelor of business

administration in finance degree from

Benedictine in 1999. He also earned

a master of public administration in

international development degree

from Tsinghua University in Beijing,

China. He has held a variety of

corporate leadership roles in finance,

education and transportation, with

general management responsibilities

of more than $80 million.

Nirav Ashok Shah, M.P.H. ’10 Nirav is a public affairs specialist

for the United States Department

of Agriculture (USDA), Food Safety

and Inspection Services (FSIS) in

Washington, D.C. and represents

FSIS at the Federal Emergency

Management Agency (FEMA). He

earned his master of public health

degree from Benedictine in 2010.

While fulfilling capstone requirements

for his graduate studies, Nirav

travelled in the rural villages of

Kenya to help prevent the spread

of HIV/AIDS and participated in a

2010 mission trip to Tanzania.

Bradley J. Weyer, B.B.A.’06Brad earned his bachelor of

business administration degree from

Benedictine in 2006. He is now the

senior director of business insights

& analytics for McDonald’s USA.

He currently oversees all business

case development, forecasting,

advanced analytics, strategic

business consulting and revenue

management for McDonald’s USA,

a $37 billion business unit. Some of

his career highlights include turning

around a low-performing region to

become a top five performer and

co-creating a new restaurant concept.

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T hree years ago, Manuel “Manny” Barbosa, J.D., B.A.’69

was asked to speak at a Benedictine University Founders’

Day event. The invitation was a great honor for him, and

he began planning what he was going to say months ahead of time.

Then, shortly before the event, he suffered a stroke. Rather than

bow out of the obligation, Manny decided to use it as a motivator

and prepared for the speech as part of his recovery therapy. He

worked hard to type it up himself, and then recited it about 20 times

each day with his therapist. The day of the big speech, Manny’s

friend and former roommate Gerald Hoffman, B.A.’69 (who was

also speaking at the event) wheeled him onstage, and Manny was

able to pay homage to his alma mater just as he had planned.

FEDERAL JUDGEFROM IMMIGRANT TO

“WITH THE PASSAGE OF TIME, MY LOVE FOR LEARNING HAS BECOME MORE PRONOUNCED.”

I N A L L T H I N G S L E A R N I N G Manny Barbosa has led a

long career as a lawyer,

judge, and now a writer.

1 1B E N E D I C T I N E U N I V E R S I T Y


Manny’s determination to be part of BenU’s Founders’ Day festivities speaks to his dedication to the University, which was called St. Procopius College when he attended. He attributes much of his success in life to the professors who mentored him there and the lifelong friends that he made. Now a retired U.S. Bankruptcy Court judge for the Northern District of Illinois, he has used the skills and love of learning he honed at BenU to become a published author.

The land of opportunityManny was born in San Luis Potosí, a city in central Mexico. His father lost his job as a truck driver when Manny was still a baby and brought his family across the Rio Grande to start over in Texas. For the first few years of his life, Manny was an undocumented immigrant whose family worked on a cotton farm.

“That’s where I launched my cotton-picking career,” he says with a laugh.

The Barbosa family became United States citizens after Manny’s younger sister was born when he was 5. At the time, when a family had an “anchor baby” born in the U.S., it could apply for legal immigration status. Manny’s family moved farther and farther north as migrant farmers, eventually ending

up in the Chicago suburbs, where his father took a job in construction in Elgin, Illinois. Manny attended two different Catholic high schools in the area and decided to continue his faith-based education at St. Procopius.

From the beginning, Manny was very focused on his chosen career. “He was one of the few people our freshman year who already knew what he wanted to do,” says Gerald, who first became friends with Manny when they were 14. “From the very beginning, he was going to be a lawyer.”

The question, then, was what would be his major for his undergraduate years? While political science seemed the conventional choice, Manny opted for a different route: literature. “The head of the literature department, Father Leo Vancura, made a big impact on me,” Manny says. “To this day, the things he said still resonate with me. Every class he would lean forward, take his fingers up to his head, and say, ‘Listen, you blokes — what you are confronted with here is the human condition. Through literature, you have the opportunity and privilege of meeting the greatest minds that ever lived.”After graduating from St. Procopius,

Manny plays a riff on his guitar for his wife, Linda.

I N A L L T H I N G S L E A R N I N G Manny holds a photo that was

taken of him and his family

and friends at Universidad de

Matahuala, where he received

an honorary doctorate. His

photo is part of the mural

in the upper right corner.



When BenU’s former administration building was demolished, Manny was presented with the molding from one of the rooms in that building. It now hangs above his computer at home as an added inspiration for his writing.

Manny couldn’t afford to attend law school full time, so he found jobs teaching — first in the Chicago suburbs, and then in the city itself. He attended night classes at The John Marshall Law School, graduating in 1977. His first job in his chosen profession was with the Kane County state’s attorney’s office, and then he joined a small general practice firm in Elgin. In 1980, Gov. James Thompson created the Illinois Human Rights Commission, a civil rights adjudication agency, and appointed Manny as its first chairman. During his 18 years in that role, Manny presided over hearings on cases alleging discrimination. In 1998, he was appointed to the Northern District U.S. Bankruptcy Court as a judge, where he spent the next 15 years.

A published authorAfter his retirement, Manny had the opportunity to return to the love of literature he honed while at St. Procopius College. “I think Father Leo’s influence started to come over me,” he says. “I always had a love of history, including my own family’s roots in the Mexican Revolution.”

In 2014, he published his first book: “The Littlest Wetback: From Undocumented Child to Federal Judge.” The book traces his lifetime journey — from crossing the Rio Grande through settling in the Chicago suburbs, attending St. Procopius College and, eventually, working for 15 years in his dream job as a judge. But it

also talks about his mother’s lineage and his family’s role in Mexico’s history. It was a labor of love — one that was buoyed by frequent trips to Mexico to research his book and spend time with family.

Manny has also written an unpublished play that’s a conversation between Abraham Lincoln and Benito Juarez, a former Mexican president who held power between 1858 and 1872 and became a symbol of Mexican nationalism. He’s currently working on a fictional novel inspired by a friend who struggled with posttraumatic stress disorder, drugs and alcoholism.

But, of course, he also spends plenty of time with his wife, Linda, and their three children and six grandchildren. And several times a year, he reunites with his fellow Class of ’69 alumni to catch up over golf or dinner. They call themselves the “Proco Men” and have remained close over the past five decades.

“I went to St. Procopius as a kid wondering if I would ever graduate from college,” he says. “But when I left there, I felt like I was ready to take on the world. I was fortified by some great people who had instilled in me knowledge, values and competence.”

“But when I left there, I felt

like I was ready to take on

the world. I was fortified by

some great people who had

instilled in me knowledge,

values and competence.”

Last year, the city of Elgin honored its former resident by naming a street after him.

I N A L L T H I N G S L E A R N I N G

V O I C E S M A G A Z I N E • S P R I N G 2 0 1 81 4


A lex Karwowska learned early the vital role that good

physicians play in our lives. Born to Polish immigrants,

she was primarily raised by her grandparents because

her parents were unable to care for her. While she was still

in high school, her grandfather developed leukemia and her

grandmother was diagnosed with Stage 4 cancer. Some of

the physicians they saw had a poor bedside manner, which

made the experience even more difficult for all of them.

PARTNERSHIP CREATES

OPPORTUNITIES FOR STUDENTS

A lex Karwowska learned early the vital role that good physicians play in our lives. Born to Polish immigrants, she was primarily raised by her grandparents because

her parents were unable to care for her. While she was still in high school, her grandfather developed leukemia and her grandmother was diagnosed with Stage 4 cancer. Some of the physicians they saw had a poor bedside manner, which made the experience even more difficult for all of them.

I N A L L T H I N G S C O M M I T M E N T

Alex Karwowska is looking

forward to medical school in

two years, thanks to BenU’s new

early medical school admission

agreement with Lake Erie

College of Osteopathic Medicine

(LECOM) in Erie, Pennsylvania.

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In addition to the LECOM

programs for medicine,

dentistry, and pharmacy,

BenU has a guaranteed

interview agreement for

future Doctor of Osteopathy

(D.O.) students who meet

academic and MCAT

standards with Marian

University’s College of

Osteopathic Medicine in

Indianapolis, Indiana. It

also has a dual-acceptance

program with Midwestern

University in Downers

Grove, Illinois, in which

high school students may

be accepted to study at

BenU for two years and then

directly enter Midwestern’s

pharmacy program.

At age 15, she was the victim of a sexual assault, which had a profound impact on her life as well. She spiraled into a deep depression and difficult period, but with her grandparents’ help, she emerged a stronger person with a new goal — to become an obstetrician and gynecologist so she could help sexual assault victims heal and provide compassionate care for women who are facing challenging times in their lives.

Alex, who just finished her sophomore year at Benedictine University, was thrilled to learn about BenU’s new early medical school admission agreement with Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine (LECOM) in Erie, Pennsylvania. Under the agreement, high school students and college freshmen and sophomores can apply to Lake Erie’s medical, dental or pharmacy program and be guaranteed admission — provided they maintain a good grade point average at Benedictine and take certain courses. Alex applied for the program and has become its first admitted student. “I visited Lake Erie and felt very good about the school,” says Alex. “Now, I can continue my education at Benedictine, and I don’t have to worry about taking the MCAT (Medical College Admissions Test) or going to all these other medical school interviews.”

A guaranteed futureGraduate school early admission programs are becoming a new trend among medical schools and undergraduate institutions. Students who have maintained a 3.5 out of 4.0 grade point average (GPA) in high school and scored at least 26 on the ACT or 1240 on the SAT can apply. They can use an easy online process to apply to both Benedictine and LECOM. Once they are accepted into the program, they can select any major at Benedictine, provided they take certain classes and maintain an overall 3.4 GPA, with a 3.2 GPA in science courses.

“At Benedictine, we have a long history of sending numerous students to medical school and dental school,” says Robin Pals Rylaarsdam, Ph.D., Acting Dean for the College of Science. “In particular, we’ve sent several students to LECOM over the years, and they do very well there. LECOM takes a whole-person approach to medicine, and that’s a perspective that resonates with many of our students.”

Once they are accepted to LECOM, students have the freedom to pursue other courses and programs at BenU, such as studying abroad their

junior or senior year or taking part in a concentrated research experience. Should they choose to take a different career path, they are not locked in to the agreement — but once they start applying to other medical, dental, or pharmacy schools, the early admission is no longer valid.

For her part, Alex is looking forward to an opportunity to broaden her horizons during her next two years at BenU. “It’s very expensive to prepare for the MCAT and travel to medical school interviews,” she says. “I’d much rather spend my last two years here working on myself as a person.”

Alex finds a quiet place to study in the BenUnion at the Krasa Student Center.

I N A L L T H I N G S C O M M I T M E N T

“Now, I can continue my

education at Benedictine,

and I don’t have to worry

about taking the MCAT or

going to all these other

medical school interviews.”

- Alex Karwowska Alex has used her time at BenU to foster her love of music.

Alexandra Karwoska fills her office hours in the lower level of the Krasa Student Center as a student senator at Benedictine University in Lisle, Ill.



ALUMNA ENGAGES Middle School Girls

in Programming

G race Mirsky, Ph.D., B.S.’04 feels that she can attribute much

of her success in life to her father. Despite the fact that she was one of only a few girls she knew who were pursuing advanced degrees in computer science, he encouraged her to stay the course. “My dad made me feel like I could do anything,” she says. “I feel like I owe it to him now to go out and do the same for others.”

Now a professor at Benedictine University — where she earned her bachelor’s degree in computer science in 2004 — she is paying tribute to her father’s legacy by creating opportunities for middle school girls who are interested in computer programming. Grace used a gift from technology company Google, LLC, to sponsor a weeklong LEGO robotics camp last June for girls in grades 6 through 8.

Coming back homeWhile Grace started her college career at a different, larger Catholic university, she transferred to BenU after just one semester because the classes were much too big. She was more comfortable at BenU, where the small class sizes allowed her to develop relationships with her professors — particularly Dr. Dan Nohl. “She was a very good student,” says Dr. Nohl. “We got along very well. She certainly had the work ethic necessary to obtain her Ph.D.”

“What set BenU apart for me was that the faculty were outstanding,” says Grace, who also earned a bachelor’s degree from Chicago’s Illinois Institute

of Technology in 2004 as part of the two universities’ dual degree program. “The assignments were challenging but enjoyable. After graduating from BenU, I went to Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois, for graduate school. That first year, I remember thinking, ‘I’m a really good programmer because I had such great teachers.’ I was definitely able to keep up with everyone.”

After earning her master’s degree and doctorate from Northwestern, Grace worked in the private sector for several years. But her goal had always been to come back to BenU, primarily because she had such fond memories of the computer science faculty and she wanted to be one of them. “I didn’t want to work for a school where the faculty’s lives were driven by research and grants,” she says. “If I was giving up a corporate job, I wanted to truly be teaching.”

A unique opportunityGrace began working as an adjunct professor at BenU in 2013, and in 2014 she became a full-time faculty member. Over the next couple of years, she began developing a relationship with Google

I N A L L T H I N G S C O M M U N I T Y

Alumna Grace Mirsky

has found a home as a

professor at Benedictine.



— working with the company to bring speakers to campus who could talk to students about various programming topics. Because of that relationship, Google invited her to apply for a gift that aims to increase female and minority participation in computer sciences. She and several computer science students put together a proposal to use 12 LEGO MINDSTORMS robots to teach middle-school girls about block-based coding.

“I did a lot of research before submitting the proposal,” says Grace. “There are studies that show girls’ interest in STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) declines in middle school. There’s nothing different about their aptitude — but their interest fades away. That’s why we chose robots, because who doesn’t love robots?”

Throughout the process, Grace worked with BenU student Prerana Mitta, who was then a freshman computer science student, to submit the proposal and then organize the camp after they received the gift. Prerana became the student leader of the project, recruiting classmates to staff the camp. “This was a huge opportunity for me to develop my leadership skills,” says Prerana, who just finished her sophomore year. “Dr. Mirsky cares so much. She was very encouraging, but also honest about which aspects of the project I might need to do differently. It was definitely a good balance.”

Once local middle school girls found out about the camp, which was free of charge, they clamored to be a part of it. Ultimately, there were 27 girls who participated in the weeklong program.

Afterward, one young girl told Grace that when she started the camp, she could never imagine herself as a scientist. However, after experiencing the joy and sense of accomplishment in programming the robots, she had changed her mind. “That made me so happy,” says Grace. “That’s exactly what I was hoping to accomplish.”

After the camp’s unequivocal success last summer, parents began asking Grace to offer it again. And, indeed, it will be taking place again this summer — but since Grace no longer has gift money, parents will need to pay a relatively small fee for their daughters to attend.

Grace plans to do everything she can to continue offering such opportunities for girls.

“When I was in grad school,” says Grace, “there were very few women in a class of 170 students pursuing a Ph.D. in electrical engineering. That gap is decreasing, but very slowly. My biggest goal is to help motivate girls to be successful.”

I N A L L T H I N G S C O M M U N I T Y

“My biggest goal is to help motivate girls to be successful.”

– Grace Mirsky

Students Nabeela Talat, left,

and Saaniya Attar work with

the robots used in the camp.



I t is widely accepted that a strong undergraduate research program provides

numerous benefits for both students and faculty mentors, serving as a high-impact educational practice. When Dr. Rausch agreed to help sponsor an endowment for the BenU Chemistry & Biochemistry Department 14 years ago, he wanted to direct the funds to support undergraduates beyond their classroom instruction, ensuring that these students would always have access to a high-quality research experience at their home institution.

“Research and independent study

are key to a science education at a

liberal arts university. Understanding

scientific articles and making

research presentations are so

important at the undergraduate level.”

— David Rausch, Ph.D., B.S.’62, Professor Emeritus of Chemistry at Benedictine University

ENDOWMENTWill Fund Chemistry Research

I N A L L T H I N G S K N O W L E D G E



Today, nearly a decade and a half after the David J. Rausch Chemistry Endowment Fund was first established, the endowment has nearly reached its cash goal of $500,000, with a current value of about $410,000. With additional pledges which include planned gifts, a composite goal of $1 million is well within reach. This is due to the generosity of former students, along with Dr. Rausch’s friends. When the perpetual fund begins paying out the interest generated, it will support summer student stipends for undergraduate research, major instruments and equipment beyond what is covered by the normal chemistry operating budget. Dr. Rausch taught chemistry at BenU for 40 years before retiring in 2006. He earned his undergraduate degree at the University (formerly called St. Procopius College) in 1962, then attended graduate school at Iowa State University. After earning his doctorate, he spent a year undertaking post-doctoral research at the University of Wisconsin-Madison before James Hazdra, Ph.D., S.P.A.’51, B.S.’55 (who was then chairman of the Chemistry Department) convinced him to

return to his alma mater as a professor. “I wanted to come back to that small college environment I had loved so much,” he says. “I have been told that I am a natural teacher and have a passion for education. My years teaching at Benedictine were the best years of my life. I was working with some of the top undergraduate students in the country.” As he has helped build the fund, Dr. Rausch says he has enjoyed connecting with his former students, many of whom have become donors — including Richard Anderson, M.D., B.S.’88, thoracic surgeon at the Peoria Surgical Group. “Dr. Rausch has been a great teacher, mentor and friend to me,” says Dr. Anderson.

Dr. Rausch says he appreciates the opportunity to continue to build BenU’s chemistry program. “We have an outstanding science program at Benedictine,” he says. Check out his Web page and recognition plaque at: ben.edu/rausch. He would welcome the opportunity to touch base with you, and can be reached at [email protected].

You can honor Dr. Rausch and help the David J. Rausch Chemistry Endowment Fund reach its goal by making a one-time gift or an annual contribution, or by including it in your estate plan or will. If you have already included the Rausch Chemistry Fund in your estate plans, thank you! We would like to acknowledge you by including you in the Benedictine University Heritage Society.

Contact Eric Solberg in the Development Office at (630) 829-6497 for more information, or make your gift online at ben.edu/giving and specify “Rausch Endowment Fund.”

There is a plaque in the Birck Hall of Science that honors those who have contributed to the endowment.

I N A L L T H I N G S K N O W L E D G E

“Dr. Rausch has been a great teacher, mentor and friend to me.”

– Dr. Richard Anderson

Dr. Rausch chats with

Tim Marin, Ph.D., professor

of chemistry at BenU.



T he Benedictine University Mesa athletics program continues to work its way up the sports

ladder, and perhaps no individual team exemplified that point more than the men’s volleyball team. Following a 21-9 regular season record, the Redhawks exceeded expectations in the postseason by advancing to the NAIA Invitational Tournament championship game, where they were defeated 3-1 by No. 1 seed Grand View University. The appearance in the title game was a first in school history and Logan Adcock, Jaron Jones and Jesus Izaguirre became the first-ever Redhawk players to be named to the All-Tournament team.

On the diamond and prior to publication, the men’s baseball team owned an 18-6 conference record and 32-16 overall mark – good enough for second place in the California Pacific (Cal Pac) Conference with seven games left on the schedule.

On the hardcourt, Steve Schafer’s tennis squad grinded through a 14-15 record after starting the year 4-1. Prior to the season, the men’s squad was considered a hot pick to win the Cal Pac title, so they will look to rebound in

HIGHLIGHTSfrom Mesa Athletes

2017-2018

2018-19. Meanwhile, the Lady Redhawks continued to make progress in their second-ever season by going 16-12, including an impressive 9-5 conference record.

In men’s soccer, head coach Tim Barmettler’s group had a successful inaugural season, going 9-8 overall and earning a trip to the Cal Pac Conference tournament, while the women’s soccer team completed the year 6-8-2.

Senior setter Olivia Ortiz became the fifth Redhawk volleyball player to be named a Daktronics-NAIA Scholar Athlete. Ortiz and the Lady Redhawks went 13-14, ending the year on a high note with victories in five of their last six contests.

Finally, the women’s beach volleyball team wrapped up by finishing a game below .500 at 9-10, including a historic victory over NCAA Division 1’s Abilene Christian University.

With some great new recruits already committed for 2018-19, the future is bright for the BenU Mesa sports programs, and next year the athletic department plans to add a new Spirit Squad, headed by coach Monique Young.

The Mesa men’s volleyball team

played in the NAIA Invitational

Tournament championship game.



N ext year, Michael Traversa will be the first person in his family to graduate from college. He has a strong work ethic, but still came close to dropping out of school

this year. That’s because he did not have enough money to fund his last two years at Benedictine University. However, thanks to a scholarship from BenU’s newly established Mission Fund, Michael is now just a year away from graduating.

MISSIONFUND

Helps Students Finish Their Degrees

I N A L L T H I N G S C O M PA S S I O N Michael Traversa will

graduate next year thanks

to assistance from the newly

established Mission Fund.



I N A L L T H I N G S C O M PA S S I O N

“When I got the email telling me I received the scholarship, I showed it to my grandpa, and he was tearing up. I’m really thankful for it. I don’t know what I would have done if it hadn’t been for the Mission Fund.”

– Michael TraversaMichael grew up in Chicago living with his grandparents, who struggled to provide Catholic educations for him and his four siblings. He had a job in security that paid very well and allowed him to fund college and help his grandparents, but when the establishment for which he provided security closed, he was left in a tough situation. “I didn’t know what to do,” he says. “I tried talking to other family members about borrowing money, but everybody in my family is in the same boat. We’re all just barely getting by.”

In October 2017, nearly 300 people gathered for BenU’s inaugural Founders’ Gala to raise money for the Mission Fund. The Fund benefits students who are on their way to earning their degree but experience something catastrophic, such as a job loss or the death of a parent. “We don’t want to see students who are doing well in school have to leave because they can’t pay tuition,” says Leonard Bertolini, vice president of University Development.

“That would be heartbreaking.”So far, a dozen students have benefitted from the fund. In order to qualify, they must have maintained a good grade point average during their time at BenU and exhausted all other possible sources of funding. Students who are chosen for Mission Fund scholarships receive different amounts of money, depending on their individual needs.

Michael received $6,000, which was just enough to keep him in school. Even with that extra assistance, he has still been working three jobs all year to help pay his own and his grandparents’ bills. When he graduates, he is planning to continue teaching fitness classes and offering personal training services (he rents a space in Chicago where he teaches group classes), and he hopes to eventually earn a master’s degree in biomechanics or bioenergetics.

“When I got the email telling me I received the scholarship, I showed it to my grandpa, and he was tearing up,” says Michael. “I’m really thankful for it. I don’t know what I would have done if it hadn’t been for the Mission Fund.”

To contribute, visit ben.edu/giving and specify “Mission Fund.” You can also give by calling the University Development office at (630) 829-6303.

Personal training is just one of the ways Michael has earned money to help pay his tuition at BenU.



EMMA ROBERTS HEADS TO NCAA CHAMPIONSHIP

Benedictine University sophomore Emma Roberts became the first cross country student-athlete to qualify for the NCAA Division III Cross Country Championship since 2002, when current Hall of Fame member Tracy (Murnane) McGarry qualified and became the school’s first-ever cross country All-American. Roberts placed 52nd overall at the national championship with a time of 21:49.10. At the NCAA Division III Midwest Region Championship, Roberts placed 17th overall with a time of 21:27.50, earning All-Region honors. She also placed first at the Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference Championship, becoming the first-ever Benedictine runner to win the title.

BENEDICTINE

ATHLETICSMEN’S TRACK & FIELD PLACES SIXTH AT NCAA INDOOR CHAMPIONSHIP

Benedictine University men’s track and field earned sixth place at the NCAA Division III Indoor Championship in Birmingham, Ala., with a total of 26 points.

Helping the Eagles repeat a top 10 performance for the second straight year was junior Jordan Johnson, who not only earned All-American and a third place finish in the 60-meter dash, but also was the 200-meter dash national champion with a time of 21.67. Johnson was also named the Midwest Region Track Athlete of the Year.

Two other student-athletes earned All-American honors: sophomore Matt Fleming placed 5th overall in the long jump, while sophomore Luther Newburn placed 3rd in the triple jump.

The men’s track and field team also won its third straight Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference (NACC) Indoor title, sweeping the post-season awards in the process. Fleming earned Athlete of the Meet, while Johnson and senior Joe Chavez tied for Track Athlete of the Meet. DJ Anderson was named Freshman of the Meet and Newburn won Field Athlete of the Meet honors. Head coach Kevin Paterson was named the Coach of the Year.

Jordan Johnson, 3rd from left

Matt Fleming

Luther Newburn



NICK KAPETANOS NAMED ACADEMIC ALL-AMERICAN

Nick Kapetanos capped his career with the Benedictine men’s soccer team by becoming the most prolific scorer in the 12-year history of the NACC. Kapetanos finished with 74 career goals, breaking the previous career mark by 13 goals. The Norridge, Ill. native also finished with 187 points — the most in conference history. Kapetanos scored 14 goals and added 16 assists in his final season, earning a fourth consecutive First Team All-Conference award. Just four players in the history of the NACC have received four consecutive First Team All-Conference honors. The finance major ranked second in the nation with 16 assists. Kapetanos was named as the NACC Offensive Player of the Year for a second consecutive season as Benedictine finished 14-6. He posted at least one point in 11 contests this year, and collected a long list of awards during his career, including four all-region awards. Kapetanos twice was named as a CoSIDA Academic All-American, widely thought of as the highest honor a student-athlete can receive. The four-year member of the men’s soccer team also received a pair of Scholar All-American honors from the United Soccer Coaches.

BRAYDEN OLSON NAMED ALL-REGION

Brayden Olson put together one of the top offensive seasons ever by a men’s basketball player in 2017-18. Olson became the 30th player to surpass the 1,000-point mark for a career on February 10, accomplishing the feat in basically two years. The Grand Rapids, Mich. native was named First Team All-NACC and added a Third Team All-Central Region honor from D3hoops.com. Olson averaged 22.6 points per game, becoming the first player in Benedictine history to lead the NACC in scoring. Olson notched six games with 30+ points, and 19 with 20 or more points. The senior started every contest and racked up three conference Player of the Week awards as men’s basketball finished 17-10. Olson became the first player to average more than 20 points per game since 1993, and finished the year with 610 points. Olson also co-led the conference in assists, averaging 5.2 per game.



St. Procopius College/Academy

’56 Ronald N. Strahanoski, Philosophy, retired 26 years ago as of June 2018. He is still very active in the community at St. Dennis Church, the Will County Historical Society and the Lockport Lions Club. He has two daughters, six grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

’69 Manuel Barbosa, J.D., Literature, received the Lifetime Achievement Award from Alivio Medical Center — a bilingual, bicultural organization committed to providing access to quality, cost-effective health care to the Hispanic community in Chicago — at its annual gala in fall 2017. He also had a street named after him in downtown Elgin in a ceremony held on October 21, 2017.

Bill Murphy, Ph.D., retired from the University of Rochester in 2015. He is currently serving on the university library’s National Council. He also provides volunteer communications advice for the University Catholic Newman community, Rochester Catholic Family Center and Heartstrong Foundation of Maryland. He still remembers guarding the bonfire and showering in freezing water during Hell Week.

James Urbanski, Political Science, competed in the 2017 National Senior Games held in Birmingham, Ala., in June after qualifying with a gold medal in golf at the Michigan Senior Olympics. He finished 17th out of 50 golfers from all over the country in the 70-74 age group.

Illinois Benedictine College

’71Leo Golembiewski, History, hosted the 33rd Annual Leo Golembiewski Celebrity Golf Tournament for Augie’s Quest on August 27, 2017 in Tucson, Ariz. The event supported two great causes — ALS research and the Muscular Dystrophy Association — and featured NHL Hall of Famer and former Chicago Blackhawks player Bobby Hull.

’72Geoffrey Frasz, Ph.D., Philosophy, was awarded emeritus status from the department of social sciences at the Community College of Southern Nevada after 25 years of teaching philosophy. He continues to teach a reduced schedule of classes each semester. In his free time, he dotes on his very first grandchild, Evee Henrikson.

’73Walter “Sonny” Franiak, English, retired after 40 years in the commodity futures industry, having spent the last 19 years employed at ADM at the Chicago Board of Trade. He resides in Arlington Heights, Ill., and was a member of the 1971 St. Procopius MIHL championship hockey team. The members of the team and their spouses now meet annually for reunion dinners.

CLASS NOTES

Geoffrey Frasz, Ph.D., with granddaughter Evee Henrikson

soccer for the special needs community through the Olympic SuperStars program. This summer, he is excited to be back on campus hosting his first ALL-OUT Goalkeeper Residential/Commuter Camp at Benedictine University.

’94Holly Wehmeyer, Literature and Communication, has been teaching full time for the English as a Second Language program at the University at Albany. She recently became the communications and marketing coordinator for the program and continues to teach one elective class as well.

’95Karen (DeGroot) Griffin, Special Education, earned her middle school endorsement in language arts through Olivet Nazarene University.

’74Mary (Feery) Amore, D.Min., History, published a 365-day daily devotional entitled “Every Day with Mary.” The book features scripture, a brief reflection, questions, and prayer addressed to the Blessed Mother.

’76Bill Smialek, Biology, retired at the end of October 2017 after 42 years in the food industry and 38 years with Silgan Containers, a food packaging supplier. He plans to continue participating in one or two food industry trade groups, instructing at a technical course for another industry trade group, and doing some local volunteering. He also wants to make time for family, projects long undone, reading and doing nothing.

’79Robert Deering, Accounting and Business & Economics, and his wife, Gail, have two children. Their son lives in Rhode Island and their daughter lives in Pittsburgh. They have a home south of Tucson that they try to visit as much as possible.

’80Dianne (Huth) Darling, Elementary Education, and her brother, Kenneth Huth, B.A.’76, Business and Economics, recently lost their father. Marvin Huth passed away on March 5, 2018.

Mark Saladin, J.D., Business and Economics, was named chairman of the McHenry County Economic Development Corporation, a public/private partnership with McHenry County to attract and retain commercial/industrial primary employers. He is also the chairman of the Harvard/Woodstock Enterprise Zone and is currently completing his second term on the Woodstock City Council.

’82Michael Zibrun, M.B.A., just published a new book, “Timeless Advice...just like in the old days!” through Archway Publishing.

’84Patrick Cooney, M.D., D.D.S., Biology, was recently appointed director of cardiovascular anesthesiology at the University of Missouri School of Medicine in Columbia, Mo.

’89Karin Gleason, Literature and Communication, has a grandson, Grant, who was born on January 1, 2016. She also has a granddaughter, Lillian, who was born in March 2018.

’93Andreas Papakostas, Health Science, owns Olympic Soccer Academy. He hosts camps and clinics throughout the year in the Plainfield, Ill., area and offers

Mark Saladin, J.D.

Holly Wehmeyer


’04Kelly Devine Rickert, Nutrition, is a registered dietitian and the president of Devine Nutrition Inc., which opened in 2009. One of Devine Nutrition’s signature running programs, Run to the Pub, now “runs” four different sites in Illinois and has expanded into Indiana.

Reagan Jessica Saba, daughter of Megan (Saba) Kroc

Benedictine University

’96Diane (Moore) Enos, Nutrition, has worked at the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics since 2003 and was recently named the organization’s chief learning officer.

’97Tim Weber, M.B.A., celebrated five years as the chief financial officer at U.S. Fiduciary Services Inc. (Greatbanc Trust Company).

’01Cleamon Moorer, D.B.A., M.B.A. and M.S. in Management and Organizational Development, was named one of the 100 Modern Men of Distinction, “Mr. Higher Learning,” by “Black Enterprise Magazine.”

’02Erica (Evens) Paskert, Biology, and Thaddeus Paskert, B.A.’04, Political Science, welcomed their third child in February 2018. Benjamin joins his brother, Nicholas (4), and sister, Evelyn (2).

Terrence Regul, Social Science, became a professional magician more than five years ago. In March 2018, he performed his professional magic show at the Steel Beam Theater in St. Charles, Ill.

Megan (Saba) Kroc, Elementary Education, and her husband, Joe, welcomed their first child, Reagan Jessica Kroc, on October 26, 2017.

’05Maria (Gricius) Oswald, Psychology and Spanish, M.S.’12 in Clinical Psychology, and her husband, Matthew, welcomed their second daughter, Isabella Celine, in June 2017. Maria is a licensed professional counselor at D.G. Counseling, Inc., a private practice with locations in Downers Grove, Glen Ellyn and Glenview, Ill.

Jessica (Davis) Triebe, International Studies, and her husband, Kurt, have resided in Naperville, Ill., for seven years. Kurt has been employed as a computer programmer at Grossman & Associates for 15 years, and Jessica has been an attorney with Midwest Disability for eight years. They are a busy family of four, with two daughters, Claire (5) and Quinn (3). Jessica has also served in board/committee positions on their homeowners’ association and the local TV station, NCTV-17.

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Diane (Moore) Enos

Joanna Blandine Bricka, daughter of Melissa (Nemes) Bricka

Mary Warren, M.Ed., retired from Crystal Lake District #47 after teaching 8th grade science for 15 years. After a 20-year career as a medical technologist, she was part of the first cohort to be certified through the Alternative Certification for Secondary Science Teachers program offered by Benedictine. After graduation, she earned her national board certification in early adolescent science in 2010. In retirement, Mary has moved to Texas with her husband, Ray, and plans to travel the world.

’06 Darnell Thomas, M.P.H., is a project administrator for the Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH). The CDPH works closely with other city agencies and Chicago hospitals to ensure a coordinated and effective response to emergencies.

’09Melissa (Nemes) Bricka, Psychology, and her husband, Kyle, welcomed their first child, Joanna Blandine Bricka, on June 20, 2017.

Sarah (Schuster) Tee, Nutrition, M.P.H.’11, moved to Fresno, Calif. for a dietetic internship after graduation. She married Eric Tee, M.D., B.S.’09, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, in June 2013. They have a 2-year-old son, Ethan, and a baby girl due in May. They moved to Fargo, N.D., in July 2017. Sarah is currently a stay-at-home mom but is very active in her field of practice. She has a small private practice, Nutrition Inside and Out, and is working on reinitiating the Fargo/Moorehead Chapter of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.

’10Krystle (Vallance) Koziczynski, Biology, and her husband, Ryan Koziczynski, B.S.’10, Biology, welcomed their baby girl, Charlotte Antonietta Koziczynski, on December 19, 2017.

’10Elizabeth (Skarr) McGreevy, Writing and Publishing, M.S.’13 in Management and Organizational Behavior, and her husband, Kevin, welcomed their daughter, Nora Elizabeth, on May 26, 2017.

’11Laura Baier, Political Science, was awarded a Public Service and Leadership Award from the Washington State Bar Association. She was recognized for this achievement in the September 2017 edition of “Northwest Lawyer” magazine.

Corinne Vargas, M.B.A., is the marketing manager for Plainfield Park District. She was awarded the Communications & Marketing Vision award in January 2017.

’13Shawn Bozarth, M.B.A., and his wife, Heather, welcomed their second son, Everest Bozarth, on June 15, 2017.

Mary Njah Foncham, M.P.H., is the mother of two beautiful kids, Treasure and Treaston, and married to the love of her life, Ignatius. She recently accepted a new position as a career and academic advisor at Prince George’s Community College.

Emily Roberson and Mark Rubel were engaged in April 2017.

Nora Elizabeth McGreevy, daughter of Elizabeth (Skarr) McGreevy


’14Victoria (Harwood) Lewis, Social Science, earned her master’s degree in history at Bowling Green State University in May 2016, which is where she met her husband, Aaron. They were married on October 1, 2016 in Michigan and currently live in Tampa, Fla., as Aaron completes his Ph.D. in history at the University of South Florida. Victoria works as a search engine optimization writer at a marketing firm and has fulfilled her lifelong dream of being a Walt Disney World Annual Passholder.

Emily Roberson, Psychology, and Mark Rubel, Communication Arts, met at a White Sox game a couple weeks after they graduated in 2014. They got engaged in April 2017 and plan to marry in May 2019 after Emily graduates with her Doctor of Chiropractic degree.

Viraj Sheth, Information Systems, is an I.T. non-stop operations analyst at Arthur J. Gallagher. She had a great experience at Benedictine University, from the classes and extracurricular activities to campus events and the environment.

Constance St. Germain, Ed.D. in Higher Education and Organizational Change, is the chief academic officer and vice president of academic affairs at Capella University. In addition to her Ed.D., she also holds a J.D. from the University of Baltimore School of Law and a B.A. in history from George Mason University.

’15Emily Apitz, M.S. in Nutrition and Wellness, is a clinical dietician at Mercy Health. She was offered and accepted the position immediately following the completion of her dietetic internship.

’16Chris Adams, Management, was recently hired as the executive vice president for Fresh Products. In his new role, he leads global sales, sales operations, supply chain and marketing for the international company.

Tanjia Coleman, Ph.D. in Organization Development, was recently appointed president of the Chicago-based firm Reimagine Organization Development, Inc. It provides clients with various organizational solutions focused on cultural transformation, business optimization, leadership development, executive coaching, talent management and organizational design. She is also a professional board member of Imerman Angels cancer support organization and published a chapter within the book “Leadership and Role Modeling: Understanding Workplace Dynamics.”

Caroline Ledlie, M.P.H., has managed Youth Villages AmeriCorps, a program based out of the Youth Villages Inner Harbour Campus, since 2010. This year, the Youth Villages AmeriCorps program implemented the ServSafe vocational certification program. Youth involved in the program have the opportunity to work toward their certification in an outdoor kitchen located at the Inner Harbour Campus.

Rebecca Rowland, M.P.H., accepted a new position in leadership at the Milwaukee Health Department.

’17Courtney Franson, Exercise and Sports Studies, is attending graduate school at Northern Illinois University, majoring in Adapted Physical Education. She is also a graduate teaching assistant in the APE program.

Hiep Vu, M.B.A., changed jobs after finishing his M.B.A. program. He is now working for his own private company, Finance and Accounting Solutions.

Benedictine University at Springfield

’10Danielle (Hogan) Snedigar, Elementary Education, and her husband, David, welcomed Blakelee Rose Snedigar on September 3, 2017.

’12Mackenzie C. Dobson, Elementary Education, and Colton Kesinger were married October 7, 2017.

Joslyn (Fuller) Williamson, Elementary Education, and her husband, Matthew, welcomed Emmett Alan Williamson on February 27, 2017.

’13Colton T. Bell, Psychology, and Ashley R. Hillertz were married August 5, 2017.

Jacob Hill, Management and Organizational Behavior, and Kaolin Hubbard were married August 26, 2017.

’17Rebecca Hagerman, Management and Organizational Behavior, and Ryan J. Johnston were married September 2, 2017.

Constance St. Germain, Ed.D.

Every Benedictine graduate has a unique story to tell, and we would love to share

yours with your fellow alumni and the rest of the Benedictine University community.

Submit your class notes online at ben.edu/classnotes.

When you make a gift through a will or living trust, or when you name Benedictine University as a partial beneficiary of a retirement plan, investment account or insurance policy, you represent a deep level of engagement.

Those who include Benedictine in their estate plans and tell us about it become members of an elite class of alumni and friends of the University – the Heritage Society.

Please consider joining the many others who have alerted us about their plans to support the University’s rich, values-based, Catholic-focused education. Help make a meaningful difference in the lives of future Benedictine students.

J O I N T H E

HERITAGE SOCIETY

If you would like further information about how you can support Benedictine through your estate plans, or if you have already done so, please let us know by contacting Len Bertolini, vice president for university development, at (630) 829-6127 or [email protected], so that we may acknowledge you as a Heritage Society member.


St. Procopius College/Academy (Founding – 1970)Alex J. Kane, B.S.’43, passed away November 16, 2017.Rev. Gregory Petruska, O.S.B., B.A.’49, passed away September 24, 2017.Rev. John F. Ducaji, B.A.’50, passed away November 11, 2017.James J. Kaspar, S.P.A.’50, passed away December 7, 2017.Nicholas J. Zec, S.P.A.’50, passed away September 30, 2017. Rev. Victor G. Romza, B.A.’51, passed away October 23, 2017.Herbert L. Studer, S.P.A.’51, B.A.’57, passed away October 6, 2017.Rev. Francis P. Reinke, B.A.’53, passed away August 24, 2017.Bro. Dominic Wittry, O.S.B., passed away December 19, 2017. Albert D. Savegnago, ‘60, passed away October 1, 2017.William L. Atwood, B.A.’63, passed away July 7, 2017.Thomas K. Grisch, B.S.’63, passed away November 5, 2017. Richard Brusko, B.S.’65, passed away September 23, 2017.Kenneth W. Carey, B.S.’66, passed away August 31, 2017.Maj. Charles A. Nickelman, III, B.S.’66, passed away November 21, 2017.Rev. Basil R. Yender, O.S.B., B.A.’66, passed away July 16, 2017.Robert E. Enderle, B.A.’69, passed away December 8, 2017.

Illinois Benedictine College (1971-1995)Thomas M. Bajo, M.D., B.S.’71, passed away July 11, 2017.Patricia M. Guare, B.A.’80, passed away December 11, 2017.Jay J. Schweikart, B.A.’84, passed away July 1, 2017.Jane M. Klamerus, B.A.’86, passed away June 23, 2017.Robert W. Miser, D.O., B.S.’89, passed away September 14, 2017.Sharon M. Berg, B.S.N.’91, passed away August 4, 2017.Jennifer A. Hooten, B.S.’91, passed away September 19, 2017.Judy K. Tinsley, CERT ’94, passed away August 17, 2017.

Benedictine University Kimberly A. Skarr, B.A.’00, passed away October 15, 2017.Tara L. Brewer, B.A.’05, M.B.A.’08, passed away January 17, 2018.Robert M. Tate, B.B.A.’06, passed away September 23, 2017.Angela Weber, B.S.N.’09, M.S.N.’10, passed away January 9, 2018.Ann Kobs-Abbott, Ph.D.’14, passed away July 7, 2017.Tiffanie Lynn Rodriguez, M.S.N.’16, passed away October 6, 2017.

Benedictine University at SpringfieldSteven J. Rockford, B.A.’08, passed away July 22, 2017.

IN MEM

ORIAM

Rev. Daniel W. Kucera, O.S.B., retired

Archbishop of Dubuque, fifth abbot of St.

Procopius Abbey, and former president

of St. Procopius College and Illinois

Benedictine College (now Benedictine

University), died in Dubuque, Iowa

at the age of 94 on May 30, 2017.

Father Daniel began teaching at St. Procopius College in the 1950s. He became the dean of studies there, while Father Adolph Hrdlicka was appointed president of the College. The two monks worked together to obtain formal accreditation for St. Procopius College. In 1959, Father Daniel was named president of the College. He oversaw its expansion and helped develop the College’s lay board.

In 1964, the monks of St. Procopius Abbey elected him as their fifth abbot. He served in that role until 1971, when he voluntarily stepped down to again serve as president of the College, which was about to become Illinois Benedictine College. He remained president until 1976. The following summer, Pope Paul VI appointed him as titular Bishop of

Natchez in Mississippi and auxiliary Bishop of the Diocese of Joliet. In 1980, Pope John Paul II named Bishop Daniel the Bishop of the Diocese of Salina, Kansas, and in 1983, Bishop Daniel became Archbishop of Dubuque, Iowa. He resigned from his formal duties in 1995, and in retirement, he visited St. Procopius Abbey often during the years. He is widely recognized as one of the most influential leaders in Benedictine University’s history and will be greatly missed.

From left: Father Daniel; Rt. Rev. Abbot Austin Murphy, O.S.B., current abbot of St. Procopius Abbey; and Archbishop J. Peter Sartain D.D., S.T.L. from Diocese of Seattle, Wash.


with BenU Alumni

Alumni Board Director Chris Adams, B.A. ‘16 poses with his wife, Amy, at the Alumni Holiday Cruise on December 2, 2017. Save the date for 2018: Saturday, December 1.

- FL Event_Brophy_Whiting.JPG: Dr. Brophy poses with alumnus, Paul Whiting, B.A.’66, at the Cocktails with the President event on February 15 in Tampa, Fla.

Thirteen alumni were honored at the 2018 Alumni Achievement Awards on March 3, 2018. For more about the honorees, see page 6.

The Golden Eagles Class of 1967 celebrated its 50th reunion over Homecoming weekend. We look forward to seeing the Class of 1968 back on campus this fall, October 12-13.

Rich and Deborah Pagel, M.S.’92, get to know Rich Stuhan, M.B.A.’17, at the Alumni Social at Two Brothers Artisan Brewing in Scottsdale, Ariz.

OUT & ABOUTUPCOMING EVENTSYoung Alumni Event at Imperial Oak BrewingSaturday, June 16 • 3:00 – 6:00 p.m.Willow Springs, Ill.

Naperville Wine FestivalSaturday, August 25 • 3:00 – 8:00 p.m.Naper Settlement | Naperville, Ill.

Cebrzynski Memorial 5K for ScholarshipsSunday, September 16Lisle Campus

Founders’ GalaSaturday, September 29Lisle Campus

Homecoming WeekendFriday & Saturday, October 12 & 13

Lisle CampusIncludes the Golden Eagles 50th Reunion for the Class of 1968

Sunday, October 14St. Procopius Abbey Mass

Alumni Holiday CruiseSaturday, December 1Mystic Blue sailing from Navy Pier • Chicago, Ill.

Charlie Stasica, B.A.’67, and Joe McPhie, B.A.’67, swap yearbook photos to see if anyone can tell the difference at their 50th Golden Eagles Reunion last October.

The Soto family watched the Cubs beat the Rockies along with 180 other BenU alumni and friends at Benedictine Day at Cubs Spring Training on March 24, 2018 (Back to front: Carlos Soto, B.A.’06, Alandra Soto, Lauren Soto, B.B.A.’14, Justin Holtzclaw, and Julius Holtzclaw).



2018OCT 12-14

For a complete list of events, please see page 4

HOMECOMINGRED AND WHITE FOR LIFE

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