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Paths to Carroll
How five students found JCU

Wycliffe Odhiambo ’13

125th Anniversary
Ignatian Colleagues Program
Celebrating Women’s Athletics
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Mission:
As a Jesuit Catholic university,
John Carroll inspires individuals to excel
in learning, leadership, and service in
the region and in the world.

JOHN CARROLL UNIVERSITY

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Robert L. Niehoff, S.J.
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Doreen Knapp Riley
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John A. Carfagno
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John Walsh
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Cheri Slattery
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Jeanne Colleran ’76
Sherri Crahen
Kimyette Finley ’95
Jack Hearns ’61
Mary Lavin ’87
John Marcus ’72 (ex officio)
Paul V. Murphy
Thomas Schubeck, S.J.
Barbara Schubert ’62, ’67G, ’80G
Karen Schuele
Brian Williams

John Carroll magazine is published quarterly by

John Carroll University, 20700 North Park Blvd.,
University Heights, OH 44118
journal@jcu.edu / 216-397-3050

Periodicals postage paid at Cleveland, OH 44118,

and additional mailing offices.

ISSN 1542-0418

POSTMASTER: Send address changes to:

John Carroll magazine
Integrated Marketing and Communications
20700 North Park Blvd.
University Heights, OH 44118
what’s inside ...
COVER STORY: DEPARTMENTS
3 President’s message

Paths to Carroll 4 Around the quad

From as close as Parma, Ohio, to as

far away as Naivasha, Kenya, these
8 24
26
Enrollment quarterly
Carroll people
stories highlight how five students 27 Alum news
found JCU. 29 Alumni journal
45 In memoriam
46 Athletics
FEATURES: 48 My turn

6 Homecoming 2010 Design: Villa Beach Communications, Inc.

Photo gallery Printing: Lane Press
Contributors: Benjamin Gleisser, Susan Curphey,
Chris Wenzler ’90, Gwen Compton-Engle, Ph.D.
Photography: Robert Wetzler, John Reid,
Taylor Horen, FJ Gaylor Photography

The magazine’s mission is to provide an engaging

and accurate reflection of the University and its
extended community for alumni and other members
of the John Carroll community.

16 A proud milestone
Women’s athletics program SEE WHAT’S ONLINE
celebrates their 40th anniversary. jcu.edu/magazine
60 years of service
JCU’s ROTC program continues to
train leaders who serve the country
19 Steeped in tradition and make the world a better place.
The Ignatian Colleagues Program provides John Teach the teachers
Carroll’s leaders an opportunity to learn more The Literacy Specialist Endorsement Program
about Ignatian spirituality and the Jesuit educational educates those who help provide professional
heritage to help advance the University’s Jesuit development for teachers, which ultimately
benefits the elementary students they instruct.
Catholic mission.
Off to America
Verghese Chirayath, associate professor
emeritus of sociology, recalls his first voyage
22 Setting the stage to the States from India in the early 1960s.
The University plans a year-long celebration of its 125th anniversary. The truth of the matter
A retired Air Force general in California
and his son, a criminal defense lawyer in
Correction Pennsylvania, uncover the truth about the
The most up-to-date listing of the honor roll of donors for giving during the period of June Pentagon’s notorious firing of four-star
1, 2009 through May 31, 2010 appears online at www.jcu.edu/donorhonorroll. We sincerely General John D. Lavelle ’38.
apologize for any errors and omissions. Inadvertent omissions are: Gordon LaGanke, class of
1955; John Kennedy, class of 1969; Leonard Judy, class of 1961, and Mr. Edward Schnell, Check us out on Facebook and Twitter
Magis Legacy Society. An addition to the 10-plus consecutive years donor list is Mr. and
Mrs. Don M. McGuire ’80. Additions to the 20-plus consecutive years donor list are: facebook.com/jcu1886
Don ’70 and Donna ’72 Brown, Mr. and Mrs. Michael Caplice ’55, Mr. and Mrs. Carl C.
Heintel Jr. ’65, Mr. and Mrs. Leonard P. Judy ’61, Mr. and Mrs. John M. Kennedy ’69,
twitter.com/johncarrollu
Mr. and Mrs. S. Donald McCullough ’65, and Mr. and Mrs. Robert L. Turocy ’79.

2 W INT E R 2010

Meaningful journeys
M
embers of the John Carroll community
come from all walks of life – from as close
as right here in Northeast Ohio to as far
away as Africa and Asia, from affluent families to those
that are economically challenged. But no matter the
background, all of us – students, faculty, staff, alumni
and friends – come to Carroll and work diligently to
help make the world a better place through learning
and service.
I like hearing about the numerous journeys
students take in joining the Carroll family, and in this
regard, one thing is certain – we are attracting more
students from outside the region. This year’s freshman
class is one of our most talented and diverse, with
students from 35 states. In this issue of the magazine,
we highlight a few of those interesting paths to Carroll.
Once here, I enjoy seeing our students learn and
appreciate the value a Jesuit education. As alumni, you
can attest to that and reinforce it through the various
interactions you have with current students.
My own path to Carroll has taken me throughout
the United States and the world, and several
educational institutions on the West Coast, including
other Jesuit universities. Since arriving at Carroll in
2005, I have worked to strengthen the University
PRESIDENT’S
MESSAGE
financially; develop a vision, mission, and core
values that serve as a road map for the University,
as well as develop initiatives central to recognizing
the University as a center of learning and service.
With academic excellence at our core, we are serving
communities near and far through knowledge. I
feel truly blessed to be a part of the hard work and
determination that generations of Carroll people have
given to make our institution successful.
As we move through life and continue to
experience meaningful journeys, sometimes we need
to stop and remember our accomplishments and
think about how we engage the world. The 125th
Anniversary of John Carroll in 2011 is one of these
important times to reflect and to celebrate – and it
is time for our celebration to begin. Plans for our
milestone anniversary year are highlighted on pages
22 and 23 in this issue.
As we celebrate the history of the University,
please be sure to share your stories with us. What was
your path to Carroll? How has the Carroll experience
changed your life? Come home to Carroll in 2011 to
be a part of our combined Commencement/Reunion or
other anniversary events. But in the meantime, you can
share your memories with us now by visiting the online
guestbook and other interactive content on our recently
launched 125th Anniversary website – www.jcu.edu/125.
The Carroll experience is one we all hold in high
regard, knowing how it has helped shape our lives and
impact others throughout the world so positively. With
God’s grace, may we continue to serve Him and each
other as we work to fulfill the mission of John Carroll
University.
Blessings,
Robert L. Niehoff, S.J.
W W W.J C U.E DU / MAG AZ I N E 3
 AROUND
THE QUAD

EVENTS
Q The University hosted the second annual Q Fr. Greg Boyle, S.J., visited John Carroll
conference The Great Lakes/St. Lawrence Sept. 28 for an all-campus presentation
Marine Highway, titled “Fitting the Pieces about his book, “Tattoos on the Heart,”
Together,” Aug. 30. Its purpose was to explore which is about the lives, struggles, and
how the Great Lakes and the St. Lawrence spiritual journeys of the working poor in
Seaway give Northeast Ohio manufacturers East Los Angeles who’ve turned away from
and shippers a competitive advantage in the gang culture to find dignity and redemption
global economy. Bradley Hull, Ph.D., associate in meaningful work. For more information
professor and Reid Chair in the Department about Fr. Boyle and his book, visit www.
of Management, Marketing, and Logistics, homeboy-industries.org/father-greg.php.
wants to raise awareness of Northeast Ohio
shippers to the potential of using water Q FOCO, the Mandel Foundation, the
transportation between Northern Europe and Geller Fund for Human Relations, JCU
Cleveland, Detroit, and Chicago. Honors Program, JCU Global Education,
and the Departments of Psychology and
Q The second annual Service and Nonprofit Physics sponsored a two-day Spotlight
Internship Fair, hosted by the Center for on Immigration symposium Oct. 1 and
Service and Social Action and the Center 2. Alejandro Portes, Ph.D., presented
for Career Services, took place Sept. 3. “Dreams Fulfilled and Dreams Shattered;
More than 50 community partners from Determinations on Segmented Assimilation
throughout the Cleveland area met with in the Second Generation.” Luis Alberto
Q On Oct. 9, the Ohio Fair Trade Expo took
interested JCU students, staff, and faculty Urrea, Ph.D., presented his book,
place on campus for the second consecutive
to discuss their work in the community and “The Devil’s Highway,” in a talk titled
year. John Carroll was chosen to host
ways others can become involved through “The Devil’s Highway and Stories of
because of a strong commitment to fair trade
service activities, learning, and internships. Immigration.”
in many areas throughout campus, especially
students’ engagement in education and
Q The Footprints for Fatima 5k Run 1-Mile Q The political science department and the
awareness about fair trade. The expo is an
Walk, which took place Sept. 25, supported Peace, Justice and Human Rights program
opportunity for the campus community to
JCU’s Fatima Food Drive. All proceeds welcomed Sister Rosemary Nyirumbe
learn more about fair trade and demonstrate
benefited families in Cleveland’s Hough Oct. 6 in the Donahue Auditorium in the
its commitment to social justice.
neighborhood. The first 150 runners/walkers Dolan Center for Science and Technology.
received an official Footprints t-shirt. Awards Sr. Nyirumbe delivered a talk about her
included: overall men – Dominic Valentino; experiences helping create a safe home for
overall women – Lauren Gunderman ’13; women who were able to escape the Lord’s JCU is among 32 colleges and
student – Peter Croke ’12; alumni – Dan Resistance Army in Gulu, Uganda. universities selected by The Association
Collins IV ’91; and FSA – Fr. H. Paul Kim. of American Colleges and Universities to
participate in General Education for a Global
Century, a curriculum- and faculty-development project
that’s part of Association of American Colleges and
JCU’s Boler School of Business is one Universities Shared Futures initiative. It’s funded by the
of the 300 outstanding institutions Henry Luce Foundation. Participants were chosen from
featured in The Princeton Review’s among more than 140 public and private institutions
The Best 300 Business Schools: throughout the country. The project seeks to build the
2011 Edition. For more information, capacity of colleges and universities to prepare
visit www.princetonreview.com/ students to grapple with global challenges and
business-school-rankings.aspx. thrive in a globalized economy as socially
responsible and engaged citizens
and workers.

4 W INT E R 2010

The 2010 Ride for Miles,
commemorating the life and work of
Miles Coburn, Ph.D., took place Sept.
26. The event consisted of a
15-mile, police-protected route
through the eastern edge of Cuyahoga
County and featured live music and
food. Online contributions were
accepted. All proceeds from the
event, which generated more than
$10,000, support the Miles Coburn
Environmental Seminar at JCU and
other environmental and bicycle safety
initiatives.
BRICKS AND MORTAR
Q This past summer, a new concrete patio
was poured in front of Sutowksi Hall; the
parking lot between Rodman Hall and
the O’Malley Center was repaved; and
the sidewalks in the following locations
were removed and replaced: in front of the
Dolan Residence Hall, the Administration
Building-Boler School of Business archway,
parallel to the BSOB lot, between Millor
Hall and the Bernet Hall circular driveway,
and a section near North Park Blvd.
Q The University made slate roof repairs
on the Dolan Science Center and
Administration Building and Boler School
of Business. Tuck pointing was done on the
BSOB, and there were repairs made to the
breezeway connecting the Administration
Building and BSOB.
Q The paving stone walkway surrounding
the exterior of Kulas Auditorium, as well
as the public walkway in front of the
Administration Building, was closed for
several weeks in the fall to allow for needed
waterproofing and tuck pointing repairs.
STUDENT SPOTLIGHT
Q The John Carroll team of Paul Merrill,
Corey Barnett, Maria Perossa, Jeanniece
Jackson, and Rosario Scibona placed second
at the Entrepreneurship Immersion Week
competition at Baldwin-Wallace College
in Berea, Ohio. The team’s idea was an
Apple iPad application for an electronic
menu for restaurants. Named Menu 2.0,
the company’s value proposition includes
increased revenue for the restaurant, a
better dining experience for the customer,
and advanced marketing opportunities
for the proprietor. The team won $2,000
and committed to further developing their
idea this year through the Entrepreneur
Association’s Reality Bridge program.
Q Junior Randall Darden finished ahead of
almost 500 other Army ROTC cadets in the
Army Physical Fitness Test held as part of
cadet training. Passing the test is a prerequisite
for becoming commissioned as a U.S. Army
lieutenant. His achievement on the APFT
placed him in the top 2 percent of his
456-person regiment. The test, which
measures the student’s strength and endurance,
consists of sit-ups and push-ups, each timed for
two minutes, and a two-mile run.
Q Eleven cadets from JCU’s Army ROTC
Battalion completed the Leadership
Development Assessment Course (LDAC) at
Fort Lewis, Wash., this past summer. Three
seniors in the Wolfpack Battalion scored in
the top 4 percent nationally against 5,342
cadets: Chad Cotter, Michael Schmitt, and
Thomas Krakowiak. Schmitt ranked No.
89 and Cotter No. 90 out of 5,342, ranking
them in the top 2 percent nationally.
Wolfpack Battalion members ranked sixth
out of 38 schools in the 7th Brigade, Cadet
Command footprint. JCU’s Army ROTC
program achieved the highest average in the
Brigade footprint among private institutions.
Q For the third year in a row, The Carroll
News was voted the best college, nondaily
newspaper by the Ohio Society of
Professional Journalists.
NEW POSITIONS
Q Brenda Wirkus, Ph.D., in the
Department of Philosophy,
accepted the position of director of
the Master of Arts in Humanities
program. During her
26-year tenure at Carroll, she has
served in a number of leadership positions
and has been associated with the
humanities program since its inception.
Q Anne Kugler, Ph.D., professor of history,
is serving a three-year term as
director of the Center for Faculty
Development, succeeding Mark
Waner, Ph.D., who resigned from
the position to become the project
director for the Woodrow Wilson
Ohio Teaching Fellowship Program
at John Carroll. Kugler is a vice chair of the
faculty council, a member of the faculty
committee on finance and compensation,
and an elected member of the Academic
Planning Task Force working group on
faculty work.
Q Mary Lavin ’87, director of
alumni relations since October
2007, accepted the director
of fundraising position at the
Cleveland Foodbank starting
mid-December. Theresa Spada
Lavin
’04, assistant director of alumni
relations, will serve as interim director.
Spada served as reunion coordinator
before being promoted to assistant
director in March 2008. Her leadership
and knowledge of alumni
relations will ensure a smooth
transition and continue to build
on the momentum and related
success to engage alumni in
all aspects of the University.
Highlights during Lavin’s time Spada
as director include: the creation
of the Student Alumni Association, the
first ROTC Alumni Reunion (Homecoming
2008), universitywide collaboration and
related enhancements to reunion and
homecoming weekends, and efforts
to increase broader awareness, and
participation in, the Alumni Medal
nomination and selection process.
W W W.J C U.E DU / MAG AZ I N E 5
 OMING
HOMEC

This year, JCU celebrated homecoming weekend Sept. 23 through 26 with alumni,
family, and friends celebrating the tradition. On Saturday, the Blue Streaks football
team defeated Marietta College 24-18.

For more information and to view additional homecoming

photos, visit www.jcu.edu/homecoming.

6 W INT E R 2010
2010
Weekend highlights included:
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Pratt ’85 and the Permanent Basement Band.
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W W W.J C U.E DU / MAG AZ I N E 7

Paths to Carroll
There are thousands of interesting stories about how students
became part of the JCU community. Some made last-minute
decisions; others knew well in advance because they were
legacies. On the following pages, we look at how several students
came to University Heights. From as close as Parma, Ohio, to as
far away as Naivasha, Kenya, these stories draw attention to the
many different roads students travel to come to Carroll.
Stories by John Walsh

Half way ’round the world

High school exchange program brings Kenyan to Cleveland and, eventually, Carroll

Wycliffe Odhiambo is a long way from home.
The John Carroll sophomore, who’s double
majoring in economics and accounting, is
from Naivasha, Kenya, which is about 16,000
miles away from John Carroll University.
While in high school at Starehe Boys’
Centre and School, Odhiambo thought about
becoming a lawyer, which would’ve taken him
five years to accomplish in Africa. But, as with
many teenagers, his plans changed. When he
traveled to Scotland for a leadership conference
called Round Square (schools from throughout
the world send students to the conference –
Deerfield Academy in Massachusetts is one), he
got an inkling to explore the world.
Exploring the world can be easier when
you speak several languages. Odhiambo’s first
language is Luo, which is one of the languages
spoken by 42 tribes in Kenya (President
Obama’s father spoke this language); Swahili is
his second language; and English is his third.
“And if I had to save my life, I could speak
Arabic,” he says.
In Kenya, after graduating from high school,
students take a two-year break before entering
college to figure out what they want to do in
life. After Odhiambo graduated from Starehe
in November 2007 with 214 of his classmates,
he worked in a refugee camp to help his fellow
countrymen get back on their feet after post-
presidential-election turbulence in 2008.
Study abroad
While Odhiambo was working in the refugee
camp, the director of Starehe called him to ask
if he wanted to partake in an exchange program
with University School in Hunting Valley,
Ohio. Odhiambo said yes, but that required
him to complete another senior year of high
school at US. The additional school year helps
international students better prepare for college
life in the States. Odhiambo took five classes:
American civilization; English; calculus; strategy,
diplomacy and war; and introduction to law.
“My experience in the States was good
until November when it started to snow,”
he says, acknowledging it was the first time
he experienced snow. (He saw it for the first
time a few years ago in Germany, but he was
leaving the country.) “I’m not getting used to
the snow.”
Odhiambo’s three host families in
Northeastern Ohio have helped make his
transition to the States pleasant. While at US,
he stayed with each family for three months.
“I’ve met some wonderful people,” he says.
“I’m still in touch with them.”

8 W INT E R 2010
 While finishing the school year at US,
Odhiambo was thinking about going back
to Kenya for college until a student strike
occurred. When that happens, which is about
once a year, students go home for a period
of time, and their education is cut short. So
Odhiambo started applying to universities
in the States, looking at as many as 29,
mostly small liberal arts institutions. His
decision came down to Amherst College in
Massachusetts and John Carroll.
“Surprisingly, I didn’t look for schools in
good weather,” he says.
One of the several reasons Odhiambo
chose John Carroll was it offered a more
attractive financial aid package.
“John Carroll wanted me to come
here more,” he says. “Location was also a
determining factor. Because I’m 16,000 miles

W W W.J C U.E DU / MAG AZ I N E 9

away from home, I wanted to remain close to
my three host families.”
Odhiambo, who’s been on his own
since he was 12 years old, made most of the
decisions himself with the help of his host
families, which offered to have Odhiambo
live with them if he couldn’t afford room and
board at Carroll. Additionally, Tom Tormey,
a board member at US, offered to pay the
difference between what Odhiambo received
from financial aid and the actual cost of his
John Carroll education.
“He’s my sponsor, but I think of him more
as a parent or friend,” he says.
Odhiambo returns to Kenya every year for
a few weeks, but this past year, he stayed a bit
longer – two months – because South Africa
hosted the World Cup.
Currently, Odhiambo isn’t thinking too
much about law school because he’s focused
on graduating from Carroll. However, he
has given thought to a future practicing law.
Because Kenya was colonized by England,
their legal systems are alike, so he’s thinking of
attending law school in England.

On the field
Last year as a freshman, Odhiambo started
three games on the varsity soccer team. This
year, he’s started most games. That might be a
bit surprising considering he didn’t play soccer
for two years after he finished high school.
“I had some catching up to do,” he says.
Since being in the States, Odhiambo has
noticed differences between how the sport is
played in Kenya compared to the U.S. In Kenya,
soccer, or football as it’s known throughout the
world, is less about skill and more about desire
and the team. The game is more physical. In
contrast, there’s more finesse to the game in the
States even though the players are bigger.
Aside from how soccer is played,
Odhiambo has noticed another difference
between the States and Kenya: College
students are a little more carefree in the U.S.
“Playing video games late into the night
before a test is common in the States, whereas
in Kenya, students would be studying late into
the night and then play video games after the
test,” he says.
It’s another reminder he’s a long way
from home. Nonetheless, Carroll is
Odhiambo’s home away from home.

10 WINT E R 2010
Head east
Oregonian finds her niche
athletically and academically

It’s not often John Carroll draws students from the

West Coast. But thanks to a scouting trip by Erin
Brooks, the women’s softball coach, there are more
people in suburban Portland, Ore., who know about
the Jesuit university in Cleveland.
It was the Amateur Softball Association Girls’
18-Under National Championship in Las Vegas
where Brooks met Natalie Rose, a talented softball
player. After Brooks approached Rose, Rose told
Brooks about her friend Mackenzie Griffin because, as
high school friends and teammates, Rose and Griffin
wanted to attend the same university and continue to
play softball together.
Griffin, 19, attended Lakeridge public high
school in Lake Oswego, Ore., where she has lived
since she was in the fourth grade after her family
moved from the San Francisco Bay Area. She
excelled in athletics – playing basketball, volleyball,
and soccer in addition to her best sport, softball –
and the classroom, averaging between a 3.5 and 4.0
grade point average while taking child development,
anthropology and constitutional law classes.
During her junior year, Griffin started to think
about where she wanted to go to college. She knew
she wanted to play softball in college but didn’t know
how she was going to do that. During her senior year,
she applied to the University of Oregon and Oregon
State University.
“I was going to try and walk on at Oregon [where
the majority of her high school classmates attend]
even though the chances were slim,” she says. “Even
if I did make it, I knew I wouldn’t play much.”
At the beginning of the summer after her senior
year, Griffin attended the orientation at Oregon,
where she originally decided to enroll. But those
plans changed. Griffin and Rose, who had played
softball together since the sixth grade, started looking
at community colleges in Northern California and
Southern Washington because they wanted to play
softball at the college level.
“Our moms drove us around, and we found two
schools we liked,” Griffin says.
But something else happened during that
summer of 2009 that changed Griffin’s future. In early
August, she and Rose went to the ASA National
Championship, where Brooks happened to be, too.

W W W.J C U.E DU / MAG AZ I N E 11

Brooks encouraged the two girls to visit John
Carroll, so, they flew to Cleveland to look at
the University.
“I remember not wanting to go to school so
far from home, but after I looked at the beautiful
campus, I found it was a good fit,” Griffin says.
“And Coach Brooks was awesome. It’s like
we’ve known her forever. She answered all our
questions about the school and campus life.”
Another reason why Carroll felt right for
Griffin is because her parents originally are
from upstate New York and the houses and
buildings around campus looked like where her
grandmother and cousins live – in Albany and
Buffalo.
“The campus is so pretty,” she says. “It all
clicked for me. I didn’t overthink it. There was
no debate [about whether to attend Carroll]. And
Natalie felt the same way, but I wouldn’t have
felt the same way if she wasn’t with me.”
During their two-night visit to campus,
Griffin and Rose met, and hit it off with,
Julie Marlowe ’10 (from Pittsburgh) and Erin
Riccardi ’12 (from Akron), who were both on
the softball team at the time.
“They are so nice,” Griffin says,
acknowledging the four girls went to Pizzazz
(a pizza place across from campus) and spent
time by themselves to get an even more
in-depth feel for campus life.
Also during the campus visit, Griffin’s dad,
Joseph, came out to meet Brooks.
On their plane ride back to Oregon after
the campus visit, Rose and Griffin made their
decision to attend Carroll.
“I’d always thought I’d go to a big school,”
Griffin says, referring to her applications to the
two PAC-10 schools in her home state.
After deciding to come to Carroll, Griffin
had thoughts about becoming homesick
being so far away from her family. However,
she didn’t have much time to dwell on that
because five days after returning home from
the campus visit, she and Rose turned around
and came back to Carroll the same week
classes started for orientation. The girls’
mothers came, too, to help them move in.
Naturally, Rose and Griffin roomed
together their freshman year. One of the things
Griffin had to get used to was the snow.
12
12 WINT E
WINT ERR 2010
2010
“It snows in Lake Oswego, but not nearly
as much as it does in Cleveland; and when it
does, it’s a big deal,” she says.
Once Griffin became settled, she started
fall ball and practiced and trained throughout
the year until the softball season started, which
is right after spring break, when the team
travels to Florida to play preseason games.
“I still felt a little homesick the first two
weeks of school, but then a few girls from the
team ran with Natalie and me, then we met
the whole team and fall ball started,” she says.
Griffin admits she wasn’t as homesick
as much as she thought she’d be during her
freshman year. However, Rose became more
homesick as the year went on.
“She has a big family and was used to
seeing them all the time,” Griffin says.
To help ease the homesickness, Griffin’s
parents came to visit her during Parents
and Family Weekend, she went home for
Thanksgiving and Christmas, and her parents
traveled to Florida to see her play softball
during spring break. Additionally, Griffin’s
dad came to the Ohio Athletic Conference
tournament and surprised her.
This year, things are a bit different for
Griffin. Rose decided not to return to Carroll
for her sophomore year because she wanted
to be closer to her family. For Griffin, the
transition from freshman year to sophomore
year was made easier because three of her
friends from Carroll flew out to see her in
Oregon, then they piled in Griffin’s car for
a seven-day road trip back to Cleveland,
stopping at national parks, such as Yellowstone
and Mount Rushmore, along the way.
“I kind of freaked out that I was going back
to JCU alone, but I realized I had established
friends here,” she says. “My friends, who
came out to see me, helped with the fact that
Natalie wasn’t coming back with me.”
Griffin also is settling in academically,
carrying a 3.2 grade point average. After
thinking about majoring in physical education/
health and then marketing, she’s found her
niche with a communications major and
creative writing minor.
It’s been a long journey, indeed, but one
Chris (left) and Craig Thomas
that’s well worth it.
Follow you, follow me
Local twins follow siblings to Carroll

It’s a case of one brother following the other, then the reverse happening.
When Craig and Chris Thomas graduate from John Carroll this
coming spring, they’ll be the third and fourth siblings of five to graduate
from the University.
The Thomas twins’ route to Carroll started with an unexpected choice
of where they decided to attend high school. Hailing from Parma, Ohio,
their three older siblings – Jeff, Erin, and Melissa – attended the local
Padua Franciscan High School, a co-educational Catholic school. As such,
the twins thought they’d follow their older siblings’ footsteps to Padua.
However, Chris was having second thoughts. Enter St. Ignatius – the Jesuit
preparatory high school in Cleveland.
“We didn’t know much about Ignatius until we went to its open
house,” Craig says.
Craig was hesitant to attend Ignatius because most of his friends were
heading to Padua and he wouldn’t know that many kids. But that perspective
started to change. The father of one of the Thomases’ soccer friends suggested
attending Ignatius and raved about the school. And after the open house they
attended, Craig’s and Chris’ parents, Tim and Mary, raved, too.
“Our parents encouraged us to go to Ignatius,” Craig says.
Chris decided to attend Ignatius instead of Padua first, and Craig soon
made up his mind, too, and followed his brother. There were four other
students from Holy Family, the parish and grade school the Thomases
belong to and attended, who also enrolled at Ignatius. The previous year,
only one student from Holy Family enrolled at Ignatius.
At St. Ignatius, the Thomases played soccer and were part of the 2005
state and national championship team.
When it came time to think about what college to attend, the brothers
applied mostly to the same schools. Chris applied to JCU, Valparaiso
University, and Ohio Wesleyan University. Craig applied to the same
three schools and the University of Dayton.
This time, the opposite of what happened when they chose to attend
Ignatius occurred. Craig made up his mind first to attend John Carroll. He
did so mainly because he wanted to continue his Jesuit education, attend a
small liberal arts school, and major in accounting in a business school that
has a strong reputation. (He has two uncles who own successful accounting
firms in Phoenix who influenced him.)
“Coming out of Ignatius, you have so much pride continuing with the
Jesuits,” he says.
The Thomases say about 20 boys from their high school graduating
class enrolled at Carroll including some of their close friends.
Chris, who was being scouted by Ohio Wesleyan, wasn’t so sure about

W W W.J C U.E DU / MAG AZ I N E 13

enrolling at JCU. OWU was appealing
because the school was interested in him
playing soccer there. But looking back, Chris
says choosing a school solely because of a sport
is the wrong reason.
“I didn’t have my priorities straight at
that moment,” he says.
Eventually, Chris followed his younger
brother (born five minutes apart) to John
Carroll.
“I chose Carroll primarily because of its
academic standards – and I thought it would
be cool if we played soccer together,” Chris
says. “Plus, my mom was encouraging me to
go to Carroll. She loves the University. And
because of our siblings and us, she has been
working with the same lady, Joan Petersen, in
the financial aid office for 11 years.”
Chris, who’s in the science program,
was impressed with, and was sold on, the
facilities in the Dolan Center for Science and
Technology.
Before choosing Carroll, the Thomases
were tempted by others schools, such as
Valparaiso, that offer a “buy one, get half off
the second” deal regarding tuition for twins if
both decide to attend the same school.
Previously, the Thomases had been
exposed to Carroll through their oldest sibling,
Jeff ’04, older sister Erin ’07 (a political science
major who died tragically in a car accident in
2008), and cousin Marie Semple ’09.
“Jeff was a finance major here at Carroll,
and he loved it,” Chris says, adding that his
older brother lived on campus all four years and
was active in intramurals. “He and his buddies
from Carroll continue to meet once a week.”
When the twins were 13, they stayed
overnight with Jeff on campus during
Parents and Family Weekend. They enjoyed
the weekend and have fond memories of
hanging out with their older brother, playing
basketball, and pulling pranks on their
brother’s friends.
“It was cool to be on a college campus
and sleep in the dorms,” Craig says.
When in high school, the twins also
shadowed their sister, Erin, who lived off
campus, and their cousin (Semple) to get a
better feel of what it was like to attend the
University.
“Class size and being fairly close to home
were important,” Craig says. “JCU is close
14 WINT E R 2010
enough where we can go home if we need to
but far enough away where it feels like we’re
not at home.”
Even though the twins were excited to play
soccer upon entering Carroll, physical injuries
(shoulder and ankle) and an increasing interest
in rugby (The oldest club sport at Carroll,
which started in 1966.) drew them away from
the sport they excelled at so well as a team in
high school. Chris left the soccer team after his
freshman year to play rugby, and Craig followed
him a year later. Craig’s involvement with the
orientation staff also conflicted with soccer
conditioning and tryouts.
Academically during his freshman year,
Chris admits he wasn’t a big fan of the
University’s core curriculum because, as a
chemistry major, that’s where he wanted to
focus his studies.
“I didn’t understand why I had to take
classes in philosophy and theology,” he says.
“But then, aspects from one discipline started
to connect with another, and they all came
together nicely by my senior year.”
This year, the twins are living together for
the first time since arriving at Carroll. During
their freshman year, they thought it best to split
up to meet more people. Still, they ended up on
the same floor, then across the hall from each
other their sophomore year. Junior year, Chris
lived in the Fairmount Gardens apartment
complex, and Craig lived in a duplex on
Warrensville Center road. This year, they’re
roommates living in Fairmount Gardens.
Looking back at his Carroll experience
to date, Craig says he wanted a chance to
become involved on a smaller campus. Greek
life, sports, the orientation staff, and retreats
all were part of that.
Craig, who will earn a Bachelor of
Science in Business Administration (he’s an
accoutancy major), will continue at Carroll
next year because he plans to earn an MBA
from the University. Chris, who will earn
a B.S. in chemistry, plans to move on to
medical school or podiatry school. Currently,
he’s shadowing doctors to help him decide.
Though there’s one thing about life after
Carroll that’s certain for the Thomas twins:
Neither of them will follow the other to
graduate school. Their professional paths will
diverge, but they always will be able to reflect
on their time at Carroll.
Opening
doors
Jesuit priest provides
Honduran an opportunity
of a lifetime
As a little boy growing up in rural Honduras,
Dany Diaz Mejia never heard of the Jesuits.
Yet, little did he know, a priest from the order
would change his life.
As a boy, Diaz Mejia always wanted to
read and enjoyed listening to his older brother
read to him. He developed a voracious reading
habit, and over time, ran out of material to
read; so he started reading his mother’s English
books. A short time later, he took a crash
course in English.
As as result, at the age of 12, Diaz Mejia
became a translator for the groups from the
States traveling throughout the country on
medical missions helping the poor.
“I knew we were poor, but I didn’t know
how poor the country was,” he says.
One of the missionary groups who traveled
to Honduras regularly was from Church of the
Gesu led by Fr. Lorn Snow, S.J. ’90G.
“I’ve known Fr. Snow since I was 10 years
old,” Diaz Mejia says. “Before I met him, I had
visions of it snowing or some kind of iceman
when he came because of the translation of his
last name.”
When Diaz Mejia was 14, a missionary
doctor sponsored him to attend a secular,
private high school, Elvel School, in
Tegucigalpa, the capital of Honduras. The
bilingual school is one of the best schools in
the country, where all the graduates continue
on to college. Other people sponsored Diaz
Mejia’s schooling at Elvel from his sophomore
through senior years. During his freshman year,
he traveled two hours each way to school from
his home. Sophomore year through senior year,
he lived with one of the teachers who taught
at the school so he didn’t have to travel so far
every day. On the weekends, he went home to
see his family – mother; one older brother, one
younger brother, and one sister.
Diaz Mejia wasn’t performing so well
academically his freshman year at Elvel. But a
teacher, Mr. Morales, became his mentor and
helped him. By the second semester freshman
year, he was in the honors group.
Throughout high school, Diaz Mejia
continued to work with missionary groups
that came to Honduras from the States. And
college was always in his plans.
“I knew I wanted to go to college and was
aware of the opportunities I had because I
was going to this prestigious high school,” he
says. “But I didn’t want to stay in Honduras. I
wanted to go abroad because I loved languages
and liked to travel.”
So Diaz Mejia looked at schools in Taiwan,
the Czech Republic, Switzerland, and Italy but
never applied to any of them.
“I was scared I wouldn’t find what I
wanted, and my family wasn’t in a financial
situation to pay for my tuition,” he says.
During his senior year, Fr. Snow, a diocesan
priest from Cleveland, talked to Diaz Mejia
about John Carroll. There was a possibility
Diaz Mejia could attend JCU for free because
of a grant.
“I was hesitant at first,” Diaz Mejia says.
“I didn’t know.”
Another group – from Lancaster, Ohio – was Diaz Mejia’s host family, living with them informed me I only needed six more classes to
talked to him about attending Ohio University. his first year at Carroll. be a political science major,” he says. “So that
“I wasn’t sure if that was the best thing for “They became my mentors and understood became my major, kind of as a default.”
me,” he says. it was difficult for me to be away from my Diaz Mejia, who also will earn a minor in
Diaz Mejia continued talking to people family,” he says. “They helped me develop a economics and English, is interested in working
about the possibility of coming to Carroll, took sense of family and deep personal relationships.” for an international company or volunteer work.
the SATs, and sent his transcripts. Finally, he The summer after his freshman year Diaz “I love to travel and love languages and
wrote the essay that’s part of the enrollment Mejia participated in a service project, took thinking about issues,” he says. “I want to do
application. Ultimately the Jesuits were the classes at Georgetown University, and completed something meaningful.”
determining factor. an internship in Washington. The summer after Diaz Mejia, who’s the first person in his
Then Fr. Snow contacted Robert L. Niehoff, his sophomore year Diaz Mejia completed the immediate family to attend college, says he
S.J., the president of JCU about the Presidential Poverty and Solidarity internship program at never imagined all the opportunities he’s had.
Scholarship grant. That, and the American JCU and interned at the public defender’s office “I’ve visited the rooms of St. Ignatius in
Values Scholarship, covered Diaz Mejia’s tuition. in Cuyahoga County. After his junior year, he Rome, went to L.A., Nicaragua, and Puerto
Gesu Church covered his living expenses. completed the Public Policy and International Rico,” he says. “I’ve had great opportunities
Diaz Mejia came to Carroll campus Affairs fellowship at Princeton University. to travel to Spain and study at Georgetown
unseen, but he knew several families from “I need to make the most of my education and Princeton. I would never have had those
Gesu, which helped him acclimate. here, so I was open to summer internships opportunities had I stayed in Honduras. The
“Fr. Mike picked me up at the airport and instead of returning home each summer,” he Jesuits are a big part of my life now and how I
drove me to the Koehler’s house,” he says. says, acknowledging his interest in nonprofit, look at the world.”
“I got sick with Dengue fever shortly after I legal, and public policy work.
arrived, but the Koehlers treated me so well Even though those were Diaz Mejia’s As part of JCU’s 125th Anniversary
that week, which brought me closer to them.” interests, he didn’t know what he wanted to celebration, we’d like to hear your
The Koehler family – Mike, his wife, major in. road-to-Carroll stories. Please visit
Michelle, and their four children who live in “When I sat down with Dr. [Lauren] www.jcu.edu/125 and click on the
Shaker Heights and belong to Gesu parish – Bowen, who’s my academic advisor, she “Share Your Story” box.

W W W.J C U.E DU / MAG AZ I N E 15

 A proud milestone
Women’s athletics program celebrates 40th anniversary
by Chris Wenzler ’90
F or a university that enrolled only male
students through its first 83 years, John
Carroll University’s transition to a co-educational
institution in 1969 was sure to meet its pockets of
resistance and moments of encumbrance.
The same could be said for its athletic
department. A bastion of all-male sports since
its inception in 1920, the John Carroll men’s
coaches and administrators would be asked – for
the first time – to share its space, equipment,
and time with a women’s program.
Kathleen Manning ’72G, Ph.D., was
the person chosen to start the women’s
intercollegiate athletic program at John Carroll.
She took the assignment knowing full well
many obstacles were lying in wait, such as lack
of locker rooms, transportation, and staff.
But where some people see challenges,
others see opportunity. And, as 40 years of
women’s athletes at John Carroll can attest,
Manning proved to be the latter.
women’s athletics timeline
1970-71
Volleyball and basketball
were initiated
16 WINT E R 2010
Starting from scratch
Manning was hired in 1970 to teach women’s
physical education and formally was named
the coordinator of women’s athletics in 1974
by Fr. Henry Birkenhauer, S.J., who was
the University’s president from 1970-1980.
Manning remembers a generally supportive
atmosphere for her and the young women who
wanted to play athletics. But she definitely had
her hurdles.
“Traditionally, John Carroll athletics was
an old boy’s network,” says Jerry Schweickert
’60, a fellow coach and former standout athlete
for John Carroll in the late 1950s. “She had to
fight for everything she got.”
But transforming an all-male university into
a co-ed one is much easier said than done.
“There were plans for the academic
programs and housing for women, but there
was no strategic plan for women’s athletics,”
Manning says. “This was not unusual at that
1971-82 1975-76
Competed under the guise Swimming
of the Association of and diving
Intercollegiate Athletics program started
for women
time. The groundwork for women’s athletics
needed to be established and built with a respect
for tradition, while creating new traditions.”
An example at the time could be found
in the structure of the well-organized men’s
intramural system. It was administered by
the Iota Beta Gamma fraternity and had
been in place for many years. Schedules were
established, and teams were formed well in
advance. To simply claim some type of domain
would’ve been counterproductive, so Manning
chose a more diplomatic approach.
“We practiced in the evening after
intramurals that first year,” Manning says. “By
the second year, we had games at the same time
as intramurals, and by the third year, intramurals
were scheduled around women’s athletic events.”
It was that type of diplomacy that would
win Manning more friends than enemies in
those formative years of the women’s program.
Of course, if an opportunity arose to make
1976-77 1981
Tennis program The NCAA
launched began sponsoring
women’s sports
 change happen quicker, she was ready for that as
well. Such an opportunity took place with the
founding of the women’s tennis team in 1974-75.
“The men’s team practiced at 3:30, and the
women couldn’t have the courts until after the
men,” Manning says. “But in early spring, it was
dark by 5:30, so the women practiced at 7 in
the morning, indoors or out, depending on the
weather. But when a new men’s tennis coach
came to John Carroll, I merely told him the
men and women shared the courts for practice,
and he agreed. So the men’s and women’s tennis
teams each had three courts for practice on
a daily basis from then on. I just waited until
times were better, if that was at all possible.”
The first sports
The first two women’s teams, basketball and
volleyball, began in 1970. It was a learning
experience for everyone. The women were
learning the five-player game in basketball, while
volleyball had transitioned to power volleyball,
so there was a huge learning curve for skill
development. Additionally, the female athletes
were learning about the role of the athlete
in terms of commitment, responsibility, and
organizing their time differently. Players would
miss practice to take exams, finish term papers,
and even to go on dates.
“If there was a big dance coming up, I
didn’t schedule anything,” Manning says. “I
was clear with the players that I’d continue
to ask for additional resources as their
commitment increased. It was a learning
experience for everyone.”
A primary area for growth was the
development of a budget for uniforms,
1984 1984
The Presidents’ Athletic Conference Softball
began sponsoring women’s sports program began
transportation, and food allowance. That didn’t
happen in the first two years, so the players wore
gym suits and pinnies. Transportation often was
Manning’s Pontiac LeMans.
“The point of it all was to compete, and the
spirit of the girls was enthusiastic,” Manning says.
Anne Conway
’72 – member of the
JCU Alumni Board,
2009 Alumni Medal
Recipient, and a
member of the first
women’s basketball
team – recalls
practicing at 10 p.m.
Conway after the men were
done and using the bathroom to get changed
because there was no women’s locker room. For
games, the team wore blue T-shirts with numbers
made out of masking tape. They played as badly
as they looked.
“We were awful,” Conway says. “I wouldn’t
want anyone to know the scores of those games.”
The important thing was the women were
competing. If they had waited for everything to
be perfect, they would have had a much slower
start and wouldn’t be as far as they are today.
“The program was built on the determina-
tion and the spirit of females willing to practice
and compete with minimal advantages,”
Manning says. “It was a developmental process.”
Volleyball and basketball went through
identical growing pains because they were
the first two teams. By the time tennis was
introduced in 1974-75 resources had improved,
and they continued to improve throughout the
development of the women’s programs.
1984 1985
Cross country Track and field
program launched program started
Perhaps one of the seminal moments for the
development of the women’s program was when
one of the most established of the men’s coaches
stepped across the proverbial aisle.
“In the fall of 1981, I was completing my
doctoral program and writing my dissertation,”
Manning says. “Jerry Schweickert decided he
would help me out. He was the athletic director,
physical education chair, and baseball coach at
the time he decided to join women’s volleyball.
He stayed as my assistant for nine years and
continued with Gretchen Weitbrecht until he
retired from coaching. I’m always thankful he
accepted that role.”
Schweickert had limited knowledge of the
game but brought other talents to the table.
“His spirit and belief about pride, tradition,
commitment, not complaining, and looking for
the good in yourself meshed well with my own
personality,” Manning says. “Jerry watched from
the sidelines during the first 10 years of women’s
athletics, but once he made a commitment to
the program, it was unwavering. The women’s
program is better for his willingness to give of
himself and have first-hand involvement.”
Competitive programs
In the spring of 1975, women’s tennis began
a competitive schedule, followed by women’s
swimming and diving in the early 1980s. Tennis
was similar to volleyball and basketball in terms
of the makeup of the team.
“Players responded to an announcement
that we were going to have a team,” Manning
says. “We didn’t have recruiting at that point in
women’s athletics.”
Patrice McCauley Hulseman ’80, who
1989 1999
Soccer program Golf program
instituted began
W W W.J C U.E DU / MAG AZ I N E 17
was one of the first members of
the tennis team, recalls a laid-
back atmosphere that was more
about putting together a team and
getting the chance to play than be
subjected to tryouts.
“During my freshman year,
we showed up and just started
hitting balls, but I don’t remember
having to play a match to get on
the team, which sounds kind of
funny now,” says Hulseman, who’s
married to JCU Hall of Fame
swimmer Paul Hulseman ’82 and
parents of Michael Hulseman ’12 and Sean
Hulseman ’13.
Yet there was clear evidence women’s
athletics was starting to be taken more seriously
and making strides.
“It was the little things,” Hulseman says.
“We had a few perks that were a big deal back
then, such as the free Tretorn tennis shoes and
vouchers for meals after matches.”
Manning still has a plaque on her wall from
the 1978 team. It reads: “To the person who saw
the skill and ability in us and developed it, who
encouraged, put up, and stayed with us. But most
of all believed in us and in what we could do.”
Validation
In 1970, only a handful of women played in
the first two women’s sports that were formed –
basketball and volleyball. Initially, they played
an independent schedule, then moved to
organized programs within the Western Reserve
Athletic Conference and the Ohio Association
of Intercollegiate Sports for Women. Beginning
in 1984-85, the women had a conference
affiliation for competition in the Presidents’
Athletic Conference.
One of Manning’s long-term goals was for
John Carroll women to join the Ohio Athletic
Conference. With Athletic Director Tony
DeCarlo ’66G on the same page, John Carroll
filed for membership, and it was approved in time
for the 1989-90 academic year. JCU has been a
member of the competitive league ever since.
The women’s programs in the OAC
represented standards Manning used as her
models while building the women’s programs
at John Carroll.
“Being the only female in John Carroll’s
athletic department, I had no points of
comparison, so Marcie French at Baldwin-
18 WINT E R 2010
Wallace and Sheila Wallace at Ohio Northern
[pioneers in intercollegiate athletics for women]
became early models for our women’s programs.
When Fr. Lavelle [president of John Carroll
from 1988-1995] announced John Carroll would
join the OAC, I was very pleased.”
As Manning reflected on the fact she had
accomplished what she initially had set out to
do, she also sensed it was time for a change.
“I competed for one year in the OAC, but
at that point I knew my job was finished,” she
says. “It was time for someone else to take over
and continue the women’s program.”
Looking back, Manning cherished the years
she coached, despite the struggles.
“I loved working with the girls,” she says.
“That was my only priority: What could I do to
make their world and women’s athletics better.
The plan was to always move forward, look
good, and keep getting better. We were blessed
with supportive male students, Dr. Jim Lavin,
who continually supported my requests for
increases in necessary resources, and Fr. Henry
Birkenhauer, S.J., who was my constant support
building women’s athletics. I can’t imagine what
might have been if Fr. Birkenhauer hadn’t been
the president. I was fortunate.”
Celebrating 40 years
Looking back at 1970 offers an interesting
athletic landscape to view. What started as
two programs now has increased to nine –
six of the nine have captured league titles.
Hundreds of student-athletes have earned all-
conference recognition, almost 40 have earned
All-American status, and a select few have
garnered national titles.
There are 21 female athletes who’ve been
inducted into JCU’s Athletic Hall of Fame.
At the Hall of Fame dinner, which took
place Sept. 24, the new inductees included
three female athletes, and the
1993 women’s volleyball team,
which was the first women’s
team to qualify for an NCAA
tournament.
Rita Braun ’81, an All-
American diver in the late ’70s
and early ’80s, was one of the first
five women to receive the Hall
of Fame honor. She competed on
the men’s team for a year before a
women’s team was formed.
“My diving career was
fantastic,” says Braun, who lives
in Whitefish, Mont. “I still think about it
fondly.”
For Braun, diving was more than just an
athletic passion: It helped pave the way for her
to earn an education. The men’s swimming
and diving coach at the time, Ron Zwierlein,
and Fr. Birkenhauer helped her obtain an
academic scholarship that paid for many of her
expenses.
“For me, going to John Carroll was a
life changer; and it wasn’t being on the
diving team so much as it was attending and
graduating from a really great university,”
Braun says.
At the 40th anniversary milestone,
Manning is proud of what women’s athletics
has accomplished, and she’s confident women’s
athletic programs at John Carroll will continue
to flourish.
“For me, the heart and spirit of women’s
athletics from the beginning to the present
will always be the female athletes,” she says.
“Regardless of challenges we faced, it was
always worth it. Because of the women who
pioneered the programs, and the female
athletes who continue the tradition currently,
women’s athletics at John Carroll continues to
grow and prosper.”
Conway, now a chief U.S. District judge
in Florida, says she has fond memories of her
playing days and feels proud she helped pave the
way for women’s sports at JCU.
“We had a good time, and I think we
showed the University women belonged
there,” she says. “If we wanted to do it, we
went and got it done.”
For more information about JCU’s
women’s athletic programs, visit,
www.jcusports.com.
Steeped in tradition
The Ignatian Colleagues Program (ICP) provides John Carroll’s leaders an opportunity
to learn more about Ignatian spirituality and the Jesuit educational heritage
to help advance the University’s Jesuit Catholic mission
By Sue Valerian

A
n initiative of the Jesuit institutions
of higher learning in the Heartland/
Delta region of the country, the
Ignatian Colleagues Program now is supported
by 24 of the 28 Jesuit colleges and universities
in America and the Jesuit provinces of the
Heartland/Delta region. Headquartered at
John Carroll University at the invitation of
JCU President Robert L. Niehoff, S.J., the
program, which trains university leaders to
preserve the identity of the institutions for
which they work, is directed by Edward Peck,
Ph.D., former associate dean of John Carroll’s
graduate school.
Fr. Niehoff, who supports the relatively
new national program enthusiastically,
welcomed its headquarters at Carroll.
“It’s a great pleasure to have the Ignatian
Colleagues Program on our campus,” he says.
“The ICP, under Ed’s direction, has become the
Jesuit lay leadership formation program that
many of us in Jesuit higher education and the
Society of Jesus have been looking for.”

The commitment
The program began in 2008 shortly after the
35th General Congregation of the Society of
Jesus reaffirmed its desire to encourage Jesuits
and their colleagues to collaborate more closely
as companions in mission and engage in a
process of mutual formation for partnership.
Peck says the ICP and related programs aren’t
just about declining numbers of Jesuits, but
St. Ignatius Loyola - from a triptych created by the Rev. William Hart McNichols. Courtesy of Creighton University.
rather about shared responsibility.
“Even though the ICP may have emerged month period. Like Jesuit schools, the program John Carroll, have completed the program.
at a time when there are fewer Jesuits available is open to people of all religious faiths and Currently, 85 more are enrolled in the second
for higher education, there’s always been a traditions. and third cohorts, including five more faculty,
need for well-informed and engaged partners in “Participants don’t all have to be Catholic, staff and administrators from John Carroll. Each
mission,” he says. but rather, they need to share a common university’s president selects the participants
The program provides lay participants with commitment to understand and advance the from among leaders across their campus,
a variety of opportunities to learn more about mission,” Peck says. resulting in a broad spectrum of participants in
Ignatian spirituality, Jesuit Catholic education, As of this past summer, 40 people from each cohort of about 45 people.
and the commitment to justice during an 18- throughout the country, including two from The program involves a significant

W
WWWW.J
W.JCCU.E
U.EDU / MAG
DU/ MAGAZ
AZIINNEE 19
19
investment on the part of the participants and
institutions.
“The presidents, provincials, and local coor-
dinators who support the ICP believe this is an
important investment in the future,” Peck says.
Each participant attends a four-day
orientation in Chicago and then returns to
campus to complete a series of online workshops
created by a national group of content experts
working with Peck. The program also includes
a week-long immersion trip to Central America
and an experience of the Spiritual Exercises of
St. Ignatius. Participants are asked to leave the
program with an action plan, or mission project,
to incorporate what they learned into their daily
jobs. The program ends with a four-day capstone
experience about Ignatian discernment.
“During the capstone experience,
participants widely reported feeling much more
prepared and willing to articulate the Jesuit
mission of higher education in new ways and
work collaboratively with people back on their
campuses to advance the mission,” Peck says.
Jesuit Colleague
In addition to Williams, John Carroll participants
include Karen Schuele, Ph.D., dean of the Boler
School of Business; John Day, Ph.D., academic
vice president; Jonathan Smith, Ph.D., vice
president and executive assistant to the president;
Nicholas Santilli, Ph.D., associate academic
vice president for planning and assessment and
institutional effectiveness; Lauren Bowen, Ph.D.,
associate vice president for academic programs
and faculty diversity; and Mark Storz, Ph.D.,
associate dean of Graduate Studies in the College
of Arts and Sciences and associate professor in
the Department of education and Allied Studies.
Bowen is on track to finish the program in
January 2011. Raised by a Methodist mother and
an atheist father, she considers herself culturally
Protestant and professionally secular. So when Fr.
Niehoff invited her into the program, she asked
the program’s director more than once if she was
right for it. Peck assured her she was. After a year
in the program, her outlook has changed.
“Before ICP, I understood intellectually
the Jesuit tradition and values, but I didn’t
allow myself to experience them,” she says.
Bowen believed she was able to commu-
nicate and support the Jesuit mission but was
unfamiliar with living it. But now, particularly
after what she describes as a transformative trip
20 W INT E R 2010
WINT
to El Salvador, she feels more a part of it.
“I now understand myself as a participant
in an organic and dynamic mission that’s
steeped in a rich tradition and anchored by
clear values,” she says.
In part, that means inviting passion and
caring into her work.
“What I’ve learned to do a little bit better
is stop trying to distinguish between reason
and emotion so rigidly,” Bowen says. “They’re
not separate and distinct. Humanity is as
important as intellectual debate.”
At the same time, Bowen has come to
another realization: paying attention to the
whole person, not just the intellectual side.
“It’s about my own habits of mind and my
ethos of being – not just about the programs I
design and the courses I teach and the committees
I chair – but how I conduct myself and how I
interact at the individual level with everyone I
meet and with whom I work,” she says.
The program encouraged Brian Williams,
vice president for enrollment, to examine
how he performs his job daily. Williams’ main
responsibility is to continue increasing the
number of qualified high school graduates who
experience John Carroll. But since completing
the ICP earlier this year, Williams is embracing
another newly emphasized responsibility: to
better communicate the University’s Jesuit
Catholic mission to prospective students.
With fewer Jesuits to lead universities such
as John Carroll, faculty and administrators like
Williams are relied on increasingly to help
carry out each institution’s mission.
“The challenge is to take what I learned
over 18 months about what kind of experience
one can expect for the next four years and try
About the program
A national program designed to educate administrators more deeply in
the Jesuit tradition of higher education, so they can better articulate,
adapt, and advance the Ignatian mission on their campuses.
Executive director: Ed Peck, Ph.D.
Headquarters: John Carroll University
Participating schools: 24 Jesuit universities nationwide
More information: www.jcu.edu/ignatiancolleagues
to share that with my staff and my prospective
students,” he says. “What does it mean to be a
Jesuit university, and what does that mean to a
17, 18 year old?”
The Jesuit mission – to think beyond
oneself, to strive for something deeper – can
get lost among teenagers bent on finding a job
after graduation, so, according to Williams, the
University’s goal is to help them understand
the greater value of a John Carroll degree.
“What are you going to do with it, and
how is it going to make a difference in the
world?” says Williams, who wants students
to ask themselves these questions. “It’s that
constant reminder that sets a Jesuit education
apart. It’s not just about your talents, but how
you use those talents.”
Storz completed the ICP with Williams.
As a Catholic, the experience wasn’t so much
transformative as it was a welcomed chance to
reflect on his own spirituality. He described the
retreat in Denver as the most important part of
the program for him.
“It was an opportunity to spend eight days
in quiet in the mountains ... and talk about
and reflect on my own spirituality, which we
don’t get to do in our busy lives,” Storz says.
“It was a real gift.”
Storz’s ICP project is to create a series of
workshops about Ignatian pedagogy and help
graduate assistants incorporate the Ignatian
method of teaching into their classrooms.
“The more we have an understanding of
the history and the mission of the Jesuits, the
better we can be partners with the Jesuits in
promoting education,” Storz says. “Ultimately,
it’s about the students. We want to continue to
promote this tradition among them.”
 Retaining the Jesuit identity
Local support for the Ignatian Colleagues Program
received a boost this year when, in August, Paul V.
Murphy, Ph.D., took over as assistant to the president for
mission. Murphy, professor of history and the director of
John Carroll’s Institute of Catholic Studies since 2005,
will meet individually with the University’s participants in
the ICP and bring them together for group discussions.
His participation with the ICP is just one piece of a
larger role for Murphy: serving as a key ambassador to
preserve and grow John Carroll’s Jesuit identity.
“It’s crucially important to the future of Jesuit higher
education that we be attentive to the mission of this
University,” Murphy says, adding the identity is what
helps John Carroll stand out among other Ohio liberal
arts universities, and that’s key to attracting and
keeping students. “Given the price of higher education,
there better be a good reason for students to be here.”
Murphy’s move into his new role is a natural one
partly because he co-chaired the University’s Mission
Coordinating Committee the past few years. The
committee took over after Fr. Howard Gray, S.J., left the
position Murphy has filled.
“I’m grateful Paul has agreed to take on this important
role,” says Robert L. Niehoff, S.J., president of John
Carroll. “With his strong background and connection to
the John Carroll University community and commitment
to Jesuit higher education, I have great confidence
in Paul’s strategic foresight to help John Carroll and
Jesuit higher education maintain and carry forth the
critical Jesuit mission and Ignatian identity, which is the
foundation of the University.”
“The reality is the church is going to become more
dependent on universities like ours,” Murphy says.
The opportunity to help others find God in all things,
to find that synthesis with religion and culture excites
Murphy about his new position. One of his goals is to
make the position more visible on campus by organizing
brown-bag lunches with speakers who are experts in
Ignatian and Jesuit traditions. He’ll also hold student
workshops for campus tour guides to help them
communicate the school’s mission and identity better
to prospective students and their parents. But he won’t
pressure anyone into thinking the way he does.
“We’re not here to indoctrinate, in any kind of coercive
way, those who are here who aren’t Catholic or who
aren’t open to the things we are,” he says. “But it’s
important to me to communicate what it means to
us. I hope my office is a place where people feel
free and safe to talk about what the challenges and
opportunities are at a Jesuit university.”
Perhaps most importantly, Murphy wants to help raise
the money needed to establish a permanent place for
an office of mission and identity at John Carroll.
žo…‹ yw„ Šw‚ w‚‚ …‹ w„Š wx…‹Š ƒ‰‰…„ w„z z{„ŠŠB
but we need the right budget to support it,” he says.
“We better be serious about this.”
– Sue Valerian

Murphy has been studying and teaching about issues

of mission and identity for much of his career. As
director of the Institute of Catholic Studies the past
five years, he has overseen a Catholic Studies minor
for undergraduates and organized an annual Catholic
Studies lecture series. During that same period, he
taught courses about the Jesuits and church history.
Before coming to John Carroll in 2005, he spent more
than 15 years teaching history, including Jesuit and
church history, at universities in Toronto, Chicago, and
San Francisco.

“My role has been to help enhance the Jesuit mission

for quite awhile,” he says.

With a dwindling number of Jesuits, it’s necessary

lay people carry the mission forward.

Paul Murphy, Ph.D.

W W W.J C U.EDU / MAG AZ I N E 21

 SETTING TH
We have much to look forward to!
John Carroll University will celebrate its 125th
Anniversary in 2011, and it is just about time
for our year-long series of events to begin.
It will be a time for us to reflect on our many
achievements and our Jesuit Catholic tradition
of excellence, and it will also be a time for us to
look to the future – to find new ways to engage
the world through leadership and service.
You will find our schedule of anniversary
events on the opposite page, but we encourage
you to visit our interactive 125th Anniversary
website regularly at www.jcu.edu/125. Detailed
information will be added to the 125th
Anniversary website as the year progresses,
including announcements about our
22 WINT E R 2010
commencement speaker, additional speakers,
event details, and new interactive content.
To refresh you on a little John Carroll history,
here are two key dates from 1886 that are
particularly important to recognize as part of
our 125th Anniversary:
UÊFounder’s Day: On April 19, 1886, a formal
agreement between Bishop Richard Gilmour,
Bishop of Cleveland, and Fr. Henry Behrens,
S.J., Superior of the Buffalo Mission, invited
the Buffalo Jesuits to establish a college in
Cleveland.
UÊOpening Day: On September 6, 1886,
classes opened for students and John Carroll
University began life as St. Ignatius College
on Cleveland’s West Side.
Since then, generations of students, faculty,
staff, administrators, and alumni have made
John Carroll a meaningful, purposeful, and
vibrant institution.
We invite you to celebrate this milestone year by participating in one or more
events. Reconnect with old friends and professors. See how the campus has
changed. Meet our current students, and see what college life is like today.
Get out your calendars and make a plan to
come home to Carroll in 2011
HE STAGE
125TH ANNIVERSARY SCHEDULE
Spring semester 2011
Jan. 30 – Feb. 4 Ignatian Heritage Week
March 28-31 Celebration of Scholarship
April 125th Anniversary Month of Service
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(with St. Ignatius High School)

May 20-22 Commencement/Reunion

Fall semester 2011

Sept. 6 125th Anniversary of the First Day of Classes
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staff, administrators, alumni, and friends)
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Sept. 29 – Oct. 2 Homecoming 125

Oct. 6 125th Speaker Series
Fr. Timothy Radcliffe, O.P. (Grace Lecture)

Dec. 2 125th Anniversary Gala

The closing event of our 125th Anniversary year

Visit the 125th Anniversary website for the latest

information and to participate online:
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www.jcu.edu/125
W W W.J C U.E DU / MAG AZ I N E 23
 ENROLLMENT
QUARTERLY

CARROLL
PEOPLE

Come see for yourself

IN MEMORIAM

There’s no question about it. John Carroll’s gorgeous campus, which features Gothic
architecture and experiences a change of the four seasons. The campus is a major
determining factor that compels students to choose to attend the University.
MY TURN
“After I looked at the beautiful campus, I found it was a good fit.
The campus is so pretty. It all clicked for me.”
— Mackenzie Griffin ’13

“As soon as I stepped on campus, I fell in love with this place.”

— Rachael Grueber ’14

“Literally, as soon as I stepped foot on campus,

I turned to my dad and said, ‘This is where I’m going.’”
— Matt Wooters ’09

Prospective students who take the time to visit the University to see the campus
in more detail get a better feel for what student life is like. These photos are just
a glimpse of that, but you can’t experience the true sense of John Carroll and our
talented and supportive people unless you see the campus first-hand. We encourage
you to do that, so please contact the enrollment office at 216-397-2020 to schedule
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Don’t forget the time to apply for financial aid is here.

For fall 2011 financial aid, the Federal Form (FASA) can be filed starting
in January, and you can apply for your PIN now at www.pin.ed.gov.

For additional financial aid information, visit www.jcu.edu/aidjcu.

24 WINT E R 2010
JOHN CARROLL’S guide to the college admission process
 CARROLL
PEOPLE
A skill for finding talent
IN MEMORIAM
T
hird down, eight yards to go. The
Atlanta Falcons offensive line
hunkers down, waiting for the
MY
center’s snap. AnTURN
eye-blink later, the ball
is in motion, and so is the playing field.
A swarm of invading Carolina Panthers
linebackers are pushed away for precious
milliseconds as the Falcons’ quarterback
drops back, scans the Georgia Dome
playing field, and guns a corkscrew pass
20 yards into the outstretched hands of a
running back, who has just enough time
to pull down and hug the ball before a
Panther yanks him to the ground.
First down! The home-field crowd
cheers while David Caldwell ’96, the
Falcons’ director of college scouting,
watches the action with a satisfied smile.
Several athletes involved in that play
were once collegiate players he scouted,
scrutinized, and recommended to team
officials as solid draft picks. Yet Caldwell,
36, humbly refuses to take sole credit for any
acquisitions.
“Drafting players is a team effort,” he says.
“There’s not a lot of patting ourselves on the
back. Scouts don’t keep score, like, ‘I got six right
this year, and you only got two right.’ Besides, we
never go with just one person’s opinion. Several
people check out the players. I tend to remember
my mistakes, only because I want to learn not to
make the same mistakes again.”
Caldwell, who oversees an 11-person staff
that includes eight scouts, spends as many
as 150 days a year away from his Atlanta-
area home visiting colleges, watching games,
and talking to athletes, their coaches, team
trainers, and academic advisers. Extensive
research is part of creating a psychological
evaluation of every potential draftee.
While athletes’ physical skills always draw
attention, not every talented collegiate has
the emotional maturity to adapt to the high-
pressure NFL lifestyle.
“A player represents a multimillion-dollar
investment for the team,” Caldwell says.
“The two keys I look for are his passion and
26 W I N T E R 2010
perseverance. Then I ask myself, ‘Is this a guy
I’d like to play with?’ and ‘Would I want to be
his teammate?’”
The biggest turn-offs are a lack of work
ethic and selfishness, Caldwell says, adding
that he doesn’t like to see players who put
personal goals above team goals.
Born in Buffalo, N.Y., Caldwell grew up a
die-hard Yankees fan who loved playing football
in high school. His hard-nosed style of play
attracted former JCU head football coach Tony
DeCarlo ’66G, who recruited the linebacker for
the Blue Streaks. While at Carroll, Caldwell
chose to pursue a business degree.
“I felt the business school was the best
in the area,” he says. “I went to John Carroll
knowing I’d never be a pro football player. I
was average at best. But I loved the game, and
Coach DeCarlo became one of my mentors,
along with Frank Navratil, Ph.D.”
Navratil is the former dean of the John
M. and Mary Jo Boler School of Business
who’s currently a professor of economics in the
Department of Economics and Finance.
DeCarlo, who retired from coaching in
2003 and now is JCU’s director of athletic
development, remembers Caldwell as a solid
football player.
“He was probably not big enough to be
looked at by the NFL, but he worked hard
on the field and was a great competitor,”
DeCarlo says. “He brought a great work
ethic to the team.”
The two-year letterman was on the
team that won the 1994 Ohio Athletic
Conference title.
“That was one of the most exciting
moments and greatest achievements
I’ve ever experienced, beating Baldwin-
Wallace in the last game of the season
to win the title,” Caldwell says. “We
started the year with the goal to win the
conference, and we did it.”
Also on that team were Caldwell’s
roommate, Greg Roman ’94, who’s
the offensive coordinator at Stanford
University, and Chris Polian ’93, the
vice president and general manager of
the Indianapolis Colts. Polian encouraged
Caldwell to enter professional sports. After
Caldwell graduated with a B.S. in business
administration with a finance major in 1996
(Boler grads receive a BSBA, Bachelor of
Science in Business Administration), Polian
helped him secure a position with the Carolina
Panthers as a scouting assistant. Two years
later, Caldwell and Polian went to work for the
Colts, where Caldwell scouted the Midwest
and West Coast regions. He left in 2008 to
head the Falcons’ scouting department.
As the Falcons head back to the field after
halftime, Caldwell collects his belongings
because he’s leaving to catch a flight to check
out a defensive end who’s leading the PAC-10
in sacks.
“I’m having a great time with this,” he
says. “I’m lucky to be doing what I’m doing in a
wonderful organization with terrific leadership.”
– Benjamin Gleisser
For a complete list of alumni who
have played or worked in the NFL,
visit jcu.edu/umc/media.
 ALUMNI
NEWS

Upcoming events
Call for nominations! Dates are subject to change.
For the latest information,
Alumni Awards visit www.jcu.edu/alumni.
The John Carroll Alumni Association is seeking nominations for Jan. 8, 2011
the 2011 Alumni Medal and Campion Shield. Nominations are due Presidential Reception
Friday, Feb. 4, 2011. The Alumni Medal recognizes an individual’s Southern California
accomplishments in her/his profession, exemplary family and personal Jan. 22, 2011
life, contributions to her/his community, and dedicated service to the Chicago Bulls vs. Cleveland Cavaliers
University. The Campion Shield recognizes bravery on the part of Chicago
a member of the John Carroll community. To nominate a deserving Jan. 28, 2011
alumna, visit www.jcu.edu/alumni or call the office of alumni relations Alumni and Student Finance
Association Reception
(800-736-2586, ext. 4336) to receive a nomination packet by mail. New York City
Jan. 30, 2011
Athletic Hall of Fame Ignatian Heritage Week
The Blue Gold Club is accepting nominations for the Athletic Hall of Fame class of 2011. Kick-off to 125th Anniversary
Nominations can be made only online at www.jcusports.com/HOF. Candidates are classified as Mass, Gesu Church (Cleveland)
athletes, coaches/administrators, or honorary. Teams also can be nominated as a single entity. To Feb. 8, 2011
qualify as an athlete, a person must have graduated at least 10 years ago. To qualify as a coach Alumni and Elected Officials Reception
or administrator, a person must have served the University in that capacity for a minimum of Washington, D.C.
10 years. There’s also an honorary category in which the person must be deemed to have made Feb. 25, 2011
a significant impact on the athletic program in any JCU Night with the Cavs (vs. N.Y.
Knicks)
capacity. All nominations for the 2011 Athletic Hall
Quicken Loans Arena
of Fame must be submitted by Feb. 18, 2011. Any
nomination received after this date will be entered March 15, 2011
Presidential Reception
into the pool of candidates for the class of 2012. Port Royal Club, Naples, Fla.
March 31, 2011
Independent College Day
Join alumni for first at the Statehouse
Alumni and Elected Officials Reception
immersion trip to Haiti Columbus, Ohio
In partnership with the Jesuit Refugee Service and April 2, 2011
Foi et Joie (Jesuit school network), the first alumni Legacy Breakfast
immersion trip to Haiti April 3-9, 2011, will offer Accepted Student Day of Celebration
10 participants a chance to better understand for class of 2015
the realities of life in Haiti after the earthquake of JCU campus
January 2010. Coordinated by Campus Ministry, April is Alumni Month of Service
Center for Service and Social Action, and the Office of April 3-9, 2011
Alumni Relations, the trip will be framed in the same Alumni Immersion to Haiti
values of the JCU student immersion experience
April 30, 2011
program — service, social justice, education,
Cultivating Community Day
community, and spirituality – but will be facilitated
in a way that’s conducive to a multiage adult group
with commitments to family, work etc. For more Save the dates:
information or to register for the trip, visit www.
jcu.edu/immersion or contact the Office of Alumni May 20-22, 2011
Relations at 216-397-3014. Commencement Reunion Weekend
May 20, 2011
Alumni Awards Banquet
Part of the 125th Anniversary
June 20, 2011
month of service Alumni Golf Classic
Fowler’s Mill Golf Course (Cleveland)

W W W.J C U. ED U/ MAG AZ I N E 27
 ALUMNI
NEWS

From gray to Gold Streaks

In celebration of the upcoming 125th Anniversary, the group formerly
and affectionately known as the Gray Streaks has officially become the
Gold Streaks. This unique and important group of alumni who attended
the University 50 or more years ago, and who meet on the second
Wednesday of every month (October to December and February to
May), are an important part of the history, legacy, and tradition of the
University. New members are welcomed each May at commencement
and are celebrated each year at reunion. This May, the class of 1961 will
join this celebrated affinity group.
A small gathering of alumni, graduates of the ’30s and ’40s (mostly
day hops or commuters at the time), first started to meet monthly
for lunch, off-campus, more than 20 years ago. They decided to meet
socially for lunch to celebrate their common college experiences. They
considered themselves Men of the Company – that company was JCU.
The chaplain for the group was Fr. Howard J. Kerner, S.J., a notable
history professor who fit naturally with the group. Then director of
alumni relations, Peter Bernardo ’67, G’72, attended the luncheons and
encouraged the group to bring their gatherings back to campus.
In the early ’90s, the group decided to determine a name for this
group of engaged alumni. At that time, the Golden Buckeye Card was
well known to alumni in Ohio. The term “golden-ager” was popular and,
in general, everything that was old was given a golden moniker. The
group that made up the bulk of the membership disliked the use of golden
for anything with which they were associated. They were Blue Streaks
but, over time, had gone gray. Thus, the name Gray Streaks was adopted.
The name stuck and was popular with the group until a few years ago.
The first Gold Streaks luncheon was held Oct. 13 in the O’Connell Reading
Room in the Dolan Center for Science and Technology. Peter Bernardo ’67
’72G, director of planned giving, spoke about the change from Gray Streaks
to Gold Streaks. He’s pictured with members of the class of 1957. Seated,
from left: Vince Panichi, Jerry Trombo, Bill Comiskey, and Bill Mooney
Standing, from left: Bernardo, George Billings, Salvatore Felice, Jim Clark,
Tom Moran, and Dick Huberty.
With the changing membership, and a few notes of complaint about
being referred to by the color of their hair, in celebration of the 125th
Anniversary of John Carroll, this esteemed group of alumni, including
recipients of the Alumni Medal, class columnists, alumni in admissions
volunteers, consecutive donors, and past presidents of the Alumni
Association, will be known as John Carroll Gold Streaks. The current
membership in attendance at the monthly luncheons spans class years
from 1936 (Larry Kelley) to 1960. The spring 2011 luncheons will be
held on campus on the following second Wednesdays: Feb. 9, March 9,
and April 13. For more information, e-mail alumni@jcu.edu.

PRO MOT I O N S Speed networking

series succeeds
In the health-care field Sponsored by the Office of Alumni Relations and
Ronald Dziedzicki ’92G was promoted to brigadier general in the U.S.
Center for Career Services, the first JCU Alumni Speed
Army. Dziedzicki, who’s the chief support services officer for University
Networking Series kicked off this fall
Hospitals Case Medical Center in Cleveland, was assigned as a
with enthusiasm. More than 100
deputy commanding general for the 3rd Medical Deployment Support
alumni throughout Cleveland,
Command at Fort Gillem, Ga. Dziedzicki, who earned his M.B.A. from
Pittsburgh, and Chicago
JCU’s Boler School of Business in 1992, served with the U.S. Army
participated in one of three
Reserves for 26 years and is serving as commander of the 307th Medical
structured networking
Brigade in Columbus, Ohio. President Barack Obama nominated
events in their respective
Dziedzicki, and the U.S. Senate confirmed his nomination.
cities. Participants had
a chance to connect with
Mark A. Kadzielski ’68, the head of the West Coast Healthcare Law
fellow alumni who are
Practice at Fulbright & Jaworski LLP in Los Angeles, was selected
connected to hundreds of others.
as one of the top 10 leading health-care lawyers in California by
Attendees ranged from the classes of
Chambers USA 2010 on the basis of peer and client evaluations for
1954 to 2010. It was a great opportunity for alumni of all
the sixth year in a row. Chambers USA 2010 also selected Kadzielski
ages to network with fellow Blue Streaks, whether looking
as a leading individual nationwide in health-care regulatory and
for a next position, to hire new employees, identify new
litigation practice areas.
clients, or simply meet other alumni in the region.

28 W I N T E R 2010

To our readers
For additional columnist contact information, please call 216-397-3050 or 800-736-2586.
Note: We publish additional class notes and archived columns online. Visit www.jcu.edu/magazine
to read an unabridged copy and previous columns.
TH E GO LDEN Y EAR S
1939
Larry Kelley ’36
Up to 216-941-1795
journal@jcu.edu
This is the most difficult column I’ve attempted to
write. On June 5, 2010, I lost Frances. We had each
other for 65 years, 28 days, and one hour. She died
at 1 a.m. Our children had a big party to celebrate
our golden wedding anniversary May 8. Frances was
in her glory. She looked forward to that day. When
I went into her room to awaken her, she was wide
awake and smiling. “Well, we made it!” We both
prayed we would be together this day, and we were.
I received a card from Carole Chandler ’95 and Barb
Chandler. Thanks for remembering my bride. I’m
thankful I was able to take care of her at home since
1994 when it all started with emergency surgery for
an abscess on the base of her spine. ... In the past
issue of the Journal, I noticed Bobby Thompson ’37
died May 4. A born athlete, he lettered in football,
basketball, and tennis all four years. (As freshmen,
they received the numeral of their freshman year
“1933” on their sweater). In football, he punted,
passed, ran, and blocked. In basketball, he brought
the ball down the court. He liked tennis best of all.
With this schedule, he was short a few credits to
graduate. We tried to get him into the Athletic Hall of
Fame but were denied. To be inducted into the Hall
of Fame, you had to have graduated. It’s too bad that
Herb Eisele wasn’t alive at this time. If he was, Bob
would have been one of the first to be named to the
Hall of Fame. Bob also played for Eisele at Cathedral
Latin School in the same sports. ... However, I don’t
have all sad news. Jack Lavelle ’38, JCU’s first Major
General USAF, had to retire when Nixon was president
because he allegedly authorized bombing missions in
North Vietnam. Finally, his named was cleared after
Paul Casey, a trial lawyer with a firm in Scranton,
Pa., was conducting research for his dad. He came
upon the Nixon tapes. Cassidy, the son of Lt. Gen.
Aloysius G. Casey USAF (Ret), is writing a book at the
National Archives. The White House audio recordings
prove Lavelle had unequivocal authorization from
the highest civilian authority, President Nixon, to
conduct the raids. These recordings name military
officials, Navy, Army, and civilians in the Department
of Defense, who knew about the authorization given
to Lavelle. For more details about the affair, read the
story on page 30. Jack died of a heart attack in 1979
while playing golf in Washington. It was a broken
heart. ... The Golden Jubilee class of 1936 will have
its 75th anniversary. Bill Muth and I made the 70th. I
hope we can make the 75th. ... Bill Young’s ’40 widow,
Jane, gave Laurene DiCillo ’87, archive associate
at Carroll, the material Bill collected throughout the
years since starting at JCU in September 1936. She
was appreciative and welcomes more. So when you
get old, down size your living quarters, or die, send
ALUMNI JOURNAL
your Carroll memorabilia to Laurene in the Grasselli
Library because your survivors will only throw that
stuff out. ... I’ll try to write a column as long as they
want me or my children don’t tell me to hang it up.
So, until the next time, keep praying. Larry
1940
Carl Giblin
727-518-7961
GIBBI612@aol.com
1942 Robert J. Trivison
760-944-6964
roberttrivison@cox.net
Following our joyful 50th reunion in 1992, Art
Wincek and his wife, Fran, moved to Santa Cruz.
Our friendship intensified, and he and his wife visited
my wife and I twice. Jack Miller and his wife, Jean,
from Carlsbad, Calif., joined our pleasant minireunions.
We were planning another visit when Art died. He
loved to reminisce about JCU and the Navy. Now he
sails the seas of heaven. Thank you, Art, for years of
communicating. ... I have a photo of our 65th reunion
in 2007 with Art, Dick Cachat, Bob Kraus, and me.
Cachat reports that, on June 1, 2010, he attended
a reunion with his cousin, Francis ’41, and visited
granddaughter Amanda, current president of the JCU
Student Union. Kraus reports his wife of 56 years,
Margaret, an elegant, attractive, spiritual lady, died in
May. He still lives in their same home of 56 years. ...
Nick Barille exalts in our outstanding Jesuit education,
which was so meaningful to him that, during World
War II in North Africa and Italy, he spread the word
to priests, nuns, and many people about our JCU
experience and lifestyle. Nick, who misses his best
friend, Tony Byrne, plays golf three times a year but
no longer wins. He remains the family cook and makes
tempting Italian recipes at his and his daughter’s
home twice a week. ... After 33 years, Frank Honn
and his wife, Alyce, sold their home and moved to a
retirement community where friends reside. Frank
wrote a 252-page autobiography primarily for his five
grandchildren; JCU has a copy for the archivist file.
After JCU, Frank earned an M.S. from the Polytechnic
Institute of NYU and a Ph.D. from the Mellon Institute
of Industrial Research in Pittsburgh. Then he enjoyed
a long business and teaching career with several
companies and universities. After retiring from BASF
in 1986, Frank continued to work, teach, and consult
until 2003 when he finally retired for good. ... Fr.
Francis Smith, S.J., who spent 45 years at JCU as a
distinguished teacher and poet, now is blind as a result
of macular degeneration. He lives in Colombiere Center
in Clarkston, Mich. In great spirits, he telephoned me
and mentioned he has published poetry books. ... Jack
Miller, who was one of the top senior tennis players
in the U.S., ended his tennis playing several years ago
because of health problems. Jack says he’s down to
skin and bones at 142 pounds. His daughter, Valerie,
currently is living with him to help care for him. Jack
has the best attitude of anyone I know. ... Joseph
Smeraldi will be 91 Dec. 11, a day older than me.
His spouse is 15 years younger than him – he waited
until age 40 to marry. Joe earned a B.S. in chemistry
at Carroll, served in the Army Reserve, was activated
in the Korean War but went to Austria instead, and is
hard of hearing like me. One of his daughters, who’s
a CPA, assisted him on the phone. Joe, who has a
great sense of humor, says he’s writing his obituary.
He also has a daughter who’s a VP at IBM and a son,
Bill. ... Tom Corrigan had a stroke recently. He uses a
walker when outdoors but otherwise has no serious
apparent aftereffects. He plans to travel to Charleston
for a week. His wife, Marian, went to school with
Jack Miller’s wife, Jean, and has a younger brother
who’s 87. … FYI: I have a list of 26 ’42 living alumni.
I sent a letter or e-mail to 16 of them and received
eight responses. I have no contact information for the
remaining nine. ... Keep the news coming. God bless.
Robert
1943 Bruce E. Thompson
216-382-4408
journal@jcu.edu
1944 Don McDonald
216-991-9140
journal@jcu.edu
1947 Ed Cunneen
216-561-1122
edcunneen@ameritech.net
1948 Julius Sukys
440-449-8768
journal@jcu.edu
1949 Tom Harrison
440-331-4343
taharrison2001@sbcglobal.net
I was one of about 700 people who attended Pete
Corrigan’s funeral Mass at St. Christopher’s Church
Sept. 11. Pete graduated with a teaching certificate
but found no immediate opportunity, so he tried
sales with some success and lots of frustration. He
married beautiful Patricia and became a Cleveland
fireman and Cleveland Trust Bank teller on his
fireman’s days off. The Corrigan family grew, and
Pete became a worker in, and contributor to, the
Firemen’s Credit Union. Throughout the years, he
was appointed treasurer, and after several years of
successful performance, he was elected president
and CEO. When expansion of the organization
demanded his full-time attention, he retired as
a fireman in 1977. At that time, Pat was enrolling
their youngest of 10 children, daughter, Kathryn,
in first grade. Pete continued expanding the Credit
Union to serve employees of many local companies,
while opening several branch offices in the area.
He’s the acknowledged builder of the successfully
expanded and unique Firefighter’s Credit Union.
Pete was always proud of his eight sons and two
W W W.J C U. E D U/ MAG AZ I N E 29

daughters. The oldest, Pete Jr., is the principal of
St. Ignatius High School. Other sons are attorneys
in Cleveland and cities as far west at Seattle; and
others are businessmen, some in Cleveland, and
one in Massachusetts. One son is in the FBI. There
are 32 grandchildren, and 12 great-grandchildren.
Pete enjoyed his life with Pat, handled his many
obligations effectively, fathered a fabulous family,
generated many friendships, and established an
ideal pattern of life. I’m sure all in attendance at
the funeral will miss him. ... Tim Ryan was able to
attend Bob Lyons ’50 wake Sept. 19. The wake was
scheduled only for one day from 2 to 6 p.m. Tim said
the Browns fans arrived shortly before the closing of
the wake. ... Joe Kundrath spent a day with three
eye doctors, had more eye drops prescribed, and
was scheduled for surgery in October. I hope to see
Evidence exonerates
General Lavelle’s rank and honor is restored
“He was devastated, but it did not destroy him. He
always stood tall. He held his honor and dignity
through all of it.” – Geraldine Lavelle Enloe,
daughter of General John D. Lavelle ’38
I
t took 40 years for justice to prevail in
the case of Air Force General John D.
Lavelle ’38, who, in 1972, was falsely
accused of violating the rules of engagement
and creating false reports when he ordered air
strikes in North Vietnam. Recently discovered
evidence, including the Nixon White House
tapes, fully exonerates Gen. Lavelle, which
led to President Obama’s nomination last
summer and Senate confirmation this year
(not confirmed at press time) for posthumous
restoration to four-star general.
The issue of the case against the general
centered on whether Air Force pilots were
permitted to bomb enemy missile sites whose
tracking radar hadn’t locked onto their planes.
The rules of engagement forbade it; however,
President Nixon issued secret orders, conveyed
to Lavelle by his Pentagon superiors, to allow
protective reaction strikes against enemy missile
(surface to air) sites, based on the threat they
could pose to U.S. aircraft. As commander
of the Seventh Air Force, overseeing all air
operations in Vietnam, the general ordered
airstrikes against North Vietnamese antiaircraft
missile sites in late 1971 and early 1972. Even
though Lavelle was following commands,
including those from the President, he became
30 W I N T E R 2010
ALUMNI JOURNAL
him at the Gray Streaks Luncheon in November. …
Ray Fox, who’s also recovering, won’t admit he
had pneumonia, which would demand too much
recovery time. ... Send good news, which is needed.
All reported with reasonable accuracy. Tom
1950 Jack Reilly
A class columnist is needed to
succeed Jack. If interested, email
journal@jcu.edu
At the reunion, a number of classmates asked,
“How big was our graduation class?” The best I can
do is as follows: number on the commencement
announcement: 292; number in yearbook: 297;
number of deceased classmates 311 (including
a scapegoat; and the false charges that he defied
orders led to the removal of two stars and his
retirement from the Air Force in 1972.
“My father was heartbroken,” wrote John
D. Lavelle, Jr. in 2007. “In the end, he found
comfort knowing what he did saved airmen’s
lives, and that was worth more to him than the
four stars.”
Lavelle died of a heart attack in 1979 at
age 62, seven years after his retirement from the
Air Force. He served his country for 33 years,
which included World War II, the Korean War,
and Vietnam. His military career began shortly
after his graduation from John Carroll when he
enlisted as an aviation cadet. The Cleveland
native received his pilot training at Randolph
and Kelly fields in Texas.
During World War II, Lavelle experienced
combat in the European Theater of Operations,
where he served with the 412th Fighter
Squadron. During the Korean War, he was
commander of the Supply Depot at Tachikawa
Air Base in Japan. In 1952, he was assigned
commander of McGuire Air Force Base in New
Jersey and the 568th Air Defense Group. Four
years later, he attended the Air War College and
held several positions at Air Force headquarters,
then went to Europe in 1962 as deputy chief
of staff for operations at Headquarters Fourth
Allied Tactical Air Force, NATO. In 1966, he
took command of the Seventeenth Air Force
at Ramstein Air Base in Germany and the
Seventh Air Force in Vietnam in 1971.
dropouts, transfers, and wives of deceased
classmates); I always say, “300 give or take.” ...
Sorry to report Les Monroe passed away Aug. 2.
Les and his wife, Pat, were married 60 years and
have six children and many grandchildren and great-
grandchildren. September was a bad month for our
class: Dr. Ken Callahan’s wife, Jeremy, passed away
Sept. 8. She was active in the community, raising
funds for the many organizations she belonged to,
and was on the board of others (including University
Hospitals). She and Ken were married nine years.
Our class secretary and student union president, Jim
Conway, passed away Sept. 10. Jim and his wife,
KT, were married 56 years and had just returned
from County Mayo, Ireland (his parents’ birthplace).
Their six children and spouses, plus 11 grandchildren
accompanied them. Jim was JCU’s first lay alumni
Lavelle’s military decorations and awards
include the Distinguished Service Medal,
Legion of Merit with three oak leaf clusters, Air
Medal with an oak leaf cluster, and Air Force
Commendation Medal with an oak leaf cluster.
“Jack was a leader and always would be –
you knew that as soon as you met him,” says
Larry Kelley ’36, who became good friends
with Lavelle during their Carroll days when he
drove Lavelle to and from campus in his Ford
convertible.
A few years later, Kelley stood as best man
in Lavelle’s wedding.
The general and his wife, Mary Jo, raised
seven children. Mary Jo, 91, who lives in
Marshall, Va., was thrilled when the Secretary
of the Air Force advised her of the President’s
nomination.
“Jack was a good man, good husband, good
father, and good officer,” she says. “I wish he
were alive to hear this news.”
– Susan Curphey

This picture was taken in 1951 by Don Unger for The Carroll News.
director and later won the Alumni Medal. Jim will be
missed, especially by his Saturday Muldoon’s group
(all JCU grads) and me. Bob Lyons, who died Sept.
15, was preceded in death by his first wife, Ann,
with whom he had five children. He’s survived by
his second wife, Bettie. Bob always was there for
our class activities, especially the reunions. He’ll be
missed. Please remember the aforementioned and
all our deceased and ill classmates in your prayers.
... Gene Kray was honored when his granddaughter,
Laura, asked him to perform her wedding ceremony
in Boston. When I talked to him, he had just received
his judges papers. So next time you see Gene,
beware, because here comes the judge. ... This
will be my last class column. As the saying goes, I
need to head in another direction. Anyone wishing
to write this column, please contact Cheri Slattery at
216-397-3050 or journal@jcu.edu. ... God bless and
all the best, Jack
1951 Donald A. Ungar
330-723-5234
donyal@aol.com
REUNION YEAR
The march of time is bringing us closer to a new year
and celebration. Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary, Fifth
Edition – the one we received when we purchased
our books way back when – defines celebration as
an outward remembrance, which is what’s going
on at Carroll next year as we celebrate the 125th
anniversary of our University. We, the class of 1951,
as alumni, are celebrating 60 years. Most of us are
in our 80s. We were a different group of students
– some just out of high school, some veterans of
World War II, some with families and children – a
mixture of different ages. We did things together.
Young or old, it didn’t matter because we were
all John Carroll students preparing for the future.
I’m asking you to remember your days at Carroll
and plan to attend the celebration that’s planned
for May 2011. If you have any favorite pictures of
your days at Carroll, please send them to me. I’ll
make a poster-board display for our celebration.
Your thoughts and words are always welcome. Tell
us about what’s going on in your life. How about
making plans to attend the next get-together in
the spring of 2011? Don’t forget the monthly Gray
ALUMNI JOURNAL
Streaks lunch get-together. ... Many have called to
inquire about my health, and I’ve told them I thank
the Lord for my recovery and try to remember all
of you in my prayers. How about the picture from
1951? Let me hear from you. Don
1952
Dorothy Poland
PolandMomdot@aol.com
By the time this publishes, it’ll probably be snowing,
or at least it’ll be cold. We lost two good ones in
September – Jim Conway and Bob Lyons, both ’50.
Although they were two years ahead of us, I’m sure
most of us remember them. Cousin Ken Callahan
’50 also lost his wife, Jeremy, in September. ... I
had a shout-out from Joe Valencic on Facebook,
so, hi, Joe. I still don’t understand how I got on
Facebook. ... Lee Cirillo ’51 sent an e-mail of Andrea
Bocelli singing an Our Father, and we commiserated
about hip replacements. ... Larry Casey has been
hard at work trying to build a Kiwanis chapter in
Indiantown, Fla. It’s been slow going, even though
the dues were lowered. I don’t know how many of
you are near Indiantown, but perhaps you could look
up Larry and help him out. His son offered to help
him, and maybe that’ll get this effort off the ground.
Good luck, Larry. ... Dan Boland, who started out
at Carroll and worked on The Carroll News with
me, sent an e-mail about the English language that
sent me into fits of laughter. It’s too long for this
column, but if anyone is interested, e-mail me,
and I’ll send it on. ... On the day I heard from Don
Terrell, it was about 2 p.m. and 113 degrees – not
fun. Don is involved in the successful Men’s Garden
Club, which has raised several thousand dollars to
landscape a portion of the new multimillion dollar
terminal being built for the Santa Barbara Airport,
which is scheduled to be completed in 2011. The
various trees and plants boggles the mind because
they have between 700 and 800 varieties. According
to Don, most of the trees in his area are doing well,
with the exception of the tomato plants that need
more consistent sunny days to ripen. The club’s sale
at the Home and Garden Show generated $2,000,
but considering not many members were involved,
the club decided to go back to one sale in the spring.
... There’s more, but not enough space. God bless
until next time, and stay safe. Dorothy
1953 Jim Myers
440-942-7831
cealejim@gmail.com
Hello to all in the class of ’53 and to your family and
friends. ... Frank Dempsey is retired from his CPA
practice and lives in Parma, Ohio, with Alice, his wife of
59 years. He volunteers preparing taxes for the AARP
and is active with the Brooklyn Kiwanis Club where he’s
in charge of a monthly hunger center meal. He likes to
stay in shape swimming laps at Brooklyn Recreation
Center. ... Our condolences to Bob Sullens, whose
wife, Margaret, died in August. Bob and Margaret had
been married 63 years. ... David Winch is emeritus
professor of physics at Kalamazoo College in Michigan.
In 1987-88, he was distinguished visiting professor at
USAF Academy in Colorado Springs, Colo. He lived
on base with the effective rank of Lt. Col., at the time
one of only six nonmilitary teaching positions. He and
his spouse, Suzanne, live in Taos, N.M., in an adobe
home in the desert at 7,200 feet. David worked on the
construction crew building the home and received a
reduction of the price of the house as payment. He’s
president of the Upper Las Colonias Neighborhood
Association, which comprises 200 homes. David and
Suzanne have 11 grandchildren and are expecting
their first great-grandchild this year. ... Arnold Fiore
has lived in the same house in Fort Myers, Fla., for
the past 46 years. He’s been a widower for seven
years. For many years, he and his wife ran a motel
and sports bar in Fort Myers. Arnold has six children,
four grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren. He’s
been participating in a stem-cell, heart repair research
program. When I talked with Arnold, he was preparing
to come to Cleveland for a reunion. While here, he
hoped to see Gene Wetzel, Harry Ohlrich, and Tony
LaPerna. ... Tom Stock, who lives in West Bloomfield,
Mich., retired from his cardiology practice at Mt.
Carmel Hospital in 1995. Tom attended medical school
at Loyola University in Chicago. Tom and I chatted
about our golf abilities, which seem to be similar. ... I’m
going to request Fred Borga, Tom Lally, and Dean
May call or e-mail me about what’s happening in their
lives. The rest of you can look forward to reading their
news in a future issue. Of course, news from any of
you is welcomed greatly. Jim
1954
Peter Mahoney
440-933-2503
peter007@oh.rr.com
We all know Elvis isn’t in the house and LeBron isn’t
at Quicken Loans Arena, but not everyone knows
Mike Faul and his wife Peggy have moved to Florida.
When commenting about this at a recent gathering
of Jesuit City West grads circa 1950 held at rancho
Geo Wasmer ’58, Chuck Brewster ’55 said he has
a favorite Mike Faul story and it goes like this: On
occasion, a group of about 12 guys would sneak
over to Rocky River (Ohio) High School and play
touch football, usually a spirited contest that could
be seen as a special Celtic brand of karate. Mike
Faul caught the opening kickoff and, in the fashion
of Wile E. Coyote, took off. While running the ball
back, he changed directions at least 17 times, from
one sideline to the other. Brewster claims Mike must
have run a total of 200 yards. Crossing the goal line,
Mike collapsed and lost his breakfast and much of the
W W W.J C U. E D U/ MAG AZ I N E 31

barley and hops from the night before. After a minute,
he picked himself up, brushed himself off, walked
over to his car, waved to everyone, got in, and drove
away. Now that’s what you want in a lawyer and judge
(in Phelps, N.Y.), to get the job done and move on.
... Gene Burns renewed his friendship with Fairview
Hospital in Cleveland. He missed our last reunion
while upping the count of stents – this time it was a
pacemaker. With new plumbing and a rhythm section,
he should be ready for dancing with the stars or good
golf next summer. ... One of the joys of summer is
watching grandsons play baseball. They love to kick
up the dust and run to first base with the batting
helmet bouncing on their head. This year, I attended
a championship game for six-year-olds in Bay Village,
Ohio. One of the parents cheering for the same team
my grandson was on was Jim Sutphin. It seems his
grandson was on the same team, and as the game
progressed, we shouted encouragement and began
to compare notes, as major league scouts are prone
to do. My grandson was hitting .421, while his was
batting .124. My grandson’s on-base percentage was
.682, while his was .268. I don’t remember all the
other numbers, but Jim was convinced his grandson
was a better runner and fielder. Ah, summer. ... Don’t
forget prayers for Sandra Nilges and Gail LaRiche.
Keep the faith. Pete
1955 Ray Rhode
216-381-1996
rrrhode@aol.com
Many of our classmates were happy Mike Torrelli ’56
and his wife, Addie, joined us for our 55th reunion
dinner. ... Dave Hauer reports not all head South for
the winter, some head west. Dave and his wife, Joan,
head for Maui annually come October, and in March/
April, they’ll head east for a Caribbean cruise. ... Bob
Dolgan, retired Cleveland Plain Dealer sportswriter,
had his fourth book published. Titled “The Sportswriter
Who Punched Sam McDowell,” the book is a collection
of sports stories written by Bob over his career. Dolgan
was the writer who nicknamed the famous Cleveland
Indians pitcher “Sudden Sam.” ... Jerry Donatucci and
his son, Bill, (both former Army aviators) took up their
piloting skills again during the Fourth of July weekend
air show in Pennsylvania. Each flew a fixed-wing and
a helicopter aircraft. Jerry claims age has rusted his
skills far more than expected. The family’s response
– “no kidding, grandpa.” ... Many of us have read Ray
Tapajna’s op-ed articles in newspapers and magazines,
but how many know about his other publications? Ray
has been an advocate for human dignity in the workday
and fair-trade policies in government. He calls it his
ministry. Visit http://tapsearch.com, and you’ll find
more than 400,000 references and search results.
He’s a strong advocate for mentally and physically
challenged workers. His website covers current
events, his thoughts about the free-trader flat world,
the Clinton years, and other subjects. A Google search
for “tapajna” will reveal Tapajna cartoons and other
interesting topics. He’s the moderator at four different
blogs originating from Australia. If you’re into surfing
the Web, this is a must-visit site. ... In June, we lost a
classmate and good friend. I became acquainted with
Al Milstein while researching info for this column.
As with many other classmates, I found a unique and
interesting personality. Al was a renaissance man.
32 W I N T E R 2010
ALUMNI JOURNAL
Some knew him as a football player, some knew him as
a salesman, others as an investor and financial advisor,
and still others as an artist. He studied shapes, as in
frames and precious stone, and created art from these
studies. Al touched many lives, and he’ll be missed.
RIP, Al. ... Thanks to all who contributed to these class
notes. I encourage classmates to send me news about
yourself, your family, and your life. Your friends from
’55 are interested to hear about you. And as you can
see, you don’t have to be a Pulitzer or a Nobel Prize
winner to get published. Remember to pray for our
classmates who are lonely or ill. Ray
1956
Leo Duffy
815-7293513
630-337-0788 (c)
January-May: 941-505-8394
leoduffy57@hotmail.com
REUNION YEAR
We are several months away from celebrating our
55th class reunion May 21 and 22. Save the dates,
and join our class at John Carroll. You’re all welcome.
The photo below shows Mike Cleary (center), who’s
executive director of the National Association of
Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA), and Randy
Spetman, president of NACDA, with Condoleezza
Rice at their recent gathering. Mike says Condoleezza
gave an excellent presentation about the importance
of athletics in preparing athletes for their future
work. Mike intends to keep working for a couple
more years. ... Jim and Jack Chiprean, who are
in Pennsylvania still, continue to play their horns in
local organizations. Jack’s retired and spends a lot of
time flying around the country in his Mooney aircraft.
Jim’s sons are running the family business, so he’s
semiretired. I hope to see them at our reunion. ...
There will be luncheons in Florida and Arizona in
2011. In Florida, we’ll be meeting March 16 in Fort
Myers where Mary Jo and John Boler graciously
will host the luncheon for the class of ’56 and their
spouses. You can contact me if you’re in the area.
Jack Broderick will put together a lunch in Phoenix
in March. You can reach him at 672-792-5689. When
we have more details, we’ll be contacting you about
the reunion. God bless. Leo
Condoleezza Rice, Mike Cleary ’56, and Randy
Spetman at a recent gathering
Jacquelynn and Jack Chiprean ’56 with their plane
1957
Salvatore R. Felice
440-842-1553
srfelice@cox.net
While attending his brother’s 80th birthday celebration,
Dan Collins ran into Desmond (Duke) Paden, who
resides at the same condo complex in Key West, Fla.,
where he spends the winter. Duke spoke to Dan,
Jim Gasper, and Jim Toomey, among others. They
reminisced about their time at Carroll. This excited
Jim Gasper, who wants to share these memories at
our 55th reunion in 2012 with Don Grace, Tom Tupa,
Joe Smaltz, Sam Frontino, Morris (Pat) Patarini,
John Gormley, and Frank (Mutz) Singel, who recalls
Paden streaking out of a movie theater, on a bet,
during our freshman year. In early July, Frank, despite
his numerous surgeries throughout the years, was
featured in the Johnstown Tribune Democrat as the
person of the week for all his volunteering (since 1972)
and community service since retiring in 1994. Frank
has given more than 40 hours each week founding and
developing the Senior Center. As president of Franklin
High School (which closed in 1966), he spearheaded
annual dinner-dance fundraisers for classes 1931
to 1966 that have donated more than $150,000 for
graduating seniors of the new school. ... Joan and Don
Holicky celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary
with their four children, seven grandchildren, and about
50 guests May 14. Their closest friends from JCU –
Mary and Don Toth and Joan and Gene Drap – were
unable to attend. The Holickys have resided in Reno,
Nev., for at least 14 years. Don was saddened to learn
about the passing of Tom Richert, his chemistry lab
partner. ... Don Szymanski shot a hole-in-one at Ridge
Top Country Club in Medina, Ohio, in early August. ...
Amazingly, Jerry Cicero is upbeat despite his medical
glitches, set-backs, and challenges, as stated by Susan,
his lovely wife and guardian angel. She says Jerry is
determined, and Team Cicero is unwavering. Keep
those prayers coming. ... Frank (Crash) Hovorka
and Dick Murphy report Tom Garvin, former CEO
of Keebler Co., died of pancreatic cancer July 30 in
Wheaton, Ill. Tom attended JCU during our freshman
and sophomore years when his roommate in Pacelli
Hall was Tom Sturr. Dick and Laverne Murphy spent
two weeks in California with Amy, their youngest
daughter; her husband; and their three youngest
grandchildren. God bless. Sal

1958 John E. Clifford
210-497-4045
JohnEClifford@prodigy.net
Ed Garvin claims to be alive and well, living in Toledo.
As of Sept. 30, the day I wrote this, he claims to have
played 133 rounds of golf so far in 2010, and he hasn’t
been jailed or excommunicated. I did some quick math,
and using the subtraction by zero operation, I calculate
that’s 133 rounds more than I’ve played this year,
decade, and century. ... Y’all remember Ann Butler?
She worked in Fr. Murphy’s office for a few years.
She married Don Emmerich, you know. So, finally,
Don took her to visit her grandfather’s hometown. He
figured he might as well because they were spending
three weeks in France, Ireland, Wales, England, and
Germany with the family. Her grandfather’s hometown
is in County Clare. ... Speaking of grandfathers, after
completing a career in trial practice shortly after the
turn of the century, grandfather Bob Maynard took
on a new role of corporate lawyer and, in January
2011, will celebrate his 10th anniversary as general
counsel of the Sisters of Charity Health System,
which includes five hospitals, three foundations, and
a handful of newly developing ministries in Canton,
Ohio; Cleveland, and South Carolina. Bob reminded
me of “Detective Story,” the play we were in our
senior year. It brings back great memories. Mrs. Bob
Maynard, better known as Aggie, has the distinction
of being the first awardee of a graduate degree, M.A.
in Early Childhood Education, from JCU. So, she’s
a member of the class of ’90. (Awardee? Sounds
like a Johnny Carson word.) ... Anyway, Garvin,
Emmerich, and Maynard will be receiving their 1948
and 1954 Cleveland Indians World Series broadcasts
soon from my OTR collection. I’m off to listen to the
Sept. 30, 1942, “Lum and Abner” (Writing a Love
Letter for Professor Sloan), then over to CBS radio
for suspense’s “One Hundred in the Dark”. Please
write. ... Peace, JEC.
1959
Richard E. Dodson
804-748-8432
Dodson59@verizon.net
In response to my e-mail plea for information about
your summer experiences with family and friends,
travel, and the best lobster roll in Maine, I received
interesting replies. Paul Oswald returned in early
September from his annual trip to Thousand Islands,
N.Y.; Montreal; and coastal Maine. He started camping
in Maine in 1969 and has been going back every year
since. As for lobster rolls, he’s tried them from Cape
Cod to Prince Edward Island, and year after year, he
keeps going back to Lobster Shack at Two Lights Road
in Cape Elizabeth, Maine. Paul added that in 2002 he
attended Lobster College in Prospect Harbor. Now
that’s my kind of school. ... Joanne and Don Palmer
celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary June 18.
They hosted a big party July 31 at the Heritage Hunt
Golf & Country Club in Gainesville, Va., where they
live. Classmate and groomsman Dennis Fagan gave a
superior toast. ... John Lloyd says that, once again, he
has no news to share, other than he’s well and enjoying
retirement. He hopes the same is true of all our
classmates. John continues: “I’m struck by how few of
the names of our classmates I still recognize and how
fewer I can now associate with a memory or face. I’m
ALUMNI JOURNAL
Columnist Rick ’59 and Mary Jo Dodson
check out Paul Oswald’s ’59 best lobster roll
recommendations at Two Lights. It’s a tough job,
but someone’s got to do it.
sorry to say I’ve lost touch with all classmates. What
might help me (and others) reconnect is a biographical
sketch (500 words max) of each living classmate along
with “then” (yearbook) and “now” photos of each, as
well as current contact information. [Please provide
me your thoughts about John’s suggestion. I have the
yearbook photos and would be willing to pull together
and print the sketches and current pictures provided
by each of you.] ... Delores and Tom Barrowman
celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary Aug. 7 at
a party with 75 family and friends who enjoyed dinner,
drinks, dancing, and partying. Family came from Ohio,
New York, North Carolina, Florida, and South Dakota.
Some came early, and some stayed late. Tom said:
“It was great, and we’ll probably never all get to
together again for this kind of thing.” In addition to his
busy shooting competition schedule, Tom also will be
squeezing in a trip to his 55th high school reunion in
Utica, N.Y.; a trip to Tucson, Ariz.; and possibly a wine
venture in California. I hope all classmates are well
and will share their life stories, through me, for fellow
classmates. Please tell me what you’d like to hear and
see in future class notes. God bless you. Rick
1960
Jerry Schweickert
216-381-0357
bjschweick@sbcglobal.net
Thanks to Larry Beaudin, Tom Collins, and Jerry
Malizia for the great pictures of our 50th reunion.
Talk of a minireunion in the near future began before
everyone left campus after the big one in June. I’m
not quite sure who’ll pick up the ball and run with it
as far as organizing is concerned, but whoever it is,
please let me know ASAP so I can get it in an issue
of the Journal in enough time to alert everyone who
might be interested. ... Jim Mason, John Magnotto,
Pete Conboy, Jerry Malizia, Bob Fitzharris, and Paul
Flask attended Jim Shannon’s wedding Sept. 25 in
California. Congratulations to Jim and his bride, Irene.
We enjoyed the chance to meet her at the reunion.
... Pete Pucher and his wife were in town from
Florida a while ago, and the Masons, Nichtings, and
Schweickerts were able to join them for a lengthy
lunch. Speaking of Florida, the wives of the three
just mentioned are heading to Florida to meet Denny
McGrath’s wife, Judy, for a week of levity at the
Saddlebrook Resort in the Tampa area. ... For those
of you whose wives read Real Simple magazine,
the managing editor is Pete VanOgtrop’s daughter.
Pete was unable to attend our 50th because he
was in New York at her book signing. She’s also an
author. Pete, a successful attorney, is working still.
... I’m pleased Marty Regan has signed on to our
annual golf trip to Santee, S.C., in April. A few of us
will do all in our power to drag his performance level
down to ours. ... I’m out of ideas for this column
and was so desperate for input I asked Frank Kelly,
scribe for the class of ’64 with whom I golfed during
Homecoming Weekend, if I could just use his. He
was in town for the announcement of an endowed
scholarship honoring Coach John Ray. The bulk of
the endowment came from donations made by the
players on the JCU football teams from 1959 through
1963. Then I thought better of using his material and
came up with this. The problem isn’t getting input
from classmates so much as it is remembering what
I received or where I put it when I remember to save
it. Please help out with timely info about yourselves
and others from whom you hear. In the meantime,
have a holy, blessed Christmas and a happy, healthy
New Year. Be well. Schweick
1961
Jack T. Hearns
216-291-2319
jhearns@sbcglobal.net
REUNION YEAR
Mike Mangiarelli from New Castle, Pa., has owned
Wilmington Mini Storage Co., which provides 400
storage units that come in seven different sizes, for
the past 20 years. Mike is active in his community,
particularly the Knights of Columbus. ... Jim Dowling,
from Mandeville, La., and his wife, Ann, have been
married 44 years. He has been retired from his
general surgery practice and was considered one of
the finest surgeons in Louisiana. He also was a team
physician for the New Orleans Saints. The Dowlings,
who enjoy traveling, have two boys, two girls, and four
grandchildren. ... Ed McGervey and his wife, June, are
enjoying retirement in Savannah, Ga., by playing lots
of golf, walking, and bike riding. Ed’s still consulting
for his former accounting firm via the computer.
The McGerveys have three children and seven
grandchildren. ... Janet and Bill Newman, who have
been married 46 years and reside in Avon, Conn., have
three sons (two are JCU grads) and 13 grandchildren;
one is a freshman at Carroll. Bill just completed a two-
year term as commander of VFW Post 3272, which has
170 vets from WWII to Iraq and Afghanistan. For 10
years, he has published the monthly post newsletter
and is developing military service histories, which
are two-page summaries of each veteran’s service
history including dates, units, duties, campaigns, and
decorations. ... Tom Jennings and his wife, Gail, are
residents of Lyndhurst, Ohio, and recently celebrated
their 49th wedding anniversary. They have a daughter,
Margaret McDonnell, and three grandchildren who live
in Virginia. Tom worked at Lubrizol Corp. after graduation
and returned to Carroll for an M.S. in chemistry. He
became a dominant force in the world of chemical
manufacturing and received 20 U.S. patents. He spent
30 years at Synthetic Products Co. in Cleveland and
was president and CEO for 13 of those years. ... Ed
Sumnar operates an insurance business in Hillsdale,
Mich. He and his wife of 46 years, Molly, have four
children and six grandchildren. ... Keep May 20-22,
W W W.J C U. E D U/ MAG AZ I N E 33
 ALUMNI JOURNAL

2011, open because it’ll be our 50-year reunion. You’ll

receive extensive information about the event during
the next several months. Those who signed up early
to be on the class committee include: Gerald Burns,
Bob Dittrich, Jack Durkin, Tom Gerst, Jack Hearns,
Eugene Kramer, Ed McGervey, P. Laurence Mulvihill,
Richard Murray, Gerry O’Connell, and Tom Theriot.
All class members are invited to become involved in
the planning process for the reunion. Those interested
should contact Carla Gall ’05 at 800-736-2586 or cgall@
jcu.edu. Jack
1963 Pete Mykytyn
618-549-1946
mykytyn@cba.siu.edu
Hi, everyone. I hope things are well for all of you. I
received two e-mails from Don Hannan (donjhannan@
gmail.com) in late September. He indicated he set up
photos, videos, and events on Facebook and invited
me to visit his site. Alas, although I’m still teaching
information systems at Southern Illinois University in
Carbondale, I tend to shy away from social networking
sites. Call me skittish. However, I appreciated Don’s
scholarship, reaching out initially to former football
players from the teams of 1959-1963. Under their
leadership, and with skillful coordination from Carroll
director of athletic development Tony DeCarlo ’66G,
the scholarship has grown to more than $100,000
in less than a year. Saturday was game day, and the
scholarship was dedicated formally with a plaque on
the side of Don Shula Stadium. Swelling the ranks
of ’64 participants at the dedication ceremony were:
Jude and Bob Heutsche, Carol and Mike Weigand,
Jan and Bill Kerner, Elaine and Lou Mastrian, Mike
Herald, Bill Gibbons, and Tom Leahy. Gus McPhie

1962
invitation. I e-mailed him back and told him about provided formal remarks about Coach Ray’s life and
Bob Andolsen
my hesitance to join Facebook and apologized. Don legacy and read several touching accounts from
440-327-1925
was nice to write back again, this time with update former players whose lives had been blessed by
rrandolsen@aol.com
information. His family is in good health and plugging their association with him. Afterwards, we retired
along, to use Don’s words. Don and his wife, Pat, are to the Don Shula Room for an informal lunch and
It soon will be time for our 50th class reunion
planning another winter visit to Anna Maria Island, more stories from dozens of players on hand from
in 2012. Why do you suppose I bring this to your
Fla., and their family is planning to get together for the combined classes. Lou Mastrian recalled Coach
attention now? You’re reading the last issue of John
Christmas as well. Their daughter, Michelle, will be promising his parents he’d watch over him at JCU.
Carroll magazine for 2010. If you’ve never attended a
coming from Toronto, and son, Don Jr., will be coming True to his word, Lou subsequently was called
reunion before, or haven’t attended one for awhile, or
from Boston. The best news is all are healthy and to Coach’s office once a month for four years to
have wondered if there was one you should attend,
happy. Thanks for the news, Don. Have a great time give an update about his activities. Joe Vitale ’63
this is it. Mark your calendars, and plan to attend. ...
with your family. Those New England winters can be remembered receiving a 70-yard touchdown pass
We heard from Paul Dwyer. He and Sharon have
difficult. ... I had another nice note from Frank Grace from Bob Mirguet at Wayne State, only to have
sold their Rochester, N.Y., home, moved to a cabin
(frank.grace@teamgoc.com) saying things were well. it called back for a rules infraction. Coach sent in
in the Finger Lakes, and became Florida residents.
... Unfortunately, I’m sad to report again my inbox, the same play, and Joe had to do the long sprint all
... Brigadier General Joseph Ellis (USA, Ret) was
mailbox, and voice-mail continue to remain empty. over again. It went all the way, and he could hardly
inducted into the Army Transportation Corps Hall
I’d like to hear from you and believe our classmates breathe the last 20 yards into the end zone. John
of Fame at Ft. Eustis, Va., July 9, 2010. The award
would as well. With the end of the year approaching, I Kovach had the crowd in stitches with his stories,
he received read, in part: “Joe Ellis inducted
wish all of you a happy and holy holiday season. Until and especially his Coach Ray impersonations.
as an esteemed member of the Transportation
next time. ... Pete Everyone’s favorite was Kovach hiding in the large
Corps Hall of Fame in recognition of a lifetime of
linen basket in the gym office to eavesdrop on a
distinguished service to the United States Army

1964
coaches meeting only to be discovered when Coach
Transportation Corps and unparalleled contributions Frank Kelley
emphasized one particular point by forcefully kicking
to the development of military transportation in 607-648-5947
the basket. Ouch! “Kovach, what the hell are you
the United States Army. His tireless efforts have fkelley@stny.rr.com
doing in there?” Homecoming Epilogue: The Blue
set the example for all transporters, current and
Streaks won, we celebrated with drinks and pizza at
future, and thus established the enduring legacy Merry Christmas. The fall foliage was brilliant for
Priemer’s hacienda. Fiction and fact in equal doses
that is the Spearhead of Logistics.” The award was JCU Homecoming Weekend in late September
ruled the day. God bless all Streaks. Frank
given to General Ellis by Brigadier General Layer, and the class of ’64 was well represented at the
chief of transportation, U.S. Army. After graduating annual Hall of Fame dinner Friday night. A major
from Carroll, Joe obtained his M.S. from the
Florida Institute of Technology, and throughout his
order of business was to announce the John Ray
Memorial Endowed Scholarship, designed to assist 1965 Dick Conoboy
riton@comcast.net
career, attended the Transportation Officer Career students with unmet financial need. On hand were
Course; Command and General Staff College at five Hall of Fame members from the undefeated Doug Kaputa ’66 recently wrote he and his wife
Fort Leavenworth, Kan.; and the Industrial College football teams of 1962 and 1963 – team captain planned to be in Cleveland for the 50th anniversary
of the Armed Forces. Joe’s assignments included Dick Koenig, Gordy Priemer, John Kovach, Gus of his wife’s elementary class at Gesu School. Doug
one deployment to Korea, one to the U.K., twice to McPhie, and Ron Timpanaro. Also at our table also was planning to attend the September Pershing
Vietnam, and four times to Germany. He also served were Coach Ray’s wife, Norah, and Bev and Jerry Rifles reunion and celebrate the 60th anniversary of
with various commands, including, FORSCOM, “Schweikey” Schweickert ’60. Tipp and Gus have ROTC on campus. I attended Gesu for one year in
MTMC, USAREUR, 4th Transportation Command, been prime movers establishing the endowed 1950, which must have been the first year of ROTC
1st Cavalry Division, 2nd Armored Division, and
the Army Personnel Command among others. He
was inducted into the JCU military Science Hall of
Fame in 1990. General Ellis’ awards and decorations
include the Distinguished Service Medal, two awards
of the Legion of Merit, the Bronze Star Medal, five
awards of the Meritorious Service Medal, the Army
Achievement Medal, as well as numerous other
awards and service medals. Joe lives in Spring,
Texas, outside Houston, with his wife, Joyce, of 44
years. They have one son, Lt. Col. Tom Ellis, and four
daughters: Stacey, Angela, Elizabeth, and Christy.
Joe can be reached at jtellis999@yahoo.com. ...
It’s important you keep our class vibrant and alive.
Please e-mail your announcements, comments, and
thoughts to share with one another. Bob
From the class of ’64: Gordon Priemer, Ron Timpanaro, Angus McPhie, Richard Koenig, and John Kovach

34 W I N T E R 2010

at Carroll because I remember watching the cadets
march in the area that’s now occupied by Sutowski
and Murphy Halls. Little did I know, then age 6, I’d be
second in student command of the Cadet Corps in
1965. ... Chuck Friedman reported he had a pleasant
Fourth of July visit to Cleveland where he attended
a concert by the Cleveland Orchestra at Blossom
Music Center followed by a huge fireworks display.
Chuck is still working despite my advice retirement
is really good – better than fireworks. … My wife
and I spent two weeks in Peru this summer. The
first week was in Lima. Then we went to Aguas
Calientes, the gateway to the ruins at Machu Picchu.
This was the first vacation during which I lost several
pounds climbing around at high altitudes. Our last
five days were spent in Cuzco and the Sacred Valley
area. In September, we traveled to France where my
wife researched at the state archives in Caen at the
Abbaye d’Ardennes, an abbey of the Order of Canons
Regular of Prémontré founded by St. Norbert in the
12th Century. (Yes, I had to look it up.) While she
researched, I revisited the beaches of Normandy,
the U.S. cemetery at Coleville, and the village of Ste-
Mère-Église where Private John Steele of the 82nd
Airborne Division is still hanging from the bell tower
by his parachute risers. ... Looking for more news,
especially from those of you who might have had the
opportunity to attend the PR reunion and the ROTC
anniversary. Dick
1966
Dave Griffin
727-944-5229
David.Griffin@MDIAchieve.com
REUNION YEAR
Hello, all. We’re heading into fall as I write, so I
hope all our alums up north enjoy the fine weather
because you know what’s coming next. I hear
Cleveland is in the top 10 cities for winter snow.
... Dan Ruminski reports the Cleveland project
continues to move forward with the fundraising
stage. He tells me the plans and drawings are in
the works. He’s certain it’ll be an exciting place
for each visitor to have a true Cleveland historical
experience. ... Mick Vasko and his wife, Diane,
met Joanne and Dale Masino in Myrtle Beach this
past spring for dinner. Mick is semiretired, working
part time as a purchasing manager on Cleveland’s
East Side. He had great experiences during the past
eight years traveling to the Far East and Central and
South America. Their three children live on the East
Side. They have five grandchildren who they enjoy
immensely. They get together with Pat and Mike
Starr several times a year. ... John Stagl continues
his globetrotting speaking engagements in this
country and others. He was the opening speaker
at the World Conference on Disaster Management
in Toronto. He was invited to be a member of the
Canadian Center for Emergency Preparedness,
a group of international experts in Disaster and
Business Continuity Planning from throughout the
world. It’s quite an honor. Who’d of thought it. John
recently was sidelined for a short time by a kidney-
stone problem that resulted in several surgeries.
His wife, Sharon, has had similar issues, so Stags
thinks she’s a carrier but can’t prove it. ... Out of the
blue, I had a call from Peter Kassay-Farkas. Some
may remember him as a founding father of soccer
ALUMNI JOURNAL
at JCU. I can say ‘father’ because he just celebrated
his 70th birthday. Soccer is one of Pete’s passions.
He finally stopped playing in 2001 because of an
injury but still loves to coach young players. His
daughter, Jennifer, graduated from JCU, too – in ’94.
... Jane and I recently spent two weeks in Missouri
with our children and grandkids. We surprised our
daughter on her 40th birthday. We just showed up
on her doorstep, so it was more like we shocked
her. We had a great time and got to see our son on
stage in St. Louis. ... Dan Raleigh, are you keeping
track of who’s really retired? ... I hope we all can get
together at the 45th reunion next year to discuss
this. I’m planning on it. Take care, everyone. Dave
1967
Peter French
440-734-5553
peter2play@yahoo.com
Hello, class. Fall rushed in, and there was no better
place to catch the flavor of the season than on the
JCU campus. Football was in full bloom, and the
campus looked spectacular. I’ve been to several of
the Blue Streaks games, and I hope to see ’67 alumni
on the campus during future events. ... Good things
are happening to our classmates. Mark DeLong, who
has started a second career, is studying to become an
artist. He’s been interested in art for a long time and is
taking it seriously. As Mark stated, “I’ve got my family
impressed.” Mark’s doing well with his new career
and started to receive awards and recognition and
sell his art. Mark paints with a group called the Ohio
Plein Air Society, which focuses on painting outdoors
in a more natural environment. Mark’s enjoying his
new career and learning all he can. He’s accepted the
opportunity to design the brochure for our 45th class
reunion. I’ve asked Mark to let me know when he
schedules a show or when his paintings are displayed.
Congratulations on your career change. ... I have a
retirement to discuss. John Gibbons has decided
to retire from football coaching. He has been a head
football coach for more than 20 years and retired
Oct. 3. This fall, John returned to Lake Catholic High
School after head coaching positions at St. Edward
and Bedford high schools. John was surprised with
his induction into the Lake Catholic High School Hall
of Fame, which took place Oct. 1. He was nominated
for his accomplishments while he was the head
football coach for 14 years at Lake Catholic, which
includes two state football championships (1991 and
1992). He coached teams to the state playoffs seven
times and his teams were regional finalists three
times in addition to the two state championships. He
also won eight league championships. John had an
impressive tenure at Lake Catholic – 113 wins and 42
losses. His career record is 216 wins and 93 losses.
Talk about well deserved. Congratulations, John!
John’s daughter, Nora Moran ’04, called to inform me
about the retirement and the hall of fame. She also
mentioned her father-in-law, Mike Moran, was being
inducted into Carroll’s Athletic Hall of Fame. Imagine
the conversations when coaches John and Mike get
together. ... I’m starting a new segment: Cleveland
Firsts. The electric arc lamp and first electric street
lighting happened in 1879 in Cleveland. ... I’ve sent
postcards to ’67 alumni. Let your columnist know
what’s going on. Peter
1968 Jeff Hawk
317-845-4199
jjhawk68@sbcglobal.net
Onward, forward, upward with the class of ’68. ...
Jenny and I wanted to attend Homecoming so much.
I received a call from Tim Rogers ’69, a Pershing
Rifles fraternity brother, and a note from the JCU
alumni office. Thanks so much. Jenny and I especially
wanted to attend the Pershing Rifles gathering and
the 60th anniversary of ROTC celebration. During the
same weekend as Homecoming, Jenny and I were
at Community Hospital North in Indianapolis with
6,000 attendees celebrating the Families Festival
fundraising event for Community Hospital North’s
maternity ward and prenatal department. We went
from Friday setup to Saturday 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. to
Sunday cleanup. Jenny is director on the board of
directors for Community Hospital North Auxiliary. I’m
a worker bee. ... I received two great news stories
about ’68ers. Charles A. Bryan of Columbus, Ohio,
was reappointed as an actuary. Charles, who has 35
years of experience as a casualty actuary, earned a
B.A. from JCU, a master’s degree in mathematics
from Purdue University in 1969, and an MBA from
Golden Gate University in 1976. He’s the founder
and current president of CAB Consulting, a property-
casualty insurance company. His actuarial career
spans several companies including Nationwide
Insurance, Ernst and Young, United Services
Automobile Association, and Allstate Insurance.
Charles serves on the boards of Medical Mutual
of Ohio, Safe Auto, and Tower Insurance Group. ...
Mark A. Kadzielski, the head of the West Coast
Healthcare Law Practice at Fulbright & Jaworski LLP
in Los Angeles, was selected as one of the top 10
leading healthcare lawyers in California by Chambers
USA 2010 on the basis of peer and client evaluations
for the sixth year in a row. The publication stated
clients consider him a leading health-care attorney.
He’s responsive, knowledgeable, and pleasant to
work with. Chambers USA 2010 also selected Mark
as a leading individual nationwide in health-care
regulatory and litigation practice areas. ... Send me
or the Carroll alumni office your news. We love to
hear from you, read about you, and write about you.
For you and JCU. ... Jeff
1969 Gerry Grim
grimg@hoban.org
Hello, members of the class of 1969. The Steelers are
4-1, so all is right with the world. Hope all your favorite
teams are 5-0. The Indians and the Pirates are just
terrible, and LeBron left town, so not everything is
perfect in my sports world. I’m playing fantasy football
in a league formed by Ed Christy that includes other
class of 1969 members: Bill Badke, Jim Price, and
Tom Moore. I’m not 4-1 in that league. Ed is always
looking for members for his old guys’ league. It’s an
easy league, a quasi-elimination that runs an entire
season, so get a hold of Ed and sign up for next year.
... Front page of the Cleveland Plain Dealer brought
good news for classmate Dan Walsh. His family
construction company secured the bid to rebuild
Cleveland’s Inner Belt Bridge, which needs many
repairs. Dan’s company secured the $285-million job
against stiff competition. One of the main reasons
W W W.J C U. E D U/ MAG AZ I N E 35

ODOT chose Walsh Construction was because of
the many unique and innovative features of the
new bridge. Congratulations Dan and to all at Walsh
Construction. See, Dan, it paid to be vice president
of our class. ... My fellow old guys’ league member
and freshman Pacelli Hall T-wing friend, Tom Moore,
is living in Charlotte, N.C. Tom is retired but enjoys
his Corvette, coffee roasting, and collecting antique
fountain pens. (Information gathered right off Tom’s
Facebook page). Also off of Facebook: Ed Dillon is
retired from one of the great Cleveland insurance
agencies: Fitzgibbons Arnold and Co. He’s enjoying
retirement and keeps busy with model railroading,
golf (lots of it), and travel. Ed has posted great travel
pictures. ... I found Greg Jodzio on Facebook, too.
Greg, who’s living in Hutchinson, Minn., has a great
picture on his Facebook page of himself at work. It’s
worth a visit. Greg, I’d like more information about
Red Hots. ... My golfing buddy, Mike Magulick, was
selected by his peers for inclusion in the 2011 edition
of the Best Lawyers in America in the practice areas of
personal injury litigation and professional malpractice.
Congratulations, Mike. How about all you other
lawyers letting me know if you’ve gotten honored in
the Best Lawyers of America or other honors. ... We
have one classmate living in Hawaii, one in Rhode
Island, one in Wisconsin, and one in West Virginia.
If those four individuals would send me a note about
being the only member of the class of 1969 living in
those states, that could make for great news. ... In
closing, I wish every classmate all the best for the
holidays. Also, support the Carroll Fund or the Fred
Hartman Scholarship that’s been established at JCU.
IXYs, please support our scholarship, which is one of
the largest and helps five students a year. We’d like
to be helping 10 students a year. Grimmer
1970
Ted Heutsche
517-669-4005
tedh@midwestairfil.com
I don’t have much to report this time around, but I
received a nice e-mail from Rich Harkey several
months ago. Rich is one of my faithful correspondents
and wrote: “We had a big snowstorm during this
year’s DAT reunion in downtown Cleveland. I was
staying out east in Mentor, and decided, because of
the traffic accidents on the freeway, it might be a good
idea to stay home. It was lightly attended this past
year. They changed the date so I could attend. I’m
still taking grief about it. The golf game needs work
because I’ve been traveling a bit (San Francisco and
Las Vegas). I traveled to Europe to conduct business
reviews of our subsidiaries in Paris, Madrid, Frankfurt,
Milan, and Zurich. I live in Salt Lake City, and the past
couple nights of our league have been snowed out.
On warm days of 50 degrees or so, I’ve managed to
get in a quick nine. Salt Lake City is in a valley, so we
get strong winds, which does even stranger things
to my golf ball than normal this time of year. I played
18 in the Bay Area a few weeks ago under clear blue
skies and 60 degrees, but there was a lot of wind. My
wife and kids are well. We just had a little grandson,
who’s tiny, in Washington, D.C., where my son
lives. I was fortunate to be with Max the day he was
born, almost as if someone from above was looking
over the situation. I mailed a gift this week to JCU
that will be 100% matched by my employer, Varian
36 W I N T E R 2010
ALUMNI JOURNAL
Medical Systems, for the class of 1970. ... Speaking
of grandchildren, my wife, Karen, and I are celebrating
the birth of our third grandchild (and first girl), Bridget
Grace Hogan, born to our daughter Gretchen, and
her husband, John Hogan, both JCU ’93. I’m sure
Gretchen probably hasn’t had time to notify her class
columnist. ... And, in line with Rich Harkey’s comment
about his contribution to JCU, I received a mailing
from the alumni office after reunion stating 151 of
our classmates, or about 30%, contributed $220,653
to the class of 1970 gift in celebration of our 45th
reunion year. A hearty pat on the back to all of you
who contributed. Your generosity makes a difference
to the University. ... Keep the e-mails coming! It’s
great to hear from you. Ted
1971
Tom and Rosemary Costello
217-344-2076
tcostello@cumtd.com
REUNION YEAR
Our 40th reunion is around the corner. Instead of
the usual weekend in June, our reunion will take
place the weekend of graduation, May 20-22, 2011.
The John Carroll community will be celebrating
its 125th anniversary as well that weekend. We
need committee members to help plan our part of
the weekend. Pete Hamm has stepped up to be
our Cleveland connection, and we’ve joined the
committee, too. Check out the JCU 71 Facebook
page Tom has set up for the event. And make sure
we have your correct e-mail address. Send updates
to Tom (tcostello@cumtd.com). As the untimely
death of our friend Tim Russert ’72 reminds us, we
need to stay connected to each other, and our 40th
reunion in May will provide a great opportunity to do
so. ... Several ’71 classmates attended the breakfast
with Tom Brokaw last May. We joined Cormac
DeLaney and Jim McPolin and Nikki Bondi ’72 to
meet Brokaw and Maureen Orth, Tim Russert’s wife.
The event helped raise funds for the Meet the Press
internship for Carroll graduates. This internship was
created to link Tim’s dedication to Carroll and his
work with Meet the Press. ... Dominick Iacuzio has
moved to the San Francisco area from Chatham,
N.J. He continues his work with Tamiflu and Roche
Pharmaceuticals. We attended his son John’s
wedding in Chicago this past June. Dominick and
his wife, Ann, welcome the move because their
three daughters also moved to the West Coast. ...
Sue and Paul Cummings wrote to say how much
they’re enjoying life and their grandchildren. They’ve
celebrated 40 years of marriage. ... We’re sure
there’s much more news to be reported. Please
send a note to Tom (tcostello@cumtd.com). Let us
know about your plans to attend our reunion in May,
or just let us know what’s going on in your life. Tom
and Rosemary
1972
John M. Marcus
202-296-0901
jmarcus887@aol.com
Not exactly a deluge of news, but then again,
enough for 450 words. I had flashbacks about
our days at Carroll visiting my son, Michael, a
sophomore at Boston College, and daughter, Julie,
a frosh at Villanova. Great days. ... My North Coast
correspondent Neil Conway, publisher of the
Ohio German Times, sent me good notes. First,
his son, Bubby, finished his first year at St. Mary’s
University in Halifax, Nova Scotia. Bub is a goalie
on the varsity hockey team, following in big sister
Seanna’s footsteps. Seanna received her M.A.
from the National University of Ireland Galway.
... Tom Hill is driving a school bus – no kidding.
Great basketball player that he was (and son was
a varsity star at JCU), he volunteers his time behind
the wheel at Deepwood Center in Mentor, Ohio.
... Bob Ulas is the director of the Visitor’s Bureau
in Lake County, Ohio, and heads up “Party in the
Park,” the biggest free music festival in Ohio. ... Old
rugby captain Joe Pearl still runs Joe Pearl Sports
in Battle Creek, Mich. Joe and his wife, Leslie, have
been married almost 40 years now. Son Jonathan,
a Michigan grad, is an M.D. living in Italy. Jon has
served our country proudly in Iraq. Son Beezer
played football at Chicago and is a VP on Wall Street.
Daughter Rachel is a recent college grad while the
youngest, Will, is a budding tennis star. ... Got a note
from Billy Sixsmith. He and Mike Mulkeen, Jim
McDonough, and Ken Sophie met in a Chicago
pub a few months back and talked Carroll football.
Billy, who lives in Chicago and is a VP with Navistar,
has been taking business trips to Vancouver,
Toronto, and Montreal. (How about swinging over to
Halifax to watch Conway’s kid between the pipes?)
Bill and Betty have three sons – the youngest
finishing at Wisconsin, and son, Bob, living in Spain.
McDonough, a Western region manager for Leica
Microsystems, and his wife, Donna, live in Peoria,
Ariz., and have a son and daughter. Mulkeen says
Sixy has a condo business. (Can someone please
write and tell me what a condo business is?) And
Soph is in business with Bobby Harrington in the
law game. He spends time coaching his young son
and daughter in various sports, like many of you do
with your grandkids. ... That’s it for now. Send me
lies, half-truths, rumors, or innuendos. We’re not
the New York Times. Take care. JM
1973 Bob Larocca
216-321-5547/216-233-7651
rockyjcumag@yahoo.com
Hey, ’73 Streaks. I’m deeply indebted to Tony
Spadafora, my Kennedy Christian High School
alum from Sharon, Pa. Tony, who is working on city,
county, and state political campaigns in Ohio and
Minnesota, has worked on issues such as promoting
a retractable stadium roof for the Browns. Currently,
he’s a developer/consultant for the Vikings’ unbuilt
stadium in the Twin Cities. Congrats to him and his
lovely wife, Georgiana, who attended JCU for two
years, leaving when Tony graduated in ’73 to pursue
a career in retail management. Tony recently had a
minireunion with the ’69ers from our H.S. but was
unable to persuade Paul Hoza to attend. Maybe
we’ll get the skinny on him for the next issue. Send
in the dirt. Rock on! Bob
1974
Dave Robinson
248-642-9615
DRobby_18@Yahoo.com

1975 Rick Rea
314-769-9451
col.rickrea@charter.net
Hello, classmates. The answer to the trivia question in
my last column is Marcel Marceau. Michael Jackson
imitated Marcel’s moonwalk in his Billie Jean live
performance at the VMAs. Charlie Beringer knew
that answer, but we just saw each other at reunion,
right Charlie? I wanted to take a minute to give you
the final stats about our class gift for reunion 2010, our
35th – 132 classmates, 26%, contributed $50,663 to
the Carroll Fund. A nice amount given the economic
times. Thanks again to Jack Metzger for chairing the
class gift. It looks as though I neglected to recognize
Dave Urbanek as having attended reunion in my last
column. Sorry, Dave. Melissa and I missed Allison and
Rick Rudnicki, Debbie ’76 and Vic Cook, and Karen
and Mike Messina at reunion. ... Where are you Mike
Riley? ... I hope all of you enjoy your holidays this year.
As I write this column, the St. Louis Cardinals have
been eliminated from the baseball playoffs, but the St.
Louis Rams won their seventh game in three years
this past Sunday. Miracles never cease. ... Recently,
Terry Burns ’76 sent me an e-mail wanting to get in
touch. Terry and I discovered we live about three miles
from each other in St. Louis, and we worked in the
automotive aftermarket at the same time a few years
ago; he for Tenneco-Walker, and I for Cloyes Gear.
Terry’s son is a freshman at Marquette University,
and his daughter attends Cor Jesu Academy in my
neighborhood. Terry and I are networking together in
search of better careers. ... For the first time in many
columns, I won’t have a trivia question for you, but I
ask you come up with a difficult trivia question from
our years at Carroll (with the answer please) and e-mail
it to me with personal news. ... Two weeks after
reunion, my dad died suddenly, and I wanted to take a
few minutes of your time to tell you a little about him.
Many of you from the Shenango Valley, Pa., area knew
him. Those of you who knew me well during our years
at Carroll are aware I wasn’t a Rhodes Scholar. When
I was struggling with my studies, my dad often wrote
me letters of encouragement from his drafting table
at work. He was proud of the fact I was the first Rea
to earn a college degree and had a Catholic education
since second grade. He and my Mom’s hard work and
sacrifice made it possible for me and my siblings to
have a Catholic education. Thanks again to Frs. Bichl
and Bukala for their letters of condolence and thanks
to Hugh and Annette St. John O’Brien for their e-mail
of condolence to dad’s obituary page. Finally, thanks
to my good friend Sam Mastrian ’76 for helping me
and our family during dad’s funeral. I miss my dad
every day. So do me a favor, please, if your dad is alive
still, call him tonight and tell him you love him. If he’s
deceased, say a prayer for him. Pray for peace. RR
1976 Diane Coolican Gaggin
cools@twcny.rr.com
REUNION YEAR
Happy winter. Bet I can chase a bit of the big chill
away by telling you our 35th reunion is scheduled for
commencement weekend, May 20-22, 2011. Don’t
you feel warmer already? The committee is putting
together a wonderful set of days for reconnecting.
Anyone who’d like to join the planning, should
ALUMNI JOURNAL
contact Carla Gall ’05 (216-397-1592 or cgall@jcu.
edu). Make sure to call everyone you want to see, and
tell them to make reservations. Follow the progress
toward reunion on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter.
Expecting to see you all there. ... Don Maciejewski
has done it one more time – Florida Trend magazine
again has recognized him as one of their legal elite,
a highly-regarded specialist in aviation, admiralty,
and maritime law. This honor, based on recognition,
peer review, judicial review, and reputation, is a great
achievement for attorneys in Florida. Congratulations,
Don, on the repeat. You and Judy have something
wonderful to celebrate. ... Tom Snitzky sent a
note to say his parents passed away earlier this
year. He wanted to get the word to his Delta Alpha
Theta brothers, who spent many happy hours in the
company of Larry ’52 and Jean during our college
days. Our condolences, Tom, on your loss. ... I hope
to have a list of those who’ll be attending the reunion
in my next installment. I’ll make sure I add your name
to the list. As we move into a new year, may we have
health, happiness, and every blessing the Lord can
bestow. See you in May. Cools
1977
Dennis J. Lane
dlane@ryancom.com
1978 Tim Freeman
708-579-9075
tim@jesuits-chi.org
Greetings! Cathy (Monaco) Hogan celebrated 30
years with Procter and Gamble. She’ll celebrate 30
years of marriage to Doug Hogan ’77, an attorney
working in government affairs for First Energy. They
have two children: Douglas, a graduate of OU, and
Madison, a sophomore at the University at Buffalo
(SUNY). The Hogans live in Chagrin Falls, Ohio. Cathy
enjoys yoga, gardening, wine fests, and volunteers
for fundraisers. Attendees to the Hogans’ annual
John Carroll post-homecoming party included Mark
McGinley, Beth ’80 and Tom Keir, Dan Patalita, Bob
Keir ’77, Jeff Kasper ’77, and Alan Baldarelli ’77. ... Fr.
Dan Fickes was named pastor of St. Therese Church
Circle K Brothers (clockwise): Kevin McCarthy ’74, John Baran ’78, Dave Sokolowski ’75,
and Mark Kurtzrock ’75.
in Garfield Heights in January. Dan sends regards to
fellow ROTC cadet Pete Wojcik. ... Mary Amato
Nimrod’s daughter Megan, a junior majoring in
psychology, loves Carroll. Mary teaches kindergarten
and has only one left at home – Emily, a junior at Loyola
Academy. Mary keeps in touch with Kathy and Mike
’77 McCarthy and Paul ’82 and Patrice ’80 Hulseman.
... Paul Gellott is general manager of AMC’s Ridge
Park Square Theater (Cleveland’s West Side) and
serves on AMC’s Radiant Conversion Team traveling
to newly acquired theaters. Rosie Gellott, who’s in
her 13th season with the Cleveland Orchestra Chorus,
is the director of development for Mission4Maureen
(www.mission4maureen.org), which provides
financial assistance to families who are burdened by
the staggering cost of brain cancer treatment. The
Gellott children are: Joe, who’s married and working
at the Cleveland Clinic; Rebecca ’04 and ’08G, who
teaches English at Padua Franciscan High School; and
Mike and Jonathan, who both work in the restaurant
business. Jonathan recently became engaged. The
Gellotts keep in touch with Ruth Hassing and Shirley
Ivancic Stall ’79. ... Earl Hamlin is the proud father
of two sons: Monsterman and Buzz, one is a college
graduate, and the youngest is a high school senior.
Earl has been married for 24 years and lives in Akron,
Ohio. He keeps in touch with Alfalfa, Hutch, Shorty,
O’B, Henny, Ruds, Charles, John Baran, Bobo,
Ger, Fasano, Kapryan, Victor, and Denny Driscoll
’79. Earl’s community involvement includes being a
judge at the National Hamburg Festival, hiking, rock
climbing, boating, and landscaping. ... Jeannine and
Pete Ruffing, Gerry Reilly, and Dan Fickes met
recently at Jeff ’80 and Rosemarie (Knuff) Piening’s
in Cincinnati for a fun weekend. Pete Ruffing plans
to retire from his first career soon, travel for a
couple years before beginning a second career. At a
recent court trial, Pete met Frank Gorczyca ’73 and
recognized his name from his Circle K pledge book 34
years ago as someone’s grand big brother, but whom
he’d never met. Small world. The Ruffing kids are all
over: One flies helicopters (CH-53 E, the largest in the
fleet) for the Marines; another is in the Army; a third
in graduate school for teaching; and the fourth is in
OSU law school. Tim
W W W.J C U. ED U/ MAG AZ I N E 37
 ALUMNI JOURNAL
Grounded
After 21 years on the road as an NBA referee,
Joe DeRosa can finally settle in and spend
more time with his family.
J
oe DeRosa ’79 spent 21 seasons in the NBA. It’s not what you might
think, though. He spent his career in the league as a referee, not as a
player. What started out as a hobby while
at John Carroll University unexpectedly turned into a stellar career
refereeing games played by the world’s most talented basketball players.
As a junior at Carroll, DeRosa started refereeing grade-school
basketball games at the suggestion of his father, who was a high school
referee. After earning a B.S. in Business Administration with a focus
on accounting, DeRosa went to work for The Babcock & Wilcox Co.’s
construction division as an office manager at various job sites. However,
when he took the job, he couldn’t continue to referee for a while
because he was traveling so much. At the time, DeRosa was progressing
into the high school and junior college ranks of refereeing.
“I always knew I wanted my own business by the time I was 30
because having my own business would allow me to ref college games,”
he says. “At the time, I had no interest in refereeing in the NBA.”
DeRosa quit B&W in 1983 and bought a liquor store in Paducah,
Ky., where he was living at the time, achieving his goal of owning his
own business before he was 30. During the next several years, he and his
wife, Patti, bought three more. Eventually, the family started selling the
stores off one by one, and in 1991, sold the largest (6,000 square feet)
and moved back to Ohio.
In 1985, DeRosa started attending referee camps, and in 1987, he
was hired to ref his first Division I college basketball game. Then in
1989, while attending a referee camp in Indiana, Darell Garretson,
NBA supervisor of officials, noticed him and invited him to an NBA
referee camp where everything – rules, mechanics, etc. – was different
compared to the college game.
Being an NBA ref required DeRosa to live out of a suitcase. He was
on the road 24 to 26 days a month. When he moved back to Ohio after
living in Kentucky, he was gone less – 22 days a month – because he was
closer to major airports.
“The travel took its toll,” he says. “The demands off the court were
more than the ones on. I missed a lot of the things my kids did growing
up. Eventually, my wife would come on one trip a month, and the kids
would come every so often when they could. Now, my son, J.B., who’s
19, wants to be an NBA ref, but I discourage him because it’s rough on
your family.”
Being on the road so much was one reason why DeRosa retired
from the NBA this past summer and why he started a business,
Smitty Official’s Apparel, in 2007. Smitty Official’s Apparel designs,
manufactures, and sells accessories for sports officials throughout the
38 W I N T E R 2010
Joe DeRosa listens to Jason Kaponao complain about a call.
country. DeRosa’s daughter, Valerie, works for the company.
“This wholesale business was doing well enough that it was time to
retire from the NBA,” he says. “I wanted to spend more time at home
with my family.”
But DeRosa isn’t completely retired from refereeing. He’s back to
refereeing some Divison I college games.
And just because DeRosa was an NBA ref, doesn’t mean he has
salacious stories about players to tell. One reason for that is the NBA
kept referees and players apart. There was very little interaction between
the two off the court.
“We weren’t allowed to ask for autographs,” he says. “The only
time we could do that was during an all-star game. I couldn’t ask
anything from anybody. The league didn’t want any link to, or cause for,
preferential treatment when it came time to ref a game.”
However, that didn’t stop Tim Donaghy, a peer of DeRosa’s, from
giving the profession a black eye when he was caught fixing games amid
a betting scandal in 2007.
“It’s unthinkable to do that,” DeRosa says. “You wouldn’t think about
doing that if you were a person with any integrity. I never got close to
him. None of us had a clue about what he was doing. He did some jail
time, got out, and wrote a book. It’s ridiculous.”
Contrary to Donaghy, DeRosa was ranked as one of the best refs
in the league. Of the 60 refs, the league chooses the top 32 (based
on ratings and performance) for the first round of the playoffs and
ultimately the top 12 for The Finals. DeRosa worked in The Finals from
2003 to 2010.
Working in front of all the NBA crowds throughout the years, there
were always JCU alums in the stands who would shout out and let
DeRosa know they attended Carroll, too.
“Even Don Shula called out to me one night about our Carroll
connection,” he says. “That stuff was cool.”
– John Walsh

1979 Nancy Agacinski
216-932-2824
nagacinski@yahoo.com
Hi, friends. Summer hung on for a while here in the
Midwest. The first few days of fall in the Cleveland
area set record temps in the 90s, but a mere 24 hours
later it was brisk for the homecoming game Sept.
25. Even though it was cool, it was a great day for
a football game. To make it even better, Carroll beat
Marietta 24-18. John O’Brien ’76 and his wife, Jean,
held a tailgate party with many familiar faces: Terry
O’Brien ’78, Bob (Bobo) Rees ’78 with girlfriend Mary,
Mary Carol (Anthony) and Bill O’Brien both ’81, Barb
and Bob Burak ’78, Mike Tarasco ’77, Bill Kern ’76, and
Mark Hawald ’77. I also ran into Maureen (Rose) Fay
and met her two kids, who are students at Carroll. ...
Newlyweds Bob Keir ’77 and his bride, Sandy, were
seen, as well as Bob’s brother, Tom ’78, and his wife,
Beth ’80. It’s always great to see everyone. ... I heard
from Mike Sutila, who reports he’s a controller for a
small company, Chase Machine, which manufactures
custom machinery for many Fortune 1,000 consumer
product companies. Mike has enjoyed chairing
fundraisers during the past several years for Saint
Elizabeth Community and is on their board. Mike
keeps in touch with Rob Herald ’78, Raymond and
Mary Ann Freas both ’81, and Jean Cotugno ’82.
He’d like to hear what Mary Ann Moderelli Pacelli
has been up to. ... John Ehrman reports his daughter,
Angela, is graduating magna cum laude with a degree
in corporate communications from the University of
Texas at Austin May 21. John tried to convince her
to attend Carroll, but she wanted a big-school football
experience. Boy, did she get it this year, attending the
BCS championship game. John would like to hear
from Josephine (Ruitto) and Tom O’Grady both ’78.
... I heard from Gwen Simpson Walsh, who reports
Annual Report 2010
ALUMNI JOURNAL
that after working for several companies and serving
in executive leadership roles, she founded TechEdge
LLC, a thriving seven-year business that’s committed
to helping organizations, teams, and leaders achieve
their greatest performance potential. Gwen is a board
member/advisor to STEMout, a Cleveland nonprofit
whose mission is to inspire Cleveland-area youths
(K-12 grade) to pursue careers in science, technology,
engineering, and mathematics. Gwen and her husband
(Paul Takach) will be celebrating 28 years together
in January with their growing family: 11 four-legged
adopted “kids” – six shelter dogs and five shelter cats.
Gwen says, “It’s a zoo at times, but it’s all good.” ... As
always, every five while we’re alive, Nancy.
1980 Matt Holtz
440-331-1759
mfh2885@sbcglobal.net
Greetings, class. In my journeys, I happened to
run across former political science major, Ron
McLaughlin, who’s an attorney. His legal practice,
which includes a variety of probate work, keeps him
busy. Being a former poli sci major, I’m sure Ron will
be active in a number of political campaigns during
the next election cycles. ... Another political science
major, Guy Sanitate, sends his greetings from Burke,
Va. Guy, who’s a retired Air Force Lt. Col. and has been
working with Scitor Corp. for 10 years, is married and
has a son attending the University of Virginia. In the
past, Guy has been keeping tabs on Uwe Botzki and
Bob Smriga. ... On the local scene, Greg Branic is
enjoying the amenities beautiful Strongsville, Ohio,
provides. Greg has worked in finance at MetroHealth
Medical Center for the past two years, while spouse
Debbie Tighe Branic ’81 keeps active directing senior
programs at the city’s Senior Center. ... I recently had
the opportunity to break bread with John Ettorre,
This year’s annual report can
be viewed online at www.
jcu.edu/annualreport. If you
would like a printed copy of
the report, please call the
Integrated Marketing and
Communications department
at 216-297-4321.
who brought me up to date about what’s happening
on the local political scene. John’s a loyal Honda man
and self-employed communications/writing visionary
who’s constantly engaged with his clients regarding
their communication/marketing/web/editing needs.
John also speaks at many local seminars about
writing and other communication topics. ... Seize the
day, and drop a note anytime. MFH
1981
Bob Hill
414-254-9880
Soar1@aol.com
REUNION YEAR
Greetings to the class of 1981. When you read this,
we’ll be in the midst of another winter. I hope the
people who enjoy skiing have a lot of snow, and the
rest of us, well, let’s hope for the best. The weather
from November to April isn’t the reason I chose to
live in Wisconsin for 20 years. Peter Langenhorst, a
smarter man who lives in Phoenix, works for GM, and
his wife, Beth ’82, just opened a music school. They
have three children: Julie, Jack, and Steven. ... I heard
from Linda Satyshur Pintabona, who’s on faculty at
Cuyahoga Community College working in health care.
Linda graduated in December 2009 with her MBA
from Cleveland State with an emphasis in health-care
specialization. ... Joe Zevnik is a licensed funeral
director in Willoughby, Ohio. He’s married to Linda
Fusco ’82. They have two children: Stephanie and
Joey. ... I heard from Catherine O’Brien McCuish,
who lives in Grosse Pointe, Mich., with her husband,
Mike. Catherine has been in Chicago quite a bit and
gave me updates on several grads including: Marion
Lavezzorio Goodworth, Kathy Foley O’Keefe, and
Beth Martin Stearns. Paul and Marion Goodworth
just celebrated their 24th anniversary. They have
three daughters and one son, Jack. Kathy O’Keefe
and her husband, Dennis, have a son Patrick, who’s
in the third grade. Beth Stearns is enjoying being a
grandmother to Jacob, who was born in February
2009. ... Also, we found Bridget McGlynn, who
lives in the Detroit area where she has a thriving IT
business. ... Dan ’79 and Joy Daudlin just sent their
oldest son, Billy, and middle daughter Caroline off to
John Carroll for their sophomore and freshman years.
... There also was a great e-mail from Suzie Whelan
Shoup, who reports on a minireunion at the Clare
and Pete O’Grady lake house this past summer.
With spouses and kids, the group comprised about
28. Great weather, tubing, food, wings, fire pit, and
conversation were highlights of the reunion. As you
can see from the picture on page 40, in attendance
were: the Gradys, Shoups, Chambers, Haggertys,
Speedo Borrelli ’80, Chris Somosi, Jerry Kohl ’82, the
Freemans ’78, and Katie Brandt ’82, with one of her
three children. It was great to see a picture of former
Student Union president, Tim Freeman, who inspired
me to run for Student Union president in 1980-81.
I’m forever grateful for his encouragement. ... On a
sad note, Nori Possavino’s husband, Martin Ryan
McCabe, passed away last winter. ... Don’t forget our
30th reunion is just around the corner. Please plan to
attend. Also, send me your notes (soar1@aol.com) or
find me at facebook.com/bob.hill. Merry Christmas to
all of you and your families. Bob
W W W.J C U. E D U/ MAG AZ I N E 39

A class of ’81 gathering with friends: Gradys, Shoups, Chambers, Haggertys, Speedo Borelli ’80, Chris
Somosi, Jerry Kohl ’82, Tim ’78 and Mary Walsh ’87 Freeman, and Katie Brandt ’82, with one of her
three children.
1982 Paul Hulseman
847-867-9322 (c)
PJHulseman@aol.com
Greetings from Chicago. Katie Grace Brandt asked I
stop mentioning her in this column. And as a favor to
one of my oldest friends, I feel obliged to do that. No
more mentions about Katie, her husband, Tom, or her
kids – Joe, Grace, and Michael. Never again. I promise.
... Corinne Welty Dupuis passed her Vandy football
tickets through me to a golf buddy who’s a rabid
Northwestern fan. Corinne hasn’t rested on her JCU
laurels. She studied medieval history at Vanderbilt and
will complete her M.Ed. in curriculum and leadership
this December at Middle Tennessee State University.
Her master’s thesis is about St. Hildegard of Bingen,
the first German female physician, scientist, holistic
healer and 12th-century nun. Co-baby’s sons are 19
and 17. ... I swam 2.5 miles in a lake in Wisconsin in
September with Mike Robie. He still looks smooth
in the water. It’s funny, but I could pick out his stroke
30 years later. Robie corrected me about Mike
Minnaugh -- he moved to River Forest, not Park
Forest as I wrote in the last column. I apologize for
the error. ... Joyce Treboniak Jones, who poked me
on Facebook, joins a growing list of classmates who
A group of 1981 grads got together for breakfast recently on North Park, right in front of Carroll. Left
to right: Kathy (Janis) Holecek, Anna (Zalar) Kmetich, Anne (Marquard) Nicolay, Michelle (Keresman)
Connors, Lena (Mitra) Willner, Laura Lanza Weien, and Dawn (Dawson) Bloom.
40 W I N T E R 2010
ALUMNI JOURNAL
have friended me, including: Barb, Beth, Barb, Char,
Chris, Corinne, Dave, Debbi, Dorothea, Forest,
Jean, Katie, Kregg, Marianne, Mark, MAO, Mary
Kay, Mary Lou, Mike, Mike, Nick, Paul, Bobby, and
Tom. When are you going to do the same? Katie Grace
Brandt hasn’t friended me. Can I be “o-friended”?
... Mike Hermann is now a Redhawk. Going back
to his Jesuit roots, Mike has left Towson University
and joined Seattle University as a director of athletics.
That cross-country move for the Hermanns puts him
on the same coast as his oldest son, who started at
the University of San Diego this fall. Wonder what he
does with all his Towson-logoed hats, shirts, shorts? ...
Katie Carpenter Rose, who enjoyed a restful summer
plotting tricks and treats for her next class, teaches at
Essex Middle School in Vermont. I’d just love to be in
her class for one day, just one day. Her son, Nick, is in
graduate school in Idaho, and her daughter, Libby, has
transferred from URI to UVT, probably to keep a closer
eye on her mother. ... K-K-K-Katie Grace Brandt turned
the magic 5-0 in October. Onward on! Paul
1983
Mark Schroeder
216-210-2020
briome@auctionbrio.com
Another year in the books, and now many in the
class of ’83 will have large party celebrations for the
big 50 in 2011. Some already have celebrated, but
honestly, can you believed it? Sadly, as we get older,
so do our parents. I wish to pass along condolences
to Sheila Nelson, whose mother passed in August.
One of my favorite parents was Chris Coughlin’s
father. The Colonel passed suddenly in August. The
man always wore a smile, just like Chris. ... I had
the chance to catch up with Maureen (Kelly) West,
but sadly, it was at her mother-in-law’s funeral, the
mother of Wally West ’81. Mo and Wally are busy
with their kids’ – Charlie (16), Allie (11), and Nolan
(9) – activities. ... The honorable Chicago judge Bill
O’Brien ’81 was busy recruiting Charlie and other
Ramblers for JCU at the Loyola Academy college
night. Charlie is my godson, get him Bill. ... Finally, I
was discovered. This summer I appeared in a movie
filmed in San Antonio as a getaway driver for the bad
guys in a shoot-out scene for an independent film
called “Backlash.” ... Deb Solyan’s annual summer
party is a can’t-miss. I love the surprise of what
JCU alums show up. A couple years ago, it was the
Pittsburgh girls: Beth Ann (McCombs) Coughlin,
Mary Margaret (Pearson) Gleason, and Eileen
McDonough. This year, it was Shannon Carey
Dolan ’84. After 30 years, I discovered Shannon
lives about two blocks away from us. Shannon,
who was her effervescent self, was social media
before there ever was such a classification. ... Bill
Donnelly and his wife, Sue (Divane) Donnelly ’84,
had a minireunion of sorts at their home in Hilton
Head, S.C., in October with Deb, Sandra Ryan,
Marie Lynch-Julius, Jane (Broeren) Lambesis,
Sheila Nelson, Jim Kisthardt, Danny Reynolds
and wife Kristine, Brian Flannery, Jim Brown, Tom
Burke, and Therese O’Neill-Schmidt. I must get
on that guest list. ... Facebook is a great way for
us to reconnect. It’s about time I got reconnected
to Charles Wagner, who lives in Chicago with his
family. He owns American Graphics. Connect with
me on FB, and let me know what’s up. ... Mary
Dwyer and her husband, Mark Dilts, gathered a
number of classmates to their summer house.
Kevin Cusack, Kevin McNulty, and John May ’84
basked in the sun and fun in southern Ohio. ... Santa
is coming, so be nice and enjoy the great holiday
season. Contact me because many would love to
know what you’re doing at age 50. Mark
1984 Don D’Amore
440-235-1323
jcuclassof84@yahoo.com
Joseph Hoffer correctly spotted the leanness of
recent columns and decided to help fill this one.
Joe’s private legal practice in Cleveland, Tenn., is
almost exclusively family law and criminal defense.
Joe’s a member of the Criminal Justice Panel
attorneys and takes appointed cases in federal court
in Chattanooga. As the only attorney within a 100
miles who speaks Spanish, the federal judges like
to assign him to cases. Joe also has turned his jiu-
jitsu club into the commercial Mixed Martial Arts
Academy at the Bradley Square Mall. Tommy Wales,
an American Top Team black belt, is their Muay Thai
kickboxing and Brazilian jiu-jitsu coach. Joe’s jiu-jitsu
has improved greatly as a result of training with

Tommy and the increased number of people he’s
training with recently. Joe’s wife, Alejandra, just
coordinated the first exchange program between
Cleveland State Community College and Universidad
Mayor in Santiago, Chile. This is the only community
college exchange program in Tennessee. Joe and
his son, John, went to visit Alejandra for a week
in Santiago, and they went snowboarding in July
at Valle Nevado. Daughter Claudia Hoffer is in her
second year and a junior at Bellarmine University
after a summer of working as a river guide on the
Ocoee River (at the 1996 white water Olympics
site). Claudia is a foreign language and international
studies major with a minor in art. Next year, she’ll
spend her second semester overseas. Son Johnny
will be a junior at Notre Dame High School in
Chattanooga next year. He continues to play select
soccer and finished last year’s soccer season as
the varsity goalkeeper. He’s taller than Joe now.
(Two of my four sons are taller than me.) ... Baron
Capital Group announced James Barrett joined the
firm as head of institutional sales in September.
James, who’s responsible for sales for institutional
distribution channels, has more than 25 years of
experience in financial services, with 19 years in
asset management marketing and sales. He was
a managing director and head of global distribution
at Citadel Investment Group. Before that, he
served as senior managing director and head of
global business development for Bear-Stearns
Asset Management, responsible for global sales
and marketing to institutional and retail markets.
James has a Master of Management in Economics
and Finance from J.L. Kellogg Graduate School of
Management, Northwestern University. ... John
Breen actually followed my recent column request
and let me know where the kids are going to college.
John and Cathy celebrated their 26th anniversary in
July. Their son, Jay, graduated from St. Petersburg
College in 2009, and their daughter, Amanda, is a
senior at the University of Central Florida. ... Now
what are everyone else’s kids up to? Don
1985
Diane (Nerem) Wendel
914-238-2227
DWendel@Optonline.net
Hello, everyone. First, I’d like to thank everyone for
this honor to have written our class column for the
past five years. Our busy lives keep us, at times,
from stopping to enjoy the little moments. I hope
reading a classmate’s name or the update of an old
friend helps trigger a smile and thoughts of good
memories at John Carroll. I’m reaching out to you
to see if there’s interest in taking over the reign as
our class columnist. As much as I enjoyed writing
and being our contact point, my life is heading in a
new direction with a second career as a computer
teacher. I’m back to student life working on my
master’s in education, specializing in technology.
Additionally, along with being a student, working full
time, being a single mom, and the other community
boards, my plate is overflowing for my comfort level.
Therefore, I’m asking for your help. Please drop me
a line, and let me know your interest (DWendel@
optonline.net). ... Our 25th reunion last June was
small and quaint, but was met with hugs and smiles
from everyone. ... Please keep our classmate, Jill
ALUMNI JOURNAL
Hanlon Mancini, in your prayers because she
lost her beloved husband, Carl, and her mother
this year. ... Be well and God bless. XO. Diane
1986 Gigi Togliatti-Rice
419-529-5530
gigimrice@gmail.com
Beth (Bonanno) Hausoul
ehausoul@mac.com
REUNION YEAR
1987 Sue Farinacci Grazia
440-256-0338
jsgrazia@adelphia.net
1988 Christine Horwath Gawronski
614-425-7723
christig@stratcommerce.com
We’d like to welcome our new class columnist,
Christine Horwath Gawronski. We’ve enjoyed our
time as columnists and thank those of you who sent
us updates. We encourage all of you to keep sending
them to Christine. Also, if you haven’t joined our
Facebook group, JCU Class of 1988, please do. It’s
a wonderful way to stay connected to members of
our class and send Christine updates. We’d like to
extend good wishes and thanks to everyone in our
class. We look forward to seeing many of you again
at our next reunion. Kathy and Jamie
1989 David Gassman
440-934-0366
dgassmktvp@aol.com
Greetings, ’89ers. Fall is upon us in Northern Ohio.
I was fortunate enough to attend homecoming and
had a blast. The Blue Streaks were victorious over
Marietta, and Beth and the kids enjoyed a tour of
JCU. We were able to get a few nice students to let
our kids view the inside of a dorm room. They were
shocked at how small the quarters are for such big
The Gassmans, Soucies, and Weavers traveled to Michigan in August to share time with the Foxs.
kids. They’re smaller and messier than I remember
...check out the picture below of a recent weekend
getaway in August by the Gassmans, Soucies,
and Weavers to Michigan to share time with the
Foxs. As always, a great time was had by all. ...
Speaking of great, Mark Gleichauf is the principal
of Grant Elementary School in Lakewood, Ohio,
and the school has received excellent ratings and
distinguished itself as one of the best performing
facilities in the district for the past several years.
It appears Mark’s duties will expand to include all
schools in the district, as he assumes the role of
director of teaching and learning. Congrats, Mark,
and keep those kids growing. I’d recommend a
college just to the east of Lakewood if you know
what I mean. ... I hope most of you saw in Forbes
magazine in August that John Carroll was ranked No.
148 on the list of best colleges. That’s up from No.
273 in 2009 and is quite an honor. Way to go John
Carroll! ... Well, I was hoping I might run into more
of you at homecoming, but I didn’t, so this is all the
news I have for now. Stay warm, cherish family and
friends, and stay healthy. Talk to you soon. David
1990
Melissa Wenzler
440-725-0753
WenzJCU90@aol.com
1991 Liz (Phillips) Hartranft
lizhartranft@yahoo.com
REUNION YEAR
1992 Jim Sislo
440-269-1245
James@Sislo.net
Greeting, class of 1992. I’ve been happy to see and
talk with so many of our classmates during the past
several months, but when I asked the question,
“Would you have any updates for the class column?”
the answer was everything is going well but no
new updates to report. Well, I’m happy to report
Glenda and John Pianca are the proud parents of
W W W.J C U. ED U/ MAG AZ I N E 41

Giovanni Allan Pianca, born July 20, 2010. John
moved to the Monterey/San Francisco Bay area in
1995 and then moved back to Ohio with, as he put
it, “my one and only wife of four years,” Glenda,
in 2008. Congratulations on the birth of Giovanni,
which means John in Italian. ... Susie Bresnahan
McLaughlin dropped me a note to let me know there
was a Carroll reunion in Sarasota, Fla. Julie Kovass
Lynch, Cath Glaser Hollein, Megan Larkin Curry,
Beth Horstman Zugelder, Ann Showers, and Susie
are celebrating their 40th birthdays and 22 years
of friendship. The fun group enjoyed reminiscing,
drinking good wine, and relaxing on the beach. They
left 11 children, two dogs, and six careers at home for
bonding time. Ann, Cath, and Susie live in Pittsburgh;
Megan and Julie are in Cleveland; and Beth is in
Dayton. I’m glad you had such a great time. ... If you
have an update about yourself or anyone else you
keep in touch with from our class, drop me a note.
See you on campus. Jim
1993
Julie (Roddy) Reardon
440-877-0939
dereardon@roadrunner.com
1994 Maureen “Moe” McGuinness
moe@unt.edu
1995 Annie (Hummer) DePerro
330-966-8845
anniedep31@gmail.com
The tragic death of Brian Dugan in September
shook many of us to the core. A young father in the
prime of his life, Brian was struck and killed by a car
on the fateful evening of Sept. 16 while out for an
evening jog in his neighborhood of Tonawanda, N.Y.
An inspirational English teacher and coach for many
of his students and players at Kenmore West High
School in Buffalo, Brian forever will be remembered
for his positive outlook and sunny disposition. Brian
was the son of Robert and Mary Dugan, father of
sons Jack (8) and Aiden (7), and husband of Ann, his
wife of 10 years. The countless news articles in the
Kenton Bee and the Buffalo News report so many
that knew him were drawn to his upbeat personality.
“He was the kind of person who could brighten
anyone’s day,” Kenmore West principal Karen
Geelan said. “And he often did that for all of us. He
was charming, friendly, insightful, just a great person
to work with, and a favorite teacher of so many of
our students.” Carroll alum, Amy Collins Staas
remembers Brian’s amazing sense of humor: “He
had a smile and a laugh that made everyone around
him light up,” she said. “It truly was infectious, you
couldn’t be in a bad mood around him. He just made
you smile.” Amy remembers her friendship with
Brian, dating back to freshman and sophomore years
at Carroll, and recalls a weekend trip Brian attended
with the Collins family to Notre Dame years ago. She
remembers Brian being a huge N.D. fan. Brian will
be missed and remembered by so many. He touched
the lives of whomever came in contact with him.
... Where there’s darkness, there’s also light, and
so with that, I’m happy to report the birth of a new
child: John Sullivan, the 9-lb., 3-oz. son of teeny tiny
Carole (Chandler) Sullivan and San Diego Chargers
offensive line coach Mike Sullivan. John joins big sibs
42 W I N T E R 2010
ALUMNI JOURNAL
Patrick and Teagan. Congratulations Sullivan family. ...
Finally, please make a note of my new e-mail address
– anniedep31@gmail.com. Annie
1996
Amy Spisich Kogovsek
ASKamy@aol.com
REUNION YEAR
1997 Brian Sparks
440-746-0309
bdsparks@meistermedia.com
Hey, everyone. Just a couple of updates this time.
Richard Pluhar earned his Project Management
Professional (PMP) certification from the Project
Management Institute. He also was certified as
a ScrumMaster in IT project management. This
summer, he moved to the NYC area from Atlanta
to accept a project manager position with asset
management group of JPMorgan Chase. ... Ernie
Petti and his wife, Aidess, welcomed their son Imre
into the world late last year. (Ernie, the entire third-
floor Millor Hall group is giving you a high-five from
throughout the country.) ... Andy and Kelly (Dick)
Close had a daughter, Sarah Mary Close, May 10.
Kelly and Andy are living in North Royalton, Ohio.
Andy is working in IT for Benesch, a law firm in
Cleveland, and Kelly ended her time as an editor at
Thomson Reuters to be at home with Sarah for a
while. They see Matt and Sherry (Lucchetti) Watts
often, along with their kids, Andrew and Ashley. ...
Andrew Perry recently moved to Rocky River, Ohio,
with his wife, Jane, and their two sons, John (4) and
Michael (3). Andrew is in his 11th year teaching at
Mayfield High School and has been coaching football
and the varsity boys tennis team. ... Just a reminder
to sign up for our class page on Facebook. Search
for “John Carroll University Class of 1997.” You can
send me updates to my e-mail address or through
Facebook. Thanks. Brian
1998 Cherie (Skoczen) Kurlychek
216-741-1823
cherieskoczen@ameritech.net
Congratulations to Maria Trivisonno, who received
a full-tuition scholarship to work toward a master’s
degree at Kent State University’s School of Library
and Information Science. Maria received one of
the school’s five Laura Bush 21st Century Youth
Services, Librarians, and Museums – A New Vision
of Learning scholarships. The scholarship requires
her to take four classes a semester. So, in addition
to working full time for the Cuyahoga County
Public Library, she’s been quite busy. Maria has
been working in libraries since the age of 16. Most
recently, she has been employed full time in the
Maple Heights branch’s children’s department where
she has worked on the award-winning Great Books
for Kids holiday gift-giving publication and has served
on the Reconnect with Reading committee. Maria
lives in Lyndhurst, Ohio. ... It was fun to hear from
Dana (Kubilis) Maassen via Facebook. Dana lives in
Bradenton, Fla., with her husband, Michael, and their
son, Jonathan (3). The Maassens were able to catch
a Browns game when they played in Tampa this year.
“It made me miss Cleveland,” said Dana, who’s the
director of financial reporting for CoreLogic. ... And
that’s all for our column this time. If you have news
to share with our fellow classmates, please send me
an e-mail or drop me a note via Facebook. I want to
write about you in our column, so send me your good
news. I hope everyone had a great fall and happy
Thanksgiving. Take care. Cherie
1999
Meg Galligan
galliganm22@hotmail.com
Several of our classmates have great news to share.
Steve Beaudry married Karley Hoffman Sept. 4, in
Akron, Ohio, with many of our fellow classmates in
attendance. ... Many new arrivals have come on the
scene during the past few months. Lisa Frusteri
Zickefoose and her husband, Dave, recently welcomed
their newest addition, Jack David Zickefoose, who was
born April 19. Big sister Maren (3) is great with Jack (or
Jacky boy as she calls him). Casey Yandek and his
wife, Michelle, welcomed their second child, Mary
Frances, August 23. Christine Weimer Papesch and
her husband, Erich, welcomed Nicholas Peter, June
22, 2009. Nicholas joins big sister, Elizabeth Cecelia.
... In the career realm, Christina Fisk, who has her
reading endorsement, is a special education teacher.
She’s looking for a permanent position but enjoys
working as a substitute teacher right now. ... Congrats
to all our classmates about these exciting updates. I
look forward to hearing from many more of you in the
future. Have a great day. Meg
2000
Lisa (Foster) Smith
440-339-6572
lisasmith19@hotmail.com
Clare Taft
claretaft@hotmail.com
It was a busy summer and fall for the class of 2000,
and we’re looking forward to the holidays. ... Lauren
(Roberts) ’01 and Dave Wojnowski welcomed their
first child, Nicholas Roberts Wojnowski, July 22.
Nicholas weighed 6 lbs., 9 oz. and was 21 inches long.
... Matt and Jeanna (Galante) McQuillen welcomed
their daughter, Mary Kate, Sept. 1. Mary Kate joins
big brother Luke (2). ... Katie Lavelle married Ben
Hamburger June 26 in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Ben and
Katie live in the Cedar Rapids area, where Katie is
director of forensics and an assistant professor of
communication studies at the University of Iowa. ...
Have fun and keep us informed. Clare and Lisa
2001 Maureen DeMers Fariello
jcualumni2001@yahoo.com
REUNION YEAR
CORRECTION: Nick Gentileore doesn’t work
for the Carolina Hurricanes and did not become
engaged to Lindsay Hofmann. This information
was incorrectly reported in the last issue.
Short and sweet this time, but still some information
to share and celebrate. Brian Weisbarth was
promoted to supervisor at Assurance Brian has been
with the company since 2001, working with closely
held businesses, nonprofit organizations, fraud, and
forensic accounting. He lives in North Ridgeville, Ohio,

with his family. ... Devin Hanna completed his second
Ironman race in July in Lake Placid, N.Y., in 12 hours and
10 minutes. Devin, who plans to run in the 2011 New
York Marathon, is a member of the Pittsburgh Triathlon
Club. When he’s not running, he works as an account
executive for Timex. Congratulations, Brian and Devin,
on your professional and personal accomplishments.
... Remember to mark your calendars for Reunion
Weekend, May 20-22, 2011. Plan to join us to celebrate
our John Carroll days and all that’s happened since.
Update your contact information via JCU Connect, and
send any updates you want to share with classmates
to me. Take care. Maureen
2002 Kristen (Muoio) McVean
585-259-3955
jcuclassof2002@gmail.com
It’s winter again. Can you believe it? Here’s the latest
news from the class of 2002. David and Jessica
(Craig) Duke welcomed their second daughter,
Samantha Louise, Sept. 8. The family lives in North
Canton, Ohio. Brad ’03 and Jennifer (Kelley) Piroli’s
first baby, Tyler Lawrence, was born April 29.
Michael and Erin (Zuercher) Marotta welcomed
their second child, Patrick Timothy, Aug. 29. Erin
says Patrick is a good baby and his big brother, Oliver,
is slowly adjusting to not being an only child. ...
Brad Gillette, who’s teaching third grade in Shaker
Heights, is writing a restaurant review blog (http://
clevelandfoodandbrews.blogspot.com/) that focuses
on food, beer, other drinks, and overall restaurant
quality. Check it out. ... Mike and Sue (Foell) Voute
have had a good year. They’re still living outside
Boston. Sue finished her residency in pediatrics at
UMass this past June, and Mike finished his master’s
in nonprofit management at Regis University in June,
too. They’re enjoying their new found free time
with their daughter, Sarah, and are looking forward
to the arrival of another baby this winter. ... Patrick
Mancuso, who’s living in Atlanta, was promoted to
general manager with Cintas in August. ... Timothy
Funkhouser married Sarah Graham Burns, a first-
grade teacher who graduated from Dickinson College
and received a master’s in curriculum and instruction
from George Mason University. Tim is an assistant
vice president at a branch of Branch Banking
and Trust, a bank in Arlington, Va. ... Mike ’00 and
Angelina, Vinny, and Leo -- parents: Regina (Galati) Colombi ’02 and Carl Colombi. Luke and Sadie –
parents: Rich Skotzke ’95 and Jackie (Virant) Skotzke ’96. Joy and Denny -- parents: Amanda (Jarosz)
English ’02 and Brian English ’00. Mackenzie and Annelyse -- parents: Meghan (Ehrlich) Conley ’02
and Michael Conley ’00.
ALUMNI JOURNAL
Meghan (Ehrlich) Conley, Carl and Regina (Galati)
Colombi, Brian ’00 and Amanda (Jarosz) English,
Rich ’95 and Jackie (Virant) Skotzke ’96, and all of
their kids ventured to Geneva on the Lake in Ohio for
a fun camping trip in September. I saw pictures (one
is below), and it looks like they had a blast. ... That’s it
for now. It’s been great to continue receiving so many
updates. Keep them coming. Kristen
2003
Theresa (Jurak) Polachek
jcu2003@hotmail.com
Hello, class of 2003. It must have been a busy
summer and fall because I didn’t get many notes
with updates. However, the one I received was
exciting. Samantha (Buzzacco) ’04 and Patrick
Manning welcomed their first child, Samuel Patrick
Manning, June 3. Maybe he’ll be part of John
Carroll’s class of 2032. Congratulations, Patrick and
Samantha! Take care. Theresa
2004
Paul Clapp
440-796-4947
pclapp04@jcu.edu
2005 Jennifer Tolhurst
jtolhurst04@jcu.edu
Catherine (Kaytee) Russell married William G.
Miller Sept. 5, 2009, in Orchard Park, N.Y. Both
are working, in school, and remodeling their home.
Busy, busy. ... Someone else who knows what
busy feels like – Kate (Cooke) Herman and her
husband, Scott, just had their first baby – Andrew
Everett Herman was born July 22 at a whopping 9
lbs., 4.6 oz., and 20.5 inches. ... Last but not least,
Andrew Donaldson helped kick off the 2010 NFL
season Aug. 8 by singing the national anthem at
the Pro Football Hall of Fame game between the
Dallas Cowboys and the Cincinnati Bengals. Andrew
works for Nationwide Insurance in Canton, Ohio.
He’s active in the Player’s Guild, most recently as
the Beast in Beauty and the Beast, as well as the
Alliance Carnation City Players. Andrew, who’s also
a football referee, is working on his master’s degree
in Education at Ashland University. Jennifer
Kate (Cooke) Herman ’05; her husband, Scott;
and their baby Andrew Everett Herman
2006
Christine Bohn
440-668-8210
Cbohn06@jcu.edu
Roberta Muoio
937-627-5257
rmuoio06@jcu.edu
REUNION YEAR
There’s been a lot of good news and weddings
these past few months. In May of next year, we’ll
be able to share our news and accomplishments
in person. Our five-year class reunion will be May
20-22, so mark your calendars and begin to prepare
your travel plans to reunite with your classmates. ...
Amy Allega and Joe Dasinger ’07G were engaged
while at Walt Disney World this past July (see
picture on page 44). They’re planning a wedding
for July 2, 2011. ... Christopher Arko and Diana
Glaus married June 28 in a beachfront ceremony
in Negril, Jamaica. They reside in Columbus, Ohio.
... Douglas Foster married Jessica Brinker in July.
Jessica teaches mathematics in the McDonald
Local School District, and Doug is employed as a
technologist at DuPont Performance Polymers in
Stow, Ohio. ... Jason Forristal is engaged to Amy
May, and they’re planning a May 2011 wedding. Amy
is a partner at HealthcareerRX LLC in Hudson, Ohio,
and Jason is employed with First Energy in Euclid,
Ohio. ... Shea Keats quit her advertising job in Los
Angeles to hike the 500-mile Camino de Santiago
in northern Spain this summer. After the amazing
experience, she lives and works in New York City. ...
Bob Liberatore and Krista DeDad married Sept. 4,
2010, in Erie, Pa. Shea Keats and Michelle Denton
Schmidt were bridesmaids, and Phil Schneeberger
was a reader. Other JCU alumni who attended
were: Sam Soltis, Dana Frank, Jess Hicks, Brian
Wren, Vince Bonacci, Julie Poling, Chris Dolar,
Ashley Cerny Dolar ’07, Julie Iammarino ’05, and
Dave Mantini ’07. ... Megan Mamolen Smolko
graduated with her Ph.D. in molecular biology from
Case Western Reserve University Aug. 13, 2010. ...
Gene Natale began John Carroll’s Master of Arts
W W W.J C U. E D U/ MAG AZ I N E 43

Amy Allega ’06 and Joe Dasinger ’07G were
engaged in July.
in Communications Management in the spring of
2010. Since March, he’s been a communications
intern for the Cleveland Gladiators, an arena
football team. Gene’s been working for three years
in promotions on the event team for CBS Radio
Cleveland, which includes 98.5 WNCX, Radio 92.3,
Q-104, and WDOK 102.1. You can hear Gene on his
radio show, The Rock, by listening every Friday night
from midnight to 2 a.m. on 88.7 WJCU. ... Jessica
Zimmerer became engaged to Greg Pritt. The two
are planning to marry in the fall of 2011. ... Thanks
for all the contributions and keep the news coming.
Christine and Roberta
2007 Lisa Iafelice
liafelice07@jcu.edu
Brittany Bush
bbush07@jcu.edu
Lots of exciting news. Jennifer Scott completed her
final year of full-time volunteer service at AmeriCorps
VISTA as a leader with Ohio Campus Compact.
In September, she’ll be working for the Social
Security Administration as a claims representative in
Akron, Ohio. ... Ashley Boone is working as a full-
time volunteer at the Alderson Hospitality House,
a nonprofit bed-and-breakfast serving families
visiting inmates at the women’s Federal Prison
Camp in Alderson, W.Va. ... Lauren Reid graduated
from George Mason University in May 2009 with
a master’s in public policy. She’s working in the
Office of Financial Stability at the U.S. Department
of the Treasury in Washington, D.C. Lauren, who’s
engaged to be married to M. Tyson Brown, is
planning a December 2011 wedding in Cleveland.
... Jeannine Stiglitz graduated from the Master of
Physician Assistant Studies program from Chatham
University in Pittsburgh in August 2010. She accepted
a position in digestive disease at the Cleveland Clinic
Foundation. ... Mary Harrington, daughter of Mark
Harrington ’78, married Nicholas Traut June 20, 2009.
Mary’s brother, James Harrington ’09, and his wife,
44 W I N T E R 2010
ALUMNI JOURNAL
Jocelyn Hoffman ’08 and ’09 M.Ed., were members
of the wedding party. Mary is a fifth grade teacher at
Milan Elementary and a varsity cheerleading coach.
... On July 10, Tim Slivka and Erin Kobrinski were
united in marriage at Saint Francis Chapel. Marissa
Jennings, Krista Corabi, Jennifer Sopkovich, Matt
Baumann ’08, Tristan Tripodi, Patrick Keller, and
Greg Bonitatibus were members of the wedding
party. Guests included: Kelly D’Amato ’08, Janine
Solomon ’06, Patrick Bittel ’04, Steve Spence ’08,
Megan Annes, Nicole Jurich, Ashley Marsteller
’09, Cara Sharbaugh, Amy Zettle, Taylor Burton
’09, Brandon Detzel ’09, Lauren Baldarelli ’10, Jim
Cosgriff, Mike Cuddy, Dan Pollick, Chris Wasik,
Jeremy Kemp, Kim Herbst, JC Mudd, Derek Norris,
Chris Branchen ’08, Phil Jancosko, BJ Lechner ’69,
Matt Lechner ’95, and Dennis Chevalier ’83. The
couple resides in Manchester, N.H. ... On Sept. 11
in Youngstown, Ohio, Mara Boak married Carmen
Geosano. Wedding attendees included Natalie Secretary of the Treasury Tim Geithner and
Volkin, Amanda Redwine, Elizabeth Greene, Lauren Reid ’07.
Lindsay Deering, Carmen Murphy, Dan Brown ’06,
and Joe Ziegler ’08G. Mara, who works for Boak &
2009
Sons, just passed the CPA exam and is living in South
Lisa Ugran
Euclid, Ohio. ... Jenny Dambrosio married JJ Cooper
lugran09@jcu.edu
at Saint Francis Chapel July 31. Gina Benisek, Nina
Dambrosio ’06, Meredith Pretz-Anderson, and
It’s a great time of year to have so much happy
Kelly Cooper ’09 were members of the wedding
news to report. Dan Mizener and Julie Marlowe
party. Dave Graves contributed his music talents to
’10 were engaged Aug. 27. They’re anticipating
the ceremony. ... Mike Cuddy, Tristan Tripodi, Derek
their August 2011 wedding. Chester Banaszak and
Norris, Chris Branchen, Jim Cosgriff, Tim Slivka, Chris
Maria Roberts also are engaged. Their July wedding
Wasik, Matt Baumann, Phil Jancosko, JC Mudd,
will take place in Columbus, Ohio. Chester is the
Patrick Keller, and Dan Pollick took their fourth annual
assistant I.T. manager at Greenbriar Treatment Center
trip to Myrtle Beach, S.C., during the week of May 15.
in Washington, Pa. Maria is finishing her master’s of
For more details about the trip, read the 2007 class
classical languages at the University of Georgia. She’ll
column online at www.jcu.edu/magazine. ... Thanks
graduate at the end of this academic year. ... Erin
for sharing. Lisa and Brittany
Currie married Greg Holzaepfel Aug. 21 in Lakeside,
Ohio. Greg is a 2005 graduate of Ohio University.
2008 MJ LaPerch
mjlaperch@gmail.com
Their reception took place at Sawmill Creek Resort
in Sandusky. Many of Erin’s Kappa Kappa Gamma
sisters attended, as well as an abundance of other
friends and family. Following the wedding, Erin and
Greg traveled to Disney World and St. Lucia for
their honeymoon. They live in Avon Lake, Ohio. ...
Amanda Jakubec and Brock Malinowski ’10 were
married Sept. 4 at St. Michael’s Russian Orthodox
Church in Broadview Heights, Ohio. A reception
followed at St. Michael’s Woodside. Amanda and
Brock honeymooned in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. Aside
from continuing their respective positions at Bank of
America, the newlyweds are settling into the home
they purchased recently in Eastlake. ... Those are all
the updates I have for now. If you haven’t already, be
sure to join the Facebook group, John Carroll Class of
2009 Alumni. Hope to hear from you soon. Lisa
2010
Kyle Sobh
(216) 397-6618
ksobh10@jcu.wdu
For additional photos, visit
www.jcu.edu/magazine.
Tim Slivka ’07 and Erin Kobrinski ’07.
 IN MEMORIAM

A life of service
Fr. Joseph Downey, S.J. – educator, Alexi C. Mancuso ‘02 10/23/2010
Leona Cooney MY TURN
‘35 8/15/2010
editor, and writer – died Oct. 20 at
Harry W. Ryan ‘39 10/5/2010
Colombiere Center in Clarkston,
Edward W. Heil ‘43 10/25/2009
Mich., where he moved in 2004.
Joseph J. Sepkoski ‘43 5/22/2010
Fr. Downey, who was born in 1916,
Frank J. Sullivan ‘43 6/8/2008
entered the Society of Jesus in 1935
William A. McCarthy ‘48 8/20/2010
at the Milford (Ohio) Novitiate after
Edgar Barmann ‘49 8/24/2010
his freshman year at Xavier University
Peter H. Corrigan ‘49 9/6/2010
in Cincinnati. He was ordained in William G. Masterson ‘49 8/20/2010
1948 and professed final vows in Raymond J. McGee ‘49 5/17/2010
1954. During his years in the Society, Joseph P. Cassidy ‘50 7/12/2010
Fr. Downey, who was an editor at America magazine in New York and Frank E. Cochran ‘50 9/17/2010
Loyola University Press in Chicago, taught at St. Xavier High School James P. Conway ‘50 9/12/2010
in Cincinnati, Loyola University in Chicago, and St. Mary’s of the Lake John W. Friedel ‘50 10/8/2010
Seminary in Mundelein, Ill. He also served as superior and director of Robert J. Lyons ‘50 9/15/2010
Loyola of the Lakes Retreat House in Clinton, Ohio, in the ’70s and Leslie R. Monroe ‘50 8/1/2010
early ’80s. An avid golfer, he was dean of Arts and Sciences at John Henry L. Snider ‘50 10/9/2010
Carroll University in the late ’50s and early ’60s and Socius to the Detroit Paul E. Biro ‘51 9/28/2010
Provincial. In the final years of his life, he wrote 10 books about spirituality. Charles A. Good ‘51 8/10/2010
Jerry J. Intorcia ‘51 10/20/2010
Leo C Leiden Jr. ‘55 8/15/2010
A popular fundraiser William J. Ralph ‘55 5/25/2010
James P. Conway ’50 died of a short Norbert J. Malin ‘57 4/19/2010
illness Sept. 12 at age 86 at his home James J. Trainor ‘55 8/25/2010
Norbert J. Malin ‘57 4/19/2010
in Shaker Heights, Ohio, shortly
James J. Kenealy ‘58 10/21/2010
after returning from a trip to Ireland
Fredric N. Goldberg ‘59 6/22/2010
with his family. Conway, who was
Thomas A. Griffin ‘59 10/10/2010
student president and Man of the
Paul J. Jankowski ‘59 10/5/2010
Year while at John Carroll, enlisted
Lawrence F. Fleckenstein ‘61 8/29/2010
in the Army in 1942 and served in
Richard J. Flory ‘61 12/27/2008
occupied Germany. He spent 25 years
John T. Kanuch ‘61 9/22/2010
in the Army Reserves and retired as Mario Chiudioni ‘62 10/14/2010
lieutenant colonel. In 1958, Conway Raymond Douglas DiLorenzo ‘63 7/16/2010
became Carroll’s first lay alumni director and established the President Dennis M. Marini ‘64 8/22/2010
Donor Club, Carroll Giving Sunday, an alumni newsletter, and alumni Mary C. Moran, CSJ ‘64G 9/18/2010
chapters in other cities. In 2000, he won the University’s alumni medal Charles L. Tadiello ‘64 9/1/2010
award. Officially retiring in 2004, he mentored other fundraisers and Thomas A. O’Malley ‘65 9/23/2010
consulted with other nonprofits. Lucy M. Schembri ‘71G 10/3/2010
Julia W. Griffith ‘72G 8/18/2010
George L. Newton ‘73 5/5/2010
A model railroader Robert A. Rodella ‘73 9/1/2010
Harry Ryan ’39 died Oct. 5 in Marietta (Ohio) Memorial Hospital Janet C. Binder ‘75G 8/20/2010
following a brief illness. Ryan, 96, who graduated from Cathedral Latin Jane K. Zusman ‘77 9/14/2010
High School in Cleveland and John Carroll with a bachelor’s degree, Frederick J. Adams ‘82G 7/24/2010
was employed for more than 38 years by the Pennsylvania Railroad, Marlys Gould ‘82 5/1/2010
Lake Division, retiring in 1978. Ryan was a member of the Third Order Daniel S. Komarek ‘88 9/25/2009
Marjorie S. Mellon ‘88G 8/14/2010
of Secular Franciscans, the senior citizens group of St. Joseph Church,
Hallie A. Cohen ’90G 6/26/2006
past-president of the Brotherhood of Railroad Trainmen, and an active
Brian C. Dugan ‘95 9/15/2010
member of the Tuscarawas County (Ohio) YMCA.

W W W.J C U. E D U/ MAG AZ I N E 45
 ATHLETICS
On the right track
Coach’s passion inspires cross country teams
I
n only her second full season as head coach
of the John Carroll men’s and women’s cross
country and track and field squads, Dara
Ford has nearly doubled the roster and brought
a new competitive spirit to the program.
Ford came to Carroll in 2007 as a graduate
assistant and assistant coach after spending two
years as an assistant coach at her alma mater,
Mount Union. At Mount Union, she set cross
country and track records and earned multiple
academic honors.
Despite those accomplishments, Ford
declares running isn’t her passion.
“I like running, but I’m passionate about
coaching,” she says.
Ford taught science in middle school for
two years while coaching part time at Mount
Union.
“I liked teaching, and coaching is just
teaching in a different arena,” she says.
At JCU, Ford progressed from assistant
coach to head coach of the cross country teams
in 2008 and added the track and field teams to
Dara Ford
46 W I N T E R 2010
her head coaching duties in 2009, all while
pursuing her master’s in biology.
Ford is admired and respected throughout
the University for her coaching prowess.
“Dara is a competitor with a tremendous
work ethic,” says Laurie Massa, senior director
of athletics and recreation. “She cares about
the student athletes and works hard to help
them improve. She has had a major impact on
the program in her ability to recruit students
who are a good fit for John Carroll.”
Ford favors a personalized approach to
recruiting.
“Kids get a lot of mail from schools, so we try
to make ours stand out,” she says. “Instead of a
form letter, we always personally sign everything.
I’m taking what I learned as an athlete and
instituting that here, and it’s been effective.”
That personal touch played a vital role in
freshman Rachael Greuber’s decision to attend
John Carroll.
“I didn’t think about JCU until I talked to
Dara at a cross country meet, and she suggested
I visit,” Greuber says. “As soon as I stepped on
campus, I fell in love with it.”
Ford also is enthusiastic and outgoing.
“Her commitment and dedication
motivates us all to try our best every day, and
she helps everyone become the best athlete
they can possibly be,” Greuber says.
Sophomore cross country and track runner
Pat Burns shares a similar story.
“I met Dara when I first visited JCU,”
Burns says. “Throughout my senior year of high
school, she’d check in with me to see how
things were going with life and running. No
other coaches were doing the same for me.
I inferred Dara took her program seriously
and cared about her runners.”
Ford and her staff typically look for
students who show an initial interest
in John Carroll and want a good Jesuit
education. The cross country and
track programs are often the icing on
the cake.
“Most important is their willingness to
work hard,” she says.
While Ford wants runners to be dedicated,
she stresses their education is a priority.
“We take a lot of pride in our academics,”
she says. “Our women’s team has been academic
All-American every year since I’ve been here,
and our men’s team is very close.”
As the number of universities adding
expensive fieldhouses to attract student athletes
increases, Ford says that’s a minor recruiting
challenge to overcome.
“We make the most of the facilities we
have,” she says. “Our biggest draw is the
quality of the coaching staff. We have a young,
energetic, and enthusiastic staff consisting
of national qualifiers and All-Americans.
Students see the success we’re having and
want to be a part of it.”
Ford envisions conference championships,
more individual and team national qualifiers,
and additional All-Americans in the future.
Her recruits share her lofty goals.
“Our team has a bright future, and I can
only see improvement,” Greuber says.
With the women’s cross country team
finishing second place in the conference last
season and the men’s team showing significant
improvement, they’re heading on the right track.
– Michele Kisthardt ’85
It’s an honor
On Sept. 24, the University recognized the newest
Blue Streak hall-of-famers at this year’s Athletic
Hall of Fame induction banquet in the Muldoon
Atrium in the Dolan Center for Science and
Technology. New inductees are:
(front row from left) Jim Wideikis ’99 (baseball),
David Ziegler ’01 (football), Pam Jimison ’98
(volleyball, swimming, and diving), Beth Priestap
’94 (volleyball), and Justin Kerr ’99 (wrestling), as
well as (back row from left) Dave Pendergast ’68
(football), Mary Anne Montagne ’90 (volleyball),
Artie Taylor ’98 (basketball) and Mike Moran
(coaches, golf and basketball).
Change of plans
Transfer student finds Carroll a better fit
K
nowing when to stop, pivot, and take
off in a new direction are critical skills
in basketball and life. They served
senior Lee Jennings well when she decided –
halfway through her freshman year at Bowling
Green (Ohio) State University – to transfer to
John Carroll University.
Jennings signed with BGSU during her
senior year at Stow-Munroe Falls High School
in Stow, Ohio, but she decided to transfer
shortly after the first semester started.
“It just wasn’t her cup of tea,” says Kristie
Maravalli, the women’s basketball coach at
John Carroll.
A big contributing factor in Jennings’
decision to transfer was when she heard Jeff
Camp, who coached her in high school, had
come to Carroll as an assistant coach.
“If it was good enough for him, I figured it
was good enough for me,” Jennings says.
Although Camp’s presence on the
coaching staff gave Jennings incentive to make
the move to Carroll, she also wanted to be
closer to home.
“Here, my family could come see me play,”
she says, noting she comes from a tight-knit
family with three younger brothers. “I just
didn’t want to miss watching them grow up.”
Trusting her heart turned out to be the
right move.
“Right away, I was a ton happier here,”
Jennings says.
Not only was Jennings welcomed by
coaches and teammates, she also found the size
of Carroll perfect for her personality.
“John Carroll is small, but not too small,”
she says. “I’ve met some of the best friends I’ve
ever had.”
Having Jennings on the JCU women’s
basketball team has been a great experience.
“She did well from the minute she walked
in the door,” Maravalli says.
Jennings, who led the Ohio Athletic
Conference in scoring and assists last year, is a
fun person who always keeps Maravalli on her
toes and connects well with teammates.
“On the floor, though, she’s a competitor –
she makes no excuses,” Maravalli says.
Jennings has shown strong leadership
qualities, too.
“She definitely can inspire the team,”
Maravalli says. “She’s done a nice job of taking
our competitive level up a notch. We’ve knocked
out some top teams. When the going gets tough,
Lee can rally the team to bring out the win.”
Jennings, who’s majoring in exercise
science, is still deciding on her future plans.
She’s thinking of becoming a personal trainer,
or possibly going to graduate school to study
physical therapy. One thing she knows for sure
Lee Jennings drives to the hoop.
is she’s not looking forward to a life without
basketball.
“Some of my friends who’ve already
graduated told me not to do it,” she says. “It’s
going to be different. But I love working with
kids, and I can see myself coaching in the
future. I’m passionate about basketball, and
I want it to be a part of my life. Basketball
has given me something that’s irreplaceable.
I’ll have great memories of people, players,
coaches … it’s meant more than I realize at
times. More than anything, it has given me
confidence to be myself.”
During her time at Carroll, Jennings has
made friends with various people, not just those
on the team.
“That’s what has made the college
experience here so rewarding,” she says. “I don’t
keep myself in a box.”
Jennings has volunteered with the Labre
Project – an organization through which
students, faculty, and administrators provide
food, supplies, and friendship to the homeless in
Cleveland – and tutored children in underserved
schools. This year, she’s hoping to convince the
entire team to volunteer with Labre. Still, her
main focus is school and basketball.
“On the Division III level, college sports
are more time consuming than people might
think,” she says. “I try to stick with the basics.”
– Andrea McGovern
W W W.J C U.E D U/ MAG AZ I N E 47
 MY TURN
Homer and the homeless
A
s an adviser and professor, I’m often
urging my students to discover what
they love and to find a way to spend
their lives doing it. Like most faculty members,
I fell deeply in love with my subject area and
have devoted my professional life to sharing
that passion with students. But like many of
our students, I had my doubts along the way.
I hope my experience can prompt reflection
about the special value of Jesuit education.
In college, I fell head over heels for the
elegant logic of Latin, the beautiful complexity
of the ancient Greek verb system, and the
power of ancient literature to grapple with
primal questions of what it means to be human.
But when I attended graduate school, I had a
bit of a crisis about my life’s direction. I was
spending many hours in the library learning
about fairly obscure information, and I started
to feel guilty about it, like maybe I should
be saving the planet instead. Did the world
really need one more classics professor? So I
volunteered at a local soup kitchen to assuage
48 W I N T E R 2010
my guilt. I usually worked the food-preparation
shift and then went home; but for a couple of
weeks one summer, the next shift was short
staffed, so I stayed to help serve the meal.
The first week’s epiphany came in the
serving line, when a toothless old man,
emitting the distinctive odor of chronic
poverty, proclaimed to me in a proud,
challenging voice, “I’m Nestor. What’s
your name?” I mumbled my name, and he
moved on; but what I really wanted to tell
him was there was another Nestor, one from
the age of heroes, one whose honey-sweet
voice was respected by all the Greeks and
whose generation surpassed that of Achilles.
The vision of this poverty-stricken Nestor
continues to haunt me as a symbol of the
chasm between mythic ideals of what a person
can be and the sordid reality of so many
peoples’ lives. At the time, it seemed only to
confirm my fears that my chosen field was out
of touch with reality.
The next week brought epiphany No. 2,
this time in the dining area. With my tray of
food, I nervously approached a table of homeless
men, sat down, and was stunned to hear they
were discussing the Iliad. (I’m not making this
up.) They were in a heated discussion about
Hector and Achilles. This was 10 years before
Brad Pitt starred in the movie Troy, so they were
talking about the real thing, the great epic poem
composed almost 3,000 years ago.
There are many possible ways to
interpret that moment. For me, it served as a
counterbalance to my encounter with Nestor,
a sign the academic subject I loved might
not be as far removed from the real world as
I’d feared. I realized I’d underestimated the
homeless and Homer. To imagine that these
human beings and this masterpiece of the
humanistic tradition would have nothing to
say to each other was to deny the common
humanity in each. I realized anew, in that
moment, great literature really matters – that
artful words, crafted into masterful narratives,
can reach across even millennia and grab us
by the collar of our common humanity and
shake us.
The Iliad, after all, begins with the anger
of Achilles at a system he views as profoundly
unjust. Perhaps the men at my table could
relate. It lays bare its heroes’ terrible, almost
insurmountable, grief at mortality and the
devastating costs of violence. Perhaps we, as
human beings, can relate. The epic assumes
the primary validation of our brief, mortal
existence comes through honorable death on the
battlefield. That one, perhaps, we can all debate.
I’m proud to work at a Jesuit university
because Jesuit education, at its best, honors
Homer and the homeless. Jesuit education
insists working toward social justice is a
moral imperative and our response to the
world’s problems can’t be divorced from the
rigorous intellectual engagement required to
understand our world.
Gwen Compton-Engle is associate professor
of classics in the Department of Classical and
Modern Languages and Cultures.
 Can you identify any
alumni in these photos?
We’d like to know.
Please e-mail us
at journal@jcu.edu
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Come home to Carroll in 2011 jcu.edu/125