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T H E S P R I N G H I L L C O L L E G E M A G A Z I N E | SUMMER 2009 The Spring Hill College Magazine Volume 3, Number 2 From the President Editor: Lindsay Hughes, MLA ’08 Art Director: Margaret Broach Photography: Margaret Broach Seth Laubinger ’02 Keith Necaise Dear alumni and friends: By the time you read this letter, Father Richard Salmi, S.J., will have assumed the responsibilities of the presidency of Spring Hill College, and I will be enjoying a lazy summer back in Wisconsin with friends and family. But before I leave, I must write you one last time to thank you for the honor of serving as president of Spring Hill College for these last 12 years. As a way of bringing closure to my presidency, I have visited many of your cities around the country, celebrating the great legacy of Spring Hill College. We are celebrating not just the success of the last few years, but more importantly the legacy of the College that began in 1830, the legacy that alumni experienced on the Hill, and the legacy that students are experiencing today. It is that legacy that drew me to Spring Hill, and that has made it such an honor to be the president of Spring Hill College. What is that legacy? I find that legacy in the vision of Bishop Portier, who in 1830 founded the College on the highest ground in the region and wrote to the City Council that the College would be open to students of all faiths, and that those faith traditions would be respected and honored; I find that legacy in the vision of Bishop Quinlan, who had the will to bring the College back from the ashes of the fire of 1869; I find that legacy in Father Gautrelet, who with his fellow Jesuits took over a failing school in 1847 and began the tradition of Jesuit education Contributing Writers: Sergio Castello, Ph.D. Greta Sharp Caroline Smith Jim Stennett President: Rev. Gregory F. Lucey, S.J. Director of Communications & Institutional Marketing: John Kerr The Spring Hill College Magazine is published three times a year by the Office of Communications and Marketing. Comments should be addressed to: Lindsay Hughes, Editor Spring Hill College Magazine, 4000 Dauphin Street Mobile, AL 36608-1791 (251) 380-2289 or (877) SPR-HILL lhughes@shc.edu in Mobile that has continued for these 162 years; I find that legacy in the vision of Fathers Donnelly and Smith, who had the courage and the sense of righteousness to break with the traditions, opening the doors of the College to women and people of color in the early 1950s. I find that legacy in any number of faculty – Jesuit and lay – who challenge every student to be his best but are always present and supportive in moments of crisis. Tom Cronin, Chief, Father Yancey, Dr. Mack, Betty Hudgens and Sam Betty, to name but a few. These people created a legacy of openness, excellence and care that continues to this day in people like Drs. Don Culberson, Jo Forstrom, John Switzer, Father Viscardi and many others. This legacy is true to our Jesuit tradition dating back to the mid-16th century. More than any other Jesuit university in this country, Spring Hill College most closely resembles the original small liberal arts college St. Ignatius envisioned when he sent a team of men to Messina in 1548 to found the first Jesuit college. In a word, as a new president 12 years ago, I inherited a great legacy, a legacy true to our Jesuit tradition. In preparation for my interview for this position, I had lengthy conversations with the leadership team. When I finished those conversations, I was deeply concerned about the future of the college, so I asked Father Rewak, my predecessor, “Is this job doable? Can Spring Hill College ever flourish again?” He said, “Yes, it is doable.” At age 64, I could have made a case to my superior for a far less demanding position, but instead I welcomed the challenge of ensuring that the rich legacy of Spring Hill College would not only endure but even flourish. Blindness can be a blessing. Had I fully understood the condition of the College, I would probably have declined the opportunity. Only several years later did I realize the level of skepticism that was out there about whether this was indeed a doable job. Judy McKinney ’72 signed a pledge form for a modest gift for the restoration of the Chapel. As she handed me the pledge, she said, “I would not have done this five years ago.” “Why?” I asked. She responded, “After visiting the College with my daughter and seeing the condition of the campus, I did not see how Spring Hill could survive.” When Judy and Mary Ann visited the college, the natural beauty of the grounds was overshadowed by boardedup buildings; the needed deferred maintenance was twice the value of the endowment, and only 200 freshmen enrolled in the fall of 1996. As I look back on my first year, I am extremely grateful to Arthur Outlaw ’51, who, despite his knowledge of the finances of the college and his awareness of the skepticism of others, made the largest gift in the history of Mobile. He gave the College $3 million in a single stroke of a pen. Arthur’s action was more than a gift; it was an affirmation of his belief in the legacy of Spring Hill College and of his confidence that this job was doable. The legacy of Spring Hill College is flourishing today because alumni and friends joined in a partnership along with an ever-stronger faculty and staff and a first-rate leadership team. More families made Spring Hill their college of choice. The Board of Trustees became passionate about ensuring the legacy of the College. First, they funded Transition 2000 by raising $2 million from themselves to enable me to hire an ever-better leadership team and to fund priority needs. Secondly, they took seriously their responsibility for the governance and support of the College. For example: Andy McLaughlin ’53 brought his accounting expertise, enabling us to make better financial decisions; and he made a commitment to better learning space through funding for the renovation of Quinlan Hall. Jim McKinney ’69 urged the Board to make use of tax-exempt bonds, so we could move forward with the rebuilding of the campus while building our endowment through fundraising. At the urging of John Barter we sought federal funding for the library and received $7.6 million. John and Mary Lou have both been leaders on the Board and are among our most generous donors. Skip Viragh saw the vision and responded more generously than anyone in the history of the College. His gifts transformed not only the landscape of the center of the campus, but the financial landscape of the College as well. His contributions, including gifts from his foundation, now exceed $17 million. Nan Altmayer, you could say, adopted this abandoned child and has helped wherever and whenever needed, from support for students affected by Katrina to the establishing of a chair in literature and the naming of buildings. John Burke ’63 and Kevin Burke ’66 made a naming gift for the library in honor of their parents. There are many more who have stepped forward with wealth and wisdom to ensure that the legacy of Spring Hill College will continue to transform the lives of students through the experience on the Hill. Often people say to me, “You must be so proud of what you have accomplished at Spring Hill.” I find my response in the Gospel story about Jesus getting into the boat and telling Peter to lower the nets. Peter explained to Jesus that they had fished all night and caught nothing, but reluctantly he lowered the nets and caught the biggest catch of his life. Luke says that Peter and all of his companions were astonished; Peter fell on his knees and said to Jesus, “Depart from me for I am a sinful man.” What has happened at the College is truly astonishing; I am, like Peter, more astonished than all the rest and feeling blessed far beyond what I deserve. From 1990 to 2010, we will have built, renovated or restored 26 of the 29 buildings on the campus. That represents an investment of more than $120 million. When the Student Center is complete next spring, we will only need a Center for Science and Mathematics and a Jesuit residence to have a totally rebuilt campus. No doubt, I will be remembered as the “builder.” That will be fine with me if the rebuilding of the campus is seen as critical to ensuring that the legacy of Spring Hill College flourishes. Without these facilities, we simply could not realize the mission of the College. When I think back to Judy McKinney’s words, I realize that Judy was saying more than the campus is unattractive; she was saying we could not effectively educate with those facilities. So, we have done more than rebuild a campus; we have positioned ourselves to continue the legacy for the next century. The legacy of Spring Hill College is stronger today than ever. In the words of our mission statement, Spring Hill College is better able to offer our students a thorough preparation for professional excellence, and to more effectively awaken the mind and spirit of our students to the pursuit of truth and to the ever-deepening appreciation of the beauty of creation, the dignity of life, the demands of justice, and the mystery of God’s love. If Father Salmi asks me, as I asked Father Rewak, “Is this job doable?” I will say, “Yes, it is doable, but only if you are able to build on the partnerships we have begun; only if alumni and friends have the will to build on the past; only if families continue to make Spring Hill their college of choice.” Thus, I leave you with a challenge. I challenge each of you to celebrate the legacy of Spring Hill College by continuing your partnership in this great legacy. Again, thank you for the opportunity to have served as president, and thank you for partnering with me in the governance and the support of Spring Hill College. God bless each of you. Sincerely, Rev. Gregory F. Lucey, S.J. 10 11 14 On the cover: “Warehouse Sale—Join the Frenzy!” Oil on canvas Chrissy Gregg ’09 16 CampusNews Retirees say farewell to Spring Hill The college said goodbye to four retirees this spring: Lynne Sciple, secretary to the fine and performing arts department; Joy Striplin, secretary to the philosophy and theology division; Dr. Carol Harrison, professor of nursing; and Dr. David Sauer, professor of English. Sciple worked for Spring Hill for 10 years. She is looking forward to enjoying retirement with her husband, as they await the birth of their first granddaughter. “The years 10 years I have spent at Spring Hill College have been challenging and educational for me. The overall Christian attitudes and friendliness of faculty and staff have made this an extremely pleasant environment in which to be employed,” Sciple said. “I will miss all of the friends I have made at Spring Hill College and will remember them with fond memories.” Striplin has served the college for 30 years. “I started in August 1979 and have enjoyed every minute of my 30 years … and will actually miss not being here,” Striplin said. “I have been treated so well and made to feel kind of special – a real morale booster.” Harrison, who has been named Professor Emerita, is the founding chairperson of the Spring Hill College nursing program. Originally, she came to Spring Hill in 1994 as a new program development consultant and prepared the groundwork for the Bachelor of Science in Nursing program. She became the first faculty member in nursing and, as division chairperson, recruited all of the members of the college’s nursing faculty. Once the undergraduate nursing program was firmly established, Harrison recognized the need to prepare professional nurses for the role of Clinical Nurse Leader and became both champion and the leader in establishing the Master of Science in Nursing program. Throughout her years of service, Harrison has been a faculty leader, serving on every standing committee and leading the faculty on ceremonial occasions like commencement as grand marshal.  From left, Joy Striplin, Lynne Sciple, Dr. Carol Harrison and Dr. David Sauer. Photo by Keith Necaise. Sauer, who has been named Professor Emeritus, has served as a member of the English faculty since 1972. Retiring from the classroom allows him more time to focus on his scholarly writing, he said. In March Sauer published his study “David Mamet’s Oleanna” with Continuum. He recently published articles on August Wilson, written with his wife, Janice, and Mamet (both for Cambridge), and Henrik Ibsen’s “A Doll’s House” for a centennial celebration of Ibsen’s life. “Fortunately, the college has granted me Emeritus status, so I’ll still be able to keep my office, work in the library, and see colleagues and students regularly,” he said. “Now, however, I’ll be more free to write.” Sauer said he is confident he is leaving the English department in good hands, including six younger faculty members, “all of whom show so much enthusiasm for teaching and for cura personalis and the Jesuit ideals. … As a result, I am sure my work at Spring Hill will be continued by this younger generation.” Dr. George Sims, provost and vice president for academic affairs, said Sauer has been an exemplary teacher, scholar, advisor and colleague. “Altogether, his work adds up to this: for 37 years, having Dr. Sauer as a professor has been one of the quintessential experiences that distinguishes a Spring Hill College education and transforms Spring Hill College students,” Sims said. Spring Hill College • Summer 2009 3 CampusNews Students develop project to aid in college search process Integrated communications major Alyse Granier ’10 and psychology majors Colby Melvin ’10, Anna Pate ’10 and Justin Phares ’10 developed Just4Students, an outreach project aimed at high school freshmen, sophomores and juniors. Granier, Melvin, Pate and Phares organized College Night, a free interactive presentation on March 30 for high school students and their families. The event covered topics such as applying to college, selecting the best school, finding scholarships, and navigating the college transition process.  From left, Dr. Rachel Peltier, Anna Pate, Alyse Granier, Colby Melvin, College Night connected high school students Sharee Broussard and Justin Phares. Photo by Keith Necaise. with college students, who shared their experiences and actively engaged students and families in their college planning. “It’s an opportunity I wish I had in high school to learn from college students who understand high school students and to offer their personal experience,” Pate said of College Night. Under the guidance of faculty advisors Sharee Broussard, communication arts instructor, and Dr. Rachel Peltier, assistant professor of psychology, the students followed two separate curricula for communications and psychology research. The independent study involved research, planning, execution, program development, community service, evaluations and a final public presentation. The students presented their project to other students, faculty and staff at Celebration of Our Learning (COOL) Day on April 22. Students present positions on global warming During the spring semester, a select group of students participated in an interdisciplinary course on the environmental impacts and causes of global warming. Students were divided into three groups and assigned differing policy positions regarding appropriate responses to global warming. Each group produced a collaborative paper and presented their position to the SHC community on COOL Day, or Celebration of Our Learning.  Justin Zimmerman ’09 and Erin Feeny ’10 present their position on global warming. Photo by Keith Necaise. 4 Spring Hill College • Summer 2009 Nuns renew vows in St. Joseph Chapel Sister Yen Le and Sister Thu Do renewed their religious vows during a Mass at St. Joseph Chapel on April 19. The Very Rev. Mark A. Lewis, S.J., provincial of the New Orleans Province of the Society of Jesus and former Spring Hill history professor, presided over the ceremony and was instrumental in organizing the sisters’ program. Following a personal visit to campus in 2006 by Archbishop Joseph Ngo Quang Kiet, the Rev. Gregory F. Lucey, S.J., extended the offer of a Spring Hill education at no cost for the sisters from the financially distressed Archdiocese of Hanoi in Vietnam. Spring Hill College was awarded a $20,000 grant from a private foundation to help fund the sisters’ education. Le and Do arrived on campus in 2007 and will return to the Congregation of the Lovers of the Holy Cross in Vietnam upon graduation in 2010. Altmayer Lecture 2009  From Left, Nan Altmayer, Dr. Margaret Davis and Rev. Michael Williams, S.J. Photo by Keith Necaise. Dr. Margaret Davis, professor of English and the 2007-2009 Altmayer Chair in Endowed Literature, presented on April 28 “‘Once Upon a Time’ Will Speak to the Heart.” Davis, center, is surrounded by Nan Altmayer, who endowed the chair, and the Rev. Michael Williams, S.J., the 2009-2011 Altmayer Chair.  Sister Thu Do and Sister Yen Le. Photo by Keith Necaise. SHC establishes American Medical Student Association Students at Spring Hill College have formed a chapter of the American Medical Student Association. Pre-health students Casey Butler, John Koch and Patrick Van Hoose were instrumental in the establishment of the SHC chapter, which now boasts about 20 members, with a strong representation by the freshman and sophomore classes. The chapter will meet biweekly, have invited speakers, and engage in community service projects. The American Medical Student Association is the oldest and largest independent association of physicians-intraining in the United States. According to the association’s Web site, AMSA is a vital force of future physicians who believe that patients and health professionals are partners in the management of health care and that access to highquality health care is a right and not a privilege. At AMSA, activism is a way of life. Student idealism is transformed into meaningful public service, innovation and institutional change. Center for Academic Excellence to open in the fall The Center for Academic Excellence (CAE) will open its doors to students when classes resume in the fall semester. As an academic department, the CAE will support services for both writing and quantitative reasoning across the curriculum for students of varying ability levels. The center will be housed in the Marnie and John Burke Memorial Library. The CAE will also provide individualized services for students who are the first in their families to attend college. Peer tutors and faculty members will provide students with opportunities to become active and critical thinkers. To serve a diverse student population, tutoring for writing and math will be offered in both individual and group settings. Faculty coordinators for the center are Tracey Childs, English instructor and academic student advocate; Sandy Mayo, assistant professor of teacher education; and Marcy Trianosky, English instructor. Spring Hill College • Summer 2009 5 p p p ‘renewed’ Commencement on Saturday, May 9 brought a year of “Renewing the Face of the Earth” to a close. Mary Frances Charlton, elected orator by the class of 2009, delivered the farewell address. In it she acknowledged that she would be hard-pressed to think of a more fitting theme for the year. “While, of course, the theme ‘Renewing the Face of the Earth’ contains an obvious environmental call to action, I believe that the integrity of the idea of ‘renewal’ in this theme goes much further,” she said. Throughout the spring semester Charlton said she witnessed her peers being accepted to graduate schools, medical schools and law schools; making commitments to the Jesuit Volunteer Corps, AmeriCorps and Teach for America; and receiving job offers in various professions. “At Spring Hill we have experienced something else,” Charlton continued. “We have experienced how in the context of love and community, even adversity and uncertainty can function to beneficently transform us. These values of love and community that have been instilled within us are instruments that have prepared us and will continue to help us live truly worthy lives and to stand strong in the face of uncertainty.” Charlton quoted St. Ignatius of Loyola: “Even in my most passionate activism, and even in my relationships with those who I love the most, I am so quick to think of myself first. May I learn to ignore my selfish instincts, which objectify and dehumanize those I am called to serve, and give without hesitation to the utmost measure.” She reflected, “In my understanding, St. Ignatius didn’t mean for us to ignore our own comforts, desires and individual accomplishments. He meant for us to realize that we cannot fulfill our own humanity without striving to serve the human community, a community that through what we’ve been given today can be renewed as well.” Several graduates and members of the Spring Hill community were recognized at commencement for their outstanding achievements and service. Elizabeth C. Desimone received the Toolen Award, presented to the graduating senior who has achieved the highest grade-point average during the entire course of study. The Ignatian Awards, the highest student awards bestowed by the college, are presented to one graduating woman and one graduating man who have fulfilled best the ideals of Jesuit education for scholarship, leadership and service during their four years at Spring Hill College. This year’s recipients were Kristen Speeg and Chad Boykin. The Rev. Edward B. Moody, S.J., Teacher of the Year Award was presented to Dr. Patricia Harrison, professor of history. Dr. David Sauer, professor of English, received the Dawson Research Award for displaying excellence in scholarly work. The William J. Rewak, S.J., Award, presented to faculty or staff members who represent in a significant way the Jesuit ideal of service, went to Debbie May, director of financial operations and a member of the graduating class (MBA); and Ellen Richardson, secretary for the admissions office. Christopher Williams, president of the class of 2009, presented the class gift, a flag to fly above the Arthur R. Outlaw Recreation Center. The college awarded honorary degrees to Stephanie Russell, executive director for mission and identity at Marquette University; the Rev. Charles L. Currie, S.J., president of the Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities; and Dr. Regina M. Benjamin, founder and CEO of the Bayou La Batre Rural Health Clinic. Benjamin delivered the commencement address. Lucey also received an honorary degree at Honors Convocation on April 22. “Over the last few months I have joked with several of the seniors that since I am also leaving the college this year that we would graduate together,” Lucey said. “Little did I know that I too would be wearing a doctoral hood from Spring Hill College on this, my last official appearance as president of the college.” p u Two Badgers were selected as Male Athletes of the Year. Price of Dallas, Texas, was the lone senior on the 200809 Badgers basketball team. Despite starting the year with a knee injury, he emerged as the team’s leading scorer with 433 points scored. Price finished his career as the 13th leading scorer in Spring Hill College men’s basketball history with a total of 1,468 points and an average of 13 points per game. Over the past two seasons, Simpson has scored all of the game-winning goals recorded by the Spring Hill College men’s soccer team. The Ballwin, Mo., native was also the team’s leading scorer each of the past three seasons and ranked in the NAIA Top 50 in goals scored per game, game- winning goals, and total points per game as a senior. He was selected as a 1st team member of the All Conference squad in both 2007 and 2008. In his senior year, Sean was named 1st team All District 4 in the College Division of the ESPN The Magazine Academic All American awards. Women’s basketball player Christie Ybarra received the GCAC’s Champion of Character Award in recognition of her numerous hours of volunteer work in the Mobile community. The men’s basketball team was recognized by the NAIA as the school’s Champions of Character Team Award winners for their work with Feed the Children and Habitat for Humanity. For the latest Badger news visit www.shcbadgers.com BadgerNews The men made the quarterfinals before falling to 13thranked Xavier University 6-0. The women’s 3rd-place regular-season finish earned them a bid into the semifinals where they faced the University of Mobile with a spot in the NAIA National Championship Tournament on the line. The Lady Rams, however, prevailed 5-4. Following the tournament, sophomore Lynne Fritscher of Covington, La., was named to the All Conference team in singles. She was undefeated in singles play and recorded shutout 6-0, 6-0 wins on three occasions. The men’s and women’s golf teams each finished second to the University of Mobile at the GCAC Championships. The men finished the 54-hole event with a +39, 903 while UM closed out the two-day championship with a +34, 898. The women’s 36-hole match ended with Mobile on top +92, 668 to the Badgers’ +109, 685. The Lady Badgers softball team struggled to a 15-32 overall record, but proved they could play with the top teams in the country with upset wins over 15th-ranked Mobile, No. 7 William Carey, and a doubleheader sweep of No. 23 William Penn University. Freshman shortstop Monica Zeringue from Destrehan, La., was named to the All-Conference team by the GCAC coaches following the season, despite moving from centerfield to infield halfway through the season. The baseball team finished the 2009 regular season with a breakeven 26-26 record. Right fielder junior Ryan Hall of Fort Myers, Fla., set a new school record by scoring 5 runs versus Loyola University (La.) on April 3, when he also tied the school mark for hits in a game with 5. Hall scored 56 times in 2009, surpassing Gary Andrews’ mark of 54 runs in 1986. Sophomore Brad Holstein from New Orleans knocked in 64 RBIs to pass Jeff Burg’s mark of 54, set in 1993. Men’s Basketball Makes Run to GCAC Finals The 2008-09 Spring Hill College men’s basketball team finished the season as one of the hottest teams in the NAIA, winning 11 of its last 13 games and advancing to the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference (GCAC) Championship game. Head Coach Robert Thompson’s Badgers won an overtime thriller over Xavier University (La.) 77-74 in the conference quarterfinals and then faced archrival the University of Mobile in the semifinals. The Badgers defeated the Rams 68-60. Nationally ranked LSU-Shreveport would eventually win the conference crown 67-58. Following the season, both guards, senior Jeremy Price of Dallas, Texas, and junior Marcus Coleman from Wilmer, Ala., were named to the All Conference team; and Coleman was named an Honorable Mention NAIA All American. Price ended his career as the Badgers’ 13th best all-time scorer with 1,468 points scored. Coleman was the second best long-distance shooter in the NAIA for the second consecutive season and averaged 3.9 3-point baskets per game. Spring Sports Wrap-Up The women’s basketball team closed out its first season under Head Coach Ray Fron with a disappointing 7-22 record, but the stage was set for a stronger 2009-10 season. Senior center Keisha Forbes from Ft. Walton Beach, Fla., was named to the All GCAC team for the second consecutive season; and sophomore guard Kristi Ybarra of Gulf Shores, Ala., was named a Daktronics-NAIA Scholar Athlete. Forbes finished her four-year career as the 12th leading women’s scorer in SHC history with 1,217 points scored. Men’s and women’s tennis each reached the semifinals of their respective conference tournaments this season. Spring Hill College • Summer 2009 9 p p q Spring Hill Responds to the operating costs have positioned Spring Hill to not only weather this downturn, but to come out of the crisis as a stronger, more efficient institution.” The Commonfund reports that it could take five years before the college’s endowment recovers from the current recession, Shirazi said. “That’s a concern for not only this year but for future years – how long it’s going to take before we get back to where we want to be,” she said. “I want to stress that this isn’t a one-year plan for us. We’re looking at it as a five-year plan.” Steve Pochard, dean of admissions and financial aid, points out that ensuring the financial sustainability of the college is a collaborative effort, and admissions is only one piece of the puzzle. Despite concern about how the economy would affect enrollment, the projected number for the incoming freshman class is 370 students, 20 more than budgeted. The college is also on target for transfer and readmitted students – about 45 students. University Research Partners, the research division of Royall & Company, released a March 2009 update to its report “Higher Education Enrollment and the Economy.” A survey of high school seniors revealed that 54 percent plan to attend college in their home states, to relieve some of the financial burden on their families. As predicted, the incoming freshman class reflects an increase in students from the Southeast and local areas, and a decrease in students from the Midwest, the Mid-Atlantic and the Northeast. “Everybody forecasted that students are going to stay closer to home,” Pochard said. “And, I think the economy is far worse in the Midwest and Northeast than it is down here.” The projected numbers for enrollment take into account students who make their college decision over the summer, as well as students who have made their deposits but decide not to attend Spring Hill. But, Pochard explained, “Students who are deposited are more likely to come this year than last year or the year before. The economy is such that we don’t have as many students who are deposited at two or three schools.” In spite of the challenges, admissions counselors have been able to recruit an exceptional freshman class, Pochard said. The average high-school gradepoint average is 3.5, and the average ACT score is 25. Plus, the class is made up of 42 percent men, compared to 38 percent in 2008, which helps to balance the enrollment. Not all enrollment news is positive, however. Retention is slightly down, and the college is seeing a decrease in the number of on-campus residents. Pochard said about 25 returning students have indicated that they will commute from home in the fall rather than live in the residence halls. “Every student’s room and board is about $10,000. So, if those 25 students come back, but they don’t live on campus, that’s potentially $250,000 out of the revenue stream,” he explained. Ramona Hill, associate provost of graduate and continuing studies, said adult students typically wait to register until closer to term, so the college is unable to project fall enrollment in those areas. As with admissions, the development office has experienced ups and downs over the past year. The total number of people supporting the college has decreased less than 3 percent as of early May, but “because of their personal economic situations, their gifts may not be as large as they have been in the past,” Overbey said. The college has seen the largest decrease in major gifts – five- and six-figure donations, he said. On the other hand, gifts from donors at the President’s Club level and below, collectively known as the Spring Hill College Fund, are not down significantly, Overbey said. “It’s gratifying that people are doing what they can to support the college,” he said. Overbey is confident that the outlook for fiscal 2010 is brighter than 2009. “We’re seeing some signs that the economy is getting better, and we’re hearing positive comments from our donors,” he said. “I don’t think fiscal 2010 will be where fiscal ’08 was, in terms of support, but I do see it better than ’09.” The college is grateful to alumni, friends, parents, faculty and staff, corporations and foundations that have supported the college through good and bad economic times, Overbey said. “Each one of you enables us to provide the Spring Hill experience for our students,” he said. “Every gift – every bit of support – has an impact that is meaningful.” Editor Lindsay Hughes is Assistant Director of Communications at Spring Hill College. 15 Spring Hill College • Summer 2009 Alumni reconnect at Homecoming on the Hill Hill education encouraged Heather Backes ’04 to look at her personal and professional life and see how she could be of service to others. “It presented me with a foundation for how to make sure faith is an integral part of my life,” she said. At the Golden Badger Dinner, Pat Burke ’59 pointed out that while the class of 1959 came from around the globe – New Orleans, Chicago, Guatemala, England – they all shared a love for one another and the college. In addition to regular campus reunions, the class also meets annually. Burke said Rev. Thomas Cronin, S.J., was integral in keeping them together. “He was our mentor, our buddy,” he said. “He became our friend; but before that, he was our teacher, our confidant.” It’s the easy familiarity of Spring Hill’s campus community that Charlie Gambel ’59 appreciated. With a full scholarship to another university, he attended Spring Hill at his father’s insistence. “It grew on me,” he said with a laugh. He passed along a love of the college to his family: three of Gambel’s children attended Spring Hill. “It’s a school that makes you feel at home regardless of how long you’ve been away,” said Joe Clarke ’59. Friday night’s Mobile Bay Boil is always a popular event. Alumni spread across Library Field enjoying live music, endless crawfish and favorite college memories. The years spent at Spring Hill College gave Chris Cheever ’89 friends for life. “I think this place is a great mix of people,” he said. The weekend’s highlight was the annual Saturday night homecoming celebration. Featured speakers were Stebor, Charmane May ’72, Jim McKinney ’69 and Spring Hill College • Summer 2009 Jack Schuessler ’73. The National Alumni Association presented Fr. Lucey with an original oil painting by Eugenia Foster ’66 that depicted all of the campus projects that took place during his term. Also that night, the Reunion Cup was presented to the class of 1959 for having the greatest participation – 48 percent – in financially supporting the college. The President’s Cup, awarded to the class raising the greatest amount of money, went to the class of 1989 for its gift of $59,547. In total, Spring Hill alumni raised $283,613. Colleen O’Brien ’89, Burke and John Zollinger ’89, president of the National Alumni Association, presented the check to Fr. Lucey. 17 p Spring Hill College presents several honors annually to outstanding alumni and non-alumni who, through various acts and achievements, have shown their commitment to Spring Hill College and their communities. We encourage you to take a few minutes to nominate outstanding individuals who deserve recognition in these areas. Ignatian Award Karopczyc Award Gautrelet Award Athletic Hall of Fame In adherence to the award descriptions, I hereby nominate: Nominee: Date Submitted: Class (if known): Address: City/State: Zip Code: Professional Affiliation: For the Following Award(s): Reasons for Nomination: Submitted by: Address: City/State/Zip Code: Phone: Class: Please detach and send this completed form to: Office of Alumni Programs 4000 Dauphin Street Mobile, AL 36608 Or, complete online at www.shc.edu/alumni If you have questions about any of these awards, please call the Alumni Office toll-free at (877) SPR-HILL.  Patrick ’79 and Mariterese Greene ’80 Balthrop. Photo by Keith Necaise. By Caroline Smith Patrick J. Balthrop Sr. ’79 speaks on ethics and leadership By Caroline Smith “Never lose your passion or compromise your integrity,” advised Patrick J. Balthrop Sr. ’79, president and CEO of Luminex Corporation, one of the 25 fastest-growing technology companies in America. Luminex has also been recognized for bestin-class corporate governance and ethics by Institutional Shareholder Services. Because of his stance on ethics in business and this distinguished recognition, Balthrop was asked to speak at the Spring Hill College Ethics and Leadership Luncheon on April 23. During Homecoming Balthrop and his wife, Mariterese Greene Balthrop ’80, ventured back to the Hill for the first time since 1980. Balthrop told current students in attendance at the luncheon, “If you are willing to outwork the next person, you will succeed. And never, ever make the mistake of thinking that you have ‘arrived.’ Each day is new, and you have to earn it each and every day.” For Balthrop these are words to live by. He has had much success in his career, which can sometimes become a balancing act between work and family. When asked to define his personal success, Balthrop responded, “Having a loving and dynamic marriage and a loving and healthy relationship with my three children. They are truly my joy.” 20 Spring Hill College • Summer 2009 Balthrop and Mariterese met on her third day on campus. Balthrop said it was like being hit by a thunderbolt when he first saw her, and he is struck by this thunderbolt every day since. When Balthrop and Mariterese were married, they moved to Pensacola, where Balthrop was born and raised. He graduated from Spring Hill College with a B.S. in biology and went to work in a lab in Pensacola. When a visiting salesman asked if he would be interested in another job, Balthrop jumped at the opportunity. The company was Abbott Laboratories, based in Chicago, and he began his journey with them in 1981. “$16,000 and a company car was like winning the lottery,” he said. Balthrop stayed with Abbott for 20 years and moved cities on several occasions throughout his time with the company. Balthrop was in sales and marketing with Abbott until 1989 when he made the move to general management. After his time with Abbott, however, he felt it was time for a change. In 2002 he took on the role of president of Fisher Healthcare where he was challenged to optimize Fisher’s performance. In 2004 Balthrop was recruited to join Luminex Corporation, a small, publicly traded life science, molecular diagnostics and biotechnology company. He was faced with the challenge of restructuring the company to facilitate growth and profit. “The company wasn’t profitable when I got there. There was no real strategy so we built one to redirect the financial strategy toward growing the company long-term,” he said. For Balthrop this meant the company needed to be executing the appropriate financial discipline, and focusing on basic ideas such as research and development, and actually getting the products on the market. Responsible financial management, which Balthrop said has never been more important than today, has played a large role in Luminex’s being both profitable and debt-free. “These days to have that type of financial position is a very nice thing,” he said. In his discussion about the opportunities and challenges facing ethical leaders in today’s turbulent business times, Balthrop spoke of his father, John Edward Balthrop ’40, and the influence he had on him as a child. “What I learned as a kid was the importance of integrity and the importance of saying what you mean, meaning what you say, and keeping your promises,” he said. Balthrop also talked about there being moments of truth for everyone. “In that moment of truth you have to make the best decision,” he said. “Base your decision on doing the right thing.” He discussed the ramification of the events of 10 years ago with companies like Enron and the issues surrounding today’s big businesses receiving bailout funds. For any of these circumstances Balthrop said it all comes down to the personal decision. “I think most business people are fundamentally honest, hardworking, ethical people. The reason you hear about these cases is the same reason you hear about fires and murders when you turn on the news,” he said of the availability bias. He continued, “It affects people’s confidence in their fellow man and themselves.” So, for Luminex, “Making the right decisions along the way to put the company in the position we are in has been very important.” Balthrop explained further, “I think people get up every day and choose to come to work. And many of them are counting on the company and the person who leads the company to do what we’re able to do, like send our kids to school. That is something I take very seriously.” “It is most important in my view to remember that each and every one of those decisions is made by a person. The power of institutions like Spring Hill College, with that in mind, is in the responsibility of the people that teach the business leaders of tomorrow,” Balthrop said. “In the future it will be even more important that Spring Hill continue to deliver the messages that they’ve been delivering over the past several decades.” Caroline Smith is Associate Director of Alumni Programs at Spring Hill College. Spring Hill College • Summer 2009 21 Father Through Criders Honor Endowed Scholarship p deacon in the Archdiocese of Mobile; and he and his wife, Theresa McGonagle, 69, have worked throughout their lives in various Catholic parishes, schools and charities. “They exemplify what people can do when they are looking to serve God and serve others,” Curt said. “Theresa’s father is getting older, and I wanted to find a way to honor him because of my love for Theresa and my love for her sisters.” For Theresa, the oldest of five McGonagle daughters, going to college meant finding scholarship and financial aid to cover most of the expenses. A native of Fairhope, Ala., Theresa attended Spring Hill on the prestigious Miller-LeJeune Scholarship, which covered room, board and tuition. “I thought Spring Hill was out of my reach, because it was expensive, in my mind. But, the opportunity to come to a Catholic, Jesuit school was a big plus,” she said. “Had I not had the scholarship, I probably would not have been able to attend Spring Hill.” Curt attended Strake Jesuit High School in Houston and, as a National Merit Finalist, was awarded a full scholarship to Spring Hill. He majored in chemistry and now works as a managing consultant for Rolta TUSC, a global provider of information technology solutions. As a student, he was editor of the Springhillian and general manager of the radio station. Before changing majors to English, Theresa majored in biology. The pair were active in theater as part of the Yenni Players. “We both had friends in very disparate areas— the sciences and theater,” Theresa said. She and Curt enjoyed being involved in such a diversity of campus activities, regardless of their majors. “When you go to a big university, you’ve got to make a decision about which things you are going to participate in,” Theresa said, “but at Spring Hill you can get a taste of everything.” Theresa and Curt started dating the summer before her sophomore year. Curt graduated in May 1983, and the couple wed the following Saturday. The Rev. James Lambert, S.J. ’59, their chemistry professor, advisor and friend, co-officiated the ceremony. Lambert, now a pastor in Grand Coteau, La., attended their 25th wedding anniversary celebration last year. “I think a lot of my memories of Spring Hill have to do with relationships with the faculty and my close friends,” Theresa said. “We’re still good friends with a number of people who were in our wedding, and we touch base every year.” The Criders have three children: Andrew ’06, who graduated with a B.A. in English; Amanda ’08, who graduated with a B.A. in studio art; and Carlye, who plans to attend culinary school. “We’re the poster family for the liberal arts,” Theresa said. In their first conversation about the scholarship, the Criders determined that they could not afford it. “And, we can’t afford an endowed scholarship,” Curt insisted. “But, what we can do is afford to give some money today, and afford to give some money next month, and next year. We’re not so much endowing a scholarship today; we’re planting an acorn.” Theresa said discussions with Dr. Samantha Church, assistant to the vice president of development and annual programs, helped them to realize the possibility of funding an endowed scholarship. “We didn’t have five figures to plop down today— or six or seven, as some other donors do,” Theresa said. “But, we have been very fortunate and blessed in our own lives that we do have some disposable income, small or large.” Curt stressed that the rewards for giving are immeasurable. “It makes everyone richer when you have good people out there living and loving,” he said of Spring Hill’s graduates. “You may not be able to afford everything you want to give right now, but that doesn’t mean you can’t give right now. You can give some now and some later, and help Spring Hill mold and influence the people who will graduate to mold and influence our world. Theresa and I want to help make it possible for Spring Hill students to go out and be those good people like Deacon Joseph and Mrs. McGonagle.” For information on contributing to the Joseph P. McGonagle Scholarship Fund, or on applying for the theology book award, contact Dr. Samantha Church at (251) 414-3208 or schurch@shc.edu. Spring Hill College • Summer 2009 23 ChapterUpdates Visit Flickr for the SHC Alumni Photo Gallery www.flickr.com/photos/shcalumni 1 Baton Rouge Neil Favre ’06, Aracely Favre ’05 and Missy Cresson ’93 chat at Drusilla’s. 2 Miami Miami young alumni gather to bid farewell to Father Lucey. 3 St. Louis From left, Pat Postal ’76, Mary Reedy ’75, Jimmy Dunn ’79, Maureen Guzy ’71, Connie Postal ’75 and Mike Reedy enjoy the Mardi Gras event in St. Louis. Baton Rouge On March 12, 2009 more than 40 alumni, parents and friends gathered at Drusilla Seafood Restaurant for Celebrating a Legacy: A Farewell to Father Lucey. The atmosphere was wonderful, and the company was even better. It was a great way for Father Lucey to say thank you and goodbye. A special thanks to Drusilla Seafood Restaurant and to the host committee: Harold ’57 and Claire Bahlinger, David ’93 and Melissa ’93 Cresson, David ’83 and Denise ’85 Hatcher, Price ’47 and Shirley LeBlanc, Michael ’88 and Kelley Olinde, Chris ’91 and Krista ’92 Valluzzo, Eric ’91 and Ceci Waguespack, and Brad ’94 and Danielle Zito. Miami More than 45 alumni, parents and friends attended the Celebrating a Legacy event in Miami, Fla., on Jan. 24, 2009. The event was held at the Olga & Carlos Saladrigas Art Gallery on the campus of Belen Jesuit Preparatory School. Guests wished Father Lucey well during his final year as president of Spring Hill College. New Orleans On Feb.15, 2009, 80 alumni gathered at the house of Amy ’90 and Billy ’89 King to watch the Krewe of Carrollton and the Knights of King Arthur. It was a great time to celebrate the Mardi Gras season with good friend. Thank you to the Kings for opening their home. Chicago On Feb. 6, 2009 more than 40 alumni and friends celebrated Mardi Gras at Stanley’s in Chicago. Alumni enjoyed drinks and hors d’oeuvres as they reminisced about their Mardi Gras days on the Hill. St. Louis On Feb. 27, 2009 the St. Louis chapter held a Mardi Gras party benefiting the Daniel C. Aubuchon Memorial Scholarship Fund. A special thank you to Mary ’75 and Mike Reedy who opened their home to more than 100 alumni, parents and friends. The event was a great success. Thank you to the other event hosts, including Maureen Guzy ’71, Sue Aubuchon, Ellen ’94 and Doug Dolan, Mary Beth ’87 and Jim ’79 Dunn, Lynn ’77 and Raoul ’77 Robichaux, and Connie ’75 and Pat ’76 Postal. Cincinnati More than 20 alumni got together on Jan. 31, 2009 to celebrate the Mardi Gras season at the home of Kerry ’97 and Jay ’96 Vollmer. Everyone enjoyed the festive occasion. A special thanks to the Vollmers for offering their home to the group. Memphis More than 40 alumni and friends gathered at the home of Charlotte ’93 and Mike ’92 Henderson on Feb. 7, 2009. Everyone had a wonderful time, and they were able to raise more than $1,700 for the Memphis Scholarship fund. We extend our appreciation to the Hendersons for opening their home to the alumni. 24 Spring Hill College • Summer 2009 ClassNotes 1940s Joe Verneuille ’46 retired in 1981 after 37 years of Federal Service and resides happily with his wife, Marie Sutton, in Sacramento, Calif. They have one daughter who graduated from law school at the University of California Davis and is a practicing attorney in the Sacramento area. Claude Boudreaux, S.J. ’49 is now a fully retired Jesuit. Henry L. Wright ’49 is 86 years old, plays golf four or five times a week, and occasionally shoots his age. books. One is a novel he has written of the 1960s and ’70s. The other, which he is compiling and editing with the cooperation of the Milwaukee Art Museum, consists of winning poems in recent art and poetry contests there, including one he wrote. Manfred Hummel ’59 retired in July 2002. He and his wife, Margaret, moved to Massachusetts in 2005 to be near two grandchildren. Since January 2007, they have two more grandchildren in California. Language (ESL) and GED education. She also completed training with One World UV as a facilitator for world peace workshops. Marie Simonet Revere ’65, retired, lives in Encinitas, Calif., and has four children and nine grandchildren. She volunteers for the National Alliance on Mental Illness, teaches Family-to-Family classes, and conducts state trainings for teachers of the course. Marie would like to hear from her classmates. E-mail her at marierevere@sbcglobal.net. Dr. Denis E. Hruza, Ph.D. ’66 retired after 40 years as a chemist with International Flavors and Fragrances. He and his wife, Anne, will be able to spend more time traveling. Denis can also devote more time to duck decoy carving, already having won 29 ribbons at the Ward World Carving Championships. They have one son, Denis Jr., who resides in Fort Meyers, Fla. Steve Kelly ’66 is working on a project involving the concert Joan Baez gave at Spring Hill College on May 7, 1963. He would like to hear from alumni who were present at the concert. Contact him at skelly@carleton.edu or Stephen Kelly, Dye Family Professor of Music, Carleton College, One North College Street, Northfield, MN 55057. Len ’66 and Jean ’67 Pinkley are proud grandparents of Michael, 5, Cecelia, 4, and Leo Drendel, 2, of Charlotte, N.C. Len has retired after practicing OB-GYN in Amory, Miss., for 31 years. Jean has retired from the Amory Main Street manager position. Len recently earned a Master of Pastoral Studies from Loyola University New Orleans and assists the pastoral minister of St. Helen Parish in Amory. Rev. Edward B. “Ted” Arroyo, S.J. ’67 has been appointed by Jesuit Superior General Adolfo Nicolas, S.J., to serve as the next rector of the Jesuit community at Spring Hill College. Dan Short ’67 and his wife, Carol McCain, live in Oklahoma City, Okla. Mustard Seed Development Corp., their nonprofit ministry, recently marked its eighth year in North Highlands, a lowincome neighborhood in Oklahoma City. Affordable home ownership, after-school tutoring, literacy, education equity advocacy, and citizen good-neighbor training are among their efforts. Visit their Web site, mustardseeddevelopmentokc.org, to get involved. 1960s Lynn AuCoin Durel ’62 has relocated to Northern Virginia to be closer to family. She retired from the University of Miami as an associate professor of psychology. She is pleased to report that she sold her house in Coral Bales and has bought a foreclosed house in Arlington. Dennis Malcor ’62 and Scott Malcor are proud grandparents of Emily Scott Malcor, born March 25, 2009 in Zurich, Switzerland to Patrick and Tina Malcor. They have a 4-year-old son, Nicholas. Patrick is CEO of a logistics company in Zurich. Their daughter Nancy is an assistant district attorney and has an 8-year-old son, Edward John; and they live in Macon, Ga. Jim Hill ’64 was recently elected to the rank of Fellow in the American Association for the Advancement of Science, which is considered a Lifetime Achievement Award. He was honored for his contributions to the understanding and chemotherapy of viral and bacterial keratitis. Jim has had 38 years of continuing biomedical research funding by the National Institutes of Health and National Science Foundation. Charles B. Lowry ’64 has stepped down as dean of libraries at the University of Maryland after 12 years. During a threeyear leave of absence, Charles will serve as the executive director of the Association of Research Libraries in Washington, D.C. He will return to UM in 2011 to teach and conduct research in the iSchool where he is a professor. Jo Chimento ’65 has lived in Granada Hills, Calif., for the last 34 years. He is married, with two married daughters and six grandchildren. Joe is a supervisor for quality control at Flavor Producers Inc. He will retire in September. Louise Perret ’65 recently earned her teaching certificate in English as a Second 1950s Richard Gibbens Robichaux ’51 recently received the Citizen of the Year Award in Thibodaux, La. He has been writing articles for the paper for 10 years, has produced three CDs of his piano music, and a CD of the local Bayou Dixieland Band. Richard and his wife have been married for 55 years; they have four children and eight grandchildren. Thomas Randolph “Randy” Tardy ’54 worked in broadcast and public relations for 25 years, followed by a 25-year career as business and transportation writer for the “Democrat-Gazette.” He now serves as president of the Arkansas River Historical Society based in Catoosa, Okla. Fr. Daniel J. Sullivan, S.J. ’55 received the Bene Merenti Medal last March from Fordham University, for 40 years of service on the Biological Sciences faculty. During his time at Fordham he had a one-year Fulbright Research Fellowship to Nigeria, and sabbaticals at other agricultural institutes in South America and India. Kateri Baker ’58 has lived in Pace, Fla., since 1994. She has three daughters, one son and nine grandchildren. Her husband, Rob, passed away Easter night, April 12, 2009, from a bout with cancer. Dr. Peter McNamara ’58, Professor Emeritus at the University of North Carolina, recently completed his fifth poetry collection, “A Respectful Distance.” Besides making poems, he is a lyricist/ librettist and translator of selections from Pablo Neruda, Frederico Garcia Lorca and Blanca Castellón. Andrew Clark ’59 is a Milwaukee writer and editor, currently working on two Spring Hill College • Summer 2009 25 ClassNotes Richard Walker Sr. ’67 spent last May in Ireland on the Dingle Peninsula with his son, Richard Walker Jr. ’90, daughter-in-law and granddaughter. Also spending time with him was his sister, Gingy Whitman ’69. Rick’s wife, Gail (Andrews) ’69, died suddenly in December 2008 after a short illness. Rick lives in Long Beach, Ind., by the shores of Lake Michigan. Out of retirement, he is employed with Acosta Sales and Marketing, a food broker headquartered in Jacksonville, Fla. He is involved with the Wal-Mart stores division. Holland Sullivan ’68 has been with Merrill Lynch for the last 25 years in downtown Dallas, Texas. Holland runs a wealth management advisory practice. For the last five years, the Consumers Research Council of America has certified him as one of America’s Top Financial Planners. He lives with his wife of 35 years, Cynthia Little Sullivan, in North Dallas. His son, Holland A. Sullivan Jr., graduated from Yale University in 2001 and Baylor Law School in 2004. Ernesto F. Travieso, S.J. ’68 is vice president for development and alumni relations at Belen Jesuit Preparatory School in Miami, Fla., and president of the ILAC Foundation in the Dominican Republic. After being director of international relations for Latin America at Vatican Radio in Rome, he is in Miami writing a page in “La Vox Catolica” Arcdiocese of Miami and contributes to EWTN Radio for all Spanish-speaking countries. Fr. Travieso has written two books in Spanish, “En la Busqueda de la Felicidad” and “Para no Ser un Rinoceronte Mas.” His first book has been translated and recently published as “In The Pursuit of Happiness.” Ed McMahon ’69 and Sherry (McIver) McMahon ’67 are now grandparents. Their daughter, Megan, gave birth to Liam Christopher Davis on Aug. 4, 2007. Sherry is in her 13th year as a school counselor at St. Camilius Catholic School in Silver Spring, Md. Ed has been awarded the Charles Fraser Chair on Sustainable Development at the Urban Land Institute in Washington, D.C. resident of New Orleans, MK is active in its recovery efforts. Albert Charlton ’71 has retired after teaching English for 33 years in the New Orleans area. His focus now is investing in the stock market. Albert was recently at Spring Hill for the funeral of Rev. Daniel Creagan, S.J. ’51, for whom he worked during his four years at Spring Hill. Mary Ann (Martin) Graf ’71 and 15 SHC alumnae visited Charleston, S.C., in March 2008 to celebrate the 60th birthday of Judi (Tierney) Sherry ’71. The group included Peggy (Seban) Wellington ’72, Suzanne (Hansom) Montgomery ’71, Mary Anne (Rice) Lefoldt ’71, Suzzie (Torrado) Carmody ’72, Mary (Long) Rodgers ’72, Ann (Shay) Gril ’72, Diane (Gustafson) Caver ’71, Maureen (Gamp) Guzy ’71, Pam (Haggerty) Moses ’72, Dianne (Dwyer) McGarry ’71, Dorothy (Hare) Beattie ’71, Kathy (Bloom) Durel ’71 and Chris (Bowes) Canton ’71. Mary Ann, Judi, Mary Anne, Kathy, Chris, Peggy, Ann, Suzzie, Mary, Maureen, Sue (Lemon) Aubuchon ’69, Kate (Ribordy) Weinreich ’72 and Johneen (Skremetta) Goltermann ’70 visited St. Augustine, Fla., in spring 2009. They were all friends at Spring Hill and several were in the same sorority, Gamma Gamma Gamma. Wally Maughn ’71 and Marty Maughn announce their son, James Maughn, a 2009 graduate of Milton High School in Alpharetta, Ga., has signed a baseball scholarship to play for the Badgers next year. James was a starting pitcher for Milton. Kevin McCaffrey ’72 is a producer/writer/ director based in New Orleans. His halfhour documentary TV program, “We Live to Eat: New Orleans’ Love Affair with Food,” which aired regionally on PBS, was a finalist for the James Beard Foundation Award for culinary excellence in the category of broadcast media, national and local. Kevin’s Web site is www.eprimedia.com. Richard Bienvenu ’74 started a blog, www. NotesOnNewOrleans.net, about the music, food, events, culture and everyday life in New Orleans. Richard had his classical singing debut at the annual Bach Around the Clock Festival in New Orleans and is studying with renowned voice teacher Mona Bond at Loyola University. Francisco Stork ’75 recently published his third novel, “Marcelo in the Real World,” a novel for young adults about a boy with Asperger’s syndrome, a high-functioning form of autism. His first two books were about Mexican-Americans in South Texas, one an adult on death row, the other a Chicano teenager trying to avoid the violence around him. Carol Segner Koster ’76 lives in Mandeville, La., with husband, Rich, and 13-year-old son, Michael. Michael is entering seventh grade at his parochial school, where he plays the trumpet for the Archdiocesan Band, and is a First Class Boy Scout. Rich works for WVUE-TV Fox 8 in New Orleans as a graphic designer. Carol volunteers at her son’s school and at her parish’s Perpetual Adoration Chapel as a committed Adorer. Stephanie Scaritt Dempsey ’76 is living in Bogota, Columbia with her husband and son after a three-year posting in Ankara, Turkey. She was the school liaison officer for the George C. Marshall School for two years in Turkey and won Civilian of the Year for her work with the parents, military and international community of the school. Stephanie is looking for Badgers in Columbia and can be reached via e-mail at sjscarritt@aol.com. Joseph Teahan ’77 has a daughter, Caitlin, who completed her sophomore year at Spring Hill. Caitlin is pursuing an internship at Disney in Los Angeles. Joseph’s wife accepted a position as department head of the Graduate School of Social Work at Barry University in Miami, Fla., her alma mater. John Hefferman ’78 is the musical director for Carnival Cruise Lines. He lives in Miami with his Pekingese, Yaz. John F. “Jeff ” Roorda ’78 lives in Houston, Texas. He has three sons: Jack, 20; Nic, 18; and Alex, 13. Jack is at Spring Hill, class of 2011, in honors engineering, Nic is an incoming freshman at Spring Hill on baseball and academic scholarships. Jeff is celebrating 30 years in the Steel Industry. He enjoys golfing, traveling and fishing. Ken Stickney ’78 won the American Society of Newspaper Editors’ Distinguished Writing Award for Editorial Writing. Ken, managing editor of “The News-Star” in Monroe, La., won for a collection of editorials written in 2008. 1970s MK Wegmann ’70 has been invited to a White House briefing for artists and organizers. MK is president and CEO of National Performance Network in New Orleans, which supports the creation and touring of contemporary art. As a lifelong 1980s Michael Giolando, D.D.S. ’80 is head basketball coach and director of athletics and wellness at Loyola University of New 26 Spring Hill College • Summer 2009 Orleans. He was selected by the Louisiana Association of Basketball Coaches as 2009 Small College Coach of the Year and was named by the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference as 2009 GCAC Athletics Administrator of the Year. Tim O’Connor ’80 is practicing emergency medicine at Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital in Memphis, Tenn. Maurine Bishop O’Connor ’80 is an oncologist. Maurine and Tim celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary on April 28, 2009. Their daughter, Erin, attends the University of Alabama, majoring in engineering. Karen Campbell ’81 was married to Johnny William Adams Jr., on Oct. 18, 2008, at St. Edwards Catholic Church in Nashville, Tenn., by Fr. Joseph P. Breen. Walter A. Bell ’83 was appointed chairman of the Swiss Re America Holding Corporation on Sept. 1, 2008 in New York. On July 1, 2008 he was elected to the board of directors for Bermuda Monetary Authority in Hamilton, Bermuda. Kathleen Gorman ’83 received her Master of Divinity from Iliff School of Theology on June 6, 2009. She is working as a hospice chaplain for Vista Care Hospice and lives in Denver, Co. Richard Patrick Reynolds ’83 is a corporate attorney living in Hingham, Mass., with his wife, Colleen Scanlon Reynolds, and their 2-year-old son, Finley Patrick Reynolds. Alex Stevens ’83 married his wife, Stephanie, on Nov. 29, 2008. They have two sons, Cheyne, 15, and Alex III, 13. After four years as director of operations for Pine Jog Environment Education Center, Alex recently became the director for the Palm Beach County Community Food Alliance. Steve ’85 and Terri (Remich) ’85 Kinsey will celebrate their 23rd wedding anniversary in June. Steve and Terri live in Fairhope, Ala., with their two children, Thomas, 18, and Ashley, 15. Thomas is an incoming freshman at Spring Hill, and Ashley will be a sophomore in the IB Program at Fairhope High School. Steve is practicing general surgery in Baldwin County and his office is located in Foley. Marney Skinner ’85 has joined Edward Jones as a financial advisor in the Naples/Ft. Meyers, Fla., area. Gunn Bente Olsen ’85 is living in Columbia, S.C., with her 8-year-old son, Sebastian. She is the executive director of development at Columbia College. Thomas F. Boleky ’86, a trial attorney at the law firm of Corboy & Demetrio in Chicago, was recently elected to a threeyear term on the board of directors of the Les Turner ALS Foundation, a nonprofit organization devoted to the treatment and elimination of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), better known as Lou Gehrig’s disease. Tom represents individuals and their families in serious personal injury and wrongful death litigation. Karen Charnock ’86 and Jeff Charnock are proud to announce their son, Edward, made his First Holy Communion on March 29, 2009. Jerry Roden ’86 was recently appointed to serve on the board of trustees of Indian River State College. Jerry operates a criminal defense law firm on Florida’s Space and Treasure Coast, which focuses exclusively on DUI defense. Mellie Boagni-Watson ’86 lives with her two daughters, Lillie and Camille, in Lake Village, Ark. She has been named chairman of the Arkansas Rural Services Commission. Mellie works for the University of Arkansas Medical Sciences Delta AHEC as director over Southeast Arkansas. Andrea Trader ’88 lives in northern California with her husband of almost 15 years, Chip. Andrea has a son, Nicholas, 12, and daughter, Corrine, 8. She recently went back to work as a pediatrician at a small community clinic. Robert M. Harrison ’89 serves as finance director with Crossroads of America Council, Boy Scouts of America in Indianapolis, Ind., generating approximately $6 million to develop quality programs for youth in 25 central Indiana counties. Fr. Mark Hun ’89 serves as pastor of Holy Rosary Catholic Church in Nashville, Tenn. Leanne Berg ’89 was recently inducted into the Upsilon Sigma Alpha Chapter of Chi Sigma Iota, Counseling Academic and Professional Honor Society. She was also named Outstanding Graduate Student in the area of school psychometry at the University of South Alabama. Leann is employed as an elementary special education teacher with the Mobile County Public School System. 1990s Shaw Matthews ’90 and Ruth (Crane) Matthews ’92 announce the birth of their daughter on April 4, 2008. Simon Condron ’91 and Deborah (Gareau) Condron ’93 welcomed their first daughter, Avery Marie, on April 14, 2009. The family resides in Orlando, Fla., where Simon is a hospitalist and Deborah teaches high-school English. Sheila Birrane Albers ’92 is married to Steve Albers of St. Louis. Steve and Sheila have two boys, John, 8, and Tommy, 3, and are expecting their third child in September. She is the principal of Harmony Middle School in Overland Park, Kan. Kate DeWitt Darden ’92 opened a marketing/branding consulting practice, The Darden Group, in May 2009. The firm helps small businesses build their brands and grow sales through strategic planning, implementation and sales development. Her Web site is www.thedardengroup.com. Kevin O’Gorman ’92 and his wife, Elizabeth, announce the birth of their daughter, Olivia Tep O’Gorman, born Feb. 13, 2009. Kevin was recently promoted to the position of associate superintendent for instruction and accountability for Aiken County Public Schools in Aiken, S.C. Kevin, Liz and their two daughters reside in Aiken. Gretchen (Heinze) Hardman ’92 married J. Christopher Hardman in June 2008. The couple resides in Callaway, Md. Gretchen works in Waldorf, Md., as the executive director of the Community Foundation of Charles County. Brian A. McBride ’92 is a senior account executive at PSC Industrial Outsourcing, LP, an industrial-service organization. Brian and his wife, Gina, have been married for 13 years and live in The Woodlands, Texas, with their two children, Nicholas, 9, and Veronica, 8. Kristin LeRibeus ’94 and her husband, Bryson, welcomed their first child, Aidan Wynn, on Sept. 21, 2008. Brian ’95 McGranahan and his wife, Amy, welcomed daughter Alexandra Sophia, Spring Hill College • Summer 2009 27 ClassNotes born March 10, 2009. Brian recently received his MBA from the University of Tennessee. Amy, Brian and Alexandra live in Cleveland, Tenn. Laura (Richard) ’95 and John ’96 Braham welcomed daughter Mary Claire, born Feb. 18, 2008. She joins her sister, Madeleine, and brother, John Paul. The Brahams reside in Opelousas, La., where John is the director of religious education at Opelousas Catholic School and Laura is a family physician. Mara Ford ’95 and Billy ’96 Hodes welcomed their eighth child, Dorothy Theresa “Dory,” on Jan. 16, 2009. Billy, 12; Maggie, 11; Matthew 9; Lucy, 8; Francie, 5; Danny, 2; and Charlie, 1, are very excited about their new little sister. Timothy D. Carter ’96 celebrated five years of marriage to his wife, Amanda. Their daughter, Addison Elise, is 1 year old. Timothy lives in Olive Branch, Miss., and is employed by a national healthcare company as vice president of sales. Lauren (Letchworth) Hayden ’96 and Robert Hayden announce the birth of their daughter, Margaret Ruth, born on Nov. 12, 2008. She was welcomed by big brother, Thomas, 2. The Hayden family resides in Memphis, Tenn. Jim Fry ’97 is working on his doctorate in interdisciplinary education for educational leaders at Saint Joseph’s University in Philadelphia. He is an adjunct faculty member for the SJU’s graduate education program and at Neumann College. Jim also teaches high-school chemistry, marine science and theater at Malvern Preparatory School. He was promoted to the position of director of student activities. Erin S. (Haynes) Reed ’97 celebrated the first birthday of her daughter, Addison Haynes Reed, and third birthday of her son, Patterson Thorne Reed, on April 11. Erin, her husband of six years, James, and children reside in Louisville, Ky. Erin recently returned to her journalism career, freelance reporting for the CBS station in Louisville (WLKY-TV). Susan (Jersa) Knese ’98 and her husband, Lenn, welcomed their identical twin daughters, Isabella Lucia and Chloe Marie, on April 12, 2008. They reside in St. Louis. Jennifer Hartrich-Schriver ’99 and husband Charles Schriver announce the birth of their second daughter, Sophia Rose, on April 17, 2009. She is welcomed by older sister, Gabrielle. Kevin Kistner ’99 announces the birth of his son, Max Robert Kistner, born on April 1, 2009 at Saint Vincent Mercy Medical Center in Toledo, Ohio. Kevin resides with his girlfriend, Andrea Ansted, in Toledo. He is the executive producer at the NBC affiliate. Jason R. Swenk ’99 is co-founder and chief CEO of Solar Velocity. Under Jason’s direction, the company has received numerous awards, including Best Place to Work, Innovative Company of the Year, Top 10 Most Dependable Web Design Firm in the Southeast, and Top 25 Business in Atlanta. Jason has competed in Ironman Triathlon competitions and is an avid racecar driver. He resides in Atlanta with his wife, Kimberly, and son, Luke. Vanessa Cranston-Hava ’02 married Stephen Hava on April 24, 2008 on Grace Bay Beach in Turks and Caicos. Vanessa is a Certified Public Accountant employed with Entergy Corporation in New Orleans. The couple resides in Harahan, La. Amber L. Houston ’02 and Christopher J. Nappi were married on Feb. 14, 2009 at St. Joseph Chapel. The couple is expecting their first child in late November 2009. Andrew “Andy” James Hughes ’02 married Meghan Jill Hamblet on Sat., May 9, 2009, at the Historic Dubsdread Country Club in Orlando, Fla. Andy works in the office of student involvement and leadership at Rollins College in Winter Park, Fla. Charlie Sokolash ’02 married Shelby Mason at the Dallas Arboretum on May 9, 2008. Their wedding party included five Spring Hill graduates, Sonya Sokolash ’05, Joe Pappalardo ’02, Bobby Bourgeois ’01, Russ Tibbits ’01, and Mike Chapman ’02. The couple resides in Plano, Texas, where David is employed with McDavid Acura as the new car sales director. Bethany Garner ’03 married Robbie G. Tomlin on April 18, 2009, at Corpus Christi Catholic Church in Mobile, Ala. Elizabeth Catherine McIntosh ’03 married Harish Chawla on November 8, 2008, in St. Joseph Chapel. The couple resides in North Bethesda, Md. Elizabeth graduated from Georgetown University School of Medicine in May 2009. In June she begins a residency position in pediatrics at Georgetown. Kate Peters ’03 married Chris Daniel on Sept. 1, 2007. In attendance were SHC alumnae Kate Titford ’03, maid of honor, Frannie Meehan ’03, Diana Scalici ’03, and Coreil Ryder ’03. The couple resides in St. Louis, where Kate is executive assistant to the publisher of the “St. Louis American” newspaper. The couple is expecting their first child in November. Emily (Ferrill) Rios ’03 and her husband, Gus Rios, welcomed son William James Rios on March 27, 2009. Will weighed 7 pounds, 15 ounces and measured 21.5 inches. Sara King Seabourne ’03 married Mark Seabourne of Vernon, B.C., on July 19, 2008. She recently moved to Seattle, Wash., and received a promotion to business development manager at Modis. 2000s Lynn Rush ’00 is happy to announce her engagement to Phil Frisby. The couple will wed at Nativity BVM Cathedral in Biloxi, Miss. on Jan. 9, 2010. Gregory Logush ’01 and Jennifer Logush welcomed a beautiful baby girl to their family on Jan. 24, 2009. Madelyn Christine Logush was 6 pounds, 15 ounces and 19 ¼ inches long. Hilary Frobish Marse ’01 graduated May 15, 2009 with an MBA in finance from the University of New Orleans. Theresa Bertucci Truxillo ’01 and her husband, Ryan, welcomed son Owen Matthew on Feb. 4, 2009. Owen was welcomed by big brother Brendan, 4, and big sister Camille Claire, 2. The Truxillos reside in Metairie, La., where Ryan is a family practice physician and Theresa runs a stationery and art business, Hello World Designs (www.helloworlddesigns.com). Jamie Algie ’02 was married to Ben Wilson on May 2 on the campus of Spring Hill College. Attendants included Alicia Bauer Grelle ’02, Stacy Angle Boue ’02 and Jill Wren Halsrud ’02. The couple resides in Huntsville, Ala. Tiffany L. Anderson ’02 married Shane Anderson on Sept. 27, 2008 at Perdido Beach Resort in Orange Beach, Ala. They reside in Gulf Shores, Ala., where Tiffany is a case manager for Baldwin County Mental Health Center. 28 Spring Hill College • Summer 2009 Amber Atnip ’04 was married on May 16, 2009 to William Ryan Russell in Nashville, Tenn. Allison Clark ’04 is project manager for the BG Group Sustainability Report 2008 at corporate headquarters in the UK. She returns to Houston mid-2009 as communications specialist, predominately managing corporate campaigns, events and internal communications. View the report at www.bg-group.com/sr. Ernest “Ernie” Digmon ’04 is manager at Hurricane Brewing, Mobile’s only microbrewery. Margaret M. Feeney ’04 and William S. Gorilla won the spring 2008 Connecticut Collegiate Business Plan Competition in the Graduate Student Personal Business category for ETG Hardware. Margaret is an MBA student at University of Connecticut School of Business. She resides in Fairfield, Conn. Kevin Kononchek ’04 and Ann Marie (Bradley) Kononchek ’04 proudly announce the birth of their daughter, Avery Lindley, born on November 4, 2007 at St. Vincent’s Hospital in Birmingham, Ala. Avery weighed 8 pounds and was 21.5 inches long. The family resides in Hoover, Ala. Robert C. Matthews, Esq. ’04 and Alicia Matthews are pleased to announce the birth of their second son, Cooper. Robert is a member of the Corporate Transaction/ Real Estate and Business Litigation practice groups of the firm Lyons, Pipes & Cook, P.C., and was recently appointed to serve on the board of advisors and staff for the YMCA. Courtney Pike ’04 is co-author of the book, “How to Say It On Your Resume: A Top Recruiting Director’s Guide to Writing the Perfect Resume for Every Job.” Courtney was promoted to director of operations at JobBound, a career consulting company headquartered in Chicago. Chelsea Williams Ranger ’04 has been living in Atlanta since finishing graduate school in 2007. She and her husband, Tobias Ranger, married in March 2009 in Orange Beach, Ala. They are expecting their first son in September. After he arrives, the couple will move to Tobias’s hometown of Oslo, Norway. Patricia Beukenkamp Weinacker ’04 and husband, Paul K. Weinacker Jr., welcomed their second daughter, Rose Etty, on Oct. 6, 2008. Rose joins 4-year-old sister, Cora Sophia. Kathryn E. Alsip ’05 earned a Master of Arts in forensic psychology in 2007 from the Chicago School of Professional Psychology. She is working on her doctorate in clinical forensic psychology at Nova Southeastern University in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. She will marry Bryan Cook on June 27, 2009. Rebecca Alsip ’05 graduated in May from medical school at Western University of Health Sciences College of the Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific, outside Los Angeles. Rebecca will begin her family medicine residency in July at Spartanburg Regional Medical Center in Spartanburg, S.C. Kate Browning ’05 graduated in 2008 from Ave Maria School of Law, located in Ann Arbor, Mich. She practices law in Mobile with her father, Richard E. Browning ’77. They specialize in workers’ compensation, personal injury and Social Security disability. Donald A. Hawkins, S.J. ’06 has served as pastor of Holy Name of Jesus Church in New Orleans since May 2007. He recently gave a talk on the history of the New Orleans Province at a national Jesuit gathering at Santa Clara University in California. Gregory M. Schram ’06 has been promoted to the New Orleans District Office of the Railroad Retirement Board. Ashley “Nikki” Eschmann-Wild ’07 gave birth to Aiden Nikolaus on July 22, 2007. She will marry Trey Ledet in Metairie, La., on Aug. 8, 2009. Kerrie McNamara ’07 and Christopher Jernigan ’07 were married at St. Joseph Chapel on May 16, 2009. They recently bought a house in the Cottage Hill area in Mobile John Calderone ’08 is an accountant with Wood, Singleton, Hicks & Haisten CPAs in Mobile. He was married to Mandy Forbes in September 2008. John is working on his master’s degree at the University of South Alabama. He also helps his wife and her sister run their newly opened boutique, Polish, in Bel Air Mall. Lorie Thibodeaux ’08 is working on her master’s degree in health administration at University of Missouri-Columbia. This summer Lorie has an internship with VA Northern Indiana Health Care System. Spring Hill College • Summer 2009 29 ClassNotes In Memoriam Louis B. Arceneaux ’58 Rob Baker ’51 James L. Baynes ’65 Curtis Boddie ’67 Scott G. Burglass ’89 William M. Byrd ’41 Fr. Thomas Clancy, S.J. ’48 Rev. Daniel A Creagan, S.J. ’51 Edward “Ted” Coward Jr. ’57 Richard I. Denney ’71 John Caldwell “Johnny” Downey ’10 Charles E. Dupre ’45 Joseph N. Fisher ’53 Richard P. Gideon ’50 John Lynn Gidley ’84 Victor Joseph Gioscia ’52 Earl Gregory Hamel Jr. ’51 James K. Heyen ’59 Thomas C. Holland ’59 David Hollensworth ’92 William Winston Hollis ’50 Ernest S. Irby ’54 Guy C. Kaufman ’33 George Edward Kelley ’50 John F. Kerrigan ’56 Ben A. Lane ’51 Bernard P. McCann ’57 Jimmie McConnell McWhorter ’60 Katherine L. Mowrer ’65 John B. “Jack” Mulcahy ’58 Edward A. Petrovich ’59 Patrick J. Potts ’34 Mary K. Vulevich Quinn ’60 Gregory Rattigan ’02 Norman Rogge ’49 Fr. Edward Joseph Romagosa, S.J. ’47 Margaret Bailey Stein ’86 Lawrence M. Stewart ’57 William W. Sullivan ’47 Gerald A. Sultenfuss ’47 Gail A.Walker ’69 Daniel H. Winborne ’70 Keep in touch by submitting your Name Class Address City/State/Zip Home Phone Business Name Business Title Business Address City/State/Zip Business phone E-mail ClassNotes today. Marriages, Births, Moves, Promotions, Recent Achievements, etc. Your News Mail your news to: Spring Hill College Office of Alumni Programs 4000 Dauphin Street Mobile, AL 36608 E-mail your news to: alumni@shc.edu Or visit www.shc.edu/alumni 30 Spring Hill College • Summer 2009 Budapest, Vienna & Prague Discovery Featuring a Danube River Cruise aboard the luxurious MS Amadeus Royal October 10-20, 2009 Approximately $2,995 per person, plus airfare and V.A.T., based on double occupancy. Discover three of the finest capitals in Europe on this unique travel adventure and exceptional travel value. Swiss Alps & the Italian Lakes October 11-19, 2009 Approximately $2,995 per person, plus airfare and V.A.T., based on double occupancy. Literary luminaries in the 19th century heralded the idyllic treasures of Switzerland and Italy in praise-filled travelogues. Since then, not much has changed in this pristine part of Europe. www.ahitravel.com/spr ing 1-877-SPR-HILL It’s not how much we give but how much love we put into giving. – Mother Teresa Deciding if and how to make a charitable gift of any kind during these troubled economic times can be difficult. We certainly understand. But, if you would like to make a lasting gift to Spring Hill College, there are some ways to benefit you and help to ensure the future for a Spring Hill student. For example, when you name Spring Hill College as the beneficiary of your retirement plan assets, you don’t part with a single penny today and you protect your estate from taxes later. You also have various worry-free options to leverage life insurance policies. Or, you could include a gift to Spring Hill College in your will or living trust. For more information on these investment options or assistance with your planning, contact Rinda Mueller at (877) 777-4455 (toll free) or (251) 380-2285 (direct) or e-mail rmueller@shc.edu. Visit www.shc.edu/plannedgiving for more ways to make a gift. Spring Hill College 4000 Dauphin Street Mobile, AL 36608-1791