Aquinas Magazine :: Fall 2008

Fall 2008 The magazine of aquinas college

Creating Futures in ArtPage 36

MISSION STATEMENTAquinas College, an inclusive educational community rooted in the Catholic Dominican tradition, provides a liberal arts education with a global perspective, emphasizes career preparation focused on leadership and service to others and fosters a commitment to lifelong learning dedicated to the pursuit of truth and the common good.

Aquinas magazine is published twice a year by the Aquinas College Offi ce of College Relations. It is created for alumni, friends and benefactors of the College as well as for parents of enrolled students, and adult students. Aquinas is a private, four-year Catholic Dominican liberal arts college. Letters, comments and suggestions are encouraged. Change of address requests can be made through the channels listed below.

E-mail:[email protected] to:College Relations Department1607 Robinson Road, SEGrand Rapids, MI 49506-1799Web site:www.aquinas.eduAlumni news:www.aquinas.edu/alumniMain number:(616) 632-2844Fax:(616) 459-2563

Editorial TeamMarty Fahey MM ’06Laura Bennett-Kimble ’95Dan Treul, studentSally Reeves

Contributing WritersMary Pyman Abouzeid, Ph.D.’67Brigid Avery ’01, staffC. Edward Balog, Ph.D., PresidentCandace Beeke, Business ReviewLaura Bennett-Kimble ’95 Terry Bocian ’70, staffEric Bridge ’92 MM’05, staffBusiness ReviewCecilia Cunningham, staffEmily Donohoe, studentCindy Dorman, staffEmily Ferstle, studentAlston Fitts III, freelancer Linda Nemec Foster ’72JoAnne Gorant, facultyMegan Haglund ME’07Marie Hahnenberg ‘03Ellen Harburn ’01, staffMargie Kindel MM’06, staffCrystal (Lubbers ’01) Laska, staffVictoria Manion, studentRobert Marko, Ph.D., facultyPaula (Bacarella ’75) MeehanTom Mikowski ’89, staffErin O’Lonergan ’08, studentSandy Rademaker, staff

Sally Reeves, staffDana Samotis Bensinger ’99, staffBrent Serba, studentSue Stauffacher, staffJackie Sweeney, staffDan Treul, studentSr. Alice Wittenbach, O.P., Ph.D., ’59, staff Mike Wojciakowski, staff

Layout/Design:D&D Printing, Grand Rapids Silvija Visockis, staffJeremy Bardwell

Design/Photo Archive Silvija Visockis, staff

Photography:Eric Bridge ’92 MM’05, staffCatholic News ServiceEmily Ferstle, studentMegan Haglund ME’07Marie Hahnenberg ’03Brian Kelly, freelancerKaty Moore McAvoy ’01, staffSandy Rademaker, staffMark Schmidbauer ’07, staffJackie Sweeney, staffThe Grand Rapids Press - Lance WynnAndris Visockis, staffSilvija Visockis, staff

We would like to make the following corrections as a result of misidentifi cations made in the Spring 2008 edition of Aquinas magazine.

OUR APOLOGIES:

• Page 57: Class of 2002 Photo The identifi cation of those pictured should have read: L-R: Mathew Carty, Omar and Elizabeth Flores (hidden), Samantha Buyze Hekman, Chris Hekman, Nikki Buhagiar Earl and Dr. Jason Duncan (back to photo)

• Page 5: Our apologies to Bishop Walter Hurley for misspelling his name.

• Page 79: In Memoriam (Alumni Deaths) We incorrectly listed Mary Ancona ’70, Grand Rapids, as having passed away. In fact, it was the mother of Mary Ancona who passed away on July 6, 2007. Mary Ancona is very much alive and teaching French at Northview High School in Grand Rapids. Thanks to Matt Coty ’89 for bringing this to our attention.

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE .................................. 4

CAMPUS NEWSPope Benedict XVI’s Impact During U.S. Visit .................................................6New Provost Named: Charles Gunnoe, Ph.D. ........................................9Aquinas Remembers Dolores Hruby – First Lady of Aquinas .....................................11Wege Speaker Series: Kaiulani Lee ........................15Commencement 2008 ..........................................162008 College Hall of Fame....................................19Theater Preview: Fall 2008 ....................................22

STUDENT NEWS2008 Sampler ........................................................28Service Learning: The Haiti Connection ................31Service Learning: Selma, Alabama .........................33Student Book Collection Benefi ts Hospitalized Children ..........................35

FACULTY NEWSEducator of the Year: Ron Pederson ......................37Girls Leadership Program Concludes Successful First Year .........................38Elizabeth Jennings Remembered ...........................39Musician of the Year: Steve Talaga .........................40

ALUMNIAquinas Alums Reach Military Heights.................42A Saintly Wink: 1950s Alums Connect .................43Teaching in Alaska: Megan Haglund ......................44Profi le: John Serba ’96, Movie Critic .....................482008 Homecoming Preview ..................................492008 Alumni Awards ............................................53

ADMISSIONS2008 Freshmen Enrollments Hit All-Time High .............................................56Junior Nights-Prospective Students Learn about AQ ................................................57

EMERITUS COLLEGEEmeritus Award Review: Dan and Eunice Pfeiffer ....................................58 Emeritus Changes Name to Osher Lifelong Learning Institute .................59

ADVANCEMENTStars for Scholars: Henry Winkler .........................60Refl ection Preview: Charles and Stella Royce ...................................63AQ Host First Annual Aquinas College Peter Wege ProAm Golf Tournament ................64Evening of Elegance-Italian Style ..........................66

ATHLETICSAQ Nabs WHAC All-Sports Trophy .....................69Spring Sports Wrap-up ..........................................70Athletic and Academic All Americans Named .......................................722008 Athletics Hall of Fame Class Named ............75

TRUSTEESBoard Leadership Changes ....................................78

CLASS NOTES ................................................ 82

Fall 2008 vol. 7 no. 2 The magazine of aquinas college

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Pope BenedictPg. 6

CommencementPg. 16

Service in Haiti Pg. 32

Ron PedersonPg. 37

Teaching in AlaskaPg. 44

P B di t S i i H iti

4 Aquinas College Magazine – Fall 2008

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My comments in the previous edition of the Aquinas magazine considered the costs and benefi ts of a college education, especially the kind of education students receive at Aquinas. This time I would like to take a look at the general state of education in both Michigan and the nation for the next decade. Issues which suggest that we examine the general state of education in the nation include the general economy, the economy of Michigan in particular, demographic trends, the frequently asserted conviction that the elementary and secondary systems are not working, the demand for accountability regarding the effectiveness of higher education, and the sentiment revealed in some public opinion polls that a growing number of people see no benefi t in higher education for their children. If we look at this formidable group of forces, it would be easy to conclude that we face a crisis in education in the next decade. If we do not recognize these trends and confront them, I believe that such a crisis may materialize. It will probably take another two to three years for the economy to recover fully, and when it does it will look quite different from a decade ago. The current economic diffi culty is driven by the fi nancial crisis and energy costs. Let us assume that the fi nancial institutions will come out from under the commitments they have undertaken in a couple of years. We may also assume that when that occurs the credit structure will be quite different from what we have known. Loans, including college loans, will be more diffi cult to obtain thereby limiting access to higher education for some. Energy costs are unlikely to return to late 20th-century levels, so prices and operating costs will remain major items in institutional budgets.

Combine this with demographic data that indicate a smaller number of students in middle school today, leading to fewer college-age graduates in four to six years, and we see public and private colleges and universities facing higher costs, fewer students, and fewer fi nancial resources for those students. Public appropriations for education at all levels have declined or at best been held steady. Faced with poor graduation rates, secondary schools have implemented a variety of methods to retain and graduate students. These are expensive and many of the solutions are unfunded mandates from the national and state governments. Catholic and other private schools have been able to resist some of these problems because of their clearer missions and reliance on private funding rather than public support. But the pattern cannot continue indefi nitely. When the next bubble of students, those currently in preschool, enters the system, they will encounter a damaged, underfunded structure that has struggled to survive rather than to educate. So where does that leave colleges and universities in the next round of enrollment expansion? We all hear a great deal about the globalization of the economy. Our education system must be up to the task of preparing graduates with an ability to adapt to the changes that lie ahead. America’s commitment to provide access to education for all, both public and private, is one of the major reasons that we are a global power today. I believe that we can continue that tradition and not only survive but prosper in the future. But a major social awakening must occur. There must be a public commitment of resources to education in general or the conditions will continue to deteriorate.

C. Edward Balog, Ph.D.

The State of Education

President’s Message

5Aquinas College Magazine – Fall 2008

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Aquinas and many other colleges and universities have recognized these developments for some time. We have planned for both the short- and long-term impact of these developments. At Aquinas we have engaged in an enrollment enhancement program that will allow us to reach our optimal enrollment by 2011, when the number of students going to college is projected to begin a decline. We have instituted a campus-wide retention program to help those who, through no fault of their own, may come to college underprepared. And we need to enhance both our facilities and economic resources to continue to thrive. Support from alumni and friends will continue to be essential so that we may provide residential accommodations as well as a modern sports and fi tness center for the campus community. We must also increase our endowed scholarships to provide

fi nancial support for students who would otherwise be denied access to an Aquinas education. Thus, we can meet the challenges of the next decade with careful academic and fi scal planning. We can continue to produce students who understand the calling of being a teacher. We can continue to educate all of our students, not only in their academic majors, but in the Dominican sense of service and commitment to the broader community. These thoughtful, analytical citizens will carry with them the conviction that others must have access to education and choice to take advantage of life’s opportunities. I am optimistic that Aquinas will continue to provide the values-based education that will result in social and ethically responsible graduates. It will be our greater task to engage the broader community to guide public policy in the proper direction.

In April, President Ed Balog joined an elite group of Catholic educational leaders from across the country for an address by Pope Benedict XVI concerning the state of American Catholic education. The Pope was expected by some to strongly criticize what some see as a weakening of Catholic identity in post-secondary education. Not so, according to Balog. “There were some people who thought that he was going to scold us on the state of Catholic education in the U.S.,” said Balog, “but he really didn’t do that.” Instead, according to Balog, the Pope appeared “almost to be identifying the U.S. as a model for Catholic education in the world.” “In his context,” said Balog, “faith and reason are inseparable.” He described the Pope’s remarks as scholarly, fair and balanced. The address, on April 17 at Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C., during the Pope’s fi rst offi cial visit to the United States, was delivered to roughly 400 leaders of American Catholic colleges and universities. Balog described the event as impressive, and remarked on a moment in which he and the Pope were separated by just ten feet.

During his historic visit to the United States, Pope Benedict XVI addressed 400 Catholic educators in the Edward J. Pryzbyla University Center in Washington, D.C. AQ President Ed Balog attended the Pope’s speech.

Pope Benedict XVI Addresses Catholic EducatorsBy Dan Treul, Student Contributor

“He has a very clear look,” he said, “like he’s really looking at you, instead of just at the crowd.” It was the fi rst time Balog has seen Pope Benedict XVI in person. “I think it (Pope’s message) was a success on almost every count,” he said. “It showed people the human side of him.”


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“Christ Our Hope”Pope Benedict’s Visit to the United StatesBy Robert P. Marko, Ph.D., Chair and Professor of Theology

Proclaiming “Christ Our Hope,” Pope Benedict XVI visited Washington, D.C and New York from April 15-20, 2008 addressing among others, bishops, the President, leaders of world religions, members of a Jewish synagogue, Catholic educators, the United Nations General Assembly and ordinary women, men and youth. Characteristic of the 81-year-old university professor with a gentle, shy smile, Joseph Ratzinger spoke the truth in love, somewhat surprisingly to his critics, in a positive and pastoral manner. While much can be said of Benedict’s fi rst trip to America as pope, I will suggest three messages that may be particularly signifi cant for the Aquinas community. First, in his meetings at Catholic University of America with Catholic school superintendents and college and university presidents including President Balog, Benedict told the educators that

“each and every aspect of your learning communitiesreverberates with the ecclesial life of faith.” The Pope did not rant over the current identity crisis inCatholic higher education, but rather focused on howprivileged Catholic educators were to bring good newsto our world. Specifi cally, Benedict stated that “public witness to the way of Christ” found in the Gospel and in the teaching of the Church ought to affect “all aspects of an institution’s life, both inside and outsidethe classroom.” While supporting academic freedom, he rightly insisted that a Catholic university could not lean on that principle to justify positions that contradict the faith and teaching of the Church.

Secondly, in addressing young people and seminarians at St. Joseph’s Seminary in Dunwoodie, N.Y. Benedict, who grew up in Nazi Germany,empathetically acknowledged the diffi culties of living in a secular and often anti-religious culture. Benedict

Our sincere thanks to Tony Fiorini of The Catholic University of America for providing Papal photos for use in our coverage of Pope Benedict XVI’s visit to the United States.


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Pope Benedict XVI was warmly received by huge crowds during his April U.S. visit, which took him to Washington, D.C. and New York.

offered the youth in the audience a positive message of happiness, recognizing that in the United States “young Americans … are offered many opportunities for personal development and … are brought up with a sense of generosity, service and fairness.” The Pope also noted what is good about the United States. But here, as elsewhere, he noted that true happiness is the by-product of life in Christ. Thirdly, Benedict refused to accept the privatizing of religious faith but called for renewed witness of American Catholics. While always supporting in his writings the separation of church and state and being distrustful of religious parties nonetheless for Benedict as for St. Augustine of Hippo, one simply cannot “abandon society,” In his fi rst talk at the White House, the Pope said, “I trust that my visit will be a source of renewal and hope for the Church in the United States, and strengthen the resolve of Catholics to contribute ever more responsibly to the life of this nation.” The renewal of Catholicism and its engagement with society found its way in almost every address. In his Yankee Stadium address, Benedict said: “In our day, too, the Catholic community in this nation has been outstanding in its prophetic witness in the

defense of life, in the education of the young, in care for the poor, the sick and the stranger in your midst. On these solid foundations, the future of the Church in America must even now begin to rise!” My hope is that our graduates, whatever their religious tradition, continue to rise to the challenge.


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Peaceful. Inspirational. Uplifting. These are some of the words that describe my experience of attending Mass, celebrated by Pope Benedict XVI on April 17 in the Nationals Stadium in Washington D.C. As a young Catholic, I was happy to welcome Pope Benedict XVI, from cheering as he went by in the pope mobile before Mass to receiving the body of Christ in an open roofed stadium for all the angels in Heaven to join in on the celebration. God made it happen. God handed me a ticket to attend Mass with the Pope. It was an honor to be among the thousands of others that were able to partake in such an unforgettable experience. My pilgrimage to the papal Mass was not a long trip. In fact, I didn’t have far to travel. Everything went smoothly – even as I was squished up against the doors of the Metro train as I rode to the stadium. A friend traveled from my home state of Michigan to attend Mass with me. I currently live south of Washington D.C., where I work as a researcher for American Life League, the largest grassroots Catholic pro-life organization in the United States. It has been quite the journey to get where I am today and it was so fi tting to hear Pope Benedict’s message on hope. He came to the United States as Peter’s successor, to reaffi rm our faith in Christ and have hope. As I sat in my stadium seat, I looked up to the blue sky and I couldn’t help but think how close I was to Heaven. I thought about how much evil is in this world and how important it is for us to stand up

Pope Benedict’s Message of HopeBy Marie Hahnenberg ’03, former president of AQ’s Students for Life

Marie Hahnenberg ’03 attended Pope Benedict XVI’s Mass at Nationals Stadium in Washington, D.C. on April 17.

for truth. As Pope Benedict said in his homily, “I have come to repeat the Apostle’s urgent call to conversion and the forgiveness of sins, and to implore from the Lord a new outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon the Church in this country.” As Pope Benedict instructed us, we must point the way toward the vast horizon of hope by our prayers, our witness of faith and the fruitfulness of our charity. May we never give up – it is through Christ that we will be able to end abortion, end war and end all evil that exists today. We must convert from our sinful ways and choose Christ in all that we do.

(Photos courtesy of Marie Hahnenberg ’03)


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On April 3, President Ed Balog announced the appointment of history department chair Chad Gunnoe as the College’s next provost, concluding a lengthy search and interview process that began last October. “I was searching for as broad a consensus as possible,” said Balog in a written statement, “and I think that we have achieved that consensus. I believe that Chad is qualifi ed, knows the College and has signifi cant support among the faculty, staff and students, as well as the unanimous support of the Cabinet.” “I am committed to solidifying Aquinas College’s position as the premier Catholic liberal arts college in Michigan and the region,” said Gunnoe, who assumed duties as provost and dean of faculty on July 1. Gunnoe said there is “a dynamism at Aquinas right now,” and that he’s “looking forward to interacting with faculty, staff and students.” “Ed Balog is an excellent administrator and I’m excited about the opportunity to work with him,” he said. A native of Virginia, Gunnoe earned his bachelor’s degree at the College of William and Mary in 1986, his master’s degree in theological studies at Gordon Conwell Theological Seminary in 1990 and his doctorate from the University of Virginia in 1998. He is a collaborator and editor of several publications on his foremost academic interest of European history. During his graduate studies, Gunnoe spent a year as a Germany Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) fellow at the University of Heidelberg doing archival research. He gave a lecture on science in the Reformation Era in Germany last fall, and recently collaborated on a new scholarly Web site about life in Heidelberg in the early modern period. He is currently working on a book about Thomas Erastus and the Reformation of the Electoral Palatinate, and continues to work with Assistant Professor John Pinheiro in developing the new Catholic Studies minor. As provost, Gunnoe will also be responsible for overseeing student activities.

History in the Making: Chad Gunnoe Becomes Aquinas ProvostBy Dan Treul, Student Contributor

Provost Chad Gunnoe, Ph.D.

“There is a lot of energy,” he said of the atmosphere on campus. “Student Life has some exciting stuff going on.” Gunnoe will continue to teach in a limited capacity. “It’s a hybrid position in a sense,” he said. “I think to be a productive provost I need to maintain that student contact. I like everything about the College. I enjoy the intellectual challenge but also love the stimulation of the social life, so to have a job in this capacity is an ideal situation.”


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Retention Committee Introduces Freshman Common Reading ExperienceBy Paula (Bacarella) Meehan ’75, Vice President of Enrollment Management

Mountains Beyond Mountains, authored by Tracy Kidder, was the unanimous choice for the freshman Common Reading Experience (CRE) initiated at Aquinas by the First Year Experience sub-committee on retention. The Summer Common Reading Experience goal is to

connect to incoming students early on with the rest of the college community. We want our freshmen to see this experience as a bridge between their current life and a new one fi lled with an expansion of knowledge and preparation for adulthood.

After considering several books, the committee found Mountains Beyond Mountains fi t the goal of helping students to fi nd their passion and act on their convictions, much like Dr. Paul Farmer, whose story about his work in Haiti is told through this book. When Dr. Farmer was a medical student at Harvard, he found the prevalent lack of health care facilities and the preponderance of pandemic diseases such as AIDS and tuberculosis to be a grievous act of social injustice. Dr. Farmer committed his life to making a change by founding Partners in Health. Aquinas has its own connection to the book through its service learning opportunities at the Andre Pierre School in Borel, Haiti (see related article on Page 31). Through longstanding relationship, numerous

alumni, faculty, staff and students have given their time to the people of this distressed country. The Common Reading Experience aims to expose students to the scholarly endeavor of helping the people of Haiti and communicating that intellectual pursuit is an important value at Aquinas. Plans to theme various activities throughout the year are in the works, including fi lms, a speaker series and a variety of discussion groups around the social, political and economic issues this developing country faces. For its inaugural year, the CRE promises to tie in with the Dominican charisms of prayer, study, community and service. Our entering freshmen will be united around this common experience and fi nd their own passion to make all the difference in the world.


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Aquinas College mourned the loss of Dolores Hruby, the “First Lady” of Aquinas College this past spring. The 84-year-old wife of Aquinas’ second president, Norbert Hruby, passed away March 29 following a 16-year battle with cancer. Besides her obvious connection with Aquinas as First Lady from 1969 until 1986, Mrs. Hruby had her own career in music. For 35 years, she was the music director at St. Jude Parish in Grand Rapids, where she led a music program with four choirs and developing a reputation as a strong-willed, feisty leader. “Demanding, but patient,” said her long-time accompanist, Sharon Goeldel. Mrs. Hruby was also a prolifi c composer, writing more than 100 musical compositions. In 1976, Mrs. Hruby was instrumental in helping to establish the Aquinas Institute with Sr. Yvonne Greiner, O.P., Institute director. Sr. Yvonne says Mrs. Hruby was keenly interested in the program and was its greatest promoter. “On a personal note, Dolores was so dedicated and committed to whatever cause she was promoting, especially church music,” recalls Greiner. “She was a wonderful choir director and was good with young children.”

First Lady of Aquinas Remembered

Delores Hurby

Peter and Pat Cook

Aquinas and West Michigan mourned the death of one of the area’s most generous benefactors. Pat Cook, 93, whose name resides on Aquinas’ Cook Carriage House, died May 20 following a long battle with Alzheimer’s Disease. She is survived by Peter Cook, her husband of 67 years. Becky Mikowski ’88, who works for Cook Holdings in Grand Rapids, did not know Mrs. Cook before the onset of her Alzheimer’s disease. However, she recalls Peter Cook telling this story several times: Aquinas students presented a proposal to us to donate towards the Carriage House. Pat was so impressed by the presentation that she told me “we need to do this.” Mikowski noted that even though the Cooks had never given a substantial gift to Aquinas, it did not deter them from donating to Aquinas. Pat and Peter Cook donated millions of dollars to colleges, hospitals, churches and many other charitable organizations. One of their most recent signifi cant gifts was to fund a health care research center... Spectrum Health’s Butterworth Hospital in Grand Rapids.

Aquinas Benefactor Pat Cook Dies

The Grand Rapids Press contributed to this article


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Holmdene turned 100 in 2008, and on May 17 the College held a Centennial Celebration in honor of the former Lowe estate manor house. The community open house allowed visitors a glimpse inside the 22-room, 16-fi replace mansion, where renovations continue to restore the building’s exquisite architectural features to their original 1908 condition. The event, sponsored by the College and the Holmdene Historical Society, drew more than 100 people for tours of the fi rst, second and basement fl oors of Holmdene to view informational displays; and watch a 15-minute feature video on the history of Holmdene written and directed by professor Gary Eberle, who has taken a special interest in the restoration. “If we maintain it properly,” said Eberle, “I don’t see any reason why it can’t last another 100 years.” Guests at the celebration were additionally treated to the sights and rat-a-tat sounds of a 1909 Cadillac provided by local resident Edward DeVries. Also helping to mark the occasion was a visit by Jimmy Rowland Lowe, Jr., grandson of estate founders Edward and Susan Lowe, who praised the College’s efforts in preserving the estate. “It’s special to me,” he said of Holmdene, “because it’s the house of my father. My hope is that Aquinas will continue to maintain it and take care of it.” The Holmdene Historical Society aims to do just that. In the past year, it has completed extensive renovations to the manor house, including: removal of ivy to prevent brick and mortar erosion, replacement of south façade storm windows; and restoration of the garden fountains. Dependent on funding, projects slated for the future include: replacement of the current roof with cedar shake facsimile, restoring copper gutters and downspouts, weather-treating the soft limestone decorative trim and columns and continued restoration of the gardens.

Looking Better Than Ever, Holmdene Turns 100By Dan Truel, Student Writer

Pictured: (L-R): Former Planned Giving Director Bill Weitzel, Edith Blodgett and James Rowland Lowe Jr. (second from right) with daughters, Amanda Lowe (center) and Elizabeth Lowe (right).

Ed Devries and his wife, Dorothy,

stand by their 1909 Cadillac.

Staffer Pat Kozal talks about the family history.

Professor Gary Eberle

greets visitors to Holmdene.


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The Contemporary Writers Series (CSW) begins its twelfth year; and the 2008-2009 season will highlight four nationally renowned writers who refl ect all the main genres in contemporary literature: creative non-fi ction, poetry, memoir, short story, novel and plays.

The fi rst speaker for the season is Steve Almond (September 18), who is a prolifi c writer working in many genres. He has been a newspaper reporter, and an NPR correspondent in Boston and is a winner of the Pushcart Prize for fi ction and other literary awards. His books include Not That You Asked: Rants, Exploits, and Obsessions

(2007), Candyfreak: A Journey Through the Chocolate Underbelly of America (2004) and My Life in Heavy Metal: Stories (2002). He teaches at Boston College.

On October 30, Patricia Hampl will read from her work that has been awarded the 2000 National Book Critics Circle Award, a New York Times Notable Book Award, and fellowships from the NEA and the MacArthur and Guggenheim Foundations. She writes memoir and poetry in such acclaimed books as A Romantic Education (1999), I

Could Tell You Stories (2000), Blue Arabesque (2006) and The Florist’s Daughter (2007). She is a Regents Professor in English at the University of Minnesota.

Contemporary Writers Series Explores New Territory with New SeasonBy Linda Nemec-Foster ’72, Contemporary Writer Series Founder

Karen Russell will be the Series’ next speaker on March 5, 2009. She was awarded the Transatlantic Review/Henfi eld Foundation Award in 2005. Russell has also been featured in The New Yorker’s debut fi ction issue and New York magazine’s list of twenty-fi ve people to watch under the age of twenty-six. Her books are St. Lucy’s Home for Girls Raised by Wolves: Short Stories (2007) and the novel Swamplandia! (forthcoming from Knopf/Random House). She lives and writes in New York. The last speaker of the season, Vincent Delaney, is the fi rst playwright in the history of the CWS to be featured. He will be visiting the campus from April 1-5, and will preview a comedy, Writer 1272, at the Aquinas College Performing Arts Center. This event is also sponsored by the college’s Theater Department and its New Plays on Campus Program. Delaney is the author of several plays which have been commissioned, developed and produced by theater companies across the U.S., including the Guthrie in Minneapolis, the Cleveland Playhouse, the Magic Theater in San Francisco, and the Orlando Shakespeare Festival. His plays include The War Party (2008), The Art of Bad Men (2007), The Robeson Tapes, and MLK and the FBI. In addition to writing, Delaney teaches young playwrights in Seattle.

Steve Almond

Patricia Hampl


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incentives give it the push and then the market drives it home.” Rohwer agreed thinking should shift to incentives for sustainable practices. He also wants at least minimum requirements to get the processes started. “Something on the order of 38 states have regulations for a minimum percentage of energy to come from alternative energy,” Rohwer said. “Michigan’s not thinking about it.” Government assistance in some form will be necessary for all companies to be able to adopt sustainable practices, Steketee said. “It is of particular importance for some of the smaller companies that can’t afford the investments larger companies can,” she said.

Printed with permission of Business Review Western Michigan

Editor’s note: In recent years, Aquinas College has taken the spotlight for initiating the nation’s fi rst undergraduate degree in sustainable business and has launched several initiatives designed to make Aquinas a more “green” campus. As part of that effort, Aquinas played host to a Forum on sustainability May 15 that drew dozens of people with an interest in a greener society. Business Review Western Michigan covered the forum and allowed us to reprint its coverage of the event.

Business Review’s second “Michigan Leaders Speak” forum of the year drew more than 160 to Aquinas College to explore sustainability. Some 30 roundtable leaders covered topics from energy effi ciency to green chemistry to greening the supply chain. After roundtable discussions ended, the audience posed questions to an expert panel, comprised of David Rinard, director of Global Environmental Performance at Steelcase Inc; Milt Rohwer, president of the Frey Foundation; and Deborah Steketee, executive director of the Center for Sustainability at Aquinas College. Questions ranged from the social justice component of sustainability to government’s role in furthering the movement. “Government doesn’t lead. It gets stuck too much on ‘best practices’ rather than ‘next practices,’” Steketee said. “Maybe that’s a failure of businesses to let government know what they need.” “There is a place for government regulation in driving stabilization,” Rinard said. “Government should not be all stick. It should be the carrot, as well. I’m a believer in the mixed approach of strategies: Regulations get it started,

Sustainability Forum Urges Further ActionBy B. Candace Beeke, Reporter, Business Review Western Michigan

David Rinard, Milt Rohwer and Deb Steketee, panelists at the Sustainability forum at Aquinas in May

(Photo by Johnny Quirin. Copyright Business Review 2008. Reprinted with permission)


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The annual Wege Speaker Series at Aquinas College took a theatrical turn this Spring as award-winning actress and playwright Kaiulani Lee brought environmentalist Rachel Carson to life in her critically acclaimed play, A Sense of Wonder on April 24. Carson, a marine biologist and nature writer, is often heralded as the “patron saint of the environmental movement” and alerted the world to the perils of chemical pesticides in her 1962 book Silent Spring. “The aim of science,” says Carson in the play’s dialogue, which is drawn from own writing, “is to discover and illuminate truth, and that, I assume, is also the aim of literature,” a sentiment echoed by Peter M. Wege in his opening remarks for the program. Kaiulani Lee has been touring the country for more than ten years, at more than 100 universities, dozens of high schools, the Smithsonian Institute and recently, the United States Congress. A Sense of Wonder is set a year following the publication of Silent Spring, as Carson is forced to battle both the strain of sudden fame and an aggressive cancer that threatens to silence her fi ght. Lee’s performance at the Performing Arts Center was followed by an open question and answer session with the performer. “Many of the people in the AQ audience didn’t know who Rachel Carson was when I fi rst started,” said Lee. In an interview posted on her Web site, she added, “It is my hope that her courage and sense of wonder will…send us out into nature to participate, to play, to be entangled in the mysteries…I believe it will be through falling in love with nature that we will make the commitment to defend it.”

Wege Speaker Series Fills Aquinas with A Sense of WonderBy Dan Treul, Student Contributor

Kaivlani Lee portraying Environmentalist Rachel Carson

Peter Wege, Kaiulani Lee and President Balog

A reception was held following the one-woman play


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Commencement 2008 received some high marks of its own. Described by some as the “best ever,” this year’s exercises saw nearly 300 of the 475 eligible graduates participate in what was a near perfect day, peppered with a few showers, but nothing severe. Inside the Aquinas Fieldhouse, College offi cials presented three honorary degrees. Former State Senator and Aquinas alumnus Glenn Steil ’72 was given an Honorary Doctor of Laws degree in recognition of his many years of public service. Sr. Mary Aquinas Weber ’58, O.P., was honored with a Doctor of Humane Letters degree for her extraordinary level of commitment to service. The fi nal honorary degree went to Trustee Emeritus Martin J. Allen,

Jr., who received a Doctor of Public Service degree for the contributions he has made throughout the community, especially on some major city projects. Allen, a close personal friend of the late President Gerald R. Ford, also delivered the Commencement Address: “Gerald R. Ford: A Legacy of Principles to Live By.” He told the graduates, “It is time for you to go-proceeding on a journey to make a difference in whatever career you choose, and to contribute to make our country a better place. This I know for sure-

on your life’s journey of making a difference-your character will become your destiny.” Recalling the words of the 38th President of the United States, Allen said, “Leaders come and go-but principles endure to inspire and animate leaders yet unborn.” He spoke of three principles from the many invaluable lessons he learned from President Ford during their long close relationship: fi rst, work hard with passion; second, the value of your integrity; and third, to have the courage of your convictions.

Sharing stories from the late president’s life, he talked about what those three principles taught him. Lesson one: Whatever you choose to do, be an achiever by working hard with passion. Lesson two: Tell the truth and earn the respect of others in your relationships; and Lesson three: take risks based on the courage of your convictions regardless of the sometime unpopular consequences. He concluded, “Like President Ford, your character will shape your destiny.”

Principles of President Gerald R. Ford Guide Graduates


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Eighteen-year-old Ryan Lomonaco, who graduated in May with a major in computer information systems and minors in political science and business, is the youngest student in Aquinas College history to be awarded a diploma; and while it’s taken “a little bit of adjusting,” he does not hesitate to say it’s been worth it. “My parents had me tested when I was three and four,” Lomonaco said. “I was able to read the newspaper at age three, and I could multiply two and three-digit numbers by that age as well.” By age six, he had “started fi fth grade courses and pre-algebra.” By nine he began taking high school classes, and at ten years old, the lifelong Wyoming, Michigan resident was enrolled at Catholic Central High School as a full-time student. “I walked into my fi rst class at the high school and the other students thought I was lost,” said Lomonaco. Despite the occasional social challenges, Lomonaco said his experience has been largely positive and that he never felt “pressured by anybody at all, really.” Lomonaco came to Aquinas at age 14 – without a driver’s license and unable to vote, but certainly able to hold his own.

Lomonaco is hooded by Dean Glenn Barkan

Ryan Lomonaco Leaves Aquinas asYoungest Graduate in College HistoryBy Dan Treul, Student Contributor

“I liked that it was a small college,” he said, recalling how welcoming the students, faculty and staff were on his fi rst visit. “The thing I’ll miss most is the faculty,” said Lomonaco. “They’re defi nitely very approachable – a little eccentric, but always there if you have a problem.” Nevertheless, there have been a few challenges. Only recently has Lomonaco been able to drive himself to school, otherwise relying on parents and city buses. “I had one semester where I had to leave two hours early [for class] because the buses ran that slow,” he said. Lomonaco eventually plans on pursuing a graduate degree in computer science at Western Michigan University and hopes to work as a computer programmer. So how does it feel to leave Aquinas as the youngest graduate in school history? “To some extent,” he said, “it’s becoming a routine. But this being the last semester, every so often you stop and say, ‘Wow.’”

Lomonaco with his parents, Canda and Bob, at the family’s Wyoming (Mich.) Bowling Alley


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The Aquinas College Historical Commission has selected its next class of inductees for the College Hall of Fame. Those to be honored at the Hall of Fame Gala ceremony on October 4, 2008 are:

Aquinas to Induct four into College Hall of Fame

Lyle Morrison ’52 reached Trustee Emeritus status in May for nine years of service on the Board of Trustees and also received the Emeritus Award for his commitment to Aquinas College. Morrison made a career in the insurance industry and has been an important supporter of Catholic education; friends and family have noted his generous nature and demonstration of faith through his actions.

George LaMountain † who came to Aquinas College in 1954 after serving in World War II and the Korean War and working for the National Security Administration. He founded the school’s psychology departmentand served as its chairman for many years. LaMountain was an advocate of liberal education and earned a reputation as a Renaissance man due to his extensive knowledge in a variety of fi elds. Well informed on public issues, he frequently wrote letters which were published in local and national publications.

Anthony Foster M.D. ’73 physician and surgeon, graduated from Aquinas College in 1973 and received his medical degree from Wayne State University Medical School in 1977. He began a private practice at Mecosta County General Hospital in Big Rapids and in 1987, moved to Grand Rapids where he became an attending physician and a member of the teaching staff at Butterworth, Blodgett and St. Mary’s Hospitals. Currently, he works in the general surgery division for Michigan Medical, P.C. His extraordinary service to the West Michigan community also extends to the Aquinas College community. He has been instrumental in establishing the Foster Planet Walk on campus and the Contemporary Writers Series which for 12 years has attained a national and international reputation for excellence. Dr. Foster’s brilliant clinical career, his unfailing sense of compassionate care and his generous support of Aquinas College are just a few of the reasons why he was selected as the fi rst recipient of the President’s Award.

Sr. Jean Milhaupt, O.P., ’45professor emerita of English, has an association with Aquinas that spans more than 60 years. Soon after graduating from Aquinas, she returned to teach in the English Department. Since retiring, Sr. Jean continues to maintain her connection with the College, serving as its archivist.


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Aquinas College completed two signifi cant projects that will help ease space constraints for both faculty and students. The College fi nished work on the second fl oor of the Academic Building (AB), which used to house the library. The beautifully appointed second fl oor is now home to the School of Management, which had been in Donnelly Center, and the School of Education, which was previously in Browne Center. The recently completed renovations also include several large classrooms and meeting rooms, and a new elevator, which will be in place by the start of the new academic year. On the student side, a new residence hall was set to open in time for the start of the new school year. The $3.2 million apartment-style facility will have 64 beds and is located next to the Ravine Apartments.

The second fl oor of the Academic Building was renovated for new meeting rooms and to accommodate faculty and staff from the School of Management and the School of Education.

College Finishes Two Major Projects

The new student apartment-style building was set to open in early August. The 64-bed building will help ease pressure on what has been an increasing number of students attending Aquinas and upper classmen desiring to remain on campus.


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The Eighth Resourceful Woman’s Conference was held on April 12 in the Wege Ballroom. “There was a good turn out and everything went smoothly,” said English Professor Dr. Rebecca Coogan, who chaired the event. The purpose of the biannual event is to give students the opportunity to present their academic or artistic work. Coogan said she felt the work presented this spring was ‘exceptional.’ Sophomore Amelia Crist was recognized for the essay she presented, “Death, Rebirth, and the Archetypical Journey in To the Lighthouse: Their Implications on Artistic Creativity.”

Other Aquinas students who shared their work include Meghan Fish, Jessica Venlet, Kyla Sisson, Amanda Sibilla, Chrystal Kasinger and Brandon Sexton. A compilation of excerpts from journals were presented from the Women and Journals: Witnessing Our Lives course. Students from Hope College, Calvin College and Western Michigan University were also able to present their award-winning work. “A goal is always to involve other colleges, and we were really proud of how well that went this year,” said Coogan. For the fi rst time, AQpella, a group of Aquinas

Speaker Shirley Corriher

A question and answer segment followed the lecture.

Resourceful Woman’s ConferenceBy Victoria Manion, Student Contributor

female singers, performed at the conference. The group sang during the luncheon portion of the event and attendees were impressed by the level of musical talent. The keynote speaker was Shirley Corriher, food scientist and award-winning author of CookWise: The Hows and Whys of Successful Cooking. Her topic was “Your Very Best”, and she had her audience intrigued and amused. “She was well received, engaging, and surprisingly very funny,” said Coogan.


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Randy Wyatt, newly promoted to assistant professor and director of theater at Aquinas, is looking to transform the College’s theatre program into a “holistic program” emphasizing the practical benefi ts of artistic and creative skills in today’s workplace. “It’s not just about prepping students for Broadway,” said Wyatt, “but prepping students to integrate creativity and innovation into their thinking. An Aquinas theatre grad…will have a real and

Randy Wyatt Looks to Transform AQ Theaterinnovative take toward building their career.” At the same time, however, he is focused on building upon the success of student productions at Aquinas. To that end, Wyatt – who also serves as playwright-in-residence at Kalamazoo’s Whole Art Theatre – has selected six productions for the 2008-2009 season that he thinks will showcase a spectrum of student talent:

HecubaOct. 9, 10, 11; Oct. 16, 17, 18

Frank McGuinness’ adaptation of Euripedes’ classic tragedy will come alive as the intimate studio theatre is transported into another world complete with real sand. “I’m trying to give the audience what it actually feels like to be part of a Greek tragedy,” says Wyatt.

The Brave Little Tailor (Touring Children’s Play)Nov. 7 & 8; touring productions TBA

This is an original play by Randy Wyatt. Aquinas students will hit the road to perform this magical folktale at several area elementary schools.

Esperanza RisingDec. 4, 5, 6 at 8 p.m.; Dec. 6 & 7 at 2 p.m.

This moving riches-to-rags story of perseverance offers something for everyone. “I was struck with how ingeniously it contrasts very serious topics in such a non-political way,” says Wyatt.

Forbidden Broadway Feb. 25, 26, 27 at 8 p.m.; Feb. 28 at 2 p.m.

Just released, this hilarious musical revue parodies such Broadway classics as Chicago, Cats, Mary Poppins, The Lion King, My Fair Lady and so many more.

Writer 1272April 1, 2, 3, 4 at 8 p.m.; April 5 at 2 p.m.

Part of the New Plays on Campus program, Aquinas College will premier Vincent Delaney’s dark comedy about cheating on college entrance exams. “With a lot of talk about academic integrity on campus, I thought it would be a good choice,” said Wyatt.

Aquinas Theater’s PipelineNew Work Festival | Dates in 2009 (TBA)

This event will feature public readings of several exciting new plays, including Megan Mostyn-Brown’s The Secret Lives of Losers and George Brant’s Elephant’s Graveyard.

2008-09 AQ Theatre Schedule

Scene from “Misanthrope” Spring 2008


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Aquinas College once again celebrated its namesake during St. Thomas Aquinas Week, from January 28 through Febuary 3. Among the favorite traditions from past events were concerts, lectures, dinners and, of course, birthday cake. Tremendously exciting this year was the donation of a fi rst-class relic of St. Thomas Aquinas to the College by Bill and Maria Wertz and her sister, Roberta Schultz. St. Thomas had been their mother’s favorite saint, and, according to former Director of Planned Giving Bill Weitzel, “[Maria] thought of giving the relic to Aquinas because Roberta had such fond memories of her years here.” The Seventeenth Annual St. Thomas Aquinas Week Lecture on January 31 highlighted a week of thought-provoking presentations, with Dr. Bryan Froehle, associate professor of sociology and director of the Sienna Center at Dominican University in River Forest, Illinois delivering the remarks. Entitled “A Time of Change and Possibility: Critical Contexts for an Emerging World Catholicism,” Froehle

St. Thomas Aquinas Week Recap

focused on the challenges and opportunities faced by Catholicism in a rapidly changing world. That night, Aquinas students were treated to a performance in the Moose Cafe by Arizona acoustic duo Ryanhood, who played several of their acoustic songs as well as a few others. In the spirit of celebration, the Campus Ministry-sponsored Medieval Dinner gave a “court audience” the opportunity to be transported back to the middle ages and enjoy medieval-style foods, wear regal costumes, and dine in the midst of royalty (the 2007 Aquinas College Homecoming Court). Finally, and always a big hit among students, faculty and staff alike, members of the Aquinas community enjoyed free birthday cake in honor of the patron saint. This year’s celebration also recognized Doug Greenslate (physical plant), Dr. Li-Heung Chen (chemistry) and Sister Marie Celeste Miller, O.P. (art) for their respective 25 years of service to the College.

Students, faculty, and staff gather around the St. Thomas Aquinas relic donated to Aquinas College.


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2008–09 Aquinas College Calendar of Events

AUG. 25

28

29

31 -9/26

31 –26

9

14

18

29

5:15 p.m.: Aquinas Adult Learner Orientation. Join us to learn about Aquinas’ programs and services for the adult learner. RSVP required by Friday, August 14.To RSVP or questions, (616) 632-2923)or [email protected]. Aquinas Wege Student Center Ballroom. Free.www.aquinas.edu/continuing.

4:00 p.m.: Aquinas Club AQ for high school juniors, seniors and their families.For information, visit www.aquinas.edu/admissions.

9 p.m.: Aquinas AQ Day for high school juniors, seniors and their families. For information, visit aquinas.edu/admissions.

Aquinas Gallery Exhibit. Autobiographies.Artist: Perin Mahler. Opening Reception: Sunday, Sept. 7, 2-4 p.m.Gallery Hours: Mon.-Thurs.: 10 a.m.-7 p.m.;Fri.: 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m.;Sat. and Sun.: 2-6 p.m. Questions (616) 632-2408.NOTE: Gallery closed August 30-September 1.

Aquinas Gallery Exhibit. Autobiographies.Artist: Perin Mahler. Opening Reception: Sunday, Sept. 7, 2-4 p.m.Gallery Hours: Mon.-Thurs.: 10 a.m.-7 p.m.;Fri.: 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m.;Sat. and Sun.: 2-6 p.m. Questions (616) 632-2408.NOTE: Gallery closed August 30-September 1.

12:30 p.m.: Aquinas Lecture Series. Throw Enough Geometry On-Line and Something Has to Stick. Speaker: Michael McDaniel, Ph.D.,Associate Professor of Math. You are welcome to bring lunch. Wege Center Ballroom. Free.

3 p.m.: Aquinas Faculty Showcase Concert.Kretschmer Recital Hall,Aquinas Art and Music Center. Free. Questions (616) 632-2413.

7:30 p.m.: Aquinas Contemporary Writers Series. Author and Poet: Steve Almond.Almond has published over 100 stories and poems.Wege Center Ballroom. Free. Questions (616) 632-2127.

7:30: Aquinas Music Department Treasurers from the Great Lakes:Music for Bassoon, Horn and Piano. Wendy Rose, bassoon, Paul Austin, horn, and Yu-Lien The, piano. Kretschmer Recital Hall, Art and Music Center. Free. Questions (616) 632-2413.

August30

2 – 11/ 14

3-5

3

6

8

9

9-11, 16-18

12

15

12:30 p.m.: Aquinas Lecture Series. Infection: The Motivating Factor Behind Nora’s Flight in ‘A Doll House.’Speaker: Daniel Brooks, Ph.D.,Professor of English.You are welcome to bring lunch. Wege Center Ballroom. Free.

Aquinas Gallery Exhibit. Professing Sculpture: Ron Pederson, Professor of Art and his Students from Three Decades.Homecoming Reception: Sat., Oct. 4, 2-4 p.m.Gallery Hours: Mon.-Thurs.: 10 a.m.-7 p.m.;Fri.: 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m.; Sat. and Sun.: 2-6 p.m.Questions call 632-2408.NOTE: Closed Fri., Oct. 18 – Sun., 26.

Aquinas Homecoming Weekend

Aquinas Hall of Fame GalaCocktails: 5:30 p.m., Dinner: 7 p.m. Wege Ballroom$65 per personRSVP by Sept. 25 to [email protected]

6:30-8:00 p.m.: Jane Hibbard Idema Studies Center eventIn a Time of Moral Crisis, We Could not be Silent! Viewing of Conviction. Speakers: Dominican Sisters Carol Gilbert & Ardeth Platte Wege Center Loutit Room. Free. www.jonahhouse.or and www.ztsp.org

noon-1:00 p.m.: JHIWSC event Is Gender important in the World of Jazz? Speaker: Maria Schneider, internationally renowned jazz composer.Wege Center, Loutit Room. Free.

7:30-9:00 p.m.: JHIWSC event An Evening Concert with Maria Schneider & the Grand Rapids Jazz Orchestra. Special Guest: Maria Schneider, jazz composer and conductor Venue on the Aquinas campus to be announced. Free.

8:00 p.m.: Aquinas Theatre Department HECUBA by Euripedes, newly translated by Frank McGuinness, In the Studio Theatre.In the wake of the Trojan War, Hecuba fi ndsherself a queen without a country. Aquinas Performing Arts Center, 1703 Robinson Road SE. $8 general admission, $6 staff, and $4 student.For ticket information, (616) 456-6656.

3 p.m.: Aquinas Fall Choral Concert. Kretschmer Recital Hall,Art and Music Center. Free. Questions (616) 632-2413.

9:30 p.m.: Aquinas Music DepartmentJazz Jam. Moose Café, Cook Carriage House. Free. Questions (616) 632-2413.

September

October


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21

23

23-24

23-12/19

25

11/23-19

4-6 , 6-7

5

7

8

14

9 a.m.: Aquinas AQDay for high school juniors, seniors and their families. For information, visit aquinas.edu/admissions.

3 p.m.: Aquinas College Music Department presents the College Band and Chamber Strings Concert. Kretschmer Recital Hall, Aquinas Art and Music Center. Free. Questions (616) 632-2413.

2:30 p.m.: Aquinas Club AQ.High school juniors, seniors and their families. For information, visit aquinas.edu/admissions.

Aquinas College Gallery Exhibit.New Forms Class Projects ExhibitionOpening Reception: Sun., Nov. 23, 2-4.p.m.Gallery Hours: Mon.-Thurs.: 10 a.m.-7 p.m.; Fri.: 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m.; Sat. and Sun.: 2-6 p.m.For information, call 632-2408.NOTE: Closed: Wed., Nov. 26 - Sun., Nov. 30.

12:30 p.m.: Aquinas Lecture Series.Peace and Reconiliation in Northern Ireland. Speakers: Jennifer Dawson, Ph.D.,Professor of English and Deborah Wickering, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Anthropology. You are invited to bring lunch. Wege Center Ballroom. Free.

Aquinas College Gallery Exhibit.New Forms Class Projects ExhibitionGallery Hours: Mon.-Thurs.: 10 a.m.-7 p.m.; Fri.: 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m.; Sat. and Sun.: 2-6 p.m. Questions 632-2408.

8 p.m. and 2 p.m.Aquinas College Theatre Department ESPERANZA RISING.Based on the book by Pam Munoz Ryan; adapted by Lynne Alvarez. Aquinas Performing Arts Center, 1703 Robinson Road SE. General $12, $8 Staff, and $4 Student.For ticket information, call (616) 456-6656.Community Auditions: Tuesday, October 14.

9 a.m.: Aquinas Leadership AQDayfor high school juniors, seniors and their families.For information, visit aquinas.edu/admissions.

5 p.m.: Aquinas Music Department A Service of Lessons and Carols. East Congregational United Church of Christ, 1005 Giddings SE. Free. Questions (616) 632-2413.

7:30: Aquinas Music Department Valenti Handbell Ensemble and Calvin College Handbell Ensemble - Double A’Peal:A Joint Christmas Concert. Free.Calvin Fine Arts Center Auditorium, 1795 Knollcrest Circle SE.Questions (616) 632-2413.

3 p.m.: Aquinas Music Department Music for the Holidays Concert. Aquinas College Performing Arts Center,1703 Robinson Road SE.Questions (616) 632-2413.

10/2-14

2

4

7

7-8

7

13

14

18

Aquinas Gallery Exhibit. Professing Sculpture: Ron Pedersonand his Students from Three Decades.Gallery Hours: Mon.-Thurs.: 10 a.m.-7 p.m.;Fri.: 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m.; Sat. and Sun.: 2-6 p.m. Questions (616) 632-2408.

3 p.m.: Aquinas Chamber Choir Concertfeaturing 20th -21st Century Choral Works. Kretschmer Recital Hall, Art and Music Center. Free. Questions (616) 632-2413.

12:30 p.m.: Aquinas Lecture Series.Would You Believe Agent 99 Loves Me?Coming of Age While Watching ‘Get Smart.’ Speaker: Brent Chesley, Ph.D.,Professor of English.You are invited to bring lunch. Wege Center Ballroom. Free.

9 a.m.: AQDayfor high school juniors, seniors and their families. For information, visit aquinas.edu/admissions.

Time to be announced (TBA):Aquinas College Theatre Department BRAVE LITTLE TAILOR by Randy Wyatt, Director of the Aquinas Theatre Program and Assistant Professor of Theatre. Aquinas Performing Arts Center, 1703 Robinson Road SE. Ticket prices: TBA. For ticket information, call (616) 456-6656.The production of Brave Little Tailor will be touring local elementary schools on Wednesdays during late October, November and early December. 7:30: p.m.: Aquinas College Music Department presents New Works for Flute and Guitar Recital. Carmen Maret, fl ute, and Andrew Bergeron, guitar, featuring works from Folias’ 2008 CD release “Waterway.” Kretschmer Recital Hall, Aquinas Art and Music Center. Free. For information, contact (616) 632-2413.

7:30 p.m.: Aquinas Music DepartmentJazz Night. Kretschmer Recital Hall, Aquinas Art and Music Center. Free.Questions (616) 632-2413.

9 a.m.: Aquinas Science, Nursing and Math AQ Day for high school juniors, seniors and their families. For information, visit aquinas.edu/admissions.

12:30 p.m.: Aquinas College Lecture Series. From Brawling to Mutual Recognition: Towards a Pedagogy of Deliberation. Speaker: Molly Patterson, Ph.D. Assistant Professor of Political Science. You are invited to bring lunch. Wege Center Ballroom. Free.

N OV E M B E R

December

7:30 p.m.: Aquinas Contemporary Writers Series. Author and Poet: Patricia Hampl. Hampl has been awarded the 2000 National BookCritics Circle Award, A New York Times NotableBook award along with several fellowships. Wege Center Ballroom. Free. Questions (616) 632-2127.

30


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2/22, 3/27

4

5

19

22-23

22

24

Aquinas College Gallery Exhibit.Annual, All-Media, Juried Student Show.Gallery Hours: Mon.-Thurs.: 10 a.m.-7 p.m.;Fri.: 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m.; Sat. and Sun.: 2-6 p.m.Questions (616) 632-2408.NOTE: Closed: Saturday, March 7-Sunday, March 15.

12:30-1:30 p.m.: JHIWSC event AppreciationLuncheon in Honor of International Women’s Day.With its beginnings in Copenhagen, nearly 90 years ago, women’s groups around the world celebrate International Women’s Day, Wege Center, Loutit Room. Free.

7:30 p.m.: Aquinas College Contemporary Writers Series. Author: Karen Russell.Russell won theTransatlantic Review/Henfi eld Foundation Award in 2005 and featured in The New Yorker’s debut fi ction issue. Wege Center Ballroom. Free.

12:30-1:30 p.m.: JHIWSC event Was That a He or a She and Why Does it Matter?: A Reading of Creative Nonfi ction (from her forthcoming book on her experiences with cancer). Speaker: Sandi Wisenberg, essayist and author. Wege Center, Loutit Room. Free.

2:30 p.m.: Club AQ High school juniors, seniors and their families.For information, visit aquinas.edu/admissions.

3 p.m.: Aquinas Music Department Spring Choral Concert. Trintiy United Methodist Church,1100 Lake Drive SE. Questions (616) 632-2413. Free.

12:30 p.m.: Aquinas Lecture Series. Aquinas Music Department, Women Composers.You are invited to bring lunch. Wege Center Ballroom. Free.

March

18-2/13

18-19

24

27

3

7

8

9

12

17

18

20-21

Aquinas College Gallery Exhibit.Photography by Marita GooteeOpening Reception: Sun., Jan. 18, 2-4 p.m.Gallery Hours: Mon.-Thurs.: 10 a.m.-7 p.m.;Fri.: 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m.; Sat. and Sun.: 2-6 p.m. Questions (616) 632-2408.

2:30 p.m.: Club AQ for high school juniors, seniors and their families. For information, visit aquinas.edu/admissions.

7:30 p.m.: Aquinas Music DepartmentAn Evening with Paul Brewer, Professor of Music.Kretschmer Recital Hall, Aquinas Art and Music Center.Free. Questions (616) 632-2413.

12:30-1:30 p.m.: JHIWSC event in Celebration of St. Thomas Aquinas Week Answering the Call to Do Justice: Dominican Sisters of Grand Rapids Panelists: Dominican Sisters and Facilitator, Sister Maureen Geary, O.P.Wege Center, Loutit Room. Free.

12:30 p.m.: Aquinas Lecture Series. ‘Mistaken for Song:’ Works by the Winner of the Lexi Rudnitsky Prize for Poetry. Speaker: Tara Bray, M.F.A., Lecturer of Humanities. You are invited to bring lunch.Wege Center Ballroom. Free.

9:00 a.m.: Aquinas Athletic AQDayfor high school juniors, seniors and their families. For information, visit aquinas.edu/admissions.

3 p.m.: Aquinas Music DepartmentAquinas College Chorus Concert.St. Isidore Catholic Church, 628 Diamond NE. Free.

9:00 a.m.-5 p.m.: JHIWSC event Exhibit: The Clothesline Project: Bearing Witness to Domestic Violence Wege Center, Lower Level Lobby. Free.

9 a.m.-8 p.m.: JHIWSC event Equality Bake Sale: Highlighting the Continuing Gender Income GapLobby, Academic Building All proceeds go to a local women’s organization

12:30 p.m.: Aquinas Lecture Series.The ‘Way’ of Non-profi ts: Three Failures Plus. Speaker: Bruce Nanzer, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Political Science. You are invited to bring lunch.Wege Center Ballroom. Free.

9:30 p.m.: Aquinas Music Department Broadway Revue Moose Café, Cook Carriage House. Free. Questions (616) 632-2413.

4:30 p.m.: Club AQHigh school juniors, seniors and their families. For information, visit aquinas.edu/admissions.

January 2009

February

Aquinas Gallery Exhibit. Annual, All-Media, Juried Student ShowOpening Reception: Sun., Feb. 22, 2-4 p.m. Gallery Hours: Mon.-Thurs.: 10 a.m.-7 p.m.; Fri.: 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m.; Sat. and Sun.: 2-6 p.m. Questions (616) 632-2408.

3 p.m.: Aquinas Music Department Aquinas College Chamber Choir Concert. Kretschmer Recital Hall, Art and Music Center. Free. Questions (616) 632-2413.

7:00-8:30 p.m.: JHIWSC event Leading Change Through Commerce: Bena` Burda and Maggie’s Organics Speaker: Speaker: Bena’ Burda, Maggie’s Organics/Clean Clothes, Inc., YpsilantiDonnelly Center. Free.

8:00 p.m. and 2:00 p.m.Aquinas Theatre DepartmentFORBIDDEN BROADWAY,created and written by Gerard Alessandrini. Aquinas Performing Arts Center,1703 Robinson Road SE. General $12, $8 Staff, and $4 Student. For ticket information, call (616) 456-6656.

22-3/27

22

24

25-27, 28


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7:00-8:30 p.m.: JHIWSC event A Night of Celebrating Women’s Voices Readings from the winners of the Women’s History Month Creative Writing Contest andfrom the Women and Journals Class.The Moose Cafe, Cook Carriage House. Free.

9:00 a.m.: Aquinas Fine Arts Day for high school juniors, seniors, and their families.For information, visit aquinas.edu/admissions.

26

27

1-4, 5

1

5, 5/10

5

7

16

16

17

19

8:00 p.m. and 2:00 p.m.Aquinas College Theatre Department presents the World Production of WRITER 1272, World Production. A comedy by Vincent Delaney, playwright. A world premiere through our affi liation with the Playwright Center’s New Plays On-Campus program. Aquinas Performing Arts Center,1703 Robinson Road SE. $10 General, $8 Staff, and $4 Students.Auditions: Saturday, February 2

Details to be announced. Aquinas Contemporary Writers Series presents Vincent Delaney, playwright. Writer 1272. Delaney’s plays include The War Party 2008, The Art of Bad Men 2007, and Perpetua to name a few. Free.

Aquinas College Gallery Exhibit.Bachelor of Fine Art ExhibitionOpening Reception: Sun., April 5, 2-4 p.m. Gallery Hours: Mon.-Thurs.: 10 a.m.-7 p.m.;Fri.: 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m.; Sat. and Sun.: 2-6 p.m.For information, call 632-2408.NOTE: Closed: Fri., April 10 – Mon., April 13.

3:00 p.m.: Aquinas Music DepartmentCollege Band and Chamber Strings Concert.Kretschmer Recital Hall, Art and Music Center.Free. Questions (616) 632-2413.

12:30 p.m.: Aquinas Lecture Series.Eastern Christian Theology in the Borderland: Refl ections on Religious Tradition in Western Ukraine. Speaker: Robert Marko, Ph.D., Professor of Theology. You are invited to bring lunch. Wege Center Ballroom. Free.

12:30-1:30 p.m.: JHIWSC event.Women-Centered Organizing: A Form of ResistanceSpeaker: Susan Stall, Professor of Sociology and Women’s Studies, University of Northeastern, IllinoisWege Center, Loutit Room. Free.

7:30 p.m.: Aquinas Music DepartmentSpring Jazz Night. Kretschmer Recital Hall,Art and Music Center. Free. Questions (616) 632-2413.

9:00 a.m.: Aquinas AQDay for high school juniors, seniors and their families.For information, visit aquinas.edu/admissions.

3:00 p.m.: Aquinas Music Department Spring Music Department Concert.Kretschmer Recital Hall, Art and Music Center.Free. Questions (616) 632-2413.

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Aquinas Gallery Exhibit.Bachelor of Fine Art ExhibitionGallery Hours: Mon.-Thurs.: 10 a.m.-7 p.m.;Fri.: 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m.; Sat. and Sun.: 2-6 p.m.Questions 632-2408

10 a.m.: Aquinas College BaccalaureateCathedral of Saint Andrew, 265 Sheldon Ave., S.E.

2 p.m.: Aquinas College CommencementField House, 1580 E. Fulton Street.

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Lambda Iota Tau’s annual publication of student writing and art – The Sampler – celebrated its 20th anniversary in 2008, featuring full-color throughout the 62-page magazine. “This year’s Sampler is the most impressive in all my 15 years of serving as coordinator,” said Miriam Pederson, faculty adviser to LIT, the English honor society on campus. “The extra expense was worth every penny,” she said, “due to the high quality of the pieces photographed from the annual student show.” The 2008 Sampler also included works by Aquinas BFA students. In all, the Sampler showcased the

Sampler Shines in 20th Anniversary EditionBy Dan Treul, Student Contributor

talents of 19 artists and 25 writers in a wide range of genres, whose work was juried by a panel of faculty and LIT members. Topping off an incredible lineup of student work, recent graduate Monica Walen’s poem “January Blues” was selected by poet and guest judge Jackie Bartley as the winning poem of the Academy of American Poets University and College Poetry Prize. Walen ’08 was also the recipient of last year’s prize, for her poem entitled “Single at the Drive-In.”

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Wake Up People!By Victoria Manion, Student Contributor

Students turned out in huge numbers for the Wake Up People event.

On February 22, Campus Life presented the Wake Up People Blow Out, which was held in the Cook Carriage House from 8 p.m. to 2 a.m. Students, faculty, and staff enjoyed entertainment, food and prizes throughout the night. “It was the largest attendance of any event I’ve ever seen at the Cook Carriage House,” said Dave Weinandy, director of Campus Life. Aquinas teamed with Pepsi and other sponsors from the Grand Rapids area to accomplish the party. Students Joey Bishop and Ken Czop were two of the Campus Life employees who helped make the event possible. These two Aquinas students booked two musicians and got enough food, prizes and money donations to make the night one to remember. The Wake Up People Blow Out, named after the Pepsi campaign for Diet Pepsi Max, included musical guests Matt Wertz and Josh Rouse. “The artists were blown away by the enthusiasm of the crowd,” said Weinandy. Both stayed late to sign autographs and Wertz volunteered as the celebrity judge for AQ Idol 2, the fi nal event of the evening. “AQ Idol 2 was great; students showed a lot of support for their friends,” said Noddea Moore, Program and Building Coordinator for Campus Life. Though the Wake Up People Blow Out was open to anyone, only those with a valid Aquinas ID were able to win prizes. A Mac Book Air, LCD TV and movie passes for a year were among the winnings. “We were really able to get amazing prizes from alumni donations and the sponsors,” said Weinandy. “The night really couldn’t have gone any

better,” said Moore. There has already been talk of having the event annually. “We have sponsors ready to donate again next year,” said Weinandy.

Musical guests Matt Wertz and Josh Rouse play

to an enthusiastic audience in the

Moose Café.

MarQuinn Curry ’10 (orange shirt, second from left) took the title of AQ’s Idol after displaying amazing vocal ability. The other

contestants that night were (L-R): Stacy Mitchell ’08, Nick Cooper ’08 and Rob Karel’09.

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By Erin M. O’Lonergan ’08, CAVA Coordinator

April 19 was a day of action in Grand Rapids. More than 200 people gathered for the annual Project PRIDE. Project PRIDE is part of National Hunger Cleanup, a national campaign that began nearly a quarter of a century ago at Aquinas, when students wanted to address hunger and homelessness. As in past years, we collaborated with our community, specifi cally the Heartside Neighborhood on Grand Rapids’ south side to organize a cleanup and raise money. About 150 Aquinas students volunteered with others from surrounding schools, churches and the Heartside District. Following breakfast and an invocation at the Moose Cafe the students

A Morning in Heartside: Project PRIDE Heartside Cleansweep 2008

(L-R): Back row: Unidentifi ed Heartside resident (blue shirt), Nick Klein, freshman; Nick Cooper, senior; Kristina Humphrey, sophomore; Kristin McManus, junior; Chelsea Nix, junior; Beth Yahne, senior

Middle row: Jeovani Pantoja, freshman (at wall), April Spangler, freshman; Christine Loher, freshman; Bridget McCrackin, freshman; Jessica Lamphere, freshman, Courtney Boerman, sophomore; and Jane Kraemer, sophomore.Front: Brian Himes, sophomore, group leader

Photo taken by Stephanie Richards, president of the Heartside Neighborhood Association.

gathered with the other community volunteers at Heartside Park. The group picked up trash from Veteran’s Park to past Wealthy Street, several blocks away. The volunteers came together again at noon at God’s Kitchen to share lunch served by Food Smith, and entertainment provided by some of the volunteers. Student leaders are always a critical element in any event. They met many times to make preparations. Their new found sense of community made it possible to create unity among the larger group composed of both students and local resident volunteers. They were a key factor in the success of this project.

There was a new twist on the t-shirts provided annually for the clean-up. This year, students organized a recycled t-shirt drive, collecting unworn t-shirts. The t-shirts were fl ipped inside-out and manually re-printed in the basement of Campus Ministry. Art student Christina Hutton provided ink and screens and Ferris State University student Tom Walker and student Stephen Simon ran the printing show. We made nearly 300 shirts! Not only were shirts recycled but hundreds of dollars were saved enabling money donated by local sponsors to go straight to our cause: supporting work to solve hunger and homelessness in Grand

Rapids. One homeless man approached Stephanie Richards, president of the Heartside Neighborhood Association, to say thank you for inviting him to volunteer with us. It was moving. The collective effort created a sense of pride and of dignity. The heart of Project PRIDE was not only in the clean-up and money raising, but in bringing groups of people together in a unifi ed effort that impacted the lives of those living there and moving toward the goal of ending homelessness.

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The Haiti ConnectionBy Emily Donohoe, junior, and Eric Bridge, coordinator of Service-Learning

AQ participants in the 2008 Haiti trip are pictured with students at the Haitian sister school. AQ students are: Paula Arbuckle, senior; Kelsey Benson, junior; Alison Beranek, junior; Emily Donohoe, junior; Emily Ferstle, junior; Rebecca Kirk, sophomore; Chelsea Nix, junior; Maureen Poirier, junior; Timothy Ramsay, senior; Shawn Wanhala, junior; Jessica Coffelt, junior; and trip advisors Linda Nash, Susan Gasster and Eric Bridge.

The poorest country in the Western Hemisphere, with 70 percent unemployment and 56 percent literacy, is not located in a far removed corner of the world; in fact, Haiti is closer to Grand Rapids than Los Angeles. Aquinas has been committed to Haiti for years, primarily through support of the André Pierre School, our sister school in Borel, Haiti. In May, I was fortunate to be among the 11 students and three advisors to venture to Haiti for ten days as part of the Haiti Service Learning program. Due to the country’s instability, AQ students were the fi rst to return since 2002. The AQ group visited each classroom at the André Pierre School and stressed the importance of education to the children. We brought each student a backpack and emphasized this gift as a tool for learning and a better future. We toiled together in the hot 95-degree sun, learning from our Haitian friends how to make concrete blocks which will go into constructing a new school room. We celebrated the successful opening of another school in a neighboring village and the strength of our partnerships to make this a reality. We listened to André’s desire for the School in Borel to be equipped with a computer lab and offer computer classes. We also spent two days in the Dominican Republic, near the Haitian border. We assisted Dr. Angel Valdez in medical clinics to assess the malnutrition status of children from six months to six years old. The AQ group conducted community assessments by walking the remote mountainous area villages and interviewing families with a list of questions prepared by Dr. Angel. Answers revealed insights into the daily lives of the local people. Building materials and clean drinking water were frequently mentioned responses to the question, “What do you most need?”

We witnessed, in action, the point-of-use BioSand Filter, a water purifi cation system which reduces the leading cause of death and disease in developing countries by removing 100 percent parasites and 90 percent bacteria

and viruses from water. Two BioSand Filters were installed in each of the 25 communities where we work. AQ students were present for several installations, including the fi rst post-production plastic fi lters to be installed in the country. Our partners plan to install an additional 250 BioSand Filters over the next year. We visited houses with BioSand Filters and performed maintenance on two of them. We also trained families how to do regular fi lter maintenance.

While Aquinas is committed to empowering Haitians, the trip was even more life-changing for students who went. Tim Ramsay ’08 said, “Before

I went to Aquinas, I didn’t know where Haiti was on the map. Aquinas College opened my eyes to the world; that there are other nations who are less fortunate than ours, and we need to share not only our wealth, but our community.” Annually, AQ Service-Learning commits to fundraise for seven Haitian teachers at $600/year for our sister school. The 10th annual Haiti Garage Sale, held May 28-30, raised more than $3,100 and was a huge success thanks to donors and AQ staff, faculty and student volunteers. In total, fundraisers during the 2007-2008 academic year raised $8,000, aside from the $12,000 students needed to cover their expenses for the Haiti trip. Aquinas’s commitment to Haiti over the years has been of vital importance to both the Haitian people we work with and the students whose lives have been changed. Our goal is for the program to continue to grow and thrive, providing students with greater insight and Haitians with greater hope.

Junior Alison Beranek pictured with children at medical clinic in the Dominican Republic

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Personal Journal: The Haiti ExperienceBy Emily Ferstle, junior 2008 Participant

“Tout moun se moun” Every human being is a human being. -Creole Haitian Proverb

Senior Emily Ferstle pauses a moment with one of the many Haitian students she spent time with during last spring’s visit.

We returned to our apartment in El Llano grubby from the day’s work of weighing children and force-feeding them multivitamins to help boost the health of their malnourished bodies. We took turns showering, so grateful for the glorious trickle of water that rinsed away the dust on our bodies. Next, we all went to restaurant that night for dinner, sitting at one long table, the Americans, our Haitian companions and Dr. Angel Valdez, whom we had helped in the mountains all day, as well as our Dominican friends. Despite the general prejudice among Dominicans, Haitians, and Americans, we all laughed, ate and drank together as a family. This experience was truly beautiful. I really do not know if many of the American group members realized how rare and special the experience was. Dr. Angel receives a lot of grief from his Dominican friends and family for serving Haitian communities. “Why do you, an educated man,” they ask, “spend your life helping them?” Historic tension lies between Haitians and the Dominicans. Different languages, different histories and deep-rooted prejudice divide these nations. We need not have been concerned about the racial differences of the newly formed group, however. Despite the historic prejudice, we ate, drank, laughed and joked together, not as people from three different backgrounds, but as companions who were trying to relieve the suffering of fellow human beings. I witnessed God working through Aquinas’ students to bring His people closer together. The experience was truly remarkable. I cannot help but recall “community” as one of the Dominican charisms. So committed are Aquinas students to inclusivity and acceptance, that new communities are formed as a result of our service every where we go.

Annual AQ Garage Sale Benefi ts Haiti Project

Aquinas College held its 10th annual Haiti Garage Sale May 28-30 to benefi t the College’s sister school in Borel, Haiti. The sale is held each year at the Campus Ministry Gatehouse. With Haiti’s unemployment rate at approximately 70 percent and the country’s literacy rate around 56 percent, education is of great importance as Haiti

tries to increase opportunities for students. All of the proceeds raised through the sale go directly toward sponsoring seven teachers at the Andre Pierre School. The goal for the sale was to raise $2,300 to benefi t the teachers, who normally earn only $600 a year for their efforts. The group raised over $3,100.

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‘Thirteen Apostles’ from MichiganRepair Homes in Dallas CountyBy Alston Fitts III, Freelance writer

Thirteen proved to be a lucky number for Queen of Peace Parish, which hosted a group of volunteers from Aquinas College. The “Thirteen Apostles” spent their spring break repairing homes in Selma and surrounding Dallas County. The 13 volunteers included Teresa Buiocchi (Lansing); Katie Chandonnet (Fremont); Owen Fifi eld (Duluth, Mn); Bethany Horning (Whitehall); Allegra Hulsey (Battle Creek); Samantha Johnson and Liesa Keenan, (Grand Rapids); Julian Kratochuil (Amarillo); Melissa Menerey (Dimondale); Bethany Sheroan (Bridgman); Kyla Sisson (Grand Rapids); Emily Van Slooten (Grand Rapids); and Anna Wright (Port Huron). Aquinas College, a Catholic Dominican liberal arts institution, currently enrolls some 2,300 graduate and undergraduate students. “Learning to serve others is what Aquinas College is all about, and service learning trips are an excellent way to do that,” stated Liesa Kennan, an experienced carpenter who served as the group’s coordinator. “And Selma is a wonderful place to serve. You not only get to help people, but you get to visit some of the city’s historic sites.” During their stay, the group walked across the Edmund Pettus Bridge, visited both Saint Paul’s Episcopal and Brown Chapel AME Churches, explored Live Oak Cemetery and stopped by the Old Depot Museum. The volunteers worked under the direction of Paul Robitaille, Queen of Peace parishioner and ace carpenter. “The kids did good work,” said Robitaille. “They repaired a kitchen fl oor and laid new linoleum in a home on Eugene Street, installed a railing on the front porch of a house on LeGrande, and built stairs and a ramp on a trailer on County Road 49.”

Thirteen students and faculty from Aquinas spent their spring break repairing homes in Dallas County, Alabama, and visiting historic sites in Selma. Here, they posed beside the grave group posed beside the grave of Alabama’s fi rst African American Congressman, Ben Turner.

Special submission to the Selma Times Journal - Reprinted with author permission

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Pastor Rev. Carroll Plourde, pastor of Queen of Peace, observed that “Every year the kids from Aquinas come down, like the swallows returning to Capistrano, and it is always a treat to see them. I was sorry that their break didn’t last long enough for them to attend the Jubilee events.” The Edmundites have served in Selma since 1937, when the order responded to an appeal from Pope Pius XI to launch a special apostolate to the African Americans of the Deep South. Queen of Peace Parish was formed in 1970 by the merging of St. Elizabeth’s Mission with the Assumption of Our Lady, an historically black parish dating back to the Civil War. Currently the order serves parishes in Selma and New Orleans, besides sponsoring nutrition centers, learning centers, community centers and a variety of programs to serve the needy of Alabama’s Black Belt.

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In its effort to recognize the hard work of those in Continuing Education (CE), the Iota Iota chapter of Alpha Sigma Lambda Honor Society, recognized seven students April 1 by inducting them into their society. Those inducted included Julie Carlson, Carla Eckley, Frederick Johnson, Benjamin Martin, Toni McKay, Rebecca Rop and Melissa Young. The celebration took place in Bukowski Chapel, and entertainment was provided by the AQ Chamber Strings lead by Sister Catherine Williams. Interim Provost Don Chaffee, Ph.D. took part in the ceremony, along with JoAnne Gorant, chairperson of the CE committee; Mary Kwiatkowski; Virginia Luehrs; Monica Tyler; and Iota Iota Chapter members. A reception for family, faculty and friends of the students followed the ceremony. The Iota Iota chapter was established to acknowledge the academic achievement of CE students and their ability to overcome the challenges of work and family to return to school and advance their education. In order to join the honor society the students must have completed 24 graded semester

Seven Inducted into CE Honor SocietyBy JoAnne Gorant, Chairperson of the CE Committee

Pictured (L-R) Melissa Young, Toni McKay, Benjamin Martin, Carla Eckley, Julie Carlson, Rebecca Rop, Frederick Johnson.

Promoted by the Continuing Education Committee, Aquinas celebrated Non-Traditional Student Recognition Week Feb. 4-8, the fi rst annual campus celebration designed to raise awareness of and honor non-traditional learners. The event marked a signifi cant step toward fulfi lling President Ed Balog’s inaugural pledge to renew the College’s commitment to continuing education. Initiated more than 35 years ago by the late Dr. Ralph J. Bennett, the Career Action Program (now known as Continuing Education) revolutionized the local education scene by making classes available to working adults. Since then, more than 4,500 CE students have completed their degrees at Aquinas, according to Brenda Hennink, director of adult education. “It’s important for continuing education students to realize that the College values their presence,” she said. According to Hennink, the goal of the week’s festivities in large part was to recognize the integral role played by adult undergraduate and graduate

Aquinas Celebrates Non-Traditional Student Recognition WeekBy Dan Treul, Student Contributor

students on campus. “It was a collaborative effort,” she said, noting that the week’s events were supported by the academic deans of the College. And, Hennink added, “I received a lot of e-mails and feedback from adult students thankful for the recognition.” Non-traditional Student Recognition Week brought together students, staff and faculty alike for complimentary hot drinks and snacks during nightly class breaks, a presentation on “common myths” surrounding adult education and the week’s highlight: a game show-style quiz night at The Moose Cafe featuring, a high-tech set and remote controls for the audience. From its humble yet revolutionary beginnings in 1969, the Aquinas Continuing Education program has grown into one of the most respected programs in the region. Today, students fresh out of high school work side by side with students fresh from 9 to 5 jobs. Non-Traditional Student Recognition Week was a celebration of that spirit.

hours and be in the top 10 percent of the group of qualifi ed students. Aquinas College is one of only two colleges in Michigan recognizing adult learners in this manner.

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The AQ group that delivered books to DeVos Children’s Hospital included (L-R): Aquinas students Alaina Hale, Kara Hidlay, Elizabeth Koch, Laurie Lincks, DeVos Children’s Hospital Foundation associate; Jackie Sweeney, MRA/Aquinas and Brad Ingersoll, Aquinas student.

Kathy Wagner Named Outstanding Adult LearnerBy Dan Treul, junior, Student Contributor

Her audiences ranging from elementary school students to former presidents of the United States, Kathy Wagner – this year’s Outstanding Adult Learner – is a living testament to Shakespeare’s classic line, “All the world’s a stage.” A music major at Aquinas focusing on jazz vocal performance, Kathy has appeared in countless West Michigan productions, winning Grand Awards for her work in Gypsy, Sweeney Todd, Spitfi re Grill and Beehive. Committed to service, Kathy has volunteered her talents to such causes as Race for the Cure, Special Olympics and the Make-A-Wish Foundation. In addition to her work as a dance and vocal instructor, Wagner has performed with the River City Jazz Ensemble for more than 20 years.

Aquinas Students and MRA Promote LiteracyBy Jackie Sweeney, Director of The Reading Clinic

As they prepare to become teachers, students in the Aquinas School of Education know the value of literacy. That knowledge led them to work during this academic year with the Michigan Reading Association (MRA) to collect “books for babies” and redistribute those books to two area hospitals. The group collected nearly 1,000 books and donated half of them to St. Mary’s Hospital and the other half to the Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital, both in Grand Rapids. “This group has shown such rigor and commitment toward the project,” said Jackie Sweeney, faculty member in the School of Education and the group’s advisor. “They held bake sales, organized two book fairs and worked at the MRA conference in Detroit, where they convinced vendors to donate a large number of books.” The group’s offi cers, Alaina Hale, Elizabeth Koch, Kara Hidlay and Bradley Ingersoll, coordinated this year’s efforts, and they have been excited about the opportunity to spread literacy into the community, beyond school settings. Each book included a bookmark designed by the group’s members written both in English and Spanish with tips for parents to promote reading. The books are to be distributed to new moms and their babies and to children who have been admitted into the hospitals. The group plans to continue next year and hopes to expand in its collection of books through larger fundraising efforts.


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By Dan Treul, Student Contributor

To some, the expression “back to basics” implies a step backward. But for the Art Department Faculty, “back to basics” is all about moving forward. “I feel like we provide students with a really strong background in the basics,” says Kurt Kaiser, an associate professor and sculptor. According to Kaiser, many in the realm of art education seem “married to a purely conceptual art, and don’t tend to recognize the value of a more traditional, formal education.” Within the Aquinas art department, however, the emphasis is on striking a balance. In a recent group interview, many full-time faculty members spoke about what an art education at Aquinas means. Sr. Marie Celeste Miller O.P., associate professor of art, said, “Art history complements what happens in the studio…That’s ideal learning – when [students] can take something they’ve heard someplace else and integrate it with something they’re doing right now in front of them.” In a department where most students are not pursuing the art major, the faculty emphasizes the universal application of art concepts beyond the Art and Music Center. “Whether they’re taking an art history course for a general education requirement or whether they’re taking a studio course for that, they encounter a type of intelligence that is not necessarily dealt with in a lot of other disciplines,” said Ron Pederson, chair of the art department. “Making art is a combination, ideally, of linear, analytical thinking and intuitive problem-solving, and I think that’s excellent practice that is applicable to life.” “Art often opens the door to other careers or areas of interest that they may not have even been exposed to or considered,” said Miller. “When I teach my art history courses,” she said, “I’m not just about teaching them art history. I’m interested in critical thinking skills; I’m interested in teaching them to work in teams.” Miller has been teaching art appreciation online for several years in what she calls a “hybrid” format, meeting with the students face-to-face at both the beginning and end of the term. Kaiser similarly incorporates what the faculty call “transferrable skills” in assigning essay responses to student gallery visits. In real estate, the line is “Location, location, location.” And as faculty points out, you might say the same thing about an art department set against the beautiful Aquinas campus. Art Professor Steve Schousen frequently takes his classes to the library, where the all-glass exterior provides student artists a unique perspective of the wooded landscape from which to sketch. The art faculty hopes students will sustain creative thinking in the years ahead. “I think that’s the future,” said Schousen. “Striking that balance, having that conversation.” “We’re not trying to fi t into any particular mold,” added

Associate Professor of Art Kurt Kaiser (upper right) assists students

with creation.

Professor Steve Schousen demonstrates artistic

techniques

Kaiser, who said the art department seeks “to avoid labeling, to keep an open mind, and to stay exposed [to developing trends].” “If the spirit of what our students make does not match their own spirit,” said Pederson, “then what they’ve made lacks integrity. And we can spot that because we know them. We want their art to be a function of a really strong liberal arts education.” In a world of constant reinvention, associate professor of art Dana Freeman said trends “come and go. What’s important is the integrity of your work. Ideas. The basics.”

Striking a Balance: The Aquinas Art Department Looks Ahead


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Pederson Named Educator of the Year by ISCBy Dan Treul, junior Student Contributor

When Ron Pederson, chair of the Art Department at Aquinas College, got a phone call from the International Sculpture Center last year, he “honestly thought they were calling me for having allowed my membership to lapse.” Instead, the ISC was calling to honor Pederson as its 2008

Educator of the Year. The prestigious award will be conferred upon the sculptor at the ISC 21st International Sculpture Conference at the Fredrik Meijer Gardens and Sculpture Park on October 3. Pederson, who came to Aquinas in the early 1980s with his wife, English professor and artistic collaborator Miriam Pederson, says that despite his own work, he views teaching as “the most important and exciting part of a person’s life.” “The Aquinas community is kind of what church is supposed to be,” says Pederson. “Counting on each other and being counted upon. When you accept help when you need it, that’s how you experience the grace of God. And I Pederson examines his student’s work

Sister Marie Joseph Ryan ’57 MRE ’62, the former Gloris Mary Ryan, of Grand Rapids, died June 1. As a Dominican for 62 years, she had a long and successful ministry in teaching and administrative roles in schools across Michigan. Sr. Marie Joseph held two master’s degrees, one in religious education and the other in history. She also held a doctorate in modern European and Russian history from Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C. Her last and longest apostolic ministry was at Aquinas College, where she taught European history from 1969-1991. Sr. Marie Joseph further devoted herself to a study of international peace and justice and acted as college spokeswoman on these topics. She participated in the development and execution of Aquinas College’s interdisciplinary humanities program and the development of two courses incorporating history, literature, music, art and philosophy as a comprehensive learning experience for all freshmen. She was Assistant director to Dominican Sr. Marie Celeste Miller, O.P., doing research and supportive work for a humanities program that was recognized and funded by the National Endowment for the Humanities.

Former AQ History ProfessorSr. Marie Joseph Ryan, O.P. DiesBy Sr. Mona Schwind, O.P.

Sr. Marie Joseph Ryan, O.P., ’57 MRE’62

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think that’s what we do here.” Pederson, who began his artistic journey in sculpture following his completion of three minors in mathematics, psychology and Christianity, strives to emphasize what he calls the “intensity of the artist.” “I believe that everything that an artist does – even if it’s not religious – has a spiritual element, so long as it’s crafted with intensity.”


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The new leadership program for high school girls concluded its two-phase pilot run in May with a banquet and premier of a documentary the students created. The program, Girls Empowering Together (GET), began last fall with 15 Central High School students. Designed to increase self-esteem in high school girls facing economic and social structure challenges, the after-school program came about through collaboration between the Jane Hibbard Idema Women’s Studies Center and Grand Rapids Public Schools and includes mentorship by Aquinas students. Led by Nanette Clatterbuck, dean of Aquinas School of Education; Susan Haworth-Hoeppner, director of the Women’s Study Center; and Wendy Dean, a Central High teacher, pilot program was a hit, said Haworth-Hoeppner. All 15 students completed the program, which was a success in itself, she added. As depicted in “Breaking the Surface,” their video on leadership, students entered the program thinking of leaders as people who are popular, bossy or born leaders. “However, nearly everyone in the program talked about how they now understood that not only did those qualities not make you a leader, but that leadership can take many different forms, including being more reserved or shy,” Haworth-Hoeppner said. “Those kinds of epiphanies regarding leadership are indications of success to me.” During the program, students met four community leaders, Grand Rapids Press food editor Jaye Beeler, Nokomis Foundation CEO DeDe Esque, Grand Rapids city clerk Lauri Parks and Steelcase Global Learning and Development director Faye

Leading by ExampleBy Laura Bennett-Kimble ’95, Contributing Writer

Richardson-Green, who discussed barriers they’ve faced and strategies they used to overcome them. Working with the Grand Rapids Community Media Center, the students next learned how to create a documentary. Their 17-minute video, available at www.archive.org/details/BreakingTheSurface, was shown several times on Grand Rapids public access station GRTV over the summer after its debut at the May 8 banquet. During the celebration, students also received certifi cate awards and were honored by some 70 parents, guardians, families, friends, teachers, community leaders and GET staff. Also at the banquet, fi ve girls talked about how the program had impacted them, Haworth-Hoeppner said. “All agreed that the program had positively benefi ted them. What was additionally exciting was how enthusiastic the parents and guardians were about the program and the benefi ts they perceived the

School of Education Dean Nanette Chatterbuck

Students and GET Coordinators following a celebration banquetd in May

(L-R) Gladys Binion, Jennifer Frazier,Me’shelle-le’ Buford, SanJuana Garcia


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Former students and friends were among the many who took part in the memorial for Elizabeth Jennings, including some from the 1981 Ireland Program trip she coordinated.Pictured are: (Seated L-R): Terry Badger, Denise Holtgrieve Christy ’82, Linda Purdy ’81, Maura Donnelly, (standing): Marilyn Rasch Zemitas ’83, Sr. Mona Schwind ’65 (co-coordinator of the 1981 Ireland Program), Lisa Gigliotti ’83 and Nancy Shirey ’82

By Mary Pyman Abouzeid, Ph.D., ’67

How do we say goodbye to a beloved professor and friend? The memorial service for Elizabeth Jennings, English faculty member at Aquinas College from 1965-2001, was held on a beautiful spring day in April and

provided an opportunity for many former students, faculty colleagues, and lifelong friends and relatives to say farewell. Held at the motherhouse chapel at Marywood, an event reserved for only a very few lay people, and signaled by a lone Scottish piper playing Celtic tunes, the memorial service and mass saw 200 participants come together. Nearly half of those stayed for lunch

and a true memory fest, complete with emcee and former student Judge Dennis Leiber ’69 coordinating a Jennings life narrative. As people walked into the dining room, they viewed a one-time show of Jennings’ folk art that was assembled by friends who loaned chairs, tables, watercolors, and carvings that were a hallmark of Jennings’ “other” life beyond teaching in Ireland and at home in Michigan. Scores of friends traveled from across the United States to Grand Rapids to mark the impact that their teacher and mentor had on their lives. The memorial service became a weekend celebration of the life of Betty Jennings, with plans to repeat the gathering in the future. Even without Betty, the group felt her presence through their shared remembrances of her extraordinary wit, teaching and care for her students. In the planning stage is a scholarship fund that will remind future Aquinites of the loving kindness and dedication of a faculty member who brought the best of a liberal arts education to students and friends who were privileged enough to have known her. Elizabeth Jennings will always be a part of the lives of those she touched.

Remembering a Beloved Professor: Elizabeth Jennings

girls to have received as a result of their participation in GET.” The program continues this year at Central and also expands to Union High School, and this year’s GET graduates will become mentors for the next group of Central High students. Funding from the Grand Rapids Community Foundation and Steelcase, Inc. has allowed the program expansion.

Women’s Study Center Director Susan Haworth-Hoeppner (left), Mallory Bartz ‘08 and Jennifer Frazier.


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Steve Talaga: West Michigan Jazz Society’s Musician of the YearBy Victoria Manion, Student Contributor

Musician of the Year is the highest honor the West Michigan Jazz Society can award a musician. The 2008 honoree: Steve Talaga, adjunct music professor at Aquinas College. “I was surprised and very honored,” recalled Talaga after receiving the phone call. “It was a real vote of confi dence and I can’t express my appreciation and gratitude strongly enough.” Over the past 20 years, Talaga has distinguished himself in the West Michigan music scene through compositions, performances, fi ve solo CDs and his work with several bands. He was recently commissioned to write pieces for Hope College’s symphonic wind ensemble and chamber jazz ensemble. In response to the award, a banquet saluting Steve Talaga was held at the Wege Center Ballroom. The event included a performance by Talaga alongside some local greats, including former musician of the year recipients Tom Hagen, Tim Froncek, Elgin Vines and Mary Rademacher. “The award banquet was incredible,” Steve said, “It really made me stop and consider just how privileged I am to be included among a group of such talented individuals.” Talaga is a music professor at both Aquinas College and Hope College, where he teaches jazz studies and music theory/composition. “I get to teach others about the joys of music and in the process learn more about it myself,” said Talaga. “Aside from teaching, Aquinas has given me enormous opportunities to perform, compose and record music,” he added. Faculty mini-grants allowed the musician to release compact discs of his own music. “As always, I am looking for more opportunities to perform and record,” the Jazz Musician of the Year said.


Faculty N

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The J. William Fulbright Foreign Scholarship Board has announced that Robert P. Marko, Ph.D. professor of theology has been selected as a Fulbright Scholar for Ukraine for fall 2008. Fulbright alumni include 37 Nobel Prize awardees, heads of states and ambassadors, cabinet members, CEOs, university presidents, artists and, of course, professors and teachers. Dr. Marko’s awarded research/lecturing proposal is entitled “Eastern Christian Theology in the Borderland: The Promise and Possibilities of Religious Ukraine.”

Congratulations to Stephanie Wiltse, adjunct professor of music and AQ Valenti Handbell Choir director, who has been named to the board of directors of the American Guild of English Handbell Ringers (AGEHR). The group is a non-profi t organization dedicated to advancing the art of handbell and handchime ringing. Wiltse has been ringing handbells since 1983 and directing since 1992.

Congratulations to the following faculty on their promotions: Michelle DeRose, Ph.D. to the rank of Professor of English; Roger Durham, Ph.D. to the rank of Professor of Political Science; Charles Gunnoe, Ph.D. to the rank of Professor of History and Provost; Kathy Kremer, Ph.D. to the rank of Associate Professor of Sociology; and Michael McDaniel, Ph.D. to the rank of Professor of Mathematics.

And congratulations to those granted tenure: Jennifer Dawson, Ph.D. (English), Jason Duncan, Ph.D. (History) and Lisa Morgan, Ph.D. (Education).

Congratulations are also in order for director of Theater Randy Wyatt whose academic title was changed from Visiting Assistant Professor to Assistant Professor of Theater.

Faculty Notes...

Durham Wyatt

Marko

Dawson

Duncan

Morgan

DeRose

GunnoeMcDaniel


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Once the pomp and circumstance of graduation is over and caps and gowns are removed, Aquinas graduates scatter, establishing careers in sundry occupations. For three Aquinas alumni, the choice to serve their country led them to the military. U.S. Navy Rear Admiral Albert Rieder ’56 earned an English degree at AQ and said professors Tony Brinks and Sr. Aquin Gallagher taught him to write and speak articulately. In addition, Sr. Aquin volunteered him to talk to local media about the College. “All that grooming helped me,” he said, “because Navy seniors are looking for people who can deliver – and Aquinas taught us how to do that.” “The rigor of Aquinas prepared me for military duties,” agreed U.S. Army Brigadier General James Brunson ’71, who was a political science major. U.S. Air Force Lieutenant General John Nowak (pronounced: Novak) ’63 earned a sociology/political science degree at AQ. “At Aquinas, I got a good understanding of how the process worked – or how it is supposed to work,” he said of government. “It was good training, very practical.” Nowak, who retired in 1995 as head of Air Force Logistics assigned to the Pentagon, said the most challenging work he did was while director of logistics for the Military Airlift Command for Desert Shield and Desert Storm in 1991 and 1992. Responsible for getting military personnel and cargo to the Middle East, he said, “We moved more in three months than in all of World War Two, I think. We had airplanes going around the globe.” Nowak oversaw the worldwide operations of 100,000 supply and maintenance people during this period. Beginning in 1979, Rieder also enjoyed satisfaction and success as a leader, helming a vessel based out of Pearl Harbor. Being on a ship “on its way up,” as he put it, was a rewarding experience, as was leading a crew of 800. “We started to get a reputation of being able to deliver,” he said. “They could count on us.” In addition to capability, knowledge has proven key in the careers of these three men. Brunson, who retired from the National Guard in November 2007, is an assistant prosecuting attorney for the U.S. Attorney’s Offi ce in Bay City, Mich. “There’s nothing you can know as a lawyer that isn’t helpful,” he noted. While his military career was rewarding in numerous ways, especially when he spoke at homecoming events for soldiers returning from the Middle East from 2004 to 2007, Brunson said, “I believe the most important job we are put on earth to do is to be a parent.” He and wife Diane have two daughters.

Tactical ManeuversBy Laura Bennett-Kimble ’95, Contributing Writer

Rieder, who retired from the Navy in 1989 after 33 years of active duty and spent the next dozen or so years working for a non-profi t organization, said moving for his assignments could be hard on his family, especially for wife Domicella (Zigmont ’58) when they fi rst married. “She had never been out of the state of Michigan and here I thrust her into this Navy life,” he added. Reider said his family enjoyed seeing the world, though. And in fact, his daughter followed in his footsteps, and she recently retired from the Navy after 20 years of service.

Rieder

Nowak

Brunson

Aquinas College wishes to recognize all of its Alumni who have gone on to serve our nation in all branches of the U.S. military


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A Saintly WinkBy Brigid Avery ’01, Director of Alumni Relations

The last six months have been incredible. I couldn’t be happier in my new position as director of Alumni Relations. I have grown to love Aquinas even more and have truly enjoyed the connections and reconnections I have made. Thank you for reaching out to me and telling me your stories. One of my most remarkable moments in this position came from a seemingly insignifi cant voice mail message from an alumna, class of 1950. Violet (Panyrek) Cosgrove was inquiring about a long lost friend of hers, an Aquinas alumnus and Dominican priest named Maury Schepers. She had been trying to contact him for years, but to no avail. She wanted current contact information and we did not even have a mailing address. I told her I would do a little searching and get back to her. I searched for Maury Schepers at Google.com, fi guring that this was probably a fruitless exercise. But, his name popped up immediately as the director of the Institute of Social Communication at Tangaza College in Nairobi, Africa. There was an email address. I emailed him and let him know of Violet’s wish to reconnect. In no less than four hours, I had a message from Father Maury in my inbox. Violete was delighted that her distant friend was not only located, but she now had a direct line of communication to him. Violet didn’t have an email address, or Internet for that matter, so I suggested that she write a letter, and I would transcribe it into an email and send it to Fr. Maury. The next day, she read me her letter over the phone as I typed the email. We waited anxiously for his response. I discovered that Fr. Maury had presided over Violet’s wedding to her late husband. She had wanted to reconnect with him for many reasons, but most importantly because her son, Louis, was getting married in May and she was hoping that by some miracle, Fr. Maury would be back in the States and able to perform the ceremony. We heard back from Father Maury within a few days. Although he would still be in Nairobi at the time of Louis’ wedding, he was planning a visit in late Spring. Violet couldn’t believe it. She had been trying to reach him for years and now he would be back in the U.S. in just a few weeks. There is a series of books entitled, “When God Winks” about just such coincidental occurrences. This was indeed a God Wink! I love telling this story, because it captures the essence of Aquinas College in many ways. The

If there is someone from your AQ past whom you’ve been thinking about lately, reach out to them. Our new website will include an online directory where you can search for alumni and send instant messages. Or, if you are not tech savvy, give me a call and I’ll see what I can do. You never know when God, or a “Saint” will wink at you!

Editor’s note: Father Maury Schepers and Violet Cosgrove met in Maryland in June. After 17 years of not seeing each other, it was a lovely visit between old friends. They had hoped to snap a picture, but neither one had a camera! They plan to continue to communicate via email/snail mail..

From the 1949 and 1950 yearbook, the Thomist

powerful connections between AQ alumni are not often broken by time or space. Though we may not see each other regularly, there is a warm and instant feeling of familiarity when someone we have cared about in the past resurfaces in our lives. And because our alumni are truly making all the difference in the world, you just never know where you may fi nd a “Saint”…in this case across the globe. Nevertheless, thanks to modern technology, the physical space between two friends becomes unimportant as the spiritual connection between them strengthens.

Schepers

Cosgrove


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Teaching in the Alaskan Bush provides some interesting experiences. Some good, some bad and some unique. If you are 23 years old, just fi nishing your teaching degree, enjoying being with your friends and have never lived alone, I am not sure this is for you. However, if you don’t mind being by yourself for long periods of time and not having a social life, are creative in the sense that you can make a square peg fi t into a round hole and you enjoy the cold, well, then, you might want to consider teaching in the Alaskan Bush. The fi rst thing you

Teaching in the Alaskan BushBy Megan Haglund ME’07

need to remember is Alaska is huge. It is as big as one quarter of the continental United States. They say if you divided Alaska into thirds, Texas would be the fourth largest state. To get to my village, you need to get to Anchorage, where the road ends, then you must fl y to Bethel, usually an hour plus ride on a commercial jet. Once there, you will either walk or catch a ride about a quarter of a mile down the road, where you will need to book a seat on one of three daily fl ights provided by one of three Bush air services. Weather permitting, it’s about a 45-minute fl ight. One of the things you

will notice while fl ying is that the area is very fl at – trees and mountains are in the interior of Alaska. On the Delta, the

tundra is fl at and marshy. So, remember to bring your boots (unless it’s winter, then it will be frozen). When you fi nally arrive in my village, an agent will meet you at the “airport” (a clearing next to the runway). Most likely it will be Tommy, one of the “founding” brothers of the village. And don’t let his age fool you. He is stronger and more agile then most gymnasts, and he will be happy to deliver your bags to my door. One note of caution, however, you might want to walk. His driving leaves something to be desired. You see, we don’t use typical cars here, but rather four wheelers or snowmobiles. On a more positive note, you won’t get lost – just look for the big red building. That’s my school and that’s

where I’ll be. Classes are Monday through Friday, 8:30 to 3:30, but I’m usually there the entire week-where else am I going to go? My house is about 100 yards from the school, but before I go there, I’ll use the restroom. I don’t have running water but get my drinking water delivered every two weeks and store it in two 33-gallon plastic trash cans. No septic system either, but I do have a porta-john that I empty at the lagoon every week. Teaching is where the real creativity comes in. First, I am one of seven certifi ed teachers and four classifi ed teachers and support staff. The students get excited about school being open because it gives them something to do. But they don’t get as excited about learning or doing school

Some students enjoyed apples sent from Michigan for Halloween (a couple of the students are in costume). The apples were probably the biggest hit of the year since the village doesn’t receive much fresh fruit.


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Even though she had shoveled once earlier that morning, the walkway from Haglund’s house to school is seen closed later in the day due to drifting snow.

Kongiganak Post Offi ce, a couple of houses and our boardwalk (road).

work. In fact, seldom will they do homework. They haven’t been taught proper study habits, so I spent a signifi cant amount of time last year going over note-taking, proper classroom behavior and study skills. Second, who knows what you will be teaching. You fi nd out about a week before school starts. Last year, I taught grades 7 to 11 math (there were no 12th grade students) three hours a day; 7 to 8 grades social studies; U.S. history for high school and physical education six periods each day. Thus, I have six preps and it changes year to year. This year, I think I’ll be teaching 7 to 12 grades math and P.E. I also would like to add sixth-grade math to my schedule.

Haglund stuck in the mud on the Tundra in fall 2007

We will be offering Alaskan history and government, middle school social studies, 6 to 12 grades science and health and 6 to 12 grades reading and writing. There are about 125 students in K-12 at our school. Attendance can be a real issue. Students move from village to village and medical treatment can require students to miss weeks of school. There are no medical facilities in the village, so even minor surgeries require two week stays in Anchorage. And although services are provided in Anchorage, most students do not do the homework that is sent with them. Rewards tend to be small, but sometimes you need to recognize those small steps as the reward. I have had a few students

make incredible progress in math. I have also seen some major behavioral changes in some of my students and this, too, is rewarding. While there is an incredible amount of turnover of teachers in the Alaskan Bush, the environment and the

experiences provide some exciting challenges. I love a challenge and thats why i’m commited to staying with my students for fi ve years. So, if you’re considering this for yourself, remember that creativity and fl exibility are prerequisites.


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Denise Christy ’82 has parlayed her Aquinas education into a rewarding career, but also has found it a strong infl uence on her day-to-day life, she said. “There was never any chance to be a phony at AQ, as you were called out in a loving way if you weren’t true

to your values and core beliefs,” she said. “Aquinas took over where my fi ve siblings left off – a creative, competitive environment with a unique ability to humble the overachiever in all of us.” Christy, president of Humana Michigan, which is part of a nationwide health insurance company, earned an interdisciplinary major in community relations while at AQ. Two sisters, Maryjo Lemanski and Janet Dean, and several cousins also attended the College, and her nephew Joe Leestma is currently a senior. How did Christy come to be president of Humana Michigan? “I asked for it,” she said. “I have been in the industry for over 20 years, and I was living in Minnesota, desperate to move my family back to Michigan. When Humana called, I did my research and learned that this is a company that has a core mission that the Michigan marketplace desperately needed. All they were lacking was some leadership to bring their mission to the market. It seemed like the perfect fi t, and so I asked for the opportunity to lead their operations.” Christy, who serves on the Michigan Colleges Foundation Board, of which Aquinas is a member, stays connected with the College primarily through the alumni offi ce and three key women: Paula Meehan ’75, AQ vice president of enrollment and Christy’s best friend, and Sr. Aquinas Weber and Sr. Alice Wittenbach – “two women whom I would consider mentors and lifelong role models,” she added.Noting that life is a journey, she said, “Living in both Grand Rapids and metro Detroit communities allowed me and my husband Russ to raise a family, make a meaningful contribution to the health care industry and, most importantly, stay close to our

Denise Christy – Leading by ExampleBy Laura Bennett-Kimble ’95, Contributing Writer

Alumni AssociationGrants for Michigan

Educators 2008

AQ School of Education alumni who are now employed in Michigan are eligible to receive one of two $500 grants. All K-12 teachers in public, private or charter schools are eligible for consideration. The proposals will be evaluated and awards determined by members of the Aquinas Alumni Association and the dean of the School of Education. Selection will be determined on a number of criteria, including the potential of the program, hands-on involvement and support of the core curriculum. The application deadline is October 1, 2008, and grant winners will be announced in November 2008. For an application and complete list of guidelines, visit http://www.aquinas.edu/alumni/media/AquinasEducatorGrant.pdf or call Brigid Avery, ‘01 director of Alumni Relations, at (616) 632-2494.

family and dear friends.” She also said the concept of forgiveness is important to her – “letting go of whatever held you down from your past and recognizing that all we have is today and tomorrow. It is a philosophy that works in business and in relationships, and it’s very important in managing your personal health. As a society we are so hard on ourselves and we forget to enjoy the gift God gave us – to live fully and with joy.”


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Look out Extreme Home Makeover team-the Aquinas College IT department, Web designers and alumni offi ce are giving you a run for your money. The Alumni Web Site received a major overhaul this summer and will be revealed. The new site is easier to navigate and includes links to events, Alumni Association programs and a new online directory titled SAINTS NETWORK. Here you will be able to connect with past Saints, network with current Saints, and help recruit future Saints! A network of Saints is only a click away. Your log-in information will be mailed to you soon. User names are issued to alumni of Aquinas College. Many thanks to Greg ’03 and Brad ’03 Vedders, Katey Davis, Katy Moore-McAvoy ’01 and Erika Brown ’97 for their hard work on the new site. Happy surfi ng!

New Web site Reveal

In collaboration with the AQ Common Reading Experience (see related article on page 10), I invite all interested alumni to join me, faculty, staff and all incoming freshmen in reading, “Mountains Beyond Mountains: Healing the World: The Quest of Dr. Paul Farmer” by Tracy Kidder. If you went on a service trip while at AQ, you will enjoy this book. There will be several

“Mountains” Move Alumni

activities on campus throughout the school year, as well as an online component for those not in Grand Rapids. This is a great way to connect to Aquinas as well as learn about how one man’s passion transforms a village, a country, and a way of thinking about poverty. To join in on the road, email [email protected] for updated information.


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“Action.” The Hollywood production line only seems fi tting in describing John Serba’s ascent to the top of the local fi lm scene. As a graduate of Aquinas College and now the full-time fi lm critic for The Grand Rapids Press, Serba’s life is a testament to the power of hard work, perseverance, and, as he disclosed, a continually updated Netfl ix queue of more than 300 movies on the three-at-a-time plan. As an English major at Aquinas with a passion for writing and fi lm, Serba learned the ropes of professional journalism in the “trial by fi re” environment at the Aquinas Times, now The Saint. After working as entertainment editor and then assistant editor, Serba spent his senior year as editor-in-chief, an experience he called “invaluable.” “It was a coup just getting the thing published every week,” he joked, but “that practical experience is something that you carry over every day.” Today, Serba’s reviews reach a widespread West Michigan audience – both in print and online. He attributes much of his success to Aquinas. “They took an interest and aggressively recruited me and offered me a scholarship,” said Serba, who graduated from Northview High School in 1992. While Serba got decent grades, he says he hadn’t been an exceptional student. “The fact that they wanted me when everyone else was indifferent felt really good,” he said. Climbing the ladder at the student newspaper, Serba quickly proved himself an adept journalist, particularly within his foremost interests of music and fi lm. “I like to approach things with a conversational idea,” he said. “People talk about fi lm and they talk about music...I think it’s a lot of fun.”In addition to his regular print reviews and columns, Serba also writes the “Project Mayhem” blog online. The blog can be visited at www.blog.mlive.com/projectmayhem. Serba attributes much of his outlook on fi lm to Andrew Jefchak, a freelancer with the Press, communication professor and retired fi lm instructor at Aquinas. Working side by side with his former mentor is “almost surreal,” said Serba. “Some of my friends fl ed to go to bigger cities,” said Serba. “But I like the fact that Grand Rapids has a close-knit community feel but it’s not just a small town...I don’t want to spend half my life sitting in traffi c.” There are movies to be watched. Says Serba, “The job itself is a perk, isn’t it?”

Hollywood Magic: John Serba ’96 Calls the ShotsBy Dan Treul, junior Student Contributor

Film critic John Serba ‘96

Alumni AssociationDid You Know?

Anyone with more than thirty credits from Aquinas is considered an alumna or alumnus. ALL alumni of Aquinas are part of the Alumni Association, only Alumni board members are elected. Unlike many schools, there is no charge to be a part of the Alumni Association, though there are several discounts and programs just for you… The Alumni Association Board supports the Aquinas Fund each year through funds generated from affi nity programs and events like the Aquinas College Peter M. Wege Pro-Am.

Imagine if every alum gave fi ve dollars to the Aquinas Fund for each year since graduation! We could truly make a difference in the percentage of giving.


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Reunions Loom LargeBy Sr. Alice Wittenbach. O.P. ’59, Reunion Coordinator

As summer draws to a muggy end and the mosquitoes are making their not so graceful exit, we have much to look forward to: crisp air, crunchy leaves, and of course, Homecoming! We hope you will Come Home to Aquinas. Perhaps Homecoming has become your family’s tradition or 2008 is your reunion year, or maybe you haven’t been back to campus since (gasp) graduation: all perfect reasons to make

Homecoming Preview October 3-5the trip to one of the most picturesque settings in Michigan, your alma mater’s campus. We have some new and exciting additions to this year’s Homecoming, including a Reggio Emilia-inspired Children’s Discovery Space, a Corn Hole Tournament sponsored by the Alumni Association, and live music from some AQ Alumni Bands, including The Weatherheads. See the Homecoming insert in the magazine for more details.

On October 3-5, Aquinas College will be home to the largest number of reunions we have ever planned at any one time. We will celebrate the threes and the eights this year, in particular l958-1959 (50th), 1963 (45th), 1968 (40th), 1973 (35th), 1978 (30th), 1983 (25th), 1988 (20th), 1993 (15th), 1998 (10th) and 2003 (5th). The Golden Saints will also celebrate their 50+ years since graduation from Aquinas. Several of these reunions have already formed committees of enthusiastic alumni who are putting together calling lists of invitation. We hope to reach as many alumni by phone as by letter, and we trust the attendance will be a tribute to these personal calls. “Why should I come?” Past reunions have been the place of connectedness for participants of all ages. They have provided the venue for roommates who hadn’t seen each other for 40 years and for alumni who haven’t been on campus since graduation and who have been inspired by the new buildings on campus. They have recognized the opportunity each new development has had on the teaching and learning and research tasks at AQ. You really need to come and see for yourselves how Aquinas continues “to make all the difference in the world” to our current and potential students.

Please read carefully the Homecoming brochure enclosed in this magazine, which describes activities for all alumni, and, in particular, provides times for specifi c reunion events. We hope it convinces you that Reunion weekend at Aquinas is, indeed, the place to be the fi rst weekend of October.


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Aquinas College welcomed more than 100 alumni to campus on March 18 for the annual Alumni Breakfast, held in support of the Aquinas Fund. “The Alumni Breakfast is always a fantastic way for local alumni to reconnect, enjoy each other’s company and see people they may not have seen in decades,” said Cecilia Cunningham, director of the Aquinas Fund. “And this event defi nitely fulfi lled that.” Held in the Wege Center Ballroom, the event drew 132 people and raised more than $19,000 for the Aquinas Fund, which supports student scholarships at the College. Cunningham described the event as “a defi nite success.” Each year, the College awards approximately $10 million in scholarship assistance to deserving students.

Alumni Breakfast 2008By Dan Treul, Student Contributor

(L-R) Alumni Director Brigid Avery ‘01, Cynthia Offutt ’03; Jeremy Wood ‘99, assistant director of Admissions; and Brian Chesla ‘83.

Alumni Breakfast Co-Chairs Dan Jablonski and Kyle Dutkiewicz ‘99

More than 100 Alumni turned out for the March 18 Breakfast

Board Chairman Pat Miles, Jr. ‘88


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The Honorable Clement Chiwaya, MP, and AQ honorary degree recipient, returned to Grand Rapids in June. It was in September 1998, Clement arrived in Grand Rapids seeking a college education to help people with disabilities, like himself, in his native Malawi. Clement returned to express his gratitude to the people of West Michigan, and beyond who have helped him realize his dreams. This ten-year anniversary was a signifi cant milestone as he refl ected on the unlikely successes and accomplishments over the past decade. Recognizing the hand of God in all of this, Clement asked Bishop Robert Rose and Monsignor Terry Stewart to celebrate a Mass of thanksgiving at Aquinas College. Bishop Rose and Monsignor Stewart have been supportive of Clement’s journey from the very beginning. They have been important fi gures in the faith and hope that carried him through diffi cult times. When Clement returned to AQ to receive an honorary degree in May 06, he shared his dream with others and secured funding for an important project. Thanks to the generosity of the David and Michelle Bottrall family and Peter Wege, the Leslie Tassell Learning Center has been constructed. The Center, which opened in January, consists of four buildings. With four large classrooms, a recreation/gathering hall which seats 150 people and an administration building. The facility is rented out in the mornings to a secondary school. This provides the necessary income to maintain the complex. The school provides an opportunity for students who could not attend high school to do so locally. Places are reserved for 10 students from each grade level, and Clement can assign the reserved spots to the most vulnerable students at no charge. A number of workshops have already been conducted on energy conservation, AIDS prevention, sustainable agriculture and proper nutrition. Afternoon and weekend training is provided for villagers to learn skilled crafts. There are plans to introduce training in computers, accounting and secretarial courses. Many have already been empowered and are living better lives as a result of these initiatives.

Clement Chiwaya ’02 Expresses GratitudeBy Sandy Rademaker, Contributing Writer

Clement Chiwaya, his wife, Faith, and their daughter, Sandra, arrive at Gerald R. Ford International Airport June 13 for a brief U.S. visit.

Leslie Tassel Learning Center in Malawi A matching grant from Mr. Wege has enabled Warm Hearts Foundation to install 189 water wells in 89 villages, which has increased productivity and improved the health of all. The Elk Rapids Rotary Club has provided a satellite system which has connected the Learning Center to the Internet, allowing students and villagers alike access to the world at large. Without the support from friends of Aquinas and the greater Grand Rapids community, this would not have been possible. For more information about Clement’s work, visit malawiconnection.org.


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Homecoming Weekend (October 3-5) promises an exciting line-up of events, activities and traditions. As in years past, the Alumni Association will be selling the world famous (at least in the AQ world) “Nelson Dogs.” This year, be part of a new Aquinas tradition by participating in the First Annual Alumni Association Corn Hole Tournament! You may know it as bean bag toss, soft horse-shoe, or baggo; but Corn Hole is a fun activity for the whole family. It is an easy game no matter your athletic capability. It’s as simple as throwing a bean bag (or corn bag, rather) through a hole in a platform. More thrilling than enjoying an outdoor diversion with your family and old classmates are the prizes you could win! All registered participants will be entered to win a gift certifi cate from Saints-Travel.com, an affi nity-program partner of the Aquinas College Alumni Association. Benefi ts of this event will go toward the Alumni Association, which is always working to continue the good work of our Aquinas alumni in the community and across the globe through programs, events, and scholarships. The Corn Hole Tournament is scheduled for the Saturday of Homecoming Weekend. Registration will be from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m., and the tournament will be held at 4:00 pm near the main stage tent. If you would like to volunteer in the main stage or food tent or with the tournament, please email [email protected] and write VOLUNTEER in the subject line. See you there!

First Annual Corn Hole Tournament At HomecomingBy Emily Ferstle, Student Contributor

(PICTURE: Created by Emily Ferstle)

(Photo courtesy of Wikipedia)


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This year’s Hall of Fame Gala will be held on Friday, October 3. We would like to congratulate this year’s Alumni Award Honorees:

José Narezo ’75Distinguished Service Award José Narezo earned a B.A. from Aquinas College in 1975 and an MFA from Michigan State University. He is a prominently recognized artist in the greater Grand Rapids area for his paintings, murals and mosaics. He teaches art

at Grand Rapids Central High School and lectures on art and Mexican culture at the Grand Rapids Art Museum. His results of his extraordinary talents are currently on display throughout Grand Rapids and West Michigan and in a permanent exhibit at the Van Andel Public Museum. José sits on the city of Grand Rapids Arts Advisory Committee and donates his art to a number of charities. The Aquinas family is proud to call José Narezo an alumnus and recognize him for all his community work.

Ed Wagner ’61Outstanding Alumnus Award Ed Wagner graduated with a B.A. from Aquinas College in 1961 and has been active in the Grand Rapids Catholic community ever since. Following Aquinas, he

joined neighboring St. Thomas Catholic School as the fi rst male teacher as well as coach and athletic director. Later, he enjoyed a long and distinguished career at West Catholic High School from 1962 until his retirement in 1991, serving as a government, history, religion and physical education teacher. He

Hall of Fame Gala: Alumni Awards

was the assistant principal three years before being named as the school’s fi rst lay principal in 1979. He amassed a legion of accomplishments during his 13 years in that post. Following retirement, he joined Grand Rapids Community College as an executive assistant to the president until his retirement in 2002. Ed has served and continues to serve on many local community boards including many Catholic organizations. Ed is an icon in the Grand Rapids Catholic community and a wonderful example of an Outstanding Aquinas Alumnus.

Damon Bouwkamp ’00 Alumni BoardMember of the Year Damon Bouwkamp graduated from Aquinas with a B.S. in business administration/sports management. Following

graduation, he worked as an Admissions Representative for the College. He left for an opportunity as a communications coordinator at Major League Soccer’s headquarters in New York City, but returned to Aquinas in 2003 to become the Sports Information director. He has since rejoined the Admissions Offi ce where he is currently the assistant director of Admissions. He is an integral member of the integrated enrollment plan, co-chairs the College Fair at Aquinas and chairs the Admissions Committee of the Alumni Association Board. Additionally, Bouwkamp volunteers for several alumni board events, including the Aquinas College Peter M. Wege Pro-Am. As a 1999 alumnus of the Ireland Study Abroad program, he now chairs the Ireland Alumni Committee and coordinates the annual Ireland Alumni Reunion.


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Pictured (L-R) are (partially hidden), Shelley Keller Wheeler ’81 , Susan Simon Rood ’81, Sister Alice Wittenbach ’59, Mary Dynes ’84, Nancy and John Carr ’74 and Kay Wood May ’77 (back to camera). Others who attended included Sarah Carter ’02 and Matt Conklin, parents Deb and Phil Carter, Rob Romano ’93, Trista Mausolf ’06, David Remington ’87, Spencer Carr ’05, Lars ’03 and Liz Petzke and their son.

Southwest Michigan Alumni around Southwest Michigan gathered on February 29, at Santaniellos Restaurant in Benton Harbor, Eighteen alumni and AQ supporters came together to meet our new alumni director, Brigid Avery ’01, and our new Vice President for Advancement, Greg MacAleenan. There are 125 alumni in the South Bend, St. Joseph, Niles, Cassopolis, Granger area. The evening provided time, in a casual atmosphere, for reconnecting with friends, sharing memories of Aquinas, providing updates on current activities at the College and enjoying the fi nest pizza in southwestern Michigan.

Alumni Receptions Reach Far and WideBy Brigid Avery ’01, and Sr. Alice Wittenbach, O.P., ’59

Detroit An event for Detroit area alumni was held on May 30 at the Detroit Institute of Arts. Jane ’53 and Raymond Cracchiolo generously hosted this refreshing and unique event. Alumni heard updates and news from President Balog; Marnika Brown, director of Diversity Initiatives; and Brigid Avery ’01 director of Alumni Relations. Guests ranged from prospective and incoming students, to 2007 graduates, to members of the class of 1949. After an evening of delicious treats, guests were treated to a private docent tour, including an in-depth look at the Cracchiolo Gallery, which houses the only paintings of Renaissance artist Caravaggio in the Midwest. We hope to visit the Detroit area twice a year. If we missed you this time, please join us in the fall!

The Alumni offi ce, in its continuing outreach to alumni in its “outer fringe,” has once again invited alumni to participate in several regional receptions.

Frank ’76 and Rosie ’75 Conklin with Sister Marie Rachel Guevara ’66 and Sister Orlando Leyha ;67

Sr. Aquinas Weber, O.P., ’58 and Tracy Coleman ’95


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Houston On Friday, March 28, six alumni from the Houston area met at Pizza Star. Next year, we have been invited to the home of Dave and Judy Tisch, who live in Spring, Texas, a more central location. We will try to set the date far enough ahead of time so alumni can put this event on their calendars. If any of you would be interested in forming a Houston alumni club, Melissa May would be pleased to try to set something up to get such an organization started. Contact Sr. Alice Wittenbach, O.P., ’59 at (616) 632-2453.

Dominic D’ercole, ’89 andDan Pupel Jr., ’84

Guests mingle with the Empire State Building as the backdrop.

Pictured (L-R) are Karen Dempsey ’93; Sister Alice, Tom Fox ’87; Judy Richard Tisch ’62; David Tisch ’62 and Melissa May ’05.

New York Teachers, fi nancial analysts, graphic designers, editors, actors, counselors, doctors and lawyers represented Aquinas College Alumni at the third annual reception in New York City. We were hosted by N. Patrick Hennessey ’71 at his Manhattan apartment on June 13. New attendees, as well as several who had attended previous celebrations, came from New York, New Jersey and Connecticut. The young (2007) and older (1974) alumni joined Sr. Alice Wittenbach ’59, Ellen Harburn ’01 and Brigid Avery ’01 from the alumni department for an evening of shared memories, new connections and conversations regarding the ways in which AQ has been important to their lives. We hope even more alumni and friends will join us next near for our fourth New York City reception, which continues the development of an important tradition.

These reunions are truly great moment in life and the Alumni department appreciates the attendance and the enthusiastic participation.


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Aquinas College Welcomes Another Record Freshmen Class

For the fourth consecutive year, Aquinas College is ready to welcome a record number of freshmen students to campus for the start of the new academic year. The 525 members of the Class of 2012 represent 10 states, more than 40 legacy students (one or both parents graduated from Aquinas) and include more than 50 students in the Aquinas/University of Detroit Mercy nursing program. Combined they have an approximate 3.4 grade point average and 23 ACT composite, identical to the qualifi cations of the past fi ve freshmen classes. This year’s record number of freshmen surpassed the previous record set last year with a class of 440. Also, the addition of more than 75 transfer students brought the College’s total new student enrollment to more than 580. The growth of new students is attributable to increased marketing efforts, facility enhancements (including the new Grace Hauenstein Library and the newly renovated second fl oor of the Academic Building), and an increasing interest in Aquinas’ strong academic programs. Aquinas has many great programs in areas such as education, business and the social sciences. However, given the multi-billion dollar expansion in the medical and science facilities in Grand Rapids, it is encouraging to see that science and health areas still lead the way in terms of interest from incoming students. And, certainly the Science Initiative undertaken at the College, which to date has collected more than $625,000 in contributions for science equipment and over $3.6 million in endowments for research and scholarships, will only serve to strengthen our commitment to prepare students for these jobs in our community. With this fourth record freshman class, Aquinas’ total enrollment, encompassing both its undergraduate and graduate programs, exceeds 2,300 students. To accommodate enrollment growth and the desire for students to live on campus, the College was set to open a new 64-student apartment complex in August.

By Tom Mikowski ’89, Dean of Admissions


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To connect with today’s teens, the admissions offi ce must continually implement new recruitment tools. From texting and instant messaging, to virtual campus tours, prospective students receive information from all sorts of tech-savvy channels. While it is crucial to keep up with the times, one strategy remains timeless. Good old-fashioned word of mouth has been bringing students to Aquinas College since 1886. As an AQ grad, you can be part of this effective strategy by joining Alumni Volunteers, Formerly known as Saints Network. It is a group of alumni who are willing to share their AQ story and spread the word about AQ to prospective students. Alumni Volunteers is a fantastic way for AQ alumni to stay involved with the College. If you are not already a member, now is the time to come on board. By sharing your collegiate experiences and professional successes with prospective students, you will illustrate the benefi ts of the AQ experience. To learn more check out our Web site at http://www.aquinas.edu/Volunteers.

Junior Nights…a Successful Admissions OutreachBy Dana Samotis Bensinger ’99, Associate Admissions Director

In addition, the admissions offi ce is in the process of collecting stories of alumni to be placed on the site. Often in the admissions process, prospective students and their parents ask questions such as, “What do Aquinas graduates with a major in music do?” or, “Does anyone from Louisiana have a connection with Aquinas?” Prospective students will be able to search for alumni by major or geographic region and learn about the amazing endeavors AQ alumni are involved in. Your story could make all the difference in the world! Register to be a member of Alumni Volunteers at https://secure.aquinas.edu/saintsnetwork/form/register.html. As a thank you for submitting your story, we will send you an AQ T-shirt. (Wear it and have another easy way to spread the word!) If you have any questions, please contact Dana Samotis-Bensinger ’99 at [email protected] or (616) 632-2861.

First Semester

Second Semester

AQ DAYS 2008 - 2009

Thursday August 28, 2008 Club AQFriday August 29, 2008 General AQ DayFriday November 7, 2008 General AQ DayFriday November 14, 2008 Science/Nursing/Math AQ DayFriday November 21, 2008 General AQ DayFriday December 5, 2008 Leadership AQ Day

Sun.-Mon. January 18-19, 2009 Club AQSaturday February 7, 2009 Athletic AQ Day Fri.-Sat. February 20-21, 2009 Club AQSaturday February 21, 2009 Spectrum Scholarship CompetitionFriday March 20, 2009 Fine Arts DaySun.-Mon. March 22-23, 2009 Club AQFriday April 17, 2009 AQ DaySun.-Mon. April 19-20, 2009 Club AQ


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Held on May 13 in honor of community leaders Dan and Eunice Pfeiffer, this year’s Aquinas Emeritus Evening shined once again as one of the premier events on campus: an evening of gourmet cuisine, candlelit elegance and heartfelt friendship. Dan Pfeiffer – perhaps known most widely in the community as a successful car dealer – and his wife, Eunice, were recognized by the Aquinas Emeritus College for, among other things, their “generosity of spirit” in making West Michigan a better place for all. “The theme is integrity and community commitment,” said President Ed Balog in bestowing the award. “What we see here is an example of generosity and spirit.” He noted that the College is delighted to grant the annual award, whose former recipients include Peter Wege, Peter and Pat Cook, Norbert Hruby, and the late President Gerald R. Ford. “I do want to just say one thing about giving,” said

Aquinas Emeritus Evening honors Dan and Eunice PfeifferBy Dan Treul, junior Student Contributor

Dan Pfeiffer in accepting the award. “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” The Pfeiffers are prominent philanthropists, having donated crucial resources to such causes as the fi ght against cancer and, recently, Faith Hospice in Byron Center. And it was Eunice Pfeiffer who was instrumental in bringing the vision for a world-class conservatory and gardens to life in West Michigan. “For every successful man, there is a remarkable woman,” said her husband. The elegant affair was attended by more than 200 of College supporters, community leaders, friends and family of the Pfeiffers. Dan Pfeiffer sold his fi rst car 59 years ago. Yet in all that time, he and his wife have “not forgotten their roots,” said friend Bill VanDyk. Before their success, they were running “a humble small business that started out with nothing,” said longtime friend John Russo.

As former Emeritus College Director Rabbi Al Lewis said in giving the benediction, “Dan and Eunice Pfeiffer have dared to dream.”

Dan and Eunice Pfeiffer are congratulated by Dr. Balog.


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new downtown developments, the region’s most distinguished breweries and famous

local landmarks that played a role in the underground railroad. The Bernard Osher Foundation, headquartered in San Francisco, was founded in 1977 by Bernard Osher, a respected businessman and community leader. The Foundation seeks to improve quality of life through

support for higher education and the arts. Because of a grant of $100,000 we

received earlier this year, we are now part of a growing network of OLLIs operating on the

campuses of 119 institutions of higher education from Maine to Hawaii. Look for our new name and logo in our fall catalog. Find out more about OLLI at http://usm.maine.edu/olli/national/.

The staff and volunteers at the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) at Aquinas College, formerly the Aquinas Emeritus College, are preparing for an exciting rollout of our expanded course offerings and services this fall. This includes a membership drive-our goal is 500 members in the fi rst year. For a nominal fee, members will receive special class offerings and lectures for free, as well as course discounts on regular classes. What will not change is our attention to intellectually stimulating courses for older learners. We are now scheduling fall classes around the election, the God quest in the fi lm art of Woody Allen, modern art, the Civil War and Russian history, among others. Classes off-site will include the Gerald R. Ford Museum and the Van Andel Research Institute. We have plans for bus tours to view the

Emeritus College Changes IdentityBy Sue Stauffacher, Director of OLLI


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Stars for Scholars a Huge HitBy Cindy Dorman, Contributing Writer

“There is greatness in you. There is greatness in all of us.” With those words, Henry Winkler, speaking to a crowd of about 250 people at Aquinas College’s inaugural Stars for Scholars event in the Performing Arts Center, sought to give hope to parents and their children with learning disabilities. During the free afternoon program, Winkler spoke of his own struggle growing up with dyslexia and how he was able to overcome his learning disability to become the successful and well-known entertainer he is today. Following his talk, the actor-turned-children’s-book-author (the Hank Zipzer series) made a point to greet every child personally who wanted to meet him.

Speaking at the Stars for Scholars dinner later that evening, Winkler captivated attendees with his own story. Capping off the evening, President Ed Balog announced the establishment of a scholarship named for Winkler, who was delighted and honored to have his very fi rst scholarship named by Aquinas College. Stars for Scholars was a great success, raising nearly $80,000 for Aquinas Fund scholarships.

Nanette Clatterbuck, dean of the School of Education, Henry Winkler and President Ed Balog


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An annual scholarship award was established by the Bishop Kevin Britt Council of the Knights of Columbus in memory of Annette Walters Blaschka to provide fi nancial support for students pursuing a career in nursing through the Aquinas College/University of Detroit-Mercy (UDM) nursing program. Annette worked as a nurse at St. Mary’s Hospital, Metropolitan Hospital and the new Metro Health Hospital until she was forced to retire at the age of 45 by a second bout with cancer in 2003. She passed away in March 2005. The Aquinas Nursing program is operated in cooperation with Saint Mary’s Health Care and the University of Detroit Mercy.

In fall 2007, Gary Konow, Ph.D., Emeritus Professor of Theatre, established an endowed scholarship for theater and music students at Aquinas College named for his mother, Dorothy M. Konow. The scholarship will be awarded to students who are outstanding artists pursuing a major in music (voice) or theater. To commemorate the new scholarship fund, a special kick-off donor-alumni reception was held on February 24, immediately following the Black Box Theatre performance of The Misanthrope.

Dr. Gary Konow spoke to those gathered for the kick-off of the scholarship named in his mother’s honor.

A group of faculty and staff members attended the scholarship kick-off, including Barbara Witham McCargar, Gary Eberle, Sr. Rosemary O'Donnell, Penny Avery, Ingrid Konow, Sr. Jean Milhaupt, (Front) Gary Konow, Kristina Konow Willyard, Sr. Diane Dehn, Sr. Catherine Williams and David Weinandy.

Scholarships Annette Walters Blaschka Scholarship for Nursing Students

The Dorothy M. Konow Memorial Theatre and Vocal and Music Scholarship

Annette Walters Blaschka A tt W llt

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2009 Florida Reception Following the success of this year’s Florida gatherings in Palm Beach and Naples, Aquinas College is pleased to announce the 2009 Florida reception, to be hosted in Naples in early February by Lt. Gen. John Nowak (Ret.) ’63 and his wife, Maureen. An evening of gourmet food, exquisite wines and great company, the reception will offer Aquinas alumni and special friends the chance to celebrate in style. The event will support student scholarships by raising money for the Aquinas Fund. For more information on this annual event, contact Cecilia Cunningham, director of the Aquinas Fund, at (616) 632-2816.

Bill and Karen Palmore (L) with Maureen and John Nowak


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Mohler Scholarship ReceptionBy Cindy Dorman, Contributing Staff Writer

Through a recent bequest, the Mohler family established two scholarships at Aquinas College: the Audrey E. Mohler Scholarship for Aquinas College music students, with preference

given to music majors with an emphasis in piano education or performance, and the Marguerite and Dennison Mohler Scholarship for students in math or science. The fi rst annual

Mohler Scholarship Reception was held in the Holmdene lobby on April 16 and featured Charles “Chad” Bassett, who gave a presentation on Mohler family memories. The two scholarship

funds awarded a total of 50 students with scholarships. For more information about privately funded scholarships, contact Marjorie Kindel at (616) 632-2921.

Mohler Summer Research Scholars

• Kevin Coalter• Jamie Fink • Shannon Henderson• Audrey Sanders

• Callie Angsten• Katie Bomer• Danielle Brower• Elizabeth Christian• Nicholas Cooper• Sarah Draheim• Antonio Fligger• Allyson Gaietto• Brendan Hieshetter• Jillian Jackson

Audrey E. Mohler Music Scholars

• Scott Kirchner• Phillip Konczyk• Mary Lothschutz• Emily Rushmore• Angela Shaw• Adam Taylor• Lisa Townsend• James Trares• Kathy Wagner• Rachel Wojcik

• Kaila Crisler• Lauren Cromley• Stephanie DeFouw• Keith Fuleki• Krysta Goslin• Lianne Griffi ths• Catherine Gubert• Lyle Henning• Aurele Henning• Vinh Ho• Joseph Kelly• Jane Kraemer• Elizabeth Lang

Marguerite and Dennison Mohler Science and Math Scholars

• Carolyn Lovelace• Christopher Madziar• Rebecca Mudri• Kimani Nakamura• Catherine Newman• Patrick Nolan• Bernadette Poirier• Sara Prangley• Aaron Rogers• Renee Scholma• Molly Soper• Ashlee Tanis• Randi Van Ocker

Sr. Ann Mason, O.P., ’74, associate professor of mathematics, chats with Chad Bassett during the Mohler Scholarship Reception.


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In a recent conversation with me, Rosemary Cary-Garthwaite ’66 remarked, “Giving to Aquinas College comes out of my deep sense of gratitude for the gifts God has given me – this is true stewardship at its heart. It was such a great experience going to Aquinas; I truly enjoy giving back.” It is this sense of gratitude that moves alumni to give year after year to the Aquinas Fund. For many of them, their gratitude stems from having received support themselves as they pursued their college degrees. At the heart of the Aquinas Fund is the focus on students and scholarships. The Aquinas Fund often helps to make the possibility of a college education within fi nancial reach.

“Growing up in Vietnam, some of my earliest memories were those of disabled people painfully abandoned on the streets. With a passionate love for biology and an intense desire to help others, I promised myself that I would study to the best of my ability in order to become a doctor. When I attended Aquinas College, I knew that I was one step closer to my dream.” - Vinh Ho ’08, biology major

With the support of all of our donors – alumni, community leaders, corporate partners and individuals – we reached over $ 1.615 million. Nearly 90 percent of Aquinas students receive scholarship assistance and

The 2008 Refl ection Award and Dinner will honor Charles and Stella Royce on Thursday, September 4. The Refl ection Award is one of the highest honors the College bestows and is given to those who exemplify the Aquinas values of integrity, service, loyalty, vision and commitment. Through a lifetime of service, the Royces have demonstrated each of these qualities again and again. Proceeds from the Refl ection Award event will benefi t the Aquinas Fund for student scholarships. Tickets are still available. For sponsorship and ticket information contact Ellen Harburn, (616) 632-2805 or email [email protected].

this represents an investment in the future. A heartfelt thank you to all who have supported the Aquinas Fund this year! During the 2008-2009 fi scal year we hope to attract more than 3400 Alumni donors to increase Aquinas’ participation rate to 25 percent. Each gift from Alumni members makes a difference. This year, because of the wonderful response by alumni and parents, the Wege Foundation is again offering a $250,000 challenge which will match all new gifts or the increase of gifts dollar for dollar. We celebrate the following classes who achieved “top honors” for reaching the highest participation level for their decade:

• 1937 50% participation








Aquinas Fund: A Wellspring of GratitudeBy Cecilia Cunningham, Director of the Aquinas Fund

15th Annual Refl ection Award Honoring Charles and Stella Royce


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Aquinas College Peter M. Wege Pro-Am Golf Invitational a Great Success Blue skies, great golf and wonderful camaraderie – It is no wonder participants were all smiles at the inaugural Aquinas College Peter M. Wege Pro-Am held on May 19 at Blythefi eld Country Club. Thirty-two pros turned out to compete alongside amateur golfers in this exciting, new event that has attracted attention across the Midwest.

The golf invitational, a collaboration between the Aquinas Fund and the Aquinas College Alumni Association, was established to raise funds for scholarships through the Aquinas Fund. The sponsorships, live auction and raffl e, contributed to raising $119,000, a remarkable feat for a fi rst-year event! After a full day of golf,

participants enjoyed a celebratory dinner, where President Ed Balog paid tribute to Peter Wege and his longtime commitment to Aquinas College. “Peter has touched the lives of everyone in this room.” Balog said. “His persistent, committed efforts for the preservation of resources and the protection of the environment have made

their way into the daily lives of people from West Michigan to Costa Rica.” “I am personally very privileged to know someone who has lived his life in a way that has always recognized the importance of both our stewardship of the world around us and the importance of the human community that inhabits that world,” Balog added.


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1.) Peter M. Wege is all smiles at the tribute dinner.

2.) Sr. Mary Aquinas Weber ’58 offering the “Golfer’s prayer.”

3.) Greg McAleenan, vice president of Advancement; Trustee Lt. Gen. John Nowak ’63; President Ed Balog; Trustee Karen Palmore ’89; and Cecilia Cunningham, director of the Aquinas Fund

4.) Blue skies and bright smiles were par for the course.

5.) Peter Wege; Terri McCarthy, Wege Foundation; Susan Lovell; Ray Lovell; Brandie Perry; Wege Foundation; Blythefi eld Country Club Director of Golf; Patti Butcher; and Trustee Ellen Satterlee, Wege Foundation.


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Known as one of the College’s fi nest events, this year’s Evening of Elegance proved no exception – a night of exquisite Italian cuisine, superb wine and great friends. Hosted by former Aquinas trustee Marge Byington and her husband, Paul Potter, at the couple’s Italian-style villa on tranquil Middleboro Lake in East Grand Rapids, the event was an overwhelming success, raising nearly $86,000 for the Aquinas Fund. “Each year people ask, ‘how are you going to top this?’ And each year through the generosity of our hosts and strong sponsorship support, it is always a night to remember,” stated Cecilia Cunningham, director of the Aquinas Fund. The event was blessed by magnifi cent, summer weather, and most enjoyed the evening on the spacious outdoor patio overlooking the water. “We’re delighted with the weather,” said President Ed Balog. “It pays to work with a good organization like the Dominicans – the weather is always reliable,” he said with a smile. More than 200 guests spent the evening enjoying food, fun and fellowship with some of the community’s strongest supporters of the College. Although they came from a range of backgrounds, the attendees were united in their desire to see Aquinas continue to grow. “I’m really feeling positive,” said Marilyn Drake ’81 Aquinas trustee. “I’m very pleased with how Aquinas is advancing.” Former Board Chair Pat Miles ’88 agreed. “We’ve had a phenomenal year,” he said, “and are well-positioned for future growth. The Aquinas Fund is still very strong, and we’re still working hard on the endowment.” That optimism was echoed by President Balog. “We’re very happy,” he said. “There’s a lot of interest and a lot of excitement in the College right now.” The event’s highlight came with a moving speech by senior Benjamin Richardson, who spoke of what Aquinas – and the support of those gathered – meant to him. “I will forever be grateful for the blessings of Aquinas College,” said Richardson, captain of the soccer team and recently named an Academic All-American. “It’s because of your support that makes all of you our Saints.”

Evening of Elegance Offers a Taste of ItalyBy Dan Treul, junior, Student Contributor

Evening of Elegance hosts Paul Potter and Marge Byington listen during evening remarks by President Ed Balog.

Paul Potter and former AQ Trustee Marge Byington, hosts of Evening of Elegance, address the guests who attended this year’s event.

The home of former AQ Trustee Marge Byington was the site of this year’s Evening of Elegance event.Photos provided by Arlen Smith


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Corporate Partners Program: How to Effectively Communicate Your Company’s Core Message At the Aquinas College Corporate Partners executive luncheon on May 22, participants were presented with strategies for determining the real value their companies offer and how to communicate their core messages in the most effective way by David Fideler, developer of the Core Message Analysis

process. Fideler has more than 20 years of experience working in marketing communications. A marketing consultant, copywriter and the principal of Concord Communications and Design, David works with businesses across the United States.


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The Corporate Partners Network is a program designed to provide business enhancement opportunities to our corporate friends while stimulating involvement with Aquinas College. By becoming an Aquinas College corporate partner, a business receives marketing exposure through Aquinas College publications and selected events, access to Aquinas College facilities, discounted admission to athletic events and Circle Theatre performances, diplomat-level corporate membership to World Affairs Council events and invitations to special programs, including the President’s Dinner, Corporate Partners Networking Luncheons and school-sponsored receptions. One hundred percent of membership contributions from Corporate Partners support Aquinas College student scholarships. For more information about the Corporate Partners Network and how to join, call Ali Erhan, director of Corporate Relations, at (616) 632-2819.

President’s CircleHuntington BankTDS Metrocom

Executive PartnerArmock MechanicalBissell Inc.Central InterconnectComerica BankD&D PrintingFifth Third BankGill IndustriesGlobal Forex TradingHoward Miller Israels DesignLacks EnterprisesMorgan StanleyNETech CorporationPeter Albertini Real Estate Ritsema AssociatesUniversal Forest ProductsVan Dyken MechanicalVarnum Riddering Williams GroupWolverine World Wide

PartnerADAC AutomotiveAllied ElectricBuist ElectricCentennial SecuritiesChemical BankFeyen-Zylstra Electric GE AvianicsGrand Rapids PlasticsKent ManufacturingLeon Plastics Inc.Mercantile BankMonarch HydraulicsNational CityPearson Foods CorpPepsi Bottling GroupRehmann RobsonSecuralarm SystemsService ExpressSpartan StoresSwift PrintingVi-Chem Corp

2/90 Sign Systems Inc.X-Rite Associate PartnerAccident FundAON ConsultingAXA AdvisorsBartlett Tree ExpertsBlack Monument Bradford CompanyByron BankCharlevoix EnergyClipper Belt Co. Cole’s Quality FoodsCreative DiningCrystal Flash EnergyD. Schuler’s WineEikenhout IncFounders Trust BankForest Hill FoodsGR Label CompanyGrandville PrintingGYMCO SportsGWI EngineeringHighland Chrysler PlymouthHurst IndustriesInfotech Imaging Products Inc.Kay Pharmacy Kamminga & Roodvoets Inc.Kent BeverageKeystone PharmacyLanguages InternationalLaser’s ResourceLegacy TrustMartha’s Vineyard Marsh/MercerMicron Technology Modern Roofi ng Inc.Northern Trust BankNorthfi eld LanesPrangley & MarksPridgeon & ClayPriority HealthProcter & GamblePrudential FinancialRegal Limousine

2007-2008 Corporate PartnersRiver City MechanicalRogers PrintingS.A. Morman Inc.Shred Docs, LLCSterling ProtocolStokes & StockingSun Stone HotelsSuperior AsphaltTerryberry Company

TH PlasticsTony Betten FordTransmaticWells Fargo BankWest Side Beer Windemuller Electric Wolverine Coil SpringWolverine Printing

Corporate Partners Network


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The Aquinas College Saints regained the top spot in this year’s WHAC All-Sports Trophy. This marks the ninth time in the last 11 years that Aquinas has fi nished in the fi rst position. The Saints claimed championships in men’s cross country, men’s basketball, women’s soccer and women’s golf to propel them to the highest honor in WHAC Athletics.Final Standings:

1) Aquinas College 40 points2) Madonna University 38.5 points3) Cornerstone University 35.5 points4) Indiana Tech 31.5 points5) Siena Heights University 27.5 points5) Davenport University 27.5 points7) Concordia University 19.5 points8) University of Michigan-Dearborn 12.5 points

Aquinas College defeated Siena Heights University 17-7 this year in the ongoing “Saints Cup” competition. It is the fi fth year AQ has taken home the coveted trophy. The “Saints Cup” is named in honor of the late Aquinas College Chaplain Father Charles Santoro, who passed away on August 3, 2004. Father Charles Santoro was a sports enthusiast and a vocal supporter at Aquinas College athletic events. He was proud of the rich Dominican Catholic tradition that Aquinas College and Siena Heights University share and he took special interest whenever the two schools competed. Since both schools are nicknamed the “Saints,” a cup in his memory is presented at the end of every school year to the school that accumulates the most points throughout the year.

Saints Capture Ninth WHAC All-Sports Trophy

Senior Awards...

AQ Captures Fifth Saints Cup

The Joseph Baker and Sr. Helen Louise Brogger Awards are given annually to a male and female senior student athlete who meets the three requirements established by the alumni board. These requirements are academic strength, service to others and athletic involvement and success. This year’s recipients are exemplary in meeting these requirements.

SR. HELEN LOUISE BROGGER AWARD– Amanda Strouse

Amanda is a senior from Williamston, Michigan.Strouse has received four All-American honors in track and one in cross country. Amanda has also achieved Academic All-American status two times each in both cross country and track. Last fall

Strouse was named the WHAC and Regional Cross Country Runner of the Year. Academically, she has maintained a 3.98 GPA while studying Spanish and elementary education. Amanda has been involved in a number of extracurricular activities such as being a student ambassador for three years and working in bilingual programs in local elementary schools.

JOSEPH BAKER AWARD– Jeff Wierzbicki (Top)– Todd Peters (Bottom)

Jeff was a four-year letter winner at Aquinas in basketball, captaining the squad the past two years. Wierzbicki was the backbone of two WHAC championship teams who made appearances at the NAIA national tournament. This

year’s squad also won the Grands Rapids Sports Hall of Fame (GRSHOF) tournament for the fi rst time, defeating Hope and Calvin on consecutive nights. Wierzbicki was an outstanding competitor and an outstanding representative of the College, and held a 3.45 GPA in elementary education and language arts. He has worked numerous camps, been a math tutor in the Grand Rapids Public Schools system, and a member of the Student Athlete Advisory Board. Peters was a graduate of West Catholic High School and was a four-year letter winner on the Saints baseball team. He was a member of the team that

made school history by playing in the NAIA world series. Peters has held a 3.5 GPA while majoring in business/communications and minoring in marketing. Todd is a two-time Academic All-American as well as a member of the local Youth Mentor/Big Brother Program. Peters has also been a three-year member of the Student Athletic Advisory Board.


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Aquinas entered the national tournament in Sioux City, Iowa, with a matchup against Benedictine. Benedictine proved to be too much for the Saints, as they were defeated 79-57. Senior Claire Hogan (Lansing) was awarded fi rst team All WHAC, as well as Academic All WHAC. Senior Alicia McCarthy (Grand Rapids) and junior Carrie Abdo (Romulus) were awarded Academic All WHAC.

Men’s Tennis The 2008 Men’s Tennis team had another impressive season, boasting a 21-3 record and a trip to the NAIA National Championships in Mobile, Alabama. After sweeping through the regional championships, Aquinas fi nished with a loss and an impressive victory over Sioux Falls of 8-1. Senior Patrick Bruining recently concluded his career

at Aquinas as the all-time “winningest” player in Saints history. Patrick notched an overall record of 211-34 for his career. After two straight second team All-American honors, Patrick was named tp the NAIA First Team All-American Squad.

Men’s and Women’s Track After a three year break from the WHAC Outdoor Track Championships -- the rivalries and intensity of this championship were

still apparent at Houseman Field as Aquinas College took home the men’s and women’s team titles. The Saints won the men’s championship by 45 points over Siena Heights and the Aquinas women defeated

Men’s Sports...

Softball The Saints softball team returned home from their Arizona spring trip with a 9-3 record, playing some of the most talented teams in the nation and proving that hard work and the determination to succeed was paying off. First year head coach Crystal Laska did not miss a beat from the team’s past successors, with a record of 31-14 (17-7

WHAC). Aquinas made it to the regional tournament in Mishawaka, Indiana, where the season ended. The softball team’s season was highlighted with a streak of winning 14 of 16 games to fi nish off the regular season. Aquinas was proud to have the WHAC Softball Player of the Year in outfi elder Ashley Aspinall (Middleville). (Aspinall was also awarded All Region as well as WHAC Academic All Conference.) Junior fi rst base Courtney Miles (Grand Rapids) received WHAC First Team All Conference and All Region. Sophomore infi elder Marnie Spitzley (Lansing) was also voted to the WHAC all Conference First Team. The Saints added two more athletes to the WHAC Academic All Conference and NAIA Academic All-Americans, junior outfi elder Kristi Labinski (Grand Rapids) and junior pitcher Mallory Schrauben (Portland).

Women’s Basketball The Saints posted a 25-8 record with a 9-5 WHAC record on their way to their second trip to the NAIA Nationals in the past three years. The post-season excitement started when Aquinas was ranked third seed in the WHAC tournament. With the help of a top seed loss, Aquinas found themselves

hosting the tournament championship game. Defeating Madonna 84-79, the win and a seven-game winning streak catapulted the Saints into the national tournament.

Spring Sports Wrap...Women’s Sports…

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out the regular season with a 20-29 record. The Saints high point during the regular season was scoring 38 runs in a four-game series with Indiana Tech, where they took 3 of 4. Senior pitcher Michael “Bud” Giddings (Muskegon) and catcher Drew Oosterhouse (Grandville) were named to the WHAC fi rst team. Joining the two seniors was junior designated hitter Corey Gross (Mount Pleasant). Aquinas added eight to the WHAC Academic All Conference: Bud Giddings, Chris Atkin (Beal City), Will Eberle (East Grand Rapids), Earl Clover (Grand Haven), Dan Salvati (Morley), Brandon Marrs (Cedar Springs) and Kevin Scholten (Wyoming). Academic All Conference Senior Todd Peters (Grand Rapids) also was awarded with the Champion of Character. Marrs, Peters, Salvati and Scholten also were later named Academic All-

Americans by the National Offi ce

Men’s Basketball The 2007-2008 season marked the third consecutive season that the men’s basketball team made a trip to Point Lookout, Missouri for the Division II NAIA National Championships. The Saints highlighted their regular season with a WHAC conference championship. Aquinas never lost a regular season home game, which proved how hard

it is for visitors to win at the Aquinas College Field House. Over the past four years Aquinas boasts a very impressive 45-6 record when playing at home. At the national championship, the Saints opened up fi rst round play with a matchup against Dakota Wesleyan. Aquinas dominated the second half after only being up one at the half, on their way to an impressive victory 91-66. A 56-point combination from senior guard James Telman (Grand Rapids) and sophomore forward John Lierman (Holt) proved to be too much for Dakota Wesleyan. The second round matchup posted Aquinas against No. 1 ranked Bellevue. Aquinas battled and fought throughout the entire game, only to come up four points short in a 65-61 loss. Through thick and thin, Aquinas battled every game and worked hard for a solid 25-9 season record. The Saints’ future looks bright with young talent that is athletic, smart and game ready. Junior Pedja Lazic (Kentwood) was honored as a NAIA All-American as well as the WHAC Player of the Year award. Lierman was also honored with NAIA All-America status and WHAC All Conference. Senior Jeff Wierzbicki was honored with a spot on the Academic All WHAC team.

Cornerstone by one point in a highly competitive battle. The Saints were led by many All-WHAC performances, including: Emily Popma - 10,000 MetersNate Poirier - 10,000 MetersSerak Haile- 4x100 Meter RelayDustin Johnson - 4x100 Meter Relay/Long JumpJosh Kornoely 4x100 Meter RelayRumeal McKinney - 4x100 Meter Relay/100 Meters/200 MetersAmanda Strouse - 4x800 Meter Relay/1500 MetersChris Leikert - 1500 MetersNicole Parker - 100 MetersSiobhan Martin - Discus/Shot PutDevin Tarrant – DiscusHeather Becker - Hammer Throw/Javelin, Kyle Kramer - Hammer ThrowJesse Lord Wilder - 4x800 Meter Relay,Chaney Robinson - 4x800 Meter RelayAlicia Boynton - 4x800 Meter Relay.

The Aquinas College Track and Field teams completed their seasons at the NAIA National Championships in Edwardsville, Illinois. With 34 athletes making the trip to Nationals, Aquinas College was very well represented in all areas of the championships. Highlighting the meet for the Saints were the All-American performances by Siobhan Martin, Amanda Strouse and Rumeal McKinney. Siobhan placed third in the discus with a throw of 169-10. This marks the second time in her career that Martin was an All-American (Siobhan also placed third in last year’s championships.). Amanda ran a personal best time in the fi nals of the 1500 meters. Strouse’s time of 4:31.63 is a new school record, lowering her previous record by three seconds. Amanda is now a fi ve-time NAIA All-American (2007 - Outdoor 4x800/Cross Country 2008 - Indoor Distance Medley Relay/Mile Outdoor - 1500 Meters).Rumeal arrived at Nationals with the 17th fastest time on the performance list. McKinney, a freshman competing in his fi rst championships, left nationals with All-American honors as he placed 5th in the fi nals of the 200 meter with a time of 21.74.

Baseball The 2008 Aquinas baseball team started out their season in Florida with a 5-6 record. Following their warm and sunny stay in Florida came the bitter cold of northern baseball. For two weeks after the Florida trip the Saints had all ten of their games canceled, which made for a quick six

weeks of baseball. Aquinas never warmed up with the weather as they fi nished

Lierman

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Saints Receive Academic and Athletic All-American Honors

Aquinas Teams with Michigan Sports Radio

Athletic All-American Ho

Softball – Kristi Labinski, Mallory SchraubenBaseball – Brandon Marrs, Todd Peters, Dan Salvati, Kevin ScholtenTennis – Jason Beydoun, Lindsay Skinner

Golf – Andrea Fillipps, Jessica Morse, Jennifer Gwinn, Brian HaywardTrack – Amanda Strouse, Lianne Griffi ths, Chris Leikert, Chris Robertz, Scott Assenmacher

Men’s Basketball – Pedja Lazic, John LiermanWomen’s Basketball – Claire Hogan

Track and Field – Siobhan Martin, Amanda Strouse, Rumeal McKinney Tennis – Patrick Bruining

The AQ Saints congratulated 17 of its spring student-athletes on achieving Academic All-American honors, requiring a minimum 3.5 GPA and a class status of junior or senior. They are:

In addition, seven student athletes received Athletic All-American Honors. They include:

Claire Hogan

Jessica Morse

Chris Robertz

Amanda Strouse

Patrick Bruining

Andrea Fillips

Kristi Labinski

Jennifer Gwinn

KKL

This fall, Aquinas College will be the proud presenting sponsor of Michigan Sports Radio, an internet-based website that broadcasts Michigan high school and college sporting events.

The relationship was born through conversations with the Offi ces of Alumni Relations, Undergraduate Admissions and Athletics. Alumni and parents will now have the ability

to listen to AQ Sports regardless of their physical locations while the Admissions Offi ce reaches their target audience. Can’t make it to homecoming this year? You’ll feel part of the

action by tuning in to www.michigansportsradio.com. Check the sports schedules in this magazine for times of home games, which would be broadcast.


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2008-09 marks the offi cial start of the Aquinas College men’s lacrosse program, with the fi rst games to be played in spring 2009. The team will benefi t from College support of the program in a number of ways, including the opportunity to play and practice on the new

Lacrosse Begins at Aquinasturf fi eld used by the soccer teams. Aquinas will play in the northern region of Division 2 of the Central Collegiate Lacrosse Association and will compete against teams from schools such as Calvin College, Grand Valley State University, Northern Michigan University and University

of Michigan-Dearborn. Luke Griemsman, who has been hired as head coach, brings to the program great knowledge of the sport through extensive experience as a coach and player. Griemsman began playing lacrosse at age 10 and went on to play on Michigan State University’s Division 1 varsity team for four years. He served as head coach at Central Michigan University and more recently at Saginaw Valley State University. Griemsman cited Aquinas’ commitment to lacrosse, now the fastest growing sport at the collegiate level, as an important factor in his

decision to serve as head coach, saying, “Aquinas is doing something I believe in, both in their educational and athletic philosophy.” The decision to create an offi cial lacrosse program comes three years after the founding of the lacrosse club when several students decided that they wanted to continue playing the game after high school.

Griemsman


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Men’s Basketball All Conference: Pedja Lazic, John Lierman, Jordan TorresAll American: Pedja Lazic, John Lierman

Women’s BasketballAll Conference: Alicia McCarthy, Claire Hogan, Whitney MarshAll American: Claire HoganAcademic All American: Carrie Abdo

Women’s Indoor Track and FieldAll Conference: Siobhan Martin, Jesse Lord Wilder, Nicole ParkerAll American: Amanda Strouse, Jesse Lord Wilder, Chaney Robinson, Allison Strouse

Men’s Indoor Track and FieldAll Conference: Chris Leikert, Victor Ramirez, Kyle Kramer

Women’s Outdoor Track and FieldAll Conference: Emily Popma, Amanda Strouse, Nicole Parker, Siobhan Martin, Heather Becker, Jesse Lord Wilder, Chaney Robinson, Alicia BoyntonAcademic All American: Lianne Griffi th, Amanda Strouse All American: Amanda Strouse, Siobhan Martin Men’s Outdoor Track and FieldAll Conference: Nate Poirier, Serak Haile, Dustin Johnson, Josh Kornoely, Rumeal McKinney, Chris Leikert, Devin Tarrant, Kyle KramerAcademic All American: Chris Leikert, Chris Robertz, Scott AssenmacherAll American: Rumeal McKinney

BaseballAll Conference: Corey Gross, Mike Giddings, Drew OosterhouseAcademic All American: Brandon Marrs, Todd Peters, Dan Salvati, Kevin Scholten

SoftballAll Conference: Ashley Aspinall, Marnie Spitzley, Courtney MilesAll Region: Ashley Aspinall, Courtney MilesWHAC Player of the Year: Ashley AspinallAcademic All American: Kristi Labinski, Mallory Schrauben

Men’s GolfAcademic All American: Bryan Hayward

Winter and Spring Athletic HonorsWomen’s GolfAcademic All American: Andrea Fillipps, Jessica Morse, Jennifer Gwinn

Men’s TennisAcademic All American: Jason BeydounAll American: Patrick Bruining Women’s TennisAcademic All American: Lindsey Skinner

Chris Leikert

Lindsay Skinner

Brandon Marrs

Lianne Griffi ths

Kevin Scholten

Dan Salvati

Todd Peters

Scott Assemacher

Mallory Schrauben

Bryan Hayward


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Ed Kelbel ’59Golf

An outstanding golfer on the Aquinas squad from 1954-1958 as its number one player and team captain, Ed Kelbel went on to serve as head professional at Walloon Lake Country Club and Harbor Point Golf Club as golf instructor. He taught and coached nearly 30 years at Harbor Springs High School.

Ernie MousseauCoach, Cross Country and Track and Field

Ernie Mousseau was the “heart and soul” of the Aquinas track and cross country teams for nearly two decades beginning in 1973.

Under his leadership, Aquinas sent numerous competitors to NAIA national meets in both sports, and he guided 16 college athletes to All American honors. In addition, Mousseau served as chair of the physical education department and director of athletics at Aquinas.

Laray Hardy ‘86Basketball

Laray Hardy graduated as not only the most prolifi c scorer in Aquinas basketball history, but also as the most prolifi c scorer in Michigan collegiate history. Scoring 2,642 points over his Aquinas career, Hardy continues to hold nine school records, including several single

season marks. Hardy once made 35 consecutive free-throws in competition, and shot better than 85 percent from the free-throw stripe in his career. His career ended just prior to the inception of the three-point basket.

Robin Bessette ‘95Soccer

Still the leading scorer in Aquinas women’s soccer history, Robin Bessette set additional history as the College’s fi rst women’s soccer NAIA All American. A four-time all-conference selection and three-time All-Region

2008 Athletics Hall of Fameplayer, Bessette was twice voted National Player of the Week. She remains active in soccer and has completed several marathons.

Shannon Bessette ’95 Soccer

A true pioneer, Shannon Bessette captained the fi rst two women’s soccer teams in Aquinas history and was named MVP both years. After graduating in 1995, Shannon served as an assistant coach at AQ for two years before assuming head coaching duties and led the women’s team to unprecedented success. Named WHAC Conference Coach of the

Year on four occasions, Bessette guided her teams to seven winning seasons, four WHAC Conference championships and three regional appearances.

John O’Donovan ‘60Golf Lifetime Achievement

John O’Donovan spent two years – 1959 and 1960 – as the leading golfer and team captain at Aquinas College, where he earned a reputation as a leader of integrity both on and off the course. Spending long hours developing his game at Green Ridge (now Egypt Valley)

Country Club, O’Donovan would go on to win numerous amateur championships around the state while at the same time devoting his business skills to the sport he loves. A self-described “businessman golfer,” O’Donovan was named fi ve times to the Grand Rapids All City Team and later elected president of Green Ridge/Egypt Valley Country Club. After serving on the Board of Governors since 1983, in 2008 O’Donovan was elected President of the Golf Association of Michigan with 440 member clubs and courses and 62,000 members under his supervision. He additionally serves on the U.S.G.A. Regional Affairs Committee. O’Donovan continues to pursue his passion for golf on the course, having fi nished as runner-up in a playoff at the 1997 Michigan Senior Amateur and winning the Florida State Golf Association Winter Series Super Seniors Championship in 2008.


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Aquinas College Sports Schedules—Spring 2008


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Board of Trustees Elects New Leadership for 2008-2009 Academic Year

The Board of Trustees has selected its new leadership team for the 2008-2009 school year. Monsignor William Duncan, vicar-general of the Diocese of Grand Rapids will assume the chairmanship role at the board’s fi rst meeting in October. The new vice-chair is Ellen Satterlee, executive director of the Wege Foundation. Deb Bailey, director of corporate communications at Steelcase and a 1983 Master of Management graduate, was elected Board Secretary. Thomas Czerney, a 1974 Aquinas graduate, will remain Treasurer. Joining the Board for the fi rst time is Donald Burns Ph.D., a 1964 Aquinas graduate who is currently president of Montcalm Community College in Sidney, Michigan. And the College extends its thanks to Trustee Roger Schiefl er, who completed three, three-year terms of membership and was granted Trustee Emeritus status. At the May 13th meeting, the board also granted Emeritus status to two former board members who served the College in the 1970s and 1980s: Dr. Harold Bowman and H. Richard Morgenstern.

Monsignor William Duncan

Don Burns

Deb Bailey MM ’83Ellen Satterlee

Thomas Czerney ’74 Roger Schiefl er


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’38 Katherine (Schiffl er) Atchison Ada, MI April 10, 2008 Katherine was one of the fi rst women to study pre-med at Aquinas College; her fondest Aquinas memory was being the lab assistant for Sr. Mary Mark in the chemistry lab. ’39 Anne (McVey) Blashkiw Grand Rapids, MI April 2, 2008

’40 Sr. Katherine Power Grand Rapids, MI December 8, 2008

’43 Dolores (Brown) Cusack Grand Rapids, MI March 14, 2008 After graduating from Aquinas College in 1943, Dee spent one year student teaching in Hawaii, and then served elementary-age children in the Grand Rapids school system for more than 38 years.

’44 Charles L. Giffi n Grand Rapids, MI May 31, 2008 Charles’ son and sister are also graduates of Aquinas College, Andrew Giffi n ’84 and Eleanor (Giffi n) Ceru ’37.

’49 George W. Laidlaw Holland, MI March 21, 2008

George’s wife and brothers are also graduates of Aquinas College, Joan Marie (Otterbacher) Laidlaw ’50; Jim Laidlaw ’49, John Laidlaw ’52 and Dick Laidlaw ’60.

MARRIAGES’66 Richard Streng and Judith Elaine DeRidder December 28, 2007

’97 April Carpenter and Marc Swartout September 22, 2007

’99 Janelle Burden and Jason Hill July 7, 2007

’01 Mary Marben and Jeffery Holaly August 18, 2007

’02 Veronica Quackenbush and Justin Gamble December 29, 2007

’05 Ashley Barker and Andrew James June 16, 2007

’06 David Doppel and Nicole Higgins ’06 September 29, 2007

’07 Kelsey Mundwiler Kevin Kleimola February 17, 2007

’94 Lisa (Butko) and Gary Walter a son, Christopher March 31, 2007

’95 Tamarah (Phillips) and Zachary Rusk, a daughter, Bryn, December 18, 2007. Bryn joins brothers Reece, 10, and Aidan, 5; and sister, Gwynevere, 7.

’98 Roxanne (Donovan) and Andrew Pieper, a daughter, Micah Donovan Pieper May 15, 2008

BIRTHS

’98 Dr. Matt Flannigan, and Miriam, twin girls, Caitlyn Rose and Mackenzie Lynn, March 14, 2008

’00 Molly (Vredevelt), and Jason Bergman, twins Mia Marie and Anthony John, May 11, 2007

’02 David and Shannon (Gurzynski) Campbell both class of 2002, a daughter, Molly Kathleen September 29, 2007

Picture It! We love hearing about weddings and babies and we would like to include pictures! If you plan on submitting a class note about a marriage or new addition, please email [email protected] and attach a jpeg of 300 DPI or

’70 Mary L. Ancona In the last Aquinas magazine, Mary Ancona was listed as deceased. It was actually her mother of the same name who had passed away. Mary Ancona, class of 1970, is very much alive and still teaching French at Northview High School in Grand Rapids.

’80 Ellen Henehan September, 2007 The Henehan family has several members who are proud Aquinas graduates. In September 2007, the Henehan family lost a daughter and sister, Ellen Henehan, Class of 1980. She is survived by her mother, Mary Eliseenehan ’46; her sisters, Anne E. Henehan ’75, and Mary G. Henehan ’87; her brother Paul M. Henehan ’72 and his wife, Marceline (Stallman) Henehan ’72.

IN MEMORIAM

Alumni Deaths

higher and use CLASS NOTES as the subject line. If you are mailing your information, please include a high quality photograph (300kb or higher).


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’49 Erwin “Al” Zurawski Grand Rapids, MI April 7, 2008 Al’s wife and brother are also graduates of Aquinas College, Mary Elizabeth “Betty” (Butler) ’47; Al was preceded in death by his brother Leonard Crane ’50

’50 Leonard M. Crane Grand Rapids, MI February 13, 2008 Leonard’s brother and sister-in-law are also graduates of Aquinas College, Al ’49 and Betty (Butler) Zurawski ’47

’54 Mary Ellen (Murray) Campbell Grand Rapids, MI April 7, 2008

’54 Robert M. Tovey Grand Rapids, MI December 15, 2008

’56 Lucy (Schlick) Barbachym Spring Lake, MI March 6, 2008

’56 John T. Stora Kalamazoo, MI March 27, 2008

’57 Sr. Marie Joseph Ryan Grand Rapids, MI June 1, 2008 Sr. Marie Joseph participated in the development and execution of Aquinas College’s interdisciplinary humanities program and also participated in the development of two courses incorporating history, literature, music, art and philosophy as a comprehensive learning experience for all freshmen.

’58 Sr. Lisa Marie Lazio, O.P. Grand Rapids, MI February 8, 2008 Sr. Lisa Marie founded

and coordinated the campus ministry team at Aquinas College and served on the Graduate Council of the Aquinas Institute of Religious Studies.

’61 Edward J. Brzezinski Grand Rapids, MI January 29, 2008

’62 Calvin Paul Aldrink Jenison, MI May 25, 2008

’62 Elizabeth J. Jennings Grand Rapids, MI February 3, 2008

’63 Michael R. Babrick Grand Rapids, MI December 14, 2008 Michael’s sister is also a graduate of Aquinas College, Nancy (Babrick) Owens ’77

’63 Terrance K. Boyle White Lake, MI March 17, 2008

’63 Vernon Buskard Greenville, MI May 16, 2008

’63 Leo H. Ottee Grand Rapids, MI February 5, 2008

’67 Gerald F. Burns Grand Rapids, MI January 30, 2008 Gerry has many family members who are also graduates of Aquinas College, his daughter-in- law Ashley Dills ’02 (Tony Burns); Larry ’63 and Marion (Dougherty) ’65 Burns, Don Burns ’64, Joe Burns ’66, Matt Burns ’68; Mary Lou (Burns) Black ’70, Julie (Burns) ’71 and Mike ’71 Devereaux, Rosalyn (Burns) Horrigan ’74, Luann ’77 (Burns) and Bob ’75 Potts.

’69 Sr. Beverly B. Pety Grand Rapids, MI December 11, 2007

’72 Dorothy (Carey) Wanroy Punta Gorda, FL January 13, 2008

’75 Paul E. Douglas Grand Rapids, MI January 6, 2008 Paul’s wife is also a graduate of Aquinas College, Mary Jo (Baldiga) Douglas ’75

’77 Helen (Puffer) Blackford Wyoming, MI March 31, 2008

’79 John Batten Rockford, MI February 15, 2008 ’81 Bruce K. Patterson Grand Rapids, MI February 19, 2008

’81 Matthew L. Royce Rockford, MI May 28, 2008 Matthew’s brother is also a graduate of Aquinas College, Charlie Royce, Jr. ’85

’88 Sharon (Webb) (Howell) Peterson West Olive, MI December 15, 2007

’90 Lucille “Luce” Alger Grand Rapids, MI April 9, 2008

’04 Amy Marie Mayer Grand Rapids, MI February 11, 2008


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James Alexander, brother of Anne Imperi ’40; brother-in-lawof Helen (Imperi) Alexander ’43December 12, 2008

Ralph John “R.J.” Bennett, retiredfaculty of Aquinas College. Husband of Dianne (Jonker) Bennett ’75January 18, 2008

George Blank, father ofRichard Blank ’88February 9, 2008

Florence Brechting, grandmother of Amy Patin ’95, Jeffrey Patin ’97 (Cynthia Wilcome) ’95, and Theodore Patin ’00January 10, 2008

Thomas Burns, father of Joanne (Rick) Cozzati ’72, Kathleen (Dave) Adamczak ’74, Margaret Burns ’00, Jean (Burns) Tompkins ’88; father-in-law of Steve Tompkins ’88March 6, 2008

James T. Carbonneau, father of Janet (Martin) Carbonneau-Jones ’89January 24, 2008

Emajean “Pat” Cook, wife ofPeter C. Cook, longtime friend and benefactor of Aquinas CollegeMay 20, 2008

Robert L. Drinan, grandfather ofDrinan ’00 (Joe) GorneyJanuary 11, 2008

David D. Glanville, step father ofJerry ’86 (Kim) KimballMarch 31, 2008

Jane Alice Grey, mother ofRudy Vinkemulder ’95 (Anne Ayres)April 7, 2008

Dolores (Smith) Hruby, wife of formerAquinas President Norbert J. HrubyMarch 29, 2008

Rev. James C. Kowalski, formeremployee of Aquinas CollegeFebruary 22, 2008

Leo B. Kunkel, father ofJohn ’90 (Theresa Schulte) ’91 KunkelMay 5, 1998

Robert Mackey, husband of Virginia (Soukup) Mackey ’95; father of Helen ’83 (Jim ’82) Lehman; grandfather of current student Kathryn LehmanApril 24, 2008

Walter Markucki, father of Lisa ’78 (John) ’76 MitchellDecember 2, 2007

Virginia Merlotti, wife ofFrank Merlotti; longtime friendsand benefactors of Aquinas CollegeDecember 20, 2007

William G. Poisson, father ofJerry ’79 (Cindy) Poisson, Annette (Michael) ’76 LittellJanuary 1, 2008

Jerry Richlich, husband ofBarbara (Majewski) Richlich ’60;father of Leslie ’95 (Amado) ResendizFebruary 3, 2008

Timothy Rozema, son of Harold “Hal” Rozema ’76 (Jackie Hoffman-Rozema);father of Brian Rozema ’01May 10, 2008

Father of Joe Tuszynski ’82; grandfather ofKatie (Kroft) Parker ’05 (Sam Parker ’05)November 6, 2008

Stuart Vor Broker, father ofPatricia ’82 (Thomas) SprichApril 4, 2008

Ray Richardson, father of current student Ben Richardson and Nate Richardson, ’98,May 13, 2008

DEATHS OF FRIENDS AND RELATIVES


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1965Mary Kay Oosdyke, O.P., associate professor theology at Aquinas Institute and current member of the Aquinas Board of Trustees, gave a plenary presentation on “Dialogue in Search of Communion: Working Together in Ministry,” with Jerry Gallipeau from World Library Publishers. The presentation was made to 3,300 pastoral musicians and liturgists at the National Pastoral Musicians’ Convention in Indianapolis on July 12, 2007.

1973Terrence J. Doyle is currently the chief instructor for Faculty Development and coordinator of the New to Ferris Faculty Transition Program for the Faculty Center for Teaching and Learning at Ferris State University. He has been a faculty member at FSU for 31 years and now holds the title of professor. Terrence is

the author of the book Helping Students Learn in a Learner Centered Environment: A Guide to Teaching in Higher Education, which will be published by Stylus Publishing, one of the largest publishers of higher education titles, and will be out August 2008.

On April 1, the appointment of Bill Kelley to the position of Executive vice president of CNL Bank’s South Florida division was announced. Kelley will be responsible for recruiting South Florida banking teams and expanding CNL Bank’s offi ce network in Palm Beach, Broward and Miami-

Dade counties. His offi ce will be located in Boca Raton. A resident of Coral Springs, Kelley graduated from Aquinas College in 1993, receiving a B.S. in economics and psychology. He is on the corporate advisory board of Boca Raton Community Hospital, the board of directors for the Ann Storck Center and

serves on the Walk Committee for March of Dimes of South Palm Beach County.

1976Lu Anne (Thelen) Clark is on sabbatical from Lansing Community College where she is a science professor. She has happily taught there for 30 years. During her time off, Lu Anne went on a mission trip to Guatemala to teach science and English to the K’iche’ children, descendants of the Mayans in the central highlands of Guatemala, in the village of Vasquez. Lu Anne was an active member of the community during her stay there, helping build houses and chicken coops, cooking for her host family, and attending Bible studies.

1978Zenon and Phyllis (Czymbor) Cardenas are pleased to announce the birth of their second grandson, Mason Zenon Clark. Mason was born on October 16, 2007, and joins his brother Colter Xavier Clark at home with his parents, Nicholas and Judith Ann Clark. Zenon has been temporarily promoted to interim director for Ionia County Central Dispatch. He has been working for Central Dispatch since his retirement from the Army in 1998.

1979Yvonne (Pierre) Mathis was honored with the W.W. Plummer Humanitarian Award at the 2008 Giants Award banquet of Grand Rapids Community College. She and 10 others were selected as Giants in the Grand Rapids African-American community.

1980Fr. Richard Peddicord, O.P., was installed as the ppresident of Aquinas Institute of Theology, St. Louis, Missouri, on Saturday, February 16. Fr. Peddicord (right) is

pictured with Fr. Michael Mascari, O.P., who offi ciated at the installation.

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1985Kim von Kronenberger, executive vice president of Firstbank-Lakeview, (MI.) was appointed as the Community Bank President of Firstbank-Lakeview. He will be responsible for the management and operations of Firstbank-Lakeview’s six offi ces.

1990Kristi (Beerns) Holsinger received her master’s and Ph.D. in criminology from Illinois State University. She is on faculty at the University of Missouri in Kansas City, specializing in women and crime, female delinquent adolescence, criminological theory and gender-specifi c programming.

1991Alex Holsinger, received his master’s degree in criminal justice at Illinois State University in 1993 and his Ph.D. in criminology from University of Cincinnati in 1999. He has been on the faculty at the University of Missouri in Kansas City since ’99 and was promoted to associate professor with tenure in 2005, working in the Criminal Justice & Criminology program. Alex’s specialties are in rehabilitative treatment programs (cognitive behavior), institutional corrections and criminological theory.

Karen (Saltsman) SullivanAt the annual back to school all-staff meeting of the East Grand Rapids Public Schools, the winners of the 2007 Excellence in Teaching and the Nicholas Plastics/Vi-Chem Foundation awards were announced. The Foundation has awarded the Excellence in Teaching Award since 1987 and it was established to recognize and encourage superior professional effort to improve instruction and to cultivate the continuation of educational excellence in East Grand Rapids schools. Karen received the Elementary Excellence in Teaching Award. A fi rst grade teacher at Lakeside Elementary, Karen is described as a dedicated teacher who uses best practices in her classroom and is an outstanding educator and role model. She is the fi rst grade team leader and mentor for new teachers.

1992Dana Verville has been promoted to vice president of sales for the Surgical Division at Stryker Instruments in Kalamazoo. He received a master of management degree in 1992 and has attended Stryker Advanced Leadership Program at Harvard University. Verville started at Stryker in 1987 as a sales representative,

and for the past two years, he has been director of sales in the Surgical Division. He was integral in helping to reorganize the surgical sales team and also established the Pain Pump ASR program.

1994Mary (Koenig) Sens and her husband, Mark, recently moved to Beacon, New York due to a career change and Mary found a great job in just a short time. She is now working at as a human resources manager - it’s a small world as the company is a supplier to Chemprene Sparks Belting in Grand Rapids. What she hadn’t realized before they moved is the concentration of Irish folks---apparently one can buy soda bread and real scones at the grocery store.

1998Alicia Marie Belchak (Ireland ’98) Milzarski (Matthew ‘00)won three awards at the annual conference of the Parenting Publications of America in February for her freelance writing in Grand Rapids Family Magazine. She earned a gold award for Special Section within a publication: “Taking Care of Baby” published in June 2007; a bronze award for general feature writing: “Voices of Autism” in August 2007; and a silver award for Special Section within a publication: “Understanding Adolescence” in November 2007.

2003Carla (Johnson) D’Rozario lives in Granada Hills, Calif. with her husband, Rahul. Carla and Rahul were married on Feb. 17, 2007. Currently, Carla is working on her masters degree in pastoral theology at Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles. She hopes to use her degree to become involved in spiritual direction and organize retreats.

2005Amanda M. Jason has worked for Fifth Third Bank in Grand Rapids for the past year as their commercial funding specialist in the Operations Department.

Ross E. Lawrence was appointed assistant director for student administrative services at Hamline University in St. Paul, Minnesota. After graduating from Aquinas in 2005, Ross moved back to Minneapolis and worked at Hamline University, where he is also a law student. He is halfway through law school and anticipates moving to the East Coast after graduating.


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2007Nate Meganck was hired as the database/group services manager for the Grand Rapids Griffi ns of the American Hockey League. Meganck has been with the Griffi ns for two seasons as a ticket sales and services intern, working in all facets of the department.

Liz IvkovichPilgrim Manor of Grand Rapids received the Clean Corporate Citizen award from the Michigan Deptartment of Environmental Quality, of which Liz was hired as an intern and then later became a grant-funded full-time employee. Pilgrim Manor is the fi rst elder care community in Michigan to receive this award recognizing environmental stewardship and sustainability in an organization. Liz was initially funded through the Sustainable Business Department at AQ as their pilot non-profi t intern.

BookstoreBookstore

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Aquinas Magazine :: Fall 2008

Documents

grand rapids silvija

aquinas magazine

segrand rapids

edition of aquinas

listed mary ancona

staffsilvija visockis

photo page

mother of mary ancona