2009 Autumn Saint John's Magazine (Alumni Magazine)
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MAGAZINE AUTUMN 2009
Fr. Robert Koopmann ’68, OSB
An interview with the 12th President of Saint John’s
F E A T U R E S
14 Serving with Spirit
Four graduates span the globe—and
learn some surprising lessons—as
members of the growing Saint John’s
Benedictine Volunteer Corps.
10 Meet the Prez
He’s on a mission to “bring people
together.” Meet SJU’s new president
in an exclusive Q&A with Fr. Robert
Koopmann ’68, OSB.
22 SJU Culinary Institute?
Th ese Johnnies have degrees like philos-ophy
and botany. And one is a former
doctor. So what are they doing winning
awards for food and drink?
D E P A R T M E N T S
2 From the President
3 Behind the Pines
18 Service to the Church
20 Arts & Culture
30 Advancing the Mission
34 Johnnie Sports
36 Alumni Connection
40 Milestones
48 Inspiring Lives
1
The Magazine of
Saint John’s University
AUTUMN 2009
EDITOR
Jean Scoon
EDITORIAL TEAM
Glenda Isaacs Burgeson
Rob Culligan ’82
Troy Fritz ’88
Greg Hoye
Jon McGee ’84
John Young ’83
CONTRIBUTORS
John Biasi
Rob Culligan ’82
Brendon Duffy
Jennifer Mathews Emery
Troy Fritz ’88
Michael Halverson ’01
Michael Hemmesch ’97
Ryan Klinkner ’04
Rose Beauclair Radkowski
Jean Scoon
John Taylor ’58
Jim Triggs
Thom Woodward ’70
John Young ’83
EDITORIAL ASSISTANT
Julie Scegura
DESIGN AND PRODUCTION
Greg Becker, Karen Hoffbeck
EDITOR EMERITUS
Lee A. Hanley ’58
UNIVERSITY ARCHIVIST
Peggy Roske
is published in the fall
and winter and
CSB/SJU Magazine
is published with the
College of Saint Benedict
in the spring.
ADDRESS CHANGES
Saint John’s University
P.O. Box 7222
Collegeville, MN 56321
rathmann@csbsju.edu
CONTACT
320-363-2591
800-635-7303
www.csbsju.edu
LETTERS
Saint John’s Magazine
Office of Institutional Advancement
P.O. Box 7222
Collegeville, MN 56321
E-MAIL
jscoon@csbsju.edu
2
FROM THE PRESIDENT
Dear friends,
It is an honor and a pleasure as the new
president of Saint John’s University to wel-come
you to the autumn issue of the Saint
John’s Magazine.
On behalf of the Saint John’s community,
I would like to thank Dan Whalen ’70 for his
contributions in the transition. Dan stepped
in as interim president during a difficult time
and has served us well since last October.
I know you all join me in thanking him for
his guidance and leadership.
Saint John’s has had some influential Catholic Church leaders in our midst in the past few
months. Walter Cardinal Kasper joined us from Rome in March to deliver the Godfrey Diek-mann,
OSB Lecture at Saint John’s School of Theology∙Seminary and received the Pax Christi
Award from Saint John’s Abbey and University. Cardinal Kasper, a renowned theologian and
ecumenist, shared some thought-provoking theological concepts with us and offered us his
insight into church relations. It was a privilige to have someone with us who works so closely
with the Holy Father.
Right after Cardinal Kasper’s visit, one of our own—Dr. Miguel Díaz, professor of theol-ogy—
was nominated as the U.S. Ambassador to the Holy See. We couldn’t be more pleased for
Miguel and wish him the best.
In our first feature in this issue, we focus on the Saint John’s Benedictine Volunteer Corps, a
program that is close to my heart. Some outstanding SJU alumni have been sponsored by Saint
John’s Abbey, volunteering in the United States, Africa, the Middle East and South America
while exploring their own futures in the context of Benedictine communities.
Our second feature deals with a topic people from every corner of the world can relate
to: food. It is inspiring to learn how some of our alumni have carved out niches sharing their
passion for food and made their dreams come alive. Our staff seemed to particularly enjoy
researching this delicious article!
Finally, we pay tribute to Don McNeely, a close friend and benefactor of Saint John’s,
who passed away in March at 94. McNeely’s contributions to Saint John’s were numerous
and extensive, and we thank him and the McNeely family for their generosity.
I’m excited to be leading this university that has been such a significant part of my life. I hope
to soon be visiting alumni groups far and wide. And I look forward to seeing many of you at my
inauguration on October 1 as well as at Homecoming weekend on October 2 and 3.
Sincerely,
Fr. Robert Koopmann, OSB
President
3
Second-largest Combined Class in History Graduates
The 2009 SJU graduating class included 420 undergradu-
��
combined with CSB’s 511 graduates, this year’s undergraduate
Sharon Daloz Parks, director of Leadership for the New Com-
-
����
(Video of the SJU commencement ceremony is available online at
csbsju.edu/news/commencement.)
First I-LEAD Scholars Graduate
Among this year’s combined graduating class was a unique
group of 13 men and women: the first cohort of CSB/SJU
����
and cultures and are recognized leaders in their schools and com-
-
toring, student workshops and campus experiences that support
-
��
Michael Becker
4
csbsju.edu/news
BEHIND THE PINES
Reinhart Honored Posthumously
A tribute was held
for the late Saint John’s
University President
Emeritus Br. Dietrich
Reinhart ’71, OSB, at
the annual Saint John’s
Day in April.
Th e evening included
the presentation of
several posthumous
awards, including the Fr.
Walter Reger Distin-guished
Alumnus Award
and honorary Doctor of
Laws degrees from Saint
John’s University and the
University of St. Th omas.
A musical tribute in honor of Reinhart was provided by George
Maurer ’88. Th e Saint John’s Men’s Chorus performed and Bela
Petheo, professor emeritus of art, unveiled his portrait of Reinhart.
On March 24, Reinhart was honored for his lifelong dedication
to service in Collegeville and the Catholic collegiate community
with a statement in the Congressional Record, the offi cial record of
the proceedings of the House of Representatives.
Saint John’s Coaches Featured in USA Today
Coaches John Gagliardi, Jim Smith, Jerry Haugen ’76, Pat
Haws ’72 and Tim Miles ’76 were featured in a Feb. 26 USA Today
article celebrating their lengthy careers at Saint John’s. When asked
what has kept them here, basketball coach Jim Smith said “Th ere
was just something about this place that made it unlike anywhere
I had ever been. I think it all goes back to the monastery and the
values and the ethics of the monks that are all around you. It is and
always has been an inspiring place to work.”
Caritas Awards Ceremony Honors Alumni
Five graduates were honored for their commitment to and in-volvement
in service and social justice activities at the annual CSB/
SJU Caritas Awards ceremony in April: John Smith ’09, Ashleigh
Leitch ’09, Nick Davis ’02, Joe Schmit ’55 and Marilyn Schmit ’56.
Jay Phillips Center for Jewish-Christian Learning
Expands Mission, Adopts New Name
Th e Jay Phillips Center for Jewish-Christian Learning sponsored
jointly by Saint John’s and St. Th omas, has expanded its mis-sion
and adopted a new name. Th e center now is named the Jay
Phillips Center for Interfaith Learning. Its mission to promote
understanding and combat prejudice has expanded to encompass
Islam and other world religions.
Th e Jay Phillips Center for Jewish-Christian Learning was
formed in 1996 by bringing together the Jay Phillips Chair in
Jewish Studies at Saint John’s and the Center for Jewish-Christian
Learning at St. Th omas.
Th e chair at Saint John’s was established in 1969 and named
for the Jewish philanthropist who endowed it. Th e chair was most
recently held by Rabbi Barry Cytron, who retired in January 2009.
Edward Phillips, grandson of Jay Phillips, will be honored on
October 12 by Saint John’s with the Colman Barry Award for
Distinguished Contributions to Religon and Society at an event to
celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Jay Phillips Chair in Jewish
Studies.
(L to R) Fr. Colman Barry, OSB; Jay Phillips; and Rabbi Nahum Schulman
worked closely to establish the Jay Phillips Chair of Jewish Studies at SJU
in 1969.
(L to R) Coaches Jerry Haugen ’76, Tim Miles ’76, Pat Haws ’72 and John
Gagliardi.
Andy King for USA Today Michael Crouser
5
csbsju.edu/news
McCarthy Center Hosts Durenberger ’55
Th e Eugene J. McCarthy Center for Public Policy & Civic En-gagement
hosted Dave Durenberger ’55 for a week-long residency
in February as part of the Scholar-in-Residence program. Duren-berger
served in the U.S. Senate from 1978-95. Th e week was
highlighted by two panel discussions. Other panelists who joined
Durenburger included former Vice President Walter Mondale,
former Sen. Rod Grams, former Sen. Mark Dayton and former
Rep. Mark Kennedy ’79.
Cardinal Kasper Delivers Diekmann Lecture and
Receives Pax Christi Award
Cardinal Walter Kasper, president of the Pontifi cal Council for
Promoting Christian Unity, delivered the Godfrey Diekmann,
OSB, Lecture and received the Pax Christi Award from Saint
John’s Abbey and University in March. Th e Pax Christi Award is
the highest honor awarded by Saint John’s Abbey and University
and recognizes those who have devoted themselves to God by
working in the tradition of Benedictine monasticism to serve oth-ers
and to build a heritage of faith in the world.
Cardinal Kasper was ordained a priest for the Diocese of
Rottenburg-Stuttgart in 1957 and became bishop for that diocese
in 1989. He became a cardinal in February 2001 and has been the
president of the Pontifi cal Council for Promoting Christian Unity
since March 2001. (For more on Cardinal Kasper’s visit, see p.18.)
Maple Tappers
Featured in Star
Tribune Video
More than 100
volunteers gathered
at Saint John’s to
continue the annual
tradition of tapping
maple trees. Th eir
eff orts were captured
on video by the Min-neapolis
Star Tribune.
More than 900 guests
visited the Arboretum
during the Maple Syrup
Festivals this spring.
David Wagoner
Visits Campus
as Woodrow
Wilson Visiting
Fellow
Poet, novelist,
playwright and
screenwriter David
Wagoner visited
SJU as a Woodrow
Wilson Visiting
Fellow in April.
Wagoner has
written 19 books of
poetry and 10 novels, one of which, Th e Escape Artist, was adapted
into a movie by Francis Ford Coppola. He edited Poetry Northwest
from 1966 to 2002, and serves as literary advisor to the Seattle
Repertory Th eater and editor of both the Princeton University
Press Poetry Series and the University of Missouri Press Break-through
Poetry Series.
His book of poetry, Good Morning and Good Night (2005),
was nominated for the Pulitzer Prize in poetry. Wagoner has been
nominated twice for the National Book Award, for Collected Po-ems,
1956-76 and In Broken Country (1979).
Th e Woodrow Wilson Visiting Fellows program, administered
by the Council of Independent Colleges, brings prominent artists,
diplomats, journalists, business leaders and other non-academic
professionals to campuses across the U.S. for a week-long residen-tial
program of classes, seminars, workshops, lectures and informal
discussions.
Students meet with former Sen. Dave Durenburger ’55 (back) and
former Vice-President Walter Mondale (far right).
Erica Manternach CSB ’11 demonstrates tree
tapping.
Poet and novelist David Wagoner.
6
BEHIND THE PINES
csbsju.edu/news
Student Case Study Research Team Places Second at
National Conference
Five students from SJU and CSB participated in a case study
research team that placed second in its division at the Society for
Advancement of Management, Inc. (S.A.M.) Conference in Las
Vegas. Th e team consisted of Peter Banick ’09, Mitch Hallan ’09,
Marta Gago ’09, Rachelle Kirchner ’09 and Meghan Lynch ’09.
Batsukh ’11 Wins National Championship
Minga Batsukh ’11 became the fourth wrestling national cham-pion
in SJU’s history at the 2009 NCAA Division III champion-ships
in March. He is the fi rst national champion since SJU’s
current head coach Brandon Novak won the 197-pound title in
2001. Batsukh, a native of Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, attended high
school at St. Benedict’s Preparatory School in Newark, N.J.
Li ’10 Wins E-Scholars Competition
Ang Li ’10 won the E-Scholars Elevator Pitch competition in
Seattle last February. An elevator pitch is an overview of a busi-ness
idea that can be delivered in the timespan of an elevator ride.
Li won for a pitch on a business idea he developed with Tom
Henderson ’10 for “PawPrints,” which would provide oil paintings
of pets for customers based on photos of the pets. Li became an
E-scholar through a program sponsored by the Donald McNeely
Center for Entrepreneurship.
Bandar ’09 Earns National Fellowships
Jeff rey Bandar ’09 of St.
Cloud, Minn., received two
prestigious national fel-lowship
awards: the 2009
National Science Federation
Graduate Research Fel-lowship
award and a 2009
National Defense Science and
Engineering Graduate Fel-lowship.
Each award is worth
approximately $30,000
annually and is funded for
a maximum of three years.
Bandar is currently studying
at Columbia University, pur-suing
a doctorate in organic chemistry with the goal of teaching at
the university level or leading a research team.
(L to R) Faculty advisor Steve Schwarz ’01 with Hallan, Kirchner, Gago,
Lynch and Banick.
Minga Batsukh ’11 earned the 141-pound national wrestling championship in March.
Photo courtesy of Don Stoner Dawid Chabowski
7
BEHIND THE PINES
csbsju.edu/news
Sibley, Blauvelt, Malone Win Teaching Awards
Faculty from the mathematics, English and history departments were honored for
excellence at the Academic Aff airs Awards in May. Th e SJU Robert L. Spaeth Teacher of
Distinction Award was presented to Tom Sibley, professor of mathematics. Th e CSB S.
Mary Grell Teacher of Distinction Award was awarded to Cynthia Malone, professor of
English. Th e Linda Mealey Teacher-Scholar Award and S. Linda Kulzer Gender Educator
Award both went to Martha Tomhave Blauvelt, professor of history.
Culligan ’82 Earns
Administrator Award
Rob Culligan ’82, vice presi-dent
of institutional advance-ment,
received the Fr. Vincent
Tegeder, OSB, Outstanding Ad-ministrator
Award. Th e award
recognizes service and excellence
within the Saint John’s admin-istrative
community–someone
who embodies the spirit of Saint
John’s, provides quality service
and makes a powerful contribu-tion
to Saint John’s. Culligan, a
St. Paul native, began his career
at Saint John’s as an admission
counselor 27 years ago. Follow-ing
several years working for
Catholic organizations in Ohio
and Colorado, he returned to
Saint John’s. Since 1999, he has
served as vice president for insti-tutional
advancement.
Rob Culligan ’82
(L to R) Joe Friedrich ’64, Lynn Moore, S. Ann Marie Biermaier, OSB
(L to R) Tom Sibley, Martha Tomhave Blauvelt, Cynthia Malone
Retiring Professors Honored
Five professors were honored last
May at the annual Academic Aff airs
Awards on the occasion of their
retirement:
S. Ann Marie Biermaier, OSB,
professor emerita of education;
Rabbi Barry Cytron, director of the
Jay Phillips Center for Interfaith
Learning; Ellen Ellickson, adjunct
instructor of nursing; Joe Friedrich
'64, professor emeritus of econom-ics;
and Lynn Moore, professor
emerita of education.
Adam Konczewski Adam Konczewski
8
BEHIND THE PINES
csbsju.edu/news
Mosley Accepts Vice President of Admission and
Financial Aid Position
Cal Mosley’s admission
career spans 42 years. His
previous experience includes
serving for 11 years as the spe-cial
assistant to the president
for undergraduate admissions
at the College of St. Catherine
and as the vice president of
university admissions and
student aff airs at Hamline
University for fi ve years. Prior
to that, he was the associ-ate
director of admissions at
Harvard College (undergraduate program) for 10 years followed
by service as the associate dean of academic programs at the John
F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University.
Mosley earned his bachelor’s degree in journalism from Pacifi c
University in Forest Grove, Ore., his master’s of education in
student personnel administration from Springfi eld College in Mas-sachusetts
and his doctorate in administration, planning and social
policy from Harvard University in Cambridge, Mass.
His wife, Claudia Ryan-Mosley CSB ’77, served on the CSB
Board of Trustees from 1992-1997.
Rogers ’89 Appointed Director of
Education Abroad
Joe Rogers has served as
interim director of educa-tion
abroad since 2007. He
received his B.A. in history
from Saint John’s and his M.A.
in East Asian studies from the
University of Minnesota in
1993, after working, studying,
and traveling in Asia. Rogers
graduated with honors from
the University of Minnesota
Law School in 1998, where
he served as Note and Comment editor for Th e Journal of Global
Trade and as a mentor for international lawyers in the Law School’s
International L.L.M. program. After spending six years as a lawyer
in private practice, Rogers returned to his alma mater to work
with the Asian studies program. In this capacity, he has been a key
player in maintaining and developing study abroad relationships.
Walker Appointed CSB/SJU Fine Arts Division Head
Greg Walker has been a faculty member in the music depart-ment
since 1978.
His teaching includes
theory, composition
and electronic music
applications, as well
as other courses in the
First-Year Seminar and
Honors departments.
He has directed educa-tion
abroad semester
programs in London and Australia, and recently developed and
directed summer term courses on the fi ne arts in London. Walker
was recognized in May with the Academic Advising Award for the
fi ne arts division.
Bennetts Named Humanities Division Head
Dave Bennetts has taught in
the history department since
1973. He has served as the
chair of the department and
been the faculty representative
to the Board of Regents. Ben-netts
has taught in the Asian
studies program, and fi rst
established English as a Second
Language (ESL) programs in
Japan over 20 years ago that
have been extremely successful
and brought many students
to CSB and SJU. He developed the Japan study abroad/exchange
program and is Distinguished Visiting Professor on the Bunkyo
Gakuin University faculty, where he teaches every summer.
ADMINISTRATIVE AND FACULTY APPOINTMENTS
9
BEHIND THE PINES
csbsju.edu/news
Noreen Herzfeld, CSB/SJU professor of theology and com-puter
science, is the new
faculty Regent. She holds
M.S. degrees in computer
science and mathematics from
Pennsylvania State University
and a doctorate in theology
from the Graduate Th eo-logical
Union. Herzfeld is the
author of numerous books and
articles on such diverse topics
as cyberspace as a venue for
spiritual experience, and the
prospects for reconciliation
among Christians and Muslims in Bosnia.
James Sexton ’81 is president and founder of Sexton Benefi t
Resources, Inc., Oakbrook
Terrace, Ill. Sexton has a B.S.
degree in social science and
business management from
SJU. Prior to opening his own
employee benefi t practice in
2002, he was vice president of
sales and marketing for Celtic
Health Plans in Chicago, and
regional district manager for
Old Northwest Agent, Inc. in
Houston, Tex. Sexton rejoins
the Board of Regents after
serving from 2000-2008. He lives in La Grange, Ill., with his two
children.
Anton (Tony) J. Christianson ’74 is chairman and manag-ing
partner of Cherry Tree
Companies in Minneapolis.
Christianson has spent more
than 27 years in the venture
capital and private equity com-munities
in a variety of capaci-ties.
Christianson received a
B.A. in accounting from SJU,
and an M.B.A. from Harvard
Business School. He has served
on the board of directors of
over 40 companies. He and his
wife, Paige, have six children
and reside in Wayzata, Minn.
Kamau Joseph ’11 is a junior political science and computer
science double major from
Trinidad and Tobago, and the
new student Regent. During
a year off after high school,
Joseph took interest in the
United Nations Association
of Trinidad and Tobago and
later helped co-found the
fi rst youth United Nations
Association in his country.
At Saint John’s he is involved
with Student Senate, the
Joint Events Council and the
Cultural Aff airs Board.
David Klingeman, OSB is director of the Saint John’s Abbey
Guesthouse and the abbey
archivist. Klingeman has a
Bachelor of Music from Wart-burg
College and an M.S. in
Library Science from Simmons
College. He completed post-graduate
studies in archival
administration at the Univer-sity
of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
in 1995. Klingeman was the
university archivist from 1996-
2006. He has been a member
of the abbey since 1980.
Mark Th amert, ’73, SOT ’79, OSB is associate professor
of German at Saint John’s
University. Th amert received
both his B.A. in German and
his M.Div. from Saint John’s.
He earned his Ph.D. from
Princeton University. Th amert
was president and headmaster
of Saint John’s Preparatory
School from 1994-1998. He
has led more than 20 groups
of undergraduate students on
CSB/SJU study abroad pro-grams.
Th amert served on the
Regents’ Capital Campaign Steering Committee and Leadership
Gifts Committee from 1986 to 1993. He professed solemn vows
in 1973 and was ordained in 1979. Th amert rejoins the board after
serving from 1984-1991.
NEW REGENTS NAMED
10
Meet the President:
Fr. Bob Koopmann ’68, OSB
By Doris Matter
11
A few days after he was appointed 12th
president of Saint John’s University, I had
the privilege of sitting down with Fr. Bob
to learn more about him. It was a great
opportunity to find out about some of his
formative influences, what brought him here
and what he does to relax—in other words:
who is Fr. Bob? What I learned is that our
new president is thoughtful, down-to-earth
and joyful, steeped in the Benedictine learn-ing
and teaching tradition, well equipped to
guide Saint John’s University. I hope you’ll
enjoy this conversation as much as I did!
DM: What first brought you to Saint
John’s?
BK: It was in 1962, when I was a
junior in high school. My folks and I were
looking around at colleges, and we came
up [to Minnesota] to visit St. Thomas. A
music teacher of mine had told me that
her brother had gone here as a music
major and loved it. We decided to add
Saint John’s to the trip to St. Thomas. We
came up and Fr. Don LeMay met us in
the Great Hall, and he won us over im-mediately.
He told us there was a concert
pianist on the faculty, Wim Ibes, who still
teaches here, and there was a men’s chorus
that toured all over the world. I just fell in
the love with the place and that was it.
DM: What was your family life like
growing up?
BK: A very Catholic family. Much of
what we did revolved around the church.
My folks were involved with all kinds
of things in the parish. We lived just a
couple blocks from St. Edward’s Catholic
Church in Waterloo [Iowa], and I went to
grade school there. My father worked for
the same company for his entire career—
which people did in those days—and was
very loyal to the Rath Packing Company.
He was in the administration, and they
had branches all around the country. My
mother stayed home when we were little
but had worked for the same company
as my father as executive secretary to the
president. Both have since died. I have a
younger brother with children and grand-children.
In my extended family, I have
an aunt who is a nun from the LaCrosse
Franciscans. I also had a great uncle who
was a diocesan priest and also enjoyed
playing the piano.
DM: How did you come to study
music?
BK: My mother and her sister played
piano quite well. We had a piano at home,
and my mother just showed me how to
do things when I was 6. So that’s when I
first started playing, and I was playing by
ear already then. I started formal lessons
when I was 7, with a very good teacher. All
the way through high school, I was taught
by Franciscan sisters from Dubuque. My
mother practiced with me the first few
years and that helps a lot when you’re a
little kid.
DM:. Who at Saint John’s was influen-tial
in bringing you into the monastery?
BK: Most of my teachers were monks
because that’s the way it was back in those
days, but one person would certainly be
Gerard Ferrell. He was a musician who
taught me music theory and a little bit of
organ. One person who I have always kept
in contact with is Fr. Cletus Connors. He’s
now the pastor at St. Boniface Church
in Cold Spring. He’s still one of my best
friends.
DM: Where have you traveled abroad,
and what is your favorite place outside
the United States?
BK: My favorite place keeps changing.
But my first trip abroad was when I was in
the Men’s Chorus, and we took quite an
extensive trip to Europe during the sum-mer
after my freshman year. I had to really
work on my parents to let me go! That
travel really opened my eyes to the fact
that there��s a big world out there where
people think much differently than I do.
Currently my favorite place might be
East Africa—Tanzania. I have been there
three times in the last few years. In 2000,
I spent about six weeks in Tanzania, divid-ing
my time between the men’s monastery
and the women’s monastery, and I just
loved the culture there. Shortly after I
came back, Br. Paul Richards was starting
to think about developing the Benedictine
Volunteer Corps, which I thought was a
great idea.
I suggested we try for sites in Africa.
Now Hanga Abbey, in Tanzania, is one of
12
our Benedictine Volunteer Corps destina-tions.
I always come back from my visits
there spiritually refreshed. They are a
people of deep faith, and I’m very inspired
by that. I’m also brought back to reality.
Hanga Abbey is almost completely self-sufficient,
much like Saint John’s was 150
years ago.
DM: What do you do on a rare free
day when you’re not travelling? What’s
your stress reliever in life?
BK: I take long walks, and I’m a great
fan of fiction. I read a lot. It very easily
puts me in a whole different world. Or if
I just want to get away, I might go down
to the Twin Cities for lunch, maybe go to
a movie, have supper or maybe go to the
Guthrie, something like that. Those kinds
of things really refresh me.
DM: You mentioned reading as a
stress reliever. What are you currently
reading?
BK: I’m reading the new biography of
Flannery O’Connor [Flannery: A Life of
Flannery O’Connor by Brad Gooch]. She’s
one of my favorite fiction writers. Just
before that I read Home by Marilynne
Robinson. She’s originally from Iowa
and grew up about 40 miles from where
I grew up and that makes it all the more
interesting. Then I’ll also read something
I just stumble across like a book about the
history of Meire Grove [Building Com-munity,
Keeping the Faith: German Catholic
Vernacular Architecture in a Rural Min-nesota
Parish by Fred W. Peterson]. I love
the book because as I read it I learned so
much about my father’s side of the family
and why they are the way they are. My
father’s grandfather’s family came from
Holdenburg, Oldenburg, the same area in
Germany as the people of Meire Grove.
DM: As a youngster were you ever in-volved
in any kind of sporting activities?
BK: I grew up as a golfer. In fact our
whole family played. From the time I was
10 or 12 we golfed a lot. My folks would
give my brother and me season passes at
a city golf course not too far from us, and
we just played and played. My brother still
plays, and we used to play maybe once a
year, but I don’t think I’ve golfed at all in
the last two years, so of course I’m terrible
now.
DM: At this point in your life, what
brings you the most joy?
BK: Making music, certainly, and
especially making music for the com-munity—
playing the organ for morning
prayer, evening prayer, and for Mass. If I
can somehow inject some life into their
singing, then I’ve succeeded. I just like it
so much.
DM: How do you think that you’ll
be able to bring that joy into the
presidency?
BK: Well, I’ll certainly be able to use
music here and there. What I do with
music is bring people together, and I like
that process. I’m hoping I can use those
kinds of skills in bringing everybody that
is connected with Saint John’s together—
whether it’s faculty, staff or alumni. I’ve
always been known as kind of a diplomat,
and that’s not so different from playing
chamber music.
Another thing I love is drawing the best
out of people and that doesn’t have to be
in music. It’s a real joy to have a student
suddenly realize that he or she can get into
hard literature—like the short stories that
I use a lot in my first-year seminar class—
and to realize that they like it. I just love
that because it expands the students’
horizons.
DM: This article will primarily be
read by alumni. How can they help
you most as you transition from being
a member of the music faculty to the
president?
Well, they can come and visit. Tell them
to come to the alumni events because I’ll
look forward to seeing them again. Now
I mostly see alumni at weddings because
it’s often someone who lived on my dorm
floor, and then, of course, all his buddies
13
come, too, plus their friends from Saint
Ben’s. Th e sense of community that builds
up here among the students is just amazing.
DM: Is there anything you don’t want
people to be afraid to tell you? In other
words, “Don’t be afraid to tell me that
…”
BK: Actually anything. I’m quite resil-ient.
As a musician who works with others,
we have to disagree with each other and
criticize each other so I feel like I’m quite
open to criticism. Nobody likes it imme-diately,
but I bounce right back. I’d love to
know what’s on their minds.
DM: Can you share something about
yourself that might surprise most
people?
BK: Well, I enjoy cooking. I’m not
a gourmet cook, and I only started it
in 1993 during my second sabbatical,
when I was living in a house where I was
preparing my own food. Since then many
students have experienced my cooking, of
course.
DM: Do you have a specialty dish?
BK: Th ey’re usually pretty simple––
something that I can serve to a big group
while I interact with them. So I’ll do beef
burgundy, or I’ll do a pasta sauce, a roast,
or some kind of pork chops that I’ve baked
in my own secret sauce—well, it’s not
a secret anymore, because the St. Cloud
Visitor published it. It's called Blessed Pork
Chops!
DM: What are you looking forward to
most in the next few months?
BK: In the immediate future, getting to
know all the staff and members of the ad-ministration.
Th ey’ve all been great to me
but I don’t know them very well yet. I also
look forward to working with students in
a new way, giving the talk at the fi rst-year
banquet and other opportunities where
the president gets to speak. I also look
forward to the travel. I can hardly wait to
go out and meet alumni and friends of the
university.
Doris Matter is the president’s executive
writer.
ABOUT FR. BOB KOOPMANN, OSB
Born August 13, 1946 in Waterloo, Iowa
Graduated from Columbus High School in Waterloo, 1964
Bachelor of Arts (music major), Saint John’s University, 1968
Master of Music, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, 1970
Final Monastic Profession, September 21, 1971
Doctor of Musical Arts, University of Iowa, 1976
Master of Divinity, Saint John’s University, 1981
Ordination to the Priesthood, June 6, 1981
Postdoctoral work with faculty at the Royal Academy of Music, London, 1984, and the Juilliard
School of Music, New York, 1984-85
Teaching, Administrative, Board service:
Music professor, 1975 to present
Director of Music, Saint John’s Abbey, 1976-1983, 1985-1987, 1996-2009
Chair, Music Department, 1977-1983, 1985-1986
Fine Arts Division Head, 2006-2009
Member of Board of Regents, 1994-2003, 2005-2009
Recordings:
Wondrous Love––More Sacred Improvisations, 2008
Sacred Improvisations���–Piano Improvisations on Hymns, Spirituals, and Chants, 2004
All in the Family, with Soprano Patricia Kent: Songs of the Mendelssohns, 1999
Robert Koopmann—The Second Piano Recital, 1996
Robert Koopmann—Piano Recital, 1994
14
When Br. Paul Richards ’78, OSB, took a sabbatical from
conducting the Saint John’s Boys Choir 10 years ago and toured
monastic communities worldwide to study lay involvement, he
refl ected on his own experience as a Saint John’s student when
he took a year off to work at San Antonio Abad in Puerto Rico.
“Visiting these places I became aware that any Benedictine mon-astery
I visited was doing good work and in need of more human
resources,” says Richards, the abbey’s subprior. “Th ose things made
me think, what if we got Saint John’s grads and sent them to these
places?”
Th us was born the Saint John’s Benedictine Volunteer Corps
(SJBVC), which places SJU alumni in Benedictine monasteries
around the world for approximately a year to participate in the life
and work of the host community. In 2003, the SJBVC sent its fi rst
two volunteers to monasteries in Puerto Rico and Newark, N.J.
Overseen by Saint John’s Abbey and funded by the Giles Nathe
Mission Grant of Saint John’s University and alumni donations,
the SJBVC provides transportation to the site and a monthly
stipend. Th e host monastery provides room and board along with
work. Th e volunteers are expected to participate in the daily prayer
and meals as well as the community’s work, which varies widely by
location.
Th e program’s purpose has been twofold: to benefi t monastic
communities worldwide with resources to support their work and
to create spiritual volunteer opportunities for Saint John’s grads.
Its success can be measured in the growing interest among com-munities
and alumni applying for the program. As word about the
SJBVC spreads along the Benedictine grapevine, more communi-ties
are requesting volunteers. Next year, the SJBVC will place a
high of 16 volunteers in eight diff erent sites spread throughout
Guatemala, Chile, Israel, Tanzania, Italy and the United States.
“Th e program has exceeded my expectations,” says Richards,
who manages the SJBVC along with Fr. Bob Koopmann ’68,
OSB, newly appointed president of Saint John’s University.
“Th e reception from monasteries served by our volunteers has
been spectacular.”
Th e Spiritual Volunteer by John Rosengren ’86
Th e Saint John’s Benedictine Volunteer Corps grows larger each year. It’s clear that this program, begun by Saint
John’s Abbey 10 years ago, fi lls an important—and possibly overlooked—niche for both volunteers and Benedictine
communities worldwide. Nick Briese ’06, Lew Grobe ’06, Charlie Sawyer ’08 and Mike Bancks ’08 share illuminat-ing
stories of daily life in Benedictine communities in Tanzania, Chile, Israel and Newark, N.J.
Lew Grobe
Charlie Sawyer
Mike Bancks
Nick Briese
15
Multiplying Peace on the Sea of Galilee
Mike Bancks ’08 wanted to do some sort of community service
before going to grad school to study epidemiology and public
health. Having studied abroad his junior year in Port Elizabeth,
South Africa, where he volunteered at an AIDS hospice, the biol-ogy
major from Fairmont, Minn., jumped at the chance to serve
abroad again with the Saint John’s Benedictine Volunteer Corps,
this time at the Benedictine Monastery of Tabgha in Israel. “I was
drawn to the program because I know that Saint John’s surrounds
itself with great people,” he says. “Th e character of the program
and the ability to travel outside the U.S. were cementing factors.”
Th e four monks of Tabgha—a satellite community of Dormi-tion
Abbey in Jerusalem—live on the Sea of Galilee site where
Jesus is believed to have multiplied the loaves and fi shes. Bancks,
along with fellow SJBVC volunteer Mike Leither ’08 and three
Germans completing their mandatory civilian service, tends the
community’s Meeting Place, a peace project that welcomes groups
of tourists, religious pilgrims and mentally/physically handicapped
visitors. Bancks and the other volunteers clean the living facilities,
maintain the extensive gardens and repair whatever breaks down.
Th ey recently sanded and refi nished 20 wooden picnic tables. “My
life revolves around the upkeep of anything and everything that
has to deal with the Meeting Place,” he says.
Based in a place that attracts visitors from many diff erent
countries and cultures, Bancks has encountered cultural norms and
foreign beliefs that have challenged his own thinking. Diff ering
mentalities and experiences have exposed his own underlying ste-reotypes
and stretched his faith—all for the better. He’s especially
grateful to hear the stories of those from other places and experi-ences.
“I feel extremely fortunate for being able to meet and listen
to people who have faced extreme pain and sadness but still come
out with a positive mindset,” he says.
Bancks says that his conversations with the resident monks
about their faith have inspired him to probe his own—a search
that will last long after his year-long tenure at Tabgha. “I learn
more that I have questions about my personal faith that need
discovery and contemplation,” he says.
During an evening of relaxation from his daily work of maintaining the facilities and grounds of the Meeting Place at the Benedictine Monastery of Tabgha,
Israel, SJBVC volunteer Mike Bancks ’08 (in blue T-shirt at bench) shares culture and music with Muslim visitors from Jerusalem.
16
Tanzania and New Possibilities
After graduating from Saint John’s with
a German and humanities double major
and spending a year near Berlin on a Ful-bright
Fellowship, Lew Grobe ’06 fi gured
he would apply to graduate school. But
Fr. Mark Th amert ’73, OSB, his former
German professor, suggested he consider
the Benedictine Volunteer Corps instead.
Grobe, who had grown up in the western
Minneapolis suburbs and spent time living
in Europe, found the possibility of living
in Africa “exotic.”
Grobe spent a year—from June 2007 to
June 2008—at Saint Maurus’ Abbey, Han-ga,
in southwest Tanzania, in a village with
a population of about 7,000 that sprang
up around the monastery, which brought
running water and education to the area.
Grobe taught English and math at three of
the four schools run by the monastery: the
trade school, secondary school and semi-nary.
He also helped organize and run a
library with fellow SJBVC volunteer Derek
Johnson ’06, labeling by hand some 4,000
books donated from Minnesota. Using
computers donated from Australia (when
there was electricity), Grobe and Johnson
also constructed a Web site (hangaabbey.
org) to celebrate the monastery’s 50th an-niversary
and preserve its history, most of
which had never been published.
Perhaps his biggest and most memorable
contribution was a 900-mile fundraising
bike trip from the city of Dar es Salaam to
their village of Hanga with fellow SJBVC
volunteer Paul Conroy ’05 and
Br. Onesmo, one of the Saint Maurus’
monks. With the average annual fam-ily
income around $350, many families
cannot aff ord school fees, which range
from $300-$700 a year, including room
and board. Grobe and his companions
rode 60-120 miles a day for three weeks
on Phoenix bicycles, inexpensive single-speeds
popular in the area, to raise money
and awareness about the importance of
education.
Th e $20,000 they raised will support 16
students for four years at the four schools
run by St. Maurus’ Abbey. In a country
where families are more likely to send a
son than a daughter to school, they also
promoted gender equality—seven of those
students are female.
Grobe, currently an SJU admissions
counselor, reports that daily life with the
monks transformed an inkling of a calling
into a desire to pursue monastic life. He
has applied for candidacy at Saint John’s
Abbey. “I hadn’t thought it possible before
Tanzania,” he says. “At Saint John’s, I had
seen monks as role models, something I
couldn’t achieve, but this experience al-lowed
me to see people in daily life, with
their strengths and weaknesses. I had not
thought I was cut out to be a monastic,
but it fi nally dawned on me, this may just
be a possibility for me.”
In Chile, the Daily Is Profound
Charlie Sawyer ’08 heard about the
Saint John’s Benedictine Volunteer Corps
from two older friends on the Saint John’s
cross country team who had gone to Tan-zania.
Th e opportunity to see the world
and give something back appealed to the
physics major and harrier from St. Paul,
Minn. He signed up for a year in Santiago,
Chile, which began in August 2008.
Sawyer lives with the Manquehue
Movement, a lay Benedictine community
of 35 men and women that runs three
schools. Along with fellow SJBVC volun-teer
Cole Woodward ’08, Sawyer works at
Colegio San Lorenzo, a pre-K-12 school
of 800 students in one of Santiago’s poorer
neighborhoods. Sawyer tutors students in
English inside and outside the classroom.
At the principal’s request, he and Wood-ward
are also teaching the junior high kids
to play baseball on a dirt fi eld with gloves
donated from Saint John’s. “Th e kids are
great fun, full of energy,” Sawyer says.
“But when it comes to explaining things
and making them follow rules and orga-nizing
them in any way, it’s really hard.”
For example, in English class, he has to
ask each student individually to take out
his or her notebook and pay attention.
He realized that the children simply don’t
view education as important. “We’ve been
trying to encourage them to take responsi-bility
for their education,” he says.
He and Woodward are also encouraging
them to take more responsibility for their
environment with an after-school project
they call “Th e Environmental Brigade.”
In their weekly meetings, they talk to the
dozen or so kids who show up about ways
they can reduce, reuse and recycle. “We’re
instilling an ecological consciousness on
how to take care of the environment.”
Sawyer also works in the tutoria, where
simple presence is touted. “Th e whole
concept is you waste time hanging out
with kids, playing with them, being their
friend,” he says. “Th at’s diff erent from the
After speaking to a group of orphans near Songea, Tanzania, Lew Grobe ’06 is presented with a live
rooster and 12 eggs—a great honor in Tanzanian culture. To do justice to this honor, he carried the
rooster under his arm for the two-hour bike ride back to his village of Hanga!
17
attitude in America, where we’re so results
driven and you always have to be produc-tive.
I’ve learned that just hanging out with
kids is important.”
He has also learned how much he enjoys
working with kids. Instead of going to en-gineering
school as he’d originally planned,
he’s thinking about teaching high school
science. It’s in those seemingly mundane
daily interactions that he has found pro-found
meaning. “It’s not like we’re coming
in and saving the day,” he says. “Th ey just
like spending time with us, talking to us,
being with us.”
Newark Builds New Confi dence
Nick Briese ’06 does not like having to
talk in front of a group. When he signed
up to volunteer at Newark Abbey in New-ark,
N.J., from September 2006 to June
2007, the chemistry major from Rochester,
Minn., was attracted to the idea of living
in a diff erent part of the country. Once he
got there, he found the experience of living
in community with the abbey’s 16 monks
an added benefi t. But it was his work with
the 575 students at Saint Benedict’s Prep,
the inner-city school serving grades 7-12
run by the community, that forced him to
face his fears and proved most meaningful.
Briese started out the school year doing
spot substitute teaching but was soon
pressed into duty covering a criminal
justice class for a teacher out for health
reasons. Never having studied the subject,
Briese crammed in the textbook to keep
ahead of the students. He had worked as
a teaching assistant (T.A.) at Saint John’s
but had no formal education training.
“Being a T.A. doesn’t translate to being a
high school teacher,” he says. “Th ere are
diff erent dynamics with students than with
fellow college classmates.”
When the teacher returned, Briese
soon took over four chemistry classes for
another ailing teacher. Th at proved more
satisfying. “I had spent all this time learn-ing
chemistry,” he says. “To be able to put
that into practice with people just starting
to learn about it and see them slowly start
to understand it was really cool.”
At the end of the school year, he covered
a science class for three weeks in the junior
high—where he often felt like he was
“drowning.” He says it was one of the most
challenging things he’s ever had to do and
adds, with a laugh, “I’ve tried to suppress a
lot of those memories.”
Now in his second year of medical
school at the University of Minnesota,
Briese says he realizes that facing diffi cult
and challenging situations gave him confi -
dence. “Going out there and jumping into
a situation has been helpful in doing what
I’m doing now in working with patients
who might be from a completely diff er-ent
background or having a condition I’m
not familiar with,” he says. “Having done
something I wasn’t completely prepared
for, then succeeding and learning from
it—that’s been positive.”
John Rosengren is an award-winning jour-nalist
and author based in the Twin Cities.
Nick Briese ’06 (L) with student leader Nate Edmonson, a Saint Benedict’s Prep senior, during the
annual freshman backpacking project, which takes over 100 freshman boys for a fi ve-day, 50-mile
camping trip on the Appalachian Trail each spring as part of the Newark, N.J. school’s leadership
training program.
Charlie Sawyer ’08 with (L to R) sophomore Daniella and fi rst-graders Caroline and Valentina at
Colegio San Lorenzo, a pre K-12 school run by the Manquehue Movement, where Charlie teaches
English and baseball and just “hangs out with the kids.”
18
SERVICE TO THE CHURCH
Saint John’s School of Th eology
Welcomes Vatican Visitor Walter Cardinal Kasper
By Rose Beauclair Radkowski
Cardinal Kasper fi elds questions during a lively session with School of Theology∙Seminary students, faculty and staff.
Paul Middlestaedt
For weeks, the School of Th eology·Seminary buzzed with anticipation.
Students pored over their notes, re-read chapter after chapter and carefully
prepared questions. Some organized a study group and completed extra
readings. Lunchtime conversations in the Emmaus Hall dining room were
dominated by one topic, one man.
19
A cardinal was coming.
Saint John’s School of Th eology·Seminary welcomed Walter
Cardinal Kasper to Saint John’s on March 23 for a day of conver-sation
that closed with the Pax Christi Award and the Godfrey
Diekmann, OSB, Lecture. An audience of hundreds gathered in
the Abbey Church to listen to this esteemed Church leader. Th e
cardinal, who relished the opportunity to interact with students
and give an academic lecture, was a gracious guest. He patiently
signed dozens of books for eager admirers, posed readily for photos
and gave thoughtful responses to every question he was asked.
As president of the Pontifi cal Council for Promoting Christian
Unity and the Commission for Religious Relations with the Jews,
Cardinal Kasper works closely with the pope and travels the world.
As a theologian, he has published signifi cant books on the Eucha-rist,
Jesus and the Trinity, which are read around the globe. As a
diplomat, Cardinal Kasper builds bridges between the Catholic
Church and other faith communities. Yet, in spite of his interna-tional
stature, this cheerful cardinal remains a teacher at heart.
At Saint John’s, Cardinal Kasper spoke as a scholar and Church
representative willing to engage in dialogue with other theologians,
including graduate students. During a lunchtime question-and-answer
period, the cardinal’s respect for students of the School of
Th eology·Seminary was apparent. Th is attitude created a welcom-ing
atmosphere for them to ask a number of challenging ques-tions,
including some that addressed ecumenical and interreligious
dialogue, the Eucharist and Church governance. Interacting with
Kasper on a personal level and hearing him speak candidly gave
students new insights.
“It’s not often you get to meet a cardinal,” notes School of
Th eology·Seminary student Chris Ángel, who studied Cardinal
Kasper’s Th e God of Jesus Christ in Professor Miguel Díaz’s “Trin-ity,
Faith, and Revelation” course in the weeks leading up to the
cardinal’s visit. “Learning about [Cardinal Kasper’s] experiences
in Germany and in Rome really brought home the universality of
the Church. We were all impressed by his humor and his humil-ity.”
Cardinal Kasper, too, seemed impressed by the enthusiastic
welcome he received from the graduate students, faculty and staff .
On this rare, brief trip to the United States, Cardinal Kasper
visited only Saint John’s, Harvard and Yale. He expressed his grati-tude
for being chosen to receive the Pax Christi Award and give
the Godfrey Diekmann Lecture at Saint John’s, saying, “I am hon-ored
by this award, and I understand it as a duty to go on in this
work for peace.” While at Saint John’s, the cardinal also visited the
Hill Museum & Manuscript Library and the Collegeville Institute
for Ecumenical and Cultural Research. In St. Cloud, he shared a
meal with bishops from the region. (To request a copy of Kasper’s
lecture, "Timeliness of Speaking of God," write to bdunn@csbsju.edu
or call 320-363-2839.)
Rose Beauclair Radkowski is director of marketing and communica-tions
for the School of Th eology∙Seminary.
An impressive group gathers in the Abbey Church with Cardinal Kasper after the Pax Christi Award ceremony and Diekman Lecture. (L to R) Abbot John
Klassen, OSB; Bishop John F. Kinney (St. Cloud, Minn.); Bishop John Quinn (Winona, Minn.); Cardinal Walter Kasper; Timothy Kelly, OSB (former
abbot, Saint John’s Abbey and current president of the American Cassinese Congregation); Bishop Victor H. Balke (retired, Crookston, Minn.); Abbot Denis
Quinkert, OSB (Blue Cloud Abbey, Marvin, S.D.).
Paul Middlestaedt
20
ARTS & CULTURE
In 2008, Saint John’s University introduced the Heritage Edi-tion,
the limited edition, fi ne art reproduction of Th e Saint John’s
Bible. Th is year, special ceremonies celebrating the arrival of the
Heritage Edition were held at Santa Clara University, the Cathe-dral
of Christ the Light in Oakland, the Naples Museum of Art
and Regis University in Denver.
Th e latest ceremony took place on June 14 at St. Martin-in-the-
Fields Anglican Church in London where Abbot John Klasssen,
OSB, presented the Wisdom and Prophets volumes to the Rev.
Nicholas Holtam, vicar of St. Martin-in-the-Fields.
St. Martin-in-the-Fields Church in London is the seventh institution worldwide and the fi rst in the United Kingdom to receive the Heritage Edition. The Rev.
Nicholas Holtam, vicar of St. Martin-in-the-Fields, received the gift and led a special service on June 14 in the landmark church in the heart of London.
Pictured with the Wisdom Books and Prophets volumes are (L to R) the Rev. Professor Richard Burridge, dean of King’s College London; the Rev. Nicholas
Holtam; Dan ’70 and Katharine Whalen; Rod Beadles, churchwarden of St. Martin-in-the-Fields; Archbishop Khotso Makhulu, assistant bishop of London;
and Donald Jackson, artistic director of The Saint John’s Bible.
Th e Saint John’s Bible
Heritage Program Spreads Worldwide
By Jim Triggs
Th e Archbishop of Canterbury, the Most Reverend Rowan
Williams, said, “We tend to read greedily and hastily, as we do
so many other things: this beautiful text shows us a better way.
Th is project not only revives the ancient tradition of the church
sponsoring creative arts, it also off ers an insight into that lost skill
of patient and prayerful reading.��
Th anks to the generosity of Dan Whalen ’70 and Katharine
Whalen, St. Martin-in-the-Fields will have the Heritage Edition
of Th e Saint John’s Bible on permanent display for parishioners and
visitors to enjoy for generations to come.
The Rev. Canon Dr. James N. Rosenthal
21
Fr. Paul Locatelli, SJ, former president of Santa Clara University (speaking),
receives the Wisdom volume at a December 2008 presentation of the Heritage
Edition at Santa Clara University (SCU). Also in attendance (L to R) Fr. Eric Hollas,
OSB, senior associate, arts and cultural affairs, Saint John’s University; SCU
Provost Lucia Gilbert; SCU Director of Development Jim Purcell; SCU Profes-sor
Gregory Baker; Jean Drahmann; and Heritage Edition benefactor Tita Crilly
Diepenbrock.
Fr. Michael Sheeran, SJ, blesses the Wisdom volume at an event celebrating its
arrival at Regis University on April 24. The Heritage Edition, a gift to Sheeran
from Howard and Beulah Cherne, will be housed in the new St. John Francis
Regis University Chapel.
The Cathedral of Christ the Light in Oakland, Calif., was presented with
the Wisdom volume on March 7. The Heritage Edition was presented to
the Cathedral by Abbot John Klassen, OSB, as a gift from Saint John’s
University at the request of Dan ’70 and Katharine Whalen (above). The
Whalens are residents of Oakland and parishioners of Saint Theresa
Parish in the Diocese of Oakland.
(L to R) Eugene Frey, Fr. Eric Hollas, OSB; Dan Whalen ’70; and Mary
Frey at the presentation of the fi rst volume of the Heritage Edition to
Myra Janco Daniels, founder and director of the Naples Museum in
Naples, Fla. The gift was made possible by the Eugene and Mary Frey
Family Foundation.
Charles Barry
Lisa Greco
Jose Aquirre
Naples Illustrated
Jim Triggs is the executive director of the Heritage Program.
22
By Glenda Burgeson
Th e topic of food and beverage is at once universal and personal. It
is the stuff of myth and of art. Th at is why I was tempted to subtitle
this set of stories “Th e Case of the Purloined Truffl es.”
I was assigned to write about Johnnies who work in the food and
beverage industry— a chef, cheese-maker, vintner, brewer, chocolatier
and a couple of marketers. Th e assignment generated much interest,
leading to impromptu conversations in the hallway of fi rst fl oor Quad,
and one mysterious offi ce caper.
Aaron Barthel ’98 kindly shipped editor Jean Scoon and me a
sample box of chocolate truffl es, the delivery of which caused such a
stir we were forced to share. Offi ce coordinator Julie Scegura stored
her portion in the offi ce fridge, only to discover later that someone
had allowed greed to overcome the normal Benedictine moderation
that prevails around here and had swiped the morsels.
Food has that eff ect on people. It excites the senses and stirs the
memories. John Taylor ’58 assures me, with tongue in cheek, that
Johnnies of his era share fond memories of sewer trout, a “delicacy”
once served at the Reef on mandatory meatless Fridays. (I’ll take his
word for it.)
What struck me about this assignment was this: I interviewed John-nies
of all ages, from coast to coast, and they all described a similar
experience. None had planned to work in the food and beverage
industry. Instead, they each spoke of following a passion, of hard work
and a commitment to excellence.
I realized I wasn’t writing about the food and beverage industry after
all. I was writing about a group of enterprising guys, a kindred spirit
and a pursuit of a dream.
Glenda Burgeson is CSB/SJU director of editorial services—and a
former barbecue chef and food critic.
23
How do you become an artisan
and entrepreneur of fi ne food and
drink? With passion, hard work and
a commitment to excellence. Oh, and
a degree in the liberal arts …
24
From Omelets to Michelin Star
As a young child, Mark Sullivan ’89
learned to make omelets under his
mother’s supervision. Th e achievement
was an inspiration, the nationally
renowned chef says.
From that modest start, Sullivan devel-oped
a lifelong interest in food that stayed
with him when he left northern California
for Saint John’s as a varsity wrestler and
avid outdoorsman. It continued to nag at
him after he graduated with a degree in
philosophy, and it has fueled a passion that
has since helped build a national reputa-tion
and a culinary enterprise in the San
Francisco area that encompasses pizzerias,
a bakery, an organic farm, a coff ee supply
house and three restaurants, including one
with a Michelin star.
Th at passion was, and is the key, Sul-livan
says. After graduation, he expected
to attend graduate school, but decided to
take a six-month break from school and
indulge his love for cooking.
He ended up cooking under the tutelage
of a talented chef, Amaryll Schwertner,
who had cooked at the famed Chez Panisse
in Berkeley. Competition was intense for
the opportunity to work 60-80 hour weeks
at a minimum wage with this chef. Sul-livan
did two things that made him stand
out among his competitors. He wore a suit
to the interview, while his rivals dressed in
jeans and T-shirts. Also—and this is where
he credits his degree—he wrote “a really
nice letter after the interview.”
Th e letter made the diff erence. Schwert-ner
told him she would take a chance on
him, but he would have to deliver. For the
next six months, Sullivan worked harder
than he could have imagined.
“It was hard. I got my chops busted,”
he says. “For the fi rst time in my life, I
thought I was going to fail. Every day for
90 days, I went to work thinking I’m go-ing
to get fi red.”
Instead, he persevered. After three
months, he experienced a defi ning mo-ment.
Schwertner not only told him he
was doing a great job, she brought him 50
cookbooks from her personal collection.
“It was one of those defi ning moments
when I realized I can do this.”
Mark Sullivan ’89, chef-partner at the acclaimed Village Pub in Woodside, Calif., and Michelin-starred
Spruce in San Francisco, is now establishing a third restaurant in Park City, Utah.
Frankie Frankeny
A few months later, he had another de-fi
ning moment. Sullivan was working long
hours, coming in early to do preparation
work and staying late to scrub the kitchen.
“One night I was cleaning the oven and
noticed the clock said 12:30 a.m. I realized
that I never looked at the clock. I had just
worked 12 hours and time had just fl own
by. Th at’s when I went to my dad and told
him I wanted to pursue this.”
While his dad had some concerns about
the long hours and low pay, he agreed
that Sullivan should pursue his passion.
Sullivan secured an apprenticeship at a
“I realized that I never looked at the clock. I had
just worked 12 hours and time had just fl own by.”
–Mark Sullivan ’89, chef and restaurateur
25
two-star restaurant in the south of France.
From there he worked with a chef in the
Pyrenees in Spain, then back to France,
where he cooked for a family in Marseille
in exchange for room and board.
After six months abroad, he returned to
San Francisco and continued to train in
the city’s fi ne restaurants. He was poor, but
in a good way. He recalls “splurging” twice
a week for a cappuccino, and he lived in
a closet, literally. He converted a walk-in
closet at the home of a friend into his
sleeping quarters. Th at arrangement suited
him, because he was at work all the time.
In the mid 1990s, his reputation took
off . Not yet 30, he was named chef at 42
Degrees, a Mediterranean restaurant. A
rave review in the local press brought the
foodies out in droves.
“Th e next day there was a line out the
door,” he recalls.
His fans have never left. He has received
a favorable review in Gourmet maga-zine.
In 2002 he was selected as one of
America’s best new chefs by Food & Wine
magazine and Esquire listed his restaurant
Spruce among its top new restaurants in
2008. Now chef-partner at the highly ac-claimed
Village Pub in Woodside, Calif.,
and Spruce in San Francisco, which has
been awarded a Michelin star, Sullivan is
establishing a third restaurant in a Waldorf
Astoria hotel in Park City, Utah.
He is a partner in Bacchus Management
Group, which owns the restaurants, along
with a fi ve-acre organic farm, a bakery, a
coff ee supply house and four pizzerias.
Th rough it all he says his studies in phi-losophy
help him keep grounded. He also
found time to court and marry his pastry
chef. Despite his work ethic, he makes it
a priority to be home on weekends with
Alison and two-year-old Ezra.
By the way, Sullivan’s dad is a regular
at the restaurant. “He gets whatever he
wants,” Sullivan says.
As for Ezra, he hasn’t made any omelets;
he prefers to fry his eggs, sunny-side up.
Planning ahead for that night out
in San Francisco? Check the
menu at sprucesf.com.
“Get a Job”… Making Premium
Blue Cheese?
Jeff Jirik ’79 didn’t plan to become a
cheese-maker. He stumbled into the busi-ness
after graduation from SJU, when his
father gave him the kind of directive only a
father can give: “Get a job.”
Th e job market then was weak. Jirik
had moved back home when he heard
that a cheese-making facility in Faribault,
Minn., was hiring. He got a job scraping
mold off the cheese. Within weeks, his
supervisor found out he had a degree in
biology and promoted him to laboratory
technician. Th us began his foray into the
cheese-making profession.
Jeff Jirik ’79, artisan cheesemaker and owner of the Faribault Dairy Co., uses a cutting harp to cut
milk into curds in the cheese-making process. Faribault Dairy’s Amablu® family of handmade blue
cheeses has been winning prizes since 2002, including Grand Champion at the 2007 Minnesota State
Fair.
Becca Dilley Photography
26
In the 1980s, the company promoted
Jirik and, with his wife, Brenda (Sherwin)
Jirik CSB ’80, he relocated to Wisconsin.
In 1991, the plant shut down. Jirik bought
it in 2000 and established the Faribault
Dairy Company. Th e company produces
premium blue cheeses under
the Amablu® label,
including the
award-winning
St. Pete’s Se-lect,
which
is available
in a version
that is soaked with Summit Beer. Th at is
the brainchild of Jirik and CSB alumna
Jeannie (Bykowski) Kenevan ’98, market
manager, Summit Brewing Co.
Th e cheeses are aged in St. Peter sand-stone
caves carved during the last glacial
age from the river bluff s overlooking
Faribault. Jirik says the atmosphere within
the caves is ideally suited for curing and
aging blue cheese.
Federal regulations prohibit public tours
of the caves. However, Jirik has opened a
cheese shop, Th
e Cheese Cave, in down-town
Faribault. Th ere, visitors might spot
yet another Johnnie connection. Jirik’s
former college
roommate, Bob Foley ’80, is
the managing
partner for Th e Cheese Cave.
“We Johnnies do tend to stick together!”
Jirik says.
You
can’t get into the caves, but
you can get into the cheese at
faribaultdairy.com.
Dairy + Botany = Truffl es
Imagine a mad scientist loose in a
chocolate factory. Th at would be
chocolatier Aaron Barthel ’98.
Ever since the creation of his signature
French truffl e, fl avored with habanero
chilies, nutmeg and dark rum, Barthel
has been madly experimenting with fl avor
profi les for his mail-order truffl e business,
Intrigue Chocolates Co. To date, he has
developed 68 fl avors.
He also adds a secret ingredient to his
confections that have swept the Seattle cu-linary
scene: Minnesota spice. His award-winning
sweets refl ect a unique blend of
his dairy farm childhood experiences in
central Minnesota and his Benedictine
education in ecology/botany at Saint John’s.
From a young age, he learned from his
parents an appreciation of natural fl avors,
seasonal produce and a connection with
the source of food. As a natural science
major at Saint John’s, he continued to
pursue a lifelong interest in plants.
His truffl e fl avors attest to the conver-gence
of those interests: Lady Lavender,
“like an evening walk through a French
garden”; Good Th ymes, with a “woodsy
character”; Mucha Mocha, fl avored with
organic fair-trade coff ee; and Mojito, a
cocktail in the form of a truffl e.
His truffl e business began as a hobby,
until friends persuaded him to supply
them truffl es for their catering business.
Now a full-time chocolatier, he says he
loves the creativity his job requires.
Barthel sees his business as a rela-tionship-
building enterprise. After all,
chocolate is best enjoyed in the company
of others. His business mantra is simply,
“If this business isn’t worthy of the passion,
I’m done.” So far, the passion thing is
working for him.
Intrigued? Learn more at intriguechocolates.
com.
J
id
ch
reg
H
town Faribau
Jo
Johnn
y
Aaron Barthel ’98, chocolatier and owner of Seattle-based Intrigue Chocolates Co., with some of his
handmade French truffl es. His chocolate won several awards at the Seattle Luxury Chocolate Salon in
both 2008 and 2009.
27
Order from Chaos Yields Award-
Winning Wines
After 25 years as an emergency room
physician, Rich Evans ’74 traded suturing
for pruning.
“Both my wife and I said, ‘Enough,’”
Evans explains. Ten years ago he and
his wife, Lynn Davis, downshifted from
intense careers—she worked as a dean
for special scholars at the University of
Virginia—to the more seasonal, rhythmic
vocation of viticulture as the owners of
Flying Fox Vineyard.
Th e Le Sueur, Minn., native says they
always knew they wanted to grow some-thing.
“My father grew corn. It seemed like it
would be a little more fun to grow grapes,”
he says.
Th e project was a labor of love, tending
three varieties—merlot, cabernet franc
and petit verdot—on six and a half acres,
against a breathtaking backdrop of Blue
Ridge Mountains in Afton, Va., near
Charlottesville.
“We have grown grapes for 10 years and
have lost money every year on them,” he
recalls.
Four years ago, the couple took the next
step—making wine. Th ey are beginning to
see the rewards of that eff ort. Th eir 2006
Petit Verdot won a gold medal at the 2009
Virginia Governor’s Cup wine competi-tion.
Th eir 2006 Trio and 2006 Cabernet
Franc received bronze medals.
With 5,000 vines, the vineyard pro-duces
38 tons of grapes and approximately
25,000 bottles of wine annually. Each
year is an adventure, he says, and each
venture— growing the grapes, making
the wine and selling it—is a separate
enterprise, with a separate learning curve.
Tending the vineyard is his favorite.
“We just love growing grapes. It’s
delightful to
watch the grapes
and wonder about
this year’s vintage.”
In the vineyard,
everything is hand—the fruit thinning,
the harvesting. Pruning is done
in February and March, while the
vines are dormant. Evans describes
the process as “pastoral, creating
order from chaos.”
A few years ago, the late Br.
Dietrich Reinhart, OSB,
spent a day at Flying Fox.
It was pruning season, and
Evans warned him before
the visit, “If work is wor-ship,
you are going to do a lot of
worshipping.”
Br. Dietrich spent the day in worship,
prune shears in hand.
You don’t have to go to Virginia to try
Evans’s fi ne wines. Learn more at
fl yingfoxvineyard.com.
pes
bout
age.”
yard,
done by
uit . nd mant. aos.”
hart, g After 25 years as a doctor, Rich Evans ’74 became a vintner and is now co-owner with his wife of Fly-ing
Fox Vineyards in Virginia, producing 25,000 bottles of wine annually. Their 2006 Petit Verdot won a
gold medal at the 2009 Virginia Governor’s Cup wine competition.
28
Let’s Brew
Wouldn’t it be great to start a brew-ery?
Dan Schwarz ’97 and some of his
neighbors thought so. Four years after an
idle conversation, Schwarz is a partner and
CEO in Lift Bridge Brewery in Stillwater,
Minn.
Th e idea began as backyard chatter
among fi ve neighbors, Schwarz says.
“We were talking about how we would
like to have a brewery, and we decided to
get together and brew,” he says.
Th ey began with recipe development;
next came recipe refi nement. Th en there
were the business and licensing details.
Th ey produced the company’s fi rst keg in
2008.
Now Schwarz has two careers. He kept
his day job in computer science to pay the
bills. It helps that he works at home, he
says. When he takes a break, he can spend
time with his children—Alex, 10; Jacob,
8; and Matthew, 5—and his wife, Katie
(Macy) Schwarz, a ’97 CSB alumna and
hall of fame diver at CSB.
Bread, Brats and Beer
In Louisiana Cajun country, the aromatic
vegetables bell pepper, onion and celery are
affectionately called the holy trinity. In Col-legeville,
the same may be said of bread, brats
and beer.
Enter John Uldrich '60, food marketer
extraordinaire. He views Johnnie Bread as an
important branding element, one that fuses
the power of symbolism with the power of
memory.
Add beer and bratwurst sausages, and you
have all the major food groups for a fi ne
29
As CEO, Schwarz will have greater
interaction with other businesses as the
company builds its distribution. Th at’s the
easy part.
“Selling beer is the easiest job in the
world,” Schwarz says. He walks into an
establishment, off ers the manager a sample
and lets the beer sell itself.
For Schwarz and his partners, it is
important to associate their beer with a
place. Th us, they named their brewery for
a distinctive landmark in Stillwater. Th e
name helps establish their company within
the community, and lends itself to visual
marketing opportunities.
Th e brewery had one other marketing
advantage. Schwarz’s brother, Steve, is a
CSB/SJU adjunct assistant professor in
management and an adviser to the market-ing
club. Th e club prepared a full market-ing
plan for the company.
For more on brews by Schwarz and his
neighbors, go to liftbridgebrewery.com
Collegeville meal.
Twenty years ago, Uldrich introduced wild
rice sausage at a food show. Johnnie Brats are
his latest creation. He has trademarked the
product on behalf of Saint John’s. The brats
are sold locally at St. Joe’s Meat Market, with
a portion of the profi ts designated for Saint
John’s.
“Brats date back to the 1500s,” says
Uldrich, who has worked in the food indus-try
for more than half a century, including
summers as a teenager at his grandfather’s
award-winning creamery, Pine Mountain
Creamery, in northern Minnesota. He fl avors
the Johnnie Brats with foods associated with
Saint John’s—apple, wild rice, maple syrup
and beer.
Olde Johnnie Ale has a similar marketing
arrangement, with a portion of its proceeds
benefi tting Saint John’s Preparatory School.
The ale is brewed at the Gluek Brewery in
Cold Spring and is available at several loca-tions
throughout Central Minnesota, including
Brother Willie’s Pub at SJU.
Steve Zimmerman ’72 joined a group of
SJ Prep alumni, including Lee Jordan ’72 and
Mark Selner (Prep ’68), who conceived the
Olde Johnnie Ale idea while sharing a pint.
The guys poured their hearts into the project,
as Zimmerman reports that the ale required
“many taste tests to arrive at a formula.”
Their hard work was rewarded. “It turned
out quite good,” he says.
The ale was offi cially tapped at Brother
Willie’s Pub during a sesquicentennial celebra-tion,
Family Fun Day, sponsored by Saint
John’s Abbey, Liturgical Press, Preparatory
School and University.
Becca Dilley Photography
Dan Schwarz ’97 is partner and CEO of Stillwater, Minn.-based Lift Bridge Brewery, which takes its
name from a distinctive Stillwater landmark. The company produced its fi rst keg in 2008. Schwarz is
now focusing on building the brewery’s distribution network.
30
ADVANCING THE MISSION
Th e Rev. Hilary Th immesh ’50,
OSB, president emeritus, has been
named director of the Benedictine
Institute at Saint John’s.
Th e Benedictine Institute at
Saint John’s was established by the
University’s Board of Regents in
2008 to honor the late Br. Dietrich
Reinhart, OSB, president emeritus.
“Th e Benedictine heritage is
deeply rooted in ancient cultures,
and we often think of it as one
of the great civilizing forces in
European history,” says Th immesh.
“Th ere is also a contemporary
Benedictine world that stretches
around the globe. We at Saint
John’s and Saint Ben’s are part of
that world. Th e Benedictine Insti-tute
will help us see our mission as
teachers and learners from the rich
perspective of the world we come
from and awareness of our world
today.”
Th e purpose of the Benedictine
Institute is to strengthen the Catholic,
Benedictine character of Saint John’s University that has been
its hallmark since it was founded in 1857 by the monks of Saint
John’s Abbey. Toward that end, the institute will:
• foster an understanding and appreciation of Benedictine
tradition, spirit and values among students, faculty and staff ,
as well as alumni, parents and friends
• foster interaction between the monks of Saint John’s Abbey
and students, faculty and staff of Saint John’s University
• promote links between HMML, the Collegeville Institute,
Th e Saint John’s Bible and academic programs of the College
of Arts and Sciences and the School of Th eology•Seminary
Programs associated with the
Benedictine Institute will include
visiting scholars, symposia, faculty
development and research grants,
study trips for faculty, staff , and
alumni to Catholic and Benedic-tine
sites and student programs
that convey Benedictine values,
promote vocational refl ection and
prepare students for leadership and
service in church and society.
“Fr. Hilary’s long experience in
academic aff airs, student develop-ment
and monastic leadership
makes him the ideal director of our
new Benedictine Institute,” said
the Rev. Robert Koopmann, OSB,
president of Saint John’s Univer-sity,
commenting on Th immesh’s
appointment. “Saint Benedict
was concerned for every aspect of
the well being of his communi-ties.
Th is wonderful project will
encourage ever new and timely
methods to share our Benedictine
charism throughout the Saint John’s
and Saint Ben’s community.”
“I am thrilled that Fr. Hilary has accepted the position of direc-tor
of the Benedictine Institute,” said Abbot John Klassen, OSB, of
Saint John’s Abbey. “He is a highly respected teacher, thinker and
leader on our two campuses, with a seasoned and integrated view of
the dynamic interaction between being Catholic and Benedictine.”
Now professor emeritus of English and president emeritus,
Th immesh retired from full-time teaching in 2008. Almost
continuously from 1954 to the present, Th immesh has served as a
faculty resident in the student residence halls at Saint John’s.
Th immesh Becomes Director of Benedictine Institute
In Memory of Br. Dietrich
Memorials to Br. Dietrich Reinhart ’71, OSB,
may be made to the Benedictine Institute at Saint
John’s University. Th us far, donors have contribut-ed
nearly $3 million to the Benedictine Institute,
including leadership gifts from Jim ’78 and Mary
Frey, Dan ’70 and Katharine Whalen, Frank ’48
and Julia Ladner, and Steve ’76 and Diane Halverson.
“I was struck by the words: ‘. . . there is a critical need to defi ne
what it means to be a Benedictine university in America in the
21st century,’” commented Halverson. “I hope and trust that the
Benedictine Institute will be committed to exploring this crucial
question, to further advance the University and further deepen the
great apostolate of Saint John’s Abbey.”
Fr. Hilary Thimmesch '50, OSB
31
When thousands of Johnnie faithful return to campus for the
SJU football home opener against Wisconsin-Eau Claire on Sept.
12, the newly expanded press box will certainly catch their atten-tion.
Over the summer a third fl oor was added to accommodate
the growing demand for hospitality.
Increased fan and media interest in Johnnie football and Hall of
Fame coach John Gagliardi drove the decision to begin exploring
the possibility for this expansion project almost two years ago. “We
have something special in Saint John’s football and we know that,”
says Tom Stock, SJU athletic director. “We’ve led the country in
Division III attendance for the past eight years because our pro-gram
is exceptional. John Gagliardi now has 461 career victories,
the most in college football history, and as this number edges
closer to 500, we need to be prepared for what lies ahead.”
“Clemens Stadium has been named one of the ‘must-see’ desti-nations
in college football, and we want to continue to make im-provements
to this renowned venue,” says Rob Culligan ’82, vice
president for institutional advancement. “Johnnie football games
present a tremendous opportunity for us to spend time with fans,
boosters and benefactors and to thank them for their support. We
just completed a successful capital campaign, and the new presi-dent’s
suite, along with four additional hospitality suites, provide
the space needed to accommodate our alumni and friends.”
Th e addition of an elevator and sprinkler systems for the three
fl oors also signifi cantly improves the safety of the facility. “For
visiting coaches, media, and so many of our own special guests,
it is imperative that we address these important issues of safety,
hospitality and handicap accessibility,” Culligan adds.
Th e lead donor on the project is Bill Laliberte ’70 and his wife,
Ginny. Laliberte was a standout running back for the Johnnies. He
and Ginny live in southern California, where he owns a produce
brokerage fi rm.
“I’ve been a part of Saint John’s history for almost my entire life,
and it becomes a case of wanting to give back,” Laliberte said. “Th e
university has been a big part of my growth and my development,
and John Gagliardi played a big role in my early, formative years.
So when this was put in front of me, I took the mantle and ran
with it. I told the school I’d like the chance to lead the charge.”
Other donors include Dan ’52 and Mabel Coborn, Chris ’81
and Becky Coborn, Bill ’55 and Joyce Sexton, Jim Sexton ’81,
Joel ’65 and Judy Montpetit, Mike ’90 and Kate Magnuson,
Denny ’83 and Brenda Schleper, Scott ’77 and Julie Becker, Greg
Soukup ’72 and Mary Jo Carr, Mike ’84 and Suzanne Becker,
Paul '83 and Lisa Noack, John ’64 and Olivia McCormick.
Like Laliberte, most of the donors played football for John
during their years at SJU. Sexton, Montpetit and Becker are
the exceptions. “I am deeply grateful to these alumni and their
spouses for their extraordinary support for this project,” said Dan
Whalen ’70, former interim president and chair of the capital
campaign. “Th ey are wonderful people.”
Clemens Stadium Press Box Receives Upgrade
John Biasi
32
In March, Saint John’s interim president Dan Whalen ’70 paid a
special visit to longtime Saint John’s enthusiast Don McNeely near
his winter home in Pebble Beach, Calif. Whalen recalls the visit
well.
“Don greeted me warmly,” said Whalen. “Over the next two
hours, he told his story about his 45-year commitment to Saint
John’s. Th roughout the conversation, Don demonstrated his still
sharp mind, with vivid recall of events from the past half-century.
It was an honor for me to meet this iconic fi gure from Saint John’s
history.” One week later, McNeely passed away at 94.
McNeely’s contributions were numerous and varied, and his
marks may be found across the Saint John’s campus.
He was an entrepreneur extraordinaire. A native of St. Paul,
graduate of St. Mark’s, St. Paul Academy and Yale, he spent his en-tire
career, right up until the last day, making decisions that aff ect-ed
his vast warehousing enterprise. He was a director of a number
of major companies (most notably the Space Center), nonprofi ts
and charitable foundations.
Like so many of his era, McNeely was a private person. He
downplayed his military achievements. A naval offi cer during
World War II, he served throughout China, Burma and India and
participated in several Guadalcanal landings. He served with many
historically signifi cant fi gures including Lord Louis Mountbatten,
supreme allied commander of the Southeast Asia Th eatre, last vice-roy
of the British Indian Empire and the fi rst governor-general of
independent India; Gen. Curtis Lemay, the father of the Strategic
Air Command; and the Australian coast watchers/code breakers,
who played such an important role in the South Pacifi c. He retired
from the navy as a lieutenant commander.
McNeely’s relationship with Saint John’s began with a phone call
from his colleague, Harry Holtz ’39, CEO of First Trust Company,
St Paul. He off ered McNeely an opportunity of a lifetime. It was
1963 and the Saint John’s football team had just been selected
to play in its fi rst national championship––the Camellia Bowl in
Pasadena. Would McNeely help the team travel to California?
“Yes.” After all, McNeely was a great athlete—a state squash cham-pion,
who threw the ball around with his friend Hank Greenberg
in wartime baseball games and played tennis until he was 90. He
was a co-owner of the Minnesota Vikings and helped bring the
Washington Senators to Minnesota. Th e Johnnies went on to beat
Prairie View A&M 33-27 to win the NAIA National Champion-ship,
and a lifetime relationship between McNeely and coach John
Gagliardi was born.
Fast forward to 1967. Holtz once again approached his busi-ness
associate. Would McNeely join the Saint John’s Board of
Regents? Th e response was again affi rmative, and McNeely spent
the next 42 years helping guide the fortunes of the university.
Articles and news clippings from intellectual magazines and
A Far-Ranging Legacy:
Don McNeely and Saint John’s
By John Taylor ’58
Lt. Commander Don McNeely (front) and the Australian coast watchers during WW II.
Don McNeely (L) and John Gagliardi
Donald McNeely Spectrum
When Saint John’s sought a major expansion of its athletic facili-ties
in the 1990s, we once again turned to McNeely, and he re-sponded
with a leadership gift in support of the Donald McNeely
Spectrum. Th is 60,000-square-foot fi eld house opened in 1998,
featuring an eight-lane indoor 200-meter track, fi ve indoor tennis
courts, two collegiate-sized basketball courts, two high school-sized
basketball courts and baseball infi eld and facilities for golf and
baseball practices. At the time of its building, the Spectrum ranked
among the best collegiate arenas in the Midwest.
McNeely Entrepreneurship Program
McNeely was the visionary and investor behind the Donald
McNeely Center for Entrepreneurship at Saint John’s and Saint
Benedict’s. Th e program provides classes, coaching and assistance
to young entrepreneurs. It also builds relationships among and
between students, faculty, alumni, and community members to
create and strengthen the entrepreneurial spirit. Until his death,
selected students presented their venture ideas and progress to
McNeely each year at his corporate offi ce. In 2007, he provided
funds to start the McNeely Student Venture Loan Fund to provide
fi nancial resources for students to start or grow ventures while in
school. Several student ventures have used those funds to launch or
signifi cantly expand enterprises.
33
papers were sent weekly to SJU presidents Fr. Colman Barry, Fr.
Michael Blecker, Fr. Hilary Th immesh and Br. Dietrich Reinhart,
along with notes observing educational trends and commentary
on world issues. He corresponded regularly with SJU presidents,
deans and faculty members. He also sent tickets to the Vikings,
Twins and North Stars as well as the Minnesota Orchestra and
Opera. His impact on the academic and athletic life of the Univer-sity
was profound. His gifts to Saint John’s were many and varied.
Over his lifetime he contributed more than $5 million to Saint
John’s to a variety of priorities, making him the largest non-alumni
donor to the University.
Warner Palaestra
In 1973, McNeely gave SJU a leadership challenge grant in sup-port
of a new athletic facility which became known as the Warner
Palaestra, named after his favorite aunt, Rose Warner. It replaced
the Old Gym (Rat Hall), now known as Guild Hall, which was
built in 1901.
The Forum Debate Society
Th e Forum was patterned after the Cambridge Union and the
Oxford Union societies of Great Britain. It began in 1977 and
continued into the 1990s. Typically, nationally prominent guest
debaters were joined by faculty and students representing each
side of the topic, followed by a period of questions and discussion.
Th e program is scheduled to begin again in spring 2010 under the
aegis of the Eugene McCarthy Center for Public Policy and Civic
Engagement.
University Chair in Critical Thinking
In the 1980s, McNeely made a generous gift to Saint John’s to
establish an endowed chair in critical thinking, originally known
as the McNeely Chair in Critical Th inking. Now the University
Chair in Critical Th inking, it is held by Prof. Nick Hayes ’69, a
Russian scholar and MPR and PBS commentator.
(L to R) Debaters Wm. F. Buckley Jr., Vincent King ’80 and Pat Welle ’78
Dedication of the McNeely Spectrum, Apr. 17, 1998
E-Scholars Abby Stahl ’08 (L) and Susan Lipp ’08 with Don McNeely
34
JOHNNIE SPORTS
gojohnnies.com
Links for Life: Joe Daly ’09
By John Taylor ’58
Joe Daly ’09 has been faith-driven
throughout his life. “As far back as I can
remember, we were weekly churchgoers.
My parents and my faith played major
roles in my life. My closest friends are
arguably the strongest Christians I know.”
Raised in Owatonna, he was introduced
to the world of math by his father, an
insurance executive, who had him doing
multiples of three in kindergarten. “I
love numbers; math has just come easy
to me, so I became an accountant.” He
carried a 3.76 GPA in accounting, is a
three-time Academic All-MIAC honoree,
was named an All-American Scholar in
2008. He was additionally honored in
2009 as the College Sporting News Senior
Student-Athlete, the Cleveland Golf/Srixon
All-America Scholar for Division III by the
Golf Coaches Association of America, and
ESPN Th e Magazine named him to the
Academic All-America third team.
“I always wanted to play competitive
golf in college, but academics had to come
fi rst,” Daly says.
He had Division I “looks,” but decided
to enroll at a D-III school. “Saint John’s
was a no-brainer. It felt so right. I told
coach Bob Alpers ’82 that he did not have
to come after me; I was coming to Saint
John’s. I had a great freshman fall season
and won the conference championship.”
Daly’s sophomore year was average, but
SJU won its fi rst national championship.
His junior year was a bit better, and Saint
John’s got one of two at-large bids and
won a second national championship. In
his senior year, he played better, and the
Johnnies again won the conference cham-pionship.
Th ey slipped to an eighth place
fi nish at nationals.
“I love Saint John’s. I served in the sen-ate
for three years, two as president. My
proudest accomplishment was helping to
initiate a collegiate readership program
where the senate pays for the daily New
York Times, USA Today and Minneapolis
Star Tribune for our students. Oh, and the
dodgeball team that I play on, the Dodg-ers,
is the seven-time intramural winner.”
Daly will spend the summer at a
Christian family camp in Branson, Mo.
After that, he hopes to pursue a career in
accounting or insurance.
John Taylor is SJU associate vice president,
institutional advancement—and a BIG
Johnnie fan.
Paul Middlestaedt
Joe Daly ’09 has driven and putted his way to two conference championships and two national titles
with the Johnnie linksmen while also earning a variety of academic honors.
35
gojohnnies.com
CLUB SPORTS
LACROSSE won a tough non-conference win
against No. 3 nationally ranked Grand Valley
State. Thirteen freshmen joined a strong
core of upperclassmen. Captains Brian
Strauss ’09 , Mike Freeman ’09, Justin
Gervais ’09 and Brian Kubovec ’10
helped the team transition to a new
coach, Derek Daehn—the 2009
UMLL coach of the year. The John-nies
and Tommies qualifi ed for the
MCLA National Tournament losing
to Dayton in the semifi nals and
fi nishing the season at 11-3.
ULTIMATE FRISBEE was
ranked 15th in the country for D-III
frisbee teams with a record of
31-17, qualifying them for the
nationals, where they placed
13th, fi nishing with a record
of 3-3.
BASKETBALL (14-12, 12-8 MIAC) fi nished third
and made its 18th appearance in the MIAC tourna-ment.
Aaron Burtzel ’11 was named to the All-MIAC
fi rst team, while wing Chris Schwartz ’11 was
named honorable mention. Point guard Andy Burns
’12 was named to the fi ve-man All-First Year team
and wing Cole Isetts ’09 was named to the All-MIAC
Sportsmanship team. SJU head coach Jim Smith’s
quest for milestone win No. 700 will wait until next
season when he begins his 46th season in Colleg-eville
with a 699-487 career record. Smith received
the 13th annual Outstanding Service Award from the
National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC)
at this year’s NABC Convention in Detroit.
BASEBALL ended the 2009 season with a 12-
20 overall record and a 7-13 record in the MIAC.
Mike Krempa ’09 was named to the 2009 All-MIAC
Sportsmanship team. Head coach Jerry Haugen ’76
ended his 32nd season four wins shy of 600 for his
career with a 596-519-5 record.
GOLF fi nished eighth out of 36 teams at the 2009
NCAA Division III Men’s Golf Championship in Port
St. Lucie, Fla. SJU has now fi nished in the top 10 at
the NCAA Division III Championship eight of its 10
consecutive appearances (2000-09). Joe Daly ’09
led the Johnnies with a four-day total of 300 (+12)
to tie for 29th overall, while Joey Polingo ’09 and
Joe Schoolmeesters ’09 followed with a 301 (+13;
t-33rd) and 302 (+14; t-37th), respectively. Daly
named recipient of the fourth annual College Sport-ing
News Senior Student-Athlete Award for the MIAC.
Daly is a three-time Academic All-MIAC honoree and
was named to the 2009 Academic All-America third
team. Schoolmeesters was named to the Division
III PING All-America third team. The three-time
MIAC Player of the Year, Schoolmeesters
earned 2008 All-America
fi rst team honors with a
sixth-place fi nish at the
2008 national champion-ship.
A four-time Golf
Coaches Association of
America (GCAA) All-District selection and the 2006
MIAC Co-Freshman of the Year, Schoolmeesters led
the MIAC in stroke average for the second consecu-tive
season in 2008-09 (73.4). Daly and Jeff Nechas
’09 were named Cleveland Golf/Srixon All-America
Scholar for Division III by the (GCAA).
HOCKEY (10-14-1, 7-8-1 MIAC) fi nished seventh
in the MIAC under the direction of fi rst-year head
coach Doug Schueller. Pat Connelly ’09 was named
to the All-MIAC fi rst team.
NORDIC SKIING saw Mason Bacso ’11, Grant
Cook ’12, Trevor Drake ’10, Kevin Neal ’10 and
Matt Palmquist ’12 named to the 2009 NCAA All-
Academic Ski Team. To qualify, they had to hold a
minimum GPA of 3.5 during the fall 2008 semester
and participate in the 2009 NCAA Regional.
SWIMMING AND DIVING fi nished fi fth at the
MIAC Championships, posting 26 top-10 fi nishes in
the three-day meet.
TENNIS (9-9, 5-4 MIAC) ended its season with
a 7-2 loss to St. Olaf in the fi rst round of the MIAC
playoffs. Head coach Jack Bowe ended the year with
a 121-116 career record in 12 seasons. Mark Steel-man
’09 and Dutch Hansen ’10 earned All-MIAC
honors in singles competition.
TRACK AND FIELD claimed three individual MIAC
titles to fi nish fi fth at the 2009 MIAC Indoor Cham-pionships
and tied for 24th at the NCAA Division III
Indoor Championships. Eric Buss ’09 and Erik Diley
’09 earned All-America honors. The team fi nished
second at the 2009 MIAC Outdoor Championships as
nine individuals earned a total of 14 All-MIAC honors
and claimed conference titles in fi ve events. SJU has
now fi nished second or better at the meet each of
the past seven seasons and tied for 44th at the NCAA
Division III Outdoor Championships, thanks to a pair
of All-America performances by Brayden Wagner ’09
in the decathlon (sixth) and pole vault (eighth). Buss
ended his career by earning All-America honors for
the fi fth time, all in the triple jump (two indoor, three
outdoor), with a sixth-place fi nish (14.78 meters). He
was named the MIAC Outstanding Field Athlete for
both the indoor and outdoor seasons in 2009, and
was named to the Academic All-America fi rst team.
WRESTLING Minga Batsukh ’11 become SJU’s
fourth wrestling national
champion at the 2009
NCAA Division III champion-ships.
As a team, the John-nies
fi nished 15th out of 62.
Dustin Baxter ’11 fi nished
seventh at 184 pounds
to also earn All-American
honors (top eight). The
grapplers fi nished the season 10-5 in dual meets,
including an 18-13 win over Augsburg that snapped
a 22-match losing streak. The win, which was the
fi rst for the Johnnies over the Auggies since the
1985-86 season, also broke two other Augsburg
winning streaks—a streak of 70 straight victories
over Minnesota Division II or III opponents since
1996, and a streak of 92 straight victories over foes
stretching to the 1986-87 season. Grant Eustice ’09
was named a 2008-09 National Wrestling Coaches
Association (NWCA) Academic All-American. Eustice
posted a 24-11 record in 2008-09 and fi nished
fourth in the 174-pound bracket at the NCAA Great
Lakes Regional. Eustice also earned NWCA Aca-demic
All-America honors in 2006-2007.
ationally reshmen assmen. ke m aehn—John-es
ason RISBEE he g e ng he champion-am,
John-
5th 4 l-2368
ALUMNI CONNECTION
sjualum.com
The 2009 Fr. Walter Reger Distinguished
Alumnus Award will be presented to Bob
Spinner ’64 at the annual Alumni As-sociation
banquet on Oct. 2. Recognizing
Bob’s outstanding service to the Saint John’s
community, it is the highest honor given by
the Alumni Association. The award is named
for Fr. Walter, the driving force behind the
Alumni Association for decades. So ardent
was his dedication to SJU, its students and
alumni that he became known as “Mr. Saint
John’s.”
It was the athletic program that drew
Robert (Bob) Spinner ’64 to Saint John’s
University, but when he arrived he found
much more. His student years translated
into a lifelong commitment to alma mater.
Spinner played football and ran track.
He majored in economics and accounting
and participated in ROTC.
“Arriving at football camp two weeks
before school started in August of 1960, I
experienced some homesickness and fear
of my ability to make the SJU football
team. Within two days some 15 fresh-man
football players, who had competed
against each other in high school, were
bonding as friends and teammates. I knew
I belonged at SJU,” Spinner recalls.
Spinner helped Saint John’s win its first
national football championship in 1963 as
an all-conference halfback. Teamed with
star back Bernie Beckman ’64, “Spinner
and Beckman” became a familiar catch
phrase for SJU fans and later generations
of Johnnie football players.
“John Gagliardi has been my coach,
teacher, mentor and a dear friend through-out
my life. On a regular basis Coach
would make rounds in our dorm in the
evening. There would be a knock on the
door and there would be John. He never
talked football at this time. He would
ask how school was going, what we were
studying (hopefully we were), and how
were our grades. He was genuinely inter-ested
in our future and what our career
goals were. How could you not want to
give your all for a coach like him?”
Following graduation, Spinner earned
an M.A. in hospital and healthcare admin-istration
from the University of Minnesota
and launched a career in the healthcare
industry. He spent 33 years with Allina
Hospitals & Clinics and its predecessor
organizations in various capacities, serving
as president and CEO of Abbott North-western
Hospital for 10 years. He retired
in 2001 as president of Allina Hospitals
and Clinics.
This past June, Spinner was named the
Interim CEO of Catholic Charities for the
Archdiocese of St. Paul & Minneapolis.
He is the former chair of the board of
Catholic Charities.
“I spent my entire professional career
in healthcare so I know how important a
liberal arts education is as a precursor to
graduate and professional school,” Spinner
says.
Throughout his life, Spinner has
remained connected to the Saint John’s
community. He has served as chair of the
Board of Regents and is currently a mem-ber
of the National Campaign Committee.
“In recent years, Saint John’s has asked
for an ever increasing commitment
from our alumni serving on the Univer-sity’s
Board of Regents,” comments Dan
Whalen ’70, former SJU interim president
and himself a Reger recipient. “We’ve
expanded responsibilities, created new
committees and posed tough ques-tions.
Bob has always been there exhibiting
exemplary leadership, keen insight and a
dedicated willingness to roll up his sleeves
and go to work. He has been a wonderful
role model and helped move Saint John’s
to new plateaus.
“It’s wonderful that we can give Bob
the Fr. Walter Reger Award this year as his
class celebrates its 45-year reunion.”
In addition, Bob and his wife, Patti,
continue to generously support the univer-sity.
They established The Robert and Patti
Spinner Family Endowed Scholarship in
December 2003. “The University is com-mitted
more than ever before to ensuring
that the Saint John’s experience is acces-sible
to young men from all walks of life,”
Spinner says. “Patti and I are impressed by
this commitment, so much so that we have
established a family scholarship that we
imagine will grow significantly.
“When it comes to classmates and alum-ni
of Saint John’s who have impacted my
life, the list goes on forever. Saint John’s
friends are like an extended family that just
continues to grow,” Spinner comments.
Spinner is father to Robert, Jr., Paul ’91
and Melissa CSB ’92.
Fr. Walter Reger Distinguished Alumnus Award
Robert Spinner ’64
Bob Spinner ’64
Andra Middlestaedt
37
sjualum.com
ALUMNI CONNECTION
Sweet Honey in the Rock
Saturday, September 12, 7:30 p.m.
Petters Auditorium, CSB
500 Clown Macbeth
Friday, September 18, 8:00 p.m.
Stephen B. Humphrey Theater, SJU
BodyVox
Friday, September 25, 7:30 p.m.
Petters Auditorium, CSB
Minnesota Orchestra
Thursday, October 1, 7:30 p.m.
Petters Auditorium, CSB
Bring Your Johnnie Community
Home
Johnnies around the world are fi nd-ing
ways to connect for career and social
networking. Nearly 30 alumni chapters are
scattered from Hong Kong to Des Moines
and in between. Affi nity
groups are also available
for Johnnies with shared
interests, such as former
choir members, physicians,
athletes and more. An affi n-ity
group called Th e Young
Alum Network is made
up of Johnnies and Ben-nies
who have been out of
college for 10 years or less.
Because not everyone
can attend events, the
Alumni Association off ers
several electronic means of
communicating with your
classmates.
JohnniesConnect is the
offi cial online directory
for Saint John’s University.
FINE ARTS CALENDAR
Once registered, you can fi nd the names
and contact information for friends and
classmates or search for alumni who share
career interests. To register, visit sjualum.
com and click on the link in the upper
right corner.
Th e Alumni Association also has a page
available on Facebook. Become a fan
of our page by logging on to Facebook
and searching for Saint John’s University
Alumni Association. You’ll receive updates
about events in your area just by logging in
to Facebook.
You can also connect
through LinkedIn. Join
the offi cial group by
searching for Saint John’s
University Alumni As-sociation
(MN). LinkedIn
provides a great opportu-nity
to post jobs, resumes
or career questions online.
If you have questions
or would like to learn
more about chapters,
affi nity groups or any of
the electronic com-munication
tools
available, contact
the alumni offi ce
at 800-635-7303.
Chicago City Limits
Friday, October 23, 8:00 p.m.
Stephen B. Humphrey Theater, SJU
Saturday, October 24, 7:30 p.m.
Petters Auditorium, CSB
Alasdair Fraser & Natalie Haas
Friday, November 13, 8:00 p.m.
Stephen B. Humphrey Theater, SJU
Room on the Broom
Friday, November 20, 7:30 p.m.
Stephen B. Humphrey Theater, SJU
Danú: A Christmas in Ireland
Sunday, December 6, 7:00 p.m.
Petters Auditorium, CSB
A Judy Collins Christmas
featuring the CSB/SJU Orchestra
Friday, December 11, 7:30 p.m.
Petters Auditorium, CSB
38
sjualum.com
ALUMNI CONNECTION
Johnnies in the Media
Richard Bresnahan ’76 described his
approach to art and life in a feature story
in The Chronicle of Higher Education in
February.
David Prendergast ’76, president
and CEO of
the Global
FoodBanking
Network, was
featured in a
Chicago Busi-ness
magazine
profile entitled
“Creating a New
Blueprint to End
Hunger.” The organization focuses on
supporting existing food banks and creat-ing
new ones around the world, ultimately
“connecting surplus with need,” noted
Prendergast.
Chris Boyd ’77, CEO of Sharp Chula
Vista Medi-cal
Center,
described his
leadership style
in a cover story
of SmartBusi-ness
San Diego.
Boyd credits
coach John
Gagliardi with
giving him his first lessons in business
leadership–emphasizing communication
and personal responsibility. “One of the
things I learned [from Gagliardi] is that
you hire good people, and if you’re very
selective in the hiring or appointment pro-cess,
you get out of their way and let them
work,” Boyd says.
Bill Jeatran ’82 (L) and Tim Fleming
’82 lead RJF Agencies, Inc., which took
home the 2009 Minnesota Business Ethics
Award for mid-sized businesses. Finalists
were noted in the Star Tribune and also in-cluded
Allodium Investment Consultants,
led by David Bromelkamp ’82.
Bennett Morgan ’85, Polaris president
and chief operat-ing
officer, has
been named the
2009 Executive
of the Year by
Powersports Busi-ness
magazine.
The magazine
praised Morgan
for providing
excellent leadership and foresight during
the past year, when crumbling national
Phil Stalboerger ’95, vice president of
policy and leg-islative
affairs
for Blue Cross
and Blue Shield
of Minnesota,
was listed as a
“Forty Under
40” honoree
by the Min-neapolis/
St. Paul
Business Journal. The award spotlights 40
of the region’s top young business and civic
leaders. David Olson, president of Min-nesota
Chamber of Commerce, says that
Stalboerger is “a hardworking and honest
lobbyist who is respected by folks on both
sides of the political aisle–and that is no
small feat these days.”
Denis McDonough ’92, senior foreign
policy aide for President Barack Obama,
was featured in a Rolling Stone article on
the President’s four-man inner circle of
advisors. A defense and intelligence con-sultant
speaks of the group’s responsibility:
“[President Obama’s advisors] are the guys
who meet at the end of the day and decide
things.” McDonough was also pictured in
a Time photo essay “Obama’s 100 Days:
Behind-the-Scenes Photos.” He appears in
several photos, in one of which he is play-ing
football with the President in the Oval
Office (below).
Callie Shell / Aurora Photos
and global economies have created a chal-lenging
landscape for virtually every type
of business. Now in his 22nd year with
Polaris, Morgan was named president and
COO in April 2005.
39
sjualum.com
ALUMNI CONNECTION
Celebrate Saint John’s with alumni, family and friends at Homecoming.
Th e weekend of October 2-4, 2009 will be fi lled with good times for all.
Festivities will begin with the Alumni Association’s Homecoming Banquet,
where we will present Bob Spinner ’64 the Fr. Walter Reger Distinguished
Alumnus Award.
Saturday, Saint John’s will play host to Bethel University in an MIAC
matchup in front of a crowd that historically numbers more than12,000
fans.
Following the football game, join over 3,500 alumni and friends at our
Celebration on the Tundra, where you can reconnect with friends and the
kids can enjoy infl atable games, food and entertainment. Don’t miss it!
HOMECOMING 2009
Celebration on the Tundra October 2-4, 2009
Photos by Dawid Chabowski
40
MILESTONES
Dec. ’08
’04 Jill (Podgorski ’04) to Nate Kopetka ’04,
Aug. ’08
’04 Sarah (Rund ’09) to Jeremy Lind ’04,
June ’08
’04 Ellida (Veenis ’04) to Ali Moin ’04, Nov. ’08
’04 Lisamarie (LiGreci) to Joe Newton ’04,
Oct. ’08
’04 Ashley (Agerter ’04) to Matthew Raitor
’04, Dec. ’08
’04 Aimee (Cupelli ’04) to John Schumacher
’04, June ’08
’04 Lindsey (Hoffman ’04) to Adam Sheve-land
’04, Nov. ’08
’05 Heather Sieben to Christopher Bell ’05,
Oct. ’08
’05 Elizabeth (Siebenaler ’05) to Joseph
Marinac ’05, Jan. ’09
’05 Patricia (Hobday ’01) to Ryan Strack ’05,
Sept. ’08
’05 Jessica (Timm ’05) to Brooks West ’05,
June ’08
’06 Suzanne (Gerjets ’06) to David Burke ’06,
Sept. ’08
’06 Suzanne (Conlin ’06) to David Gorski ’06,
June ’08
’06 Carin (Willette ’06) to Brady Hanson ’06,
Mar. ’09
’07 Josi Cecchini to Luke Hellier ’07, Aug. ’08
’07 Mirela to Adem Lisicic ’07, Oct. ’08
’07 Megan (Groneberg ’07) to Matthew
Logering ’07, Feb. ’09
’07 Clarey (McKeown ’07) to Brendan McIn-erny
’07, June ’09
’07 Nicole (Fritz ’07) to Christopher Truso
’07, Aug. ’08
’07 Jessica (Wetter ’07) to Andrew Widen
’07, Nov. ’08
’08 Natalie (Arel ’08) to Nathan Justin ’08,
Dec. ’08
’08 Cassy Wilson to Chad Vos ’08, Mar. ’09
Marriages
’95 Sarah Cherry to Marshal Cooley ’95,
Aug. ’08
’01 Carrie to Josh Otto ’01, Aug. ’08
’01 Maria to Matt Schnobrich ’01, Oct. ’08
’01 Megan (Qvale ’02) to Dan Stepaniak ’01,
Aug. ’08
’01 Renee Mader to Dan Welna ’01, June ’09
’02 Jessica Schill to Jason Miller ’02 May ’09
’02 Anne (Kocik ’03) to Brian Ragatz ’02,
Dec. ’08
’03 Krista Anderson to Tony Buesing ’03
May ’09
’03 Jana (Viramontes ’02) to Alan Gaffaney
’03, Nov. ’08
’03 Carrie (Gorecki ’03) to Todd Jahnke ’03,
Jan. ’08
’03 Anna (Kokesch ’03) to Eric Reeve ’03,
Sept. ’07
’04 Kristen (Dudziak ’04) to Jordan Bewley
’04 May ’08
’04 Megan (Pavek ’05) to John Boyle ’04,
Nine alumni will be recognized with the
Saint John’s University Alumni Achieve-ment
Award during class reunion pro-grams
at Homecoming this year. Presented
by the SJU Alumni Association Board of
Directors and the University, the award
salutes professional and career accomplish-ments
as well as personal contributions
to church and community. Past recipients
Class of 1957: Ralph Kilzer, civil servant
Whether it’s the operating room or the state capitol, Ralph Kilzer has
been serving the people of North Dakota for decades. An orthopedic
surgeon in Bismarck, he served two years in the State House before be-ing
elected to the North Dakota Senate every term since 1999.
Kilzer has also been an active volunteer with the Knights of Colum-bus
and the University of Mary, which gave him its McCarthy Award
and the Schafer Excellence in Healthcare Award. He’s also been recog-nized
professionally with the Friend of Nursing Award from the N.D.
Nursing Association and by St. Mary’s High School, which gave him its
distinguished service award.
include the late Sen. Eugene McCarthy ’35;
the late National Football League Hall
of Famer Johnny (Blood) McNally ’49;
missionary priest Fr. Jack Davis ’65; Wall
Street executive Roger Birk ’52; and Mike
Hennessey ’70, sheriff of San Francisco.
Nominations may be made through the
alumni offi ce at any time. Class com-mittees
review the names and forward
a ranked list to the Alumni Association
Board of Directors for fi nal selection.
Generally, one award is given each year to
one member of a reunion class celebrating
20th-50th-year reunions. Th is year special
recognition will be given to Dr. Ralph
Kilzer ’57 and the late Jim Goodman ’84.
Alumni Achievement Award Honorees Named
41
Births
’79 Andrea & Mike Bobick ’79, boy, Charles,
Feb. ’09
’79 Lori & Jon Habben ’79, boy, Cohen,
Oct. ’08
’82 Anna Maria & Peter Jude ’82, girl,
Elizabeth, Oct. ’08
’83 Donna & Phil Villavicencio ’83, girl, Ava,
Oct. ’08
’84 Kelly Ann (Panchot ’89) & Mark Giura ’84,
girl, Emma, Feb. ’07
’85 Amy & Paul Elskamp ’85, boy, Samuel,
Nov. ’08
’86 Donna & Dave Caldwell ’86, boy, Colt,
Sept. ’08
’86 Jennifer & John Gag ’86, twin boys,
George and Charles, July ’08
’87 Thuy & Dave Creen ’87, boy, Jonathan,
Nov. ’08
’88 Char & Mike Vecellio ’88, girl, Isabella,
Jan. ’09
’89 Molly & David Heisler ’89, girl, Mary,
Feb. ’09
’89 Kathy (Saeugling ’87) & Tad Hendrickson
’89, boy, Dashiell, Dec. ’07
’89 Suzanne & Jon Hughes ’89, boy, Ian,
Oct. ’08
’90 Jody & Chip Ferlaak ’90, boy, Crew,
Sept. ’08
’90 Selvi & Tom Habstritt ’90, girl, Amanda,
Oct. ’08
’90 Sara (Cooney ’91) & Tom Preimesberger
’90, boy, Ryan, Jan. ’09
’91 Victoire & Derek Clements ’91, boy,
Matthew, June ’08
’91 Maria & Chris Miller ’91, girl, Clare,
Mar. ’09
’91 Sarah & Glenn Necklen ’91, girl, Tess,
Sept. ’08
’91 Kay & Derek Peterson ’91, girl, Macy,
Apr. ’08
’92 Caprice & Todd Bass ’92, boy, Palmer,
Jan. ’09
’92 Ami (Trempe ’95) & Daniel Bieurance ’92,
boy, Joshua, Nov. ’08
’92 Kristy & Brandon Erickson ’92, boy,
Christopher, Sept. ’08
’92 Heidi (Halstrom ’93) & Eric Hokanson ’92,
boy, Olin, Sept. ’08
’92 Melissa & Lee Olmscheid ’92, girl,
Megan, June ’08
’92 Melissa & Steven Vander Louw ’92, boy,
Lucas, Nov. ’08
’93 Suzanne (Zobitz ’95) & Jason Kelly ’93,
boy, Blake, Oct. ’08
’93 Audrey (Lamoureux ’93) & Matthew
Morrey ’93, girl, Emma, Sept. ’08
’93 Atsuko (Kitanaka ’97) & Mark Schlough
’93, girl, Emma, Dec. ’08
’93 Michelle (Holschuh ’93) & Bob Simmons
’93, twin boys, Alexander and Marc,
Dec. ’08
’94 Stacey (Gerlach ’94) & David Moe ’94,
boy, Benjamin, Nov. ’08
’95 Sara (Wartman ’98) & Matthew Dooley
’95, girl, Claire, Oct. ’08
’95 Jennifer & Jason Engel ’95, boy, Kai,
Feb. ’09
’95 Natalie & John Fowler ’95, girl, Isabelle,
Dec. ’08
’95 Libby (Dooley ’98) & Bobby Hankey ’95,
boy, Daniel, Dec. ’08
’95 Jessa (Sanden ’99) & Christopher
Hastings ’95, girl, Audrey, Apr. ’08
’95 Hether & Bill Johnson ’95, boy, William,
Mar. ’09
’95 Heidi (Skundberg ’95) & Joel Kram ’95,
girl, Elizabeth, Feb. ’09
’95 Jennifer (Fontaine ’94) & Nathan Modeen
’95, girl, Sophia Ida, Sept. ’08
’95 Robyn & Sam Rasure ’95, girl, Katherine,
Oct. ’08
’95 Nicole (Polipnick ’95) & Tim Ward ’95, girl,
Molly, May ’08
’96 Alicia & Josh Anderson ’96, boy, Wyatt,
May ’08
’96 Kerry (Ebnet ’95) & Christopher Herker
’96, boy, Lucas, Apr. ’09
’96 Sarah Jo & Troy Jurek ’96, girl, Mazie,
Jan. ’09
’96 Karen & Andrew Kaus ’96, boy, Owen,
Aug. ’08
’96 Billie (Stotz ’97) & Steven Kimman ’96,
girl, Payton, Nov. ’08
’96 Clayne & Steven Knapp ’96, girl, Emily,
Nov. ’08
’96 Chris (Birckhead ’98) & Tom Meyers ’96,
girl, River, Oct. ’08
’96 Mara (Geis ’96) & Scott Peterson ’96, boy,
Maxwell, Dec. ’08
’96 Jodi (Rademacher ’96) & Jason Radel
’96, boy, Jayden, Feb. ’08
’96 Stephanie & Mark Regnier ’96, girl, Maya,
Feb. ’09
’97 Holly (Larson ’97) & Noah Brandenburger
’97, boy, Anthony, Apr. ’09
Class of 1959: Don Hall, stockbroker and volunteer
A retired stockbroker and investment counselor, Don Hall has
used his talents in many ways, crossing international and ecumenical
boundaries. He has been a board member, fundraiser, donor and active
member with Common Hope (supporting schools and clinics in Gua-temala)
and Sister Parish (adopting parishes in Central America); he
also helped launch the CSB/SJU Cyril Paul Scholarship for Caribbean
students. Hall helped rebuild the steeple at Central Lutheran Church
in downtown Minneapolis and Stella Maris Chapel on the shores of
Lake Sagatagan. He’s also served on the North Side Peace Force in
Minneapolis, the Archdiocese Christian Sharing Fund and the League
of Women Voters.
Hall is also an author: his book, A Man Learns, recounts his youth
in Central Minnesota, often using humor to trace the challenges of
growing up.
42
MILESTONES
’97 Rachel (Stokman ’97) & Curtis Brown ’97,
boy, Benet, Apr. ’09
’97 Lisa & Alan Christenson ’97, boy,
Benedict, Feb. ’09
’97 Leah & Aaron Holmgren ’97, boy, Eli,
Jan. ’09
’97 Christine & Stephen Klaus ’97, boy,
Henry, Dec. ’08
’97 Tracy (Schuelke ’98) & Craig Kopetzki
’97, boy, Allen, Dec. ’07
’97 Carrie (Swanson ’97) & Jeffrey Kram ’97,
girl, Cecilia, July ’08
’97 Luz & Marc Mortl ’97, boy, Brendan,
Oct. ’08
’97 Shannon (Feneis ’99) & J. Scott Pitonyak
’97, girl, Jordan, May ’08
’97 Amy & Jeffrey Sieben ’97, boy, Benjamin,
June ’08
’97 Carisa & Nathan Stangler ’97, boy,
William, Apr. ’09
’97 Alison (Beens ’97) & Ryan VanDeWiele
’97, girl, Gabrielle, Nov. ’08
’97 Sandra (Breth ’98) & Josh Woodrum ’97,
boy, Lucas, Feb. ’09
’98 Molly (Schiltgen ’98) & Justin Bonnett
’98, girl, Madeleine, Mar. ’08
’98 Bethany (Vukson ’98) & Matthew Kostol-nik
’98, girl, Emma, Nov. ’08
’98 Meg (Kulenkamp ’00) & Ryan Mitchell
’98, girl, Grace, Sept. ’08
’98 Maria (Prom ’99) & Aaron Ramthun ’98,
boy, Deacon, Sept. ’08
’98 Molly (Omann ’99) & Dan Stangler ’98,
twin boys, Henry and Edward, Apr. ’09
’98 Trisha & Kent Willette ’98, twin girl/boy,
Ingrid and Charlie, Sept. ’08
’99 Heidi (Trutwin ’98) & Chad Clasemann
’99, girl, Eleanor, Nov. ’08
’99 Theresa (Hanish ’99) & Charlie Covert
’99, boy, Douglas, Oct. ’08
’99 Kristin & Michael Dirksen ’99, boy,
Samuel, Mar. ’09
’99 Krista & Brian Gerten ’99, boy, Logan,
Mar. ’09
’99 Allison & Justin Kelley ’99, girl, Adelynn,
Feb. ’09
’99 Brenda & Pete Klaphake ’99, girl, Abby,
Aug. ’08
’99 Brenda (Garding ’99) & Steven Maus ’99,
girl, Claire, Oct. ’08
’99 Amy (Haupert ’99) & Saul McBroom ’99,
boy, Dyson, Sept. ’08
’99 Jocelyn & Jason Rowe ’99, boy, Cale,
Aug. ’08
’99 Cindy & Casey Scheidt ’99, boy, Easton,
Apr. ’09
’99 Jill & Tim Smith ’99, boy, Parker, Feb. ’09
’99 Maura & Marcus Tanabe ’99, boy, Myles,
Oct. ’08
’99 Shannon (Muchlinski ’99) & Ben Tempel
’99, girl, Rebecca, May ’08
’99 Sarah (Athmann ’99) & Chris Thompson
’99, boy, Samuel, Sept. ’08
’99 Molly & Eric Zenk ’99, girl, Sophie,
June ’08
’00 Anna Marie & Tom Bushlack ’00, boy,
Sean, Apr. ’09
’00 Megan & Dan Heffernan ’00, girl,
Susanna, Feb. ’09
’00 Jennifer (Winkels ’00) & Jacob Johnson
’00, boy, Jude, Apr. ’09
’00 Lisa (Neu ’00) & Tony Kapinos ’00, girl,
Eliza, Mar. ’09
’00 Katie (Dekarski ’00) & Nick Lamecker
’00, girl, Anna, Nov. ’08
’00 Holly (Apland ’02) & Patrick McGowan
’00, boy, Noah, Aug. ’08
’00 Heather (Niemi ’00) & Shawn Merritt ’00,
boy, Jack, Dec. ’08
’00 Heather (Mace ’00) & Brandon Novak
’00, boy, Sebastian, 5 years old
’00 Amy (Larson ’00) & John Sand ’00, girl,
Nora, Sept. ’08
’00 Kim & Bryan Skavnak ’00, boy, Ethan,
Nov. ’08
’00 Anne (Carlin ’00) & Jeremy Skramsted
’00, boy, Kaleb, Mar. ’09
’00 Kelley (Connor ’01) & Jeff Stangler ’00,
girl, Luella, Aug. ’08
’00 Stacy (Deery ’00) & Shane Stennes ’00,
boy, Liam, Aug. ’08
’00 Christina & Matthew Tinguely ’00, boy,
Benjamin, Sept. ’08
’01 Amber (Dryden ’00) & Adam Briggle ’01,
girl, Mary, Feb. ’08
’01 Theresa (Kidd ’01) & Andy Case ’01, girl,
Leah, Dec. ’07
’01 Mindy (Fradin ’01) & Adam Gallagher ’01,
girl, Fiona, Jan. ’09
’01 Janna (Winter ’01) & Dave Galloway ’01,
boy, Jack, Nov. ’08
’01 Reyna (Manley ’01) & David Hartley ’01,
boy, Liam, Jan. ’09
’01 Carrie & Adam Klepetar ’01, girl,
Elizabeth, Apr. ’09
’01 Andrea & Patrick Mack ’01, girl, Lily,
Mar. ’09
’01 Melanie (LaComb ’02) & Scott McMahon
’01, boy, Brennan, Mar. ’09
’01 Natalie (Powers ’03) & Adam Miller ’01,
boy, Aric, Aug. ’08
’01 Katie (Corbett ’02) & Adam Phenow ’01,
girl, Abigail, Apr. ’09
’01 Christine (Dickinson ’02) & Thomas
Piersma ’01, girl, Eleanor, Dec. ’08
’01 Alissa (Verschaetse ’01) & Chris Salvato
’01, twin boys, Alexander and Benjamin,
Nov. ’08
’01 Elaine (Keppers ’01) & Jason Thelen ’01,
boy, Eli, Aug. ’08
’01 Emily (Bunce ’01) & Peter Wanning ’01,
girl, Whitney, May ’08
Class of 1964: Ken Roering, professor and chair
Former chair in marketing and a professor at the University of
Minnesota’s Carlson School of Management, Ken Roering is a highly
sought-after consultant. He has shared his expertise in marketing
strategy, planning and inter-organizational relations with 3M, Whirl-pool,
Cargill, Motorola and other companies as well as at lectures at
universities across the country and in France and Poland. He has also
published more than 70 articles, edited three collections of scholarly
writings and written two books. His pedagogy has been recognized
with various teaching and research awards including the University of
Minnesota Outstanding Graduate Teacher honor.
Roering is a Regent of Saint John’s University and sits on several
corporate boards of directors.
43
MILESTONES
’01 Susan (Wall ’98) & Nels Ylitalo ’01, boy,
Isaac, Jan. ’09
’02 Alice & Aaron Bidle ’02, boy, Camden,
Jan. ’09
’02 Sarah (Madge ’03) & Mike Carey ’02, girl,
Grace, Feb. ’09
’02 Molly (Christensen ’04) & Kevin Elfstrand
’02, girl, Madeline, Dec. ’08
’02 Laura (Holton ’02) & Eric Hendrickson
’02, girl, Laney, Feb. ’09
’02 Jill (Carr ’06) & Mark Koch ’02, girl, Lucy,
Nov. ’08
’02 Tammy & Nick Lamusga ’02, boy, Joseph,
May ’08
’02 Megan (Aspengren ’02) & Andrew Lapos
’02, boy, Adam, Oct. ’08
’02 Summer & Andy Minnich ’02, boy, Nolan,
Apr. ’09
’02 Jaime (Peterson ’02) & Ryan Tooley ’02,
girl, Josilyn, Sept. ’08
’03 Jackie (Bye ’03) & Mike Boldt ’03, boy,
Andrew, Jan. ’09
’03 Amanda (Boller ’03) & Chris Dykhoff ’03,
girl, Elena, Feb. ’09
’03 Jennifer & Scott Knudson ’03, girl, Jaya,
Apr. ’09
’03 Sadie (Vagher ’02) & Joel LaFrance ’03,
boy, Noah, Dec. ’08
’03 Angela (Prindle ’04) & Luke Palen ’03,
boy, Jacob, Oct. ’08
’03 Amanda (Schweinfurtor ’03) & Eduardo
Silva ’03, girl, Julianna, Feb. ’09
’03 Heather & Dustin Upgren ’03, boy,
Charles, Dec. ’08
’04 April & Ryan Damlo ’04, boy, Cooper,
Mar. ’09
’04 Anna (Zauhar ’05) & Cole Deibele ’04,
boy, Carson, Mar. ’09
’04 Kristen (Huber ’04) & Timothy Johnston
’04, boy, Lane, Mar. ’09
’04 Angela (Wiering ’04) & Jeff Kaczrowski
’04, boy, Maxwell, Mar. ’09
’04 Lisa (Wienhold ’04) & Brandon Overman
’04, girl, Isabelle, Apr. ’09
’04 Becky (Wolf ’04) & Adam Pitz ’04, boy,
Noah, Nov. ’08
’04 Jenny (Renier ’04) & Joseph Rolfes ’04,
boy, Iain, Apr. ’09
’04 Amanda (Henning ’04) & Paul Stenberg
’04, boy, Torsten, Nov. ’08
’04 Alli (Vacek ’06) & Andrew Weaver ’04,
boy, Noah, Jan. ’09
’05 Ashley (Fruth ’06) & Chris Baldwin ’05,
girl, Madeline, Sept. ’08
’05 Kelly (Becker ’05) & Johnathan DeWein
’05, girl, Ainsley, Apr. ’08
’05 Tessa & Jacob Johnson ’05, girl, Lily, Oct.
’08
’06 Ashley (Blake ’07) & Webster Ford ’06,
boy, Seamus, Mar. ’09
’06 Laura (Zwach ’07) & Scott LaVoy ’06, boy,
Thomas, Dec. ’08
’08 Kimberly (Delarosa ’10) & Preston Allex
’08, girl, Isabella, Sept. ’08
Deaths
’19 George Fisher, Jr., son of deceased George
’19 and brother of Dick ’50, Mar. ’09
’26 George C. Kelsch ’26, Sept. ’08
’32 Don Kolb ’32, Nov. ’08
’32 Jerome “Jerry” Schroder ’32, Feb. ’09
’33 Mary Brenny, spouse of deceased
Clemens ’33, Dec. ’08
’36 Kenneth Cater ’36, Apr. ’09
’37 Maureen Quigley, daughter of deceased
James Quigley ’37, Mar. ’09
’37 Lucille A. Quigley, spouse of deceased
James ’37, Apr. ’09
’37 Elizabeth “Betty” Teigen, spouse of
deceased George “Bud” Teigen ’37,
Mar. ’09
’38 Luella Donlin, spouse of deceased Adrian
’38, Nov. ’08
’38 Rev. Bernie Schreiner ’38, Mar. ’09
’38 Donald Simmons ’38, Oct. ’06
’38 Jean Windschill, spouse of Ermin ’38 and
mother of John ’73, Mar. ’09
’39 Adeline Ellenbecker, spouse of deceased
Frank ’39, Jan. ’09
’39 Sister Jeremy Hall, OSB, sister of Bill ’39,
Nov. ’08
’39 Beatrice “Bea” Terhaar, spouse of
deceased Herbert ’39, Feb. ’09
’40 Francis Bohnenstingel ’ 40, Jan. ’09
’40 Roger Plattes ’40, father of Peter ’69,
brother of Gordon ’41, Feb. ’09
’40 George Robinson ’40, Nov. ’08
’40 Walter Spilos ’40, Apr. ’08
’40 Art Thompson ’40, Aug. ’08
’41 Elmer Eichers ’41, Dec. ’08
’41 Bill McShane ’41, father of Mike ’70 and
Tim ’81, Mar. ’09
’41 Abbot Jerome Weber, OSB ’41, Sept. ’08
’42 Owen Beckwith ’42, Mar. ’09
’42 George Frank ’42, Dec. ’08
’42 Albert Sauerer ’42, Jan. ’09
’42 Dr. Robert Strobel ’42, Aug. ’08
’43 Wally Edelbrock ’43, brother of Ed ’48,
Dec. ’08
’43 Donovan Mayne, brother of John ’43, Jan.
’09
’43 Bob Mertz ’43, Nov. ’08.
’43 Edmund Schulzetenberg, brother of
deceased Rev. Raymond Schulzetenberg
’43, Apr. ’09
’43 Donna Steman, spouse of deceased Louis
’43, Dec. ’08
’44 Don Beuning ’44, brother of deceased
Harvey Beuning ’42, Apr. ’09
’44 Rev. Richard Heid ’44, Feb. ’09
’44 John “Hugh” Murphy ’44, Mar. ’09
’44 Edwin H. Raeker, brother of Gene ’44,
Feb. ’09
’44 Victor Weber, brother of Francis ’44, Nov.
’08
’45 Gene Lenard ’45, father of Tom ’81,
Jan. ’09
’45 Charlene Rooney, spouse of Don ’45,
Jan. ’07
’46 Rev. Edward Nistler ’46, Mar. ’09
’47 Ed Simonet ’47, brother of deceased
Bronson Simonet ’48, Nov. ’08
Class of 1969: Fr. Bob Flannery, priest and ecumenist
Fr. Bob Flannery credits his interest and leadership roles in interna-tional
ecumenism to his days at Saint John’s—as an undergraduate and
seminarian (ordination in 1973). Pastor at St. Francis Xavier Church
in Carbondale, Ill., he has been the diocese’s ecumenical and interreli-gious
offi cer since 1998. He is presently serving his second three-year
term as president of the Catholic Association of Diocesan Ecumenical
and Interreligious Offi cers. Flannery is also a member of the Catholic
delegation to Christian Churches Together in the USA. He earlier was
president of the National Association of Diaconate Directors, which
recognized his leadership by giving him its highest award.
44
MILESTONES
’48 Mary Jo Durenberger, spouse of Gordon
’48, Mar. ’09
’49 Tom Bolger ’49, brother of deceased
Gerald ’56, Feb. ’09
’49 Dick Bresnahan ’49, father of Richard, Jr.
’76, Chad ’91 and brother of Ellery ’50,
Nov. ’08
’49 Robert Bruning ’49, brother of John ’51,
Jan. ’09
’49 Frances Muggli, spouse of Bob ’51 and the
sister of Br. Felix Neussendorfer, OSB ’49,
Apr. ’09
’49 Catherine Twomey, sister of Arthur Hess-burg
’49, Dec. ’08
’49 Rev. David Wild ’49, Oct. ’08
’50 Margaret Coyle, spouse of Jim ’50,
Nov. ’08
’50 Tom Doyle ’50, Dec. ’08
’50 Donald Hassler, brother of John ’50,
Nov. ’08
’50 John Hassler ’50, Dec. ’08
’50 Rachel Leimer, spouse of Thomas ’50,
Feb. ’09
’50 Rev. William Matyas ’50, Sept. ’08
’50 Mary Louise McLain, sister of Fred ’50 and
Karl ’58, Jan. ’09
’51 Will Dombrovske ’51, Apr. ’09
’51 Luanne Kline, spouse of deceased Jerry
’51, Mar. ’09
’51 Mike Willette ’52, brother of DePaul ’51,
Pierre ’58, Tom ’59, Mar. ’09
’52 Steven Birk, son of Roger ’52, Dec. ’08
’52 Mary Dichtel, spouse of Francis ’52,
Nov. ’08
’52 Joyce Fleming, spouse of Joe ’52 and
mother of Tom ’78, July ’08
’52 Greg Gits ’52, Dec. ’08
’52 Frank Hentges ’52, Apr. ’09
’53 Lorraine Stock,
Click tabs to swap between content that is broken into logical sections.
| Rating | |
| Title | 2009 Autumn Saint John's Magazine (Alumni Magazine) |
| Description | SJU Alum Publication |
| Language | English |
| Rights | Copyright© 2009 Saint John's University Archives. All Rights Reserved. |
| Genre | Archival Materials |
| transcript | MAGAZINE AUTUMN 2009 Fr. Robert Koopmann ’68, OSB An interview with the 12th President of Saint John’s F E A T U R E S 14 Serving with Spirit Four graduates span the globe—and learn some surprising lessons—as members of the growing Saint John’s Benedictine Volunteer Corps. 10 Meet the Prez He’s on a mission to “bring people together.” Meet SJU’s new president in an exclusive Q&A with Fr. Robert Koopmann ’68, OSB. 22 SJU Culinary Institute? Th ese Johnnies have degrees like philos-ophy and botany. And one is a former doctor. So what are they doing winning awards for food and drink? D E P A R T M E N T S 2 From the President 3 Behind the Pines 18 Service to the Church 20 Arts & Culture 30 Advancing the Mission 34 Johnnie Sports 36 Alumni Connection 40 Milestones 48 Inspiring Lives 1 The Magazine of Saint John’s University AUTUMN 2009 EDITOR Jean Scoon EDITORIAL TEAM Glenda Isaacs Burgeson Rob Culligan ’82 Troy Fritz ’88 Greg Hoye Jon McGee ’84 John Young ’83 CONTRIBUTORS John Biasi Rob Culligan ’82 Brendon Duffy Jennifer Mathews Emery Troy Fritz ’88 Michael Halverson ’01 Michael Hemmesch ’97 Ryan Klinkner ’04 Rose Beauclair Radkowski Jean Scoon John Taylor ’58 Jim Triggs Thom Woodward ’70 John Young ’83 EDITORIAL ASSISTANT Julie Scegura DESIGN AND PRODUCTION Greg Becker, Karen Hoffbeck EDITOR EMERITUS Lee A. Hanley ’58 UNIVERSITY ARCHIVIST Peggy Roske is published in the fall and winter and CSB/SJU Magazine is published with the College of Saint Benedict in the spring. ADDRESS CHANGES Saint John’s University P.O. Box 7222 Collegeville, MN 56321 rathmann@csbsju.edu CONTACT 320-363-2591 800-635-7303 http://www.csbsju.edu LETTERS Saint John’s Magazine Office of Institutional Advancement P.O. Box 7222 Collegeville, MN 56321 E-MAIL jscoon@csbsju.edu 2 FROM THE PRESIDENT Dear friends, It is an honor and a pleasure as the new president of Saint John’s University to wel-come you to the autumn issue of the Saint John’s Magazine. On behalf of the Saint John’s community, I would like to thank Dan Whalen ’70 for his contributions in the transition. Dan stepped in as interim president during a difficult time and has served us well since last October. I know you all join me in thanking him for his guidance and leadership. Saint John’s has had some influential Catholic Church leaders in our midst in the past few months. Walter Cardinal Kasper joined us from Rome in March to deliver the Godfrey Diek-mann, OSB Lecture at Saint John’s School of Theology∙Seminary and received the Pax Christi Award from Saint John’s Abbey and University. Cardinal Kasper, a renowned theologian and ecumenist, shared some thought-provoking theological concepts with us and offered us his insight into church relations. It was a privilige to have someone with us who works so closely with the Holy Father. Right after Cardinal Kasper’s visit, one of our own—Dr. Miguel Díaz, professor of theol-ogy— was nominated as the U.S. Ambassador to the Holy See. We couldn’t be more pleased for Miguel and wish him the best. In our first feature in this issue, we focus on the Saint John’s Benedictine Volunteer Corps, a program that is close to my heart. Some outstanding SJU alumni have been sponsored by Saint John’s Abbey, volunteering in the United States, Africa, the Middle East and South America while exploring their own futures in the context of Benedictine communities. Our second feature deals with a topic people from every corner of the world can relate to: food. It is inspiring to learn how some of our alumni have carved out niches sharing their passion for food and made their dreams come alive. Our staff seemed to particularly enjoy researching this delicious article! Finally, we pay tribute to Don McNeely, a close friend and benefactor of Saint John’s, who passed away in March at 94. McNeely’s contributions to Saint John’s were numerous and extensive, and we thank him and the McNeely family for their generosity. I’m excited to be leading this university that has been such a significant part of my life. I hope to soon be visiting alumni groups far and wide. And I look forward to seeing many of you at my inauguration on October 1 as well as at Homecoming weekend on October 2 and 3. Sincerely, Fr. Robert Koopmann, OSB President 3 Second-largest Combined Class in History Graduates The 2009 SJU graduating class included 420 undergradu- �� combined with CSB’s 511 graduates, this year’s undergraduate Sharon Daloz Parks, director of Leadership for the New Com- - ���� (Video of the SJU commencement ceremony is available online at csbsju.edu/news/commencement.) First I-LEAD Scholars Graduate Among this year’s combined graduating class was a unique group of 13 men and women: the first cohort of CSB/SJU ���� and cultures and are recognized leaders in their schools and com- - toring, student workshops and campus experiences that support - �� Michael Becker 4 csbsju.edu/news BEHIND THE PINES Reinhart Honored Posthumously A tribute was held for the late Saint John’s University President Emeritus Br. Dietrich Reinhart ’71, OSB, at the annual Saint John’s Day in April. Th e evening included the presentation of several posthumous awards, including the Fr. Walter Reger Distin-guished Alumnus Award and honorary Doctor of Laws degrees from Saint John’s University and the University of St. Th omas. A musical tribute in honor of Reinhart was provided by George Maurer ’88. Th e Saint John’s Men’s Chorus performed and Bela Petheo, professor emeritus of art, unveiled his portrait of Reinhart. On March 24, Reinhart was honored for his lifelong dedication to service in Collegeville and the Catholic collegiate community with a statement in the Congressional Record, the offi cial record of the proceedings of the House of Representatives. Saint John’s Coaches Featured in USA Today Coaches John Gagliardi, Jim Smith, Jerry Haugen ’76, Pat Haws ’72 and Tim Miles ’76 were featured in a Feb. 26 USA Today article celebrating their lengthy careers at Saint John’s. When asked what has kept them here, basketball coach Jim Smith said “Th ere was just something about this place that made it unlike anywhere I had ever been. I think it all goes back to the monastery and the values and the ethics of the monks that are all around you. It is and always has been an inspiring place to work.” Caritas Awards Ceremony Honors Alumni Five graduates were honored for their commitment to and in-volvement in service and social justice activities at the annual CSB/ SJU Caritas Awards ceremony in April: John Smith ’09, Ashleigh Leitch ’09, Nick Davis ’02, Joe Schmit ’55 and Marilyn Schmit ’56. Jay Phillips Center for Jewish-Christian Learning Expands Mission, Adopts New Name Th e Jay Phillips Center for Jewish-Christian Learning sponsored jointly by Saint John’s and St. Th omas, has expanded its mis-sion and adopted a new name. Th e center now is named the Jay Phillips Center for Interfaith Learning. Its mission to promote understanding and combat prejudice has expanded to encompass Islam and other world religions. Th e Jay Phillips Center for Jewish-Christian Learning was formed in 1996 by bringing together the Jay Phillips Chair in Jewish Studies at Saint John’s and the Center for Jewish-Christian Learning at St. Th omas. Th e chair at Saint John’s was established in 1969 and named for the Jewish philanthropist who endowed it. Th e chair was most recently held by Rabbi Barry Cytron, who retired in January 2009. Edward Phillips, grandson of Jay Phillips, will be honored on October 12 by Saint John’s with the Colman Barry Award for Distinguished Contributions to Religon and Society at an event to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Jay Phillips Chair in Jewish Studies. (L to R) Fr. Colman Barry, OSB; Jay Phillips; and Rabbi Nahum Schulman worked closely to establish the Jay Phillips Chair of Jewish Studies at SJU in 1969. (L to R) Coaches Jerry Haugen ’76, Tim Miles ’76, Pat Haws ’72 and John Gagliardi. Andy King for USA Today Michael Crouser 5 csbsju.edu/news McCarthy Center Hosts Durenberger ’55 Th e Eugene J. McCarthy Center for Public Policy & Civic En-gagement hosted Dave Durenberger ’55 for a week-long residency in February as part of the Scholar-in-Residence program. Duren-berger served in the U.S. Senate from 1978-95. Th e week was highlighted by two panel discussions. Other panelists who joined Durenburger included former Vice President Walter Mondale, former Sen. Rod Grams, former Sen. Mark Dayton and former Rep. Mark Kennedy ’79. Cardinal Kasper Delivers Diekmann Lecture and Receives Pax Christi Award Cardinal Walter Kasper, president of the Pontifi cal Council for Promoting Christian Unity, delivered the Godfrey Diekmann, OSB, Lecture and received the Pax Christi Award from Saint John’s Abbey and University in March. Th e Pax Christi Award is the highest honor awarded by Saint John’s Abbey and University and recognizes those who have devoted themselves to God by working in the tradition of Benedictine monasticism to serve oth-ers and to build a heritage of faith in the world. Cardinal Kasper was ordained a priest for the Diocese of Rottenburg-Stuttgart in 1957 and became bishop for that diocese in 1989. He became a cardinal in February 2001 and has been the president of the Pontifi cal Council for Promoting Christian Unity since March 2001. (For more on Cardinal Kasper’s visit, see p.18.) Maple Tappers Featured in Star Tribune Video More than 100 volunteers gathered at Saint John’s to continue the annual tradition of tapping maple trees. Th eir eff orts were captured on video by the Min-neapolis Star Tribune. More than 900 guests visited the Arboretum during the Maple Syrup Festivals this spring. David Wagoner Visits Campus as Woodrow Wilson Visiting Fellow Poet, novelist, playwright and screenwriter David Wagoner visited SJU as a Woodrow Wilson Visiting Fellow in April. Wagoner has written 19 books of poetry and 10 novels, one of which, Th e Escape Artist, was adapted into a movie by Francis Ford Coppola. He edited Poetry Northwest from 1966 to 2002, and serves as literary advisor to the Seattle Repertory Th eater and editor of both the Princeton University Press Poetry Series and the University of Missouri Press Break-through Poetry Series. His book of poetry, Good Morning and Good Night (2005), was nominated for the Pulitzer Prize in poetry. Wagoner has been nominated twice for the National Book Award, for Collected Po-ems, 1956-76 and In Broken Country (1979). Th e Woodrow Wilson Visiting Fellows program, administered by the Council of Independent Colleges, brings prominent artists, diplomats, journalists, business leaders and other non-academic professionals to campuses across the U.S. for a week-long residen-tial program of classes, seminars, workshops, lectures and informal discussions. Students meet with former Sen. Dave Durenburger ’55 (back) and former Vice-President Walter Mondale (far right). Erica Manternach CSB ’11 demonstrates tree tapping. Poet and novelist David Wagoner. 6 BEHIND THE PINES csbsju.edu/news Student Case Study Research Team Places Second at National Conference Five students from SJU and CSB participated in a case study research team that placed second in its division at the Society for Advancement of Management, Inc. (S.A.M.) Conference in Las Vegas. Th e team consisted of Peter Banick ’09, Mitch Hallan ’09, Marta Gago ’09, Rachelle Kirchner ’09 and Meghan Lynch ’09. Batsukh ’11 Wins National Championship Minga Batsukh ’11 became the fourth wrestling national cham-pion in SJU’s history at the 2009 NCAA Division III champion-ships in March. He is the fi rst national champion since SJU’s current head coach Brandon Novak won the 197-pound title in 2001. Batsukh, a native of Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, attended high school at St. Benedict’s Preparatory School in Newark, N.J. Li ’10 Wins E-Scholars Competition Ang Li ’10 won the E-Scholars Elevator Pitch competition in Seattle last February. An elevator pitch is an overview of a busi-ness idea that can be delivered in the timespan of an elevator ride. Li won for a pitch on a business idea he developed with Tom Henderson ’10 for “PawPrints,” which would provide oil paintings of pets for customers based on photos of the pets. Li became an E-scholar through a program sponsored by the Donald McNeely Center for Entrepreneurship. Bandar ’09 Earns National Fellowships Jeff rey Bandar ’09 of St. Cloud, Minn., received two prestigious national fel-lowship awards: the 2009 National Science Federation Graduate Research Fel-lowship award and a 2009 National Defense Science and Engineering Graduate Fel-lowship. Each award is worth approximately $30,000 annually and is funded for a maximum of three years. Bandar is currently studying at Columbia University, pur-suing a doctorate in organic chemistry with the goal of teaching at the university level or leading a research team. (L to R) Faculty advisor Steve Schwarz ’01 with Hallan, Kirchner, Gago, Lynch and Banick. Minga Batsukh ’11 earned the 141-pound national wrestling championship in March. Photo courtesy of Don Stoner Dawid Chabowski 7 BEHIND THE PINES csbsju.edu/news Sibley, Blauvelt, Malone Win Teaching Awards Faculty from the mathematics, English and history departments were honored for excellence at the Academic Aff airs Awards in May. Th e SJU Robert L. Spaeth Teacher of Distinction Award was presented to Tom Sibley, professor of mathematics. Th e CSB S. Mary Grell Teacher of Distinction Award was awarded to Cynthia Malone, professor of English. Th e Linda Mealey Teacher-Scholar Award and S. Linda Kulzer Gender Educator Award both went to Martha Tomhave Blauvelt, professor of history. Culligan ’82 Earns Administrator Award Rob Culligan ’82, vice presi-dent of institutional advance-ment, received the Fr. Vincent Tegeder, OSB, Outstanding Ad-ministrator Award. Th e award recognizes service and excellence within the Saint John’s admin-istrative community–someone who embodies the spirit of Saint John’s, provides quality service and makes a powerful contribu-tion to Saint John’s. Culligan, a St. Paul native, began his career at Saint John’s as an admission counselor 27 years ago. Follow-ing several years working for Catholic organizations in Ohio and Colorado, he returned to Saint John’s. Since 1999, he has served as vice president for insti-tutional advancement. Rob Culligan ’82 (L to R) Joe Friedrich ’64, Lynn Moore, S. Ann Marie Biermaier, OSB (L to R) Tom Sibley, Martha Tomhave Blauvelt, Cynthia Malone Retiring Professors Honored Five professors were honored last May at the annual Academic Aff airs Awards on the occasion of their retirement: S. Ann Marie Biermaier, OSB, professor emerita of education; Rabbi Barry Cytron, director of the Jay Phillips Center for Interfaith Learning; Ellen Ellickson, adjunct instructor of nursing; Joe Friedrich '64, professor emeritus of econom-ics; and Lynn Moore, professor emerita of education. Adam Konczewski Adam Konczewski 8 BEHIND THE PINES csbsju.edu/news Mosley Accepts Vice President of Admission and Financial Aid Position Cal Mosley’s admission career spans 42 years. His previous experience includes serving for 11 years as the spe-cial assistant to the president for undergraduate admissions at the College of St. Catherine and as the vice president of university admissions and student aff airs at Hamline University for fi ve years. Prior to that, he was the associ-ate director of admissions at Harvard College (undergraduate program) for 10 years followed by service as the associate dean of academic programs at the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University. Mosley earned his bachelor’s degree in journalism from Pacifi c University in Forest Grove, Ore., his master’s of education in student personnel administration from Springfi eld College in Mas-sachusetts and his doctorate in administration, planning and social policy from Harvard University in Cambridge, Mass. His wife, Claudia Ryan-Mosley CSB ’77, served on the CSB Board of Trustees from 1992-1997. Rogers ’89 Appointed Director of Education Abroad Joe Rogers has served as interim director of educa-tion abroad since 2007. He received his B.A. in history from Saint John’s and his M.A. in East Asian studies from the University of Minnesota in 1993, after working, studying, and traveling in Asia. Rogers graduated with honors from the University of Minnesota Law School in 1998, where he served as Note and Comment editor for Th e Journal of Global Trade and as a mentor for international lawyers in the Law School’s International L.L.M. program. After spending six years as a lawyer in private practice, Rogers returned to his alma mater to work with the Asian studies program. In this capacity, he has been a key player in maintaining and developing study abroad relationships. Walker Appointed CSB/SJU Fine Arts Division Head Greg Walker has been a faculty member in the music depart-ment since 1978. His teaching includes theory, composition and electronic music applications, as well as other courses in the First-Year Seminar and Honors departments. He has directed educa-tion abroad semester programs in London and Australia, and recently developed and directed summer term courses on the fi ne arts in London. Walker was recognized in May with the Academic Advising Award for the fi ne arts division. Bennetts Named Humanities Division Head Dave Bennetts has taught in the history department since 1973. He has served as the chair of the department and been the faculty representative to the Board of Regents. Ben-netts has taught in the Asian studies program, and fi rst established English as a Second Language (ESL) programs in Japan over 20 years ago that have been extremely successful and brought many students to CSB and SJU. He developed the Japan study abroad/exchange program and is Distinguished Visiting Professor on the Bunkyo Gakuin University faculty, where he teaches every summer. ADMINISTRATIVE AND FACULTY APPOINTMENTS 9 BEHIND THE PINES csbsju.edu/news Noreen Herzfeld, CSB/SJU professor of theology and com-puter science, is the new faculty Regent. She holds M.S. degrees in computer science and mathematics from Pennsylvania State University and a doctorate in theology from the Graduate Th eo-logical Union. Herzfeld is the author of numerous books and articles on such diverse topics as cyberspace as a venue for spiritual experience, and the prospects for reconciliation among Christians and Muslims in Bosnia. James Sexton ’81 is president and founder of Sexton Benefi t Resources, Inc., Oakbrook Terrace, Ill. Sexton has a B.S. degree in social science and business management from SJU. Prior to opening his own employee benefi t practice in 2002, he was vice president of sales and marketing for Celtic Health Plans in Chicago, and regional district manager for Old Northwest Agent, Inc. in Houston, Tex. Sexton rejoins the Board of Regents after serving from 2000-2008. He lives in La Grange, Ill., with his two children. Anton (Tony) J. Christianson ’74 is chairman and manag-ing partner of Cherry Tree Companies in Minneapolis. Christianson has spent more than 27 years in the venture capital and private equity com-munities in a variety of capaci-ties. Christianson received a B.A. in accounting from SJU, and an M.B.A. from Harvard Business School. He has served on the board of directors of over 40 companies. He and his wife, Paige, have six children and reside in Wayzata, Minn. Kamau Joseph ’11 is a junior political science and computer science double major from Trinidad and Tobago, and the new student Regent. During a year off after high school, Joseph took interest in the United Nations Association of Trinidad and Tobago and later helped co-found the fi rst youth United Nations Association in his country. At Saint John’s he is involved with Student Senate, the Joint Events Council and the Cultural Aff airs Board. David Klingeman, OSB is director of the Saint John’s Abbey Guesthouse and the abbey archivist. Klingeman has a Bachelor of Music from Wart-burg College and an M.S. in Library Science from Simmons College. He completed post-graduate studies in archival administration at the Univer-sity of Wisconsin-Milwaukee in 1995. Klingeman was the university archivist from 1996- 2006. He has been a member of the abbey since 1980. Mark Th amert, ’73, SOT ’79, OSB is associate professor of German at Saint John’s University. Th amert received both his B.A. in German and his M.Div. from Saint John’s. He earned his Ph.D. from Princeton University. Th amert was president and headmaster of Saint John’s Preparatory School from 1994-1998. He has led more than 20 groups of undergraduate students on CSB/SJU study abroad pro-grams. Th amert served on the Regents’ Capital Campaign Steering Committee and Leadership Gifts Committee from 1986 to 1993. He professed solemn vows in 1973 and was ordained in 1979. Th amert rejoins the board after serving from 1984-1991. NEW REGENTS NAMED 10 Meet the President: Fr. Bob Koopmann ’68, OSB By Doris Matter 11 A few days after he was appointed 12th president of Saint John’s University, I had the privilege of sitting down with Fr. Bob to learn more about him. It was a great opportunity to find out about some of his formative influences, what brought him here and what he does to relax—in other words: who is Fr. Bob? What I learned is that our new president is thoughtful, down-to-earth and joyful, steeped in the Benedictine learn-ing and teaching tradition, well equipped to guide Saint John’s University. I hope you’ll enjoy this conversation as much as I did! DM: What first brought you to Saint John’s? BK: It was in 1962, when I was a junior in high school. My folks and I were looking around at colleges, and we came up [to Minnesota] to visit St. Thomas. A music teacher of mine had told me that her brother had gone here as a music major and loved it. We decided to add Saint John’s to the trip to St. Thomas. We came up and Fr. Don LeMay met us in the Great Hall, and he won us over im-mediately. He told us there was a concert pianist on the faculty, Wim Ibes, who still teaches here, and there was a men’s chorus that toured all over the world. I just fell in the love with the place and that was it. DM: What was your family life like growing up? BK: A very Catholic family. Much of what we did revolved around the church. My folks were involved with all kinds of things in the parish. We lived just a couple blocks from St. Edward’s Catholic Church in Waterloo [Iowa], and I went to grade school there. My father worked for the same company for his entire career— which people did in those days—and was very loyal to the Rath Packing Company. He was in the administration, and they had branches all around the country. My mother stayed home when we were little but had worked for the same company as my father as executive secretary to the president. Both have since died. I have a younger brother with children and grand-children. In my extended family, I have an aunt who is a nun from the LaCrosse Franciscans. I also had a great uncle who was a diocesan priest and also enjoyed playing the piano. DM: How did you come to study music? BK: My mother and her sister played piano quite well. We had a piano at home, and my mother just showed me how to do things when I was 6. So that’s when I first started playing, and I was playing by ear already then. I started formal lessons when I was 7, with a very good teacher. All the way through high school, I was taught by Franciscan sisters from Dubuque. My mother practiced with me the first few years and that helps a lot when you’re a little kid. DM:. Who at Saint John’s was influen-tial in bringing you into the monastery? BK: Most of my teachers were monks because that’s the way it was back in those days, but one person would certainly be Gerard Ferrell. He was a musician who taught me music theory and a little bit of organ. One person who I have always kept in contact with is Fr. Cletus Connors. He’s now the pastor at St. Boniface Church in Cold Spring. He’s still one of my best friends. DM: Where have you traveled abroad, and what is your favorite place outside the United States? BK: My favorite place keeps changing. But my first trip abroad was when I was in the Men’s Chorus, and we took quite an extensive trip to Europe during the sum-mer after my freshman year. I had to really work on my parents to let me go! That travel really opened my eyes to the fact that there��s a big world out there where people think much differently than I do. Currently my favorite place might be East Africa—Tanzania. I have been there three times in the last few years. In 2000, I spent about six weeks in Tanzania, divid-ing my time between the men’s monastery and the women’s monastery, and I just loved the culture there. Shortly after I came back, Br. Paul Richards was starting to think about developing the Benedictine Volunteer Corps, which I thought was a great idea. I suggested we try for sites in Africa. Now Hanga Abbey, in Tanzania, is one of 12 our Benedictine Volunteer Corps destina-tions. I always come back from my visits there spiritually refreshed. They are a people of deep faith, and I’m very inspired by that. I’m also brought back to reality. Hanga Abbey is almost completely self-sufficient, much like Saint John’s was 150 years ago. DM: What do you do on a rare free day when you’re not travelling? What’s your stress reliever in life? BK: I take long walks, and I’m a great fan of fiction. I read a lot. It very easily puts me in a whole different world. Or if I just want to get away, I might go down to the Twin Cities for lunch, maybe go to a movie, have supper or maybe go to the Guthrie, something like that. Those kinds of things really refresh me. DM: You mentioned reading as a stress reliever. What are you currently reading? BK: I’m reading the new biography of Flannery O’Connor [Flannery: A Life of Flannery O’Connor by Brad Gooch]. She’s one of my favorite fiction writers. Just before that I read Home by Marilynne Robinson. She’s originally from Iowa and grew up about 40 miles from where I grew up and that makes it all the more interesting. Then I’ll also read something I just stumble across like a book about the history of Meire Grove [Building Com-munity, Keeping the Faith: German Catholic Vernacular Architecture in a Rural Min-nesota Parish by Fred W. Peterson]. I love the book because as I read it I learned so much about my father’s side of the family and why they are the way they are. My father’s grandfather’s family came from Holdenburg, Oldenburg, the same area in Germany as the people of Meire Grove. DM: As a youngster were you ever in-volved in any kind of sporting activities? BK: I grew up as a golfer. In fact our whole family played. From the time I was 10 or 12 we golfed a lot. My folks would give my brother and me season passes at a city golf course not too far from us, and we just played and played. My brother still plays, and we used to play maybe once a year, but I don’t think I’ve golfed at all in the last two years, so of course I’m terrible now. DM: At this point in your life, what brings you the most joy? BK: Making music, certainly, and especially making music for the com-munity— playing the organ for morning prayer, evening prayer, and for Mass. If I can somehow inject some life into their singing, then I’ve succeeded. I just like it so much. DM: How do you think that you’ll be able to bring that joy into the presidency? BK: Well, I’ll certainly be able to use music here and there. What I do with music is bring people together, and I like that process. I’m hoping I can use those kinds of skills in bringing everybody that is connected with Saint John’s together— whether it’s faculty, staff or alumni. I’ve always been known as kind of a diplomat, and that’s not so different from playing chamber music. Another thing I love is drawing the best out of people and that doesn’t have to be in music. It’s a real joy to have a student suddenly realize that he or she can get into hard literature—like the short stories that I use a lot in my first-year seminar class— and to realize that they like it. I just love that because it expands the students’ horizons. DM: This article will primarily be read by alumni. How can they help you most as you transition from being a member of the music faculty to the president? Well, they can come and visit. Tell them to come to the alumni events because I’ll look forward to seeing them again. Now I mostly see alumni at weddings because it’s often someone who lived on my dorm floor, and then, of course, all his buddies 13 come, too, plus their friends from Saint Ben’s. Th e sense of community that builds up here among the students is just amazing. DM: Is there anything you don’t want people to be afraid to tell you? In other words, “Don’t be afraid to tell me that …” BK: Actually anything. I’m quite resil-ient. As a musician who works with others, we have to disagree with each other and criticize each other so I feel like I’m quite open to criticism. Nobody likes it imme-diately, but I bounce right back. I’d love to know what’s on their minds. DM: Can you share something about yourself that might surprise most people? BK: Well, I enjoy cooking. I’m not a gourmet cook, and I only started it in 1993 during my second sabbatical, when I was living in a house where I was preparing my own food. Since then many students have experienced my cooking, of course. DM: Do you have a specialty dish? BK: Th ey’re usually pretty simple–– something that I can serve to a big group while I interact with them. So I’ll do beef burgundy, or I’ll do a pasta sauce, a roast, or some kind of pork chops that I’ve baked in my own secret sauce—well, it’s not a secret anymore, because the St. Cloud Visitor published it. It's called Blessed Pork Chops! DM: What are you looking forward to most in the next few months? BK: In the immediate future, getting to know all the staff and members of the ad-ministration. Th ey’ve all been great to me but I don’t know them very well yet. I also look forward to working with students in a new way, giving the talk at the fi rst-year banquet and other opportunities where the president gets to speak. I also look forward to the travel. I can hardly wait to go out and meet alumni and friends of the university. Doris Matter is the president’s executive writer. ABOUT FR. BOB KOOPMANN, OSB Born August 13, 1946 in Waterloo, Iowa Graduated from Columbus High School in Waterloo, 1964 Bachelor of Arts (music major), Saint John’s University, 1968 Master of Music, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, 1970 Final Monastic Profession, September 21, 1971 Doctor of Musical Arts, University of Iowa, 1976 Master of Divinity, Saint John’s University, 1981 Ordination to the Priesthood, June 6, 1981 Postdoctoral work with faculty at the Royal Academy of Music, London, 1984, and the Juilliard School of Music, New York, 1984-85 Teaching, Administrative, Board service: Music professor, 1975 to present Director of Music, Saint John’s Abbey, 1976-1983, 1985-1987, 1996-2009 Chair, Music Department, 1977-1983, 1985-1986 Fine Arts Division Head, 2006-2009 Member of Board of Regents, 1994-2003, 2005-2009 Recordings: Wondrous Love––More Sacred Improvisations, 2008 Sacred Improvisations���–Piano Improvisations on Hymns, Spirituals, and Chants, 2004 All in the Family, with Soprano Patricia Kent: Songs of the Mendelssohns, 1999 Robert Koopmann—The Second Piano Recital, 1996 Robert Koopmann—Piano Recital, 1994 14 When Br. Paul Richards ’78, OSB, took a sabbatical from conducting the Saint John’s Boys Choir 10 years ago and toured monastic communities worldwide to study lay involvement, he refl ected on his own experience as a Saint John’s student when he took a year off to work at San Antonio Abad in Puerto Rico. “Visiting these places I became aware that any Benedictine mon-astery I visited was doing good work and in need of more human resources,” says Richards, the abbey’s subprior. “Th ose things made me think, what if we got Saint John’s grads and sent them to these places?” Th us was born the Saint John’s Benedictine Volunteer Corps (SJBVC), which places SJU alumni in Benedictine monasteries around the world for approximately a year to participate in the life and work of the host community. In 2003, the SJBVC sent its fi rst two volunteers to monasteries in Puerto Rico and Newark, N.J. Overseen by Saint John’s Abbey and funded by the Giles Nathe Mission Grant of Saint John’s University and alumni donations, the SJBVC provides transportation to the site and a monthly stipend. Th e host monastery provides room and board along with work. Th e volunteers are expected to participate in the daily prayer and meals as well as the community’s work, which varies widely by location. Th e program’s purpose has been twofold: to benefi t monastic communities worldwide with resources to support their work and to create spiritual volunteer opportunities for Saint John’s grads. Its success can be measured in the growing interest among com-munities and alumni applying for the program. As word about the SJBVC spreads along the Benedictine grapevine, more communi-ties are requesting volunteers. Next year, the SJBVC will place a high of 16 volunteers in eight diff erent sites spread throughout Guatemala, Chile, Israel, Tanzania, Italy and the United States. “Th e program has exceeded my expectations,” says Richards, who manages the SJBVC along with Fr. Bob Koopmann ’68, OSB, newly appointed president of Saint John’s University. “Th e reception from monasteries served by our volunteers has been spectacular.” Th e Spiritual Volunteer by John Rosengren ’86 Th e Saint John’s Benedictine Volunteer Corps grows larger each year. It’s clear that this program, begun by Saint John’s Abbey 10 years ago, fi lls an important—and possibly overlooked—niche for both volunteers and Benedictine communities worldwide. Nick Briese ’06, Lew Grobe ’06, Charlie Sawyer ’08 and Mike Bancks ’08 share illuminat-ing stories of daily life in Benedictine communities in Tanzania, Chile, Israel and Newark, N.J. Lew Grobe Charlie Sawyer Mike Bancks Nick Briese 15 Multiplying Peace on the Sea of Galilee Mike Bancks ’08 wanted to do some sort of community service before going to grad school to study epidemiology and public health. Having studied abroad his junior year in Port Elizabeth, South Africa, where he volunteered at an AIDS hospice, the biol-ogy major from Fairmont, Minn., jumped at the chance to serve abroad again with the Saint John’s Benedictine Volunteer Corps, this time at the Benedictine Monastery of Tabgha in Israel. “I was drawn to the program because I know that Saint John’s surrounds itself with great people,” he says. “Th e character of the program and the ability to travel outside the U.S. were cementing factors.” Th e four monks of Tabgha—a satellite community of Dormi-tion Abbey in Jerusalem—live on the Sea of Galilee site where Jesus is believed to have multiplied the loaves and fi shes. Bancks, along with fellow SJBVC volunteer Mike Leither ’08 and three Germans completing their mandatory civilian service, tends the community’s Meeting Place, a peace project that welcomes groups of tourists, religious pilgrims and mentally/physically handicapped visitors. Bancks and the other volunteers clean the living facilities, maintain the extensive gardens and repair whatever breaks down. Th ey recently sanded and refi nished 20 wooden picnic tables. “My life revolves around the upkeep of anything and everything that has to deal with the Meeting Place,” he says. Based in a place that attracts visitors from many diff erent countries and cultures, Bancks has encountered cultural norms and foreign beliefs that have challenged his own thinking. Diff ering mentalities and experiences have exposed his own underlying ste-reotypes and stretched his faith—all for the better. He’s especially grateful to hear the stories of those from other places and experi-ences. “I feel extremely fortunate for being able to meet and listen to people who have faced extreme pain and sadness but still come out with a positive mindset,” he says. Bancks says that his conversations with the resident monks about their faith have inspired him to probe his own—a search that will last long after his year-long tenure at Tabgha. “I learn more that I have questions about my personal faith that need discovery and contemplation,” he says. During an evening of relaxation from his daily work of maintaining the facilities and grounds of the Meeting Place at the Benedictine Monastery of Tabgha, Israel, SJBVC volunteer Mike Bancks ’08 (in blue T-shirt at bench) shares culture and music with Muslim visitors from Jerusalem. 16 Tanzania and New Possibilities After graduating from Saint John’s with a German and humanities double major and spending a year near Berlin on a Ful-bright Fellowship, Lew Grobe ’06 fi gured he would apply to graduate school. But Fr. Mark Th amert ’73, OSB, his former German professor, suggested he consider the Benedictine Volunteer Corps instead. Grobe, who had grown up in the western Minneapolis suburbs and spent time living in Europe, found the possibility of living in Africa “exotic.” Grobe spent a year—from June 2007 to June 2008—at Saint Maurus’ Abbey, Han-ga, in southwest Tanzania, in a village with a population of about 7,000 that sprang up around the monastery, which brought running water and education to the area. Grobe taught English and math at three of the four schools run by the monastery: the trade school, secondary school and semi-nary. He also helped organize and run a library with fellow SJBVC volunteer Derek Johnson ’06, labeling by hand some 4,000 books donated from Minnesota. Using computers donated from Australia (when there was electricity), Grobe and Johnson also constructed a Web site (hangaabbey. org) to celebrate the monastery’s 50th an-niversary and preserve its history, most of which had never been published. Perhaps his biggest and most memorable contribution was a 900-mile fundraising bike trip from the city of Dar es Salaam to their village of Hanga with fellow SJBVC volunteer Paul Conroy ’05 and Br. Onesmo, one of the Saint Maurus’ monks. With the average annual fam-ily income around $350, many families cannot aff ord school fees, which range from $300-$700 a year, including room and board. Grobe and his companions rode 60-120 miles a day for three weeks on Phoenix bicycles, inexpensive single-speeds popular in the area, to raise money and awareness about the importance of education. Th e $20,000 they raised will support 16 students for four years at the four schools run by St. Maurus’ Abbey. In a country where families are more likely to send a son than a daughter to school, they also promoted gender equality—seven of those students are female. Grobe, currently an SJU admissions counselor, reports that daily life with the monks transformed an inkling of a calling into a desire to pursue monastic life. He has applied for candidacy at Saint John’s Abbey. “I hadn’t thought it possible before Tanzania,” he says. “At Saint John’s, I had seen monks as role models, something I couldn’t achieve, but this experience al-lowed me to see people in daily life, with their strengths and weaknesses. I had not thought I was cut out to be a monastic, but it fi nally dawned on me, this may just be a possibility for me.” In Chile, the Daily Is Profound Charlie Sawyer ’08 heard about the Saint John’s Benedictine Volunteer Corps from two older friends on the Saint John’s cross country team who had gone to Tan-zania. Th e opportunity to see the world and give something back appealed to the physics major and harrier from St. Paul, Minn. He signed up for a year in Santiago, Chile, which began in August 2008. Sawyer lives with the Manquehue Movement, a lay Benedictine community of 35 men and women that runs three schools. Along with fellow SJBVC volun-teer Cole Woodward ’08, Sawyer works at Colegio San Lorenzo, a pre-K-12 school of 800 students in one of Santiago’s poorer neighborhoods. Sawyer tutors students in English inside and outside the classroom. At the principal’s request, he and Wood-ward are also teaching the junior high kids to play baseball on a dirt fi eld with gloves donated from Saint John’s. “Th e kids are great fun, full of energy,” Sawyer says. “But when it comes to explaining things and making them follow rules and orga-nizing them in any way, it’s really hard.” For example, in English class, he has to ask each student individually to take out his or her notebook and pay attention. He realized that the children simply don’t view education as important. “We’ve been trying to encourage them to take responsi-bility for their education,” he says. He and Woodward are also encouraging them to take more responsibility for their environment with an after-school project they call “Th e Environmental Brigade.” In their weekly meetings, they talk to the dozen or so kids who show up about ways they can reduce, reuse and recycle. “We’re instilling an ecological consciousness on how to take care of the environment.” Sawyer also works in the tutoria, where simple presence is touted. “Th e whole concept is you waste time hanging out with kids, playing with them, being their friend,” he says. “Th at’s diff erent from the After speaking to a group of orphans near Songea, Tanzania, Lew Grobe ’06 is presented with a live rooster and 12 eggs—a great honor in Tanzanian culture. To do justice to this honor, he carried the rooster under his arm for the two-hour bike ride back to his village of Hanga! 17 attitude in America, where we’re so results driven and you always have to be produc-tive. I’ve learned that just hanging out with kids is important.” He has also learned how much he enjoys working with kids. Instead of going to en-gineering school as he’d originally planned, he’s thinking about teaching high school science. It’s in those seemingly mundane daily interactions that he has found pro-found meaning. “It’s not like we’re coming in and saving the day,” he says. “Th ey just like spending time with us, talking to us, being with us.” Newark Builds New Confi dence Nick Briese ’06 does not like having to talk in front of a group. When he signed up to volunteer at Newark Abbey in New-ark, N.J., from September 2006 to June 2007, the chemistry major from Rochester, Minn., was attracted to the idea of living in a diff erent part of the country. Once he got there, he found the experience of living in community with the abbey’s 16 monks an added benefi t. But it was his work with the 575 students at Saint Benedict’s Prep, the inner-city school serving grades 7-12 run by the community, that forced him to face his fears and proved most meaningful. Briese started out the school year doing spot substitute teaching but was soon pressed into duty covering a criminal justice class for a teacher out for health reasons. Never having studied the subject, Briese crammed in the textbook to keep ahead of the students. He had worked as a teaching assistant (T.A.) at Saint John’s but had no formal education training. “Being a T.A. doesn’t translate to being a high school teacher,” he says. “Th ere are diff erent dynamics with students than with fellow college classmates.” When the teacher returned, Briese soon took over four chemistry classes for another ailing teacher. Th at proved more satisfying. “I had spent all this time learn-ing chemistry,” he says. “To be able to put that into practice with people just starting to learn about it and see them slowly start to understand it was really cool.” At the end of the school year, he covered a science class for three weeks in the junior high—where he often felt like he was “drowning.” He says it was one of the most challenging things he’s ever had to do and adds, with a laugh, “I’ve tried to suppress a lot of those memories.” Now in his second year of medical school at the University of Minnesota, Briese says he realizes that facing diffi cult and challenging situations gave him confi - dence. “Going out there and jumping into a situation has been helpful in doing what I’m doing now in working with patients who might be from a completely diff er-ent background or having a condition I’m not familiar with,” he says. “Having done something I wasn’t completely prepared for, then succeeding and learning from it—that’s been positive.” John Rosengren is an award-winning jour-nalist and author based in the Twin Cities. Nick Briese ’06 (L) with student leader Nate Edmonson, a Saint Benedict’s Prep senior, during the annual freshman backpacking project, which takes over 100 freshman boys for a fi ve-day, 50-mile camping trip on the Appalachian Trail each spring as part of the Newark, N.J. school’s leadership training program. Charlie Sawyer ’08 with (L to R) sophomore Daniella and fi rst-graders Caroline and Valentina at Colegio San Lorenzo, a pre K-12 school run by the Manquehue Movement, where Charlie teaches English and baseball and just “hangs out with the kids.” 18 SERVICE TO THE CHURCH Saint John’s School of Th eology Welcomes Vatican Visitor Walter Cardinal Kasper By Rose Beauclair Radkowski Cardinal Kasper fi elds questions during a lively session with School of Theology∙Seminary students, faculty and staff. Paul Middlestaedt For weeks, the School of Th eology·Seminary buzzed with anticipation. Students pored over their notes, re-read chapter after chapter and carefully prepared questions. Some organized a study group and completed extra readings. Lunchtime conversations in the Emmaus Hall dining room were dominated by one topic, one man. 19 A cardinal was coming. Saint John’s School of Th eology·Seminary welcomed Walter Cardinal Kasper to Saint John’s on March 23 for a day of conver-sation that closed with the Pax Christi Award and the Godfrey Diekmann, OSB, Lecture. An audience of hundreds gathered in the Abbey Church to listen to this esteemed Church leader. Th e cardinal, who relished the opportunity to interact with students and give an academic lecture, was a gracious guest. He patiently signed dozens of books for eager admirers, posed readily for photos and gave thoughtful responses to every question he was asked. As president of the Pontifi cal Council for Promoting Christian Unity and the Commission for Religious Relations with the Jews, Cardinal Kasper works closely with the pope and travels the world. As a theologian, he has published signifi cant books on the Eucha-rist, Jesus and the Trinity, which are read around the globe. As a diplomat, Cardinal Kasper builds bridges between the Catholic Church and other faith communities. Yet, in spite of his interna-tional stature, this cheerful cardinal remains a teacher at heart. At Saint John’s, Cardinal Kasper spoke as a scholar and Church representative willing to engage in dialogue with other theologians, including graduate students. During a lunchtime question-and-answer period, the cardinal’s respect for students of the School of Th eology·Seminary was apparent. Th is attitude created a welcom-ing atmosphere for them to ask a number of challenging ques-tions, including some that addressed ecumenical and interreligious dialogue, the Eucharist and Church governance. Interacting with Kasper on a personal level and hearing him speak candidly gave students new insights. “It’s not often you get to meet a cardinal,” notes School of Th eology·Seminary student Chris Ángel, who studied Cardinal Kasper’s Th e God of Jesus Christ in Professor Miguel Díaz’s “Trin-ity, Faith, and Revelation” course in the weeks leading up to the cardinal’s visit. “Learning about [Cardinal Kasper’s] experiences in Germany and in Rome really brought home the universality of the Church. We were all impressed by his humor and his humil-ity.” Cardinal Kasper, too, seemed impressed by the enthusiastic welcome he received from the graduate students, faculty and staff . On this rare, brief trip to the United States, Cardinal Kasper visited only Saint John’s, Harvard and Yale. He expressed his grati-tude for being chosen to receive the Pax Christi Award and give the Godfrey Diekmann Lecture at Saint John’s, saying, “I am hon-ored by this award, and I understand it as a duty to go on in this work for peace.” While at Saint John’s, the cardinal also visited the Hill Museum & Manuscript Library and the Collegeville Institute for Ecumenical and Cultural Research. In St. Cloud, he shared a meal with bishops from the region. (To request a copy of Kasper’s lecture, "Timeliness of Speaking of God" write to bdunn@csbsju.edu or call 320-363-2839.) Rose Beauclair Radkowski is director of marketing and communica-tions for the School of Th eology∙Seminary. An impressive group gathers in the Abbey Church with Cardinal Kasper after the Pax Christi Award ceremony and Diekman Lecture. (L to R) Abbot John Klassen, OSB; Bishop John F. Kinney (St. Cloud, Minn.); Bishop John Quinn (Winona, Minn.); Cardinal Walter Kasper; Timothy Kelly, OSB (former abbot, Saint John’s Abbey and current president of the American Cassinese Congregation); Bishop Victor H. Balke (retired, Crookston, Minn.); Abbot Denis Quinkert, OSB (Blue Cloud Abbey, Marvin, S.D.). Paul Middlestaedt 20 ARTS & CULTURE In 2008, Saint John’s University introduced the Heritage Edi-tion, the limited edition, fi ne art reproduction of Th e Saint John’s Bible. Th is year, special ceremonies celebrating the arrival of the Heritage Edition were held at Santa Clara University, the Cathe-dral of Christ the Light in Oakland, the Naples Museum of Art and Regis University in Denver. Th e latest ceremony took place on June 14 at St. Martin-in-the- Fields Anglican Church in London where Abbot John Klasssen, OSB, presented the Wisdom and Prophets volumes to the Rev. Nicholas Holtam, vicar of St. Martin-in-the-Fields. St. Martin-in-the-Fields Church in London is the seventh institution worldwide and the fi rst in the United Kingdom to receive the Heritage Edition. The Rev. Nicholas Holtam, vicar of St. Martin-in-the-Fields, received the gift and led a special service on June 14 in the landmark church in the heart of London. Pictured with the Wisdom Books and Prophets volumes are (L to R) the Rev. Professor Richard Burridge, dean of King’s College London; the Rev. Nicholas Holtam; Dan ’70 and Katharine Whalen; Rod Beadles, churchwarden of St. Martin-in-the-Fields; Archbishop Khotso Makhulu, assistant bishop of London; and Donald Jackson, artistic director of The Saint John’s Bible. Th e Saint John’s Bible Heritage Program Spreads Worldwide By Jim Triggs Th e Archbishop of Canterbury, the Most Reverend Rowan Williams, said, “We tend to read greedily and hastily, as we do so many other things: this beautiful text shows us a better way. Th is project not only revives the ancient tradition of the church sponsoring creative arts, it also off ers an insight into that lost skill of patient and prayerful reading.�� Th anks to the generosity of Dan Whalen ’70 and Katharine Whalen, St. Martin-in-the-Fields will have the Heritage Edition of Th e Saint John’s Bible on permanent display for parishioners and visitors to enjoy for generations to come. The Rev. Canon Dr. James N. Rosenthal 21 Fr. Paul Locatelli, SJ, former president of Santa Clara University (speaking), receives the Wisdom volume at a December 2008 presentation of the Heritage Edition at Santa Clara University (SCU). Also in attendance (L to R) Fr. Eric Hollas, OSB, senior associate, arts and cultural affairs, Saint John’s University; SCU Provost Lucia Gilbert; SCU Director of Development Jim Purcell; SCU Profes-sor Gregory Baker; Jean Drahmann; and Heritage Edition benefactor Tita Crilly Diepenbrock. Fr. Michael Sheeran, SJ, blesses the Wisdom volume at an event celebrating its arrival at Regis University on April 24. The Heritage Edition, a gift to Sheeran from Howard and Beulah Cherne, will be housed in the new St. John Francis Regis University Chapel. The Cathedral of Christ the Light in Oakland, Calif., was presented with the Wisdom volume on March 7. The Heritage Edition was presented to the Cathedral by Abbot John Klassen, OSB, as a gift from Saint John’s University at the request of Dan ’70 and Katharine Whalen (above). The Whalens are residents of Oakland and parishioners of Saint Theresa Parish in the Diocese of Oakland. (L to R) Eugene Frey, Fr. Eric Hollas, OSB; Dan Whalen ’70; and Mary Frey at the presentation of the fi rst volume of the Heritage Edition to Myra Janco Daniels, founder and director of the Naples Museum in Naples, Fla. The gift was made possible by the Eugene and Mary Frey Family Foundation. Charles Barry Lisa Greco Jose Aquirre Naples Illustrated Jim Triggs is the executive director of the Heritage Program. 22 By Glenda Burgeson Th e topic of food and beverage is at once universal and personal. It is the stuff of myth and of art. Th at is why I was tempted to subtitle this set of stories “Th e Case of the Purloined Truffl es.” I was assigned to write about Johnnies who work in the food and beverage industry— a chef, cheese-maker, vintner, brewer, chocolatier and a couple of marketers. Th e assignment generated much interest, leading to impromptu conversations in the hallway of fi rst fl oor Quad, and one mysterious offi ce caper. Aaron Barthel ’98 kindly shipped editor Jean Scoon and me a sample box of chocolate truffl es, the delivery of which caused such a stir we were forced to share. Offi ce coordinator Julie Scegura stored her portion in the offi ce fridge, only to discover later that someone had allowed greed to overcome the normal Benedictine moderation that prevails around here and had swiped the morsels. Food has that eff ect on people. It excites the senses and stirs the memories. John Taylor ’58 assures me, with tongue in cheek, that Johnnies of his era share fond memories of sewer trout, a “delicacy” once served at the Reef on mandatory meatless Fridays. (I’ll take his word for it.) What struck me about this assignment was this: I interviewed John-nies of all ages, from coast to coast, and they all described a similar experience. None had planned to work in the food and beverage industry. Instead, they each spoke of following a passion, of hard work and a commitment to excellence. I realized I wasn’t writing about the food and beverage industry after all. I was writing about a group of enterprising guys, a kindred spirit and a pursuit of a dream. Glenda Burgeson is CSB/SJU director of editorial services—and a former barbecue chef and food critic. 23 How do you become an artisan and entrepreneur of fi ne food and drink? With passion, hard work and a commitment to excellence. Oh, and a degree in the liberal arts … 24 From Omelets to Michelin Star As a young child, Mark Sullivan ’89 learned to make omelets under his mother’s supervision. Th e achievement was an inspiration, the nationally renowned chef says. From that modest start, Sullivan devel-oped a lifelong interest in food that stayed with him when he left northern California for Saint John’s as a varsity wrestler and avid outdoorsman. It continued to nag at him after he graduated with a degree in philosophy, and it has fueled a passion that has since helped build a national reputa-tion and a culinary enterprise in the San Francisco area that encompasses pizzerias, a bakery, an organic farm, a coff ee supply house and three restaurants, including one with a Michelin star. Th at passion was, and is the key, Sul-livan says. After graduation, he expected to attend graduate school, but decided to take a six-month break from school and indulge his love for cooking. He ended up cooking under the tutelage of a talented chef, Amaryll Schwertner, who had cooked at the famed Chez Panisse in Berkeley. Competition was intense for the opportunity to work 60-80 hour weeks at a minimum wage with this chef. Sul-livan did two things that made him stand out among his competitors. He wore a suit to the interview, while his rivals dressed in jeans and T-shirts. Also—and this is where he credits his degree—he wrote “a really nice letter after the interview.” Th e letter made the diff erence. Schwert-ner told him she would take a chance on him, but he would have to deliver. For the next six months, Sullivan worked harder than he could have imagined. “It was hard. I got my chops busted,” he says. “For the fi rst time in my life, I thought I was going to fail. Every day for 90 days, I went to work thinking I’m go-ing to get fi red.” Instead, he persevered. After three months, he experienced a defi ning mo-ment. Schwertner not only told him he was doing a great job, she brought him 50 cookbooks from her personal collection. “It was one of those defi ning moments when I realized I can do this.” Mark Sullivan ’89, chef-partner at the acclaimed Village Pub in Woodside, Calif., and Michelin-starred Spruce in San Francisco, is now establishing a third restaurant in Park City, Utah. Frankie Frankeny A few months later, he had another de-fi ning moment. Sullivan was working long hours, coming in early to do preparation work and staying late to scrub the kitchen. “One night I was cleaning the oven and noticed the clock said 12:30 a.m. I realized that I never looked at the clock. I had just worked 12 hours and time had just fl own by. Th at’s when I went to my dad and told him I wanted to pursue this.” While his dad had some concerns about the long hours and low pay, he agreed that Sullivan should pursue his passion. Sullivan secured an apprenticeship at a “I realized that I never looked at the clock. I had just worked 12 hours and time had just fl own by.” –Mark Sullivan ’89, chef and restaurateur 25 two-star restaurant in the south of France. From there he worked with a chef in the Pyrenees in Spain, then back to France, where he cooked for a family in Marseille in exchange for room and board. After six months abroad, he returned to San Francisco and continued to train in the city’s fi ne restaurants. He was poor, but in a good way. He recalls “splurging” twice a week for a cappuccino, and he lived in a closet, literally. He converted a walk-in closet at the home of a friend into his sleeping quarters. Th at arrangement suited him, because he was at work all the time. In the mid 1990s, his reputation took off . Not yet 30, he was named chef at 42 Degrees, a Mediterranean restaurant. A rave review in the local press brought the foodies out in droves. “Th e next day there was a line out the door,” he recalls. His fans have never left. He has received a favorable review in Gourmet maga-zine. In 2002 he was selected as one of America’s best new chefs by Food & Wine magazine and Esquire listed his restaurant Spruce among its top new restaurants in 2008. Now chef-partner at the highly ac-claimed Village Pub in Woodside, Calif., and Spruce in San Francisco, which has been awarded a Michelin star, Sullivan is establishing a third restaurant in a Waldorf Astoria hotel in Park City, Utah. He is a partner in Bacchus Management Group, which owns the restaurants, along with a fi ve-acre organic farm, a bakery, a coff ee supply house and four pizzerias. Th rough it all he says his studies in phi-losophy help him keep grounded. He also found time to court and marry his pastry chef. Despite his work ethic, he makes it a priority to be home on weekends with Alison and two-year-old Ezra. By the way, Sullivan’s dad is a regular at the restaurant. “He gets whatever he wants,” Sullivan says. As for Ezra, he hasn’t made any omelets; he prefers to fry his eggs, sunny-side up. Planning ahead for that night out in San Francisco? Check the menu at sprucesf.com. “Get a Job”… Making Premium Blue Cheese? Jeff Jirik ’79 didn’t plan to become a cheese-maker. He stumbled into the busi-ness after graduation from SJU, when his father gave him the kind of directive only a father can give: “Get a job.” Th e job market then was weak. Jirik had moved back home when he heard that a cheese-making facility in Faribault, Minn., was hiring. He got a job scraping mold off the cheese. Within weeks, his supervisor found out he had a degree in biology and promoted him to laboratory technician. Th us began his foray into the cheese-making profession. Jeff Jirik ’79, artisan cheesemaker and owner of the Faribault Dairy Co., uses a cutting harp to cut milk into curds in the cheese-making process. Faribault Dairy’s Amablu® family of handmade blue cheeses has been winning prizes since 2002, including Grand Champion at the 2007 Minnesota State Fair. Becca Dilley Photography 26 In the 1980s, the company promoted Jirik and, with his wife, Brenda (Sherwin) Jirik CSB ’80, he relocated to Wisconsin. In 1991, the plant shut down. Jirik bought it in 2000 and established the Faribault Dairy Company. Th e company produces premium blue cheeses under the Amablu® label, including the award-winning St. Pete’s Se-lect, which is available in a version that is soaked with Summit Beer. Th at is the brainchild of Jirik and CSB alumna Jeannie (Bykowski) Kenevan ’98, market manager, Summit Brewing Co. Th e cheeses are aged in St. Peter sand-stone caves carved during the last glacial age from the river bluff s overlooking Faribault. Jirik says the atmosphere within the caves is ideally suited for curing and aging blue cheese. Federal regulations prohibit public tours of the caves. However, Jirik has opened a cheese shop, Th e Cheese Cave, in down-town Faribault. Th ere, visitors might spot yet another Johnnie connection. Jirik’s former college roommate, Bob Foley ’80, is the managing partner for Th e Cheese Cave. “We Johnnies do tend to stick together!” Jirik says. You can’t get into the caves, but you can get into the cheese at faribaultdairy.com. Dairy + Botany = Truffl es Imagine a mad scientist loose in a chocolate factory. Th at would be chocolatier Aaron Barthel ’98. Ever since the creation of his signature French truffl e, fl avored with habanero chilies, nutmeg and dark rum, Barthel has been madly experimenting with fl avor profi les for his mail-order truffl e business, Intrigue Chocolates Co. To date, he has developed 68 fl avors. He also adds a secret ingredient to his confections that have swept the Seattle cu-linary scene: Minnesota spice. His award-winning sweets refl ect a unique blend of his dairy farm childhood experiences in central Minnesota and his Benedictine education in ecology/botany at Saint John’s. From a young age, he learned from his parents an appreciation of natural fl avors, seasonal produce and a connection with the source of food. As a natural science major at Saint John’s, he continued to pursue a lifelong interest in plants. His truffl e fl avors attest to the conver-gence of those interests: Lady Lavender, “like an evening walk through a French garden”; Good Th ymes, with a “woodsy character”; Mucha Mocha, fl avored with organic fair-trade coff ee; and Mojito, a cocktail in the form of a truffl e. His truffl e business began as a hobby, until friends persuaded him to supply them truffl es for their catering business. Now a full-time chocolatier, he says he loves the creativity his job requires. Barthel sees his business as a rela-tionship- building enterprise. After all, chocolate is best enjoyed in the company of others. His business mantra is simply, “If this business isn’t worthy of the passion, I’m done.” So far, the passion thing is working for him. Intrigued? Learn more at intriguechocolates. com. J id ch reg H town Faribau Jo Johnn y Aaron Barthel ’98, chocolatier and owner of Seattle-based Intrigue Chocolates Co., with some of his handmade French truffl es. His chocolate won several awards at the Seattle Luxury Chocolate Salon in both 2008 and 2009. 27 Order from Chaos Yields Award- Winning Wines After 25 years as an emergency room physician, Rich Evans ’74 traded suturing for pruning. “Both my wife and I said, ‘Enough,’” Evans explains. Ten years ago he and his wife, Lynn Davis, downshifted from intense careers—she worked as a dean for special scholars at the University of Virginia—to the more seasonal, rhythmic vocation of viticulture as the owners of Flying Fox Vineyard. Th e Le Sueur, Minn., native says they always knew they wanted to grow some-thing. “My father grew corn. It seemed like it would be a little more fun to grow grapes,” he says. Th e project was a labor of love, tending three varieties—merlot, cabernet franc and petit verdot—on six and a half acres, against a breathtaking backdrop of Blue Ridge Mountains in Afton, Va., near Charlottesville. “We have grown grapes for 10 years and have lost money every year on them,” he recalls. Four years ago, the couple took the next step—making wine. Th ey are beginning to see the rewards of that eff ort. Th eir 2006 Petit Verdot won a gold medal at the 2009 Virginia Governor’s Cup wine competi-tion. Th eir 2006 Trio and 2006 Cabernet Franc received bronze medals. With 5,000 vines, the vineyard pro-duces 38 tons of grapes and approximately 25,000 bottles of wine annually. Each year is an adventure, he says, and each venture— growing the grapes, making the wine and selling it—is a separate enterprise, with a separate learning curve. Tending the vineyard is his favorite. “We just love growing grapes. It’s delightful to watch the grapes and wonder about this year’s vintage.” In the vineyard, everything is hand—the fruit thinning, the harvesting. Pruning is done in February and March, while the vines are dormant. Evans describes the process as “pastoral, creating order from chaos.” A few years ago, the late Br. Dietrich Reinhart, OSB, spent a day at Flying Fox. It was pruning season, and Evans warned him before the visit, “If work is wor-ship, you are going to do a lot of worshipping.” Br. Dietrich spent the day in worship, prune shears in hand. You don’t have to go to Virginia to try Evans’s fi ne wines. Learn more at fl yingfoxvineyard.com. pes bout age.” yard, done by uit . nd mant. aos.” hart, g After 25 years as a doctor, Rich Evans ’74 became a vintner and is now co-owner with his wife of Fly-ing Fox Vineyards in Virginia, producing 25,000 bottles of wine annually. Their 2006 Petit Verdot won a gold medal at the 2009 Virginia Governor’s Cup wine competition. 28 Let’s Brew Wouldn’t it be great to start a brew-ery? Dan Schwarz ’97 and some of his neighbors thought so. Four years after an idle conversation, Schwarz is a partner and CEO in Lift Bridge Brewery in Stillwater, Minn. Th e idea began as backyard chatter among fi ve neighbors, Schwarz says. “We were talking about how we would like to have a brewery, and we decided to get together and brew,” he says. Th ey began with recipe development; next came recipe refi nement. Th en there were the business and licensing details. Th ey produced the company’s fi rst keg in 2008. Now Schwarz has two careers. He kept his day job in computer science to pay the bills. It helps that he works at home, he says. When he takes a break, he can spend time with his children—Alex, 10; Jacob, 8; and Matthew, 5—and his wife, Katie (Macy) Schwarz, a ’97 CSB alumna and hall of fame diver at CSB. Bread, Brats and Beer In Louisiana Cajun country, the aromatic vegetables bell pepper, onion and celery are affectionately called the holy trinity. In Col-legeville, the same may be said of bread, brats and beer. Enter John Uldrich '60, food marketer extraordinaire. He views Johnnie Bread as an important branding element, one that fuses the power of symbolism with the power of memory. Add beer and bratwurst sausages, and you have all the major food groups for a fi ne 29 As CEO, Schwarz will have greater interaction with other businesses as the company builds its distribution. Th at’s the easy part. “Selling beer is the easiest job in the world,” Schwarz says. He walks into an establishment, off ers the manager a sample and lets the beer sell itself. For Schwarz and his partners, it is important to associate their beer with a place. Th us, they named their brewery for a distinctive landmark in Stillwater. Th e name helps establish their company within the community, and lends itself to visual marketing opportunities. Th e brewery had one other marketing advantage. Schwarz’s brother, Steve, is a CSB/SJU adjunct assistant professor in management and an adviser to the market-ing club. Th e club prepared a full market-ing plan for the company. For more on brews by Schwarz and his neighbors, go to liftbridgebrewery.com Collegeville meal. Twenty years ago, Uldrich introduced wild rice sausage at a food show. Johnnie Brats are his latest creation. He has trademarked the product on behalf of Saint John’s. The brats are sold locally at St. Joe’s Meat Market, with a portion of the profi ts designated for Saint John’s. “Brats date back to the 1500s,” says Uldrich, who has worked in the food indus-try for more than half a century, including summers as a teenager at his grandfather’s award-winning creamery, Pine Mountain Creamery, in northern Minnesota. He fl avors the Johnnie Brats with foods associated with Saint John’s—apple, wild rice, maple syrup and beer. Olde Johnnie Ale has a similar marketing arrangement, with a portion of its proceeds benefi tting Saint John’s Preparatory School. The ale is brewed at the Gluek Brewery in Cold Spring and is available at several loca-tions throughout Central Minnesota, including Brother Willie’s Pub at SJU. Steve Zimmerman ’72 joined a group of SJ Prep alumni, including Lee Jordan ’72 and Mark Selner (Prep ’68), who conceived the Olde Johnnie Ale idea while sharing a pint. The guys poured their hearts into the project, as Zimmerman reports that the ale required “many taste tests to arrive at a formula.” Their hard work was rewarded. “It turned out quite good,” he says. The ale was offi cially tapped at Brother Willie’s Pub during a sesquicentennial celebra-tion, Family Fun Day, sponsored by Saint John’s Abbey, Liturgical Press, Preparatory School and University. Becca Dilley Photography Dan Schwarz ’97 is partner and CEO of Stillwater, Minn.-based Lift Bridge Brewery, which takes its name from a distinctive Stillwater landmark. The company produced its fi rst keg in 2008. Schwarz is now focusing on building the brewery’s distribution network. 30 ADVANCING THE MISSION Th e Rev. Hilary Th immesh ’50, OSB, president emeritus, has been named director of the Benedictine Institute at Saint John’s. Th e Benedictine Institute at Saint John’s was established by the University’s Board of Regents in 2008 to honor the late Br. Dietrich Reinhart, OSB, president emeritus. “Th e Benedictine heritage is deeply rooted in ancient cultures, and we often think of it as one of the great civilizing forces in European history,” says Th immesh. “Th ere is also a contemporary Benedictine world that stretches around the globe. We at Saint John’s and Saint Ben’s are part of that world. Th e Benedictine Insti-tute will help us see our mission as teachers and learners from the rich perspective of the world we come from and awareness of our world today.” Th e purpose of the Benedictine Institute is to strengthen the Catholic, Benedictine character of Saint John’s University that has been its hallmark since it was founded in 1857 by the monks of Saint John’s Abbey. Toward that end, the institute will: • foster an understanding and appreciation of Benedictine tradition, spirit and values among students, faculty and staff , as well as alumni, parents and friends • foster interaction between the monks of Saint John’s Abbey and students, faculty and staff of Saint John’s University • promote links between HMML, the Collegeville Institute, Th e Saint John’s Bible and academic programs of the College of Arts and Sciences and the School of Th eology•Seminary Programs associated with the Benedictine Institute will include visiting scholars, symposia, faculty development and research grants, study trips for faculty, staff , and alumni to Catholic and Benedic-tine sites and student programs that convey Benedictine values, promote vocational refl ection and prepare students for leadership and service in church and society. “Fr. Hilary’s long experience in academic aff airs, student develop-ment and monastic leadership makes him the ideal director of our new Benedictine Institute,” said the Rev. Robert Koopmann, OSB, president of Saint John’s Univer-sity, commenting on Th immesh’s appointment. “Saint Benedict was concerned for every aspect of the well being of his communi-ties. Th is wonderful project will encourage ever new and timely methods to share our Benedictine charism throughout the Saint John’s and Saint Ben’s community.” “I am thrilled that Fr. Hilary has accepted the position of direc-tor of the Benedictine Institute,” said Abbot John Klassen, OSB, of Saint John’s Abbey. “He is a highly respected teacher, thinker and leader on our two campuses, with a seasoned and integrated view of the dynamic interaction between being Catholic and Benedictine.” Now professor emeritus of English and president emeritus, Th immesh retired from full-time teaching in 2008. Almost continuously from 1954 to the present, Th immesh has served as a faculty resident in the student residence halls at Saint John’s. Th immesh Becomes Director of Benedictine Institute In Memory of Br. Dietrich Memorials to Br. Dietrich Reinhart ’71, OSB, may be made to the Benedictine Institute at Saint John’s University. Th us far, donors have contribut-ed nearly $3 million to the Benedictine Institute, including leadership gifts from Jim ’78 and Mary Frey, Dan ’70 and Katharine Whalen, Frank ’48 and Julia Ladner, and Steve ’76 and Diane Halverson. “I was struck by the words: ‘. . . there is a critical need to defi ne what it means to be a Benedictine university in America in the 21st century,’” commented Halverson. “I hope and trust that the Benedictine Institute will be committed to exploring this crucial question, to further advance the University and further deepen the great apostolate of Saint John’s Abbey.” Fr. Hilary Thimmesch '50, OSB 31 When thousands of Johnnie faithful return to campus for the SJU football home opener against Wisconsin-Eau Claire on Sept. 12, the newly expanded press box will certainly catch their atten-tion. Over the summer a third fl oor was added to accommodate the growing demand for hospitality. Increased fan and media interest in Johnnie football and Hall of Fame coach John Gagliardi drove the decision to begin exploring the possibility for this expansion project almost two years ago. “We have something special in Saint John’s football and we know that,” says Tom Stock, SJU athletic director. “We’ve led the country in Division III attendance for the past eight years because our pro-gram is exceptional. John Gagliardi now has 461 career victories, the most in college football history, and as this number edges closer to 500, we need to be prepared for what lies ahead.” “Clemens Stadium has been named one of the ‘must-see’ desti-nations in college football, and we want to continue to make im-provements to this renowned venue,” says Rob Culligan ’82, vice president for institutional advancement. “Johnnie football games present a tremendous opportunity for us to spend time with fans, boosters and benefactors and to thank them for their support. We just completed a successful capital campaign, and the new presi-dent’s suite, along with four additional hospitality suites, provide the space needed to accommodate our alumni and friends.” Th e addition of an elevator and sprinkler systems for the three fl oors also signifi cantly improves the safety of the facility. “For visiting coaches, media, and so many of our own special guests, it is imperative that we address these important issues of safety, hospitality and handicap accessibility,” Culligan adds. Th e lead donor on the project is Bill Laliberte ’70 and his wife, Ginny. Laliberte was a standout running back for the Johnnies. He and Ginny live in southern California, where he owns a produce brokerage fi rm. “I’ve been a part of Saint John’s history for almost my entire life, and it becomes a case of wanting to give back,” Laliberte said. “Th e university has been a big part of my growth and my development, and John Gagliardi played a big role in my early, formative years. So when this was put in front of me, I took the mantle and ran with it. I told the school I’d like the chance to lead the charge.” Other donors include Dan ’52 and Mabel Coborn, Chris ’81 and Becky Coborn, Bill ’55 and Joyce Sexton, Jim Sexton ’81, Joel ’65 and Judy Montpetit, Mike ’90 and Kate Magnuson, Denny ’83 and Brenda Schleper, Scott ’77 and Julie Becker, Greg Soukup ’72 and Mary Jo Carr, Mike ’84 and Suzanne Becker, Paul '83 and Lisa Noack, John ’64 and Olivia McCormick. Like Laliberte, most of the donors played football for John during their years at SJU. Sexton, Montpetit and Becker are the exceptions. “I am deeply grateful to these alumni and their spouses for their extraordinary support for this project,” said Dan Whalen ’70, former interim president and chair of the capital campaign. “Th ey are wonderful people.” Clemens Stadium Press Box Receives Upgrade John Biasi 32 In March, Saint John’s interim president Dan Whalen ’70 paid a special visit to longtime Saint John’s enthusiast Don McNeely near his winter home in Pebble Beach, Calif. Whalen recalls the visit well. “Don greeted me warmly,” said Whalen. “Over the next two hours, he told his story about his 45-year commitment to Saint John’s. Th roughout the conversation, Don demonstrated his still sharp mind, with vivid recall of events from the past half-century. It was an honor for me to meet this iconic fi gure from Saint John’s history.” One week later, McNeely passed away at 94. McNeely’s contributions were numerous and varied, and his marks may be found across the Saint John’s campus. He was an entrepreneur extraordinaire. A native of St. Paul, graduate of St. Mark’s, St. Paul Academy and Yale, he spent his en-tire career, right up until the last day, making decisions that aff ect-ed his vast warehousing enterprise. He was a director of a number of major companies (most notably the Space Center), nonprofi ts and charitable foundations. Like so many of his era, McNeely was a private person. He downplayed his military achievements. A naval offi cer during World War II, he served throughout China, Burma and India and participated in several Guadalcanal landings. He served with many historically signifi cant fi gures including Lord Louis Mountbatten, supreme allied commander of the Southeast Asia Th eatre, last vice-roy of the British Indian Empire and the fi rst governor-general of independent India; Gen. Curtis Lemay, the father of the Strategic Air Command; and the Australian coast watchers/code breakers, who played such an important role in the South Pacifi c. He retired from the navy as a lieutenant commander. McNeely’s relationship with Saint John’s began with a phone call from his colleague, Harry Holtz ’39, CEO of First Trust Company, St Paul. He off ered McNeely an opportunity of a lifetime. It was 1963 and the Saint John’s football team had just been selected to play in its fi rst national championship––the Camellia Bowl in Pasadena. Would McNeely help the team travel to California? “Yes.” After all, McNeely was a great athlete—a state squash cham-pion, who threw the ball around with his friend Hank Greenberg in wartime baseball games and played tennis until he was 90. He was a co-owner of the Minnesota Vikings and helped bring the Washington Senators to Minnesota. Th e Johnnies went on to beat Prairie View A&M 33-27 to win the NAIA National Champion-ship, and a lifetime relationship between McNeely and coach John Gagliardi was born. Fast forward to 1967. Holtz once again approached his busi-ness associate. Would McNeely join the Saint John’s Board of Regents? Th e response was again affi rmative, and McNeely spent the next 42 years helping guide the fortunes of the university. Articles and news clippings from intellectual magazines and A Far-Ranging Legacy: Don McNeely and Saint John’s By John Taylor ’58 Lt. Commander Don McNeely (front) and the Australian coast watchers during WW II. Don McNeely (L) and John Gagliardi Donald McNeely Spectrum When Saint John’s sought a major expansion of its athletic facili-ties in the 1990s, we once again turned to McNeely, and he re-sponded with a leadership gift in support of the Donald McNeely Spectrum. Th is 60,000-square-foot fi eld house opened in 1998, featuring an eight-lane indoor 200-meter track, fi ve indoor tennis courts, two collegiate-sized basketball courts, two high school-sized basketball courts and baseball infi eld and facilities for golf and baseball practices. At the time of its building, the Spectrum ranked among the best collegiate arenas in the Midwest. McNeely Entrepreneurship Program McNeely was the visionary and investor behind the Donald McNeely Center for Entrepreneurship at Saint John’s and Saint Benedict’s. Th e program provides classes, coaching and assistance to young entrepreneurs. It also builds relationships among and between students, faculty, alumni, and community members to create and strengthen the entrepreneurial spirit. Until his death, selected students presented their venture ideas and progress to McNeely each year at his corporate offi ce. In 2007, he provided funds to start the McNeely Student Venture Loan Fund to provide fi nancial resources for students to start or grow ventures while in school. Several student ventures have used those funds to launch or signifi cantly expand enterprises. 33 papers were sent weekly to SJU presidents Fr. Colman Barry, Fr. Michael Blecker, Fr. Hilary Th immesh and Br. Dietrich Reinhart, along with notes observing educational trends and commentary on world issues. He corresponded regularly with SJU presidents, deans and faculty members. He also sent tickets to the Vikings, Twins and North Stars as well as the Minnesota Orchestra and Opera. His impact on the academic and athletic life of the Univer-sity was profound. His gifts to Saint John’s were many and varied. Over his lifetime he contributed more than $5 million to Saint John’s to a variety of priorities, making him the largest non-alumni donor to the University. Warner Palaestra In 1973, McNeely gave SJU a leadership challenge grant in sup-port of a new athletic facility which became known as the Warner Palaestra, named after his favorite aunt, Rose Warner. It replaced the Old Gym (Rat Hall), now known as Guild Hall, which was built in 1901. The Forum Debate Society Th e Forum was patterned after the Cambridge Union and the Oxford Union societies of Great Britain. It began in 1977 and continued into the 1990s. Typically, nationally prominent guest debaters were joined by faculty and students representing each side of the topic, followed by a period of questions and discussion. Th e program is scheduled to begin again in spring 2010 under the aegis of the Eugene McCarthy Center for Public Policy and Civic Engagement. University Chair in Critical Thinking In the 1980s, McNeely made a generous gift to Saint John’s to establish an endowed chair in critical thinking, originally known as the McNeely Chair in Critical Th inking. Now the University Chair in Critical Th inking, it is held by Prof. Nick Hayes ’69, a Russian scholar and MPR and PBS commentator. (L to R) Debaters Wm. F. Buckley Jr., Vincent King ’80 and Pat Welle ’78 Dedication of the McNeely Spectrum, Apr. 17, 1998 E-Scholars Abby Stahl ’08 (L) and Susan Lipp ’08 with Don McNeely 34 JOHNNIE SPORTS gojohnnies.com Links for Life: Joe Daly ’09 By John Taylor ’58 Joe Daly ’09 has been faith-driven throughout his life. “As far back as I can remember, we were weekly churchgoers. My parents and my faith played major roles in my life. My closest friends are arguably the strongest Christians I know.” Raised in Owatonna, he was introduced to the world of math by his father, an insurance executive, who had him doing multiples of three in kindergarten. “I love numbers; math has just come easy to me, so I became an accountant.” He carried a 3.76 GPA in accounting, is a three-time Academic All-MIAC honoree, was named an All-American Scholar in 2008. He was additionally honored in 2009 as the College Sporting News Senior Student-Athlete, the Cleveland Golf/Srixon All-America Scholar for Division III by the Golf Coaches Association of America, and ESPN Th e Magazine named him to the Academic All-America third team. “I always wanted to play competitive golf in college, but academics had to come fi rst,” Daly says. He had Division I “looks,” but decided to enroll at a D-III school. “Saint John’s was a no-brainer. It felt so right. I told coach Bob Alpers ’82 that he did not have to come after me; I was coming to Saint John’s. I had a great freshman fall season and won the conference championship.” Daly’s sophomore year was average, but SJU won its fi rst national championship. His junior year was a bit better, and Saint John’s got one of two at-large bids and won a second national championship. In his senior year, he played better, and the Johnnies again won the conference cham-pionship. Th ey slipped to an eighth place fi nish at nationals. “I love Saint John’s. I served in the sen-ate for three years, two as president. My proudest accomplishment was helping to initiate a collegiate readership program where the senate pays for the daily New York Times, USA Today and Minneapolis Star Tribune for our students. Oh, and the dodgeball team that I play on, the Dodg-ers, is the seven-time intramural winner.” Daly will spend the summer at a Christian family camp in Branson, Mo. After that, he hopes to pursue a career in accounting or insurance. John Taylor is SJU associate vice president, institutional advancement—and a BIG Johnnie fan. Paul Middlestaedt Joe Daly ’09 has driven and putted his way to two conference championships and two national titles with the Johnnie linksmen while also earning a variety of academic honors. 35 gojohnnies.com CLUB SPORTS LACROSSE won a tough non-conference win against No. 3 nationally ranked Grand Valley State. Thirteen freshmen joined a strong core of upperclassmen. Captains Brian Strauss ’09 , Mike Freeman ’09, Justin Gervais ’09 and Brian Kubovec ’10 helped the team transition to a new coach, Derek Daehn—the 2009 UMLL coach of the year. The John-nies and Tommies qualifi ed for the MCLA National Tournament losing to Dayton in the semifi nals and fi nishing the season at 11-3. ULTIMATE FRISBEE was ranked 15th in the country for D-III frisbee teams with a record of 31-17, qualifying them for the nationals, where they placed 13th, fi nishing with a record of 3-3. BASKETBALL (14-12, 12-8 MIAC) fi nished third and made its 18th appearance in the MIAC tourna-ment. Aaron Burtzel ’11 was named to the All-MIAC fi rst team, while wing Chris Schwartz ’11 was named honorable mention. Point guard Andy Burns ’12 was named to the fi ve-man All-First Year team and wing Cole Isetts ’09 was named to the All-MIAC Sportsmanship team. SJU head coach Jim Smith’s quest for milestone win No. 700 will wait until next season when he begins his 46th season in Colleg-eville with a 699-487 career record. Smith received the 13th annual Outstanding Service Award from the National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC) at this year’s NABC Convention in Detroit. BASEBALL ended the 2009 season with a 12- 20 overall record and a 7-13 record in the MIAC. Mike Krempa ’09 was named to the 2009 All-MIAC Sportsmanship team. Head coach Jerry Haugen ’76 ended his 32nd season four wins shy of 600 for his career with a 596-519-5 record. GOLF fi nished eighth out of 36 teams at the 2009 NCAA Division III Men’s Golf Championship in Port St. Lucie, Fla. SJU has now fi nished in the top 10 at the NCAA Division III Championship eight of its 10 consecutive appearances (2000-09). Joe Daly ’09 led the Johnnies with a four-day total of 300 (+12) to tie for 29th overall, while Joey Polingo ’09 and Joe Schoolmeesters ’09 followed with a 301 (+13; t-33rd) and 302 (+14; t-37th), respectively. Daly named recipient of the fourth annual College Sport-ing News Senior Student-Athlete Award for the MIAC. Daly is a three-time Academic All-MIAC honoree and was named to the 2009 Academic All-America third team. Schoolmeesters was named to the Division III PING All-America third team. The three-time MIAC Player of the Year, Schoolmeesters earned 2008 All-America fi rst team honors with a sixth-place fi nish at the 2008 national champion-ship. A four-time Golf Coaches Association of America (GCAA) All-District selection and the 2006 MIAC Co-Freshman of the Year, Schoolmeesters led the MIAC in stroke average for the second consecu-tive season in 2008-09 (73.4). Daly and Jeff Nechas ’09 were named Cleveland Golf/Srixon All-America Scholar for Division III by the (GCAA). HOCKEY (10-14-1, 7-8-1 MIAC) fi nished seventh in the MIAC under the direction of fi rst-year head coach Doug Schueller. Pat Connelly ’09 was named to the All-MIAC fi rst team. NORDIC SKIING saw Mason Bacso ’11, Grant Cook ’12, Trevor Drake ’10, Kevin Neal ’10 and Matt Palmquist ’12 named to the 2009 NCAA All- Academic Ski Team. To qualify, they had to hold a minimum GPA of 3.5 during the fall 2008 semester and participate in the 2009 NCAA Regional. SWIMMING AND DIVING fi nished fi fth at the MIAC Championships, posting 26 top-10 fi nishes in the three-day meet. TENNIS (9-9, 5-4 MIAC) ended its season with a 7-2 loss to St. Olaf in the fi rst round of the MIAC playoffs. Head coach Jack Bowe ended the year with a 121-116 career record in 12 seasons. Mark Steel-man ’09 and Dutch Hansen ’10 earned All-MIAC honors in singles competition. TRACK AND FIELD claimed three individual MIAC titles to fi nish fi fth at the 2009 MIAC Indoor Cham-pionships and tied for 24th at the NCAA Division III Indoor Championships. Eric Buss ’09 and Erik Diley ’09 earned All-America honors. The team fi nished second at the 2009 MIAC Outdoor Championships as nine individuals earned a total of 14 All-MIAC honors and claimed conference titles in fi ve events. SJU has now fi nished second or better at the meet each of the past seven seasons and tied for 44th at the NCAA Division III Outdoor Championships, thanks to a pair of All-America performances by Brayden Wagner ’09 in the decathlon (sixth) and pole vault (eighth). Buss ended his career by earning All-America honors for the fi fth time, all in the triple jump (two indoor, three outdoor), with a sixth-place fi nish (14.78 meters). He was named the MIAC Outstanding Field Athlete for both the indoor and outdoor seasons in 2009, and was named to the Academic All-America fi rst team. WRESTLING Minga Batsukh ’11 become SJU’s fourth wrestling national champion at the 2009 NCAA Division III champion-ships. As a team, the John-nies fi nished 15th out of 62. Dustin Baxter ’11 fi nished seventh at 184 pounds to also earn All-American honors (top eight). The grapplers fi nished the season 10-5 in dual meets, including an 18-13 win over Augsburg that snapped a 22-match losing streak. The win, which was the fi rst for the Johnnies over the Auggies since the 1985-86 season, also broke two other Augsburg winning streaks—a streak of 70 straight victories over Minnesota Division II or III opponents since 1996, and a streak of 92 straight victories over foes stretching to the 1986-87 season. Grant Eustice ’09 was named a 2008-09 National Wrestling Coaches Association (NWCA) Academic All-American. Eustice posted a 24-11 record in 2008-09 and fi nished fourth in the 174-pound bracket at the NCAA Great Lakes Regional. Eustice also earned NWCA Aca-demic All-America honors in 2006-2007. ationally reshmen assmen. ke m aehn—John-es ason RISBEE he g e ng he champion-am, John- 5th 4 l-2368 ALUMNI CONNECTION sjualum.com The 2009 Fr. Walter Reger Distinguished Alumnus Award will be presented to Bob Spinner ’64 at the annual Alumni As-sociation banquet on Oct. 2. Recognizing Bob’s outstanding service to the Saint John’s community, it is the highest honor given by the Alumni Association. The award is named for Fr. Walter, the driving force behind the Alumni Association for decades. So ardent was his dedication to SJU, its students and alumni that he became known as “Mr. Saint John’s.” It was the athletic program that drew Robert (Bob) Spinner ’64 to Saint John’s University, but when he arrived he found much more. His student years translated into a lifelong commitment to alma mater. Spinner played football and ran track. He majored in economics and accounting and participated in ROTC. “Arriving at football camp two weeks before school started in August of 1960, I experienced some homesickness and fear of my ability to make the SJU football team. Within two days some 15 fresh-man football players, who had competed against each other in high school, were bonding as friends and teammates. I knew I belonged at SJU,” Spinner recalls. Spinner helped Saint John’s win its first national football championship in 1963 as an all-conference halfback. Teamed with star back Bernie Beckman ’64, “Spinner and Beckman” became a familiar catch phrase for SJU fans and later generations of Johnnie football players. “John Gagliardi has been my coach, teacher, mentor and a dear friend through-out my life. On a regular basis Coach would make rounds in our dorm in the evening. There would be a knock on the door and there would be John. He never talked football at this time. He would ask how school was going, what we were studying (hopefully we were), and how were our grades. He was genuinely inter-ested in our future and what our career goals were. How could you not want to give your all for a coach like him?” Following graduation, Spinner earned an M.A. in hospital and healthcare admin-istration from the University of Minnesota and launched a career in the healthcare industry. He spent 33 years with Allina Hospitals & Clinics and its predecessor organizations in various capacities, serving as president and CEO of Abbott North-western Hospital for 10 years. He retired in 2001 as president of Allina Hospitals and Clinics. This past June, Spinner was named the Interim CEO of Catholic Charities for the Archdiocese of St. Paul & Minneapolis. He is the former chair of the board of Catholic Charities. “I spent my entire professional career in healthcare so I know how important a liberal arts education is as a precursor to graduate and professional school,” Spinner says. Throughout his life, Spinner has remained connected to the Saint John’s community. He has served as chair of the Board of Regents and is currently a mem-ber of the National Campaign Committee. “In recent years, Saint John’s has asked for an ever increasing commitment from our alumni serving on the Univer-sity’s Board of Regents,” comments Dan Whalen ’70, former SJU interim president and himself a Reger recipient. “We’ve expanded responsibilities, created new committees and posed tough ques-tions. Bob has always been there exhibiting exemplary leadership, keen insight and a dedicated willingness to roll up his sleeves and go to work. He has been a wonderful role model and helped move Saint John’s to new plateaus. “It’s wonderful that we can give Bob the Fr. Walter Reger Award this year as his class celebrates its 45-year reunion.” In addition, Bob and his wife, Patti, continue to generously support the univer-sity. They established The Robert and Patti Spinner Family Endowed Scholarship in December 2003. “The University is com-mitted more than ever before to ensuring that the Saint John’s experience is acces-sible to young men from all walks of life,” Spinner says. “Patti and I are impressed by this commitment, so much so that we have established a family scholarship that we imagine will grow significantly. “When it comes to classmates and alum-ni of Saint John’s who have impacted my life, the list goes on forever. Saint John’s friends are like an extended family that just continues to grow,” Spinner comments. Spinner is father to Robert, Jr., Paul ’91 and Melissa CSB ’92. Fr. Walter Reger Distinguished Alumnus Award Robert Spinner ’64 Bob Spinner ’64 Andra Middlestaedt 37 sjualum.com ALUMNI CONNECTION Sweet Honey in the Rock Saturday, September 12, 7:30 p.m. Petters Auditorium, CSB 500 Clown Macbeth Friday, September 18, 8:00 p.m. Stephen B. Humphrey Theater, SJU BodyVox Friday, September 25, 7:30 p.m. Petters Auditorium, CSB Minnesota Orchestra Thursday, October 1, 7:30 p.m. Petters Auditorium, CSB Bring Your Johnnie Community Home Johnnies around the world are fi nd-ing ways to connect for career and social networking. Nearly 30 alumni chapters are scattered from Hong Kong to Des Moines and in between. Affi nity groups are also available for Johnnies with shared interests, such as former choir members, physicians, athletes and more. An affi n-ity group called Th e Young Alum Network is made up of Johnnies and Ben-nies who have been out of college for 10 years or less. Because not everyone can attend events, the Alumni Association off ers several electronic means of communicating with your classmates. JohnniesConnect is the offi cial online directory for Saint John’s University. FINE ARTS CALENDAR Once registered, you can fi nd the names and contact information for friends and classmates or search for alumni who share career interests. To register, visit sjualum. com and click on the link in the upper right corner. Th e Alumni Association also has a page available on Facebook. Become a fan of our page by logging on to Facebook and searching for Saint John’s University Alumni Association. You’ll receive updates about events in your area just by logging in to Facebook. You can also connect through LinkedIn. Join the offi cial group by searching for Saint John’s University Alumni As-sociation (MN). LinkedIn provides a great opportu-nity to post jobs, resumes or career questions online. If you have questions or would like to learn more about chapters, affi nity groups or any of the electronic com-munication tools available, contact the alumni offi ce at 800-635-7303. Chicago City Limits Friday, October 23, 8:00 p.m. Stephen B. Humphrey Theater, SJU Saturday, October 24, 7:30 p.m. Petters Auditorium, CSB Alasdair Fraser & Natalie Haas Friday, November 13, 8:00 p.m. Stephen B. Humphrey Theater, SJU Room on the Broom Friday, November 20, 7:30 p.m. Stephen B. Humphrey Theater, SJU Danú: A Christmas in Ireland Sunday, December 6, 7:00 p.m. Petters Auditorium, CSB A Judy Collins Christmas featuring the CSB/SJU Orchestra Friday, December 11, 7:30 p.m. Petters Auditorium, CSB 38 sjualum.com ALUMNI CONNECTION Johnnies in the Media Richard Bresnahan ’76 described his approach to art and life in a feature story in The Chronicle of Higher Education in February. David Prendergast ’76, president and CEO of the Global FoodBanking Network, was featured in a Chicago Busi-ness magazine profile entitled “Creating a New Blueprint to End Hunger.” The organization focuses on supporting existing food banks and creat-ing new ones around the world, ultimately “connecting surplus with need,” noted Prendergast. Chris Boyd ’77, CEO of Sharp Chula Vista Medi-cal Center, described his leadership style in a cover story of SmartBusi-ness San Diego. Boyd credits coach John Gagliardi with giving him his first lessons in business leadership–emphasizing communication and personal responsibility. “One of the things I learned [from Gagliardi] is that you hire good people, and if you’re very selective in the hiring or appointment pro-cess, you get out of their way and let them work,” Boyd says. Bill Jeatran ’82 (L) and Tim Fleming ’82 lead RJF Agencies, Inc., which took home the 2009 Minnesota Business Ethics Award for mid-sized businesses. Finalists were noted in the Star Tribune and also in-cluded Allodium Investment Consultants, led by David Bromelkamp ’82. Bennett Morgan ’85, Polaris president and chief operat-ing officer, has been named the 2009 Executive of the Year by Powersports Busi-ness magazine. The magazine praised Morgan for providing excellent leadership and foresight during the past year, when crumbling national Phil Stalboerger ’95, vice president of policy and leg-islative affairs for Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota, was listed as a “Forty Under 40” honoree by the Min-neapolis/ St. Paul Business Journal. The award spotlights 40 of the region’s top young business and civic leaders. David Olson, president of Min-nesota Chamber of Commerce, says that Stalboerger is “a hardworking and honest lobbyist who is respected by folks on both sides of the political aisle–and that is no small feat these days.” Denis McDonough ’92, senior foreign policy aide for President Barack Obama, was featured in a Rolling Stone article on the President’s four-man inner circle of advisors. A defense and intelligence con-sultant speaks of the group’s responsibility: “[President Obama’s advisors] are the guys who meet at the end of the day and decide things.” McDonough was also pictured in a Time photo essay “Obama’s 100 Days: Behind-the-Scenes Photos.” He appears in several photos, in one of which he is play-ing football with the President in the Oval Office (below). Callie Shell / Aurora Photos and global economies have created a chal-lenging landscape for virtually every type of business. Now in his 22nd year with Polaris, Morgan was named president and COO in April 2005. 39 sjualum.com ALUMNI CONNECTION Celebrate Saint John’s with alumni, family and friends at Homecoming. Th e weekend of October 2-4, 2009 will be fi lled with good times for all. Festivities will begin with the Alumni Association’s Homecoming Banquet, where we will present Bob Spinner ’64 the Fr. Walter Reger Distinguished Alumnus Award. Saturday, Saint John’s will play host to Bethel University in an MIAC matchup in front of a crowd that historically numbers more than12,000 fans. Following the football game, join over 3,500 alumni and friends at our Celebration on the Tundra, where you can reconnect with friends and the kids can enjoy infl atable games, food and entertainment. Don’t miss it! HOMECOMING 2009 Celebration on the Tundra October 2-4, 2009 Photos by Dawid Chabowski 40 MILESTONES Dec. ’08 ’04 Jill (Podgorski ’04) to Nate Kopetka ’04, Aug. ’08 ’04 Sarah (Rund ’09) to Jeremy Lind ’04, June ’08 ’04 Ellida (Veenis ’04) to Ali Moin ’04, Nov. ’08 ’04 Lisamarie (LiGreci) to Joe Newton ’04, Oct. ’08 ’04 Ashley (Agerter ’04) to Matthew Raitor ’04, Dec. ’08 ’04 Aimee (Cupelli ’04) to John Schumacher ’04, June ’08 ’04 Lindsey (Hoffman ’04) to Adam Sheve-land ’04, Nov. ’08 ’05 Heather Sieben to Christopher Bell ’05, Oct. ’08 ’05 Elizabeth (Siebenaler ’05) to Joseph Marinac ’05, Jan. ’09 ’05 Patricia (Hobday ’01) to Ryan Strack ’05, Sept. ’08 ’05 Jessica (Timm ’05) to Brooks West ’05, June ’08 ’06 Suzanne (Gerjets ’06) to David Burke ’06, Sept. ’08 ’06 Suzanne (Conlin ’06) to David Gorski ’06, June ’08 ’06 Carin (Willette ’06) to Brady Hanson ’06, Mar. ’09 ’07 Josi Cecchini to Luke Hellier ’07, Aug. ’08 ’07 Mirela to Adem Lisicic ’07, Oct. ’08 ’07 Megan (Groneberg ’07) to Matthew Logering ’07, Feb. ’09 ’07 Clarey (McKeown ’07) to Brendan McIn-erny ’07, June ’09 ’07 Nicole (Fritz ’07) to Christopher Truso ’07, Aug. ’08 ’07 Jessica (Wetter ’07) to Andrew Widen ’07, Nov. ’08 ’08 Natalie (Arel ’08) to Nathan Justin ’08, Dec. ’08 ’08 Cassy Wilson to Chad Vos ’08, Mar. ’09 Marriages ’95 Sarah Cherry to Marshal Cooley ’95, Aug. ’08 ’01 Carrie to Josh Otto ’01, Aug. ’08 ’01 Maria to Matt Schnobrich ’01, Oct. ’08 ’01 Megan (Qvale ’02) to Dan Stepaniak ’01, Aug. ’08 ’01 Renee Mader to Dan Welna ’01, June ’09 ’02 Jessica Schill to Jason Miller ’02 May ’09 ’02 Anne (Kocik ’03) to Brian Ragatz ’02, Dec. ’08 ’03 Krista Anderson to Tony Buesing ’03 May ’09 ’03 Jana (Viramontes ’02) to Alan Gaffaney ’03, Nov. ’08 ’03 Carrie (Gorecki ’03) to Todd Jahnke ’03, Jan. ’08 ’03 Anna (Kokesch ’03) to Eric Reeve ’03, Sept. ’07 ’04 Kristen (Dudziak ’04) to Jordan Bewley ’04 May ’08 ’04 Megan (Pavek ’05) to John Boyle ’04, Nine alumni will be recognized with the Saint John’s University Alumni Achieve-ment Award during class reunion pro-grams at Homecoming this year. Presented by the SJU Alumni Association Board of Directors and the University, the award salutes professional and career accomplish-ments as well as personal contributions to church and community. Past recipients Class of 1957: Ralph Kilzer, civil servant Whether it’s the operating room or the state capitol, Ralph Kilzer has been serving the people of North Dakota for decades. An orthopedic surgeon in Bismarck, he served two years in the State House before be-ing elected to the North Dakota Senate every term since 1999. Kilzer has also been an active volunteer with the Knights of Colum-bus and the University of Mary, which gave him its McCarthy Award and the Schafer Excellence in Healthcare Award. He’s also been recog-nized professionally with the Friend of Nursing Award from the N.D. Nursing Association and by St. Mary’s High School, which gave him its distinguished service award. include the late Sen. Eugene McCarthy ’35; the late National Football League Hall of Famer Johnny (Blood) McNally ’49; missionary priest Fr. Jack Davis ’65; Wall Street executive Roger Birk ’52; and Mike Hennessey ’70, sheriff of San Francisco. Nominations may be made through the alumni offi ce at any time. Class com-mittees review the names and forward a ranked list to the Alumni Association Board of Directors for fi nal selection. Generally, one award is given each year to one member of a reunion class celebrating 20th-50th-year reunions. Th is year special recognition will be given to Dr. Ralph Kilzer ’57 and the late Jim Goodman ’84. Alumni Achievement Award Honorees Named 41 Births ’79 Andrea & Mike Bobick ’79, boy, Charles, Feb. ’09 ’79 Lori & Jon Habben ’79, boy, Cohen, Oct. ’08 ’82 Anna Maria & Peter Jude ’82, girl, Elizabeth, Oct. ’08 ’83 Donna & Phil Villavicencio ’83, girl, Ava, Oct. ’08 ’84 Kelly Ann (Panchot ’89) & Mark Giura ’84, girl, Emma, Feb. ’07 ’85 Amy & Paul Elskamp ’85, boy, Samuel, Nov. ’08 ’86 Donna & Dave Caldwell ’86, boy, Colt, Sept. ’08 ’86 Jennifer & John Gag ’86, twin boys, George and Charles, July ’08 ’87 Thuy & Dave Creen ’87, boy, Jonathan, Nov. ’08 ’88 Char & Mike Vecellio ’88, girl, Isabella, Jan. ’09 ’89 Molly & David Heisler ’89, girl, Mary, Feb. ’09 ’89 Kathy (Saeugling ’87) & Tad Hendrickson ’89, boy, Dashiell, Dec. ’07 ’89 Suzanne & Jon Hughes ’89, boy, Ian, Oct. ’08 ’90 Jody & Chip Ferlaak ’90, boy, Crew, Sept. ’08 ’90 Selvi & Tom Habstritt ’90, girl, Amanda, Oct. ’08 ’90 Sara (Cooney ’91) & Tom Preimesberger ’90, boy, Ryan, Jan. ’09 ’91 Victoire & Derek Clements ’91, boy, Matthew, June ’08 ’91 Maria & Chris Miller ’91, girl, Clare, Mar. ’09 ’91 Sarah & Glenn Necklen ’91, girl, Tess, Sept. ’08 ’91 Kay & Derek Peterson ’91, girl, Macy, Apr. ’08 ’92 Caprice & Todd Bass ’92, boy, Palmer, Jan. ’09 ’92 Ami (Trempe ’95) & Daniel Bieurance ’92, boy, Joshua, Nov. ’08 ’92 Kristy & Brandon Erickson ’92, boy, Christopher, Sept. ’08 ’92 Heidi (Halstrom ’93) & Eric Hokanson ’92, boy, Olin, Sept. ’08 ’92 Melissa & Lee Olmscheid ’92, girl, Megan, June ’08 ’92 Melissa & Steven Vander Louw ’92, boy, Lucas, Nov. ’08 ’93 Suzanne (Zobitz ’95) & Jason Kelly ’93, boy, Blake, Oct. ’08 ’93 Audrey (Lamoureux ’93) & Matthew Morrey ’93, girl, Emma, Sept. ’08 ’93 Atsuko (Kitanaka ’97) & Mark Schlough ’93, girl, Emma, Dec. ’08 ’93 Michelle (Holschuh ’93) & Bob Simmons ’93, twin boys, Alexander and Marc, Dec. ’08 ’94 Stacey (Gerlach ’94) & David Moe ’94, boy, Benjamin, Nov. ’08 ’95 Sara (Wartman ’98) & Matthew Dooley ’95, girl, Claire, Oct. ’08 ’95 Jennifer & Jason Engel ’95, boy, Kai, Feb. ’09 ’95 Natalie & John Fowler ’95, girl, Isabelle, Dec. ’08 ’95 Libby (Dooley ’98) & Bobby Hankey ’95, boy, Daniel, Dec. ’08 ’95 Jessa (Sanden ’99) & Christopher Hastings ’95, girl, Audrey, Apr. ’08 ’95 Hether & Bill Johnson ’95, boy, William, Mar. ’09 ’95 Heidi (Skundberg ’95) & Joel Kram ’95, girl, Elizabeth, Feb. ’09 ’95 Jennifer (Fontaine ’94) & Nathan Modeen ’95, girl, Sophia Ida, Sept. ’08 ’95 Robyn & Sam Rasure ’95, girl, Katherine, Oct. ’08 ’95 Nicole (Polipnick ’95) & Tim Ward ’95, girl, Molly, May ’08 ’96 Alicia & Josh Anderson ’96, boy, Wyatt, May ’08 ’96 Kerry (Ebnet ’95) & Christopher Herker ’96, boy, Lucas, Apr. ’09 ’96 Sarah Jo & Troy Jurek ’96, girl, Mazie, Jan. ’09 ’96 Karen & Andrew Kaus ’96, boy, Owen, Aug. ’08 ’96 Billie (Stotz ’97) & Steven Kimman ’96, girl, Payton, Nov. ’08 ’96 Clayne & Steven Knapp ’96, girl, Emily, Nov. ’08 ’96 Chris (Birckhead ’98) & Tom Meyers ’96, girl, River, Oct. ’08 ’96 Mara (Geis ’96) & Scott Peterson ’96, boy, Maxwell, Dec. ’08 ’96 Jodi (Rademacher ’96) & Jason Radel ’96, boy, Jayden, Feb. ’08 ’96 Stephanie & Mark Regnier ’96, girl, Maya, Feb. ’09 ’97 Holly (Larson ’97) & Noah Brandenburger ’97, boy, Anthony, Apr. ’09 Class of 1959: Don Hall, stockbroker and volunteer A retired stockbroker and investment counselor, Don Hall has used his talents in many ways, crossing international and ecumenical boundaries. He has been a board member, fundraiser, donor and active member with Common Hope (supporting schools and clinics in Gua-temala) and Sister Parish (adopting parishes in Central America); he also helped launch the CSB/SJU Cyril Paul Scholarship for Caribbean students. Hall helped rebuild the steeple at Central Lutheran Church in downtown Minneapolis and Stella Maris Chapel on the shores of Lake Sagatagan. He’s also served on the North Side Peace Force in Minneapolis, the Archdiocese Christian Sharing Fund and the League of Women Voters. Hall is also an author: his book, A Man Learns, recounts his youth in Central Minnesota, often using humor to trace the challenges of growing up. 42 MILESTONES ’97 Rachel (Stokman ’97) & Curtis Brown ’97, boy, Benet, Apr. ’09 ’97 Lisa & Alan Christenson ’97, boy, Benedict, Feb. ’09 ’97 Leah & Aaron Holmgren ’97, boy, Eli, Jan. ’09 ’97 Christine & Stephen Klaus ’97, boy, Henry, Dec. ’08 ’97 Tracy (Schuelke ’98) & Craig Kopetzki ’97, boy, Allen, Dec. ’07 ’97 Carrie (Swanson ’97) & Jeffrey Kram ’97, girl, Cecilia, July ’08 ’97 Luz & Marc Mortl ’97, boy, Brendan, Oct. ’08 ’97 Shannon (Feneis ’99) & J. Scott Pitonyak ’97, girl, Jordan, May ’08 ’97 Amy & Jeffrey Sieben ’97, boy, Benjamin, June ’08 ’97 Carisa & Nathan Stangler ’97, boy, William, Apr. ’09 ’97 Alison (Beens ’97) & Ryan VanDeWiele ’97, girl, Gabrielle, Nov. ’08 ’97 Sandra (Breth ’98) & Josh Woodrum ’97, boy, Lucas, Feb. ’09 ’98 Molly (Schiltgen ’98) & Justin Bonnett ’98, girl, Madeleine, Mar. ’08 ’98 Bethany (Vukson ’98) & Matthew Kostol-nik ’98, girl, Emma, Nov. ’08 ’98 Meg (Kulenkamp ’00) & Ryan Mitchell ’98, girl, Grace, Sept. ’08 ’98 Maria (Prom ’99) & Aaron Ramthun ’98, boy, Deacon, Sept. ’08 ’98 Molly (Omann ’99) & Dan Stangler ’98, twin boys, Henry and Edward, Apr. ’09 ’98 Trisha & Kent Willette ’98, twin girl/boy, Ingrid and Charlie, Sept. ’08 ’99 Heidi (Trutwin ’98) & Chad Clasemann ’99, girl, Eleanor, Nov. ’08 ’99 Theresa (Hanish ’99) & Charlie Covert ’99, boy, Douglas, Oct. ’08 ’99 Kristin & Michael Dirksen ’99, boy, Samuel, Mar. ’09 ’99 Krista & Brian Gerten ’99, boy, Logan, Mar. ’09 ’99 Allison & Justin Kelley ’99, girl, Adelynn, Feb. ’09 ’99 Brenda & Pete Klaphake ’99, girl, Abby, Aug. ’08 ’99 Brenda (Garding ’99) & Steven Maus ’99, girl, Claire, Oct. ’08 ’99 Amy (Haupert ’99) & Saul McBroom ’99, boy, Dyson, Sept. ’08 ’99 Jocelyn & Jason Rowe ’99, boy, Cale, Aug. ’08 ’99 Cindy & Casey Scheidt ’99, boy, Easton, Apr. ’09 ’99 Jill & Tim Smith ’99, boy, Parker, Feb. ’09 ’99 Maura & Marcus Tanabe ’99, boy, Myles, Oct. ’08 ’99 Shannon (Muchlinski ’99) & Ben Tempel ’99, girl, Rebecca, May ’08 ’99 Sarah (Athmann ’99) & Chris Thompson ’99, boy, Samuel, Sept. ’08 ’99 Molly & Eric Zenk ’99, girl, Sophie, June ’08 ’00 Anna Marie & Tom Bushlack ’00, boy, Sean, Apr. ’09 ’00 Megan & Dan Heffernan ’00, girl, Susanna, Feb. ’09 ’00 Jennifer (Winkels ’00) & Jacob Johnson ’00, boy, Jude, Apr. ’09 ’00 Lisa (Neu ’00) & Tony Kapinos ’00, girl, Eliza, Mar. ’09 ’00 Katie (Dekarski ’00) & Nick Lamecker ’00, girl, Anna, Nov. ’08 ’00 Holly (Apland ’02) & Patrick McGowan ’00, boy, Noah, Aug. ’08 ’00 Heather (Niemi ’00) & Shawn Merritt ’00, boy, Jack, Dec. ’08 ’00 Heather (Mace ’00) & Brandon Novak ’00, boy, Sebastian, 5 years old ’00 Amy (Larson ’00) & John Sand ’00, girl, Nora, Sept. ’08 ’00 Kim & Bryan Skavnak ’00, boy, Ethan, Nov. ’08 ’00 Anne (Carlin ’00) & Jeremy Skramsted ’00, boy, Kaleb, Mar. ’09 ’00 Kelley (Connor ’01) & Jeff Stangler ’00, girl, Luella, Aug. ’08 ’00 Stacy (Deery ’00) & Shane Stennes ’00, boy, Liam, Aug. ’08 ’00 Christina & Matthew Tinguely ’00, boy, Benjamin, Sept. ’08 ’01 Amber (Dryden ’00) & Adam Briggle ’01, girl, Mary, Feb. ’08 ’01 Theresa (Kidd ’01) & Andy Case ’01, girl, Leah, Dec. ’07 ’01 Mindy (Fradin ’01) & Adam Gallagher ’01, girl, Fiona, Jan. ’09 ’01 Janna (Winter ’01) & Dave Galloway ’01, boy, Jack, Nov. ’08 ’01 Reyna (Manley ’01) & David Hartley ’01, boy, Liam, Jan. ’09 ’01 Carrie & Adam Klepetar ’01, girl, Elizabeth, Apr. ’09 ’01 Andrea & Patrick Mack ’01, girl, Lily, Mar. ’09 ’01 Melanie (LaComb ’02) & Scott McMahon ’01, boy, Brennan, Mar. ’09 ’01 Natalie (Powers ’03) & Adam Miller ’01, boy, Aric, Aug. ’08 ’01 Katie (Corbett ’02) & Adam Phenow ’01, girl, Abigail, Apr. ’09 ’01 Christine (Dickinson ’02) & Thomas Piersma ’01, girl, Eleanor, Dec. ’08 ’01 Alissa (Verschaetse ’01) & Chris Salvato ’01, twin boys, Alexander and Benjamin, Nov. ’08 ’01 Elaine (Keppers ’01) & Jason Thelen ’01, boy, Eli, Aug. ’08 ’01 Emily (Bunce ’01) & Peter Wanning ’01, girl, Whitney, May ’08 Class of 1964: Ken Roering, professor and chair Former chair in marketing and a professor at the University of Minnesota’s Carlson School of Management, Ken Roering is a highly sought-after consultant. He has shared his expertise in marketing strategy, planning and inter-organizational relations with 3M, Whirl-pool, Cargill, Motorola and other companies as well as at lectures at universities across the country and in France and Poland. He has also published more than 70 articles, edited three collections of scholarly writings and written two books. His pedagogy has been recognized with various teaching and research awards including the University of Minnesota Outstanding Graduate Teacher honor. Roering is a Regent of Saint John’s University and sits on several corporate boards of directors. 43 MILESTONES ’01 Susan (Wall ’98) & Nels Ylitalo ’01, boy, Isaac, Jan. ’09 ’02 Alice & Aaron Bidle ’02, boy, Camden, Jan. ’09 ’02 Sarah (Madge ’03) & Mike Carey ’02, girl, Grace, Feb. ’09 ’02 Molly (Christensen ’04) & Kevin Elfstrand ’02, girl, Madeline, Dec. ’08 ’02 Laura (Holton ’02) & Eric Hendrickson ’02, girl, Laney, Feb. ’09 ’02 Jill (Carr ’06) & Mark Koch ’02, girl, Lucy, Nov. ’08 ’02 Tammy & Nick Lamusga ’02, boy, Joseph, May ’08 ’02 Megan (Aspengren ’02) & Andrew Lapos ’02, boy, Adam, Oct. ’08 ’02 Summer & Andy Minnich ’02, boy, Nolan, Apr. ’09 ’02 Jaime (Peterson ’02) & Ryan Tooley ’02, girl, Josilyn, Sept. ’08 ’03 Jackie (Bye ’03) & Mike Boldt ’03, boy, Andrew, Jan. ’09 ’03 Amanda (Boller ’03) & Chris Dykhoff ’03, girl, Elena, Feb. ’09 ’03 Jennifer & Scott Knudson ’03, girl, Jaya, Apr. ’09 ’03 Sadie (Vagher ’02) & Joel LaFrance ’03, boy, Noah, Dec. ’08 ’03 Angela (Prindle ’04) & Luke Palen ’03, boy, Jacob, Oct. ’08 ’03 Amanda (Schweinfurtor ’03) & Eduardo Silva ’03, girl, Julianna, Feb. ’09 ’03 Heather & Dustin Upgren ’03, boy, Charles, Dec. ’08 ’04 April & Ryan Damlo ’04, boy, Cooper, Mar. ’09 ’04 Anna (Zauhar ’05) & Cole Deibele ’04, boy, Carson, Mar. ’09 ’04 Kristen (Huber ’04) & Timothy Johnston ’04, boy, Lane, Mar. ’09 ’04 Angela (Wiering ’04) & Jeff Kaczrowski ’04, boy, Maxwell, Mar. ’09 ’04 Lisa (Wienhold ’04) & Brandon Overman ’04, girl, Isabelle, Apr. ’09 ’04 Becky (Wolf ’04) & Adam Pitz ’04, boy, Noah, Nov. ’08 ’04 Jenny (Renier ’04) & Joseph Rolfes ’04, boy, Iain, Apr. ’09 ’04 Amanda (Henning ’04) & Paul Stenberg ’04, boy, Torsten, Nov. ’08 ’04 Alli (Vacek ’06) & Andrew Weaver ’04, boy, Noah, Jan. ’09 ’05 Ashley (Fruth ’06) & Chris Baldwin ’05, girl, Madeline, Sept. ’08 ’05 Kelly (Becker ’05) & Johnathan DeWein ’05, girl, Ainsley, Apr. ’08 ’05 Tessa & Jacob Johnson ’05, girl, Lily, Oct. ’08 ’06 Ashley (Blake ’07) & Webster Ford ’06, boy, Seamus, Mar. ’09 ’06 Laura (Zwach ’07) & Scott LaVoy ’06, boy, Thomas, Dec. ’08 ’08 Kimberly (Delarosa ’10) & Preston Allex ’08, girl, Isabella, Sept. ’08 Deaths ’19 George Fisher, Jr., son of deceased George ’19 and brother of Dick ’50, Mar. ’09 ’26 George C. Kelsch ’26, Sept. ’08 ’32 Don Kolb ’32, Nov. ’08 ’32 Jerome “Jerry” Schroder ’32, Feb. ’09 ’33 Mary Brenny, spouse of deceased Clemens ’33, Dec. ’08 ’36 Kenneth Cater ’36, Apr. ’09 ’37 Maureen Quigley, daughter of deceased James Quigley ’37, Mar. ’09 ’37 Lucille A. Quigley, spouse of deceased James ’37, Apr. ’09 ’37 Elizabeth “Betty” Teigen, spouse of deceased George “Bud” Teigen ’37, Mar. ’09 ’38 Luella Donlin, spouse of deceased Adrian ’38, Nov. ’08 ’38 Rev. Bernie Schreiner ’38, Mar. ’09 ’38 Donald Simmons ’38, Oct. ’06 ’38 Jean Windschill, spouse of Ermin ’38 and mother of John ’73, Mar. ’09 ’39 Adeline Ellenbecker, spouse of deceased Frank ’39, Jan. ’09 ’39 Sister Jeremy Hall, OSB, sister of Bill ’39, Nov. ’08 ’39 Beatrice “Bea” Terhaar, spouse of deceased Herbert ’39, Feb. ’09 ’40 Francis Bohnenstingel ’ 40, Jan. ’09 ’40 Roger Plattes ’40, father of Peter ’69, brother of Gordon ’41, Feb. ’09 ’40 George Robinson ’40, Nov. ’08 ’40 Walter Spilos ’40, Apr. ’08 ’40 Art Thompson ’40, Aug. ’08 ’41 Elmer Eichers ’41, Dec. ’08 ’41 Bill McShane ’41, father of Mike ’70 and Tim ’81, Mar. ’09 ’41 Abbot Jerome Weber, OSB ’41, Sept. ’08 ’42 Owen Beckwith ’42, Mar. ’09 ’42 George Frank ’42, Dec. ’08 ’42 Albert Sauerer ’42, Jan. ’09 ’42 Dr. Robert Strobel ’42, Aug. ’08 ’43 Wally Edelbrock ’43, brother of Ed ’48, Dec. ’08 ’43 Donovan Mayne, brother of John ’43, Jan. ’09 ’43 Bob Mertz ’43, Nov. ’08. ’43 Edmund Schulzetenberg, brother of deceased Rev. Raymond Schulzetenberg ’43, Apr. ’09 ’43 Donna Steman, spouse of deceased Louis ’43, Dec. ’08 ’44 Don Beuning ’44, brother of deceased Harvey Beuning ’42, Apr. ’09 ’44 Rev. Richard Heid ’44, Feb. ’09 ’44 John “Hugh” Murphy ’44, Mar. ’09 ’44 Edwin H. Raeker, brother of Gene ’44, Feb. ’09 ’44 Victor Weber, brother of Francis ’44, Nov. ’08 ’45 Gene Lenard ’45, father of Tom ’81, Jan. ’09 ’45 Charlene Rooney, spouse of Don ’45, Jan. ’07 ’46 Rev. Edward Nistler ’46, Mar. ’09 ’47 Ed Simonet ’47, brother of deceased Bronson Simonet ’48, Nov. ’08 Class of 1969: Fr. Bob Flannery, priest and ecumenist Fr. Bob Flannery credits his interest and leadership roles in interna-tional ecumenism to his days at Saint John’s—as an undergraduate and seminarian (ordination in 1973). Pastor at St. Francis Xavier Church in Carbondale, Ill., he has been the diocese’s ecumenical and interreli-gious offi cer since 1998. He is presently serving his second three-year term as president of the Catholic Association of Diocesan Ecumenical and Interreligious Offi cers. Flannery is also a member of the Catholic delegation to Christian Churches Together in the USA. He earlier was president of the National Association of Diaconate Directors, which recognized his leadership by giving him its highest award. 44 MILESTONES ’48 Mary Jo Durenberger, spouse of Gordon ’48, Mar. ’09 ’49 Tom Bolger ’49, brother of deceased Gerald ’56, Feb. ’09 ’49 Dick Bresnahan ’49, father of Richard, Jr. ’76, Chad ’91 and brother of Ellery ’50, Nov. ’08 ’49 Robert Bruning ’49, brother of John ’51, Jan. ’09 ’49 Frances Muggli, spouse of Bob ’51 and the sister of Br. Felix Neussendorfer, OSB ’49, Apr. ’09 ’49 Catherine Twomey, sister of Arthur Hess-burg ’49, Dec. ’08 ’49 Rev. David Wild ’49, Oct. ’08 ’50 Margaret Coyle, spouse of Jim ’50, Nov. ’08 ’50 Tom Doyle ’50, Dec. ’08 ’50 Donald Hassler, brother of John ’50, Nov. ’08 ’50 John Hassler ’50, Dec. ’08 ’50 Rachel Leimer, spouse of Thomas ’50, Feb. ’09 ’50 Rev. William Matyas ’50, Sept. ’08 ’50 Mary Louise McLain, sister of Fred ’50 and Karl ’58, Jan. ’09 ’51 Will Dombrovske ’51, Apr. ’09 ’51 Luanne Kline, spouse of deceased Jerry ’51, Mar. ’09 ’51 Mike Willette ’52, brother of DePaul ’51, Pierre ’58, Tom ’59, Mar. ’09 ’52 Steven Birk, son of Roger ’52, Dec. ’08 ’52 Mary Dichtel, spouse of Francis ’52, Nov. ’08 ’52 Joyce Fleming, spouse of Joe ’52 and mother of Tom ’78, July ’08 ’52 Greg Gits ’52, Dec. ’08 ’52 Frank Hentges ’52, Apr. ’09 ’53 Lorraine Stock, |
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