Summer 2009 U N I V E R S I T Y O F Sa I N T Ma R Y
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AspireAspire Summer 2009 U NIVERSITY OF SAINT MARY A Saint Mary First Inside: 2009 Honor Roll of Donors from the president Dear Alumni and Friends, Excellence. Excellence is one of the University of Saint Mary’s core values. The foundation for embracing excellence is our faith in our Creator God. Our gracious God has given us all that we have. Our abilities, talents, and skills are all gifts. We did nothing to earn them. They are God’s gift to us. As I tell our students, in return, we owe God our best effort. Mediocrity is an insult to the Creator God. Our response demands not only our best efforts, but also that our talents and skills are used with integrity for the greater good of humanity. Saint Mary views excellence as an essential gospel-centered response to all that God has given. Excellence touches not only that which can be measured – grades, graduation rates, retention, job placement, and endowment earnings – but also those that do not easily succumb to data crunching, those that mark our lives and our choices over time: integrity, compassion for others, and a sense of justice for all. We have much to celebrate in the line of measurable accomplishments such as a new residence hall, a new degree program in partnership with the Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences, as well as the start of our first doctorate program, a doctorate in physical therapy. The RN-BSN program will expand from online delivery to a new “on ground” program in Overland Park starting this fall. Once again despite the struggles of this economy, Saint Mary is looking forward to welcoming one of its largest freshman classes ever. New graduate Kate Schebaum has become the first Saint Mary student to receive a Fulbright scholarship and is now enjoying an exciting learning opportunity in Korea. Jodie Berve, a Master of Arts in Adaptive Special Education graduate, was awarded the Kansas Horizon Award for first year teaching excellence. Art Professor Susan Nelson received this year’s Sullivan Award for Teaching Excellence. Business Instructor Carlton Philpot was recognized by the cities of Leavenworth and Kansas City for his work to establish the Buffalo Soldiers monument. Three outstanding alumni, Michelle Piranio, C’81, Dianna Porter, C’64, and Betty (Kennan) Sosna, C’48, received special recognition at Alumni Reunion Weekend. And USM Board of Trustee Bill Trenkle was honored as one of only 24 preeminent Kansas lawyers who have been listed in “Best Lawyers of America” since the list's inception. As we celebrate these and other moments of excellence, we recall that if they are to have lasting meaning they must be rooted in the more fundamental call to excellence, the call to excellence in humanity, being the best human being one can be in response to God’s graciousness. Perhaps that is why the most coveted awards given to graduating seniors are the “Students Appreciating Students Award” and the Mother Mary Ancilla Award for Service. While we strive to grow and excel in all ways measurable, we at Saint Mary remain committed to our most fundamental call to excellence as the prophet Micah expressed it: act justly, love tenderly, and walk humbly with your God. The pursuit of excellence continues to shape our institution and you, our graduates, continue to make us proud each and every day. We challenge you to be an inspiration to others and pass on the Saint Mary legacy. Peace and blessings to you, Diane Steele, SCL, Ph.D., C’83 MISSION STATEMENT The University of Saint Mary educates students of diverse backgrounds to realize their God-given potential and prepares them for value-centered lives and careers that contribute to the well being of our global society. We value: community, respect, justice, and excellence. contents Administrative Council Sr. Diane Steele, SCL, Ph.D., C’83 4 | USM Students to Jamaica President Bryan Le Beau, Ph.D. 7 | A Saint Mary First Vice President and Dean for Academic Affairs Dale L. Culver 10 | SpireFest 2009 Vice President for Finance and Administrative Services Laura Davis 4 12 | 2009 Commencement Vice President of Marketing and Communications Jill Hackett, Ed.D. 13 | 2009 Honor Roll of Donors Vice President of Extended Sites Pam McNally Vice President of Development 26 | Class Notes & Memoriam Sisters of Charity of Leavenworth Corporation Members 28 | Reunion Weekend Sr. Joan Sue Miller, SCL, C’59 Community Director Sr. Linda Roth, SCL, C’70 7 Sr. Nancy Bauman, SCL, C’70 FOR YOUR REFERENCE Sr. Marianna Bauder, SCL, C’70 Sr. Maureen Hall, SCL, C’70 Class Codes A - Academy Board of Trustees C - College *Charles Berkel U - University *Mary Alice Bramming, C’65 M - Master’s Degree Joseph Contrucci, C'94 Andres Dominguez, C’82 Sr. Katherine Franchett, SCL, C’61 John A. Gordon 10 Thomas Gregory Sr. Maureen Hall, SCL, C’70 (Vice Chair) Sr. Margaret Ellen “Peg” Johnson, C’71 Greg Kaaz Ken Karr (Chair) Susanna Laundy Dr. Richard Lopes Charles McCann Irma Napoli Michelle Piranio, C’81 (Sec./Treas.) Sr. Linda Roth, SCL, C’70 The is published for the friends and alumni of the University of Saint Mary in Joseph Snyder Aspire Sr. Diane Steele, SCL, C’83 (President) the spring, summer, fall, and winter, including the Honor Roll of Donors, by the office Michele Stauffer of Marketing, 4100 South 4th Street, Leavenworth, KS 66048, (913) 758-6165. Please William Trenkle send all alumni news items, such as a marriage, birth, death, new job, promotion, Sr. Charlotte White, SCL, C’63 award, additional degree, etc., to the attention of: Stephanie Shupe at 4100 South Mark Wilkinson 4th Street, Leavenworth, KS 66048, (913) 758-6126 or [email protected]. Please remember to include your class year, address, and phone number. *Trustee Emeritus Printed on recycled paper. Summer 2009 | 1 Honoring our Heritage… Empowering our Students Today’s best students invigorate the academic and social retain the brightest students possible is directly linked to climate on campus. They become leaders and encourage our ability to offer scholarships. Through your assistance excellence in the classroom. Those types of students are the we can empower our students to become some of the best hallmark of the University of Saint Mary. and brightest in their field of work. Saint Mary was founded by the Sisters of Charity of To do this, we need your help! Leavenworth with the goal of providing access to affordable, quality education. Through the past almost 150 years, Beginning Sept. 28, 2009, USM students will begin Saint Mary continues to provide an affordable education to calling asking for you support. talented students. Please consider a gift to the university and honor Every institution is concerned with balancing Saint Mary’s long-standing heritage while empowering the the burdens of financial aid with the competition for future of a Saint Mary student. exceptional students. Saint Mary’s ability to recruit and Our students look forward to talking with you! Leaving a Legacy... Margaret Ann Burke, C'47 In the spring of 2008, a very loving friend and alum passed away. Margaret Ann Burke, or Marnie as she was known to most, died at Midland Hospice House in Topeka, Kan. Marnie, a member of the class of 1947, included the University of Saint Mary in her estate plan as a way to continue giving to an institution that meant so much to her. During her childhood and teen years, Marnie was educated by the Sisters of Charity of Leavenworth, so it was a natural next step for her to continue her college education at Saint Mary. She left her recently-widowed mom to begin classes at Saint Mary in 1943. Marnie loved her time at Saint Mary and studied home economics. When she graduated in 1947, she began work at the Gas Service Company in Kansas City. Marnie returned to Topeka to care for her mother and opened a dress shop with a good friend. With a strong devotion to her Catholic faith, Marnie was a member of the Most Pure Heart of Mary parish and the Daughters of Isabella Little Flower Circle. She gave generously of herself and was honored at Saint Francis Hospital in Topeka where she logged more than 10,000 volunteer hours. Marnie lived a Saint Mary life—using her education to succeed in business, giving back to her community with many volunteer hours, and honoring her belief in the Catholic faith. Marnie will be missed by many friends, but her legacy will live on at the University of Saint Mary. Through her generous gift, the university is able to continue its work – educating students to become good citizens, business leaders and community workers. Please consider including the University of Saint Mary in your estate plan. Call Molly Sirridge at (913) 758-6302 for more information. www.stmary.edu Summer 2009 | 3 Service Trip to the Slums of Jamaica Melts the Hearts of USM Students During the waning months of her college career, Katie Murray notes she’s spent many a day toying with the idea of the Peace Corps or other avenues to serve the world’s least fortunate. After a mid-March trip with four classmates to Jamaica, the University of Saint Mary senior solidified those plans in a hurry. “I applied to the Peace Corps the week I got back,” said Katie, of Eugene, Ore. Her four Saint Mary compatriots— Leavenworth’s Michaela Forge, Kaitlin Peterson, of Hays, Kan., Mary Ann Snyder, of Lee’s Summit, Mo., and Gian Malloy, of Topeka, Kan.—are all leaning in similar directions. Each young woman described the trip as a life- changing experience.