SUMMER 2019
Making the Call Alumni Lead the Way
Student Life: Accolades: Alumni: Renovations Complete Athletic Hall of Fame Events & Updates
p.18 p. 20 p. 22
THE MAGAZINE OF BISHOP WATTERSON HIGH SCHOOL ADMINISTRATION Principal: Deacon Chris Campbell ‘77 Assistant Principal: Andrea Pore Assistant Principal: Ryan Schwieterman ’01
In This Issue Dean of Girls: Heather Law Dean of Boys: Vince Lombardo
DEPARTMENTS FEATURES Admissions: Mary Kate Campbell ’10, [email protected] 4 Making the Call Alumni: Scott Manahan, [email protected] Athletics: Doug Etgen, [email protected] Student Life Chaplain: Deacon Frank Iannarino, [email protected] 18 Communications & Marketing: Colleen Mar, [email protected] Development: Ryan Steinbauer ’01, [email protected] Athletic Hall of Fame Facilities: Tom Long, [email protected] 20 Inductees Technology: Jay Forker ’05, [email protected] Alumni Updates 22 EAGLE REVIEW Editor: Colleen Mar, [email protected] Homecoming Hall of Writers: Colleen Mar, Heather Weekley Lofy ‘07, Maddi Rasor ‘13 30 Fame Inductees Alumni Updates: Terri Kernan, [email protected] Copy Editors: Beth Cunningham ‘84, Penny Forker, Jackie Mikula ‘15 Design: Kim Vega, Elevate Design, [email protected]
To receive the alumni e-newsletter Eagle Extra, go to bishopwatterson.com, click Alumni then Information Update.
ON THE COVER: Mark Zupan, ‘77, President of Alfred University, FOLLOW US! Alfred, NY
2 The Eagle Review Summer 2019 Dear Alumni, Parents and Friends,
At the start of each school year, my message to our students and staff is: love God, do your best, and take care of one another. This involves making seemingly small decisions, day by day and minute by minute, that can have a lasting impact on the people and world around us.
While we encourage this decision-making in our students and make the call on many things every day here at the high school, our alumni are out in the world making the call in their chosen fields, guiding others or even accepting the call to serve the people of God.
Mike Kenney ’93 and Nick King ’93 felt called to bring their expertise to Bishop Watterson and to take the lead in remodeling our classrooms, a job that began in 2013 with the creation of our business classroom. With this undertaking now complete, BWHS has ventured into a project to revamp our backfield. This project, set to be complete in August 2019, will allow more of our sports teams and our band to practice and compete on home fields.
We hope you will find this Eagle Review fun and informative as we introduce some of our alumni whose paths in life involve making or answering calls of all sorts.
What is next for Bishop Watterson? Time will tell. Whatever it is, we always strive to make the right call for the good of our students so they can move forward to make or answer a call of their own.
Respectfully,
Deacon Chris Campbell Principal
Summer 2019 The Eagle Review 3 Feature
Zupan Leads Alfred University By Heather Weekley ‘07 Lofy
ABOVE When he was younger, Mark Zupan ’77 thought and then as a dean at the University of Rochester, Mark Zupan, 1977 about being a doctor, a lawyer or a politician. The Zupan has now found his home at Alfred graduate of Bishop education realm was not on the list but that is University. Since July 2016, he has been making Watterson High School where he landed. Zupan is now President of Alfred calls on a daily basis - whether they be academic, University in Alfred, N.Y. strategic or innovative. Founded in 1836, Alfred RIGHT Looking back, joining the Bishop Watterson University is a private school with nearly 2,000 Mark Zupan, In The Know team may have been a step in that students. The school’s current strategic plan has President of Alfred direction. three main themes: “Transform Student Lives University poses with “People at Watterson like Barb Sauter made a and Better Our World,” “Forge Strength Through Saxon, the official huge influence in my life,” Zupan said. “She steered Inclusivity” and “Amplify our Impact.” mascot of Alfred me toward Harvard [University]. The teachers and “It’s been a wonderful place to join,” Zupan said. University staff cared about your development as a person.” “It was the first place to fully admit women. Oberlin Zupan, who attended St. Timothy School and usually gets the credit. But at Oberlin, you had to graduated from Bishop Watterson in 1977, went study home economics or something like that. Our on to enter the world of academia and he hasn’t first class in 1836 had 22 women and 14 men. It left since. At Harvard, he studied economics, and was also one of the first places to admit African- then earned his doctorate from Massachusetts Americans and Native Americans. Frederick Institute of Technology (MIT). During his time as Douglass came to visit several times.” a faculty member at the University of Southern For Zupan, being a university president is a 24/7 California (USC), Zupan grew his passion for job. He said that roughly half of his time is spent higher education even more. presenting the university to the general public. “USC was basically a football school at the time,” This involves fundraising, opening organizational he said. “It had a little bit of a beat-down attitude. doors for students and supporting research grants. But they had a president that came about and It also means staying in touch with Alfred alumni really changed the place for the better. Nowadays scattered throughout the world. they compete head to head with Berkeley and “I very much experienced and appreciated the Stanford. The president there was a mentor.” warmth of the Watterson high school community, After spending time at the University of Arizona and seeing how Alfred University had a similar
4 The Eagle Review Summer 2019 Making the Call emphasis on inclusivity and caring was a piloted an idea that didn’t quite take off. big draw to joining,” Zupan said. “I would fundraise a lot and fly on The sense of community is evident planes,” he said. “They would give you in a story he tells about attending an stickers to give to flight attendants who Alfred women’s volleyball match during did a great job. I thought it was a great his first year as president. Although idea and we should bring it back to the Zupan couldn’t stay for the entire match, students. They could offer it back to he received a thank-you note from the professors who have done a good job. It entire team two days later. ended up being an unmitigated disaster. “It’s a place that little things get noticed We had to discontinue the program. Not and appreciated,” he explains. “I like that all the calls work out, but you have to 50 percent of our students are the first in celebrate what you do.” their family to go to college.” Zupan also wears the hat of father to Other things Zupan enjoys about his two adult children. Will, 27, is in Buenos role? He gets to interact with the next Aires, Argentina running a business where generation and learn about their ideas and students and recent graduates can work perspectives. Despite his busy schedule on their Spanish-speaking skills while and responsibilities as president, Zupan partaking in volunteer opportunities. has taught two courses this year. One Walker, 23, has a theater degree and is relates to a campus-wide initiative called currently teaching English in France. Common Ground, where students learn While he said he has learned to be to respect each others’ differences. The an extrovert, Zupan enjoys his time at other is a leadership course to develop home at night to read books and relax. thinking skills. But those social groups, like sports and In The Know, during his time at Bishop Watterson led Zupan to develop friendships that have lasted. “ I very much experienced “The community Watterson provided and appreciated the made a real difference,” Zupan said. warmth of the Watterson So what advice can he impart on high school community, high school students and their parents and seeing how Alfred preparing for college? As a parent, let your child experiment and test out different University had a similar things. emphasis on inclusivity “I never would have predicted coming and caring was a big into Watterson to become an economist draw to joining.” or go into administration,” Zupan said. “Having lived that with two sons, there is an old saying you are just as happy as your least happy child. No matter the “We are bringing in a host of alumni nurturing environment, you never know speakers,” said Zupan. “Each has time what health challenges may come along, to pitch an idea to make the university what friendship challenges, or emotional better. Students have to pick an idea, and mental struggles. Be thankful for the research the idea and present to a gifts you have and for your opportunities.” group of distinguished alumni. There’s even a monetary prize. We’ll see what the students come up with… I’ve run something like this at other universities.” One important lesson Zupan has learned in his career is humility. Back when he was an associate dean, he
Summer 2019 The Eagle Review 5 Making the Call Invisibility Suits Timmons By Colleen Mar
When Tim Timmons ’86 goes to work realized I was better than most and was “The speed of the game from AA to he prefers to be unnoticed. This may one of six umpires given minor-league the big leagues is exponentially faster,” sound odd considering that he’s standing spring training jobs. I was 22, going to Timmons said. “If I could package what in front of thousands of people on the OSU and working at The Lakes Country I see on that baseball field for the fans field of a Major League Baseball game. Club. I went from working Legion ball to to see, they would have to have 150,000 As an umpire, Timmons aims to do his professional baseball job so well that there is no need for the and I worked the crowd to pay him any attention. plate the first day. “The biggest compliment I can get is, The guy on the ‘Who worked the game?’” he said. “You mound was Rick want to be absolutely perfect, and we all Sutcliffe who was big know that’s impossible. As an umpire, the league but rehabbing excitement is when no one notices you.” in the minors. Timmons’ baseball career began in “The pitches were Columbus where he still lives with wife substantially better Leslie and sons Jack, Connor, and Reilly. than the pitches in He played baseball at Bishop Watterson the Legion league,” and was certain he wanted the game to Timmons said with a be a part of his life, so he went on to play laugh. at Muskingum University. For about five “I figured out by sophomore year that years, from January I was not going to make money playing to mid-November, baseball,” Timmons said. Timmons studied the This realization led to Timmons craft of umpiring in transferring to Ohio State, where he the minor leagues. began umpiring high school games as “For a kid who a supplemental income. Eventually he hadn’t traveled all became certified to do college games. that much, it was a “When I grew up, my dad was in new experience,” Timmons said. “At that seats in the stadium. What happens with the OHSAA Officials Hall of Fame for time, from rookie all the way up to AA, the a baseball, a bat and a glove on the field officiating. He worked games at Ohio umpires shared a hotel room. The rooms is unbelievable. It’s super-human what State and Ohio University and others were so small you had to put one foot in happens out there.” and so I grew up watching him referee. the tub just to use the toilet!” While the obligation to see clearly in He was also president of the local By 1994 Timmons was working AA order to call a baseball game properly association.” games and was assigned to the Hall of would be daunting to most people, Realizing he seemed to be following Fame Game, a good sign that he was Timmons felt prepared. He said Bishop in his father’s footsteps and seeking to advancing. Watterson, and Catholic schools in hone his own umpiring skills, Timmons “You have to do the job fundamentally general, foster a sense of responsibility. attended Joe Brinkman Umpire School and you have to see things clearly,” “As a student at Watterson I figured out in Cocoa, Florida. That is where he found Timmons said. “As I moved through the early that I was not performing for my out that his knack for umpiring could be ranks my approach was that I was going teachers, I was performing for my class,” legitimate at higher levels of baseball. to use my God-given ability and if they he said. “In the early years of umpiring “After about two weeks at the umpire liked it I could continue.” I worked with plenty of guys that had a school I realized I was pretty good,” And so he did, to spring training in lot of talent but who worked differently said Timmons. “At times in life you see 1997 and his first game in the big leagues if there was a supervisor watching. I things very clearly and at this time I in 1999. He was hired full-time in 2001. worked the same every night. If I wasn’t
6 The Eagle Review Summer 2019 Making the Call mentally exhausted at the end of the night summer and their whole lives to get there were adopted later in life. I had not given my best. At Watterson as well. Anxiety is a part of it and anyone “We visited the oncology unit and there there was accountability in that someone who tells you it’s not is lying to you. The was a boy who was really sick and he said was going to ask if your work was your biggest lesson I learned from working he wants to be an umpire,” he said. “What best. If you give your best then you’re able the World Series is that the anticipation it meant to take those people out of the to serve yourself and serve others.” of an event can be more stressful than situation just for a couple of moments is In the fall of 2018 Timmons got the call the actual event itself. You have to realize something to share and I’m so honored every Major League umpire yearns for … you have trained, you have studied, and to have had that opportunity and to have he was chosen to umpire at his first World you have invested the time to master your been asked to officiate the game. It was a Series. craft. Just because it’s a new experience lifelong dream and everything went well … “You hang up the phone and you’re like, doesn’t mean you haven’t done it before.” knock on wood.” ‘Yes, I got it!’ And then you’re wondering Arriving in Boston with his family, Timmons has been a board member of what you got yourself into.” Timmons had a sleepless night followed Umps Care Charities for many years and Then he had 12 days to think about the by a visit to Boston Childen’s Hospital when he is home in Columbus he delivers fact that he would be umpiring the World with Umps Care Charities, an organization Meals on Wheels, something he has been Series. that reaches out to at-risk youth, children doing for 15 years. “It’s just a ballgame, and it’s the World with serious illnesses and military “The service component at Bishop Series,” Timmons said. “You don’t want families to provide memorable baseball Watterson teaches you to get out of to make a mistake and you want to be experiences. The organization also has yourself,” he said. “The reason I do what fair to both teams who have worked all a scholarship program for children who I do is so that ultimately I can be in the best position to help others.” He also credits Bishop Watterson with teaching him perseverance. “At Watterson you learn you’re not going to be at your best every day so you have to have patience with yourself,” Timmons said. “You have to be firm with yourself but not overly critical. Every situation where I have been wrong or perceived to be wrong, there is a lesson. Everything that happens, negative or positive, is something to learn from. “I still go out every day with an effort to master my craft. I’m coming up on 21 years in the big leagues and I’ve yet to have a game that was perfect. With 120 games a year that’s a lot of effort to get better.” Timmons carries numerous lessons from his Bishop Watterson years but one in particular guides him through life as a Major League Baseball umpire. “Jesus is with you every day, even though 50,000 people may think you don’t have a mother.”
LEFT Tim Timmons ’86 (back) and Astros® player, Jose Altuve.
RIGHT Tim Timmons umpires a game between the Padres and the Dodgers.
Summer 2019 The Eagle Review 7 At Watterson you’re around good people, everybody from the teachers to the staff and students, people who really care about you.
Making the Call
Al Washington IS H M E By Colleen Mar
Twelve years after starting the journey into coaching college football, Al Washington ’02 is living in Columbus again. In January he was hired by Ohio State coach Ryan Day as the team’s new linebackers coach, with OSU now the eighth college at which Washington has coached.
It is a natural fit as Washington’s dad, wanted to do well, to make my family After Washington earned a degree in also Al, played for the Buckeyes from proud and my school proud and I just sociology from Boston College, he served 1977-80 and still ranks eighth in all-time tried to do the best I could. As the next as defensive line coach at Rensselaer tackles. His wife, Melissa, is an Ohio challenge showed up I just kept rolling Polytechnic Institute in 2007, a graduate State graduate. In addition, Day was with it.” assistant at North Carolina State in 2008, a graduate assistant coach at BC for Washington said the people he was defensive line coach at Slippery Rock two seasons while Washington was a surrounded by and the lessons he learned University in 2009-10, and linebackers defensive end there from 2002-2005. while in high school were especially coach at Elon University in 2011. He When Washington graduated from formative. then landed back at Boston College as Bishop Watterson and was headed to “Watterson helped shape my values assistant special teams and defensive Boston College, the idea of becoming a and the standard of what’s expected line coach in 2012, followed by running college coach – anywhere, let alone Ohio of you,” he said. “Just the standard of backs coach from 2013-15 and defensive State – was the furthest thing from his excellence … they ask more of you even line coach in 2016. mind. just in what you wear. It never dawned During this time Al and wife Melissa “My thought process when I went to on me back then to want the nice shirt started a family. Their son Michael is now Boston College was that I wanted to or nice shoes because you learn to make three and daughter Audrey is one. do well there in school and football,” room for the stuff that really matters, the When Columbus native Luke Fickell Washington said. “I just knew that I standard of excellence.” took the helm of the University of
8 The Eagle Review Summer 2019 At Watterson you’re around good people, everybody from the teachers to the staff and students, people who really care about you.
Making the Call
Cincinnati’s football the recruiting calendar, he program in 2017, he could make or send 20-30 brought Washington calls or texts a day. on board to coach the “Some people will come defensive line. Washington to visit the program and then spent 2018 coaching then you text and check up linebackers at the on them,” said Washington. University of Michigan “If a kid had a big game before being hired by coming up, you might Day, who values not just “At Watterson you’re around good check in on how that went.” Washington’s coaching people, everybody from the teachers For Washington it abilities but also his talent all comes back to the for recruiting. to the staff and students, people who examples he experienced “Al Washington is going at Bishop Watterson. to be a terrific addition really care about you.” “I think the best way to our coaching staff,” competition is expressed Day said when he hired in recruiting is in the Washington. “I’ve known and he gave me confidence. I still keep in frequency of contact,” him as a player and as a coach and I touch with him. I love that guy. Washington said. “As Coach [Urban] know his family very well. I think his “Dan Bjelac would spend extra time Meyer says, you spell love t-i-m-e. You’ve familiarity with this region as a coach to work with me on shot put for track got to spend time, you’ve got to reach and as a recruiter is going to be very season, and Sister Mary Hope spent a out. I think to myself, ‘How would I talk to impactful, as will his leadership with our ton of time with me helping me get my this guy if he was my brother?’ I just try to linebackers unit.” essays ready for college. She had a way connect with people. It’s naturally aligned Through the years as Washington about her to be sweet but also no- with my personality. I just try to pour it made recruiting trips to Columbus, he has nonsense and she didn’t make you feel into people like people poured it into me.” frequently stopped at Bishop Watterson, indebted. where he still finds many familiar faces “When you’re a part of that community, teaching. people pour into you and now I try to “At Watterson you’re around good pour it back and treat people right,” people, everybody from the teachers to Washington said. the staff and students, people who really He said he tries to emulate the care care about you,” he said. “I remember he was shown in his roles as coach being in Mr. Huff’s class and him pushing and recruiter, roles for which he has me. He’s a really good teacher. And then developed a positive reputation. When coach Golden pushing us at practice. he is recruiting players, he’s making a LEFT & RIGHT Coach Golden gave me so much love lot of calls. Depending on the timing of Al Washington ’02
Summer 2019 The Eagle Review 9 Making the Call
Pongonis Path: Ray Cares for Athletes, Marilyn Guides Organ Donations
By Colleen Mar
10 The Eagle Review Summer 2019 Making the Call
When Marilyn Weldon and Ray Pongonis ’71 met in their sophomore geometry class in 1968, they were a couple of normal teenagers attending Bishop Watterson. They had a group of mutual friends to spend time with on the weekends. They were dating but had no idea they’d eventually be married and both find careers helping others make important decisions.
Today Ray is a sports medicine physician who now have two primary care fellows who are doing treats athletes at The Ohio State University and an extra year in training in sports medicine. Most who is a team physician for the Buckeyes. Marilyn have done family practice residencies.” has spent 22 years getting the word out about the In 1985 Dr. Pongonis started working with importance of organ donation. Bishop Watterson athletes when Dr. Ernie The two dated through high school and then Melaragno, who was Bishop Watterson’s team went to different colleges, Marilyn to Mount St. physician at the time, reached out. Joseph College in Cincinnati and Ray to Ashland “Dr. Melaragno is still one of the most caring, University on a football and baseball scholarship. compassionate physicians I’ve ever worked with,” “I realized early on that I didn’t want to be a said Ray. “He was great to me, knowing I was teacher, nurse or nun and those were really the interested in getting into sports. He asked me to only real options at Mount St. Joseph at the time,” get involved at Watterson and said Marilyn. “So, I made the conscious decision to eventually he turned the reins transfer to Ohio State to study journalism. The 70s over to me.” were a very exciting time to be studying journalism Then in 1994 Ray got a call “ It’s very gratifying with the war in Vietnam and Woodward and that would shift his career again. that you were in a position Bernstein and so I worked on The Lantern and got Dr. John Lombardo had taken to do some exciting things.” over as the head team physician to make a difference for Meanwhile, an injury sidelined Ray at Ashland. at Ohio State and was looking them and that they’re Knowing he wanted to go to medical school, he for a doctor who had specialty also transferred to Ohio State. training in manipulative therapy extremely grateful for how The two were married after they graduated and who also had an interest you helped them.” and moved to Chicago for Ray to attend medical in sports. The two met and Dr. school at Chicago College of Osteopathic Pongonis has been on staff at –Ray Pongonis ‘71 Medicine. Newspapers did not pay journalists OSU ever since. especially well so Marilyn instead took a job Sports medicine has evolved writing public relations pieces so they could afford over that time. to pay for medical school. When that was finished “Over the past 25 years I think they moved back to Columbus for Ray’s residency the responsibility of making the call on whether an and have been here ever since, raising Pogie athlete can or cannot play has become much more (Raymond Jr.) ’99 and Katie ’01. in the forefront,” said Dr. Pongonis. “We’re asked Ray’s focus in medicine was becoming clearer. those questions every day when an athlete gets “Having been a student athlete and knowing hurt: how long are they going to be out, what can how critical it was to stay on the field of play and we do to get them back on the field of play? also understanding the importance trainers and “Fortunately, I have experience as an athlete in LEFT team physicians had in keeping me able to play, high school and college, experience as a coach, Ray and Marilyn Pongonis with BWHS I always had an interest in sports medicine,” said experience as a parent of two children who were classmate Andy Todd, Ray. “When I started in this field there were no involved in athletics and now as a physician. So center, at the 2015 residencies or fellowships in sports medicine. The I’ve been in every role as a stakeholder in how National Championship specialty has now developed and at Ohio State we these decisions get made. First and foremost, game
Summer 2019 The Eagle Review 11 Making the Call
we need to focus on the student athlete high-profile athletes at Ohio State, when organ procurement organization for and doing what is best for their health they come to town they frequently come central and southwestern Ohio. Since she and well-being. We give the student back to see you whether they’re playing started there as the one public relations athlete, the parents and the coaches the at the next level and dealing with injuries specialist, her department has now grown information so they can make the best or they move back to town and want you to a staff of 11. decision on returning to play and making to become their family physician. It’s “It is a cause I will always stay sure it is done safely.” very gratifying that you were in a position connected to because it is important to make a difference for them and that and impacts so many people,” she said. they’re extremely grateful for how you “It’s the kind of cause that might not helped them.” seem relevant until it touches your life. With Friday nights taken up with travel People may have made the decision to to OSU away games, Dr. Pongonis could be a donor but it’s not something they not always be at Bishop Watterson think about until they need a transplant football games so Dr. Doug DiOrio themselves or they know someone who ’86, who had done his fellowship with needs a transplant or they have a loved Pongonis, would fill in and eventually one who dies and needs one. It’s only in took the lead for the Eagles. those moments when you connect to it “He has the same passion for that you realize how important it is.” Watterson that I do,” said Dr. Pongonis. “We both have a great sense of giving back to that community so now I help him out on the sidelines. I still like “ Our teachers at Watterson being involved.” really prepared us to operate “When we need Dr. Pongonis, he’s ethically in the world, to Cotillion 1970 here,” said BWHS Head Trainer Erick understand social justice. I Boucher. “All I have to do is call.” feel really honored now to be While he cares for any of the 1,200 So while Ray was helping BWHS connected with a cause that athletes in 36 sports at OSU, Dr. Pongonis athletes, Marilyn was doing freelance allows me to live those values spends a lot of time with the football public relations work and became and bring those values to the team in particular, including traveling to involved on the BWHS school board world as well. ” away games. He can be found in four as the representative from St. Agatha. different training rooms on campus and She eventually served as school board –Marilyn Pongonis ‘71 also has a family practice where he sees president. But as their kids entered high regular patients and athletes who are school she also wanted to get back to referred to him. full-time work. “We’ve had a great run at Ohio State,” “I answered a blind ad in the Columbus Marilyn has encountered and said Dr. Pongonis. “As a family we’ve Dispatch for a public relations specialist,” connected with many donors and spent many Christmases and New Years said Marilyn. “When I started the interview recipients and has talked through the at bowl games. We’ve won two national process I realized it was for Lifeline of organ donation process with hundreds championships and played in two more Ohio and the cause of organ donation. more. and it has been exciting. They have I said to myself, ‘Wow, if I got this job it “I consider myself first and foremost a always been very inclusive of the doctors. would be the easiest job I’ve ever had’ but writer,” she said. “It’s what I still love to do We’ve frequently been called upon to act the truth is that I’m still here 22 years later and hope to continue doing. What I have as the family physician not only for the because it was the most challenging. I loved about my work at Lifeline of Ohio is players but also for the coaches and their learned very quickly that even though I the storytelling part of it. There are people families.” made the decision to be an organ donor on the brink of death whose lives were The result is that often athletes will easily, not everyone does.” saved by an organ donor, people whose come back for care from Dr. Pongonis She recently retired and is transitioning lives were severely impacted by pain who after their competitive careers are out of Lifeline of Ohio, helping her received healing tissue, or someone who complete. replacement and doing special projects. was blind who received sight through “Having taken care of a lot of these Lifeline of Ohio is the federally designated corneas. You can’t make this stuff up. It’s
12 The Eagle Review Summer 2019 Making the Call
more amazing in death. We values, the people we were associated consider them heroes and I with and our teachers really prepared us love to tell hero stories.” for all of the ethical decisions we would Marilyn and Ray feel that have to make in our lives. Our teachers at their experience at Bishop Watterson really prepared us to operate Watterson was integral to not ethically in the world, to understand social just the fact that they found justice. I feel really honored now to be each other but also integral to connected with a cause [organ donation] their individual career paths in that allows me to live those values and life. bring those values to the world as well. “When I got to college, even I always told my kids the value of a in the 70s, I felt so well prepared Catholic education is the intangibles. You and so far ahead of most of can’t see it until you can see it from the Prom 1970 the students I was in class with, perspective of how the rest of the world especially at Ohio State at the is. time. I think my children felt the “It’s interesting the path life takes beautiful and it has been my privilege to same way when they got to college,” you on.” be able to tell these stories. Our donors said Marilyn. “I came out with a strong were amazing people in life and even educational foundation but certainly the
Organ Donation
Marilyn Pongonis is passionate about getting proper Organs are allocated according to the United information to the public about organ donation. She Network for Organ Sharing, otherwise referred to as has worked to answer common questions and dispel the waitlist. Each organ is matched individually by misperceptions such as: blood type and body size and medical urgency. “If “If I have organ donor on my license the hospital you’re on the transplant waiting list and you’re the won’t take care of me.” sickest patient that matches on that day, then you’re “Doctors at a hospital are only concerned about going to get that organ,” said Pongonis. you. They have no thought or interaction with anyone “Sometimes people just need to look at me and hear waiting for an organ. It’s only when a death occurs me say, I work for Lifeline of Ohio and this is how the that an organization like Lifeline of Ohio gets involved,” process works. Trust me that you will be cared for said Marilyn Pongonis. “There is no competition for until there’s nothing else that can be done for you and who procures organs. It is federally regulated and the you die,” said Pongonis. “Sometimes they just need hospital is removed from the process. Less than one reassurance. The entertainment industry loves organ percent of us will ever die in a way that makes organ donation because it’s dramatic, a good story line, but donation possible. It happens in cases of brain death. they never get it right. They’ll show someone in the The opportunity is so rare that when it happens, if emergency room, waiting, and there’s a guy upstairs that person has not made the decision to be an organ who dies. That’s not how it works. It’s not a decision donor, it’s tragic.” doctors make. It makes people mistrust the medical For all death declarations, hospitals are required to care.” call the organ procurement organization assigned to “Organ donation is against my religion.” their area. Each death is evaluated for the potential of According to Pongonis, every Western religion organ, tissue or cornea donation. approves of organ donation. If the deceased has indicated the wish to be an “I’m shocked when I hear a Roman Catholic say organ donor, then it is already authorized. If not, then that,” she said. “The church endorses organ donation the family is asked. as an ultimate act of charity.”
Summer 2019 The Eagle Review 13 Making the Call
Adaptable Swartz Takes on Dual Roles By Colleen Mar
Roller coasters are a funny thing. The “I was still on the soccer team but not up your sport, what do you do? Be a unknowns of the ups and downs and loving it because the moral situation Shakespearean actor!” twists and turns thrill and scare at the on the team was not very supportive,” Swartz got involved in campus same time. A ride on a roller coaster is Swartz said. “I didn’t like the person I ministry, another new experience. exhilarating. could become if I continued down that “New things do scare me but I just When Fr. Dan Swartz ’07 was sorting path.” think, ‘Let’s try it anyway.’” out what he would do with his life he He took some time off from soccer and After graduating from St. Vincent he embraced the unknowns, diving into a college and went to be a missionary for went on to attend the Pontifical College variety of experiences that led him to the the summer. Josephinum in Columbus, earning his dual role of priest and Navy officer. “I did what any sane college guy would master of divinity degree and additional Swartz entered St. Vincent College do: I left the country,” he joked. degrees in scripture and theology. He as a soccer player majoring in political Swartz ended up spending a year in then felt called to serve as a military science. After taking a course in counter Europe, going wherever he was needed to chaplain and was commissioned into the terrorism he found himself hanging out speak English. United States Navy Chaplain Corps as an with the Marine crowd on campus and “I got to see a lot of Europe and how ensign in January 2015. He was ordained feeling drawn to serving the country. the Catholic Church is universal, how she as a priest May 28, 2016. He was a couple of weeks away from helps to guide individuals and cultures,” Swartz has spent the last several years commissioning in the Marines when his said Swartz. “I fell in love with the serving in parishes in the Diocese of plans began to abruptly shift. Church: the mystical body, the history, the Columbus, first as an associate pastor “It was like an ice ball in my stomach, architecture, all of it. I didn’t know if I was at St. Matthew in Gahanna for a year and not like before playing sports with the going to be a priest but I knew I needed most recently for a consortium of four adrenaline rush but more like ‘You’re to try something.” parishes in Perry County, Ohio, going doing something wrong,’” he said. “So I He decided during that missionary from being based at a single parish prayed about that and told God, if this is year to apply to seminaries. But first he to spending much more time driving. not what you want me to do, you’re going returned to St. Vincent College to finish Serving four parishes requires flexibility to have to be loud because the Marines degrees in political science, philosophy as well as a full gas tank. are really loud.” and theology with a minor in Latin. “From the experience so far in Perry A couple of days later Swartz “I was looking at my last year in college County I have become more intentional dislocated an elbow. and I wanted to do something different, about being present, to visit people where Message received. something fun,” he said. “Once you give they’re at. Also, a four-parish assignment
LEFT Fr. Swartz at his ordination
RIGHT Fr. Dan Swartz with Timothy Lee, LTJG
14 The Eagle Review Summer 2019 requires a little more adaptability. I might go into the day with expectations of what I can accomplish but in the end I’m happy if I get to two or three things on my list.” Since his Naval commissioning he has had seasonal training in places such as Norfolk, Va., Newport, R.I., Quantico, Va., Backfield Renovations and Ft. Jackson, S.C. In July he will transition from his Underway assignment in Perry County to a military deployment; it is still to be decided where Swartz is being deployed. Another Bishop Watterson facilities project has begun this spring, Given his current pastoral assignment with the renovation of the athletic fields behind the building. Former serving four parishes, Swartz will Ohio State quarterback and current BWHS parent and assistant football probably adjust quickly to serving in the coach Bob Hoying chaired a $3 million fundraising campaign which had military whether it is being embedded a leadership team comprised of 24 BWHS families. with the Marines or being stationed on a The project will realign the area behind the school and create multi- ship and having to be flown around to the use athletic fields made with artificial turf, benefitting the band, baseball, other ships in the fleet. cheerleading, field hockey, football, lacrosse, soccer and track programs. “There is a science and an art to Physical education classes will also use the new fields. serving as a military chaplain,” said “We are very excited about the upcoming field project because it Swartz. “You have to design programming will bring more of our practices and games home than in the last few for a very specific community of a years,” Deacon Chris Campbell ‘77, BWHS Principal, said. “We know warship, Marine battalion or war fleet. The that students and families are passionate about extracurriculars so this people you’re serving are there in a spirit project will help us to build on that Eagle spirit here at home.” of sacrifice to help the country project influence or authority. They have been provided with the structures, rhythms and disciplines so that they are able to not just survive but flourish in that intense environment. They’re also human beings who want to be fed spiritually. They are brothers, sisters, husbands, and wives.” Answering the dual calls of priesthood and military service may have positioned Swartz to help men and women who are serving the United States. “I was drawn to the self sacrifice and being a part of something bigger than myself, which is prevalent in the military,” he said. “The Lord uses what is initially interesting to you to draw you in and he did that with me with the military.” No doubt God has also prepared Swartz for the many – literally and figuratively – ups and downs he will experience in the Navy.
Summer 2019 The Eagle Review 15 Making the Call
Warren Building Basketball Family at ODU By Maddi Rasor ‘13
It’s the easiest, and the hardest, thing something you can just tell in how “Watterson instilled that in me, that in the world. It separates the bad from recruits practice, and how they talk to foundation of having that connection the good, and the good from the great. their coaches.” within a team, within a program, building It’s the difference between “almost” and When asked what she’s particularly a relationship between the coach and the “got it.” proud of as a coach, Warren says it’s player and having a family atmosphere Work. the lasting relationships she builds with within your program. That’s what I’ve It’s something head coach Lynsey her players, and those that the players tried to create here. He’s been a major Warren ’04 and her basketball team at build among themselves. It’s the fact influence.” Ohio Dominican University understand that her assistant coach has also been Warren also spoke of how Watterson very well. A typical in-season day with Ohio Dominican for 7 years, and that not only teaches students how to consists of paperwork and class during during winter break, the whole team has succeed, but how to handle that success. the day, practice in the afternoon, a tradition to sit down together to a meal Rather than being daunted by the talking about practice in the evening, that a staff member responsibility and and reviewing films or plays for the next has personally the expectation game into the night. Warren expects her prepared. of creating one’s players to lace up their sneakers and So where did “ God opens up success, one learns work hard for both themselves and their Warren develop the the value of the team every day. structure for her doors. His timing effort put into the That work builds the kind of bond that team culture? is perfect ” achievement. “You makes for a strong team. It starts with a Partially, it was at get comfortable head coach who thinks nothing of picking Bishop Watterson in the work,” said –Lynsey Warren ‘04 up a player from the airport after winter High School, where Warren. break, and continues all the way to an Warren was a Her work ethic alumna’s wedding day, where the bride two-sport athlete was further honed insists on getting a picture with her whole in basketball and volleyball, drawn there at Ashland University, where Warren was college team—including the coaches. by the strong tradition of academic and recruited to play volleyball, completed Work ethic and found family: it’s the athletic success. It inspired the way she both her undergrad ’08 and her Masters foundation Warren has established for carried herself then, both inside and ’10 degrees, and began her coaching the Ohio Dominican women’s basketball outside the classroom, and in the way career. Her volleyball team went to the team. that she coaches now. Elite Eight her junior year, where they With such a strong core, difficult “You’re pushed to do your best,” said were faced with just how far they’d come. decisions become easy. When asked Warren, “and raise the bar.” From the pre-season, when their coaches what she looks for in recruits, for Warren talks often with BWHS coach took them to Pensacola, Florida to see example, the first thing out of Warren’s Tom Woodford, and she credits him with where they could end up playing for the mouth is: “Work ethic. It’s major. It’s instilling a belief in relationships in her. championship, to the post-season, where
16 The Eagle Review Summer 2019 Making the Call
they battled it out in the Fall Festival time and with her players. Every day Watterson takes care of its community.” in Pensacola, there was not a moment she is faced with decisions that impact And although she didn’t initially set where the team wavered. the success of the team. With winning out for a career in coaching, she took a Those Ashland coaches, Sue Ramsey seasons the last four years, Warren chance on something great. “God opens in basketball and Connie Surowicz in wants to keep that going, but she knows doors,” was all Warren could offer. “His volleyball, motivated their team and cultivating long-term lessons and a bond timing is perfect.” managed their program with such among the players will stay with them aplomb that they left a lasting impression long after their playing days. on Warren. “We were always doing “It’s a daily battle to fight for the something,” she said of her collegiate culture I want to create,” Warren said. team. “Everything had a purpose.” “It’s not so much that everybody wants Running her Ohio Dominican team to be all lovey all the time, but it’s that in a decisive and well-guided manner understanding that decisions are made was simply Warren’s way of honoring to better the family. When things are the women who helped shape her. She hard, we’re going to put the family first. strives to be intentional with both her And I think that just goes along with how
Summer 2019 The Eagle Review 17 Student Life
Classroom Renovations Complete
In the 65 years that Bishop Watterson that year and following up in 2016 by has been educating young men and replacing the east windows. They also women in Columbus, more than remodeled six more classrooms that 14,000 students have spent their high year and followed up with 14 classrooms school days in classrooms that have in 2017. stood since Bishop Watterson’s doors “We are so blessed to have the support opened in 1954. But no longer do the of Mike, Nick and everyone who has classrooms harken back to the 1950s, contributed to the remodeling at Bishop Do not neglect to do thanks to two alumni from the class Watterson,” said Deacon Chris Campbell good and to share what of 1993 who spearheaded a multi-year ’77, Bishop Watterson’s principal. “They you have; God is pleased remodeling project. have demonstrated a commitment that by sacrifices of that kind. Mike Kenney and Nick King, owners of we continue to be grateful for, including Columbus apartment company Preferred supporting the growth of our business Living, began their generosity to Bishop curriculum and sharing their expertise Hebrews 13:16 Watterson in 2013 when they sent a with our business classes. As an crew to create a business classroom, alumnus myself I continue to be amazed complete with conference-like tables at their generosity.” and chairs and a stock ticker. It was such a success that in 2014 they did two more classrooms and in 2015 recruited others to help finance the remodeling of six more. One of those became the medical center classroom, spearheaded by Mike and Mary Ann Abrams, parents of two graduates. The medical center classroom includes medical equipment donated by Mount Carmel Health System. The work continued with Kenney and King’s contractors replacing the north windows and main entrance doors
18 The Eagle Review Summer 2019 Student Life
Eagle Mentoring Program Takes Flight
Bishop Watterson’s Alumni Department launched the Eagle Mentoring Program to help alumni connect with other alumni or past parents who can help guide them through the process of getting settled into a career.
One of the early success stories is that Stotler said he is now planning to be patient flow to organizing the clinic. of mentee Mitch Stotler ’14 and mentor a physician’s assistant, which requires Stotler has been admitted to Ohio and parent, Steve Brobst. hundreds of hours of patient care Dominican University’s Physician Stotler played baseball during his four experience, hours he now has as a result Assistant program, and he finally feels years at Otterbein University, graduating of his mentoring relationship with Brobst, like the path ahead is clear. with a degree in allied health in 2018, who is an athletic trainer for Mount “Steve’s advice made a difference and at first going into physical therapy. Carmel and an assistant athletic trainer for me,” said Stotler. “I came into In January 2018 Stotler attended the for Bishop Watterson. the mentoring process with an open BWHS meeting for mentees, concerned Brobst suggested Stotler work in an mind because I knew I needed patient about what he was going to do when he emergency room and helped him make care but I had no idea how to get that graduated that year. connections at Mount Carmel which without previous experience. The work “Looking back, it was great timing,” led to an ER Tech position at St. Ann’s experience then set me up to figure out said Stotler. “I was praying for a sign, for Hospital, where he learned valuable skills what I wanted to do within healthcare and some guidance.” such as CPR and how to take vital signs a better chance to get into PA school.” Stotler provided a resume and was and draw blood. If you would like to take part in the paired up with Brobst as his mentor. “You really get exposed to more areas Eagle Mentoring Program, contact “I went to one of the mentor meetings in the health fields by working in the ER,” Alumni Director Scott Manahan at because it sounded like a great Brobst explained. [email protected]. opportunity to pay it forward but I had “Not only did I get exposure to patients no idea what was involved,” Brobst said. but also to staff who themselves want “From the mentor perspective, first we to move into different health care roles,” had to decide if we wanted to be involved said Stotler, who did an internship there, and then second if we could give a one- assisting therapists with anything from year commitment. After that the alumni department sent me a resume to decide if I would be a good fit to mentor Mitch.” It was a no-brainer. Stotler had been a sophomore on the BWHS baseball team when Brobst’s son Jake was a senior. Add to it that Brobst was often the trainer for the team and it was a perfect match. “It was an easy decision for me to say, ‘Yes, I’d like to help him,’” said Brobst. “But as a mentor you can also say no if it’s not a great fit when you get a resume and consider the mentee’s goals and your own experience.”
Summer 2019 The Eagle Review 19 Accolades
Athletic Hall of Fame
2016 INDUCTEES Lerron Moore ’02 Football, 2000-02 Las Vegas, Nev. Katie Brosmer Head Field Hockey Coach, Columbus, Ohio 1976-1996 Michael Mulligan ’88 Baseball, 1986-88 Softball and Track Coach Powell, Ohio
Lara Fyda Filia ’98 Field Hockey, 1994-1997 Andrew C. Theado ’97 Baseball, 1995-97 Galena, Ohio Softball, 1995-1997 Columbus, Ohio Football, 1994-96
Mike Golden Head Football Coach, 1989-2002 New Albany, Ohio Assistant Football Coach, 1980-1988 2018 INDUCTEES
Fritz Kaiser ’65 Football, 1962-1965 David Brown ‘89 Basketball, 1987-1989 Dublin, Ohio Basketball, 1962-1965 Dublin, Ohio Baseball, 1962-1965 Scott A. Dockter ‘85 Tennis, 1981-1985 Scott T. Manahan Head Baseball Coach Charlottesville, Va. Columbus, Ohio 1991-2007, 2010–present Denny English ‘92 Doubles Tennis, 1989-1991 Matt Pusateri ’00 Football, 1996-1999 New Albany, Ohio Columbus, Ohio Baseball, 1997-2000 Wrestling, 1996-1997 Jason Homorody ‘91 Doubles Tennis, 1989-91 Lewis Center, Ohio Shaun Rice ’97 Baseball, 1994-1997 Dublin, Ohio Football, 1993-1996 Chuck Gleich Head Girls Volleyball Coach Basketball, 1993 Columbus, Ohio 1994-2012 Asst. Girls Volleyball Coach 1982-1994 2017 INDUCTEES Head Boys Volleyball Coach 1987-2007 Frank Biancone ’61 Football, 1957-60
Delaware, Ohio Baseball, 1959-61 Steve Shoemaker ‘88 Baseball, 1985-1988 Lewis Center, Ohio Bill Boyle ’70 Football, 1968-69
Brentwood, Tenn. Basketball, 1968-70 Kelli Stein ‘00 Swimming, 1997-2000 Columbus, Ohio Basketball, 1986-88 Mike Durant ’88 Baseball, 1986-88 Dublin, Ohio Football, 1986, 1988
Gracie Finnegan ’10 Swimming, 2006-10 Columbus, Ohio
Dr. James Good Team Doctor, 1967-1985
20 The Eagle Review Summer 2019 Accolades
2016 Left to right, front row: Katie Brosmer, Mike Golden, Lara Fyda Filia; back row: Shaun Rice, Scott Manahan, Fritz Kaiser, Matt Pusateri.
2017 Left to right, front row: Jenny Good Spires, Mrs. John Good, Gracie Finnegan, Lerron Moore; back row: John Good representing Dr. James Good, Bill Boyle, Frank Biancone, Mike Durant, Mike Mulligan, Andrew Theado, Alumni Director Scott Manahan.
2018 Left to right, front row: Chuck Gleich, Kelli Stein, Jason Homorody, Denny English; back row: David Brown, Steve Shoemaker, Scott Dockter, Alumni Director Scott Manahan, Principal Chris Campbell.
Summer 2019 The Eagle Review 21 1 2
Alumni Events 5
8
11 12
22 The Eagle Review Summer 2019 1. 2017 Legends Golf Tourney: Kenny Wells, Ben Turner ’94, Patrick O’Shaughnessy ’94, Joe O’Shaughnessy ’96.
2. Class of 1968, 50th 3 4 Reunion 3. 2017 Legends Golf Tourney: Guarasci, Guarasci, Jim Connor ’78, Ralph Guarasci ’74.
4. 2018 Legends Golf Tourney: Brian Povse ’97, Kris Holle ’97, Alumni Director Scott Manahan, Shaun Rice ’97, Tony Cleveland, Nick Rice.
5. Alumni and parents volunteer at St. Lawrence Haven once a month
6 7 6. Class of 1958, 60th Reunion
7. Comedy for a Cause: David Friermood ’97, Billy Griffin ’06, Brian Flanagan ’94.
8. Class of 1967, 50th Reunion
9. TBDBITL: Austin Hare, Sam George, Brian Hare, members of the 2018 Ohio State marching band
10. 1997 State Champion Baseball Team, with 9 10 BWHS players 11. 2018 Alumni Basketball Tourney: “The Legends” Orv Lyons ’60, Joe Motil ’74, Mike Kelleher ’72, Billy Clark ’72, George Goodburn ’69, Steve Sauer ’72.
12. Class of 1966, 50th Reunion
13. 2016 Legends Golf Tourney: Brandon Brown ’93, Bobby O’Neil ’93, Brian Flanagan ’94, Denny Friermood ’94.
14. 2018 Legends Golf Tourney: Chris McCurdy 13 14 ’01, Paul Pardi ’01, Wally Theado ’01.
Summer 2019 The Eagle Review 23 Alumni Updates 1965 Mary Hoy Curran resides in Michael Vargo is the President Julia Curtin Hayes resides in Columbus and works in retail. of Vargo Companies. He resides Haverford, Pa. and is a retired She has three children: Kara, in Plain City with his wife Sandy. physician. Kelly, and Megan. They have two children: Tyler 1958 and Natalie. Rita Del Greco Kreuzer resides Tom Hauck is retired and resides 1972 in Westerville, Ohio. in Parsons, Tenn. with his wife Brian Rapp is an accounts 1979 Peggy Fetter Hauck. They have clerk at Duke Univ. He resides in Maureen Mixtacki is a professor 1961 four children: Jeff, Troy, Nicole, Raleigh, N.C. at Southern Methodist Univ., Suzanne Hill Cole is retired and and Jenny. teaching graduate and recently moved to Indianapolis, 1973 undergraduate courses in non- Ind. to be near her daughters, 1966 Chris Ellison lives in Normandy profit. She and her husband Jim Michele and Theresa. Her son Barbara Boggs Schlaff is the Park, Wash. are enjoying life in Dallas. They Andrew passed away on owner of Dior Bridal Salon. She spend their time traveling the Feb. 1, 2015. and her husband David live in Bernadette Riley Thornton lives world, skiing and scuba diving. Dearborn, Mich. in Hilliard with her husband David, They have two daughters: Laura Regina Parks is a retired Physical a retired Clinical Chemist. She is and Karen. Therapist and Elementary school 1968 a Lecturer/Medical Laboratory teacher. She currently resides Mary Jane McCoy Johnson Scientist at Ohio State and has Kathy Johanni Miller is a Business in Tuscon, Ariz. and is thankful is retired and lives in Tiverton, R.I. two sons: Douglas, and Brian. Analyst at Nationwide Insurance. for the many blessings she has Kathy and her husband David, who received since her days at Bishop Mary Scholl Appignani is an RN 1977 is a teacher at St. Timothy School, Watterson. She attended Saint BSN for Lima Estates. She resides Sandy Bolzenius recently have two children: Geoff ’07 and Mary’s College, Catholic Univ. of in Paoli, Pa. with her husband published Glory in their Spirit: Matt ’09. America, Univ. of Pa., and Ohio Patrick. They have four children: How Four Black Women Took on State. Her career was capped with Kristen, Tim, Kevin, and Mark. the Army during World Sue Kourie Preston is the owner a Peruvian volunteer medical and War II. of Preston Catering. Sue and her humanitarian mission experience. Susan Sweeney Foley resides in husband Evan reside in Columbus Fort Myers, Fla. with her husband Andy Hoheisel and his wife Jo and have two children: Clayton Robert. She currently works as a Ellen Kiener ’77 Hoheisel reside ’12 and Amber ’14. Fitness Instructor. in Charlotte, N.C. Molly Ryan Callahan is a Sr. 1970 1978 Development Scientist for Catherine Coridan is a realtor Teresa Grabner Frye is a Rockline Industries. She resides for Keller Williams Realty in Secretary/Bookkeeper with St. in Sheboygan, Wisconsin and is Alexandria, Va. John Chrysostom Catholic Church the mother of Kelsey, Shannon, and resides in Columbus. She is and Connor. Mary Hoy Curran resides in married to Mark Frye ’78 who is a Columbus and works in retail. Business Intelligence Consultant Cindy Garber Bernhard is She has three children: Kara, Kelly, with Advanced Computing a Hairdresser with CS Hair and Megan. Inc. Teresa and Mark have six Systems. Cindy resides in children: Julia ’03, Rachel ’06, Columbus and has a James Rogers is an Executive Anna ’08, Mary ’09, Sarah ’15, daughter Jessica. Benefits Practice Leader with and Alexandra ’18. MassMutual. He resides in Linda Bernard works in business Columbus with his wife Laurie. Lisa Jentgen Coker resides in Development at Asenzya and His family donated a 15 ft. clock Naples, Fla. and is the owner/ resides in Columbus. Linda’s 1963 to the OSU Golf Club in memory baker for Lisa’s Gluten Free children are Amanda Theado Patricia Breen and Joe Thomas of his father, Gene Rogers, on Bakery. Westendorf, Billy Theado, Mark celebrated their 50th wedding July 4, 2017. Father Mike Watson Theado, and Anna Hartman. anniversary. ’69 participated in the ceremony, Mary Meiresonne Flynn is a blessing the stadium clock. teacher at Buckeye Valley William Lorenz is a Compliance Local Schools. She resides in Officer for International 1963 Kitty Berry Saunders is retired Columbus with her husband Organization for Migration. He is Roger File is a retired banker and lives in Bloomington, Ind. Thomas Flynn ’80 and they have currently posted in Nairobi Kenya and resides in Columbus. He Her husband is deceased. a daughter, Katherine. and is married to Jamhur. is married to Rebecca “Becki” Clayton File. Chris Galilei is retired and living 1983 in Columbus. Molly Emery resides in Columbus, Ohio.
24 The Eagle Review Summer 2019 Alumni Updates
Ellen Leach is Associate Counsel Dr. Elaine Binkley was inducted with the Ohio Public Employees into Denison University’s Hall Retirement System. She resides of Fame. in Columbus. Rebecca Gaines Van Wey lives in 1987 Columbus and is a self- employed Jacqueline Kenney Noblitt is an Licensed Professional Clinical Interior designer with Jacqueline Counselor. She is married to Kenney Designs. She lives in Marcus Van Wey, an attorney. Westerville and has three children: Greyson, 18, Arden, 16, and 1992 2004 2006 Maeve, 14. David Stein has opened four Caitlin Phelan is the owner of Matthew Brown is a historical restaurants in Mount Vernon Mission Salon in Dublin. The salon architect in Paris, France, who 1989 in the past year; The Joint, opened on July 9, 2018. was interviewed by CNN in the Jean Kim resides in New York, The Original Dave’s Cosmic aftermath of the Notre Dame N.Y. and is a Principal Lobbyist Subs, Stein Brewing Company Pat Sullivan is a Client Solutions church fire. with Jeankiminc Strategies. She Taproom, and Stein Brewing Executive with Cox Automotive. worked on Mayor Bloomberg’s Company Restaurant. David’s He and his wife Kimberly Burdett campaign and also does stand Executive Chef is Erin Stevens, reside in Norwood, Ohio. up comedy in clubs around also from the Class of 1992, Manhattan. She is a pianist and who sat next to him in Andrew Moses is an attorney graduate school student at the homeroom. and resides in Lakewood, Ohio. City Univ. Graduate Center in New York. Zachary Goble lives in Los 1996 Angeles, California and is a Allison DeTemple Eckert is 1991 self-employed Promoter. an Intervention Specialist at Julia Betts Randall is married to Columbus City Schools. She Matthew and has five children: Anthony Ceritelli is a Senior resides in Groveport with her John Isaac, Patrick Michael, Mary Manager of Multimodal husband David and has two Grace, Margaret Francis and Operations at Zipline Logistics children: Courtney, 19 and Thomas James. She is Marketing in Columbus. 2006 Austin, age 14. Coordinator for Nickie Evans– James Matous was ordained Coldwell Banker King Thompson a Dominican priest on May 19, 1997 and resides in Columbus. 2018 in Washington, DC. He Stephen Gerlach is a VP with received the religious name JPMorgan Chase and lives in Annie Hummer DePerro is a Brother Mannes. Columbus with his wife Jennifer Project Manager with Executive Lewis. They have three children; Arrangements. She resides Eloise, William, and Matthew. 2006 in Akron. Matt Phelan is head chef at 2001 the new Z Cucina in Bridgepark Jason Homorody won the tennis Jessica Ceritelli Kapcar is a area of Dublin. He was featured Golden Slam in Sarasota, Fla. with Communications Manager for the preparing Rigatoni Alla Norma on his father, Peter, age 80. Better Business Bureau. Jessica Good Day Columbus. Z Cucina is resides in Dublin with her owned by Rick Zilliak ’88. David 1992 husband, Joe. 2005 Koepf ’06 is a sous chef at the Jamie Peckham Petree lives Z Cucina as well. in Blacklick. She recently Jarvis Woodson and Kevin Iannarino worked on the hats collaborated with 1963 BWHS 2008 graduate, Sr. Rosemary Loomis on worn by Jason Dufner in last year’s Memorial Golf Tourna- Katy McEwan Salmons is a books she wrote. Jamie and her teacher at Upper Arlington daughter were the illustrators. ment at Muirfield. Woodson contacted Dufner’s agent with Schools. She is married to the idea for Iannarino to design Christian Salmons ’07, a realtor 1993 for Remax. David Schulte is a pilot for Netjets. hats for the week. Iannarino is a graphic designer for LBrands in 2009 Melanie Woodward James lives Columbus and Woodson works for local commercial real estate Megan Black Kernan is a in Wantima, Victoria Australia. and Registered Nurse at Univ. of has three children: Rhiannon, age company MSF. Iannarino came up with “Ohio Country Club,” Pittsburgh Medical Center and 14, Gemma, age 11, and Mitchell, 2003 resides in Murrysville, Pa. with age 8. Sarah Loveland Dougherty “Save the Crew” and “Duf Daddy” designs. her husband Danny ’09 who is a appeared in Chicago Med. student at LECOM.
Summer 2019 The Eagle Review 25 Alumni Updates
Jack McEwan ’06 and Jay Schlater ’05 and Nikki Roman Melissa Buhrow were married on were married on Oct. 13, 2018 at June 16, 2018 at St. Andrew. Holy Cross Church in Columbus. Weddings Spencer Ward ’09 and Kelsey Madeline Rasor ’13 and Pierce were married in Key West, Jack Preston ’13 were married Mary Partridge ’05 and Will Crall Fla. on Sept. 9, 2018. on March 19, 2019 at St. Michael married on May 7, 2016 at St. Church in Worthington. Ann’s in Naples, Fla.
Lauren Partridge ’06 and Jared 2009 Boll were married on July 9, 2016 Aileen Clemans was featured at St. Brigid of Kildare in Dublin. in September 2018’s issue of 614Columbus. Aileen graduated Jimmy Smolik ’09 and Dr. Alex New Arrivals from the Univ. of Cincinnati and Hinkley married on Sept. 30, 2017 is the owner of women’s clothing at St. Christopher in Columbus. Patrick McGarity ‘00 and Katie company, Altre which “carefully McGarity welcomed Elise Marie curates vintage and second Lauren Licata ’09 and Hunter on Feb. 7, 2018 and Claire on hand pieces and reworks them Schouweiler married on June 24, March 28, 2016. to have a more modern vibe and 2017 at Pinnacle Golf. Jacob Brobst ’12 and Madeline style. These garments are given Simmonds ’12 were married Christina Ceritelli ’03 welcomed a whole new life and saved from Ellen Partridge ’06 and Chris on Jan. 6, 2018 at St. Brigid of Leo Anthony on Sept. 1, 2016. He a landfill.” Macke were married on July 29, Kildare in Dublin. Their marriage joined big sister Ava Marie, age 4. 2017 at St. Brigid of Kildare was later blessed by Pope in Dublin. Francis at the Vatican. Sean McGarity ‘03 and 2010 Stephanie Prendergast ‘03 Joseph James is a Senior McGarity welcomed twins Oliver Scientist with Downstream William and Samuel Arthur on Strategies. He resides in Dec. 26, 2018. Morgantown, W.V. Molly Ryser ’06 Purcell and her 2011 husband Mike are the proud Miriam Baker McCombs is a parents of two girls: Emma, born registered nurse and lives in Fort on March 2, 2015 and Nora, born Thomas, Ky. with her husband on Oct. 22, 2016. Charles McCombs ’11. Brian DeLucia ’06 and Karen Adam Koscielski resides in Partridge ’06 DeLucia welcomed Jack Joseph on Feb. 6, 2017. Chicago and is an attorney at law Danny Kernan ’09 and Megan Heather Weekley ’07 and Matt with Hinshaw. Black ’09 married on June 18, Lofy were married on May 20, Brad ’06 and Sarah Kernan 2016 at Our Lady of Victory 2017 at St. Brigid of Kildare welcomed Gerald “Jack” on May 2013 in Columbus. in Dublin. Audrey Manahan graduated from 1, 2017. He joins big sister Ella, Ashland Univ. in 2018 and is age 4. currently a registered nurse at Nationwide Children’s Hospital. Bobby Hogan ’06 and Kate Liston ’06 Hogan welcomed baby girl 2015 Blake on May 27, 2017. John Pirrman, a senior defensive end at Harvard, was selected to Ryan Heller ’01 and Carolyn Heller the National Football Foundation welcomed twins George and Hampshire Honor Society. Maggie on July 11, 2017.
2018 Sarah Ryser ’01 Salvatori and her Erin Korn has been named to the husband Mike welcomed Anthony highly selective Business Student on Aug. 11, 2017. He joined big Miriam Baker ’11 and Charles Phil Diaz ’09 and Hayley Bigler Ambassador Program at Bowling brother Matthew, age 3. McCombs ’11 were married on ’09 were married at St. Joseph’s Green. She is a member of the Sept. 25, 2018 at St. Michael Cathedral in Columbus on Honors College. Church in Worthington. Dec. 15, 2018.
26 The Eagle Review Summer 2019 Alumni Updates
Dan DeLucia ’03 and Carly DeLucia Molly Griffin ’07 Kikosicki and her Stephen Turner 1964 have three children: James born husband, Jeff, welcomed Maeve July 30, 2018 Gregory Royce Garner on Dec. 14, 2014, Grace born on Mary on Nov. 3, 2018 June 4, 2017 May 22, 2016, and Luke born on 1960 Oct. 4, 2017. Tommy Horstman ’04 and John J. Arata 1965 Jessica Schoenberger Horstman January 10, 2019 Patrick DeVine Olivia Ward Gabel ’05 and her ’06 welcomed Reagan Elaine on November 3, 2016 husband Tim welcomed Beckham Nov. 12, 2018. Joseph Dallas Eric on Jan. 31, 2017. September 10, 2018 1968 Michael Hilty ’99 and his wife Rita Jane Flynn Jacqueline Eckel ’06 deVlugt and Melissa welcomed Brookson Joseph DeFranco October 4, 2016 husband Seth welcomed Giulana on Nov. 29, 2018. He joins big December 5, 2016 on February 23, 2018.She joins brother Michael Clayton Hilty III. Ron Foeller big brother Brooks, age 3. Robert J. “Bob” Dotter July 5, 1968 Mary Partridge ’05 Crall and September 4, 2016 Megan Stafford ’06 Culvahouse husband Will welcomed Caroline Patrick Jeany and her husband Tyler welcomed Mary on Dec. 12, 2018. Walter Downey February 23, 2019 Luke Adson on Jan. 30, 2018. February 11, 2019 Elizabeth Wilson ’04 Pastorek Jim Logsdon Ali Ristas ’06 and John Albertson and her husband Brent welcomed Edward Roche March 30, 2017 welcomed John Larry “Jack” twins Evelyn Christine and Walter December 28, 2018 Albertson on Feb. 12, 2018. Joseph on Jan. 11, 2019. They Daniel Mahoney join big brother Nicholas. 1961 September 22, 2018 Katy McEwan ’08 Salmons and Bruce Powell Christian Salmons ’07 welcomed Kaitlin Griffin ’04 Hodges and October 22, 2016 Jack Smith baby Jude on April 22, 2018. John Hodges ‘01 are the proud March 7, 2018 parents of two little boys: John Rebecca “Becky” Hunter Jenna Hogan ’02 Romeo and Stephen born on Sept. 28, 2017 April 19, 2019 1969 her husband Matt welcomed and Theodore William born on Joseph Crites their fourth daughter Giana Marie Jan. 21, 2019. 1962 April 5, 2018 on April 26, 2018. She joins big Martha Rodenfels Corbin sisters Olivia Rose, age 7, Naomi Thomas Benadum’ 95 and October 29, 2016 1971 Grace, age 5, and Camilla Jillian Benadum welcomed their Rose Motil James, age 2. daughter, Nora Kathryn on Deborah Hurd Guenther September 15, 2018 Jan. 29, 2019. September 11, 2016 Rachel Cunningham ’09 Erford 1972 and her husband John welcomed Lauren Licata ’09 Schouweiler Phyllis Scheider Keller Patricia Dunn Hayden Rose on Aug. 2, 2018. and her husband Hunter welcomed June 10, 2016 April 28, 2018 baby Cooper Philip on April 4, Jessica Ceritelli ‘01 Kapcar and 2019. Charles Loomis Barry McMahon her husband Joe are the proud September 12, 2017 February 1, 2018 parents of angel Nicholas, Nov. 24, 2014–Oct. 21, 2015, Joanne Mager-Mroczka Michael Riley Hadley, born July 14, 2016, and November 3, 2017 April 8, 2017 Maren born on Aug. 31, 2018. Eugene Nolan 1973 Kendra Watkins ’07 and Brandon April 27, 2018 David Imber welcomed Scarlett Virginia Saying Goodbye January 1, 2019 Patterson on Sept. 25, 2018. Tom Sharp 1958 June 2, 2018 1975 Gregory ’08 and Colleen Bauer Karen Buffington Martin Anne Marie Parker Bard Cunningham ’08 welcomed Lilian December 27, 2018 Linda DeFrancisco Taylor November 12, 2017 Marie on Oct. 11, 2018. July 19, 2017 1959 Michael McCloskey Lauren Partridge ’06 Boll and her Julie Maxwell Helenthal James Thoma May 16, 2017 husband Jared welcomed Annie May 2, 2018 December 7, 2016 Catherine on Thomas A. “Bubba” Raphael Oct. 17, 2018. Kathleen Ann Davis Cady 1963 June 9, 2017 April 3, 2019 Kathleen Marie Shea August 4, 2017
Summer 2019 The Eagle Review 27 Alumni Updates
1976 Richard “Dick” Imber April 4, 2018
1980 Kathy Bryant Men’s Night December 8, 2017 Bishop Watterson has been blessed with some Tim Fox August 23, 2017 notable speakers in recent years. In 2017 Ohio State Football Coach Urban Meyer was our guest 1981 speaker, followed by Youngstown State President Julie Anne Cantwell and former Ohio State Football Coach Jim Tressel May 11, 2017 in 2018. Tressel also took time to speak at an 1982 assembly for the students during his visit to Erin Gibbons Columbus. Al Washington ‘02 (see pages 8-9) July 29, 2017 was our guest speaker in 2019.
Patrick S. Hennessey December 8, 2018
1989 Brian Bowman November 19, 2016
1990 Erica Peters May 3, 2019
1997 Leslie Haley August 14, 2016
2003 Sean Thomas Hatch May 17, 2016
2007 Shaun Hull May 1, 2017
2009 Nikolas Heidel July 6, 2018
BWHS Faculty and Staff
Nancy Essman August 6, 2018
Donald Nicholas Fracasso, Jr. December 13, 2018
Sister Martha Starrett (formerly Sister Vincent Ferrer) Send us your updates! March 29, 2017 Go to www.bishopwatterson.com, click on “Alumni,” then “Alumni Information Form” to give us updated contact information, including email addresses.
28 The Eagle Review Summer 2019 Alumni Updates
BWHS Eagle Gala
Bishop Watterson’s Eagle Gala, which replaced the Eagle Auction, has raised about $200,000 in its first two years. This event is a celebration of our community’s commitment to the dignity of the human person through tuition assistance and our Dominican Program. Our goal at Bishop Watterson is to help every student who would like a Catholic Education, regardless of financial or learning needs. We want to ensure the continuation of Bishop Watterson’s tradition of excellence by embracing strategies to help us effectively meet the needs of today’s students. With more than one third of our students receiving tuition assistance, this area will continue to be a priority as we seek to make our education available to all families. The Dominican Program, as part of our efforts to educate the whole person, supports our students who have different learning styles or emotional wellness concerns. We want to expand on our inclusive and collaborative educational environment for these students. We hope you will join us on Sunday, April 19, 2020 at The Exchange at Bridge Park in Dublin.
Summer 2019 The Eagle Review 29 Accolades
Homecoming Hall of Fame Honorees
Let us praise our Alma Mater Proudly we behold,
Patricia Huhn ‘61 Niekamp Chuck Nance ‘58 Sing and honor her forever Garb’d in red and gold. Patricia Huhn ‘61 Niekamp, who wrote Chuck Nance ‘58 was inducted into our We her loyal sons and our beloved Alma Mater, was inducted Homecoming Hall of Fame in 2018. into our Homecoming Hall of Fame in Chuck was a member of the first class daughters 2016. Patricia was only a freshman at at Bishop Watterson and president of ‘Round her colors come. BWHS when she wrote the cherished his class all four years. He was also the Hail to thee, our Alma Mater, lyrics to our alma mater. first Student Council President at BWHS. Under his leadership, the precedent of Hail to Watterson! class representatives was set. When he From her standards we was not pulling good-natured jokes in our beloved hallways, he could be found have gathered on the football or baseball field. Though Faith and courage strong; he remains the only Bishop Watterson graduate in his family, to this day Mr. Pressing on to greater ages Nance is always loyal to his Alma Mater, Holding to one throng. and continues to meet with members of his graduating class over a meal every Through her halls our other month. echoes raising Sister Mary Hope Bursting forth in song - Hail to thee, our Alma Mater, It was especially fitting to honor Sister Mary Hope Sieron as the 2017 inductee Hail to Watterson! in the Bishop Watterson Homecoming Hall of Fame as Homecoming has always been her favorite BWHS tradition during her 35 years as a member of the BWHS community. During her tenure, she taught all four levels of English, directed plays, worked in the school bookstore, led the cheerleading squad and school newspaper and was chair of the English department. She also served on the board at Ohio Dominican University.
30 The Eagle Review Summer 2019 A 65-Year Tradition Lives On
Bishop Watterson will be celebrating 65 years Through the establishment of a scholarship, in the coming school year, and giving to others donors create a legacy that will provide an remains a strong tradition. While we have many opportunity for a student to experience and service efforts to help others outside of the Bishop become a part of the Bishop Watterson Watterson community, we also want to help community. If you would like to contribute every student who wants a Catholic education to Bishop Watterson, donate to an existing to have the opportunity to receive one. Named scholarship fund, or establish a scholarship scholarships are one way to have a positive impact of your own, please contact Ryan Steinbauer at on a high school student preparing for college or (614) 545-2140, [email protected]. the next phase in life.
• The need for tuition assistance for Bishop Watterson students is over $1 million each “ We felt very strongly about service and helping the less year. fortunate. My daughter was very involved in service and
• One-third of our current students are on that meant so much to me. I wanted to help those who give scholarship or are receiving some form of so much of themselves to service-oriented projects. ” financial assistance. –Ray Pongonis ‘71 • Tuition to attend Bishop Watterson is already less than the actual cost to educate a student, resulting in a financial shortfall each year.
Scholarships are one way we can provide the financial assistance to help families to afford a Fracasso Exchange Scholarship Bishop Watterson education. The Don Fracasso Scholarship Fund has been established to celebrate There are currently more than 45 named the memory of Mr. Fracasso, a beloved member of the Bishop Watterson scholarships benefitting Bishop Watterson staff who passed away December 13, 2018. Don loved interacting students, each one honoring an individual or group with our Italian classes, which were fortunate to enjoy his daily ‘buon in our community. Many of these scholarships giorno!’ as well as his anecdotes and jokes about growing up in an have been established by former students, Italian household and as a member of the Italian-American community teachers, administrators or parents who have had in Columbus. He loved and celebrated his Italian heritage and the family, a positive experience at Bishop Watterson. They friendships and experiences that were part of his life as a result. want others, particularly young people, to have the Don also enjoyed interacting with visiting Italian students participating same opportunity. Anyone can donate to one of in our exchange program. Although he was never able to visit his the established scholarships at any time. beloved Italy, future BWHS students will be blessed with that opportunity Bishop Watterson is grateful for gifts of any as a result of his family’s kindness. amount at any time, and you can support a specific This scholarship fund will benefit the BWHS Italian Exchange Program, established scholarship, establish one for a by which students from Florence, Italy are hosted by our community in specific purpose or you can establish one to honor the fall, and BWHS students are hosted by Italian families in the spring. a loved one who has passed away. The exchange gives students the opportunity to experience family and academic life in another country, which teaches lessons and creates friendships that last a lifetime.
Summer 2019 The Eagle Review 31 Change Service Requested Non-Profit US Postage PAID Columbus, OH Permit #1129
ISSUE # 0417
DISTRIBUTION Parents, alumni & friends of BWHS
Upcoming Events 2019 Visual & Performing Arts
September 6 – 8, 2019 Hall of Fame Athletic Hall of Fame Weekend
September 29, 2019 Legends Golf Outing Golf Club of Dublin
Bishop Watterson inducted the first class into its Performing Alumni and Visual Arts Hall of Fame in April. Inductees: Sharon Alloway, Update your information with your alma Nancy Essman, Stefan Farrenkopf, Maricel Frommeyer, Fran mater! Go to bishopwatterson.com, click on Kalal, John Modecki-Mellet, Mike Renzi, Jim Silcott, John and Alumni then Alumni Information Form Delphine Thomas, Mikey Thomas.
Watch for more on this in an upcoming Eagle Review.
32 The Eagle Review Spring 2016