COLLEGE PREP magazine Fall/Winter 2019 Annual Report of Giving Message from the President Each year since 2008, Bellarmine has selected a different theme for its Summit on Human Dignity. For the 2019-20 school year, we are exploring the topic of Economic Justice. The various opportunities to focus on this important issue throughout this school year began with the Mass of the Holy Spirit and continued in October, when the founder and the CEO of Wine to Water, an organization whose mission is to bring clean water to the developing world, spoke to the student body. Right after their presentation, several hundred Bells and their teachers and coaches built 850 filters that were immediately deployed to communities and families in need in Nepal and other parts of the developing world. Throughout the winter months, we will continue our partnership with Safe Park, which provides a safe place for people who live in their cars to park overnight, have a meal, and an opportunity to shower at the local YMCA. In January, a “summit day” will feature dozens of speakers from off campus, who will join with student and faculty speakers in addressing a variety of subjects relative to this year’s focus. Finally, during the Lenten Season, we will once again welcome Thomas Awiapo from Catholic Relief Services who will talk about his own experience of how the CRS Rice Bowl program literally saved his own life growing up in Ghana. Our hope and goal in providing students with these opportunities is to open their eyes to some of the challenges that people face around the world. We feel that it is important for them to understand that economic challenges are not exclusively overseas, but literally sometimes are right around the corner from where we are. One of the most important and impactful ways that we can support economic justice right here on our campus is through providing tuition assistance. This year, we will distribute more than $5.1 million in tuition assistance, to 25.8% of the student body; both the amount of aid we are giving out and the percentage of students receiving it are record highs for Bellarmine. Although the economy is doing well, there still are many people who need assistance in order to be able to afford a Bellarmine education. We are deeply committed to making that education available to all qualified students – regardless of their families’ economic circumstances. Students make filters for use in Nepal This Annual Report edition of Bellarmine College Prep Magazine bears witness to how you and the many and other countries in need of clean water. other benefactors of Bellarmine make this important work possible. It is absolutely essential that we “practice what we teach,” and your financial assistance to the school helps ensure that we don’t just talk about justice, but are able to pursue justice in how we serve our students and families. From the bottom of my heart, thank you very much for the many ways you support our mission. Chris Meyercord ‘88 President 2 Bellarmine College Prep Magazine Fall/Winter 2019 Editor’s Note 2 From the Principal’s Office 3 National Merit The holiday season is such a special time of year during which I find myself filled Scholarship Semifinalists with nostalgia, reminded of Thanksgivings and Christmases gone by; memories of good times spent with family and friends, far too many of whom are now gone. 3 Most Philosophical Student 4 Hall of Fame Recipients It is appropriate that, especially during this season of gratitude, we thank you for the very gift you are to Bellarmine. This Annual Report of Giving edition of 5 Alumnus for Others: Jim Faltersack ‘47 our publication reflects the generosity of so many individuals, companies, and 6 Safe Car Park Program foundations that support our efforts to advance opportunities for our students. We are grateful beyond measure. 6 Kitchen Sustainability: What’s Cooking? 8 ANNUAL REPORT OF GIVING This gratitude also extends to the administration, faculty, staff, students, parents, alumni, parents of alumni, grandparents, and all who form the Bellarmine 48 New Director of Alumni Relations community, making a positive difference in the lives of our students. We are so very blessed to be part of the apostolate of Jesuit education. 49 Alumni Events 50 Planned Giving May you, and all those you love, embrace the spirit of goodness and each other this holiday season and always. 51 Athletic Highlights 52 Class Notes Warm regards, 54 In Memoriam Tributes 55 In Memoriam Brian Adams Vice President 56 Events Calendar Office of Advancement 57 Supporting Bellarmine On the Cover: Students join hands in prayer during the Mass of the Holy Spirit. (Photo by Justin Christensen) follow: @bellarminebells 1 Bellarmine students often amaze me with their generosity and kindness. Each year, over 100 junior and senior students serve as Big Brothers to welcome and support our freshmen. The Big Brother program allows our students to develop as leaders and ensure that all freshmen have an older student to watch out for them. The Big Brothers mentor freshmen throughout the year and facilitate our day-long freshman retreat. During the retreat, they model prayer and reflection along with how to be goofy and have fun with one another. This year when we asked for parent volunteers to facilitate a discussion group during the retreat, we had over 100 parents volunteer. This solidified my belief that our students learn to serve and give back to the community from their parents and family members. Our parent and alumni community never hesitate to jump in and help. Thank you for the many ways you model servant leadership for our students. It makes such a difference. I’m also grateful for the authenticity of our students. Our opening spirit rally was a true celebration of the Bellarmine community. It included a dance-off between our Jesuits and From the our Yell Leaders, a pool-noodle jousting match, a trivia game between students and faculty members, and a collective rendition of the song “Country Roads.” The energy in the gym Principal’s was fantastic, and it was great to see that same energy present during our freshman retreat and opening football game. Office Every day I walk on campus, I am overcome by gratitude. Because Bellarmine is a community that celebrates the unique gifts and talents of all students, there is so much happening throughout campus on any given day. Thank you for the role you play in making Bellarmine the vibrant community that it is today. Kristina Luscher Principal Jesuits and Yell Leaders feel the spirit move them. 2 National Merit Scholarship Semifinalists A total of 19 Bellarmine seniors were named among the 16,000 semifinalists in the 65th annual National Merit Scholarship Competition. Those students are: Aditya Behal, Arnav Bhau, Anson Bridges, Tarun Chiruvolu, Akshaj Dwivedula, Justin Garlep, James Garrow, John Gnibus, Jacob Gonzalez, Aditya Gupta, Yun Jae Kim, Anuj Kothari, Sherwin Lai, Marcus Ma, Tanay Menezes, Matthew Nazai, Shaan Patel, Matthew Phan, and Jay Vishwarupe. To be considered for a Merit Scholarship® award, semifinalists must fulfill several requirements to advance to the Finalist level of the competition, according to the National Merit Scholarship Corporation. Over 90 percent of the Semifinalists nationally are expected to attain Finalist standing, and about half of the Finalists will win a National Merit Scholarship, earning the Merit Scholar® title next spring. Congratulations to the semifinalists! Bellarmine Junior Named Most Philosophical Student in America During the summer, Sahith Kudaravalli ‘21 was named the driving force behind this endeavor and my role the 2019 Most Philosophical Student in America was merely to offer feedback as he turned his ideas by the Kids Philosophy Slam. His was the winning into the final product,” Creech said. “As a student, essay among those submitted by more than 4,000 Sahith is a dynamic and expressive speaker, but he’s high school students. probably one of the best listeners that I’ve taught in a while. His ability to pay close attention to what Kudaravalli, a resident of Fremont, initially learned others are saying, rather than just waiting for a turn about the competition from Bellarmine alumnus to speak, makes him someone who can build on Ashwin Pillai ’19 of Santa Clara, who previously ideas and advance the conversation for everyone.” won the competition as a senior. “I drew inspiration from him to marinate in my The mission of Kids Philosophy Slam (www. ideas and find a way to communicate philosophyslam.org) is to provide a voice and them with the world surrounding to inspire kids to think by unlocking their me,” noted Kudaravalli recently. intellectual and creative potential through His winning essay addressed a unique and powerful philosophical the topic, Hate or Love: Which forum. Has a Greater Impact on “I think that creativity ultimately Society? Entries were judged allows us to diagnose problems in the on originality, creativity, real world and devise infinite viable strength of philosophical solutions, making our world a better argument, organization, place,” noted Kudaravalli, who thought development, shared that Bellarmine changed as well as spelling and the fundamental way in which he grammar. perceives education. “Bellarmine The student was helped me discover for myself mentored by Bellarmine that many things in this world are faculty member and connected to each other and without alumnus Nick Creech ‘03. “I learning about these ‘many things,’ you served as Sahith’s mentor for this can’t really understand the one specific competition, but in truth he was thing you’re trying to study.” 3 Bellarmine Honors Four Hall of Fame Inductees Four distinguished Bellarmine College Fame.