WINTER 2014-15
THE MAGAZINE OF CLARKE UNIVERSITY
Legacy LEAVE YOUR
P.2
SOCIAL WORK DEPARTMENT PRESENTS NEW OPPORTUNITIES P.14
Dear Alumni and Friends, Another eventful first semester has come to a close and the Clarke University campus is quietly blanketed in snow as our students are home with their families for a much-needed holiday break. I hope you enjoyed a blessed holiday season with your family and friends. The flurry of activity throughout the first semester keeps us all on our toes. The arrival of students for the start of the academic year equates to a very full calendar of classes, concerts, lectures, athletic events, homecoming festivities and other celebratory events. This issue of the magazine is filled with photos highlighting the many campus activities. We held a very special event with alumni and friends in October as we celebrated the launch of the Clarke Lives Endearment Campaign. This is Clarke’s first ever expectancy campaign and it is focused on building the endowment through future planned gifts. The Clarke Lives Endearment Campaign will serve as a foundation for keeping our values alive, our standards high, and opportunities open to any student who may benefit from a Clarke experience. Featured in this issue is an article about our ambitious, and exciting, new campaign that is sure to have a long lasting impact on the future of Clarke University. This fall also marked the inaugural semester of our Master of Social Work program. We are proud to be the first private university in the state of Iowa to offer both a bachelor’s and master’s degree in social work. As we look at our academic offerings in relation to work-force demands, we are certain the MSW meets an identified need. New faculty were hired to accommodate this programmatic expansion and the fall cohort is strong. Read more about the new program and new faces in the program on page 14. Our homecoming weekends continue to be blessed with beautiful weather! It was a very special weekend with our alumni, full of celebratory events as we honored reunion classes and distinguished alumni award winners. Enjoy the collection of festive photos from the weekend and also the lovely reflection of a 75th reunion celebrant. Enjoy this issue of the magazine. We hope it provides a nice wrap-up of our fall semester and all the exciting things happening at Clarke. Always know you are welcome back to campus any time. We wish you all the joys of the season and every happiness throughout the coming year. Our thanks to you for your continued support of Clarke University. Sincerely,
Joanne M. Burrows, SC, Ph.D. President
TABLE OF CONTENTS | WINTER 2014-15
IN THIS ISSUE CLARKE: THE MAGAZINE OF CLARKE UNIVERSITY is published three times a year for alumni, parents and friends of Clarke University. Joanne M. Burrows, SC, Ph.D. President
ON THE COVER: LEAVE YOUR LEGACY...............................................................2 Pictured on the cover: Catherine Dunn, BVM, President Emerita
ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT.....................................................................................................................6 UNDER THE MICROSCOPE...........................................................................................................8
Bill Biebuyck Vice President for Institutional Advancement Nicole Breitbach Director of Alumni Relations Courtney Leonard Director of Annual Funds Alissa Riegler Associate Director of Annual Funds and Special Events Gwen Hayes ’07, MA Communication and Multimedia Manager
HOMECOMING HIGHLIGHTS.......................................................................................................10
Ken Brown Executive Director of Marketing and Communication
A 75TH REUNION REFLECTION...................................................................................................12
Gayle Langel ’08 Director of Creative Services EDITOR: Ken Brown ASSISTANT EDITOR: Gwen Hayes ’07, MA DESIGNER: Gayle Langel ’08
FEATURE STORY: SOCIAL WORK DEPARTMENT PRESENTS NEW OPPORTUNITIES.................14
FRANCIS J. O'CONNOR WINNERS: WHERE ARE THEY NOW?........................................................21 CLASS NOTES ...........................................................................................................................23
Clarke University 1550 Clarke Drive Dubuque, IA 52001-3198 (563)588-6318 Fax: (563)588-6789 Clarke University does not discriminate on the basis of age, gender, race, religion, color, national or ethnic origin, sexual orientation, or disability in its educational programs, admissions policies, employment practices, financial aid, athletics, or other universityadministered programs. Clarke University complies with all pertinent state and federal regulations concerning affirmative action, non-discrimination and equal employment opportunity.
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LEAVE YOUR
Legacy Therese Mackin, BVM, ’50
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CLARKE | THE MAGAZINE OF CLARKE UNIVERSITY
“Leave the future to God. I have no fears as long as you are working unitedly,” said Sister Mary Frances Clarke, BVM, many years ago after founding what we know today as Clarke University. In an effort to keep the BVM Core Values of freedom, education, charity and justice alive for future generations of Clarke students, Clarke University recently announced its Clarke Lives Endearment Campaign. Clarke is seeking $100 million in estate commitments during the coming years for its endowment fund. “This goal is ambitious and a timeline has purposely not been set for reaching it, but rather alumni and supporters are invited to contribute as their situations allow,” said Sister Joanne Burrows, SC, president of Clarke University. “An estate commitment is a perfect way for those not in a position to make a major cash gift during their lifetime to make a big impact on Clarke’s future.” “A growing number of alumni and supporters have reached out to us, inquiring how they can include Clarke in their estate plans,” said Bill Biebuyck, vice president for institutional advancement. “The Clarke Lives Endearment Campaign is a direct result of this heightened interest.” It is no coincidence that the campaign has been named the Clarke Lives Endearment Campaign. There is likely much you find endearing about Clarke—especially the memories you made here like mealtime in the dining hall where you shared good food and laughter, deep conversations with a BVM or Sunday Mass when you celebrated faith and friendship. Your memories are more than just fond recollections. They are indicative of the close culture and community Clarke has sustained since the school was founded in 1843. Back then, the Sisters of Charity had to rely on each other, their faith and their mission to build a college dedicated to the betterment of women. The Clarke community continues to rely on each other to further its academic mission. With your help, the Clarke
Lives Endearment Campaign will serve as a foundation for keeping our values alive, our standards high, and our opportunities open to any student who may benefit from our traditions and teachings. Keeping the Clarke values alive is something Peggy Sullivan ’50 has been supporting for many years. As a member of the Mary Frances Clarke Legacy Society, she chose to give back to Clarke through an estate gift. “Contributing from one’s estate is one of the best ways to give back,” she said. “Many of us are concerned about end-of-life costs and decisions, so it is good to make them early. I see my estate gift as a pledge to quality and a commitment to Clarke’s future.” Norm Freund, chair and professor of philosophy, and his wife Marabeth, are also Mary Frances Clarke Legacy Society members. While teaching alongside the BVM sisters for many years, Norm recognizes his responsibility to ensure the BVM Core Values live on at Clarke. PAGE 3
“For a long time, my wife and I have contributed to the annual fund, helping to sustain Clarke on a yearly basis,” said Norm. “In more recent years, as our children have grown into independent adults, we have become more mindful of Clarke’s legacy. We have provided for our children in our will, but are now appreciative of Clarke’s needs for the future as well.”
Sister Catherine became Clarke’s 14th president just 111 days before the disastrous fire, which destroyed almost one-third of the historical buildings on campus. During her presidency, she was the driving force behind the tremendous growth in campus facilities, curriculum and enrollment. She serves as the Honorary Chairperson for the Clarke Lives Endearment Campaign. “Clarke University was more than a school to you,” said Sister Catherine. “The lessons you learned went far beyond the classroom. You formed friendships and made memories that you likely still cherish. The values you adopted and embraced helped shape the person you’ve become today. And, of course, the many traditions you celebrated are traditions that live on much as they did when you attended Clarke. Now imagine being able to pass such an experience on to future generations. Young people who will benefit greatly, just like you did, from their time at Clarke.”
President Joanne Burrows, SC, Peggy Sullivan ’50, Catherine Dunn, BVM and Norm Freund at the Clarke Lives kick-off event. Sister Catherine Dunn, BVM, president emerita, became a BVM when she was only 18 years old. She came to Clarke in 1973 as an education department faculty member.
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Clarke has a strong reputation for educational excellence. Clarke students have access to leading-edge facilities, state-of-the-art technology and an experienced, deeply committed faculty and staff. Maintaining this standard of excellence requires ongoing financial resources. Through the Clarke Lives Endearment Campaign, you can impact a whole new generation of students eager to make a difference in the world. Clarke lives in you and because of you; it will live for generations to come.
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SP TLIGHT “I feel that the MBA program at Clarke gave me a well-rounded business acumen and trained me to think more strategically.”
ERIC GANTZ ’06 DEGREE: MASTER OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION TITLE OF CURRENT POSITION: CONTROLLER AT PEPSI DUBUQUE;
CO-FOUNDER OF VERENA STREET® COFFEE CO., CO-OWNER AT VENDORS UNLIMITED CORP. CITY AND STATE: DUBUQUE, IOWA
Eric Gantz was driven to further his education. He was drawn to the idea of working in his family business (PepsiCola of Dubuque) and pursuing an MBA degree at the same time. Eric wanted enough education to support a strong career in lieu of the family business, should he ever need it. He also wanted enough educational experience to be a well-rounded business person and someday help run the family business. “The Clarke MBA program revisited all of the business areas of study (marketing, economics, finance, etc.) and went more in-depth in other areas that I had only taken prerequisite classes in my undergrad,” said Eric. PAGE 6
After Eric earned his MBA from Clarke, he became a controller at Pepsi Dubuque, co-founder of Verena Street® Coffee Co., and co-owner at Vendors Unlimited Corp. These were not his first roles with the family business. He started at Pepsi Dubuque when he was 12 years old doing odd jobs in the warehouse like repackaging damaged products. Eventually, he began working in all the other departments while in high school and college doing tasks such as stocking store shelves, building pallets in the warehouse, running vending routes at Vendors Unlimited, driving a tractor-trailer delivering Pepsi, acting as interim warehouse manager, overseeing the merchandising department, and spending time on a sales route. When a permanent controller position that Eric was suited for became available, he moved into his current position. Eric is also responsible for the HR and IT functions of all three businesses. Eric soon realized that his family’s successful Pepsi business had already gained the majority market share in its territory, so there was not much room left for additional growth. Plus, the soft drink business is changing dramatically as people drink fewer soft drinks and there is now a greater variety of alternative beverages with many more competitors. They were looking to diversify so they explored acquiring different types of businesses. “Our vending business has sold coffee for more than 50 years and in 2007 we expanded into convenience store coffee and had more than 70 convenience store customers in which we installed an upgraded coffee program called Coremill Coffee,” said Eric. “My cousin Michael who is also in the Pepsi business was interested in starting a coffee roasting business to supply the coffee we were already distributing. This would give us more control over the quality of our product and he felt the opportunity was lucrative.”
CLARKE | THE MAGAZINE OF CLARKE UNIVERSITY
After visiting several existing roasters that were for sale in 2008-2009, they felt most were overvalued and decided to start their own roasting business. They developed their Verena Street® coffee brand which is now their primary focus and is sold in over 700 grocery stores, club stores and warehouse stores. “When we started developing Verena Street® we debated whether we should play down our Dubuque roots or if we should highlight them,” said Eric. “When we were growing up here, Dubuque used to be a ‘dirty river town’ in most people’s eyes. As a child I remember thinking larger Iowa towns had much more going for them and a lot of people my age were desperate to get out of the area.” Eric and his cousin eventually decided that Dubuque has come a long way since their childhood and they wanted to help be a part of that continued effort, so they decided to highlight their heritage and make Dubuque a core part of their branding.
after the founder of Dubuque; Lock & Dam 11 is named after the lock and dam that is less than a mile from their facility; Nine Mile Sunset is named after Nine Mile Island; Shot Tower Espresso is named after the historic Dubuque shot tower; and Mississippi Grogg is their most popular flavored coffee and people are constantly intrigued by that name. “We sort of followed the craft beer marketing theme,” said Eric. “Just like the craft beer movement, people are looking for higher quality coffees and everyone prefers local brands these days or brands that have some kind of story or personality behind them.” Eric consistently receives positive feedback from customers who are thrilled with his brand and product quality. People often say it is the best coffee they have ever had. Chuck Isenhart contacted them earlier this year to get samples for the Iowa House of Representatives and thereafter wrote a letter of recommendation expressing his support of Verena Street® becoming their coffee supplier. As for Verena Street®, they recently expanded their facility and also started distributing Keurig-compatible single cup coffees which is a whole new opportunity for them. Additionally, they have gained several new channels of business including their coffee being distributed by the Fareway Foods warehouse to 100 percent of their stores versus the 40 percent Verena Street® was self-distributing to before. They also just began selling at all Jewel-Osco stores in the Chicagoland. Put the kettle on because Eric is brewing up some additional plans for Verena Street®.
Eric Gantz ’06, co-founder of Verena Street® Coffee Co. shows off the popular Julien’s Breakfast Blend. “I’ve personally worked sampling events for our coffees in cities like Omaha, Chicago, Madison, Davenport, Cedar Rapids, Iowa City and Des Moines and we constantly find people thrilled to hear that we are from Dubuque,” said Eric.
“We have already outgrown our facility expansion and are currently looking to recapitalize the business and purchase more equipment and move to a larger facility to accommodate future growth,” said Eric.
Our alumni are making an impact around the world. To view more stories, visit clarke.edu/magazine.
They wanted most of the coffee names to be relevant to Dubuque. For instance, Julien’s Breakfast Blend is named PAGE723 21 PAGE
UNDER THE
MICROS OPE STECKLEIN THE LATEST TO TAKE PATH TO PH.D. Assistant professor of physics Jason Stecklein is the latest Clarke University faculty member to earn a Ph.D. Stecklein earned his doctorate in science education from the University of Iowa, wrapping up the process by defending his dissertation last summer. Stecklein talked about the process. “It’s not a linear thing,” he said. “You don’t start and in four years you’re done. You’re not in charge of your own schedule. The research is in charge of your schedule.” It does, however, involve first fulfilling the classroom curriculum. “Then you propose a project to write about, a dissertation,” Stecklein said. “The committee signs off on it. You defend it. Then they have to agree that your research is Ph.D. qualified.” Stecklein’s dissertation was titled “Effects of Interactive Technology, Teacher Scaffolding and Feedback on University Students’ Conceptual Development in Motion and Force Concepts.”
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Stecklein explained that it involved looking at how Clarke University used a software called DyKnow, which he described as “PowerPoint on steroids.” DyKnow allows feedback, polling, surveys and dynamical interactions in a classroom setting and provides immediate teacher feedback on student learning. What Stecklein found through his research is that “technology is not enough,” he said. “You have to create group environments. Talk with each other; converse.” Stecklein said he was lucky that the University of Iowa allowed him to do his research at Clarke University. “It is a rare that a research university would allow that,” he said. Overall, he said the doctorate process is “a lot of hard work.” “It’s about being persistent,” he said. “It’s not about being smart, or intellectual. It’s about hard work and finding something you’re interested in to research.” His dissertation ended up being 250 pages long. “I enjoy writing,” Stecklein said. “I just got up early every morning and wrote. By noon I was done writing for the day. I learned a lot.” Defending his dissertation was not as stressful as you might think. “It was not adversarial at all,” he said.
A NOTE FROM THE ALUMNI RELATIONS OFFICE In Latin, alma mater means “bountiful or nourishing mother.” The term implies reverence and loyalty for the nurturing qualities of an institution, which is one of the reasons homecoming is so important to many of our alumni. Clarke has alumni all across the United States and in 23 countries around the globe. Coming home to Clarke is important because it helps to remind you where you came from and allows you to reflect on what Clarke has done for you. Whether it be fellow Clarkies who you still keep in touch with, a special faculty member who challenged and pushed you, or how you felt as an independent college student on your own for the first time, Clarke undoubtedly shaped the person you have become. We honored memories and friendships with celebration and camaraderie at homecoming this year. We had our largest Golden Celebration to date with 48 women from the class of 1964 in attendance. Alumni joined students in classrooms and saw places on campus that have changed over time, as well as enjoyed the spaces still rich with history and tradition. We also celebrated our three distinguished alumni award winners and important reunion milestones. I invite you to come back home to campus any time throughout the year. If you live far from Clarke, let us help you find an alumni event close by. In the coming months we will be visiting Arizona, Florida, Nebraska, New York, Wisconsin and more. We also look forward to joining alumni from around the country on the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail in Alabama. Whether you are a golfer or not, the stunning location of this event has something to offer for everyone. I hope you will be able to join us for a Clarke alumni event soon. I wish you a happy new year!
Nicole Breitbach Director of Alumni Relations
ALUMNI ASSOCIATION BOARD L to R: Kim Esser Hall ’79, Maryjo Douglas Zunk ’79, Billie Springer Larkin ’70, Reid Johannsen ’15, Marcia Swanson Capriotti ’73, Gerry Flores ’11, Sheila Doyle Hocking ’78, Amanda Perrone Cyze ’01, Sue McGovern Juergens ’69, Matt Zelle ’01, Sandy Blake ’82, Jane Daly Seaberg ’78, Karen Manghera Chiappetta ’83, and Becky Herrig ’84. Not pictured: Nicole Breitbach, Lindsey Brown Schieffer ’07, Adam Mennig ’08, Charlie Sturm ’86 and Rob Walton ’02.
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View more photos from Homecoming 2014 at www.clarke.edu/alumni.
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A 75TH REUNION
Reflection
As a Clarke alumna myself, I am always excited to learn more about the experiences of other alumni. Although they are often very different from my own, some similarities still remain. I recently chatted with a very special alumna who just celebrated her 75th Clarke reunion. Lucille Bodensteiner Fanning ’39 was a freshman in 1935, not long after Clarke College was renamed from Mt. St. Joseph’s College. She chose Clarke because it was only 90 miles from her hometown and she received a tuition scholarship. She was a city student, which meant she lived off-campus in a private home for her first two years, then became a resident student her junior year. Lucille lived on the fourth floor of Mary Frances Hall.
By: Gwen Hayes ’07
each day with Mass at 6:30 a.m. dressed in their navy blue uniforms. “Our dress code was fairly strict,” said Lucille. “It could be a sweater and skirt or dress but it had to be navy with a white collar. For Sunday Mass, we wore caps and gowns.” A more casual garb of jeans and sweatshirts is the preferred fashion among students today. However, it seems that busy school days with back-to-back classes is still in style. “When I was a student, physical education and swimming classes were required,” Lucille explained. “In the mornings I had a swimming class, so I was usually exhausted for my afternoon history class with Sister Mary Ambrose. She rattled away as I tried to keep my eyes open to take notes. It still gives me shivers thinking about that pool in the wintertime.” Free time for students today might consist of browsing the web on their tablets or playing games on their smartphones. Lucille and her friends didn’t have the luxury of manufactured games, but rather played cards for entertainment. “Other times, many Clarke girls would go to dinner and a movie downtown,” Lucille said. “Back then, you could get a taxi ride anywhere for only five cents.”
“I called it the coo-coo’s nest because it was on the top floor and there were no elevators,” said Lucille. “But it was okay because we had fewer possessions back then. You’d be amazed what people can’t live without these days- iPads and cell phones and everything else.” Little did she know, I was recording our phone conversation on my tablet as we spoke. In Lucille’s day, students attended class Monday through Friday just as they do now, but they started their days a little differently and earlier. In the 1930s, Clarke students started
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Many of today’s Clarke students have their own vehicles on campus. If they don’t, they can ride the city bus for free or use the campus rent-a-car. If you peek inside the Student Dining Hall during the lunch hour, you will see students, faculty and staff dining together. This image looks very different from what Lucille experienced. Students ate together at meal times but at assigned tables. “Dinner times were segregated,” said Lucille. “Seniors were at the head table and then each class had their own table.
CLARKE | THE MAGAZINE OF CLARKE UNIVERSITY
And the Sisters had their own dining room. No student would ever stick their nose in their dining hall.” One of Lucille’s fondest memories was when Franklin Delano Roosevelt came to Dubuque in 1937. “We lined the streets to greet him,” said Lucille. “He drove around town and waved. Then he went up to Eagle Point Park for the dedication.” After Lucille graduated from Clarke she answered an ad in the Catholic Tribune to teach Native Americans in South Dakota. “I was probably the first and only Clarke girl to do so,” she said.
NOMINATIONS NEEDED!
Every day, Clarke alumni around the world are making outstanding contributions to their work and communities. Now is your chance to nominate them for a Distinguished Alumni Award. Winners are recognized during homecoming weekend. Awards include, Outstanding Achievement, Humanitarian Service and the Rising Star.
After two years of teaching, Lucille got married and later had eight children. She now has more than 40 grandchildren and great grandchildren.
For more information or to submit a nomination, visit clarke.edu/alumni/distinguished. All nominations must be submitted by Friday, Feb. 6, 2015.
“My family is in Iowa, so I’ve been to a lot of reunions,” said Lucille. “I would have loved to come back for my 75th reunion, but traveling is too much of a risk at my age.”
BECOME A CLASS AGENT!
Even though Lucille isn’t able to visit Iowa, she and her daughter Kathleen Fanning Bruen ’71 attended an alumni event last spring in Washington, D.C. My lovely conversation with Lucille ended with her providing some words of wisdom. “Keep the faith,” she said. “And make the most of your opportunities, because they might not come around again.”
Class Agents are volunteers from each class who help communicate with classmates about the many exciting events and activities Clarke hosts each year. Become a Class Agent and you will: ˯˯ Invite your classmates to come back for homecoming. ˯˯ Receive a complimentary ticket to the Alumni Recognition Brunch during homecoming. ˯˯ Be an advocate for Clarke on social media. ˯˯ Attend alumni events in your area. ˯˯ Encourage your classmates to give back to Clarke. If you would like to become a Class Agent or have questions, email Alissa Riegler in the alumni relations office at alissa.riegler@clarke.edu. PAGE 13
SOCIAL WORK DEPARTMENT PRESENTS
NEW OPPORTUNITES
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CLARKE | THE MAGAZINE OF CLARKE UNIVERSITY
In a little more than a year, the social work department has added a master’s program, an advanced standing program and two new positions. The two developments go hand in hand. “A requirement of the accreditation process was to increase faculty,” said department chair Regina Boarman. “The program is growing.” Mary Gatua and Colleen Mahoney are part of an expanding social work department at Clarke University. Program growth has been a trend since Boarman arrived at Clarke 15 years ago. At that time, Clarke shared a bi-college program with Loras College. The programs separated in 2009 and in 2013, Clarke’s bachelor of social work was accredited and the master of social work program was approved by the Higher Learning Commission. The MSW program is now in the candidacy process for accreditation.
Mahoney is originally from Des Moines and attended Georgetown University in Washington, D.C. Upon graduation, she worked in D.C. for four years, then came back to Iowa to get her master’s from Iowa State University. It was then back to Washington before she took a job opportunity in Chicago, eventually getting her Ph.D. from the University of Chicago. Her first academic position was as a researcher at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, but it eventually became clear to her that at heart she was a teacher and she wanted to focus her professional efforts on student learning. “It made sense for me to be at a smaller institution where teaching was the central academic activity and where interacting with students, both in and out of the classroom, was encouraged and valued.”
Clarke is the first private university in the state of Iowa to offer both a BSW and a MSW. The MSW is acknowledged in all states as the licensed professional degree preferred for all social service agencies - including mental health, substance abuse, and family treatment facilities. Clarke’s advanced standing program is also helping to expand the department. With the advanced standing program, students who have a bachelor’s degree in social work and meet all of the department’s requirements are able to receive a MSW in one year. Gatua was at the University of Wyoming for 10 years, obtaining her Ph.D. and working for the school’s division of social work as well as the Fay W. Whitney School of Nursing. She left Kenya to attend college in the United States. “Clarke is an institution that is not so big,” Gatua said. “My undergrad was at Ithaca College in upstate New York, a private liberal arts college. I was looking for that kind of setting. Coming from another country I was able to find myself at a small college.”
Assistant Professor Mary Gatua is one of three new faculty members in the social work department.
Mahoney also said she felt like she “completed a cycle” because her mother had received a partial art scholarship from Clarke many years ago, but was unable to attend.
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Both Gatua and Mahoney say that helping develop a growing program was part of the attraction of Clarke.
team led by Regina. Everyone is committed, thoughtful and energized to contribute to our new MSW program.
“It is a very unique opportunity to be in a program that’s growing,” Gatua said. “To be part of bringing new ideas to the program, designing classes new to the program; it is an exciting opportunity.”
“We are also fortunate because both Rachel and Tara come from Dubuque, so they know about the local community, its history, and its current needs. Regina’s leadership, Tara and Rachel’s experience, and Mary’s and my fresh eyes—I think it adds up to something pretty special.”
Mahoney concurred. “It was a huge appeal to me,” she said. “The chance to be a part of a growing department that is developing a new program is an exciting professional opportunity. And then for me, as someone who grew up in Iowa, it’s nice to come back to my home state and be a part of a small, teaching institution where the BVM core values of justice and charity line up so nicely with social work’s professional values.” Gatua and Mahoney join Boarman and Rachel Daack, the director of the BSW program. Boarman and Daack were the entire staff until 2009. This summer, Tara Velez joined the department as the director of field study. The sixth member of the staff is Office Manager Sarah Petersen. ”I feel very excited to be working with my new colleagues here at Clarke,” said Mahoney. “It’s great to be a part of a
“We have three new faculty,” Gatua said. “We can grow together; consult each other. Regina and Rachel have been very supportive. It’s been a very good experience.” Both Velez and Petersen have experience with the Dubuque Multicultural Family Center. Velez is the former executive director and Petersen is currently a part-time assistant director. “We have an amazing faculty and staff team with diverse professional backgrounds, which strengthen the program and offer the students dynamic learning opportunities,” Velez said. “As director of field education, I’m working to strengthen our current community partnership and establish new relationships for both the BSW and MSW programs. I hope my previous work in the Dubuque community will help connect our campus efforts to the larger community’s needs.”
MEET THE FACULTY AND STAFF REGINA BOARMAN, PH.D., LISW Chair/Associate Professor of Social Work
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RACHEL DAACK, PH.D. Associate Professor of Sociology
MARY W. GATUA, PH.D. Assistant Professor of Social Work
COLLEEN MAHONEY, PH.D. Assistant Professor of Social Work
WAY BACK WHEN
75 YEARS AGO
Through all of the expansion, the social work department’s mission has stayed the same. The courses in Clarke’s MSW Program will emphasize individual and family treatment; crisis intervention; substance abuse; domestic violence; mental health; medical issues in social work; and social work and the elderly. “The emphasis is on mental health, especially the rural areas,” Boarman said. “There is a need in the marketplace. There’s going to be an even greater need in health care.”
50 YEARS AGO
Boarman added that Clarke’s commitment to helping those with mental health issues should come as no surprise. “It really speaks highly of Clarke and its commitment to social justice,” she said. “We want to be involved in the community. We want to do that.”
The families of two new social work department faculty members bonded before they even started work at Clarke. See the story at clarke.edu/magazine.
OPEN FORUM AIR PROJECT In what has been termed one of the most successful as well as one of the most popular workshop presentations, the Clarke radio group participated in a forum given before a student audience in the college studio and broadcast through the facilities of WKBB. The program discussed the pros and cons of a liberal arts education as opposed to a vocational education.
SCIENCE BUILDING PLANS CLICK WITH NEW COMPUTER CENTER Clarke College will have a computer sciences center on the first floor of its new science classroom building, according to Sister Mary Benedict, BVM, Clarke president. Initial cost of the computer for educational uses will be approximately $50,000. Computers may be of two kinds, digital or analog. Clarke’s will be a digital computer which performs calculations by counting techniques, using coded digits.
25 YEARS AGO
COMPUTERS APPLIED TO MEDIA Using a computer to create a spreadsheet or database is commonplace for many students, but what about using a computer to transmit or receive information throughout the world? The communication department at Clarke has designed a course that is tailored to communication and journalism application. Spearheaded by Abdul Sinno, assistant professor, the course will focus on using the computer as a communication tool.
TARA VELEZ, MSW Assistant Professor of Social Work; Director of Field Education
SARAH PETERSEN Office Manager
10 YEARS AGO
CATHERINE DUNN ANNOUNCES RETIREMENT President Catherine Dunn, BVM, announced that she will be leaving the presidency in May of 2006. In her 33 years at Clarke, Dunn has had several roles including teacher, department chair, vice president for institutional advancement and president. Dunn says her most memorable experience as president was when the whole college PAGE PAGE15 5 community gathered together after the fire in 1984.
GIVE
AGE 15 PAGE 18
WHAT IT TAKES TO
IT TAKES HEART. IT TAKES VISION. IT TAKES ACTION. IT TAKES YOU. Almost every student at Clarke receives some sort of financial aid. In fact, many wouldn’t be able to receive an education here without the support of donors like you. So your gift is more than appreciated; it’s necessary. Whatever is near and dear to you about Clarke can now be directly impacted by your gift. You choose where your gift will be used. It’s your gift, your way.
YOUR GIFT. YOUR WAY.
888.225.2753 yourgiftyourway.org
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A PHOTO COLLECTION FROM ALUMNI EVENTS ACROSS THE COUNTRY DENVER, COLO. (BELOW) Clarke alumni and friends enjoyed a day at Coors Field. Pictured (Top Row) Nicole Breitbach, Travis Heiderscheit and Krista Richman '13; (Bottom Row) Steve Coury, Gail Bukolt Coury '77, Mitch Dolphin, Jeff Meyer, Ryan Dillon '06 and Morgan Ehlers Dillon '06.
DAVENPORT, IOWA (ABOVE) Leah Buls Driscoll ’10, Mary Stavnes, Carmelita Gilroy Bush ’46, Mary Ellen Sheridan Blunck ’68, Mary McCarthy Simon ’68, Nicole Breitbach and Kathy Maloney Loomis ’74 bowled the night away at an alumni event at Hotel Blackhawk.
MINNEAPOLIS, MINN. (BELOW) Chris Schieffer, Lindsey Brown Schieffer ’07, Almira Downs ’82, Robert Graham ’88, Michelle Mucha ’96, Kathy Malone Schoenfelder ’67, Virginia Weldon Erhard ’60, Leander Erhard and Ken Schoenfelder gathered in Minneapolis.
DALLAS, TEXAS (ABOVE) Clarke went south to visit with alumni in Texas. Pictured: Gavin Breitbach, Dr. Zach Breitbach ’05, Jennifer Messina, Mary Jane Kelly Thorpe ’68, Don Thorpe, Andy Schroeder ’02, Elizabeth Van Tassel Henika ’62, Jeanice Fox Janes ’57, Grace Maloy Messina ’70, Kelly Welch Breitbach ’05 and Levi Breitbach. Want to see more alumni snapshots? Visit clarke.edu/alumni/eventphotos.
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KAKU HIGHLIGHTS CLARKE LECTURE SERIES Dr. Michio Kaku fascinated a crowd of more than 700 at the Robert and Ruth Kehl Center as he lectured on how the science of tomorrow is here today for the MackinMailander Lecture, held Sept. 21. In the lecture, titled “The Next 20 Years: How science will revolutionize the economy, medicine and our way of life,” Kaku said that in today's world paralyzed people are able to walk, photographs of thoughts can be taken, and memories have been introduced into the brains of mice. “It sounds like science fiction, but it is more science fact,” Kaku said. “Studies have already introduced memories into the brains of mice. Next are primates and then Alzheimer's patients. ... It is well within our capabilities now. We can calculate the motion of blood in the brain that parallels electric activity. You computerize that data and we begin to understand thought, where we can print images of a thought or a dream.”
Physics of the Future, and Physics of the Impossible. Kaku has appeared on the Larry King Show, Nightline, 60 Minutes, Good Morning America, CNN, CNNFinancial, ABC-TV News, Fox News, BBC-TV, BBCRadio and PBS’s Nova. When national news media want an expert to explain a science phenomenon, more often than not they call Kaku. He said he is more than happy to appear on television because it is a great way to introduce science to young people. “It's one way to get direct access to young minds,” Kaku said. “We have to reinvigorate the space program. We need to energize young kids. They're surrounded by technology, except they don't make a connection that this could be their career. They're consumers of technology, but they're not creators.”
Three lectures are planned for the spring semester. The date for the Mackin-Mailander Alumni Lecture has not been finalized as of the printing of the magazine. Visit clarke.edu/artsatclarke for updated information.
THE MACKIN-MAILANDER FACULTY LECTURE featuring
Dean Manternach, Ph.D. will be held Tuesday, March 17, at 7:30 p.m. in Jansen Music Hall. Manternach is an associate professor of religious studies at Clarke. He speaks regularly on topics of catechesis, mission, and adult faith formation in parishes within the region.
THE MACKIN-MAILANDER ALUMNI LECTURE will be Dr. Michio Kaku addresses the audience at the Mackin-Mailander lecture. Photo courtesy: Telegraph Herald Kaku is internationally recognized for his expertise in Einstein’s unified field theory, which he is attempting to complete. He is also well known for his ability to predict trends affecting business, commerce and finance based on the latest research in science. Kaku holds the Henry Semat Chair in Theoretical Physics at the City University of New York. He graduated from Harvard University in 1968 summa cum laude and first in his physics class. Kaku is the author of several international best-sellers. He has two New York Times best-sellers, PAGE 20
presented by Billie Springer Larkin ’70. Larkin is the executive director of the Children’s Advocacy Centers of Illinois, located in Springfield. Her position entails anything from producing legislation, to oversight of boards and multidisciplinary teams, technology assistance and training. In 2013, Billie was appointed by the Governor’s office to the Committee on Children and Family in Illinois 2013.
THE MARY MURPHY, BVM, ENDOWED LECTURE IN BIOLOGY
will be presented by Lori Wallrath, Ph.D., on Tuesday, March 24, at 7:30 p.m. in Jansen Music Hall. Wallrath is a professor of biochemistry at the University of Iowa. Her research is focused on the role of chromatin packaging, gene expression and nuclear organization, with respect to human disease.
CLARKE | THE MAGAZINE OF CLARKE UNIVERSITY
FRANCIS J. O’CONNOR WINNERS: WHERE ARE THEY NOW? This is the third article in a series on former Francis J. O’Connor winners. Since 1935 this award has been recognized as the most prestigious honor bestowed upon a graduating senior. Originally, the Honorable Frank A. O’Connor established the Mary Agnes O’Connor Award in memory of his wife. In 1991, Clarke University, in cooperation with the O’Connor family, renamed the award the Francis J. O’Connor Memorial Award to honor the late Francis J. O’Connor, a long-time Clarke trustee. Criteria for the award include demonstrated leadership, cooperation, generosity, kindness and academic achievement. The award recipient is selected by a vote of seniors and faculty.
SUE RINK, BVM, WAS THE AWARD RECIPIENT IN 1948. Tell us about your current career. After graduating from Clarke, I became a BVM. My teaching career consisted of 15 years as a high school science teacher followed by two and a half years in the biology department at Clarke. While attending Northwestern University, I directed the Continuing Education program at Mundelein College, Chicago. After earning a Ph.D., I served two years as academic dean and eight years as president of Mundelein. Following a sabbatical year, I spent four years working with young adults addicted to drugs and alcohol. Then I was appointed treasurer of the BVM Congregation for a term of eight years. Close to retirement age, I chose to work part time with the retired and homebound at St. Patrick's parish in Dubuque for almost nine years. What impact did winning the award have on you? Winning the award was a complete, but happy surprise. I was a city student and not a top honor student; however I was involved in many activities, including being the president of the student government. Looking back, it confirmed my belief that relationships are extremely important. What is your fondest memory of Clarke? No one memory stands out. I marveled at the wonderful teaching and caring of the sisters. Picking violets for Mother’s Day, running down back campus and actually catching the bus, and making many new friends remain special memories. What advice would you give a student today? I urge students to continue to learn and not only with a focus on future jobs, but primarily with the goal of becoming a fuller person contributing to a better, safer and more peaceful world for all peoples. Practice Clarke's core values in whatever career you choose.
To view a full list of Francis J. O'Connor Award winners, visit clarke.edu/magazine.
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2014 CONVOCATION: ‘SAVOR AND DEVOUR’ YOUR TIME AT CLARKE Joe Klinebriel, associate professor of drama, told new Clarke students to “savor and devour” their time at Clarke University.
Klinebriel told the students they would regret it if they didn’t take a leap. “We are all products of our experiences,” he said. “These are magical times for you. I wish you well with this new leap you have taken and I hope you take many more. “Savor and devour it.” Also addressing the Convocation gathering were President Joanne Burrows, SC, Ph.D., who welcomed the new students and celebrated the official opening of Clarke’s 172nd school year, and three class presidents – Natascha Myers, Class of 2017; Shanna Forbes, Class of 2016; and Riley Taubert, Class of 2015.
Joe Klinebriel, associate professor of drama, gives his convocation address. As the most recent recipient of the Meneve Dunham Award for Excellence in Teaching, Klinebriel addressed the new students at Clarke’s Convocation and Tree Planting Ceremony, held Sept. 10 in the Robert and Ruth Kehl Center.
Following Convocation and the presentation of the tassels to new students, the long-standing tradition of the tree planting and tree naming took place. The freshmen class planted their tree while the class of 2015 named its tree “Endurance.” They chose the name to note how they endured the trials of learning and growing brought by college.
Klinebriel went skydiving for the first time in his life last summer, and he compared that experience to new students embarking on a college career. “I jumped through that door of uncertainty and took the risk,” Klinebriel said. “You too have signed up for the adventure. You too are taking a leap of faith into a vast and perhaps intimidating world that you have not known before. If I could give you one piece of advice about your adventure, it would be to savor every moment of your experience. Your four years, too, will fly by.”
New students receive tassels during the Convocation ceremony.
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ALUMNI
NEWS&NOTES JULY 5 THROUGH NOVEMBER 7, 2014
NEWS Catherine Dwyer Condon ’40 Fort Dodge, Iowa, “I live in my own apartment in Fort Dodge and keep busy in my bridge club of 60 years. We meet every three weeks for lunch and cards. Of course if they play my rules, I win.” Therese Tressel Breen ’49 Novi, Mich., “I moved to an Erickson retirement community called Fox Run in December 2013. It is in Novi, where I have lived the past 26 years.”
Patricia Conway Parks ’57 Elm Grove, Wis., Kathryn Conway ’59 New York, N.Y., Mary Miguel Conway, BVM ’60 Quito, Ecuador, Mary Lourdes Conway Charles ’72 Wilmette, Ill., Volunteering and fundraising for the Center for Working Families in Quito, Ecuador, has been the Parks “family business” for nearly 50 years. Hundreds of folks came to celebrate the Working Boys’ Center’s
50th anniversary dinner Aug. 9 at the Marquette University Union in an event that raised a whopping $650,000. But more than just money, Pat Parks’ work has engendered a love for the people of Ecuador, and Center founder Father John Halligan S.J., who has worked side-by-by side with Sister Mary Conway for nearly 50 years. Patricia Jessup, Center for Working Families executive director and Pat’s daughter, says that probably 65% of the people who were at the celebration have visited the Center in Quito to volunteer and learn. The Center assists families of working children in Quito by helping them become financially independent, have access to education, health care and basic living services. Diana Borst Nawrocki ’58 Westchester, Ill., “I am still involved with my two great loves of my life which are art and physical education. Twice a week I teach water aquatics to a large group of seniors (25) at Triton Junior College. I also will be exhibiting my textile art work at Triton with the West Suburban Artist Guild of which I am the chair. Ron and I were not able to attend homecoming this year since we took a river cruise to Switzerland and Amsterdam. We have been married for 51 years and hoping to make many more. We have four grandchildren and they are all involved in soccer at Divine Providence Catholic School in Westchester, Ill. Strange, since this was one of the first sports I did as a student teacher at Clarke 55
years ago. I did bring line soccer and my art to my first teaching job here in Illinois. My mentors at Clarke were both Ed Demers and Sister James Anne. These are fond memories I treasure and am grateful to Clarke for the opportunity to have been educated by this fine university.” Mary Alice Putz Baldwin ’60 Hoover, Ala., “I will have three grandchildren graduating from college including a granddaughter majoring in industrial engineering from University of Florida, a grandson majoring in math and finance from the University of Michigan and a grandson going into physical therapy school. I also have a granddaughter in school at Rush University in Chicago. I’m enjoying it to the utmost. What a wonderful time in my life.” Janet Schadler Wesenberg ’60 Arvada, Colo., “The sisters at St. Anthony’s, St. Joseph’s Academy and at Clarke ’College’ prepared me to teach kindergarten through eighth grades. I still sub in Catholic schools in Colorado infrequently.” Winnie Chan Lee ’61 Bellevue, Wash., “I’ve had a busy year with having cataract surgeries on both eyes in the beginning of the year. I spent May in Hong Kong and China. My son’s family has returned back here to stay after living in Hong Kong for the past seven years!” PAGE 23
Geraldine Foss Kustelski ’62 Saint Paul, Minn., Gerri gives insight on what it was like starting out in the brewing industry and what’s changed after 52 years in the business in a blog titled "Women in Beer."
Mary Fessler Locher ’63 Sherrill, Iowa, “I’m sorry to say I lost my beloved husband John Michael Locher Nov. 10, 2013. Our son, Eric Jon Locher, married July 5, 2014.” Connie Lambert Andrews ’64 Oklahoma City, Okla., “I recently organized and now facilitate the St. Paul the Apostle Bereavement Support Group in my parish.” Karen Huber Ryker ’68 Woodstock, Conn., “I’ve retired from University of Connecticut after some 45 years of teaching and performing. And I just received the School of Fine Arts "Outstanding Faculty Award" for 2014. Future plans involve much travel. First was a hiking trek to Choquequirao in Peru. Much more to come.”
Susan Voss Webb ’62 Birmingham, Ala., Susan has once again returned to Clarke to present her early American education program to Clarke’s History of American Education class. Known as America’s Traveling Schoolmarm, for the past 15 years Susan has appeared, in costume, to historical societies, academic institutions, historical conferences, and civic groups across the country sharing her research, historical school artifacts, and recitation lessons from a bygone era. Susan’s program traces the footprints of American education, emphasizing Iowa’s contribution of more than 12,000 turn of the century one-room schools which dotted the Iowa countryside. After attending graduate school, Susan taught all levels of education for 20 years before beginning her historical research and programs. She presents programs for the Humanities Foundation Speakers Bureau, and is a board member of the national Country School Association of America. For the past 10 years Susan has served as the Coordinator of the Parish School of Religion for Saint Mark the Evangelist Catholic Church. The program involves 350 students and 60 catechists. Susan and Bill, husband of 47 years, have lived in various parts of the United States but currently reside in Birmingham, Ala. Their two grown sons live in Atlanta and St. Louis. Referring to her sixth schoolmarm return to Clarke, Susan says, "It is always such a pleasure to come back home to Iowa and to Clarke."
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Mary Ellyn Whelton Billmeyer ’73 Roselle, Ill., Mary Ellyn is the current principal of St. John the Evangelist Parochial School in Streamwood, Ill. which was just recognized as a National Blue Ribbon school. Kathleen Tillman Porter ’73 Lakewood, Colo., “Forty years after I graduated from Clarke, I completed my master’s degree in information learning technologies from University of Colorado at Denver in 2013. My husband Dick and I celebrated our 25th wedding anniversary this summer with an amazing cruise to Alaska in July. We are enjoying watching our two grandchildren, Daniel and Ahdia, as they are growing up. And we are looking forward to the arrival of our newest grandchild in March 2015. Life is good!” Karen Shepard DeMello ’81 Mountain View, Calif., “On weekends and after work, I volunteer leading nature hikes for several organizations in the San Francisco Bay Area. On Aug. 1-3, 2014, I organized "Wings Over the Basin" at Big Basin Redwoods State Park. Big Basin is the oldest state park in California, with redwood trees and the endangered Marbled Murrelet bird. Hundreds of people flocked to various walks and talks over the weekend, a huge success and the birds cooperated too!”
Erin Arbabha McDonald ’85 Stuart, Fla., Erin currently lives in Stuart, Fla. and she works as a Business Process Management Systems program manager for a NextEra Energy in Juno Beach, Fla. Erin is a 10-year survivor of breast cancer and a believer in celebrating life, being positive, using humor and laughter to deal with life unexpected challenges, surrounding yourself with loving people/pets, and giving hope to others. Erin recently published her memoir about her breast cancer journey titled "I Have Survived" on Amazon. The book walks you through her first warning signs that she neglected and 6 months later when she learned about her diagnosis ending up with multiple surgeries followed by 6 months of aggressive chemotherapy. There is a valuable section at the end of the book where she gives advice to patients, friends and family members, caregivers, medical community and employers. Amy Golm, BVM ’87 Fond Du Lac, Wis., “I just moved to Fond du Lac to become a chaplain with Agnesian HealthCare.” Kimberly Huettl ’87 Bayside, Wis., “I recently became the director of the Milwaukee Center for Lakeland College.” Patty Roth Paschal ’87 Naperville, Ill., “I currently work as an oncology case manager for United Health Care and received their highest nursing award in September.” Lisa Blouin Sanborn, D.V.M. ’91 Denver, Colo., Lisa recently graduated from Iowa State University with her doctorate in veterinarian medicine. She is currently a veterinarian at VCA Alameda East in Denver, Colo. Joel Moore ’94 Davenport, Iowa, “I recently rostered with the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America as an associate in ministry. I’ve been serving at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Davenport, Iowa as the director of faith formation since 2009.”
Susan Moran Knaack ’95 Rockford, Ill., “I took a new position this year as a librarian with the Rockford Public School District while pursuing my second master’s degree in educational technology, research, and assessment at Northern Illinois University. Between working and school, I can be found watching Sam coach our son Will’s baseball team, at our daughter Casey’s softball game, or watching Ryan bowl.” Jervis Hayes ’97 Surprise, Ariz., “I’m still in the computer field, programming for a small company based in Tempe, Ariz. called CYMA Systems. We create AP, AR, Payroll, GL software for small to midsized companies. I’ve been there for 13 years now.” Catherine Noury Silvia ’01 Providence, R.I., Catherine is currently working as the director of work hardening for the State of Rhode Island as well as an ergonomic consultant. She’s in the process of opening her own business. Andrew Schroeder ’02 Dubuque, Iowa, Andy was selected to serve on the board of directors at Dupaco Community Credit Union. Joshua Withington ’05 Qatar, “I graduated from Clemson University in August with a master’s degree in human resource development. Also, I just deployed again, this time to Qatar.” April Schuller ’06 New York, N.Y., April was the key hair stylist on the HBO series “Girls,” and an NBC drama, “Blacklist.” This season she is the key hair stylist on a new NBC drama called “Allegiance.” Lindsey Brown Schieffer ’07 Saint Paul, Minn., Lindsey made the leap to self-employment in March. She enjoys every minute of running her own on-location children, family, maternity and head shot photography business, L. Photography that serves clients in the Twin Cities and Dubuque areas. She was delighted to have had a photo selected by the Dubuque County Right to Life to use in their
ad campaign "Life is..." Her photo of her son, dad and horse (pictured below) was used in a full-page ad in the Telegraph Herald this spring and on a billboard this summer. Lindsey equally enjoys serving clients with her marketing/communication skills. She thanks Clarke for providing her a strong foundation of skills from which she’s been able to build upon and take the market. Michael Link ’07 Dubuque, Iowa, “I currently work for Medline Industries, Inc., a worldwide medical supply manufacturer and distributer. I was recently promoted to a position that included a presentation aspect in the job description. When I was hired for the position, I was told that they selected me because of my ability to communicate effectively and confidently in front of an audience. Theatrically, I frequently continue to perform in shows in the area, and I am currently a member of a committee that selects plays for Fly By Night Productions. I was also recently given the opportunity to produce a staged reading of an original play I wrote with another actor.” Richard Diaz-Vazquez ’08 Carolina, Puerto Rico, Richard welcomed his son Derrick Joel Diaz Dec. 6, 2013. He is a professional salsa dancer and dance judge at World Salsa Open. He is a national winner and qualifier in the upcoming world Latin dance cup in December 2014. He played in 2014 USSSA Softball World Series Tournament.
Abby Schultz McInerney ’08 Aurora, Colo., Abby is currently residing in Denver, Colo. and after graduating from Clarke, Abby has actively been performing in shows throughout the Midwest. She recently appeared in the Henry award winning performance of "Hair." Abby stared in the regional premiere of "Minimum Wage," an a cappella musical. Abby’s next performance will be as Ellen in "Miss Saigon" starting in December. Abby and her husband, Patrick, welcomed their son, Miles Patrick, on Feb. 7, 2014.
Jessica Krogmann Pape ’08 Dyersville, Iowa, Jessica was featured in the Telegraph Herald Business Times Rising Stars section for her work as director of development at St. Mark Youth Enrichment. Brian Regan ’11 Dubuque, Iowa, “As of June 2014, I became the director of athletic training and sport performance at Southwest Health in Platteville, Wis. We contract athletic training services to seven area high schools. Additionally in November we will open an 1800 sq.ft. performance enhancement athletic facility.” Joseph Stamp ’12 Waterloo, Iowa, “I’ve been living in New York City for more than two years, and in Washington Heights for one of those years. During the week days I am the associate of finance and administration for Actors Equity Association. In the evenings and on the weekends, I work on various artistic projects. I just finished filming a short film called Psychosis by Matt Dymerski, with the screenplay adaptation written by myself and my brother Zach Stamp. I am also working with Artists Janet Sung to create a comic book called Libris. I wrote the PAGE 25
script and she has been working on illustrating the comic which we plan to send out to publishers for possible publication. I also have a steady stream of photography clients whom come to me for portraits and headshots including fashion designer Laura Bedrick and R&B artist Daniel Bern. All in all it’s been a great two years and I look forward to the many adventures to come.” Rebecca Brosnan ’13 Algona, Iowa, Rebecca is auditioning for several commercial TV opportunities as well as film roles in Arizona. Erin Daly ’13 Huttonsville, W.Va., “Since June 2014 I’ve been working for the Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston doing youth ministry out of the Bishop Hodges Pastoral Center in Huttonsville, W.Va.. I’ll be there until May 2015. My job so far has involved working mission trip programming for high school students and running camps, and it will soon include traveling throughout West Virginia to inspire children to live out their faith.”
BIRTHS Brad Manternach ’01 and Tanya, girl, Dubuque, Iowa Megan Bentley Meier ’01 and Nick, girl, Dubuque, Iowa Eric Huff ’02 and Emily Wolf Huff ’04, girl, Denver, Iowa Perry Scott ’02 and Catherine, Alexis Bradley, Hamilton, Ontario Heidi Zittergruen Ploessl ’03 and Chuck, girl, Holy Cross, Iowa
Anthony Zeimet ’08 and Sarah Casper, Braelyn Ava, Dubuque, Iowa
Bridget Daly Wilhelm ’05 and John, Henry Joseph, Peosta, Iowa
Erin Kane Callahan ’09 and John, boy, Dubuque, Iowa
Kimberly Koos Lamey ’06 and Sam, girl, Peosta, Iowa
Andrew Thomas ’09 and Katie, Benjamin, Dubuque, Iowa Rebecca Bradford Flores ’10 and Phillip Flores ’11, Julien Orlando, Big Bear, Calif. Emilee Clark Krausman ’10 and Ross, girl, Dubuque, Iowa Erin Brashaw ’14 and Colton Brenner, Brody John, Galena, Ill.
MARRIAGES Brenda Vaske Durein ’03, to Mark Durein, Austin, Texas Kelli Genz Jones ’08, to John Jones, Dubuque, Iowa Ashley Coyle Fee ’11, to Nate Fee, Ankeny, Iowa
Elizabeth Siegel Bushman ’08 and Jeff, Thomas Oliver, Dubuque, Iowa Christina Pechous Clayton ’08 and Rick, girl, Dubuque, Iowa Irving Duran-Veras ’08 and Stacy Rollins Duran-Veras ’08, girl, Dubuque, Iowa Geri Kremer Kalb ’08 and Kevin, girl, Epworth, Iowa Danelle Way Lawler ’08 and Michael Lawler ’09, Weston Asher, Elkhorn, Wis. Molly Schroeder Weber ’08 and Ben, Liam Anthony, Sherrill, Iowa
Michael Till ’12, to Kaitlin Kilburg Till ’12, Springbrook, Iowa
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Kelcie Henkel ’14 and Eric Fonck, boy, Dubuque, Iowa IN MEMORY Frances Pearson Freund ’42 Mary Knepper Meyer ’47 Patricia Waring Cahill ’48 Joan O’Neill Schafer ’49 Faith Lautz, BVM ’54 Ann O’Hara Michalski ’54 Margaret Koob Cramer ’56 Patricia Hyde Matt ’56 Joan Balsamo Shannon ’60 Genevieve Kordick, BVM ’64 Suzanne Mammoser Kurt ’64 Nancy Lannert ’64 Martha Dickey Pottle ’64 Noel Nusbaum Stanton ’64 Lorraine Baller, BVM ’69 Barbara Berens ’75 Mary Eileen Freund Hauber ’82 Mary Beth Kunkel Droessler ’86 Susan Thompson ’87
SHARE YOUR JOY:
SUBMIT A CLASS NOTE YOUR LIFE IS FULL OF AMAZING HAPPENINGS – AND WE LOVE TO SHARE IN YOUR JOY! Share your updates with us for inclusion in the magazine by emailing alumnirelations@clarke.edu or online at clarke.edu/alumni. (Don’t forget to send pictures!)
UPCOMING ALUMNI EVENTS SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2015 Presidential Reception Scottsdale, Ariz. THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 2015 Your Best U! Dubuque, Iowa FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2015 Naples Golf Event Grey Oaks Country Club, Naples, Fla. SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 2015 Naples Brunch Grey Oaks Country Club, Naples, Fla.
KEEP UP WITH CLARKE! LIKE THE ALUMNI FACEBOOK PAGE FACEBOOK.COM/CLARKEALUMNI JOIN OUR NETWORK ON LINKEDIN SEARCH “CLARKE UNIVERSITY ALUMNI NETWORK” VIEW PHOTOS ON FLICKR CLARKE.EDU/FLICKR/ALUMNI
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2015 Dubuque Fighting Saints Hockey Night Dubuque, Iowa TUESDAY, MARCH 3, 2015 Trivia Night Des Moines, Iowa WEDNESDAY, MARCH 4, 2015 CHEERS Omaha, Neb. SUNDAY, MARCH 8 – WEDNESDAY, MARCH 11, 2015 Clarke Golf Getaway Capitol Hill, Prattville, Ala. FRIDAY, MARCH 13, 2015 Waterloo Blackhawks Hockey Night Waterloo, Iowa
Visit clarke.edu/alumni/events for a complete listing of upcoming events and opportunities to connect!
VIEW VIDEOS ON VIMEO VIMEO.COM/CLARKEUNIVERSITY PAGE 23
CLARKE REAPS GRANT DOLLARS Grant money was plentiful for Clarke University as a number of awards were announced over the summer. Here is a look at the recent grants: NMR SPECTROMETER Clarke received a $150,400 grant from the Roy J. Carver Charitable Trust to acquire a nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectrometer.
RURAL NURSES Clarke received a $700,000 grant from Health Resources and Services Administration's Advanced Education Nursing Traineeship program to recruit and educate nurses for rural and underserved populations. The grant will provide $350,000 per year over a two-year period, comprising 100 percent of the project cost. The Clarke AENT Traineeship Program will provide annual awards to be distributed among students in Clarke’s threeyear doctor of nursing practice program. The goal of Clarke’s AENT Traineeship Program is to increase the number of primary care health providers in rural areas of northeast Iowa, southwest Wisconsin and northwest Illinois. INTERNSHIPS Clarke received a grant of nearly $150,000 from the Great Lakes Higher Education Guaranty Corporation to fund paid internships during the 2014-15 academic year.
Clarke student Lauren McDonough learns to operate the NMR Spectrometer, which was installed in November. The NMR spectrometer is the leading tool in the field of characterization of molecules. It is housed in a specially equipped laboratory in Clarke’s Center for Science Inquiry and will be ready for use in the spring. The Dubuque Bank and Trust NMR Spectroscopy Laboratory shields the surrounding area from the magnetic field and provides a vibration free environment in which to operate the instrument. The NMR spectrometer is used to enhance the university’s chemistry curricula to better meet the need for a jobready and nationally competitive STEM workforce. This instrument is central to hands-on, experiential learning and is widely used in multiple science disciplines. Faculty will integrate laboratory activities in chemistry courses from freshman to senior year helping the university to better prepare students, especially those in chemistry, biochemistry, biology, food science and pre-professional health sciences.
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Clarke will use the grant to collaborate with alumni, local businesses and nonprofits to develop new paid internships and convert existing unpaid internships into paid opportunities for students. AT-RISK STUDENTS Clarke received a grant of $103,470 from the Great Lakes Higher Education Guaranty Corporation to help increase the graduation rate for at-risk students. Clarke’s grant is among the $2.7 million awarded to 19 institutions to provide early identification to struggling first-year college students and connect them with existing tutoring, advising, mentoring and counseling programs that can make a real difference in keeping them on track for graduation. EXERCISE EQUIPMENT The Dubuque Racing Association provided Clarke with a $10,000 grant in its latest round of awards. Clarke used the money to purchase an elliptical training machine along with other state-of-the-art equipment. “Our campus community appreciates the support from the DRA for cardio and weight room equipment,” said Curt Long, Clarke University director of athletics. “Students, faculty, staff and fitness members benefit from these enhancements.”
THE BACK PAGE A L OOK AT YES T ER DAY AN D TODAY
WINTER WONDERLAND Clarke students have endured snowy Dubuque winters for generations. They make the most of snow days by going sledding on Bunker Hill, skiing and snowboarding at Sundown Mountain, ice skating at Allison-Henderson Park or by having a snowball fight and making snow angels on the snow-covered campus. Some students experience snow for the first time when they come to Clarke. Other experienced snow adventurers come prepared with boots, snow pants, winter jackets, stocking hats and gloves to endure the winter weather. It’s this time of year when students give thanks for the connected buildings on the south side of campus where they can walk the entire way to class without setting foot outside.
1550 Clarke Drive Dubuque, Iowa 52001-3198
Leave the winter weather behind and head south with Clarke alumni and friends for a spring getaway. Experience the famous Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail and play 36 holes of golf on two stunning championship courses. Or just stay and relax at the stylish Montgomery Marriott Prattville Hotel surrounded by pristine golf courses and 1,600 wooded acres, just minutes from downtown Montgomery. DON’T WAIT! Spots are limited and filling up fast. For more information visit clarke.edu/golfgetaway.
SUNDAY, MARCH 8 – WEDNESDAY, MARCH 11 CAPITOL HILL - PRATTVILLE, ALABAMA
GOLF GETAWAY