MAGAZINE
WINTER/SPring 2011
Time Well Spent Not Your Typical Cooking Club
Cover: Margie Wiehoff, Tom Vitt and Sue Rockers (front row, L to R) and Mike Scholz, Nick Kozlak and Suzette Sutherland (back row, L to R), members of the service group Time Well Spent and CSB/SJU class of 1984, serve breakfast at Catholic Charities Opportunity Center in Minneapolis. (Photo by Steve Woit.) Inside front cover photo by Paul Middlestaedt.
F E A T U R E S
12 Good Times
20 Game On!
24 The Age of Entrepreneurs
Johnnies and Bennies of the Time Well Spent gang cook up good times together while serving the needy.
Johnnies make it to the majors—off the field.
With courses, specialized travel and alumni mentorship, the E-scholar program helps student dreams mean business.
A record-setting 16,400 fans packed Clemens Stadium for Homecoming 2010–the largest crowd in SJU and NCAA DIII history.
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D E P A R T M E N T S 2
View from the Quad
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Behind the Pines
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Service to the Church
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Advancing the Mission
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Johnnie Sports
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Alumni Connection
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Milestones
VIEW FROM THE QUAD Fr. Bob Koopmann ’68, OSB President
W INTER/ SPRIN G 2011 Editor Jean Scoon Editoria l T eam Rob Culligan ’82 Glenda Isaacs Burgeson Brendon Duffy Michael Hemmesch '97 Greg Hoye Jon McGee ’84 John Young ’83 STAFF C ontributors Rob Culligan ’82 Glenda Isaacs Burgeson Brendon Duffy Jennifer Mathews Emery Michael Halverson ’01 Michael Hemmesch ’97 Ryan Klinkner ’04 John Taylor ’58 Editorial Assistant Julie Scegura DESIGN AND Production Greg Becker, Karen Hoffbeck Editor E meritus Lee A. Hanley ’58 University Archivist Peggy Roske
is published in the fall and winter and CSB/SJU Magazine is published with the College of Saint Benedict in the spring. A ddress C hanges Saint John’s University P.O. Box 7222 Collegeville, MN 56321 rathmann@csbsju.edu Contact 320-363-2591 800-635-7303 www.csbsju.edu Letters jscoon@csbsju.edu or Saint John’s Magazine Jean Scoon P.O. Box 7222 Collegeville, MN 56321
One of the things I've learned from many years as a concert pianist is how to read an audience. This past November, I had the opportunity to be part of a very special audience when Chris Howard, president of Hampden-Sydney College in Virginia, addressed a group of students, faculty, staff and alumni at Saint John’s about leadership. My read on this audience? It was enthusiastic, attentive and, most important—engaged. Like many great events, this particular evening was the result of several organic movements that had been on the horizon at SJU for months. My part in it began in 2009, when I met Chris Howard—also a new president of one of the four remaining U.S. colleges that educates all men. We discovered that we were both passionate about men’s engagement and about continuing to provide a holistic higher education experience that prepares male students to be leaders in our changing world. One of the ways we promote leadership development at Saint John's and Saint Benedict's is through the Inspiring Leaders Certificate Program (ILCP). The ILCP provides certification to students, training them in five core leadership practices and the Benedictine values that support them. Maribeth Overland, the director of student activities and leadership development, has worked to increase men's involvement in ILCP. Meanwhile, a group of 30 SJU student leaders came together to form RedGage, a group founded to boost men’s engagement and leadership on campus. Working with RedGage and supported by the ILCP, Chris Howard spoke to a high-powered group on Nov. 4. His speech was enlightening, but the table conversations afterward between current student leaders, faculty, staff and alumni were the highlight of the evening. The question at the heart of these conversations and of our men’s engagement conversations in general is: What does it mean to be a Johnnie? Our current students benefit greatly from the experience of alumni, and we often find that, while our hopes and challenges when we are students occur in different eras and in different contexts, they are, at their core, the same. Current Johnnies want many of the same things our alumni did when they were students. They want good role models who exercise leadership with integrity. They want to be part of viable, hospitable communities that have vision. They want to think critically about world issues and how they can respond to them—equipped with their Benedictine, liberal arts education. I encourage you to be this kind of a role model or mentor for someone, especially a current Johnnie or Bennie, if you can. And wherever your journey takes you, may you be engaged!
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Michael Becker
The Magazine of Saint John’s University
Casey Wojtalewicz
B ehind the P ines
SJU and CSB Ranked No. 1 in Mid-length Study Abroad Participation SJU and CSB were ranked No. 1 nationally among baccalaureate institutions with students who participate in mid-length study abroad programs, according to Open Doors 2010, the annual report on international education published by the Institute of International Education (IIE). The two schools had 398 students study abroad in mid-length programs during the 2008-09 school year. The photograph above, which won first prize in the CSB/SJU 2010 Study Abroad Photo Contest, was taken from the summit of Mt. Tajumulco in Guatemala by Casey Wojtalewicz ’11.To the right, covered by clouds, is the Pacific Ocean. To the left is mainland Guatemala. Wojtalewicz was a participant in the 2010 Quetzaltenango study abroad program in Guatemala.
SJU and CSB Recognized as Top Institutions SJU and CSB have been recognized nationally by their peers in the U.S. News and World Report college rankings. Both SJU and CSB were again ranked among the top 100 liberal arts colleges in the country. SJU was ranked 62nd (68th in 2009) and CSB was ranked 81st (80th in 2009). The magazine listed SJU and CSB for their strong commitment to teaching and the schools' study abroad program. The magazine asked school leaders—college presidents, provosts and admission deans—to identify which of their peers do the best
job of teaching undergraduate students. A total of 39 schools in the liberal arts category were singled out, including SJU and CSB. Both SJU and CSB were cited with 37 other institutions for the quality of their study abroad program. CSB/SJU was also named a "Best Buy School" by the Fiske Guide to Colleges 2011. Fiske named 45 institutions—24 private and 21 public—as Best Buys this year. There were no other Minnesota colleges or universities on the 2011 list.
csbsju.edu/news 3
Behind the P ines
What Do You Know about the Class of 2014?
Pop Quiz 2014
In August 2010, 503 first-year Johnnies converged on Collegeville to begin four formative years together. Like the classes before them, the Class of 2014 is full of promise and individuality. Test your knowledge of the newest members of the SJU family with Pop Quiz 2014.
1. How many states are represented in the Class of 2014? a. 13 b. 24 c. 63 b. First-year Johnnies hail from 24 states and 11 countries. Together with the first-year class at CSB, the combined first year class numbers 1,038. The total enrollment from first-year to senior at SJU and CSB is 3,938. 2. One ’14 Johnnie received a prestigious national science award from a company named for what famous optical duo? a. Bausch and Lomb b. Laurel and Hardy c. Thelma and Louise a. Kellen Witschen ’14, a biochemistry major from Aurora, Minn., received the Bausch and Lomb Science Award for academic excellence in science. Witschen, who is on the Nordic Ski team, chose Saint John’s for the beautiful campus and the area surrounding it.
csbsju.edu/news 4
Behind the Pines
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17 first-year Johnnies attained what prestigious rank? a. Roman Senator b. Town Crier c. Eagle Scout
c. An astounding 17 first-year Johnnies earned their Eagle Scout, the highest rank attainable from the Boy Scouts of America, which culminates in a community service project. Service projects included: Rob Hedburg ’14, who cleared a walking trail in Proctor, Minn.; Patrick McCarthy ’14, Seattle, Wash., who created 15 community garden plots; and Michael Sandager ’14, who constructed an environmental education area in his hometown of Marine on St. Croix, Minn.
5. One Johnnie was a state finalist for the high school Heisman Award sponsored by what fast food chain named after the daughter of founder Dave Thomas? a. Wendy’s b. Hildegarde’s c. Walburga’s a. Michael Bergstrom ’14, of Austin, Minn., was a Wendy’s High School Heisman Award finalist. The award is made based on academic accomplishments, community service and athletic accomplishments. Bergstrom was a three-sport scholar-athlete. First-year Johnnies who indicated an interest in at least one sport numbered 233.
4. A “legacy” student is someone who has had someone in his immediate family attend Saint John’s or Saint Ben’s. How many first-year Johnnies are “legacies”? a. 2 (and they are brothers) b. 160 c. 503
Bonus Question 6. What was the retention rate from first year to second year for the Class of 2013? a. 10 percent b. 91 percent c. 110 percent
b. An amazing 160 of the Class of 2014 are legacies. Abraham Lauer ’14, of Sauk Centre, Minn., is the sixth person in his immediate family to attend SJU or CSB. After graduating from high school in 2009, he spent a year as an exchange student in Thailand before starting college. He learned to speak Thai and “caught the travel bug.” He hopes to spend a semester in Chile while at SJU.
b. The retention rate of students from first year to second year totaled 91 percent, a rate that continues to be among the highest in the U.S.
Michael Becker
csbsju.edu/news 5
Behind the P ines
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Behind the Pines
Super Lawyer and Volunteer: Ann Huntrods, Chair of the Saint John’s Board of Regents
from the Southern Minnesota Regional Legal Services for her volunteer service to community. She is listed in Best Lawyers in America and has been listed as a “Leading American Attorney,” an honor awarded fewer than 8 percent of all Minnesota attorneys. She has also been designated a “Super Lawyer” by Minnesota Law & Politics, Mpls.St.Paul Magazine and Twin Cities Business Monthly. The distinction, representing the top 5 percent of Minnesota lawyers, causes Huntrods to joke, “I don’t have a cape.” Asked if the “Super Lawyer” designation unnerves her legal adversaries, Huntrods allows with a modest smile that they might consider her “tenacious.” Pressed to reveal more descriptors, Huntrods admits to being “energetic, willing to take on challenges, a hard worker, a creative problem-solver and passionate about education and its ability to transform lives. “My father was one of ten children and the only one to attend college, so I understand how education can transform lives. The FirstGen program resonates with me,” she says, referring to SJU President Robert Koopmann’s strategic priority to increase the number of students at Saint John’s who are the first in their families to attend college. A lifelong learner, Huntrods is a voracious reader, as her master’s degree in English and doctoral coursework in American studies might suggest. Currently, she is enjoying Bruce Chatwin, a different sort of travel writer, whose The Song Lines takes the reader on a tour of Australia’s outback. “I love learning about other cultures,” she says. She also enjoys sailing with her husband, Terry. The couple sails frequently on Lake Superior. They also have sailed off the coast of Maine, and ventured into international waters in the Caribbean and the Greek Islands. Huntrods believes the culture at Saint John’s gives it a distinctive advantage that will help the university overcome the challenges facing all of higher education. The economic recession makes it hard for families to pay for education, she says, but it also is an opportunity for SJU to use its great connections among its alumni. “We can be creative, and we need to assist students,” she says. “Saint John’s is distinctive for its educational mission and its spiritual dimension. Its Benedictine character appeals to families looking for a holistic approach.” She is optimistic about the future of a liberal arts education in general and Saint John’s in particular, because of what it offers– small classes, interaction with engaged teachers and a residential experience. “We need to work to tell our story.” Spoken like a true ambassador.
Huntrods brings a distinguished record in both the legal profession and volunteer work—as well as a love of books and sailing—to her job as leader of the Board of Regents.
Paul Middlestaedt
Long before Ann Huntrods set foot on Saint John’s campus, she had several impressions of what it means to be a Johnnie–all of them favorable. She kept encountering Johnnies in both her volunteer work and her professional work. “I was surrounded by Johnnies,” she says laughing. Now chair of the SJU Board of Regents, she is surrounded by even more Johnnies. She got to know Jack Van de North ’67, who was the hiring partner at Briggs and Morgan when she joined the law firm in 1983. Currently a Ramsey County judge, Van de North was at the time a Saint John’s Regent and former vice president of the Saint John’s University Alumni Association. “He is a wonderful ambassador for Saint John’s. When I was hired at Briggs and Morgan he was my mentor, and I learned about Saint John’s from him,” Huntrods recalls. Huntrods has a distinguished record both in the legal profession and in her volunteer service. She is based in her firm’s St. Paul office and is chair of the Labor and Employment Law Section. Through legal circles she met Judge Diana Murphy, who was the first woman to chair the Saint John’s University Board of Regents and the longest serving Regent in Saint John’s history. Huntrods also served as former chair and member of the Saint Paul Foundation Board of Directors and as a board member of the Minnesota Community Foundation. “That’s where I met Jim Frey,” she says. Frey ’78 preceded Huntrods as chair of the Board of Regents. “He’s a wonderful friend,” she says. “He shared with me his passion for Saint John’s University.” Through the years, Huntrods says she has encountered that same passion for alma mater from other Saint John’s graduates. She believes that what she shares in common with the Saint John’s “ambassadors” she meets is an interest in working for the common good. Huntrods has worked professionally with a number of nonprofit clients, advising them on a variety of employment, governance and litigation issues. Her clients have included libraries, private schools, community organizations and colleges. Among her many honors is a 21st Century Leadership Award
csbsju.edu/news 7
Behind the P ines
Tom Joyce ’61 Honored with Faithful Servant Award
Regent Emeritus Tom Joyce ’71, recipient of the Fidelis Apparitor Award
Twin Cities attorney Tom Joyce '61was honored with the Fidelis Apparitor Award at the ninth annual CSB/SJU Red Mass on Nov. 6. The award, which means “faithful servant” in Latin, is given to individuals who have been good and faithful servants of the law. Joyce is a partner and senior counsel in the Minneapolis and London offices of Dorsey & Whitney, LLP. He has served on a variety of non-profit boards including Common Hope, Catholic Charities and the Global Heritage Fund. Joyce served on the Saint John’s Board of Regents from 1978 to 1985—including one term as chair (1982-85) and then again from 1986 to 1995. He is a Regent Emeritus at Saint John's University and was awarded the Fr. Walter Reger Distinguished Alumnus Award in 1991. He currently serves as the chair of the Board of Overseers of the Hill Museum & Manuscript Library at Saint John's.
Jakubowski Receives Honor from Chinese University Dr. Henry Jakubowski, professor of chemistry at SJU and CSB, has been named a visiting professor at Southwest University in Beibei, China. Jakubowski has made seven trips to Southwest since 1997 with SJU and CSB students to promote and enhance an academic relationship between the schools. “It was really an honor for me, to tell you the truth, because it recognizes the enormous amount of time I have spent developing opportunities for Southwest and our students,” said Jakubowski. “I think it’s a sign that our relationship is vital and still growing.” For over 25 years, Saint John’s University and the College of Saint Benedict have had a formal relationship with Southwest University with the goal of providing faculty and student exchanges for the colleges. More than 500 SJU and CSB students have participated in the study abroad program at Southwest since its founding.
At ceremonies in Beibei, China, Dr. Henry Jakubowski, CSB/SJU professor of chemistry, was named a visiting professor at Southwest University in Beibei.
Faith and Architecture Architecture Minnesota magazine recently featured Saint John’s in a story on the intersection of faith and architecture. The primary source for the story, Br. Alan Reed ’68, OSB, serves as a curator at Saint John’s with master’s degrees in fine arts and education. Reed guides many tours of campus architecture for visitors from around the world who have come to celebrate the modern architecture of Saint John’s. “Because it’s a significant piece of modern architecture that we are entrusted with, there is the sense of our guarding a monument. But the monks don’t own Saint John’s in any traditional sense. … and an important part of our usage of them is to share them,” Reed said. An inside view of the Abbey Church featured in Architecture Minnesota. Br. Alan Reed ’68, OSB, was the magazine's primary source for an article on the intersection of faith and architecture.
csbsju.edu/news 8
Behind the Pines
Adam Konczewski
Sen. Amy Klobuchar Delivers Eugene McCarthy Lecture
U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar, the state's first elected woman to serve in the Senate, talked with students after delivering the fourth annual Eugene J. McCarthy Lecture.
Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn.—the state's first elected woman to serve in the Senate—delivered the fourth annual Eugene J. McCarthy Lecture Aug. 30 at SJU. Her speech, "Conscience and Courage in Public Life," was sponsored by the Eugene J. McCarthy Center for Public Policy and Civic Engagement at Saint John's University. McCarthy's independence and willingness to buck his party sets him apart from most of today's politicians, Klobuchar told an audience of students, faculty and community members. “Today a politician who bucks the party line is risking his political life," Klobuchar said. The lecture series carries on McCarthy's deep commitment to the ideals and principles of democratic self-government. It seeks to inspire a new generation of young people to pursue fresh ideas, to challenge the status quo, to effect positive change in their communities and, like McCarthy himself, to lead with honesty, integrity and courage.
Fine Arts Calendar Eileen Ivers & Immigrant Soul – Beyond the Bog Road Saturday, March 5 @ 7:30 p.m. Escher Auditorium, CSB A travelogue that celebrates the journey of the Irish immigrant.
Greg Brown Saturday, April 16 @ 8:00 p.m. Stephen B. Humphrey Theater, SJU Just your ordinary Iowa Zen beatnik folkie making nuanced and intelligent music. Minnesota Orchestra Sunday, April 17 @ 2:00 p.m. Escher Auditorium, CSB A passionate classical music experience. Aszure Barton & Artists Saturday, April 30 @ 7:30 p.m. Escher Auditorium, CSB The hottest contemporary choreographer of this generation.
For tickets, contact the box office at 320-363-5777 or order online at www.csbsju.edu/fine-arts . Lionheart – John the Revelator featuring members of Pastiche Saturday, March 26 @ 8:00 p.m. Great Hall, SJU A new mass for our time.
Quick link: Use a QR code reader on your smart phone to scan this code and launch the Fine Arts website for tickets or more information.
csbsju.edu/news 9
SERVICE TO THE CHURCH
Seeing Is Believing School of Theology Brings The Saint John’s Bible Alive in Parishes By Joe Young ’73
Many people have seen pages of The Saint John’s Bible displayed in museums across the country. Now they have an opportunity to experience its illuminations and texts in an even more intimate and profound way—within their parish communities—thanks to a program called Seeing the Word. Seeing the Word is a collection of resources developed by Saint John’s School of Theology•Seminary in collaboration with the Liturgical Press to guide people as they listen, meditate and pray with the Word of God as it is illuminated in The Saint John’s Bible.
“The project provides resources for all those engaged in Scripture study, catechesis and homiletics, and for all other servants of the Word of God,” says Barbara Sutton, associate dean of the School of Theology•Seminary and Seeing the Word project director. “The power of the illuminated Word, seen with the eyes of faith, carries the possibility of igniting people’s imagination with spiritual, theological and artistic wisdom.” Resources include a series of full-color, four-page reflection guides, each including an illumination from The Saint John’s Bible with corresponding Scripture text, textual analysis, a meditative response, artistic commentary and space for journaling. Five reflection guides are now available, with 25 more to be released seasonally over the next three years. Also available is a program manual with corresponding DVD. The DVD, Sutton said, includes four good training tools to develop the program in parishes: 1. Introduction to Seeing the Word 2. Lectio Divina~A Benedictine Tradition 3. In the Beginning: A Documentary on the Creation of The Saint John’s Bible 4. Leading a Small Group: A Demonstration Other resources include two collections of meditative essays called “Illuminating Ministry,” and CDs with illuminations from The Saint John’s Bible and music from the Liturgical Press’s new songbook
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corresponding to the reflection guides. (More information is available at www. seeingtheword.org.) Seeing the Word involves the practice of praying with images called visio divina (Latin for “divine seeing”) Sutton says. Visio divina is adapted from the sixthcentury Benedictine practice of Bible reading called lectio divina (divine reading) which Pope Benedict XVI highlighted during the 2008 World Synod of Bishops on the Bible as an approach to Scripture that enriches all, not just Benedictines. Every Seeing the Word reflection guide incorporates six phases that flow naturally one from another: reading, in the sense of listening “with the ear of one’s heart” for that “small, still voice of God”; meditating; seeing; praying; contemplating; and applying to one’s life. “Many who have seen The Saint John’s Bible displayed at museums have come away from that powerful encounter with the illuminated Word of God wanting to have something similar in their parish or Bible study group back home,” says School of Theology•Seminary dean, William Cahoy. “Now they have that opportunity.” This past Lenten season, about 30 faith communities nationwide piloted the Seeing the Word resources, Sutton says, including the 2,000-household St. Joseph Parish in Marion, Iowa, which attracted more than 50 participants weekly.
“Without exception, I heard people say that adding the illuminations to the Scripture’s text brought the narratives alive in an entirely new way,” comments Rodney Bluml, pastoral associate, faith formation director and 14-year member of the parish. “They enjoyed looking into the mind of the artist and speculating about the symbols and deeper meanings. The lasting effect, I believe, is that people found their religious imaginations opened up, and they now allow themselves to ‘dream’ pictures as they listen to the Scriptures.” One member of Bluml’s Seeing the Word group, a graphic artist, remarked, “When was the last time you spent an hour looking at a piece of art? Isn’t it great!” This was greeted by a chorus of affirmatives, Bluml says. “One of our goals at Saint John’s is to translate Benedictine spirituality from the cloister into the lives of people in the world,” Cahoy says. “Seeing the Word is a giant step toward that goal.” Joseph Young ’73 is based in St. Cloud, Minn., and often writes on church-related topics.
Visio divina is adapted from the sixth-century Benedictine practice of Bible reading called lectio divina (divine reading) and encourages a deeper relationship with Scripture through contemplation and exploration of illuminations from The Saint John’s Bible. This excerpt from Seeing the Word, based on the illumination The Sower and the Seed, guides participants through the practice of visio divina (divine seeing).
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The New
Happy Hour By Mary Heer-Forsberg, CSB '83
Photography by Steve Woit
Time Well Spent is about community, hospitality and the dignity of every person—and eggs, pancakes and bacon. 12
It helps reinforce what we already know: “If not for the grace of God, there go I.” ~Nick Kozlak ’84
Nick Kozlak ’84, founder of the service and social group Time Well Spent, mixes up a BIG bowl of pancake batter, while Mike “the Egg Guy” Scholz ’84 tends to his specialty—scrambled eggs for 150.
Arriving at the Catholic Charities Opportunity Center in Minneapolis just after 6 a.m. on a cold, November morning, you can smell the enticing scent of bacon sizzling in the oven and hear the hiss of pancake batter hitting the griddle. Volunteers stir a huge pan of slowly-cooking eggs, slice fresh fruit and line cookie sheets with several pounds of uncooked bacon for the breakfast guests who will soon be arriving. By the time serving begins at 7 a.m., the aroma permeates the dining hall and wafts into the street, announcing that there’s something special for breakfast on this gloomy morning. Above the sounds of food preparation, you can hear easy conversation and laughter as a group of Johnnies and Bennies eagerly fulfills its monthly commitment to preparing and serving the most delicious breakfast of the month for Opportunity Center clients. This group of mostly 1984 graduates of Saint John’s and Saint Ben’s calls itself Time Well Spent (TWS), because that’s exactly what it’s about. The group is the brainchild of Nick Kozlak ’84, who wanted to do something different to bring together his tight-knit set of Saint
John’s classmates. Many of them had stayed connected over the two decades since graduation through gatherings in each other’s homes, restaurants and bars, as well as in book clubs, gourmet clubs and investment clubs. But Kozlak wanted to try something different. In 2008, Kozlak and his teenage son, Zack, introduced the idea of Time Well Spent to their friends. The group was formed to volunteer monthly, preparing and serving meals at Opportunity Center, a walk-in community center that provides meals, basic needs and transitional services to those experiencing homelessness, joblessness or poverty. The group has served breakfast, lunch and dinner at Catholic Charities facilities, but over time Kozlak found that the breakfast shift worked best for his friends’ schedules, so Time Well Spent became regulars at Opportunity Center every third Thursday of the month. Kozlak’s college friends responded enthusiastically, thinking it would be a great way to spend time together while doing something productive. It was easy to get volunteers on board with an activity that involved helping others because of what Kozlak calls “the
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Sue (Erlandson) Rockers ’84, aka “the Pancake Queen,” displays her handiwork. On a recent November morning, she whipped up about 400 pancakes at Catholic Charities Opportunity Center in Minneapolis before leaving for work. Husband Pete Rockers ’81 and their three children also volunteer with Time Well Spent.
Saint John’s and Saint Ben's attitude. You can often pick the SJU and CSB graduates out of a crowd. I am not sure what it is, but I am sure it has something to do with the solid values enhanced by the experience at the colleges, including living within the monastic communities,” he explains. Perhaps because of his family restaurant background and the influence of the Benedictine values of hospitality, community and respect for individuals, Kozlak envisioned something beyond just serving the typical soup-kitchen breakfast. “From the beginning we wanted to do more than just serve the food,” he said. “We wanted to do something special, so we decided to buy, prepare and serve a really good breakfast that includes bacon, eggs, pancakes and fresh fruit.” On this morning’s breakfast crew there are three SJU grads, three CSB grads and a teenage daughter preparing breakfast for
about 150 guests. Not long after the 6 a.m. arrival of the seven slightly groggy volunteers, Sue (Erlandson) Rockers ’84 is mixing up the first batch of pancake batter. Sue, nicknamed the “Pancake Queen,” figures she’ll make about 400 pancakes before leaving at 8 a.m. for her job. Her husband Pete Rockers ’81 and their three children have also served with Time Well Spent, and have loved it “despite the really, really early wake up call,” Rockers says. “We have all been touched by personal encounters with the guests we have served,” Rockers adds. “The best way I can describe it is that it has broken down the wall between ‘us’ and ‘them.’ These people become real, funny, touching, friendly people who are hungry and need a hot meal and a place to sit down. They are not ‘them’ any more, but John, who loves his bacon, or Bill, who likes extra syrup, or José, who is diabetic and therefore would like a few
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extra orange slices—and ‘hold the syrup please.’ It has been a great experience for all of us,” she explains. “It opens your eyes to other people and their needs,” Rockers adds. “And it’s fulfilling to be spending your time in the right way. I am not someone who can sit idle and I do not like to waste time. This is a way of doing three things at once—three really important things! Spending time with people I care deeply about (Bennies and Johnnies), helping to provide a great hot meal to people who don't always get one, and stretching my comfort zone a bit.” Not far from the Pancake Queen, Mike Scholz ’84, the “Egg Guy,” mans a huge pan of scrambled eggs stretched across four burners, stirring them slowly and making sure they’re not overcooked. Scholz is a fairly regular volunteer with the group, in part because he has a flexible morning schedule and because he loves the opportu-
wanting donations, but this feels more tangible and substantial than just writing a check.” While Scholz cooks the eggs to perfection, Tom Vitt ’84 cuts up fruit with his daughter Julianne, who is along today for the first time. Vitt is a regular volunteer at Opportunity Center’s luncheon meal with his church group. With TWS he enjoys being able to serve and prepare a really nice meal with friends from Saint John’s and Saint Ben’s. “Many people going through the line give you a smile, a thank you, or ‘God bless you,’ and that makes you feel good. They are also happy because we serve a full, hot breakfast,” he explains. “It’s too bad that so many people are in need of a free meal. Being here each time makes you aware of that.” Thinking back to his days at Saint John’s, Vitt recalls the Benedictine lessons about having balance in life, in work and worship and play and sees his volunteer work as a way to help achieve that balance. And while his volunteer work sets a good example for his children, he says, “That’s not why I’m doing it. I’m here because it’s a lot of fun.” Others on hand at Opportunity
Tom Vitt ’84 finds that volunteering with Time Well Spent helps him maintain a "Benedictine balance" of work, worship and play.
nity to socialize with classmates. He recalls the first time he showed up to cook and serve: “My first impression was of surprise by the number of folks who were there to eat a meal. It was a higher number than I’d expected and was definitely a melting pot of people and cultures.” Though he has done various kinds of volunteer work over the years, Scholz says, “This is not something I would have done on my own if I didn’t have the path to this through Nick.” His favorite thing about it is the opportunity to socialize with great people while doing something productive, he says, “and you do feel good about how you’ve spent your morning. It’s rewarding—albeit just a small slice of making an impact on others in our community. There are certainly many viable charities
Center to do cooking and serving duty this morning include group leader Nick, Margie Engerski Wiehoff ’84 and Suzette Sutherland ’84. Wiehoff is a regular volunteer, and her husband, John ’84, and daughter fill in occasionally when their busy schedules allow. Though she signed on to the group for altruistic reasons, she says “I realized quickly that being here is just fun. I came out of a sense of duty and doing the right thing, and I quickly discovered that it’s a lot of fun. Doing something good for others and at the same time having a great time. It’s really been a blessing. “I especially enjoy the camaraderie, reconnecting with friends, seeing them more often and meeting their kids,” Wiehoff adds. “Our daughter, Michelle, has enjoyed meeting the Johnnie and Bennie alumni and working alongside of them like family. And it’s been good to share the mission of service to the poor and homeless with our children.” Sutherland, who brings the most energy to this early morning crew, sees how being a part of this group is an extension of the values they all absorbed at CSB and SJU. “The Benedictine values that resonate most
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yM Micke ’84 Poole Mary er '84 Pross y r a M er Pross Steve s ’84 ocker Sue R s ’81 ocker R e t Pe 4 yan ’8 Dan R lz o Sch Laura lz ’84 84 Scho Mike land ’ uther S e t t Suze 84 Vitt ’ m To ss sa Vo There r ’84 ebste W e n Ja 84 off ’ Wieh 84 John off ’ Wieh ie g r a 4 M ms ’8 Willia Paul
with me are the importance of community living—to become who we are by our relationships with others—and hospitality—to offer warmth, acceptance and joy in welcoming others. It’s through those relationships that we can better understand ourselves and our faith,” she explains. “Community living requires a foundation grounded in other Benedictine values like respect, justice, listening, dignity of work, stewardship, which are all part of what this experience is for us.” She appreciates how Nick’s initiative gave them all an opportunity to contribute to the needs of the greater community with their time, talents and treasure and “opened our eyes to the depth of the need in our own backyard.” And on a more personal level, Sutherland appreciates the experience because “reconnecting with fellow Saint Ben’s and Saint John’s colleagues always rejuvenates me and helps me stay grounded.” “It’s definitely an early, great start to the day!” comments Wiehoff, as the group wraps up serving just before 8 a.m. Kitchen manager Joe Judd and his cleanup crew will finish the breakfast shift. “This group is very generous with what they give us and they’re fun to work with,” says Judd. “I really appreciate that they provide our clients with a special meal like this.” Just after 8 a.m., this month’s Time Well Spent volunteers depart for their jobs in medicine, law, technology and business— some with pancake batter on their sleeves and probably all of them with the smell of bacon clinging to their clothes and skin, a subtle reminder for the rest of the day of the satisfying way their day began. Since Time Well Spent was formed, it has grown to about 30 members, most of them Johnnies and Bennies, their spouses and teenage children. Kozlak says that the big membership list makes it easier to fill the six to eight spots needed each month. He sends out an email ahead of time and usually has no problem filling the necessary spots. The group got connected to Catholic Charities early on through Nick’s friend and classmate Bob Elfstrand ’84. Elfstrand volunteers occasionally with the group, and through his position as senior leadership giving officer for Catholic Charities, he is the liaison and assists with channeling members’ contributions to purchasing the food supplies.
Elfstrand sees the value of groups like TWS getting more involved with Catholic Charities programs. “It’s been such a good experience because being in the group has introduced Nick’s friends and classmates to people in need in the Twin Cities,” he explains. “By preparing and serving a meal, you get to see the face of the poor– everyone from moms pushing strollers to 60-year-old men suffering from untreated mental illness. And you meet people in our community who will stand in line in the cold for a hot breakfast.” He points out that the TWS group has been extremely faithful. Each month they easily fill the necessary volunteer spots. “These are people who have a desire to live their faith,” Elfstrand explains. “And for some, it’s a long drive from their homes in outlying suburbs to downtown Minneapolis at 6 a.m., but they do it happily. Our staff love them! It’s a fun and cheerful group.” To reflect on and celebrate the group’s
work each year, Kozlak and his wife, Jodee, host an annual meeting/party, which provides a great time for the whole group to socialize, as well as to talk about what’s working and what else they could do. “We talk about how much fun it is, which helps recruit some of those who’ve been on the sidelines,” says Rockers. After more than two years, Kozlak can see how the experience has affected the group and their relationships. “Volunteering together changes the types of conversations you have with these friends because you’re in an environment that forces you to talk about other things,” he says. “It helps reinforce what we already know: ‘If not for the grace of God, there go I.’ It also reinforces that the clients are people who are doing everything they can do to survive and better their lives. Catholic Charities does a great job helping people navigate their way out of poverty by all the services they offer to help the clients help themselves. “After all, we’re all just a bad turn away
Margie (Engerski) Wiehoff ’84 (R) is a Time Well Spent regular. Her husband, John ’84, and daughter also join in as time allows. This morning, she is ably assisted by Julianne Vitt, daughter of TWS volunteer Tom Vitt '84.
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Suzette Sutherland '84 prepares bacon for the breakfast guests who will soon be arriving at the Opportunity Center. Kozlak's initiative has "opened our eyes to the depth of the need in our own backyard," she says.
We have all been touched by personal encounters with the guests we have served. The best way I can describe it is that it has broken down the wall between “us” and “them.”
~Sue Erlandson Rockers ’84 from being in the same place,” continues Kozlak. “Most of us had a substantial leg up in our upbringing. We look out into a group of people, most of whom didn’t have as easy of a start in life as we did, or maybe they did and something derailed them. It’s much easier than you think to find yourself in that situation. “Service has always been a big part of our lives,” Kozlak continues. “The state-
ment that, ‘to those that much has been given much is expected’ is important, but in addition to that statement we believe that it is important to embrace all of this world and not hide from it or ignore it.” That’s what motivated Nick to start this group and what keeps him committed to continuing. “Nick is really the catalyst who makes it all happen,” says Scholz. “He’s made it
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easy for all of us to get involved and stay involved.” Time Well Spent offers a good model for groups interested in service. Alumni interested in developing a similar experience just need a leader or two to create the group and identify an opportunity that fits their interests. Elfstrand recommends contacting your favorite organizations to see what’s available. “It takes some effort to be organized, and it helps to be creative and flexible,” he adds. “The Time Well Spent group has been a huge win, win, win—for Catholic Charities, for Opportunity Center clients, and for the group’s volunteers. I give Nick credit for having that vision and making it happen.” Kozlak says alumni interested in starting a similar experience can call him if they want some advice. “It’s easy to do. Just get in touch with your friends and contact a favorite charity. This is the new happy hour!” Mary Heer-Forsberg, CSB ’83, is a Twin Cities-based writer and communications consultant.
What's your favorite place at Saint John's? We asked our Alumni Association Facebook fans this question, and here’s what they chose.
The Abbey Church
Tony Buesing
The woods, lakes and trails of the Saint John’s Arboretum, including Lake Sagatagan and the prairie restoration.
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Clemens Stadium and the
Michael Crouser
Stella Maris Chapel
Dawid Chawbowsk
Peggy Roske
Abbey Woodworking
Paul Middlestaedt
Michael Crouser
Michael Crouser
The Saint John’s Bible
Johnnie football team
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The Pottery Studio
Getting in the
Game By Shawn Fury ’97
For these Johnnies, landing a job in pro sports wasn’t about making the cut on the field. But it did mean putting in long, hard hours proving their passion, commitment and abilities. They all agree: It was worth it. The good news for Trent Kirchner ’00: He works in a big city at a job he loves in the most popular professional sports league in the country. The bad news? His boss is a Tommie. Kirchner serves as the assistant director of pro personnel for the NFL’s Seattle Seahawks. In addition to scouting opponents, Kirchner searches for players who could one day help the Seahawks. He came to Seattle to work with Seahawks general manager John Schneider, Kirchner’s friend and mentor and a 1993 UST grad. Bryant Pfeiffer ’94 also owes a bit of gratitude to St. Thomas. Pfeiffer—Major League Soccer’s vice president of club services—credits his work with the inaugural Johnnie-Tommie 3-on-3 basketball tournament for giving him invaluable experience that played a crucial role in his post-graduation career. While Kirchner and Pfeiffer operate behind the scenes, hundreds of thousands of viewers watch Anthony LaPanta ’90 work. LaPanta appears everywhere on Fox Sports North, handling play-by-play duties for the University of Minnesota hockey team while working in the studio for the Minnesota Wild, Twins and Timberwolves. Kirchner, Pfeiffer and LaPanta are just three of hundreds of Johnnie grads who work in sports. Saint John’s graduates coach high school basketball and college football. They’re directors of athletics and semi-pro baseball owners. They edit the sports sections of newspapers and write columns for fantasy football websites. Like many Johnnies, Kirchner, Pfeiffer and LaPanta all knew they wanted to work in sports long before they stepped foot on campus, and all three plunged into sports the moment they stepped off it.
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Persistence Pays Off: Trent Kirchner '00 Trent Kirchner '00 attended school in Fulda, a town of 1,300 in southwestern Minnesota three hours from Collegeville and a million miles from the NFL. By the time Kirchner arrived in Collegeville, he was set on having a life in sports. Although he researched sports agents and spent a summer working with the Twins, Kirchner focused on football, his first love. With no connections, Kirchner embarked on a massive letter-writing campaign, the type people usually do when trying to stop wars or save TV programs. He mailed letters to everyone: scouts, general managers, coaches. He asked for advice and insight. He asked how they earned their positions. “But I never asked for a job,” Kirchner says. “I knew the second I did that, they’d throw it away.” Some wrote back, most didn’t. Kirchner savored any information he received and saved all the responses, even the ones offering no help at all. By his senior year, Kirchner needed a bold move. He set his sights on the NFL Scouting Combine, which takes place each February in Indianapolis. Coaches and executives attend the event, making it fertile ground for an aspiring employee. Kirchner skipped his Friday class and drove south, even though he didn’t have a pass and didn’t really know anyone. On the drive down, he picked up team media guides, enabling him to match faces to the names on his letters. The Combine takes place in a dome and only authorized personnel are allowed on the field. But the bathrooms sat outside the secure area, so Kirchner approached the NFL people as they walked to the restroom and told them his story. He didn’t get far. Kirchner’s most substantial conversations occurred with a security guard. But on his second day, Kirchner spoke with Arizona offensive coordinator Marc Trestman and found a receptive audience. Trestman told Kirchner, “Hold on, hold on. You mean to tell me you drove down from Minnesota just to talk to people? That’s so awesome.” Trestman’s quarterbacks coach didn’t arrive until the next day, so he told Kirchner to go to his hotel for the coach’s security badge. Kirchner breezed through the security line, passing the guard he’d become friendly with. “I held up the badge, and he just winked at me and said, ‘Man, I’m so happy for you. Congratulations.’” Kirchner was inside—the dome and the league. It was then that he introduced himself to John Schneider, who also admired Kirchner’s tenacity. After helping Schneider and the Kansas City Chiefs at the Combine, Kirchner returned to school, graduated and accepted an internship with Seattle. After serving as the college scouting coordinator for the Washington Redskins, Kirchner worked as a pro scout for Carolina from 2002 until early 2010. That’s when Schneider hired Kirchner for Seattle. Kirchner—whose wife, Jessica, joined him in Seattle from Carolina at the end of the year—travels about every other week during the season, scouting opponents and potential free agents. He often arrives at the office by 6:30 a.m. and stays until 9 at night, breaking down hundreds of hours of tape. It’s a long way from Fulda and Collegeville. Today Kirchner receives letters from students, and he’s now the one handing out advice. They can follow in his footsteps. All they need is talent, a little creativity and a lot of persistence. A borrowed security badge wouldn’t hurt, either. Trent Kirchner ’00 serves as assistant director of pro personnel for the Seattle Seahawks.
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Steve Woit
Sportsman and Salesman: Bryant Pfeiffer '94
Bryant Pfeiffer ’94 is vice president of club services for Major League Soccer, where he spearheaded the creation of the National Sales Center in Blaine, Minn., which trains sales agents for MLS.
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In 2010, Bryant Pfeiffer '94 spearheaded the creation of the National Sales Center in Blaine, which trains sales agents for Major League Soccer. The students sell real MLS tickets to real customers while Pfeiffer and his team record and instruct them. When the 45day program ends, Pfeiffer and his team “play matchmaker” with MLS franchises. “What happens at most teams is sales leadership hires someone locally, maybe a kid out of college,” Pfeiffer says. “The team gives them an entry-level sales position and gives them two to five days of training and throws them into the cubes and says, ‘Go figure it out kid.’ We try to fast-forward that progress so the salespeople can make a much quicker impact.” The students shouldn’t worry about the credentials of the center’s architect. Following college graduation, Pfeiffer worked as an unpaid intern with the Timberwolves, a position he turned into a full-time sales gig. Within a few years, Pfeiffer led the NBA in ticket sales. He became the team’s senior director of ticket sales, before leaving for Major League Soccer in 2007. Think selling soccer in America is tough? Try selling Timberwolves tickets during the J.R. Rider era, or when apathy set in after years of first-round playoff exits. But selling and sports were always passions for Pfeiffer, who originally wanted to attend a Big Ten university. Visits to a few big schools proved something of “a turnoff” and then Saint John’s entered the picture. He appreciated the sports tradition and loved a school where “you’re less of a number and more of a name.” While he credits SJU coaches Jim Smith and Bob Alpers with introducing him to people who helped him along the way, Pfeiffer didn’t rely on anyone else when he seized his biggest opportunity. As a senior, Pfeiffer organized the Saint John’s portion of the first Johnnie-Tommie 3-on-3 basketball tournament. He volunteered after talking with a Tommie grad who worked with the Wolves and dreamed up the idea. Pfeiffer recruited teams, raised funds, found sponsors and solicited door prizes. More than 50 squads participated, with the champions from each school playing in the Target Center. That entrepreneurial effort gave Pfeiffer an edge. It became his calling card and led to the Timberwolves, where he rose through the organization. Now, as VP of club services for MLS, Pfeiffer’s department acts as a consulting group for the league. Pfeiffer speaks with everyone from salespeople to owners, helping with marketing, sponsorships and mentoring. He travels to New York, Seattle and points between, spreading the soccer gospel while working with each franchise. Although the most recent World Cup captivated the U.S., soccer here has never had the popularity of football, baseball and basketball. Pfeiffer believes that can change, perhaps by the 2022 World Cup. “We think that by that time for sure, if not sooner, we will absolutely be in the conversation of mainstream fans.” In the meantime, Pfeiffer—who has three kids with his wife, Julie Reissner Pfeiffer, CSB ’94—stays busy with the league’s current concerns and the sales center. It’s a full schedule, but he still makes time to play in the 3-on-3 event that bears his fingerprints. “The tournament’s something I’m really proud of,” he says. “It’s not the biggest thing or a life-changing thing, but it was neat that it was something a student had the opportunity to create entrepreneurially.”
A Man for All Sports Seasons: Anthony LaPanta '90 Turn on a Minnesota sporting event and chances are Anthony LaPanta '90 is on the television. But it took a lot of time and energy for the Emmy-winning LaPanta to reach this stage of his career. LaPanta always dreamed of being a broadcaster, from the time he was 7 and called “play-by-play” action for Wiffle Ball and electric football games. Sports played a big role in bringing LaPanta to Collegeville— specifically, the school’s football team. When LaPanta—a TotinoGrace High School grad—received his driver’s license, he often drove with a buddy to Saint John’s. They attended the game, played touch football, grabbed a sandwich and headed home. LaPanta eventually enrolled at Saint John’s, even though the school didn’t have a communication major until after he graduated. “It felt like the right place to be,” he says. “It just kind of felt like everybody up there was happy.” LaPanta started dating his wife, Margo Wallin LaPanta, CSB ’90, his senior year and left school preAnthony LaPanta ’90 is an Emmy-award winning sports broadcaster for Fox Sports North in Minneapolis, where pared for the often-brutal world of he covers the Twins, the Wild and the Wolves. broadcasting. Everyone had different advice. “Some people told me to go to the biggest station and take whatever they’ll give you, even postgame dissections of the Twins, Wild and Wolves. But even if it’s sweeping the floors, just so you have your foot in the door. today LaPanta savors his time with amateur sports. To him, there’s Others said do whatever you need to do to get on the air, even if it’s nothing as exciting as broadcasting an intense high school hockey doing the weather.” LaPanta instead listened to those who insisted game. In 1999, the same year he called Twins games on the radio, he needed play-by-play experience. He approached public access LaPanta worked the radio for the SJU football team, ably balancTV stations in the Twin Cities, asking if they needed a broadcaster. ing MLB duties with Division III football. LaPanta’s connection to Eventually he called volleyball, football, wrestling and basketball, Saint John’s remains strong. He has two sons and two daughters, making $50 a week but gaining experience. He called everything, and they all visit the campus, taking part in familiar traditions: the including the world championships for ringette, a sport that’s a games, the woods, the hike to the chapel. little like hockey and unlike anything LaPanta had ever seen. LaPanta also works as an assistant with the Totino-Grace football A devotion to lower-profile gigs played a key role in earning team and has coached youth football and summer baseball. “We higher-profile jobs. A KFAN executive called LaPanta, asking him don’t get a lot of free nights,” LaPanta says, “but it’s all good. I to broadcast MIAC football games. He explained that he’d attended couldn’t imagine doing anything different.” the state high school hockey tournament and was impressed when Especially since he’s imagined this life since he was 7 years old. he heard LaPanta treat the Class A third-place game “like the StanAnd he's not the only Johnnie living the dream in pro sports. ley Cup Finals.” Kirchner says his wife, Jessica, tells him she’s jealous that he can “That supported what I always believed,” LaPanta says. “You wake up every morning and say, “Man, I can’t wait to go to work. always do the best job you can, and you never phone it in just beAnd that’s really a blessing.” cause in your perception it doesn’t seem like it’s the biggest event.” LaPanta and Pfeiffer know the feeling. Now he works the big events for Fox Sports North, calling play-by-play for one of the elite college hockey programs, playShawn Fury ’97 is the author of Keeping the Faith: In the ing point guard on pregame shows and directing traffic on the Trenches with College Football’s Worst Team.
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By Be nj am in
Be sas ie
’1 2
ola r
V of e an n E- tu Sc re h s
The E-Scholar program of the Donald McNeely Center for Entrepreneurship at Saint John’s University, launched in 2006, gives selected students from all disciplines the opportunity to learn and practice small-business ownership. E-Scholars take entrepreneurship courses, travel to Silicon Valley and China to learn from successful entrepreneurs, develop feasibility plans and create new business ventures. At every turn, they are supported and mentored by alumni. The program now boasts graduates who have become successful entrepreneurs in their own right while it continues to attract students who aspire to business ownership. In this before-and-after story, current EScholars Benjamin Crist ’11 and Jared Sherlock ’11 share their entrepreneurial hopes, while former E-Scholars Jon Goodman ’08 and Greg Schmidt ’06 describe the businesses they’ve launched.
Campus2Canvas: Fast Turnaround, High Quality While traveling in China, Benjamin Crist ’11 and fellow EScholars David Forster ’11, Jingkun Li ’11 and Ben McDermott ’11 visited Dafen, where hundreds of artists line the streets with thousands of paintings. One woman’s work of landscapes and nature especially struck them, reminding them of Saint John’s. The students asked her to paint three photos of the Saint John’s campus—the Stella Maris Chapel, Lake Sagatagan and the Abbey Bell Banner. Once they saw the finished paintings, the E-Scholars decided to pursue a business venture: selling high quality oil paintings created in Dafen to SJU and CSB alumni. They developed a business plan, and Campus2Canvas (C2C) was born. The company has two products: custom paintings and campus scenes (available in the CSB/SJU bookstores). C2C's custom paintings are hand-painted oil paintings directly from customer's photographs. Turnaround time is usually two
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months from order to delivered painting. Cost can vary, though prices start at $225. After graduation, Crist plans to continue Campus2Canvas, expanding into new areas.“Being an E-Scholar has helped open my eyes to endless opportunities and given me the skills and resources that I need to succeed,” Crist says.“Without E-Scholars, I never would have dreamed of creating a business as exciting or as challenging as Campus2Canvas.” For more, visit campus2canvas.com.
Pro Action Realty, LLC: Real Estate Services
All About Illusions
Greg Schmidt ’06 entered college as a computer science major but was never intrigued by it. He switched to management and, in 2004, became one of twelve students selected to participate in the inaugural E-Scholar program. He and a group of E-Scholars developed the business venture The Fat Rat. They created a website where college and university students could trade textbooks, couches and appliances, similar to Craigslist. On graduation, Schmidt landed a job as a real estate agent with Coldwell Banker. Three years later, he started his own real estate brokerage, Pro Action Realty, LLC, serving the Twin Cities. He considers excellent communication and flexible, customized service using technology to its fullest potential as the foundation of his company’s competitiveness. He provides customers their own accounts, where they can reach their agent and send feedback anytime of the day. He is also thinking about designing a mobile application for buyers and sellers. While many real estate agents are closing their doors in the current economy, Schmidt sees a strong future in the business. "There is opportunity for someone who is well positioned to take a large market share now and capitalize on the investment when the economy rebounds," he says. For more, visit proactionrealty.com.
With an interest in live performance, an obsession with comedy and storytelling, and a desire to please and amaze an audience, Jared Sherlock ’11 began practicing his skills as an illusionist at age 8. In 2002, he founded his own business, The Magic of Jared Sherlock, a live theatrical production company. He is now pursuing a degree in entrepreneurship and theater. Sherlock became an E-Scholar to cultivate his business, open his eyes to new opportunities and gain formal training in entrepreneurship. With the help of the program, his company produced Night Games: An Evening of Illusions, Comedy, and Dance in January 2010, which premiered at the College of Saint Benedict. It sold out to more than 1,700 people and raised more than $13,000 to benefit the retirement communities of Saint Benedict’s Monastery and Saint John’s Abbey. His productions include catching a speeding paintball in his teeth, vanishing assistants into thin air, and performing a comedic six-ball juggling duet. Sherlock says the E-Scholar program has been limitless, teaching him to be open-minded, strategic, and risk-taking in refining his business plan. Prior to graduation this spring, Sherlock and his team will launch a 20-stop regional college tour with one actor, one dancer and himself. For more, visit JaredSherlock.com.
JGoods, LLC: Sneaker Art
Goodman became an E-Scholar in 2006. He wanted to explore all the possibilities for running his own company. As an E-Scholar, he received loans to expand and produce the customization kit. “The people I met through the E-Scholar program were very important and helpful, especially the alumni,” Goodman said. “Developing a business plan made me think realistically about my company.” After graduating, Goodman added a business partner, Kellen Groves ’09, to build, run, and expand his venture. JGoods, LLC is now a thriving design, paint manufacturing, and clothing company, dedicated to Goodman’s belief in the importance of originality. For more, visit jgoodsonline.com.
In tenth grade, Jon Goodman ’09 (right) was sick of the same old shoes that everyone was wearing in high school. He would surf the web, looking for new and unique shoes. With a good eye for detail and artistic talent, he created a paint specially made for leather and began designing and painting his own shoes. In 2002, Goodman established JGoods, LLC, to design and sell customized painted shoes. All shoes are hand-painted and average a cost of $1000. Some of his clients include Jay-Z, Joe Mauer, Torii Hunter and Larry Fitzgerald. Not only does he paint shoes, he has also produced a sneaker customization kit that simplifies the process for those wishing to paint their own leather shoes. “I feel like originality is important. Everyone is different and I wanted to be different. Painting custom shoes just brought it to the next level,” Goodman said.
Benjamin Besasie ’12 is an editorial assistant in CSB/SJU’s communication and marketing services department.
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Advancing the Mission
$5 Million FirstGen Challenge Announced First-generation college students— those who are the first in their family to attend or graduate from college—are on the rise. So too are our efforts to ensure that they can afford to attend Saint John’s University. This was the central message delivered by Fr. Bob Koopmann, president of Saint John’s University, at the 2010 Homecoming Alumni Association Banquet. Speaking to alumni, Fr. Bob noted that demographics show that the primary growth in the percentage of college age students will be concentrated among students who are the first in their family to attend college. A great many of these are high school students from rural communities and students of color or immigrants who need extra tuition assistance and educational services to make it to and through college. The FirstGen initiative at Saint John’s (see Saint John’s Magazine, Fall 2010) is a three-pronged program aimed at recruiting first-generation college students, awarding them financial aid and providing them with the academic and student support services that they need to thrive at Saint John’s. “At the Homecoming banquet, I had the privilege to announce that Saint John’s University had achieved the first requirement of a $2.5 million challenge grant from the Frey Foundation,” said Fr. Bob, “namely, to raise an equivalent amount from a handful of benefactors. We actually exceeded our goal by raising $3 million.” This included a $1.25 million gift from Ralph Gross ’65 (see p. 27), as well as a $1 million commitment from Robert and Rita Kuester to establish the “Old Bob’s Angus Ranch Scholarship Fund”. Saint John’s also received major contributions from three members of the Board of Regents: Dan and Katharine Whalen ’70, Steve and Diane Halverson ’74, and Greg and MaryJo Soukup ’79. “It costs $17,500 per year to fully fund one
Bob Koopmann '68, OSB, announced the FirstGen initiative at the Homecoming Banquet.
FirstGen student,” noted Rob Culligan ’82, vice president for institutional advancement. This translates into a $350,000 endowment per student. Our ultimate goal is to build a $25 million endowment for FirstGen. This will enable us to fully fund the FirstGen Initiative and to award scholar26
ships to about 75 additional students. “We have coupled the Frey Foundation grant with the other lead gifts that we received into a $5 million challenge for the FirstGen Initiative,” Culligan continued. Through this challenge, we seek to reach the next milestone of $10 million.”
Ralph Gross ’65 Leaves $3.25 Million to Saint John’s In January 2010, Saint John’s mourned the loss of alumnus Ralph Gross ’65. A few weeks earlier, Ralph was diagnosed with liver cancer, and after a short battle, he succumbed to the illness. Ralph was a humble man with a terrific smile, an infectious laugh and a great sense of humor. Friends and family described him as a gentleman, a trusted friend and, although never married, a man committed to his parents and siblings. He was known to his employees as an ethical businessman and a quiet leader. One of his branch managers observed: “I was very fortunate to be inspired by a very humble business-
man. He always made you feel comfortable around him and treated everyone as equal. He had great trust in his employees and would help guide us in his own way by his wisdom.” Ralph had a deep and abiding affection for Saint John’s. “Throughout his life, Ralph was very generous to SJU,” commented Rob Culligan ’82, vice president for institutional advancement. “Following his passing, we were humbled to learn that he had named Saint John’s as the primary beneficiary of his estate. In all, Saint John’s will receive roughly $3.25 million.” “We are deeply grateful to Ralph for his extraordinary generosity to Saint John’s,” commented Fr. Bob Koopmann, president
The Gross family: (Back) Roger, Lois, Mary, Steve and Tom. (Front) Ralph, Margaret and Michael.
of Saint John’s University. “This is one of the largest estate gifts that Saint John’s has ever received, and it will make a transformative difference for our faculty and students.” After consulting with his family, Saint John’s designated $2 million from this estate gift to establish the Ralph Gross Chair in Management. This endowed chair will be used to attract a senior professor to the management department. The remaining $1.25 million from the estate has been designated to the Ralph Gross Scholarship Fund for first-generation college students at Saint John’s University. “Faculty and students are the backbone of a good university,” observed Ralph’s brother, Dr. Michael Gross ’62. “So when it came to the designation of Ralph’s estate, our family wanted it to support both.” “It made sense to our family to contribute to the area in which Ralph was trained and devoted his professional life,” commented Dr. Stephen Gross. “Plus, the management department serves an important need and attracts students.” “Scholarships? Absolutely,” added Stephen. “We want to support students who look a lot like the Gross siblings in the 1950s and 1960s: small-town kids, bright, not especially privileged and the first generation to go to college.” “One of the appeals of supporting students,” said Michael, “is that it fits nicely into our own family background, which was modest and made attending a university a challenge.”
Ralph Edward Gross was born in 1943 to Margaret and Ralph J. Gross in St. Cloud, Minn. He graduated from Preston High School in 1961 and Saint John’s University in 1965 with a degree in economics. He went on to pursue advanced studies in business and accounting at the University of Minnesota and later qualified as a CPA. He began his professional career at Arthur Anderson Accounting and continued as comptroller at SPS Companies, a plumbing supply business in the Twin Cities. In 1989 he became part owner of SPS and, in 1999, president and CEO. The Gross family has a long history with Saint John’s. Ralph’s father attended Saint John’s, and his uncle, Lawrence (Zook) Iten, graduated from Saint John’s in 1935. Two of Ralph’s brothers, Dr. Michael Gross and Dr. Thomas Gross, graduated from Saint John’s in 1962 and 1968, respectively. His sister, Lois Rogers, is married to a Johnnie, John Rogers ’62, and she has served on the Board of Regents and the Board of Overseers of the Hill Museum & Manuscript Library. His nephew, Joe Rogers ’89, is the director of the Center for Global Education at CSB/SJU.
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Ralph Gross '65
Johnnie Sports
Fast and Flexible: Tyler Etheridge ’11
John Biasi
By John Taylor '58
Cross-country and track standout Tyler Etheridge '11 hopes to join the Benedictine Volunteer Corps on graduation and then head to medical school.
Tyler Etheridge ’11 is a young man with a knack for reevaluating his life journey. At Eau Claire North High School, in Eau Claire, Wis., he was the recipient of several academic awards and a dominant basketball player. A four-year starter, he was chosen to play in several Wisconsin all-star games, and he was wooed by a number of Division III colleges. It came down to Saint John’s or Wartburg. He decided on Wartburg and a major in biology.
During his freshman year, Etheridge dislocated his shoulder playing basketball, requiring three surgeries. This led to several major shifts in his life: he transferred to Saint John’s, changed his academic focus to medicine and switched from basketball to track and cross-county. “My dad is an engineer, my mom an accountant, and my sister is pursuing a degree in occupational therapy. We are a very close-knit family. Everyone has supported
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my decisions,” says Etheridge. “I really liked Wartburg, but after my injury, I had to reconcile what I really wanted out of my college experience. Saint John’s just felt a lot different to me then, and I decided to come here for the academics.” During the 2009 summer break, Etheridge shadowed a number of physicians at the St. Cloud Hospital. “I had a powerful experience, a real eye-opener, when I attended a person who was in the throes of passing. I knew then that I wanted to dedicate myself to medicine, to help others wherever they were in their life.” Etheridge counts a number of highs during his time at Saint John’s. He has managed the Outdoor Learning Center staff, has a number of close SJU friends, and loves his science classes, particularly biology. Two teachers stand out. “I attended Sister Mary Reuter’s Benedictine Spirituality class. I do not come from a Catholic background but have always considered myself religious. We had great discussions in class, and today I have a much greater appreciation for my relationship with God.” Another class that has made a difference was Professor Steve Wagner’s Moral Philosophy course. “Steve is very passionate about wanting his students to think critically about what constitutes happiness in their lives by reflecting on the relationships we share and moral values we hold.” After graduation, Etheridge wants to spend a year in a faith-based experience. He hopes to go to either Guatemala or Tanzania with the Benedictine Volunteer Corps. Then it’s on to medical school. John Taylor ’58 is senior associate for institutional advancement at Saint John’s.
Scorecard Football (7-3, 6-2 MIAC) has now posted 43 consecutive seasons without a losing record. Head coach John Gagliardi ended his record 62nd season with a 478-129-11 (.782) career record and a 454-123-10 (.782) record in 58 seasons at SJU. Quarterback Joe Boyle ’11, offensive lineman Jeff Gilbertson ’11, defensive back Ian Goldsmith ’11, offensive lineman Tim Juba ’11 and defensive lineman Kyle Schroeder ’10 were named to the 2010 All-MIAC first team. Schroeder earned the MIAC Mike Stam Award as the conference’s most outstanding lineman. Offensive lineman Jeff Gilbertson ’11 was named to the ESPN Academic All-America second team. Schroeder was later named to the D3football.com All-America first team. The Johnnies have now had at least one All-American on the defensive line 10 of the last 11 seasons. Five former All-Americans were named to the D3football.com All-Decade Team of 2000-09. Wide receiver Blake Elliott ’03 and defensive end Jeremy Hood ’04 were named to the first team. Defensive tackle Nick Gunderson ’09 and linebackers Beau LaBore ’01 and Cam McCambridge ’03 were named to the fourth team. Elliott was also named to the third team as a return specialist.
Head coach Bob Alpers ’82 was inducted into the Golf coaches Association of America Hall of Fame at ceremonies in Las Vegas in December.
Soccer (6-6-4, 5-3-2 MIAC) finished sixth in the conference standings, two points from the MIAC playoffs, in the first season for head coach John Haws ’99. The Johnnies were predicted to finish ninth in the MIAC preseason coaches’ poll. Midfielder Michael Coborn ’14 was named to the 2010 All-MIAC first team, while goalkeeper Matt Anderson ’11 was named All-MIAC honorable mention. Defender Ryan Fuchs ’13 was named to the ESPN Academic AllDistrict second team. Cross Country finished third overall at the MIAC Championship. Dustin Franta ’11 and Ruairi Moynihan’12 earned All-MIAC honors with a third- (25:50) and 11th-place finish (26:34), respectively. Franta advanced to the NCAA Division III Championship and finished 76th overall out of 279 runners. Golf won its sixth MIAC Men’s Golf Championship in the last seven years to earn its 12th consecutive trip to the NCAA Division III Championship in Greensboro this May. Four Johnnies earned All-MIAC honors (top 10): Dennis Granath ’13, Alex Klehr ’13, Tony Krogen ’12 and Casey Vangsness ’14. Head coach Bob Alpers ’82 was inducted into the Golf Coaches Association of America (GCAA) Hall of Fame during enshrinement ceremonies held in Las Vegas in December. CLUB SPORTS Rugby was undefeated in the regular season with wins over Mankato, UM Duluth, St. Cloud State, Bethel and Winona State. The team won the Minnesota tournament, beating D1 University of Minnesota in the finals, after defeating UW Milwaukee and the University of Iowa. It finished fourth and ranked ninth in the country in the Midwest DII finals. It was the only college with fewer than 10,000 students to advance to the round of 16.
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Crew doubled its number of rowers this season and participated in three regattas in the fall season: Death Row in Duluth and Head of the Des Moines and Quad Cities in Illinois, where one of the CSB/SJU boats took third. Lacrosse, primarily a spring sport, will play non- conference games at Western Washington, Western Oregon, Davenport and Missouri Baptist. This past season, SJU led the country with seven Academic All-Americans including Ryan Bailey ’10, Brian Kubovec ’10, Brandon Brinkman ’10, Alex Fulton ’12, Lucas Gellerman ’12, Mike King ’13 and Steve Johnson ’13. Water Polo finished the season with a 4-4 record. It took fourth place at the Heartland Conference, losing in the second round to first seed Monmouth.
ALUMNI CONNECTION
Executive Appointments
Tim Marx ’79 has been named CEO of Catholic Charities of St. Paul and Minneapolis. He will begin his job duties in April, succeeding co-CEOs Paul Martodam and Bob Spinner ’64. Marx served as Commissioner of the Minnesota State Housing Agency from 2003 to 2008, when he became executive director for New York City Common Ground, a nation-leading nonprofit housing, community development and social services agency. The agency provides supportive housing and social services to the formerly homeless, low-income and other special needs populations. Prior to his tenure as state housing commissioner, Marx was a shareholder at the law firm of Briggs and Morgan and served as general counsel to several major foundations and nonprofit organizations, including Catholic Charities and the Wilder Foundation. He received the 2004 PiiNZHO Award for contributions to the field of supportive housing and was named the St. Paul Area Chamber of Commerce Volunteer of the Year in 2002. Previously, he served as deputy mayor and city attorney for the City of St. Paul. Marx holds a J.D. from the University of Minnesota and a master’s in public affairs from the Humphrey Institute of Public Affairs at the University of Minnesota.
Paul Krump ’82 became president of commercial and specialty lines at Chubb Corporation in January. He is also responsible for Chubb's accident business. Krump previously served as chief underwriting officer responsible for Chubb Commercial Insurance, Chubb Personal Insurance and Chubb Specialty Insurance and Surety. From 2000 to 2008, Krump was the chief operating officer of Chubb Commercial Insurance, after serving in other management roles for the unit. From 1989 to 1994, Krump held several positions in Chubb's department of financial institutions, including northern zone manager and U.S. underwriting manager. He also had served as an executive protection and international underwriter in Dusseldorf, Germany, and held various commercial lines underwriting positions. He joined Chubb as an underwriting trainee in 1982. Krump has attended executive management programs at IMD in Lausanne, Switzerland; the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University in Evanston, Ill; and the U.S. Army War College/Columbia Business School. He is a member of the Board of Regents of Saint John's University and serves on the Family Service of Morris County Corporate Leadership Council in Morristown, N.J.
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Stuart Harvey ’83 became chief executive officer and president of Ceridian Corporation in August, 2010. Harvey was most recently chief executive officer of Elavon's Global Acquiring Solutions organization and had executive management responsibility for the overall strategy, vision and operations of Elavon's worldwide business. Elavon is a subsidiary of U.S. Bancorp. Mr. Harvey joined Elavon (formerly NOVA Information Systems) in April 2003 and based in Dublin, Ireland, led the company's international expansion, directing all business development and merger and acquisition initiatives in Europe. He was subsequently promoted to CEO and president once Nova was re-branded as Elavon and assumed global responsibility for the business in 2005. Prior to joining Elavon, he was a managing director with the investment banking firm of Piper Jaffray in Minneapolis. He is also a former practicing attorney having worked previously with two Chicago-based law firms. Harvey holds a J.D. from The National Law Center at The George Washington University and a master’s in business administration from the J.L. Kellogg Graduate School of Management at Northwestern University.
Are You a YAC? YACs have a keen sense of career development
Through careful phrenological analysis of a wide variety of young alumni, we were able to pinpoint four distinct behaviors of the Saint John’s Young Alumni Committee. If you recognize yourself in one or more of these behaviors (and you graduated in the last ten years), then YOU are a YAC.
YACs strive to give young Johnnies an opportunity to meet older alumni and business people who share a wide breadth of knowledge in their field.
YACs are found in large groups socializing
“With such a strong alumni network, SJU grads have a unique opportunity to learn from other successful and knowledgeable Johnnies. The YAC Career Development Pillar is committed and passionate about providing an opportunity to learn from and build relationships with fellow alumni." – Justin Clark '07
YACs want to foster the great Johnnie and Bennie connections that are made throughout college years. This is a light-hearted group that focuses on having a good time and reminiscing about college days.
"It is an excellent opportunity to network and socialize with our far-reaching alumni association. What better way to spend a night out on the town than with fellow Johnnies and Bennies.” – Alex Siebenaler '02
YACs are often seen supporting SJU
YACs support Saint John’s through fundraising and donating time. Whether you can give a lot or a little, simply donating is the important part to show your pride. Equally important to fundraising is donating time back to Saint John’s. When you volunteer, you show current students and other young alumni the opportunities available to them.
YACs have a dedication to service
YACs focus on the Benedictine value of stewardship. Through service and volunteerism, they build fellowship, recreation and networking among young alumni.
“While at SJU all my friends and I participated in numerous different volunteer activities. When we graduated we had these Benedictine values of community living, respect for all persons, hospitality, stewardship and helping the common good instilled within us, but no avenues to continue living them out.That is why we created the YAC Volunteer Pillar. Its purpose is to provide alumni with opportunities to continue expressing the values they learned while at SJU.” – Jeff Snegosky ‘06
“I support Saint John's because I feel committed to honor the legacy of the men that came before me and gave me the opportunity to be a part of the Saint John's community. I want to extend that same opportunity to future Johnnies.” – Luke Hellier '07
To get involved, go to Chapters and Affinity Groups on sjualum.com and click on Young Alums.
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AL U M N I C ON N EC T I O N
MAKING HISTORY Homecoming and Reunion 2010 Photos by Paul Middlestaedt
On Oct. 1, 2010, Saint John’s hosted 16,400 fans for the Johnnie-Tommie game—setting a Division III record. Many of those fans were on campus for reunions. A good time was had by all.
Bob Lyngen ’96 shares Homecomingwith son Daniel, age 5.
Bill Bachand ’75 (L) and Horace “Bubba” Small ’75 (R ) reconnected at their 35th Reunion.
The game kept Joe Witt ’90 and Maury O’Brien ’90 on the edge of their seats.
The Rat Pack was on hand to keep fans cheering.
The Class of 2005 returned to campus to celebrate their fifth reunion.
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ALUMNI CONNE CTION
These three enjoyed the best seat on campus!
It was the 30th reunion for the Class of 1980. (L to R) Greg Maden ’80, David Borka ’80, Andrew Kimbell ’80, Jim Lynch ’80, Jim Yanisch ’80.
Steve Jacobs '75 (L) and Thomas Johnson ’75 (Center) wait their turn to check out their class yearbook.
The Celebration on the Tundra drew thousands of alumni, families and friends after the football game.
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Milestones
Marriages ’69 Judy Hoolleran to Jerry Loomer ’69, Sept. ’09 ’71 Kim Monahan to Michael Dady ’71, May ’10 ’89 Carol Marshall to Michael Nemanich ’89, Sept. ’09 ’95 Heidi (Euteneuer ’97) to Kurt Meyer ’95, June ’10 ’99 Marian (Studer ’05) to Kyhl Lyndgaard ’99, June ’10 ’01 Maria to Mike Slavik ’01, Sept. ’09 ’03 Jodi Kendrick to Nicholas Bancks ’03, Aug. ’10 ’03 Kate (Johnson ’03) to Luke Doubler ’03, July ’10 ’03 Emily (Sirek ’03) to Mathew Ferche ’03, Oct. ’10 ’03 Melissa (Petterssen ’05) to Eddie Kaiser ’03, Sept. ’10 ’03 Wendy Croatt to Dan Kosel ’03, Aug. ’10 ’03 Yuri to Jared Pangier ’03, May ’10 ’03 Allison Donnelly to Paul Ponath ’03, June ’10 ’03 Medora (Gruber ’03) to Joel Schou ’03, July ’10 ’04 April Then to Adam Benoit ’04, Oct. ’10 ’04 Bethany (Keene ’06) to Ryan Buus ’04, Aug. ’10 ’04 Kristin (Holmes ’04) to Christopher Stapleton ’04, Oct. ’09 ’05 Karolina Wanielista to Tom Craft ’05, Oct. ’10 ’05 Alyssa (Wenz ’05) to Mark Dunnigan ’05, July ’10 ’05 Molly (Rinowski ’05) to Andrew Olsen ’05, Sept. ’10 ’05 Meghann (Green ’05) to Andy Witchger ’05, July ’10 ’06 Lindsay (Krieg ’06) to Joseph Block ’06, June ’10 ’06 Melissa (Cambronne ’06) to John Broich ’06, June ’10 ’06 Laura (Sand ’06) to Blake Cheeley ’06, Aug. ’10 ’06 Jennifer Arnold to Douglas Gleisner ’06, May ’10 ’06 Jade Peterson to Savo Heleta ’06, Oct. ’10 ’06 Jessica Laird to John Jantzer ’06, Oct. ’10 ’06 Sophia (Polasky ’06) to Christopher Lauer ’06, July ’10 ’06 Jill Feichtinger to Sean Leary ’06, June ’10 ’06 Jaclyn (Kalkman ’06) to Joseph Nelson ’06, Aug. ’10 ’06 Ashley to Matthew Reubendale ’06, July ’10
’06 Kathryn (Thompson ’05) to Michael Scharenbroich ’06, June ’10 ’06 Danielle (Weber ’05) to Andrew Spaanem ’06, Aug. ’10 ’06 Kate Roseland to Mathew Wachlarowicz ’06, Aug. ’10 ’07 Elizabeth (Sauer ’07) to Bryan Bauck ’07, July ’10 ’07 Dawn (Moldan ’07) to Brian Chen ’07, Aug. ’10 ’07 Stacy (Woodle ’07) to Jesse Ellens ’07, Oct. ’09 ’07 Tanya (Lindquist ’07) to Bryan Fleegel ’07, July ’10 ’07 Emily (Cook ’06) to Jeffrey Lundgren ’07, July ’10 ’07 Christine (Synnott ’07) to Jason Prostrollo ’07, July ’10 ’07 Calley (Kingston ’08) to Derek Roers ’07, June ’10 ’07 Brittany (Billehus ’08) to Chris Sele ’07, July ’10 ’07 Jesse (Lindgren ’07) to Lucas Van Leeuwe ’07, June ’10 ’08 Angela Seppelt to Justin Athman ’08, Aug. ’10 ’08 Sarah (Mattson ’08) to James Bockwinkel ’08, Aug. ’10 ’08 Kelly (Holmseth ’08) to Matthew Bohlig ’08, Oct. ’10 ’08 Kim (Murphy ’07) to Erik Ellingboe ’08, June ’10 ’08 Rachael (Smith ’08) to Luke Fischer ’08, Sept. ’10 ’08 Sarah Beckermann to Philip Ghizoni ’08, June ’10 ’08 Mya (Olsem ’10) to Daniel Herscher ’08, May ’10 ’08 Marit (Swartout ’08) to Tom Kirzeder ’08, July ’10 ’08 Danielle (Di Fabio ’08) to Joe Moravec ’08, Oct. ’10 ’08 Melissa (Viaene ’08) to Dan Nelson ’08, May ’10 ’08 Ashley (Rhein) to Andrew Salvato ’08, July ’10 ’08 Carolyn (Hejny ’08) to Chad Stang ’08, Aug. ’10 ’08 Kelsey (Hanks ’08) to Alex Tatone ’08, June ’10 ’08 Elisabeth (Degen ’08) to Jon Werth ’08, June ’10 ’08 Leah (Pleiss ’08) to Tony Zimmerman ’08, Oct. ’10
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’09 Sonya (Kamen ’09) to Andy Gaydos ’09, June ’10 ’09 Stephanie (Krzmarzick ’09) to Rob McMillan ’09, June ’10 ’09 Catherine (DeSalvo ’09) to Trent Miller ’09, Aug. ’10 ’09 Christy (Wurm ’08) to Vinnie Schleper ’09, Aug. ’10 ’09 Lindsey (Novak ’09) to Jon Shellenberger ’09, Aug. ’10 ’09 Ashley (Brandel ’09) to Joe Veeder ’09, Oct. ’10 ’10 Maria (Gau ’10) to Eric Bavier ’10, July ’10 ’10 Kimberly (Watkins ’09) to Jason Lutz ’10, May ’10 ’10 Amanda Scheff to Matt Neubauer ’10, Aug. ’10 ’10 Megan (Maus ’09) to Mike Radtke ’10, July ’10 ’12 Jessica (Huot ’11) to Nick Lahti ’12, Aug. ’10
Births ’79 Kristi & Jim McManus ’79, boy, Joseph, July ’10 ’86 Donna & Dave Caldwell ’86, Girl, Brennan, May ’10 ’89 Stacy & Thomas Kowalkowski ’89, girl, Gloria, Aug. ’10 ’89 Kathleen & Larry Reichert ’89, boy, Luke, Sept. ’10 ’90 Angella & Eric Boyer ’90, girl, Marie, Mar. ’10 ’91 Julie & Gerard Henry ’91, boy, John, July ’10 ’92 Tania & Patrick Hicks ’92, boy, Sean, May ’09 ’92 Amy & Jim Jech ’92, boy, Nathan, May ’10 ’93 Kassi & Pat Grove ’93, girl, Morgan, June ’10 ’93 Anna & John Haire ’93, boy, Caden, Sept. ’10 ’94 Amy & Luke Bassett ’94, boy, Anderson, July ’10 ’94 Jess (Konrad ’94) & John Bueckers ’94, girl, Bernadette, May ’10 ’94 Kathy (Bentler ’93) & C.J. Kobbermann ‘94, boy, Philip, Sept. ’10 ’94 Sara & Eric Kohn ’94, boy, Liam, July ’10 ’95 Amy & Chris Boys ’95, boy, Andrew, Mar. ’10 ’95 Michelle & Troy Kockler ’95, boy, Logan, Oct. ’10 ’95 Tessia & Pat Melvin ’95, girl, Teegan, Sept. ’08 ’95 Karla & Ted Nett ’95, boy, Theo, Aug. ’10 ’96 Sherry (Christenson ’96) & Tony Amelse ’96, boy, Joseph, June ’09 ’96 Faith & Steve Bruce ’96, boy, Benjamin, June ’10
An Amazing Trip: Sports Collectibles Dick Pope ’58 grew up on a farm in southern Minnesota and had 12 people in his graduating class at Cleveland High School. Today he is chairman and CEO of the Winona-based WinCraft, a sports marketing company that specializes in licensing collectibles and has more than 500 full-time employees. Sports have certainly been good to Pope. Along the way he’s gone to Super Bowls, the World Series, Stanley Cups and the Olympics. “It’s been an amazing trip,” Pope says. In 2010, WinCraft acquired McArthur Towel & Sports, a company best known for its sports rally towels. The company’s a good fit for WinCraft, which licensed the Homer Hankies that Twins' fans waved during the 1987 and 1991 World Series. Pope has been a part of WinCraft since 1979, and he guided it through the sports boom. And he’ll keep leading it, serving basketball, baseball and football fans along the way. “I can’t think of anything I’d rather do,” he says.
Dick Pope ’58 ’96 Helen & Chad Mountain ’96, girl, Clara, Aug. ’10 ’96 Elisa & Greg Seibert ’96, girl, Lucy, Apr. ’10 ’97 Bridget (Penfold ’97) & Chad Bahneman ’97, boy, Tommy, Apr. ’09 ’97 Michelle (Kelash ’02) & Michael Hemmesch ’97, boy, Alexander, Sept. ’10 ’97 Jane & Jerome Illg ’97, boy, Logan, May ’08 ’97 Stacy (Schmitz ’98) & Ben Jansky ’97, boy, Jake, Aug. ’10
’97 Amy & Jeff Sieben ’97, boy, Luke, Oct. ’09 ’97 Lisa & Ben Wannebo ’97, boy, Boden, May ’10 ’98 Corie (Dumdie ’97) & Marty Barry ’98, girl, Jackson, May ’10 ’98 Jill & Aaron Boatz ’98, girl, Grace, June ’10 ’98 Tracy (Lepper ’97) & Bryan Gilbert ’98, boy, Gunner, May ’10 ’98 Michelle (Frith ’98) & Joseph Heiland ‘98, boy, Jake, Jan. ’10 ’98 Eleanor (Mamer ’98) & Micah Kiel ’98, boy, Brendan, Oct. ’10
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’98 Kelly (Kofstad ’00) & William Lavigne ’98, boy, Keaton, April ’10 ’98 Naomi (Nakada ’00) & Brian Lynch ’98, girl, Marika, June ’10 ’98 Meg (Kulenkamp ’00) & Ryan Mitchell ’98, boy, Jack, June ’10 ’98 Kelly (Blommel ’02) & Don Neu ’98, girl, Mallory, Oct. ’10 ’98 Rachel & John Rossman ’98, boy, Easton, June ’10
M IL E ST ON E S
Stay Focused: Scouting for the Vikes Ryan Monnens ’98 has worked for the Minnesota Vikings for 13 years, the past nine in the scouting department. As a pro scout, he evaluates players and opposing teams. He travels frequently but also watches hours of film in the office. He always focuses on the work, even when there’s unrest in the organization. When Leslie Frazier replaced Brad Childress, he became the fourth Vikings coach since Monnens joined the team. But scouts concentrate on what happens on the field, no matter what takes place off of it. “It’s important for us to not get too high with the highs or too low with the lows because our job doesn’t change,” Monnens says. “We go into the office and grind whether we’re 3-7 or if we’re 7-3. We’re still trying to put the same scouting report together, we’re still trying to find good football players.” Monnens was a pretty good player himself at Saint John’s, where he was a wide receiver. “I was extremely fortunate to be able to play for John [Gagliardi] and play with a great group of guys.”
Ryan Monnens ’98 ’98 Jen (Loos ’98) & Eric Schneider ’98, boy, Zachary, Mar. ’10 ’99 Shannon (Speidel ’99) & Randy Braaten ’99, girl, Liv, July ’10 ’99 Amy & Chase Bryson ’99, boy, Ashton, May ’10 ’99 Theresa (Hanish ’99) & Charlie Covert ’99, boy, Thomas, Sept. ’10 ’99 Karey & Scott Frieler ’99, girl, Hannah, Sept. ’10 ’99 Mary (Anderson ’’00) & Travis Jenniges ’99, girl, Hailey, May ’10 ’99 Shannon (Roers ’99) & Ross Jones ’99, girl, Katherine, May ’10 ’99 Meagan (Sauder ’99) & Eric Ricard ’99, girl, Mara, March ’10 ’99 Moriya (McGovern ’99) & Sam Rufer ’99, girl, Marielle, Mar. ’10
’99 Angela & David Rust ’99, twin boys, Alex and Charles, Oct. ’09 ’99 Rebecca (Maly ’99) & Chris Schimming ’99, girl, Maren, Apr. ’10 ’99 Sally (Koering ’99) & Andrew Zimney ’99, girl, Harper, Mar. ’10 ’00 Melissa (Grange ’00) & Benjamin Fogal ’00, boy, Samuel, Sept. ’10 ’00 Celine (Vanderkelen ’00) & Michael Garcia ’00, girl, Onya, July ’09 ’00 Holly & Larry Hosch ’00, boy, Gavin, Oct. ’10 ’00 Johanna (Steffen ’01) & Mike O’Malley ’00, boy, Leo, Aprl. ’09 ’00 Angela & Adam Rushmeyer ’00, boy, Emmett, May ’10 ’00 Sara (Pedersen ’04) & Adam Sagedahl ’00, girl, Sophie, July ’10 ’00 Sara & John Soma ’00, boy, Jackson, Mar. ’10
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’01 Angela (Sinner ’01) & Joe Begnaud ’01, girl, Grace, July ’10 ’01 Suzanne (Kuboushek ’01) & Ben Britton ’01, girl, Molly, Jan. ’10 ’01 Kristi & Brad Dingman ’01, boy, Dylan, June ’10 ’01 Theresa & Luke Ferkinhoff ’01, boy, Tucker, Aug. ’10 ’01 Valerie & Blair Folkens ’01, boy, Landry, Apr. ’10 ’01 Beth (Pribyl ’04) & Aaron Johnson ’01, girl, Eleanor, July ’10 ’01 Jessica (Zellmer ’03) & Nathan Kirschner ’01, girl, Charlotte, Oct. ’09 ’01 Katie & Kevin Kohnen ’01, twin girls, Keeley and Finley, Sept. ’10 ’01 Lindsey & Bryon Krause ’01, girl, Avery, Sept. ’10
MILE STONE S
’01 Laura (Wendorff ’00) & Nick Meyer ’01, boy, Samuel, June ’10 ’01 Emily (Glenz ’00) & Chris Nordmann ’01, boy, Porter, June ’10 ’01 Beth & Mike Omann ’01, girl, Raya, Sept. ’10 ’01 Christine (Dickinson ’02) & Tom Piersma ’01, girl, Madeline, May ’10 ’01 Leah (Klocker ’03) & Stephen Schwarz ‘01, girl, Natalie, Oct. ’10 ’01 Molly & Brian Willaert ’01, boy, Samuel, July ’10 ’02 Becky (Cole ’02) & Justin Ahlstrom ’02, boy, Mason, July ’10 ’02 Alice & Aaron Bidle ’02, girl, Emilia, Sept. ’10 ’02 Katie (Low ’02) & Curt Coudron ’02, boy, Owen, Apr. ’10 ’02 Mindy (Schumer ’03) & Shane Hoefer ’02, girl, Eva, Oct. ’10
’02 Jessica (Foster ’03) & Benjamin Imdieke ’02, girl, Evangeline, Aug. ’10 ’02 Katie (Bodeker ’03) & Joe Koopmeiners ’02, boy, Nicholas, June ’10 ’02 Sara (Anderson ’02) & Brendon Krieg ’02, boy, Colin, Mar. ’10 ’02 Chris (Miller ’02) & Andy McCarthy ’02, girl, Lucy, April ’10 ’02 Jessica & Jason Miller ’02, girl, Leighton, Aug. ’10 ’02 Rita (Imholte ’03) & Wade Moravec ’02, girl, Myra, May ’10 ’02 Kati (Hoen ’02) & Jason Mousel ’02, girl, Isabel, Mar. ’10 ’02 Kate (Tillemans ’02) & Travis O’Hara ’02, boy, Charlie, May ’10 ’02 Kelly (Taylor ’04) & Jed Olson ’02, boy, Wesley, July ’10
’02 Angie (Laveen ’01) & Gaurav Pokharel ’02, boy, Nitesh, Mar. ’10 ’02 Lindsi & Benjamin Shanahan ’02, boy, Conner, Dec. ’09 ’02 Maria & Andrew Stolp ’02, boy, Urban, Aug. ’10 ’02 Anne (Ceronsky ’02) & Tom Warrington ’02, girl, Adeline, June ’10 ’02 Julie (Hanson ’02) & Adam Zimny ’02, girl, Nora, Apr. ’10 ’03 Briana (Schnurr ’03) & Dan Adams ’03, boy, Jackson, Dec. ’09 ’03 Megan (Sand ’06) & Charlie Carr ’03, girl, Madyson, Sept. ’10 ’03 Noelle (Gunderson ’02) & Blake Elliott ’03, twin girl & boy, Harper & Hudson, May ’10 ’03 Libby (Viola ’’02) & Paul Johnson ’03, girl, Paige, Mar. ’10
Business and Sports: The Best of Both Worlds Brandon Vonderharr ’00 played football at Saint John’s, but he’s made a career in baseball. For a decade, Vonderharr worked in sales and marketing for the Triple-A Nashville Sounds. In 2009, he left for Alliance Sport Marketing. But Vonderharr says he’s had the most fun with the Nashville Outlaws, a franchise founded by Vonderharr and two others in 2010 that plays in a summer wood-bat league. “Before, with minor league baseball, we dealt with the business side of things,” Vonderharr says. “This time we hired a coach and found players and got to do the baseball operation type of things that are really what you think of when you say you work in sports.” Alliance works with a diverse group of clients, including highway safety offices that team up with Alliance to promote their message at sporting events. “Some people grow up saying, ‘I want to work in sports,’” says Vonderharr, one of three partners in Alliance. “Some people grow up saying, ‘I want to own my own business.’ Alliance gives me the opportunity to have my own business in sports.”
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M IL E ST ON E S
Edward L. Henry ’43, 1921-2010 Edward L. Henry ’43, who served Saint John’s for 19 years as professor and vice president, and also served as president of St. Mary’s, St. Michael’s, Marian College and Belmont Abbey, died September 30, 2010. After graduation, Ed attended Harvard and the University of Chicago and began his teaching career at Mount St. Scholastica in Kansas before returning to Saint John’s in 1953. During World War II, Ed was supply officer on the Kretschmer, a destroyer escort, seeing battle in both the Atlantic and Pacific theaters. He wrote accounts of Italy after liberation and the evacuation of Allied POWs from Formosa, survivors of the Bataan Death March. He served on the St. Cloud School Board and then was elected mayor of St. Cloud for two terms beginning in 1964. With funds from a Ford Foundation grant, he founded the first small-city research center in the nation—the Center for the Study of Local Government. Ed and his wife, Betty Anne (Reiten, CSB ’45), had nine children. In 2005, Katharine and Dan Whalen ’70 named a professorship in Henry’s honor, currently held by Dr. Matthew Lindstrom of the political science department.
’03 Jennie (Scott ’’03) & Adam Lanz ’03, boy, Jack, Sept. ’09 ’03 Kelly (Sherman ’03) & Brian Peterson ’03, girl, Adelynn, Apr. ’10 ’03 Katie & Lonnie Provencher ’03, girl, Claire, Jan. ’10 ’03 Becky (Dick ’00) & Steven Saffert ’03, girl, Kendal, Mar. ’10 ’03 Hannah & Richard Spiczka ’’03, girl, Emma, Aug. ’10 ’04 Kristie & Jason Blonigen ’04, boy, Gavin, Sept. ’10 ’04 Christine (Hirte ’04) & Nick Boisen ’’04, girl, Lola, Sept. ’10 ’04 Libby & Nathan Brever ’04, girl, Liesl, May ’10 ’04 Anne (Radabough ’03) & Matthew Darling ’04, girl, Cailin, Sept. ’10 ’04 Erin (Cooney ’02) & Ben Fisher ’04, boy, Isaac, Oct. ’10 ’04 Ember (Francl ’03) & Matthew Hutton ’04, girl, Elleny, Mar. ’10 ’04 Jaclyn (Bodeen ’04) & Ryan Klinkner ’04, boy, Brayden, May ’10 ’04 Ann & Mike Marschel ’04, boy, Dominic, June ’10 ’04 Juliet (Govern ’04) & Tommy O’Keefe ’04, girl, Elena, Oct. ’10 ’04 Becky (Wolf ’04) & Adam Pitz ’04, girl, Ella, Aug. ’10 ’04 Claire (Callahan ’05) & Christopher Stocker ’04, boy, Miles, June ’10 ’04 Megan (Hubley ’04) & Brian Vetter ’04, boy, Drew, Oct. ’10 ’04 Kristin & Joseph Zimmer ’04, girl, Elli, May ’10 ’05 Danielle (Schiffler ’05) & Adam Benjamin ‘05, girl, Lauren, Aug. ’10
’05 Christine & Matthew Breen ’05, boy, Jack, Oct. ’10 ’05 Jill (Bauer ’05) & Kyle Brehm ’05, boy, Daniel, June ’10 ’05 Ann (Dickinson ’04) & William Degenhard ’05, boy, Simon, Sept. ’10 ’05 Susan & Nathan Haasken ’05, girl, Julia, July ’10 ’05 Sarah (Ryan ’05) & Justin Olsen ’05, girl, Ella, July ’10 ’05 Erin (Schumacher ’05) & Benjamin Scherer ’05, girl, Greta, June ’10 ’05 Emily (Terpstra ’05) & Michael Utsch ’05, girl, Anna, May ’10 ’04 Julie & John Hoffer ’04, girl, Margaret, Sept. ‘10 ’10 Amy & Kyle Christiansen ’10, boy, Jordan, Mar. ’10
Deaths ’34 Lois Himsl, spouse of deceased Matt ’34. Mar. ’10 ’36 Joseph F. Spanier, PREP ’36, father of Eric ’68, Nov. ’10 ’38 Virginia Kelso, spouse of decease Joseph ’38, sister of Chuck Pillsbury ’40, Sept. ’10 ’39 Elizabeth (Betty) Smisek, spouse of deceased, Joe ’39, Feb. ’10 ’41 Leroy Ross ’41, Mar. ’10 ’41 Charlie Schneider ’41, May ’10 ’41 Georgina Eichers, spouse of deceased Deacon Elmer Eichers ’41, May ’10 ’41 Mary Vos, spouse of Norb ’41, mother of Leo ’74, and Daniel ’76, Sept. ’10 ’42 Walter Conrad ’42, father of Michael ’68, June ’10
Alumni and Friends Cemetery
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’42 Bud Perron’ 42, July ’10 ’42 J.J. Willenbring ’42, father of Bede ’70 and Tom ’78, July ’10 ’43 Ed Henry ’43, fatherof John ’85. Brother of Very Rev. Charles, OSB ’50, Robert ’51, and deceased John ’39, Sept. ’10 ’43 Rev. Edwin Stueber, OSB’43, June ’10 ’44 Carl “Ted” Norlin ’44, Sept. ’10 ’44 Rev. Stanley Roche, OSB ’44, May ’10 ’44 Francis Weber ’44, May ’10 ’46 Daniel Eich ’46, Oct. ’10 ’48 Bill Bunkers ’48, June ’10 ’48 Robert Hick ’48, brother of Jerome ’48, June ’10 ’49 Ray Endres ’49, brother of Richard ’49, Aug. ’10 ‘49 Rose Schwankl, spouse of Joe ’49, Oct. ’10 ’49 George Weidner ’49, ‘50 Eugene Hunstiger ’50, brother of Paul ’61 and deceased Tom ’45, Aug. ’10 ’50 Bob Ligday’50, July ’10 ’50 Delores Dobmeyer, spouse of deceased Donald ’50, Aug. ’10 ’50 Paul Proulx ’50, Nov. ’09 ’50 Arleen Willek, spouse of deceased Anthony ’50, May ’10 ’51 Ray Diemert ’51, May ’10 ’51 Jerry Hansen ’51, July ’10 ‘51 Donald Lais ’51, father of Tom ’76, Greg ’78, and Charlie ’79, July ’10 ’51 Jim Scheller ’51, Nov. ’10 ’51 Elizabeth Paul, spouse of Vince ’51, mother of Michael ’77 and Paul ’86, Nov. ’10 ’51 Elizabeth Schneider died on August 8, 2010. She is the spouse of Leon ’51, Aug. ’10 ‘52 Dale Dirkswager ’52, Nov. ’10 ‘52 Robley Evans ’52, father of Robley ’80, brother of Dick ’65, Oct. ’10 ’52 Jim Gebhard ’52, Oct. ’10 ’52 Vern C. Humbert ’52 May ’10 ’52 Bernie Quinlivan, spouse of Dennis ’52, Aug. ’10 ‘52 Richard Jelinek ’52, father of Jeffrey ’76, Apr. ’10 ’52 Janet Zangs, spouse of Jack’52, Sept. ’10 ’53 Jim Silbernagel ’53, Jan. ’10 ’53 Paul “Bob” Southers ’53, Sept. ’10 ’54 Rev. Maurice Landwehr ’53, Sept. ’10 ’54 Clint Wyant ’54, father of Chuck ’83, Sept. ’10 ’55 Rev. John Conway ’55, Oct. ’10 ’55 John “Jack” Gebhardt ’55, July ’10 ’55 Ron Schmitz ’55, Oct. ’10 ’55 Donna Schneider, spouse of Bill ’55, July ’10 ’55 Regina Silver, spouse of Jim ’55, May ’10 ’56 Clair Norman ’56, Oct. ’10 ’56 Thomas Welsch ’56, Aug. ’10
’57 ’57 ’57 ’57 ’57
’57 ’57 ’58 ’58 ’59 ’59 ’59 ’59 ’59 ’59 ’59 ’61 ’63 ’63 ’64 ’64 ’66 ’66 ’68 ’69 ’69 ’70 ’73 ’73 ’81 ’81 ’83 ’84 ’86 ’88 ’92 ’92 ’94 ’94 ’97 ’03
Rev. Thomas Campion, SOTA ’57, Nov.’10 Marv Davis ’57, brother of George ’62, Jan. ’10 Abbot Timothy Kelly, OSB ’57, Oct. ’10 Bill Knipp’57, Aug. ’10 Mike Ryan ’57, father of Joe ’83 and Dan ’84, brother of Jim ’60 and deceased John ’62; son of deceased Joe ’31, Sept. ’10 Russell Streefland ’57, father of Christopher ’94, June ’10 Agnes Eichten, mother of Vincent ’57, Oct. ’10 Terry Martin ’58, brother of Joe’49, Jack ’50, Wayne ’52 and Roger ’59, Sept. ’10 Joe McDonough ’58, Oct. ’10 Jim Bias ’59, July ’10 Ray Foley ’59, July ’10 Tom Hobday ’59, father of Tom ’86 and Hud ’87, Oct. ’10 O’Dean Judd ’59, July ’10 Rev. James Tuxbury, OFM ’59, Apr. ’10 Henry Janzen, father of Herman ’59, Warren ’64, May ’10 Shirley Sullivan, spouse of Bob ’59, mother of Tim ’84 and Bubba ’89, Oct. ’10 Lloyd Klapperich’61, Apr. ’10 Jim Nelson ’63, father of Jim’90, Sept. ’10 S. Mary Jean Tuttle, OSB SOTA ’63, June ’10 George Flynn ’64, father of Tim’91, Sept. ’10 Dave Honer ’64, July ’10 Charles Casey ’66, Aug. ’10 Tom Foster ’66, Nov. ’10 Kenneth Clinton ’68, Apr. ’10 Tom Fournelle ’69, brother of John ’60, Aug. ’10 John Sall ’69, July ’10 Bernard Andert, father of Rev. Tom Andert, OSB’70, Nov. ’10 Joseph Demgen ’73, brother of James ’82, May ’10 Mark Hirschey ’73, brother of Bill ’75, Paul ’77 and Steve ’80, July ’10 Rev. Robert Juroszek, TOR. ’81, May ’10 Paul V. Webber, father of Paul, III ’81, Oct. ’10 Msgr. John Sankovitz SOTA ’83, Aug. ’10 Ronald Mulvany ’84, Oct. ’10 Scott Houle ’86, May ’10 John Meany ’88, May ’10 Mary Smith, mother of Aaron Smith ’92, Oct. ’10 Rev. Christopher M. Trussell, SOTA ’92, Nov. ’10 Jeffrey Roach ’94, Aug. ’10 Kit Arom, father of Dan ’94, May ’10 Annie Bahneman, 7 year old daughter of Chad ’97, Aug. ’10 Mary Fiedler, mother of Josh ’03, Oct. ’10
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Abbot Timothy Kelly ’57, OSB 1934-2010 Fr. Timothy Thomas Kelly OSB, Saint John’s Abbot and University Chancellor from 19922000, and president of the AmericanCassinese Congregation of Benedictine men from 2001-2010, died on Oct. 7, 2010. Fr. Timothy began his career as an English instructor at Saint John's University. This was followed by service in a variety of pastoral positions, including at Saint Anselm’s Church in the Bronx, New York, and as chaplain for the Benedictine sisters at Mount Saint Benedict Monastery in Crookston. In 1986, Fr. Timothy was one of six American monastics selected by His Holiness the Dalai Lama to visit Tibetan Buddhist monasteries in India as part of the dialogue sponsored by the North American Board of East/West Dialogue. As Abbot, he was involved in the countries and culture of the Pacific Rim, in monastic communities in Japan, Taiwan, the Philippines, Australia and China, and he cooperated in the establishment of the Benedictine Commission for China. Fr. Timothy was deeply anchored in the Benedictine practice of lectio divina. “…the scriptural Word was the heartbeat of Abbot Timothy’s spirituality as a monk and as abbot,” said Abbot John Klassen, OSB, at his funeral.
Inspiring Lives
Formation for All Seasons By Gerald Pierre ’59
“Since no one speaks English here, I am on loan from Saint John’s Abbey in Collegeville, Minnesota, and I’ll be your guide this afternoon.” The guide—a young monk who at 6’5” and 270 lbs. looked more like a defensive tackle for the Johnnies. The location—the Benedictine monastery Subiaco, perched high on a mountainside outside Rome, a place new to me, yet somehow familiar. Suddenly the Benedictine tradition I had been a part of 50 years ago in the 50s became real, almost tangible, the puzzle pieces fitting together. I had received an education, not a secular one, but a Benedictine formation, a road taken by few college students—and that has made all the difference. Arriving at Saint John’s in the fall of 1955 eager to play football and perhaps get an education in the process, I emerged four years later with a liberal arts degree, headed for graduate school and college teaching. What I thought were the essentials at the time (classes, GPA, schedules, professors, friends, athletics) were really only the surface of a 1,500-year formative force, the Benedictine tradition that helped shape my life as I formed attitudes, values and friendships. Simplicity stood out. Lights out at 10:30 pm each evening, no cars, ice cream once a week, movie night on Friday, walking to the chapel on a bright fall day, distributing Thanksgiving turkeys to the needy for Alpha Phi Omega, and, of
course, the ubiquitous Johnnie Bread—the pleasures were basic, unadorned, almost monastic. Even 50 years later, things like the size and location of our house, the make of our car, the length of my resume are relatively unimportant, nonessentials in the flow of life. Equality was evident everywhere. Status, titles, rank, pomp and circumstance were foreign to the Saint John’s experience—whether it was Steve Humphrey inviting each of us freshmen into his campus quarters for a get-acquainted session, football players getting their “scholarship” (an extra glass of milk for supper), playing handball with my mathematics professor, Fr. Godfrey chuckling at his attempts to play tennis (“There’s no fool like an old fool.”), or being treated with respect as a lowly freshman by Jim Lehmann, an allstar, senior halfback—a sense of equality prevailed. I played varsity tennis, for instance, with a student whose father was on the Minnesota Supreme Court—a fact I only discovered years later. Such humility influenced my teaching, parenting and relationships significantly. Above all, tradition and transcendence prevailed. Monks walking two by two on the road, the Gregorian chant filling the chapel, the tradition of hospitality which
“Even fifty years later, things like the size and location of our house, the make of our car, the length of my resume are relatively unimportant, nonessentials in the flow of life." 40
Jerry Pierre '59
attracted an older gentleman to lunch each Sunday, compline in the dorms, monks waiting for busses to take them to weekend parish assignments, stuffing envelopes at the Liturgical Press, sharing Eucharist with my teammates. A sense of permanence, stability, transcendence undergirded my myopic personal concerns. Saint John’s was a house built on rock, unwavering amidst the winds buffeting the sands of society. Yes, a “guide for the afternoon,” and a guide for a lifetime of choices. After earning a masters and a Ph.D from the University of Minnesota, Jerry Pierre ’59 taught composition and literature for 40 years at Marquette University and in the University of Wisconsin system. Now retired, he teaches literature to seniors in Whitefish Bay, a suburb of Milwaukee. He and his wife of 48 years, Jean, have three children and six grandchildren. He enjoys golf, hiking, canoeing, writing, reading and parish work.
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