Notre Dame Today - Spring 2012

notre dame today spring 2012

Celebrating

notre dame today President

Andrew P. Roth, Ph.D. Chief Communications Officer

Brian Johnston Christian Taske ’07 Contributors

Mary Elizabeth Cotleur ’98 Patricia Harding Karen Zoller Design & Layout

Spiral Studio Photography

Notre Dame College Archives Ryan Baker Larry Brown Ralph D’Alessio ’13 Mike Jung ’14 Christian Taske ’07 Notre Dame College, a Catholic institution in the tradition of the Sisters of Notre Dame, educates a diverse population in the liberal arts for personal, professional and global responsibility.

Notre Dame Today is published by the Notre Dame College Communications Office for our alumni, students and friends of the College. It is our intent to provide correct information in our publication. Mistakes may occur due to incomplete or inaccurate information. Please contact the College Communications Office with comments or questions.

The opinions expressed in Notre Dame Today are those of the editorial staff, writers, or their subjects, and do not necessarily represent the official positions of Notre Dame College.

contents

Director of print & digital communications / Editor

Campus Life >> 2 Tower Tweets >> 6 This is My NDC >> 7 Your Story >> 8 Graduates share their favorite NDC anecdotes A Day in the Life of a Notre Dame Grad >> 12 Alumni capture March 26, 2012, on camera Notre Dame: Our Lady, Our Story >> 14 Find out how its history has shaped the College 90 Years in 90 Photos >> 21 Journey through time with this photo collection from the archives Class Notes >> 41 In Memoriam >> 45 Leadership Spotlight >> 46 Sr. Eileen Quinlan ’74 teaches social justice

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On the Cover: The cornerstone of Notre Dame College’s Administration Building was laid in a festive ceremony on June 5, 1927. Its inscription in Latin reads: “Under the auspices of Mary, the first stone of the College of the Sisters of Notre Dame, an institution for the higher education of girls, is laid. A.D. 1927.” Photo by Christian Taske’ 07

from the president

Dear friends of Notre Dame College, On March 26, 1922, Mother Mary Cecilia Romen, the Mother General of the Sisters of Notre Dame, wrote a letter to Cleveland Bishop Joseph Schrembs asking permission to open a college for women.

“May I most respectfully submit to your Lordship my reasons for so urgently requesting your gracious permission to found in Cleveland a College under the direction of the Sisters of Notre Dame,” Mother Mary Cecilia wrote.

On the next four pages, the Mother General made a compelling case why the bishop should grant her wish. She listed statistics summarizing the Sisters' “extensive and laborious work” in grade and high school education over the previous 50 years, stressed the need for another Catholic college in the diocese, and promised the Sisters would enter the venture at their own financial risk.

“Surely good Saint Joseph will not permit us to plead in vain. This is the firm conviction of your most humble and obedient Servant in Christ,” Mother Mary Cecilia concluded.

She was right. Less than a month later, the bishop granted permission. The rest, as they say, is history.

Ninety years to the day of Mother Mary Cecilia sending that letter, we began a yearlong celebration of the College's anniversary. During my opening remarks in the Regina Auditorium, I told our students, alumni, employees and friends about those individuals who had the courage to take on the challenge of building our College and those who helped it flourish over the years.

I told them about Mother Mary Evarista Harks, our first president, who had the courage to build a College; Sr. Mary Agnes Bosche, our first dean, who built the academic and student life of the College; Sr. Mary Odila Miller, our first treasurer, who steered the College through the Great Depression; Dr. Frances Quinlivan, a longtime English professor, whose name is applauded by graduates to this day; and Helen Foose Petersen ’38, who donated $1.19 million to the College in 2001.

To most students these are just names on buildings or awards, but they are much more than that. They are individuals who had the courage to do what ought to be done during times when it was difficult to accomplish them. Without them, the College as we know it today would not exist.

“Your personal stories are what make Notre Dame College a special place.”

As we celebrate our 90th birthday, we are highlighting those individuals who have shaped Notre Dame and/or are exemplars of living the College’s mission of personal, professional and global responsibility. Our “90 Stories” series features administrators, alumni, faculty, staff, students, trustees and others, who have helped make NDC the mosaic that it is today. I encourage you to read their stories by regularly visiting NotreDameCollege.edu/90/90Stories.

In this special anniversary edition of Notre Dame Today, you will read the story of Sr. Eileen Quinlan ’74, this year’s President’s Lecturer; you will read about how the College came to be and what it has become over the past nine decades; and you will be able to take a stroll through time with a selection of 90 photos from the College’s archives.

Our 90th anniversary celebration will continue with Founders Week in September, Homecoming and Alumni Reunion Weekend in October, and a Christmas gala in December. We will end our year-long festivities with a closing celebration in March 2013, exactly 90 years after the College’s Articles of Incorporation were signed and filed with the State of Ohio.

I hope you can join us for these events. In the meantime, visit our 90th anniversary website at NotreDameCollege.edu/90 for event information and coverage, to watch a video that illustrates what brings people to Notre Dame and keeps them here, and to share your favorite NDC anecdotes. After all, your personal stories are what make Notre Dame College a special place.

Sincerely,

Andrew P. Roth, Ph.D. president

Celebrating 90 Years

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Notredamecollege.edu/90

Website Highlights 90th Anniversary On Sept. 18, 1922, Notre Dame College opened its doors to the first 13 students. Over the past 90 years, the College has grown to more than 2,200 current students and 5,500 alumni; it has become one of the fastest growing and most diverse colleges in Ohio; it is an opportunity college that provides a private, valuesbased, Catholic education in the liberal arts to students who might otherwise not have access to such an experience; and it is a job creator with more than 250 employees.

In short, Notre Dame College has accomplished much over the past nine decades

and has many reasons to celebrate its 90th birthday.

To commemorate its anniversary, the College has launched a special section on its website that provides information about

90th anniversary events, stories about individuals who have shaped the institution, and ways to share your personal NDC story.

Visit NotreDameCollege.edu/90 for more information.

Heritage Hallway

Displays Celebrate College’s History The first floor of Notre Dame College’s Administration Building will soon be known as the Heritage Hallway. Five fabric panels and seven wooden displays now line the walls of the hallway to celebrate the history of the College and pay tribute to its founders and the special individuals who have received awards bearing their names.

The five fabric panels were designed by NDC students David Hall, Kirstie Hegedus and Jessica Spuzzillo ’12, and tell the history of the College from its founding through the 1990s. Three additional panels covering the last 20 years will be installed over the summer. The wooden displays list the names of the recipients of Notre Dame’s most prestigious awards: the Notre Dame College Medal, the Fidelia Award, the St.

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Catherine of Alexandria Award, the Sr. Mary LeRoy Finn Award, the Sr. Mary Agnes Bosche Award, and the President’s Outstanding Staff Award.

“As we embark on our 90th year, the College is honoring its rich history and those who have helped to make Notre Dame a thriving institution, one that has enriched the lives of more than

5,500 alumni and 2,200 current students,” said Dr. Andrew P. Roth, president of Notre Dame College. “The Heritage Hallway will preserve the history and traditions that are woven into the fabric of Notre Dame College.”

The Heritage Hallway was partly funded with an $8,000 donation by the First Catholic Slovak Ladies Association.

campus life

RECORD donations

College Receives $1 Million in Gifts Notre Dame College received two anonymous $500,000 donations within a span of two months to support its nursing program and to help with its building and construction initiatives.

The two donations are the largest non-bequest gifts in the College’s 90-year history.

“We want to provide a substantial base of financial support for the ongoing development of the nursing program,” the philanthropists behind the first gift said. “With the addition of Dr. Beth L. Kaskel as the chair of the nursing division and Dr. May Wykle to the board of trustees, the College has signaled its strong commitment to this program.

We want to recognize this commitment with our donation.”

Since NDC started its nursing program in 2006, it has become one of the fastest-growing programs in the region, with the academic quality to match its

growth. Planned enhancements to facilities and academic programming will enable the nursing division to continue to attract and retain students who are eager to build better lives for themselves and others through careers in nursing.

The donors of the second $500,000 gift said they “are

greatly impressed with the College’s strategic plan and with the growth and direction this plan sets forth for the College.

We are further impressed with the fact that Notre Dame College has reached out to the Greater Cleveland community to provide secondary educational opportunities for diverse students from all backgrounds.”

College Newsletter

Stay on Top of What’s Happening at NDC There are many exciting things happening at Notre Dame College, and you don’t want to be the last one to hear about them. Now you can have your Notre Dame College news delivered to your inbox every month! From upcoming events to press releases to feature stories, the monthly Notre Dame College newsletter delivers it all. To sign up, simply visit http://tinyurl.com/ndcnews.

Celebrating 90 Years

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campus life

intelligence internship

Students Advise South Euclid Police Department Notre Dame College and the South Euclid Police Department are collaborating on an internship project that allows students in NDC’s Criminal Justice and Intelligence Analysis Program to receive first-hand experiences in their field of study.

Juniors and seniors majoring in criminal justice or crime analysis are eligible for these internships, during which they review and evaluate records and procedures of the South Euclid Police Department and make recommendations to Chief of Police Kevin Nietert.

“The South Euclid Police Department is tapping into a local resource, Notre Dame College, to evaluate the operations and staffing of the police department,” Nietert said.

The first four students interned with SEPD during the spring semester. Phillip Biggs ’12, Don Stocum, Jennifer Hrobuchak ’12 and Jonathan Munn ’12 evaluated personnel allocations, patrol zones and performance standards.

“The hope is that we can identify some efficiencies that

will make the South Euclid Police Department a better organization, build on this effort for future collaboration, and help develop some young students along the way,” Nietert said.

Craig Knox

Master Musician Teaches Master Class Members of the Notre Dame College Marching Band and students from other universities had the pleasure to listen to and learn from a world-renowned musician in January. Craig Knox, principal tuba player in the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, conducted a master class in the Regina Auditorium.

“There is a misconception that music is only about playing in a band,” Knox said. “But music is a discipline that utilizes skill sets including physical coordination, mathematics and self-expression.”

In front of 80 audience members, Knox performed a few solo Bach selections first, and then played a Mozart duet with Tom Lukowicz, brass caption

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head at Notre Dame. After the performance, Knox discussed efficiency of practice and the value of mastering basic techniques such as breathing, tuning and consistency of tone.

“As musicians, it is important that you keep the nature and the expression of the music as the first priority,” he said.

“Music is expression, and it’s a way for people to connect and to communicate inner thoughts and feelings that cannot be put into words.”

Bill Neater, director of bands at Notre Dame College, said the master class was only the first foray into hosting instructional lessons by accomplished musicians for the greater Notre Dame College community. “There

is a need in Northeast Ohio for experiences like this, where interested musicians have the opportunity to interact with an accomplished musician and expert teacher,” Neater said.

“Notre Dame College is proud to help address that need.”

campus life

2012 Expys Award

Professor Named Best College Advisor Associate Professor of Business Administration Natalie Strouse was named “Best College Advisor” by the Northeast Ohio Council on Higher Education. Strouse received the recognition during NOCHE’s 2012 Expys Awards in March.

The Expys Best Internships Awards celebrate and recognize internship programs in Northeast Ohio and the people who make them work. Strouse had been nominated by a Notre Dame student and was one of five finalists in her category,

and one of 35 overall finalists from almost 200 nominees.

Strouse has been a fulltime faculty member at Notre Dame College since 2001. A certified public accountant with an M.B.A. from Cleveland State University, Strouse has over 20 years of experience in business.

In 2006, she became the first Notre Dame faculty member in nearly 40 years to be named a Fulbright Scholar. She spent six months in the Ukraine as a guest lecturer at the Ternopil Academy of National Economy.

tax prep

Students Prepare Free Tax Returns When a family of four or more has to get by on less than $41,000 a year, every dollar counts, every opportunity to save money is welcome, and every dollar refunded by the IRS is a blessing. Just ask some of the 565 individuals or families who walked through the doors of Notre Dame College’s Regina Hall from Jan. 24 to April 15 to file their tax returns with the help of a dozen NDC accounting students.

The students, all of whom were certified by the Internal Revenue Service, made it their goal to save low-income families and individuals money by preparing their tax returns for free and aiming for refunds as high as $5,751. The students offered their services three days a

week to those who qualified for the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC). This year, the credit was available to adults without children earning up to $13,660, and families with at least two children who had a household income of as much as $40,964.

For the clients, the EITC site at NDC was a chance to save money; for the students, it was an opportunity to use their education to give back to the community.

“What we were doing relates directly to Notre Dame’s mission of making an education affordable to us. We were making it affordable for these families to get their taxes done,” said recent graduate Erin McGrath ’12, the site coordinator.

McGrath set up a team that included day managers, tax preparers and greeters. Many of them worked 135 hours and more. In total, they secured more than $700,000 in federal refunds.

“We were providing a service for the most vulnerable in our community,” McGrath said. “Hopefully they will come back next year.”

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Notre Dame Quotes Online, On Campus & In the News

tower tweets Thanks @NotreDameOhio for a great evening. Loved talking to students tonight.

I LOVE THE NEW LOOK!!!! The stories were interesting. Like that there was a mix of information on what current students are up to as well as alumni--Great job!!

Dr. Reza Aslan, internationally acclaimed author and scholar of religions, on Twitter after speaking at NDC about Islamophobia in the U.S.

Sylvia Sgro ’85 on Facebook about the fall 2011 issue of Notre Dame Today

Awesome place! Awesome meatballs! Awesome event! Thank you NDC.

Great to see people who did an outstanding job as they did, being honored!! Nice to hear good news like that!!

Mary Alice Conkey ’85 on Facebook about the Five O’clock Falcons event at Grotto Wine Bar in Shaker Heights

Congrats to @NDCBAND on a fourth place finish at Indoor Percussion World Championship! You make @NotreDameOhio proud! #WGI2012

Carol C. Nunez on Facebook about Charles LoBello ’78 and others who were honored by Hillcrest Hospital for their community service; LoBello received an associate’s degree in criminal justice at NDC.

Send your sons and your daughters to Notre Dame and you will get them back.

Former Cleveland Browns Head Coach Sam Rutigliano, who gave a motivational speech to students, employees and visitors at the College

Dean of Student Affairs Brian Emerson on Twitter

It’s nice to see the good work of a smaller school recognized and rewarded.

I♥ Notre Dame College :-) Erin Karpinec ’09 on Facebook

Father Mehok encouraged us to look for the deeper meaning in the words on the page in a course he taught on The Short Story. He led lively discussions, parts of which I remember to this day, although the course took place eight years ago!

Marilyn Novosel Pryor Osborne ’05 on Facebook about a story featuring Father Edward Mehok, Notre Dame’s chaplain

The Plain Dealer about the $500,000 donation to NDC’s nursing program

Sr. Eileen Quinlan--one of the greatest assets to Notre Dame College!

Sue Beck Devers on Facebook about a story featuring the professor of English and communication

Happy anniversary NDC! I am proud to be an alumna!

Tina DiBacco Jurcisin ’85 on Facebook

There was no one like him before, or since! I am the best at what I do because of him!

Shannon Epling ’03 on Facebook about Dr. Tony LaVerde, who retired in May after 31 years teaching biology at NDC

Want to see your quote in print? Connect with Notre Dame College on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and Flickr, and let us know what’s on your mind! If you tweet about us, use the hash tag #NotreDameCollege.

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This is…

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Sophomore biology student Tanesha Reed visited St. Mary’s School in Chardon, Ohio, in March to teach second graders about infectious diseases. Reed taught them basic information about germs, ways to prevent transmission, hand washing techniques, and careers in microbiology. She even helped the students set up an experiment to compare microbial growth between a dirty thumb and a sanitized thumb.

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The Notre Dame wrestling team won its third national championship in as many years. The Falcons emerged as champions of the National Collegiate Wrestling Association’s 2012 title event in Daytona Beach, Fla., in March.

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Associate Professor Roslyn Scheer-McLeod took 34 NDC employees, alumni, students and friends to Italy for the annual spring break trip. The group visited historic sites including the Coliseum in Rome.

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An employee of the Davey Tree company rappels himself off the tower of the Administration Building to do some spring cleaning.

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Junior Adam Saintz was one of 27 students who spent part of their winter break helping build homes for Habitat for Humanity in West Palm Beach, Fla., and Athens, Ala.

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More than 100 Brush High School students visited Notre Dame College in February to use the Clara Fritzsche Library for a research project and to learn about NDC.

7 NDC nursing student Marylane Jackson accepted a check on behalf of 34 students from member institutions of the Ohio Foundation of Independent Colleges who received scholarships totaling $81,600 from the UPS Foundation.

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Notre Dame unveiled its new Falcon mascot, Fearless, in February.

Celebrating 90 Years

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your story Alumni Share Their Favorite

Anecdotes

Meeting Mother Teresa “I remember shaking the hand of Mother Teresa in Connelly Center. She was a guest speaker when I was a student there. As I shook her hands and saw the worn and tattered sweater she had on against the rough working hands, I thought, ‘This is what the path to sanctity is about.’ It was a very memorable and life-changing event.”

Martie Fleming Aiello ’81

First Dip in the Mellen Pool “During my senior year the construction of the Keller Center was taking place. There was construction tape around the area that instructed all not to cross into the construction zone. What a tempting proposition to me! It was a huge hole waiting to be explored!

My suitemate June-Marie Kocsis Angle ’87 and I donned our academic attire including mortar board and dove right into what would become the swimming pool. My other suitemate Carmelina Maria Nunnari Grossi ’87 and my sister Jody A. Jurkiewicz Kocsis ’89 took pictures of the real first dip in the pool!”

Mary Louise Jurkiewicz Beckstrom ’87

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Rejuvenating Falcon Athletics “My fondest memories happened on the basketball court and softball field. We, the Class of 1993, were the first class to rejuvenate the athletics program. I was recruited by Roxanne Allen, who was the entire athletics department during the 1989-1990 academic year. She watched a small-time basketball player from North Ridgeville, Ohio, produce some points on a court in Lorain County and the next week this girl’s dreams of going to college were coming true.

I remember the cramped rides to Rio Grande in a 10-person van that was held together with duck tape; and I so fondly remember the late Cleveland Plain Dealer sports columnist Bill Nichols, who at the time was moonlighting as the NDC softball coach. He was my coach, my mentor and one of my best friends ever.”

Angela Neff Dudziak ’93

Politics, Deviled Eggs & a Male Visitor “In 1961, the campus was a bastion of Democratic students. I felt a college should have diverse political opinion on it. So I decided to form a chapter of the Young Republicans Club. In doing so, I called the local chapter of the party and received help from Daisy McWhorter, whose son John had just formed a chapter at Case. She sent him over to help us. On more than one occasion she called to ask if she could send about 75 deviled eggs with him. Could she? You bet. This meant we not only had diverse political opinion present, we had a male student on campus and we had food.

You could hear the whispers all the way down the main, marble hall whenever John came to campus.

Years later, I worked as a school librarian for the Cleveland Board of Education experiencing real poverty in daily ways. It turned me around politically. A few years after I moved to California, Gov. Jerry Brown called me asking if I would serve on the California Library Services Board, which had co-operative projects on its agenda. Some were especially geared to help minorities.

NDC taught us to study, to work hard and to change our ways in the light of new information. Thanks.”

Margaret Trivison ’64

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The Mystery of the Fourth Floor “In the spring of 1985, I was a senior biology major looking forward to my upcoming graduation. A group of my friends and I were invited to go up into the tower of the Administration Building. This was a huge deal because no students were permitted to go up into the tower.

To get to the tower meant that one had to ascend the stairs to the fourth floor of the Administration Building.

At that time, no student was permitted on the fourth floor, where all of the Sisters lived. My friends and I were often intrigued by the ‘mystery’ of that floor. As we scaled the steps to go to the tower, we did get a brief glimpse of one of the fourth floor corridors. It felt a little like we were breaking a sacred rule by being there. As we continued up the tower steps, we were amazed to see the breathtaking view that unfolded before us. It was so special to see the beautiful countryside and our beloved campus from that perspective.

Several years later, I returned to campus to attend the annual open house festivities. I was excited to learn that campus tours were given that day. To my surprise, my tour guide immediately led my group to the ‘mysterious’ fourth floor. Having converted the Sisters’ living quarters into faculty offices, this once ‘off limits’ space was now open to all students.

I must admit, I still felt a bit apprehensive to be on that floor even though it was now permitted.”

Lisa Winger Matula ’85

Bonding in the Basement “I will never forget the Willow Room, which is now the nursing office and classroom. As a commuter, this was my ‘home’ for four years. In between classes, my friends (fellow commuters) and I would hang out, laugh, cry, argue, do homework, study and grow together. We still remain close after 20 plus years and get together several times a year. We created our own family in that space at Notre Dame. We loved that dingy, basement room away from the hustle and bustle of class. We decorated it at holidays and made it our own. That space created a bond to all who entered it and brought joy to our days at Notre Dame College!”

Tina DiBacco Jurcisin ’85

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Pigeon Droppings & Quarters “How about the time when Jean Zahurancik ’73 and other members of the Phys Ed club held ‘tours’ of the bell tower to raise funds? I think they were charging a quarter!

They had to work so hard sweeping up pigeon droppings before anyone else could go up there.

But what a magnificent view!”

Joan Zahurancik McNeeley ’73

Like Mother, Like Son “I remember eating lunch in the Willow Room when there was a salad bar and vending machines set up. I also remember when the Sisters came to class for the first time not wearing their habits. And I remember when seniors got to climb up the ladder to the tower. The view from there was awesome. I was also six months pregnant at the time and my son is now a freshman at NDC.” Kristin Vanni-Sallade ’93

What was your most memorable moment at Notre Dame College?

Submit your favorite NDC anecdote at NotreDameCollege.edu/90/Share-Your-Story!

Celebrating 90 Years

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Alumni Capture March 26, 2012, on Camera

A Day in the Life of a Notre Dame Grad

On March 26, 1922, Mother Mary Cecilia Romen, the Mother General of the Sisters of Notre Dame, wrote a letter to Cleveland Bishop Joseph Schrembs asking for permission to open a college for women. It was the letter that made Notre Dame College possible.

Ninety years later, over 5,500 students have graduated from Notre Dame College. From Australia to California, Canada to Texas, Notre Dame alumni come from and live around the world. They have taken their NDC diplomas to start countless careers in sciene, education and other fields. To celebrate our graduates, we wanted to find out what a typical day in the life of our alumni looks like. We asked them to send in a photo on March 26, 2012 – exactly 90 years after Mother Mary Cecilia wrote the letter that brought NDC to life.

Nancy Campbell Cise ’64 stood in front of the Elevador da Gloria, a trolley that carries passengers from the lower city to the upper city in Lisbon, Portugal.

Mike Stern ’08 is a “Genius” at the Apple store in Sydney, Australia, while he continues his education to become a teacher.

Gina LaVerde ’99 entered a subway station on Manhattan’s Upper West Side to head to work at Creative Alternatives of New York, a non-profit organization that offers drama therapy to victims of abuse, veterans, refugees and others.

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Carole Iseli ’90 worked at her desk at the Cleveland Clinic, where she is an administrative program coordinator in the Department of Environmental Health and Safety. Her primary job is to monitor the radiation exposure of some 1,400 employees.

At Notre Dame College, Barbara Latona Samson ’73 continues to teach Brain Gym 101, which teaches how to use simple movements to help access the whole brain by integrating left and right brain functions for a task.

Race walker Michael Mannozzi ’10 visited Pizza Joe’s in Boardman, Ohio. The store is one of 40 Youngstown area businesses showing their support for the Olympic hopeful by displaying his poster.

Tim Kiedrowski ’07 (left) works as an inbound marketing facilitator for Kuno Creative. Web developer and content manager Andy Boksansky ’09 is his colleague.

Joan Granner Kekst ’76 finished proofing Passover recipes, including chicken paprikash, which appeared in the Cleveland Jewish News the week of March 26.

Andrew Gray ’09 is from Sault Ste. Marie in Ontario, Canada. But he took his degree in education from South Euclid to Jeonju, South Korea, where he currently teaches English.

Emily Salamon Jones ’99 enjoyed spending the day with her two boys, Ryan and Nolan. They live in Georgetown, Ky.

Philomena Meluch ’09 just graduated from “the other Notre Dame” with her J.D. On March 26, she attended classes at the University of Notre Dame Law School, including a rousing class on federal income taxation.

James Schleicher ’07, a financial services representative at Western & Southern Financial Group, attended a networking event at NDC.

Celebrating 90 Years

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Notre Dame: Our Lady, Our Story

How Notre Dame College was Founded what it is Today

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By Christian Taske ’07 & Patricia Harding

Celebrating 90 Years

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our story

“Dear Bishop and Father: May I most respectfully submit to your Lordship my reasons for so urgently requesting your gracious permission to found in Cleveland a College under the direction of the Sisters of Notre.”

“Surely good Saint Joseph will not permit us to plead in vain. This is the firm conviction of your most humble and obedient Servant in Christ,” Mother Mary Cecilia concluded her letter.

With these words, Mother Mary Cecilia Romen, the Mother General of the Sisters of Notre Dame, opened her March 26, 1922, letter to Cleveland Bishop Joseph Schrembs. Romen, who led the Sisters of Notre Dame from Coesfeld, Germany, wrote the bishop at the request of the Sisters in Cleveland, who had been discussing the need for a college under their direction for some time.

Romen had approved and told them, “Do everything that is necessary to prepare a faculty and to qualify with both Church and State…God Himself will help us.”

She was right. Less than a month later, the bishop granted permission and the story of Notre Dame College began to unfold.

Ninety years to the day of Mother Mary Cecilia sending that letter, Notre Dame College began a yearlong celebration of its anniversary. Students, alumni, employees and friends of the College gathered in the Regina Auditorium to listen to a speech by President Dr. Andrew P. Roth, to watch a video highlighting longtime employees’ connection to the College, and to celebrate with punch, cake and give-aways.

In her letter to Bishop Schrembs, Romen explained a college would allow the Sisters to be educated in their own institution to meet the increasingly stringent requirements for teacher certification. She said more Sisters were needed to staff parish schools and they hoped to attract aspirants to the congregation from the student body. She stressed there were not enough Catholic colleges in the diocese and the community asked the Sisters to open one. She listed statistics summarizing the Sisters’ “extensive and laborious work” as grade and high school teachers over the previous 50 years, and promised they would enter the venture at their own financial risk.

Congregation of the Sisters of Notre Dame of Coesfeld, Germany, is founded.

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In his speech, Dr. Roth told the audience about those individuals who had the courage to take on the challenge of building the College and those who helped it flourish over the years. He told them about Mother Mary Evarista Harks, Sr. Mary Agnes Bosche, Sr. Mary Odila Miller, Dr. Frances Quinlivan and Helen Foose Petersen ’38.

“To many of you these are just names on buildings or awards,” Dr. Roth said. “But they are much more than that. They are individuals who had the courage to do what ought to be done during times when it was difficult

july 6

sept 6

april 1

april 15

Six SND arrive in Cleveland to teach at St. Peter’s and St. Stephen’s schools.

Ground is broken for Notre Dame Academy campus at 1325 Ansel Road.

SND in Cleveland ask Mother Mary Cecilia Romen in Germany for permission to open college.

Bishop Schrembs grants SND permission to open college.

june 8

sept 10

SND of Coesfeld separate from Sisters of Notre Dame of Amersfoort, Netherlands.

SND establish Notre Dame Academy for boys and girls, grades 1 to 12.

march 26

Notre Dame Academy enrolls girls only.

Mother Mary Cecilia Romen asks Bishop Joseph Schrembs for permission to open college.

summer

The Notre Dame of today is an opportunity college that through financial aid of more than $16 million provides a private, values-based, Catholic education in the liberal arts to students who might otherwise not have access to such an experience. It is one of the most diverse colleges in Ohio. One fourth of its students are minorities and nearly half are not Catholic. They come from 20 different states and a dozen different countries.

Notre Dame is long past the days of being a small business operation. Its operating volume is at $43 million and last fall the College recruited 489 students, the largest incoming class in its history. Total enrollment is now at nearly 2,200 students and more than 250 employees work to support the College’s mission of personal, professional and global responsibility.

That mission is grounded in the history of the College and the Sisters of Notre Dame, who first came to Cleveland on July 6, 1874, at the request of Bishop Richard Gilmour, who had sought German-speaking teachers for the parish schools of St. Stephens in Cleveland and St. Joseph’s in Fremont, Ohio. The Sisters arrived from Coesfeld, Germany, where their congregation had been founded by teachers Hilligonda Wolbring and Elisabeth Kuehling in 1850.

From 1850 to 1855, Wolbring and Kuehling were trained by the Sisters of Notre Dame of Amersfoort, Holland, a congregation that followed the rule of the Sisters of Notre Dame of Namur. When political tensions in Germany forced the Coesfeld group to separate from the Amersfoort congregation, they took the simple name “Sisters of Notre Dame.”

The Sisters began to instruct students from kindergarten through teacher education. They did so until the state took control of Catholic schools and expelled teaching congregations from Prussia during Bismarck’s Kulturkampf in the 1870s. At that time, Cleveland experienced unprecedented growth in its German immigrant population and Bishop Gilmour requested that Sisters come to Cleveland to teach.

“If your Sisters were here, they would easily be employed,” he wrote in a letter dated July 9, 1873. “You must send me first-class teachers or I don’t want them.”

sept 18

june 30

june 15

oct 31

june 15

First day of classes

SND lease 39 acres on Green Road.

First graduates of two-year Teacher Training School

Groundbreaking for Administration Building in South Euclid

SND buy 39 leased acres on Green Road.

Notre Dame College is founded.

our story

The Sisters were spiritual descendants of Saint Julie Billiart (France, 1751-1816), who had established the congregation of the Sisters of Notre Dame of Namur to teach poor children. They were also followers of the educational principles of Bernard Overberg (Germany, 1754-1826), who had transformed the German Catholic educational system by applying his philosophy of a student-centered teaching approach.

to accomplish them. Without them, the College as we know it today would not exist.”

march 30

june 14

june 9

sept 17

Articles of Incorporation are signed.

SND purchase 15 acres on Green Road.

First 14 students graduate with four-year bachelor's degrees.

First day of classes in Administration Building

Celebrating 90 Years

17

our story

YEARS

Agnes Bosche was named dean and administrator. It was her responsibility to determine the philosophical foundations of the women’s college, shape the curriculum, hire faculty and establish the extra-curricular life.

By 1877, about 200 Sisters had journeyed to America.

In 1878, the Sisters in Cleveland opened Notre Dame Academy for 14 students, grades 1 through 12, paying $3 tuition per month. By 1910, the Academy had grown so dramatically that the Sisters purchased property on Ansel Road overlooking Rockefeller Park to build a new school. The brick, Gothic structure, dubbed “Castle Ansel,” was completed in 1915. Within a year, enrollment reached 500 and after 1920 the Academy accepted girls only. Soon, their parents asked the Sisters to offer a college education as well.

Four-year programs were established for the Bachelor of Arts and the Bachelor of Philosophy in Education degrees.

On Sept. 18, 1922, the College opened its doors at Ansel Road to 13 women and 11 novices. There were nine faculty members: three Sisters, three priests and three lay women. Tuition was $75 per semester. The College’s Articles of Incorporation were signed and filed with the State of Ohio on March 30, 1923. The College’s first 13 students graduated with four-year bachelor’s degrees and teaching certificates on June 9, 1926. The following day,

After the bishop granted permission in April 1922, Sr. Mary Evarista Harks became the first college president, Sr. Mary Odila Miller served as treasurer and Sr. Mary

18

june 9

july 9

aug 14

dec 3

oct 24

Betty Brown becomes first black student to graduate from NDC.

Harks Hall groundbreaking

Providence Hall groundbreaking

Groundbreaking for Connelly Center and Alumnae Hall

Groundbreaking for Clara Fritzsche Library

Notre Dame Today

february

june 4

sept 18

War-time accelerated program is implemented.

First summa cum laude designation is awarded to Suzanne Gelin.

West wing of Administration Building is completed.

Law Enforcement Education Program (LEEP) for men and women is initiated.

Thanks to Sr. Mary Odila’s wise financial stewardship, the 1930s fostered growth at NDC despite the Great Depression. The College’s outstanding reputation in teacher training spread across the region. By the time Notre Dame celebrated its 10th anniversary, 1,287 students had registered. In 1933, the Sisters bought the 39 leased acres on Green Road.

The College soon outgrew its facilities. In June 1923, the Sisters signed a lease for 39 acres on Green Road in South Euclid and in June 1924 they bought an adjacent 15 acres. Since no wealthy donors stepped forward, the Sisters organized fundraising events to raise money for the construction of the new campus. Students organized bridge games, theatrical events and concerts, while children collected nickels and dimes.

During World War II, Notre Dame became one of the first women’s colleges in the United States to respond to the government’s plea for accelerated classes to move graduates into defense work quickly. Students could complete a four-year degree in three years with three 10-week summer sessions.

In 1925, architect Thomas D. McLaughlin & Associates designed a campus that would consist of 14 buildings arranged around a quadrangle, a man-made lake and athletic fields. The Administration Building was built first, but due to a lack of funds only the east and north wings were finished when 82 students arrived for the first day of classes on Sept. 17, 1928. The west wing was not constructed until 1961. Needless to say, McLaughlin’s

Expansion was the theme of the 1950s and 60s.

Enrollment was climbing, with 300 students in 1952, and the residence hall was crowded. Sisters were sleeping in their offices and classrooms to provide lodging for tuition-paying students. An expansion program was kicked-off during Alumnae Week in 1952. It resulted in

may 18

may

fall

july 1

january

First two male students graduate with A.A. degrees from LEEP.

First 12 WECO students graduate.

Master of Education program starts.

Center for Excellence opens.

First three male undergraduates enroll.

Lifelong Learning Center is established.

our story

ambitious original campus plan was never pursued.

During the Great Depression, the diocese prepared for a college merger based on the European university method that incorporated Notre Dame into John Carroll in December 1929. In March 1934, the State Department of Education ruled that one incorporated body (NDC) could not be a part of another corporation (JCU) and dissolved the incorporation.

the Alumnae Association held its first meeting.

A pioneer spirit characterized the early years of the College. Under the direction of Sr. Mary Agnes, the students established college traditions reflecting the identity of Notre Dame. Religion was paramount.

Attendance at daily services was required and resident students were expected at Sunday chapel in cap and gown. Student organizations and activities included the orchestra, the glee club, theatre, a debate club and an athletic association. The award-winning student newspaper, Notre Dame News, provided coverage about the College and the Academy.

september

sept 9

may

nov 16

Weekend College (WECO) is established.

Keller Fitness Center is dedicated.

First M.Ed. students graduate.

Tolerance Resource Center opens.

Celebrating 90 Years

19

our story

the construction of Harks Hall (1955), the Administration Building’s west wing (1961) and Providence Hall (1962).

Connelly Center (1968), Alumnae Hall (1968) and the Clara Fritzsche Library (1971) followed. By 1968, enrollment had reached 721 students.

In the 1970s, Executive Vice President Sr. Mary LeRoy Finn realized there was a lack of educational opportunities for adult women. She established the Lifelong Learning Center in 1975 to ease the return to college for women over age 25. In 1978, she designed the Weekend College (WECO), which enabled these women to complete a bachelor’s degree in four years. By 2000, almost 700 WECO women had received their baccalaureate degrees from NDC. With fewer Sisters available to teach at NDC, more lay faculty and staff were hired in the 1980s. During the 90s, the College took several steps toward becoming more separate from the founding congregation while retaining its mission. A new constitution was adopted that established a lay board of trustees, of whom 20 percent were Sisters. When Sr. Marla Loehr resigned in 1995, the College appointed Dr. Robert Karsten as interim president.

A Lutheran minister, Dr. Karsten became the first male, first layman and first non-Catholic to lead the College.

In the 1990s, the College made a commitment to minority student development and a stronger multi-cultural learning environment. Since then more than 25 percent of

20

Notre Dame College students claimed a minority heritage.

The student body also became more diverse when the College began admitting men as full-time undergraduates in January 2001.

Since then, enrollment has soared, countless academic programs have been developed on campus and online, nearly two dozen athletic teams have been launched, student life has blossomed, and more buildings have been added to the campus.

What’s more important, Notre Dame has retained its philosophy of being an opportunity college for those who might have never thought a private, liberal arts education was within their reach. Nearly 98 percent of NDC students receive financial aid and many of them are the first in their families to go to college. They excel at Notre Dame because the College remains committed to its small class sizes and because NDC professors take time to get to know them. Through countless service opportunities and a curriculum that stresses personal, professional and global responsibility, they learn not only how to make a living, but also how to live a good life.

As Notre Dame College continues its journey to become one of the finest, small, Catholic colleges in the Great Lakes region, it never loses track of its mission – a mission that is grounded in the tradition and history of the Sisters of Notre Dame, who saw a need and had the courage to respond by building a college.

nov 2

nov 3

march 31

nov 9

fall

Dr. Andrew P. Roth is inaugurated as 13th president.

Academic Support Center opens.

North Hall groundbreaking

Abrahamic Center is inaugurated.

Enrollment reaches 2,156 students.

Notre Dame Today

may 7

fall

aug 5

summer

First co-ed class graduates.

NDC purchases campus from SND.

South Hall grand opening

NDC purchases former Regina High School building.

IN 90 PHOTOS

It is impossible to capture the entire history of Notre Dame College in 90 photos.

But the following images provide a snapshot of life at NDC over the past nine decades. Take a stroll through time with this collection from the College’s archives.

Do you recognize anyone unidentified in these photos? Send us an e-mail at pr@ndc.edu. For more archival photos visit http://tinyurl.com/NDCArchives.

90 years

“Castle Ansel,� the Notre Dame Academy building, and two other buildings housed the College on Ansel Road in Cleveland from 1922 to 1928.

On Sept. 18, 1922, pioneer students pose with Cleveland Bishop Joseph Schrembs on the steps of a Victorian house that served as the main College building at 1345 Ansel Road.

Mother Mary Evarista Harks, founding president

22

Notre Dame Today

Sr. Mary Agnes Bosche, founding dean and third president

Sr. Mary Odila Miller, founding treasurer

90 years The Notre Dame College Orchestra at Ansel Road in 1926.

Digging commences at the College’s South Euclid site in the fall of 1926.

The Class of 1926, the first to graduate with bachelor's degrees, poses with the statue of Mary.

The cornerstone of the Administration Building is put in place during a formal ceremony on June 5, 1927.

Celebrating 90 Years

23

90 years

The east and north wings of the Administration Building were completed in 1928.

Bishop Joseph Schrembs poses with Notre Dame students and faculty in front of the main entrance in October 1929.

Basketball team: Marie Shipacasse ’32, Lucille Santo ’33, Dorothy Murray Schneider ’32, Gwen Meredith Bond ’33, Agnes Melia Murphy ’33 and Marian Smith Whitaker ’32.

Students from the classes of 1934 and 1935 move to campus in 1931.

24

Notre Dame Today

90 years Notre Dame College had a choir from the earliest days. Pictured here is the choir from the early 1930s.

Sr. Cleophas Garvin taught math and physics from 1934 to 1985.

Chemistry students Mildred Stang ’34, Alverna Daly ’34 and Mary Pavlic ’34

The Pate & Periwig Players perform “Joint Owners in Spain” in the Little Theater in 1931.

Students frequently hosted tea or card parties at their family homes, as seen in this photo from 1935.

Celebrating 90 Years

25

90 years Formal dances were popular for the students of the “women’s only” college.

Students hold a World War II food drive for Europe in 1940.

Archery was a popular sport on campus in the 1930s. Pictured here is Catherine Humphrey Cavagna ’36.

Rose Murray Bancrast, Mary Eileen Welch, Jeanne Freeh and June Gallagher Deissler, members of the Class of 1943

26

Notre Dame Today

Students from the Class of 1940 practice the culinary arts.

90 years During World War II, the Sisters receive training for a poisonous gas attack.

High school students (and several future NDC graduates) visit the biology lab during an open house in 1942.

Notre Dame students work as nurse’s aides at Rainbow Hospital in South Euclid in 1944.

Dorm life in the Administration Building in the 1940s

Laundry Day! Ann Nolan and Concetta Zaccoli prepare to do their laundry in a brand new wringer washer.

Mary McCloskey McCarthy '44 and Patricia Hurd Heaton '45 were members of the Notre Dame News staff.

Celebrating 90 Years

27

90 years Students play shuffleboard outside the incomplete west wing of the Administration Building in the 1940s.

28

May crowning of the Blessed Virgin was observed for many decades.

Students Joanne Seeholzer Donahue ’50 and Terese Imanshi Hughes '53 work as phone operators.

Notre Dame College graduate Mary Agnes Vaughan O'Harra '50 instructs girls at Notre Dame Academy in Cleveland.

Members of the Class of 1950 meet to plan the 1949 prom.

Notre Dame Today

90 years Students pray the rosary as they walk 5.5 miles to Our Lady of Lourdes Shrine in Euclid, Ohio, in 1951.

Student council president Mary Anne Nolan Hartford ’50 arrives for her senior year.

Betty Ann Stasny Skrha ’52 and a fellow student in the physics lab in 1952.

Students play field hockey in 1955.

Celebrating 90 Years

29

90 years “Modern Dance” and “Dalcroze Eurhythmics” were popular in the 1950s.

Stanley Roediger (in hat) inspects a custom-fired brick for the west wing.

Harks Hall, the second building to be constructed on the South Euclid campus, opened in 1955.

Pauline Fink Thompson ’64, Mary Zeller ’64, Mary Jane Janki ’64 and Margaret Trivison ’64 view a hand-lettered memorial scroll by Sr. Mary St. Kenneth presented to Robert Kennedy on April 2, 1964.

30

Notre Dame Today

The west wing is nearing completion.

90 years Providence Hall opened in 1962.

Roz Scheer-McLeod has taught at NDC since 1967.

From right to left: Claire Minadeo Wilson '60, Gayle Garrett '60, Marie Goetz Geier '60 and an unidentified student.

From 1958 to 2003, Sr. Teresemarie McCloskey ’49 taught math and computer science, and was an expert on John Henry Newman. She taught Notre Dame’s first distance learning course.

Tutoring for the Alhambra Project in Cleveland in 1965.

Celebrating 90 Years

31

90 years

Election board volunteers in 1968

Elaine Honacki Schwerko ’65 is listening to a tape.

Christine Piatak '72, Terri Greco '75 and Vaunita Nash '75 examine a master tape duplicator in the Multi-Media Learning Center.

Left to right: Susa Rakauskas Larson ’68, Mary Ann Giacinti Napoli ’70, Tess Tokesky Riedl ’70 and an unidentified student.

32

Notre Dame Today

90 years Sr. Mary St. Joseph Feikert, dean and professor of psychology, meets with students in 1970.

The tower of the Administration Building is seen through the apple orchard in 1971.

Choir members Kathleen Nasipak ’70, Carlotta Zarobila Mack ’70, Sharon Hart Ganslen ’70, Patricia Mowinski Eismon ’70 and Christine Piatak ’72.

The Clara Fritzsche Library was completed in 1971.

Dr. Frances Quinlivan with Sr. Mary Priscilla Freidel ’26 in 1972

Celebrating 90 Years

33

90 years

This freshman dons a Notre Dame beanie for initiation week.

34

Sr. Mary Luke Arntz addresses the Class of 1972 during the Junior Ring Ceremony.

Collecting food for the needy is one of many service projects NDC students have been involved with through the decades.

Students participate in the “Dance Rock Marathon” to raise money for a good cause in 1982.

Patricia Choby ’86, Kathleen Leneghan ’85 and Sr. Mary Marthe Reinhard ’52 flip the switch for the lighting of the tower in 1985.

Notre Dame Today

90 years Students pose in front of the Administration Building in 1980.

Professor Marilyn Zele Van Doesburg ’62 directs students decorating the ground floor, circa 1983.

1985 Kappa Gamma Pi inductees: Bernadette Walsh, Roseanne Colson, Santina Fenton, Martha Girz and Mary Kaliszewski.

Students are relaxing on the steps of the Administration Building, circa 1985.

Celebrating 90 Years

35

90 years

Anne Bruder ’88 (left) and Tina DiBacco Jurcisin ’85

The Great Room, once used as the dining hall, has welcomed generations of students who seek a quiet place to study.

Sr. Helen Burdesnki ’62 teaches one of her business courses.

The 1980s saw a relaxing of the rule regarding wall decoration.

Four friends from the Class of 1990 celebrate their graduation.

36

Notre Dame Today

90 years Professor Rachel Morris with Maggie Kocevar ’90, whose interest in Holocaust studies led to the founding of the Tolerance Resource Center.

Since 1922, Notre Dame has been known for its excellent teacher education.

Sr. Mary LeRoy Finn ’40 is best known as the founder of the Weekend College (WECO) for non-traditional students.

Falcon fans in the late 1990s

In 1994, students participate in a nationwide push for drug free campuses during Red Ribbon Week.

Celebrating 90 Years

37

90 years

Sr. Mary Louise Trivison ’50 was instrumental in creating the Marian Room in 1995 and the Tolerance Resource Center in 1997.

Dr. Tony LaVerde and Dr. Inge Schmidt inspect the new computer lab.

Helen Lee ’96 and Sr. Megan Dull ’71 during a ceramics class in 1996

Karen Zoller, Dr. Anne Deming, Goldie Pearl and Eleanor Raper Kocevar ’52 open the Tolerance Resource Center in 1997.

38

Notre Dame Today

Dr. Andrew P. Roth is inaugurated as the 13th president of Notre Dame College on Nov. 2, 2003.

90 years The first co-ed class graduates from Notre Dame on May 7, 2005. Pictured here are Justin Tisdale ’05 and Erin Bayer Tisdale ’04, one of the first couples to meet and marry at NDC.

Thanks to generous contributions by NDC alumni, Christ the King Chapel was renovated in 2008.

The College opened two apartmentstyle residence halls, North and South Hall, in 2009.

Notre Dame football kicked off on Sept. 6, 2009.

Celebrating 90 Years

39

90 years The Falcon wrestling team won back-to-back NAIA national championships, a first in College history, in 2010 and 2011.

Notre Dame’s marching band has set the tone for many campus events since 2009.

With the arrival of Falcon football, the College also introduced a cheerleading program.

A bird’s eye view of the campus today

2,200 individuals from 20 different states and a dozen countries, of various ethnicities and religions, and from diverse socioeconomic backgrounds make up the NDC student body in 2012.

40

Notre Dame Today

Marye Anne Payne Fox ’69, the chancellor of the University of California, San Diego, was honored with the 2012 Othmer Gold Medal during a day of awards at the Chemical Heritage Foundation in Philadelphia. Fox, an internationally known chemist, received the Othmer Gold Medal during the Chemical Heritage Foundation’s 11th annual Heritage Day on April 12. The award was established in 1997 to honor outstanding individuals who have made multifaceted contributions to the chemical and scientific heritage through outstanding activity in such areas as innovation, entrepreneurship, research, education, public understanding, legislation, or philanthropy.

1970 Songwriter Lynn Berry ’70 and singer-songwriter Emily Nyman have released their newest album, “Peace Offering,” a collection of songs reminiscent of the 60s along with four original songs. The duo has been a songwriting team for many years, and has produced five albums and been part of several compilations. Lynn currently also teaches an online course in art history at Notre Dame. She lives in Vermont.

1972 Sr. Olivia Maria Latiano, SND ‘72 is in her eighth year as director of music and liturgy at St. Peter Parish in Huron, Ohio.

Last year, she began playing the French horn (one of the items on her “Bucket List”) and is enjoying performing with the North Coast Community Band.

1974 Dr. Deborah Plummer ’74 has published the fiction novel “They Still Call Me Sister,” the first in a series of cozy mysteries about amateur sister sleuths Kathy and Tina, who uncover the truth in the alleged suicide of one of Kathy’s patients.

The psychological thriller and murder mystery triggers conversations about racial identity, sexual orientation, politics and the intersection of religion. Like the heroine in her novel, Deborah Plummer is a former nun and psychologist.

She currently lives in the Greater Boston area with her husband Michael and their two pugs Louis Vuitton and Gloria Vanderbilt. Deborah is also the author of “Racing Across the Lines: Changing Race Relations through Friendships,” a blogger for the Huffington Post, and a guest commentator for local and national television news programs. Proceeds from sales of the book (paperback or Kindle) will go to Facing History and Ourselves.

1977 Virginia Thomas Kovacina ’77 and her husband Michael joyfully announce the ordination of their son Peter Thomas Kovacina to the Sacred Order of the Priesthood. The ceremony took place on May 19.

Fr. Kovacina celebrated his first Mass the next day at the Church of St. Clare in Lyndhurst, Ohio.

1979 Mary Pat Gaietto Morris ’79 was elected to the Warrensville Heights City School Board this fall.

1979

class notes

1969

Maureen Raleigh Bihn ’79 was presented with the 2012 Alumna of the Year Award at the Notre Dame College Alumni Association’s Annual Spring Business Meeting on April 14.

Maureen was chosen for this award due to her outstanding support for the College, its Alumni Association and, most importantly, its students.

Maureen has been a faithful annual fund donor, has given books to the library, supported capital campaigns and countless other fundraisers for the College’s sports program, and is a tireless advocate for the many alumni programs sponsored by the Alumni Association. Moreover, Maureen has an endless personal campaign to talk every high school student she meets into attending Notre Dame College.

Maureen is equally involved in her parish, St. Patrick’s. She is currently chairman of the restoration committee, which holds two major fundraisers each year, and a member of the finance committee. She has been a lector and PSR instructor, and she helps at nearly every church function.

Maureen has been married to Rick Bihn for 27 years and has worked for Cleveland Cliffs since graduation in 1979.

Celebrating 90 Years

41

class notes

1979 Frances Rifici Ratka ’79 was named planetarium director at the Lake Erie Nature and Science Center in Bay Village, Ohio.

1994 Marie Shapiro ’94, formerly known as Barbara Lupo ’94, has completed her 30-hour training course, home studies and projects in preparation of becoming a foster parent to a young girl. She is thrilled for this new chapter in her life.

1997 Laura Malee Greenwald ’97 and her daughter Jill Malee ’11 started a fashion blog, abbyandelle.wordpress. com, where they offer fashion and shopping advice and help promote Cleveland-area boutiques and thrift shops.

They were also among the official fashion bloggers for Cleveland Fashion Week 2012.

2000 Liberty del Rosario ’00 has been named assistant women’s basketball coach at Eastern Michigan University. Liberty previously worked as an assistant women’s basketball coach at Morgan State University, Cleveland State University and Notre Dame College. At NDC, Liberty had a hand in helping the Falcons advance to the NAIA Nationals for the first time in program history in 2006. As a student, she was a two-year letter winner at Notre Dame.

Jean Simon Goblinger ’97 gave birth to her second child, baby girl Kira Grace Goblinger, on March 15, 2011.

1997 Susan Previts Paez ’98 and her husband Nick are proud to announce that their son Coleson Michael was born Dec. 19, 2011.

Big sisters Isabella, Avery and Savannah love him to pieces.

42

Notre Dame Today

Jennifer Cepik-Blueter ’99 is now a co-owner of a new sports bar in Akron’s valley called The Beer Haus (1824 Merriman Road, Akron). The Beer Haus is a full-service American sports bar and restaurant with German flair that features over 100 regional and micro beers from around the U.S. and the best brews from around the world. The Germaninspired menu offers some unique spins on classic favorites that compliment watching sports and hanging with friends.

1998

1997

Joni DePiore Reardon ’97, her husband Tim and daughter Grace welcomed triplets into their family on March 8. William Patrick entered the world first at 8:52 a.m., weighing 4 pounds, 10 ounces, at 18 ¾ inches. Lucy Christine was next, born at 8:53 a.m., weighing 4 pounds, 12 ounces, at 17 ½ inches. Daniel Ryan completed the trio at 8:54 a.m., weighing 4 pounds, 10 ounces, at 18 ¼ inches.

1999

2000

1998 Dr. Lisa Borowski Mundey ’98 has published her first book, “American Militarism and Anti-Militarism in Popular Culture, 19451970.” She continues to teach in the history department of the University of St. Thomas, a Catholic, liberal arts university in Houston, Texas.

Julianne Frances “Frankie” Hills ’00 was married to George Polowyk at St. Basil the Great Church in Brecksville, Ohio, on Dec. 31, 2011. Domenica "Annie" Ricco Burrell ’99 was the Matron of Honor and Julianne Jones ’02 was a bridesmaid.

Tina DiBacco Jurcisin ’85 read the petitions. Frankie and George honeymooned in St. Lucia.

2006

2009

Joyce Chambers Reichard ’01 has been accepted to the Cleveland Marshall College of Law.

2002

Amanda Beaver ’02 married Sgt. Scott Soltis at the Ashtabula Municipal Court House on Dec. 23, 2011. Scott had been home a little over a month from Iraq when the couple married.

Amanda is now working at Glenbeigh and Scott is enrolled at KSU-Ashtabula.

2005 Maggie Steadley ’05 married Dave Ferrando ’09 in Notre Dame College’s Christ the King Chapel on Oct. 15, 2011. Many NDC alumni were in the wedding party including bridesmaid Maggie Daniels ’05 and groomsmen Sean Ferrando ’12, Jeff Johnson ’09, Pete Pierce ’08, Justin Tisdale ’05, Casey McNeill ’09 and Billy Bambrick ’08.

Keith Bowden ’08 and Brian Bruce ’08 served as ushers.

Dave is currently teaching special education classes at Brush High School, where he is also the boys’ junior varsity basketball coach. He is also an assistant football coach at Fairview High School. Maggie is a kindergarten teacher in the North Olmsted District-Butternut Primary. She is the head girls’ varsity basketball coach at St. Joseph Academy.

Amber Antaya Umlor ’06 and her husband Pete are celebrating the birth of their first child Lola Antaya Umlor, who was born on March 9. Lola weighed 8 pounds and was 20 inches long.

class notes

2001

Katie Sloe ’09 married Steve Klick ’08 on Sept. 2, 2011.

The wedding party was full of fellow Notre Dame College alumni: Chris Furey ’08, Keith Bowden ’08 and Mike Klick ’12 served as groomsmen; Kristie Sloe Mack ’09, Christi Cuffari ’10, Amanda Folk ’10 and Coty Wolfe ’10 were bridesmaids.

2008 Jackie Winkel ’08 has been named associate director of admissions at Greensboro College in North Carolina.

Jackie held a similar position at Ashland University in Ohio. She has also worked as an admissions counselor at Notre Dame College.

2009

2009 Zachary Fenell ’09 has published his first book, “Off Balanced,” a teenage memoir about having cerebral palsy, for the Amazon Kindle and the Barnes & Noble Nook.

Zach hopes the book will raise disability awareness.

Jennifer Stursa ’09 volunteered to help the Notre Dame College Admissions Office during its President’s Day Open House. More than 107 families came to visit the campus that day.

Celebrating 90 Years

43

class notes

2009 Kyle Knapik ’09 has enrolled at The Ohio State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine.

2010 Mike Mannozzi ’10 won the 1-mile racewalk at the prestigious Millrose Games in New York City in February.

Mike crossed the finish line in 6:19.40 minutes, a mere .02 seconds ahead of Dan Serianni.

Mike also raced in the 50k U.S. Olympic Trials in San Diego in January and finished ninth. He has one more shot at qualifying for the 2012 London Olympics when he competes in the 20k trials in Eugene, Ore., in June.

2010 Sarah Nank ’10 has launched a coaching firm for bands and musicians called Metronome: Performance Coaching.

Sarah helps musicians with combating stress, overcoming addictions, managing anger, setting boundaries and improving communication with fellow band members.

“The big picture of the business is helping people overcome limiting behaviors that are holding them back from achieving their potential in a career, family or social environment,” Sarah told COSE Update magazine.

Sarah graduated with a psychology degree from NDC and applies Gestalt therapy in her coaching work.

various Notre Dame College alumni were proud to help students represent the College in Cleveland’s annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade. The parade’s theme was “How the Irish Influenced America.” Notre Dame’s float depicted the Transcontinental Railroad and featured a locomotive engine, complete with a working steam pipe! Marchers included Erin Butterfield ’08, Kristin Butterfield ’99, Mary Elizabeth Cotleur ’98, Maria D’Amico ’97, Diana de la Rosa Miklic ’90, Barb Fisco ’94, Anshawn Ivery ’11, Martin Jones ’08, Jess Mazzorato ’10, Kristen Perfect ’09, Sr. Eileen Quinlan, SND ’74 and Sylvia Sgro ’85.

We want to hear from you! Visit NotreDameCollege.edu/Class-Notes and share with us the latest and greatest happenings in your life. We will print select submissions in the next edition of Notre Dame Today.

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Notre Dame Today

In Memoriam We offer our condolences to relatives and friends of the recently deceased and pray that our good God will welcome them into everlasting joy.

Alumni

Dolores C. Peck ’42 12/2011

Rita L. Braeunig ’44 05/2011

Doris Sorna ’59

Kenneth Frazier

11/2011

Husband of Judith Lachvayder-Frazier ’65

Father of Doris L. Miller ’70

04/2011

Dorothy J. Cavalcante ’63 04/2010

Sr. Bernice Mary Spevok ’77 11/2011

Dorothy Gamiere ’49 08/2011

03/2012

Pauline Henderson ’45 05/2010

Sheila M. Kloc ’62

03/2012

Shirley N. Lee ’50 02/2011

Elaine B. Majoros ’56

Husband James R. Hoying Husband of Kathleen I. Hoying ’56 Donald J. Kupecky

12/2011

Husband of Regina Breig Kupecky ’70

Mother of Linda M. Cotman ’75 Frances G. LaVerde

07/2009

Father of Aimee Shinhearl ’96 Sister Dorothy MacDonald

Joseph G. Pilla Husband of Mary H. Pilla ’51

Sister of Catherine L. Quinlan ’49 Brother, Uncle, Great Uncle John Nicholas Girz

09/2011

01/2012

Mother of Dr. Anthony LaVerde

Brother of Jean Yeager Girz ’45 Uncle of Dr. Cecilia Girz ’70 and Dr. Martha Girz ’85 Great Uncle of Timothy Kiedrowski ’07

Lucille Zahler 02/2011

Mother of Margaret M. Zahler ’70 Father Henry R. Crowell

12/2011

Edwina McIntyre ’68

03/2012

05/2011

Margaret Mary McGovern ’49 11/2011

Mother

02/2012

01/2009

Vonna McDonald ’50

Daughter of Katherine M. McGinty ’73

Isabel Cotman Mary Eileen Welch ’43 10/2010

Alice G. Krus ’63

Cecilia Marie McGinty

Robert Shinhearl

03/2012

Tamika Watkins ’07 04/2012

03/2011

Daughter 01/2012

Betty Brown Syed ’38

William A. Miller Jr.

04/2012

04/2012

Father of Coretta Crowell Waller ’03

Cousin Marie L. Trivison 03/2012

Cousin of Sr. Mary Louise Trivison ’50

01/2011 Memorial Masses may be offered in Christ the King Chapel for your deceased loved one. For more information about scheduling a Mass, please contact Anthony Camino, director of campus ministry, at 216.373.5387.

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leadership spotlight Sr. Eileen Quinlan ’74 Teaches Social Justice

By Christian Taske ’07

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Notre Dame Today

ask some of the students who have taken Sr. Eileen’s Great Books course and they will tell you she exhibits a strong presence in class, challenges their intellect like no other teacher at NDC, and asks them to apply their knowledge in a socially conscious way.

Clutching her Latin book, she stepped slowly into the cool yard.

“Argentina. Armenia. Arizona,” she chanted. “Arizona. Arizona Dakota.

Arizona, Dakota, Montana, California.

The whole world for Arizona Dakota.”

“It’s not just classroom conversation about textbooks,” Sr. Eileen says.

“It’s ‘Here are some great ideas from significant authors. What does that have to do with the world we live in?’

It’s the mission of the College that you use this liberal arts education to be a transformative presence.”

In these excerpts from “The Whole World for Arizona Dakota,” Sr. Eileen Quinlan ’74 brings to life her great-great aunt Arizona Dakota Long, Kode for short, who grew up in Titusville, Pa., in the late 19th century. Sr. Eileen was inspired to write this piece of historical fiction after conducting extensive research about the Pennsylvania Oil Boom, the small town of Titusville, as well as her family, which she can trace as far back as medieval Scotland and New Haven, Ct., in 1640. The professor of English and communication read the short story to her colleagues at Notre Dame College during the 2012 President’s Lecture in March.

Sr. Eileen brings Kode to life as a strong, intelligent and conscientious 14-year-old girl who works hard to support her terminally-ill mother but longs to see the world.

Strong, intelligent and conscientious – these words also come to mind when one thinks of Sr. Eileen. Just

Sr. Eileen is not afraid to share her opinions, particularly when they concern issues of social justice. You might have opened up the Cleveland Plain Dealer one morning and found yourself reading Sr. Eileen’s book review of Louise Erdrich’s “Red Convertible” or stumbled upon her editorial about Ohio’s death penalty on Cleveland.com. For years, Sr. Eileen has encouraged her students to share their opinions and write letters to the editor based on ideas derived from the great works of literature they examined in her class.

leadership spotlight

Kode opened her book and let her eyes play over the conjugations.

What an amazing thing language was, she thought. She tried to imagine being in ancient Rome, wearing sandals and a long white robe, or in France during the Revolution, and wondered what it would be like to hear people speaking French, with not a word of English at all. Looking out over their shed, over the little frame houses on New Street, down toward the creek and the railroad, her eyes went toward the hills, now shrouded blue-gray in the twilight, the bright summer greens fading into darkness.

What was beyond those hills? she wondered. Oil City and Pittsburgh, Cincinnati, St. Louis, New Orleans.

Then Cuba, and Venezuela, and Brazil. She loved the feel, the taste of the exotic words in her mouth.

“Cincinnati. Venezuela. Patagonia.”

For Sr. Eileen, the Catholic Church and the Sisters of Notre Dame have been a transformative presence in her life.

The second of five children, Sr. Eileen grew up in an Irish Catholic family in East Cleveland. Her father worked for General Electric and her mother was a nurse at St. Vincent Charity Hospital.

“We went to the parish school and our life really centered on the parish,” Sr. Eileen says. “We didn’t have a car and we were two blocks from school and church, and that was really our life. We walked to school; we rode our bikes; we went to church. Like most families in those days, we were very Catholic.”

As a teenager, Sr. Eileen discovered service as an integral part of her life.

Together with her sister, she would take the bus downtown and volunteer for the Red Cross. In high school,

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leadership spotlight

the Sisters of Notre Dame nurtured that sense of service that Sr. Eileen now aims to instill in her students.

Two weeks after returning from her freshman trip to Europe, Sr. Eileen joined the convent.

“The Sisters who taught me at Regina were so enthusiastic and joyful and engaged in the local community,” Sr. Eileen says. “Once in high school we packed food for the India missions; there had been a famine. In 11th grade religion we had a project to do a sociological study in local neighborhoods. It was such an awakening to make the connections between what’s going on in school and what’s going on out there, which I think has shaped how I teach.”

“It occurred to me in high school that God had given me so much that the best thing I could do is to give back everything,” Sr. Eileen says.

Much like her imagination of her great-great aunt Kode, Sr. Eileen was an independent teenager. Maybe that’s because Sr. Eileen hails from a family of “activist kind-of women,” as she says. Both of her grandmothers were involved in local politics, even before women could vote and despite their husbands’ objections. And much like the heroine in her short story, Sr. Eileen was an intelligent teenager, and a talented writer. During her senior year at Regina High School, Sr. Eileen won a national contest with a short story she wrote about the Vietnam War. She won $50, which was enough to buy a dress and a ticket to the 1969 prom at the Statler Hilton.

When Sr. Eileen enrolled at Notre Dame, the College was gearing up for its 50th anniversary in 1972 and giving out so-called “Golden Opportunity Scholarships” for gifted students, which covered the $800-a-year tuition. Sr. Eileen, who double-majored in French and English at Notre Dame, was one of the recipients. Ironically, she had exactly $800 in the bank at the time.

“That was my life savings,” Sr. Eileen says, “and I could either go to college for a year, buy a new Volkswagen or go to Europe for six weeks. So I went to Europe with the College for six weeks.”

The trip in collaboration with Ursuline College was for French majors and people interested in French. They took classes at the Sorbonne for a month and visited places like Belgium, England and Spain.

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What had not occurred to her was that she would give back as a teacher. The Sisters of Notre Dame turned her on to that idea.

“In high school I could not imagine anything more boring than being a teacher. Same thing day after day? Are you kidding?” Sr. Eileen says. “But that’s what the Sisters did. So I thought, ‘OK, I give it a try.’ It turned out to be great fun.”

After graduating from Notre Dame in 1974, Sr. Eileen taught at Regina High School for four years; at Notre Dame Academy, a boarding school in Middleburg, Va., for six years; at Elyria Catholic High School for three years; and at Notre Dame Academy in Chardon, Ohio, for eight years starting in 1987.

From 1981 to 1986, Sr. Eileen earned her M.A. in English during summer sessions at Bowling Green State University. In 1995, she began doctoral studies at Loyola University in Chicago, where she also taught classes. Sr. Eileen’s dissertation was titled “Healing Connections: Feminist/Womanist Ethical Reflection on Community in the Fiction of Mary Gordon, Toni Morrison, and Louise Erdrich.”

Sr. Eileen’s interest in Erdrich’s works eventually led her to study Native American theology during a sabbatical in 2007. She attended the National Tekakwitha Conference of people ministering with the Native American Catholic population and took classes at the Native Ministries Consortium Summer School at the Vancouver School of Theology.

Today she teaches a class on Native American literature at Notre Dame.

Sr. Eileen joined Notre Dame’s faculty in the fall of 1999. Over the

last 13 years, she has left her mark on her students and has shared her research studies with her colleagues.

In recognition of her work, she received the Distinguished Faculty Award in 2006 and was named the 2012 President’s Lecturer this March.

But Sr. Eileen’s contributions to the Notre Dame community extend beyond her academic work.

Among other things, she has led and participated in countless volunteer projects, served on the Abrahamic Center’s internal advisory board, and served as a committee chair for the alumni board.

Sr. Eileen is also part of the Sisters of Notre Dame’s Water for Life committee, which aims to raise awareness locally about the shortage of drinking water in developing nations, the personal risks impoverished women take to collect drinking water, as well as the importance of recycling water bottles. The Sisters have also financially supported various well drilling and sanitation projects in Central America, East Africa and India.

“Our community took a corporate stance that we would all work together to support the UN Millennium Development Goals, especially for water,” she says. “In developing nations, where they don’t have city water, women and girls spend a disproportionate amount of time hauling water. That means they don’t have time to go to school.”

The Sisters’ water project concerns issues of social justice, women’s rights, and education, three aspects Sr. Eileen is passionate about and stresses in her academic work. It’s her commitment to these issues that make Sr. Eileen an example for her students of someone who lives personal, professional and global responsibility.

This is one profile from an ongoing series of 90 stories highlighting individuals who have shaped Notre Dame and/or live the College’s mission of personal, professional and global responsibility. To read more profiles, visit NotreDameCollege.edu/90/90-Stories.

I Give Back Because… …I want to help our talented students reach their academic and career dreams. When I was a student, the generous donations of others supported my education experiences. Now, as a faculty member, I want to be part of the formation of the next generation of scientists, entrepreneurs, educators and artists, as both a teacher and contributor to the College’s annual fund. Giving to Notre Dame College is a way to invest in the future of my students.

Dr. Tracey Meilander Assistant Professor of Biology Notre Dame College If you would like to give back to Notre Dame College, please visit NotreDameCollege.edu/because or call 216.373.5234.

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Friday, June 22

Five O’clock Falcons Ferrante Winery, Geneva, Ohio 5 – 8 p.m.

Join us for our final Five O’clock Falcons of the academic year! The Alumni Office covers your first drink and the appetizers for the night.

Saturday, June 23

Art on the NDC Circle Quinlivan Circle 11 a.m. – 10 p.m.

Local artists will exhibit their work surrounded by the beauty of our serene and picturesque campus during NDC’s second annual fine arts weekend.

RSVP required for all events.

Saturday, June 23

A Night of Shakespeare Front Steps 6 p.m.

The Cleveland Shakespeare Festival will perform “As You Like It.” The performance is free, but join us for a pre-show reception with festive beverages and an Italianthemed buffet! Cost is $15.

Sunday, Aug. 5

The Fest Wickliffe, Ohio Noon – 8 p.m.

Notre Dame is sponsoring the one-day, Christian family festival on the grounds of the Center for Pastoral Leadership Come out for a day of Christian music and stop by the NDC tent!

Friday, Aug. 24-Sunday, Aug. 26 Welcome Weekend Campus Join us to welcome our newest students to Notre Dame College!

Friday, Oct. 5-Sunday, Oct. 7 Alumni Reunion & Homecoming Weekend Campus Save the dates to come back to Notre Dame College! We will have special celebrations for all classes ending in ’2 and ’7.

Upcoming Alumni Events

Visit NotreDameCollege.edu/alumni/events for more information or call the Notre Dame College Alumni Office at 1.877.NDC.OHIO x 6385.