SMU IR13 2-31 10/16/13 10:40 AM Page 20
SAINT MARY’S UNIVERSITY
OF
MINNESOTA
Dolan and Domanico unite to highlight SMU sciences 20
Spring gala planned for Chicago Doctors James Dolan ’79 and John Domanico ’77 hadn’t seen much of each other since the ’70s. Dolan was a freshman at Saint Mary’s when Domanico was a junior, but the two shared at least one physics class and did some late-night cramming together, back in the day. During the next 30-plus years, the two Chicago-area doctors (Dr. Domanico is an oral and maxillofacial surgeon in Chicago, and Dr. Dolan is an gynecologic oncologist in Park Ridge) bumped into each other periodically, often at Saint Mary’s alumni events. Because of their love of their alma mater and their desire to enhance the sciences at Saint Mary’s, the two have been chosen to chair a spring science gala in Chicago. Needless to say, their correspondence has increased significantly. “Now it seems like I’ve never not
talked to him because we talk a lot,” Dr. Domanico said. “You just pick up where you leave off.” Dr. Dolan says he has considered Dr. Domanico a buddy for the past 35 years. The idea for this event was sparked when Dr. Dolan spoke to Brother William Mann back in 2012. The two discussed Saint Mary’s beginning a unique, black-tie event in the Chicago area with the express purpose of raising money for — and awareness of — the sciences at Saint Mary’s. “The Loyola University Stritch School of Medicine has an event each year where they engage the alumni from the medical school and give out the Sword of Loyola and the Stritch Medal. That was the genesis,” Dr. Dolan said. “I had the thought that we could highlight the past, present and future by recognizing some distinguished alumni, re-engaging alumni and convincing them to invest in our future students,” he said. “We have a lot of successful alumni and many of them are very grateful to the university.” When looking for a partner, Dr. Domanico, a long-time Saint Mary’s supporter and volunteer, was quickly tapped. “We hope to engage alumni and re-introduce them to Saint Mary’s,” Dr. Domanico said. “We’re riding on the coattails of the success of the Centennial, by design. The purpose of this event is to engage alumni and to make them aware of the wonderful science initiatives already in the curriculum, the partnerships we have with the University of Minnesota, Mayo Clinic, Gundersen Health Center and Cascade Meadow, plus our Prairie Island Field Station. We call it the triangle, our undergraduate location between La Crosse, Wis., and Rochester, and the many opportunities we have in these areas. Saint Mary’s is continuing the legacy of excellence in the sciences at Saint Mary’s. “We want to honor our alumni and raise awareness of the breadth of opportunities
Brother William poses with Dr. James ’79 and Ann (Lock ’79) Dolan at the Chicago Centennial Event.