Saint Francis Magazine Fall 2018 Issue by University of Saint Francis

message from our president Dear alumni and friends, While each new school year brings many marvelous changes at the University of Saint Francis, this one will alter our skyline for decades. Thanks to your support, a monument to faith—for which we have long prayed and planned—has opened its doors to worshippers. At the heart of campus, the spire of the new St. Francis Chapel now rises gracefully over Mirror Lake, underscoring its presence as a place of reflection and prayer. The beautiful edifice daily invites the campus community to celebrate the Eucharist, and all visitors to enjoy a serene and reverent place of worship. The chapel includes expanded seating for 250 people, and enhanced technology enables us to serve the needs of the larger community. The central location emphasizes and supports our Catholic, Franciscan identity, and makes access easy and convenient for the university and Fort Wayne communities. Its 360-degree views of campus make me pause and reflect upon our history and the strides we have made, upon our campus and as an institution of higher learning. In 1890, five pioneering Sisters of St. Francis of Perpetual Adoration made a faith journey from Germany to Lafayette, Ind. to begin healing and teaching. They moved Saint Francis College to Fort Wayne and the John Bass estate in 1944. The Bass home held the entire college, and in those early days, even the ability to secure the food to sustain the sisters was in doubt. God has certainly smiled upon their sacrifice and vision. Today, we mold the lives of 2,300 students, in facilities none could have dreamed of back when the science program was lodged in the Bass family’s former carriage garage. As the demand for our high-quality science programs has grown, we have responded with the space and resources necessary to carry our education, and our students, into the future. By the end of this year, phase one of the Achatz Hall of Science and Research Center will be completed, and the entire project will wrap up by the end of 2019. Our enhanced learning environment will include new and updated laboratories and research space for undergraduates, graduate students and faculty. With these resources, USF students can conduct innovative research projects right here, with more efficient and consistent results. This thumbnail view of our growth confirms God’s hand in our plan, and strengthens our resolve to continually transform our education. We invite you to visit our main and downtown campuses. There, you will see your generosity in action, sustaining USF through the tests of time and faith. God’s blessings,

Sister M. Elise Kriss, OSF, President University of Saint Francis

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Magazine | Fall 2018

Office of Institutional Advancement Dr. Matt Smith

Vice President of Institutional Advancement

Kathy Calvin

Administrative Assistant

Melissa Eastman

Director of Alumni Relations

Lynne McKenna Frazier

Director of Corporate and Foundation Relations

Matthew Hall

Assistant Director of Career Advancement

Tammy Oakes

Senior Gift Officer

Sister Marilyn Oliver, BSE ’62 Planned Giving and Missions

Sandie Phalen

Director of Marketing and Development for USF Crown Point

Matthew Rowan

Director of Development

Mary Timm-Zimmerman Donor Relations Specialist

Natalie (Mason) Wagoner, BBA ’07, MBA ’09 Director of Career Outreach Center and Employer Relations

Tatiana Walzer, MBA ’13

Assistant Director of Advancement Services

Magazine Staff MARKETING AND CREATIVE DIRECTOR

Carla (Satchwell) Pyle, BA ’00 EDITORIAL COMMITTEE

Melissa Eastman Sister Marilyn Oliver, BSE ’62 Mary Timm-Zimmerman SPORTS WRITER

Bill Scott

FEATURE WRITER

Yvonne Schroeder

CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Rob Hines

GRAPHIC DESIGNERS

Brooke (Stauffer) McGee, BA ’05 Rachel Weaver, BA ’16 PUBLISHER

University of Saint Francis 2701 Spring St., Fort Wayne, IN 46808 260-399-7999, sf.edu/magazine WINTER 2018

FOSTER PEACE and JUSTICE

The magazine of the University of Saint Francis is published twice annually by the USF Marketing Department and distributed without cost to alumni, faculty, staff and other friends of the university.

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in this issue features 6 Congratulations Class of 2018

Clark Volleyball Trio Digs USF

10 Servant Leadership Guides Parkview CNO Erin LaCross

12 Another Brick in the Wall Parsley’s work gives art students the big picture on making their passion a profession

14 Teamwork USF alumni blend uniquely for fun, frantic, frenzied married life

16 Student. Seminarian. Serviceman. USF transforms Horning’s life

18 Mapping Compassion USF’s Cologrossi works with foundation to aid world suffers

20 Alumna Quintana Champions

Diversity, Inclusivity

22 St. Francis Chapel Completes the Dream Decades of waiting culminate in the construction of the new centerpiece of campus

26 USF Alumnae Shine in Forty Under 40 28 Achatz Connection Leads to True-Blue Cougars Crew

30 The Road Ahead High school students jump-start futures with CNA program at USF Crown Point

32 Alumni Givers Trace Marriage and Career Success to USF 4

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School of Creative Arts students add color and prepare the surface of a downtown Fort Wayne wall for Art Department Chair and associate professor Tim Parsley. One of three artists city-wide selected to create public art works, Parsley structured his class around the mural process. Besides contributing hands-on work, students learned about the nature and meaning of public art, as well as the art business itself.

sections

Athletics

34-35

Campus News

36-37

Alumni News

38-43

USF psychology and theology graduate Jay Horning participates in an ordination ceremony for the priesthood in June. His USF experience pointed the way to seminary studies, first at University of Notre Dame and then Mount St. Mary’s Seminary in Emmetsburg, Maryland. Through the Archdiocese for Military Services, he now serves as a military chaplain. After serving the diocese three years, he begins five years of active duty.

8 Clark twins Carrie and Sara played volleyball on scholarships, and had jobs in their chosen fields before graduation in 2012. Younger sister Anne, now enrolled in the Keith Busse School of Business, has become the third Clark sister to attend USF and play volleyball. Carrie is a physical therapist assistant in Mount Pleasant, N.C., and Sara works for a large medical testing laboratory in Salt Lake City, Utah.

10 Erin LaCross, MSN 2009, chose a nursing career after a nurse comforted her during a frightening diagnostic test in 2003. Now she balances home, family and her multiple responsibilities as Chief Nursing Officer for Parkview Regional Medical Center. Besides providing nursing support and skills to match community needs, she is married to USF men’s basketball coach Chad LaCross and keeps up with three athletic children.

14 Trey and Ashley Stemen met as freshmen and married two weeks after graduation in 2016. USF projects meant late nights and long study sessions together, which strengthened their love and commitment. Ashley, a graphic designer with Do it Best Corp. in Fort Wayne, and Trey, Aquatics Director at Caylor-Nickel YMCA in Bluffton, enjoy their first home and newly-adopted Husky. Life is fun, if frantic, sometimes.

On the cover: The new St. Francis Chapel opened fall semester, forever changing the skyline and spiritual life of the USF campus.

Photos by Mollie Shutt, current student; Emma Anger, BA ’17; Tim Brumbeloe; Joe Romie; and Moments by Pam Photography. Cover photo by Tim Brumbeloe

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Congratulations CL ASS OF 2018

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Photos by Tim Brumbeloe

Valedictorians 1

Shelby A. Richardson Keith Busse School of Business and Entrepreneurial Leadership

Lydia A. Bushur School of Creative Arts

Karina Serapio-Rendon School of Creative Arts

Rachel M. Bertsch School of Health Sciences

Courtney N. Albers School of Liberal Arts and Sciences

Mackenzie M. McDorman School of Liberal Arts and Sciences

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CLARK VOLLEYBALL TRIO DIGS USF When college selection time came around, the Clark family of Valparaiso tripled down on USF. Carrie and Sara received volleyball scholarships, and degrees that placed them in their chosen fields before graduation. Younger sister Anne, now enrolled in the Keith Busse School of Business, became the third Clark sister to attend USF on a volleyball scholarship. 8

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Like many alumnae professionals, she looks back on USF’s highly-trained faculty and rigorous academics with appreciation. “The professors challenged us daily with their classes and projects. It really helped me in my career to fall back on those tough classes. I am more prepared because of them.” A 2016 biology graduate, Sara echoed many of her twin’s reasons for choosing USF. “It was close to home, it was in a larger city and it offered us both scholarships. I liked the small campus feel and classroom sizes. You could get to know students and staff on a more personal level,” she said. Accepting the job before graduation, she now enjoys working in Salt Lake City, Utah, for ARUP Laboratories, a national reference laboratory housed at the University of Utah Department of Pathology. ARUP provides medical laboratory testing services for clients and their patients throughout the United States. It’s important work, but USF prepared her well and put her on course for the position. “The USF biology program helped me find my career in a number of ways. The professors were always willing to help students further their careers by answering questions and providing opportunities that pointed us in the right direction,” she said. Sara appreciates the personal growth, as well. “My education and experiences at USF helped me to become a well-rounded person in the workforce, not just in knowledge, but in all aspects of what it takes to be a good employee,” she said.

The Clark sisters (from the left): Carrie (Clark) Smith, BS ’16, current student Anne Clark and Sara (Clark) Paul, BS ’16

USF provided Carrie, a 2016 physical therapist assistant (PTA) graduate, with unique benefits. “I picked USF to be with my sister at a small, Catholic university. I was looking for a school with limited class sizes and a liberal arts degree. USF offered me both,” she said.

With glowing reports from her sisters and first-hand experience from family campus visits, Anne also chose USF. Too young to attend college with her sisters, she made USF athletics her family. “It was really comforting to come in as a freshman and already have some familiar faces in my teammates,” she said. “The teachers are supportive of athletics and enjoy hearing about how teams are doing. Coaches are always focused on academics first, and they understand when you have to come late or leave early from practice to attend review sessions or school-sanctioned events.” A junior in the fall, she will continue to enjoy the new USF Downtown. “The facility and classrooms are beautiful and state of the art. All of my classes last year were downtown, and I loved it. It’s a great spot, located in the heart of the Fort Wayne business world,” she said.

Now settled into her profession in Mount Pleasant, S.C., Carrie recently married and is enjoying the rewards of a path well chosen. “This week I celebrate my second year as a PTA. I feel accomplished in my field,” she said.

The dedicated faculty is a real plus, she said. “Their doors are open 99 percent of the day for students to come in with questions or to chat. They are really helpful with internships in Fort Wayne, and can put you in touch with tons of contacts throughout the community.”

USF’s athletics family was a good fit, as well. “I am very glad to have been an athlete at USF,” she said. “The atmosphere fosters a community of inclusiveness. There is a lot of support within the community of Fort Wayne.”

Anne’s already a leader. “I’m on the School of Business Student Advisory Committee, and I meet with other students and professor Lonnie Leeper to discuss what can be improved within the business school,” she said.

Photo by Emma Anger, BA ’17

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SERVANT LEADERSHIP GUIDES PARKVIEW CNO ERIN LACROSS A GESTURE OF COMFORT AT A FEARFUL MOMENT HAS BECOME THE LIFE MODEL FOR USF MSN GRADUATE ERIN LACROSS, AS SHE BALANCES HOME, FAMILY AND HER MULTIPLE RESPONSIBILITIES AS CHIEF NURSING OFFICER FOR PARKVIEW REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER AND AFFILIATES. LaCross, who completed her master’s in nursing at USF in 2009, faced a frightening diagnosis in 2003—an MRI revealed a dangerous vascular abnormality. “It was terrifying, but before the test, the nurse held my hand and told me no matter what, everything would be all right,” she said. “In that moment, I knew that I would not only be a nurse, but I would be a Parkview nurse.” As she progressed through her remarkable career, examples absorbed from her family and USF also helped shape the kind of contributor she would become. “My sister was a Parkview nurse, and I was inspired by her professionalism and sacrifice,” she said. Degrees in criminal justice and psychology earned in 2001 gave way to an over-arching sense of her identity as a healthcare professional. “I wanted to serve others through my earlier degrees, but nursing was a better fit.” Several years and an MSN degree later, she appreciated how USF helped her achieve her goals as a married graduate student with children. “At USF, I took a hybrid of online and seated classes,” she said. “The seated classes were necessary and so helpful, because of the Franciscan values expressed on campus and the face time with faculty. Cohorts were small, and you could get the help you needed. I had a toddler and was expecting my second baby. By then, I had become a nurse manager. The school made it possible for me to be successful. They care deeply about their students,” she said. Her journey began with a single-minded desire to become part of the Parkview team. “I started at entry level in 2003 to get into Parkview before I began my nursing education,” she said. “I was an assistant on the surgical unit, and started classes in the fall. I was on the surgical team for 10 years.” 10

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COMMITTED TO SERVICE AND SERVANT “ I’M LEADERSHIP, LIKE YOU SEE AT SAINT FRANCIS AND PARKVIEW, WHO BOTH UPLIFT OTHERS. IT’S WHO NEEDS WHAT, AND HOW BEST TO SERVE THEM.

”

She became a Parkview manager in 2008 while completing the MSN at USF. The progress from there took an upward trajectory. As manager, she and the surgical team moved to Parkview Regional Medical Center in 2012. “In November 2013, I returned to Parkview Randallia to provide nursing leadership during the facility’s major renovation project.” Working with hospital leadership, she contributed to impressive gains at Randallia. “We went from 120 to over 200 beds. We offer full-spectrum healthcare, with an ER serving 60,000 patients a year, a birthing center, an intensive care unit and post-acute services,” she said. Her commitment didn’t go unnoticed. In February, she became Chief Nursing Officer for Parkview Regional Medical Center, Randallia and Behavioral Health. Such success may seem dizzying, but it’s far from all she does. She and her husband Chad, USF’s head basketball coach, have three children she described as athletes and “gym rats.” Their partnership began as sweethearts at East Noble High School in Kendallville, and continued as they both pursued degrees at Trine in Angola. “Then he played semi-professional basketball in Kansas and professional ball in Mexico and got home two weeks before our wedding in 2002,” she said. “He started at USF as an admission coordinator and assistant to then-head coach Jeff Rekeweg. Chad took over as head coach in 2010-11.” Meeting a busy family’s needs takes a village, and a lot of coordination. “I put it all on my calendar, and the USF athletes help babysit sometimes,” she said. “Every day is different. I always have a Plan B.” Planning ahead helps tailor healthcare services, as well. “At Parkview, we prepare for community needs,” she said. “An example is the ECMO project. Had we not developed the program to prepare for worsening influenza, flu patients this past fall would have had to go to Indianapolis or Michigan for life-saving treatments. Our goal is to provide nursing support and skills to match the community, with excellence in all aspects. The nursing teams know they have support from me daily, so they can care for the community better.” Now, the Parkview Health system has achieved Magnet status. “Magnet recognition means we have a culture that supports optimal outcomes for our community and for our nurses. Nurses here are empowered to make a difference, and they do,” LaCross said. Her leadership emanates from an attitude and commitment observed, throughout her life, in people and organizations of impact. “I’m committed to service and servant leadership, like you see at Saint Francis and Parkview, who both uplift others,” she said. “It’s who needs what, and how best to serve them.” She explained that Parkview CEO Mike Packnett refers to himself as “Chief among equals.” “There is dignity and honor in each person,” she said. “I saw that at the University of Saint Francis and see it at Parkview.” Photo by Tim Brumbeloe

saint saint francis francis magazine magazine | winter | fall 2018

ANOTHER BRICK IN THE WALL

Parsley’s work gives art students the BIG PICTURE on making their passion a profession. Getting a job in art need not seem like hitting a brick wall, Art Department Chair and associate professor Tim Parsley tells his students. They just need to find a window of opportunity in that wall. Arriving in Fort Wayne five years ago, with a Cincinnati murals background and a chance to impart his art and work experience to USF students, he paints a picture as big as a city block on how to make one’s passion into a job. “I am deeply committed to helping students figure out how making art can be sustainable as a career. My class is about equipping them for the business of art. A benefit for the students is to know their artist professor is out doing this. He’s in the same trench as them. They can find their passion, stick to it and make it work.” When he got to Fort Wayne, people kept asking about mural work. “We always needed funding,” he said. “We needed a fiscal partner in the Downtown Improvement District 12

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(DID).” Then Art This Way conceived the Alley Activation Project, and the DID, Fort Wayne Chamber of Commerce Foundation, Lincoln Financial Foundation and Design Collaborative became sponsors. Three artists city-wide were selected to produce public art works downtown. One of them was Parsley and USF. Artist Alexandra Hall had been doing local events, and was called to help. “She met up with School of Creative Arts (SOCA) Dean Colleen Huddleson and me,” Parsley said. “She had the building owners lined up and a funding model since last summer. I was able to provide additional guidance through the planning stages, and I could help with the jury process. I suggested that we combine this opportunity with a course we had been dreaming of at SOCA so that students could learn the nuts and bolts of creating a public mural.” Though Parsley created the mural design, the students contributed hands-on work at the downtown site and learned

“I am deeply committed to helping students figure out how making art can be sustainable as a career.” -T IM PA R SL EY, A RT D E PA RTM E N T C H A I R A N D A S S O C I ATE P R O FE S S O R

about the nature and meaning of public art, and the business of art, in Parsley’s class. “I was to design it and use it to help USF students learn the mural process from beginning to end,” he said. “Downtown, they helped clean and transform the wall and its color. In class, we talked about mural painting and public art, about surveying the public’s interests and engaging the community. I assigned a portable, in-house ‘practice mural’ that was studentdesigned, selected and created, which is now on display in SOCA. They also had to learn contracts, so we got into the fine print about how to get paid and protect their work.” The downtown mural’s theme draws from American history, which informs Parsley’s work as an artist. “It’s based on a collage I made previously. It’s about the greatness, the complication and the challenges of American history. Walt Whitman is present as a figurehead artist at a divided time. He spoke his time, and artists today can do the same. We also Photos by Mollie Shutt, current student

live in a divided time. Whitman represents what the artist can offer. In divided times, art can offer beauty, confrontation or maybe just a different perspective,” he said. Such artwork should be arresting, he said. “For me, public art should engage you in aesthetic contemplation. Stop a moment. Let it inspire awe or raise new questions. It’s important for USF to be involved with this because the students begin to understand how their artistic passion can be a profession and a chance to serve the community. Let’s bring it to our neighborhoods. Interact with our world. With public art, it’s not just funding, it’s neighbors who walk by and stop and talk. It’s a neighborhood relationship.” Understanding how to structure a professional life makes working in their passions possible for students. “It may not always look like a typical 9-to-5 job, but sustaining a career as an artist is entirely possible. They must stay passionate, trust it and pursue it—hard work will be rewarded,” he said. saint francis magazine | fall 2018

k r o w Team

USF ALUMNI BLEND UNIQUELY FOR FUN, FRANTIC, FRENZIED MARRIED LIFE

SOCA students Trey Stemen and Ashley Faurote met as USF freshmen and married two weeks after graduation in 2016. Now Ashley, a communication arts and graphic design alumna, and Trey, who graduated with a music technology degree, enjoy a married life that can be fun, frantic or frenzied, depending on the day. Both are employed in meaningful professions that tap into their USF education and skills. Ashley got a job as a graphic designer with Do it Best Corp. in Fort Wayne a few months after graduation, and Trey is Aquatics Director at Caylor-Nickel YMCA in Bluffton. “I never imagined I would enjoy working in a big corporate office for a hardware company, but I’ve been part of a variety of exciting projects that have challenged me creatively,” Ashley said. “I do freelance design and photography projects in my spare time.”

“Saint Francis helped me realize my desire to help people, which led me back to the YMCA, an organization my family has been a major part of for over 40 years,” Trey said. “I’m hoping to use my music technology background to enrich the lives of new students in the music industry and bring music education to the Y.” Unique experiences can turn up at any time, Trey said. “Every day is something new with us, new adventures, new trips, new experiences and new stories to tell. Sometimes it feels far too hectic, but we always work through it together and find a way to come out a more loving couple than where we started. We recently bought our first home and adopted a Husky, so that has made life even more fun, frantic and frenzied!” Introduced by Ashley’s roommate, a high school friend of Trey’s, the couple began dating with some geography to bridge. “Trey was actually an architecture student in Cincinnati when we first met, but he had such a strong interest in music that I told him he should look into the USF music technology program,” Ashley said. “He decided to transfer to USF his sophomore year, so we were able to see each other almost daily and did a lot of activities together. In the fall semester of our junior year,

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we went on the art history bus trip to Chicago, where Trey proposed to me.” The proposal quickly became something in the cards for Trey. “I knew I would propose to Ashley a few months after we started dating,” he said. “At first my friends thought I was crazy to transfer schools, because they assumed it was all for a girl I had only known for a few months. But living in a dorm next to hers and being able to see each other every day really developed our relationship, and led me to propose at the top of the Willis Tower on the art history trip. After that, graduation and marriage whizzed by. I already felt like we were an old married couple after only a year of dating. We’re hoping to start raising a family soon.” USF provided rich ground for growing their education and relationship. “There were projects and challenges for us to work on together, helping each other through late nights and long study sessions, deadlines and due dates. Through these our love and commitment grew stronger with every new assignment,” Trey said. “Being art students, we had opportunities to collaborate on several projects and assignments. These projects taught us a lot about working together as a team,” Ashley said. SOCA was the backdrop for most of their interaction. “We went to gallery openings and music performances together. I went to his choir concerts and he came to see my artwork when it was on display,” Ashley said. “Our favorite event was the SOCAween Halloween party every year. We had fun coordinating our costumes with an art theme.” Humor has always played a strong role in the stage play of their lives. “We loved to pull pranks on each other and our friends while we were living in the dorms,” Ashley said. “The night before I proposed, Ashley made a random joke about me proposing the next day, so I thought one of our friends had told her my plan. Luckily, she wasn’t expecting it at all, and it was still a surprise,” Trey said.

“ LOVE IS PATIENT, LOVE IS KIND.” -1 Corinthians 13:4

Photo by Moments by Pam Photography

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STUDENT. SEMINARIAN. SERVICEMAN. USF transforms Horning’s life

In 2006, Jay Horning couldn’t have imagined graduating from the University of Saint Francis four years later with degrees in psychology and theology, and shortly thereafter answering God’s call to become a priest. After all, he wasn’t Catholic— he had come to Saint Francis to run track and study nursing on scholarship. However, God had different plans, and Jay’s USF experience pointed the way and equipped him for seminary studies, first at University of Notre Dame and then Mount St. Mary’s Seminary in Emmitsburg, Maryland. His spiritual transformation began with his rich college life. “I loved my time at USF, and I am thankful for the many opportunities I was afforded. I made some amazing friends, had phenomenal professors and grew intellectually, spiritually and socially,” he said. “USF allowed me to develop leadership. I participated in Student Government (SGA) for four years, two of them as 16

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“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” -Jeremiah 29:11

As a student at Mount St. Mary’s, Jay sought a balance in his life. “The challenge is balancing work with formation and the different dimensions (intellectual, spiritual, human and pastoral). Men who enter the seminary and discern priesthood need to be well-rounded in these dimensions,” he said. “USF helped me begin that formation process through my student responsibilities, which I performed while working part time throughout college.”

president and a year as vice president. Sitting on committees with high-level professionals had a huge impact on me and my desire to serve others. My friends got me involved in Campus Ministry, and I think that decision shaped everything else that has followed. “What I walked away with was not only a degree, but most importantly, a relationship with Jesus Christ, which has allowed for everything else that I am doing.” Jay became a Catholic by completing the Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton parish in Fort Wayne during his senior year. His theology background gave him a deeper study of the truths and practice of the faith. After graduation, he became youth director at St. Elizabeth and began graduate classes at Notre Dame through a diocesan program. A year into his work at St. Elizabeth, he began to discern God’s calling to the priesthood. In 2011 he applied to the diocese to become a seminarian. Photos by Tim Brumbeloe and Joe Romie

Jay felt yet another calling to provide spiritual comfort and guidance as a chaplain for those in military service. “That entire first year I was deepening the relationship I had only recently begun to have with Jesus,” he said. “The pull to serve those who serve our country began to take place as well. I had considered joining the military out of high school. When I discovered the Archdiocese for Military Services (AMS), I felt strongly that I needed to really consider this. There are so few priests able to meet the military standards and who have permission from their bishops to go and serve for a number of years. It is a great sacrifice for any diocese and bishop to allow a man to be co-sponsored with the military. I think our Bishop Rhoades truly understands the need and desire to offer aid to the universal church, not only his local church.” Since 2014, Jay has been co-sponsored by the Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend and the AMS. He was commissioned as a second lieutenant, and then promoted to first lieutenant in 2016. That same year, he completed the Chaplain Basic Officer Leadership course. “Upon my ordination to the priesthood in June 2018, I progressed from chaplain-candidate to a chaplain in the Army Reserves, serving in our diocese three years before beginning five years of active duty,” he said. It’s difficult, but he feels strongly about his decision. “The men and women who sacrifice for our country’s freedoms deserve to receive the sacraments,” he said. “Due to the limited number of active duty priests, many of our soldiers, marines, sailors and airmen cannot receive sacraments for months at a time. That is not acceptable, and I think God is calling me to help. There are days I think it’s crazy and it would be so much easier to be a parish priest in our diocese, but this is part of my sacrifice.” saint francis magazine | fall 2018

MAPPING COMPASSION USF’S COLOGROSSI WORKS WITH FOUNDATION TO AID WORLD SUFFERERS Sarah Cologrossi’s compass has always pointed to human service. Now, as program director for Jericho Foundation in Oshtemo, Michigan, the 2016 communication graduate has followed that needle to map out relief for those suffering from the economic crisis of Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH).

“You provide a broad path for my feet, so that my ankles do not give way.” - PS AL M 18:36

Jericho provides opportunities for those suffering in the country’s economic collapse by investing in the future of its youth. “BiH—formerly part of Yugoslavia—experienced extreme hardship after a civil war in the ’90s, and they can’t seem to recover,” Sarah said. “We knew the only way to help was to invest in students. “We give full scholarships to over 40 college students, providing the funds and several professional development seminars every year in BiH. Each summer, qualified students visit job sites in the U.S. Seeing how a functioning corporation or hospital works is a golden ticket,” she said. “Our students have all been greatly affected by the war, and almost everyone has lost one or both parents. They become leaders within their country. It’s awesome to witness this and work behind the scenes, as I manage the marketing side-by-side with our founder, Joanna Shields.” Sarah’s compassionate service was supported and nourished by the general education curriculum at USF. “I always had a heart for service and non-profit,” she said. “I had interned at a local non-profit in my hometown of South Bend, and hosted a presentation at my high school called Kind Campaign, but I was never sure about the type of relief work I wanted to do going into college. “During my junior year I took an ethics class with philosophy professor Dr. Vincent Wargo, and that’s pretty much where everything started. During class, we took part in a service learning project, helping a local group called Fort Wayne for Refugees put on an event on campus. By the end of it, my friends and I were in tears, trying to think what we could do to help. Sam Jarjour, a Fort Wayne for Refugees founder, kept emphasizing to do what you can. So we came up with the idea of an art auction, and I took it on as my senior project.”

And so Hope for Syria was born on Nov. 19, 2016. “I researched venues, and Cinema Center was a perfect fit for my project. I had live music and Middle Eastern food. I got over 150 art donations from local artists with a heart for giving, plus auction items from Syria and Turkey. The mission was to inform people of the crisis and spread love for all cultures and all humans within the city of Fort Wayne. The result was so cool to see! We raised $1,300 and over 100 people attended. All the money went to Fort Wayne for Refugees and Sunrise USA, which are 501(c)3 non-profits with missions to aid Syrian refugees within the U.S., Syria and other countries. The money purchased household items and necessary everyday items for refugees within Indiana.” As the service seed grew, nurturers helped and directed. “Trina Boedeker, director of the USF Office for Service and Social Action, is on the Fort Wayne for Refugees board,” Sarah said. “It was amazing to have her right on campus to work with through this process. My adviser, Jane Martin, professor Kristin Miller, Trina and I did a lot of brainstorming to figure this project out. I’m so grateful for their guidance and help.” Hope and understanding sprang from the event. “The most inspiring moment was when the event ended and we were cleaning up in Cinema Center,” she said. “A woman I had never met came up to me, took my hand and said, ‘Thank you so much for doing this. You have no idea how thankful my family and I are to know that people care about this issue.’ It put the whole project into perspective, and made all the stress worth it. “This project and my job at Jericho Foundation followed four years of searching, with influencers like Dr. Wargo, Jane, Trina and Kristin,” she said. “They are the most selfless people, and they would do anything to help any student on campus!” saint francis magazine | fall 2018

ALUMNA QUINTANA

CHAMPIONS DIVERSITY, INCLUSIVITY

ALWAYS TRYING TO FIND WAYS TO GIVE BACK, USF ALUMNA AND FORT WAYNE NATIVE NIKKI QUINTANA IS DEDICATED TO SUPPORTING EVERY CITIZEN OF THE CITY SHE LOVES. The Indiana University McKinney School of Law-educated lawyer, community leader and Executive Director of the Fort Wayne Metropolitan Human Relations Commission (Metro) makes her long-held goal—being of impact to the community—job one every single day. Over the past year, Nikki has led Metro, the city’s non-profit civil rights agency, in its mission to investigate allegations of discrimination in employment, housing, public accommodation and education. Metro also provides education on diversity and discrimination issues, empowering Fort Wayne citizens. “Working at Metro allows me to serve my community and help make the city of Fort Wayne a more diverse and inclusive place to live,” she said.

“I was not going to let someone’s stereotype of me set me back.” -Nikki Quintana, BBA ’07

USF helped her develop the ethics and character needed for a practitioner of the law. “While at USF I was a college athlete on the women’s soccer team. Juggling college sports, academics and extra-curricular activities helped me learn to manage my time and not lose focus of what was important,” she said. “This transferred to my legal career when I needed to manage deadlines, prioritize my time and make sure I had a good work/life balance. Being a college athlete also helped me hone my communication skills and learn how to lead within a team. These leadership skills have stayed with me, and are some of the basics I still use when leading our efforts at Metro.” She had other tools strengthening her resolve: Christian and Franciscan values. “My parents have always been my biggest supporters; they reminded me that ‘I can do all things through Christ.’ My Christian beliefs kept me grounded and focused on my purpose.” At USF, where she earned a business degree, she absorbed Franciscan values, including service to the community and the church. “There were always ways to get involved and give back,” she said. “I truly believe each of us has the power to make a positive impact on someone’s life. Collectively, we can make a big difference. While I serve on several different boards, one of my favorite service efforts is mentoring young women. I have been involved with middle and high school girls over the last seven years, and throughout this time, I have seen firsthand how they are applying what they learned. Whether they leave an unhealthy relationship, pursue a college degree or nail a first job interview, it is amazing to see these young ladies take control of their lives and follow their dreams.”

She knows how disempowering discrimination can be, because she’s faced some. “I would like to say that discrimination doesn’t exist, but my experiences and case law tell a different story. There were various moments in my life where people treated me differently based on my ethnicity and gender.” She used those experiences to drive her journey toward excellence. “It made me self-aware, tough and motivated to compete at the highest levels academically and athletically,” she said. “I was not going to let someone’s stereotype of me set me back.” Recently, Nikki received the Indiana Lawyer Leadership in Law: Up and Coming Lawyer Award, only given to 15 lawyers in the state annually. Photo by Steve Vorderman

Moving into the director’s position allows her more outreach than did her previous role as Metro’s staff attorney. “Being able to sit face-to-face with community leaders and citizens and tell them what we do at Metro fires me up,” she said. “Businesses are now taking advantage of our resources, including free anti-discrimination training for employees. I believe education is an important step in creating real change, because when we know better we do better.” Nikki remembers some victories with pride. “In my most memorable case, I mediated multiple complaints based on national origin discrimination,” she said. “The resolution included improved work policies, training for employees and a three-year monitoring period. By including policy changes, we not only addressed the complaints, but we affected how the company will handle harassment, discrimination and diversity issues in the future.” saint francis magazine | fall 2018

â&#x20AC;&#x153;In whom the whole building, being fitted together, is growing into a holy temple in the Lord. In whom you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God in the Spirit.â&#x20AC;? - EP H ES IA N S 2:21-22 22

saint francis magazine | fall 2018

ST. FRANCIS CHAPEL COMPLETES THE

DREAM DECADES OF WAITING CULMINATE IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE NEW CENTERPIECE OF CAMPUS

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LONG-AWAITED CHAPEL

A nearly palpable excitement pervaded campus on Oct. 3, as the new St. Francis Chapel was dedicated and opened to serve the spiritual needs of the University of Saint Francis and local community.

INSPIRES

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A single thought occupied the minds of many in the packed oratory—they were witnessing a dream come true. The message rang almost universally through the edifice, as the faithful, friends and family members gathered, eager to celebrate the completion of the project and its mission. The dream spanned many years—44 of them—dating from the time the Sisters of St. Francis of Perpetual Adoration moved Saint Francis College from Lafayette, Ind. to the John Bass estate in west-central Fort Wayne in 1944. A capacity crowd of alumni, friends and supporters packed the new chapel located at the center of campus on the east side of Mirror Lake, eager to witness and celebrate the project’s success and impact. The new chapel replaces a small chapel, located for years in Trinity Hall. A free-standing place of worship had long been desired. “It’s a dream come true to have a dedicated building for the worship of God,” said Sister Anita Holzmer, OSF, Assistant Vice President of Mission Integration. “We’ve been waiting a long time, so it’s awesome to be finally dedicating our new chapel,” reiterated USF President Sister M. Elise Kriss, OSF. “I’m looking forward to what it does to our campus, as it enriches students’ intellectual and spiritual lives.” “It’s a dream come true for all of us, especially the Sisters,” said Don Schenkel, Interim President of PHP, retired bank executive and former USF Vice President of University Relations. His statement received visual reinforcement when members from the Motherhouse in Mishawaka filed in, forming a column of brown habits in the center aisle as Sister excitedly greeted Sister.

Vice President of Institutional Advancement Dr. Matt Smith called the chapel “a dream of many years,” and spoke of its iconic nature. “It will profoundly affect campus in representing our mission and values,” he said. “You can see it from Leesburg Road and Spring Street, a beacon of the Catholic and Franciscan ideals of faith and reason.” The inviting new chapel incorporates soothing colors of green, tan and blue, a succession of arches leading to the altar, upper level windows and a cupola with windows showcasing clouds above. The restored Stations of the Cross resonate of university traditions while the altar and cross, crafted by the University of Saint Francis Woodshop Director Jay Herron, speak of the dedication of the university body to this cherished plan. Seating for 250 persons, a central location and adjacent parking off Leesburg Road will bring sorely needed space and convenience to the worship experience. A 360-degree view of campus will provide aesthetic views and invite contemplation. Most Reverend Bishop Kevin Rhoades of the Fort WayneSouth Bend Diocese performed dedication ceremonies and read from scripture. “This will truly be the dwelling place of the Lord,” he said. “His body and blood will be celebrated and preserved. This oratory is God’s dwelling, house of prayer and home for his spirit.” The chapel will serve as a foundation for the university’s Campus Ministry offerings for students. Worshippers may enjoy Mass in the new chapel daily at 11:30 a.m. and on Sundays at 8:30 p.m.

“This will truly be the dwelling place of the Lord. His body and blood will be celebrated and preserved. This oratory is God’s dwelling, a house of prayer and home for his spirit.” - M O S T REVEREN D BIS H O P KEVIN RH OADE S Photos by Tim Brumbeloe and Joe Romie

saint francis magazine | fall 2018

e n i h S

a n m u l SF A

0 4 r e d y Un

in For

In March, two USF alumnae joined the distinguished ranks of local young professionals earning the Greater Fort Wayne Business Weekly Forty Under 40 award. They were among 40 people aged 39 or younger honored in 2018 for their achievements, and for surpassing traditional standards to make a difference at work and in the community.

saint francis magazine | fall 2018

Andie Hines

Leslie Friedel

For Andie, life is all about growth. As a result, Red Tree, a marketing and corporate events company, and Own Your Success, an organization supporting women entrepreneurs, have sprouted under her nurturing and creative hands.

Leslie grew up in an atmosphere of human service. Now Chief Executive Officer for Visiting Nurse in Fort Wayne, she draws upon her family legacy and years of experience and education to help families and patients through the end-of-life transition.

Red Tree germinated from sales and marketing experience in the advertising industry during college, leading to event production. Six months later, she planned a lunch for women entrepreneurs to meet and learn from one another. “I invited 16 and 30 showed up, and the next time, 60 showed up,” she said of the genesis of Own Your Success. “The growth we have experienced without marketing the organization speaks volumes. My goal is to create a community and safe space so more women can start their own businesses.”

“I came from a family that gave back, and we did not see it as out of the ordinary,” she said. “I lost my grandma to cancer when I was 16,” she said. “I went to another university for accounting for a while, and it simply was not giving me anything, so I took a sociology course and knew that was where I needed to be. Then I volunteered for a hospice agency, which turned me toward social work. Now I’ve come full circle by ending up in hospice after an entire career in long-term care.”

BA in Fine and Commercial Art, 2001

Own Your Success provides community support, resources and connections for women business owners. Monthly programming includes coaching, information from local experts and education on types of funding available. A physical space is in the works with dedicated offices for women’s businesses and room for Red Tree. While Andie helps women grow businesses, she continues to blossom personally. “I never set out to be an entrepreneur, but I had cervical cancer in 2014 and realized I wasn’t doing something for which I had passion and joy,” she said. “I decided that after I dealt with the cancer I would figure out what that was. Own Your Success started as lunch with girlfriends, but I feel like I’ve been divinely inspired to accomplish this in our community.” Her passion has sown benefits outside the business world. A mother, she serves on the USF Alumni Cabinet, the planning board for the YMCA’s Circle Luncheon and the Advisory Committee for the Fort Wayne magazine, Input.

BS in Social Work, 2004

Until recently, she spent her career at Lutheran Life Villages, beginning as a social worker, becoming a facility administrator and then engaging in research and development on how best to serve residents as Vice President of Research and Service Development. “I was able to figure out things we could try and services we could provide to keep people in the community longer,” she said. “It was a community-based effort to keep people independent.” As Visiting Nurse CEO, she directs strategic planning, looks at new opportunities and maintains the standards and reputation for the entire organization. “I’m thankful I have the opportunity to be part of such an amazing organization,” she said. Hospice provides crucial support and comfort for end-of-life patients. “People may think hospice sounds scary, but they don’t realize that people often live longer, have less pain and are much more comfortable surrounded by so much support. There’s no greater dignity than dying a peaceful death. It’s beautiful to watch people comfortable and often staying in their own homes, with the family understanding the entire process.”

The University of Saint Francis congratulates Andie and Leslie for living the Franciscan promise and making a difference in our community as Forty Under 40 award recipients. saint francis magazine | fall 2018

ACHATZ CONNECTION LEADS TO TRUE-BLUE

CougarsCrew If you follow USF history at all, you may have heard of the phenomenon of “Achatz couples,” so named because these married alumni met as students in USF’s Achatz Hall of Science.

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“Do everything in love.” -1 Corinthians 16:14

Mike and Ashley Bechill have another remarkable Achatz story, and one which has led to a true-blue Cougars crew at home, with the family’s three children ages three and under. It all started when Mike, a 2008 biology major, poked fun at Ashley’s T-shirt (from a different university) when she was a sophomore and he a junior. He didn’t see her for a year, while she was attending another school. When she transferred back to work on the elementary education degree she earned at USF in 2009, friends decided they should meet. As it turned out, they shared the same friends and were even pictured at the same events, but didn’t know each other. “Luckily it took a while for her to figure out I was the obnoxious guy who made fun of her shirt the year before,” Mike said. “After a couple months dating, we went on Doc Weidman’s Bahamas trip and got to spend time together. Doc always says we’re one of his couples,” Ashley said. “The Achatz trip courses are so special, they take you away for a week, and many who go are not science majors,” Mike said. “That’s neat. They help make students well rounded, and when you’re a well-rounded person, you don’t get shoved into a cubicle. People want to work with you to solve problems.” Achatz became the catalyst for Ashley, Mike and Doc to interact during course work for her environmental science elective. “There was a Science Club, and of course Michael was president,” she said. “For Doc Weidman’s class we put together a haunted forest for our final. I was having a heated discussion with one of the guys and Mike stuck up for me.” USF couples are special, Mike said. “I think a lot of people who come to USF have a commonality of strong faith and strong family, and that makes it easy for matches to happen naturally. It’s easier to meet people at a smaller school.” “It’s an intimate place, where teachers and friends get to know one another on a more personal level. Profs are family. Everybody’s friends,” Ashley said.

They were married three years to the day — Sept. 18— that they started dating. “I was student teaching and coaching cheerleading, and he was at University of Toledo to earn his Ph.D. at the medical center,” Ashley said. “Later, I defended my dissertation, and in two weeks we moved into her parents’ house because our apartment contract had expired. Within eight days of the move, Matthew, our first, was born and spent a week in the neonatal intensive care unit. He came home and a week later, I started at USF as a professor,” Mike said. Despite a rather frenzied entrance to USF faculty life, he thrives in Achatz as assistant professor of biology, and so do his students. “I tell them, ‘Find your passion and go for it,’” he said. Ashley also excels in her vocation as an elementary school kindergarten teacher at Leo-Cedarville. Predictably, family life suits them. “We absolutely love it, and we’re very blessed, as we were told it would be hard for us to have kids,” Ashley said. “We conceived Matt and I carried him to term with few problems. Then we had no problems with Charlotte. We were going to call it quits, and God laughed— four months later we found out we were expecting Mr. Ben. Our days are spent at the backyard playset, library events and local splash pads.” They’re also a den of Cougar fans. “On any given Saturday in the fall, we are tailgating at Cougar football,” Mike said. “My parents, brother and sister and their families all go, and between the families we have seven grandkids age four and under.” Across the lake from that legendary Cougars football action, Achatz will continue to work its unique human and classroom chemistry, with a back renovation targeted for completion at the end of 2019. saint francis magazine | fall 2018

THE ROAD AHEAD

High school students jump-start futures with CNA program at USF Crown Point In a job market where momentum can make all the difference, students from Merrillville and Andrean high schools are getting a smoother start by earning certified nursing aide (CNA) certification at USF Crown Point during high school.

Debra Winston, MS, MSN, RN sees the direct effect of USF Crown Point’s CNA program upon the professional lives of Merrillville and Andrean high school students. Those who take the certification exam are eligible to work immediately for employers like home health agencies, private duty companies, hospices, nursing homes and hospitals.

Those who take the certification exam are eligible to work immediately for employers like home health agencies, private duty companies, hospices, nursing homes and hospitals. “CNAs can work in the same fields as registered nurses (RNs), and there are just as many job opportunities,” program director Debra Winston said. Students choose the option for a variety of reasons. New strategies in Crown Point-area high schools stress job-readiness directly after graduation. “Merrillville has included the completion of the nurse aide program and others like it as prerequisite for the academic honors program,” she said. The CNA education also allows students to experience a healthcare profession for fit. “Many of the students enrolled in the program are nursing majors or have an interest in a healthcare field,” Winston said. “Some are uncertain of a college major and choose the nurse aide program to see if a healthcare career is a good direction.” Many use it as a stepping-stone to higher education in healthcare. “Nursing majors hope their new skills will help them in college and provide employment in healthcare while they earn their degrees. Many see it as a prerequisite for their future. Some nursing schools require CNA certification for admission,” Winston said. USF recognizes the CNA as a stackable credential that puts applicants one step closer to meeting admission standards for its nursing program. Data shows that job opportunities should abound. “There’s a great need for CNAs,” Winston said. “According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the demand will rise by 20 percent by 2020. In Indiana/Chicagoland, according to DailyNurse.com (November 2017) there are 11,500 nurse aide positions open. The demand is expected to grow due to an aging population.” The opportunity to work toward a future in healthcare is a great fit for Merrillville High School’s Autumn Kiser.

“It was rewarding and thrilling to be able to take—as a high school junior or senior—a course that juniors in college take,” Kiser said. “To get the feel for this type of work environment before graduating and entering college is eye-opening, and an amazing privilege.” Autumn is part of the group that entered the program as an exploration. “It was important for me to start acquiring the experience and skills for college and my career early, so I had an idea of what I was getting into before I locked into a four-year program,” she said. “It got my feet wet in the medical field and hopefully opened some doors that would otherwise be closed to me. With my early healthcare preparation, I have a bright outlook toward the coming years in college and my nursing career.” The program is harvesting compassionate servants. “This education opportunity has opened my heart and my eyes to the difference nurses, CNAs and doctors can make in the medical field, and to the help and change I can bring to the community and those suffering and in need of my care,” Kiser said. “It has taken me out of my comfort zone and shown me endless ways to grow and learn, and challenged me to never stop trying to reach my goals or further my education.” It all created a one-of-a-kind learning adventure. “My USF experience was one I will never forget. I made new friends and learned so much about myself and the expectations of the medical field as I reach for my goal,” she said. “I would recommend this program to everyone. I hope more schools and facilities offer programs like this, to branch out to the youth of this society who need them. “Thank you, USF, for having and helping me.”

The program is harvesting compassionate servants. saint francis magazine | fall 2018

Nancy and Carlos Concepcion know USF as the place they met, fell in love and received an education that supports their successful careers. Now married, they reciprocate to USF through scholarships for students.

ALUMNI GIVERS TRACE MARRIAGE AND CAREER SUCCESS TO USF

saint francis magazine | fall 2018

Photo by Steve Vorderman

“Now we who are strong ought to bear the weaknesses of those without strength and not just please ourselves. Each of us is to please his neighbor for his good, to his edification.” -Romans 15:1-2

Carlos came to USF from Spain, majoring in English and graduating in 1987 to begin a challenging, 20-year career in information technology (IT). Nancy earned a degree in science in 1991 and gained her first two post-graduation jobs through USF faculty recommendations. She is now Senior Manager of Technology at Polymer Diagnostics Inc., a shared service testing organization for PolyOne, a provider of specialty polymer formulations, color and additive systems, packaging solutions and polymer distribution. Carlos and Nancy first met through friends and doubled with other dates for Homecoming 1987. “Over dinner, it became clear that we were with the wrong dates,” Nancy said. “Shortly after that we started dating, and have been together ever since.” Although Homecoming back in the day was fun, sporting events were not as popular as they are presently. “It has been exciting to see the growth of the sports programs— along with cheer, dance and band—since the addition of football,” Nancy said. Both athletes, he in soccer and she in tennis, they enjoyed student activities together. “We were involved in theater, and had the chance to work together on ‘The Odd Couple,’” Nancy said. “Carlos was part of the Paw Print staff, and I belonged to Circle K International.” The familiar story of meaningful relationships with USF faculty played out in both of their lives. “We each had professors of special impact,” Nancy said. “One for me was Hal Gunderson, who never saw limits, but rather opportunities. Another was Sister Carol Meyers, who provided the foundation for my career. Over the years, our relationship evolved from a focus on career and chemistry to football, and I loved that involvement. Carlos was inspired by Dr. James Pictor and his love of literature.” USF taught them to think on their feet and be flexible in their professions. “I was fortunate to survive a series of acquisitions

that eventually brought me to PolyOne,” Nancy said. “In 2010, Carlos and I moved to St. Louis to Spartech’s newly opened Innovation Center, where I managed the testing facility. After the PolyOne acquisition in 2013, I continued to manage the St. Louis facility until an opportunity to move to Cleveland came up. Now I manage the company’s Polymer Diagnostics, Inc.” Trusting one’s knowledge and business intuition served her well. “Some of the best advice I’ve received is: ‘Better to beg forgiveness than to ask for permission,’” she said. “Through all the transitions and management changes, I found it was important to understand my customer’s needs and deliver to that expectation, rather than waiting for direction from new leadership.” While in St. Louis, Carlos worked at Saint Louis University, a Catholic, Jesuit institution, as onsite IT tech support for the John Cook School of Business. “I enjoyed every minute of it,” he said. “Having spent all those years at USF as a student, this was an opportunity to give back as an educator. It wasn’t USF, but it reconnected me with the Jesuits, the organization founded by St. Ignatius of Loyola, the order of my childhood education.” Carlos joined Nancy at PolyOne in 2016. After a long IT career, he was ready for a new career as a quality associate in the company’s Color Matrix business. They established their scholarships to help preserve for other students the legacy of support and educational excellence they experienced. “I personally benefited from scholarships at USF, and would not have been able to complete my degree without the assistance,” Nancy said. “The smaller class size and relationships with faculty helped me secure my first jobs. We have good memories of our time at Saint Francis, and are so proud of the university’s growth. We wanted to help another student build the same memories and legacy.” saint francis magazine | fall 2018

WINTER AND SPRING SPORTS HIGHLIGHTS

Baseball University of Saint Francis graduate and long-time assistant coach Dustin Butcher has been selected to lead USF baseball after the retirement of Greg Roberts, USF’s head coach for the last 13 seasons. Butcher, a 2001 USF graduate who played baseball and soccer while pursuing his bachelor's degree in psychology, has served as an assistant to Roberts the last 10 years. Roberts leaves USF with 270 wins, the most wins of anyone who has coached the program in 55 seasons. The 1980 Ohio Northern University graduate took over in 2006 and led the Cougars to two 30-plus win seasons—32-21 in 2009 and 3324 in 2012—the only two .500-plus seasons in USF history. Roberts was voted Mid-Central Collegiate Conference Coach of the Year in 2006 after USF finished at .500 (18-18-1) for the first time in program history; he was MCC co-coach of the year in 2012. The Cougars finished 14-38 overall in 2018, 9-18 in Crossroads League play and upset top-seeded Indiana Wesleyan University 2-1 in the CL Tournament.

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Basketball (Men’s) The Cougars advanced to their fourth NAIA Division II Championship Game in nine seasons, but dropped an 84-71 decision to fourth-ranked Indiana Wesleyan University to finish 29-9. USF seniors Bryce Lienhoop and Derek Hinen were named to the All-Championship team. Lienhoop scored 17 points while Hinen led USF scoring with 24 points and finished as the points scored leader for the championship, finishing with 133 points. Hinen, who was an NAIA All-America Third Team selection, set a USF NAIA Championship record, scoring at least 20 points in all five games. Lienhoop earned NAIA All-America First Team to close his career as a three-time NAIA All-America and No. 3 on the USF career scoring list with 1,929 points in 144 games.

USF receives an NAIA GOLD STAR AWARD with a perfect score for 5 TH STRAIGHT YEAR

Golf (Women’s) Marissa Singer was the top individual story again in Spring 2018, winning her second consecutive Crossroads League golf championship. A sophomore from Noblesville, Singer earned her second consecutive CL Player of the Year and secured a ticket to the NAIA Championship. She also earned a second consecutive All-America third team selection. She finished at 162 (80-82) in the first two rounds of the 24th annual NAIA Championship and registered a second consecutive CL record 228 with a 73 and 76 on the first day at Glendarin Hills Golf Club in Angola, Ind.

Softball

Basketball (Women’s) University of Saint Francis sophomore Kara Gerka joined a select group of Lady Cougars to earn NAIA Division II AllAmerica. The 5-foot-10 forward became just the third Lady Cougar to earn the honor as a sophomore. Gerka was named to the 2017-18 third team after she led the Crossroads League in field-goal percentage at .555 and finished second in scoring average at 18.4. Earlier this season the Fishers High School grad became the 23rd Lady Cougar to score 1,000 or more points for a career and will enter her junior year with 1,079 points, which ranks No. 21 on the list.

USF’s softball program earned a program-record seven NAIA Daktronics Scholar-Athlete awards. Selections included twotime selections and seniors Katy Guebard, a pitcher from Fort Wayne, Ind., and Morgan Hubble, a first baseman from Pendleton, Ind. Other award recipients include Donjanae Chamberlain, Anderson, Ind. Senior; Elizabeth Meyer, Pittsboro, Ind. Junior; Ashleigh Morrow, Yorktown, Ind. Junior; Breanna Pryor, Pendleton, Ind. Junior; and Jordan Schneider, Fort Wayne, Ind. Senior. USF finished 23-26 overall, 16-18 in the Crossroads League for seventh place. The Lady Cougars went 0-2 in the CL Tournament.

Track and Field

She finished with 569 points this season playing in 31 games. She scored 40 points against IU-East and earned CL Player of the Week. Gerka was just the third player in the 44-year history of the program to score 40 or more points. Earlier this season, Gerka was named to the All-CL team first team. Savannah Buck was All-CL third team.

Sophomore hurdler Alex Koenemann earned a trip to the NAIA Indoor Championship Meet to compete in the 60-yard hurdles. He scored nine points in the CL Outdoor Championships at Marian University with a third in the 110-meter hurdles (15.47 seconds) and a sixth in the 400-meter hurdles with a 55.68.

USF finished in a three-way tie in the CL for fifth place at 9-9 and 17-14 overall. USF lost 59-58 at No. 15 Indiana Wesleyan University in the first round of the CL Tournament.

Bailey Sutton scored 10 points in the CL women’s championship with a fourth in the hammer and discus. Clista Hellwarth registered the best finish with a third in javelin. saint francis magazine | fall 2018

campus news

USF Jesters Receive NEA Grant The National Endowment for the Arts approved an Art Works grant of $10,000 to USF for the Jesters program. The Art Works category is the NEA’s largest funding category and supports projects that focus on the creation of art that meets the highest standards of excellence, public engagement with diverse and excellent art, lifelong learning in the arts, and/or the strengthening of communities through the arts. This is the third consecutive year the Jesters have received this recognition.

Radiologic Technology Program Receives Maximum Accreditation Marble Lounge Celebrates Album Release Rosalind and The Way, the first artist to release an album through the USF student-run record label Marble Lounge Records, celebrated the release of their full album on June 28 at Wooden Nickel Records. The band performed live, and those on hand enjoyed free pizza and other giveaways. Marble Lounge Records was created in 2017 as part of USF’s Media Entrepreneurship Training in the Arts and Music Technology programs. In April, Marble Lounge celebrated the limited release of the band’s first songs through the label.

USF’s Radiologic Technology program received confirmation from the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (JRCERT) that it was awarded with an eight-year re-accreditation. The program was evaluated according to the Standards for an Accredited Educational Program in Radiography in 2017 through the submission of a Report of Self Study and an onsite visit. JRCERT also granted USF the maximum award of eight years at the previous site visit in 2009. The next site visit is tentatively scheduled for the second quarter of 2025.

USF and Manchester University Announce Partnerships USF announced two new partnerships with Manchester University for pre-professional students. In the field of pharmacy, USF students pursuing the associate of prepharmacy chemistry degree will have two seats reserved for each annual cohort entering the Doctor of Pharmacy Program at Manchester University. In the field of pharmacogenomics, USF bachelor degree science students will have four seats reserved for each annual cohort entering the Master of Science in Pharmacogenomics program at Manchester University. These programs have created new opportunities for USF students to advance their education in these growing fields.

Hitting the Links to Support USF Athletics Over 140 golfers braved the summer heat for good times and generous giving. The 2018 Cougar Classic Golf Outing was held on August 3 as over 140 golfers joined USF to raise funds for USF athletic scholarships. The weekend got started the night before the outing with a VIP event and silent auction at the home of former NFL star Jason Fabini, hosted by Steel Dynamics CEO Keith Busse. Friends of USF, both old and new, came together for this two-day event to raise over $60,000 for USF athletes. 36

saint francis magazine | fall 2018

Special Education Programs Earn National Recognition The USF Department of Education’s three Special Education programs received full National Recognition by the Specialized Program Association (SPA) for Special Education, the Council for Exceptional Children (CEC). CEC defines content area standards for the Special Education program. The programs receiving National Recognition include Undergraduate MildModerate Intervention, Graduate Intense Intervention and Graduate Mild-Moderate Intervention.

campus news

USF Named in U.S. News and World Report College Rankings USF has once again made the U.S. News and World Report rankings for Best Midwest Regional Universities as well as the Best Values among Midwest Regional Universities. USF is ranked 72nd overall among Midwest Regional Universities, up from number 75 last year. The university is ranked number 43 on the Best Value list after ranking 48th one year ago. In addition, USF is number 45 on the list of Best Colleges for Veterans in the list of Regional Universities Midwest. The regional Best Colleges rankings are based on several key measures of quality including outcomes, faculty resources, expert opinion, financial resources, student excellence and alumni giving. The regional Best Value rankings are based on

the ratio of quality to price, the percentage of all undergraduates receiving need-based grants and the average discount. Only schools ranked in the top half of their respective academic categories are included. More information about the rankings can be found at www.usnews.com/colleges. “This ranking is representative of the work of our excellent faculty and students,” said USF Interim Vice President of Academic Affairs Dr. Lance Richey. “Being recognized among the Top 100 Midwest Regional Universities is an accomplishment that reflects the quality and value of a University of Saint Francis education.”

2018 Presidential Gala Goes “Beyond the Sun and Sea” The 2018 Presidential Gala opened the 2018-2019 gallery season with “Beyond the Sun and Sea: Contemporary Art of Korea and Japan,” a partnership with Andrew Bae Gallery in Chicago. Featured artists in the exhibition included Keysook Geum, Tetsuya Noda and Leeah Joo. Geum is a professor of Textile Art and Fashion Design at Hongik University in Seoul, Korea, and also serves as the president of the Korean Society of Costume. She designed the opening ceremonial costumes for the Winter Olympics that were held in PyeongChang, South Korea. In conjunction with the 2018 Presidential Gala, one of these costumes was shipped from Korea to be included in the Gala exhibition. Photos by Mollie Shutt, current student

Noda, a Japanese master of printmaking, was the first artist to combine traditional Ukiyo-e printmaking with contemporary screen printing and photography. Joo, who was born in South Korea, is a painter based in Connecticut. She holds an MFA in painting from Yale University and currently teaches at the Maryland Institute of Art and Southern Connecticut State University. Other artists included Jungjin Lee (photography), Kwang Jean Park (mixed media works on paper) and Jae Ko (pigmented paper sculpture). “Beyond the Sun and Sea” was sponsored by 3Rivers Federal Credit Union. saint francis magazine | fall 2018

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” - JO HN 3: 16

in memoriam

Reagan Swinford, left, is pictured with her father, alumnus Adam Swinford, mother, USF alumna Jessica (Meyer) Swinford, and sister, Peyton. Reagan battled cancer throughout her school years, continuing to strive in athletics, academics and activities whenever she was able. She passed away August 29. Her courageous spirit inspired all who knew her.

Hana Stith challenged the roles of black women in her day, becoming one of the first African-American teachers to be hired by Fort Wayne Community Schools.

Courageous crusaders touch hearts forever Reagan Swinford, 17, daughter of Alumni Jessica (Meyer) Swinford (BBA ’98, MBA ’10), former USF Director of Alumni Relations, and Adam Swinford (BS ’99), former USF Alumni Cabinet President, passed away on Wednesday, August 29, 2018 at Lutheran Children’s Hospital in Fort Wayne, after a valiant battle with cancer. Born in Fort Wayne, Reagan was a member of Sonrise at Aboite United Methodist Church and attended Wayne New Tech High School. She was active in the Olympic Committee, Canstruction, Women in Engineering Club, Key Club, Interact (Rotary) and New Tech Academy Culture Club. Reagan was seventh in her graduation class at Wayne and a member of the National Honor Society. She played tennis and was part of the Wayne High School marching band. Reagan was passionate about cancer awareness and research and always enjoyed spending time at the lake and being with her sister 38

saint francis magazine | fall 2018

Peyton. Reagan Swinford was a devoted daughter, sister and friend, and will be dearly missed by all. Hana Stith, 90, of Fort Wayne, passed away Wednesday, Sept. 5, 2018, at Mount Carmel East Hospital, in Columbus, Ohio, after a short illness. Stith was well loved by the USF community. She has her BA and MA in education and received an honorary degree in 2015 from USF. Stith was among the first African-American teachers to be hired by Fort Wayne Community Schools and spent 36 years teaching. Stith was an iconic community activist and civil rights leader, and a lifelong member of Turner Chapel AME Church. Hana was the founder and curator of the Fort Wayne African African American Historical Society and Museum. A friend and mentor to many, she never missed an opportunity to give and to help.

1940s Madelyn (Clark) Anderson (’45)* Rosemary (Kintz) Ebetino (’46)**

1950s Marilyn (Kintner) Stone (’50)* Norma (Schwierking) Jellison (’58)** Mildred (Ummel) Hemsley (’58)

SWONGERS ENJOYING THEIR

USF LOVE CONNECTION

1960s Sister M. Arlene Gonsiorowski (’62) Sr. Mary Gerard Golonka (’64) Howard Barefoot (’66) Marilyn (Martell) McDougle (’66) Gloria Minich (’67) Gilbert Schillinger (’68)

1970s Letha (Miller) McKinnel (’71) Mark Wagner (’72) Richard Johnson (’74)

1980s Joyce (Knight) Heilman (’83) Allen Etter (’89) and faculty member

2000s Renee (Neuenschwander) Andrews (’09)

Friends of USF Lorene Hodell Dean Merryman * From Lutheran Hospital School of Nursing— Lutheran College of Health Professions ** St. Joesph School of Nursing

When Kristen Harden (B.S. science and chemistry, secondary education, 2002) and Jeremy Swonger (B.S. business administration, 2004) met, the contact seemed incidental—just another chance meeting between fellow students. But Jeremy’s football teammates had other ideas for Jeremy and USF cheerleader Kristen. They encouraged what eventually became a friendship to blossom into something more. “We first met in the fall, but really did not think much of the other,” Kristen said. “We started hanging out more as friends, and then when we missed each other over a short holiday break, we realized we liked each other. We started dating on December 13, 2000.” Five years later they married, and with two children—Annalise, 9 and Ander, 4— added to 13 years of marriage, they remember well some of the moments and places that brought them together. Both athletes involved in dorm life, they also balanced extra responsibilities, Kristen with her admissions office job and Jeremy as a two-year residence hall assistant. “I liked the science program and wanted to attend college away from home. Jeremy came to play football,” Kristen said. But while they enjoyed busy academic, athletic, social and work lives, they still found the time for each other and some meaningful walks beside Mirror Lake near Achatz Hall. They hold fond memories of that spot. “We would take walks and stop there to talk, and that is where he proposed to me,” Kristen said. The rewards of trusting their own intuition and the promptings of their friends to follow up on the relationship have been many. They just celebrated another anniversary last month and treasure their children and family life. “Jeremy is involved with the USF Alumni Cabinet, and I still work with the Science Department on professional development and hosting students for observation hours or student teaching,” Kristen said. “We both love USF and want to contribute back in any way we can.” saint francis magazine | fall 2018

alumni news

class notes keeping connected with alumni and friends 1970s Michael Floyd (BA ’71) and wife Georgia Floyd (BA ’71, MS ’87) celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary on August 17. This year also marks the 50th anniversary of Windsong Pictures, Inc., the nonprofit educational motion picture company they founded that works with over 250,000 students in every state across the country. Patricia (Hogan) Neil (BS ’71) retired from Fort Wayne Community Schools with 34 years of teaching first through sixth grades. She and her husband Bill celebrated 43 years of marriage on June 28. Stephen Gotsch (BA ’72) and his wife Nanette celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in May with a trip to Italy. Upon returning, they enjoyed a celebration dinner party at Brookside with their children and grandchildren. James Pickett (BS ’72, MS ’78) authored a historical fiction book: The Bones of Kekionga. Focusing on Fort Wayne history, the short novel covers the Battle of Kekionga, also known as “Harmar’s Defeat” that took place in the Lakeside area of Fort Wayne in 1790. Published through Oak Creek Media, the book was launched in August of 2017.

2008, he moved to Northwood Middle School as the assistant principal and took over as principal the following year. In 2013, he was named principal of Miami Middle School. Stacey Zeisloft (BS ’97), a fifth grade teacher at Leo Elementary, was named to the Journal-Gazette “Teacher Honor Roll.” n

1980s

Angela (Kwiatkowski) Denton (BA ’01) authored a new book called “The Business of Social Media: Clients and Customers Not Just Likes and Followers.” It is available on Amazon. Andie Hines (BA ’01) has been selected by Greater Fort Wayne Business Weekly as a winner of its prestigious Forty Under 40 award. Patrick Hughes (BBA ’01) and his wife Megan welcomed their daughter Emma Elizabeth to the world on February 21, 2018, weighing 7 pounds, 15 ounces. Courtney (Furrow) White (BS ’02) started a new career journey with Vizient as a Collaborative Advisor. James Bettcher (BBA ’03) has been hired as the defensive coordinator for the New York Giants. Leslie Friedel (BS ’04) has been selected by Greater Fort Wayne Business Weekly as a winner of its prestigious Forty Under 40 award. Jennifer (Wilkinson) Yack (BS ’05, AS ’08) celebrated her 10-year anniversary in the NICU at Lutheran Hospital in May. Marita Hattem-Schiffman (MBA ’06) moved to Michigan in July of 2017 and is the president of two MidMichigan Health Medical Centers—one in Alma, MI and one in Mt. Pleasant, MI. Stephanie (Weber) Merkling (AS ’06, BS ’08) was named the Homestead Teacher of the Year and Southwest Allen County Schools Teacher of the Year. She is also in the Top 25 nominees for Indiana Teacher of the Year. Stephanie currently serves as the AP and Environmental Science teacher at Homestead High School. Justin Aquila (BA ’07) has been appointed as the Director of Campus Ministry at the University of Saint Francis. Rev. Matt Landry (BBA ’07) completed a two-year certificate program in Spiritual Direction offered by the Sisters of Saint Benedict of the Our Lady of Grace Monastery in Beech Grove, IN. n

Ellen (Glass) Brunson (’86) is staying busy in her retirement through involvement with the Fairborn Annual Parade Committee and the Fairborn Senior Center, where she helps plan lunches and trips for seniors.

1990s

Greg Becker (BA ’96) had an art exhibit at Tolon in Fort Wayne. Stacey DeLeon (BS ’97) graduated in October 2017 from Touro University with her Doctor of Nursing Practice in Leadership degree. Adam Swinford (BS ’99) was named principal of South Side High School effective July 1, 2018. Adam joined Fort Wayne Community Schools in 1998 as a substitute teacher. In 2000, he was hired as a physical education teacher at Indian Village Elementary and a year later moved to then Geyer Middle School (now Towles Montessori). In 2005, he became athletic director at Wayne High School. In n

WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU 40

2000s

saint francis magazine | fall 2018

HAVE A CLASS NOTE? To update information, simply go to alumni.sf.edu and click on “Stay Connected” or send information to alumni@sf.edu or mail it to the University of Saint Francis Alumni Office, 2701 Spring Street, Fort Wayne, Ind. 46808. Thanks for keeping in touch with your alma mater!

alumni news

2010s Fr. Jay Horning (BA ’10) was ordained as a priest in the Catholic Church and is currently serving in the St. Vincent de Paul Parish in Fort Wayne. Nicole (Yates) Schwanz (BS ’10) graduated with an MSN from Frontier Nursing University and recently took the AMCB Boards to obtain certification as a Nurse Midwife. Rachel Sherman (BS ’10) received a Master of Arts in Global Leadership and Sustainability Development from Hawaii Pacific University in May 2018. Jenna Atwood (BSN ’12) is currently working in Indianapolis at IU Health Methodist on a cardiovascular surgical floor as the Day Shift Coordinator. She and Derek Atwood (BA ’12) recently bought a house. Jaxson Burkins (BS ’13, AS ’13) joined Mount Sinai Hospital in Chicago as the Emergency Department Clinical Pharmacist. Maggie (Badders) Emenhiser (BA ’14) is currently working as the Grants Administrator at Girl Scouts of Northern Indiana-Michiana. Sarah Krouse (BA ’14) is serving in Ukraine as an English Teacher for the Peace Corps. Tyler Larson (MS ’14) was recently awarded a specialty credential called a Certificate of Added Qualifications (CAQ) from the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants. Tyler received the CAQ in Emergency Medicine. He is employed by Professional Emergency Physicians based in Fort Wayne, and is one of eight PAs in Indiana to earn a CAQ in the specialty since 2011. n

$25

Thea Smekens (BA ’14) has accepted a position at Capital University in Bexley, Ohio, as an Area Director of Residential Life. Carolina Flores (BA ’15) currently is at Barnes and Thornburg as a Summer Associate. She will be entering her third and final year of law school at Indiana University Maurer School of Law. She just found out that she got straight A’s this semester. Eric Jaszarowski (BBA ’15) and his wife Danielle (Wildes) Jaszarowski (BS ’16, AS ’16) welcomed their first child, Sophia Marie, on May 10. Stephanie Fribley (BS ’15) passed her board exams and officially became a Physician Assistant. Stephanie is completing her PA studies at the University of Findley and hopes to move back to Fort Wayne and work in emergency medicine. Jonathan Lehman (BS ’15) was recently promoted to partner at Summit Financial Group. Jonathan has been in the financial services industry since 2013. Nicole Satalino (BBA ’16) began a new position as a Risk Management Consultant at Ash Brokerage. Ryan Nix (BA ’17) began a new position as Director of Graphic Design and Social Media for the football program at Syracuse University. Shelby Troyer (BS ’17) is Endangered Species Chocolate’s new Quality Programs Manager. Rebekah Frey (BA ’18) is engaged to be married and began a job as a graphic designer with Partners 1st Federal Credit Union in Fort Wayne. She is beyond thankful that she chose to attend USF! n

PER PLATE GOES TO OUR SCHOLARSHIPS

ACCELERATE license plate

YOUR COUGAR SPIRIT

Order at myBMV.com or your local license branch. Call 260-399-8051 for more information. USF must sell 500 plates in 2018 to keep this important program!

USF is WILD for Zoo Day Approximately 150 alumni, families and friends enjoyed the 2018 USF Day at the beautiful Fort Wayne Children’s Zoo. The University of Saint Francis Alumni Association hosted the May 19 event in the African Journey pavilion area. Activities included a photo booth, games, fun with Johnny Cougar and more! Families also enjoyed an all-you-can-eat lunch of hamburgers, hot dogs, soft drinks, sides and ice cream. After lunch, everyone explored the many animals and exhibits throughout the award-winning zoo. It was a great family event and fun was had by all!

TinCaps Night is a Home Run USF alumni, friends and family gathered at Parkview Field on June 8 for one of America’s favorite pastimes as the Fort Wayne TinCaps took on the Lake County Captains at the annual sold-out event. Alumni gathered in the Xfinity Home Run Porch atop the left field wall down from the third baseline. With a spread of hot dogs, pulled pork, brats with sauerkraut, pasta salad, macaroni and cheese, soft drinks and apple crisp for dessert, there were plenty of ballpark favorites to enjoy as we cheered for the TinCaps and watched Alumni Cabinet President Jeremy Swonger, ’04 throw the first pitch! After the game, alumni and guests were treated to the famous Parkview Field fireworks display.

saint francis magazine | fall 2018

St. Joseph Graduates Reunite Over 100 graduates of the St. Joseph Hospital School of Nursing gathered on April 27, 2018 at the University of Saint Francis North Campus for their annual school reunion. Friendships were rekindled and many wonderful stories were shared as the Class of 1967 was honored. A special slideshow of yearbook pictures brought back memories and many smiles. The St. Joe Class of 1968 hosted the evening of dinner, cocktails and reminiscing, and everyone had a fantastic time. The next reunion will be held on Friday, April 26, 2019.

A Mysterious Night at Brookside USF alumni and friends put on their detective hats on February 23 and 24 as Brookside became the scene of a “whodunit.” This was the second year for the Brookside Mystery, and it was once again a huge success. As they solved the “crime,” everyone enjoyed hors d’oeurves and cocktails from Club Soda. Participants searched for clues and interviewed “suspects” before deciding who committed the dastardly deed. Moving through the mansion to question USF alumni and staff who portrayed the mysterious characters allowed participants to see the beautiful mansion as they had fun with the event’s theme.

Photos by Emma Anger, BA ’17; Zack Kittaka, BA ’16

saint francis magazine | fall 2018

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Nov. 8 Nov. 24 Nov. 30-Dec. 4 Dec. 1 Dec. 1 Dec. 2 Dec. 6 Dec. 15 Jan. 21

Professionalism Dinner Football Playoffs-Quarterfinal Christmas in the Castle Football Playoffs-Semifinal Breakfast with St. Nicholas Lighting of the Lake Yuletide Gathering Football National Championship MLK Day of Service

Feb. 7 Feb. 22 & 23 Week of April 9 April 26 April 27 May 4 May 4

Network for Success Murder Mystery Easter Basket Build St. Joseph All Class Reunion Capsys 50-year Brunch Commencement

For event information, visit alumni.sf.edu/events.