TERENCE AND JO KITE ENDOWED SCHOLARSHIP

ESTABLISHED BY RYAN AND VALENE ROSEKE

Purpose: Provide scholarships for students majoring in science and/or engineering at York University.

York University professor of physics, Dr. Terence Kite, is not in the classroom because he needs a job. This campus icon teaches and tutors students in upper level math and physics, serves as chaplain for women’s wrestling, and zips around campus on his 21-speed bike. He and his late wife, Jo, first came to York in 1967 ready to serve students and serve God. Kite left in 1969 to earn his doctorate and returned in 1975. He has left and returned two more times since then, most recently in 2012 and was instrumental in the organization of York University's dual degree engineering program.

Along the way, he has helped multiple generations of students grasp concepts of physics and higher mathematics and life. His lifelong partner, Jo, was by his side in all his efforts until her death in 2017, serving students in a variety of ways. Her roles included dean of women, dean of students, counselor, and director of York’s online program. For many York students, the Kites' shared dream of ministry changed lives and careers.

the size of a small refrigerator, the suit provides oxygen, CO2 removal, electrical power, hydration, ventilation, thermal control and communications. The nextgeneration suit is lighter weight and lower volume to improve astronaut efficiency, range of motion and comfort. Designed to fit nearly any body type, it also has an open architecture design which allows the suit to be easily modified as missions change or become more advanced.

For the last few years, Ryan has been in Colorado Springs helping make advances with aircraft ejection seats. ACES ejection seats have been credited with saving over 700 lives, including General CQ Brown, the Air Force fighter pilot tapped to be the next chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Ryan had a very memorable experience when visiting with the four-star general's parents and said, “Think about a mother thanking your company for saving her son’s life.”

When Ryan was presented with the opportunity to work with the team in Houston in designing the next generation of spacesuits, he knew it was what he was meant to do.

“It certainly has been an interesting career; one I could never have imagined as a York freshman sitting in Dr. Kite’s calculus class," said Ryan. “It’s one of the reasons we think honoring Terry and Jo with a scholarship in their name is important. I hope others will agree.

Who would have thought that 35 years ago, I’d be heading down a path that would pass through York College and land me in Houston working with NASA? It’s fascinating, really. You can get there from here describes that from York you can go anywhere you want — and maybe some places you never dreamed of.”

Reflecting on those spheres of influence and paying it forward is a common mindset of York alumni. Through Ryan’s connections and recommendation, our son secured an internship at Collins Aerospace in Cedar Rapids. He took Devin out to dinner when visiting on business and would routinely check in on how the internship was going and offered wisdom. Ryan’s mentoring proved extremely valuable and was an integral part of Devin getting an engineering position at Boeing.

Ryan and Valene made the most of their time at York and had similar paths of involvement. They were in brother-sister clubs together with Ryan serving as vice president of Kingsmen and Valene the president of Omega Phi. Soul Concern and theatre productions for Ryan, Choir and Women’s Ensemble for Valene. Both were picked as RAs their sophomore year and were inducted into the Phi Theta Kappa honor society and selected by faculty for membership into Who’s Who.

When it was mentioned how much we appreciated Ryan’s help in securing our son’s career, he commented, “If he’s ever interested in switching teams, tell him to reach out. The aerospace industry is kind of small so it would be great to run into him some day.”

Odds are, he’ll do just that. n