Fall 2019 Volume XLV Number 2
it all starts with an
IDEA The Entrepreneurial Spirit o f Ryan Nation
F E AT U R E S T O R I E S
C elebrating the Class of 2 01 9 Our Philanthropic A lum ni A Record L egac y Gala w w w. f a t h e r r y a n . o r g
Board of trustees Executive Committee Julie Shaninger Norfleet ’88, Chair Bill Stejskal ’79, Vice Chair Jack Polson, Finance Committee Chair J udy Komisky Orr ’75, Membership Committee Chair
Fall 2019 | Volume XLV | Number 2
FEATURE
Committee Chairs Brett Wesnofske ’88, Facilities
Ex-Officio Members
it all starts with an
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IDEA
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IN THE NEWS Graduation. Student achievements. Theatre accolade. March for Life.
SAYING FAREWELL Irish Nation loses two valued members.
ATHLETICS Behind the Crest season report. College signees. NFL Draft. Barça Academy. Inaugural Hall of Fame Class
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COVER STORY It All Starts with an Idea: The Entrepreneurial Spirit of Ryan Nation
A SPIRIT OF PHILANTHROPY Legacy of Alumni Giving
LEGACY GALA BREAKS RECORDS
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REUNION WEEKEND
CLASS NOTES, BIRTHS, WEDDINGS & IN MEMORIAM
Rebecca Hammel James A. McIntyre Bishop J. Mark Spalding
Board Members Tom Bauer Rev. Mark Beckman Tommy Bradley ’81 John Bumpus ’78 Lee Clark Chris Fay Dave Gallagher ’88 David Glascoe Brittney Testerman Griffith ’03 Warner Hassell Judy Hoover William Krueger Dr. Robert Labadie Carmen Mondelli Lux ’91 Philip M. Mattingly, Sr. ’69 Bob Mendes Pat Nolan ’69 Matt Pietsch ’97 Ralph Schulz Thomas Turner
Life Trustees Thomas G. Connor, Sr. ’60 William H. Farmer ’65 Edward B. Gore J. Terry Hunter Vincent T. Phillips William F. Smith Edward A. Stack
Administration James A. McIntyre, President Paul J. Davis ’81, Principal Connie Steinmetz, Chief Financial Officer Jennifer Anton, Academic Dean Joe Crumby ’95, Dean of Students E lizabeth Coyle Elfers ’02, Dean of Campus Ministry and Student Life Rev. Mark Simpson, Chaplain Marisol Preston, Director of Admissions Brooke Reusch, Director of Advancement Ann Mullins ’03, Interim Director of Athletics
©2019 FRHS 25264
The Big Picture: Commencement 2019. Congratulations to all.
THANK YOU
FOR MAKING A DIFFERENCE Your gifts to the Father Ryan Annual Fund in 2018-2019
PROVIDED A RECORD $778,291.
Enhancing our tradition of Faith, Knowledge and Service that guides our students today.
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In The News fall 2019
GRADUATION WEEKEND 2019 Father Ryan High School graduates have performed on stages, made life-saving discoveries, become high-ranking business executives and defended our freedom in service to our country. They have attended the nation’s finest colleges and universities. They have built a lasting legacy, and one we will remember. And it all started with Father Ryan. They are known. They are loved. The Class of 2019 is no exception. May 18 was a beautiful Saturday to celebrate this class’s legacy. Two hundred and twenty-eight students and their families, friends and Father Ryan faculty and staff packed the Curb Event Center at Belmont University for a morning of awards, recognition and celebration. John Bottei was named the Valedictorian and Elizabeth Wehby the Salutatorian. The duo won many of the day’s most prestigious awards, owing to the tireless work they both put in over the last four years. To the Class of 2019, congratulations. We will miss you immensely, but we are so excited to hear how your story plays out. Read more about the Class of 2019 at fatherryan.org/graduation2019.
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From Bishop Spalding’s sermon to the awards to Trinity Tunstall (far left) and Abby Cox (above), Graduation Weekend was a celebration for the Class of 2019.
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Recently, we sat down with John Bottei and Elizabeth Wehby, our Valedictorian and Salutatorian, to talk about their time at Father Ryan and their plans for the future. Here’s a recap of that conversation. Father Ryan: Describe your senior year in three words. John Bottei: Growing toward good. Elizabeth Wehby: Relaxing, rewarding, and educational. Father Ryan: What was your favorite assignment during your time at Father Ryan? EW: Our final exam in Jesus Class was a presentation on a non-profit where we had completed 15 service hours. I loved my non-profit (The Martha O’Bryan Center), so I really enjoyed the assignment. JB: My favorite assignment was a research project I did in my AP Spanish Language and Culture class. We had to research six sources from Spanish newspapers, radio stations, and websites to delve deeper into the course’s six main themes. This allowed me to explore and learn about issues in the Spanishspeaking world of which I was not aware, which gave me a curiosity about Spanish culture that I have carried till today. Father Ryan: Best advice you received from a Father Ryan teacher? 4
JB: The best advice I received was from Mr. (Randy) Lancaster: “Put first things first, and everything else will come after it.” To me, this means that if I focus on the truly important things, everything that I might worry about that’s less important will work out as it should. EW: “Don’t let the past interfere with the present.” This was a major theme in some of the books we read in AP Lit, so while Ms. (Carol) Brewer wasn’t exactly intending to give us advice, I still think it is a lesson that can be applied outside the classroom. Father Ryan: What was your favorite activity at Father Ryan? Why? EW: Relay for Life, because I don’t know anyone who hasn’t been affected in one way or another by cancer, and I loved giving back in a way that touched so many people. JB: My favorite activity has to be Science Olympiad. It combined my competitive spirit with my genuine curiosity to learn more about the world. Father Ryan: Looking back on your high school years, what one piece of advice would you offer to incoming freshman?
JB: Get enough sleep! I know it’s hard, but you really need 7-8 hours to be able to do your best each day. So, commit to a bedtime and stick to it as much as possible. EW: I know it is cliché, but four years is a long time to spend worrying about what other people think about you and trying to conform to their standards. Just do what makes you happy (within reason), and you won’t have any regrets. Father Ryan: Where do you see yourself in 10 years? EW: I see myself as an oncologist, possibly a pediatric oncologist, who also does research involving cancer treatment. JB: At 28, I see myself as part of a nonprofit dedicated to serving immigrants, refugees, or the material poor. I am going to work to live in each moment, keeping my eyes and heart open to what God calls me to do. John is a St. Bernard alumnus and a St. Stephen parishioner. He is attending Boston College and will major in International Studies. Elizabeth is a Christ the King alumna and parishioner and is attending Clemson University. She will study Microbiology and is Pre-Med. To read more about John and Elizabeth and to hear their graduation addresses, please visit our graduation page at fatherryan.org/graduation2019.
COLLEGE SCOREBOARD WATCHING The college scoreboard for the 228 members of the Class of 2019 has been totaled up: 1,039 applications submitted (an average of more than four per student) to 235 unique colleges and universities. Members of the class will attend 63 different institutions of higher learning, and they were offered more than $31.5 MILLION in scholarships. But there is a very human side to those numbers, one that begins with three college counseling professionals whose goal each year and with every student is to find the right college for that student. Christina Williams, the Director of College Counseling, says “Our goal is always to help students find their best fit—socially, academically, spiritually and financially.” That process begins in the first semester of freshman year when the counselors— Williams, Adrienne Spraggins and Meghan Nordman—visit all sections of the Freshman Seminar course. That means that every one of Father Ryan’s 900 students is in the college counseling process every single year. “That is a lot of relationships to manage, and it has certainly been made more manageable with Meghan’s arrival last year,” Williams said. “But we are a college preparatory school, and it’s
One of the benefits for the students is the experience the counselors bring. Each has sat across the desk in a college admissions office, reading applications and making decisions, which enables them to provide the students and their families with honest insights and practical guidance.
important that all the students are “This is a school with a diverse student addressing the college decision as early body that has diverse interests,” Williams stated. “Therefore, we are as possible.” always looking for new colleges that fit After the Freshman Seminar, the next an ever-expanding list of interests. At step takes place as sophomores. The the end of the process, we want every college advisors speak at the Theology student to be admitted to three or more classes, talk about preparing a resumé schools so that they have choices, and and do an online assessment, YouScience, we hope that their favorite college is one of those three.” to help identify career fits. “It really starts in earnest junior year,” The time spent with the students is Williams said. “All juniors and junior always rewarding, Williams says. “We parents attend Junior College night and love it when we see the student’s hear from four different colleges about excitement about being accepted to their the process. We then reach out to first-choice school; when they end up at schedule the meetings with each junior a school that they hadn’t even considered; and the student’s parents to go over or find a scholarship that they hadn’t tools, discuss next steps, and investigate even known existed; that’s what makes colleges.” The Counselors kick off the us proud as College Counselors.” senior year with a College 101 workshop to help seniors plan their college essay, futher discuss college lists, and go over detailed directions on how to apply to The College Counseling Team: from top, Christina Williams, Adrienne Spraggins, and college. Meghan Nordman.
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SPECIAL AWARDS FOR THE CLASS OF 2019 Father Ryan proudly handed out 13 different awards and scholarships to students at this year’s Baccalaureate Mass and Graduation Ceremony. These awards celebrate students who not only excel in the classroom, but who inspire their peers and all of Ryan Nation with their perseverance, spirit, and commitment to the Father Ryan tradition of Faith, Knowledge and Service. The winners are:
Bishop David R. Choby ’65 Christian Service Awards SARAH BARRY JOHN BOTTEI OWEN CHAMNESS DELANEY HERRMANN
HAWKEN KIRCHNER TRUMAN MCDANIEL TJ NICHOLSON
Charlie Green Service Scholarship ABBY COX
Elmore Lampe Bright Future Scholarship JASON LARKIN HONORED AS TEACHER OF THE YEAR The presence of the Larkin family on the Father Ryan campus is never unusual. But on Baccalaureate night this year, the family had a special reason to be among the Irish. The Larkins know their husband and father, Jason Larkin, as a teacher and coach, who from the classroom to the court has brought an enthusiasm for learning and a commitment to Catholic education to his role on the faculty at Father Ryan. But now they also know him as the 2019 Bishop Alphonse Smith Teacher of the Year. The award is named for Father Ryan’s founder and voted on by faculty and staff members. It is awarded to the faculty member who embodies the mission of the school and provides outstanding teaching in the classroom. Mr. Larkin has been a presence in the classroom and on the basketball court since coming to Father Ryan in 2000. He serves as the Chair of the Mathematics Department at Father Ryan and the Head Girls Basketball Coach. As coach, he has led the Lady Irish to two State Final Four appearances in the last three years and has five alumnae who are playing at the collegiate level. Mr. Larkin completed his undergraduate studies at the University of Tennessee, Martin and earned his Master of Arts in Education and Administration and Supervision from Austin Peay State University. Congratulations and thank you, Mr. Larkin. We share your family’s pride.
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TRINITY TUNSTALL
Excellence In The Arts Award For Women/Men Women: MAGGIE RODGERS Men: TAN NGUYEN Excellence In English Award JOHN BOTTEI
Excellence In World Languages & Cultures Award JOHN BOTTEI
Excellence In The Sciences Award JOHN BOTTEI
Excellence In The Social Sciences Award ELIZABETH WEHBY
Sister Mary John Math Award JOHN BOTTEI
Scholar Athlete Award For Women/Men Women: MARY KATE NEWMAN Men: WILL TURNER Monsignor Albert A. Siener Memorial Award ANDREA FONSECA
Bishop Alphonse J. Smith Award WARD JAEGER
General Excellence Award For Women/Men Women: ELIZABETH WEHBY Men: JOHN BOTTEI
PRESIDENT MCINTYRE ELECTED BOARD PRESIDENT OF TAIS Father Ryan’s President Jim McIntyre has been elected to a two-year term as the president of the Board of Directors of the Tennessee Association of Independent Schools (TAIS). The TAIS was established in 1973 to be the active voice and connective resource for its member schools. Currently, the association has a membership of 62 independent schools throughout the state of Tennessee. President McIntyre began his term in June, having just completed a two-year term as a member of the TAIS board representing independent schools to the Tennessee Secondary Schools Athletic Association (TSSAA). “I am honored to serve this organization and the outstanding independent schools in Tennessee as board president,” President McIntyre stated. “Today’s environment presents challenges and opportunities for the young men and women in our schools. The role our schools play here and across the country in developing these students to lead our communities is more critical than ever before. I look forward to working with the entire board and our administrative team to provide the leadership and ideas that will strengthen all independent schools in this state.”
SPEECH AND DEBATE TEAM ENDS ON A HIGH NOTE The Speech and Debate Team ended their season at Cookeville High School with the State Tournament in April. Congratulations to ERIN MAHONEY ’19, who advanced to the final round in AfterDinner Speaking and placed 6th in the State, to CAROLINE MINCHEY ’20, who advanced to finals in Solo Acting and placed 4th in the State, and to JOSEPH KENT ’19, who advanced to finals in Costume Design and was the unanimous 1st place winner. Kudos to our new State Champion, to Coach Sarah Kieffner, and to the rest of the team on their strong performances.
A native of Texas, President McIntyre has been in education for more than 25 years, including classroom teaching, coaching and administration. He has been the head of school at Father Ryan since 2004, first as principal and as president since 2007. During his tenure, the school has been successful in expanding its campus facilities, increasing its endowment and its student body, and strengthening its alumni engagement. He came to Father Ryan from Cardinal Newman High School in Columbia, SC, where he served as principal from 2000-2004.
ELLA DELEVANTE ’20, won the 2019 Mary
TAIS is the state affiliate of the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS) and the Southern Association of Independent Schools (SAIS). It provides a wide variety of services to its members, overseeing and responding to state educational laws and policies, representing the interests of independent schools to the state athletic association, and providing professional development for teachers and administrators.
Ella is the youngest-ever inductee to our St. Vincent De Paul Service Society and a dedicated volunteer on many fronts. She is shown above at the award ceremony with, from left, President McIntyre, Johnathan McGee ’95, and the Dean of Campus Ministry and Student Life Elizabeth Elfers ’02.
DEDICATED STUDENT WINS PRESTIGIOUS VOLUNTEER AWARD Catherine Strobel Direct Service Award in April for her volunteer and service work in the community. Ella and her mother organized a coat drive for families of refugees and distributed the coats outside of an apartment complex where many of the recepients live.
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FATHER RYAN WINDS WIN BRONZE; BAND STUDENTS EXCEL The Father Ryan Winds struck all the right chords at the World Championship this spring, winning the 2019 OPEN Class Bronze Medal. Their “Sorry” show, based on the classic board game, took the Winds to #3 in the world! Led by Director of Bands Mr. Jereme Frey, the Winds’ hard work and excellence made it another great day to be Irish! Congratulations also to BEN STROBEL ’21 , MORGAN MCGAFFIN ’21 and SOPHIA SAAVEDRA ’20 on their musical accomplishments this year! Ben and Morgan were both selected for the Middle Tennessee School Band and Orchestra All Mid-State Silver Concert Band. Sophia was selected for the Tennessee Governor’s School for the Arts. Sophia stood out among the best clarinetists in the state of Tennessee and will now attend a month-long intensive music program at MTSU.
AN AWARD-WINNING S It was a spring to sing!
ART STUDENT’S WATERCOLOR HONORED RICHELLE SUN ’21 received a Certificate of
Distinction as a winner of the Southern Teachers Agency 2019 Student Art Contest. Her watercolor of Father Ryan’s campus will appear in the agency’s annual calendar, sent to more than 2,000 private and independent schools in the South. Richelle took Mr. John Durand’s Portfolio Development for high honors art students. 8
In April, the Father Ryan Purple Masque Players kept to tradition and treated the Irish community to a musical, Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella, putting on four shows between April 4 and April 6. Each performance was sold out and met with rave reviews, and it was truly fun for all ages.
A snowy trip to D.C. was warmed by the presence of the Irish students marching for life (above), and paying honor to the families buried at Arlington National Cemetery, led by Jacob Wagner ’19 (center above) and escorted by Master Sergeant Patrick Bowser of Miami, Florida.
SPRING MUSICAL Several cast members received Spotlight Awards for their performances. MAGGIE RODGERS ’19 and SARAH BARRY ’19 were named to the All Star Cast by the Spotlight Award Committee. Also honored were ZANE ALUMBAUGH ’19 and CAITLIN BRENNAN ’19 as All Star crew members. CHRISTIAN PETERSEN ’19 brought home the Outstanding Male Ensemble Award. The entire cast and crew of Cinderella gave us a performance to remember, and we cannot wait for next year’s fall play and spring musical from the Purple Masque Players.
FATHER RYAN MARCHES FOR LIFE One hundred twenty-eight students and 15 chaperones went to Washington, D.C. for the 46th annual March for Life this past January. During their time in the nation’s capital, they marched with thousands of students in support of all life. In addition, they enjoyed a reflective morning on the sacred grounds of Arlington National Cemetery. JACOB WAGNER ’19 and our D.C. travelers picked up the wreaths
that had been placed on graves at Arlington before Christmas and said prayers and expressed gratitude for those heroes. This completed the circle begun by Jacob and so many Father Ryan students, parents and faculty/staff with the placement of wreaths for Wreaths Across America in December on the graves of the honored dead at Nashville’s Military Cemetery. Our contingent had a safe and faithful trip, and we’re grateful for the opportunity to be involved in this important event every year. 9
Memories of Sara: Refl Sara brought such professionalism and such confidence, all rooted in her devout faith. With an uncommon and never-ending grace, and with an educator’s love of learning and a pioneer’s heart for innovation, she championed our students to achieve their best. She always challenged them— and all of the teachers—to bring their very best, no matter the subject and no matter their interest. She did this because she believed that Catholic education provided the best opportunities for our students, and that to provide this education, we can’t shortchange our families in our approach or our curriculum. She believed our families deserve the best education grounded in the Truth and guided by the Gospel.
SAYING FAREWELL, AND THANK YOU, TO SARA HAYES It was always her smile. The warm, full-face, eyes alit smile that characterized Sara Hayes, the longtime educator and Father Ryan’s Academic Dean and Vice Principal, who passed away in August after a long battle with cancer. That smile was for the student whom she was encouraging as he worked through a theology lesson. It was for the alumna who came back to campus from college and beat a beeline to her office to say hello. And it was for a colleague, who was unsure of the new curriculum initiative or schedule plan but would soon be reassured by Sara’s voice and that smile. Over a 30-year educational career, Ms. Hayes taught at a number of Catholic schools, but her time at Father Ryan is most remembered by the Irish and was most loved by her. She began in elementary school classrooms and subsequently taught every age of student, from kindergarteners through sophomores in college. For more than 19 years she called Father Ryan her beloved home. She began teaching at the school in 1998, educating the students in Theology, Latin, American Literature, Spanish, and Church History. As Father Ryan’s Academic Dean from 2005-2017 and Vice Principal from 2012, she led the school through the 10
introduction of block scheduling, oversaw the expansion of Advanced Placement (AP) courses from 15 to 25, and enhanced the accreditation of Father Ryan through the introduction of the Cum Laude Honor Society chapter and other initiatives that strengthened and celebrated the school’s academics. During this time the school saw more than 80 students honored by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation. Ms. Hayes held a bachelor’s degree from Notre Dame College of Ohio and a master’s from Middle Tennessee State University. In addition to this, she earned more than 30 hours of master’s level course work in curriculum design, instruction, and administration and supervision. But the best telling of her life and impact is through the reflections of colleagues who knew her best, which are included here. Her passing brings us sadness, but her legacy and that smile will stay with the Father Ryan community always.
Whether it is programs like block scheduling or the increase in AP courses or the courses her teachers created with her support and guidance—Engineering, Literature of the World Wars, Dance, Choral—she lives on and will live on in the legacy of this school. She was a great friend and a great confidant, who carried me for years, and I miss her daily. Paul Davis, Principal
Sara was the first person I met when I came to Father Ryan. We were new teachers at Father Ryan together. We immediately bonded over our love for God. Sara always knew how to put into words what one was feeling. What I always felt set Sara apart from other administrators I had worked with was her true love of all aspects of the whole person of the teacher or the student. She genuinely cared about people experiencing the love of God through her. She was tough, but fair and compassionate. She always believed that any failing could be redeemed. She always gave teachers and students more than one opportunity to overcome their shortcomings. She was wise and loving in her ability to pinpoint a plan to help a person improve. If that person was willing, she would help them. Most recently, Sara, though sick and living on a fixed income, was the first to sponsor me when I volunteered to go to Guatemala with my church and translate for a medical team there. Because it was important to me to honor God’s call for that one week of service, it was also important to her that she participate in that experience in the only way she was able at the time. Her belief and faith in me is what I miss most. Lee Ann Lockman, World Languages and Cultures
When the new block schedule was being announced, Sara met with each department individually to explain the impending change. As usual, my reaction to change was fear and resis-
flections from her Colleagues tance. I expressed that resistance to Sara in what I immediately recognized as (at best) inappropriate and disrespectful. I was way out of line. Sara, as usual replied to me in her calm and respectful, but firm, soft-spoken voice. She treated me better than I had treated her and better than I deserved; she never reproached me and she never held it against me. It was quintessential Sara; always kind, always understanding, always firm, never mean or vengeful. Often times I thought to apologize for that outburst, but I never did. I am certain that she had forgot about it long ago because that was Sara Hayes. And to this day, whenever I am dealing with a difficult situation in the classroom, I pause and channel my inner Sara Hayes, and all is better. John Durand, Visual and Performing Arts Teacher
Sara Hayes was a faith-filled, generous, loving, smart person. Sara could communicate with all walks of life, from adults to kids to her four-legged pals. A great teacher, Sara loved learning and enjoyed taking a very difficult subject and presenting it to her students. She made her students love learning. As an Academic Dean she was knowledgeable, a champion, a supporter, and a backer, especially of “her teachers”. She expected your best and she inspired you to be the best, not for the sake of recognition but as an answer to your calling to educate young minds. Sara guided Father Ryan to be one of the top academic institutions in the city and state by focusing on the people here. She understood that there was potential in every child who attended and every teacher who taught at Father Ryan. Sara always made me feel that I had made the right calling as a teacher. She knew I had a love of learning. Sara was my inspiration as a friend and a teacher, and I considered her to be family both in teaching and in friendship. Mary Alice McWatters, Science Department Chair
All of us have individuals who come into our lives and leave an impression. But if we are fortunate, we get the chance to welcome a person into our lives who leaves an indelible mark that makes us better for having known her. That is Sara Hayes. From my first day at Father Ryan, I connected with Sara, not just in a professional, educational way, but in a heartfelt personal way. Whether it was her calm and grace or her always-present enthusiasm for our students and our mission, I found in her a colleague whose fundamental insights into education were always so profound and were so deeply rooted in our faith and our history. Whenever there was a difficult decision to make or a special message to deliver, I turned to Sara to hear my thinking or my words, knowing that she would provide the honesty and the direction that would guide me best. Father Ryan will always be a better place because of Sara’s presence…her impact lives on in programs she helped develop and teachers she helped grow. But it is her spirit that I continue to feel, guiding my thoughts and continuing to nurture the school and the students she loved so much. And in between the sadness over her loss, it is that spirit that energizes me…and always will. Jim McIntyre, President
FATHER RYAN’S FISHERMAN LEAVES US: TRISTAN NUMBERS ’22 It is always hard when you lose someone too young. Tristan Numbers, a beloved member of the Class of 2022, lost his bravely-fought battle against cancer this fall on August 13, 2019—one week after school started. He was 16 years old. Tristan was first diagnosed with leukemia in his bone marrow when he was four years old. Later, it was discovered the cancer had spread to his chest area. But by age 11, he was cancer free and remained so for five years. However, just weeks after starting his freshmen year at Father Ryan, Tristan learned that the cancer had returned, and once again, he began his brave battle against cancer. He fought valiantly and never gave up hope. The entire Father Ryan community is heartbroken with his loss and inspired by the life he led even in the face of such adversity. “Tristan refused to give up,” his mother, Natalie-Chantal Sana, told the Tennessee Register earlier this summer. “He told me, ‘You know mom, you don’t know how long you have, so I don’t want to sit around and mope about it.’… He’s got a philosophy about it that is very inspiring,” Ms. Sana said. Before this school year began, Father Ryan students, faculty and the school community came together for a “Hang Out Day” to reconnect and spend quality time on campus with Tristan and another student battling cancer, Luke Conger. Tristan spent most of the day at the pond on campus taking part and schooling friends on his favorite hobby, fishing. “Tristan leaves a legacy of courage, inspiration, gentility, humility and love for life that has inspired all of us,” said Father Ryan President Jim McIntyre. “He will truly be missed.” Tristan, you are always in our hearts; may you rest in peace.
Tristan (above, in gray hat) enjoys his favorite activity—fishing— with his friends on Hang Out Day. 11
Athletics fall 2019
BTC Season Report by Owen Dougharty '19 Behind the Crest
Father Ryan High School has a history of excellence in many areas in our tradition of Faith, Knowledge and Service. One of these places we strive to be the very best representatives of our community and live through these ideals is on the field and the court. The last issue of Irish Ayes covered another hard-working fall for our athletes and their play on the field. Now that we are in another Irish fall, we have to go back and think about when it was cold outside. Yes, the cold can be unbearable, but that is why we pack into the Catignani-Drennan Fieldhouse and Centennial Sportsplex, where competition heats up during this time of year. When we left for Christmas Break, basketball and hockey were just getting started. Right after we put our trees up and took down our porch lights, Father Ryan hosted its annual Willie Brown ’65 Memorial Tournament. When we returned, basketball heated up with games against rival Pope John Paul II. The first round of these games were in Hendersonville, where Ryan Nation 12
packed the gymnasium. The Lady Irish continued their dominant winning streak over the Lady Knights, which goes back several years. The boys capped the night off with one of the most sensational plays of the season. OSCAR ARMSTRONG ’19 stole an inbounds pass with two seconds left and made a layup to break the tie and win it at the buzzer. Hockey games have become a huge part of the Father Ryan student experience. The students transition from being the Jungle to becoming the Igloo. What an exciting season they had with thrilling regular season wins against MBA and JP2! The team, led by a group of veteran seniors, helped make a deep finals run, earning a trip to the State Frozen Four. Swimming
and
Diving
pulled
off
another impressive season as Coach “Ma” Philbin led the team to a Division Title this year. Impressive performances from swimmers like AUSTIN WRIGHT ’19, MAGGIE EIDT ’19, and many other leaders on the team helped bring home the hardware. Unfortunately, not everything this year was great. Sometimes off the court life happens and it hits hard. Rising junior and basketball player LUKE CONGER ’21 and his family were given some of the worst news of their lives during the middle of the season. Luke was diagnosed with cancer after he had discovered a tumor. When he went to the doctor, they immediately told him he had to have surgery to have it removed. While the removal of this tumor was a success, after a few months, when Luke returned to his doctor this spring, the Congers learned that his cancer had returned in a different part of his body. He received chemotherapy and enjoyed the support of the Tennessee Titans. In July, his family joyfully shared the news that Luke’s scans showed he was cancer-free! We also lost a dear friend in the first week of August 2018. Bailey Rush was
A spring to celebrate: from left, a new speed record for the Irish record books; Adriana Batey claims the district discus title; wrestling, baseball, softball and basketball give us memories to cherish; and Luke Conger, shown above with Tennessee Titan Derrick Henry, is now cancer-free.
a member of the Class of 2019. He was a standout wrestler and a one-ofa-kind-person. Though he is no longer with us, he will always have a place in this school and the Class of 2019. Our wrestlers, yet again, put on another impressive performance in the State Tournament in honor of Bailey. As it started to warm up again on campus, we began moving back outdoors and onto the fields. Baseball, Softball, Track and Field, Boys Soccer, and Lacrosse all came back in season. Our coaches certainly were ready for a good year, and a good year it was. The regular season highlight was the Spring Games on the Irish Campus. It was perfect weather, with a series of games against Pope John Paul II. Softball had a dominating performance, including a high scoring first inning where HANNAH CARNEY ’19 stole three bases to start the game. Baseball had a great night against the Knights. Track and Field also hosted a meet. All were successful that night, and it will go down as one of the memorable moments from this spring.
No banners were brought home this year but there was a record-breaking performance for the Boys Track Team in the 4x400 relay. SEBASTIAN JONES ’19, KENDALL YOUNG ’19, JACK MACCLARY ’20, and IAN JONES ’21 broke the school record with a 3:22.74 time. Their performance took down a record that has stood since 2015. The theme for our teachers and coaches for the 2018-19 school year was compassion. Behind the Crest spent their spring semester on a story that involves a Father Ryan legend. Coach Robert Kent, who is a 1974 alumnus, has been the Girls Track Coach for many years. He has many great stories (and jokes), but nothing quite like the story he shares with alumna Tina (Sevier) McRae ’94. Behind the Crest made an emotional video about the time she missed her State Championship meet, the rippling affect that day has had on her life and the way it taught her to show compassion. This story can be viewed on Behind The Crest’s YouTube channel. This story reminds us of what putting on a purple uniform is really about.
Our school year ended with much excitement as we saw Boys Soccer and Baseball make it to the Final Four in May. This was the first time the Irish baseball team had made it back in the past few years, and they did so with a dramatic walk-off single to beat McCallie. Boys Soccer lost to McCallie in the semis, and Softball was one win short of a Final Four appearance. For soccer, it was another accomplishment that Coach Robert Dieterich has added to his resumé. He went on to be the Fred Russell Lifetime Achievement award winner from The Tennessean this year. Father Ryan’s legacy and story continue to grow yet again. The toughness, competitiveness, and our will to put in the hard work are what make Father Ryan so special. Title-winning seasons will always come and go, but the legacies and stories our athletes make will last for a lifetime.
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COLLEGE SIGNEES FOR 2019 In their four years at Father Ryan, the student-athletes of the Class of 2019 have added an impressive mark to the school’s legacy. In the classroom, on the fields and courts and mats and ice, and in a wide range of service settings, these young men and women have been successful ambassadors for Father Ryan. They have given Ryan Nation a regular reminder that it is always a great day to be Irish! We are proud to salute the 15 members of the Class of 2019 who are taking their Irish experience to the next level at colleges and universities throughout the country.
JUSTIN ALLEN Baseball Cairn University
LAUREN BALLARD Volleyball Christian Brothers University
SEAMUS O’CONNELL Football Dartmouth University
ADRIANA BATEY Track and Field Milligan College
DAVID RUSSELL Football Austin Peay State University
CAMRYN BROUSSARD Basketball Sewanee: The University of the South
CAROLINE SIMPSON Cheerleading University of Tennessee, Knoxville
DILLON FERRELL Rugby University of Tennessee, Knoxville
SAMANTHA STOCKER Soccer Sewanee: The University of the South
JACQUELYN KRUMNAUER Volleyball Miami University in Oxford, OH
BREE THIBEAULT Basketball Cumberland University
DAVID MOEN Bowling Belmont Abbey College
WILL TURNER Soccer Lipscomb University
JACK MORGAN Rugby University of Tennessee, Knoxville
FELIX WILSON Football Sewanee: The University of the South
IRISH ATHLETES AT NFL DRAFT FC BARÇELONA PARTNERS WITH FATHER RYAN Father Ryan has partnered with one of the world’s best known sports brands — FC Barçelona—in the opening of the international team’s newest soccer academy here in Nashville. Father Ryan welcomed area families and youth soccer players to the campus in May and June for information sessions, tryouts and camps as part of the Academy’s introduction. Our campus’s fields will be the site for ongoing training sessions and competitions in the coming months. We are excited to be a part of this exceptional organization.
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The Irish were on stage in April at the 2019 NFL Draft in Nashville as #15 ANTHONY WRIGHT ’20 (far right) joined other Nashville high school football stars to help NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell announce the Tennessee Titans first round pick. And JOEJUAN WILLIAMS , a member of the Class of 2016, heard his named called 45th overall, going to the world champion New England Patriots. Read more about JoeJuan in Class Notes on page 34.
RYAN MAN—STILL SAVING THE DAY AFTER 50 YEARS He is easily spotted on the football sidelines, dressed in multi-colored attire with a leprechaun—like look. He joins the cheerleaders in leading the cries from the Jungle for another score, another stop, another big play. And this year, Ryan Man turns 50! That’s right. This fall when the acrobatic Robbie Allen took the field as Ryan Man, he connected to a group of seniors whose memorable creation arose from the lunch tables in the bowels of the Elliston Place campus in the fall of 1969. From those early days as the creation of an ad hoc theatre arts initiative, Ryan Man has varied in his half-century existence. He’s gone from an athletic hero to an Irishman. He’s had a companion, Lady Irish, and he has worked alone. He’s been tall, short, energetic and—just a few years ago—an actual Irishman (Rory O’Connell ’14). The primary criteria is enthusiasm. He’s the one who energizes the Irish, whether at a pep rally or a playoff game. The uniform has evolved too. The original, haphazardly-costumed Ryan Man who just needed a football helmet and some long johns—remember, it was an all-boys school then—has become clearly Irish. So how did this embodiment of Father Ryan spirit begin? Let’s look back to September of 1969 for the moment of birth.
“IF ONLY RYAN MAN WERE HERE!” It was a desultory football season for
that senior class. Injuries had taken off the field several starters for Coach Louis Catignani ’44. The idea was to enliven the prep rallies with a skit, each one pitting the Irish athletes against an overpowering foe, and each one culminating with the arrival of Ryan Man to save the day. The acting was hammy, the script fresh—if for no other reason than the fact that it was written each week during lunch, about two hours before the performance. It was over a sandwich or a cookie that the seniors, led by Dan Darst, Millard Choate, Mike Clepper, Frederick Strobel and Ryan Man himself, Peter Hall, scripted their magic. The stories were set in many places, but the theme was always the same. A football game that the Irish were losing to a hated opponent until Ryan Man’s appearance from the wings at the game’s most dire moment. Choate good naturedly played the villain in each performance and Hall kept producing new ways to arrive, once running down the steps of the old gym, stepping onto the wall that separated the court from the stands and flying onto the floor to rescue the Irish, spraining his ankle but still producing a triumph. His final show—in a dramatic twist, a two-act performance—was marked by his apparent demise; he appeared, en-
gaged the opposition, and was done in by the nefarious enemy, who ended his reign. When the stage curtain opened as Act 2 began, Hall stood as a statue, dusted in baby powder with the handscrawled epitath “To Ryan Man, the Greatest who ever Lived” on the stand and the game Irish struggling to hold off the other team’s charge. The Irish “actor-athletes” were facing the end, uttering the fateful words — “It’s hopeless… if only Ryan Man were alive.”— when the “statue” came to life. Ryan Man returned to the field and vanquished the opposition. He was showered with cheers as he was carried off the court on the shoulders of his classmates. Peter Hall, that Ryan Man, earned the cheers and more than a few laughs. Named the Wittiest Classmate by his peers, Peter had the ability to generate a laugh from virtually any situation, some of those chuckles produced by simply a well-cast eye movement. Ryan Man— dressed in long johns, pajama shorts and a football helmet, along with a cape that flowed behind him—was right up Peter’s alley. He went on to MTSU and later to law school. Now an established and respected attorney in Murfreesboro, Peter remembers Ryan Man fondly. In 1969, Hall and his fellow “athletes” did their best to help the Irish’s on-field performance, but it was not to be. The season ended 4-6, although a win over MBA in the snow on the final night made up for a number of close losses. But despite the actual on-field results, these unconventional Irish dramatists began a tradition that is now entering its 51st season, a pretty good life for our Irish “superhero.”
Make plans to celebrate Ryan Man’s 50th on campus on January 10.
(Above) Robbie Allen ’20 continues a tradition started by Peter Hall ’70, in cape and with Robbie. 15
FATHER RYAN ATHLETICS INDUCTS INAUGURAL HALL OF FAME CLASS With a sense of excitement and anticipation in the air on a beautiful early evening in late August, many of Father Ryan’s most well-known athletes, coaches and athletic contributors, along with their friends, families and Father Ryan leadership, gathered around the famous touchstone that sits between the Catignani-Drennan Fieldhouse and Giacosa Stadium for a very special moment. With a countdown of “three, two, one” by President Jim McIntyre, the inductees of the inaugural class of the Father Ryan Athletics Hall of Fame cut the purple ribbon that surrounded the touchstone and made the Athletics Hall of Fame official. In total, 34 athletes, six coaches, three contributors and seven teams were inducted in the inaugural class. The Athletics Hall of Fame was launched to celebrate the school’s vibrant athletic history, which goes back to 1925 when it was known as Nashville Catholic School for Boys. Since then, Father Ryan has celebrated numerous championships and milestones, such as being the first school to integrate athletics in Tennessee. Among the inductees were the late Bill Derrick ’48 who was a head coach and made the move to integrate his basketball team in 1963, and the late Willie Brown ’65, a star of that team and one of the first two African-American athletes at Father Ryan. Also inducted were 1975 U.S. Open Champion Lou Graham ’56, Father Ryan and MTSU head football coach James “Boots” Donnelly ’61, and four-sport athlete Eva Lemeh ’79. The oldest living inductee was Jim Hagey ’46, who walked 16
across the stage at 91 years young to accept his plaque. The youngest inductee was Katie Lee Carter ’99, whose mother, Paula Holloran Kennedy ’75, was also inducted. After the ribbon-cutting ceremony, which followed a reception in the Neuhoff Library, all 400+ guests in attendance made their way into the fieldhouse for the induction ceremony, which was emceed by Hank Fuerst ’05. As each inductee’s name and biography were read, they made their way across the stage where they received a custom plaque from President McIntyre, Principal Paul Davis ’81, and Interim Athletics Director Ann Mullins ’03. Children and grandchildren, as well as some additional relatives, represented some of our deceased inductees such as Leo J. Long, Father Ryan’s first coach in football, basketball and baseball. His daughter, Mary Ann Baltz, made the trip up from Florida to represent and honor her father. On Friday, August 30, at the Father Ryan home football opener, the inaugural class were honored at halftime, and a
THE INDUCTEES OF THE FIRST HALL OF FAME CLASS ARE: ATHLETES †TOMMY BATEMAN ’75 Football, Wrestling
† WILLIE GENY ’32 Basketball, Football
MIKE MONDELLI ’64 Baseball, Basketball, Football
†JOE “FLIP” BATES ’56 Football, Track and Field
LOU GRAHAM ’56 Basketball, Golf
KURT PAGE ’81 Baseball, Basketball, Football
†THOMAS “TRICKY” BEEHAN ’29 Basketball
JIM HAGEY ’46 Baseball, Basketball, Football, Tennis
†BOBBY REESE ’42 Basketball, Tennis
DONNA HARRIS ’89 Basketball, Soccer
† BERNIE ROHLING ’40 Football
TONY CARLETELLO ’89 Football, Wrestling
KIM (CAUGHRON) HULSE ’90 Basketball, Softball, Volleyball
KAREN (HARRIS) RUSSELL ’74 Basketball
†JOHN “ITCH” CURLEY ’40 Baseball, Basketball, Football
PAULA (HOLLORAN) KENNEDY ’75 Basketball, Track and Field
BROOKE SIEBEL ’97 Softball
A night of celebration. Clockwise from above, Bob Forster ’75 and Boots Donnelly ’61 accept the plaque for the 1974 State Champion Football team; Paul Davis ’81 welcomes Eva Lemeh ’79 into the Hall of Fame; capturing the moment; the Softball team members remember championship moments.
JAMES “BOOTS” DONNELLY ’61 Baseball, Basketball, Football
EVA LEMEH ’79 Basketball, Softball, Track and Field, Volleyball
JOHN “BUBBA” DONNELLY ’69 Football, Wrestling
BILLY LYNCH ’64 Baseball, Basketball, Football
small group of them, including Mary Ann, served as honorary captains for the pre-game coin toss.
PETER J. FERREIRA ’83 Swimming
KATE (MAFFEI) MCGUINNESS ’94 Basketball, Volleyball
BOB FORSTER ’75 Football
JIM MONDELLI ’64 Baseball, Basketball, Football
† WILLIE BROWN ’65 Basketball
All in all, it was a historic, memorable and touching 48 hours at Father Ryan, celebrating and commemorating a rich athletic history that dates back nearly 100 years. The impact that these individuals made on the Irish community is immeasurable, and the Athletics Hall of Fame, which is engraved in stones around the touchstone, ensures that they will never be forgotten. To read more about the evening and the emotions of the ceremony, visit tennesseeregister.com and read their September 6th issue. To view a video of the ceremony go to fatherryan.org/hof.
NOMINATE SOMEONE TODAY.
Help us select the next Hall of Fame Members. Nominations are now open at fatherryan.org/hof
KATIE (CARTER) DOUGLAS ’99 Basketball, Volleyball
LINDSEY (LYNCH) MAGNESS ’95 Basketball, Softball, Volleyball
JOE STAMPS ’78 Baseball, Basketball, Football †JOE SULLIVAN ’50 Basketball, Football DAVID THONI ’83 Wrestling THOMAS “YOGI” WALSH ’67 Football, Wrestling CHRIS WILSON ’78 Football, Track and Field, Wrestling MIKE WRIGHT ’75 Baseball, Basketball, Football
CONTRIBUTORS
COACHES
TEAMS
†JIM CARELL ’54
†LOUIS CATIGNANI ’44 Football
1963-64 BOYS BASKETBALL TEAM First Integrated Team in Nashville
†REV. CHARLEY GIACOSA † R EV. MSGR. JAMES HITCHCOCK ’39
JINX COCKERHAM Basketball, Volleyball †BILL DERRICK ’48 Basketball; Integrated Sports at Father Ryan
1969 STATE CHAMPION WRESTLING TEAM First Champions from Nashville 1974 STATE CHAMPION FOOTBALL TEAM
JAMES “BOOTS” DONNELLY ’61 Football
1988 STATE CHAMPION WRESTLING TEAM (DUALS)
†JOE DRENNAN ’57 Wrestling
1992 STATE CHAMPION VOLLEYBALL TEAM
†LEO J. LONG First Head Coach: Baseball, Basketball, Football
1995 STATE CHAMPION SOFTBALL TEAM 1998 STATE CHAMPION GIRLS SOCCER TEAM
†Deceased
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The Serial Entrepreneur:
JOHN DWYER ’74 “I guess I can’t hold a job.” John Dwyer ’74 delivers this assessment of his entrepreneurial career with a laugh, and with honesty. And his career affirms his love of new challenges. John graduated from Father Ryan in 1974, earned his B.A. from Marquette University in 1978 with a degree in business administration, and heard the siren call of law school. He answered, moved to Ithaca, NY, and completed his law degree at Cornell in 1981. The next step was natural—start practicing law—which he did in Washington, DC, doing transactional work in regulated areas like communications and health care. All seemed to be moving along the prescribed path…until 1985. “I was invited by a client of mine to run a division of a conglomerate (Talley Industries) in California,” John says. “I understood the industry, and they saw in me a young and eager individual who thought nothing of moving across the country. I was 30 years old and the president of a robotics company. I was now an entrepreneur.”
Dolly Parton’s refrain about working 9-5 may have captured the workday for many people, but for a large number of Father Ryan alumni, the hours of 9-5 just represent the middle of the day. These are the individuals who wake up thinking about their business, go to sleep thinking about their business and then work on their business the rest of the time. They’re the entrepreneurs. They’re the business incubators. We wanted to take a look at some of them to highlight how vibrant the entrepreneurial spirit is among Father Ryan’s alumni. These Irish business leaders may need more sleep, but there’s no question they have no problem dreaming.
John says he should have expected such a turn in his career. “A certain amount of risk tolerance is in my DNA. My grandfather was a Wisconsin dairy farmer, and you can’t get any more entrepreneurial than that. And my father moved to Nashville in the late 1960s to open a specialty welding and engineering company (Merrick Engineering) on Sidco Drive, not far from where Father Ryan sits today. My father was my teacher without putting me in a classroom. I learned about running a business from him and saw by example the freedom and burden that an entrepreneur needs to shoulder,” he says.
One Business Leads to Another The work in northern California fascinated John, but it was beset by entrepreneurial issues, and John missed DC. He was engaged to his soon-to-be wife, who was there, and decided to move back in 1990. He jumped into familiar ground—healthcare and communications—and joined a small partnership of people in an investment bank. But one after another, the entrepreneurial opportunities kept coming. A client came to him to help with an early Medicare Advantage plan. John helped run that business and sold it to a publicly-traded company in 1998. He then joined a different group of people in healthcare and became CEO of Active Health, which he later sold to Aetna. It was successful but taxing. “I was commuting to New York City every week for four days at a time, and that got 19
technology to track and measure patients’ glucose levels and coach them to be in better health. By 2015, that was sold, and the man who couldn’t keep a job landed his most important one. In 2015, he took the reins of the Global Alzheimer’s Platform and has directed it in its effort to increase the number of Alzheimer’s trials and accelerate their processing so that a cure could emerge sooner. “There are so many people who are suffering from some kind of dementia, and that is only going to grow as our population lives longer. We need to find some answers, and more data will help us do so.”
“It is a kick to see a good idea, build a new business, see it grow, and see it succeed.” Figuring Out Entrepreneurship old fast.” Some venture capitalists asked him to be CEO of a pharmaceutical service for veterinarians, and the traveling dropped significantly. But the business didn’t pan out. “I learned a lot, even in this process, about running a business and about venture capitalists. You have to be a lifelong learner to be a successful entrepreneur, and every enterprise I’ve been involved with has taught me something that helps my next business,” he said.
Lessons from Elliston Place John said one of his most important lessons came from Father Ryan. “To be successful in these types of businesses, you have to be able to work with a diverse group of people. You have to have something like a great melting pot. And that was what I experienced at and cherish about Father Ryan. It has always been an accepting place with a variety of people. And while the school didn’t provide an MBA degree, it taught me a very important business lesson.” These experiences took John on his most recent business run. He created a business with his Active Health friends in 2004, where they used AI to create medical care, and sold that to 3M after four years. Next was Telcare, which used 20
There are characteristics that entrepreneurs share. Flexibility. A belief they can go anywhere. An enthusiasm to be a lifelong learner. A high degree of risk tolerance. And an energy for having fun while creating value. For John, those last two are the important ones. “Adrenaline is a legal drug, and you get addicted to the adrenaline rush,” he said. “It is a kick to see a good idea, build a new business, see it grow, and see it succeed. We made fun places to work and good teams. You aren’t a faceless cog in a big machine. You trade off anxiety for control of your destiny, and that’s a deal I’ll always make.” He’s a serial entrepreneur, and he’s connected to Father Ryan, a place and an experience that always make him smile. “What I value most are the friendships. They have lasted the test of time. John Seigenthaler, Bobby Murphy, the late Chip Dobbs; we’ve known each other for 50 years. All those friendships find their roots at Father Ryan, and when we gather, we pick up where we left off, devoid of the trappings of a materialistic society. I really value those connections. “There is still something special about this place.”
Father Ryan connections: Dwyer catches up with long-time Irish friend John Seigenthaler, Jr. ’74 in Washington; the serial entrepreneur gets his start.
Cutting Back to Make it Big Online:
CORINNE (WRIGHT) CRABTREE ’92 Corinne Crabtree ’92 says she never went looking to start her own business. It just found her. But a little more than a decade after becoming an entrepreneur, Corinne has climbed to the very top of her industry. Her podcast on weight loss coaching was the most downloaded on all of iTunes during the month of December, and her website (phit-n-phat.com) is #1 in online weight coaching. People come to Nashville from all over the country to receive her personalized coaching and business advice. Using her personal story and self-taught business and marketing savvy, Corinne has built an online empire. So how did it all happen? As Corinne tells it, she was overweight from around age 11, jumping from one diet to the next, trying to find something that would work for her. She graduated from Father Ryan in 1992 and received a full-ride scholarship in nursing, but dropped out of college after one semester. She went through the next several years feeling overwhelmed and hopeless with her weight and her life, but things started to change when her son was born. One morning, when she was too tired to play with her child because of her excess mental and physical weight, she decided it was time to make a change or her son would be doomed to obesity just like her. After that epiphany, she was determined to change and had just one rule—“do not quit.” Each morning, she woke up thinking “what is something I can do today that is better than yesterday?” With that slow and steady mantra, changes in her lifestyle, mental fortitude, and support from her husband, Corinne lost 100 pounds and has kept it off for 14 years. For some people, that might have been enough—lose the weight, be happy. But Corinne knew she needed more. On the
days her son was at a Mother’s Day Out program, Corinne began connecting with online weight-loss support groups to swap stories. She began sharing her weight-loss journey—what worked for her and what didn’t— and then people began contacting her one-on-one for more detailed information and advice. She realized she could help others achieve what she had, so she earned certification in weight-loss coaching and became an online trainer. But rather than training clients on an individual basis, she decided to start her own online group to communicate with everyone all at once. Fast forward 12 years and Corinne has her own weekly podcast that is downloaded 300,000 times a week, and an industry-leading website. She also has a large Facebook following where she offers weight loss and life coaching, plus an online membership group called the PNPTribe which offers exclusive content, along with live coaching weekends, PNPTribe 5K, 10K and half-marathon races, and other unique branded opportunities. “I don’t just teach women how to lose weight but how to believe in themselves and how to get out of their own way,” she says. “Once they’ve done that, then anything is possible.”
one time and lost weight through her program, which gives all members of her team unique knowledge of her company and product. For someone who didn’t plan to start a business, it is clear she knows how to run one. Corinne says although she has been online coaching for 12 years, her business really took off two years ago when she began studying under a business mentor and started treating Phit & Phat as her business venture. Now she is passionate about her Tribe, owning a thriving business and helping other women achieve what she has, both personally and professionally. “I love being a female entrepreneur,” she says. “Women are not taught they can be CEO, so it is important for women to see other women taking a chance, leading others, and making a difference.”
Advice she has taken to heart. Now as CEO of Phit & Phat, Corinne employs six people (including her husband, Chris, in finance and IT). Everyone on her team was a member of her Tribe at 21
A Sweet Taste of Success:
GARY BARON ’93 If you don’t know Gary Baron ’93 or have never heard of his business, Nashville Jam Company, there’s a pretty good chance you’ve tasted one of his yummy products before. As the main purveyor of jams, salsas and ketchups for a variety of customers, including Stoney River, J.Alexander’s, Holler & Dash, Acme Feed & Supply, any upscale hotel in downtown Nashville, Sysco or Whole Foods, it is almost certain most Nashvillians and even a lot of tourists have tasted and enjoyed something made by Gary. According to Gary, he is a life-long entrepreneur who has always wanted to work on his own. As he puts it, “entrepreneurs are the only ones who will work 80 hours so they don’t have to work 40 hours.” But the success of his latest venture, the Nashville Jam Company, came only out of necessity—not out of a love for jams or the food industry. For many years, Gary sold electrical equipment to companies like NES, Middle TN Electric and other electric companies, but in 2008, he saw his income begin to decline because of the recession. By 2010, his income was a third of what it once was. During that time, he read an article in a newspaper about heirloom tomatoes. His parents had a hobby farm nearby sitting idle, so he decided to try growing tomatoes, and later peppers, as an escape, a hobby. Before long, he had more than they could eat, so he tried his hand at making salsa. When he realized he enjoyed making the salsa, his mother gave him a family recipe for a strawberry jalapeño jam for him to try with his leftover tomatoes. The jam was so good, he decided to try selling the jam at the Farmer’s Market to supplement his income from the main job selling electrical equipment. The strawberry jam began selling so well that he began adding more flavors, and within a few years, he moved into a commercial facility and started taking on commercial clients. And the rest, as they say, is history. Now Gary and his wife, Cortney (pictured above right), run Nashville Jam Company as their full-time business, manufacturing 14 different products, with retailers that carry their products from New York to Texas. Ever the entrepreneur, and never content to rest, in 2015, Gary wanted to add to their offerings. So the Nashville Jam Company opened their first restaurant. They later sold it in 2017, and opened a new restaurant in 2018 in Berry Hill that is open for breakfast and lunch, focused on real Southern food and Southern hospitality. Thanks to the growth of tourism and the city, the Nashville Jam Company restaurant has really taken off. In May 2019, it was rated #3 in the Top 10 Breakfast/Brunch locations in Nashville. “We are packed during the weekends with almost all tourists. I see people every day come in with their suitcases in hand ready to start their weekend or trip in Nashville, and we are 22
“Entrepreneurs are the only ones who will work 80 hours so they don’t have to work 40 hours.” lucky that we are the first stop for lots of these people,” Gary said. The restaurant is doing so well that Gary already has another idea up his sleeve. The restaurant is starting a new concept— selling barbecue during the weekend evening hours when the restaurant is closed. They are calling this new concept The Smokery at Nashville Jam Company, which is open on Saturday and Sunday and where you can enjoy pork barbecue, brisket, BBQ nachos and so much more. Although this new concept just opened in May, the early results are in—another great success by Gary Baron. But, Gary has advice for budding entrepreneurs out there. “Being an entrepreneur is hard, and you have to just keep pushing. It can wear you out. But you can’t give up. I was working a full-time job, my wife was working a full-time job, and we were both running a farm. But we didn’t give in. We made it work. Now, if you had told me 11 years ago that I would be making jam commercially or running a restaurant, I would have told you that you were crazy. But look at us now. Everyone under the sun is buying our products. It is astounding,” Gary said. And where does this can-do attitude come from? Gary gives a lot of credit to Father Ryan. “My education at Father Ryan, and the people I went to school with and were taught by, truly inspired me to be who I am. I truly believe Catholic education played a big role in how I turned out.”
From Cutting Grass to Paving the Way:
BRITT HUNT ’87 Britt Hunt kept his lawn mower blades sharp so he could fulfill his teenage dreams. It also helped him keep up with his family. One look at Hunt’s family and, it’s not hard to see how Britt became an entrepreneur. His grandfather founded the Nashville dining legend and namesake restaurant Jimmy Kelly’s. His dad is one of the four Hunt Brothers of pizza fame. And his siblings always seemed to be exploring business ideas. So at 12 years of age, it was completely logical for Britt to start his first business—a grass-cutting service. And like any true entrepreneur, he started another at the same time, this one selling Pepe’s Pizza home packs to neighbors and friends. Today, Britt is the founder and head of Lumina Foods, a holding company engaged in multiple aspects of the growing food business. His THBC division distributes Hunt Brothers Pizza through more than 3,600 convenience stores in 36 states. The Pedestal Foods division provides contract dining services for K-12 schools and higher education institutions in Tennessee, Missouri, Ohio, Illinois and Kentucky. Father Ryan High School is one of those schools, the first one for Pedestal in Tennessee. Did we say Lumina is growing? There are two new divisions that Britt has launched: CI-Guide LLC, which just purchased Qdoba’s in Nashville and will develop that restaurant brand in middle Tennessee, Chattanooga and Memphis; and Lumina Brands LLC, which distributes a new concept Britt developed called J. Walken Chicken to C-stores and the Army and Air Force Exchange. Britt is tireless and energetic. In fact, it’s that enthusiasm and drive that he values most. “For me, having passion for whatever endeavor you are involved in will always be critical. Passion’s contagious and will attract and motivate people to believe and contribute to the cause,” he said. “In addition, I’ve found that consistently trying to be a blessing to people by placing yourself in their shoes leads to success and joy.”
Feeding the Irish: Hunt in the leadership chair; Dining Hall is Pedestal Foods home.
participate in activities like SEARCH and Senior Service made a lasting impression on me, and they truly guide me in my business today. I want to be a blessing to all with whom I work, and that spirit of blessing is rooted in my family and my Irish experience.” So to all those Junior Irish entrepreneurs out there; keep those lawn mower blades sharp. They may cut a path for you to succeed like Britt Hunt.
College Students Bringing Medical Technology to Market You don’t have to wait until you are deep into your business career to start your entrepreneurial career. Just ask ALEC HOPKIRK ’15. Since he was a freshman at the University of Alabama, Alec and two fellow students have managed to form a company from an idea started in an entrepreneurial program. With an assist from the university, they won a federal grant to help bring their innovative solution to the market and have received a provisional patent.
That focus on his team members has been a hallmark of Britt’s career, and he sees their success as his greatest satisfaction. “Seeing employees develop and succeed gives me great joy,” but it’s the look on his customers’ faces that really lights him up. “I love to see customers succeed with the products we sell. There’s nothing better than when a plan comes together through great execution and overcoming unexpected road blocks,” he stated.
Alec and his fellow entrepreneurs formed Ortho Screws, a start-up company based on a sensor designed to alert patients and health providers if orthopedic screws are loosening.
And it all began with a lawn mower, his family and a lot of faith. “Father Ryan contributed to my success by fostering an environment for growing my faith in God. Opportunities to
Alec graduated in December and might work full time on the company, but, if not, he wants to work in the energy industry.
“This has been great,” Alec said, “I’ve learned a lot about entrepreneurship, and I’ve learned a lot about how to muddle through the waters to get where we are.”
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pattern making department. While she went to school, she also worked at Mood Fabrics (the store that is now famous for its appearances on the reality show, Project Runway, each season) where she was the Wholesale Manager selling fabrics at trade shows. “Working at Mood was a godsend. This was the first time I was around really high-quality fabrics. Now, I was learning to understand silk, polyester, poly Lycra and how these fabrics work on someone’s body.”
Connecting Threads:
SUZANNE (SEVIER) ROWLAND ’92 Suzanne (Sevier) Rowland ’92 never planned to become an entrepreneur. For her, it wasn’t about selling a product, starting a business or making money. She just always wanted to create something to help others. “I wasn’t born an entrepreneur. I didn’t sell candy bars in third grade or anything like that,” says Rowland. “I have always been interested in making things and creating something, but I never thought I would start my own business.” Now, almost three decades after graduating from Father Ryan, with a hugely successful business behind her and another new venture on the way, Suzanne is the very definition of an entrepreneur. Growing up in Nashville, Suzanne was always interested in crafting and creating. She remembers a sewing class at Father Ryan the summer before her freshman year of high school that fueled her interest in creating apparel. “I made a pair of silky shorts to wear during my P.E. class at Ryan,” recalls Rowland. “The shorts were purple with red trim. They were silly looking, but I loved them.” She continued making clothes for herself all through college and through her 20’s, all of which were a little goofy and definitely eccentric. And while she 24
enjoyed the creative process and loved wearing her new creations, it never entered her mind that she could make them into a business. After graduating from UT with a degree in economics, Suzanne moved to Atlanta and worked in banking and insurance, attending
And while she loved her work with Mood and everything she was learning, Suzanne also remembers sitting long hours at the trade shows, doodling on napkins, trying to come up with another venture that would bring her back to Nashville. Luckily, that new venture was right around the corner. It was summer in NYC, and according to Suzanne it was “hot as Hades.” She began making skirts for herself to wear
“I have always been interested in making things and creating something, but I never thought I would start my own business.” Widespread Panic concerts with her friends on the side. Her go-to apparel for these concerts were her “dancing pants” that were sparkly, funky pants that she made from material she bought at Hancocks or Joanne’s crafting store. Her fellow concertgoers went wild for them, and she began to get frequent requests for pants just like hers. That was Suzanne’s lightbulb moment. She began to think about starting a business where she created fun patterns and sold custom-made “Panic Pants” for concerts and festivals. While her Panic Pants idea was shortlived, her pattern-making idea stuck. Suzanne immediately applied and was accepted into to FIT (Fashion Institute of Technology) in New York City in the
to work to stay cool. It was much like her days in high school and college when she made her own crazy, custom clothes, only this time, she was using all of these amazing fabrics and patterns with just the right cut. And this time, all of her friends loved her clothes and wanted custom pieces created just for them. To test the waters, Suzanne began creating and selling her skirts to a small group of friends and family, and with their word of mouth, she soon began getting more custom orders each day. “Once I thought I had enough orders, I grabbed all of my fabrics, packed up a U-Haul and came home. I lived in my sister’s basement and made skirts there all day along.” And, just like that, Sevier Skirts was
born. With the help of a mentor, whose goal was to help women-owned businesses grow, Suzanne and local hosts began holding skirt parties where attendees could receive a custom fitting and create their own custom skirt by selecting their own style and highend fabrics. Sevier Skirts was so successful it grew 200% in her first few years in business. With more people buying and talking about Sevier Skirts, Suzanne had requests and sales coming in from all over the Southeast. After 10 years of the skirt parties with trained hostesses selling the skirts in people’s homes, Suzanne recognized the growing trend of digital consumption and the need to pivot her business to a more online platform. So, in 2015, she began selling her skirts exclusively online while still focusing on high-end fabrics and customization. And although Sevier Skirts continues to have an avid fan base, Suzanne recognizes the inability to scale her level of customization. So the need to pivot arises again. With the changes in the fashion industry, the recognition for the need for more plus sizing and models with “real” bodies, the heightened presence of digital shopping, and the buying habits of customers continually changing, Suzanne now has another concept up her sleeve: a size chart algorithm that she has created from her years custom-fitting clothes to women’s bodies. Sevier Skirts is shut down for now; however, her mind is still always racing with ideas of how to put this concept she developed to work. Thoughts of developing a new brand or partnering with an existing brand is in the works. During this “skirt break,” she is focusing on her life as a mother, wife to Bart Rowland ’93, and sister. “I worked incredibly hard over the last 15 years to provide a happier shopping experience for women of all shapes and sizes. This measuring process can improve customer satisfaction, decrease returns, and decrease the headache and cost of getting alterations. In the end what I really want to do is make people’s lives better. I love being able to give a woman a skirt, a dress or any piece of clothing that fits her perfectly and makes her feel good about herself.”
FINANCING YOUR DREAM: WHAT TO PLAN FOR
By: Matthew Wright, Founder, Disciplina Seeing an entrepreneurial dream come true takes insights, determination, flexibility and drive. It also takes capital. For many business start-ups, it’s that financial part that often knocks an entrepreneur off path or holds up that dream-coming-true moment. But it doesn’t have to. Father Ryan parent and educational investment manager Matthew Wright has some encouraging words for those business dreamers. And he knows what he’s talking about because he’s an entrepreneur himself. He began his entrepreneurial life in 2013 after serving as the Chief Investment Officer at Vanderbilt University and earlier at Emory University. His advice for the budding entrepreneur? Understand what’s ahead of you. “The biggest error most entrepreneurs make is misjudging or overlooking the time element,” he stated. “This new business is what you do every day; you live and breathe it. So you have to anticipate the sales cycle, the mathematics of taking a lot of swings to find something that hits.” For most start-ups the funding part is typical at the outset. “There are four basic ways to get started,” Matthew says. “One is a familial investment made by a spouse, a parent or another relative who believes in your dream and wants to invest with you. The second is a home line of credit. This works well when you plan to own the house for a number of years and have the potential to realize some equity gains that help take care of the LOC. The third is your own savings, and everyone starting a business needs to have that as an option, both to operate the business and to fall back on if things get tight.” Matthew points to the fourth one as an encouraging path, if successful. That’s a capital raise from outside investors, such as friends and businesses. “Going outside yourself to look for capital and finding that support is a sign that your audience believes in you. That confidence is an important part of building a successful business.” Those are the techniques for a service-based start-up. A trip to a bank for a loan isn’t practical – and the loan isn’t likely – if you don’t have assets that can secure a bank loan. “Equipment, tools, and the like can provide the collateral a bank will require if providing you a loan.” Matthew emphasizes that every situation is different and reminds new business people not to be intractable. “You have to be flexible when it comes to the offers of financial support. Don’t be rigid in what you’ll accept or won’t give up. Take a long-term view.” The father of a daughter in the Class of 2020, Matthew started his Nashville business– Disciplina–to provide non-profit institutions and organizations in education, the arts and public service with the investment expertise that is normally available only to the largest endowment holders. Learn more at disciplina.com 25
A Spirit of Philant hropy One of the major goals of the new Father Ryan Strategic Plan is to create a culture of philanthropy and sustainability, and many members of the Father Ryan community are already helping make that goal a reality. In this issue of Irish Ayes, we focus on a number of alumni whose giving and leadership are having an impact on our students today and who are inspiring others to be philanthropic themselves. We are proud to showcase their support. To read more about the scholarships at Father Ryan, visit fatherryan.org/scholarships.
THE MILLION DOLLAR PRIEST: FATHER FLEMING’S IMPACT GROWS At some point, all of us wonder how we will be remembered, once we are gone. Will friends and colleagues mention our names with feeling and appreciation? Will there be more than some pictures and amusing stories to illustrate our lives? And will we have truly had an impact…five years later? Ten? Maybe twenty? For Father Bill Fleming ’49, the answer is a resounding yes. The priest who captivated so many with his teaching, who guided the school through a major transformation as principal, who cared for each student, fought for social justice and inspired and educated his parishioners and this city with every homily, made a loving decision before his 1999 death from cancer that is influencing students today as if he were still in the classroom with them. The Father William Fleming Scholarship, established 20 years ago this summer to provide financial assistance for Father Ryan students, passed the $1 million mark this year for scholarships provided. As impressive as that number is, think about this—that $1 million has been awarded without touching any part of the original gift total! Many a former student wishes that his/her children had Father Fleming as a teacher. But in many ways, through his generosity, he will continue to educate Father Ryan students for generations to come.
FR. FLEMING’S NUMBERS… AND LEGACY…ADD UP While he was not a mathematician, Father Fleming took delight in numbers. In his Bible History class, it was the use of numbers and their 26
symbolism. In Ancient History, it was the two million-yearold Paranthropos humanoid discovered by Dr. Leakey that grabbed his attention. Germany’s 1,000-year Reich of World War II was the basis for many a Modern History lesson. And always, there was the important 612 BC date, marking the fall of Nineveh, the beginning of the Babylonian Empire, the first precisely dated ancient world event, and the number every Father Ryan student of the 1960s committed to memory. However, the idea of $1 million for financial assistance wouldn’t have been part of his teaching. Father Fleming used to caution his parishioners not to accept the numbers in the Bible…and the bigger the number, the more it should be questioned. But there is no question that while this big $1 million number would stun Father Fleming, he would believe its impact.
HAVE AN OPEN MIND A class with Fr. Fleming was a class you didn’t want to miss. A facile mind and a constant search for knowledge made his lecturing fascinating and informative. He taught with a raconteur’s style and a touch of humor that made History or Religion come alive for his students. A student might learn about the Babylonian captivity and the 1958 World Series all in the same lecture, and be better informed because of it. And Father Fleming always provided guidance, reminding his students “always have an open mind; but if you can’t have an open mind, have an open heart, which may open your mind.” His students raved. The late Dr. Cliff Gillespie ’66, a former vice president at MTSU, described him as “an inspired lec-
turer, young, energetic, inspiring faculty member. He cared very much about his students.” His parishioners glowed in his presence, taking in every homily and story and reveling in his leadership and his love. He was a champion for social justice and a church innovator. In 1969, he created the “floating parish,” a non-geographical church that welcomed a cross-section of Nashville’s Catholics to celebrate Mass and explore their faith. He was also generous, the evidence of which appears across the Father Ryan campus. In addition to his scholarship, funds from his estate created the Prayer Memorial in 2003, the instantly identified statue of Christ with two students that sits between the Neuhoff Library and the Academic Building. The funds also established the Father William Fleming Student-Athlete Award, and his chalice is part of the Father Ryan chapel, frequently used at school Masses. Even his voice lives on: his powerful telling of the Stations of the Cross, captured on tape in
1996, has been a part of many a Lenten Friday at Father Ryan and at homes throughout the diocese. Ann Krenson, long-time member of the Father Ryan staff, recounts his last few weeks, when the cancer he had battled returned and his strength waned. “He was always thinking about the people he served, talking about what they had meant to him and how they had touched his heart,” she said, “even as he was suffering. It was a characteristic of his that made him such a special person and a special friend.” Father shared a letter with the Cathedral parish community, five days before he died, now 20 years ago this June. In it, he shared the blessings he had received, “You are very special people and have changed me for the better in every contact from you which I have been blessed to receive.” Through his Scholarship Fund, through his messages, through his memory and through his example, Father Fleming is changing Father Ryan students still.
ST. VINCENT SCHOOL FOUNDER, IRISH CLASSMATES INSPIRE NEW SCHOLARSHIP When Bill Hill was growing up in North Nashville, he knew he was getting an excellent education at St. Vincent de Paul School. It prepared him for Father Ryan, where he graduated in 1967. But it was what he learned about the saint who made that education possible, along with a Father Ryan classmate’s advice, that inspired him to do something more. As a result of Deacon Bill’s efforts and determination, Father Ryan students will be benefiting in multiple ways through the new Saint Katharine Drexel Scholarship. continued on next page Classmates lead scholarship effort: Deacon Bill Hill ’67, left, and Deacon Harry Guess ’68.
GIFT OF FATHER BREEN CHALICE CREATES NEW EXHIBITION The chalice of every priest is special, reflective of his character, his spirit and his commitment to his parishioners. Father Ryan knows this first-hand, having received chalices from a number of our alumni priests, and this year, that collection has been augmented with Father Joe Pat Breen ’54’s generous gift of his chalice. This stunning and historic piece will now be part of a special new exhibition in the school’s main lobby, displaying Fr. Breen’s and many of these cherished cups. President Jim McIntyre spoke to the significance of this in announcing the new display. “We are humbled as a school and a community to have genuine giants like Fr. Joe Pat Breen visible on the campus. He, like so many other memorable priests, has looked at his Father Ryan education as the formative moment of his life. These chalices are inspirational for our students, and displaying them in this new exhibition serves as a reminder each day of Christ’s presence with us, through the Eucharist and through the example of these priests. I am grateful to Father and to alumni such as Bill Farmer ’65 for spearheading this initiative.” If you are interested in contributing to this project, please contact Brooke Reusch at reuschb@fatherryan.org or 615-269-7926. 27
The scholarship is named for Sister Drexel, a Philadelphia heiress who used her fortune to found a St. Katharine Drexel religious order, the Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament, and to establish schools that would serve African-American communities. From the late 1800s until her death in 1955, Sister Drexel focused on this mission. Bill’s grade school, St. Vincent School along with many others, including Xavier College in New Orleans, were the result. This good work by Sister Drexel resulted in her canonization by Pope John Paul II in 2000. The idea for the scholarship to benefit African-American students grew from Bill’s belief in the power of a Father Ryan education, made evident by both the academics and the diversity of the student body. Bill speaks of the benefit of both for him. “Coming from North Nashville and its close community, I was a bit anxious about my time at Father Ryan,” he says, “but I received an opportunity with that education, and I want others to have the same opportunity to succeed.” Bill and his friend and fellow Deacon Harry Guess ’68 took the lead role and then reached out to Paul Rohling ’67, who had led the effort that produced the Class of 1967 Scholarship in 2017 (see Irish Ayes, Fall 2017). With this inspiration and combination, fundraising for the scholarship began last summer with a goal of $150,000, and Bill expects to meet the goal this fall. “We are grateful for Bill’s and Harry’s leadership,” Father Ryan President Jim McIntyre said. “We are proud to honor the memory of St. Katharine Drexel and the spirit of St. Vincent de Paul School on our campus. We look forward to welcoming the first beneficiaries of this generous giving, knowing that every Father Ryan student will see their life changed for the better by the classroom presence of the St. Katharine Drexel Scholarship recipients.” 28
MSGR. PAT CONNOR ’53 SCHOLARSHIP HELPS TODAY’S IRISH the Father Ryan experience more accessible to a student and celebrating the love of education that Msgr. Connor and his family have always valued.
When Bishop Mark Spalding announced the new title of Monsignor for Father Pat Connor ’53 at the Chrism Mass this April, the celebration and applause that followed for this respected priest spoke to his pastoral care, his leadership and his love for this community. It also spoke to his commitment and support of Catholic education, reflected in the annual scholarship at Father Ryan that bears his name. This year, the Monsignor Pat Connor ’53 Scholarship was presented for the ninth time, making
The scholarship was created in 2011 by his family and friends on the 50th anniversary of Monsignor’s ordination. The recipient of this award is chosen by freshmen and sophomore Theology teachers each year in consultation with the Dean of Campus Ministry and the Chaplain. The award recipient must be a sophomore who has strong character and displays a love of and appreciation for Father Ryan. The award is $1,000 each year for the student’s junior and senior years. From his arrival on the Father Ryan campus in 1949 to his graduation as the Salutatorian of the Class of 1953, Msgr. Connor embodied the tradition of faith, knowledge and service. Through this scholarship, he and his family have extended that tradition to future generations of Father Ryan students.
MAKE A LASTING INVESTMENT
IN OUR STUDENTS Support our mission with a planned gift. Put your assets to work for Father Ryan while enjoying significant tax savings. Give a future gift through your estate or an immediate gift that returns income. FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE FATHER JAMES A. BLACK ’64 PLANNED GIVING SOCIETY, VISIT FATHERYAN.ORG/PLANNEDGIVING OR CONTACT BROOKE REUSCH REUSCHB@FATHERRYAN.ORG
A Legacy to celebrate: from top left, The Music City Sound adds to the party; Marty greets another well-wisher; and a gift for the students—Rebecca Hammel, above from left, Superintendent of Schools, and Bishop Mark Spalding join the Blairs to receive the Legacy Gala gift to the ACE program.
40TH ANNUAL LEGACY GALA BREAKS THE RECORDS It was a night of music, laughter, Irish Pride and one big record. More than 740 people packed the Omni Nashville ballroom on Febuary 23 for our 40th Legacy Gala and enjoyed a night filled with laughter and dancing, all in the name of honoring two of our community’s most fervent supporters, Lucy (Davis) ’78 and Marty Blair. In the process Father Ryan raised $126,000, the most dollars ever for the Legacy Gala. Bishop J. Mark Spalding was in attendance, and he not only delivered the opening prayer but also accepted a gift from Father Ryan High School to the Advancement of Catholic Education (ACE), which helps families in the Diocese afford a Catholic education. The gift was made in honor of Lucy’s mother, Margie Davis, and her nephew, Kevin Davis ’09. After the program ended and bidding closed on the silent auction, attendees packed the dance floor as The Music City Sound covered hits from the last five decades. With glow sticks waving, the celebration continued.
SAVE THE DATE
FEB. 22, 2020 FOR
Thank you so much to the Blairs, Bishop Spalding, and all of our faithful sponsors and supporters who made the evening both memorable and record-breaking!
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The newest Golden Grads from the Class of 1969: (first row, from left) Mike Grant, Joe Holzmer, Bill Carver, Jim Holzemer, Pat Watson, Tommy Daugherty, Tim Templeton, Robert Nelson, Pat Nolan, Bubba Donnelly, Harold Plemons, Bubba Tucker, Nick Rosa. (Second row) John Hosey, Larry Grant, Mike Carter, Tommy Howington, Kenneth Chilando, Bubba Thurman, Don Carnes, Phil Mattingly, Jimmy Wilson, Baron Harmon, John Duffy, Robert Davis. (Back Row) Gino Marchetti, Tommy Frazier, John Goetz, Joe Williams, Ed Davis, Carlton Crutchfield, Pat Cook, Pat Bauer, Ted Lenox, Phil Bennett, Philip Jones, Frank Baltz, Mike Brown, and Kevin Wilkinson.
A TRULY DISTINCTIVE REUNION WEEKEND Reunion Weekend is always a special time for Ryan Nation. The gathering of classmates, the conversations about children—or grandchildren—the updates on career paths and the laughs and the warmth of good times remembered make these three days a wonderful celebration of the Irish legacy. For the classes ending in 4 and 9, this year provided all of those moments, and did so with a weekend that was as comfortable and inviting weather-wise as we have seen. The Lou Graham Alumni Golf Tournament kicked off the weekend in historic style as President Jim McIntyre thanked our host, Lou Graham ’56, and then introduced him as one of the members of the Inaugural Class of the Father Ryan Athletic Hall of Fame. The full list was announced to our community and to the media as President McIntyre was speaking. That set the tone for an exciting tournament, won by the team headed by Football Coach and Defensive Coordinator Wade Privett, including alumnus Bart White ’06. Tommy Duffy ’65 took the prize in the putting contest. The Friday evening Alumni Reception brought out a large 30
crowd of alumni for a night of Irish celebration, a prelude to the Reunion class parties on Saturday, which took place on campus and at various alumni-headed establishments throughout Nashville.
WELCOMING OUR LARGEST GOLDEN GRAD CLASS The weekend was capped with a celebration of a class that we’ve been celebrating all year—the Class of 1969. With more than 160 members who enrolled as freshmen in the fall of 1965, this class has left a big mark throughout its Father Ryan history. The 1969 Wrestling team, made up of ten class members, claimed the first State Wrestling Title for a team outside of Chattanooga and two of the class are currently on the Father Ryan Board of Trust.
On Sunday, June 2, these alumni were inducted into the Golden Grad Society by Bishop J. Mark Spalding at the annual Golden Grad Mass, and the class was visible throughout the celebration. Deacons Jim Holzemer and Joe Holzmer participated in the liturgy, with Jim delivering the homily. Tommy Daugherty and Bubba Donnelly were the gift bearers and Gino Marchetti delivered a beautiful performance of “Ave Maria” after Communion. It was truly a morning of deep Irish pride. Thanks to all the staff, volunteers and class members who made Reunion Weekend 2019 such a success. It was a glorious weekend to be Irish!
Reunion Weekend came up aces (clockwise from top): Lou Graham ’56 presents the winner’s trophy to (from left) Jeff Baumgartner, Bart White ’06 and Wade Privett; Class of 1979 is all smiles at their 40th; 1989 alums salute their 30th; the Class of 1994 celebrates its 25th in the shadow of the famous doors; Class of 2009 celebrates its 10th; and Bishop Spalding makes it a special moment for Mike Grant ’69 and the rest of the class. 31
Class Notes fall 2019
FLASHBACK It was only the 4th year of coeducation at Father Ryan, but the girls were already having an impact in and out of the classroom.
While Margaret Deckbar ‘74 was about to become the school’s first female Valedictorian, Karen Harris Russell ‘74, Kay Batey ‘74 and others were leading the Girls Basketball Team to their first District crown. Karen (left, above) was inducted in August with the first class of the Father Ryan Athletics Hall of Fame (see page 16). 1970 MARK CARNES spent 33 years as an
electronics design engineer, and in 2009 went to graduate school at Purdue University to get a PhD in Engineering Education. He became a full-time faculty member at Purdue in 2011 and completed his degree in 2016. Mark married his wife Catharine in 1977, and they have eight children and are going on 20 grandchildren. After 39 years of marriage, she passed away suddenly in 2016, just days before he was to defend his PhD dissertation. 1984 LISA (KRUSE) LINK was chosen
as the Kappa Kappa Gamma Greek Woman of the Year for her service to the alumnae association. The award was given in April at the annual Panhellenic Alumnae Luncheon. Lisa is an active alumnae volunteer for Kappa’s Vanderbilt chapter. 1989 W. MONTRELL TONEY was recently
promoted from Captain to District Chief at the Nashville Fire Department.
32
1986 DIANE (FRANCIS) DENNEY, a
Tennessee Titans cheerleader in 2000, danced during halftime at the Titans Alumni football game with other Titans Cheerleading alumni. Diane’s husband Stephen is pictured with her. 1991 JULIE (MOLTENI) PORTER joined
Southwestern Investment Group in October of 2018. She has her life and health insurance license and brings more than 20 years of customer service, client relations and administrative experience to the company. Julie is on the Board of Directors at the Brentwood Rotary Club and the Brentwood Rotary Club Charitable Foundation. 1994 JEFF ROLLINS can add World
Champion to his resume. He was part of the Hometown BBQ team that took 1st place in the Whole
Hog category at Memphis in May, America’s most prestigious barbecue cooking competition. The festival draws more than 75,000 attendees, including nearly 250 teams. 1994 ANN MARIE (R O D G E R S ) STRICKMAKER
received the Lifetime Award of Excellence from the Greater Nashville Realtors this spring. She is a Realtor with Fridrich & Clark Realty.
1996 ANDREW KELSO is the Program Coordinator for the City of Fayetteville, TN. Previously, he spent 15 years working for First Presbyterian Church as their Sports Program Director. This new job will enable Andrew to spend more time with his three stepchildren and wife. 1998 ELIZABETH (EMBREE) YANDELL
was awarded the Special Education Teacher of the Year Award from Scott County Schools in Kentucky. She teaches at Western Elementary in Georgetown. 1999 LAURA (BISHOP) BAKER has been
elected President-elect of the Nashville Bar Association and will take office as President
in 2020. She is a trial attorney and shareholder with The Law Offices of John Day, P.C. and has represented clients for more than 11 years in personal injury, wrongful death, and tort litigation across the state. 2007 JENA GALSTER was named a 2019 Blue Ribbon Teacher
Award Winner by Metro Nashville Public Schools. The award recognizes teachers who exhibit instructional excellence, promote student growth, and exemplify teacher leadership. Jena is a special education teacher at John Overton High School.
2008 RAEGAN HALLIBURTON was also named a 2019 Blue Rib-
bon Teacher by Metro Nashville Public Schools. She teaches 4th grade at Westmeade Elementary.
2009 LINDSEY MARTIE is engaged to Frank Scheetz of St. Louis,
Missouri, and they will be getting married in early 2020. She is a Senior PR Specialist for Concordia Publishing House. 2014 STEVEN HENRY is a strategic consultant with Jigsaw in Nash-
ville. He visited Mr. Thielke’s High Honors and AP Government classes to discuss his experiences lobbying and working on campaigns.
Photo by Rick
Bishop J. Mark Spalding, at the end of the Mass, knelt for a blessing from each of the five men whom he had just ordained to the priesthood at the Ca of the Incarnation in Nashville on Saturday, May 25. The new priests are, from left: Fathers Luke Wilgenbusch, Mark Simpson, Hung Pham, Edwuin Cardona, and Rhodes Bolster. An overflow crowd of family, friends and supporters was on hand for the ordinations. “This is truly a great day for the C of Nashville and the Church universal,” Bishop Spalding said. He encouraged the new priests to “take the gifts of the people and build up the Church.
Diocese’s five new priests eager to serve God’s peop Andy Telli
B
ishop J. Mark Spalding opened the Mass of ordination for five new priests with a proclamation
of joy. “This is truly a great day for the Church in Nashville and the Church universal,” Bishop Spalding said. “Those gathered here are truly mindful that God has blessed our Church and us.”
Later during the Mass, celebrated on Saturday, May 25, at the Cathedral of the Incarnation, Bishop Spalding ordained Fathers Rhodes Bolster, Edwuin Cardona, Hung Pham, Mark Simpson and Luke Wilgenbusch, making them the newest priests of the Diocese of Nashville. “We give thanks for and praise these men for receiving God’s whisper calling them to the priesthood … ‘Come follow me, come be a priest of Jesus Christ,’”
Bishop Spalding said during his homily. “These men must offer themselves as sacrifices for the good of the Church.” During his homily, Bishop Spalding told the overflow crowd in the Cathedral that he had met with each of the five new priests. “They are so ready” to start their lives as priests, he said. “And they are so appreciative of so many of you, especially of parents and grandparents. In some ways, you were the first
seminary.” For his homily, Bishop Spaldi on a prayer from the ordination the bishop recites as he presen each of the ordinands a paten h the bread and a chalice contain wine mixed with water for the c tion of Mass: “Receive the oblat the holy people to be offered to Understand what you do, imitat Continued on
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2014 WABI TELA can now be called “Sir Knight” after earning the
the King Church in Nashville.
Patriotic Degree from the Knights of Columbus, The Fourth Degree is the highest and most prestigious degree within the Knights of Columbus dedicated to the service of their Church, their country and their Order. Wabi is a member of the KC Council #12256 at Christ
2015 RYAN HERRMANN was awarded the prestigious Salisbury
Prize from the Worcester Polytechnic Institute, representing the Mechanical Engineering Department. The prize is awarded to highly meritorious members of the WPI graduating class who have faithfully, industriously, and with distinguished attainment completed all requirements for the bachelor’s degree. Ryan is now working for Frito-Lay in Connecticut. 2015 MATTHEW O’CONNELL graduated from the University of
Tennessee with a degree in marketing and a collateral in International Business. He is starting his career in Dallas as part of AT&T’s B2B sales program. 2015 JED RAYNES graduated magna cum laude from Xavier Uni-
versity with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (double major in finance and accounting and a minor in information systems). He is an Audit Associate for KPMG in Cincinnati and plans to take the Accountancy Board exam. 2015 MADDIE SAMPSON graduated with honors from Birmingham
Southern University with degrees in Music and Business Administration. She is starting her career as a paid advertising analyst at Sociallyin, a
THE NEWEST ALUMNI PRIESTS Eight years after graduating from Father Ryan, and after extended studies in Rome, two outstanding Father Ryan alumni have a new title—Father. On May 25, Bishop J. Mark Spalding extended his hands over DEACON RHODES BOLSTER ’11 (bottom left) and DEACON LUKE WILGENBUSCH ’11 (bottom right), conferring on them the Sacrament of Holy Orders and making them priests of the Diocese of Nashville. The ceremony, before a full congregation at Cathedral of the Incarnation, and the priests’ first Masses the following day marked one of the holiest moments in the Church year and celebrated two young men whose lives have been dedicated to their faith. At Father Ryan, Rev. Wilgenbusch explored a variety of academic and service activities, graduating as the Valedictorian of the class. He began his studies at the University of Notre Dame before he entered the seminary. Rev. Bolster was active in the theatre program at Father Ryan and was an outstanding student and servant-leader. He went directly from Father Ryan into the seminary, studying at the Josephinum. Following the ordination, both priests returned to Rome to continue their studies. They will return to the diocese in 2020, adding the presence, spirit and guidance of two special members of Ryan Nation to the celebration of our faith. 33
Births fall 2019
social media agency in Birmingham. 2017 JOHN ARMBRUSTER has joined the Belmont
University men’s soccer team, transferring from the University of Louisville. John was a 2017 NCAA Elite 8 participant, a two-time Tennessee Club Soccer State Champion and a TSSAA All-State honoree. As a player for the Irish, he was a finalist for The Tennessean’s Boys Soccer Player of the Year. ABBEY BRUSER just completed her sophomore year at the University of Kentucky and was recently selected as an Ambassador for the UK Alumni Association. Out of hundreds of applications, she was one of 12 students chosen and the first ever to be selected from Tennessee. As an Alumni Ambassador, she will be an official student-host for UK. Abbey is a business marketing major and a third generation UK legacy.
Madelyn Marie Bateman
Amy Kay Bontrager
Perrie Lorraine Haley
Myles Parker Hall
Ryan Warren Hudson
Clare Therese Kutsko
Oakley and Maddox Martinez
Emmie Gray Meriwether
Elise Caroline Mulloy
2017
2017 MATTHEW WEHBY, a
swimmer at Miami University-Ohio was named MAC (Mid American Conference) Athlete/Swimmer of the Week in February after swimming lifetime bests in every event he competed in during the Ohio State Invitational. In the 200 free, he earned a seventh-place finish (1:43.47); in the 100 free, he finished eighth (46.26); in the 50 free, he clocked in at 11th place (21.37). Matthew capped off the invitational by swimming Miami’s fastest split on the third-place 200 free relay team (1:24.85).
THE NFL CALLED HIS NAME
Madelyn Marie to HEATHER (HOLMES) ’04 and DREW ’04 BATEMAN, born on January 16, 2019. She joins big sister, Paisley Ann. Amy Kay to AMBER (MCKINNEY) ’09 and PATRICK ’08 BONTRAGER, born on April 11, 2019. Amy joins big brother, Quinn. Perrie Lorraine to LAUREN AND BILLY ’01 HALEY, born on
June 27, 2018.
Myles Parker to LAURA (STEWART) ’06 and JEFF HALL , born
on Saturday March 9, 2019. Myles joins big brother, Max.
Ryan Warren to ABBIE (WARREN) ’06 and MICHAEL HUDSON, born January 8, 2019. Ryan joins brother Henry (2) and
cousin Harper Dean (6) to Uncle Will Warren ’99 and cousins Kate (3), Jaggar (5) Lauren (13), Jacob (16) to Katie (Warren) ’00 and Jay Franklin. Peggy (Shacklett) ’76 and Bill Warren are proud grandparents.
The NFL Draft in Nashville in late April brought out the football fans, and the community and Ryan Nation joined in to celebrate when one of our own heard his name called. JOEJUAN WILLIAMS ’16 was drafted by the World Champion
New England Patriots as the 45th pick overall. The outstanding Father Ryan and Vanderbilt University cornerback had been the subject of a lot of pre-draft conversations and was expected to go high. Landing with the Patriots puts him in the middle of another playoff run. Congratulations to JoeJuan! 34
Clare Therese to faculty member LAURA (WOLOHAN) AND NATE KUTSKO, born on Saturday, March 16, 2019.
Twins Oakley and Maddox Martinez, born on July 8, 2018, to KAYLYN LUCKETT ’06 and WESLEY MARTINEZ. Emmie Gray to MELISSA and JEREMY MERIWETHER ’04,
born on May 23, 2019.
Elise Caroline to BRITTANY (THOMAS) ’03 and KEITH ’00 MULLOY, born on April 13, 2019. She is pictured with big brother,
William (3).
Weddings fall 2019
SAYING GOOD-BYE TO EVERYONE’S DAD: BOBBY DAVIS ’50 To know him was to love him. To love him was to be part of his family.
Gabriel and Elizabeth Harr
Patrick and Elizabeth Scaglione
Kiera and John Woodman
ELIZABETH CONN ’09 and GABRIEL HARR were married on
May 19, 2018, at West End United Methodist Church in Nashville. ELIZABETH ANN CLIPPARD and PATRICK JAMES SCAGLIONE ’07 married on March 2, 2019. JOHN WOODMAN ’06 and KIERA WEEMS were married
June 22, 2019 at Christ the King Catholic Church in Nashville.
SAVE THE DATE FOR THE
DEC E M BE R 26 -28, 2019
AND THE
JA N UA RY 3 - 4, 2020 Come celebrate these important parts of the Father Ryan legacy.
This heartfelt sentiment captured the spirit, life and legacy of Robert Tucker “Bobby” Davis, father of our principal, Paul Davis ’81, and five other children, but mentor and loving extra father to thousands of children throughout the Father Ryan community. When we lost him on July 17, we lost his physical presence but not his impact. Bobby and his wife, Margie, who passed away in 2018, had a clear idea of family—it included everyone they met. From their home in Nashville over their 62 years together, they welcomed their children’s friends and cared for them and loved them as if they were their own. That love and commitment resulted in friendships and advice that guided many a young man or woman, providing direction that made them all better people; and the Davises would say the reverse was true as well. Born March 5, 1931, in Nashville, Mr. Davis was a native Nashvillian. He was the beneficiary of a Catholic education at Overbrook School, St. Joseph School in Bardstown, KY, and Father Ryan High School, Class of 1950. After two years of service in the Army at Fort Meade in Maryland, he graduated from Vanderbilt Peabody College. His professional career included Saint Thomas Hospital, CainSloan, and the State of Tennessee, where he retired as the Assistant Director of Fiscal Services in the Department of Health. He served on many Boards including Christ the King School and Tennessee Workers Credit Union (Southeast Financial Credit Union) as Chair. In 1955, he married Marjorie (Margie) Elizabeth Pruitt and they raised their six children; Tucker (Tina) Davis ’75, Sissy Davis Murphy ’76, Lucy (Marty) Blair ’79, Paul (Teresa ’81) Davis, Rick (Susan) Davis ’83 and Christy (Brent) Davis Cullison ’90. They enjoyed 13 grandchildren and four great grandchildren. Bobby is preceded in death by his parents Katherine and Philip J. Davis; sister, Mary Jo Levine (A.T.); brothers, Philip J. Davis ’46, and John Davis ’48 (Mac); brother-in-laws Bill Alexander and Roy Manning, sister-in-law Dolores Davis, and grandson, Kevin Paul Davis ’09. He is survived by sisters Helen Alexander, Jane Manning, Sister Philip Joseph, OP and brothers, Al Davis ’53 and Frank Davis, and sister-in-law, Ellen Davis. He will be missed by many. Because of Bobby’s commitment to Catholic education, and in memory of his grandson, Kevin, the family asks you to consider contributions to the Kevin Paul Davis Memorial Scholarship Fund at Father Ryan High School; 770 Norwood Drive; Nashville, TN 37204 in support of tuition assistance at Father Ryan High School. 35
In Memoriam fall 2019*
JOHNNY RAY “NUBBY” ALLEN, SR.:
Husband of Joyce (Catignani) Allen ’73, and father of Kevin (deceased), Kelly, Ray ’99, Marie ’99, Leslie, Carl, Tim, Daniel, Christopher, Blake ’12 and Nikki ’13 Allen. GERRY R. ARMBRUSTER: Father of
Gerry Armbruster, Jr. ’84, Kim (Armbruster) Davis, Kevin Armbruster ’92, and Allison (Armbruster) Acrey ’95. CHARLIE B. BALDINGER ’07: Son of
Kim and Paul ’64 Baldinger, and brother of Jim, Robbie 11, Ellie (Baldinger) Gerringer ’13, and Joe Baldinger ’14. JOHN A. BARNES ’99: Brother of Sarah
(Barnes) Baltz ’03 (Kevin ’96) and Jake Barnes ’03.
REV. MR. JOSEPH J. COEN, SR. ’55:
Father of Monica Coen and Joseph J. Coen, Jr. ’84. JEAN COLEMAN: Mother of David
Coleman ’76 and William “Winky” Coleman, Jr. ’76 (Verica Hardy ’76). BILLIE JEAN COLORIGH: Wife of the
late Joe Colorigh ’48, and mother of Kenneth Colorigh ’69, Sandra (Colorigh) Bracy, Donna (Colorigh) Morris, Kathy (Colorigh) Rigsby, and Joey Colorigh. JULIANNE FURGESS CONNOLLY: Wife
of Bill Connolly, Jr. ’66 (deceased) and mother of Katie ’88 and Mark ’93 Connolly. WILLIAM M. “BILL” CONNOLLY, JR. ’66: Father of Katie ’88 and Mark ’93
’57 (deceased) and John ’62 Batson.
Connolly and brother of Dottie (Connolly) Climer and John Connolly ’58.
KATHLEEN (BALTZ) BECHTOLD:
WILLIAM “BILL” CORNWELL ’47:
NORMAN BATSON ’56: Brother of Joe
Mother of Beverly (Bechtold) Biele ’99, and sister of Loretta, Larry ’70 (deceased), Jim ’71, Mark ’74, Denise ’76, Judy, Mickey ’79, Rita ’81, and Connie ’86 Baltz.
Brother of John Cornwell ’48, Frank Stevenson, Sue Carillion (all deceased), and Mary Carpenter.
THOMAS R. “TOM” BLACKWELL, JR. ’78: Brother of Monica Blackwell ’80
Grim, Jean (Croce) Hemphill, and Martin Croce ’75.
(deceased).
GERMAIN BOER: Father of Kathleen
(Boer) Vierson and Bob Boer ’86.
WILLIAM P. “BEAU” BRUCE: Brother of
Trey Bruce, AnnMarie (Bruce) Pinhal ’86 (Joey Lee ’86), and Ginny Bruce. SUSAN BURCH. STEPHEN J. “STEVE” BURNS ’74: Son
of Martin J. Burns, Jr. ’46 and brother of Martin Burns ’71, Tim Burns ’73, MJ (Burns) Vosburg ’76, Frank Burns ’78, and Jane (Burns) Wisialowski ’84. GUILLERMO A. BUSTILLO: Son of
Victor Bustillo (Staff).
RICHARD T. CAMBRON ’80: Brother of
Don ’82 and Mark ’87 Cambron.
JAMES P. “JIMMY” CARTER, JR. ’82. ANN CLINTON: Sister of John F. “Jack”
Dowd ’48 (deceased).
36
DORA CROCE: Mother of Joan (Croce)
ERIC DAHLHAUSER ’80: Brother of
Douglas (deceased), Greg, Deb (Dahlhauser) Williams, Mary, Steve, Kevin ’78 (deceased), Bryan ’79, Tom, and Paul ’85 (Glenda Sexton ’85) Dahlhauser. RONALD B. “RON” DEAL, SR. ’64:
MICHAEL D. DOYLE: Son of David
Doyle ’68.
RANDALL “RANDY” DUBOIS ’69: Son
of Charles DuBois ’32 (deceased); father of Andrew ’01, Keith ’04, Elizabeth ’05, and Mary Claire DuBois; and brother of Charles “Buddy” DuBois, Jr. (deceased), Annette, Eddie, Marie, and Tommy DuBois. ROSEMARY EINSTMAN: Mother of
Richard Einstman ’73, Lynne (Einstman) Neeley ’74, Catherine (Einstman) Younker ’77, Neil Einstman ’78, Betsy (Einstman) Chance ’81 and Lisa (Einstman) Evans ’89. LEON FARBES ’60: Brother of Sidney
Farbes ’70.
BERNARD F. FORTE, SR. ’44: Father of
Bernard Forte, Jr. ’68 and Becky (Forte) Medlen, and brother of Mary Agnes Forte (deceased), Theresa (Forte) Embry, Henry ’40 (deceased), Emmett ’52, and Don ’53 Forte. MARGIE (ST. CHARLES) FRANCESCON: Wife of Sam Francescon ’49;
mother of Steve Francescon ’72, Bobby Francescon ’73, David Francescon ’74, Susie (Francescon) Bateman ’75, Sam Francescon ’77, Danny Francescon ’79 (Ronnie Dean ’87), Chris Francescon ’81, and Margie (Francescon) Grover ’84; and sister of Tommy St. Charles ’40, Joe St. Charles ’55, Rev. Paul St. Charles ’57 (all deceased), and Angie (St. Charles) Scott. TRACY FREEMAN ’69.
Son of Allan Deal ’39 (deceased) and brother of Beverly (Deal) Ammarell, James Deal, Thomas Deal ’78 and Lyn (Deal) Fontana.
HARRY W. FUCHS III: Father of Michael
MARY DILLON: Wife of Ivo Dillon, Sr. ’40,
Father of Denise (Glaser) Baxley ’78, Kent Glaser ’80, Karen (Glaser) Sneed ’81 (John ’81 Faculty), Louis Glaser ’81, Bruce Glaser ’83, and Michael Glaser ’86.
and mother of Ivo “Butch” Dillon, Jr. ’68 (deceased), Wilma Ann Dillon (deceased), Mary (Dillon) Hutchison, Joe Dillon ’70, Cathy (Dillon) Hudson, and Patricia (Dillon) Blackburn. JAMES W. “JIM” DITENHAFER ’70. ANNE (HOLMES) DONNELLY: Mother
of Dava (Carney) Barnes ’88, Tara Warner, and Hannah Donnelly.
JANIS DOUGHERTY: Mother of Karen
(Dougherty) Bates, Pat Dougherty, Paul Dougherty ’79 (Alumni Board), and Laura (Dougherty) Maurizi ’82.
’89 and Steven ’91 Fuchs.
CHARLES V. “CHUCK” GLASER:
MICHAEL S. GLENNON ’74: Son of John
J. Glennon, Sr. ’33 (deceased), and brother of Edward J. Glennon, III ’70 (deceased), Nick Glennon ’81 (deceased), Teri Glennon ’78 (deceased), Jo Ann (Glennon) DeVane, Mary (Glennon) Hudson, and John Glennon, Jr. ’68. PAUL GOMEZ: Father of Sean ’83, Michael
’85, Julian ’86, Anthony ’90, and Germaine Gomez.
PAULA R. GOODRICH: Daughter of
Robert Goodrich ’49 (deceased), and sister of Rob ’80 and Adam ’83 Goodrich.
McCarthy ’81 (deceased), Tim McCarthy ’82, Terri (McCarthy) Meyer, and Suzanne (McCarthy) Hodges.
ROBERT T. GOODRICH ’49: Father of
JOHN A. MOGAN ’54: Brother of Joseph
Paula Goodrich, Lori Reddick, Rob Goodrich, Jr. ’80, and Adam Goodrich ’83. ROBERT HARRIS: Brother of Bill ’65 and
Jerry ’68 Harris.
SYLVESTER J. HENKEL ’50: Brother of
Rev. Albert Henkel ’36, Agnes (Henkel) Frey, Gus Henkel, Josie (Henkel) Hildebrand, Angie (Henkel) Bricks, Margaret (Henkel) Catignani (all deceased), and Sister Mary Ann Francis RSM. MATTHEW S. HENTHORN ’02.
SANDRA TOWNSEND: Mother of
ANN O’DAY: Mother of Luke ’85, Simon
’86 and Edward ’93 O’Day, and wife of the late Denis O’Day (Life Trustee).
Wahl ’74, Kathleen (Wahl) Roder ’77, Maureen (Wahl) Marrs ’79, Thomas Wahl ’80, and Brian Wahl ’81.
RICHARD N. ORDWAY ’56.
MARIE BROWN WERRBACH: Wife of
PAUL L. OSTERMAN, JR. ’44. LAURENCE “LARRY” PARSONS:
MATTHEW I. HOLZEMER ’02: Son of
Jim Holzemer ’69.
JOHN A. HOBBS: Father of Mike ’65, Joe
BOB PATTERSON: Father of John
ALBERT P. HUDSON, JR. ’73.
Patterson ’82, Chris Patterson ’85, Ann (Patterson) Ritter ’88, and Katie Patterson ’90.
DANIEL L. JANKOWSKI: Father of
DEWEY L. PERRIGO: Father of Dylan,
Patrick ’98, David, Eddie ’02, Shannon, Kevin ’06 and Andrew ’08 Jankowski.
Colin, and Shane ’21 Perrigo.
JOHN L. RAGSDALE: Father of Adam ’87
JEROME A. “JERRY” KAISER ’54.
and Nick ’89 Ragsdale.
MAAME A. KANBI ’99: Sister of Nana
JAMES B. ROBERTS, JR. ’53.
Kanbi ’01.
JOSEPH L. “JODY” KARLOVIC, JR. ’66: Father of Kristy (Karlovic) Carlton and
Joey Karlovic III.
JOHN N. KIDWELL ’63. CAROLYN MCGOWEN LAVENDER (FORMER FACULTY): Wife of Sam
Lavender, Jr. ’67; brother of Harry McGowen ’72. MILDRED SUTHERLAND LONG:
Mother of Frank A. “Wish” Long, Jr. ’83 and Jenny (Long) Ford ’85; daughter of Arthur Sutherland ’27 (deceased); and sister of Arthur Sutherland III ’56, Charles Sutherland ’59 (deceased), Pete Sutherland ’61 and Mickey (Sutherland) Pennington. SHIRLEY LOWMAN: Mother of Lisa Hern-
don, Mark Lowman ’82, and Laura Murray. JOHN MCCARTHY: Father of John
Father of William ’80, Mike ’81, Pat ’82, and Rob ’83 Terry and Kristin (Terry) Coode ’84 (Phil ’82).
Mogan ’42, Edward Mogan ’43, Catherine (Mogan) Childs, Thomas Mogan ’46 (all deceased), Sister Maris Stella Mogan, RSM, and Sister Thomasetta Mogan, RSM.
Father of Cindy Parsons, Kim (Parsons) Borum, Jill Parsons, Pam Parsons, Julia (Parsons) Bolen ’83, and Greg Parsons ’84.
’69, Ronnie ’71, and John C. ’83 Hobbs.
WILLIAM R. “BILL” TERRY, SR. ’60:
MARK J. ROHLING ’65: Son of Bernie
Rohling ’40 (deceased); father of Blair ’92 and Cleary ’95 Rohling; and brother of John ’64 (deceased), Paul ’67, Michael ’69 (deceased) and George ’71 Rohling. ELYNOR C. ROONEY: Sister of Jean
(Rooney Oehmig), Paul Rooney ’41, and Robert Rooney (all deceased).
WILLIAM A. “BILL” SHARP, JR. ’62. PATRICIA SHAUGHNESSY: Mother of
Bob ’79, Thomas ’80, and Christopher ’82 Shaughnessy.
ROBERT C. SMITH: Brother of Tommy ’77,
Steve ’78, and Mike Smith.
FRANK P. SPENCE ’60: Brother of Walter
W. Spence, Jr. ’43 (deceased), George E. Spence, James P. Spence and Robert A. Spence.
Jennifer (Townsend) Anton (Academic Dean) and Greg Townsend. KEVIN WAHL ’83: Brother of Richard
Otto Werrbach, Jr. ’43 (deceased) and mother of Otto “Toby” Werrbach III ’71 and Monica (Werrbach) Aebersold. OTTO W. WERRBACH, JR. ’43: Father
of Otto “Toby” Werrbach III ’71 and Monica (Werrbach) Aebersold and brother of Helen Werrbach, Sue (Werrbach) Peffin, and Bernard Werrbach, Sr. ’45 (all deceased). WILLIAM T. “BILL” WIDICK ’54:
Brother of Richard ’48 and Chris ’53 Widick. LAURENCE “LARRIE” WILSON:
Mother of Betsy ’80, Jack ’81, Rick ’83, and Kenny ’87 Wilson. DONALD T. WOLFE ’55: Brother of
Roland ’43, John ’46, and Bill ’52 Wolfe (all deceased). LYNDA R. WRIGHT: Mother of Garron ’84
and Shannon ’90 Wright.
*As of July 22, 2019
STAY IN TOUCH WITH THE FATHER RYAN FAMILY IRISH AYES is always eager to hear what and how our alumni and families are doing. Please send your updates to FATHERRYAN.ORG/StayInTouch. Parents, if your son or daughter no longer maintains an address at home, please notify the Father Ryan Alumni Office of his or her new address by going to FATHERRYAN.ORG/StayInTouch. 37
770 Norwood Drive Nashville, TN 37204 ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED
SAVE THE DATE FOR THE 2020 LEGACY GALA Honoring Chris and Bubba ’69 Donnelly
JOIN US FOR THE CELEBRATION OF THE 41ST LEGACY GALA
SATURDAY, FEB. 22, 2020
VISIT FATHERRYAN.ORG/GALA