Alumni News

Prior to writing this letter, I was curious to review the mindset and events that were included in the Chaminade Magazine one year ago. At that time, I discussed Chaminade’s resilient ability to overcome difficult, unforeseen challenges mostly caused by the impact of COVID. While still in the process of conquering those challenges, we were hit with the unexpected passing of our long-time leader, Fr. Ralph. He meant so much to the Chaminade family, and to us individually, that there was never going to be a great time for him to leave. Further, there is never going to be enough memorialization of Fr. Ralph nor prayers of thanksgiving to God, but we must press forward. It’s what Fr. Ralph would have wanted, and praise God, we are!

The Alumni Board could not be more proud and excited for the induction of our new president, Dr. Todd Guidry. Despite the many challenges we face today, we are confident in our new leader and stand ready to support him in any way possible.

One of the best ways Chaminade alumni can honor Fr. Ralph and Dr. Guidry is to stay active and supportive of the school. If you have not done so already, please make sure your contact information is up to date at www.chaminade-stl.org/updateinfo. Also please consider participating in our upcoming events including Blessed Chaminade Day in January, the Esto Vir Auction in February, Trivia Night in March, the Sports Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony in April, the golf tournament in May, and/or the many other club and sporting events throughout the year.

One of the greatest pleasures in serving as the Alumni Board President is contacting the recipients of the annual Alumni Awards. Our Alumni Board is honored to award the 2022 “Alumnus of the Year” to Jim Chrismer ’85 and the “Honorary Alumnus” to Philip Rone, current High School Principal. The awards will be presented at mass on Blessed Chaminade Day, January 18 and it is always a wonderful event. Please come to support these two fantastic role models of Chaminade who embody the spirit of the Marianist tradition.

May God bless you all and may God continue to bless Chaminade!

Esto Vir, Aaron Thompson ’03

Bradley Beal ’11 and Jayson Tatum ’16 met in the NBA’s Play-in Tournament matchup in May 2021. Jayson scored 50 points for the third time that season as the Celtics beat the Wizards 118-110.

Sam Korb ’17 graduated from the University of Dallas where he was awarded the Cardinal Spillman Award, which is conferred annually upon a senior man or woman who has attained a G.P.A. of at least 3.5, aspires to graduate study in an academic or professional field, and exemplifies the ideals of the University. Sam also claimed the First Academic Honor medal as the only person in his class to graduate with a 4.0. Sam’s proud mom is Chaminade faculty member, Margie Korb. Sam graduated with degrees in Theology, Classical Philology - Greek and Classical Philology - Latin. He was Phi Beta Kappa and Summa Cum Laude.

In his book, Another Big Lie, author Tim Pagliara ’75 details the decadelong fight over the government’s role in regulating a safe and sound mortgage market. At the heart of the story is the contrarian bet investors made to buy Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac government sponsored entities, GSEs securities in the heat of the mortgage crisis in late 2008. This is the story of how a select group of GSE investors exposed the government’s theft of billions of dollars from the American dream of homeownership.

Congratulations to Chaminade’s oldest living alumnus, Albert Schweitzer, Jr., who turned 100 in November!

Chris Marsek ’98 participated in a two-weekends-long Scout Leadership Training called Wood Badge. In it, attendees learned about leadership styles, communication, teamwork and more... all while camping and practicing the Scouting traditions.

Kevin Dill ’99 was a staff member at Wood Badge. Kevin’s son, Connor, is a member of the Class of 2026.

Justin Cook ’17 graduated from NYU with a degree in film and television. He will pursue his dream to write, direct and film projects in multiple areas of interest.

Justin also continues to pursue his musical interests with former Chaminade student, Jack Deubner. They just released their second album on GarageBand.

Ben Jackson ’17 was honored with the Men’s Division II Yeardley Reynolds Love Unsung Hero Award. The award celebrates the accomplishments of collegiate Divisions I, II and III lacrosse players who demonstrate dedication, integrity, humility, hard work, community service, leadership, kindness, and sportsmanship.

Eagle Scout, RJ Jackson ’21, was named Missouri Scout of the Year by the VFW: Missouri.

Mark Finke ’82 was featured in Kirkwood Lifestyle magazine about retirement. Mark is the former varsity hockey coach of our Red Devils.

David Lee ’01, and his wife, Caroline Wozniacki, welcomed a daughter, Olivia Wozniacki Lee.

Jerry Carmody ’67 was named as a 2021 Icon awardee by Missouri Lawyers Media. John Wright ’01 was promoted to Commander of the 4th Reconnaissance Squadron based in Guam. The squadron was deployed to Yokota AFB in Tokyo until October 2021.

Chris Wideman ’08 won a bronze medal with Team USA at the 2021 IIHF Ice Hockey World Championships.

John W. Guyol, S.J. ’05 was ordained into the priesthood and has been missioned to the Ravalli Jesuit Community in Missoula, MT, where he will serve at St. Francis Xavier Church and St. Ignatius Mission.

Bradley Beal ’11 was named to the All-NBA Third Team. Bradley finished second in the NBA in scoring with a career-high 31.3 points per game, which is the sixth-highest scoring average in the last 10 years and the second highest in franchise history.

Jayson Tatum ’16 became the thirdyoungest player to score 50 points in an NBA playoff game in the 125-119 win over the Nets in Game 3 of the first round of the Eastern Conference Playoffs.

Tyler Wood ’10 has launched a business that provides tech support to adults 55 and older. His company, Quincy, was also recently featured in Poets & Quants.

Kevin Robson ’03 was named as associate head coach for Indiana University’s men’s soccer program. Joe Bayer, Jr. ’97 (far left) of First Integrity Mortgage and Trevor Olwig ’06 (far right) of Berkshire Hathaway Alliance had a great “St. Louis” moment. They had a mutual customer and they enjoyed working together. It turns out that Trevor and Joe are both alums of Chaminade. Of course, that’s why their transaction together went so smoothly.

David Murphy ’00, a successful Chicago chef at Mercat a la Planxa, was featured on WGN’s “Lunch Break.”

Congratulations to our USA Basketball gold medalists!

After winning gold in Tokyo with Team USA, Jayson Tatum ’16 is the first USA Basketball male athlete to win a gold medal at: • The Olympics • FIBA U19 World Championship • FIBA U17 World Championship • FIBA Americas U16 Championship

Brandon Lockhart ’09 was inducted in the Drury University Hall of Fame in December. Brandon is a Red Devil and State Champion as well as a Panther and National Champion.

Chris Bandi ’08 released a collaboration with Nelly, titled “Follow Me.”

Congratulations, once again, to the Class of 2020-21: • 1998 State Champion Swimming

Relay Team • Joseph McLain ’37 • Robert Van Uum ’60 • John Hamilton ’68 • Bill Keaney ’73 • Skip Berkmeyer ’92 • Bill Coby ’95 • Coach Doug Taylor

Justin Wyms ’17 participated in the United States Powerlifting Association’s Midwest Challenge in Columbia, Missouri in the Super Heavy Weight (SHW) division. He had FOUR 1st Place finishes and set THREE Missouri State records for his weight division.

Current Chaminade parents, the Kellers (Chris ’93, and his wife, Kerry), were featured in an article in St. Louis magazine about selecting a school where your student can succeed.

Fritz Clifford ’75 (Alumnus of the Year) and Fr. Patrick Hyde ’04 (Alumni Humanitarian) received their awards at the First Friday Mass on October 1 on Don Ohlms ’53 Field. They are pictured receiving their respective awards from new Chaminade President, Todd Guidry, Ed.D.

Matt Francis ’07 ran the Indianapolis Marathon in 2:54:08 to qualify for the Boston Marathon in April. Cole Hanson ’17 is currently attending Naval Officer Candidate School. He will graduate and be commissioned as an Ensign in January 2022 with Navy Flight School to follow.

Thanks again to all who joined the Class of 1995 on Saturday, October 16 in Shaw Park for the annual Jack Prebil BBQ. The Class of 1995 saw its largest attendance to date and the event raised $12,725 for the Jack Prebil ’95 Memorial Scholarship and the current fund balance is $76,089! Thank you, for your support and for helping to keep Jack’s memory alive!

Craig Palubiak ’73 was featured in the Wall Street Journal in an article titled, “The Mistakes Small Businesses Made During Covid.”

Acclaimed Military Historian John C. McManus ’83, was the featured speaker at the St. Louis County Library Foundation’s Westfall Politics & History Series.

Alex Piontek ’20 has been selected by the University of Tampa to study at Oxford University next semester. Alex’s experience will include one-on-one tutoring by their professors in History and Philosophy.

Chaminade’s Alumni Board of Directors is pleased to announce the recipients of the 2022 Alumni Awards. Jim Chrismer ’85 – Resident Director and Varsity Track Coach Philip Rone – HS Principal

Michael Nance ’05 recently graduated from the University of Missouri with his MDPh.D. His Ph.D. was in Microbiology and focused on developing genetic engineering technologies for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. Michael is completing his radiology residency at Emory University in Atlanta. He is married to Sophia (Meyer) Nance and has two children, Audra and James. Under the 4th generation leadership of Jacob (’95) and Seth (’94) Goldkamp, Design Aire Heating & Cooling has been collecting accolades in 2021: • Named St. Louis Magazine’s A

List Winner for Heating and Air

Conditioning • Received their 6th Post-Dispatch

Top Workplaces Award

Our Chaminade alumni at the University of Dayton held their own Memorial Mass for Fr. Ralph. Now THAT’S an Esto Vir moment!

Steve ’79 and Jack ’11 Schmitt dedicated their climb of Quandary Peak in Colorado in memory of Fr. Ralph. Esto Vir!