Christian Brothers University Bell Tower Magazine December2025
RYAN FLICKINGER Vice President ryan.flickinger@cbu.edu (901) 321-3278
Assistant Vice President aware1@cbu.edu (901) 321-3331
ccook9@cbu.edu (901)
JOSEPH PRESTON Major Gifts Officer jpreston@cbu.edu (901) 321-3509 MARGARET
kmcfarla@cbu.edu (901) 321-3277
mmcdon11@cbu.edu (901) 321-3542
mmann@cbu.edu (901) 321-3543
For our East Parkway Lasallian community, this year has been a year marked by several impactful earthly losses. Speaking for myself, losing Br. Terence, Br. Mark, and Br. Francisco represented, at least initially, a wounding blow to my heart. In conversation with our community, as well as reading your memories online, I did not feel this grief alone. These men set examples for community service that have left indelible marks in the hearts of all they served.
In examining this grief, I am reminded of the awesome exponential power that every teacher harnesses. Year after year, they teach the minds and touch the hearts of one cohort of students after another. The academic, emotional, and spiritual growth they imbue in each group multiplies throughout the world into each pupil’s own family and community.
For those of us working to continue the Lasallian mission in the wake of such losses, it is vital that we advance the legacy they entrusted to each of us.
St. John Baptist de La Salle founded what we now call the Brothers of the Christian Schools in response to his society’s inequity of opportunity. For three hundred years, Lasallian institutions have advanced this core mission with special attention to the poor and marginalized. If you are reading this Belltower, you were, perhaps unwittingly, enjoined in this cause somewhere along the way.
I am energized by the work of our alumni network. Your continued stewardship of CBU and the overall Lasallian mission in your own communities continues to shine as a beacon of hope during tumultuous times. I encourage you to visit campus either at our upcoming alumni events, or just for a leisurely stroll across campus.
Finally, on behalf of the National Alumni Board, I want to acknowledge the many years of service and dedication that Bonita Sansone Sammarco (February 2, 1959- July 3, 2025), class of 1981, gave to the CBU Alumni Association as both a member and then as the President. We are grateful for her efforts and all she did to further the mission of CBU through engaging her peers and the greater alumni community.
With gratitude, Aaron Lamey National Alumni Board President
TABLE OF CONTENTS
SEPTEMBER OF SERVICE
30 DAYS OF GOOD DEEDS
CBU once again lived out its Lasallian tradition of service during the 2025 September of Service (SOS), dedicating the month to giving back to Memphis and the Mid-South through 30 days of good deeds.
What began as a student-led initiative years ago has evolved into one of CBU’s most cherished annual traditions, inspiring hundreds of volunteers (students, faculty, staff, alumni, and friends) and thousands of service hours each year.
This year’s SOS featured projects with Habitat for Humanity, the Mid-South Food Bank, the Humane Society, and many other nonprofit partners. Volunteers tackled projects ranging from food distribution and home repairs to animal care and campus-based service drives. In addition to off-site service, on-campus activities and service-learning sessions offered opportunities for every member of the CBU community to participate, regardless of schedule or mobility.
By the close of September, hundreds of Bucs had rolled up their sleeves to serve others, embodying the spirit behind CBU’s motto: Enter to Learn, Leave to Serve.
For more information about upcoming service initiatives, contact studentaffairs@cbu.edu.
ABROAD ABROAD
Caleb Bell is a junior and native Memphian majoring in computer science and mathematics. He is currently at a partner university in Korea on exchange for the Fall semester having an amazing time studying AI and Data Mining as well as Korean. He is CBU’s first ever Gilman Scholarship recipient. The Benjamin A. Gilman Scholarship is a nationwide scholarship and essay contest whose funds are controlled by Congress. Only about 300 scholarships are given out to students each year. In addition to the Gilman Scholarship, he also received a scholarship from the Office of International Initiatives at CBU to make this opportunity a reality.
Caleb Bell
Computer Science & Mathematics ’27
This Summer, the first ever Spanish language trip to Argentina from CBU took place. Led by Dr. Hannah Pitner, they spent three weeks at an international institute in Buenos Aires. They visited a soccer stadium, a baseball stadium, took an Argentinian cooking class, went to an ecological animal park in Buenos Aires, made Mate tea, and even took a day trip to Uruguay.
A BROTHER’S CALLING 45 YEARS OF FAITH IN ACTION
When Brother Joel Baumeyer came to Christian Brothers College in 1979, he had no way of knowing that he was starting a journey that would last over 45 years (and counting), impacting the lives of countless students.
Born Jack Bernard Baumeyer, he grew up in St. Louis and attended Catholic schools. Brother Joel is an alumnus of Christian Brothers College High School in St. Louis, where his journey with the Christian Brothers began. They made quite an impact on him because shortly after graduating, he received his Habit and the religious name of Brother Joel Benjamin in Glencoe, Missouri on August 30, 1954.
Brother Joel has a BA from St. Mary’s College in Winona as well as an M.Ed. He also holds an MA and a PhD from St. Louis University.
His passion for teaching was ignited during his first teaching assignment in Evanston, Illinois at St. George High School. From there, he went on to teach at Bishop Carroll High School in Wichita, Kansas, his alma mater Christian Brothers College High School in St. Louis, Missouri, and Bishop Bergan High School in Peoria, Illinois before he came to Memphis.
His love of teaching is bolstered by his true appreciation of mathematics. Cathy Grilli, Professor and Chair of the Department of Mathematics & Computer Science, fondly recalls math conferences they attended with students across the country, eager to learn new things and share with the students. Even when things went a little awry, like the time their hotel booking in New Orleans was incorrect and some students ended up sleeping on couches in Brother Joel’s room, they always managed to have a lot of fun together. “He’s always so welcoming and a dear friend,” says Grilli.
Brother Joel’s students recall him being strict but kind. He was always willing to take extra time to work through math problems with students, meeting them whenever he could. The math department created the Brother Joel Baumeyer Award to annually recognize a student who shows exceptional dedication to achieving academic excellence in Math and a willingness to put in the work to constantly improve. Even though he retired from the classroom in 2020, Brother Joel is still a fixture at the Math tutoring center. His legacy is one of continuing hard work and perseverance.
Brother Joel’s impact reaches far beyond numbers and equations. He spends time learning as many names and faces, just as he has done for the last forty-five years. As a fierce lover of music, he used to watch MTV so he would know what kind of music the kids were listening to, even if it wasn’t his loved opera. He’s quick to work song lyrics into conversation and is constantly updating his collection.
Outside of academics, Brother Joel was involved on campus in other ways. Two alumni, Felix Bishop (‘82) and Chris
Murphy (‘89), spoke of his calm and steady demeanor when Brother Joel served as moderator for Tau Kappa Epsilon (Pi-Epsilon) here on campus in the 80s and 90s. He was made an honorary brother by the TKEs in 1985 and has proudly been shown on many composites. “Anytime we’ve called on him, he’s been as gracious as could be and we’re proud of have him as a brother,” says Felix Bishop.
Brother Joel was many students' introduction to the Christian Brothers as he would stand in the hallway when students changed classes. Chris Murphy (‘89) shared that when he met Brother Joel in Calculus
class, he didn’t know a lot about being Catholic. Through the classes he took and Brother Joel’s involvement with TKE, Chris grew to deeply admire the Christian Brothers as a whole and the influence they have.
In his retirement from teaching, Brother Joel still assists students with their math questions. He loves being active in the CBU community, attending many on campus events as well as eating lunch in Alfonso as often as he can. Often described as a team player, Brother Joel is quick to help wherever he is. He
enjoys helping Brother Tom make brunch for the other Brothers on Sundays with his areas of expertise being bacon, sausage, and pancakes. He’s not doing as many push-ups these days as he used to, but you can still find him walking around campus when the weather is nice. Retirement has not slowed him down.
“Brother Joel is one of the truest Brothers," said Brother Tom. "He’s a very great friend.” Christian Brothers University is honored to be the place Brother Joel has called home for the last forty-five years. Thank you, Brother Joel!
Fun facts about the other Brothers of Stritch Hall
Br. Chris has visited 35 countries in the world.
Br. Tom owns a motorcycle and is a former scuba diver.
Br. Michael lived in Europe for a year, in both Spain and France
FBI Br. Robert worked for the FBI for 3 years before becoming a Brother.
CBU CAMPUS MINISTRY
Campus Ministry is aiming high! Led by Director Joel Kelley, the campus ministry team has adopted a new mission statement to best meet the needs of students. AIM! Accompany all students, Inspire Lasallian leaders, Make missionary disciples. The impact is already huge. Campus Ministry is seeing tremendous growth in attendance year over year at all of their events, especially noting the energy and enthusiasm of this year’s first year students.
With a schedule like theirs, it’s easy to see why students are eager to participate. These are some of the activities for students to get involved in:
• Coffee with Christ happens on Saturday mornings. “It’s a very safe place to talk about God, plus coffee. Two things I love.” - Bryan Menjivar, Freshman
• Praise and Worship is a non-denominational service that occurs on Tuesday nights for students to participate in faith and fellowship.
• PB&J Day takes place in Alfonso dining hall for students to come and make sandwiches for the St. Mary Soup Kitchen every Wednesday. Students head out with St. Mary’s the next morning to help distribute the sandwiches to the community.
• Flingin’ Friday is every Friday on Nolan Field where students gather to play disc golf and share in fellowship.
• Brothers Brew: A study hall that takes place in Stritch Hall is open four days a week for students to study, read, work on homework, and relax.
Campus Ministry is watching students go from tentative to fully engaged in the CBU experience. A majority of the events hosted by Campus Ministry are actually led by students. A dedicated group of students make up the Director’s Council, which focus on Service & Justice, Catholic Identity & Liturgy, Community & Events, Marketing & Communication, and Spirituality. Through their involvement, students gain experience coordinating, organizing, and hosting events. Students even run CBU’s own food pantry, The Buc Stop, which serves around 120 students a month. With donations from Catholic Charities, students are able to directly support each other and provide for their peers.
Joel Kelley Director
Rev. Dr. R. Bruce Cinquegrani Chaplain
Br. Danny Warwick Campus Minister
RaKesha Gray (’18) Associate Director
BUCCANEER Check-in
Dr. Juliette Paul traveled Internationally to conferences this summer for Digital Humanities. She spent time in Montreal, Canada, as well as London, England. Additionally, she traveled to the former National Endowment for the Humanities–funded summer institute, Humanities Perspectives on AI, held in Salt Lake City, Utah. These conferences focused on ethical, cultural, and historical dimensions of AI, as well as the XML Family of Languages.
Alpha Delta Phi, CBU’s chapter of Phi Alpha Theta, the National History Honors Society, recently welcomed its newest inductees at a ceremony held in the Writing and Communications Corner. Aryany Hernandez Perez (History, ’25) and Jhostin Cano Rodriguez (Political Science, ’26) received their PAT Certificates on May 1, 2025, in recognition of their outstanding scholarship at CBU.
The Writing and Communications Corner (WCC) hosted a welcome for international students during CBU Welcome Week. This event was offered as a way to begin engaging with international students and to expose them to the WCC as a resource. This is one of several events planned by the newly formed Multicultural Student Committee: Clayann Gilliam Panetta, Jhostin Cano, Bari Meneh, & Earnesto Pico
Cesar Ruiz and Braden Pullen, both Religion and Philosophy majors with a concentration in Religious Studies, are now official seminarians of the Catholic Diocese of Memphis. Cesar was recently accepted as a seminarian, signifying his formal commitment to pursue studies toward the Catholic priesthood, while Braden has held this designation for a longer period.
Dr. Christopher Robbins presented at the 2025 TACTE conference in September. Dr Robbins submitted a proposal and was chosen to present his presentation “The New Writing: Teaching the Metacognitive Method” to college teachers from across the state of Tennessee.
Aisha Thornton (Education) and Dr. Rosetta Mayfield-Burford (Education) presented "A Blueprint for Success: Accreditation Lessons from a Small School" at the Fall 2025 Tennessee Association of Colleges for Teacher Education (TACTE) Conference in Franklin, TN.
A lecture by Orthodox Archbishop Alexander Golitzin, titled “Mysticism and Liturgy: Experiencing God in the Orthodox Tradition,” drew approximately 120 students, alumni, and community members to Spain Auditorium for an engaging and illuminating lecture followed by a Q&A session. There was also a strong turnout from the Orthodox community in Memphis, including the head priests of all three Orthodox parishes in the city.
The Civil Engineering Steel Bridge Team competed nationally at Iowa State University, where we competed against 45 other nationally ranking teams. Later that month, the Land Surveying Team competed nationally at California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, against 19 other nationally ranked teams.
Clayann Gilliam Panetta is the newly elected chair of the CARE Certification Program, which oversees the certification process for writing centers. The CBU Writing and Communications Corner (WCC) was certified in 2020. This position is a result of our WCC acting as an exemplary center for several years. This position also carries a seat on the Southeastern Writing Center Association (SWCA) Board.
CBU is one of three university partners collaborating with the Delta Regional Authority to deliver the prestigious Delta Leadership Institute (DLI). Through our Institute for Leadership Development, CBU leads the executive education component, providing leadership programming for a highly selective cohort of 25–35 Fellows each year. This year’s cohort toured the White House and was honored by the Governor of Kentucky as Kentucky Colonels.
The American Society of Civil Engineers West TN Branch recently awarded Professor Gene McGinnis the 2025 Nicole Craven Distinguished Service Award.
During the Spring 2025 semester, Dr. Andrew Assadollahi (’09) took the Civil Engineering and Construction Management students to the MidSouth ASCE Symposium Conference hosted at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock in the Steel Bridge, Concrete Canoe, Balsa Wood Bridge, and T-Shirt competitions! At the regional symposium, they placed in the following competitions:
Steel Bridge Competition:
• 3rd Place Construction Speed
• 2nd Place Cost Estimation
• 1st Place Construction Economy,
• 2nd Place Overall (National Qualifier)
Land Surveying Competition:
• 1st Place Overall (National Qualifier)
Dr. Eric Welch and Dr. Deepa Kodali took Mechanical and Electrical Engineering students to the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) Aero Competition in Galveston, TX, where they remote flew their plane that they designed and built in our own lab! This is a collaborative student project between our Mechanical and Electrical Engineering students.
The CBU Biology department has recently acquired, through grant funding, an Oxford Nanopore MinION Mk1D DNA sequencer. Students will learn how to sequence library preparations, operate the sequencer itself, and analyze sequencing data. This will also lead to publications from student-led research projects which will be facilitated by the faculty.
Suzy Terzian, senior Biomedical Science major, conducted her research in the lab of Dr. Asunción Mejías at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital this past summer. Her project is titled "Impacts of codetection of pathogens in children with malaria." She will continue to work at St. Jude for the academic year and will present her findings at the Tennessee Academy of Science conference in the Spring.
Joseph McDaniel, senior Biomedical Science major and Computational Biology minor, is conducting his senior research in the lab of Dr. Gundling at CBU. He is looking at gene expression in genes associated with cell fusion and muscle formation in nematodes (Caenorhabditis elegans). This research may be used to study disorders of the muscular and reproductive systems.
Emma Butler, senior Biomedical Science major, is conducting her senior research in the lab of Dr. Keith Bowers at the University of Memphis. Her work, titled "Snakeskin as a tool in avian nest construction: is it adaptive?", focuses on determining whether snakeskin deters potential competitors from nesting nearby. She examined the use of snakeskin in Carolina Wren nests to test two non-mutually exclusive hypotheses: that its presence impacts nest depredation and/or nearest-neighbor distance of heterospecific nests. This work will further our understanding of multi-species communities, "neighborhood effects" in wild populations, and the adaptive significance of nest construction.
The CBU Biology department has established a beehive on campus in partnership with the CBU Sustainability Committee and Vanderhaar Community Peace Garden. The hive will provide educational opportunities for students in Invertebrate Zoology, Parasitology, and Animal Behavior courses as well as honey that will be donated to the community.
Clàudia Font Torres, senior Biomedical Science major, conducted her research in the lab of Dr. Liza Makowski Hays under the mentorship of Dr. Margaret Bohm at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center this past summer. In her project, titled "Manipulation of the Gut Microbiome Slows Breast Cancer Tumor Progression", Clàudia administered an antibiotic to mice to shift their gut microbiota, which modified the bile acid pool. Clàudia was featured in a recent article published by UTHSC: https://news.uthsc.edu/summerresearch-scholars-program-sets-undergrads-onpath-to-research-careers/.
On November 6, the Honors Program and Office of Advancement & Alumni hosted an inaugural, campus-wide cocktail hour to celebrate undergraduate research and creative scholarship called “Topics & Toasts: Where Research Meets Conversation." The hour featured a faculty member and student presenting their research or creative scholarship alongside one another, their "works-in-progress."
CBU Sciences and Engineering successfully hosted our third annual STEM Summer Camps in June 2025. High school students from throughout Shelby County came to campus to learn about and participate in science and engineering activities, including animal dissections, forensic science, chemical titrations, entomology, mixing concrete, building propeller-driven vehicles, computer science and programming, water filtration, and drone flight, among others. Campers were also able to take a canoe trip on the Mississippi River, conduct biodiversity surveys at the Memphis Zoo, and work in teams to build and test out their own cardboard canoes at the CBU pool.
• Lacy Skinner (Biomedical Science ’25) had her senior research published in the American Naturalist journal in June 2025. The article, titled "Chemical Mate Choice Copying in Drosophila melanogaster", summarizes work that Lacy completed in the lab of Dr. Philip Kohlmeier at the University of Memphis. Lacy also presented this work at the ACS Poster Symposium and the West TN Tennessee Academy of Science collegiate division meeting held on CBU's campus in Spring 2025. Lacy is currently applying for nursing programs with the goal of becoming an anesthesiologist nurse.
• S. Bugoffa and H. Ragb: "Impact of Chirality on the Properties of TwoDimensional Images Propagating Through a Chiral Dispersive Thick Lens," arXiv:2505.01836 [eess.IV], May 2025. https://doi.org/10.48550/arXiv.2505.01836
• Internationally renowned luxury chocolatier and psychology major Phillip Ashley Rix has published a new book titled For the Love of Chocolate https://www.harpercollinsfocus.com/harper-celebrate/ for-the-love-of-chocolate
• Faculty publishes Messy Magnificat: Words and Images from Mothers Who Make. The book is an international anthology featuring essays, poetry, and visual art by mothers who examine the intersection of creative practice, motherhood, and faith. The volume was published in June 2025 by Moxon Publishing Group.
• Dr. Shima Farhesh's co-authored article has just been published in the Languages journal (MDPI)! Titled "Stereotyped L1 English Speakers: Attitude of US Southerners Toward L2-Accented English," this timely study investigates how listeners in the U.S. South perceive second-language (L2) English speakers and explores the impact of linguistic bias across racial/ethnic lines.
• Clayann Gilliam Panetta recently published "Patience and Perseverance: A Reflection on Hosting the 2023 SWCA Conference" in Southern Discourse in the Center:
A Journal of Multiliteracy and Innovation
IN-DEMAND, FULLY ONLINE, GRADUATE DEGREES*
Advance your career with a master’s degree locally in Memphis, Tennessee. Christian Brothers University (CBU), offered in partnership with Lewis University, has brought in four in-demand graduate programs to our campus: Artificial Intelligence, Aviation and Transportation, Business Analytics, and Cybersecurity.
* CBU Alumni receive a 25% tuition discount for any degrees, licensures, certificates, or courses.
MS in Artificial Intelligence
Gain hands-on experience in AI and machine learning. This program prepares you to design intelligent systems, analyze complex data, and solve real world problems in healthcare, finance, logistics, and beyond.
MS in Aviation & Transportation
Prepare for leadership in aviation and transportation management. Learn how to oversee airline and airport operations, plan transportation systems, and leverage emerging technologies.
MS in Business Analytics
Turn data into actionable insights. Master predictive modeling, data visualization, and business intelligence tools to make smarter decisions in business, healthcare, or supply chain management.
MS in Cybersecurity
Protect critical information systems. Study network security, ethical hacking, digital forensics, and risk management to build a career defending organizations from digital threats.
Three Rankings, Lasallian
Three National Rankings, One Lasallian Mission
Christian Brothers University continues to earn national acclaim, securing spots on multiple prestigious college rankings that affirm its commitment to excellence, access, and student success.
In the 2026 edition of U.S. News & World Report’s Best Colleges, CBU was recognized among the Best Regional Universities (South), Best Value Schools (South), and Top Performers on Social Mobility (South). These rankings – based on outcomes like graduation rates, faculty resources, and long-term value – reflect the University’s Lasallian mission of providing a values-based education that empowers students to lead and serve with purpose.
Earlier this year, CBU was also named to Forbes’ America’s Top Colleges, standing among only ten Tennessee institutions to earn the distinction. Forbes evaluates colleges on return on investment, average student debt, and graduate outcomes – areas in which CBU consistently excels.
Additionally, The Princeton Review recognized CBU as one of the Best Colleges in the South for 2026, spotlighting its academic excellence, personalized attention, and strong sense of community.
CBU’s recognitions from U.S. News & World Report, Forbes, and The Princeton Review reaffirm its position as a leading institution in the South – one where students enter to learn and leave to serve
Why CBU Stands Out
• High-Value Degrees: CBU offers competitive academic programs aligned with Memphis’ fastest-growing industries – including engineering, business, education, and technology.
• Career Preparation That Starts Day One: With 98% of graduates employed or enrolled in graduate school within six to twelve months, CBU’s approach to career readiness is unmatched. Students benefit from weekly on-campus recruiting events, guaranteed internships, and a for-credit career planning course—the only one of its kind in the region.
• Commitment to Access and Affordability: CBU provides generous scholarships and financial aid, including the Day Foundation La Salle Scholars Program.
• Service and Social Impact: Rooted in the Lasallian tradition of faith, service, and community, CBU cultivates leadership and justice that extend beyond the classroom.
• Connected Campus Community: From September of Service to BucMania, CBU’s close-knit community fosters belonging and lifelong friendships.
HARRY PRATT (Class of ’74) Alumni Distinguished 2025 Distinguished
For 50 years, Harry Pratt has been a cornerstone of Allen & Hoshall, serving as President and CEO since 2015. A licensed professional civil engineer in six states, Pratt has directed projects ranging from local infrastructure to large-scale airport developments. His leadership has guided the firm’s nine offices across three states, with more than 100 employees, delivering complex projects with community impact.
Beyond his professional achievements, Pratt has been deeply involved in civic life. As Vice President of the Downtown Memphis chapter of Kiwanis International, he has led handicap ramp construction projects, and he actively engages in neighborhood leadership as President of the Front Street Townhomes Association. His decades-long service to advisory boards at both CBU’s Gadomski School of Engineering and the University of Memphis’ Herff College of Engineering reflects his commitment mentoring to the next generation of engineers.
Alumnus
Enter to Learn
A lifelong Memphian, Pratt earned his Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from Christian Brothers University in 1974 before going on to earn both a Master of Science in Civil Engineering (1980) and an MBA (1983) from the University of Memphis. His CBU education laid the foundation for his remarkable career.
Leave to Serve
Pratt’s professional and community contributions span from instructing future engineers as an adjunct professor to serving on numerous professional boards, including the National Society of Professional Engineers and the American Consulting Engineers Council. His dedication to service – whether through civic engagement, mentorship, or community infrastructure projects – makes him a model of the CBU mission in action.
2025 Distinguished Alumni Honorees
The Distinguished Alumnus Award and the Distinguished Young Alumnus Award are presented each year to alums who have achieved notable professional success, contributed to their fields, supported CBU’s mission, and made a lasting difference through service to others.
This year’s honorees, Harry Pratt (’74) and Chelsea Chandler (’09), embody CBU’s timeless call to Enter to Learn, Leave to Serve. “These Distinguished Alumni remind us that a CBU education is about more than earning a degree; it’s about building a life of purpose,” said CBU Interim President Brother Chris. “They have shared their talents with humility and excellence. We are proud to call them members of our CBU family and to honor their accomplishments.”
Distinguished Young Alumna
CHELSEA CHANDLER (Class of ’09)
Chelsea Chandler has been a familiar face in Memphis for nearly 15 years as an award-winning meteorologist, reporter, and anchor. From early traffic reports to ESPN sideline coverage for the Memphis Tigers, she has built a career delivering both the day’s news and the region’s weather with warmth, accuracy, and heart. She was most recently named anchor of the early edition of Good Morning Memphis on FOX13 at 4:30 a.m.
Chandler’s work has earned her regional acclaim, including honors for Best TV Weatherperson, Best TV Reporter, Best TV Personality, and Best Female Anchor. Her service extends beyond the newsroom, with decades of volunteerism in mental health awareness, suicide prevention, and the
American Cancer Society – work recognized by Tennessee Governor Bill Lee with the state’s highest civilian honor, the Colonel Aide de Camp.
Enter to Learn
Chandler earned her degree in Psychology from Christian Brothers University, where she was an honor student and member of Zeta Tau Alpha. CBU fostered her love of learning, service, and community – values that continue to guide her career. She later pursued studies in Meteorology at Penn State University and Geosciences at Mississippi State University.
Leave to Serve
Chandler was crowned Miss Tennessee in 2012 and has since leveraged her public platform to raise awareness, mobilize charitable giving, and celebrate her community – including raising over $160,000 for the YMCA of Memphis and the Mid-South through Dancing with the Stars Memphis. Whether hosting Making Strides Against Breast Cancer, mentoring students, or sharing uplifting stories, she embodies the Lasallian commitment to serve with compassion.
Dr. Maureen O’Brien (’94) receiving her National Alumni Board Teaching Excellence Award
More than 250 alumni and friends returned to Christian Brothers University for Alumni Weekend 2025, held September 19–20, celebrating a shared legacy of learning, leadership, and Lasallian values.
See all the photos from our 2025 Alumni Weekend Buctoberfest
flickr.com/photos/cbualumni/albums
CBU IN
Meant to Be:
Brother Alan Parham, FSC
Brother Alan Parham’s lifelong CBU journey began as a Religion and Philosophy graduate in 1994 and came full circle with his later service in Campus Ministry. From mission trips to virtual outreach during COVID, his dedication reflects the Lasallian spirit of faith, service, and community.
In 1994, Brother Alan graduated from CBU with a degree in Religion/ Philosophy. He was the only Brother receiving a degree that year and the only person getting a degree in RELP, as they called it. For him, it was quite an achievement because he was already 44 years old, having joined the Brothers at age 42. It was also one step further on his journey to becoming a fully professed Brother...
>> cbu.edu/meant-to-be-a-brother
CBU Advancement Leader and Legacy Donors Earn Top Philanthropy Honors
Christian Brothers University (CBU) proudly celebrates Vice President Ryan Flickinger and devoted supporters Bob and Paula McEniry, who have been honored with the AFP Memphis Crystal Awards for their exceptional impact on philanthropy and community advancement.
The Crystal Awards, hosted annually by the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) Memphis Chapter, celebrate the individuals and organizations whose generosity and leadership move our community forward. This year’s honorees were recognized at the Philanthropy Day Celebration Breakfast at the Memphis Botanic Garden.
>> cbu.edu/crystal-awards-25
THE BROTHER I. LEO O’DONNELL ARCHIVES
A Second Chance and a Lesson in Gratitude: Omar Lira
Christian Brothers University student Omar Lira is redefining resilience and community. At 34, he is a first-time freshman studying civil engineering and construction management while balancing faith, friendship, and campus life. Omar’s path to CBU wasn’t typical. His journey is a powerful story of perseverance, faith, and the true meaning of community.
“As someone who has lived in Memphis for 27 years, I’ve found, a lot of the time, you don’t find that sense of community in the city. So, it surprised me to find community at CBU. Who would have thought? I thought maybe it no longer existed. Finding it here gives me hope.”
>> cbu.edu/omar-lira
THE NEWS
Day Foundation La Salle Scholar Ava S. Ryan
As part of CBU’s inaugural class of Day Foundation La Salle Scholars, Ava S. Ryan has already achieved many academic and personal milestones.
In addition to grades and test scores earned while a student at St. Benedict at Auburndale Catholic High School in Cordova, Ava was in the National Honor Society, took six AP classes, was stage manager for school plays, volunteered at the Dorothy Day House and at Feed the Need programs, and excelled on the highly competitive bowling and trap teams.
She plans to pursue a degree in biomedical sciences and loosely follow in the footsteps of her mother, a medical technologist who works in the blood banks at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
>>cbu.edu/ava-ryan
As a longtime professor and associate dean of the Rosa Deal School of the Arts, Nick Peña is helping to build the next generation of artists and graphic designers.
“Every time I meet a new freshman class, I’m ecstatic about the possibilities,” he said.
During Peña’s tenure, the Visual and Performing Arts Department has grown both in the number of students pursuing arts majors and in available programs and opportunities. With support from leadership and his colleagues, he introduced the graphic design concentration, opened the Innovation Lab, and launched summer art camps for elementary and middle school students.
>> cbu.edu/advocate-nick-pena
The Brother I. Leo O’Donnell Archives has digitized many moving image and sound recordings from its collections. This digitization project was funded under a Federal Grant through the National Historical Publications & Records Commission, distributed through the Tennessee Historical Records Advisory Board.
Last year, during an orientation session, CBU engineering professor Dr. Deepa Kodali was asked to share her mission statement. “I want to hand over a greener and safer planet to the next generation,” she said.
Dr. Kodali hadn’t previously considered it in those exact words, but her response was heartfelt. She was deeply concerned about the status of the environment and especially troubled by the consumption of plastic, which threatens our health and destroys our ecosystems.
Engineers like Dr. Kodali address challenges and develop solutions for problems like plastic pollution using scientific and mathematical principles. The field of engineering is big, broad and constantly evolving. It’s practical but also aspirational.
>> cbu.edu/deepa-kodali-mission
Highlights of the digitized audiovisual material include:
• A volleyball match in 1980 as the Lady Bucs made their way to being VSAC Champions forty-five years ago
• Brother Francisco Martin enjoying pizza at the Peer Counselors Dinner in 2011.
• Students hanging up posters for an upcoming basketball game against Hendrix College in 1983
Nick Peña, Advocate for Arts and Future Artists
Dr. Deepa Kodali: On a Mission
From Dream
Dr. Maureen E. O’Brien Associate Professor of Psychology
Some connections just fit. For Dr. Maureen O’Brien, Associate Professor of Psychology in the Rosa Deal School of Arts, Christian Brothers University has always been one of those perfect fits. A transfer student who arrived in 1991 after an unfulfilling freshman year elsewhere, she immediately knew she’d found her home.
...the words I think of are
“When I think about CBU and describe what it feels like to me, the words I think of are ‘home’ and ‘family,’” said Dr. O’Brien. “I really just fell in love with it. The people, the teachers, everyone was so warm. The faculty knew my name, and I had never even had them before. CBU feels like a home. Everybody knows you and cares about you.”
Initially a pre-law student, O’Brien shifted her focus after discovering a love for psychology. It wasn’t until her senior year, while taking research methods and statistics, that her true calling became clear. “I loved running stats and testing hypotheses,” she recalled. “When I told my advisor, Dr. Beth Nelson, she said, ‘You could do what I do.’ I had never thought about being a professor before—it was an epiphany.”
After earning her bachelor’s degree from CBU, Dr. O’Brien completed a master’s in General Psychology at the University of Memphis and a Ph.D. in Social Psychology from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. She began her teaching career at Louisiana State University in Alexandria but always dreamed of returning to CBU. In 2005, that dream came true when she
was offered a faculty position in the very department where her journey began.
Nearly 20 years later, Dr. O’Brien remains one of CBU’s most beloved professors. This year, she received the CBU National Alumni Board Teaching Excellence Award, accompanied by fifteen pages of heartfelt recommendations from colleagues and former students. “Maureen channels her passion into helping students think deeply about their lives and society,” wrote alumna Dr. Caitlin Mills (’11). “She treats students as active researchers, not passive learners.”
Her wife and colleague, Dr. Tracie Burke, Professor Emeritus, shared, “Maureen says being a psychology professor at CBU is her dream job—and her dedication proves it daily. She is the consummate Lasallian, putting her love for CBU into action every single day.” Congratulations to Dr. O’Brien on this well-deserved honor and for continuing to inspire others.
‘home’ and ‘family...’
CLASS NOTES
1979
Michael Pohlman retired from OL Pickering after 45 years. He started as an energy engineer focused on HVAC studies and later moved into project management, which shaped his leadership style. As CEO, Mike led the transition to employee ownership and expanded into new markets. Under his leadership, Pickering grew in revenue and created more opportunities for employees.
1990
Karen B. Ellis, was named on Forbes' 2025 Sustainability Leaders list.
1993
Shawna Engel (also MBA ’00) has been appointed Senior Vice President of Financial Federal Bank. Since joining the community bank in 2017, Shawna has been responsible for leading business development and client relations for both the personal and business banking divisions, as well as mortgage services.
1999
Alicia Hill, CEO of ACG Brand Management, LLC, received the Robert R. Church 2025 Great Beginnings Achievement Award from the MMBC Continuum. This award recognizes new businesses making a significant impact, aligning with MMBC's mission to foster growth in small, scalable enterprises.
2000
Andrew Parks, PE has recently taken on the role of Senior Project Manager at ComEd, where he manages large-scale energy infrastructure investments aimed at providing reliable and cleaner power to rapidly growing industries. In July, he obtained his Professional Engineer (PE) license in the state of Illinois. Additionally, he serves on the Board of Directors for Engineers Without Borders USA and is part of the Leadership Committee for Foreign Policy for America.
2002
Dr. Anne Kenworthy was recently inaugurated as the 11th President
of Spaulding University, located in Louisville, Kentucky. Anne previously served as the Associate Vice President of Donor Relations at CBU and as Vice President for Enrollment Management.
2006
Rory Thomas (also MBA ’09) was voted #1 on the MBJ Power 100 List.
2008
Jason Porter, MD, has started a new role as Vice President of Clinical Education at Guardant Health. He is a practicing oncologist in the Memphis area, specializing in lung cancer, and focuses his research on advancing treatments for thoracic malignancies.
2010
Lauren Douglass Warren recently led a workshop on The Physiology of Learning, a focus on her experience as an instructional designer, for the Memphis chapter of the Association of Talent Development.
William Holt Hall has joined Bank3 as Vice President and Chief Deposit Officer. Previously, he was the Director of Operations and Development at Westminster Academy.
2012
Scott Dennis is now Principal Recruiter at Jobot, an employeeowned company since 2024, recognized as a top workplace by Forbes, Fortune, and USA Today. Previously, he was Client Solutions Director and Assistant Vice President of Finance & Accounting at Robert Half, the largest staffing firm globally.
Samuel Tsai is a Manager and Senior Automation Engineer II at Takeda in Boston. He was recently accepted into one of the most prestigious MBA programs, the Questrom School of Business at Boston University, a private research university ranked as one of the best Business Schools in the US by U.S. News & World Report 2013
Patrick Galphin is the new Vice President of Strategic Projects and Facilities at Orion Financial. His
expanded role supports Orion's mission to push boundaries, elevate innovation, and keep operations orbiting at peak performance.
Jennifer Sharp was recently announced as the 25-26 communications manager on the Board of Directors and Senior Management Council for the Junior League of Memphis.
2015
Bridget Sisney, Director of Leader Programs at New Memphis, was recently selected as one of 31 participants in the 11th Leadership Tennessee NEXT program. This initiative focuses on emerging leaders across Tennessee’s diverse regions and industries.
2017
Meredith Taylor, married Collin Howser in August.
Fatima Escobar is the Early Alert Manager at Southwest Tennessee Community College. She is a former admissions counselor at CBU with skills in higher education, student recruiting, college recruiting, public speaking, and presentations.
2019
Michael Mendez, DO has begun his residency in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at TriStar Skyline Medical Center in Nashville, TN. After earning his bachelor's degree from CBU, he attended the New York Institute of Technology – College of Osteopathic Medicine at Arkansas State, where he received his Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) degree.
2020
Rebeca Velazquez-Barcenas has been promoted to Talent Acquisition Recruiter III at Bank OZK. In her new role, she is responsible for sourcing, screening, and hiring qualified candidates for various positions within the organization.
2021
Donal Newsome was promoted to Senior Aircraft Performance Engineer at FedEx Corporation in July. Before his recent promotion, he held several positions, including Associate Operations Engineer,
Operations Engineer, and Aircraft Performance Engineer.
Matthew Nguyen has begun a new role as Marketing Leader and Sales Coordinator at Process & Power, Inc., a provider of industrial air, fluid, and tool solutions. Previously, Matthew served as the marketing manager at Code Crew in Memphis.
2021
Heidi Kuhn has been named Court Clerk of the Year by the County Officials Association of Tennessee (COAT). This prestigious award honors Kuhn for her outstanding leadership, innovation, and dedication to public service among 204 court clerks across the state, representing Juvenile, General Sessions, Criminal, Circuit, Probate, and Chancery Courts.
2023
Rachel Bennett (also MSCMHC ’25) landed a position at Lakeside Behavioral Health. Rachel is a therapist who leads group therapy sessions and manages an individual caseload.
Clarissa Bustamente Lopez had her senior undergraduate research conducted at the University of Texas at Austin, published in the Herpetological Review on Amphibian and Reptile Diseases. Her work is titled "Low Historical Prevalence of the Fungal Pathogen Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis in Black-spotted Newts (Notophthalmus meridionalis) from Texas, USA, and Northeastern Mexico". Clarissa recently earned her Master's degree from Charles R. Drew University in Los Angeles, CA.
2025
Kat Owens-Garrett joined the ACT team where she interned. As a Substance Abuse Specialist, she and her team provide unique services directly to clients, including group and individual therapy, case management, and medication services.
Carlin Reeves, EI started as a Project Analyst at Foresite Group in the Atlanta, GA area. Foresite Group is a multidisciplinary engineering, planning, design, and consulting firm serving clients nationwide.
ART CAMPS
Class Notes
We want to hear what’s happening with you. Share your Class Notes with the CBU Alumni Office by filling out the form at cbu.edu/class-notes.
IN MEMORIAM
Alumni
Theodore Bjorn (’63)
John Schelly Black (’57)
Harold Council (’63)
Dennis Godfrey (’60)
William Kent (’68)
David Ketchum (’00)
Joseph Martin (’57)
Milton Masson (’64)
Robert Mensi (’63)
Herman Robinson (’66)
William Ross (’56)
Bonita Sammarco (’81)
Stephen Christian Schedler (’98)
Thomas Shackleford (’61)
Matthew Virden Swain Sr. (’69)
Emma Jean Tate (’21)
Dannie Terry (’94)
Faculty/Staff & Friends
Robert Arzbaecher
Former Faculty/Staff
Br. Mark Gubbles
Retired Faculty/Staff
Richard Potts
Former Adjunct Faculty
Frederick Smith Founder, FedEx
Brian Patrick Summers
Former CBU Athletic Director
Fr. Dr. Paul David Watkins, OP Former Faculty/Staff
2025-2026
La Salle Scholars Day Foundation
In August 2025, Christian Brothers University welcomed the inaugural class of Day Foundation La Salle Scholars – ten remarkable students from Memphis and Shelby County-area high schools. Thanks to a partnership with the Day Foundation, these scholars will pursue their degrees on fulltuition scholarships designed to empower the next generation of leaders right here at home.
The Day Foundation La Salle Scholars Program is more than a scholarship; it’s a shared investment in Memphis’ future. Beginning with the 2025–26 academic year, the program provides ten full-tuition scholarships each year to seniors from area schools. The awards are renewable for up to four years, ensuring that up to forty students will have the opportunity to pursue a life-changing CBU education.
The first cohort of scholars represents a diverse group of high-achieving students pursuing degrees in fields such as engineering, business, and health sciences. They bring with them a shared determination to make a difference, both on campus and beyond.
By investing in students who have demonstrated both excellence and a heart for service, the Day Foundation and CBU are cultivating future professionals who will shape our city’s growth for generations to come. The La Salle Scholars Program stands as a powerful reminder that when community partners unite behind a shared purpose, doors open – and dreams take flight.
For more information or to learn how to apply for the next cohort, visit
cbu.edu/lasalle-scholars
OPENING DOORS: DAY FOUNDATION AND CBU LAUNCH LA SALLE SCHOLARS PROGRAM
THANK YOU, DONORS!
We express our heartfelt gratitude for your contributions and appreciate all that you do to advance the mission of CBU. Welcome to all of our first-time donors! We are so excited that you have chosen to give back and support the mission of CBU. We would also like to acknowledge the inaugural members of the President’s Club. By making an annual unrestricted gift of
• Dr. Cynthia Alexander Mitchell Ed.D.
• Drs. Louise & Ray Allen
• Mr. Samuel Edward Allen (’10)
• Ms. Alison B. Allensworth (’18)
• Dr. Melody Allensworth-James (’09) & Mr. David L. James (’09)
• Ms. Joselyn E. Alvarez (’25) 1st
• Mrs. Melissa S. Andrews (’12) & Mr. Christopher R. Andrews
• Anonymous Donors
• Mr. & Mrs. G. Quinn (’75) Anton
• Mr. & Mrs. Paul (’88) Antony
• Mr. Murphy M. Appling (’93)
• Ms. Erin C. Arnold (’02)
• Mr. Larry Arnold (’25) 1st
• Dr. Christine Moore Assadollahi (’18) & Dr. Andrew K. Assadollahi (’09)
• Mr. Lance A. Avist (’25) 1st
• Mr. John E. Bachmann (’68)
• Mr. Alexandro A. Baez Jimenez (’25) 1st
• Dr. Allen T. Bailey (’93)
• Mr. & Mrs. Larry W. (’74) Bailey
• Mr. & Mrs. John C. (’69) Baker, Jr.
• Mr. Thomas J. Bannon, CPA (’58)
• Mr. & Mrs. John M. Barzizza
• Mr. Kevin A. Bautista Tellez (’25) 1st
• Mr. Lyle T. Beck (’84)
• Mr. James L. Bell (’14)
• Mr. Joel R. Bello (’92)
• Mr. & Mrs. Ken (’05) Billett
• Mrs. Robyn Davis Birch (’77) & Mr. Joseph F. Birch, Jr., AFSC (’78)
• Mr. & Mrs. Jack R. Blair
• Mr. Robert Blake (’98)
• Ms. Cinthia Bolanos Galvan (’25) 1st
• Mrs. Cali Copsey Boyette (’14) & Mr. Richard T. Boyette (’11)
• Mr. & Mrs. Ronald L. (’99) Brandon PC
• Mrs. Karen E. Brandon Robinson (’09)
• Mr. Burton B. Bridges (’09)
• Mr. Richard A. Brunner 1st
• Mr. & Mrs. Edward (Ted) G. (’00) Bruno PC
• Mr. & Mrs. C. Brett (’94) Bryan
• Mrs. Joyce Mollerup & Mr. Robert H. Buckman
• Mr. & Mrs. Geoffrey C. (’70) Bull
• Mr. John J. Burns (’69)
• Mr. Jon Busse (’25) 1st
• Mrs. Donna Castellone Butts (’76) & Mr. Robert Butts
• Mr. Steven J. Cadagin (’82)
• Brother Francis A. Carr, FSC
• Ms. Ressie Carr 1st
• Mrs. Elizabeth Carrozza (’87) & Commander & Mr. Wayne S. Carrozza USNR(Ret.) (’71)
• Judge & Ms. J. R. (Bobby) (’77) Carter, Jr. PC
• Mr. & Mrs. James Albert (’65) Cash, Jr.
• Mr. R. David Cash (’70)
• Mrs. Kimberley Bowen Cassin (’76) & Mr. Michael J. Cassin (’76)
• Mr. & Mrs. Eugene T. (’77) Castellone
• Mr. & Mrs. David R. (’04) Catt
• Ms. Karen Chaffin 1st
• Mrs. Amy Garvey Chandler (’95) & Dr. Jason C. Chandler (’94)
• Mr. & Mrs. Ibrahim O. (’18) Chum
• Mr. & Mrs. Louis D. (’75) Cifuni
• Mrs. Sara Jasper Clark (’97) & Mr. Matthew B. Clark (’98)
• Mrs. Julia Cochran (’08)
& Mr. Thomas L. Cochran (’81)
• Mr. & Mrs. Larry S. (’61) Combs
• Mr. & Mrs. Kevin J. (’79) Connolly
• Ms. Kerry M. Conroy (’99)
• Brother Patrick Conway
• Mr. Chase A. Corlew (’24)
• Mr. & Mrs. Gregory A. (’96) Costa
• Mr. Art Costello
• Ms. Gail Cotton
• Mrs. Donna Thorpe Crone (’76) & Mr. J. Christopher Crone (’83)
• Mr. & Mrs. Joseph D. (’65) Cronin
• Ms. Sally Renee Damron (’82)
• Mrs. Leslie S. Daniel (’90) & Mr. Brant G. Daniel PC
• Mr. & Mrs. Michael J. (’74) Daush
• Dr. Wendy E. Davis (’94)
• Mr. & Mrs. Michael J. (’90) Deutsch
• Mr. Anthony F. (’64) Diblik
• Dr. Andrew M. Diener
• Mr. & Mrs. T. Michael (’69) Dillon
• Mr. Jourdan Doffeny 1st
• Mr. & Mrs. Michael J. (’77) Domagala
• Mr. & Mrs. Paul F. Dominguez
• Ms. Amira D. Doss (’25) 1st
• Dr. & Mrs. W. Rice (’82) Drewry
• Dr. Paul M. Dunaway
• Mr. James Dunn
• Mr. Jeffrey Dunn
• Ms. Frida Q. Esparza Lopez (’25) 1st
• Mrs. Stefani Everson-Phillips
• Mr. & Mrs. Charles Ewing 1st
• Mrs. Nanette Connable Fehrmann (’78)
$1,000 or more, you become part of CBU’s premier giving society, joining a community dedicated to leadership in philanthropy and service. Young alumni under 30 can join at the $500 level. For more information about the President’s Club, please reach out to the Advancement and Alumni Office at (901) 321-3270 or via email at alumni@cbu.edu
& Mr. Thomas J. Fehrmann (’77)
• Mr. & Mrs. Edward S. Felsenthal
• Mrs. Sheila Collins Ferguson (’90)
& Mr. Christopher A. Ferguson (’89)
• Mr. Charles R. Fite, Jr.
• Mr. David P. Fitzgerald (’72)
• Mr. & Mrs. William R. (’59) Fitzgerald
• Mr. & Mrs. Joseph C. Fitzharris
• Dr. Belinda Fleming
• Mr. & Mrs. N. Ryan Flickinger PC
• Mr. Lloyd A. Franke (’67)
• Mr. Vamshi Gabbeta (’25) 1st
• Mr. & Mrs. Visanji (’67) Gala
• Mr. & Mrs. A. Anthony (’70) Galler
• Mr. James Garbuzinski
• Mr. Joseph C. Garbuzinski (’55)
• Ms. Andrea S. Garcia (’25)
• Dr. & Mrs. Scott D. Geis
• Ms. Lacey Gentry
• Mr. & Mrs. James W. Gibson II
• Mrs. Jane Gillespie
& Mr. C. Earl Gillespie, Jr. (’65)†
• Mrs. Elizabeth DeLoach Gilmore (’76)
& Mr. John D. Gilmore (’75)
• Mr. James Goodwin
• Mrs. Holly Gomila Goughnour (’98)
& Mr. Michael S. Goughnour (’99)
• Ms. Leigh Gray
• Ms. Teresa A. Griffith (’88)
• Mrs. Cathy W. Grilli & Mr. James G. Grilli
• Brother Mark Gubbels, FSC†
• Mr. Luis A. Guerrero (’02)
• Mr. & Mrs. David L. (’76) Guinan
• Dr. William Gundling
• Mr. & Mrs. Lee K. (’86) Haag, Jr.
• Dr. & Mrs. Andrew J. Hampton
• Mr. Harout H. Hanissian (’25) 1st
• Mr. Justin M. Hanson (’02)
• Mr. T. Laine Harber (’91)
• Dr. John M. Hargett
• Dr. Daniel S. Harper
• Ms. Anitra C. Harps-Webb (’09) 1st
• Dr. & Mrs. James B. Harr, III
• Mrs. Kalli Glenn Harrell (’12) & Mr. Matthew Harrell (’08)
• Mrs. Patricia Challis Harrer (’76) & Mr. William R. Harrer (’76)
• Dr. & Mrs. Michael J. (’59) Harty
• Ms. Elizabeth J. Hayes (’18)
• Ms. Yuri G. Hayslett (’19)
• Mr. & Mrs. Mike A. (’75) Hefferman
• Mr. Derek A. Herrera Diaz (’25) 1st
• Dr. Jason C. Higdon (’02)
• Mr. Brantley Horne
• Mrs. Susan Spiller Inman (’80)
& Mr. Jimmy R. Inman (’80)
• Mr. & Mrs. Thomas K. (’98) Ishmael
• Dr. & Mrs. Neal F. Jackson
• Dr. Ricky Jackson 1st
• Mrs. Victoria Jackson
• Mrs. Theresa Jacques
& Mr. Jerome C. Jacques PC
• Ms. Essence Jenkins (’25) 1st
• Mr. Myles A. Josiah (’25) 1st
• Ms. Kalexis Judge (’25) 1st
• Ms. Jennifer Kaufman
• Ms. Stephanie D. Keaton (’10)
• Mr. & Mrs. Michael E. Keeney
• Mr. & Mrs. Joel Kelley
• Dr. Lurene Kelley & Mr. Christopher M. Kelley (’06)
• Mr. Noah J. Kelley (’16)
• Jack Kenney DDS, MS (’68)
• Dr. James E. King (’65)
• Mr. Roger P. Kirk (’73)
• Mr. Lester A. Kitzman, Jr. (’51)
• Mr. Joseph B. Knight (’93)
• Mrs. Mary Margaret Koch (’93) & Mr. John Paul Koch (’92)
• Dr. Patricia Hatley Koester (’84) & Mr. Gary V. Koester (’83)
• Dr. & Mrs. Gerald Kolski 1st
• Ms. Sinaed J. Shute-Black (’10)
• Mr. & Mrs. Aaron (’09) Lamey PC
• Mr. James J. Lassandrello (’76)
• Mrs. Christini S. Laughlin & Mr. Daniel Laughlin
• Mrs. Sally Klein LeBlanc (’89) & Mr. James LeBlanc
• Dr. Tawny LeBouef Tullia & Ms. Mimi Trouy
• Mr. Thomas F. Lepak (’78)
• Mr. & Mrs. Syd M. (’97) Lerner, III
• Mr. Harry F. Leuer (’75)
• Mr. Omar Lira 1st
• Mr. Robert F. Litviak (’73)
• Mr. & Mrs. Neil E. Lloyd
• Mr. & Mrs. Robert E. Loeb
1st First-time donors are marked with 1st after their names.
PC President’s Club members are marked with PC after their names.
• Mr. & Mrs. Anthony C. (’04) Lopes
• Ms. Perla Lopez (’25) 1st
• Ms. Lisa M. Lucas (’87)
• Mr. Brian A. Luckett (’25)
• Mrs. Lisa Connable Luttmann (’82) & Mr. Mark J. Luttmann (’82)
• Mr. Andrew MacQueen 1st
• Mr. Thomas F. Maher, III (’78)
• Ms. Christine L. Mahoney (’20)
• Dr. Stacy McMurray
& Mr. Jittapong Malasri (’06)
• Ms. Hannah E. Mandujano (’25) 1st
• Mr. Julio C. Mandujano Padilla (’25) 1st
• Mr. Rick C. Masson 1st
• Mr. J. Christopher Mathis (’77)
• Mr. Igor Matlin (’05)
• Ms. Khadisha L. Matthews (’25) 1st
• Mr. & Mrs. Edward Maziejka, Jr.
• Mr. John McAndrews, Sr. 1st
• Mrs. Margaret McDonald
• Mr. & Mrs. Robert G. McEniry, AFSC
• Mrs. Caitlin Terry-McGinnis & Mr. Raymond E. McGinnis, III (’17)
• Mr. & Mrs. Michael J. (’82) McNamee
• Mr. & Mrs. John T. (’10) McNeel
• Mr. Brooks A. Meadows (’08) 1st
• Mr. Travis Melton
• Mr. Christopher S. Mendez (’25) 1st
• Mrs. Christina Brush Mendler (’76)
• & Mr. Richard J. Mendler (’75)
• Ms. Baridakara A. Meneh (’25) 1st
• Dr. Dennis L. Merat
• Mr. Jacob M. Mickens, Sr. (’75)
• Mr. & Mrs. Francis M. Miley
• Mr. & Mrs. James S. (’64) Miller
• Ms. Vanessa Miranda Jimenez (’25) 1st
• Mr. Tim Molak (’73)
• Ms. Angela Montoya (’25) 1st
• Brother John Monzyk, CP, PhD
• Dr. & Mrs. James E. Moore
• Ms. Sara A. Moore (’08)
• Mr. Luis Morales
• Mr. & Mrs. Timothy J. (’87) Moran
• Mr. Tom J. Morgan (’67)
• Mr. Andrew J. Morgret, CPA PC
• Mrs. Kimberly Motschman Cribb (’99) & Mr. Ron Cribb
• Mr. & Mrs. Christopher P. (’89) Murphy
• Mrs. Lisa N. Murphy (’84) & Mr. Edward P. Murphy (’85)
• Mr. Cedric Murphy-Noel (’07) 1st
• Ms. Alexis D. Murrell (’25) 1st
• Mrs. Cynthia Nelson
& Mr. Edward (Ned) J. Nelson†
• Ms. Brittney M. Ngozi (’21)
• Brother August S. Nicolette, FSC 1st
• Mr. Brent Nobles
• Mr. & Mrs. John P. (’64) Nolan
• Mrs. Holly Norville-Smith (’97) & Mr. Keith E. Smith
• Mrs. Nancy Renneker Oswald (’89) & Mr. George J. Oswald (’88)
• Ms. Kemuel L. Owens (’19) 1st
• Mr. & Mrs. Michael J. (’74) Paccasassi PC
• Mrs. Amy Koch Pattat (’98)
• Dr. Juliette Paul (’23)
• Mr. Nathaniel A. Pennington (’24) 1st
• Mrs. Raegan L. Cook (’13) & Mr. Dustin L. Perry (’10)
• Ms. Kasia C. D. Perry (’25) 1st
• Mrs. Suzanne Elowe Peterson (’79) & Mr. Daniel H. Peterson (’78)
• Ms. Patte Peterson 1st
• Mr. Timothy J. Peterson (’77)
• Mr. Wilson C. Phillips (’15) PC
• Dr. Lyndsey M. Pierson
• Dr. & Mrs. Charles Plesofsky
• Dr. & Mrs. Daniel J. (’67) Poje
• Mr. Bradford T. Polk 1st
• Brother David E. Poos, FSC (’76)
• Mr. & Mrs. Harry (’74) Pratt, III
• Mr. John A. Pratt, Jr. 1st
• Mr. & Mrs. Michael L. (’83) Pratt 1st
• Mr. & Mrs. Joseph Preston
• Dr. Lois A. Prislovsky (’89)
• Mrs. Linda Quinn† & Mr. Richard A. Quinn (’70)
• Mr. & Mrs. John P. (’54) Randag†
• Mr. Jon A. Rasmussen (’11)
• Mr. Thomas Ratliff 1st
• Mr. Don P. Rautine (’13) 1st
• Mrs. Denise Garibaldi Reber (’82) & Mr. James L. Reber (’82)
• Mr. & Mrs. Ron Reddin, AFSC
• Mr. Benjamin T. Reves (’05)
• Mr. Sean M. Richert (’21)
• Mr. & Mrs. Mike Robb
• Ms. Camila K. Rodriguez Rojas (’23)
• Dr. Karl N. Rohrer
• Dr. Anna E. Ross
• Ms. Catherine M. Ross 1st
• Ms. Cathy D. Ross (’78)
• Mr. Dan B. Ross 1st
• Brother James J. Roszak, FSC.
• Ms. Maddison L. Rowley (’25) 1st
• Mrs. Heidi Rubin de la Borbolla (’98)
& Mr. Ian Rubin de la Borbolla (’97)
• Ms. Amanda Russell
• Dr. Serge Salan
• Ms. Megan L. Salemi
• Ms. Franchesca N. Sarantidis (’25) 1st
• Mr. Eugene M. Saxon (’04) 1st
• Mrs. Patricia Meyer Scully (’77) & Mr. Nicholas W. Scully (’71)
• Mr. & Mrs. M. Jerry Seessel
• Ms. Roshini Shaik (’25) 1st
• Mr. James Sharp
• Mrs. Shannon C. Shearin (’98)
• Dr. & Mrs. John Smarrelli, Jr.
• Mr. Anthony Smith
• Brother Robert Smith FSC, PhD
• Mrs. Susan McFadden Smith (’97) & Mr. William P. Smith
• Mr. Daniel S. Sopchak 1st
• Mrs. Analice Hosey Sowell (’02) & Mr. Michael Sowell
• Mr. & Mrs. Thomas A. (’73) Steffek, Sr.
• Mr. Milton I. Steinberg (’83)
• Mr. Terry L. Strasburg 1st
• Mr. & Mrs. Jeffrey F. (’76) Strunka
• Mrs. Daphne Sheesley Szczuka (’84)†
& Mr. Anthony E. Szczuka, Jr. (’84)
• Mr. Shane D. Talley (’18)
• Dr. Colby D. Taylor
• Mr. Justin P. Taylor (’25) 1st
• Ms. Dianne Ray Thackery (’81)
• Mr. Ronald W. Thackery (’79)
• Ms. Autumn G. Thomas (’22)
• Dr. & Mrs. D. Edward Thompson
• Ms. Zariana J. Thompson (’25) 1st
• Mrs. Lauren Harrett Thornton (’15) & Mr. Adam J. Thornton (’13)
• Ms. Angela J. Christenson Thweatt (’98)
• Mr. J. Clay Tidwell, Jr. (’00)
• Mr. Frank P. Tracy (’74)
• Mr. Christopher Q. Tran (’17)
• Dr. Christina Brown Tran (’06) & Mr. David T. Tran (’05)
• Mrs. Lynn Neibel Treiss (’83) & Mr. Ernest R. Treiss (’82)
• Ms. Crystal S. Tuggle (’09)
• Mr. Terence M. Tunstall, Jr. (’25) 1st
• Mr. Jack W. Tunstill, II (’66)
• Mr. Timothy J. Tuttle (’77)
• Dr. & Mrs. H. John (’65) Ventura
• Ms. Veronica Vinson
• Mrs. Lauren McCabe Volpe (’84) & Mr. Paul J. Volpe (’84)
• Mr. Harold Von Dran 1st
• Mrs. Patricia Wapole & Mrs. Francis Wapole (’66)†
• Ms. Emily E. Warner (’19) 1st
• Mrs. Minna Zhao Watkins (’12) & Dr. Nicholas Watkins (’12)
• Mr. Samuel M. Wauford (’19)
• Mrs. Erin Thompson Weglicki (’82) & Mr. John J. Weglicki (’79)
• Mr. & Mrs. Gregory C. (’06) Weidenhoffer
• Mrs. Debby Baumer Wheeler (’81) & Mr. Jack Wheeler (’78)
• Mr. John R. Wigley (’91)
• Ms. Sarah C. Williams (’25) 1st
• Mr. & Mrs. Thomas E. (’90) Williams, II
• Dr. Ronald W. Williams (’62)† & Mrs. Virginia Williams
• Mrs. Beatrice Wilson† & Robert J. Wilson, II
• Mr. & Mrs. John H. (’72) Woods
• Mr. & Mrs. C. Daniel (’71) Wortham PC
• Mr. James Wright
• Ms. Neyland P. Yeager (’25) 1st
The following list consists of donations made between May 2025 and November 2025. We apologize for any errors or omissions. Please contact alumni@cbu.edu for corrections.
• Mr. Anvesh Reddy Yeruva (’25) 1st
• Ms. Jameta L. Young (’12)
• Mr. & Mrs. Phillip B. (’81) Zaricor
• Ms. Aileen C. Zavala (’24) 1st
• Ms. Theresa E. Zazzara (’18)
• 4FDesign, PC 1st
• ABB Installation Products
• Allen & Hoshall, Inc.
• American Institute of Steel Construction
• Armstrong World Industries
• Art Center Supply Stores
• AT&T
• Boeing Company
• Canale Family Foundation
• CBRE
• Christian Brothers at CBHS
• Christian Brothers at CBU
• Christian Brothers of the Midwest
• Christoval Foundation
• Commerce Center, L.P.
• Connolly Insurance Agency
• Day Foundation
• Delta Materials Handling, Inc.
• Engineers’ Club of Memphis
• Enterprise Holdings Foundation
• First Horizon Foundation
• Hart’s Ventures Holding
• Hewlett-Packard
• Higginbotham Insurance Agency
• International Paper Foundation
• January Service Company, Inc.
• Kemmons Wilson Family Foundation
• Keysight Technologies
• Kroger Company
• Lettie Pate Whitehead Foundation, Inc.
• Linkous Construction Co., Inc.
• Malasri Engineering, PLLC
• McGriff Insurance Services
• Medtronic Foundation
• Midtown Hardware & Plumbing 1st
• Moe’s Southwest Grill
• Neon Canvas 1st
• Nike, Inc.
• Paul W. Barret Jr. School of Banking
• Pepsico Foundation, Inc.
• Pfizer Foundation
• Pinnacle Financial Partners
• RBG (Reynolds, Bone & Griesbeck PLC)
• Saint Mary’s College 1st
• Speer Charitable Trust
• Staks Kitchen 1st
• T. Herbert Darnell Trust
• The Capital Grille 1st
• The Hohenberg Foundation, Inc.
• Turner Construction 1st
• U.S. Bank / Syncada from Visa
• Utley Properties 1st
• Wells Fargo
• Young Life College
1st First-time donors are marked with 1st after their names.
PC President’s Club members are marked with PC after their names.
ALUMNI LIFELONG LEARNING
Christian Brothers University (CBC/CBU) offers Alumni Lifelong Learning benefits to graduates who have received a bachelor’s or master’s degree. Alums qualify for a twenty-five percent (25%) discount* that can be applied towards tuition costs for any CBU degrees, licensures, certificates, or courses.
* Some restrictions apply
Career Closet
Since 2013, the CBU Career Closet has been a tremendous resource for all students. Gentlyused (or in some cases, brand new) professional clothing items have been generously donated by alumni, employers, and other friends of the University to stock the Career Closet with dress shirts, pants, suits, ties, belts, blouses, dresses, skirts, shoes, and more. All items are free for students to take, to assist them in building their professional wardrobe for interview opportunities, internships, and full-time jobs.
CHRISTIAN BROTHERS UNIVERSITY
Office of Advancement & Alumni
650 East Parkway South Memphis, Tennessee 38104
ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED
CHRISTIAN BROTHERS UNIVERSITY
The President's Club is Christian Brothers University's premier annual giving society. The members of the President's Club make leadership-level contributions to support the university's most pressing needs and create new opportunities. By making an annual unrestricted gift of $1,000 or more, members of the President’s Club provide critical, flexible resources that empower CBU to expand access to a transformative Lasallian education through scholarships and invest in the success and well-being of every student.
