Saint John's Magazine Summer/Fall 2015

SU M M E R / FALL 2 0 15

Magazine

Magazine SUMMER/FALL 2015

10

Departments My Perspective 2 View from Collegeville 3 Service to the Church 8 In Sight 18 Advancing the Mission 26 Johnnie Sports 30 Alumni Connection 32 Milestones 38 Inspiring Lives 44

You Found the Rat! Thank you to all who joined the fun and found the hidden Johnnie Rat in the Winter/Spring 2015 issue. (Alumni Connection, p. 37)

SAINT JOHN’S MAGAZINE is the alumni magazine of Saint John’s University. It is published twice a year, winter/spring and summer/fall, by the SJU Office of Institutional Advancement.

EDITOR Jean Scoon

STAFF CONTRIBUTORS Rob Culligan ’82 Brendon Duffy, SOT ’02 Jennifer Mathews Emery Leslie Hanlon Michael Hemmesch ’97 Ryan Klinkner ’04

DESIGN Lori Gnahn

EDITORIAL ASSISTANT Julie Scegura ’15

20 Features In Bosnia 10 A large group of Bosnians entered SJU and CSB after surviving the Bosnian War, widely considered the most devastating conflict in Europe since World War II. Professor Sarah Pruett traveled to Bosnia to catch up with five of them and their fellow alumni living and working there now.

Preserving Manuscripts on Four Continents 20 The Hill Museum & Manuscript Library (HMML) at Saint John’s University celebrates the 50th anniversary of its founding this year. While microchips and pixels have replaced film and chemistry as tools of the trade, its mandate to preserve the voices of the past continues unabated.

UNIVERSITY ARCHIVIST Peggy Roske ’77

EDITOR EMERITUS Lee A. Hanley ’58

LETTERS jscoon@csbsju.edu or Jean Scoon Saint John’s Magazine P.O. Box 7222 Collegeville, MN 56321

ADDRESS CHANGES Ruth Athmann Saint John’s University P.O. Box 7222 Collegeville, MN 56321 rathmann@csbsju.edu Find the Saint John’s Magazine online at csbsju.edu/sjualum/saint-johnsmagazine.htm. © 2015 Saint John’s University

WE’RE SOCIAL

On the Cover His Holiness Pope Francis receives the final volume of The St. Peter’s Apostles Edition of The Saint John's Bible at the Vatican this spring. (View from Collegeville, p. 5.)

Photo Credit: © L'OSSERVATORE ROMANO

Like us on Facebook at facebook.com/sjualum Follow us on Twitter at twitter.com/sjualumni Follow us on Instagram at instagram.com/sjualumni

My Perspective

At Saint John’s, we often talk about—and many of us have experienced—the transformational power of our Catholic, Benedictine, residential liberal arts experience. For many alumni, our education in Collegeville took us on a different path than we originally expected, often one we didn’t even know existed. These transformative outcomes are a powerful reminder of how important Saint John’s University is for young men.

But I was reminded of another important contribution Saint John’s makes as I listened to a recent presentation to an alumni group by Dusan Kosic ’07: Not only do we transform individuals— we transform communities.

Dusan is a native of Bosnia and Herzegovina who came to study at Saint John’s on a scholarship program supported by SJU Trustee Dan Whalen ’70 (Back to Bosnia, p. 10). The program provided talented and ambitious young men and women who had survived the 1992-1995 war in Bosnia an opportunity to get an education at Saint John’s University and the College of Saint Benedict.

In Dusan’s presentation, he described in lowkey and modest terms the fast-growing technology company he is building in Belgrade, Serbia. The story itself is fascinating, but as I reflected on the larger meaning of Dusan’s post-college path, I was reminded of the mission of those first Benedictine monks who came to Central Minnesota to serve and change communities.

Dusan could have taken his science and business education and made a successful career for himself in Minneapolis or New York or San Francisco, but he felt called to something bigger than himself. He believed he could serve his homeland with his education. He returned to a place full of challenges and uncertainty, but also hope.

That choice has transformed the lives of his employees and their families as well as the economic prospects for the region.

Why did he take the harder road? In part because of what he learned from living and learning in a Benedictine community. He saw monks, faculty, staff and alumni who

2

Steve Woit

Michael Hemesath ’81, President

were all committed to something beyond themselves, and that shaped him for the future.

Dusan’s story, while more dramatic than most, echoes the story of many Johnnies. As Saint John’s transforms individual lives through education, this ultimately transforms communities large and small through the young men of character we send into the world. You can see the results in the Twin Cities, St. Cloud, Nassau, Hong Kong and dozens of other communities worldwide.

And just as Dusan was transformed, he and his Bosnian classmates at Saint John’s and Saint Ben’s transformed our community with the insights they brought from having lived through the devastation of war and religious conflict in their country.

We can be proud of Saint John’s commitment to both education and community, and to our ability to change others and be changed by them. This fruitful mission began with the first monks and continues to this day.

View from Collegeville

Dumonceaux ’61 Delivers Commencement Address Robert Dumonceaux, Regents Professor Emeritus of mathematics, delivered the commencement address on May 10 in Saint John’s Abbey and University Church.

Dumonceaux, one of the university’s longest-serving faculty members, began teaching mathematics while still a student in 1960. He went on to teach for more than 50 years, retiring in 2014. He received an honorary Doctor of Laws degree.

The Saint John’s University graduating class included 409 undergraduate men and 23 School of Theology and Seminary graduates. When combined with the College of Saint Benedict's 475 graduates, this year's combined undergraduate graduating class is 884.

Luke Newgaard ’15, Eden Prairie, Minnesota, a political science and Hispanic studies major, delivered the student address.

To read more about commencement or see the ceremony, go to csbsju.edu/commencement

csbsju.edu/news

3

View from Collegeville

Retiring Faculty Honored Fourteen longtime faculty members were honored this May at the Academic Affairs Awards and Recognition Ceremony.

Retirees included (L to R): Rita Knuesel (provost), Richard Bohr (history), James Poff (biology), Michael Ross (chemistry), Manju Parikh (political science), Leigh Dillard (theater), Elizabeth Wurdak (biology), Lynn Ziegler (computer science), Lisa Ohm (languages and cultures), Paul Pladson (accounting and finance), Jim Smith (SJU athletics) and Richard Albares (sociology). Not pictured are Mary Forman, OSB (theology), and Kathy Twohy (nursing).

$

SJU in the Rankings #2 in a Brookings

Institution study of four-year colleges whose students paid back loans at a higher rate than predicted. The study found that 98.7 percent of SJU students paid back their federal loans.

4 csbsju.edu/news

#21 on the list of Most

#71 on MONEY Magazine’s

Entrepreneurial Colleges from Forbes, based on the number of SJU alumni and students who have identified themselves as founders and business owners on LinkedIn.

list of four-year colleges and universities that provide the best value for your tuition dollar.

The study evaluated schools based on educational quality, affordability and alumni earnings.

© L'OSSERVATORE ROMANO

Pope Francis Presented with Final Volume of The Saint John’s Bible

With Pope Francis (L to R) are Abbot John Klassen ’71, OSB, Michael Hemesath ’81, Donald Jackson, artistic director of The Saint John's Bible, and Katharine and Dan Whalen ’70.

The final volume of the limited, full-sized fine art edition of The Saint John’s Bible was presented to His Holiness Pope Francis by the Papal Foundation and Saint John’s University at the annual meeting of the Papal Foundation on April 17 at the Vatican.

The Holy Father received Letters and Revelation, the last completed volume of the St. Peter Apostles edition of The Saint John’s Bible, signed by Donald Jackson, the Bible’s artistic director.

“Pope Francis lifted his hands with a smile on his face in a gesture of joy and appreciation. It was wonderful,” said Abbot John Klassen ’71, OSB. Pope Francis was the third pope to be presented with a volume of The Saint John’s Bible. Both Pope John Paul II and Pope Benedict received volumes during their papacy. The completed work contains 1,150 pages and 60 illuminations.

Love ’59 Shares Life Lessons with Gagliardi’s Class Students in retired coach John Gagliardi’s Theory of Coaching Class enjoyed a visit from alumnus Tom Love (L) in April. Love, the chairman and CEO of Love’s Travel Stops and Country Stores, oversees a family-owned company that has more than 300 outlets in 40 states. According to Forbes, Love and his wife, Judy, run the ninth largest privately owned business in the country. But their success didn’t come overnight.

Love played football for Gagliardi in 1955, attending SJU for just one year before joining the U.S. Marine Corps. After serving three years in the Marines and getting married, Love leased his first self-service gas station. Everything that followed came from that modest start, a lot of hard work and some luck.

Gagliardi and Love kept in touch over the years. “At one time I told him I had these coaching classes here, and he’d be one hell of a speaker—one of our own, not like Donald Trump or the guy at Wal-Mart [Sam Walton],” said Gagliardi. “One of our guys.”

“I told John he had an IOU from me,” said Love. “He cashed it.”

During his one year at SJU, Gagliardi made an impression on Love. “Coach Gagliardi—I don’t know, there was something about him that kinda created an indelible imprint on me,” said Love. “I learned it all from you, coach. Thanks.” csbsju.edu/news 5

View from Collegeville

Celebration Honors Schirber ’31 Saint John’s community members gathered in April to rededicate the Fr. Martin Schirber Technology Classroom in Simons Hall. Abbot John Klassen ’71, OSB, and President Michael Hemesath ’81 (L) led a celebration of Fr. Martin’s life, and Abbot John blessed a new plaque that was installed outside the classroom.

The late Fr. Martin Schirber, OSB, was a beloved economics professor, dean from 1943-52 and secretary of the SJU J-Club. He was also the co-author of Scoreboard: A History of Athletics at Saint John’s University. Others in attendance included Joe Friedrich ’64 (C), professor emeritus of economics, and David Turch ’63 (R), who offered reflections on his favorite SJU professor.

Gomes ’07 Screens Pope Francis Film at SJU Sebastian Gomes came to SJU to screen The Francis Effect, a documentary film he wrote, directed and produced through Salt + Light Media. Gomes, a producer and correspondent for Salt + Light, led a question and answer session for students and community members after showing the film.

Gomes has met Pope Francis several times and wanted to do a documentary to show how he is rapidly changing the Catholic Church. “He has inspired many with his message of mercy, tenderness and joy,” says Gomes. “These are so badly needed around the world today, and he is able to communicate them effectively because of his authenticity. He walks the talk, unlike so many world leaders.”

Gomes graduated from SJU in 2007 and completed his master’s degree at Saint John’s School of Theology and Seminary in 2011.

6

csbsju.edu/news

Barkley ’15 Receives Fulbright Award Austin Barkley received a prestigious Fulbright Award and will be an English Teaching Assistant for 10 months in Mexico starting in September. Barkley, a Hispanic studies major from Sartell, Minnesota, spent a year abroad as a student—one semester in Chile and one in Spain.

He looks forward to meeting people who are different from him and to learning more about the culture of Mexico. “Receiving the award is reflective of the really great experience I’ve had at CSB/SJU and more so the amount of opportunities we’ve had … they [CSB/SJU] teach independence,” Barkley said.

“To me, it’s a culmination of a successful four years, not to my credit but to the credit of the place here.”

SJU President Michael Hemesath ’81, joined by his son Cameron, threw the ceremonial first pitch at the Twins game on June 17.

More than 1,000 Johnnie and Bennie alumni were on hand to celebrate Saint John’s and Saint Ben’s Night at Target Field. Alumni also sang “Take Me Out to the Ball Game” at the seventh-inning stretch. Alumni Association Presidents Eric Burggraff ’96 and Jennifer Schweich Barta ’92 raised the Twins Territory flag prior to the game.

From the Archives The Saint John’s University Archives collects and houses historical records and artifacts that document the history and activities of Saint John’s University and its people.

This mug (R) is one of them, and here’s the back story: When Fr. Roman Paur, OSB, left his position as vice president of student affairs in 1992 after a 12-year term, these coffee mugs were made as a light-hearted jab at Paur, who often had to make tough decisions and oversee student discipline. One side shows Paur driving a chariot pulled by rats, and the other side reads, “I survived the Roman Empire.”

If you have something that might be a good addition to the Saint John’s archives, contact Peggy Roske, Saint John’s University archivist, at proske@csbsju.edu or 320-363-2129. csbsju.edu/news

7

Service to the Church More and more laypeople find their calling as hospital chaplains.

The Saint John’s School of Theology and Seminary helps prepare them for this ministry.

Face-to-Face with

Peggy Kelley and her Sunday school class circled up in the grass under the California sun. This normally giggly squad of 6-year-olds had turned Peggy Kelley earned her Master of Divinity at the Saint unusually serious that week.

John’s School of Theology and Seminary in 2010 and is It was late September 2001. now a hospital chaplain at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center “Those kids were totally different from the in Los Angeles.

Tuesday before,” recalls Kelley, an aspiring actress at the time of the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks on the Now Kelley spends her days as the lead Christian World Trade Center. “We talked for hours about their chaplain at the Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los huge theological questions. That’s when I knew I could be Angeles, California, where every shift brings something present with the suffering.” new. Each morning, Kelley receives a list of patients to The tragic events of that September propelled Kelley visit. She may be responding to a trauma, offering a baby into hospital chaplaincy. blessing or debriefing with a nurse. Sometimes she spends A Bloomington, Minnesota, native and oblate of hours simply sitting with families of sick or dying loved the Sisters of Saint Benedict, Kelley found her way back ones. Her ministry as chaplain is built on listening to Central Minnesota just shy of her 40th birthday. She and prayer. enrolled in Saint John’s University School of Theology and “When you are a chaplain you often hold a lot of Seminary to pursue a Master of Divinity, a requirement for secrets,” Kelley describes. “Faith can be very private for hospital chaplains. many people, and you are asked “To sit with these brilliant to enter into this sacred place with professors and monks, and them, to witness it, safely hold have them want my opinion on it and move through this sacred something was intimidating at space with them.” first,” Kelley explains. She says the One of Kelley’s specialties is support of the Saint Ben’s sisters as well as encouragement pediatric ministry. She regularly walks with children whose from School of Theology professors helped her through the parents are dying. The youngsters are much more aware of difficult transition back to the classroom. grief than one might think.

“In chaplaincy I see the theology, God’s grace and “When a child knows something in their ‘holy belly,' spiritual crises right in my face,” she says. “Then when I was in their gut, and they feel it spiritually, they know God,” at the School of Theology, I was studying it and digging she says. “To help them process the experience, I have into its history. It makes the first century relevant when I’m them draw pictures for the parent who is dying or write a in the room with a patient.” thank-you letter to God about the parent. We also do a lot

“It’s such a privilege to walk with people on their journeys.”

8

God’s Grace of ritual blessings with water so the child can realize what’s happening and have their moment to be present with mommy or daddy.”

Ministering at one of the world’s top cardiac hospitals also means that Kelley witnesses some of the most vulnerable moments in people’s lives.

“I have been with many people who are waiting for a heart transplant and living with a total artificial heart,” she says. “I have also been with the families who have made the most difficult and selfless decision to take a loved one off life support so they can donate a heart. As a chaplain, I get to be a witness to these amazing delicate moments of humanity. Praying for a new heart and praying with the family of the one who is giving theirs so another may live…it’s such a profound privilege to walk with people on their journeys.”

By Jessie Bazan

A Christian chaplain working at a Jewish hospital, Kelley draws from her ecumenical experiences at Saint John’s for her diverse ministry today.

“Cedars-Sinai was such an incredible fit because the Jewish community there is actually very similar to the Saint John’s community, in the sense that their focus is on questioning, digging in and listening to other people, talking it out and respecting each other’s opinions,” Kelley explains.

It wasn’t long ago that most hospital chaplains were ordained minsters. Now, more lay ministers are embracing this challenging and fulfilling ministry. Kelley’s main advice for students embarking on the journey towards chaplaincy? “Wear comfortable shoes!”

Jessie Bazan is a Master of Divinity candidate at Saint John’s School of Theology and Seminary.

L to R: School of Theology and Seminary students Kenzie Meagher, Br. Isaiah Frederick ’95, OSB, Jessie Bazan and Chris Morgan are all participants in a Clinical Pastoral Education program in preparation for the Master of Divinity degree. Fr. Roger Botz ’56, OSB, a 1960 graduate of the School of Theology and Seminary, has been a hospital chaplain since 1985.

9

to

By Sarah Pruett

They survived the war in Bosnia, graduated from SJU and CSB and went back to build careers and families in their recovering homeland. What are they doing now?

From 1999-2010, more than 40 young people from Bosnia and Herzegovina attended Saint John’s University and the College of Saint Benedict, making a deep impact on our college communities.

They had lived through the violent disintegration of the former Yugoslavia as teenagers.

After the war, they participated in a reconciliation program called Peace Trails, sponsored by the nongovernmental organization Nešto Više (Something More), which brought together young people from the three factions in the conflict to help them rebuild their shattered country.

Enter Dan Whalen ’70, who became involved with the post-war reconciliation work of the Institute for MultiTrack Diplomacy in Bosnia and Herzegovina in 1999. Dan was so moved by the young people he met in that desperate post-war environment that he, with the backing of his wife,

10

Katharine, committed substantial support to the work of Peace Trails and eventually provided scholarships to a selected group of participants to attend Saint John’s and Saint Ben’s.

Why are these students so memorable?

If you ask their professors, classmates, work supervisors, study abroad directors, friends and neighbors, they’ll tell you stories that illustrate their special qualities: dynamism, a sense of urgency and a passion to take the gift of education offered to them and run with it.

What have they been doing since they went back?

As a CSB/SJU professor of English as a Second Language, I got to know many of them well. I was fortunate to have the opportunity to travel to Bosnia and Herzegovina (B&H) and Serbia this spring to check in with five who are living and working there now.

Imrana Kapetanović

you don’t even have to pay me back.’ And those were people who were on different sides during the war. Or some businessman would call a mayor and say ‘I’ll provide my trucks and bulldozers for free.

Just tell me where I should clean.’”

As a United Nations Development Program (UNDP) project manager in charge of improving cooperation between local governments and civil society, Samir was not experienced with disaster relief, but together with many colleagues he assisted in meeting urgent needs. He considers the work a privilege.

“Even in these hard situations, these people have a very good sense of humor, and they know how to manage problems. I really feel good personally when I meet them.”

Asked to assess progress a year after the flood, Samir reports that his colleagues who are still working on the recovery have achieved excellent results. Samir is proud of UNDP’s efficient and transparent management of millions of dollars in recovery funds. They reached hard-hit areas quickly through skillful Samir Omerefendic´ ’06, Sarajevo, B&H coordination of emergency relief funds and the efforts Project Manager, United Nations Development Program

of local people of all backgrounds. “The flood didn’t Rising floodwater is an enemy everyone can agree on. care about ethnic groups. People came to help, brought When the heaviest rain in 120 years brought supplies, food, garbage service, doctors, all these things. devastating flooding to Bosnia and Ordinary people just realized we should mobilize Banja Luka Herzegovina in May 2014, Samir to help.”

Omerefendic saw former adversaries rally Samir credits his CSB/SJU economics to help each other. professors for helping him sharpen his Sarajevo “We had cases in which a mayor who was analytical and problem-solving skills, and, in a Bosniak [Muslim] would come with money, the liberal arts environment, he also discovered Mostar calling a Serb [Orthodox] mayor and saying ‘I know a love for history and theology. your municipality was damaged, here’s a donation and

11

“The flood didn’t care about ethnic groups. Dusan Kosic´ ’07, Belgrade, Serbia Partner, HTEC People came to help, brought supplies, food, Managing

Dusan (Duke to his SJU friends) Kosic’s dream was to garbage service, doctors, all these things. be a medical doctor like his older sister. He was all set to Ordinary people just realized we should attend medical college in B&H. mobilize to help.”

But when Dan Whalen offered him a chance to attend His conversations with Fr. Don Talafous ’48, OSB, were especially valuable. “Someone introduced me to him at the Reef, and I immediately had a bond with him. He helped me to understand the philosophy of the school, but also we talked about so many different things. He’s a person with great experience. I had certain questions and he helped me understand whenever I had a question about Christian heritage.”

Samir, who is Muslim, also answered many questions from students about his background and about the war in his country. Those conversations gave him fresh ways to reflect on his own experiences.

He went on from SJU to get a master’s in human rights, education and economic growth. He was then hired by the UNDP to do the work he loves—bridging gaps in local communities between people’s needs and the government’s ability to deliver services effectively.

Education remains a passion. While working, Samir is pursuing a Ph.D. in economics at the University of Sarajevo.

Samir keeps in touch with many friends from Nešto Više and CSB/SJU. He and his wife, Anesa, a lawyer from Sarajevo, and their two-year-old daughter, Alica, live right next door to Adem Lisičić ’07 and his family.

Dan Whalen is an enduring inspiration. “Saint John’s is something special for me. It’s really part of me. When I asked Dan once ‘What should we do for you?’ he just waved his hand, saying ‘pass it on.’ And this is something that most of us are trying to do, serving our neighbors and community to improve people’s lives, which is something I really find important.”

12

Saint John’s University, he decided to take the risk and see where it led him.

As a biology major on the pre-med track at SJU, Dusan worked at the Abbey Health Center and as a teaching assistant for an anatomy class. Despite hard work and good grades, however, he eventually realized that he couldn’t finance medical school in the U.S. Depressing? “I don’t get depressed after coming through all the war years in the 90s,” Dusan says. “I can’t.

Life is much easier after that. But it was a disappointment, and I felt a little bit of anger. Positive anger, I would say.”

Courtesy of HTEC

He credits mentors like professors Phil Chu and Mani Campos and former SJU President Br. Dietrich Reinhart ’71, OSB, and Fr. Don Talafous for helping him and his friends wrestle with such consequential life decisions.

“Father Don was somebody who recognized how we felt. He hung out with all of us and tried to understand our challenges.”

Dusan found an unexpected niche after returning to Europe in late 2007: Belgrade working for the Ministry of Economy in Belgrade, Serbia, to attract businesses to Serbia. “I never wanted to have anything

to do with government

or politics, but I wanted to learn the system inside out, and decided to do so.”

His can-do attitude and superb people skills yielded impressive results, attracting the interest of major corporations to Serbia. Dusan himself received several tempting job offers from large European companies.

But again Dusan took a riskier path. After work and on weekends, he and two friends, Alex and Andy, founded a business network that connected aspiring entrepreneurs with investors. Thus was born HTEC (High Tech Engineering Center).

In only five years, HTEC has grown into a respected provider of technology development services, employing more than 90 engineers for clients in North America, Europe and Asia.

One of the keys to their success remains their shared leadership. Dusan sees this as the secret to managing

“I don’t get depressed after coming through all the war years in the 90s. I can’t. Life is much easier after that.”

HTEC’s rapid growth and expansion into areas like medical technology. “The growth is possible because there are three of us who can handle different things, and we triple the engagement that one leader would have.”

While Dusan works long hours at HTEC, his wife, Maja, puts her University of Vienna law degree into practice in an Austrian-based law firm in Belgrade. Their toddler daughter, Mila, is the joy of their life.

How’s the work-life balance? “We wouldn’t be capable of doing the things we’re doing if we didn’t have the support back home,” Dusan says. “Family is something that gives meaning to all that we are doing.”

Although Dusan left Minnesota in 2007, his ties remain strong, and he plans to attend his ten-year reunion in 2017. He was recently the featured speaker at the CSB/SJU McNeely Center Entrepreneurial Leadership Luncheon in Minneapolis, and he is considering business expansion into Minnesota. He’s still in touch with Dan Whalen, who, he says, “popped up in our lives like a miracle and did all these amazing things for us.”

The magic of that support from the Whalen Family Foundation was to “allow us to develop into the persons we desired to become.” A decade later, a happy family, successful business, productive challenges and the joy of helping others are his dreams come true.

13

jugs from a water pump down the street. “I was telling my classmates ‘There were buildings on two different streets with a water pump in each, and I grabbed some bottles and went there, and that was so sad.’

“My classmates said ‘Yeah, it must have been sad to have no water.’

And I said ‘No! That wasn’t it! The problem was that my boyfriend lived on the other street!’ ”

“I came back, and I think, you know, that’s the way to say thank you.”

Dragan Gajić

Jelena believes that hanging on to memories of such ordinary moments in the midst of extraordinary stress promotes mental health and resilience.

She was a conflict resolution trainer long before pursuing a degree in communication at Saint Ben’s.

She had studied both English and German in high school and had lived for almost a year in Germany, but using English daily in an unfamiliar education system was not easy, she says. “I wasn’t shy, but I just didn’t have enough words!”

Jelena had originally planned to major in political science but discovered that it wasn’t a good match for her. “After classes I felt empty, thinking about political stuff from Banja Luka my country, so I quit those classes and took some others.”

Those other classes included art history Sarajevo courses offered on the Greco-Roman study abroad program. She found it a joy to Mostar explore art and architecture in such historically and culturally rich surroundings.

On campus she worked in the study abroad office, loving the opportunity to speak with American students and staff members in person while

Jelena Maksimovic´ ’08, Banja Luka, B&H Web Editor, Telekom Srpske/m:tel

Even in war, there are normal life moments and experiences.

Jelena Maksimovic recalls explaining this to her CSB/SJU classmates with an example from the two-month period during the war when electricity and water were cut off to her city.

She began telling them the story of one day when she had to stand in line for hours to fill plastic

14

Mario Fofic´ ’10, Mostar, B&H Marketing and Public Relations Manager, Elektroprivreda The offer of a full college scholarship is a rare opportunity for anyone. But for a student living in postwar Bosnia and Herzegovina, Banja Luka it was like winning the lottery.

Mario Fofić’s response was shocking: “Thank you for the Sarajevo opportunity, but no, I don’t want to go.”

Mostar

As important as education

was to Mario, he didn’t want to

give up his plan to marry his fiancée, Josipa, within a year. But when the offer was expanded to include a scholarship to CSB for Josipa, Mario decided he could accept the generous offer and remain faithful to his personal priorities.

Mario had studied German, not English, in high school. A summer intensive-language program couldn’t fully prepare him for the challenge of taking a regular college course load in English.

Mateo Jurčić

dreading the moments when she had to speak English on the phone.

Returning to B&H after graduation in 2008 meant returning to the reality of a job search. What was her ultimate career goal? Tricky question. “It’s really hard to make that kind of plan here. If you make that kind of plan and then you do not do it, you will be disappointed.”

Despite the lack of a specific career map, she found a job three years ago as website editor at Telekom Srpske/ m:tel, one of three national telecommunication companies.

The job enables her to exercise her creativity as well as to fulfill one of her main personal priorities—helping her widowed mother, a retired biology teacher who is living on a small pension in Jelena’s hometown of Prijedor.

Her positive attitude, gratitude for the blessings of a happy childhood and strong family, and an active commitment to social and environmental causes are the ways that Jelena gives back.

“I feel that I got my chance, I did my best. I came back, and I think, you know, that’s the way to say thank you,” she says, reflecting on her CSB/SJU education.

15

Early in his First Year Symposium, Mario noticed the other students handing in papers, and he panicked. He had known the word deadline, but not due. The words paper due on the syllabus hadn’t clicked. To Mario’s relief, his professor, former diplomat Dick Virden ’63, understood.

“He talked to me, he asked me about family, about B&H,” says Mario. “After that I usually went to class 10 minutes early, and he asked me about what I thought.”

CSB/SJU professors were flexible enough to enable Mario and Josipa to learn at a manageable pace. Mario pursued a major in political science with a minor in Latin, eventually taking challenging advanced courses on Ovid and Cicero.

When Mario and Josipa returned to Mostar in 2010, they were surprised by the state of the country. “In 2006, when we came to the States, there was a relatively good situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina. We expected that in four years when we came back it would be better.”

But it was worse. The global financial crisis of 2008, combined with political dysfunction in B&H, had resulted in more than 50 percent unemployment. They were fortunate to be part of Nešto Više, which provided a stipend for volunteer work while they continued their job searches. They soon found teaching-assistant positions at a private college and were accepted to a master’s program based jointly in Sarajevo and in Bologna, Italy.

Shortly after getting his master’s, Mario was offered a job as the public relations manager for Elektroprivreda, one of three national hydroelectric power companies in B&H—one of the best jobs in his home region. He manages the company’s sponsorship of community events, sports competitions and publications, which puts around $1 million annually into the areas the company serves.

“But when we see the situation all around us, the people around us, the people who don’t have jobs, the people who don’t have money, we can’t be completely happy.”

Josipa continues her work as a teaching assistant and has recently started a small business. In 2013 they celebrated the birth of their son, Ivan.

Like many of his friends from B&H who studied in Minnesota, says Mario, he and Josipa are personally happy.

“But when we see the situation all around us, the people

16

around us, the people who don’t have jobs, the people who don’t have money, we can’t be completely happy.”

Mario and Josipa enjoy seeing visitors and interns from Saint John’s and Saint Ben’s and hope that those connections continue to flourish.

International networking has become second nature to them since studying in Minnesota.

“What this situation gave us was that we met all those people. Those four years were so hard for us but at the same time we gained so much. We are ready for ideas from Saint John’s and Saint Benedict’s, and we are open to suggestions from all alumni.”

Kristina (Tina) Šeslija ’10, Sarajevo, B&H Project Manager, Mozaik Foundation

Banja Luka

If there is one thing the war in her country Sarajevo contributed to Tina Šešlija’s résumé, it was an abundance of Mostar problem-solving experience.

Tina was 18 when the war started, putting her dreams for college education out of reach. Working with Nešto Više after the war, she was at the end of what she expected to be another routine meeting with organization supporter Dan Whalen when he said, “I would like to offer to you and your family the opportunity to go to the United States for education.”

In that moment, everything changed.

What Tina calls their “fairy tale” continued when she, her husband, Branimir, and their young daughters, Andjela (10) and Varvara (4), moved into the house in St. Joseph that became the hub of four activity-filled years.

Tina’s biggest anxiety at first was about parenting, not academics. “I felt that I was not good enough for them to depend on me, because I didn’t know anything. I didn’t even know how to fill out the forms for their school.”

When daughter Andjela was invited to play on the

Imrana Kapetanović

Returning to B&H after graduation was perhaps even more challenging than leaving had been.

“A lot of people think that when war is over, everything’s fine, but it’s not.

The war stopped, but you don’t have a job, you have nothing to offer to your children or yourself, you have no money … But there is also opportunity.”

Tina found that opportunity in a job as a project manager for the Mozaik Foundation, an organization that promotes sustainable economic development in B&H. Tina has organized camps, reconciliation roundtables, career development seminars and innovation fairs. She has also managed a business designed to boost women’s employment.

“A lot of people think that when war is over, everything’s She continues her longstanding fine, but it’s not. The war stopped, but you don’t have a support of women’s soccer as director job, you have nothing to offer to your children or yourself, of the Women’s Champion League of Bosnia and Herzegovina, and she loves you have no money … But there is also opportunity.” working with the interns and other groups of CSB/SJU visitors. She was St. Cloud Apollo High School soccer team as a 7th grader, Tina found the paperwork an impossible hurdle. “That was honored by CSB with the Benedictine Service Award this year at her five-year reunion. too much, with two kids, two jobs, school, homework.”

The dreams that had seemed so out of reach to Kristina She let it go. Šešlija in her twenties are now on her growing list of When the offer came again the following year, CSB/ accomplishments: college education, international travel, SJU biology professor Mani Campos filled out the forms extensive professional network and active peacebuilding in for her, making varsity soccer possible for Andjela. Early her own backyard and beyond. athletic success was a sign of more to come—this fall, Looking back at the road she has travelled, Tina smiles Andjela will start her first year at the College of the Holy and says “I’m just so ready for everything in life!”

Cross in Worcester, Massachusetts, on a full Division I soccer scholarship.

Sarah Pruett has been teaching English to multilingual Double-majoring in political science and peace studies CSB/SJU students for more than thirty years. She often plays was a natural for Tina. “I was so optimistic that I could an essential role in helping international students adjust change something in my country after I returned. I hoped successfully to CSB/SJU. She stays in touch with many of to learn more about peace and reconciliation.” her former students and has traveled not only to Bosnia and High points of her four years at Saint Ben’s included Herzegovina and Serbia but also to Germany, Japan and participating in the model UN conference at Harvard, China to visit CSB/SJU alumni. presenting at the University of Notre Dame’s Institute for International Peace Studies, and meeting Kenyan Nobel To connect with the B&H alumni chapter and for a list of Peace Prize winner Dr. Wangari Maathai when Maathai all the Bosnian graduates, go to sjualum.com and click on visited SJU in 2008. the Chapters/Clubs/Classes link.

17

18

In Sight

Johnnie football fans, circa 1952, watch the game in the Natural Bowl, which became Clemens Stadium in 1997.

Archive Photo

If you would like a reprint of this photo, please email sjumag@csbsju.edu with your name and address, and we’ll send you a complimentary 8 x 10 photo.

19

By Glenda Isaacs Burgeson

SAVING

HISTORY

While the Cold War tightened its grip on Europe in the mid-1960s, Saint John’s president Fr. Colman Barry ’42, OSB, pondered the threat of nuclear incidents in the region.

As a Benedictine monk and historian, Fr. Colman was especially concerned about the future of the thousands of irreplaceable monastic manuscripts housed in Benedictine monasteries throughout Europe.

As a visionary and entrepreneur, he decided to do something about it.

This led to the founding of the Monastic Microfilm Library in 1965 to guard against the perceived threat to historic Benedictine culture in Europe posed by nuclear war. Its mission: to microfilm medieval manuscripts held in Benedictine monastic libraries in Europe and make copies available for scholars and future generations.

From modest beginnings—one monk, Fr. Oliver Kapsner ’35, OSB, and two assistants in a Volkswagen bus traveling across Austria, knocking at monastery doors—Fr. Colman’s vision grew into the internationally

20

Hill Museum & Manuscript Library

Its mission to preserve manuscripts is as relevant now as it was when the Hill Museum & Manuscript Library was founded half a century ago.

Fr. Oliver Kapsner, OSB (L), was HMML’s first field supervisor in Europe. With equipment packed in a VW bus, he and two assistants (R) traveled to Benedictine monasteries in Austria and Germany filming manuscripts. HMML’s manuscript catalog, searchable online, is named OLIVER, in his memory. recognized Hill Museum & Manuscript Library (HMML), which now houses the world’s largest collection of manuscript images.

The mission has expanded beyond Benedictine manuscripts, but the core mandate to preserve historic

urgency amid the unraveling of the Middle East, where HMML teams have been working for more than a decade.

The militarized faction of Islamic extremists known as ISIS has destabilized the region. But HMML teams have managed to stay one step ahead of the violence.

Before the rise of ISIS, preservation projects had already been launched in the area, in Syria in 2004 and in Iraq in 2009.

In 2011-12, HMML partnered with an Iraqi team in northern Iraq to digitize manuscripts from the 4th century Christian Mar Behnam monastery. Two years later, ISIS seized control of the area, forcing the monks of Mar Behnam to flee with only the clothes they were wearing.

ISIS has since blown up the center of this ancient monastery. The fate of the monastic manuscripts is unknown. Last spring in a letter to HMML supporters, Fr. Columba wrote that he fears the worst. The manuscripts may have been either destroyed, or plundered and sold on the black market.

“For now, and perhaps forever, HMML’s digital copies of the manuscripts are the only reminder of this once-famous library,” he writes.

ALL FAITH TRADITIONS While HMML’s original focus was on preserving ancient Christian manuscripts, efforts Aremenian Patriarchate of Istanbul have expanded in recent years in response to the documents remains unchanged, and the urgency to destruction of handwritten Islamic texts. “We believe all preserve endangered manuscripts is greater than ever. manuscripts should be preserved, of all faith traditions,” Even Fr. Colman, who was widely regarded as a Fr. Columba says. visionary leader during his presidency from 1964 to 1971, could not have imagined the deliberate destruction He puts the damage in stark perspective: “The loss of human life is always the greatest in recent years of churches, mosques, monasteries, tragedy in war. But as ISIS continues to destroy libraries, manuscripts and religious monuments by Islamic museums and shrines of every faith, the loss of Iraq’s extremists in their effort to erase history and control cultural heritage is robbing both the dead and the living human memory. of their own history.”

Fr. Columba Stewart, OSB, executive director of Overall, HMML and its partners had digitized more HMML since 2003, has seen firsthand the need for

21

than 5,000 manuscripts in Iraq and approximately 3,000 manuscripts in Syria before work was suspended.

Drama of a different sort has been playing out in Mali, where HMML teams are working against the clock to salvage thousands of manuscripts stored in precarious climate conditions.

For centuries, historic manuscript collections in Timbuktu had been stored safely in family households.

In recent years, disruption caused by religious strife has changed that.

In 2012, with the approach of armed Islamic fundamentalists, these precious manuscripts—Islamic religious texts as well as many secular works of astronomy, medicine, commerce, diplomatic relations and Arabic philology—were smuggled 500 miles away to the capital

“If one accepts that the past is relevant—and most people do—our most direct access to how people thought is in these manuscripts. It is not in their monuments, no matter how precious they are, but in what they wrote. We can hear their voices through what they wrote down.”

The manuscripts speak to present-day conflicts, Fr. Columba says, because they relate to the same interfaith and intercultural clashes that challenge human interactions locally and worldwide.

GETTING STARTED

At its founding, HMML faced a different set of challenges. Fr. Colman’s vision was ambitious for its time. A scholar of church history, Fr. Colman understood the cultural significance of the medieval treasures hidden away in monastic libraries in Europe.

He modeled his plan on a microfilm preservation project undertaken by Vatican Library in the 1950s. Despite the success of the Vatican example, European abbots did not readily embrace the idea, nor were monastic librarians eager to grant Saint John’s access to fragile handwritten materials.

Two men played pivotal roles in those early days. Fr. Colman recruited Fr. Oliver Kapsner to serve as field director in Europe.

Fr. Oliver had worked as a librarian at Saint John’s, The Catholic University of America, the Library of Congress and Saint Ethiopian Manuscript Imaging Project Vincent College. He was familiar both with city, Bamako, where they are now stored in thousands of German and Latin, and had traveled in Europe. His tasks shipping boxes in secret locations. were to solicit and negotiate the projects and supervise the The following year, HMML was invited to assist microfilming. preservation efforts in Mali and has since set up a Julian Plante, who had a PhD in classics, was hired to studio in Bamako and trained Malians to photograph work in Collegeville as director of HMML. In addition the manuscripts locally. Back in Collegeville, HMML to cataloging the microfilm, his task was to make the catalogers work to make these priceless materials materials accessible to scholars. available online.

Phil Mulvaney ’67, who worked for Plante, first as a “The work of HMML has gone from being esoteric to student and then as a full-time cataloger from 1969-72, front-page news in major media outlets in connection with remembers him well. Now a retired librarian from the destruction of cultural heritage we are seeing in Iraq, Northern State University in Aberdeen, South Dakota, Syria and Timbuktu,” Fr. Columba says.

Mulvaney volunteers at HMML.

22

Fr. Columba Stewart, OSB

HMML partner Fr. Bartholomew digitizes a 14th-century Gospel book at the ancient Monastery of Saint Macarius (Deir Abu Maqar) in Egypt.

He recalls Plante as a demanding, cigar-chomping boss and still did not get the equipment (12 pieces) cleared. … who was a stickler for details. “He was tough, but did a Brother, if my next letter to you comes from jail, I hope you great job.” Mulvaney says. are disposed to send me some food parcels. …”

With funding from the Hill Family Foundation, After a two-week interim, he reported that work had Fr. Oliver began the pioneering work that laid the begun on Good Friday, April 14, 1965. foundations for HMML’s projects in Europe.

“The two camera operators, one from abroad, the other In a letter to Fr. Colman, an Austrian, are trying their dated April 13, 1965, best, but need experience to “… We can hear their voices from Kremsmu¨nster, Austria, handle these tricky medieval through what they wrote down.”

Fr. Oliver pours out his manuscripts. … Besides being —Fr. Columba Stewart, OSB frustrations over the obstacles responsible for the work, Executive Director, HMML blocking HMML’s first workers and equipment, I manuscript project. prepare the materials, and my “… We have spent three days now in the offices of typed bibliographical entry has to be filmed first. …” lawyers, customs, insurance agency, bank, Kodak Co., In closing, Fr. Oliver stresses the physical demands Volkswagen Co. Yesterday I sat three hours in a lawyer’s of the work. office (we are a foreign corporation, with foreign equipment “I have grown three years older during the past three and foreign employee in this highly socialized state). months, and am that much closer to that final important Yesterday we also spent three hours in the customs office, resting place up on the hillside. …”

23

Wayne Torborg

HMML recently completed a major renovation. The remodel maintains the unique style of Hungarian-born architect Marcel Breuer, the original designer of the space in 1974. It includes a reading room, classroom, conference room, six private studies for visiting scholars and staff offices. Every space supports connection to HMML’s online resources. Shown here is the public reading room.

But despite contemplating his final resting place, the spiritual imagination, be housed together. In 2004, Fr. Oliver wound up working another seven years as HMML acquired the current form of its name, adding field manager.

“Museum” to welcome visitors coming to view The Saint Together, he and Plante made Fr. Colman’s vision John’s Bible and displays from HMML’s art, rare book and a reality, Mulvaney says. “ … While Fr. Oliver was in manuscript collections.

Europe, going from abbey to abbey to see what was With photographs of more than 140,000 manuscripts, available, Julian was back here figuring out what to do HMML now holds the world’s largest collection of with the microfilm, how to manuscript images. It is a “The National Medal is an honor make it useful. recognized leader in digital “The two of them turned that places HMML among America’s preservation and e-cataloging Colman’s vision into HMML manuscripts, and its reputation preeminent libraries and highlights as it is now known around the is growing, Fr. Columba says. its commitment to preserve world,” Mulvaney says.

In 2011, HMML was In addition to its awarded the National Medal the world’s most endangered primary mission to preserve for Museum and Library manuscripts.” manuscripts, HMML houses Service, the nation’s highest —U.S. Rep. Betty McCollum several collections of rare honor for libraries and books and art including artist museums. Sponsored by and designer Frank Kacmarcik’s Arca Artium collection. the Institute of Museum and Library Service, a federal It is also home to The Saint John’s Bible. It seemed natural agency, the award was presented in a ceremony in that these various entities dedicated to art, culture and Washington, D.C.

24

U.S. Rep. Betty McCollum (D-MN) nominated HMML for the award and said in her remarks: “The National Medal is an honor that places HMML among America’s preeminent libraries and highlights its commitment to preserve the world’s most endangered manuscripts.”

The Benedictine order’s 1,500-year connection to manuscripts and manuscript preservation is recognized worldwide among those concerned with religion, history, culture and art. It adds a weight and legitimacy that helps opens doors both to the boardrooms of foundations and to the labyrinths of ancient libraries.

When Fr. Columba gives presentations on HMML projects, people readily grasp the Benedictine association and understand intuitively why HMML’s mission is so vital.

He has given recent talks at the Harvard Divinity School and at Princeton, for example, to build general as well as scholarly awareness. He also has spoken before groups in New York City, Washington, D.C., Los Angeles and Chicago.

Wherever he speaks, the reaction is the same.

“People get blown away,” he says.

“Manuscript preservation is in our DNA,” Fr. Columba says.

Glenda Isaacs Burgeson is CSB/SJU director of editorial services.

HMML RECEIVES MAJOR GRANTS In recent years, HMML has received grants totaling more than $4.5 million for preservation fieldwork and online access. When completed, these projects will position HMML foremost in providing access to digital materials as well as educational support.

• In 2015, the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation awarded HMML $651,000 to expand online access to its manuscript images through a redevelopment of its online catalog, OLIVER, providing greater access to HMML’s digitized manuscripts.

• In 2014, the Henry Luce Foundation provided $500,000 to create an online reading room.

• In 2012, the Institute for Museum & Library Services provided $350,930 for the development of vHMML (virtual HMML), an online environment for manuscript studies.

• In 2011, the Arcadia Fund of London provided $3 million to support digitization, archiving and cataloging of newly identified endangered manuscripts. Arcadia is currently considering an additional multimillion-dollar grant.

For more on HMML, go to www.hmml.org

HMML’s projects have spread beyond Benedictine and religious libraries in Western Europe and Ethiopia to include digital projects in the Middle East, South Asia and Africa, as identified on this map.

25

Advancing the Mission

“It will be like an eternal Spring.”

“I am delighted that our longtime football practice field—a place where I spent most of my coaching career—is being converted into an indoor/outdoor athletic and recreational facility.

I am also deeply humbled and grateful that some of my players and friends have chosen to honor me in this manner.

In the years we were playing deep into the playoffs, it was very difficult to have any normal practices. This indoor facility will be a significant advantage to the football program when it comes to practicing when the weather is not cooperating as well as the ability to recruit kids and show our recruits something they can’t get anywhere else.”

26

Saint John’s Athletic Field to be Named in Honor of John Gagliardi A new athletic field at Saint John’s University will be named after legendary Hall of Fame football coach John Gagliardi. The multipurpose sports facility, which will feature an artificial turf field and a seasonal dome, will serve as the football practice field, as well as for other varsity, intramural, recreational and club sports, such as lacrosse, soccer, golf, baseball, football and Ultimate Frisbee.

Gagliardi Field is made possible thanks to generous donations from Saint John’s alumni and friends, including a $1.5 million gift from a former Johnnie football player. In making this donation, the donor stated: “If anyone asks, tell them that it’s from a player who was inspired by him at a very young age.”

27

Advancing the Mission

Alcuin Library Renovation Begins

Kathy Parker, director of CSB/SJU Libraries, in the deconstructed basement of Alcuin, future home of the Archives and Special Collections Area.

The much-anticipated renovation of Alcuin Library and construction of the Saint John’s Learning Commons is

underway. After years of careful planning, design and fundraising, the project officially began in June with the demolition of the interior walls, ceiling and flooring in the basement of Alcuin Library.

“I’m smiling a lot!” said Kathy Parker, Director of Libraries. “The deconstruction of the basement is the culmination of years of mental energy being put into this project now becoming visible. It’s amazing how even just taking down the walls opened up the ability to visualize what will happen in this space.”

“I’m thrilled to see this visionary project taking tangible shape,” observed President Michael Hemesath ’81.

“By combining the creative design of architect Gregory Friesen with innovative programming led by Director of

28

Libraries Kathy Parker, Interim Provost Richard Ice and former Associate Provost Joe DesJardins, all of whom have explored similar spaces and programs around the country, we are creating one of the finest library and learning commons in the country.”

Plans to refurbish Alcuin Library and partner it with a new, contemporary space—the learning commons—will take advantage of the latest research into building design and academic programming to best engage and support the needs of students, faculty and staff for decades to come.

The first phase of the project involves the renovation of Alcuin Library. Three discrete projects will allow the proper staging of the renovation of the rest of the building.

• Construction of an Archives and Special Collections Area in the basement of Alcuin Library. In addition to housing the university archive collection, this space will include Saint John’s Rare Books, Arca Artium, The Saint John’s Bible and the rare books, manuscripts, and

Construction of The Saint John’s Bible Gallery in the auditorium formerly known as AV1 will create a museum-quality space for the masterpiece. Shown in AV1 with a folio page is Tim Ternes, director of The Saint John’s Bible project, who will oversee the new gallery. archival collections of the Hill Museum & Manuscript Library. Once the Archives and Special Collections Area is complete, high-density shelving will be installed in the remainder of the basement to house the book collection.

• Installation of a new elevator that will service all four floors of Alcuin Library. “The elevator will be a new doorway into the library,” commented Parker.

“It will say ‘welcome’ to every student, regardless of their physical condition.” In addition to bringing the building up to code and making it handicap accessible, the elevator will serve a practical purpose during the renovation period transporting construction materials from floor to floor.

• Construction of The Saint John’s Bible Gallery in the auditorium formerly known as AV1. The museum-quality gallery will house the original seven volumes of The Saint John’s Bible, along with displays about the history of The Saint John’s Bible, why and how it was made, as well as samples of the tools and materials that were used to create this masterpiece.

The renovation was begun with these three projects in order to protect the rare books and archival materials during the construction phase and stage everything that follows. It will also include the necessary upgrades to the mechanical and electrical systems for the entire building.

“By starting with the basement, we are literally laying the foundation for everything that follows,” said Parker.

The renovation of the remainder of Alcuin Library as well as the construction of the learning commons addition is tentatively scheduled for May 2016, pending financing and board approval. The Learning Commons will include a variety of classrooms and study spaces that will enable students to take advantage of technology and that will foster integrative thinking and engaged learning.

“Alcuin Library and Learning Commons will be the academic heart and soul of our campus,” commented Hemesath. “I’m confident that when this new space opens, we will feel the same excitement that was felt on our campus when Alcuin Library first opened nearly 50 years ago.”

A full-sized elevator in the entrance lobby will service all four floors of Alcuin.

29

Johnnie Sports Head Basketball Coach Smith Retires

Saint John’s basketball coach Jim Smith, Minnesota’s all-time leader in college basketball wins, announced his retirement on March 17.

“I will miss my associations with our basketball players more than anything else but will always relish the times that we spent together,” Smith said. “Our alumni are very special people, and I look forward to continued relationships with them.

“I look forward to spending more time with my wife, Adrienne, our seven children, 12 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. It has been a great ride and never thought I would be at Saint John’s for 51 years. Thank you to all who have made our family part of your family.”

Smith ended his career second in NCAA Division III history with 786 wins (786-556 career record) and tied for 14th in NCAA basketball history.

Smith led his teams to seven MIAC titles, five MIAC playoff titles, nine trips to the NAIA tournament and eight trips to the NCAA Division III playoffs, most recently in 2007. Smith won MIAC titles in each of the past five decades and totaled a 599-341 (.637) record in conference play.

In addition to his duties as basketball coach, Smith was an associate professor of physical education and coached golf (1981-93), cross country (1965-73) and track (1966-73) at SJU. He served as the Johnnies’ athletic director for 15 years from 1972-76 and 1994-2003.

McKenzie ’04 Named Head Basketball Coach

Saint John’s named Pat McKenzie, a nine-year assistant under the direction of Smith, its head basketball coach on April 15.

“I am beyond appreciative for both the opportunity to lead this program, as well as the outpouring of support I have received from so many,” McKenzie said. “Saint John’s is a very special place.

I will work tirelessly to ensure that basketball remains a

30 gojohnnies.com

transformative experience for our players and a program that our students, alumni and friends will be proud of.”

The Johnnies recorded the second-most wins (110) in conference play during McKenzie’s nine-year tenure as an assistant. McKenzie returned to Collegeville after two seasons as director of basketball operations at Division I University of Wisconsin-Green Bay from 2004-06.

McKenzie manned the point-guard position as a fouryear letter-winner for the Johnnies from 2000-04. He led the MIAC in assists and is sixth in SJU history with 305 career assists.

Miles ’76 Retires as Track and Field Head Coach

Tim Miles announced his retirement as head coach of the Johnnies’ track and field program and as a full-time employee in the athletic department on May 28.

Miles will remain head coach of the Johnnie cross country program and will also serve the track and field program as an assistant coach.

“I was incredibly fortunate, in 1979, to receive the opportunity to coach cross country and track and field at Saint John’s,” Miles said. “It has been a great joy and immensely rewarding. I am not leaving Collegeville. I will simply be wearing a much smaller hat.”

Miles was an All-MIAC performer in cross country and the MIAC six-mile run champion and steeplechase runner-up on the track as a senior in 1976. He returned to SJU in 1979 as head coach of the cross country and track and field programs after earning his master’s degree in forestry from the University of Minnesota.

He produced a winning track program that finished among the MIAC’s top two squads in 23 of the 36 seasons, including five outdoor conference championships. Miles was a four-time MIAC Coach of the Year. At the national level, Miles’ athletes put together 61 NCAA Division III All-America performances since 1980.

Miles’ cross country program has finished among the MIAC’s top two squads in 22 of the past 36 seasons, including nine MIAC titles. Twenty-two of his teams qualified for the national meet, with 17 recording top-15 finishes.

Scorecard BASKETBALL (16-10, 14-6 MIAC) won six of its last seven regular-season games to finish third in the MIAC. Guards Mitchell Kuck ’16 and Alex Schmitt ’16 were named to the All-MIAC first team. Post Tyler Weiss ’18 was named to the five-man MIAC All-freshman team.

Kuck was also named to the D3hoops.com All-West Region third team.

BASEBALL (26-16, 12-6 MIAC) tied for second to earn their sixth consecutive trip to the four-team MIAC Tournament, where they swept St. Thomas (9-6 and 5-1) to earn the program's second MIAC Playoff Championship in the last four seasons and make their fourth trip to the NCAA Division III Tournament.

Catcher/pitcher Kurt Jantscher ’15 became the first Johnnie named MIAC Most Valuable Player since 1997 (Ryan Roder '97). Jantscher, second baseman Brett Becker ’15, shortstop Logan Hershey ’16, catcher Gabe MacDonald ’16, outfielder Aaron Pfaff ’15 and third baseman Derek Schiebel ’17 were named All-Midwest Region. Becker and Hershey were both named to the Capital One Academic All-America second team.

GOLF Ryan Gallagher ’17 received GCAA All-Central Region honors and became the first Johnnie to qualify for the NCAA Division III Championship as an individual, where he finished 95th out of 210 golfers. Drew Lynch ’15 was named a GCAA Scholar All-American for the second straight year.

HOCKEY (11-9-5, 7-7-2 MIAC) tied for sixth in the conference. Forward John Haeg ’15 was named to the All-MIAC first team for the fourth consecutive season and forward Huba Sekesi ’18 was named to the eight-man MIAC All-Rookie team. Haeg became the 21st Johnnie to join the 100-point club and finished with 101 points (34g/67a) in 103 career games.

SWIMMING AND DIVING won two conference titles and finished fourth out of eight at the 2015 MIAC Championships. Kenny Bergman ’17 won the 100-yard freestyle and was joined by Joe Duxbury ’15, Paul Knaak ’16 and Andrew Urness ’17 on the MIAC-

champion 400-yard freestyle relay team. Duxbury earned the MIAC’s Elite 22 Award for having the highest cumulative GPA among All-MIAC honorees, and SJU’s Jon Hazen was named the MIAC Diving Coach of the Year.

TENNIS (8-10, 3-6 MIAC) ended the 2015 season in a tie for seventh in the conference. Jack Hansen ’16 and Tim Larson ’18 were named All-MIAC in singles competition, while Larson and Ben Lahren ’16 earned All-MIAC distinction in doubles play.

INDOOR TRACK AND FIELD finished fifth out of 11 teams at the 2015 MIAC Indoor Championships. Thomas Feichtinger ’16 recorded a pair of All-MIAC performances by placing second in the 800 meters and third in the 1,000 meters. Joe Koll ’17 posted a second-place finish in the triple jump and Maxwell Olson ’17 took third in the pole vault.

OUTDOOR TRACK AND FIELD won two events and finished sixth at the MIAC Outdoor Championships.

Feichtinger won his third consecutive MIAC outdoor title in the 800 meters and qualified for the NCAA Division III Outdoor Championships in the 1,500 meters, where he finished 14th. Raymond Twumasi ’17 won SJU’s second conference title at the meet in the triple jump.

Matt Devery ’16 and Ryan Bugler ’17 earned All-MIAC distinction with third-place finishes in the pole vault and steeplechase, respectively.

WRESTLING sent Ben Henle ’16 (141 pounds) and Ryan Michaelis ’15 (197 pounds) to the 2015 NCAA Division III Championships, for the second straight season but neither placed. Michaelis was named an NWCA AllAmerica Scholar for the third consecutive season, while Evan Guffey ’15 earned his first honor. gojohnnies.com 31

T

JO

HN’S UNIV

ER SI

TY

SA

IN

Alumni Connection

From alumni college to beer-tasting to a band on to catch up with classmates and friends. Does your

REUN

32 sjualum.com

ION

the beach, SJU’s first summer reunion was a big success! Best of all was lots of time class year end in 1 or 6? Then we’ll see you June 24-26 next year at Reunion 2016.

sjualum.com 33

Alumni Connection

JOHNNIES

…in the media

The New York Times noted the passing on April 26 of Edward Chambers ’53, an early leader in community organizing. Chambers spent most of his career working for the Industrial Areas Foundation, a faith-based social justice group that pushed for better housing, improved schools and job training for the poor.

Playwright Eric “Pogi” Sumangil ’01 was featured in the Minneapolis Star Tribune when his play “The Debutante’s Ball” premiered at History Theater in St. Paul. Sumangil wrote the play as a homage to the older Filipino generation.

34 sjualum.com

Dr. Mark Hughes ’72 was featured on 60 Minutes in a story on how reproductive genetics is addressing deadly genetic diseases. Two decades ago, Hughes helped develop a procedure called preimplantation genetic diagnosis that screens embryos for cystic fibrosis.

Adam Quade ’10 was featured in a Wall Street Journal article about employment.

The article notes that this year’s graduating class—with a low unemployment rate of 5.4 percent—is among the luckiest in decades.

Kevin Doyle ’79, founder of Forest Mushrooms, was featured in a Minnesota Public Radio story on his farming operation. What began 30 years ago as a way for Doyle to make a living with his natural sciences degree now produces 3,000 pounds of mushrooms a week and employs 11 people full time.

Luke Riordan ’12, the founder and CEO of DAYTA Marketing, a social media marketing company, was featured on the cover of Business Central Magazine. Riordan was honored with the 2015 Business Central Mark of Excellence: Emerging Entrepreneur Award at a luncheon in May.

Ben Doom ’98 was featured in a Minnesota Public Radio story for completing the Iditarod Trail Invitational for fat bikes in March. The participants braved 350 miles of Alaskan wilderness on the modified mountain bikes with very low air pressure tires, making it easier to ride in heavy snow.

Doom finished sixth out of 40 racers.

Connor Franta ’15 was featured in the Minneapolis Star Tribune when he kicked off a tour at the Mall of America to 1,200 enthusiastic fans to promote his memoir.

Franta, who produces a weekly YouTube video, has 4.4 million subscribers to his channel.

…in the spotlight Anselm Zupka ’62, OSB, the chaplain at Walsh University in North Canton, Ohio, was awarded the Terrance Portis Mentor of the Year. Zupka received the honor from the 2014 graduating class for outstanding guidance, education outside the classroom and significant contributions to their college experience.

Jim Tift ’71, was awarded the 2015 Outstanding Gerontologist Award from the Minnesota Gerontological Society.

Anselm Zupka (C)

Rev. William Lies

Mike Zauhar ’73 was inducted into the Brainerd (Minnesota) High School Hall of Fame. Zauhar coached 36 years at Brainerd High and has the most wins of any softball coach in school history.

Rev. William Lies ’84, C.S.C., vice president for mission engagement and church affairs at the University of Notre Dame, was the featured speaker and received an honorary degree at the 2015 commencement ceremony at Loras College in Dubuque, Iowa.

Jim Tift

Dan Bastian (third from left)

Tim Stelzer ’88, associate professor of physics at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, received the Distinguished Alumnus Award from the University of Wisconsin-Madison department of physics.

Dan Bastian ’90, and his wife, Angie, received two ACG (Association for Corporate Growth) Bold Awards for their company, Angie’s Boom Chicka Pop.

…going to a higher degree Rev. Aaron Wessman ’04 has been granted permission to pursue further theological study in Leuven, Belgium.

Joe Sery ’05 successfully defended his doctoral dissertation at the University of Pittsburgh last spring. He is an assistant professor of communication at Christopher Newport University in Newport News, Virginia.

Rev. Aaron Wessman

Joe Sery

sjualum.com 35

Alumni Connection

…on the move Nate Reagen ’95 started a small business selling a product called a minWallet, described as lighter and thinner than most wallets.

Nate Mathews ’97 became the Bemidji, Minnesota, city manager.

Jeb Myers ’97 became the president of Cristo Rey Jesuit High School–Twin Cities.

Patrick Perrine ’00 is the founder and CEO of DogTelligent and creator of the Connected Collar. He is based out of Austin, Texas.

Art Boylan

Patrick Perrine

Nate Mathews

Clay Wilfahrt

Art Boylan ’01, a Minneapolis attorney, has joined Anthony Ostlund Baer and Louwagie as a shareholder.

Ryan Dusha ’01, head basketball coach for Melrose (Minnesota) High School led his team to the win the Class 2A title game in March. It was the first state title for Melrose in 41 years!

Aaron Krych ’01 and Jeff Macalena ’01 were chemistry majors and football teammates at SJU. Let’s hope the chemistry continues, as this duo was selected to co-chair the 2016 Annual Meeting of the Minnesota Orthopedic Society.

Clay Wilfahrt ’08 become the new city administrator of Big Lake, Minnesota, in May. Nate Burbeck ’09 was one of the artists awarded the Minnesota State Arts Board’s Artist Initiative Grant this year.

Aaron Langan

36 sjualum.com

Nate Burbeck

Aaron Langan ’12 and two friends have created an online startup company called Kicksize LLC that deals with shoe sizing.

Daniel Flynn (L) Dana Hicks

Rick Hinkemeyer

Mark Reps

Gordie Bailey

…on the bookshelf

…doing cool stuff

Rick Hinkemeyer ’71’s latest novel, When Waters Wept, has been released. It’s a mystery set in 1972 Minnesota.

Some of Hinkemeyer’s previous works have won Maryland Writers’ Association Contests for best mystery.

Gordie Bailey ’57 made it to the peak of Mount Kilimanjaro in February. Bailey was with Elevate Education, a group that trekked to the top of Africa’s tallest peak to raise funds for the Kibera Girls Soccer Academy.

Mark Reps ’73 published his fifth book, Native Bones, part of the Zeb Hanks: Small Town Sheriff, Big Time Trouble series. Reps has about 80,000 downloads of his first four books.

Brian Cooper ’09 was featured in examiner.com for his love of music. Cooper, a graduate student in music, is on the performing circuit in the Twin Cities.

John Mee ’79 published his first novel, The Persian Waltz.

Dana Hicks ’14 published a collection of short stories called Lost Upon the Isle of Serenity: A Collection of Adventures.

Daniel Flynn ’13 embarked on a nine-month, 5,200-mile canoe trip with five friends in January. The group plans to take in ten states, five Canadian provinces, and reach the Arctic Ocean by September. Family and friends cheered them through Minnesota in April.

And these folks won some cool Johnnie Rat gear…

Three winners were drawn at random from among those who told us where the Johnnie Rat was hiding in the last issue of the Saint John’s Magazine. (Anyone still searching? It’s on p.28.) Each lucky winner received an item of Johnnie Rat gear. The winners were Aaron Lahr ’00, Gregg Gunter ’78 and Claire Kennedy (pictured), daughter of Pete Kennedy ’94. Thanks for participating!

We’ve expanded Alumni Connection to include more class notes. We hope you enjoy reading more news about your fellow Johnnies. Enter your class note online in sjualum.com/classnotes or email it to Adam Herbst, alumni relations, at aherbst@csbsju.edu. All class notes appear online, and, with this new section, some may also appear in print.

sjualum.com 37

Milestones ALUMNI ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS

The Saint John’s University Alumni Achievement Award is given to outstanding alumni in seven reunion classes annually and presented at their reunion dinners. Recipients are nominated by classmates, with final selection made by the Alumni Association Board of Directors.

Congratulations to this year’s recipients!

Peter Conzemius ’65 “Pete is deserving of this recognition because he has applied the lessons taught at Saint John’s to all realms of his life,” says a classmate on his Alumni Achievement Award nomination form. Conzemius, who retired in 2013 as CFO of M.A. Mortenson Company, a Twin Cities construction firm, was well known for his commitment to ethical leadership. When interviewed in a 2006 Saint John’s Magazine about financial leadership, Conzemius said, “The principle things are trust, integrity, ethics and values and making sure those traits are embraced throughout the company, from top to bottom.”

38

Stay in Touch Alumni marriages, births and deaths are listed in the Milestones section in the Saint John’s Magazine.

SJU also publishes class notes in Alumni Connection and online at sjualum.com/classnotes.

There, you can enter your own class note anytime, or send your news to aherbst@csbsju.edu, and we’ll enter it online in class notes for you.

MARRIAGES ’93 Dave Martin to Brian Fulford,

Nov. ’14 ’98 Jana to Matt Morrison, Oct. ’14 ’00 Samantha Thorud to Andy Carlson, Aug. ’14 ’01 Katie (Jeffery ’01) to Matt Foley, May ’15 ’05 Brieann to Dan Remiger,

Dec. ’14 ’06 Kristi Holton to Brett Kusske,

Feb. ’15 ’06 Maria to Mike Schmidt,

Sept. ’14 ’07 Rita to Erik Hendrickson,

Aug. ’14 ’08 Fatoumata Sonogo to

Fousseyni Diakite, Dec. ’14 ’09 Leah (Niebur ’09) to Alex Dunne, Nov. ’14 ’09 Betsy (Van Cleve ’10) to Keir Stiegler, Oct. ’14 ’11 Laura (Monahan ’12) to Michael Williams, Oct. ’14 ’12 Molly (Eisenschenk ’12) to Jack Daggett, June ’14 ’12 Katie (Bauer ’13) to Jake Salza,

June ’15 ’13 Bridget (Hooley ’13) to Mark Kuhl, Aug. ’14

’13 Cari (Chock ’13) to Tommy O’Laughlin, June ’14 ’14 Hayley (Van Gelder ’14) to

Jesse Dykhoff, June ’14

BIRTHS ’88 Amber & Todd Setter, girl,

Camille, Mar. ’15 ’89 Stacy & Thomas Kowalkowski,

boy, Nikolai, Apr. ’15 ’93 Michelle & John Henningsgard,

twin girls, Genevieve &

Annabelle, July ’14 ’95 Sarah & Marshal Cooley, boy,

Seth, July ’14 ’97 Michelle (Kelash ’02) & Michael Hemmesch, girl, Elena, Jan. ’15 ’97 Felicia & LeRoy Popowski, twin

boys, Luke & Levi, Apr. ’15 ’98 Stacy (Schmitz ’97) & Ben Jansky, girl, Jessa, Dec. ’14 ’99 Jess & Andrew Ayers, boy,

Jonathan, June ’15 ’99 Amanda (Heinz ’99) & Joe Collins, boy, Peter, Sept. ’14 ’99 Emily & Tim Enright, girl,

Eloise, Jan. ’15 ’99 Karey & Scott Frieler, girl,

Elizabeth, Mar. ’15 ’99 Shelley & John Steingraeber,

boy, Mikko, Apr. ’15 ’00 Sue (Schulzetenberg ’04) &

Mike Gully, girl, Mackenzie,

Jan. ’15 ’00 Amanda & Mike Timm, girl,

Ellery, June ’15 ’01 Heather & Eric Brever, girl,

Lydia, Apr. ’15 ’01 Melissa (Hemmelgarn ’08) &

Michael Fox, boy, Myles,

Mar. ’15 ’01 Kate & Brandon Moore, girl,

Chloe, Nov. ’14 ’01 Monica & Matthew Stockinger, girl, Juila,

Feb. ’15 ’01 Sarah (Jost ’01) & Jeremy Sutton, boy, Jack, Nov. ’14 ’02 Renae & Tom Axtell, girl,

Scarlett, Oct. ’14 ’02 Marissa & Joe Hansen, boy,

Leo, Oct. ’14

’02 Melinda (Schumer ’03) &

Shane Hoefer, girl, Cecilia,

Nov. ’14 ’02 Katie & Ryan McCabe, twin

boys, Rowen & Brayd, Nov. ’14 ’02 Summer & Andy Minnich, girl,

Kyla, Mar. ’15 ’02 Lindsi & Ben Shanahan, girl,

Grace, July ’14 ’03 Megan (Sand ’06) & Charlie Carr, boy, Harrison, May ’15 ’03 Laura & Chuck Griffith, girl,

Greta, Apr. ’15 ’03 Katie (Walter ’03) & Brady Jahnke, girl, Claire, Feb. ’15 ’03 Sadie (Vagher ’02) & Joel LaFrance, girl, Ruby, Nov. ’14 ’03 Ashley & Danny McMullen,

girl, June, May ’15 ’03 Emily (Mages ’02) & Brennen Rath, girl, Brynlee, Apr. ’13 ’04 Amanda & Matt Bruns, boy,

Larson, Oct. ’14 ’04 Karen (Schoenecker ’04) &

Brandon Geis, girl, Hadley,

Oct. ’14 ’04 Liz (Clifford ’04) & Joe Housman, boy, Benjamin,

May ’15 ’04 Ann & Michael Marschel, boy,

James, Feb. ’15 ’04 Dana (Lyndgaard ’06) & Kris Schneider, girl, Adeline,

May ’15 ’05 Heather & Chris Bell, girl,

Kilie, Jan. ’15 ’05 Jessica (Rasmusson ’06) &

Jonathan Bruns, boy, Guthrie,

Dec. ’14 ’05 Courtney & Ian Carpenter,

girl, Noelle, Feb. ’15 ’05 Lauren (Chupita ’05) & Chase Dankers, boy, May ’15 ’05 Patricia (Canik ’05) & Damien Dumonceaux, boy, Fischer,

Mar. ’15 ’05 Jaclyn (Pelgrin ’05) & Joseph Henry, girl, Bonnie, Nov. ’14 ’05 Nicole & Josh Kampa, boy,

Aaron, Jan. ’15 ’05 Liz (Siebenaler ’05) & Joseph Marinac, girl, Genevieve,

Feb. ’15

’05 Melissa & Dan Murphy, boy,

Fitzgerald (Fitz), Dec. ’14 ’05 Anne & Mark Reiner, girl,

Claire, Apr. ’14 ’05 Rachael & Luke Schumer,

boy, Rhett, Feb. ’15 ’06 Kelsey & Matt Milbert, girl,

Margot, Apr. ’15 ’06 Jaclyn (Kalkman ’07) & Joe Nelson, boy, Parker, Dec. ’14 ’06 Melissa & JJ Seggelke, girl,

Nora, Dec. ’14 ’07 Kristin & Bill Blatzheim, boy,

Leo, Aug ’14 ’07 Heather (Laudenbach ’09) & Dustin Kociemba, boy,

Hunter, Jan. ’15 ’07 Emily & Joe Kocik, boy, Finley,

Sept. ’14 ’07 Kellie (McQuade ’07) & Todd Perry, girl, Eliana, Jan. ’15 ’08 Danielle & Alex Dinnebier,

girl, Sarah, Feb. ’15 ’08 Kimberly (Murphy ’08) & Erik Ellingboe, boy, Carter,

Dec. ’14 ’08 Kayla & Danny Hansen, boy,

Charlie, Dec. ’14 ’08 Anne (Strommen ’08) & Luke Keene, girl, Rosella, Apr. ’15 ’08 Melissa (Viaene ’08) & Dan Nelson, boy, Everett, Jan. ’15 ’08 Natalie (Ulrich ’08) & Dan Petersen, boy, Landon,

Dec. ’14 ’08 Sara (Engelbrekt ’10) & Tim Thompson, boy, Teddy,

Mar. ’15 ’09 Kym (DeLaRosa ’11) & Preston Allex, boy, Ambrose, Jan. ’15 ’09 Ashley (Studniski ’11) &

James Kimeu, boy, Amani,

Apr. ’15 ’09 Jessica (Lockner-Kotek ’09) &

Conor McKeown, girl, Aislyn,

July ’14 ’09 Annie & James Slagle, girl,

Hadley, Feb. ’15 ’10 Amy & Johnathan Hohenstein, girl, Grace,

Feb. ’15 ’10 Julie (Heinen ’11) & Paul Keane, boy, Evan, Jan. ’15

Michael Howlett ’70 (posthumous) Michael Howlett was an accomplished attorney, popular law professor and a judge in the Circuit Court of Cook County, Illinois. His volunteer contributions included service on the board of the American Refugee Committee, vice chairman of the Illinois Courts Gender Bias Task Force and president of the Illinois Lawyers Assistance Program for drug and alcohol addiction. Howlett was remembered fondly by family, friends, and colleagues following his death from cancer on March 26, 2014. “Mike inspired all of us here in the court by his staunch dedication to demonstrating the three c’s to all litigants and colleagues: courtesy, compassion and competency,” said Chief Judge Timothy Evans.

Fr. Michael Tegeder ’70 When Fr. Michael Tegeder explored the Catholic Intellectual Tradition at Saint John’s, he took its message to heart. As a priest in the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis for four decades, he has been a devoted pastor, popular preacher and crusader for social justice. Tegeder is well known for speaking out about controversial issues in the Catholic Church and for calling for action from church officials. He is also currently president of the Parks and Trails Council of Minnesota. A Minneapolis Star Tribune story featuring Tegeder’s work in two inner-city Minneapolis parishes states, “his duties include tending to addicts and the destitute and burying suicide and murder victims—sometimes literally.”

39

Milestones

Dr. Thomas Gelhaus ’75 Tom Gelhaus has spent more than three decades caring for the dental needs of his patients in north central Wisconsin. One classmate who nominated Gelhaus for this honor notes that “his philosophy is simple: treat each patient as if Jesus was in the chair.” Gelhaus and his staff also spend one day a month providing free dental work for needy families in central Wisconsin. Gelhaus doesn’t limit his philosophy to his home territory. For more than 20 years, he has used his two-week vacation for dental mission work in Bolivia, Peru, Guatemala and Honduras.

Steve Wolfe ’75 Steve Wolfe received his first exposure to legal aid when he worked with prisoners during law school. Today, Wolfe is a senior leadership attorney at Southern Minnesota Regional Legal Services (SMRLS), where he’s worked for more than 30 years. In his role, he oversees SMRLS’s central office as it helps low-income people in cases involving fair housing, education, elder rights, medical benefits and family law. Wolfe notes that in legal aid, “you become aware of the common humanity and similarities between people.” He is also known for his humility. One classmate says, “I have never once heard Steve talk about what he was doing for others.”

40

’12 Alexandra (Brinkman ’12) &

Long Truong, girl, Marie,

Dec. ’14

DEATHS ’24 Sue Huff, sister of Paul Berres ’59, daughter of deceased Charles Berres ’24,

sister of deceased Rev.

Peregrin Berres, OSB ’52,

Apr. ’15 ’36 Jean Rowan, spouse of deceased Thomas ’36,

May ’15 ’36 Louise Meyer, spouse of deceased Gilbert ’36, mother of Maurice ’73, Mar ’15 ’39 Adelaide Hinz, spouse of deceased Charles ’39, mother of Wally ’64, Dec. ’14 ’41 Rita Berning, spouse of

Vernon ’41, May ’15 ’41 Rita Herges, spouse of deceased Paul ’41, Apr. ’15 ’41 Eleanore Gmeinder, spouse

of deceased George ’41,

mother of Thom ’70, Apr. ’15 ’42 Leon Frost ’42, father of

Steve ’74, Dec. ’14 ’42 Alice Hoolihan, mother of

James ’64, Daniel ’66 and

spouse of deceased

James ’42, Apr. ’15 ’42 Rev. Michael G. Mertens ’42,

Apr. ’15 ’42 Dr. Konald Prem ’42, father of

Tim ’79, Jan. 15 ’42 Phyllis Prem, spouse of deceased Dr. Konald ’42,

mother of Tim ’79, Jan. ’15 ’42 Joyce Indehar-Seep, spouse of deceased Theodore Seep ’42,

May ’15 ’43 Pirmin Trautner ’43, father of

Richard ’75, Mar. ’15 ’45 Robert Brouns ’45, brother of deceased Richard ’42,

Jan. ’15 ’45 Patricia Madden, sister of

Fr. Alberic Culhane, OSB ’52 and deceased

Francis Culhane ’45, Feb. ’15

’48 Jeanette Welle, spouse of

Robert ’48, mother of

Paul ’71, Robert ’73,

John ’74, Patrick ’78 and

Peter ’84, May ’15 ’48 Robert Welle, father of

Paul ’71, Robert ’73,

John ’74, Patrick ’78 and

Peter ’84, July ’15 ’48 Gertrude Ulrich, mother of

Ted, SOT ’96, spouse of deceased Jerome ’48, Apr. ’15 ’48 Jerry Terhaar ’48, brother

of deceased Severin ’36,

Herbert ’39 and Roger ’50,

Dec. ’14 ’49 Dolores Hollenhorst, spouse

of deceased Richard ’49,

Dec. ’14 ’50 Deacon John Winkelman ’50,

May ’15 ’50 Leona Rolfzen, spouse of deceased Boniface ’50,

Apr. ’15 ’50 Rosemary Clarke, spouse of deceased George ’50, mother of Robert ’45, Richard ’47,

Joseph ’52 and deceased brother Paul ’40, Mar. ’15 ’50 Francis Rausch ’50, Feb. ’15 ’50 Eugene Scribner ’50, Feb. ’15 ’50 Rosemary Petters, spouse of deceased Fredric ’50, mother of Jon ’75, Jan. ’15 ’50 Richard Zejdlik ’50, Jan. ’15 ’50 Bill Bruemmer ’50, Feb. ’13 ’50 Richard Endres ’50, Dec. ’14 ’51 Rev. Richard Eckroth, OSB ’51, brother of Rev. Leonard ’54 and Charles ’56,

May ’14 ’51 Maxine Macioch, spouse of deceased Francis ’51, Apr. ’15 ’51 Joseph Stenzel ’51, father of

Joe ’79 and James ’85,

Jan. ’15 ’51 Gerald Schnobrich ’51,

Apr. ’15 ’51 Frank Fischer ’51, Dec. ’14 ’51 John W. Zapp ’51, Jan. ’15 ’52 Dan Brutger ’52, father of

Alan ’75, May ’15

’52 Ione McKibben, spouse of deceased Merrill ’52, Apr. ’15 ’53 Mary O’Meara, spouse of

Tom ’53, Nov. ’14 ’53 Rev. Roger Corpus, OSB ’53,

May ’15 ’53 Edward Chambers ’53,

Apr. ’15 ’53 Gordon Gits ’53, Mar. ’12 ’53 Rev. Kenneth Wald ’53,

brother of Merlin ’55, Mar. ’15 ’53 Jim McKeown ’53, brother of

Tom ’52, Mar. ’15 ’53 Rev. Michael Stafford, OSB ’53, Apr. ’14 ’53 Tony Lahr, son of John ’53,

Dec. ’14 ’54 Greta Gravelle, spouse of

John ’54, Sept. ’13 ’54 Charles McJilton, III ’54,

Apr. ’15 ’54 James Mock ’54, Mar. ’15 ’54 Earl McMillin, Jr. ’54, brother of Jim ’60, Mar. ’15 ’55 Douglas McMillan ’55,

May ’15 ’55 Robert Brown ’55, Dec. ’14

’55 Dorothy Gnifkowski, spouse

of deceased Thomas ’55,

Mar. ’15 ’55 Thomas Gnifknowski ’55,

Mar. ’15 ’56 Thomas Gits ’56, brother of

Rev. Doug ’49, Apr. ’15 ’56 Yvette Chen, daughter of Dr. Leslie ’56, Mar. ’15 ’56 John Kessler ’56, father of

Greg ’82, Mar. ’15 ’56 Nancy Cummings, spouse of

Greg ’56, mother of Kevin ’88 and Michael ’91, Dec. ’14 ’56 Bob Hormann ’56, Dec. ’14 ’56 Lorraine Picard, spouse of deceased Louis ’56, Jan. ’15 ’57 Kenneth Lorenz ’57, Mar. ’15 ’57 John Oberpriller ’57, father of

Dave ’94, Jan. 14 ’57 Jean Oberpriller, spouse of deceased John ’57, mother of

Dave ’94, Dec. ’14 ’57 Richard Schiffler ’57,

Mar. ’15 ’58 Robert Cibuzar ’58, Apr. ’14

Alumni and Friends Cemetery

Remember. Celebrate. Believe.

saintjohnsabbeycemetery.org 320-363-3434 or info@saintjohnsabbycemetery.org

Mark Poepping ’80 When Mark Poepping graduated as a math and computer science student in 1980, SJU didn’t have personal computers, the internet, cell phones or wired dorm rooms. But Poepping has spent the last 30 years involved in various aspects of just those issues at Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh. As senior director and head IT architect, Poepping is a primary contributor in setting the direction for computing at the university and oversees a team of 80 supporting central IT services on campus. He is also responsible for coordinating implementation of a long-range technology vision for central computing at Carnegie Mellon. One classmate says, “Mark’s leading role in the computer science field is significant and should be recognized.”

Eric Olson ’85 Eric Olson had a successful career in the insurance industry, working his way up to partner and eventually president and co-owner.

Shortly after his firm was acquired, Olson retired in 2014 enabling him to concentrate more on another passion: community service.

Olson honed his leadership skills at SJU as a three-year varsity hockey captain and resident assistant, and now serves on numerous community boards and is a youth football and hockey coach. Today, he is the head hockey coach of the Waunakee Warriors (Wisc.), where his philosophy—respect for teammates, coaches, officials and opponents—has been so successful, it’s been incorporated into all schools in the district.

41

Milestones

John Boucher ’90 Col. John Boucher is a distinguished military graduate and commissioned a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army from the Saint John’s ROTC program.

Since graduation, Col. Boucher has served in a variety of leadership positions in intelligence, special operations and diplomatic assignments. He has deployed three times to the Balkans, twice to Afghanistan and once to Iraq. Boucher is a highly decorated military officer and currently serves as the commander of the Human Intelligence Training­–Joint Center of Excellence at Fort Huachuca, Arizona. He has been selected to be the next division chief, Middle East Operations at the Defense Intelligence Agency.

Craig Junker ’90 When Craig Junker graduated, he wasn’t sure what he wanted to do.

But a two-year stint with the Christian Brothers as a LaSallian Volunteer teacher in Mississippi sealed the deal. Junker has been in education ever since. As president of Cotter Schools in Winona, Minnesota, and later as superintendent of the Lake City (Minn.)

Public Schools, he emphasized the need for school communities to deeply care for, respect and inspire one another. Since 2014, Junker has served as president of Totino-Grace High School in Fridley, Minnesota. Junker told The Record in a 2011 interview the impact that SJU has had on his life. “I learned at SJU that prayer life and teaching go hand in hand,” he said.

42

’58 Jim Adams ’58, father of

Jim ’82 and Kevin ’84,

Mar. ’15 ’58 Darlene Skovran, spouse of deceased John ’58, Mar. ’15 ’58 Chuck Thomey ’58, Feb. ’15 ’58 Mary Beth Eisenzimmer,

spouse of Leo ’58, Jan. 15 ’58 Bonnie Chan, spouse of

Jimmie ’58, mother of

Jim ’89, Jan. ’14 ’59 Nancy Finnegan, spouse of

Larry ’59, May ’15 ’59 Rev. Kenneth Brenny ’59,

May ’15 ’59 Richard Langlais ’59, brother

of deceased, Joseph ’51,

May ’15 ’59 Dr. Donald Hartmann ’59,

Mar. ’15 ’59 Jerome Burr ’59, Oct. ’14 ’59 Helen Kruchten, spouse of

Harvey ’59, Dec. ’14 ’61 Robert McCown ’61, Mar. ’15 ’61 Lloyd Guggenberger ’61,

Mar. ’15 ’62 Robert Stolz ’62, father of

Robert, Jr. ’92 and Peter ’94,

Apr. ’15 ’62 Rev. Harold Stockert ’62,

May ’14 ’63 Cecilia Turch, mother of

David ’63, Jan. ’15 ’63 Stephen Flesche ’63, Dec. ’14 ’63 Richard Steinbronn ’63,

Apr. ’14 ’64 Ben Grage ’64, brother of

Jim ’66, Mar. ’15

’65 Jim Conroy ’65, brother of John ’64 and Pat ’72, son

of deceased Francis ’29,

Mar. 15 ’65 Ronald Heard ’65, Dec. ’14 ’65 Peter Wong ’65, Feb. ’12 ’65 Patrick Roche, Jr. ’65,

Jan. ’15 ’67 Mary Ann Callahan, sister of

Vic Klimoski ’67, Feb. ’15 ’67 Augustus “Gus” Stuhldrher,

III, father of Augustus, IV

May ’14 ’68 Dr. Col. (Ret.) Carney

“Butch” Middleton ’68,

Feb. ’15 ’68 Eric Spanier, father of

Eric ’68, Dec. ’14 ’69 Mary Underwood, mother of

Terry ’69, June ’14 ’69 Vivian Franta, mother of

Bill ’69, Jim ’72, and Dan ’79,

Jan. ’15 ’69 Herb Ranweiler, father of

Bob ’69, Dec. ’14 ’70 Howard Agee, father of

John ’70, Feb. ’15 ’70 Gene Prudhomme ’70,

Feb. ’15 ’71 Mateo Salvador Dolan

O’Brien, son of Daniel ’71,

Mar. ’15 ’74 Herman Ratelle, father of

Thomas ’74, Paul ’77 and

John ’83, May ’15 ’74 Pik Yin Yeung, mother of

Stephen ’74, Jan. 15

’75 Rev. Mark Ostendorf ’75,

Apr. ’15 ’75 Mark Ginder ’75, brother of Peter ’73, Andrew ’74 and

deceased brother Jerome ’76,

Mar. ’15 ’76 Ron Johnson ’76, father of

Phil ’87, Feb. ’15 ’77 Donald Raverty, father of Br.

Aaron Raverty, OSB, ’77,

May ’15 ’77 Jonathan Essig ’77, Jan. ’15 ’79 Thomas Noack ’79, brother of

Joe ’70, Dec. ’14 ’82 Joanne Wurtz, mother of

Chris ’82, May ’15 ’83 Lois Randall, mother of

Mike ’83 and Steve ’88,

Dec. ’14 ’83 Jeanette Dan, mother of

Bernie ’83, Mar. ’15 ’83 Clifford Knier, father of

Tom ’83, Feb. ’15 ’85 Bob Olson, father of Eric ’85 and Chris ’89, May ’15

Fine Arts Series

’85 John Seifert ’85, Dec. ’13 ’86 Joseph Brudney, father of Br.

John, OSB, ’86, Jan. 15 ’87 Rita Kibbe, mother of Dan ’87,

Apr. ’14 ’87 Tom Hussey ’87, brother of

Mike ’81, Feb. ’15 ’87 Linda Calhoun, spouse of

Steve ’87, Jan. 15 ’90 Greg Fischer, father of

Cody ’07, brother of Kirk ’90,

Apr. ’15 ’94 James Villalta ’94, Mar. ’15 ’98 Andrew Opitz ’98, Mar. ’15 ’02 Tom Rignell, father of

Wade ’02, May ’15 ’06 Emily Boone, sister of Joe ’06,

Jan. ’15 ’09 James Coleman, son of

Tom ’09, June ’14 ’10 Dr. Parker Burtis ’10, brother of Chase ’11, Apr. ’15

Mark Morrey ’95 Mark Morrey currently serves as an assistant professor of orthopedics in the Mayo Clinic Graduate School of Medicine, where he is a shoulder and elbow surgery specialist. Morrey deferred his medical career for seven years to teach elementary school and volunteer abroad with underprivileged children. His long list of accomplishments includes receiving the Humanitarian Award from the Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, earning a Girdlestone Research Fellowship at Oxford University and winning two Teacher of the Year Awards for the Department of Orthopedics at May Clinic.

Morrey can now add SJU Alumni Achievement Award to the list.

The Wailers Saturday, September 12, 7:30 p.m.

Escher Auditorium, CSB

Béla Fleck & Abigail Washburn Saturday, Oct. 24, 7:30 p.m.

Escher Auditorium, CSB

Nature for the Nation Friday, Sept. 18, 5:30 p.m.

Saturday, Sept. 19, 1:30 & 5:30 p.m.

Sunday, Sept. 20, 1:30 p.m.

Saint John’s Abbey Arboretum, SJU

Ruthie Foster Friday, Nov. 13, 7:30 p.m.

Stephen B. Humphrey Theater, SJU

Sean Jones Quartet Saturday, Sept. 2, 7:30 p.m.

Gorecki Family Theater, CSB The Pigeoning Saturday, Oct. 3, 7:30 p.m.

Gorecki Family Theater, CSB Cirque Alfonse TIMBER! Friday, Oct. 16, 7:30 p.m.

Escher Auditorium, CSB

Theater Latte Da All is Calm: The Christmas Truce of 1914 Saturday, Dec. 5, 7:30 p.m.

Stephen B. Humphrey Theater, SJU Kathy Mattea Songs and the Season Saturday, Dec. 12, 7:30 p.m.

Escher Auditorium, CSB For tickets and more information go to csbsju.edu/fine-arts

43

Inspiring Lives

A Sense of Place John Rosengren ’86

44

Late one autumn afternoon in 1982, I stood in a parking lot shadowed by the bell banner and watched my parents drive away in the family station wagon. They left me alone in my new home.

The bell banner, with its massive concrete face and stout legs, became a part of my daily landscape, as distinctive to the campus’s appearance as the means of getting around it: by foot.

Walking the grounds gave me time to absorb its sights, smells and sounds. They slowly worked their way into me over the course of four years.

Nature was a constant presence. I remember the large maple tree outside Tommy Hall whose leaves turned brilliant red every fall and a row of lilac bushes beside the Humphrey Auditorium that released their fragrance every spring before graduation. In between there was snow and the long walk across the Tundra to Boni, Patrick and Bernie.

Nature’s influence was present in the physical structures as well. I loved the brick walls inside the Quadrangle and the wooden furniture handmade by monks. I logged many hours studying in the library’s subterranean study carrels, each a mini-monastic cell. Just before 5 every evening the church bells rang, a distinctive feature of the campus soundtrack. I often walked under them on my way to daily Mass in the choir stalls, the church darkened during the winter months, especially intimate at that hour.

The rituals of eating provided comfort. The dorm conversation before dinner went like this: “Jeet jet?”

“No, leskweet,” and we’d head for the refectory.

Weeknights, after a rerun of M*A*S*H* we bought loaves of Johnnie bread out of the kitchen’s back door and brought it to Fourth Tommy where our Faculty Resident supplied homemade strawberry preserves to spread on the warm bread.

The woods and lakes readily accommodated recreation.

I took runs down the road that led across the footbridge to the small encampment of Collegeville, that route flocked by orange and red leaves in the fall. Walks through the woods took us past the statue of Kateri Tekakwitha on our way to the chapel. We played pickup hockey on the ice rink outside the Palaestra. Early or late in the school year, the Sag was warm enough to swim across to the chapel and back. We even camped out on the Watab under the stars.

As I grow older, I become more aware of the importance of memory, how our past not only shapes us but gives us a sense of rootedness. Those moments I accumulated during my time at Saint John’s provided a sense of belonging. Though the campus has changed in the three decades since I left it—some things are no longer there; other things are new—the place remains. The essence of it. To that I can return to touch my memories and be reminded.

John Rosengren ’86 is an award-winning author of eight books, most recently The Fight of Their Lives: How Juan Marichal and John Roseboro Turned Baseball’s Ugliest Brawl into a Story of Forgiveness and Redemption (Lyons Press, 2014), a 2014 finalist for the CASEY Award, given to the best baseball book of the year by Spitball: The Literary Baseball Magazine.

Inspiring Lives is reserved for reflective pieces with a Benedictine theme written by Saint John’s alumni. Please submit essays, poetry or other reflections for consideration to the editor: jscoon@csbsju.edu.

A Responsibility to Share As Ernie ’59 and Mary Stelzer planned their estate, they reflected on the many blessings and opportunities they’d had in their lives. “Going to Saint John’s and Saint Kate’s were high on that list,” Ernie says.

“Both of our schools were big on community and service.

Once you’re exposed to it, it’s imprinted.”

They were drawn to making an estate gift through the Saint John’s Donor-Advised Fund. “We felt a

responsibility to share,” Mary says. “With this type of fund, there are tax advantages, low fees and it’s easy to make changes.”

Their estate gift will fund two scholarships, a peace studies scholarship in memory of Ernie’s uncle, Fr. Lawrence Schmidt ’24, OSB, and the Stelzer Family Scholarship.

All three of the Stelzer’s children—Kate ’86, Tim ’88 and Nancy ’92—attended Saint John’s and Saint Ben’s.

This fall, their grandson will begin his studies at SJU. Thanks to Ernie and Mary’s generosity, others will be able to attend SJU, too.

It’s your will.

To learn more about making a gift through the Saint John’s Donor-Advised Fund or other kinds of bequests, contact Jim Dwyer at (800) 635-7303 or jdwyer@csbsju.edu

Non-Profit Organization U.S. Postage PAID

INSTITUTIONAL ADVANCEMENT

Saint John’s University

P.O. Box 7222 Collegeville, MN 56321

CHANGE SERVICE REQUESTED

October 16-17 SJU vs. Gustavus Adolphus, Oct. 17 New this year—buy tickets online and register for events on both campuses at csbsju.edu/Homecoming.