Around De La Salle

De La Salle brings in executive administrator

During this challenging transitional School officials emphasized their comtime, the De La Salle Collegiate’s mitment to remaining student-centered Board of Trustees has decided to in decision-making, implementing bring in an executive administrator academic best practices and working to work with and provide additional toward continuous improvement. De La support to our leadership team. Salle strives to pursue excellence in all Brother Joseph Jozwiak, FSC will that it does—in academics, athletics, be returning to the school in this and the arts. new role for the foreseeable future. Brusewitz also noted that in the coming Brother Joe, an alumnus from weeks, the board will begin a national the Class of 1965, has previously search for a new president who is able served as a guidance counselor, to begin in August 2020. He noted that Theology teacher, vice principal, while the search process will be differ dean, principal, and president at De Brother Joseph Jozwiak FSC ‘65 ent due to the pandemic – using online La Salle. He is currently serving as surveys and other technology platforms president of the Christian Brothers Academy in Syracuse, – the board and search committee plan to gather com New York. munity feedback to help shape the direction of the school “Brother Joe will enhance our already strong leadership going forward. team not only with his prior knowledge of De La Salle, but With the uncertainty that comes with a pandemic, De La also with his international experiences and leadership work Salle officials offered special thanks to the community for in New York,” Board Chair Jack Brusewitz said. “Together their continued commitment to the school. “As academic with our current team composed of the board, teachers work shifts in the short term to distance learning with and staff we will continue to focus on and encourage each teachers and staff increasing their communication via tele student to develop our Lasallian values: faith, character, phone and video,” Brusewitz said, “we have really appreciintellect and morality.” ated the cooperation and support that has been shown by

Presidential search committee named

The De La Salle Collegiate Board of Trustees announced the members of the presidential search committee who will lead the process to identify the fifth president in school history. The Board also announced the hiring of Trion Solutions, a Troy-based human resources firm that will as sist the search committee in identifying candidates. The search committee includes representatives from for mer faculty, alumni, and parents, along with five current our parents and students.” members of the Board of Trustees. “Individuals were selected to represent a cross-section of De La Salle’s various constituencies,” Board Chair Jack Brusewitz said. “Individually and collectively, they bring a broad and inclusive array of education, backgrounds, skills, abilities, personal and professional qualities, experiences, and frames of reference to our search process.” Committee, Continued on page 6

De La Salle cancels marquee fundraisers

Out of concerns regarding the coronavirus outbreak, the De La Salle Collegiate Alumni Association can celed upcoming fundraising and alumni events. De La Salle has been diligently monitoring all na tional, state, and local updates surrounding the global pandemic. In light of recent developments, this year’s Christian Brothers Dinner and the Christian Brother Classic were canceled. The 39th annual Christian Brothers Dinner, origi nally scheduled for April 30 at Penna’s of Sterling in Sterling Heights, Mich., was to celebrate honoree Gary Buslepp, who served the all-boys school over a 22-year career as a teacher, coach, and administrator. “We were excited to honor Gary Buslepp. He is a tre mendous man and very deserving of this award,” said Matt Loria, dinner chairman, and a 1995 alumnus. “But we are concerned with keeping everyone safe. This is the first time in 39 years that the spring dinner did not take place, as we remain committed to doing our part to help protect our staff, attendees, and fellow Pilots.” The Christian Brothers Classic was to be the second annual alumni golf outing held at the historic Detroit Golf Club, home of the PGA’s Rocket Mortgage Classic. It was scheduled for June 22. “This was a tough call to make because last year’s outing was a tremendous success,” said Doug McKay, committee chair man, and varsity golf coach. “The Christian Brother Classic at Detroit Golf Club is an incredibly important event for De La Salle and it’s one of our favorite ways to celebrate the school, its students, and alumni.” Current ticket holders and sponsors of these two great events have been contacted by a member of De La Salle’s Advancement Department to address donation or refund options. Additional questions can be directed to Alumni Relations Director Dennis Koch at 586-541-6221. In place of these in-person events, De La Salle will celebrate its community through a combo of locally hosted events, videos, and live-streamed content the week of June 8-12. In the meantime, thank you for your patience and understand ing – and we look forward to seeing everyone in-person at our events in 2021.

Join us online for our Virtual Gala and Fundraiser e June 8-12 Follow the links at delasallehs.com

ent

Maybe God wanted us to take a timeout

Brother Ken Kalinowski FSC ‘84

Greetings from the Brothers Residence! The kindness of so many parents and students sending emails or calls to ask how the Brothers are has been overwhelming? Do we need anything? How kind is that? No. The Brothers are fine and in chapel each day with the inten tions of so many. After reading four sections of freshmen Theology journals - a common theme is the joy that the freshmen have seen in being able to spend quality family time during this difficult time in our lives. Many have written about families playing cards and board games, or doing projects around the house, and having family meals with out the interruption of work, sports practices, and always being on the run. One freshman wrote that “maybe God wanted us to take a timeout and realize that our families are the most important thing in our lives.” Prayers for all of us during this time! Live Jesus In Our Hearts! Forever! Brother Ken Kalinowski, FSC ‘84

Commitee, continued from page 4

Members of the De La Salle Collegiate presidential search committee are: Board of Trustees representatives Jack Brusewitz, De La Salle class of 1977, board chair Brother Richard Galvin, trustee, former De La Salle teacher Greg DeMars, trustee, past board chair, parent of a De La Salle alumnus Roma Heaney, trustee, parent of a De La Salle alumnus Mike Khoury, trustee Other representatives Brother Robert Deary, De La Salle class of 1961, a former teacher Gary Buslepp, former teacher, coach, and administrator Steve Brillati, De La Salle class of 1993, parent of current student John Paul Hunt, parent of current student Jane Fisher, parent of two De La Salle graduates

Brother Bob Carnaghi SJ ‘48 pulls Raffle winners from the bin, while Director of Alumni Relations Dennis Koch ‘94 assists.

This year’s raffle surpasses 2020 goal

The 46th annual De La Salle Collegiate raffle is officially complete and was a great success. De La Salle raised over $163,000 during the 2020 raffle season, surpassing the fundraising goal of $155,000. In mid-March, president emeritus, Brother Robert Carnaghi, drew the three winning tickets for $10,000, $5,000, and $2,500. De La Salle would like to thank everyone who participated in this year’s raffle. This fundraiser is critical to the well-being of the school and the tuition assistance program. The support of students, parents, alumni and the community is greatly appreciated and made the 2020 raffle a tremendous success.

Honoring Veterans

De La Salle Collegiate is creating a new Veterans’ Wall to honor all of its alumni who have served in the armed forces. All active and retired military alumni are asked to contact the De La Salle Alumni Office at 586-541-6221 or dkoch@delasallehs.com

Alumnus on the COVID frontlines

Kevin Southway is on the frontlines. A nurse anesthetist at Ascension Providence Hospital in Southfield, the De La Salle Collegiate alumnus has been in close contact with COVID-19 patients in the intensive care unit. “We were asked to volunteer, with compensation, to assist in the ICUs,” said Southway, who graduated in 1995. “Many of us have stepped up to the Kevin Southway ‘95 challenge. It’s a judgment-free zone, so I totally understand some not wanting to get more exposed to the virus.” have to assume that anyone could be contami nated. The hospital has been providing the proper personal protective equipment, and we Southway is part of a team intubating pa wear the N95 mask all day.” tients so that they can go on ventilators. He says only employees who show symptoms “On an eight-hour shift, we helped extubate get tested. two patients, yet intubated three more,” he said. “The wins and losses are like a rollercoaster. “I still can’t comprehend that Michigan is the third-highest state with COVID,” Southway said. “But we were one of the first states to get “Overall, the bravery and courage from the test with results in 15 minutes.” the frontlines are immeasurable. Nurses, doctors, aides, housekeeping, dietary, and many others are adapting, working together, and stepping outside of their comfort zones caring for these patients suffering from COVID.” Nasir R the basement. asheed ‘91 Southway says that when he comes home, he leaves his clothes in the garage and showers with water from a hot bucket. Then he showers again in the bathroom, and lives and sleeps in Typically, Southway is assigned to operating rooms and of ten works with fellow De La Salle alumnus Nasir Rasheed, who graduated in 1991. Rasheed is an anesthesiologist at “The ultimate minimization would be a hotel room,” he said. “But we made a decision that I would be in the basement, and have limited interaction with Alissa and our kids. Providence. The two had previously worked together at “My family is doing great, and we’re trying to keep them McLaren Hospital in Macomb County. busy. No one has been sick. My oldest is in kindergarten, Southway does his best to make sure he doesn’t bring and his school has delivered work.” the virus home to his wife, Alissa, and their three young Southway trained as a nurse, and earned his nurse anesthetist children. Alissa is a nurse practitioner; normally she works degree in 2008, compares today’s healthcare workers with contingency for urgent care, but is currently focusing on World War II veterans like his two grandfathers. the kids, ages two, five and six. “God willing, I will grow old and have grandkids,” he said. “We’re considered a COVID hospital,” he said. “Even “I’ll be sure to share with them the public health World War though I’m not around patients 100 percent of the time, we III stories I have experienced with my professional peers in 2020. I am so proud of each and every one of them.”

Virus hits home for veteran teachers

Laura Rigby

AnnMarie Michol “I’m just glad it’s over.” That’s what Dr. Laura Rigby, a science teacher at De La Salle Collegiate, had to say about recovering from COVID-19. Now, back leading her science classes through distance learning after a nearly three-week battle with coronavirus, Rigby believes she contracted the virus from her husband who may have had a form of the virus in early March. “He came home and had a bit of a cough,” she said. “He didn’t really feel terrible, and never got really sick. But he did lose his sense of smell and taste and was super tired. He slept for two days.” While her husband got better, she spiked a fever, which is a common symptom of the global virus. “I had a 102 fever on March 27,” Rigby said. “Everything ached. I was too weak to do any thing. I was short of breath if I got out of bed.” Rigby was tested and told results would take a week. “I knew I had it,” she said. “I lost my sense of taste and smell. I was sleeping so much. My husband said I was sleeping 20 hours a day.” Rigby used a pulse oximeter to measure her oxygen levels. “I had to stay really still so I wouldn’t have to go on oxygen,” she said. “Any movement affected my oxygen levels. … I had four or five rounds of thinking I was better, and then it would come back. I was the sickest I have ever been.” Finally, the day after Easter, Rigby felt good enough to get out of bed. She tried to work but was still exhausted. “I was so happy when I got the chance to come downstairs,” she said. Colleagues Jackie and Tom VanThomme, both science teachers, handled Rigby’s online classes: biology, honors biology, and anatomy and physiology. “When we first went to distance learning, we all worked in the science department to get all our assignments on Google Classroom right away,” Rigby said. “Everything was ready to go. I am so thankful that Jackie and Tom handled questions with all of my students so that there wasn’t any class time lost.” Rigby is back at the computer now, meeting with her students in their virtual classroom. “I feel good now, and hopefully it’s gone for good,” she said. “As soon as antibody testing is up and running, I want to get tested. It’s pretty scary. I could get sicker later. I am so glad I am better. A lot didn’t get better.” De La Salle English teacher Annmarie Michol experienced coronavirus in her home as Teachers, continued on next page

Teachers, continued from previous page well. Her husband Joe was diagnosed with double pneumonia, hospitalized for 24 hours, and then sent home with oxygen, and stayed isolated in the family basement. A few days after returning home, Michol called EMS when Joe had difficulty breathing. “I had so much anxiety,” Michol said. “He was extremely sick. He didn’t have the strength to feed himself. His oxygen levels were low, and all of a sudden he had a 103 (temperature).” Michol followed the ambulance to Beaumont Hospital in Troy, but couldn’t go in. “Dropping him off was the worst feeling in my life,” she said. “I didn’t know when I would hear from him.” Joe was released a few days later and returned home to Michol and two daughters. A third daughter lives out of state. “It was very difficult for them to see their dad sick for so long,” she said. “Joe had to limit his steps. We used an office chair to roll him to the bathroom once he got up the During the COVID-19 pandemic, doctors are finding videoconferencing, known as “telemed,” is the best way to “see” their patients. Dr. Matteo Valenti, ‘88, is the lead physician with Beaumont’s IT Department, working with the team to get the entire program up and running. “In February, Beaumont doctors had 23 video visits, March was 7,000, and April we hit over 15,000,” Valenti said. “The old rules have been thrown out the window. We are trying to meet with patients who need their regular care. When we get back to ‘normal’, I think doctors will see how useful this tool is.” For Dr. Peter Watson, ‘90, a care management Vice stairs. This was a very emotional time.” Michol was putting in long days. She was meeting with classes during the day and lesson planning and checking papers at night, while constantly heading to the basement to check on Joe’s oxygen levels and temperature. “I was doing what was necessary to keep my students going,” said Michol, who teaches freshman and sopho more English classes, as well as a few International Baccalaureate classes. “This is all new to them. I didn’t want them to suffer because of the personal things I was dealing with.” Joe is off of oxygen. A nurse checks in on him once a week, and Michol and her daughters regularly check their temperatures. “We’re quarantining ourselves,” she said. “We don’t want to harm anyone else.” Michol plans to hire a company to sanitize the house. “The main thing is for people to be safe, and to be smart,”

Alumni doctors explain the ‘new normal’

she said. “We’ve never fought anything like this.” President at HAP (Health Alliance Plan), and affiliated with Henry Ford Hospital, the “new normal” could include more home care. “The Hospital at home movement is not uncommon in Europe,” Watson said. “Some studies have been done in the United States. If someone is not sick enough to be admit ted, we can take care of less complex cases at home.” Watson, who kept working for Henry Ford Health Systems one weekend a month as a hospitalist, has stepped that up to every Saturday, relieving doctors who need time off. “That work is really important to me because I can be informed on how we can build benefits on the insurance side,” Watson said.

Alum and family cautious in ‘new normal’

The Manczyk family has always had dinner together, even Megan, with experience in the hospital’s surgical trauif dinner is late in the evening after long 12-hour shifts. ma unit, has also been in the COVID ICU at Detroit’s For Mike and Jackie, and their two children, Megan and Receiving Hospital. Eric, dinner together during the coronavirus pandemic is “Since we’re all dealing with medical issues, it’s nice to even more important. bounce things off of each other at dinner,” Mike says. “We “We need each other more than ever,” Jackie said. can get things off our chest, and put things into perspec Mike, Jackie, and Megan are all nurses on the front lines at share our day.” local hospitals, while Eric, a De La Salle Collegiate The dinner time together alumnus from 2018, has been particularly is working as a phar important for Mike and macy tech at the Shelby Megan who are keeping Township Meijer’s. He is vigils at patients’ bed also studying neurosci sides, as family visitors ence and psychology at have been prohibited dur Wayne State University. ing the pandemic. When they arrive home, “In normal times, their all shower immediately, families would be there,” taking precautions, con said Megan, a 2014 gradu scious that the danger of ate of Regina High School infection for each of them in Warren. “Or we’d be is very real. facilitating a call with Mike, Megan, and Eric we’re the surrogate family call Jackie “The Enforcer” and laugh. The Manczyk Family members. And we’re hold ing hands as someone is “We shower, get changed, dying.” and are careful not to bring the virus into the house,” As patients at the hospitals come off ventilators or are dis says Mike, who works at Henry Ford Macomb in Clinton charged, the public address system plays a song. Township. “I’m usually in the ICU, and now we’ve been almost exclusively dealing with COVID patients.” At Receiving, it’s the Motown classic, “I’ll be there.” At St. Jackie, normally assigned to assist in open-heart surgeries And Journey’s “Don’t stop believing” is on the speakers at at St. John Hospital in Detroit, has also been with COVID Henry Ford Macomb. patients as elective surgeries have been restricted. “All of us are in direct contact with patients who have this things in perspective,” Jackie said. “I’m grateful to be on virus. So far, by the grace of God, all of us are COVID the other side of the glass.” free.” tive. This has been a good bonding time. It’s important to someone out of state. Now John Hospital, Motown’s “Ain’t no mountain high enough.” “When you walk outside every day after work, it puts

Robotics helps alumnus with 3D project

For De La Salle Collegiate alumnus Phil Zimny his 3D printer was a way to assist his alma mater’s robotics team. But during these unprecedented times, he is using his printer to help frontline healthcare workers in their fight against COVID-19. A self-employed computer programmer, Zimny consulted with lifelong friend and De La Salle science teacher Rob Black, on his idea to make face shields and donate them to metro Detroit hospitals. Black also serves as a moderator for the AutoPilots, the school’s successful robotics team. “Hospitals have had a huge shortage of personal protective equipment,” Zimny said. “Materials are in short supply, and people around the world are trying to solve the prob lem, such as using the acetate sheets teachers use to use on overhead projectors. The acetate is thinner, but with some modifications, it can work.” Zimny, who graduated from De La Salle in 2002, is mak ing full-face shields for doctors and nurses. Working alone in his home, he made a template for the clear shields, and then physically bends each shield to fit a plastic headband. Elastic purchased from a craft store is then used to complete the shields. Zimny estimates each completed shield costs about $2.50. “I’m really just donating my time,” Zimny said. “It’s not a lot of money.” So far, completed shields have been donated to area hospi tals, including Children’s Hospital of Michigan, in Detroit and Troy. While social distancing and the governor’s stay-home order prohibits AutoPilots team members from participating in the physical process, they did manage to play a small – yet significant role – in helping manufacture the shields. With the surplus budget left from this year’s suspended robotics season, Black asked school Principal Nate Maus if the funds could be used to purchase materials to build the face shields. “The Robotics team leaders had a great idea to create face shields and Full-face shields all ready to help donate to our frontline medical workers. frontline medical personnel,” Maus said. “It was a great way to use the resources they had to help those who needed it most. They are truly a reflection of the Lasallian character we try to instill in our students every day.” A robotics team mentor, Zimny enjoyed work with De La Salle students and his 3D printer. “I got involved with the robotics team because it was a way to pay back to the kids,” he said. “I saw how useful 3D render ings were. It’s been a tool for me to learn a skill I don’t have.” With De La Salle’s donation, Zimny purchased specialized filament and clear plastic and is printing out the headband portion on his printer. He has produced 70 headbands used on the shields. “It took a little time to get the right speed and temperature,” he said. “You don’t want the finished product to look like a spaghetti monster.” Zimny’s said his love for computer programming began in high school with classes taught by teachers Richard Dobryzinski and Tony DeSantis. Learning basic program ming in DeSantis’ class and general-purpose programming from Dobryzinski led him to college at Loyola of Chicago. “I didn’t appreciate how good those courses were until I got into college,” Zimny said. The De La Salle Dads Club donated many of the tools that AutoPilots members use to build out the robots that are used in local and state competitions. But Black, who has now ordered his own 3D printer, said the school could use more assistance from alumni for things like 3D printers, metal, and wiring