University of Dayton Magazine, Summer 2020

IN SOLIDARITY

COACH — — OF T H E

YEAR

100 YEARS AS UD

UNCOMMON TIMES

FLY BY QUINTESSENTIAL FLYER STORIES

Serendipity in action

A Flyer connection 70 years in the making. B Y G I TA B A L A K R I S H N A N

UNIVERSITY OF DAYTON MAGAZINE | Spring 2020

Illustration by BRENT BECK

eryone found seats.

Phil Doepker decided to walk over to a table that had only students sitting at it. Gilroy put her homework away. Doepker introduced himself as a 1967 graduate of the engineering school.

“When he told me his graduation year, I thought that there was a very small chance he might know my grandfather, a UD alumnus as well,” Gilroy said.

Doepker indeed knew John Deters ’62.

He told Gilroy, “It is only because of him that I am standing here today as a UD alumnus.”

IRST-YEAR STUDENT QUINN Doepker shared that Gilroy had a bit of time to spare his family had known in February, so she decided to the Deters family for 70 go to “Maintaining a Lifelong years, dating back to the Relationship with UD,” where alumni 1950s. In fact, the two came to campus to share their insights families were neighbors as to how a UD student’s University in Ottawa, Ohio, and experience does not have to end on he knew not only John graduation day. but all of Gilroy’s greatHer past attendance at PATH events aunts and uncles.

— required for students to learn about “It was by luck that living in community and gain points for I happened to wander housing preference — had been very into that table and that tentional; but on this particular day, it Quinn happened to be was by pure chance that she walked into sitting there,” Doepker the ballroom at Kennedy Union, found said. an empty seat, sat down and started As the two continued working on homework. talking, Doepker revealed that when he “I went to this event solely because I was finishing high school, he had been released from another If you have did not know what to pursue.

PATH event early,” said Gilroy, a Flyer-to-Flyer His initial plan was to attend a Portland, Oregon, resident. “I run-in, adventure a technical school in Toledo, did not intend to have any sort or experience which provided a certificate afof personal experience with the that embodies ter two years. event whatsoever.” the community Being older, Deters was alGilroy would learn shortly bond shared by ready a student at the Universi— as most Flyers experience the Flyer family, send your story ty of Dayton, pursuing a degree eventually — that it is exactly to magazine@ in economics. those experiences that make udayton.edu.

Said Doepker, “When my being a part of Flyer nation so parents were talking to his parspecial. ents about my plans, they told us to just The turnout was so large that orgagive them a few days. They would talk to nizers asked the alumni to walk around John and see what other opportunities the room and talk to students while ev-

F

were available.”

Deters did some digging. He shared that there was a technical program at UD in mechanical technology that lasted two years and awarded an associate degree instead of a certificate.

“John set up everything,” Doepker shared. “My mom, dad and I went. John gave us a tour. I learned about the program, applied and got accepted.”

After finishing, Doepker said the faculty and staff urged him not to stop but continue his education. He listened and received his bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering. From there he went on to receive his master’s degree, worked in industry 16 years, returned to UD, became a mechanical engineering professor, and helped found UD’s Innovation Center before retiring in 2011.

When the PATH event ended, Gilroy sought out Doepker and snapped a photo to seal the memory.

“Leaving the event, I was truly bursting with joy,” she said. “I had never been to a PATH event where I made a true, genuine connection with someone. It was such a small-world experience that I never would have expected to have, but I am so grateful that I did. Not only was I happy to have met him, but I was especially happy to know that I would most likely see him again in the near future and have that experience to share with our families, accentuating the truly lifelong bond that comes with being a Dayton Flyer.”

It was such a small-world experience that I never would have expected to have, but I am so grateful that I did.

Additional reporting by Kaelin Kelly ’20.

Spring 2020 | UNIVERSITY OF DAYTON MAGAZINE

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Photograph by NATALIE SCHULTE ’20

Summer 2020 | UNIVERSITY OF DAYTON MAGAZINE

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CONTENTS SUMMER 2020

FEATURES

30

Full-court embrace

A basketball team plays for its city

38 Of Dayton 100 years since the renaming of UD

46 Uncommon times

Pandemic requires quick action, collaboration as campus looks to the fall

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UNIVERSITY OF DAYTON MAGAZINE | Summer 2020

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17

ONLINE EXTRAS

21

udayton.edu/magazine

Candid conversation

28

56

UD’s President answers questions from SGA

73

Lessons learned Alumni wisdom from the Classes of 1995, 2014

1 // Fly By Serendipity in action

6 // Our UD The morning sun

FLIGHT DECK

10 // Supporting students Crisis fund receives record donations

12 // Black lives matter UD stands in solidarity

17 // View Finder Step by step

20 // Virtual graduation Pomp continues despite unusual circumstances

21 // Flyer Time 8:45 p.m., chapel

26 // Eye Suffrage marches on

28 // Sports Trautman heading to NFL

T H E A LU M N I

Look around

56 // Spotlight Glam grabs the Emmy

Campus misses every one of you

58 // My Old House 115 Lawnview Ave. 59 // Alumni impact When internships dry up, Flyers step up 63 // Class Notes

ON THE COVER Anthony Grant ’87 won all of the five major basketball coach of the year awards.

73 // Perceptions

Photograph by ERIK SCHELKUN / ELSESTAR IMAGES

76 // Parting Words

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DAYMAG ON THE GO Read the magazine anytime, anywhere, through the free University of Dayton Magazine app or online at bit.ly/UDM_digital.

Want the mag via mail or email?

Tell us: magazine@udayton.edu.

University of Dayton Magazine (Spring 2020, Vol. 12, No. 4, ISSN 2152-3673) is published quarterly by the University of Dayton, University Marketing and Communications, 300 College Park, Dayton, OH 45469-1303.

Periodicals postage paid at Dayton, Ohio. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to University of Dayton Magazine, Records Office, 300 College Park, Dayton, OH 45469-7051.

Summer 2020 | UNIVERSITY OF DAYTON MAGAZINE

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OUR UD PRESIDENT’S COMMENTARY

The morning sun, the flicker of a candle

A

DEER STARTLED ME, IN A GOOD WAY, WHEN

he peered into my home office window during the middle of the University’s first Zoom-based board of trustees’ meeting.

I treasure that unexpected moment of grace. We glimpse the sacred when we open our eyes to the world around us and pause to appreciate the extraordinary in life’s ordinary moments that, sadly, sometimes escape our attention.

Since the University of Dayton abruptly sent students home and shifted to online learning in mid-March as a public health measure to avoid the spread of COVID-19, Father Jim Fitz, S.M., our rector and vice president for mission, has been a gentle, steady guide, inviting us to enter into the mystery of the unexpected and the unknown — and embrace it.

“Christ is the light that shatters the darkness,” he told faculty and staff at virtual town hall meetings this spring.

“Sometimes in our faith journey, the light of Christ is like the morning sun, brightly lighting our path. At times like this pandemic, the light of Christ is a flicker of a candle showing us no more than the next step. We walk by faith, not by sight.”

Our Catholic, Marianist university resides at the intersection of faith and reason. Our academic journey is a search for the truth, one that can be recorded in a researcher’s scientific formula or a student’s essay written late at night as part of a final grade. Yet the test before us today is profoundly different. We’re required to learn new lessons in solidarity, renew our commitment to each other — and stretch the frontiers of knowledge. We’re asked to make sacrifices for the common good. We’re invited to be people of hope who walk by faith.

In this moment of great need, so many alumni are doing whatever they can — visible and invisible, big and small — to help their neighbors and our human community. For those sick, caring for others or mourning, may God’s grace wrap you in comfort. For those who have lost jobs, feel emotionally adrift or have taken on the exhausting task of homeschooling children while working from home, I wish you strength and resilience in the days ahead. For our healthcare workers comforting the sick and our researchers searching

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UNIVERSITY OF DAYTON MAGAZINE | Summer 2020

Father Jim Fitz, S.M., shares a prayer with faculty and staff for the strength to continue our commitment to community, solidarity and the common good.

for a cure, you are our heroes.

In this issue of the University of Dayton Magazine, you’ll read stories of hope, faith, love — and tenacity. You’ll learn about our careful planning efforts to return to campus with safety measures in place. You’ll see how the spirit of our beloved UD community, like the flicker of a candle, will never extinguish. You’ll experience unexpected moments of grace.

This is Flyer nation, a community of pragmatists and dreamers, visionaries and doers. With our collective will, creativity and enduring faith, we will light a new path forward.

ER IC F. SPI NA President, University of Dayton

THE BUZZ President Eric F. Spina

I’m grateful for Sister Angie’s commitment to UD and for being a presence of Christ in my life.

I NSPI R E D BY SIST E R A NGI E I enjoyed the celebration of the ministry of Sister Angela Ann Zukowski, M.H.S.H. [“Faith Flourishes” and “God’s Work,” Spring 2020].

As an undergraduate, I was introduced by Brother Phil Aaron, S.M., to Sister Angie to help me with my independent study of Christian social action. Her suggested readings and probing questions helped to encourage and inspire me in what has become a life vocation and advocation working in civil rights and community development, giving a voice to the lost, the lonely and the left out.

Today, you can find me working full time with 30 men in a new supportive housing pogram through the Hope House Homeless Shelter for Men in Middletown, Ohio, where we are always in need of donated items to support their recovery and stability.

I’m grateful for Sister Angie’s commitment to UD and for being a presence of Christ in my life. May God continue to bless her and use her gifts for his glory. ­—Richard “Todd” Williams ’82

Middletown, Ohio todd@rtoddwilliams.com

KUDOS For years I’ve wanted to write and tell you what a fantastic job you do. Now that I’m “housebound,” I have some extra time.

Your stories are so inspiring, relevant and

capturing. I look forward to each issue, knowing that I won’t be disappointed. Contrast that to other magazines that I receive from other institutions ... that I toss without even opening.

Kudos to all of you — for all your hard work — and for your commitment to excellence, integrity and divine inspiration. May God continue to bless your efforts.

—Pam Fletcher Walker ’70 Dayton

Your spring magazine was enjoyable to read. Keep up your great work and stay healthy.

—John Beach Dayton

One of my favorite diversions. Thank you @daymag for another great issue! Much needed.

—Timothy Swensen @tswensen via Twitter

With the current shelter-in-place orders in Illinois, it was a joy to receive the Spring UD Magazine with no mention of COVID-19!

While unplanned, this true break and time to read it from cover to cover reminded us of what community is, what our core values are and why we love UD. We also recently discovered two new neighbors with UD flags out for March Madness — that we know we would have won. We will be introducing ourselves once all of this social distancing is over. Take care, fellow Flyers.

Vice President for University Marketing and Communications Molly Wilson Editor Emeritus Thomas M. Columbus Editor Michelle Tedford Managing Editor Gita Balakrishnan Art Director Danielle Johnson Photographer Larry Burgess Production Director Jeaneen Parsons Designer Brother Bob Hughes, S.M. Graduate Assistant Michelle Gregg

Staff Brent Beck, Jen Clark, Thomas M. Columbus, Michael Dunekacke, Brigham Fisher, Gina Gray, Leigh Hall, Cathy Johnson, Mike Kurtz, Kim Lally, Shannon Shelton Miller, Brian Mills, Meagan Pant, Teri Rizvi, Shawn Robinson Student Staff Lauren Durham, Shayleigh Frank, Kaelin Kelly, Lauren Maier, Meredith McDonald, Kathryn Niekamp, Meredith Robinson, Kendra Zonca Contributors Tom Archdeacon ’72, Dick Ferguson ’73, Kevin M. Johnson, Lisa VanDyke

Website: udayton.edu/magazine Email: magazine@udayton.edu Send class notes to: classnotes@udayton.edu Records changes only to: records@udayton.edu or 888-253-2383 Twitter: twitter.com/daymag Facebook: facebook.udayton.edu

—Amy Sand ’97 and Phil Pessefall ’98 Wheaton, Illinois

Summer 2020 | UNIVERSITY OF DAYTON MAGAZINE

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TH E BUZZ

F LY E R L OV E @DaytonFlyers @univofdayton @daymag sending love and support to all Flyers from North Jersey. #Dayton

—Tim Finnegan @timfinnegan55 via Twitter

L I F E E X PE R I ENCE I read Charles Wolan’s class note from the Class of 1963 [Spring 2020] with great interest. I think it would be a good idea to ask other Golden Flyers to send Class Notes a short synopsis of their experiences.

I’m sure their classmates would find them interesting, and younger Flyers would find them inspiring.

SUBMIT YOUR LETTERS:

By mail: University of Dayton Magazine 300 College Park Dayton, OH 45469-1303 Via email: magazine-letters@udayton.edu Tweet to: @daymag Please include your city and state.

Indicate whether you wish your email address printed. Letters should not exceed 300 words.

University of Dayton Magazine may edit for clarity and brevity.

Letters printed are representative and not all received are printed.

Opinions expressed are those of the letter writers and not necessarily of this publication nor the University of Dayton.

—Tom Donahue ’61 Fort Myers, Florida

Editor’s note: Excellent idea. Please see Page 63 for Tom Donahue’s class note. And please send notes of your own to classnotes@udayton.edu.

PL A ST IC CH A L L ENGE I read the essay “Plastic Fast” by Maureen Schlangen [Winter 2018-19] and wanted to thank you for sharing. We need a movement of people to start reducing consumption and demand more reusability. My spouse and I have been on our single-use plastic fast for about two years now, which has required drastic changes to how we eat and shop and has made us into quite the DIY-ers in terms of making our own yogurt or skincare products. It continues to be a major challenge, but we have also become evangelists for reusables. Keep up the good fight!

—HaQuyen Pham ’07 Middlebury, Vermont

MOV I NG TA L E The reprint of the story of Erika Schulhof Rybeck [“On Her Own,” Jan. 24, 2020] is such a moving tale of her personal strength, it well deserved the retelling, and I thank you for doing it.

—Robert B. Higdon ’62 Franklin, Tennessee

Editor’s note: The story, which first appeared in the Autumn 2014 UD Magazine, was reprinted online for the 75th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz. More of Erika Schulhof Rybeck’s story can be found in her 2013 memoir On My Own: Decoding the Conspiracy of Silence, available from online booksellers. Her story is also part of

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UNIVERSITY OF DAYTON MAGAZINE | Summer 2020

the United States Holocaust Museum Collection.

She donated documents on the Schulhof family and their ancestors in Austria, Poland and Czechoslovakia, including correspondence she had with her parents between 1939 and 1941.

B O OK T H A N K S [Regarding The Gravity Between Us in Spring 2020 UD Magazine] Ah! I’m incredibly honored to see a review of my book pop up in my university’s alumni magazine. Thank you for the love and support @univofdayton & @daymag.

—Phil Stamper ’10 @stampepk via Twitter

ROW ON Very cool feature in the @daymag on one of our biggest supporters [“Once Upon a Boat,” Feb. 11, 2020]. Thank you, Jim Marten ’81!

—Dayton Rowing @DaytonWRowing via Twitter

I N SE RV ICE Thank you to three @univofdayton Flyers, Mark, Pat and Katy! [“Three Flyers Provide Health Care Together During COVID19,” April 4, 2020]. Grateful for your service @OSUWexMed and so proud of your commitment!

—Christine Delisio Kremer ’94

@ChristineKremer via Twitter

W H AT I F Man, @daymag wasn’t wrong ... [“Season to Remember,” Spring 2020 UD Magazine].

—Mike Flickinger ’98 @mikeflick via Twitter

FLIGHT DECK Q&A P. 14 // VIEW FINDER P. 17 // PICTURE THIS P. 19 // WHERE ARE YOU READING? P. 22 // EYE P. 26 // SPORTS P. 28

GOOD FOR YOU

Farm harvested 52,000 pounds of food while operating on 100% renewable energy.

Mission of Mary Cooperative, an urban farm in a neighborhood two miles from campus, become the city’s first net-zero energy organization thanks to UD School of Engineering students, faculty and staff. Michael Schulz ’07, executive director and one of the co-op’s lay Marianist founders, said the UD partnership allowed the co-op to retrofit the farm’s main facility, install a geothermal HVAC system and power it through a solar panel array: “We are proving to our neighborhood and our city how sustainable development can support our operations in a way that respects nature, the needs of the neighborhood and future generations.” It’s a transformation they hope becomes part of the fabric of Dayton.

Photograph by MEGAN KUJAWA AND ELIJAH KNAPP

Summer 2020 | UNIVERSITY OF DAYTON MAGAZINE

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FLIGHT DECK NEWSWORTHY

CLICK FOR MORE (photos)

Wearing our heart on our sheets COME TOGETHER

Our community shares, cares and supports students in crisis.

T

HE FLYER COMMUNITY DEMON-

strated once again how it comes together to support those with the greatest need during a day of sharing and caring April 2.

More than 1,550 supporters donated $702,481 to aid student and University priorities. They also submitted more than 160 signs of goodwill through a decidedly UD form of communication — sheet signs often hung from porches, plus sidewalk chalk art and other creative displays.

These “sheets of solidarity” thanked health care workers and first responders, showed Flyer Pride and displayed a commitment to social distancing. The idea came from Campus Ministry as a way for Flyers around the country to come together at a time when the COVID-19 pandemic was necessitating we be apart, said Kelly Adamson, director of residence life ministry.

The pandemic required many changes to the original plans for April 2 — and quickly. In two weeks, in-person events were canceled and the day shifted to a virtual event focusing on care and community, as well as the opportunity to support the financial needs of students. The Student Crisis Fund netted $135,000 in direct support and will be combined with other donations — such as to the UD Fund and deans’ excellence funds 10

— to support the high number of assistance requests from students, said Jen Howe, vice president for University advancement. Because of the pandemic, students are experiencing hardships in the areas of food, housing, transportation and tuition.

“Thanks to the donors who are contributing to this fund, these students are able to cover those needs and continue with their education at a time when their financial challenges would otherwise force them to stop,” Howe said. “We thank the donors for putting into practice the University’s Catholic and Marianist tradition to care for others in community.”

Jennifer Weed ’95 was among those answering the call. A regular contributor to the UD Fund and the UD Alumni Association Scholarship, she donated an additional $100 on April 2 to benefit the Student Crisis Fund.

“Without the time I had at UD, I would not be the person I am today,” said Weed, vice president of education for the Certified Commercial Investment Member Institute.

“I want them to leave feeling the same way about their student experience.”

Weed, who lives in a mid-rise apartment building in Chicago that has neither a porch nor a balcony, also submitted her own take on a sheet sign — a chalkboard decorated with the phrase “There’s no place like

UNIVERSITY OF DAYTON MAGAZINE | Summer 2020

home.” It’s an homage to 101 Lawnview and the lifelong friends she made in that house.

Twelve groups of lead donors — all of whom followed through with their original commitments made before the current global financial crisis — include Debra Plousha-Moore ’89, Margie Smith Klesse ’68 and Bill Klesse ’68, and an anonymous donor from the Class of 1985. The others are Brigid Brakefield ’88, Matt Lambiase ’88, John McKeon ’68 and Kathy Quinlan McKeon ’68, Greg Palmer ’78 and Denise Eder Palmer ’77, an anonymous donor from the Class of 1976, and the members of the Alumni Association Board, the Parent Leadership Council, the School of Engineering Advisory Council and the University Libraries Advisory Council.

“The fact that they all fulfilled their commitments speaks a tremendous amount about their character and how this place makes them feel,” Howe said.

Nationally, university campaigns for student crisis funds have been averaging $50,000 to $60,000 in gifts, said Jen Foster, executive director of annual giving. “People have been experiencing the pandemic in very different ways, but our audiences are still asking what they can do for students,” she said. “Switching our focus to a day of caring and sharing was true to UD’s nature and the right thing to do.”

Photograph by LISA POHLMAN

CLICK FOR MORE (link)

Keep the conversation going WELL-BEING

Unrestricted gifts provide flexibility to meet needs caused by the pandemic.

F

UNDRAISING HAS TAKEN ON AN

increased urgency in supporting the well-being of students and the health of higher education.

That’s the finding of a recent survey of more than 120 fundraisers at universities throughout the country.

“These are the very institutions that are the fabric of our society,” said Jen Howe, vice president for University Advancement.

“There are families who don’t know if they can send their kids in the fall. There are concerns about the overall well-being of students coping through a pandemic. We have to be able to have resources on hand to provide protective gear or additional classroom and living space or additional money to help students whose parents have lost their jobs, their health and, in some tragic cases, their lives to the pandemic.”

In the first weeks after the outbreak of COVID-19, responses to a survey by Grenzebach Glier and Associates, philanthropic consultants, showed a slowing of fundraising efforts and a reticence to reengage in conversations about philanthropy. But that pessimism is increasingly being replaced by cautious optimism fueled by ongoing conversations with audiences including alumni, parents and friends.

Clear communication based on the comfort level of the donor or volunteer is primary, said Chris Morrison ’85, director of campaign operations. Members of the advancement fundraising team first reached out in the early stages of the pandemic to inquire about the health of individuals and their families. Now when appropriate, staff are asking permission to continue conversations about giving or volunteering.

“The greatest concern donors and friends articulated was the impact on students, especially the Class of 2020 and the lost memories caused by cutting short their on-campus experience,” he said.

Donors responded that they were still committed to the University and its priori-

Photograph by BRIANA SNYDER ’09

The greatest concern donors and friends articulated was the impact on students. ties of providing scholarships, creating experiential learning opportunities and building innovation in classrooms and laboratories.

And, unlike what has been reported by GG&A from other institutions, UD donors who committed to giving before the pandemic are not currently asking to defer their pledge payments. This means UD can continue to plan and execute its mission that their support is meant to drive forward.

Prospective donors and volunteers are also accepting more invitations for one-onone virtual conversations. For many, the newfound comfort level with digital communications paired with its ease and flexibility mean more Flyers and friends can make time to hear about how they can help. Conversations March 23 through May were up 63% over last year to nearly 4,000.

“There is a lower threshold to entering into a conversation, and they’re happy to invite you into their living room,” Howe said.

“Our donors are listening — and many are responsive to the direct needs of our students.”

In response to trends in fundraising, UD had already been changing the way it connects and asks, which Howe said put her staff in a better position when the pandemic hit.

This includes improvements in digital communications, creating peer networks and encouraging unrestricted giving.

“When you’re giving in a time of crisis, you realize how fluid everything is,” Howe said. “It’s important for our supporters to be able to trust the institution to know what our students really need and to use their gifts in a very strategic way for things we could have never anticipated — like a pandemic.”

Summer 2020 | UNIVERSITY OF DAYTON MAGAZINE

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FLIGHT DECK NEWSWORTHY

Students, faculty and staff participants at the city’s Martin Luther King Jr. celebration last January.

A

BLACK LIVES MATTER

UD stands in solidarity

try and the world erupted in response to the killing of George Floyd by a Minneapolis police officer, the University of Dayton stood in solidarity with its brothers and sisters of color with calls for action, by providing resources and through continued work for equity and inclusion on campus.

President Eric F. Spina, in a letter to the University community, called on each person to reach out to others, pray and work for the end of violence and bigotry. “This hatred tears at the fabric of our nation, and

Important work ahead to disrupt, dismantle systemic racism.

WAYS YOU CAN HELP NOW. 12

S PROTESTS ACROSS THE COUN-

1

Read about anti-racism.*

2

Follow more diverse voices on social media.

we must institutionally and individually condemn it and work to counteract it,” he wrote.

During a video conversation with members of the Parent Leadership Council that was shared with parents of current students, Spina said the University’s Marianist heritage requires the University to find a new path forward. “We take responsibility for being part of the solution,” he said.

Education is one area where leaders can initiate change, said Lawrence Burnley, vice president for diversity and inclusion. In his participation on a panel discus-

3

Support initiatives you care about.

4

Register to vote.

*To become actively conscious about race and racism and take actions to end racial inequities in our daily lives. source: National Museum of African American History and Culture https://nmaahc.si.edu/learn/talking-about-race/topics/being-antiracist

UNIVERSITY OF DAYTON MAGAZINE | Summer 2020

Photograph by LAUREN MAIER ’21

LOVE LETTER

sion with the Dayton Daily News, he said indeed matter.” children should receive a more nuanced The University shared resources for and complex understanding of our hisaction in its recent communications, intory from multiple perspectives. cluding through social media. These in“We need to hear a woman’s take clude a list of Dayton Black-owned busion this, we need to hear other African nesses, diverse social media accounts to Americans and other follow, recommended Latinx and Native reading and a guide to Americans,” he said. anti-racism resources.

“We need to hear these The guide includes UNIVERSITY STATEMENT different perspectives, understanding racism, ON SOLIDARITY: truly modeling incluresources for anti-racThe University sion in curriculum, ist allies and support helping students think for members of racial of Dayton stands in critically.” minority groups. solidarity with our Curricular change Campus also dembrothers and sisters of is among the 11 areas onstrated its support of action University adto students engaged color in our collective ministration has idenwith UD’s Multi-Ethpain and sadness and tified to continue to nic Education and prays for the end of make progress.

Engagement Center violence and bigotry In a letter to the through a letter signed UD community, memby more than 360 facthat is playing out all bers of the University’s ulty and staff members too often in our country. leadership name the who pledged to work We understand that we recent murders of Afritoward structural all share the responsibility can Americans as part change. of a pattern of injustice In addition to the to find a new path in a nation that must do 11-point plan, the Uniforward that upholds better. “We recognize versity’s first strategic and protects the worth that UD is not immune plan for diversity, eqand dignity of every to the kinds of racist uity and inclusion unsystems and behaviors veiled this past winter person, knowing that that perpetuate instiwill help guide UD’s all life is sacred. tutional racism,” the anti-racism efforts.

Black lives matter. statement reads.

“It’s a time for It continues, “As solidarity, courageous a Catholic, Marianist dialogue, and a reuniversity, we believe newed commitment to every person has innate dignity because equality and dignity for all,” Spina wrote. all people are made in the image and like“Drawing on our Marianist heritage, we ness of God. We are called to embrace understand that we all share the responhuman diversity, communicate with resibility for finding a new path forward spect, and to understand, disrupt, and that upholds and protects the worth and dismantle systemic racism. Black lives do dignity of every person.”

5

Learn from anti-racism movement and thought leaders.

6

Check in on Black friends, loved ones, classmates and colleagues.

7

Listen.

8

Be a voice for change.

Student film premieres Dayton’s Darkest Summer: The Rise from Tragedy is a 17-minute documentary by nearly a dozen media production students that highlights the Dayton region’s resilience, support and strength. Their year-long project is about the tornado outbreak and mass shooting that devastated lives during the summer of 2019.

It premiered online in May, with screenings on three nights hosted by the Department of Communication via Zoom that attracted nearly 200 viewCLICK FOR MORE ers. To date, the documentary has (video) been viewed more than 9,100 times on the Flyer TV YouTube channel.

At the premiere, Haley Celeste, one of the film’s editors, said the students felt “really, really connected to this story” and were surprised by the vulnerability shown by those in grief. Scriptwriter Kaitlyn Baxendale recounted how “hard it was to sit down and ask someone about the worst moment of their life. We left interviews,” she told the audience, “crying.” Matt Pins, who worked on special effects, described the documentary as “a love letter to the city and the school.”

Dayton’s Darkest Summer is the fifth documentary produced by media production students under the guidance of Greg Kennedy, media specialist in residence, and Roy Flynn, instructor of electronic media.

9

Support Black-owned businesses.

10

Get ready to do lifelong work.

Summer 2020 | UNIVERSITY OF DAYTON MAGAZINE

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Christine Szabo ’20 5 QUESTIONS WITH

“The respected and much-beloved end-of-the-bench senior guard” are words used by award-winning sports writer Tom Archdeacon ’72 to describe basketball walk-on Christine Szabo ’20. Her repeatedly jumping up from the bench to cheer for her teammates was reciprocated by them leaping up and cheering when she made a shot; her 11-for-18 shooting from the floor her senior year gave her the highest field-goal percentage on the team. She also received a 4.0 academic award.

1

What’s your strongest UD memory? Besides the quarantine?

A bigger memory is the A-10 championship this year. Freshman year was big. But this year, we had a fairly new team and we struggled early, so we knew we had to win the conference to make the NCAA tournament. The net cutting was awesome; there wasn’t a dry eye. The bond with my teammates will last forever. They’ve gotten me through the worst. The end of my sophomore year my dad was in hospice.

I wasn’t on campus much. Teammates, coaches, professors and support staff were amazing, sending me encouraging texts and many coming to the funeral.

2

Why did you choose UD and a major in communication?

I visited and fell in love with UD. I didn’t want to go to a school smaller than my high school of 2,000 students. I loved the academics and the basketball program. I started here undeclared. Then I took personality tests. Communication kept coming up as a possibility; I love interacting with people.

3

How did you balance academics and basketball? I’ve always done better in school while playing a sport. What you hear about time management may be a cliché, but it’s true. Besides games, practice and conditioning, there are the road trips with study tables. But it’s really fun. I love to travel. If I had to do it over, I’d do it just the same.

4

What was it like doing a summer internship with ABC News and working on campus with ESPN+? At ABC in Washington, D.C., I worked with social news gathering on the assignment desk. I reviewed posts on Instagram and Twitter to find clips and then ask people posting them if we could use them. I also helped with stories and went out into the field with a field producer. On campus with ESPN+ I covered men’s soccer, women’s soccer and volleyball. I’d look up facts, statistics and interesting back stories for the broadcast. For a handful of games, I was sideline reporter.

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What do you plan to do next? One possibility is to pursue an on-camera job in sports broadcasting. The advice for that is to get as many reps as you can on camera — pretty hard to do sheltering in place with no sports. I keep in contact with people working at ABC. I loved Washington, D.C. And then there is also New York.

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UNIVERSITY OF DAYTON MAGAZINE | Summer 2020

Photographs by ERIK SCHELKUN

Camron Greer ’21 5 QUESTIONS WITH

Camron Greer, a junior walk-on guard on the men’s basketball team is — if one believes the roster at DaytonFlyers.com — 5'7." He does admit the possibility that when, by the Dayton bench, he waved his hands above his head to encourage the Flyer Faithful to get on their feet and cheer, they may not have been able to see him among the other players. But in optimism and enthusiasm he towers among the greats.

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What do you think was so special about this season? I can’t tell you if we were one of the best Dayton teams of all time. We don’t know what could have been; things beyond our control took over.

But I can say the bond among the players was really special.

My teammates were my brothers. Our off-court bond translated to one on the court. Everyone worked every day in practice. That work ethic translated to the game. It was a special year — for both us and the women’s team.

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Fans were impressed that not only did the team play well but also appeared to really enjoy playing.

Basketball is really important to the players; it’s more than a game. But one has to realize it is a game and have fun and enjoy it. We went about our business; but we could play with smiles on our faces.

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How did you handle the change from school and basketball to sheltering in place? It’s important to stay busy. I had played the saxophone in middle school; so I took it back up. I also did some art projects — decorated a pair of shoes. Shoes are a passion with me.

I remember going to a Chicago Bulls game, sitting courtside and getting to meet players in the tunnel. I got Derrick Rose’s autograph; I was really into his shoes. My first exclusive shoes were a pair of Jordan Bred IV. I’m a shoe fanatic.

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What do you want to do after you graduate? Work for Nike as a materials engineer. I love Nike shoes. I’ve learned a lot about the design and engineering behind them. Before that, I plan to go to graduate school, possibly for an MBA or a master’s in materials engineering.

I would like to be a graduate assistant. I hope to stay around the game and coach someday. I love the game. It’s hard not being around it.

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How do you balance playing basketball with being a chemical engineering major? It’s a struggle, but my goal is to get my degree and experience Division I basketball. I manage my time as wisely as I can. When it’s not basketball, it’s books or study sessions. But I’d tell prospective students who may also want to be athletes, it’s achievable.

I’m a 5’6” guard from Chicago. Not many people like that become Division I grads, especially from a private school. I’m a Christian; I believe prayer can change things. The sky is never the limit.

Summer 2020 | UNIVERSITY OF DAYTON MAGAZINE

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FLIGHT DECK NEWSWORTHY

A pencil can change the world HOLY MARY

African, Indian, U.S. Marianists partner for children

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OST OF THE CHILDREN LIVING

on the outskirts of Ranchi, India, work on the subsistence farms of their parents. Some get to go to school, perhaps to the Marianist-sponsored Morning Star School.

“While an American child may look forward to receiving the latest video game,” an article in the Marianist magazine Alive reported, “a student from one of these schools may look forward to having her own pencil.”

The African children in the Marianistsponsored Our Lady of Nazareth School live in a Nairobi, Kenya, neighborhood called Mukuru. The literal meaning of Mukuru is “garbage dump.” A single pit latrine may serve 20 families there.

These two schools are among the Mari-

UD EMS

Highest award for service

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anist ministries supported through the order’s Partnering with the Poor Program.

The Marianist Mission estimates that $125 can provide an elementary school student with a year of education, including tuition, books, uniforms and a daily meal.

“Getting an education is a huge advantage for these kids. Realistically, it’s the only chance they have of escaping poverty,” said Brother Alex Tuss, S.M. ’71, of

the Marianist Mission, which is headquartered on the edge of Dayton. One of Tuss’s favorite Bible verses is from Matthew: “Whatever you did for one of the least of these, you did for me.”

–THOMAS M. COLUMBUS For more information on the Marianist ministries in Africa and India, see www.marianist.com/India-Africa or contact Tuss at alex.tuss@marianistmission.org.

WHEN A CALL FOR MEDICAL RESPONDERS WENT OUT FOR THE STAR-STUDDED GEM CITY SHINE

benefit concert, which brought 20,000 people to Dayton’s Oregon District in August 2019, three University of Dayton undergraduate student emergency medical technicians responded.

“We were assigned to one of the first-aid tents,” said Chad Jaenke ’20, a biology major from Cleveland and 2019-20 chief of University of Dayton Emergency Medical Services. “We had people walking up to us with heat exhaustion and things like cuts.”

Assisting during the event — which raised funds and spirits in the wake of last year’s mass shooting in the Oregon District — was just one of many acts of campus and community service that earned UD EMS the 2020 Collegiate EMS Community Engagement Program of the Year award, presented during the National Collegiate Emergency Medical Services Foundation’s 27th annual conference in Boston in March. UD EMS was the first recipient of this new award.

“It’s in our mission statement that we proudly serve the UD campus and surrounding community,” Jaenke said. “We are here to volunteer and to serve, and we’re proud to be able to represent UD and to be able to serve the community.” — D A V E L A R S E N

UNIVERSITY OF DAYTON MAGAZINE | Summer 2020

Photograph (top) by RICH DAVIS

STEP BY STEP V IE W F IN D E R

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UD RIVER STEWARDS

JUMPING INTO THE RIVER HE 2020 COHORT OF UNIVERSITY OF DAYTON RIVER

Stewards created a children’s book, Into the River, to inspire children’s literacy and educate local youth about the importance of rivers in the greater Dayton area.

Written for the third grade reading level, the picture book takes readers on a colorful journey through the Great Miami River, adjacent the University campus. Sixteen senior River Stewards wrote, illustrated and designed the book, which incorporates local landmarks, fundamental watershed education and native species. It was published April 22, on Earth Day, in conjunction with the Brother

Among the students’ goals was to create a culturally relevant and socially inclusive book for children living in book deserts, where access to books does not meet the needs.

Joseph W. Stander Symposium, the University’s annual celebration of academic excellence.

“I see this book as a great way for students to ‘take home’ their education,” said Rachel Carr, the project’s programming lead and a political science major from Centerville, Ohio. “We hope that the story transforms general scientific concepts into local, meaningful and memorable stories. Children are powerful influencers in the community and can help our mission of stewardship. Their education and involvement in these issues is vital to our whole community.” — A L L I S O N B R A C E ’ 2 2

“There is always going to be a need that needs to be met. We have to step up and meet that need.” —KELLY HINES,

environmental biology

major from Indianapolis

The River Stewards partnered with the City of Dayton Water Department and Division of Environmental Management, the Miami Conservancy District and Five Rivers MetroParks to produce 2,400 copies of the book.

“We wanted children to easily identify with the book … and see the urgency and need for protecting the rivers.”

—BAYLOR JOHNSON,

civil engineering major from Grosse Pointe Woods, Michigan

“It shows their adaptive capacity and the value of place-based learning.”

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UNIVERSITY OF DAYTON MAGAZINE | Summer 2020

—LESLIE KING,

director of the Rivers Institute

Plans for a release at Dayton Metro Library of the printed book was postponed because of the novel coronavirus.

Instead, children, families and teachers have immediate access to the e-book and accompanying lessons through the UD Libraries ecommons site.

VIRTUAL EXPERTS

No stopping Stander Adaptability permeated the annual Stander Symposium. At this year’s reimagined virtual event, 575 students presented 307 projects — drawing an estimated audience of 13,000 and growing. Posters and presentations are available at ecommons. udayton.edu/stander.

At the RiverMobile — the mobile learning classroom created by the River Stewards in 2012 — children used pipe cleaners, Play-Doh and colored pencils to create pictures of what most attracted them to the watershed: animals, make-believe and fishing.

“The kids’ art was incorporated into the final book, which was really awesome.”

—MEAGHAN LIGHTFOOT, environmental

“I learned that I can grow as an artist and learn about different tools to create something new, and to really listen to the community while creating art.” —NOEL MICHEL,

mechanical engineering major from Columbus, Ohio

Community envisioning sessions solicited input on plot, characters, watershed and features of history, landscape and lifestyle that should be included on the pages.

biology major from Potomac, Maryland

River Stewards added scenes and characters to the kids’ art to create a whimsical narrative about a child transformed into creatures of the river.

“We wanted the community to have a voice in this entire process.” —NATALIE MERLINE,

environmental biology major from Eureka, Missouri

SEAN NEWHOUSE, online editor-in-chief for the Flyer News, analyzed 2,000 tweets from interest groups on both sides of the political spectrum leading up to the 2018 midterm elections to determine which ones received the most retweets or comments. “Tweets that used argumentative language received consistently more feedback. Negative messaging reaches the largest audience possible,” said Newhouse, who double majored in political science and communication. “Twitter is a platform that elevates the angriest voices.”

GRADUATE STUDENT ZHIYUAN XIE used computer deep learning through UD’s Vision Lab to map accumulation and ablation in glacial basins in the Himalayas, a step toward developing a fully automated and worldwide method for glacier mapping. He said one of the challenges was cleaning up the local data to ensure the computer could properly learn and accurately map how glaciers are growing or receding. “Analyzing the dynamics of glaciers provides indications of climate,” he said.

SENIOR DANIELLE VILLHARD combined her majors in visual arts and education to explore the elements that make for an effective elementary classroom. Her final project included a miniature classroom model incorporating elements of color, walls that teach, flexible seating and a reading nook.

“I made choices to my model that corresponded to my real-life scenario,” said Villhard, who will teach fourth grade next fall.

Summer 2020 | UNIVERSITY OF DAYTON MAGAZINE

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FLIGHT DECK CLICK FOR MORE (video)

NEWSWORTHY

CELEBRATION

Forever Flyers graduate virtually Pomp continues despite unusual circumstances.

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RECORD NUMBER OF STUDENTS

became forever Flyers the weekend of May 9 and 10. And while it wasn’t the ceremony they had anticipated, it was one to remember.

Because of the pandemic, commencement — as well as all other campus events — could not be held as planned. The degree conferral ceremony instead moved online.

The Pride of Dayton Marching Band started the festivities with the national anthem, each musician recorded from a bedroom, basement or living room scattered around the country.

“Every University of Dayton graduating class has its story to tell,” President Eric. F. Spina told the 1,490 graduating seniors. “Your story is powerful, poignant, courageous. And how you continue to rise above the times will determine not just your character but your destiny.”

In the law school ceremony, he urged graduates to remember that they are resilient, flexible and problem-solvers extraor-

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dinaire — all traits that will serve them well in their professions and in life.

The ceremony for graduate students was attended virtually by Varshith Madasu and his seven roommates gathered around a computer hooked to a television in their apartment on Firwood Drive near campus.

Joining him online were his parents and sister in his hometown of Hyderabad, India, where it was almost midnight.

“They were happy that I was part of the Flyer community and that we had someone taking care of us,” he said.

Madasu, who received a master’s in computer science, was among graduating students convened a month prior to share their thoughts on what a virtual ceremony should include. Students asked for it not to replace commencement — the University is planning to reschedule its on-campus ceremony — but to capture the community spirit that imbued their education.

Each ceremony featured photos submitted by graduates of their time at UD and

UNIVERSITY OF DAYTON MAGAZINE | Summer 2020

well-wishes from their faculty. “When your children ask you what you did during the great pandemic, tell them you persevered and that you graduated from the University of Dayton,” said history professor Janet Bednarek in a pre-recorded video.

“My daughter’s spirits were lifted during the family viewing of the cerCLICK emony,” wrote in Ellen Davis, mother FOR MORE (video) of graphic design major Erica Davis.

“The mood of the entire day was one of celebration and jubilation.”

Nearly 2,100 students received degrees in the three May ceremonies. Combined with degrees already granted in August and December, nearly 3,000 Flyers have earned degrees this academic year. Both marks eclipse records set last year. Graduates received their diplomas by mail, but the date they became alumni will always be special.

“This memory is going to be with us for all time,” Madasu said. “We are proud to be Flyers.”

FLYER TIME

8:45 p.m. chapel When you pair the blue dome of Immaculate Conception Chapel with the pinks and oranges of a sky turning from day to night, you just have to pause and remember the magic that happens at dusk in Dayton. “I have no sense of direction, but I know the sun rises at Stuart Hall and sets on Stonemill,” said Micah Eames ’15, who turned his love for photos of sunsets, the chapel dome and dogs into a job after graduation as the University’s social media strategist. He’s now a media communications associate at TED Conferences in Brooklyn, New York, which also has nice sunsets — and lots of buildings to block the view.

“Nothing beats sunsets in Dayton,” he said.

Photograph by BRIGHAM FISHER

Summer 2020 | UNIVERSITY OF DAYTON MAGAZINE

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WHERE ARE YOU READING U N IVE RS IT Y O F DAY TO N MAGA Z I N E?

1 Becca Mayors Considine ’10 and her husband, Matt, traveled in September 2019 to South Africa, where they spent time on safari at Kruger National Park. She brought UD Magazine with her to show a family of lions.

2 Peter Deschner ’68 and his wife, Linda, spent three weeks touring Italy in October. The trip culminated with an excursion to the north side of Mount Etna where they stood on lava stone from the 2002 eruption.

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3 Jennifer Free Franz ’93 and her husband, Doug, recently crossed off an item on their bucket list. “We planned on making it to the Maui Invitational in Hawaii sometime in our retirement years. The stars aligned and we were able to cheer on our Flyers at the tournament in 2019.”

They traveled with longtime friends Ted Valley ’95 and Kelly Adams Valley ’96.

4 Colleen Edwards McHugh ’12, Danielle Phillips ’12, Sarah

UNIVERSITY OF DAYTON MAGAZINE | Summer 2020

Edwards ’12, Lauren Epner Bowman ’11 and Glenna Knape ’12 traveled to Nambiti game reserve in KwaZuluNatal, Ladysmith, South Africa. Sarah writes, “In November 2019 we met in this beautiful country for Lauren’s wedding to her now husband, Matt. We were on our last game drive of the bachelorette trip, stopping for morning coffee. While out in the bush, we saw four of the big five and made memories to last a lifetime.”

5 Students took part in a trip to Tijuana, Mexico, this winter break serving at the Tijuana Christian Mission.

Students helped get the orphanage ready for its upcoming inspection, connected with the children and served the local Tijuana area. Top row left to right: David Painter ’14, Cara Daley ’20, James Hoke ’21, Will Capuano ’20, Haitao Ren ’20, Carly Hall ’12, Gabriella Rice ’20 and Hayley Carroll ’22. Bottom row left to right:

Bailey Kocent ’20, Han Le ’20 and Shannon Saelinger ’20.

6 Frank Legan ’95 stands outside the Basilique Sainte Anne, located at the start of the Via Dolorosa, while on pilgrimage to the Holy Land.

7 Nine friends from the Class of 1987 have been getting together every year since graduation. Annually, they pick a city and date to meet. They have traveled from California, Chicago and Cincinnati. In

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October, the friends visited South Haven, Michigan. They write, “We have an amazing friendship. We love telling stories about our days at UD, laughing, drinking beer and wine, and feeling like we are 20 again. We have supported each other through thick and thin.

We lived at 306 Stonemill Road and 223 K St. Many of us have kids who have attended UD.” 8 Chuck Mitchell ’90 and Trinette Mazur Mitchell ’91 traveled to Mexico in January and visited Chichén Itzá. They write, “We also enjoyed the warm weather and snorkeling with sea turtles.”

9 Christine Cirillo ’14 and Michael Buell ’14 met their

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senior year at UD and recently visited Badwater Basin in Death Valley National Park. At 279 feet below sea level, it is the lowest point in North America.

10 Robert Stachler ’14 and Hannah Mayer ’16 traveled around southern Spain for two weeks this summer.

Mayer writes,“This picture was taken in one of the White Hill Towns of Andalusia called Ronda, where everywhere you looked the view was breathtaking. This is the first of many trips abroad for us and our UD Magazine.”

11 John Brieske ’85 knew he was in good hands when he discovered that his physical

therapist was a fellow UD graduate: Marilyn Ramsey Heft Lucas ’08, PT, DPT, OCS. Brieske writes, “Ramsey has been instrumental in my recovery from shoulder surgery at Ortho Atlanta.

She’s tough, but she’s a great physical therapist.”

12 Dave Barrett ’85, Elizabeth Barrett ’11, Matthew Barrett ’13 and Jerry Caruso ’85 took in the Maui Invitational in Hawaii, supporting UD men’s hoops.

13 Liz Kleemeier Harvey ’02 celebrated near the finish line, having completed her third consecutive Boston Marathon.

She writes, “At UD I was a track team walk-on and quit after freshman year. I will hopefully

Where are you reading University of Dayton Magazine? Send us your photo to magazine@udayton.edu.

be running my fourth straight Boston in April 2020.”

Seven UD alumni from the Class of 2002 took a girls’ trip to Key West, Florida, to celebrate their 40th birthdays. Pictured are Cherie Lane Buhler, Ally Mayar Casale, Amy Lorenz Smith, Theresa Hallett, Holly Roetgerman Smith, Lisa Muckley and Jen Meyer Becker.

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15 Many members of the UD Class of 1992 gathered in Chicago Jan. 25 for a reunion and collective 50th birthday party. Katie Power Spring writes, “The night started with a gathering to watch the Flyers defeat the Richmond Spiders in basketball followed by a party

to celebrate our Flyer Pride.”

16 Katie Strattman ’18 and her brother, Sam, in 2019 summited Mount Kenya, the second highest point in Africa. The pair said the journey was incredible, and the views were amazing.

17 Paul Shingledecker ’94 took UD Magazine with him on the CATS bus ride home through the Charlotte, North Carolina area.

18 AJ Miesle ’17, his brother Adam Miesle ’21 and Paige Look ’21 enjoyed a fall trip to Michigan last October.

This photo was taken at the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore dune climb.

Summer 2020 | UNIVERSITY OF DAYTON MAGAZINE

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BOOKSHELF

FLIGHT DECK NEWSWORTHY

READ MORE

Poet’s works live on

(link)

National grant to fund courses, archive on author Paul Laurence Dunbar.

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sult the primary source materials without having to travel to an archive.”

Humanities awarded UD nearly $100,000 The project’s other co-directors are Ju Shen, asto develop interdisciplinary courses and sistant professor of computer science, and Minnita create a digital archive to help preserve Daniel-Cox, associate professor the legacy of Dayton native Paul of music, who in 2014 founded Laurence Dunbar, one of the the Dunbar Music Archive. first influential Black poets in The new Dunbar library American literature. and archive will make maThe three-year, $99,992 terials accessible for search implementation grant supports and use. It also will bridge the “Paul Laurence Dunbar: the campus and Dayton comLife, Works and Legacy” project munities through new, placethrough the NEH’s Humanities based courses and experiential Connections program. learning opportunities cocre“What is especially excitated by faculty and community ing about the project is that it partners. will begin to make thousands of Dunbar (1872-1906) was Dunbar writings and artifacts one of the first Black writers virtually accessible to scholars, in the U.S. to attain national students, educators and the Paul Laurence Dunbar prominence. During his short general public,” said project colife, he produced hundreds of poems, short stories, director Jennifer Speed, research professor of renovels, plays, song lyrics, libretti, journals, essays, ligious studies. “Anyone who wants to learn more letters and political writings. about Dunbar’s life and works will be able to conHE NATIONAL ENDOWMENT FOR THE

FACULTY REMEMBERED

David Mitchell Buckley

Father David Fleming, S.M.

Library professor emeritus 5-1-20

Faculty and Marianist superior general 3-12-20

“Dave was one of the first people to make me feel most welcome as a new employee of the UD Libraries. He set a real example of strength in overcoming any obstacle that life may present.”

—Jane Dunwoodie,

assistant to the dean

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“It is still hard for me think of life in the Society of Mary and the larger Marianist family without Dave. We can be confident in knowing his legacy and zeal for the Marianist charism lives on not only through his books but also through us.” —Brother Thomas

Giardino, S.M. ’65

UNIVERSITY OF DAYTON MAGAZINE | Summer 2020

Eric Friedland Former Sanders Scholar of Judaic Studies 1-16-20 “We had many interesting conversations on who this Jesus of Nazareth is or was, and he was authentically Jewish in his presentation. I enjoyed him as a friend, and he was very good at the give-and-take dialogue with students.”

—William Anderson,

professor emeritus

READ MORE (link)

Whom to choose?

The first comprehensive book to focus on whether vice presidential running mates matter finds much of the speculation is overblown.

UD assistant professor of political science Christopher Devine and Elizabethtown College associate professor of political science Kyle Kopko published Do Running Mates Matter? The Influence of Vice Presidential Candidates in Presidential Elections by University Press of Kansas.

Kopko and Devine share their research of vice presidential influence from more than 200 statistical models spanning the 1952 to 2016 presidential elections.

“Vice presidential candidates almost certainly will not ‘deliver’ the election, or a particular group of voters, but they do send an important signal to voters about who the presidential candidate is and what he or she stands for,” Devine said. “In that sense, the choice of a running mate tells voters a great deal about how someone like Joe Biden will conduct himself as president — and, therefore, whether he deserves their vote in November.”

The co-authors analyzed whether evaluations of the running mate influence voters in general or subsets of voters who share their gender, religion, ideology or geographic identity.

They also examined whether running mates shape perceptions of the presidential candidate who selected them, which in turn influence vote choice.

MAINSTREAM

What you said UD Dept of Music @UDaytonMusic

With all of the chaos and anxiety during the current state of today, we relish the fact that our students are carrying on the tradition of those in Italy by sharing music with others from their homes.

Enjoy our very first “porch concert.” @univofdayton @DaytonPrezSpina

Emma Grace Geckle @emmaxxgrace

Got to take a stroll around my home today & miss it more than words can say

Katie G @katemarie_2014

Blew a tire while driving and a very nice old man stopped to help me. Come to find out he’s a @univofdayton alum too and once he changed my tire, he drove off saying “Go Flyers!!” #flyerfam #goflyers #UD

Toni DeVelin @tonidevelin

The Dayton Flyers had the best player and the best coach in the country this season.

Wrap your head around that. Absolutely would have been crowned national champs next week. Only a virus stopped them. What a year. What a time ...

UD Hanley Sustainability Inst. @ud_hsi

Hannah Fredrickson @Hanfredrickson

I miss you @univofdayton

Christine Rosell Bitner @rentib_enitsirhc

#weareone

Gretchen Kelly @grknoregrets

Need a break from your @universityofdayton school/work? Monkey around and do some sidewalk chalk art. #sustainability

I'm officially done with Grad School @UDaytonLaw @univofdayton!!!

What now?

Summer 2020 | UNIVERSITY OF DAYTON MAGAZINE

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Women eye equality T he women’s suffrage movement marches on.

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N JUNE 4, 1919, THE 19TH AMENDMENT WAS FINALLY PASSED BY CONGRESS.

It meant more than recognizing women’s right to vote in America. It signaled a crucial shift in the way Americans thought about women. That’s because granting women the right to vote meant more than just showing up at the ballot boxes. It meant people understood women were critical to political, social, economic, military and international conversations. Though it would take decades for all the aforementioned issues to also be recognized, the women of the American suffrage movement paved the way for women today to have the freedom, and courage, to continue fighting for gender equality. And the battle has expanded to ensure citizens of all faiths and races are equally recognized. The world is listening. The words of 19th century suffragist Susan B. Anthony remain relevant: “Men, their rights, and nothing more; women, their rights, and nothing less.” In our gratitude to those who dared to challenge social and political structures, we asked UD faculty to share their thoughts on the importance of the American women’s suffrage movement that was ratified 100 years ago this August. — G I T A B A L A K R I S H N A N

UNIVERSITY OF DAYTON MAGAZINE | Summer 2020

Photograph courtesy LIBRARY OF CONGRESS

Thaddeus Hoffmeister Professor, School of Law

The suffrage movement illustrates how women can organize and work collectively on issues that matter to them. Giving women the right to vote allowed them their own voice and the ability to address issues that spoke to them. Women no longer existed solely in the shadows of their fathers and husbands. Leaders of the suffrage movement, like Sojourner Truth, were amazing people. She dispelled the myth of women being the weaker sex. Her life story is a testament to the equality of women through courage and strength. Hopefully, the younger generation realizes that they too have the power to make positive change. Like those who came before them, women of today can improve society and achieve the ultimate goal of gender equality if they are willing to fight for it.

Natalie Hudson

Associate professor, Department of Political Science The 19th Amendment reflects a fundamental change in government — eliminating the presumption that men had a right to govern for women. It was a hard fought battle; three generations of women had sought this change before 1920, and generations of women suffragists fought long after 1920 to ensure that all women could enjoy this fundamental human right. The movement reflects a political awakening for many women where they sought power, influence and a voice outside of the home in organized and mobilized ways.

Giving women the right to vote allows their voice, ideas and needs to be considered in circles of power, in places where decisions are made, and as part of public policy. Whether we are talking about military spending and war or economic stimulus packages or tax reform, social security programs or health care, all of these processes are gendered. This means that these processes make assumptions about men’s and women’s expected roles in society, and they affect men and women differently in their implementation. The right to vote empowers women as citizens, as laborers, as care providers, as educators, as soldiers, as business owners and as students to have a say in the local, state and national decisions that affect their everyday lives.

When we remember women’s suffrage

in the U.S., we historically highlight white, affluent women like Susan B. Anthony, Elizabeth Cady and Lucy Stone. And while their stories are certainly important, we need to also remember and celebrate the brave and difficult work of women such as Mary Church Terrell, Frances Ellen Watkins Harper, and Mary Ann Shadd Cary. For many of these women of color, the passage of the 19th Amendment did not ensure their ability to vote. It was not a time to celebrate for them. To be clear, the amendment only declared that states could not discriminate based on sex; this meant that missions of women and men of color continued to be barred from the polls.

Recalling the history of the movement demands that we pay attention to the precariousness of voting rights and gender equality, especially today. We must be vigilant and civically engaged; this includes voting but also working to ensure that our democratic practices are serving all, especially the most vulnerable among us. We must resist laws that lead to voter suppression for these groups, and we must continue to push for gender equality.

voted. What I’m trying to say is that in some places, no one can vote. And even in places with elections and women’s suffrage, women are still restricted in many ways.

I would encourage young people to first take a global view on suffrage that would include women everywhere.

People should know about the important work of Kate Shepard in New Zealand, the first country to give women the vote in 1893.

In general, people should know about female leaders who are not American and who fought and won their political voting battle long before the United States gave women the right to vote.

The women suffrage leaders were incredibly brave.

Shazia Rahman

Associate professor, Department of English Having the right to vote is crucial in helping women to pressure politicians and government.

But that is only in countries where the right to vote exists. Dictatorships and authoritarian rule are not things of the past.

For example, Brunei in Southeast Asia hasn’t had a direct legislative election since 1962.

Women’s right to vote created ripple effects that helped them gain more access to education and careers. But, women are not encouraged to vote, become educated or have careers in many places around the world even today.

For example, Pakistan, the country where Malala Yousafzai fought for girls’ education, is also the country with the lowest female voter turnout. In the 2013 elections in Pakistan, only 10% of the women

Susan Trollinger Professor, Department of English It is impossible to overestimate the impact the women’s suffrage movement has had on the status of American women. The 19th Amendment signaled women were real political subjects. Whether they agreed with men or disagreed with men — in some sense it doesn’t matter — what mattered is that finally women could articulate their political will in the same way as men. I also take issue of language that implies women were given the right to vote. It took women 72 years to win this battle. They weren’t given anything.

They fought long and hard to get men finally to vote in favor of what should have been the case from the beginning.

The women suffrage leaders were incredibly brave. And they made huge sacrifices on behalf of all the women of their time and in our time.

The more I learn about what women leaders like Alice Paul, who was tortured for fighting for women’s rights, the more I feel deep gratitude for what they did for me and my daughters. They were heroes. They took a very smart look at the signs of their times and became resolved that conditions for women in the U.S. had to change.

There isn’t any way around it — if we want meaningful political change, we have to do the analysis and then be willing to struggle for it. And that is not easy. But, as they proved to us, it can be done. And it’s worth it.

Summer 2020 | UNIVERSITY OF DAYTON MAGAZINE

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Trautman heading to NFL Saints trade four draft picks to nab Flyer tight end.

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LL-AMERICAN TIGHT END ADAM

Trautman made University of Dayton football history April 25 when he became UD’s first nonscholarship player to be selected in the NFL draft.

Trautman, who graduated in December with a degree in electrical engineering, was selected by the New Orleans Saints in the third round.

Trautman, a 6-foot-6, 253-pound redshirt senior from Williamsburg, Michigan, was the first Flyer chosen since the Seattle Seahawks selected offensive tackle Bill Westbeld in the 11th round of the 1977 draft, the season before Dayton transitioned from scholarship to nonscholarship football.

The Flyer co-captain was UD’s Most Valuable Player and the Pioneer Football League Offensive Player of the Year this season. He is the first tight end in PFL history to be named the league’s top offensive player.

Trautman finished his Dayton career with the school record for receptions in a season (70), touchdown catches in a season (14), career receptions (178) and career

UNIVERSITY OF DAYTON MAGAZINE | Summer 2020

touchdown catches (31). He also set the Flyer mark for touchdown catches in a game when he caught four this season against Jacksonville Oct. 5, 2019.

The Saints had Trautman ranked on their list of the top 40 college players. When he was still available late in the third round, they traded the four draft picks they had left to obtain the 105th pick in order to choose him.

Coverage in the New Orleans media was highly favorable about the choice by the Saints, who have posted 13-3 records two years in a row. One headline on Nola.com, the online publication of The Times-Picayune | The New Orleans Advocate, labeled Trautman “the potential ‘steal’ of the draft.”

Another praised the Saints’ approach for “quality over quantity.” A profile of him noted that Trautman, a high school quarterback, had never caught a pass before enrolling at Dayton.

“He will now be paid to play the game,” the article read, “because he learned to be prolific catching them there.”

—THOMAS M. COLUMBUS

Photograph by THOMAS CHRISTENSEN / USD ATHLETICS

A-10 NEWS

SPORTS SHORTS

Goalkeeper wins Fulbright “The only place she struggled was on the soccer field,” wrote Tom Archdeacon ’72 in an article in the Dayton Daily News.

Emily Jones ’20 didn’t play at all her freshman year on the women’s soccer team.

She played in two games her sophomore year; one, her junior year. Her senior year on Senior Day, the Flyers started their usual line-up, with Jones on the bench. In the second half, she came into the game.

The crowd cheered. The Flyers came from behind to win. She finished the season starting the last six games.

Meanwhile in the classroom and laboratory, Jones continually excelled. This year she received UD’s Presidential Outstanding Scholar Award, the top academic award for a student-athlete. She also — for her biochemistry major — finished her thesis, “Combating Antibiotic Resistance Using Plant-derived Compounds.”

A worldwide virus, not bacteria, has delayed her next step from September to January. She will then be a Fulbright Scholar at the Centre for Antibiotic Research at the University of Goteborg in Sweden.

The RUDY is billed as “the most prestigious award” for UD athletes, going to “the people who most epitomize what it means to be a Flyer.”

Kimmell in her acceptance speech thanked teammates, coaches and her family.

“I’m always amazed by the athletes on this campus that show true compassion and hard work in the classroom and on the field,” she said.

“I am proud to be a UD Flyer forever.”

Sullivan, an AD of the year RUDYS highlight the best in student-athletes The annual RUDYS Awards, a usually star-studded banquet to honor student-athletes, went online this year, with winners making acceptance speeches via Instagram and Twitter.

The event April 21 was hosted by the UD Student-Athlete Advisory Committee and the Division of Athletics.

AND THE WINNERS ARE: UNSUNG HERO: Junior Will Majer-

cak, cross country, and seniors Kaci Bornhorst, cross country/track, and Christine Szabo, basketball.

ROOKIE OF THE YEAR: Freshmen

Connor Bruce, tennis, Toluwalase Oladeinbo, soccer, and Alexis Goins, soccer, and redshirt freshman Amelia Moore, volleyball.

The National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics named UD’s top athletic administrator, Neil Sullivan, to receive one of its 2020 Under Armour AD of the Year awards.

Sullivan is one of four honored in the NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision category.

Since becoming vice president and director of athletics in 2015, he has orchestrated the $75 million UD Arena renovation, the Klesse Soccer Complex, the Olsen Athletics Performance Center, the Kacie Hausfeld Volleyball Court and Hidalgo Team Lounge.

He managed the University’s bid that secured the NCAA First Four for the University of Dayton Arena through 2022. During his tenure, Dayton student-athletes’ combined cumulative grade point average has risen to a school-record of 3.368.

Hauschild, Hall of Famer Doug Hauschild ’81 has been elected to the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA) Hall of Fame. The primary athletic communications contact for football and men’s basketball, Hauschild has served as the media coordinator for 102 NCAA men’s and women’s tournament games at UD Arena.

Chair of the Dayton Athletics Hall of Fame committee, Hauschild has been a member of the CoSIDA Academic All-America committee since 1993. In 2009 he won CoSIDA’s community service award for his civic involvement and volunteerism.

Whole lotta fans Dayton Flyers men’s basketball sold out UD Arena for a record 14 of 17 home games in the 2019-20 season.

This beats the previous men’s basketball record of eight UD Arena sellouts, recorded both in the 2018-19 season and in the 1969-70 season, the year UD Arena opened. In 2018-19, UD Arena averaged 12,957 attendees over 17 home games, No. 22 in the country; this season, men’s basketball averaged 13,364 attendees over 17 home games. Total attendance for the most recent season was 227,186.

RISING STAR: Juniors Jonas Fjeld-

berg, soccer, and Mariano Ricciardi, baseball, and sophomores Colleen McDonnell, rowing, and Taylor Robertson, track and field.

LEADERSHIP: Seniors Ryan Culhane,

football, and Domenic Maricocchi, golf, and redshirt senior Shakeela Fowler, basketball.

RUDY: Sophomore Obi Toppin, bas-

ketball, senior Adam Trautman, football, senior Jayla Scaife, basketball, and redshirt junior Mallory Kimmell, softball.

Summer 2020 | UNIVERSITY OF DAYTON MAGAZINE

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FULL-COURT EMBRACE How the Flyers turned tragedy into a drive to play for Dayton, achieving unprecedented success before COVID-19 cut short their season — but never their spirit. BY TO M A RC H D E AC O N ’ 7 2

THE FLYERS MEN’S BASKETBALL SEASON THAT

reached unprecedented heights — bathed in a bright national spotlight and lovingly embraced locally — was bookended by so much fear and deadly consequence. It was the year of what could have been. Yet what the Flyers did accomplish, through hard work, teamwork and love, may be what long endures for the team and fans alike.

The Dayton Flyers’ 2019-20 season, which ended prematurely with the COVID-19 pandemic, had begun after a mass shooting in Dayton’s Oregon District that was witnessed by four UD players, all of whom are lucky to be alive.

That the Flyers still managed a season for the ages — one where they became the winningest, most enchanting, most talked-about team in UD history — had a lot to do with just the right timing.

Game after game — sometimes with no eye contact but almost always perfect timing — junior guard Jalen Crutcher would launch an alley-oop pass that a leaping redshirt sophomore forward Obi Toppin would grab above the rim and jam home for one of his UD-record 190 career dunks, many of which left a sold-out UD

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Arena crowd roaring in delight.

And then there was the mid-January game against Saint Louis at Chaifetz Arena in Missouri when Crutcher brought the ball down court with six seconds left in overtime and the visiting Flyers trailing by one. He brushed his defender into a high screen set by Toppin, made a move to the left and hoisted a perfect 3-point shot for the win with just one second left.

That not only kept alive Dayton’s unbeaten streak that would reach a national-best 20 games, but it continued UD’s rise to a No. 3 ranking and kept the Flyers unscathed in what would end up as a perfect 18-0 record in Atlantic 10 play.

20 SECONDS

But the most crucial timing of the year came some three months before the first tip of the season — on the night of Aug. 3 — when some of the older players went to the Oregon District, a downtown dining and entertainment district.

Then, about an hour past midnight, a 24-yearold man from Bellbrook, Ohio, wearing body armor and firing a semi-automatic rifle burst out

Photograph by ERIK SCHELKUN / ELESTAR IMAGES

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TH E BUZZ

TOP FLIGHT The Flyers won the A-10 regular-season title March 7 against George Washington at home on Blackburn Court.

“Every single day we go out and play for everybody in Dayton and for everybody watching.”

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—OBI TOPPIN

of a narrow walkway onto East Fifth Street next to Blind Bob’s bar.

In just 32 seconds, he would kill nine people, injure 27 and terribly wound a city.

As the gunman was shooting his way across the street toward Ned Peppers bar, Trey Landers, the senior guard who had emerged as the emotional leader of the Flyers, ran inside the crowded bar, escaped out a back door and crawled over a high fence to safety.

An even more harrowing experience happened at the sidewalk taco stand in front of Blind Bob’s, where Ryan Mikesell, the Flyers’ other senior leader, and teammates Jhery Matos and Jordy Tshimanga had been waiting in a line to get something to eat.

According to Mikesell’s parents, Reed and Lisa, the trio had called an Uber to take them back to campus, but when the driver missed them, they took a few steps toward the car just as the killer stepped from the shadows and began firing, killing three people, including

UNIVERSITY OF DAYTON MAGAZINE | Summer 2020

the gunman’s own sister, at that taco stand.

“Ryan said, ‘Mom, 20 seconds sooner and I’d have been the first one shot,’” Lisa Mikesell explained.

The three players pushed into the Uber, but the driver froze and they ended up watching the deadly rampage unfold until the police finally killed the shooter, who had hesitated a second before bursting through the front door of Ned Peppers.

“It was horrible,” Lisa Mikesell said.

The shaken players got back to campus and called head coach Anthony Grant ’87, who hurriedly assembled his team to make sure everyone was safe and to comfort them.

“It was hard to go back through it,” Landers said when asked about the experience later. “You can’t unsee some of the stuff I saw.”

While Mikesell has never spoken publicly about the shootings, he has said Grant struck just the right tone and that the team bond strengthened that night.

ACCOLADES

Soon after, Grant got each of the players and coaches a pair of rubber bracelets.

A red one bore the dates of the Oregon District shooting and the Memorial Day tornadoes that ravaged the Dayton area.

A white bracelet simply read “Dayton Strong” and the team, which wore those bands religiously from then on, brought that message to life more and more as the season progressed.

“Every single day we go out and play for everybody in Dayton and everybody watching,” Toppin said.

Crutcher agreed: “We knew we had to lift the community up with basketball.

There was nothing else that could lift the community up like that because they love basketball here.”

COMMON THREAD

Overlooked in the preseason when they were picked to finish third in the A-10, the Flyers muscled themselves into the national conversation at Thanksgiving when they romped over Georgia and Virginia Tech at the Maui Invitational before falling in overtime to Kansas, the team that would end the season ranked No. 1.

The Flyers would lose only once more — four days before Christmas — when they were edged by Colorado in overtime on a 3-pointer at the buzzer.

After that came the long winning streak and the cathartic relief for a hurting city.

As Dayton Mayor Nan Whaley, a 1998 UD alumna, put it, “We’re going to get through this winter with the Flyers. They have lifted everybody’s spirits and helped us come together. It’s given us something to celebrate.”

Landers, who grew up in Dayton and graduated from Wayne High School in nearby Huber Heights, Ohio, said people would stop him on the street and thank him for what the Flyers were doing for them.

And it was not just that the team was winning — their 29-2 record is the best in UD history — but how they did it.

They seemed to relish each other’s success. They shared the ball, passing up their own good shots for teammates with better shots, and that’s why Dayton ended the season with the best field goal per-

Photographs by ERIK SCHELKUN / ELESTAR IMAGES

centage in college basketball — 52.5%.

“That shows a team where they’ve all bought in,” said legendary Flyers coach Don Donoher ’54, who was Grant’s coach at UD in the mid-1980s.

“As I watch them play, they seem to have a little of Anthony in them,” Donoher said. “They have his personality. He was a great teammate. He was selfless. He did all those intangible things that make a team better, and it’s like he’s imparted that to them.”

The Flyers bonded in part because many shared the common thread of being previously overlooked, undervalued or, at the very least, doubted by recent circumstance.

Toppin had no scholarship offers coming out of Ossining High in Westchester County, New York, ended up at a prep school and then came to UD where he had to sit out another year to meet NCAA academic standards.

Five other players joined the team after they had transferred. Mikesell underwent double hip surgery and missed his junior year, and Landers, whose father was murdered 14 years ago in what’s still an unsolved case, played in only nine games for a total of 52 minutes his freshman season on coach Archie Miller’s final UD team.

But the biggest slight involved Grant himself who, after great success at VCU, had been fired as the Alabama coach in March 2015, even though he’d had five winning seasons in six years.

“Anthony is strong in his convictions, and those convictions and the personnel he had down in Alabama didn’t mesh,” Donoher said. “He lost some key players along the way, but he is not going to sacrifice his principles.”

Now just five years later, Grant has won five national coach of the year awards including the prestigious Naismith Award.

“It’s just an unbelievable story,” Donoher said proudly.

Toppin’s story was just as remarkable. His highlight-reel dunks, ability to run the floor, make pinpoint passes and knock down 3-point shots without hesitation were eclipsed only by the pure joy he showed with his teammates, the fans and even rival teams.

That made him the darling of college

GRANT, TOPPIN — THE BEST Anthony Grant and Obi Toppin this year were, respectively, the best coach and the best player in college basketball.

Almost everybody says so.

Grant won all of the five major coach of the year awards: • Associated Press • Naismith • National Association of Basketball Coaches • United States Basketball Writers Association • T he Sporting News Redshirt sophomore forward Toppin, who has declared for the NBA draft, took five of the six major player of the year awards. The one he did not take was that given by The Sporting News. The publication did, however, name him a First Team All-American. He is UD’s first consensus First Team All-American.

His player of the year awards: • Associated Press • Naismith • National Association of Basketball Coaches • United States Basketball Writers Association • Wooden

Summer 2020 | UNIVERSITY OF DAYTON MAGAZINE

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“As I watch them play, they seem to have a little of Anthony in them. They have his personality. He was a great teammate.

He was selfless. He did all those intangible things that make a team better, and it’s like he’s imparted that to them.”

—DON DONOHER

basketball, and he got almost everyone’s vote for college basketball’s national player of the year.

All of this whetted everyone’s appetite for the postseason. The Flyers were the top seed in the Atlantic 10 Tournament and were on track to become a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament, something no team at UD had ever done.

And that’s when the season’s other bookend slammed up against their wondrous season.

STEP UP

No one knew what they were witnessing on Saturday night, March 7, as the Flyers closed out the regular season with a 76-51 victory over George Washington at UD Arena.

Most thought it was the beginning.

Really it was the end.

It had been a full day of hoops celebration in which, as Grant put it, Dayton was “the epicenter of college basketball.”

That morning, ESPN’s popular College GameDay show had broadcast from the Frericks Center on campus, the lo-

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cation of the beloved Fieldhouse where the Flyers played basketball before UD Arena was built and where volleyball reigns today. Thousands of people — some who’d camped out there overnight — stood in line to get in. They carried signs, cheered and took part in a social media celebration of all things Flyers.

Then before the evening game, UD held its sentimental senior night festivities at midcourt for Mikesell and Landers and their families.

All the emotions of the day seemed to drain the Flyers, who then uncharacteristically struggled with GW before intermission.

But during a timeout early in the second half — with UD leading by just two points — the sold-out crowd was surprised when Jeremy Ganger, a bouncer at Ned Peppers the night of the mass shooting, strode to midcourt.

He had ushered many people — including UD students — to safety inside his bar that August night and then stood face-to-face with the shooter, a delay at the door that allowed police to kill the assailant.

Knowing that Ganger had saved

many lives that night, UD President Eric Spina and athletics director Neil Sullivan wanted him to be honored at the Flyers’ final home game.

The crowd gave the 42-year-old Ganger, a compact, former Urbana University football player, a long standing ovation as the PA announcer saluted his “bravery and courage.”

And that’s when Ganger showed he was there to protect UD again. He raised his tattooed arms to the crowd and urged fans to cheer the Flyers, explaining later he wanted the team to “step it up.”

Amazingly, that’s just what happened.

The Flyers went on a 23-4 run, much of it spurred by the aggressive play of Crutcher and several jaw-dropping dunks by Toppin, including one that came with a 360-degree spin and another where, in mid-leap, he twirled the ball around his right leg and then unleashed a massive tomahawk slam.

After the victory, family members of the team, fans, a collection of national media and several former players flooded the court for a net-cutting ceremony that soon was more of a lovefest.

Several players were in tears, knowing this not only was the last time Mikesell and Landers would be on Blackburn Court, but also, almost certainly, it was the end for Toppin, who would leave for the NBA draft after the season.

“Dayton was perfect for my boy,” Roni

Grigsby — who had spent endless days helping tornado victims in nearby Trotwood, Ohio, and then counseled shooting victim families in the hours immediately after the Oregon District attack — watched the full-court embrace between the town and the team and said quietly, “Just look at this. This is beautiful. This is, as they say, ‘Dayton Strong.’” ‘ L E T U S B E T H A N K F U L’

Toppin, Obi’s mom, said as she stood on the court. “He came here and accomplished all the goals he set out to.”

Several former players had come to UD Arena that night to be a part of “making history,” as Crutcher had called it.

Many of them saluted Grant.

“It’s so beautiful to see a former player come back and really put UD on the map at the national level and gain the respect it deserves again,” said Derrick Dukes ’94, a guard from the early 1990s. “Anthony has worn the uniform. He knows the tradition and what it means here.”

The Rev. J.D. Grigsby ’73, who had played for Donoher, lauded the way Grant does his job.

“He’s a humble guy,” Grigsby said. “He has character and decency and he loves the kids. He teaches them his own way.

He doesn’t have to do all that yelling and screaming. He coaches them with love.”

Standing off to the side with his family that night, Grant had marveled at the scene: “I looked up and it was an hour after the game and there were still 12,000 people there. Where else in the country are you going to get that? It was pretty cool!”

Photographs by ERIK SCHELKUN / ELESTAR IMAGES

But as he stood in the middle of the UD Arena celebration, Grant also had a gnawing concern: “To be honest, I was just hoping nobody would get sick. There already was some talk of how the virus was spreading, and I just looked out there and thought, ‘Oh, man, there are maybe 1,000 people out there on the court.”

When the team flew out to the A-10 Tournament in Brooklyn a few days later, he said one player did remain home with the flu.

“It wasn’t COVID-19, but you saw how quickly something can spread,” he said.

Not long after the team got to New York, Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert tested positive for the novel coronavirus, which causes COVID-19, and that night the NBA abruptly suspended its season.

Dominoes fell quickly in the sports world after that. The A-10 first announced no fans would be allowed into the Barclays Center for games, and then came word the tournament was canceled.

As the dejected team flew home, players learned through social media that the entire NCAA Tournament had been canceled, too.

Crutcher — who in the euphoria after the GW game had said, “I feel we are going to win a national championship” — was shaken when he got back to Dayton: “We’re all upset because we knew we were going to do great things in the tournament.”

It was the same for walk-on junior guard Cam Greer.

“It felt like we lost a game,” Greer said.

“And the hard part was that we had nothing to do with it. And the worst thing was that we were left with no hope. This wasn’t like the NBA, where everything was suspended or postponed. It was over.

Guys’ dreams had been crushed.

“This team had so much potential.

There was so much more we were sure we could do. Now we’ll never know. The whole world will never know. It’s heartbreaking.”

In the days and weeks that followed, the players went their own ways. They finished their classes online. Toppin worked out in a secluded New Jersey gym preparing for the draft. And Grant did his best while obeying a statewide stay-athome order.

He looked out for his family, and he and his wife, Chris, posted a video warning Flyers fans about COVID-19 and stressing the safety measures they should follow. And he continued with his coaching duties, regularly contacting his players through social media while also trying to recruit.

At times, he said, he would bring up Toppin’s success at Dayton to the prospects. It also served him to draw on a voice from the far end of the Flyers’ bench. That’s Greer’s domain.

Greer can recount how when the players first returned from New York — all of them still wearing their red and white bracelets — they decided to go through their daily ritual one last time: “We call it ‘Let Us Be Thankful.’ After every practice we’d break it down.

We’d come together in a circle and someone took a turn in the middle and talked about what he’s thankful for that day.

“But this time, we all did it. It was basically a kind of a farewell and a reminder of everything we’ve done.”

When it was his turn, Greer said he told everyone, “Look, I’m from the South Side of Chicago and having an experience like this. That’s something we only dream of.

“I told them how this was the first time I was ever on what was a real team, where there was camaraderie and love for each other and where we won, too.

“I said, ‘I am going to remember this season, this team and everything that happened here for the rest of my life.’”

For so many reasons, the rest of us will, too.

Tom Archdeacon ’72 is a longtime columnist for the Dayton Daily News.

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TH E BUZZ

CONFETTI FLIES The Flyers captured the A-10 Tournament championship title March 8 at UD Arena, adding to their regular season title.

PERFECT FIT A rough start couldn’t stop the Flyers from finishing strong in a season for the storybooks. BY TO M A RC H D E AC O N ’ 7 2

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UNIVERSITY OF DAYTON MAGAZINE | Summer 2020

CINDERELLA HAD HER GLASS SLIPPERS AND, IN

the Land of Oz, Dorothy wore ruby ones.

The magic kicks for Shauna Green turned out to be a pair of black and coral-trimmed Nikes she had customized with a special date stitched to the back of each shoe.

But the Dayton Flyers women’s basketball head coach didn’t really tap into her foot power until her team lost four straight games and five of six in the latter part of November.

The final two losses came at a Thanksgiving tournament in Fort Myers, Florida.

The Flyers folded against No. 21 Gonzaga, whom they had led at the half, and a day later they fell to Auburn, 76-74, in overtime, after leading by 13 at the break and sacrificing the lead only when the Tigers made a tying lay-up at the buzzer in regulation.

“We had a team meeting after that, and we

A-10 HONORS

tried to get them to lock in,” Green said.

To make her point, she didn’t put her foot down; she lifted it up for all to see.

“I showed them the shoes I had on that day,” she said. On the back she’d had stitched “03-08-20.” She then asked the team, “Does anyone know what that means?”

“Some of them looked at me like I was crazy,” Green said, “but then it clicked.

“It was the date of the championship game of the Atlantic 10 Tournament at UD Arena. I stressed that was our main goal and it was still obtainable.

I said, ‘The rest of this is just part of the journey.’”

Her players listened and turned their journey into a nonstop romp down the yellow brick road.

They would lose just three of their remaining 25 games. They won 15 in a row and won the A-10 Conference regular season with a 15-1 mark.

“Toward the end of the year, they just had that look in their eyes,” Green said.

“They just weren’t going to lose a lot of games.”

Senior guard Jayla Scaife became a first team All-Atlantic 10 selection and made the All-Defensive team. Junior guard Erin Whalen was named to the league’s second team and won All-Academic honors. And junior guard Araion Bradshaw was an All-Defensive team pick.

For the second time in her four seasons as the Flyers’ coach, Green was named the A-10 Coach of the Year. Best of all, her shoes were a perfect fit for her team.

At the A-10 Tournament, UD — playing before a loud and loving home crowd — won three games in three days and hoisted the championship trophy on 0308-20. And that would get the 25-8 Flyers their ninth NCAA Tournament bid in the past 11 years.

“We got to win a championship on our home court, have confetti fall from the UD Arena ceiling and cut down the nets in front of our fans,” Green said. “You couldn’t have written the story any better. I told our team, ‘This is something you’ll remember forever.’”

But then, just three days later, on Wednesday, March 11, came word the

Photographs by ERIK SCHELKUN / ELESTAR IMAGES

NBA was suspending operations to deal with the first signs of the growing COVID-19 pandemic. Other cancellations — including the A-10 men’s tournament in Brooklyn — soon followed.

Although she felt the NCAA Tournament would be canceled, too, Green didn’t say anything and let her players practice on that Thursday.

She sensed it would be the last time the team would ever be together, so she stood back and savored the moment and some of the season’s memories.

As her women had been winning, so, too, had the UD men, and Green said that created “a real buzz” around Dayton.

“Any time the men win, we win,” she said. “Their success resonates with us. It brings attention to our program and people see how good we are, too.”

In Green’s four seasons the Flyers are 47-7 at UD Arena and while that success draws fans, so does the personal touch the program prides itself in.

And after each of those 54 home games, Green grabbed a microphone and — as her predecessor Jim Jabir had done — she told the fans how much she and her players appreciated them coming to watch.

“We always talk about how we are family, how we build relationships, and I think it’s important to let your fans know they are a part of it, too,” she said.

Soon after that Thursday practice, it was announced the NCAA Tournament had been canceled, and Green gathered her players for a tearful final get-together.

“Yes we were upset, but when you step back and look at what’s happened since, you realize our situation doesn’t come close to the heartbreak of the people who lost loved ones and the ordeal all the doctors and nurses face every day as they fight the disease,” she said.

Green believes college basketball will be changed by the pandemic experience: “I think it will change how we recruit and travel and even interact with each other. A lot of things will probably be different when we play again.”

One thing will be for sure. Those special shoes will be gone.

“They did their job,” she said. “They’ll be retired.

“It’s time for some new ones.”

GREEN, PLAYERS TAKE A-10 AWARDS

For the second time in her four seasons at UD, women’s basketball coach Shauna Green was named A-10 Coach of the Year. The Flyers finished 25-8 after going 15-1 in regular season conference play and winning the A-10 Tournament.

Senior Jayla Scaife was named First Team All-Conference as well as being selected for the A-10 All-Defensive Team.

Joining her on the All-Defensive Team was redshirt junior Araion Bradshaw. Redshirt junior Erin Whalen made Second Team AllConference and the All-Academic Team.

A-10 HONORS TO COACH, PLAYERS

Redshirt sophomore forward Obi Toppin was named the Atlantic 10 Player of the Year, the first men’s basketball player in school history to receive that award. Coach Anthony Grant was voted Coach of the Year.

Junior guard Jalen Crutcher joined Toppin on the All-Conference First Team.

Senior guard Trey Landers was named to the All-Conference Third Team. Forward Ryan Mikesell, a graduate student, was named to the A-10 All-Academic Team.

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Of

DAYTON 100 years and counting

BY DICK FERGUSON ’73

Being a Catholic leader in higher education committed to the common good means a lot more when you have the guts to put Dayton in your name.

Summer 2020 | UNIVERSITY OF DAYTON MAGAZINE Photograph by NAME TK

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TH E BUZZ

This page: University entrance, circa 1920. Previous page: Illustration of campus after 1904.

T

HIS YEAR MARKS THE 100TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE

University of Dayton, which may seem strange for an institution founded 170 years ago. Early in its inception, from 1850 to 1920, the school was known by many names: St. Mary’s School for Boys, St. Mary’s Institute, St. Mary’s College and St. Mary College. The exact reasons the school chose to take on the name of its city may never be known. But it is a fact that final name change, initiated in 1920, fortified the path of civic engagement that is now UD’s hallmark.

That the University’s founders, the Catholic brothers from the Society of Mary, came to Dayton at all is an accident of history. In 1849, Bishop John Baptist Purcell of Cincinnati asked for help from the Marianists in France.

Religious brothers, led by Father Leo Meyer, S.M., sailed by steamer and arrived in New York 49 days after leaving Ebersmunster, France. They traveled the Hudson River and Great Lakes by steamboat and crossed Ohio by train from Sandusky on the shores of Lake Erie.

When they arrived in Cincinnati, the city was in the middle of a cholera epidemic.

Meyer had longed to come to the United States to establish a community of Marianists.

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UNIVERSITY OF DAYTON MAGAZINE | Summer 2020

His personality and perseverance were those of a pioneer. But the bishop assigned him and the brothers to teach catechism to grade-school children and 100 Germanspeaking orphaned boys. Cincinnati was predominantly German Catholic.

This was not part of Meyer’s long-term plan.

The restless Meyer was always in search of the right property to establish a Marianist motherhouse. When the bishop dispatched the brothers and priest to Emmanuel Catholic Church to help manage the cholera crisis in Dayton, Meyer, at last, had his opportunity to establish an American base for the Society of Mary. Meyer took with him brothers he thought were up to the task of starting and sustaining a community. They were at once teachers and working brothers.

THE UNIVERSITY OF DAYTON: TIMELINE

A START AT NAZARETH While still in Cincinnati, Meyer had made the acquaintance of John Stuart of Dayton.

Stuart was owner of 125 acres of fields, woods, vineyards, orchards, farm buildings and a home on the city’s southern border.

The farm fit Meyer’s needs perfectly.

After the death of Stuart’s infant daughter, Mary Louisa, to cholera in 1848, Stuart decided to return to France. He sold his Dewberry Farm to Meyer on March 19, 1850. The sale price was $12,000, to be paid in three installments over nine or 12 years with yearly interest of 6%. Lacking collateral, Meyer offered Stuart a medal of St. Joseph, whose feast day they were celebrating.

The Society of Mary, then just 33 years old, believed that education was key to its mission of promoting Catholicism, and it established on July 1, 1850, St. Mary’s School for Boys on the farm renamed Nazareth. The Dayton Marianist community included a priest, a teacher, a cook and a gardener. Their days began with prayer and meditation at 4 a.m. They were a microcosm of the Society of Mary and lived as a community of equals according to the Society’s Rule of Life.

For the next 70 years, UD was a combination working farm, grade school, preparatory school, novitiate and eventually a college. The academic offerings were practical and designed to be useful to first- and second-generation American boys and the Dayton community. Among disciplines taught were science, pre-med, teacher preparation, commerce and finance, classical studies, and engineering, including electrical, mechanical, chemical and civil.

A UNIVERSITY FOR DAYTON As what Daytonians called the “school on the hill” prepared for the start of its preparatory and college classes in 1920, the school’s board of trustees decided that, with collegelevel courses in engineering being added and evening classes being planned for the local community, it was time to be incorporated as a university. Also, it was rumored that another school might want the “Dayton” name that the board sought. This added some urgency.

The six-member all-Marianist board of St. Mary College applied for the new name and incorporation as a university on July 7, 1920.

On Sept. 2, it was granted. SMC, as it had been known, became UD. Father Bernard P. O’Reilly, S.M., former and future school president, provincial supe-

rior and board chair of St. Mary College, drove to Columbus, Ohio, and secured the new name and incorporation documents from the Ohio secretary of state for a fee of $5. On Sept. 4, a small headline on Page 1 of the Dayton Daily News revealed simply, “University of Dayton now name of St. Mary College: Buildings to be erected.”

There are limited records of the action of the board of trustees. Nothing about their deliberations on the name change survived.

Were there arguments over adopting a secular-sounding name? Impassioned speeches about the role of the college in the community? Concerns about the future of the school?

Fears about the safety of their students? Such questions are lost to time. But there are many plausible explanations. While none can be proven, many are supported by the changes happening in Dayton and the world around 1920.

NEW TIMES It is possible that O’Reilly and the others sought to leverage local recognition for their school as an emerging academic center that could contribute new ideas. Marianist co-founder Blessed Father William Joseph Chaminade’s maxim — “New times call for new methods” — had been part of the brothers’ Marianist formation. Dayton was experiencing economic growth prompted by establishment of National Cash Register, the invention of powered flight and the success of the Dayton Electric Co., known as DELCO. Sister Gabrielle Bibeau, F.M.I. ’11, notes that a new generation of upwardly mobile Catholics was trying to become more incorporated into American society after being separated for so many decades into their own ethnic and religious enclaves.

“Being known as the University of Dayton sends a profound message that Catholic communities and institutions cannot be closed off from the well-being of their neighbors, whether these neighbors are Catholic or not,” said Bibeau, research and program assistant at the North American Center for Marianist Studies.

The city of Dayton was also emerging from the Great Flood of 1913 and World War I as a potential economic powerhouse. The Miami Conservancy District and its five dams were brand new and evidence of the community’s resilience. The University was preparing young men who could advance Dayton. The name change, Bibeau said, signaled to the

1805 City of Dayton is incorporated.

1849 Father Leo Meyer, S.M., and the first Marianists arrive in Cincinnati.

1850 St. Mary’s School

for Boys opens with 14 students.

First train from 1851

Cincinnati to Dayton.

1860 Brother Maximin Zehler, S.M., becomes president; enrollment reaches 100.

College preparatory 1861 classes open.

1878 St. Mary’s Institute is incorporated.

1882 SMI is empowered to

confer college degrees.

1908 Father Bernard P.

O’Reilly, S.M., begins first term as president (1908-18, 1923-32).

SMI is incorporated as 1912 St. Mary’s College.

SMC houses victims of 1913

the Great Dayton Flood.

1915 St. Mary’s College is reincorporated as St. Mary College.

1918 Father Bernard P.

O’Reilly, S.M., becomes provincial superior and board chair; Father Joseph Tetzlaff, S.M., becomes president (1918-1923).

Summer 2020 | UNIVERSITY OF DAYTON MAGAZINE

41

world the deep connection between itself as an institute of higher education and the community in which it is located.

CIVIC ASSET Another possibility is that the brothers wanted their own students and staff, many of whom were first-generation Americans, to see themselves and their university as a public good, a civic asset.

“It was pointed out (by the school),” according to the Dayton Daily News, that the name was “in honor of the city, and that by drawing a large number of outside students here, the college has for a number of years been of benefit to the city in a commercial as well as civic way.”

There were 746 students and about 50 staff in 1920, and the campus was eight buildings with five planned additions. One half of the students were from outside Dayton, mostly Ohio, but Mexico, Costa Rica and Puerto Rico were also represented.

The name change was about being part of Dayton, but it was also about something bigger.

“It tied the future of the University of Dayton to the common good of the greater Dayton community,” said Brother Raymond L. Fitz, S.M. ’64, president emeritus. “It positioned the faculty, staff and students to collaborate with others in addressing the complex issues shaping our community.”

Dayton citizens helped one another during the flood of 1913.

IN CHORUS

Local alumni add their voices to those from campus and the wider community on the benefits of linking the school and city by name.

“How lucky Dayton was that Father O’Reilly changed the name from St. Mary’s to University of Dayton. The name represents the city at every game UD plays, every technology created, and every graduate that takes root in the country and the world. We are so connected, and the city is lucky for it.”

—NAN WHALEY ’98,

“Changing the name from St. Mary’s to the University of Dayton was a positive contribution. University implies oneness and a welcoming environment.

Dayton, the home of Paul Laurence Dunbar and the Wright brothers, reminds us of our ability to also make significant contributions.”

mayor, city of Dayton

—MARGARET PETERS ’59,

author, teacher, mentor

“As the University has become more national in its reputation, we are often thought of as a public university like Toledo, Cincinnati and Akron. When this happens, we have a wonderful opportunity to share our story about the Marianists, our Catholic identity and our close ties to our Dayton community. It is almost always seen by prospective students and their parents as a benefit.”

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UNIVERSITY OF DAYTON MAGAZINE | Summer 2020

—ROB DURKLE ’78,

former dean of admission

THE UNIVERSITY OF DAYTON: TIMELINE

SELF-PROTECTION UD history professor William Trollinger offered another possible motive in an American Catholic Studies article of spring 2013.

Recognizing that anti-Catholicism was on the rise in Dayton as well as throughout the nation in the early 1900s, Trollinger suggests that the naming of the University may have been intended to hide the school’s Catholic identity.

When St. Mary’s President Father Joseph Tetzlaff, S.M., announced the name change in 1920, he wrote, “We entertain the fondest hopes that the citizens of this progressive community will make permanent this sympathetic attitude by providing their further moral and material support.”

According to Trollinger, “Perhaps the most that can be said for Father Tetzlaff’s ambiguous explanation is that it was aspirational, in that he and the board members hoped that ‘this progressive community’ would come to feel pride in its primary institution of higher education.”

But in the next few years, Trollinger notes, “a significant percentage of native-born Daytonians joined or supported the local Ku Klux Klan chapter.” The local chapter was virulently anti-Catholic, Trollinger said, and “had as one of its primary and ongoing activities a harassment campaign directed against Dayton’s ‘principal school.’”

“In Jesus Christ, God became human, ‘pitched his tent’ in our midst, became one of us, both our Lord and brother.

Our solidarity and commitment in the city flows from this. And though the University is no longer called St. Mary’s, it still belongs to her and is animated by her son. Perhaps we can consider it ‘Mary’s University of Dayton.’”

—BROTHER BRANDON PALUCH, S.M. ’06,

Marianist seminarian

BUILDERS OF THE FUTURE It is also possible the Dayton Marianists were making a statement about the role their school and their students could play as builders of the future Dayton and America. As local newspapers reported through the years, the brothers and their graduates were known for a respect for learning and then using those skills to build and sustain communities. This was certainly true of O’Reilly, the University’s board chair and provincial superior in 1920.

O’Reilly is described as “an extrovert and an activist given to direct promotion of the college among businessmen” by historian Christopher Kauffman. O’Reilly was not a traditionalist but “an upwardly mobile IrishAmerican leader” whose vision for the school and the Marianists was very different from the German-speaking Alsatian superiors who preceded him. According to Kauffman, “O’Reilly had a significant influence on the American character of the center of Marianist higher education in Dayton.”

If O’Reilly wanted to break out of oldworld traditions and embrace the modern, there were few better ways to do it than naming the new university for Dayton.

It’s a sentiment shared by the University’s current board chair, Mary Boosalis, president and CEO of Premier Health.

“By establishing the University of Dayton

“The University is a beacon for the region.

It is a leader in academia; leader in helping to drive economic development; leader in community engagement; leader in living its vision and value.

At its core the University of Dayton is branded and lives its Marianist connection and its commitment to servant leadership.”

—SHARON HOWARD ’78,

director of site communications, Premier Health

“Each one can count on the other for support, encouragement and advancement on diverse social, economic, political and religious levels. Together we look to the future. Collaborative dreaming, daring and doing makes a difference for the city.”

—SISTER ANGELA ANN ZUKOWSKI, M.H.S.H. ’73,

professor of religious studies and director of the Institute for Pastoral Initiatives

Elementary department 1919 is dropped due to lack of space.

1920 University of Dayton

is incorporated; seal and motto “Pro Deo et Patria” are adopted.

1922 College of Law opens.

1923 UD athletic teams be-

come the Dayton Flyers.

1924 KKK burns two

crosses on campus.

1924 Associate board of lay trustees is appointed.

1933 UD donates land for garden plots for the unemployed.

1935 College of Women

opens with 27 students.

1937 UD offers one student

scholarship to be awarded by every high school in Dayton.

1939 Graduate studies begin.

1943 Orville Wright receives honorary Doctor of Engineering degree.

1956 Research Center and

Community Service Center are established.

1963 First Christmas on Campus is held.

1964 Martin Luther King Jr.

addresses Dayton from the campus Fieldhouse.

Summer 2020 | UNIVERSITY OF DAYTON MAGAZINE

43

name, Father O’Reilly gave us a visible sense of place and community at a time in history when our region was becoming known for innovation and groundbreaking advancements, putting Dayton on the map,” Boosalis said. “Similarly, and never wavering from our Catholic, Marianist principles, the University has become known for its call to learn, lead and serve that today radiates across the globe.”

Five University presidents who served between 1932 and 1979 (above) helped set the stage for generations of Flyers to excel in research, academics and community service.

ORDINARY FOLKS The simplest explanation is offered by Brother Tom Giardino, S.M. ’65, a longtime student of Marianist history. He surmises that, like their founder, the Dayton Marianists wanted to be approachable to “ordinary folks.” Father Chaminade wanted the Marianists to be as much “of” their local communities as possible.

“When the Marianists began in France, they did not have a religious garb, and they used the term ‘monsieur’ [mister] rather than ‘brother’ or ‘father,’” said Giardino, executive director of the Association of Marianist Universities.

“Basketball and the University of Dayton are woven into the fabric of the Dayton community. It’s a love affair.

Fans bring their families to games, and no matter where they go to college, when they come home, they want to see the Flyers.”

—ANTHONY GRANT ’87,

Flyers win the 1962 NIT finals.

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UNIVERSITY OF DAYTON MAGAZINE | Summer 2020

Flyer men’s basketball head coach

“UD has transformed its part of Dayton into a vibrant innovation district. And the connection goes beyond the name. I am reminded daily of the servant-leadership component of UD and our community.”

—JEFF HOAGLAND ’91,

president and CEO, Dayton Development Coalition

“The University of Dayton and the city of Dayton have a synergetic relationship, positively affecting the region and the world. As an employer, UD brings in people from around the region daily to work in and contribute to the Dayton economy.”

—TROY WASHINGTON,

University vice president for human resources

THE UNIVERSITY OF DAYTON: TIMELINE

The challenge to Marianists to be part of their locales was well expressed by Chaminade’s confidant, Father Jean-Baptiste Lalanne, S.M. “Though we are not men of the world,” said Lalanne in 1852, “we are not for all of that, men of another age or another country.

Our lives are not hidden, they are not relegated to the deserts, or passed within the narrow limits of a cell. To act on the world we are persuaded that we must know it, and hence our life is mingled with all the movements that influence the trend of the epoch, and call for a new order of requirements.”

HEART AND SOUL The Dayton Marianists of 1920 wanted to be players and “act on the world.” It is difficult to imagine that they foresaw just how broadly and deeply connected UD would become to the economic and cultural evolution of the city and region during the next 100 years.

It was a risk, and even today some would say that something was lost in the name change. Bob Daley ’55, writer and commentator on public policy, notes that the public no longer immediately recognizes the school’s Catholic identity from its name.

“UD is not alone in this case,” he said.

“The universities of Georgetown, Santa Clara, St. Louis, Detroit, Providence, San Diego, San Francisco and Seattle, as well as Boston College, are among the other major Catholic universities named for their locales,” he said.

But the choice by the Marianists of a “public” name for their private, Catholic uni-

versity has also proven to be fortuitous and motivating. At the time, and likely through the last century, the name change has been embraced as both an identifier and a motivator of the community building for which the University is known.

The name itself challenges most who become part of the UD community to see themselves as citizens, stakeholders and builders of a community called Dayton — and then to take what they’ve learned in Dayton to other cities they will similarly embrace as their own. Regardless of their motivations, Marianists put a very big stake in the ground in 1920 by naming their university “of Dayton.”

As the 100th anniversary of the name change approaches, the list of recent opportunities to bind together city and university continues to grow: partnerships to address homelessness and opioid addiction; accomplishments in research and economic development; responses to tornadoes, a shooting and a pandemic; and celebrations around Flyer basketball and graduate successes.

Said Daley, “O’Reilly could not have seen what the University is today — the heart and soul of the community whose name it wears proudly.”

The city of Dayton and the University of Dayton are proud of one another. Chances are Father O’Reilly would be proud, too.

Dick Ferguson retired from the University of Dayton in 2014. He writes, “My UD career included much of what makes our university ‘of Dayton.’ In 2001, I became the first executive director of the Fitz Center for Leadership in Community, named in honor of my mentor, Brother Ray.”

1974 Co-op program linking

students and employers begins.

1975 School of Law opens legal clinic for the community.

1995 Montgomery County

Child Protection Task Force forms with leadership from UD President Raymond L. Fitz, S.M.

1999 Rubicon Park master

plan and Genesis project launch to revitalize adjoining neighborhood.

2001 Fitz Center for Leadership

in Community is founded.

2003 Dayton Early College

Academy for high school students opens on campus.

2005 Initial acquisition of 49 acres from NCR Corp.

2009 UD purchases NCR

world headquarters.

2011 GE Aviation breaks

ground on research center on campus.

“Father O’Reilly’s decision was astute and farsighted. By changing the name to the University of Dayton, Father O’Reilly opened a door to the future, to a world of constantly unfolding potential he could hardly have imagined.”

—JOSEPH SALIBA ’79,

professor and former provost

“The name ‘University of Dayton’ sent the signal to the wider Dayton community that this institution was for all Daytonians, not only those who were Catholic. I think that UD has lived into that name change in a variety of ways — welcoming people of all faiths, accepting women when Catholic coeducation was rare, and inviting all to share in the Marianist and Catholic educational mission. Today it is manifest in the mutual commitments between the University and the city to make both communities thrive as places of education and innovation, seeking to make both the University and Dayton places of opportunity and welcome for a diversity of people.”

—SANDRA YOCUM,

University Professor of Faith and Culture

2016 Partnership with Premier

Health forms to develop former county fairgrounds.

2019 UD takes major role in redevelopment of the Dayton Arcade.

2020 UD develops in

partnership the Greater West Dayton Incubator.

Summer 2020 | UNIVERSITY OF DAYTON MAGAZINE

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TH E BUZZ

C N I O T 46 46

O G N M I

UNIVERSITY OF DAYTON MAGAZINE | Summer 2020 UNIVERSITY OF DAYTON MAGAZINE | Summer 2020

M O U M M

M O N O E

O D C N S Photograph by NAME TK

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UD’S RESPONSE TO THE CORONAVIRUS

CLICK TO READ MORE

incampus the middle community, of the city followed sits an extraordiclosely by nary the place sustainability for students, of faculty the University and staff to of make Dayton theirand mark its as educational innovators. mission.

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This is exactly what’s happening, thanks toINTERNATIONAL creative thinkers on campus, in the community HITSandHOME beyond who want to see the historic Dayton Dr. Mary landmark Pelszynski bustling Buchwalder again, serv’82 ing was as aone central of the hub first in on a city campus that will to read againthe be known CDC as advisories an innovation aboutengine. this new virus. A veteran As anchor of student tenants, health we since celebrated 1991, the long-awaited medical director closingof in UD’s April health aftercenter signing said a lease she scours with The medical Entrepreneurs updates forCenter inforformation the building’s about safety Innovation measures Hub for— campus. nearly 96,000 She immediately square feet that thought will of beUD’s devoted interto academics, national students, experiential who were learning, just returnartist studios, ing foraffordable spring term, loft as apartments well as domestic and coshared students co-working who travel spaces during forwinter budding break, and established and directed entrepreneurs. her staff to ask patients with respiratory As anchorsymptoms tenants, we about celebrated their recent the long-awaited travels. closing in April after signing a lease It wouldn’t with The beEntrepreneurs the first timeCenter she’d formade the building’s plans for an Innovation emerging Hub health — threat. nearly 96,000 Buchwalder squarehas feetbeen that part will be of adevoted team reto academics, sponding to experiential existing andlearning, potential artist comstudios, municable affordable diseases, loftfrom apartments SARS to and mumps coshared to chickenpox. co-workingWhile spaces contact for budding tracing and is established a new phrase entrepreneurs. in everydayAdd conversation, something here Buchwalder to fill space. has been following the dots forThis years. is a glorious space, historic space.

Less than “People 2 miles think from wecampus just take andcare smack of incolds,” the middle Buchwalder of the city said sitsofan the extraordicampus nary health place center, for students, “but if faculty you pick and a part staff to of make the body, their mark we have as innovators. dealt with it — the common Thisthings is exactly butwhat’s also unusual happening, things. thanks In tomedicine, creative thinkers we say on if you campus, hear in hoof thebeats, community it’s probably and beyond a horse, who want but sometimes to see the hisit’s toric a zebra.

Dayton And landmark so we keep bustling a little again, zebra servfile

Summer 2020 | UNIVERSITY OF DAYTON MAGAZINE

47

PPE DONATIONS UD faculty donated more than 10,000 gloves, 500 face masks and 100 coverall garments to health care workers.

because we see interesting zebras, too.”

While COVID-19 is not a rare zebra, it is requiring the same keen attention by Buchwalder and her staff as information evolves regarding protective measures and available treatments.

Amy Anderson ’09 was also taking notice of the unfolding response in China.

As UD’s associate provost for global and intercultural affairs, she’s long been a champion for creating opportunities for students to study abroad and for international students to join campus, two ways the University fulfills its goal of educating culturally competent citizens of the world.

Her first worry was for UD’s Chinese students who went home for break. Were they well? Were their families OK? And then she thought of the students studying abroad.

Members of UD’s international response team met three times over five days in mid-January. Each day — and sometimes each hour — brought new un48

derstanding to how the virus was moving around the world.

One of the team’s first decisions was about China, where several faculty-led courses, internships and experiential learning opportunities were planned for summer 2020. To help protect participants, they moved the courses from China to South Korea — and then South Korea reported its first cases of COVID-19. By the beginning of March, all programming initially scheduled for China was canceled.

Meanwhile, five UD students were making their way to South Korea for the start of a spring semester abroad. On Feb. 25, based on CDC guidance, the University communicated with students that they hoped the semester could continue. On Feb. 27, they told everyone to return home immediately. The pandemic’s impact on the rest of the world was becoming clear.

That same day, the University required 13 students studying in Italy to come home.

France became a hotspot, and two weeks later UD recalled 86 more students throughout Europe. In mid-March, Anderson’s office required another 30 to come home from all over the world — Australia, Africa, Latin America, even Semester at Sea, where Flyers floated with their classmates aboard a boat in search of an open port. UD also CLICK encouraged 13 students at Chaminade University, a Marianist school in Honolulu, to TO READ MORE come home.

It was terrible, she said, to have to tell students that their lifelong dream of studying abroad was being cut short, especially when so many people at the time didn’t think the virus was a big deal. There was sadness and frustration. But quick action meant UD’s students were safe.

“We were able to get our students home when a lot of other schools weren’t,” Anderson said.

UNIVERSITY OF DAYTON MAGAZINE | Summer 2020

shared Backco-working on Jan. 28,spaces the crisis for budding took and on established an entirely entrepreneurs. different tone. Miami University, This is aalso glorious situated space, in historic south- space. west LessOhio, than announced 2 miles fromtwo campus students and smack recently in the middle returned of the from cityChina sits anwith extraordirespiratory nary place for symptoms students, were faculty in isolaand staff to tion make awaiting their mark test as results. innovators.

“It This went is exactly withinwhat’s threehappening, days from thanks being to creative concerned thinkers about on campus, our Chinese in the comstudents munity and andbeyond our domestic who want students to see the hisintoric China Dayton to being landmark concerned bustling about again, servthis ing as new a central virus hub locally,” in a city said thatRobin will again be Oldfield, known asassistant an innovation viceengine. president of audit, As anchor risk and tenants, compliance we celebrated and the chief long-awaited risk officer. closing “It really in April startedafter to signquickly ing a lease evolve with from Thethere.”

Entrepreneurs Center for the building’s Innovation Hub — nearly 96,000 square feet that will be devoted to HEALTH AND SAFETY academics, experiential learning, artist On March 2, the Flyers volley-and costudios, affordable loft apartments ball team picked a perfect place to shared co-working spaces for budding and revel in theirentrepreneurs.

A-10 championship — established bowling at Capritenants, Lanes. UD’s presiAs anchor we celebrated the dent, as is his tradition, long-awaited closing injoined Aprilthem after signining the celebration. a evening lease with The Entrepreneurs Center went to a place where IHub wore for“I the building’s Innovation — nearly someone else’s shoes and will put my 96,000 square feet that be findevoted to gers in multiple bowling balls that artist academics, experiential learning, who-knows-who had their hands inand costudios, affordable loft apartments previously,” said Spina.

Just shared co-working spaces for hours budding and before, he had met in a conference established entrepreneurs.

Add something room infill St.space.

Mary’s Hall to discuss here to the This University’s response should space. is a glorious space, historic aLess casethan of the novelfrom coronavirus be smack 2 miles campus and found campus.

“I’d city be lying in theon middle of the sits to anyou extraordiifnary I thought during thatfaculty 4:30 p.m. place for students, and staff to meeting thatmark thisas was going to conmake their innovators. sumePerhaps our lives and lead to as thea cornerstone UniUD’s presence versity students homeleaders for tenant sending could help community and the rest of the semester,” he said.jewel of our developers restore this crown The at which the virus and city, anspeed icon that has stood vacant for more understanding impact and spread than a quarter of of its a century fallen into can be summed up in two snapshots. disrepair.

The As firstanchor is fromtenants, Saturday, 7, weMarch celebrated the when studentsclosing hoistedinhomemade long-awaited April after signsigns into the cam- Center ing a and leasesqueezed with The Entrepreneurs era for a liveInnovation airing of ESPN’s forframe the building’s Hub — nearly College GameDay. second is 96,000 square feet The that will be devoted to Tuesday, March 10, when learning, students artist academics, experiential received an email from UD sayingand costudios, affordable loft apartments spring was starting and sharedbreak co-working spacesearly for budding and everyone who could leave campus established entrepreneurs. the next do so.

Thisday is amust glorious space, historic space.

Since committees Less thanJanuary, 2 miles from campus had and smack been meeting planning, in the middleand of the city sitspreparan extraordiing and speculating, eachfaculty bit of new nary place for students, and staff to information digested and strategy make their mark as innovators.

‘THE FINANCIAL IMPACT IS PROFOUND’

This is exactly what’s happening, thanks in the middle of the city sits an extraordito creative thinkers on campus, in the comnary place for students, faculty and staff to University steps to safeguard —TERI RIZVI munity andtakes beyond who want to see thethe his-future make their mark as innovators. toric Dayton landmark bustling again, servPerhaps UD’s presence as a cornerstone ing as a central hub in a city that will again be tenant could help community leaders and WITH THE UNEXPECTED MID-SEMESTER and adjunct faculty delayed, and all known as an innovation engine. developers restorehave thisbeen crown jewel of our exodus students from their facultyfor and staff Asofanchor tenants, we residence celebratedhalls, the unscheduled city, an iconmerit thatincreases has stoodfor vacant more houses and apartments largelyafter owned by have eliminated for next and academic long-awaited closing—inall April signthanbeen a quarter of a century fallen year. into the University of Dayton — the closing of most In addition, the University has paused its coning a lease with The Entrepreneurs Center disrepair. dining facilities, the shift of classes online for tribution to employee retirement accounts until for the building’s Innovation Hub — nearly As anchor tenants, we celebrated the the summer, the cancellation of summer studyOct. 1, while taking advantage of the CARES Act 96,000 square feet that will be devoted to long-awaited closing in April after payroll signabroad trips and the uncertainty of fall enrollprovision that allows employers to defer academics, experiential artist taxes ing afor lease with The Entrepreneurs Center ment, the COVID-19 pandemiclearning, hit UD’s budget the year. studios, affordable loft apartments and cofor“We’re the building’s Hub worst, — nearly hard. planning Innovation for the ultimate but shared co-working spaces for budding and 96,000 square feet that will be devoted to The University is not alone. The pandemic I’m heartened that these cost reductions have established entrepreneurs. academics, has taken a dramatic toll on universities and colhelped,” Hornerexperiential told the boardlearning, of trusteesartist at its leges As nationwide, where nearly 20,000 fewer meeting May 14, noting that UD and is faring anchor tenants, we celebrated the virtual studios, affordable loft apartments coworkers were employed March than in Februin co-working the volatile spaces higher for education long-awaited closinginin April after sign- better shared buddingarena and arying and more with than The 48,000 have faced layoffs, others. entrepreneurs. a lease Entrepreneurs Center than established furloughs or non-renewal of teaching contracts, “We’re rated as space, financially stable.

Both for the building’s Innovation Hub — nearly This isstill a glorious historic space. according to The Chronicle of Higher Education.

Moody’s Investors Service and S&P, our credit 96,000 square feet that will be devoted to Less than 2 miles from campus and smack “The financial impact is profound,” Andy rating agencies, have downgraded the outlook academics, experiential learning, artist in the middle of the city sits an extraordiHorner, executive vice president for business for higher education to negative and predict enstudios, affordable loft apartments and conary place for students, to and administrative services, told faculty and rollment uncertainty.

Almostfaculty a third and of allstaff institushared co-working spaces for budding and make their mark as innovators. staff at virtual town hall meetings May 6-7 after tions that Moody’s tracks are running operating established entrepreneurs.

Add something Thisheissaid. exactly what’s happening, thanks 446 staff were furloughed and another 60 posideficits,” here to fill space. to The creative thinkers campus, the comtions eliminated.

The step affected nearly onevolatile stock on market isn’tin helping, eififth ofThis UD’s is workforce.

The and market valuewho of UD’s and a glorious space, historic space. ther. munity beyond wantendowment to see the hisHorner revenue losses $26 long-term investment poolbustling of moreagain, than serv$900 Less thanestimates 2 miles from campus andofsmack toric Dayton landmark million to $28 million through the June 30 fiscal million fell by nearly $200 million before rein the middle of the city sits an extraordiing as a central hub in a city that will again be year endplace sincefor mid-March, more than Still, the ongoing volanary students,including faculty and staff to bounding known asappreciably. an innovation engine. $15 million in room and board refunds for gradutility of most investment instruments provides make their mark as innovators.

As anchor tenants, we celebrated the ating seniors and credits for returning students. a continuing challenge for UD given that the This is exactly what’s happening, thanks long-awaited closing in April after signWith most faculty and staff working remotely endowment earnings support scholarships, facto the creative thinkers campus,classes, in the comingpositions, a lease with The Entrepreneurs Center and cancellation of on in-person conulty curricular innovations and other munity and beyond who want to see the hisfor the building’s Innovation Hub — nearly ferences, summer camps and big events like the mission-critical functions. toric Dayton landmark bustling again, serv96,000 squarecasualty feet thatofwill devotedmay to NCAA’s First Four, spring commencement and The biggest the be pandemic ing as aWeekend, central hub in aonce-bustling city that will again be be academics, learning, artist Reunion UD’s campus the certaintyexperiential of what’s ahead for universities, known as anIninnovation studios, affordable apartments is eerily quiet. an effort to engine. help students make particularly a private, loft highly residential and one colike progress degrees, administrators whereco-working the longstanding experience As toward anchor their tenants, we celebrated the UD shared spacescampus for budding and sharply discounted summer tuisestablished cherished byentrepreneurs. students. long-awaited closing in undergraduate April after signition in half online classes.

“The University continues work hard the and ingnearly a lease withforThe Entrepreneurs Center As anchor tenants, wetocelebrated “In the weeks before other universities with confidence to prepare for students to refor the building’s Innovation Hub — nearly long-awaited closing in April after signaround the nation announced steps to prevent turn to campus in the fall, but it is understood 96,000 square feet that will be devoted to ing a lease with The Entrepreneurs Center budget shortfalls, we opted to take a proactive that public health guidance will necessitate that academics, experiential learning, artist for the building’s Innovation Hub — nearly and conservative stance to preserve UD’s finanfaculty, staff and students make some accomstudios, affordable loft apartments and co96,000 square feetand that be devoted to cial viability — and safeguard our future,” Horner modations for safety bewill prepared to be flexshared co-working spaces for budding and ible academics, experiential said.

“These were not easy decisions, but necas the situation continueslearning, to evolve,”artist Spina established studios, affordable loft apartments and coessary ones.” entrepreneurs. said.

As anchor tenants, we celebrated the shared co-working spaces and Horner, along with other vice presidents and Administrators know that for newbudding international deans, volunteered to takeina 20% willentrepreneurs. not rebound quickly, and many long-awaited closing Aprilsalary afterreducsign- enrollment established Add something tion through while President EricCenter F. Spinew returning ing a leaseOctober, with The Entrepreneurs hereand to fill space. students will likely require nafor took a 30% cut. The University also financial UD has set aside nearly $2.6 the building’s Innovation Hubtemporar— nearly moreThis is a aid. glorious space, historic space. ily96,000 drew onsquare lines offeet credit during credit market million in CARES Act funding to provide emerthat will be devoted to Less than 2 miles from campus and smack challenges that emerged in March, instituted a support for students and will academics, experiential learning, artist gency in thefinancial middle of the city sits an extraordihiring freeze, and halted all non-essential discreboost institutionally funded aid. studios, affordable loft apartments and conary place for students, faculty and staff to tionary spending and nearly all capital projects, “Agility and resilience will continue to be critshared spaces forMusic budding and ical,” make theirsaid, mark as this innovators. except forco-working the renovation of the Theatre Spina “but is a university known established entrepreneurs.

Add something This is exactly what’s Building, already in progress to accommodate for perseverance and faith. happening, thanks here to fill space.of computer science majors. to “Our creative thinkers on and campus, in the coma growing number Marianist spirit charism give me Thistenured is a glorious historic space. munityand and abeyond want tothat see the While facultyspace, received contract recomfort quiet who confidence we hiscan Less than 2 miles from campus and smack work torictogether Daytonto landmark bustling again, servnewals on May 1, contracts for many lecturers overcome these challenges.”

Summer 2020 | UNIVERSITY OF DAYTON MAGAZINE

49

“We were figuring out what is the most prudent thing to do. The decision was on us.”

—ROBIN OLDFIELD

Mike DeWine had asked to speak with higher education leaders that day, and rumors were that the news was not good.

“The three of us pledged to one another that this is not about our institutions but our students — 30,000 altogether,” Spina said. “They’re integrated into every part of civic life in Dayton. What we do could matter.”

Along with DeWine on that 12:45 p.m. phone call were then-Ohio Department of Health Director Dr. Amy AcSAFEGUARDING CAMPUS Left: Dr. Mary Buchwalder ’82, medical director of UD’s ton and Ohio Department of Education Chancellor Randy health center; Right: Robin Oldfield, assistant vice president of audit, risk and compliance.

Gardner.

Spina sat in his office with Molly Wilson, vice president reassessed. But before March 10, Oldfield of University marketing and communications, while other members of the executive said, “We were figuring out what is the task force listened from their offices. most prudent thing to do. The decision The message was forceful and clear. Oldfield wrote down these phrases: was on us.”

“We have to slow it down.”

March 10 was different. It began with “It’s up to you to determine how many people die.” morning texts among the three local “Quick, strong action will save lives.” college presidents: Spina, Sue Edwards And Spina remembers DeWine sharing a powerful example of the health crisis curof Wright State University and Steven rently consuming Europe: Johnson of Sinclair College. Ohio Gov. “We’re now where Italy was 10 days ago. We can follow that path or disrupt it.”

WHEN COMMUNITY GOES VIRAL How to capture the essence of UD one Zoom meal, one porch concert, one live chat at a time. — T E R I R I Z V I

AS THE EBONY HERITAGE SINGERS finished the soulful finale of “I Sing Because I’m Happy,” graduating music major Jack Destephano pumped his fist in the air and let out a joyous whoop from his living room in Johnsburg, Illinois.

Nearly 350 miles away in the comfort of her Dayton home, music professor Donna Cox shook her head and laughed. “NOBODY but Jack Destephano would create what would end up being an amazing conclusion to the virtual commencement,” she posted on

50

Facebook.

From Cleveland, art teacher Allison Gallucci Lowery ’13 chimed, “Miss singing with you all. But this got me singin’ at home.” Retired provost John Geiger weighed in from Green Valley, Arizona: “Wow! That is exhilarating.” Even a toddler caught the spirit: “This definitely brightened my day! And our almost 2-year-old was trying to sing along by the end,” said former Ebony Heritage singer Liz Bunk Funke ’12 from Findlay, Ohio.

Even from home, Dayton Flyers know

UNIVERSITY OF DAYTON MAGAZINE | Summer 2020

how to create community across the physicaldistancing divide. The University of Dayton is writing a case study — one Zoom meal, one porch concert, one live chat at a time.

President Eric F. Spina and his wife, Karen, decided to try to replicate one of their favorite experiences — sharing a homecooked meal with students. Still, when their dinner this spring with the seven women in the faith, vocation and leadership legacy house was moved to the internet, Spina wondered if it was even possible to “break bread via Zoom and create the same warmth, hospitality — and connection.”

“As (housemate) Ashley Kush asked us to center ourselves and thank God for ‘the space to share in community across the states,’ all my doubts evaporated,” he blogged. “Karen and I truly felt as though we were in the students’ home on College Park, under the Christmas lights they hung in their prayer room and among the random Post-it notes of encouragement (‘You da bomb’) found in unexpected places around the house. I could

Photographs by MEREDITH ROBINSON ’22

When the call was over, Spina turnedand to Wilson, and they agreed:what’s “We’vehappening, got to act soon.” a shared humanity,” said. shared co-working spaces for budding This is exactly thanks innity, the of middle of the city sits anSpina extraordiAt 2 p.m., a call with Montgomery County, Ohio, Health Commissioner Jeff Cooper “People saw this was something that established entrepreneurs. to creative thinkers on campus, in the comnary place for students, faculty and staffwe to confirmed the seriousness of the situation.

At a 3 p.m. executive task force meeting in the all were experiencing together.”

This is a glorious space, historic space. munity and beyond who want to see the hismake their mark as innovators. first-floor room in St.and Mary’s Hall, University leadership finalized they Less than conference 2 miles from campus smack toric Dayton landmark bustlingplans again, servPerhaps UD’s presence as a cornerstone had already been discussing temporary cessation of in-person in the middle of the city sitsfor anaextraordiing as a central hub inclasses. a city that will again be tenant could helpTOGETHER community leaders and WORKING DeWine and Dr. and Acton spoke, very clear what decisions nary“Once placeGov. for students, faculty staff to it became known as an innovation engine. needed developers restore this crown jewel of our Throughout the spring semester, to be made,” Oldfield said. “As difficult as it was, there much more clarity.” make their mark as innovators.

As was anchor tenants, we celebrated the city, an icon that has stood vacant for more there were no confirmed COVID-19 cases Calling it a “crucial in time,” emailed students thatinevening.

He susThis is exactly what’smoment happening, thanksSpinalong-awaited closing April after signthan a quarter of a century and fallen into on campus among Flyer students nor the pended in-person beginning a.m. the next starting spring to creative thinkersclasses on campus, in the8coming a morning, lease witheffectively The Entrepreneurs Center disrepair. faculty and staff. break days early. were leave campusInnovation by 6 p.m. Wednesday, munitythree and beyond whoStudents want to see theinstructed hisfortothe building’s Hub — nearly As anchor tenants, we celebrated the The community that is UD’s hallMarch 11, if possible, to take whatservthey’d need to continue their coursework onlineto toric Dayton landmarkand bustling again, 96,000 square feet that will be devoted long-awaited closing in April after signmark worked together to promote safety though at leasthub April ing as a central in6. a city that will again be academics, experiential learning, artist ing a lease with The Entrepreneurs Center for everyone.

The ultimate irony is that “Weasall how special this campus community is to our andand howcoknown anunderstand innovation engine. studios, affordable loft students apartments for the building’s Innovation Hub — nearly they came together to keep the commudifficult it will be for people to be away for period,” Spina wrote.

“Please do As anchor tenants, we celebrated thean extended shared co-working spaces for budding and 96,000 square feet that will be devoted to nity safe by initially keeping them physiknow that we will limitsignthe period of absence as best we can, but that the long-awaited closing in strive April toafter established entrepreneurs. academics, experiential learning, artist cally apart, scattering them to home ofhealth andThe safety of each of you is our highestAs priority andtenants, will drive decision.” ing a lease with Entrepreneurs Center anchor wethis celebrated the studios, affordable loft apartments and cofices, bedrooms and porches across the The next day, the World declared and signby for the building’s Innovation Hub —Health nearly Organization long-awaited closinga pandemic, in April after shared co-working spaces for budding and country.

CLICK 96,000 March thethat University would decide to thewith spring online.Center All square20feet will be devoted to ingfinish a lease Thesemester Entrepreneurs established entrepreneurs.

As students — and then staff and facTO READ campus events would be postponed, all summer classes switched to online, and for the building’s Innovation Hub — nearly This is a glorious space, historic space.

MORE academics, experiential learning, artist ulty — headed home, colleagues worked most faculty loft and apartments staff asked to work home. square feet that will be devoted to studios, affordable and co-from96,000 Less than 2 miles from campus and smack together to solve problems they previLooking back, Spina said, theand three-week break from in-person learning, classes seems shared co-working spaces for budding academics, experiential artist in the middle of the city sits an extraordiously had never anticipated: exceptionally optimistic. But he knew that extending their absenceloft from campus would established entrepreneurs. studios, affordable apartments and conary place for students, faculty and staff to alsoAs mean postponing As the father ofco-working a senior at Skidmore who •U their D INFORMATION TECHNOLOGIES anchor tenants,commencement. we celebrated the shared spaces forCollege budding and make mark as innovators. had just been told commencement there was canceled, he did not want to abandon hope. coordinated every depart- thanks long-awaited closing in April after signestablished entrepreneurs.

Add something This is exactlywith what’s happening, “These are with my kids our 11,000 students,” ment and office on to outfit andinsupport ing a lease The—Entrepreneurs Center he said. here to fill space. to creative thinkers campus, the comThebuilding’s video he Innovation sent to students that extended online exposed grief space. and faculty staffwho with hardware andhisfor the Hub — nearly This islearning a glorious space,his historic munity and and beyond want to see the shared It was messagetofor the time, and2itmiles was well-received. to work from home, while 96,000 suffering. square feet that the willright be devoted Less than from campus and smack toricsoftware Dayton landmark bustling again, serv“The feedback that I got from 50,artist 60, 80 students and parents the Learning Center academics, experiential learning, in the middle of the whom city sitsI had an extraordiing as a central hubTeaching in a city that will proagain be never met, their recognition that the University sawplace themfor and saw the faculty loss they vided pedological support studios, affordable loft apartments and conary students, and staff to known as an innovation engine.for moving CLICK were experiencing, was a moment thatand really speaks to this notion of commuclasses online.

(CONTINUED ON P. 53) shared co-working spaces for budding make their mark as innovators.

As anchor tenants, we celebrated the FOR MORE established entrepreneurs. Add something This is exactly what’s happening, thanks long-awaited closing in April after sign(video) here to fill space. to creative thinkers on campus, in the coming a lease with The Entrepreneurs Center This is a glorious space, historic space. munity and beyond who want to see the hisfor the building’s Innovation Hub — nearly Less than 2 miles from campus and smack toric Dayton landmark bustling again, serv96,000 square feet that will be devoted to in the middle of eye the city sits an extraordiing as a central hub in aOn cityEaster that will be academics, experiential learning, see in my mind’s the plethora of photos continue celebration. theagain underthe scoop on campus life — all virtually. artist nary place for displayed students, faculty staff to known as an innovation engine. studios, affordable apartments cothey lovingly under and housemate graduate music ministers serenaded the “We are workingloft with each andand every make marksign as innovators.

As with anchor tenants, celebrated sharedevery co-working forand, budding and Kristentheir Sanson’s in the living room, ‘Your faithful “Jesus Christ we is Risen Today”the — family step of spaces the way in doing friends become your chosenas family.’” sung from theirclosing bedrooms and living so, we’re trulyentrepreneurs. replicating the feeling of being Perhaps UD’s presence a cornerstone long-awaited in April afterrooms, signestablished When the Chapel of the Immaculate complete a small orchestra playing the home our campus,” said Reinoehl, tenant could help community leadersConand ing a leasewith with The Entrepreneurs Center Asonanchor tenants, weJason celebrated the ception temporarily its sturdy, wooden violin, and pianoHub from—afar. vice president for strategic enrollment developers restore closed this crown jewel of our for thetrombone, building’scello Innovation nearly long-awaited closing in April after mansigndoors, only private “We square are really living paschal mystery agement. city, anallowing icon that has stoodprayer vacantand forreflecmore 96,000 feet thatthe will be devoted to ing a lease with The Entrepreneurs Center tion, the Campus Ministry team brainstormed as a community and as citizens of the world a teach-in on The Pandemic and than a quarter of a century and fallen into academics, experiential learning, artist forFrom the building’s Innovation Hub — nearly ways to creatively build a faith community in ways that we have never really known bethe Common Good (see story, Page 52) to a disrepair. studios, affordable loft apartments and co96,000 square feet that will be devoted to without people in the pews. They created fore,” said Crystal Sullivan, executive director weekly live stream of Sunday Mass from the As anchor tenants, we celebrated the shared co-working spaces for budding and academics, experiential learning, artist short virtual prayer services at noon, a digital of Campus Ministry. “This has been an experismall chapel of a Marianist house on Chamlong-awaited closing in April afterexperisignestablished entrepreneurs. studios, affordable loft apartments and by coretreat and weekly livestream prayer ence of grieving and loss, but it has also been bers Street, from spirited porch concerts ing a lease with The Entrepreneurs Center As anchor tenants, we celebrated the shared co-working spaces for budding and ences that invited participants to share mesone of hope — witnessing the resilience and music students to interactive presentations of for theofbuilding’s long-awaited closing in April after signestablished entrepreneurs. something sages gratitude Innovation and hope asHub well — asnearly music creativity we have as a community to be pressenior capstone projects, the Add UD community 96,000 square that will be devoted to ing to a lease with The Entrepreneurs to fill space. requests throughfeet chat. ent one another authentically.

ThatCenter is the ishere connecting in creative ways — and discovThey alsoexperiential found ways to learning, continue gathermystery of the life Innovation of Christ, present eringThis new is ways of strengthening the bonds of academics, artist for the building’s Hub —among nearly a glorious space, historic space. ing community in times grief and strife, us, in action.” community times. studios, affordable loftofapartments andand co96,000 square feet that will be devoted to Less than during 2 milestumultuous from campus and smack to continue work toward social justice. With No one sells the campus experience If porches visual commushared co-working spaces for budding and academics, experiential learning, artist in the middleare of athe citysymbol sits anofextraordithe death of George Floyd in Minnesota and better than a tour guide walking backward, nity at UD, the amusing, often-philosophical established entrepreneurs. studios, affordable loft apartments and conary place for students, faculty and staff to widespread protests happening in response, pointing out landmarks and telling personal porch sheets around the nation that fly in the This is a glorious space, historic space. shared co-working spaces for budding and make their mark as innovators.

Campus Ministry organized a virtual prayer stories. breeze capture the spirit of this moment.

Less than 2 miles from campus and smack established entrepreneurs. Add something This is exactly what’s happening, thanks service and a virtual meal in their Table of Today, the admission office’s counselors This one hanging from the porch of UD in the middle of the city sits an extraordihere to fill space. to creative thinkers onBeck campus, the“Even comPlenty series to discuss racism and outrage. are chatting with students over coffee as stugraphic designer Brent says in it all: nary place for students, faculty and staff to This is a glorious space, historic space. munity and beyond who want to see the hisCampus Ministry is also finding ways to dent ambassadors give prospective students apart, we are one.” make their mark as innovators.

Less than 2 miles from campus and smack toric Dayton landmark bustling again, servSummer 2020 | UNIVERSITY OF DAYTON MAGAZINE

51

PANDEMIC AND THE COMMON GOOD

make their mark as innovators.

As anchor tenants, we celebrated the when I first looked up at the stunPerhaps UD’s presence as a cornerstone long-awaited closing in April after signning glass rotunda in the Dayton Arcade, it tenant could help community leaders and ing a lease with The Entrepreneurs Center gave me goosebumps. developers restore this crown jewel of our for the building’s Innovation Hub — nearly This is a glorious space, historic space.

Hungry for chances to think together, a teach-in is born. — T E R I R I Z V I city, an icon that has stood vacant for more 96,000 square feet that will be devoted to Less than 2 miles from campus and smack than a quarter of a century and fallen into academics, experiential learning, artist in the middle of the city sits an extraordidisrepair. studios, affordable loft apartments and conary place for students, faculty and staff to As anchor tenants, we celebrated the shared co-working spaces for budding and make their mark as innovators.

AFTER UNIVERSITY OF DAYTON STULaw. During April hundreds of scholars, stulong-awaited closing in April after signestablished entrepreneurs.

Perhaps UD’s presence as a cornerstone dents hastily left campus largely shuttered dents and practitioners tapped into a 12-hour, ing a lease with The Entrepreneurs Center This is a glorious space, historic space. tenant could help community leaders and by the COVID-19 pandemic, theologian four-week series of webinars on topics such for the building’s Innovation Hub — nearly Less than 2 miles from campus and smack developers restore this crown jewel of our Kelly Johnson watched Italians supporting as public health, social justice, economics 96,000 square feet and thatsolidarity will be devoted to in the middle of the city sits an extraordicity, iconby that has stood for more eachan other singing fromvacant their balconies and workers’ rights, practices. academics, experiential learning, As artist nary place for students, faculty and staff to than a quarter of a century andteddy fallenbears into and neighbors placing stuffed At the heart of the discussions: the studios, affordable loft apartments and comake their mark as innovators. disrepair. in their living room windows for scavenger world takes steps to corral the virus in an act hunts children. shared of global co-working solidarity, how spaces do for we budding embraceand our This is exactly what’s happening, thanks Asfor anchor tenants, we celebrated the How couldclosing she support her after colleagues interdependence and develop ways to colestablished entrepreneurs. to creative thinkers on campus, in the comlong-awaited in April signdeath from viruswho is the social injustice of andastudents UD Entrepreneurs during these strange laborate for the human community?

This and is a care glorious space, historic space. munity andthe beyond want to see the hising lease withatThe Center our metropolitan region,” he noted. times?

She yearned for what she calls “the How do we respect universal human rights Less than 2 miles from campus and smack toric Dayton landmark bustling again, servfor the building’s Innovation Hub — nearly Mark Willis, director of the Hall Hunger constant give-and-take with colleagues in principles, including providing access to in the middle of the city sits an extraordiing as a central hub in a city that will again 96,000 square feet that will be devoted to Initiative, has seen food insecurity increase halls or department offices, the library, over health care and other services for the most nary place for students, faculty and staff to be known as an innovation engine. academics, experiential learning, artist in the region during the pandemic but lauds lunch, in all of the encounters where we vulnerable? make their mark as innovators. anchor tenants,chefs we celebrated the studios, loft other apartments and cothe As work of churches, and the Ohio would beaffordable helping each make sense of “The vulnerable are often the ones we This is exactly what’s happening, thanks long-awaited closing in April after signshared co-working spaces for budding and National Guard in providing support to what is happening.” don’t see in our public lives — even when to thinkers on campus, in the coming a lease with The Entrepreneurs established entrepreneurs. food pantries and Center distrib“That’s the life of a university, people wecreative are out,” said Inglis, munity who want to see the hisfor the building’s Innovation — nearly This together,” is a glorious historic space. uting food Hub to those who thinking saidspace, Johnson, the Father openingand upbeyond a teach-in toric Dayton landmark bustling again, serv96,000 square feetneed that it. will be devoted to Less than 2 milesChair fromofcampus and smack William J. Ferree Social Justice and session devoted to social “These aren’t normal associate professor religious studies. justice ing as aimplications central hubof inthe a city that will again academics, experiential learning, artist in the middle of theofcity sits an extraordiWe’re building wanted to help people think pandemic foran people with engine. be known as innovation studios, affordable times. loft apartments and co-a naryJohnson place for students, faculty and to staff to we’re flying about their the common good, a key element of disabilities, As anchorimmigrants, tenants, we celebrated the shared co-workingplane spaceswhile for budding and make mark as innovators. it,” he said.

Catholic Social Teaching. She compares the refugees, the closing homeless long-awaited in April after signestablished entrepreneurs.

This is exactly what’s happening, thanks “But we’ve dealt with common good to “happy family life, a lively and the incarcerated. ing a lease with The Entrepreneurs Center As anchor tenants, we celebrated the to creative thinkers on campus, in the comthe KKK, tornadoes and a downtown or a great class,” where the full With the advent of for the building’s Innovation Hub — nearly long-awaited closing in April after signmunity and beyond who want to see the hismass shooting (within the participation of every person is what makes physical distancing mea96,000 square feet that will be devoted to ing a lease with The Entrepreneurs Center toric Dayton landmark bustling again, servlast year in Dayton), and it good for each person. When looking at sures, the loss of jobs academics, experiential learning, artist for the building’s Innovation Hub — ing as a central hub in a city that will again we’ve learned tonearly work how each person’s health is connected to and the capriciousness of studios, affordable apartments and co96,000 square feettogether that willinbe devoted to be known as an engine. a tragedy.” every other’s ininnovation a pandemic, she explained, the disease, some loft scholshared co-working academics, experiential artist anchorgood tenants, we acelebrated the In learning, “the midst of the As common “is not pie-in-the-sky ars argued that thespaces pan- for budding and suffering,”and teachdreamy idealism.

This is weafter are. We’re established demic is a good entrepreneurs. moment to studios, affordable shared loft apartments colong-awaited closing in how April signorganizer Johnson and said tiedatolease eachwith other.” notice that wetenants, are allwe celebrated the As anchor shared co-workinginspaces for budding ing The Entrepreneurs Center she sees Add the opportunity Thebuilding’s times turned into Hub a teachable vulnerable. long-awaited closing in April after signestablished entrepreneurs. something for the Innovation — nearly moment.square feet that will be devoted to all The disabled ing a“We’re lease with Entrepreneurs Center here to fill space. to develop new ways to 96,000 care for one another, to Johnson quickly wrote an essay for Cathnow because we’re all affor the building’s Innovation Hub — nearly This is a glorious space, historic space. academics, experiential learning, artist recommit to Pope John olic Moral Theology and asked colleagues to fected by this,” observed 96,000 square feet that will be devoted to Less than 2 miles from campus and smack studios, affordable loft apartments and coPaul II’s idea of the comhelp her develop a library research guide on Meghan Henning, assisacademics, experiential learning, artist in the middle of the city good sits an as extraordishared co-working spaces for budding and mon human the common good and the pandemic, a wortant professor of religious studios, affordable loft apartments and conary place for students, faculty and staff to established entrepreneurs. flourishing. thy scholarly topic for a university that emstudies who serves as shared co-working spaces make their mark as innovators.

As the anchor tenants, the “We’ve lost somebraces common goodwe as celebrated part and parcel book review editor for the for budding and established entrepreneurs.

Perhaps UD’s presence as a cornerstone long-awaited thing precious, in having of its identity. closing in April after signJournal of Disability and Add something here to fill“Here space. tenant could help to community and distanceleaders ourselves ing “I a lease with The Entrepreneurs was struck by the depth of theCenter experReligion. we are on each jewel other,”of our she tisethe of my colleagues, and I realized that in Zoom using another space, asThis is a glorious historic space. developers restorefrom this crown for building’s Innovation Hub — nearly said.

“Butvacant if we for embrace ordinarysquare circumstances, probably sistive technology when Less than 2 miles from campus and smack city, an icon that has stood more 96,000 feet that we willwould be devoted to cost as aspect of be putting together a teach-in so thatartist stuourthe bodies prove in middle of thethemcity sits an extraordithan a quarter of athat century andanfallen into academics, experiential learning, our solidarity with all in dents and faculty could talk about the unfoldselves to be vulnerable.” nary place for students, faculty and staff to disrepair. studios, affordable loft apartments and co—KELLY JOHNSON this moment of shared ing crisis. We’re hungry for chances to think UD President Emerimake their mark as innovators.

As anchor tenants, we celebrated the shared co-working spaces for budding and danger, we can discovtogether.” tus Brother Raymond Fitz, Perhaps UD’s presence as a cornerstone long-awaited closing in April after signestablished entrepreneurs. Add something er in it a new and fuller Within days, an ambitious virtual teachS.M. ’64, who has detenant couldofhelp community leaders and ing a lease The Entrepreneurs Center here fillpandemic space. sense of ourwith humanity.” in ontothe and the common good voted much his life to tackling the seemdevelopers restore this crown jewel racism of our for the building’s Innovation Hub — nearly Thistois take a glorious historic Theologian and colleague Vincent J. Millstarted shape,space, with the help space. of coingly intractable issues of poverty, city, an icon that has stood vacant for more 96,000 square feet that will be to Less than 2 miles from campus and smack er agrees: “By helping others wedevoted are more organizer Shelley Inglis, executive director of and social injustice, observed that the health than a quarter a century and fallen “The into academics, experiential learning, artist in middle of the city faculty sits anfrom extraordisafe; by taking care of others we are taking thethe Human Rights Center, across risks are greateroffor African Americans. care of ourselves.” campus and specialists in theand School of disrepair. trends that we see in rate of infection and studios, affordable loft apartments and conary place forITstudents, faculty staff to

“We’ve lost something precious, in having to distance ourselves from each other, but if we embrace that cost as an aspect of our solidarity with all in this moment of shared danger, we can discover in it a new and fuller sense of our humanity.”

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UNIVERSITY OF DAYTON MAGAZINE | Summer 2020

shared co-working spaces for budding and This is exactly what’s happening, thanks established entrepreneurs. to creative thinkers on campus, in the comThis is a glorious space, historic space. munity and beyond who want to see the hisLess than 2 miles from campus and smack toric Dayton landmark bustling again, servin the middle of the city sits an extraordiing as a central hub in a city that will again be nary place for students, faculty and staff to known as an innovation engine. make their mark as innovators.

As anchor tenants, we celebrated the This is exactly what’s happening, thanks long-awaited closing in April after signto creative thinkers on campus, in the coming a lease with The Entrepreneurs Center munity and beyond who want to see the hisfor the building’s Innovation Hub — nearly toric Dayton landmark bustling again, serv96,000 square feet that will be devoted to ing as a central hub in a city that will again be academics, experiential learning, artist known as an innovation engine. studios, affordable loft apartments and coAs anchor tenants, we celebrated the shared co-working spaces for budding and long-awaited closing in April after signestablished entrepreneurs. ing a lease with The Entrepreneurs Center As anchor tenants, we celebrated the for the building’s Innovation Hub — nearly long-awaited closing in April after sign96,000 square feet that will be devoted to ing a lease with The Entrepreneurs Center academics, experiential learning, artist for the building’s Innovation Hub — nearly studios, affordable loft apartments and co96,000 square feet that will be devoted to shared co-working spaces for budding and academics, experiential learning, artist established entrepreneurs. studios, affordable loft apartments and coAs anchor tenants, we celebrated the shared co-working spaces for budding and long-awaited closing in April after signestablished entrepreneurs. Add something ing a lease with The Entrepreneurs Center here to fill space. for the building’s Innovation Hub — nearly This is a glorious space, historic space.

96,000 square feet that will be devoted to Less than 2 miles from campus and smack academics, experiential learning, artist in the middle of the city sits an extraordistudios, affordable loft apartments and conary place for students, faculty and staff to shared co-working spaces for budding and make their mark as innovators. established entrepreneurs. Add something This is exactly what’s happening, thanks •D INING SERVICES worked with the Center for International Programs to provide here to fill space. to creative thinkers on campus, in the comfood for more than 400 international students who could not return to their home This is a glorious space, historic space. munity and beyond who want to see the hiscountries; most continue to be served today.

Less than 2 miles from campus and smack toric Dayton landmark bustling again, servU NIVERSITY AND COMMUNICATIONS collaborated in• the middle of MARKETING the city sits an extraordiing as a central hub in with a citythe that will again be registrar’s office and deans to create virtual degree conferral ceremonies for more nary place for students, faculty and staff to known as an innovation engine. than 2,000 graduating students. make their mark as innovators.

As anchor tenants, we celebrated the Perhaps UD’s presence as a cornerstone long-awaited closing in April after sign•C OLLEAGUES THROUGHOUT CAMPUS volunteered to work five-hour shifts, even tenant could help community leaders and ing a lease with The Entrepreneurs Center on weekends, to help students and their families with a staggered move-out of Unidevelopers restore this crown jewel of our for the building’s Innovation Hub — nearly versity housing throughout May and June. city, an icon that has stood vacant for more 96,000 square feet that will be devoted to than a quarter a century and fallen academics, experiential learning, artist Bill Fischer,ofwho has served as viceinto president for student development for 11 years, disrepair. studios, affordable loft apartments and cosaid the level of cooperation he’s recently witnessed rivals the exceptional collaboration As anchor shared co-working spaces for budding and for which UD istenants, known. we celebrated the long-awaited closing in April signestablished entrepreneurs.

“We rely on each other for after support, guidance, expertise and experience,” he said. ing aare lease The Entrepreneurs Center Asand anchor tenants, we students celebrated the “We allwith working for the same thing — the safety well-being of our and for the building’s Innovation Hub — nearly long-awaited closing in April after signUniversity.”

96,000 square feet that will be adevoted to University ing a lease with The Entrepreneurs Center Regional partners also play role. The set up a mobile testing center for academics, experiential learning, artist for the Hub —staffnearly Premier Health in the parking lot of UD Arena, with thebuilding’s UD healthInnovation center providing studios, affordable loft apartments and co96,000are square feet thaton will devoted to ing support.

Local physicians and health professionals among those thebe University shared co-working spaces for Advisory budding and academics, experiential learning, artist of Dayton COVID-19 Medical Panel, helping guide UD’s plans to bring students established entrepreneurs. affordable loft and apartments and coback to campus in the fall, monitor the impact ofstudios, COVID-19 on campus inform future This decisions. is a glorious space, historic space. shared co-working spaces for budding and medical LessCampus than 2 had miles from campus smack established entrepreneurs.

Add something also prepared inand other ways. While no one had foreseen a pandemic of the in the coronavirus, middle of thethe city sits an extraordihere toplans fill space. novel University previously created for how to respond to other nary placehealth for students, andSARS. staff toSpina hadThis is a glorious space, historic space. emerging threats,faculty including experience in planning for Ebola as make their mark as innovators.

Less than 2 miles from campus smack provost at Syracuse University, which had students studying in Africa during aand disease

in the middle of the city sits an extraordinary place for students, faculty and staff to WELCOME BACK make their mark as innovators.

Expect fall to look a bit different Perhaps UD’s presence as a cornerstone on campus, with physical tenant could helpdistancing community leaders and and face coverings. developers restore this crown jewel of our city, an icon that has stood vacant for more than a quarter of a century and fallen into disrepair.

As anchor tenants, we celebrated the long-awaited closing in April after signing a lease with The Entrepreneurs Center for the building’s Innovation Hub — nearly 96,000 square feet that will be devoted to academics, experiential learning, artist studios, affordable loft apartments and coshared co-working spaces for budding and established entrepreneurs.

This is a glorious space, historic space.

Less than 2 miles from campus and smack in the middle of the city sits an extraordinary place for students, faculty and staff to make their mark as innovators.

This is exactly what’s happening, thanks to creative thinkers on campus, in the community and beyond who want to see the historic Dayton landmark bustling again, serving as a central hub in a city that will again be known as an innovation engine.

As anchor tenants, we celebrated the long-awaited closing in April after signoutbreak there. And UD last winter had ing a lease with The Entrepreneurs Center sent participants, including Buchwalder, for the building’s Innovation Hub — nearly to a regional tabletop exercise for emer96,000 square feet that will be devoted to gency response — for a pandemic flu. academics, experiential learning, artist “The really excellent thing about the studios, affordable loft apartments and coregional exercise is that you meet people shared co-working spaces for budding and in person who you are going to depend established entrepreneurs. on,” Buchwalder said.

As anchor tenants, we celebrated the When you’re in a crisis, you apprecilong-awaited closing in April after signate the practice such simulations offer, ing a lease with The Entrepreneurs Center Oldfield said. You also discover how diffor the building’s Innovation Hub — nearly ferent a pandemic is from a tornado or 96,000 square feet that will be devoted to flood. For natural disasters, the response academics, experiential learning, artist window is short and the recovery long. studios, affordable loft apartments and co“Since Jan. 24, we’ve been in reshared co-working spaces for budding and sponse mode,” Oldfield said of this crisis, established entrepreneurs. Add something which every day offers new data to conhere to fill space. sider. “We have yet to hit recovery. The This is a glorious space, historic space. future is still unknown.”

Less than 2 miles from campus and smack in the middle of the city sits an extraordinary place for students, TOWARD FALLfaculty and staff to makeAmong their mark as innovators. all the unknowns about the This is exactly what’s thanks novel coronavirus is onehappening, decided fact: The toUniversity creative thinkers on campus, in the comis working toward welcoming munity andback beyond who want to see the hisstudents in the fall. toricPaul Dayton landmark bustling servBenson, provost andagain, executive

Summer 2020 | UNIVERSITY OF DAYTON MAGAZINE

53

vice president of academic affairs, described the challenges of educating students on a close-knit residential campus.

“Flexibility and adaptability will be essential to everything we do in the fall,” he said.

Among the ideas being explored are:

required for their high-touch profession.

The pilot followed CDC guidelines and was approved by public health officials.

International programs are also again being planned, with a virtual twist. Anderson said this summer her team welcomed a new multinational cohort of students enrolled in English studies via • A PHASED MOVE-IN over two weeks videoconferencing. While decisions on in August. fall study abroad will be made later this summer, she expects domestic intercul• T ESTING, MONITORING AND tural immersions to expand once travel CONTAINING OF CASES, including restrictions are lifted. setting aside housing for students who It is taking a village to provide the are at high risk or need to isolate or tools, infrastructure and safety protoquarantine. cols to allow in-person classes in the fall.

•C REATIVE SCHEDULING AND Nearly 100 members from a cross-section FLEXIBLE COURSE DELIVERY, of campus have come together to draft the including completing the semester plans. Four primary working groups are online after students return home at developing recommendations for critical Thanksgiving. areas of University operations including academ•W EARING FACE ics, housing and student COVERINGS and life, preventive measures, implementing physical and infrastructure and distancing. operations. Seven specialized groups are foWelcoming students cusing on implementing back will also require evplans and campus operaeryone in the campus comtions in the context of the munity to make a mutual pandemic; other special commitment for each othgroups are added as needs er’s health and safety. are refined. Many more “Students will not only departments and offices be taking care of themare deciding procedures selves, they will be taking for their work when staff care of each other,” Fischer —BILL FISCHER and faculty return to camsaid. pus in August.

All classes are being “The principle of subplanned for flexibility to sidiarity is important,” Spina told a virtuaccommodate students who may need to al meeting of directors during the spring, self-isolate during the semester or to alreferring to the principle of Catholic Solow for seamless transition should the cial Teaching that empowers those closest public health condition change. Some to the decision to act. “A lot of decisions classes will be totally online. This could will be made locally.” be because the class size is too large to It will be impossible to eliminate all provide space for physical distancing or risk, Spina said, but a focus on health and the faculty member is unable to return to safety will help the community we love to campus for health reasons. These online come together come fall. classes can also accommodate students “We understand very well that the who can’t come to campus for health reamagic of a UD education is in commusons or due to travel restrictions. nity,” Spina said. “We’re working toward UD’s doctor of physical therapy prowelcoming students back because we gram offers a model of how clinically understand the great value — for all of based courses and programs that require us and for the city of Dayton — there is hands-on learning could be designed. A in being together on campus, working summer pilot brought doctoral students together.” back to campus for two weeks of training

“Students will not only be taking care of themselves, they will be taking care of each other.”

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UNIVERSITY OF DAYTON MAGAZINE | Summer 2020

LEAD, SERVE

Follow the links to learn more about how members of the Flyer community have chosen to help their communities and our world during the pandemic.

LIFE-SAVING INNOVATION UD’s motto “For God and Country” inspired Fred McBagonluri ’05, president of Academic City University in Ghana, to use local parts and local ingenuity to build ventilators.

UNDERSTANDING SYMPTOMS Assistant professor Julie WalshMessinger has contributed to a massive crowdsourced survey of COVID-19 patients that looks at loss of smell and taste.

QUICK RESULTS SAVE LIVES Fred Tenover ’76 was part of a team that in 28 days created a test for the novel coronavirus that provides doctors results in 45 minutes.

PROTECTING HEALTH CARE WORKERS UD Research Institute and its in-house manufacturing partner FastLane are creating personal protective equipment with area businesses.

SAFE AND STERILE When the nation needed a solution to the PPE shortage, Flyer innovators at Battelle built and delivered decontamination units.

ADVANCED SOLUTIONS Software developed by Barath Narayanan ’13 of UDRI uses artificial intelligence to diagnose COVID-19 in seconds in scans of the lungs.

BETTER MOUSETRAP Three Flyers created a video featuring mousetraps and ping pong balls on how physical distancing stems the spread of the novel coronavirus.

THE ALUMNI ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT P. 56 // MY OLD HOUSE P. 58 // READ SEE HEAR P. 61 // MY FLYER STORY P. 62 // CLASS NOTES P. 63 CLASS OF 1975

Can UDentify us?

The Marching Co-Eds performed at halftime, entertaining crowds with their lively, high-kicking routine. If you recognize these Flyers, email us at magazine@udayton.edu.

IN THE LAST ISSUE

Annette Chavez ’81 recognized all three students in the photo from the spring UD Magazine, even though only one was from UD: Kathy Westrick Scott ’82 (middle) with Howard Pruitt (left) from Wright State University and Kathy Kelly (right) from Ohio State. “All were members of Circle K clubs at their respective universities. I was president of the UD Circle K club that year, and we were the largest service club on campus. The annual dance marathon was our signature event. We often invited students from other Ohio Circle K clubs to our events. We were particularly close to the Wright State club and had great friendships and fun with each other. Greatly miss those times!”

Photographs courtesy UNIVERSITY ARCHIVES

Summer 2020 | UNIVERSITY OF DAYTON MAGAZINE

55

THE ALUMNI BACK PORCH

Part of the glam squad ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT

Behind the styles, Art Conn ’94 helps outfit Hollywood elite. — G I T A B A L A K R I S H N A N

H

IS NAME HAD BEEN CALLED AT

the 2019 Emmy Awards. Joy, disbelief and gratitude were all Art Conn ’94 said he felt.

He had been at Hollywood award ceremonies before — many times before.

As a costume stylist for the Hollywood elite who walk the red carpet looking glamorous, Conn is the person behind the scenes picking attire and styles for the rich and famous.

He had never been nervous at Hollywood events in the past. But that night was different for him — he was the one on the red carpet — and he remembered all the work that had gotten him to that stage in September 2019.

Conn has earned his reputation for costuming during his years working at American Idol from seasons four through 10 styling Carrie Underwood, Chris Daughtry, Adam Lambert and Jordin Sparks, among others. His website lists Emmy-nominated shows Top Chef, Shark Tank and X Factor USA as a few of Conn’s TV styling credits. He has helped style music’s top artists, including Madonna, Pink,

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UNIVERSITY OF DAYTON MAGAZINE | Summer 2020

Photograph courtesy ART CONN

George Michael and Lenny Kravitz.

But his path was not initially clear to him upon leaving Dayton.

“I remember after I graduated, I felt like I could do anything I wanted to, even if I didn’t know what that was. UD gave me the confidence,” Conn said.

His early days in California, after graduating as a communication management major, were spent selling designer footwear to stars including Britney Spears, Paula Abdul and Christina Aguilera.

His time in retail taught him what fashion did for others: It made people feel better about themselves.

“When I saw clients put on something they felt nice in, they just stood a little taller and they smiled a bit more. It was nice to see that,” Conn said.

That helped carve his path into a career in the fashion industry.

While in retail, Conn met stylists coming into the store to purchase pieces for Hollywood clientele — a profession he didn’t know existed at the time. One of these stylists urged him to get into the profession because of his knack of putting glam accessories together.

In 2002 he began working as a freelance costume stylist, and in 2005 he received his first break — what he calls his “ultimate break.” A colleague whose husband worked on American Idol heard of an opening for a costumer and told Conn to apply. He got the job.

“I grew up as a huge fan of American Idol — and now I was going to be there working on it,” he said.

Conn recalls going to stores and picking out clothing for Carrie Underwood, which she would wear during her life-changing performance when judge Simon Cowell

predicted she would be the most famous of all winners — a prediction come true.

In 2016, Conn’s eye for fashion led to a personal request from drag queen entertainer RuPaul for Conn to work as a costumer on the reality show RuPaul’s Drag Race, a competition series searching for the next star in the drag queen entertainment business.

Conn worked on the show for three seasons, his talent ultimately being recognized by his peers with an Emmy nomination.

“I’ve never been so nervous in my life,”

his success.

His Midwestern beginnings include riding on his bicycle down the streets and running barefoot through the grass in Louisville, Ohio. Conn went to Catholic schools starting in elementary school and said he loved the educational challenges that came with it.

“I am a person who loves to learn,” he said. “Not to say I’m a teacher’s pet, but I was always the person up front in class who was involved.

“I always felt the best education was a Catholic one.”

That inclination drove him to apply and get accepted to the University of Dayton. He said the decision forged his future path.

“I have always loved knowing I grew up in a small town,” he said. “As I grew, I just knew that I didn’t see myself being the person staying in that small town living in a small town all my life.

“I wanted to go to a school that was going to challenge me, and I thought UD was a great place to explore what I wanted to do. And, I was far enough away from home to feel some independence.”

Conn admits most people don’t understand his profession.

“When people say to me, ‘What’s your goal?’ there are many goals, but the main goal is to make the person you are working with feel amazing,” he said. “That happiness radiates off the person, and people can feel that.”

He does know, though, what he does makes a difference.

“I tell my friends, ‘I’m not curing cancer, and I’m not doing brain surgery.

But making others feel good has its own importance.’ ”

When I saw clients put on something they felt nice in, they just stood a little taller and they smiled a bit more.

Conn said of the awards ceremony, “but I told myself to enjoy this moment no matter what happened.”

In excited disbelief, Conn rose from his seat as he heard his name called to accept the award for Outstanding Costumes for Variety, Nonfiction or Reality Programming.

“It was surreal,” he said. “They announced our show, and I was nominated against some of my dearest friends.

I would have been happy with any outcome, regardless. And they were happy for me, too.”

He said he is grateful for the opportunity to have worked with RuPaul’s Drag Race and have his hard work and talents highlighted on television. He acknowledges the upbringing that shaped his path to

Summer 2020 | UNIVERSITY OF DAYTON MAGAZINE

57

THE ALUMNI

CONNECTION

BACK PORCH

UDigital goes live MY OLD HOUSE

115 Lawnview Ave. Dinners, dishes, dollars and an old stove disaster.

I

F A GROUP OF FRIENDS ARE HOME ECO-

nomics majors, it’s pretty safe to say that the meals speak for themselves. It’s also likely that others will take notice.

In 1969, the five senior women of 115 Lawnview — Cecelia Hoff Farrell, Patty Gambs MacInnis, Mary Kenyon, Nancy Rice Dee and Barbara Leslie Mahoney — drew attention to their three-bedroom home with their elaborate cooking.

Monday through Thursday, a different resident would take turns cooking. A group of housemates from down the street, including MacInnis’ brother, David Gambs ’71, and her now-husband Dan MacInnis III, joined the women around the dining room table each night.

“They would pay a dollar a night to eat with us. Cele and I were home economics majors, so we would make homemade everything — from bread on down,” MacInnis said.

In return, the guests did the dishes. Both MacInnis and Farrell joked that the guys got a good deal, but admitted the weekly donations did help lower the grocery bills.

Although most nights ended in savory success, Farrell did experience a kitchen mishap involving their old gas stove.

“It blew me across the room — my eyelashes

were burnt off,” Farrell said, admitting that she waited too long to light it.

The housemates enjoyed socializing on the weekends, but one particular night in February called for a larger celebration. MacInnis got engaged on the same night Dee got married.

MacInnis recalled an interaction with her now-husband leading up to their engagement.

“We’re attending the wedding of my housemate and Dan leans over and he asks, ‘Are you thinking of anything during this ceremony?’ I looked over and I said, ‘No.’” Hours later, he proposed, and she said “yes.”

The post-wedding reception and engagement party took place at the home that brought them together — 115 Lawnview. The next day, the housemates assessed the party mess.

“Cele and I sat on the steps, and we looked over the chaos of the leftover party supplies that are all over the house. We just looked at each other and started laughing and mutually said, ‘That was a really good time,’ ” MacInnis shared.

Although the home has now been torn down, Farrell and MacInnis loved walking through the student neighborhood and reminiscing during their 50th reunion in June 2019, recalling the rickety old home on Lawnview that changed their lives. — L A U R E N D U R H A M ’ 2 2

VISIT: udayton.edu/magazine/my-old-house.php // SUGGEST YOUR OLD HOUSE: magazine@udayton.edu

58

UNIVERSITY OF DAYTON MAGAZINE | Summer 2020

The University of Dayton Advancement team is excited to unveil the new UDigital site for users to enjoy UD entertainment, education, networking, spiritual growth and more.

During challenging times where face-to-face events are limited, University Advancement has taken steps to ensure alumni can stay connected with each other and the University.

In May, UDigital was launched as a portal for alumni to join in digital events hosted by alumni relations.

From professional networking access to adding UD backgrounds to virtual meetings and showing your Flyer pride, UDigital is a place alumni and friends can visit to stay connected to Flyer nation.

Here is a preview of some of the exciting digital content you can access at https://udayton. edu/advancement/alumni/ udigital

Campus engagement — view virtual tours, performances, lectures and blogs.

Faith formation — expand your spiritual growth opportunities.

Family fun — explore fun and educational UD activities.

Flyer pride — add a UD background to your next virtual meeting.

Professional development — sharpen your skills and find new opportunities.

Upcoming events — join us for live UD events.

—GITA BALAKRISHNAN

Illustration by KEVIN M. JOHNSON

GOOD BUSINESS

Deep roots of giving back His parents taught the value of hard work and a generous heart.

ALUMNI IMPACT

Providing internships, providing support

Photograph (bottom) by KRISTIN DAVIS ’19

I

N 2016, AT JUST 30 YEARS OLD,

Andy Wannemacher ’08 was named president of a complex logistics and manufacturing company with 150 people on the payroll. It was a high-pressure, prove-yourself moment.

Three years into his tenure as president, both Wannemacher and the company are thriving — a fact Wannemacher credits to the University of Dayton. The magic, he said, comes from pairing the UD curriculum with the Marianist values and tradition of giving back.

After graduating with a double major in finance and leadership, Wannemacher returned home to Lima, Ohio, and began working as a salesman for Wannemacher Total Logistics. His father had led the company since the early 1990s — transforming it from a local trucking operation into a diversified company with several sites across Ohio.

Each rung on Wannamacher’s ladder to the top had to be earned. He rose from salesman to sales director and then to vice president. His earliest days at the company were anything but easy: As a teenager, Wannemacher worked part time sweeping floors and cleaning bathrooms.

Today, the voices of faculty in UD’s School of Business Administration still ring in his ears. “A lot of the theories and strategies resonate,” he said.

FOR CURRENT LAW STUDENT

Marcus Vickers and his fellow classmates, spring was unlike anything they’ve ever dealt with.

Even as COVID-19 forced the suspension of in-person classes, it soon became clear that wasn’t all that was going to be impacted.

“I was waiting around to hear from a few different internships,” Vickers said. “Once the virus hit, I stopped hearing anything.”

And it wasn’t just Vickers.

“What became clear is that we had a number of students still seeking internships, but more than that we had a handful whose internships were rescinded because the employers could not provide them,” says Tim Swensen, assistant

Wannemacher’s passion for community and giving back is significant, but so is his modesty, with an extensive Google search required to understand the range of his philanthropy.

The Lima Rotary Club, Young Professionals and Chamber of Commerce get his time. And his company supports a range of community causes, such as STEM programs for kids and programs promoting the performing arts in Lima, Ohio.

In 2016, Wannemacher’s parents donated $1 million to their alma mater, Bluffton University, where his father serves as a trustee.

Following in his parents’ footsteps, Wannemacher donated to UD’s School of Business Administration Dean’s Funds for Excellence during the inaugural University giving day in 2019. Although he’d made annual gifts before to UD athletics and the business school, this investment was directly prompted by his parents’ tradition of philanthropy.

“My parents always taught me that, when you’re successful, you owe to the people who helped you get there,” he said.

“I’d been meaning to do this,” he said about his gift to UD. Giving day caught his attention and made it easy. His hope is that his gift enables the business school to deepen its excellence and grow its advantages.

—MELINDA CHURCH

dean and director of the Career Services Office.

So Swensen decided to use social media to ask Dayton law alumni if they could offer any internship possibilities.

“I was hoping I’d find 10 or 15 in my wildest dreams,” Swensen said. “In a day, I had 25.”

That number has since grown to around 40 openings. The offers include varying areas of law and range from in-person to remote work and full time to part time.

“It’s been phenomenal what the alumni have done and how willing they’ve been to step into that void and offer these opportunities,” Swensen said.

They include alumni like Matt

Altick, who graduated in 2018.

“The reason I wanted to go to law school is I always liked problem solving and helping people,” said Altick, who now works at the Clark Firm in Dallas.

“My internship was a great experience, so I wanted to pay it forward,” Altick said. “This was a good opportunity to help. We want those students to have the same advantages we had.”

Which is why Vickers will be working remotely with Altick’s firm over the summer.

“I’m really excited,” Vickers said. “I feel I’ll have a lot of back and forth with attorneys and get a firsthand experience of how they deal with things.”

—J O R D A N B U R G E S S

Summer 2020 | UNIVERSITY OF DAYTON MAGAZINE

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THE ALUMNI

DAYTON NEWSPAPERS INC. SCHOLARSHIP

BACK PORCH

EXTRA! EXTRA! Community partners creating versatile Flyers

L

OCAL PARTNER THE DAYTON DAILY NEWS PROVIDES

UD students with valuable resources to receive the best education. For more than 30 years, nearly 200 students have received funding from the Dayton Newspapers Inc. Scholarship. The scholarships, endowed with a gift of $160,000, are awarded to many students each year. “By putting the money toward my tuition, I was able to focus a bit more on opportunities that helped me to grow as both a journalist and individual,” said Emily Biery ’19, a communications fellow with OhanaHealth.

Students coming from 25 majors have had the opportunity to further their learning because of the Dayton Daily News, founded in 1898 after James H. Cox purchased and renamed the Dayton Evening

Herald. “While I may not be in the same field I studied, my educational foundation from the University allowed me to find myself in a career where I can apply passion for building relationships and helping the community every day in an intellectually challenging environment,” said Tracie Johnson Jones ’08, an electronic media major who now manages health care IT. These versatile Flyers have applied their skills in communications to a variety of fields, with great success. “The scholarship gave me confidence in my writing skills, which transferred into my belief and application of my skills into my communication degree,” said Bridget Garavaglia Rush ’92, a theology teacher in St. Louis. “It made all the difference.” — M I C H E L L E G R E G G ’ 2 1

Geographic snapshot A quick look at where recipients of the Dayton Newspapers Inc. Scholarship now reside Minnesota: 2 North Dakota: 1

Vermont: 1

Wisconsin: 2 Michigan: 5

Washington: 1

Pennsylvania: 9 New York: 2 Ohio: 63 Massachusetts: 1

Oregon: 1 Wyoming: 1

Rhode Island: 1 Connecticut: 3 New Jersey: 2 Maryland: 5 Washington, D.C.: 1

Illinois: Indiana: 32 9 Colorado: 2 Kansas: 1

Virginia: 4 Missouri: 3

California: 3

Kentucky: 7 Tennessee: 3

Oklahoma: 2

North Carolina: 1

Georgia: 1 Scotland: 1

Texas: 2 Florida: 3

Louisiana: 1

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UNIVERSITY OF DAYTON MAGAZINE | Summer 2020

Puerto Rico: 1

NOW

READ | SEE | HEAR

THIS

Nourish BuildingYour Brands, Tribe: Empowering Creating Cultures Parents to Grow StacyStrong, Wall Schweikhart Smart, ’01 Successful Kids

Majors of recipients Dayton Newspapers Inc. Scholars have come from 25 majors across four schools Communications Communication Management - 20 Communication - 64 Journalism - 23 Public Relations - 23 Electronic Media - 15

Liberal Arts English - 3 Psychology - 1 French - 1 German - 1 Spanish - 1 Geology - 1 Political Science - 3 Religious Studies - 1 International Studies - 1

Sciences and Engineering

Business

Pre-Med - 1 Biology - 1 Engineering - 1

Economics - 1 Marketing - 4 Business Economics - 1

Education

Elementary Education - 1 Middle School Education - 1 Early Childhood Education - 1 Adolescent to Young Adult Education - 1 School Counseling - 1

is not easy, and UD law

Palliative Care:J.ALaw Guide graduate Evan for Health Workers knows thisSocial firsthand.

He

Meagan Lyon Leimena often crafted his own ’03 stories when studying Leimena is co-editor for the bar to help theoftest become thismaterial 2019 social workmore relatable. Now an textbook immigration lawyer, about pallia-Law helps aspiring lawyers prepare in a similar tive care for health social way — through legal thrillers.

His firstsaid novel, workers.

Leimena she Son of a Sleeper Spy, and the next book in hopes the textbook serves as a guide to show the series, Defiance, weaveinlegal principles students pursuing a degree sociology the into suspenseful plot lines.

In both novels, rich possibilities for their degrees especially legal isolated in italics and inthe how theyprinciples can applyare their degrees to health footnotes, allowing law students to stop and and social fields. comprehend the terminology. Published in 2018, Defiance aims to Kids entertain educate Your Will and Lead: audiences.

A Father’s Message

of Hope Blood on Andy Kiehl ’86 the Chesapeake

The lessons I learned at UD inform everything I do as a writer to this day. The Dayton Newspapers Inc. Scholarship gave me access to the best in the business, and I received the hands-on training necessary to write well for newspapers or any other organization.

Stacy Wall Schweikhart Nicole Brindisi Magryta ’96 is no stranger to community After involvement.

She credits becoming a mother, much ofbecame her expertise Magryta interested the lessons learned intolearning how she to best from Brother Raymond mentor support a child’s growth.Fitz, She S.M., beganand noticing Dondestructive Vermillionnature while earning her master’s the of poor quality food and degree the in public “In every realized need administration. for parent education on role I’ve held since, servant-leadership has adolescent food consumption.

Her interest been my why,” she says her how-to culminated in Nourish YourinTribe, which book titled Building Brands, Creating Wall describes the impact food and theCultures. environment Schweikhart outlines the interdependency have on children’s development and long-term of branding and culture in the workforce and success.

A 20-year veteran of clinical nutrition, how it can be achieved.

Magryta writes, “Quality nourishment profoundly affects our well-being and is a critical ingredient to helpingDefiance our children grow to their E.J. Law ’09 mentally full potential biologically, physically, and emotionally.”

Passing the bar exam

—JULIA GOODWIN ’93

WhenOverbeck Kiehl’s youngest Randy ’77 son became a senior in After more than 30 college, he had a chance years in education, it is to reflect not only on raising no surprise that Randy his three kids but on the time he had spent Overbeck uses schools as volunteering and coaching. He writes, “The 10 settings and teachers as years or so prior to writing the book, the world protagonists in his novels. Published in April was changing rapidly, not just technology, but 2019, Blood on the Chesapeake tells the story social media, working parents, school issues. of a high school teacher who encounters the I had conversations with hundreds of parents, supernatural when he moves to Wilshire, all expressing the same concerns about Maryland. The haunting story is the first of the raising their own kids. I decided that if I was anticipated trilogy. When Overbeck is not writthinking things that so many others were, ing, he is giving presentations to audiences there were probably even more with similar all over the country or spending time with thoughts.” Your Kids Will Lead is a father’s his grandchildren. His debut novel, Leave No message of hope that kids who are strong and Child Behind, won the 2011 Silver Award for confident will lead. For more information, visit Thriller of the Year from ReadersFavorite.com. www.yourkidswilllead.com.

—LAUREN DUNHAM ’22

— GITA BALAKRISHNAN

Summer 2020 | UNIVERSITY OF DAYTON MAGAZINE

61

THE ALUMNI MY FLYER STORY

Flyer connection — from student to alumnus to mentor

Beating the odds ACCESS

To avoid cancer, Brooke Schleben ’20 underwent surgery while continuing her education.

F

OUR YEARS AGO, I HAD THE BRCA GENE

test to see how likely I was to get breast cancer. Ends up I had an 87% chance.

It wasn’t a surprise. Both of my grandmothers passed away from breast cancer — and my mother had it as well. Thankfully, she recovered and has been cancer free for almost 18 years.

I waffled with what to do about the diagnosis. It was a big decision to have my breasts removed — a bilateral mastectomy — to avoid a battle with cancer down the line.

In the summer of 2018, my path forward became clear. My aunt, my mother’s sister, was diagnosed with terminal breast cancer.

Over the course of the summer, I watched her go from a person to a skeleton. My life was busy, pursuing a joint JD and MBA at UD, but seeing my aunt struggle pushed me to make a decision. I wanted to avoid the same fate, no matter how difficult the journey, so I embarked on the bilateral mastectomy that summer.

This process, including reconstruction, normally involves two to three surgeries. Your breasts are removed, a tissue expander is put in to prepare for the implants, and then the expander is taken out and the implants are inserted. That was the plan for me — but it went awry.

On the second day of my second year of law school, I woke up with a quarter-sized hole in my chest. The tissue expander had broken through

my skin. I had to have emergency surgery, and three surgeries turned into five because of the complications. And, beyond all of my struggles, my beloved aunt passed away during this time.

Despite my health struggles, I decided against taking medical leave. I didn’t want to be stuck at home, depressed about my situation.

It was the right choice for me; being immersed on campus helped me power through a lot of bad days.

So many faculty and staff members came to my aid, ensuring that I was able to handle my workload — and everything else in my life. My fellow law students were also there for me, from carrying my book bag to just lifting my spirits, getting me to laugh or smile. They provided a sense of normalcy and cameraderie that I really needed. And others in the UD community — people I had never met — made my road to recovery easier, as well. Three donorfunded scholarships kept financial worry from hanging over me. I can’t thank these donors enough for easing my burden.

By God’s good graces, I’m fully recovered and extremely happy I took the route I did. I graduated with my JD in May and only have four classes left to achieve my MBA. It’s been a bumpy road, but I’ve come out on top, and it’s because so many people have been in my corner: my family, my close friends and a campus community that really cares — my Flyer family. — B R O O K E S C H L E B E N ’ 2 0

Being immersed on campus helped me power through a lot of bad days.

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UNIVERSITY OF DAYTON MAGAZINE | Summer 2020

The University of Dayton prides itself on the continuous connectivity of alumni to the University. One of the programs is the recently launched Flyer Connection.

Through this online networking platform, students are given the opportunity to develop professional connections with alumni through flash mentoring meetings.

“I have heard about many positive interactions and stories since we launched. During the pandemic, these connections have been extremely helpful,” said McKenzie Morin, senior associate director of alumni and constituent programs.

With the COVID-19 pandemic creating a divide between UD students and campus, online access to Flyer Connection has increased.

“As of May 15, 2020, there are 1,932 users in Flyer Connection — that includes 1,243 alumni and 683 students,” Morin said.

Mentor James Polifroni ’09 worked with Johnny Carlson ’20 during his senior year and, through the mentoring program, was able to help Carlson receive a job offer in Chicago.

“It feels good when you realize you were a small part in something so important to someone’s future,” Polifroni said.

During these uncertain times, students have begun to reach out to Flyer Connection for advice and assistance in their future endeavors.

“Flyer Connection is a great resource as individuals are social distancing but still need to make professional connections,” Morin said.

Flyer Connection is available to all alumni and current students. Sign up at FlyerConnection.udayton.edu.

—LAUREN DURHAM ’20

Illustration by KEVIN M. JOHNSON

CLASS NOTES

BY THE NUMBERS

8,651

feet above sea level – 3 alumni atop Nordkette Mountain, Innsbruck, Austria

12 8 7 6 2 1 weddings

Flyers hit the Kentucky Bourbon Trail

national parks visited

books published

alumnae dined at the Pine Club

wore an Apollo spacesuit

G OL DEN F LY ER S 1 James McBarron II ’60 (GEO) and

his wife, Margaret, live in Taylor Lake Village, Texas. Last fall, he was invited to visit Keating Elementary School in Baker City, Oregon, to talk about his work at NASA. James began his career as a test subject in 1958 in trials designed to determine human endurance in extreme environmental conditions. One test aimed to see how long an astronaut could sit in a capsule deprived of oxygen before experiencing hypoxia. Another blew 400 mph winds in the face of a helmet to make sure it stayed intact. It was hazardous work but vital to the Apollo missions that followed. In his next position as an aerospace technologist, James worked on Project Mercury, the Gemini Project, and the Apollo 9, Apollo 11, Apollo 13 and Apollo 15 missions. James gave the students some advice: “Decisions have consequences and determine your life path. Continuing education is important.

And finally, you must enjoy work to be successful at it.”

Tom Donahue ’61 (EDS) writes, “After starting the band at Moeller High School in Cincinnati, and then teaching biology at North Catholic High School in Pennsylvania and religion at Hamilton Catholic High School in Ohio when I was a Marianist, I began the first counseling department in a German public school in Berlin. After a stint as superintendent of the Taipei American School, I ran Active Learning Systems Inc., an educational technology company.

Now I’m retired and live in Fort Myers, Florida, with my wife of 54 years, Dr. Mary Ann Clark, a retired vice president of Medtronic Inc.” Polly Michael Freeze ’67 (HEC) married Tim Heller Oct. 12, 2019. Polly

1

writes, “We met when we both attended Jefferson Township High School near Dayton. We are now retired and living in Brookville, Ohio.”

2 Anita Elchert-Marovich ’67 (EDS) and Joe Marovich ’67 (EDS) live in Tiffin, Ohio. The couple celebrated their 50th anniversary last fall by driving 3,800 miles, visiting some of America’s national parks. They write, “We started in Las Vegas, then drove to the Grand Canyon, Petrified Forest and Painted Desert national parks, all in Arizona.

Then we traveled to Santa Fe, New Mexico, and then on to the Four Corners Monument in Colorado. Next was Monument Valley, which begins in Utah and meanders into Arizona. While in Utah we drove to Arches National Park and then visited Salt Lake City. We saw Yellowstone National Park and passed through the Grand Tetons in Wyoming.

After staying in Cedar City, Idaho, we drove back to Bryce Canyon and Zion national parks in Utah. Heading back to our starting point in Vegas, we stopped at Valley of Fire State Park in Arizona before departing for home. Our three-week adventure preceded an anniversary celebration party in Ohio in December.”

Dick Ebinger ’68 (ECO) and his wife, Linda, live in Avon Lake, Ohio. Dick writes, “So sorry to read of the passing of Jack Kussman ’43, probably the best professor, in both my opinion and that of many of my classmates, that we had during our four years (or maybe more) at UD. As an early retired executive from E.F. MacDonald Corp., Jack brought both academic and real business insights to his students. His classes in corporate finance and investments shaped my career and life in immeasurable ways.

Rest in peace, Jack, and thank you for

your contributions to your students’ educations and for your philanthropic donations to UD.” Tim Farrell ’68 (CME) and his wife, Noreen, live in St. Paul, Minnesota. Tim writes, “I was saddened to learn of the passing of classmate Patrick Hoffman ’68. I met Pat within a few days of arriving at University Hall to start our freshman year in 1964. Pat was also a housemate at 111 Edgar Ave. our junior year and was a fine cook for the six of us. I was the best man at his wedding and remained a good friend to the end.

Pat was the driving force to get the Edgar Avenue crew together to enjoy many homecomings, including our induction as Golden Flyers in 2018.”

Joseph Loddo ’68 (ECO) and his wife, Lisa Bracall, live in Alexandria, Virginia. Joseph writes, “After more than 33 years, I retired from the federal government March 28, 2020. My career started with three-and-a-half years as a captain in the U.S. Army. The remaining 29 years were serving with the U.S. Small Business Administration.

I held several leadership positions, including those of chief financial officer, chief operating officer and acting administrator of the SBA during a presidential transition. I was honored to receive the Presidential Rank Award in 2019 for my career accomplishments.

I’m looking forward to enjoying what life has to offer without the time constraints. Lisa and I have been married for 42 years. I look forward to completing the restoration of my first automobile (a 1949 Buick Sedanette), which I purchased at the end of my freshman year at UD. When travel restrictions are removed, we expect to do our share of traveling to places we’ve always wanted to see and to our cabin for additional rest and relaxation.”

3 Bob Nero ’68 (MTA) and Mary Jo Strozdas Nero ’70 (CPS) live in the Shadow Wood Community in Estero, Florida. Last summer they celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary surrounded by family and friends at Isle of Palms, South Carolina. They write,

2

3

Summer 2020 | UNIVERSITY OF DAYTON MAGAZINE

63

CL A SS NOTES

4

5

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6

“We’re grateful for so much in life, especially our friends, our good health and our family.” Other Flyers in the family include son Patrick ’93 and his wife Jean Moroney Nero ’93, son Peter ’98, and daughter Peggy Nero Fechtel ’95.

Dan Doherty ’69 (CPS) and Karen Fletcher Doherty ’69 (EDS) live in St. Mary’s City, Maryland, and have been retired since 2000. Karen writes, “In 1977, Dan was a founding partner of PRB Associates, a systems engineering firm that served the U. S. Navy, Air Force and some foreign customers. I was an instructional supervisor for reading and language arts and special programs for the St. Mary’s County (Maryland) public school system.”

4 Terry Lafferty ’69 (BT) and his wife, Pat, live in Kettering, Ohio. The native Daytonian and Golden Flyer was inducted into the Dayton Area Broadcasters Hall of Fame last September. Terry writes, “I started in broadcasting at WPTW in Piqua, Ohio, in 1965 and was an announcer at WVUD-FM on UD’s campus from 1967 through 1969.”

5 Dan Owen ’69 (COM) and his wife, Cookie, live in Dallas with two married children and six grandchildren nearby.

Dan is a retired venture capitalist who’s active as an adviser to high-growth technology companies. Dan writes, “Since Cookie was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease five years ago, we’ve been involved in the Dallas Alzheimer’s support community. On Feb. 28, we were the honorees at the annual Aging Mind Foundation Gala, which raised a record $840,000 for Alzheimer’s research. We want to help to find a cure for this devastating disease, probably not soon enough for Cookie but for our children and grandchildren.”

6 Joe Szimhart ’69 (FAE) and his wife, Becky, live in Pottstown, Pennsylvania.

Joe writes, “My newly released memoir is available through Amazon. Santa Fe, Bill Tate, and Me: How an artist became

UNIVERSITY OF DAYTON MAGAZINE | Summer 2020

7

a cult interventionist, explores my interest in religious movements based on the Theosophical Society and occult revelations. The memoir describes the process of disenchantment and how my research led to a means to educate others victimized by strange teachings and manipulative cult leaders.”

painting (decently large at about 2 feet by 5.5 feet) was created while I was a student at UD as part of my senior fine arts, art education thesis and hung in Brother Bernie Ploeger’s office for a month.”

Terry McLaughlin’70 (EDS) and his wife, Lisa, live in Cincinnati. Terry writes, “I’ve been using my education degree and enjoying my new career as tutor for my 7-year-old grandson during the quarantine. I’m looking forward to our Golden Flyer reunion whenever it is rescheduled.”

Elaine Orr (POL) and her husband, Jim Larkin, live in Springfield, Illinois.

Elaine writes, “I published two books in the second half of 2019. Fitting in After Fifty – to Your New Town is for anyone who is relocating but is geared toward those doing so later in life. The Twain Does Meet is part of the 12-book Jolie Gentil cozy mystery series.” Visit www.elaineorr.com to see more of Elaine’s work.

3 Mary Jo Strozdas Nero ’70 (CPS) and Bob Nero ’68 (MTA) live in the Shadow Wood Community in Estero, Florida. Last summer they celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary surrounded by family and friends at Isle of Palms, South Carolina. They write, “We’re grateful for so much in life, especially our friends, our good health and our family.” Other Flyers in the family include son Patrick ’93 and his wife Jean Moroney Nero ’93, son Peter ’98, and daughter Peggy Nero Fechtel ’95.

19 7 1 Joseph Scherger (MED) and his wife, Carol, live in Rancho Mirage, California. Joseph writes, “As I turn 70, I am starting a new medical practice, Restore Health – Disease Reversal, based in Indian Wells, California. The practice will offer consultations on using nutrition and a healthy lifestyle to reverse many chronic diseases and help people get off medications.” You can find more information at www.restorehealth.me.

Kathleen Zien (EDS) and her husband, Michael Barickman, live in Oxford, Ohio. Kathleen writes, “My painting titled ‘Healing Reach’ is featured as part of the annual Healing Arts exhibit at the local Tri-Health McCullough Hyde Hospital in Oxford. It will be on display through September. This

19 73

Jim Rice (POL) and Janet Filips ’77 (COM) live in Portland, Oregon. Jim writes, “I was a member of the reborn UD law school’s first graduating class and, with fellow alumnus Michael Anderson, had won a national moot court championship. I’ve remained active in the courtroom and with oral arguments. Last summer, I was one of two honorees (one civil, one criminal) of the James M. Burns Federal Practice Award of the Oregon chapter of the Federal Bar Association. The award carries great prestige in Oregon because of the quality of honorees over the years and competitiveness of the selection.”

19 74 7 Ray Wabler (BT) and his wife, Brenda, live in Xenia, Ohio. They report that the brothers of Epsilon Delta Tau helped Jerry Walling ’72 and his wife, Sheila, celebrate their wedding last December in Maui, Hawaii.

Ray writes, “With a group of Flyer fanatics going to the Maui Invitational, Jerry and Sheila decided it was the right time and place to tie the knot.” In the photo are Larry Fechko ’76, Ray, Sheila, Jerry, Gary Evans ’72 and Larry Walling ’82. Ray concludes, “Between the wedding and the Flyers, a great time was had by all. Go EDT!”

IN MEMORIAM

8

9

1940s

Miriam E. Chalfant ’41 – Oct. 12, 2019 Bill P. Sayer ’47 – Jan. 2, 2020 George J. Falkenbach ’48 – Dec. 26, 2019 Robert W. “Pete” Peterson ’48 – Jan. 24, 2020 Fred R. Miller ’49 – Jan. 6, 2020 Julia M. Allison Wall ’49 – Feb. 25, 2020

1950s

11

10

19 75

(POL) live in Portland, Oregon.

Ed Mellor Jr. (GEO) and his wife, Kathryn, live in Houston. Ed writes, “I read in a recent UD Magazine that John Guhde ’73 posted a note about the 50th anniversary of Dayton Rugby and referenced the article on Page 27 (Winter 2019-20) written by Lauren Dunham. I’m in that photo, lower left and wearing a cowboy hat. To all my fellow ruggers, I say hello. After graduating in 1975 with a bachelor’s in geology, I went on to earn a master’s degree in geology at Texas Christian University in Fort Worth, Texas, and spent my career working in the oil and gas industry. I’ve said this before and I’ll say it again, I got a very good education from UD, and it made graduate school pretty easy, outside of writing a thesis.”

Gus Galdo (CHA) and his wife, Becky, live in Hoover, Alabama. He writes, “Becky and I moved to the Birmingham area from Atlanta last year. We are enjoying the slower pace of life. If you are ever in the area, please stop by.”

19 76 8 Beatrice Mady (STA) and her husband, David Cummings, live in Jersey City, New Jersey. The most recent exhibit from these fine artists, David and Beatrice: Hands and Other Symbols, was to be on display in the Drawing Rooms Gallery in Jersey City from March 13 through May 3.

Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the gallery was unable to open to the public during that time. Pictured is a display from the show.

19 7 7 Janet Filips (COM) and Jim Rice ’73

9 Chris Giusti (MKT) and his wife, Meg, live in The Villages, Florida. Chris writes, “It was UD basketball in February that brought together old friends and many original members of the Hudepohl Brewers intramural softball team. Pictured are (back row from left) Chris, Denny Rossi ’76, Tony Martin ’76, Jay Jurcak ’76, Kevin Pendergest ’76, John Bowers ’76; and (front row from left) Jim Kearney ’76, John Hinkel ’76 and Don Bernardini ’76.

10 Janet Wagner Wilkinson (SWK) and Tom Wilkinson ’78 (COM) live in Palm Harbor, Florida. Janet writes, “Pictured are proud Flyers and Phi Sigs before ‘March Sadness’ at our annual reunion in Sarasota, Florida. In attendance were Bernie Bubnis ’79, Tom, Duffy O’Neill ’77, Janet, John Cafaro ’78, Ray Farbaugh ’78 and Bill Witz ’78.”

19 78 11 Brian Timpe (CPS) lives in the Seattle area with his wife, Sheri. He writes, “Our two sons, daughters-in-law and grandson Andrew (12-20-18) live in the area. I retired in 2013 from a banking and then from a health care

12

career, halfway through a boat-building project. I finished the boat in 2016 and now spend better than half of each year sailing the Gulf of California and the Gold Coast of Mexico.”

10 Tom Wilkinson (COM) and Janet Wagner Wilkinson ’77 (SWK) live in Palm Harbor, Florida. They write, “Pictured are proud Flyers and Phi Sigs before ‘March Sadness’ at our annual reunion in Sarasota, Florida. In attendance were Bernie Bubnis ’79, Tom, Duffy O’Neill ’77, Janet, John Cafaro ’78, Ray Farbaugh ’78 and Bill Witz ’78.”

19 8 4 12 Lisa Payne Wansley (POL) and her husband, Terrance, live in Pawling, New York. In the March 23, 2020, issue of City & State New York magazine, Lisa was recognized as one of 30 Women of New York State who are going “Above and Beyond.” This award recognizes women who have demonstrated exemplary leadership in their field, combined with having made significant contributions to society. Lisa is the vice president for environmental justice and sustainability at the New York Power Authority, the largest state-owned utility in the United States. Previously, she held public affairs positions at the Bronx Museum of the Arts and the Bronx County District Attorney’s office.

Lisa is a self-proclaimed theater buff and volunteers at The Havens Relief Fund Society.

Henry A. Kampf ’50 – Dec. 31, 2019 Don R. Smart ’50 – Jan. 11, 2020 Father Ken J. Sommer, S.M. ’50 – Dec. 17, 2019 Richard F. “Rick” Williams ’51 – Jan. 24, 2020 Jim L. Horvath ’52 – Feb. 6, 2020 Carl D. King Jr. ’52 – March 2, 2020 Dolores C. “Dee” Carcelli McCartney ’52 – Jan. 3, 2019 Yoshiharu Ohara ’52 – Nov. 16, 2019 Don E. Sponsler ’53 – March 5, 2020 Kermit B. Davis ’54 – Jan. 11, 2020 Phyllis L. Dixon DeMass ’54 – March 7, 2020 Bill J. Leider ’54 – March 3, 2020 Shirley A. Ackermann Heinold Schaefer ’54 – March 3, 2020 John R. “Jack” Butler ’55 – Feb. 13, 2020 Fred D. Worthington ’55 – March 11, 2020 Ben F. O’Diam Jr. ’56 – Jan. 1, 2020 Wayne F. Pflugmacher ’56 – June 22, 2019 Bill A. Almashy ’57 – Jan. 6, 2020 Joanne E. Stueve Daley ’57 – Jan. 17, 2020 Vic C. Kristopaitis ’57 – Jan. 24, 2020 Dick J. McBride ’57 – March 3, 2020 Richard Y. Miyata ’57 – Feb. 15, 2020 Duane N. Prosser ’57 – Feb. 11, 2020 Henry H. Sturm ’57 – March 3, 2020 Rita S. Hornick Weigand ’57 – Jan. 5, 2020 James E. Davidson ’58 – Feb. 8, 2020 C. David Greathouse Jr. ’58 – Jan. 25, 2020 Theresa R. Cerrito Burke ’59 – Jan. 3, 2020 Carol A. Hartke Grieselhuber ’59 – Feb. 9, 2020 Jerry E. Waters ’59 – Dec. 26, 2019

1960s

John L. Slomsky ’60 – Dec. 19, 2019 Ted W. Robbins ’61 – Jan. 30, 2020 James S. Ungerleider ’61 – Feb. 1, 2020 Donna F. Bender Bremke ’62 – Jan. 28, 2020 E. Richard Csoltko ’62 – Feb. 2, 2020 Ann C. Burgin Hurst ’62 – Sept. 30, 2019 Dolores R. “Dee” Dembeck Kostelnik ’62 – Jan. 31, 2020 Allan J. Perry ’63 – March 11, 2020 Bill E. Powers Jr. ’63 – Feb. 2, 2020 Terry J. Thompson ’63 – Jan. 19, 2020 Stephen G. Tirpak ’63 – March 12, 2020 Mary C. Andrianos Biddle ’64 – Feb. 24, 2020 Robert E. DiBuono ’64 – Dec. 24, 2019 Bob E. Katcavage ’64 – Jan. 1, 2020 Jim E. Lipetska ’64 – Jan. 18, 2020 James L. Miller Jr. ’64 – Dec. 3, 2019

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19 Regina Coyle Ayoob (MKT) and Tom Ayoob ’87 (ACC) live in Pittsburgh.

They returned to Dayton in February to watch the Flyers defeat the Saint Louis Billikens, along with fellow Flyers Larry Costello ’87, Tom “Bull” Rigor ’88, Renee Cooper Hook ’88 and Ann Prather Bergman ’06. While visiting campus, Regina ran into Flyer standout Obi Toppin, who’s always happy to pose for photos with fans.

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Todd DeBanto (ELE) lives in Dayton. He writes, “I used my quarantine time wisely and finished the Flyer-themed bar I’ve always wanted. It includes some of my treasured memorabilia, including a photo with Obi Toppin.”

Verne Moore (MKT) and his wife, Kristin, live in South Lyon, Michigan, with their sons, Daniel (21) and Matthew (18). Verne writes, “I have been with Footwear Specialties International for 10 years as the national sales manager. We manufacture safety footwear for the Nautilus and Avenger work boot brands. Kristin has been with MacDermid Enthone, a global maker of plating chemistry, for 10 years as an administrative assistant in their local facility. Daniel is a junior in the business school at Eastern Michigan University and works as a marketing intern for Horizon Global, a towing accessories manufacturer. Matthew is a senior in high school and will be attending either Michigan State University or Grand Valley State University to study business and supply chain management and has been recruited as a collegiate soccer player. We will be empty nesters this fall. It will be different but loads of fun.” Verne and Kristin will celebrate their 25th wedding anniversary in September.

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14 Lisa Beery Tyler (ENG) and Jim Tyler (ENG) live in Beavercreek, Ohio. Lisa, who earned a master’s degree in English at UD in 1987, published two books in 2019. She edited an essay collection, Wharton, Hemingway, and the Advent of Modernism, published

by Louisiana State University Press in April. In August, the University of South Carolina Press published her book Understanding Marsha Norman, an introductory guide to the Louisville, Kentucky, playwright who wrote the Pulitzer Prize-winning drama ‘night, Mother and adapted The Secret Garden, The Bridges of Madison County and The Color Purple as Broadway musicals. Lisa is a professor of English at Sinclair Community College in downtown Dayton. Jim works for Ohio Newspapers, which publishes the Dayton Daily News, and is editor of the Skywrighter, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base’s weekly newspaper.

Their daughter, Rose, attends Ohio State University. You can reach the couple at tylers@ameritech.net.

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19 87 Tom Ayoob (ACC) and Regina Coyle Ayoob ’88 (MKT) live in Pittsburgh.

They returned to Dayton in February to watch the Flyers defeat the Saint Louis Billikens, along with fellow Flyers Larry Costello ’87, Tom “Bull” Rigor ’88, Renee Cooper Hook ’88 and Ann Prather Bergman ’06.

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16 Matthew Davis (MED) lives in Long Beach, California, where he practices family medicine in Orange County, California. Matthew writes, “I traveled to the San Pedro de Macoris region of the Dominican Republic in February to work with One World Surgery with the support of my medical group, Optum. The team served in various bateyes (communities within sugar plantations) that are some of the poorest areas in the nation.” Matthew and his team were hosted by Nuestros Pequeños Hermanos, a charitable organization that provides homes for orphaned and abandoned children that operates in nine Latin American countries.

17 Doug Zimmer (PUB) lives in Sidney, Ohio. Last December, he attended a wedding where he saw fellow Flyers John Dascenzo ’87 and Drew Dascenzo ’19. Doug writes, “Also included in the photo is a bag of Mikesell’s Potato Chips – another Dayton icon.”

19 8 8 18 Renee Cooper Hook (PUB) and her husband, Jay, live in Louisville, Kentucky.

In February they traveled to Dayton to watch the Flyers defeat the Saint Louis Billikens, along with fellow Flyers Larry Costello ’87, Tom Ayoob ’87, Tom “Bull” Rigor ’88, Regina Coyle Ayoob ’88 and Ann Prather Bergman ’06. The visit was complete when Renee and Ann stopped by the Pine Club for dinner.

IN MEMORIAM

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Mike Spellacy (MED) and his wife, Jen, live in Girard, Pennsylvania, where he practices family medicine.

He writes, “Jen and I are the proud parents of Liam, currently a junior at Fairview High School, where he plays basketball and was a part of their District 10 championship team this year. I’m currently recruiting him to be a future Dayton Flyer. I attended medical school at the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine and have been practicing since 1996.”

Mike is the medical director of primary care at University of Pittsburgh Medical Center Hamot in Erie, Pennsylvania.

Linda Klosterman Meyer (ELE) lives in Maineville, Ohio. She attended the March 7 UD men’s basketball game where the Flyers’ 76-51 victory over George Washington secured the A-10 title. Also in attendance were Linda’s brother Jim Klosterman ’84, Carla Preece Klosterman ’85, Maryn Klosterman ’18, Emma Meyer ’18, Jake Gilkison ’19 and future Flyers Nora and Zach.

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20 Deidre Kostomay Wimmers (EDE) lives in Hamilton, Ohio.

She answered the call to show us where you are reading UD Magazine while quarantined at home. She writes, “As an alumna and recent adjunct instructor, the University of Dayton is a huge part of my life, and I’m very proud. I’m also an intervention specialist at a Catholic school near Cincinnati. Reflecting on everything the Dayton community has been through in the last year, when I read coach Anthony Grant’s interview where he stated the basketball team’s goal was to rally the city after the Oregon District shooting and tornadoes and give Dayton something to be happy about, it brought tears to my eyes.

Coach Grant, his team, the city and fans deserved this season as well as a strong run through the tournament season. Congratulations and thank you for an uplifting, exciting, fulfilling season. Remarkable and historical. I read the last issue of the UD Magazine after painting my bedroom and bath with my 21-year-old daughter. Coincidentally, the magazine had arrived that day.

When we finished painting for the day, I showed my daughter the Obi Toppin highlights, and then we shared the magazine. It was a beautiful, emotional ending to a great day bonding with my daughter.”

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Michael Vough (LAW) and his wife, Cindy, live in Pittston, Pennsylvania.

Michael has served as a judge since January 2012 and has been the administrative judge for the criminal court since 2014. Michael is now president judge of the Luzerne County Court of Common Pleas. Michael and Cindy recently celebrated their 30th wedding anniversary and are the parents of four children: Michael (his wife is Brittney), Matthew, Nicholas and Jessica.

19 9 0 22 Mike Kurtz (RTV) and Kelli Verdin Kurtz (EDA) ’09 live in Liberty Township, Ohio. Mike, the executive director of media productions at the University of Dayton, received the prestigious Silver Medal Award from the Dayton chapter of the American Advertising Federation. The Silver Medal Award recognizes men and women who have made outstanding contributions to advertising and who have been active in furthering the industry’s standards and creative excellence. Mike celebrated with his Flyer family that includes Kelli and children Evan ’21, Allison ’23 and future Flyer Connor. Mike began his career at the University 30 years ago following graduation.

19 92 Brian Burke (LAW) lives in North Hollywood, California. He writes, “I was recently appointed by the attorney

general of the United States, William Barr, to serve as an immigration judge in Van Nuys, California.”

19 93 23 Christine Arkus Bencivenga (MKT) and her husband, John, live in Morton Grove, Illinois. Christine writes, “Last July I traveled to Europe with my sister, Judy, my niece Samantha Cook ’16 and my daughter Grace ’23. We met Grace in Munich, Germany, after she spent a little over two weeks there for a high school exchange program.

We then traveled to Innsbruck, Austria, and Venice, Italy. Here we are on the top of Nordkette mountain range in Innsbruck, Austria.”

19 9 4 Patrick “PJ” Doherty (FIN) was recently recognized by the National Association of Realtors as the 2019 commercial member of the year for the state of North Carolina, an honor given for achievement in all aspects of commercial real estate, land development and counseling.

He writes, “I obtained my certified commercial investment manager designation in 2010 and founded Carolina Commercial Investment Properties (CCIM) in 2013. I served as the NC-CCIM board of directors from 2015 to 2018 and teach classes in commercial real estate.” PJ lives in Wilmington, North Carolina, with his son and enjoys surfing, fishing and cooking. He’s the son of UD Class of 1969 graduates Dan Doherty and Karen Fletcher Doherty and the grandson of the late Joseph Fletcher ’35.

24 Brian Petkash (MKT) and his wife, Tonya, live in Tampa, Florida. Brian’s debut short story collection, Mistakes by the Lake, was released by Madville Publishing. Set in Cleveland, the book is a collection of 10 thematically linked stories spanning the many faces of the city’s history from its earliest beginnings as a forested frontier to the urban blight of modern times.

Ray H. Posner ’64 – Jan. 24, 2020 Joyce E. Bernholt Tester ’64 – Feb. 23, 2020 Walter J. “Bud” Thoma Jr. ’64 – Jan. 20, 2020 John B. Augustin Jr. ’65 – Dec. 30, 2019 Carole A. Day Disher ’65 – Dec. 30, 2019 Elaine T. Eden ’65 – Feb. 17, 2020 Mary F. Filipowicz Mullally ’65 – Dec. 13, 2019 Larraine A. Purcell Murphy ’65 – Feb. 20, 2020 Patrick T. Kelly ’66 – Dec. 3, 2019 Richard L. Kiniry ’66 – Dec. 18, 2019 Thomas C. Lanik ’66 – Jan. 16, 2020 M. Karen Connors Poza ’66 – Sept. 13, 2019 John R. Tronzano ’66 – Jan. 11, 2020 Laurie A. Miller Connelly ’67 – March 3, 2020 John J. Pinto ’67 – Feb. 12, 2020 Julia A. Stallkamp Yang ’67 – Jan. 23, 2020 Joe E. George ’68 – Dec. 30, 2019 Dick J. Giba ’68 – Jan. 21, 2020 Patrick “Pat” G. Hoffman ’68 – Jan. 3, 2020 Jeri L. Kendall Rossi ’68 – Dec. 28, 2019 Suzanne “Sue” M. Ackerman ’69 – Jan. 20, 2020 John M. Haab ’69 – Dec. 19, 2019 Janice L. Wehrung Kilker ’69 – Aug. 13, 2019 David J. Neises ’69 – Jan. 23, 2020 V. Kevin O’Brien ’69 – Feb. 27, 2020

1970s

David E. Furry ’70 – Feb. 11, 2020 Michael P. O’Brien ’70 – Feb. 23, 2020 John M. Wiegand ’70 – Jan. 6, 2020 Ed F. Yacovone ’70 – Jan. 19, 2020 Ned B. Hemmelgarn ’71 – March 8, 2020 Robert P. Masterson ’71 – Jan. 11, 2020 Sister M. Valentina “Val” Sheridan, R.S.M. ’71 – Jan. 14, 2020 Timothy J. Span ’71 – June 8, 2019 Charles S. Lineback ’72 – Feb. 6, 2020 Michaeleen A. Kelner Meredith ’72 – Jan. 31, 2020 Tim E. Shields ’72 – Feb. 25, 2020 Patrick E. “Pat” Corrigan ’73 – Jan. 3, 2020 Tom E. Fons ’73 – Jan. 6, 2020

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Jessica González Uhlig (ENG) lives in San Antonio, Texas. After earning her master’s in higher education from UD in 2004, Jessica completed her doctoral studies in transformational leadership at Concordia University last December. Her dissertation was a study on how the Marianist charism is manifest at the three Marianist universities: Chaminade, St. Mary’s and UD. The title of the study is Leading Change: A phenomenological study of collaboration for mission at Marianist universities. Pictured at the graduation celebration is Jessica’s cousin Maria Delgado ’14 and Jessica’s son, Luis Pagán-González, a senior at Marianist-sponsored Central Catholic high school in San Antonio. Jessica works for the Marianist Province of the United States as Hispanic marketing director and as executive director for the Marianist Educational Associates at St. Mary’s University.

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2003 31 Pete Williams (EYA) and his wife, Becca, live in Riverside, Ohio, with their three sons. Last November, Pete was elected mayor of Riverside, a city just east of Dayton. He took the oath of office in the governor’s chambers of the Ohio Statehouse from Gov. Mike DeWine and began his term in January 2020. The family attends St. Helen Parish in Riverside, where the boys also attend school.

30

Lily. An educator for the past 23 years, Kevin teaches eighth grade at Farmington STEAM Academy. When his school went on break due to COVID-19 on March 17, he decided to use his skills to assist families with navigating the challenges of homeschooling their children. It evolved to cover everyone spending more time at home. Kevin writes, “When the pandemic hit, I started a YouTube channel for parents who are now teachers. It morphed into a daily series of ideas, affirmations, strategies and interviews that I think many in the Flyer family would enjoy and find useful. I lived on Lowes, had an amazing four years at UD and am still close with most of my Flyer friends.

Pandemic aside, life is pretty good.”

One episode featured an interview with fellow Flyer James Kelley ’97, an author and professor, and the project launch video that can be viewed at youtu.be/BqFJHMaejyM.

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26 Trish Hill (CIE) lives in Centerville, Ohio, and was recently elected partner with Cincinnati law firm Graydon. Trish is a member of the firm’s creditors’ rights group and concentrates her practice in the areas of loan workouts, commercial collection and foreclosures and bankruptcy law. She earned her law degree from UD in 2000.

28 Vinnie Ranalli (HST) and his wife, Jen, live in Downingtown, Pennsylvania, with their four children. He writes, “In October, nine classmates met to tour the Bourbon Trail in Kentucky. We try to get together at least once a year. Pictured are (front row) Jim Auer ’99, Jeff Kienzle ’98, Ben Wilmhoff ’99, Greg Bellomo ’98 and Vinnie; (back row) Flyer wannabe Scott Clemens, Brian Strohl ’99, John Topmiller ’98 and Josh Carroll ’99. Many bourbons were sampled and a great time was had by all.”

27 Kevin Ozar (EDS) and his wife, Becca, live in Grosse Point Park, Michigan, with their daughters, Kate and

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19 9 9 29 Maria Velasco Deyell (MKT) and her husband, Andrew, live in Buffalo, New York. Maria writes, “Nine fabulous ladies from the Class of 1999 (mostly) celebrated our 20-year reunion in amazing Park City, Utah, last fall. What a treat that all of us could be together in such a beautiful place. Thank you, Haddens.” The group included Kristen Hujarski Hadden, Kathleen Roy Hurly, Tiffany Oberlander Lekan, Katie Smigelski Keefe, Mollie McIntosh Hulefeld, Maria Steiner Stahl, Becky Nels Lewis and Peggy Martin McAuliffe.

2 0 03 Dan Salemi (ECA) and Lisa Schroeder Salemi (POL) live in Glenview, Illinois, with their two sons. Dan was named one of the Illinois 2019 Top 40 Lawyers under 40, published by the Chicago Daily Law Bulletin. Dan is a partner at Morgan Lewis & Bockius in its employee benefits group at the Chicago office.

30 Kevin Trigg (POL) lives in Los Angeles. He writes, “I was in Abuja, Nigeria, on a long-term temporary duty assignment to the U.S. Embassy. While there, I volunteered to help children in an internally displaced persons camp in Abuja. These kids and their parents all fled war in the northern region of Nigeria and were placed in camps across the country.” Kevin is wearing a blue shirt and a backward baseball hat.

IN MEMORIAM

2004 Emily Abraham-Linesch Smerbeck (LDR) and Jim Smerbeck (HST) ’05 live in Oakwood, Ohio, with their sons Liam, 7, and Julian, 4 months, and daughters Cecilia, 5, Valerie, 4 and Amelia, 2. They write, “We have lived and died by the Flyers all year!”

2005 Patrick Clunk (MEE) and Ellen Gregory Clunk (CME) live in Solon, Ohio. Patrick has been elected to the firm partnership of Tucker Ellis LLP. Patrick provides strategic intellectual property counsel and advice on securing, protecting, clearing and licensing patents, trademarks, copyrights and other intellectual property. He works out of the Cleveland office.

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33 Abby Doss Magoto (MUE) writes, “My husband, Travis, and I are thrilled to finally welcome home Elijah Paul Magoto (3-5-19), who joins siblings Claire (12-10-12) and Andrew (1-14-16). Elijah was born in Cincinnati and spent 6 1/2 months in the NICU at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital before finally joining us at home in Fremont, Ohio. His identical twin brother, Isaac Gerard, went to be with Jesus immediately following birth. Our family is so excited that Elijah is doing well and finally home with us. We would like to thank our Flyer family, including those who work at the Cincinnati Ronald McDonald House, for all the love and support we have received during this journey with Elijah.”

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34 Keith Powers (POL) lives in New York City and was named New York City’s top lawmaker by the City & State New York magazine in the Jan. 26, 2020, issue. The ranking is based on attendance, laws passed, bills introduced, and responsiveness to constituents and media. Keith is currently a council member for Manhattan’s District 4.

Jim Smerbeck (HST) and Emily Abraham-Linesch Smerbeck ’04 (LDR) live in Oakwood, Ohio, with their sons Liam, 7, and Julian, 4 months, and daughters Cecilia, 5, Valerie, 4 and Amelia, 2. Jim works as a law clerk for the U.S. District Court. They write, “We have lived and died by the Flyers all year.”

2008 36 Abby Budin Dippel (ECE) and her husband, Bob, announce the birth of Grace Josephine (9-30-19), who joins twin brothers John and Victor, 3, at home in Aurora, Ohio.

37 Jon Domansky (FIN) married Katie Rice (MKT) on June 1, 2019, at the Rice family farm in Chautauqua, New York. There were 40 UD alumni in attendance including bridal party members Kevin Rice, Kirsten Rice, Brian Rice, Heather Spataro Matre, Nicole Piccolomini Wynn, Jason Stoermer, Matt Troha, Zach Freshwater and Jeff Noble.

The couple lives in Cleveland.

18 Ann Prather Bergman (CSS) and her husband, Eric, live in Auburn, Alabama. In February, Ann traveled to Dayton to watch the Flyers defeat the Saint Louis Billikens along with fellow Flyers Larry Costello ’87, Tom Ayoob ’87, Regina Coyle Ayoob ’88, Tom “Bull” Rigor ’88 and Renee Cooper Hook ’88.

During the visit, Ann and Renee stopped by the Pine Club for dinner.

Michael Eshleman (LAW) is the Otero County attorney in Alamogordo, New Mexico, where he lives. Michael was elected chair of the county attorney affiliate of the New Mexico Association of Counties during the association’s legislative conference in Santa Fe in January. He previously served as secretary of the Attorney Affiliate and is also chair of the Alamogordo Public Library Advisory Board and secretary of the Twelfth Judicial District Bar Association. Michael writes, “Ave atque vale!,” Latin for “hail and farewell.”

35 Ludgy LaRochelle (LAW) lives in Cleveland and has been promoted to counsel at Tucker Ellis LLP. Ludgy counsels businesses of all sizes and specializes in advising private and public companies in commercial transactions, joint ventures and strategic alliances, divestitures, capital market transactions and distribution and manufacturing agreements.

37 Katie Rice (MKT) married Jon Domansky (FIN) on June 1, 2019, at the Rice family farm in Chautauqua, New York. There were 40 UD alumni in attendance including bridal party members Kevin Rice, Kirsten Rice, Brian Rice, Heather Spataro Matre, Nicole Piccolomini Wynn, Jason Stoermer, Matt Troha, Zach Freshwater and Jeff Noble.

The couple lives in Cleveland.

2006

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Bill B. Simpson ’73 – Dec. 7, 2019 Joanne M. Bouffard Vogt ’73 – Dec. 14, 2019 Dan P. Grubenhoff ’74 – Jan. 25, 2020 Raymond D. Spears ’74 – Jan. 30, 2020 H. Brent Edwards III ’75 – March 8, 2020 Tom A. Giles ’75 – Feb. 8, 2020 R. Kevin Kerns ’75 – Feb. 6, 2020 Henry C. Thompson ’75 – Feb. 10, 2020 Bob M. Guididas ’76 – Feb. 1, 2020 Darryl L. Herring ’76 – Jan. 3, 2020 Ed L. Long ’76 – Jan. 26, 2020 Terrence J. “Terry” Miecznikowski ’77 – Dec. 2, 2019 Gary P. Daniel ’78 – Feb. 24, 2020 Richard D. “Rick” Eckis ’79 – Feb. 27, 2020 Carolyn S. “Pegg” Rose Milby ’79 – March 6, 2020 Eileen M. Driscoll Moorman ’79 – Jan. 21, 2020 Keith A. Olsen ’79 – Jan. 9, 2020 John R. Shank ’79 – Dec. 31, 2019 Ruth A. Vassel ’79 – Feb. 19, 2020

1980s

Cheryl L. Saylor Aubin ’80 – Jan. 26, 2018 J. Stephen “Steve” Greggerson ’80 – Jan. 1, 2020 Sister Mary Cepha Euell, P.V.M.I. ’81 – Feb. 23, 2020 Nayna R. Comer Pauff ’81 – Dec. 19, 2019 Gary A. Hinchman ’82 – Feb. 2, 2020 George L. Eveler III ’83 – Dec. 16, 2019 Dave R. Strode ’83 – Dec. 30, 2019 Mary L. Baer ’84 – Jan. 19, 2020 Janet M. Johnson Brasier ’84 – Nov. 26, 2019 Phyllis Sue Jones Hover ’84 – March 2, 2020 Charles J.P. Gallagher Jr. ’85 – March 18, 2019 Lela L. Schrolucke Van Leuven ’86 – Dec. 29, 2019 Penny J. Frohnapfel Shane ’87 – Aug. 7, 2019 Rodger S. Thomas Sr. ’87 – Jan. 29, 2020 Mark E. Van Buren ’88 – Dec. 23, 2019 René Smith Aekins ’89 – Jan. 8, 2020 Jennifer L. Mason-Cleaver ’89 – Jan. 1, 2020 Patricia M. Bray Matthews ’89 – Feb. 1, 2020 Patricia A. “Patty” Casto Young ’89 – Feb. 4, 2020

1990s

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John K. Jordan ’90 – Jan. 8, 2019 David M. “Mike” Nuchols ’94 – Feb. 11, 2020 Marilen Fisher Heckler ’97 – March 16, 2020 Paul L. Cushwa ’99 – Jan. 18, 2020

2000s

Phyllis J. Sink Bayman ’00 – Dec. 17, 2019 Don W. “Scoot” Schafer II ’00 – Feb. 29, 2020 Greg P. Williamson ’00 – Feb. 21, 2020 Stacy J. Morgan ’01 – Dec. 26, 2019 Bob M. Craven ’03 – Jan. 19, 2020

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2009 38 Jessica Immonen Heseltine (BIO) and her husband, Cole, announce the birth of Arlynn Ann (1-15-20), who joins them at home in South Jordan, Utah.

Jessica Parker Wode (JRN) and Michael Wode (PSY) live in Portland, Oregon. Jessica writes, “Along with a friend here in Portland, I launched a podcast in 2019 called Blessed Are the Feminists. On each episode we interview a different guest who identifies as both Christian and feminist.

We’ve talked about the problem of sexism both inside and outside the Church, the tension between justice and mercy, and many other interesting topics. Fellow UD grad HaQuyen Pham ’07 was an early guest on the show.” More information can be found at blessedarethefeminists.com.

2009 39 Kendall Jesser (PUB) married Jack Horgan Nov. 16, 2019, in Vero Beach, Florida. Kendall writes, “I met my husband through my guy friends at UD, who just happened to be his best friends from high school. Our wedding felt like a mini Dayton reunion with more than 30 Flyers attending from the classes of 1969 to 2014. Our wedding party included Courtney Welch Grimes, Kristen Sansone Klug, Kelsey Slonieski, Kelly Keane Anderson, Brian Lovinguth, Thomas Martin and Timothy Larkin.”

The couple lives in St. Louis.

Kelli Verdin Kurtz (EDA) and Mike Kurtz ’90 (RTV) live in Liberty Township, Ohio.Their Flyer family includes children Evan ’21, Allison ’23 and future Flyer Connor.

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41 Willy Balbach (MTH) and Jen Cheney Balbach ’11 (SPN) (CMM) announce the birth of their son, William “Will” Balbach (6-4-19), who joins them at home in Chicago. They write, “Fun fact: Our son, Will, is the sixth generation William Balbach in which all William Balbachs are not only first-born males but first-born children.”

41 Jen Cheney Balbach (SPN) (CMM) and Willy Balbach ’10 (MTH) announce the birth of their son, William “Will” Balbach (6-4-19), who joins them at home in Chicago. They write, “Fun fact: Our son, Will, is the sixth generation William Balbach in which all William Balbachs are not only first-born males but first-born children.”

43 Patrick Gibboney (FIN) (ENT) married Melanie Ruhe ’11 (EHA) Nov. 9, 2019, in Cincinnati. They write, “We had an amazing day celebrating with more than 40 fellow Flyers in attendance.” The couple lives in Washington, D.C., where they are active in the alumni community.

40 Becca Mayors (PSY) married Matt Considine in Akron, Ohio, on Sept. 7, 2019. Becca writes, “We live with our golden retriever, Gypsy, in Chicago, where I work as a women’s health and surgical nurse at Northwestern Memorial Hospital. Many UD Flyers were in our wedding party, including Brianna Burns Steele ’09, Lisa Schultz Klenk ’10, Bridget Egan ’11, Suzy Sullivan Ribaudo ’11, Melissa Bordewick ’10, ’13, Lindsay Mayors ’14, Rob Kepple ’07 and Samuel Woods ’07. We had an absolute blast celebrating with our Flyer family. Other Flyers in attendance included Sean O’Neill ’12, Kristin Dormish Holland ’11 and Christian Jehling ’07. Matt and I traveled to South Africa for our honeymoon, where we spent time on safari at Kruger National Park.”

42 Dave Lowe (MEE) and Miranda Bailey Lowe (LDR) recently relocated from Dayton to Greenville, South Carolina, for Dave’s new job opportunity.

They write, “We love Dayton and are proud to be Daytonians, but we are excited for our new adventure.”

Phillip Moore (MCT) lives in Piqua, Ohio. Last August he earned his 2009 senior level geometric dimensioning and tolerance (GD&T) professional certification from the American Society for Mechanical Engineers. At the time he earned this certification, there were fewer than 200 certification holders nationally and only five in Ohio. Phillip earned his master’s in engineering management from Ohio University in December 2019.

43 Melanie Ruhe (EHA) married Patrick Gibboney ’10 (FIN) (ENT) Nov. 9, 2019, in Cincinnati. They write, “We had an amazing day celebrating with more than 40 fellow Flyers in attendance.” The couple lives in

IN MEMORIAM

Washington, D.C., where they are active in the alumni community.

2 01 2 Cate Kurela Smith (PAD) lives in Elyria, Ohio. In January, the Precision Machined Products Association named Cate its executive director. Since its inception in 1933, PMPA has always had male leaders in the male-dominated industry of precision machining. Cate writes, “I have dedicated the majority of my career to helping professionals learn, network and collaborate, and I’m excited for the opportunity to do so with a new and expansive group that brings me back to my familial roots. My maternal grandfather was a machinist, and my dad got his start in the steel industry by earning his apprenticeship in the machine shop and then worked his way up to management. Similarly, I worked summers at the mill to help pay for my first college degree.” Cate graduated from Bowling Green State University in 1991 and later received a juris doctorate from ClevelandMarshall College of Law. She served as the executive director for the Delta Theta Phi Law Fraternity International and, most recently, was the executive director for the Education Law Association in Cleveland.

Mark Jackson (CMM) lives in Columbus, Ohio, where he is a recruitment manager for KIPP Columbus. Mark writes, “I work to fill openings at our K-12 school, which is a

diverse, nonprofit organization designed to empower students from educationally underserved communities with the tools needed to be successful in college and life. We also have a paid fellowship teaching program designed for recent and upcoming college graduates with education and non-education degrees to learn how to become effective teachers. I’d love to hear from UD grads interested in this fellowship and partner with UD department chairs as well to develop partnerships. Contact me at mjackson@kippcolumbus.org. Go Flyers!” In his spare time, Mark writes movie reviews and is a member of the Columbus Film Critics Association. Find his reviews at moviemanjackson.com.

2 013 Will McCormick (MIS) married Kim Rossman ’14 (FIN) July 13, 2019. The two reconnected during Reunion Weekend 2015 and write, “We are thankful for the Flyer pride that brings back alumni year after year to campus.”

The couple lives in St. Louis.

2 014 Christine Cirillo (PSY) lives in Pasadena, California. She writes, “Five Class of 2014 graduates, who now live all across the United States and in Mexico, met in San Diego in February for a mini reunion. Pictured from left are David Painter, Jill Smith, Christina Chabali, me and Brendan Dillon.”

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45 Katie Coughlin (EPT) married Quinn Menard (EPT) Aug. 10, 2019, in Cleveland, where the couple resides and where both work as physical therapists. They write, “We met freshman year while living in Founders Hall but did not date until a few years later. We were surrounded by many Flyers on our wedding day, who made up a majority of the wedding party. We loved celebrating with all of our fellow UD alums.”

46 Tyler Hohman (ELE) married Kristen Iannarino (EEP) July 7, 2018, at St. Brigid of Kildare Church in Columbus, Ohio. Kristen writes, “Deacon Paul Zemanek ’79 served at the Mass and my father, Deacon Frank Iannarino ’85, walked me down the aisle. The wedding party included UD alumni Christine Canute, Kim Ely, Kevin Greco and Ian Cross. We had a loving and supportive group of family, friends and Flyer alumni at the wedding. Of course, we ended the night with the song “Wagon Wheel.” We often reminisce about our days at UD and proudly fly a University of Dayton flag in our Columbus neighborhood.”

47 Kim Rossman (FIN) married Will McCormick ’13 (MIS) July 13, 2019. Kim writes, “Will and I knew each other through friends but didn’t actually date while at UD. It was my first alumni weekend (his second) when we met again at our beloved Timothy’s Bar and Grill and started our two-year, long-distance relationship. I made the move to St. Louis from Cleveland in July

Doug A. Fannin ’04 – Feb. 10, 2020 Nate S. Darr ’06 – Dec. 18, 2019 Charles Stephen “Steve” Flickinger ’06 – Feb. 10, 2020 Megan P. Butz ’16 – Jan. 21, 2020

FRIENDS

Paul D. Bryson Sr. – Feb. 16, 2020; former staff member at the School of Education.

Father David A. Fleming, S.M. – March 12, 2020; former University staff member, past provincial of the Marianists of the United States, and past superior general of the Society of Mary in Rome.

Eric L. Friedland – Jan. 16, 2020; retired faculty and former Harriet Sanders Scholar of Judaic Studies.

Sam C. Macy – Oct. 18, 2019; retired University of Dayton Research Institute research technician.

Kyle Oleff – Oct. 17, 2017; survived by father Dale Oleff ’72.

Rita L. Perota – Dec. 21, 2019; survived by son James R. Perota Jr. ’80.

Archbishop Daniel E. Pilarczyk – March 22, 2020; retired archbishop of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati.

Ed J. Soloski – Feb. 12, 2020; retired University of Dayton Research Institute employee.

Ben J. Tavella – Feb. 18, 2020; University student.

Prayer intentions are collected at bit.ly/marianist_prayers.

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Summer 2020 | UNIVERSITY OF DAYTON MAGAZINE

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CL A SS NOTES

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of 2017, and that is where we live today.

I am thankful for the Flyer pride that brings back alumni year after year to campus, or else I wouldn’t have had the chance to find my husband.”

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Quinn Menard (EPT) married Katie Coughlin (EPT) Aug. 10, 2019, in Cleveland, where the couple resides and where both work as physical therapists.

They write, “We met freshman year while living in Founders Hall, but did not date until a few years later. We were surrounded by many Flyers on our wedding day, who made up a majority of the wedding party. We loved celebrating with all of our fellow UD alums.”

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2020 Kaelin Kelly (MKT) lives in Columbus, Ohio. She writes, “After getting the announcement that we were not coming back to campus till next year, I was heartbroken.

I needed a sense of my Dayton community more than ever. I put together T-shirts showcasing favorite places to dine, with a portion of the sales going to the Dayton Foundation’s COVID-19 Response Fund. In 12 days, I raised more than $7,000. It was not the ideal ending to my senior year, but seeing the community come together over this fundraiser was something I will forever hold close to my heart.” Kaelin will move to Fort Myers, Florida, in October to work with IT research company Gartner.

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2 01 5 Theresa Fasullo (ECE) married Michael Mingus ’16 (BIO) July 20, 2019, at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Baltimore, where the two are parishioners. They write, “We met while participating in the University of Dayton Summer Appalachian Program during an unforgettable summer before our senior year. We are so blessed and thankful that UDSAP and UD brought us together and led us to where we are now. UD allowed us to have a family of friends, many of whom were in the wedding party, including Cindy Brentlinger, Emma Stiver, Lori Lundy, Kristen Abbarno, Alexander Mingus, Jack Welsh, Tyler Kessler and Shaughn Phillips.”

UNIVERSITY OF DAYTON MAGAZINE | Summer 2020

2 016 Brigid Kovach (EEP) married Jimmy Vanek ’17 (ERL) Oct. 19, 2019. They write, “We met at UD through Campus Ministry while leading the Lighthouse Retreat and had the blessing of being surrounded by over 70 fellow Flyers at our wedding.

Highlights of the night included readings at Mass by Brother Tom Pieper, S.M., and campus minister Mike Bennett. Dayton not only gave us each other but also a group of friends that turned into family.”

The couple lives in Willoughby, Ohio.

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Michael Mingus (BIO) married Theresa Fasullo ’15 (ECE) July 20, 2019, at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Baltimore, where the two are parishioners. They write, “We met while participating in the University of Dayton Summer Appalachian Program during an unforgettable summer before our senior year. We are so blessed and thankful that UDSAP and UD brought us together and led us to where we are now. UD allowed us to have a family of friends, many of whom were in the wedding party, including Cindy Brentlinger, Emma Stiver, Lori Lundy, Kristen Abbarno, Alexander Mingus, Jack Welsh, Tyler Kessler and Shaughn Phillips.”

49 Simon Stone (MEE) married Sarah Wilker (ERL) (EYA) June 29, 2019. They write, “We had a lot of Flyers in attendance at our wedding and look forward to seeing our photo in the UD

Magazine. Go Flyers!” The couple lives in Dayton.

2 017 50 Gina Barlage (MEE) married David Ramsey ’18 (CEE) Sept. 7, 2019. The couple lives in Troy, Ohio, where Gina works as a mechanical engineer.

51 David Devlin (CME) married Kara Hoersten (EMS) Aug. 10, 2019, in Ottoville, Ohio. They write, “Several UD alumni were in attendance, and we had a great time celebrating with our Flyer family and friends.” The couple lives in Dayton.

48 Jimmy Vanek (ERL) married Brigid Kovach ’16 (EEP) Oct. 19, 2019. They write, “We met at UD through Campus Ministry while leading the Lighthouse Retreat and had the blessing of being surrounded by over 70 fellow Flyers at our wedding. Highlights of the night included readings at Mass by Brother Tom Pieper, S.M., and campus minister Mike Bennett. Dayton not only gave us each other but also a group of friends that turned into family.” The couple lives in Willoughby, Ohio.

2 018 50 David Ramsey (CEE) married Gina Barlage ’17 (MEE) Sept. 7, 2019.

The couple lives in Troy, Ohio, where David works as a civil engineer.

PERCEPTIONS

Float

Where do we put our flesh?

BY RACHEL HELLMANN CLAIRE BOWMAN ’19’99

MY WORK IS CONCERNED WITH SOCIETY’S STANDARDS FOR WOMEN AND THEIR BODIES PAINTING ALUMINUM AND perception WOOD, I CREATE OBJECTS THAT BLUR THE andON thePAPER, resulting effects on their of themselves.

I seek to address thisDISTINCTION in the hopes of

between painting, and installation.

I am influenced by them simple such asdiversely paper airplanes starting sculpture conversations and eventually moving beyond tostructures a more equal and acceptand origami objects lightprinting in physical commanding and shaping thesurface space they occupy.

I paint ing—world.

Relief canweight reflectyet these concerns. Cutting into the of the linoleum, the sculptures withdeep, hardedge, saturated shapes of color. color inof combination with cast crecreating irremovable marks mirrors theThe experience trying to conform ourshadows bodies to ates a playful conversation between realinto and the illusionistic space. society’s ideals. Like my tools surface, the words and images that saturate our daily lives

dig into our minds and leave imprints.

Photograph courtesy ELLEN MILLER GALLERY

Summer 2020 | UNIVERSITY OF DAYTON MAGAZINE

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PERCEPTIONS

She leaned against a tree, closed her eyes— exhaled, then looked over her shoulder at a boulder.

Yes, a boulder.

It seemed to her that the boulder announced itself, too, even more than the quiet and the warbler— carved, faded from the Arizona sun, and almost thirty-thousand pounds, they say.

She considered the boulder— all who’d passed it, all who’d paused before it, all the laughter and sighs and tensions and tears that had spilled out before it, both in desert sunlight and Ohio fog.

A boulder in Woodland Cemetery marks the grave of humorist Erma Fiste Bombeck ’49.

Empty your pockets

BY DOMINIC SANFILIPPO ’16

It was quiet, she thought— the woman walking through the hilly cemetery at dusk— a quiet that announced itself, somehow, mixing in the light streams reflecting and yawning off Miami Valley Hospital’s windows; magenta and canary— cerulean, too— all spilling through the dust and shadows and branches above the tombs, tracing an airy backdrop on which a yellow warbler was flitting, making its own sort of announcement, stamping seasonal presence early— in the first inning, even, the little daredevil.

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Quiet, and quiet, and more quiet— except for the warbler, of course, and a cargo plane making a lazy sweep over from Wright-Patt, and a few engine drawls on Brown Street— (less than usual, though, as most students had already shuffled back to their starting points; the baristas and teachers and data analysts and stylists and artists all homebound, too, pacing and tracing and making do— the vehicles were mostly full of grocers and nurses and responders and nervous parents, some driving toward those same hospital windows on which the magenta and canary and cerulean spilled).

UNIVERSITY OF DAYTON MAGAZINE | Summer 2020

She considered, too, the woman from Centerville, that hurricane of a writer, that anchor of a friend, that force of nature whose spark had given the boulder reason to make its own pilgrimage all the way to these cemetery grounds, this quiet oasis.

What would that laughter, that keen watcher from the past say to the present, to the warbler and the wind, to the grocers and cops and parents and sons and daughters navigating this new normal, this screaming quiet marked by weary glances and stock market zigzags and solemn pressers at the top of the hour?

Quiet, and then less quiet, as the woman in the present announced to the cemetery, to the warbler and the trees, to her quiet city and still campus, to her restless country and scattered world—

Finding my way home

Empty your pockets.

She sprung from the tree, a small smile emerging; shook out her shoulders, gave a nod to the boulder and a wink to the warbler, and strolled toward the gates— that’s what she’d say, yes!— Empty your pockets and stride, stride toward laughter in the living room and held hands by the fire and emails with old friends, toward yelps over the lost remote and backyard concerts and balcony concertos soaring over signals and ocean winds, toward the responders and the deciders and the stockers and the grocers, toward hard conversations and interrupted grief and mustered courage, toward all those human souls, those sparks of light living the Centerville writer’s words in the shaky present whether they knew it or not, tying themselves to the infinite, emptying their pockets with nothing to return, using everything given, reckoning with everything thrown their way.

She reached the gates— her small smile an announcement, a declaration— and walked off into the dusk.

(Inspired by the words and life of Erma Fiste Bombeck ’49.)

Dominic Sanfilippo ’16, a philosophy and human rights studies grad as well as a self-proclaimed mediocre ping-pong player, teaches courses on philosophy, religious dialogue and sacramental imagination at Regina Dominican High School in Wilmette, Illinois.

BY AMY GEORGE ’05

I

RIDE THE SCHOOL BUS TO A STOP

sign on a small street. I walk to the small white house. I knock on the door, and my great-grandma opens it wearing an apron over her dress. I walk into the warm kitchen and put my school bag on the table.

Grandma goes back to the counter where she prepares a snack. I open my bag and take out my folder. I don’t actually have any homework in grade 1, but I want to write like the big kids I see.

Last fall, I wrote all the letters on their own pieces of paper to teach phonics. During recess, I sat on the bench, and the other students sat on the ground. I would show them the letters, and then the kids repeated.

I wanted to be a teacher and have a desk and stapler.

I kept all my teaching papers in my folder and wrote my name with a “T” behind it.

A boy helped sometimes. He didn’t have a teaching folder, so I wrote his name after mine followed by “TA.” Some older girls teased me. They thought it said “me + him.”

I showed them “T” meant teacher, and “TA” meant teaching assistant. They didn’t listen.

They just sang about us sitting in trees. I quit teaching and started playing on the monkey bars during recess.

Grandma places two saucers holding cups of coffee on the table. The coffee in my cup is light brown, more milk than coffee. It makes me feel like a grown-up to have my own spoon and stir. Grandma gives me a slice of bread and opens the butter dish. I spread butter on my bread and smooth it out until it touches the edges of the crust. I lift the lid off the glass jar of marmalade. I use the plastic spoon to put a dollop in the center of my bread. At home we only have grape jelly, so the marmalade feels special.

She lets me make my own sandwich and talks to me like I’m an adult. I tell her about my day as I eat my sandwich and sip my coffee. She never asks me silly questions about boys. She just listens to me and tells me stories about when she was in school.

I think this is how grown-ups talk to each other.

Grandma needs to make dinner before Grandpa gets home. Grandma lets me make

the Waldorf salad. Grandma already cut the apples and grapes and celery. I mix it all together with mayonnaise and raisins.

Grandpa comes home and gives me a hug.

He laughs and thinks it’s funny that his whiskers scratch me. He goes to the bathroom to wash up while I set the table. When he comes back, dinner is ready. Grandma made pot roast and potatoes and carrots.

Grandpa says I’m a good cook when he tastes the salad, and I feel proud of myself.

When it’s time to eat the pot roast, my piece has fat that I try to cut off with my knife.

Grandpa says the fat is the best part and will put hair on my chest. I think he’s teasing me.

I hope he is, because I don’t think I want hair on my chest.

Grandma made cheesecake for dessert.

When I take a bite, I feel the creamy part dissolving leaving the pineapple on my tongue.

This is my favorite dessert ever. My mom has the recipe, but she says something always goes wrong when she tries to make it. Only Grandma can make Grandma’s cheesecake.

When we finish dinner, Grandma does the dishes. I move a chair to the sink to dry them. I stack the dishes that Grandma will put into the cupboard. Then I hang the wet cloth on the handle of the stove. I like to line up the corners until they touch to know the front and back are even.

The Wizard of Oz is on television tonight, and I get to sit in the big chair to watch it.

Grandma covers me with a crocheted afghan.

I hear Grandpa say my mom will arrive soon, so I decide to pretend to be asleep with the hope I can stay instead of going home.

While pretending to fall asleep, I really fall asleep. I wake up in the night alone in the chair.

I pull the blanket up around me snuggling down deeper to sleep. I’m happy to know I’ll wake up and have another day with my grandparents. I fall back asleep thinking about eating eggs over easy in the morning and dipping the corners of the toast into the golden yolk.

“Finding my way home” is an abridgement of the first story in Amy George’s Six Going on Seven: Short Stories from a Short Midwest Girl, available from Amazon. The print edition contains a guided mindfulness journal for elementary school children.

Summer 2020 | UNIVERSITY OF DAYTON MAGAZINE

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FROM THE EDITOR PARTING WORDS

At our table

W

E SAT IN THE BEDROOM, MY YOUNGEST cross-legged as I wove her hair into Dutch braids.

I was multitasking while remote working, also listening to faculty discuss the common good and its implications in a time of pandemic. (See story, Page 52.) She and I heard Brother Raymond Fitz, S.M. ’64, talk about the social injustice in our region that contributes to increased mortality for our Black neighbors, from infant deaths to reduced life expectancies to worse outcomes from COVID-19.

I was helping our oldest girl straighten her hair when associate professor Maria Gabriela Vivero joined the faculty discussion on Zoom. She told us it is an economic travesty — for the country and for all its people — to perpetuate disparities between socioeconomic groups.

“There are families that, as much as they try, are never going to make it because the playing field is so slanted,” Vivero said.

I was struck by the congruence of their presentations, first from a president emeritus and longtime community advocate and then from an associate professor of finance and economist. Their words would soon find their way to our dinner table.

When our family gathers to eat, the talk is usually 10% about food, 50% about boys. Since the coronavirus tore the children away from school, we’ve also been talking a lot about the disease.

Where did it come from? How dangerous is it? Will they get sick? How long do you have to go to school to become an epide-

miologist? And, on this particular day, why are so many Black people dying of COVID-19?

My husband and I are white, as is our middle daughter. Our other two girls, our foster daughters, are African American. All three often bring to our table questions of race, class and other fights for equality. They roll together history learned in school and current politics gleaned from news and social media with stories from their young lives. They all know what it’s like to live in what Fitz described as a low-opportunity neighborhood. They have firsthand experience with challenges faced there by families, schools and communities.

But to their questions of why racism exists and injustice persists, as a family we decide there are no easy answers. It got even harder with the killings of Breonna Taylor, George Floyd and Ahmaud Arbery.

This is an electric moment in history. The pandemic has laid bare the human cost of systemic racism. The broadcast of every murder slashes at the tale of equality.

We can do better. We must do better, for our country and for its people.

My husband and I tell our children we love them and that they are all made in the image and likeness of God. We tell them they are equal, but that equity will be necessary to bring about true justice. Listen to others, we say, and then have the hard conversations. While we want to protect you and keep you safe, there will be times when you cannot and should not sit still. Go.

M ICH EL L E T EDF OR D ’9 4 Editor, University of Dayton Magazine magazine@udayton.edu

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UNIVERSITY OF DAYTON MAGAZINE | Summer 2020

Photograph by MICHELLE TEDFORD ’94

G E N E R AT I N G

GREATNESS $ 170 NO.1 NO.1 NO.1 NO.1 NO.3 NO.1 NO.7 MILLION

ď‚Ť

in sponsored research in fiscal year 2019

Catholic university for engineering R&D

in Ohio for materials R&D

in the nation for materials R&D

Catholic university for physical S/TEM R&D

1,000

NEARLY

in the nation for federally sponsored engineering R&D

Catholic university for R&D in all categories

in Ohio for industrial and manufacturing R&D

researchers, faculty, staff and students work on sponsored research programs

Explore our research

Rankings are based on NSF statistics November 2019, using fiscal year 2018 data.

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TIME LAPSE

CENTENARY CELEBRATION

A new class of graduates marches into the future during this Oct. 21, 1949, parade celebrating the centennial founding of the “school on the hill.” More than 9,000 citizens participated in the parade before a crowd of 100,000 in downtown Dayton, as hosted by the Dayton Chamber of Commerce. This year we celebrate another centennial — of renaming the school to the University of Dayton. Read more, Page 28.

Photograph courtesy UNIVERSITY ARCHIVES