Fireworks filled the sky as more than 1,500 alumni, parents, students, faculty, staff, and others joined the 100 Years of Father Ryan Community Celebration on September 14, the anniversary of the first day of school in 1925.
The purple and white shine brightly over Father Ryan.
100 YEARS OF FATHER RYAN Community Celebration Highlights; 100 Masses; New Prayer and Hymn; 100th Moina; The Early Days.
CAMPUS TOUR The Move to Norwood Drive.
STRATEGIC PLAN ANNOUNCED
ON DISPLAY New Touchscreens and Displays; Adding to the 100 Years of Father Ryan Story; 100th Committee and Sponsors.
Board of Trustees
Executive Committee
John Bumpus ’78, President/Chair
David Glascoe, Vice President/Vice Chair
Brian Callahan, Treasurer Finance and Budget Chair
Brittney (Testerman) Griffith ’03, Secretary
Warner Hassell, Governance and Nominating Chair
Rev. Rhodes Bolster ’11, Priest
Committee Chairs
Tom Bauer, Facilities Committee Chair
Philip Mattingly, Sr. ’69, Advancement Committee Chair
Board Members
David Bohan ’66
Chris Donnelly
Deacon William Hill ’67
Patrick Nolan III ’69
Tom Sloan
Tom Turner
Matthew Wright
Caroline Young
Ex-Officio Members
Paul J. Davis ’81
Most Rev. J. Mark Spalding
Very Rev. Austin Gilstrap Shana Druffner
Life Trustees
Lee Carter
Thomas G. Connor, Sr. ’60
Welcome to 100 Years of Father Ryan
Father Ryan President PAUL DAVIS ’81 set the tone for the Community Celebration and the kickoff of 100 Years of Father Ryan with his comments and reflections at the conclusion of the Mass. We have reprinted his remarks for all the community to enjoy.
I am humbled to stand before you and welcome you to the 100 Years of Father Ryan Community Celebration. To see our community come together to celebrate this historic event demonstrates the love we all have for Father Ryan.
Thank you, Bishop Spalding and all of our concelebrants, for celebrating Mass, allowing us to start this event by coming together in our shared faith. BISHOP MARK BECKMAN of Knoxville, a former associate principal of Father Ryan from 1991 to 1996 once said that,
“Catholic faith and values at Father Ryan are like the subtle smell of incense in an old church. You can’t put your finger on it, but it permeates everything.”
It is a blessing to see our Catholic faith and values continue to permeate everything we do today.
students to reach their spiritual, academic, and personal potential.
At Father Ryan, we are proud of where we come from and our history. We are proud to be a member of this community. We are Father Ryan, and it is an honor to celebrate 100 years of our strong tradition.
However, Father Ryan’s tradition is not to remain stagnant or stick to the status quo. Our tradition is to evolve. To evolve to meet the needs of our community, to do the right and just thing. And this tradition can be seen all throughout our history.
IN THE NEWS Commencement 2024; National Merit Honorees; Spotlight Awards; New Board Members; House System News; Relay For Life; Teacher of the Year.
ATHLETICS
A Memorable 2024; Salute to the 1974 Football State Champions.
Mrs. Cox’s Musical Theatre Course.
An Annual Fund Record; Reunion 2024; Gala 2025 Announced.
NOTES Alumni News, Births, Weddings, In Memoriam.
William H. Farmer ’65
Edward B. Gore
J. Terry Hunter
Julie (Shaninger) Norfleet ’88
Judy (Komisky) Orr ’75
William F. Smith
Edward A. Stack
Administration
Paul J. Davis ’81, President
MAKING A DIFFERENCE
YOUR 100% TAX-DEDUCTIBLE GIFT
to the Father Ryan Annual Fund helps us carry out the Tradition of Faith, Knowledge, Service that continues to guide our students today.
To make a gift, visit fatherryan.org/giving
Francisco M. Espinosa, Jr., Principal
Connie Steinmetz, Chief Financial Officer
Brooke Reusch, Director of Advancement
Jennifer L. Anton, Academic Dean
Amy Duke, Director of Houses
Erin (Baltz) Riggs ’00, Director of Enrollment
Stuart Magness ’95, Interim Dean of Students 3
Ann Mullins ’03 Director of Athletics
On this day, September 14, 1925, 96 young men entered Nashville Catholic High School for Boys for their first day of school, not knowing that today, September 14, 2024, we would be celebrating our 100th year of school after welcoming over 830 students to Father Ryan High School last month.
I do not believe in coincidences.
It is not a coincidence that we are still here today educating students in the Catholic tradition.
It is not a coincidence that the Diocese allowed us to use a chalice used by Bishop Thomas Byrne and his ciborium and Bishop Alphonse Smith’s crozier for our first of 100 Masses.
We are here because of the insightful vision and strength of those who took a chance to establish a Catholic school for boys in the early 1900s.
We are here because of the bravery of those who came before us who were not afraid to make the right and just decisions for our community.
We are here because of the members of our community who have passed and continue to look over Father Ryan and keep us safe, whom I call our community of saints.
It is not a coincidence that after we began to plan our 100th celebration, we discovered FATHER CHARLES STROBEL Father Ryan graduate from 1961 and founder of Room In The Inn, who passed away in August of 2023, would have his autobiography released today, a book that shares insight into his life dedicated to the Lord and serving others. A true experience of the living Gospel. We are grateful for his example every day.
To celebrate our 100th year of school, we have encouraged members of our community to share their testimonials reflecting on their time at Father Ryan. One of these submissions was written by MONSIGNOR OWEN CAMPION , Class of 1958, in which he says:
“As a Father Ryan student, I was part of an institution second to none in Nashville because it stood upon, and offered to us, not just data learned in classrooms but a blueprint for meaningful, productive, and contented lives.”
This was the vision of the diocese when founding Nashville Catholic High School for Boys in 1925, and it remains true today as we pursue our mission to be an experience of the living Gospel while challenging
From opening our doors in 1925 as Nashville Catholic High School for Boys, to being one of the first schools in Tennessee to integrate, in 1954, to welcoming the Lady Irish and becoming co-educational in 1970, and then expanding our campus by moving from Elliston Place to Norwood Drive in 1991, we strive to meet the needs of our community and live out our mission. Many of these decisions were difficult for the leaders of our school throughout our history, but they always knew it was the right and just thing to do.
As I look across the room, it is inspiring to see so many people who have impacted our school, and you all deserve recognition. We are joined today by a special group of individuals, our oldest living alumni, all of whom graduated more than 70 years ago, ranging in graduation years of the 1940s and 1950s. These men have seen the evolution of Father Ryan longer than any others in attendance and show great pride in their alma mater.
The people in this room who have ensured Father Ryan would be here today to celebrate 100 years is endless. Bishop J. Mark Spalding, former heads of school, current and past members of the Board of Trustees; pastors, priests, deacons, and religious; Athletics Hall of Fame members; Legacy Gala Honorees; retired and current faculty and staff; alumni and students; past and present parents. The list goes on. If you are here today, you impacted Father Ryan in some way, and you are why we are here celebrating 100 years.
Today is a day of celebration and reflection, of how far we have come as a school and the amazing accomplishments of our community. We know, with each coming day, it is an opportunity to continue to grow and evolve.
Those who came before us laid the foundation of Father Ryan High School. It is our responsibility to build upon this foundation for the future, for the next 100 years.
I have often heard it said that for Father Ryan, home is where the heart is. That was the case for my dad, my wife, and me during our time as Father Ryan students on the Elliston campus, and it continued to be the case for my sons during their time at our Norwood campus.
It is not where the building is located, or which campus you attended; home is the people and community of Father Ryan.
From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for being here today. Thank you for being a proud member of the Father Ryan community. We are Father Ryan because of you.
— Welcome Home —
IOO YEARS of FATHER RYAN
On September 14, 1925, Nashville Catholic High School opened its doors to 96 boys and began its first school year. This otherwise ordinary school day began a century-long Tradition of Faith, Knowledge, Service that has educated more than 13,000 students and built a community that is Irish for life. To celebrate, recognize, and honor this rich history, the Father Ryan community gathered on September 14, 2024, to begin the two-year celebration of 100 Years of Father Ryan High School.
The centennial activities began with a Community Celebration Mass presided over by Bishop J. Mark Spalding, with nine concelebrants, many of whom are alumni priests.
T
he September 14 Mass was the first of 100 Masses that will be said for Father Ryan during the two years of the 100 Years of Father Ryan Celebration, which will culminate in May 2026 with the graduation of Father Ryan’s 100th class.
The Mass was a special time to honor the many people who played a part in the founding of the school and those who shaped Father Ryan in the early years of the school. In addition, a special group of the longest-living alumni were recognized by Father Ryan President PAUL DAVIS ’81 in his remarks.
The Mass included a procession of the House Saints; a new school hymn imagined and created by faculty member RANDY LANCASTER ’83 and arranged by Mr. Lancaster and Choral Director JULIE COX a Father Ryan prayer created by FATHER LUKE WILGENBUSCH ’11; Amazing Grace performed by JULIAN GOMEZ ’86 on the bagpipes; and a moving homily by Bishop Spalding. Father Ryan Singers and alumni vocalists and instrumentalists joined in leading worship through song. After Mass, many local officials brought well wishes for another century of success and declared September 14 Father Ryan Day. Nashville Mayor Freddie O’Connell took the stage and spoke about the illustrious history of Father Ryan, Tennessee State Senator Jeff Yarbro and Metro Council Member Jeff Preptit remarked on Father Ryan’s tradition of service to others and its history of social justice, and Oak Hill Mayor Dale Grimes spoke about the wonderful partnership of the school with the town of Oak Hill.
Then, it was time to party with activities for every interest! For our foodies, there were five food trucks, including a Rotier’s hamburgers truck manned by the same cook who worked at the original Rotier’s on Elliston Place. For our Junior Irish, there were inflatables, a rock climbing wall, temporary tattoos, and a scavenger hunt. For our music lovers, three stages were set up throughout the campus with a variety of Father Ryan students and alumni musicians performing throughout the night. Lastly, for our historians, there was an archival history museum, photo opportunities by the original Elliston Place doors at the library, new archival display cases in the library lobby, and interactive history touchscreens.
The 100 Years archival museum was a special memory for many, as graduates and community members throughout Father Ryan’s 100 years loaned items to be included in this one-time archival display. Items included letter jackets, yearbooks, clippings, and scrapbooks. For some, graduates may have passed on, but their spirit and memory live on in the history of the school and in this special display.
Clockwise from top: Bishop Spalding blesses the community; Julian Gomez ’86 and his bagpipes lead the procession; dignitaries assemble and bring greetings - Principal Francisco M. Espinosa, Jr., President Paul Davis ’81, Bishop Spalding, Board President John Bumpus ’78, Mayor Freddie O’Connell, State Senator Jeff Yarbro, Council Member Jeff Preptit, Oak Hill Mayor Dale Grimes.
After the early evening rain ended, the raindrops gave way to an abundance of music and performance.
The Elliston Stage welcomed KEVIN WOLF ’84, ALYSSA BONAGURA ’06 J.P. BURR ’17 and JAKE BURNS ’96 and friends.
The Norwood Stage and the Center for the Arts showcased the talents of our students, including our choral group Mosaic, the Father Ryan Band, and the Dance Team. In addition, there were performances by the Carrillo family — CRISTAL ’25, OLIVIA ’27 and TEMO ’28 — student band GlenPark, and JANIE COOK ’25
Finally, guests could visit the West End Stage in the Dining Hall, tour the special archival displays, and hear RANDY LANCASTER ’83 MADDIE SAMPSON ’15, and Deepwater Barbershop with PAUL BLAZEK ’70
These performances were a reminder of the musical and performing arts legacy that has added to the unique sounds of Father Ryan High School.
While each student at Father Ryan is known and loved, it is clear from the remarks of the guests, the donations for the archival museum, and the presence of the many people who celebrated with us on September 14, that Father Ryan High School itself is known and loved, as well.
100 Masses for 100 Years of Father Ryan
Our Tradition of Faith, Knowledge, Service is centered in our Catholic values. Coming together for a Community Mass set the tone for the entire celebration.
In one of the first meetings of the 100 Years of Father Ryan Planning Committee, JOAN (GARR) HAMRICK ’80 suggested that we commit to saying 100 Masses throughout the diocese during the 100 Years of Father Ryan to honor our Catholic identity and its role in shaping Father Ryan students.
The Mass at the September 14 Community Celebration was the first of those 100 Masses. They will be said at Father Ryan, at parish churches and school chapels throughout the Diocese of Nashville, and at churches in other parts of the United States and abroad. Through these Masses, Father Ryan invites the community to join in celebrating our Tradition of Faith, Knowledge, Service as we continue our mission to be an experience of the living Gospel while challenging students to reach their spiritual, academic, and personal potential.
One of the most memorable church settings was Basilica del Santi Silvestro e Martino ai Monti in Rome, the architectural inspiration for the Cathedral of the Incarnation here in Nashville. There on October 1, Father LUKE WILGENBUSCH ’11 served as the main celebrant and was joined by Father John Sims Baker and Father Andrew Bulso in a special Mass for Father Ryan. President PAUL DAVIS ’81 Joan, and many of the Garr and Hamrick families joined together for this Mass, with Mr. Davis serving as lector. This preceded the special Mass on October 3 within Saint Peter’s Basilica where CHRISTIAN HAMRICK ’17 — Joan’s son — was ordained to the diaconate.
Look for information on the dates, times, and locations of these 100 Masses at fatherryan.org/100masses and join us whenever you can.
Father Ryan alumni, Garr and Hamrick family members, and the choir from Saint Bernard Academy traveled to Rome for Christian Hamrick’s ’17 ordination to the diaconate and one of the 100 Masses, said at Basilica del Santi Silvestro e Martino ai Monti, the architectural inspiration for Nashville’s Cathedral. They were joined by pilgrimage participants from Saint Edward Church, the home parish and school for the Hamricks.
Connections to Our History
The chalice and ciborium used by Bishop Mark Spalding at the Community Celebration Mass are those of the Most Reverend Thomas Byrne, the Fifth Bishop of Nashville, who served from 1894 until 1923. Bishop Byrne had the vision for a Catholic high school for boys and led the initial planning for this school. The Sixth Bishop of Nashville, the Most Reverend Alphonse J. Smith, continued Bishop Byrne’s vision and founded Nashville Catholic High School for Boys in 1925, which became Father Ryan High School in 1929. His crozier was carried by Bishop Spalding. We appreciate the generosity of the Diocese of Nashville in loaning these sacred items for this celebration.
The usage of sacred items such as these is part of the ongoing celebration of our faith legacy, on view in Father Ryan’s Chalice Display, featured in the front lobby of the Main Office. The 15 chalices, all from alumni priests or former faculty members, were gifts from the priests and their families as a way to celebrate the Catholic faith here and across the State. They are regularly used in Masses at Father Ryan. The display was made possible by the generosity of the GIACOSA FAMILY LINDA and DAVID ’66 BOHAN , and PATTY and BILL ’65 FARMER .
Bishop Smith Bishop Byrne
“EXTRA! EXTRA! IT’S MOINA DAY!” A Legacy Written in Song and Prayer
F ather Ryan events always include prayer and music, and this September 14 Mass did so in a historic way. At the conclusion of the Community Celebration Mass, FATHER LUKE WILGENBUSCH ’11 stepped to the ambo and invited the community to join in reciting a new prayer for Father Ryan, created by him and approved by the diocese. Then a group of alumni joined Mosaic, the Father Ryan choral group, on the stage and looked at Choral Director JULIE COX What followed was the premiere of a piece of music that is destined to be part of the Father Ryan musical repertoire for decades.
“A Blessing” is Father Ryan High School’s hymn. It was imagined and created by faculty member RANDY LANCASTER ’83 and arranged by Lancaster and Cox, as a special salute to the legacy of this school and its enduring impact on all of us.
To listen to the premiere performance, visit fatherryan.org/100celebration
Of the many special highlights of the September 14 Community Celebration event, one that stood out was seeing the smiles on the faces of so many as they read the commemorative issue of a Father Ryan institution, The Moina
The idea for a keepsake issue emerged from conversations with MATT PURYEAR English teacher and moderator of The Moina for the past 25 years, and the Advancement Team. The result is a time capsule that captures the spirit of Father Ryan across ten decades of The Moina ’s publication.
As Mr. Puryear said, “Putting the issue together provided so many moments for us to reflect on what The Moina has meant across 100 years, and how it continues to inform our students, faculty, and staff on every Moina Day. The Moina has become a place where year after year a new group of students comes together to contribute their voices to the song of Father Ryan, writing about what they want to write about, sharing their opinions about the news of the day, and capturing the daily existence of Father Ryan students.”
In addition to the archival stories, the special issue featured reflections from a group of alumni editors who spoke about the impact of The Moina on their lives. This group’s reflections — from JACK DEEGAN ’47 MSGR. OWEN CAMPION ’58 JIM O’HARA ’68 , MARGARET (DECKBAR) ADAM ’74 REGINA (RIPPETOE) LIST ’83 STEPHANIE BOHAN
’90 KATIE LEWIS ’04 ERYN WHALEN ’18 , and LAMONT HOWARD ’24 — added a perspective that enriched the publication. In commenting on their experiences, Mr. Puryear said, “While it is certainly a school paper, it is clear that each of these editors saw The Moina as something more. In their reflections, they talked about how they and their staff strived to tell the wider story of Nashville, of our faith, and of social justice at a time when they and their classmates were becoming adults. Those efforts had an impact.”
To view the 100th issue of The Moina and to read about these editors, visit fatherryan.org/100celebration
CELEBRATING A
September 14, 1925: The Beginning of a Legacy
The history and memories of Father Ryan go deep for students, graduates, parents, staff, and supporters. But, as we celebrate the 100th year of school, how many of us can imagine what things were like when the school started a century ago? We may all be Irish for life, but we still have questions. Why did Father Ryan start as an all-boys school? How did we choose the colors purple and white? Why are we called the Irish?
The school’s origin can be traced back to the late 1800s and to three men, Bishop Richard Pius Miles, Bishop Thomas Sebastian Byrne, and Bishop Alphonse John Smith. Bishop Miles, the first Bishop of Nashville, was a passionate supporter of Catholic education and believed in the importance of a strong academic education to complement the health and practice of the Catholic faith. In 1841, he established The Academy for Boys, the first secondary school in the Nashville diocese that primarily served Irish Catholic immigrants.
“…the handsomest institution of its nature south of the Ohio River and the second of its sort in the South.”
While this Academy taught many young immigrants’ families, it was forced to close after just a few years due to many obstacles of that time period, including the Civil War, Reconstruction, and a cholera epidemic. While attempts were made to reopen the school for the next several decades, a Catholic school for boys did not come to fruition.
However, around this time, several other schools were established in the area by religious orders who came to Nashville to start schools for young women, including Saint Cecilia Academy, which the Dominican sisters opened in 1860, and Saint Bernard Academy, which the Sisters of Mercy opened in 1866. With no such institution available for young Catholic boys, the arrival of the fifth Bishop of Nashville, Bishop Byrne in 1894 brought a valiant champion for the idea of a Catholic-based education for young men. Bishop Bryne dreamed of “having every Catholic child attend a Catholic school,” so with his arrival, he brought the idea of offering a free Catholic education to boys, and he made it his mission.
Bishop Byrne worked tirelessly for many years to make his dream a reality. He wrote numerous letters to religious orders in the region asking for priests who could teach subjects such as Latin, Greek, Mathematics, and Physics, but to no avail. He was told no priests were available. But, he would not be deterred. In 1916,
A Magnet for Great Minds: G.K. Chesterton Visits Father Ryan
Since its founding in 1925, Father Ryan High School has always been a leader in Middle Tennessee, from becoming the first school in Tennessee to integrate in 1954 to the Workers’ Rights Initiative in 2014 when the school made the decision not to knowingly support elements of the garment industry that profit from the unjust treatment of its workers.
This thread of community leadership has woven itself into the very fabric of the school, and can be seen in the first years of the school’s existence. An early example came in 1931, when Father Ryan brought one of the country’s most popular speakers to Nashville, the world-famous Catholic author, essayist, poet, and critic, Gilbert Keith Chesterton.
Chesterton’s January 22 speech at Father Ryan, titled “Culture and the Coming Peril,” was held in the school’s auditorium on Elliston Place. A sell-out crowd paid anywhere from $1 to $2.50 for tickets, listening to Chesterton rail against the dangers of materialism, capitalism, and consumerism.
While he is not a household name today, Chesterton was immensely popular nationally and internationally in the 1930s. Some scholars still consider him the greatest thinker and writer of the 20th century. For Father Ryan to bring him to town to speak was quite the coup for a relatively new school at the time.
Chesterton wrote more than 100 books and poems, plus five plays and some 200 short stories, including a popular series featuring the priest-detective, Father Brown, which you might recognize now as the BBC TV series Father Brown Mysteries.
His writings covered a variety of subjects including literary and social criticism, history, politics, economics, philosophy, and theology, influencing many great thinkers of our time.
According to the Society of G.K. Chesterton, Chesterton’s book, The Everlasting Man led a young atheist named C.S. Lewis to become a Christian, and his novel, The Napoleon of Notting Hill, inspired Michael Collins to lead a movement for Irish Independence. One of his essays in the Illustrated London News
helped inspire Mohandas Gandhi to lead a movement to end British colonial rule in India. Chesterton’s speech was met with praise from all in attendance. The Nashville Banner ran a glowing review that said Chesterton “sparks with sharp, clear vigor, and piercing wit.”
But, perhaps it was this bold claim by the newspaper that truly cemented Chesterton’s success in Nashville and thus Father Ryan’s leadership in bringing such a storied poet to town: “Not each generation can approximate a Chesterton. No generation will produce his replica. And {with his visit} Nashville has another satisfying opportunity to exemplify its boast of being the Athens of the South.”
he purchased a home and lot on West End Avenue adjacent to the Cathedral High School, another all-girls high school that was flourishing at the time.
After many more years of letter-writing and fundraising campaigns, finally, his dream was in sight. On August 25, 1923, the Nashville Banner ran a story announcing that Bishop Byrne and the diocese planned to construct a Catholic Boys’ School on West End costing $100,000. According to the paper, the school “will be the handsomest institution of its nature south of the Ohio River and the second of its sort in the South.”
But just a few days later, as the school’s building contractor waited for Bishop Byrne in the parlor of his home with proposed plans and a contract to sign, Bishop Byrne suffered a fatal heart attack.
Although Bishop Byrne was not able to see his dream take shape, his successor, Bishop Smith, continued what Bishop Byrne had started. Bishop Smith realized almost immediately that the West End land would not accommodate the school’s future needs, but construction began nonetheless on a small lot near the Cathedral with the plan of opening the school in 1925 and the goal of constructing a modern high school building in another location in the future.
G. K. Chesterton ad for lecture at Father Ryan. BANNER. Jan 27,1931
14
Finally, after many delays and additional fundraising events, the dream of three Nashville bishops took shape. Nashville Catholic High School for Boys opened on September 14, 1925, at 2015 West End Avenue. The Nashville Banner Sunday edition announced the opening of the school as an “educational asset to the city of Nashville” and touted the competent faculty who were chosen for their “intellect and moral fitness.”
It was a significant moment for the city of Nashville and for the Irish immigrant community. With three all-girls high schools and the new Nashville Catholic High School for Boys, all Catholic students in Nashville could be served. Leaning into the notion that all students should be given the opportunity for a Catholic education and keeping with Bishop Byrne’s original dream, Nashville Catholic High School provided free education to all boys who attended, and it continued to do so for the next 30 years.
EARLY SUCCESS
The early years at Nashville Catholic High School were ones of huge success as it found its footing.
Ninety-six boys from 11 different schools in the Nashville area enrolled in Nashville Catholic High School for the 1925–1926 school year, with the first class of seniors graduating from Nashville Catholic on June 3, 1927.
In 1927, the Journalism Club was founded, and the new club created the school’s newspaper, The Moina, and published the school’s first yearbook, The Emerald in honor of the “Emerald Isle,” a nod to the school’s identity as a Catholic school for Irish immigrants. The Emerald was dedicated to Bishop Smith in gratitude for his efforts in founding the school, and highlights other significant faculty members, including the first principal, Professor DANIEL L. LEARY and the school’s first athletic
director, Coach LEO LONG
Thanks to the efforts of Principal Leary and Coach Long, Nashville Catholic High was a powerhouse in both academics and athletics right from the beginning. Leary maintained “a high standard of scholarship with the full development of moral character and religious ideals,” while Coach Long set a standard of athletic excellence, including a Tennessee Secondary School Athletic Association (TSSAA) State Basketball Championship in the team’s second year of existence in 1926-27 and a runner-up finish the next year. Coach Long led the football team to many victories those first few years, winning the State Title in 1930, with coverage of his teams blanketing many newspapers in the region with reports of their wins.
Although the first yearbook’s cover was green because of the school’s Irish heritage, it is unclear how purple and white came to be the school’s colors. One legend goes that in the early years, the original colors were supposed to be blue and white; however, when it came time to buy jerseys, the cost of the school’s chosen colors was too expensive. The school was offered the more economical colors of purple and white, and leadership accepted.
In donning the purple and the white, the Nashville Catholic High athletic teams became known as the Purple Panthers. This term spread and soon the school adopted this mascot. In 1928, the Journalism Club began publishing a monthly newspaper called The Purple Panther, and the following year, the school’s yearbook was renamed The Panther Athletic teams were known as the Panthers until the 1960s, and the yearbook continued to be called The Panther as late as 1981 when Irish Pride was first mentioned as a moniker on the cover of the book.
HOME TO ELLISTON PLACE
Due to the many successes of Nashville Catholic High, within two years the school had already doubled its student body to 160 students, and as Bishop Smith had predicted when he took over the project, it was clear that the small house on West End Avenue would no longer serve the needs of the school. It was time to search for a new location, and Bishop Smith already had one in mind.
It is believed that in some circles using “Irish” so frequently was actually somewhat of a slur, calling attention to the Irish immigrants’ religion and reminding those in the Bible Belt South that these immigrants did not belong. Therefore, when it came time for the planned relocation to Elliston, the school planned to change its name as well. The school was renamed Father Ryan
High School after Father Abram J. Ryan, a well-known Southern poet-priest.
With the building completed in just over a year and a new name decided, Father Ryan High School officially opened its doors Tuesday, September 3, 1929, to Nashville Banner ran an article announcing the school’s opening, declaring that the “new Elliston Place building is one of the most modern and best equipped secondary institutions in
Father Ryan High School would stay on Elliston for 62 years before outgrowing its facilities again and making the move to its current home on Norwood Drive.
yearbook published by the Journalism Club in 1929, in honor of Father Ryan High School’s first graduating class, one of the dedication pages recounts the first year of the new building as a “realization of the dream of many Catholic boys and parents of Nashville” and offers this message to classes to come: “we assure a happy and successful journey through their academic career, and to Nashville Catholic High we ad multos annos!”
While the writers of the yearbook might have predicted the successes to come for many years, could they have predicted what Nashville Catholic would become 100 years after its founding? A school that is so much more than its original Southern name, a school that has impacted the Nashville community and beyond in the areas of integration and social justice, a school whose academic and athletic successes rival any other secondary school in the region, and most importantly, a school where students are known, loved, challenged, and supported in all of their endeavors as they reach their spiritual, academic, and personal potential.
Father Ryan is completing work on a keepsake, coffee table book that captures the Tradition of Faith, Knowledge, Service across 100 Years of Father Ryan. Available early 2025
Pre-order details to come.
If These Walls Could Talk: Move from Elliston to Norwood Campus Tour
Enthusiasm for what was about to come. Sorrow at leaving behind a historic home.
Emotions were mixed when students received the news that, after the conclusion of the 1990-91 school year, Father Ryan High School would be relocating from 2300 Elliston Place — its home since 1929 — to a new site at 700 Norwood Drive in the Oak Hill neighborhood.
“Excitement,” ZAK KEIPER ’93 said, when asked his immediate reaction upon hearing the school’s relocation plans. “I was interested in playing football, so after meeting with admissions, I met with Head Football Coach JOE DRENNAN ’57,” he said. “He was excited to welcome me and excited about the future. The new school was brought up, and he was looking forward to having new athletic facilities. He even showed me drawings of the campus, the new weight room, and practice fields.”
AMY (JOHNSTON) EUBANKS ’93 brought a different emotion: sadness. “We were genuinely sad to leave the place that had housed us our first two years of high school, as well as many of our parents, siblings, friends, and family members through the years, all of whom had legendary stories and memories to share,” she said. “We were uncertain of what it would mean to our daily lives as students as well as the legacy of Father Ryan, which felt so ingrained with Elliston Place.”
For alumni who remember Elliston Place as their Father Ryan home, they recall a small campus of about five acres, with a building that housed classrooms, the gym,
the Chapel, and the stage, as well as a historic home that was the Faculty House. Over the years, several other buildings brought more room. There was the Alphonse Smith Annex for classrooms and the library, the A building for an expanded gym and more classrooms, and other additions to make the most of the space.
Elliston Place represented more than a set of buildings, however.
The campus housed a school intermingled with city culture and the proximity to a renowned university. Walking across the street led to Rotier’s and Tower Records, and a few more blocks brought Vanderbilt Stadium, home to numerous memorable football games for Father Ryan.
Most prominently fixed within the campus: decades of lasting memories.
“The pep rallies in that old gym were epic and deafening,” Eubanks recalled. Also unforgettable were the “random things that just seemed normal, like the protective fencing they put around the old Faculty House so no one would get hit with falling bricks, or pulling out my lunch and seeing a mouse had eaten part of it in my locker,” she continued.
“We were excited to be in a new school… but sad to be leaving such a historic building and location.”
Memories abound for JOHN LANGDON ’92 whose parents JIM ’54 and NANCY — along with Jim’s brother, PAT ’58 — worked at both campuses. Memories such as getting candy from ALICE GENTRY in the Main Office; seeing upperclassmen head to lunch off campus at Krystal or Burger King on West End; even the fire engines passing the campus, whose sirens were all but deafening, compelling teachers to stop class for a few moments.
As students departed the Elliston Place campus for the final time, they realized the character of the campus that they were leaving behind.
“The Elliston campus had charm and held so much history,” Langdon said. “It was hard to say goodbye.”
JEREMY BISCEGLIA ’93 added, “We were excited to be in a new school… but sad to be leaving such a historic building and location. There were so many memories, so much character, and probably a few ghosts we were leaving behind.”
Starting a new school year typically brings the stress of a transition, which only grew as students adapted to life on Norwood. Students welcomed the larger, college-like campus — and the air-conditioning that blew through the buildings — but the long walks across the pond from the parking lot to the academic building took some adjustment, especially when light breezes gave way to a stronger winter wind.
ROBERT KENT ’74 channeled history with stories of his “Elvis Bush”— a bush which, he jokingly claimed, came from Graceland, and around which his students would sing Presley’s songs — at the front of the main building on the Elliston Place campus. Then-Assistant Principal MURRAY LYNCH ’55 patrolled the new campus in his cannot-miss golf cart. Students from Elliston missed the freedom of going off-campus for lunch, but upon arriving at Norwood, they acclimated themselves to a spacious Dining Hall, which was a popular destination at Break in addition to the daily lunch.
“I believe our class really felt like a link between the past and the future,” Bisceglia said. “We moved as juniors to the new campus and embraced the move. always liked looking up at the tower as walked across the bridge on the way to class. It was a subtle way of saying ’you are here, and we are going to look out for you,’ similar to a lighthouse on the water.”
That link has indeed carried forward into the future of Father Ryan, which current students and recent alumni have embodied themselves. “I feel very blessed to have attended both campuses so I could hold my experience and memories from the old and new campus for years to come,” BECKY (HOLM) RATTERMAN ’92 said. “Now, both of my children have graduated from the Norwood campus, and they are able to tell me that they found a picture of my graduating class hanging on the wall. It is wonderful that we are sharing new traditions,” which include not walking under the bell tower until graduation, the chicken biscuits at Break, and the football players placing their hands on the touchstone before every game.
Ask these alumni which of the two campuses they preferred over the other, and the answer varies. The most common refrain: It is hard to choose.
“Elliston had charm and history, but the Norwood campus allowed us to grow and become a great school,” Langdon said. Added Keiper: “I really liked both campuses and feel honored to be part of the class that had a strong connection to both. … I am very proud of how nice the campus is today and glad to see it purposefully incorporating some of the old into the new buildings.”
“The front of Father Ryan is as iconic an image I know,” PAT LAWSON ’93 said.
“The crowded stairways to the 3rd floor always felt like a skyscraper to walk up, yet the energy from friends and classmates often made the journey up the best part of the day.”
“Spacious” was a common description of the new campus on Norwood Drive. Forty-six acres of land, a chapel, and a new gym were followed by the beautiful Neuhoff Library, the Center for the Arts, the JIM CARELL Alumni Athletic Complex, the Jim Carell Fitness Center, and the PAT SIMPSON ’74 Wrestling Room. The campus provided an area for the MONSIGNOR GEORGE ROHLING ’31 Grotto, a special place on the bustling school grounds for the community to rest, pray, and embrace their school.
“Preference implies liking one more than another,” Lawson suggested. “Campuses can’t be compared. Elliston Place was and is the foundation of the spirit of Father Ryan with history, accomplishment, and the formation of boys — and later girls — that transformed a community and our city. The Norwood Campus was NEW, sprawling, state-of-the-art, and shiny.”
A juxtaposition of appearances, of conditions, of emotions emerged. “From well-used to pristine; open windows and city space to windows that you couldn’t open and a huge college-like campus,” Eubanks described, saying a special spirit has prevailed across both campuses.
“Father Ryan is not a campus or a building. It is a community that lives on in alumni, students, teachers, and staff forever,” Keiper said.
Regardless of location, Father Ryan is home.
Foundation for the Future: Father Ryan High School Announces 2024–2029 Strategic Plan
As Father Ryan celebrates 100 years of its Tradition of Faith, Knowledge, Service, the Leadership Team and Board have been looking ahead to the next 100 years of fulfilling the school’s mission.
The result is the development of a new Strategic Plan that launched in concert with the 100 Years of Father Ryan. The school is confident that plan will advance the mission and vision and create a foundation for the future of Father Ryan. It is rooted in the school’s mission — to be an experience of the living Gospel while challenging students to reach their spiritual, academic, and personal potential. In addition, it is focused on the vision to be a superior Catholic high school, providing excellence in religious and moral formation, academics, athletics, and the arts while remaining accessible to those seeking an education in the Catholic tradition.
THE STRATEGIC PLANNING PROCESS
The development of the new 2024–2029 Strategic Plan was led by the Leadership Team and Board, who formed a Steering Committee to oversee the planning process in 2022. The process was supported by outside consultants, Tyton Partners, who were selected in 2023 based on their expertise supporting independent schools in similar processes. Over the course of a year, Tyton Partners conducted in-depth market research to understand the dynamics of this community and Father Ryan’s position within the Catholic education and independent school landscapes. In addition, they led primary audience research in the form of surveys, interviews, and focus groups with Father Ryan’s key stakeholders.
2024–2029 STRATEGIC PLAN FOUNDATION FOR THE FUTURE
The outcomes of this research informed the recommendations and development of the plan and will help build upon a foundation for the future of Father Ryan High School.
OVERVIEW OF THE PLAN
The new Strategic Plan was developed with the purpose of advancing Father Ryan’s mission and vision into the future and is structured as follows:
• Five (5) year plan to be implemented 2024-2029
• Father Ryan’s mission statement serves as the ”north star” to which everyone is aligned
• Two (2) guiding principles support the mission and guide all strategic planning activities
• Five (5) strategic priorities emerged as the most pressing to focus on in the coming years
• Research-based narrative statements better inform and direct the development of measurable objectives
• Measurable objectives connect back to the strategic priorities.
GUIDING PRINCIPLES
These two guiding principles serve as the foundation of future strategic initiatives; these principles support the mission and guide all strategic planning activities.
1. Father Ryan High School will deliver a student experience that leverages forward-looking and traditional learning models to drive whole student formation.
2. Father Ryan High School will deepen its investment in further embedding the school as a pillar of spiritual, academic, and personal growth in the Nashville community.
STRATEGIC PRIORITIES
Five critical priorities emerged through primary research data collected from focus groups, surveys, and interviews. These drive the go-forward strategic objectives for Father Ryan High School.
1. Create the opportunity for each student to achieve his/her fullest potential.
2. Emphasize learning beyond the classroom.
3. Grow and develop faculty and staff who are prepared to support the next generation of learners.
4. Ensure a robust pipeline of prospective students.
5. Enhance financial resources, allowing Father Ryan to improve access to high-quality Catholic education and flourish for generations to come.
To read more about the Strategic Plan and its elements, visit fatherryan.org/strategicplan
Discovering Our History Is Just a Touch Away
New touchscreens celebrate the Irish legacy.
How many times have you walked on the Father Ryan campus, seen a classroom, and wondered “who was our class’s valedictorian?”
Or what about the time you were asked about one of our State Championship teams and could not remember the year of the title?
Now, thanks to the addition of two new screens — one in the lobby of the Neuhoff Library and one in the lobby of the CatignaniDrennan Fieldhouse — the answers to those questions and more Father Ryan names and history are available.
As part of 100 Years of Father Ryan, the school invested in these new touchscreens to capture many of the details of the school’s rich history. In categories from Academics to Athletics, from Faith and Service to Father Ryan itself, these screens open up key dates and people in the long history of the Irish. In addition to the screens, the school added new archival display cabinets to the Library lobby to provide the means for thematic showcases of key elements from our archives.
“As we went about the process of gathering the history for this 100th Celebration,” Director of Advancement BROOKE REUSCH said, “we realized how powerful it would be to make it easy for our community to locate and enjoy the stories and the people who make up our school’s legacy. These screens do just that. Combine them with the new display cabinets, which make our valuable archives more accessible, and we have given this community a real gift.”
Not able to visit campus to see the touchscreens? Experience them online at fatherryan.touchpros.com
Each screen provides access to a rich database of information, with content ranging from State Champions to recipients of the specific scholarships. It is not only rich in content, but also current in information, with new data added weekly to provide access to the most current Irish lore.
“We wanted this to capture our past and our present,” Reusch said. “Not only does that give our alumni a portal to their memories, but it also gives new families and visitors a powerful introduction to the school today, a benefit that our Enrollment Team has employed on their campus tours. We are pleased to have these as part of the Father Ryan campus experience.”
Knowing that the Father Ryan archives and information resources are not complete, Reusch encourages individuals to contribute content for consideration. Simply send items to her at reuschb@fatherryan.org .
Contribute to Our Story
Do you remember the teacher who changed your life? Are you still laughing about what happened in the Dining Hall junior year? Do photos of your graduation remind you of your best friends?
100 Years of Father Ryan is a celebration of our entire community across these decades, and you can help tell the story. In addition to sharing memorabilia, facts, and photos to add to our touchscreens, you can nominate an Influential Educator or submit a Community Testimonial and reflect on Father Ryan’s impact. Visit fatherryan.org/100 to get started.
Meet the 100th Committee
Putting together as broad and as significant a celebration as the 100 Years of Father Ryan takes a community, and that has been on display throughout the planning and execution of the events. Working with the Advancement Team, the 100th Committee members have helped make the 100 Years of Father Ryan truly special. Our thanks to all of them.
KAREN (WILLIAMS) BUNCH ’71
RICHARD CHAMBERS
JINX COCKERHAM
TOM CONNOR ’60
PHILIP DAVIS ’08
JESSICA DIAZ ’16
CHRIS DONNELLY
HANNAH (HARRIS) DONNELLY ’09
AMY (JOHNSTON) EUBANKS ’93
JOAN (GARR) HAMRICK ’80
MARK HARRINGTON ’89
PAULA HARRIS
EDDIE KRENSON ’72
RANDY LANCASTER ’83
NANCY LANGDON
DYLAN LYNCH ’03
STEPHANIE MCDANIEL
PAT NOLAN ’69
JUAN JOSE RODRIGUEZ ’15
DEBBIE (CONNOR) SLOAN ’85
FREDERICK STROBEL ’70
ANN (MCREDMOND) WADDEY ’76
FATHER LUKE WILGENBUSCH ’11 .
100TH CELEBRATION SPONSORS
Graduation 2024: A Proud Class Takes the Next Step
F
ather Ryan High School honored the remarkable achievements of the Class of 2024 with the celebration of the Baccalaureate Mass at the Catignani-Drennan Fieldhouse on May 17, followed by the 98th Commencement Exercises on May 18 at the Curb Event Center at Belmont University.
The Class of 2024 displayed its talent in and out of the classroom, as the class completed more than 13,800 service hours during its four years on campus while 44% of the class took at least one Advanced Placement (AP) course as a senior during the 2023–24 academic year. Members of this graduating class were accepted to 187 different colleges and universities — 68 of which have welcomed at least one member of Father Ryan’s Class of 2024 — and were offered $29.5 million in scholarships.
As the Class of 2024 joined together for one final weekend as Father Ryan students, a pair of exceptional student-athletes addressed their classmates during Baccalaureate: JOJO CRUMP ’24 and KATIE KNAPP ’24 Knapp — who was honored with the General Excellence Award and the BISHOP DAVID R. CHOBY ’65 Christian Service Award — was the only graduating senior from the Class of 2024 who lettered in three different sports (Cross Country, Swimming, Track and Field) every year while at Father Ryan.
The following day, Valedictorian VICTORIA BALTZ ’24 and Salutatorian EVAN JAEGER ’24 highlighted the resilience that their class had shown. They entered during unprecedented times — a pandemic — but persevered and flourished at Father Ryan. Baltz is attending the University of Notre Dame, where she is majoring in Chemical Engineering. Jaeger is attending the University of Alabama, majoring in Aerospace Engineering Honors Program.
The Father Ryan community salutes the entire Class of 2024 and is looking forward to celebrating its continued accomplishments, both during college and beyond.
Meet the 2024 Valedictorian: Victoria Baltz
Father Ryan is pleased to announce that VICTORIA BALTZ is the Valedictorian for the Class of 2024. While enrolled at Father Ryan, Victoria completed nine AP courses and held a 100.9333 weighted GPA.
A National Merit Commended Scholar, Victoria was inducted into the National Honor Society, Mu Alpha Theta, Cum Laude Society, Cardinal Newman Association, and the French Honor Society. In addition, she received the Colona Club Literary Award and Father James Black Award for Excellence. She received class awards for academic achievement in at least 13 of her classes, was on the Academic Dean’s List every semester, and placed several times at the Science Olympiad.
Victoria’s leadership roles included Cross Country Captain, Student Ambassador, Head of Mission Delivery and Advocacy for Relay For Life, and Freshman Delegate. She was active in Cross Country, Track and Field, Relay For Life, Science Olympiad, Book Club, Multi-Cultural Student Union, Social Justice Club, and has been a Eucharistic Minister.
Meet the 2024 Salutatorian: Evan Jaeger
Father Ryan is pleased to announce that EVAN JAEGER is the Salutatorian for the Class of 2024. While enrolled at Father Ryan, Evan completed seven AP classes and held a 99.8448 weighted GPA.
Evan was honored as a National Merit Finalist and a Gold Medalist in the National Latin Exam and AP Statistics. He was on the Academic Dean’s List every quarter, achieved the highest grade in several of his classes, and was a regional and state qualifier for the Varsity Swim Team. In addition, he was inducted into the Latin Honor Society, Mu Alpha Theta Honor Society, National Honor Society, Cum Laude Society, and the Father Black Honor Society.
Evan’s leadership roles included Student Ambassador, Father Ryan Tour Guide, Head of Peer Mentor Program, Mu Alpha Theta President, Mentor Group Chaplain in Oak House, and Student Ministry Master of Ceremonies and Head Writer. He was involved in the Varsity Swim and Dive Team, Latin Club, Student Ministry, Chess Club, and Cross Country.
The Class of 2024 attends
Four Father Ryan Students Receive National Merit Recognition Spotlight Award:
“The Addams
Family” Earns Nine Spotlight Award Nominations
Saivar Named Semi-Finalist; Three Others Named Commended Scholars
F our Father Ryan High School Seniors have been recognized as Scholars for 2024 by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation.
FINN SAIVAR has been recognized as a National Merit Semi-Finalist and ETHAN BAKER , JACK KEENAN and ELLIE MAXWELL have been recognized as National Merit Commended Scholars for 2024. As a Semi-Finalist, Saivar will advance in the competition through a rigorous application process to possibly convert his status to Finalist for a National Merit Scholarship, which will be announced in the spring of 2025.
In making the announcement, Principal FRANCISCO M. ESPINOSA, JR. commented on the distinctiveness of the students’ achievements. “To be recognized by this respected national organization is a testament to the dedication and talent of these four students and to the work of their teachers and families,” he stated. “Only a small percentage of students nationwide are recognized by National Merit each year, further evidence of the academic strength of Father Ryan. We are proud of these students for these achievements, and we are even prouder of the character they exhibit every day.”
President PAUL DAVIS ’81 reflected, “Every day, we ground ourselves in Father Ryan’s mission to be an experience of the living Gospel while challenging students to reach their spiritual, academic, and personal potential. The accomplishment of these students is one of the many examples of this mission coming to life. We are thankful to have these students as members of the Father Ryan community and to witness them using their God-given talents to the fullest.”
Saivar is taking four AP courses as a Senior and has completed three
additional AP courses since coming to Father Ryan from Loyola High School in California as a Sophomore. He is a member of Trinity House, plays on the Football Team, is a Peer Mentor, and is a member of the Mu Alpha Theta Math Honor Society, the National Honor Society, and Model UN. Additionally, he serves as a Student Ambassador and as a Minister of Holy Communion.
A graduate of Sunset Middle School and a parishioner of Holy Family Catholic Church, Baker is a member of Oak House. He is taking three AP courses as a Senior and completed four additional AP courses as a Sophomore and Junior. He is an active member of the Relay For Life Committee, plays on the Golf Team, and serves as a Student Ambassador.
Keenan came to Father Ryan after completing his Sophomore year at Loyola Academy in Wilmette, IL. He is taking four AP courses as a Senior, having completed two AP courses in previous years. He is a member of Elliston House, the Relay For Life Committee, the Mu Alpha Theta Math Honor Society, the Tennis Team, and serves as a Student Ambassador.
An alumna and parishioner of St. Henry School and Church and a member of Immaculata House, Maxwell is taking three AP courses as a Senior and completed three additional AP courses. She is a member of the National Honor Society and the Mu Alpha Theta Math Honor Society. In addition, she is active in the Respect Life Club, serves on the Student Ministry Team, and plays on the Volleyball Team.
For more information about these honorees and the National Merit program, visit fatherryan.org/national-merit
F ather Ryan’s Purple Masque Players delivered an impressive performance in their 2024 Spring Musical, a three-day production of “The Addams Family.” The performance earned nine nominations for Spotlight Awards from the Tennessee Performing Arts Center (TPAC), which celebrates exceptional young performers and technical crews in high school musical theater programs throughout the state of Tennessee.
ALI JONES ’24 and WILL KLEINER ’24 were recognized as Outstanding Lead Performers, and JANIE COOK ’25 was selected as an Outstanding Supporting Performer. Jones and JETT PEREZ ’25 earned All-Star Cast nominations, KAILEY COLLIER ’24 was recognized as an Outstanding Dancer, and AVA KOZIMOR ’24 and GRACE SIZEMORE ’24 were honored as All-Star Crew selections.
Additionally, Choral Director JULIE COX won the award for Outstanding Set Design, while she and Dance Director LAURI DISMUKE were recognized for Outstanding Direction.
The Purple Masque Players earned collective honors for Outstanding Large Ensemble. In addition, Father Ryan was selected as one of 10 schools throughout the state of Tennessee with an Outstanding Musical, and the Purple Masque Players performed during the Spotlight Awards ceremony, with Jones and Kleiner performing in the closing number.
Congratulations to all of our students and faculty members who contributed to such a marvelous production.
National Merit Honorees for 2024: Ellie Maxwell, Ethan Baker, Jack Keenan, and Finn Saivar.
Father Ryan High School Announces New Board Members
Father Ryan High School announced the five new members and the leadership for the school’s Board of Trustees for the 2024-2025 school year, according to PAUL DAVIS ’81 President.
The new members are
• DAVID BOHAN ’66 a Father Ryan graduate, former Father Ryan Board President, and retired advertising executive
• CHRIS DONNELLY parent of Father Ryan alumni
• DEACON BILL HILL ’67, retired Corps of Engineer legal chief
• TOM SLOAN healthcare executive and parent of Father Ryan alumni
• CAROLINE YOUNG venture capital executive and current Father Ryan parent.
“I am pleased to welcome these outstanding individuals to the Board of Trustees,” Davis said. “Each of them has demonstrated a strong commitment to the school and a deep belief in our mission. In addition, they bring broad professional experience and community involvement that make Father Ryan even stronger. That combination provides enhanced perspective and valuable leadership for the school. look forward to working with these new members and all of the board as we continue to advance our mission to be an experience of the living Gospel while challenging students to reach their spiritual, academic, and personal potential.”
These new members work with the 2024-2025 Board leadership, which makes up the Executive Committee of the Board of Trustees.
• JOHN BUMPUS ’78 , President/Chair
• DAVID GLASCOE Vice-chair
• BRIAN CALLAHAN Treasurer/Finance and Budget Chair
• BRITTANY (TESTERMAN) GRIFFITH ’03 Secretary
• WARNER HASSELL Governance and Nominating Chair
• REVEREND RHODES BOLSTER ’11 , Priest
In addition, TOM BAUER heads the Facilities Committee and PHILIP MATTINGLY ’69 is chair of the Advancement Committee.
Bohan is the retired chairman of Bohan, an independent, full-service advertising agency in Nashville he founded in 1990, and one of the largest independent agencies in the state. He and his wife, Linda, were the school’s Legacy Gala honorees in 2024. They have been donors and supporters of Catholic education initiatives in the area for more than 45 years. In addition, they have funded scholarships for the Nashville Advertising Federation, Father Ryan High School, and the University of Tennessee – College of Communications and Information.
Donnelly received her early Catholic education in Ohio and Pennsylvania before her family moved to Nashville. She is a graduate of St. Joseph School in Madison and a 1970 graduate of St. Bernard Academy, receiving an education from the Sisters of Mercy that inspired her own mercy and service. Donnelly is an active volunteer in the community and is married to BUBBA DONNELLY ’69 The Donnellys were the
Legacy Gala honorees in 2020 for their commitment to Father Ryan High School and Catholic education. Their two sons graduated from Father Ryan.
Deacon Hill is a native Nashvillian, having attended St. Vincent de Paul School and Father Ryan High School, graduating in 1967. He retired from the Army Corps of Engineers as Chief of the legal office after serving 33 years. He became a deacon in 2006 and received his master’s degree from St. Meinrad in 2012. His wife, Etheleen, is a Baptist minister and has a master’s degree in Christian education. They have four children and three grandchildren. Deacon Hill started the St. Katharine Drexel Memorial Scholarship Fund at Father Ryan to continue the legacy of St. Katharine Drexel in assisting Black students in acquiring a Catholic education.
Sloan has more than 30 years of healthcare and finance experience in both public and private environments, including behavioral health, ambulatory surgery centers, physician practice management, hospital joint ventures, and anesthesia services. Sloan serves various community organizations, including the Father Ryan High School Finance Committee, and he is Chairperson of the Saint Matthew Church Finance Board. He is married to DEBBIE (CONNOR) SLOAN ’85 and they have four children, all of whom graduated from Father Ryan. Young serves as vice president at Frist Cressey Ventures (FCV), a Nashville-based, healthcare-focused venture capital firm. In this role, Young supports creating value for FCV’s portfolio companies and enhancing relationships with industry-wide stakeholders. Before joining FCV, she served as CEO of the Nashville Health Care Council, a leading industry association supporting Nashville’s large healthcare industry cluster. A St. Cecilia graduate, she has several family members who are graduates of Father Ryan. Young has three children, one who is a current student at Father Ryan.
House System News
Congratulations to Trinity House on claiming the 2023–2024 Irish Cup — ending a three-year winning streak by Elliston House — and the competition for this year’s Irish Cup is well under way! Excitement has ramped up in recent weeks, as the House Spelling Bee, House Games — featuring a new 3-on-3 basketball tournament — and Homecoming offered plenty of opportunities for House points.
Oak House came away victorious (Norwood – 2nd, Trinity – 3rd) in the House Spelling Bee, while Immaculata House won the 3-on-3 tournament (Oak – 2nd, Emerald – 3rd). The House Games came down to the wire, but Trinity House came away on top, followed by Immaculata House in 2nd place and Oak House in 3rd.
Those results have Trinity House leading the overall standings in their quest to repeat as Irish Cup champions, but Oak House and Elliston House are close behind in 2nd and 3rd.
As always, 6 Houses. All Irish!
“The
Spirit of Father Ryan” Takes Flight Again
Many of us have heard the story of the Father Ryan community effort in February 1944 to raise funds to build a B-17 Flying Fortress to aid in the war effort. In a remarkable wave of generosity, the community raised the enormous sum of $600,000! Built and commissioned, the plane — named “The Spirit of Father Ryan” — went into action later that summer, but its combat record and final story have not been discovered. However, the plane lives, albeit on a smaller scale, in one of the new archival display cases in the lobby of the Neuhoff Library. The work of RANDY LANCASTER ’83, the model carries all of the armament and the markings of our namesake plane. It is a touching reminder of the spirit of this community, on display in 1944, in 1925, and today.
Relay For Life Tops $2 Million
Father Ryan honored and remembered all those affected by cancer with the 15th annual Relay for Life on Saturday, November 2, raising $146,124 for cancer research to bring the lifetime total raised by Father Ryan’s Relay For Life above $2 million. This success in support of cancer research by the American Cancer Society continues to earn
Father Ryan the title of the largest per-capita student-run Relay For Life in the United States.
This year’s event was organized by the 2024 Relay For Life Committee, and led by student co-chairs MCKINNEY LYNN ’25 and JESSIE HENRY ’25.
“I loved being a co-chair because it was a very real way to get involved in the fight against cancer,” Lynn said. “The importance of our impact was personal for me because all of my work was to benefit the people in my life affected by cancer, specifically Papaw.”
Nearly 600 attendees — including Father Ryan students and more from throughout the Diocese of Nashville and broader community — spent the day on campus, participating in fun events to raise money
and continuously walking laps around the track as a reminder that no one ever walks alone in the fight against cancer.
“I was so excited to be a co-chair and loved every moment of it,” Henry added, also expressing gratitude for the committee’s unity around the common goal of fighting cancer. “I wanted to make a difference and relay for my grandpa and grandma who passed away from cancer. I know that cancer affects almost everyone in some way, so am so grateful I was able to make an impact.”
Irvine Receives Outstanding Teacher Award at Baccalaureate
T he Bishop Alphonse Smith Outstanding Teacher Award was established in 2011 as a way to recognize the teacher, nominated by the faculty and staff, who best embodies the school’s mission “to be an experience of the living Gospel while challenging students to reach their spiritual, academic, and personal potential.” Funded by an anonymous donor, the award provides $1,000 for the recipient and $2,000 for the recipient’s classroom use.
ABBY IRVINE , the 2024 recipient, lives out the ideals of Faith, Knowledge, Service in her daily life. Mrs. Irvine, who was presented the award at Baccalaureate by President PAUL DAVIS ’81 and Principal FRANCISCO M. ESPINOSA, JR. teaches Spanish, moderates the Spanish Club, and previously served as the World Languages and Cultures Department Chair. She was nominated due to her dedication and commitment to our students and her creativity and innovation in the classroom. Nominating faculty and staff members wrote, “Mrs. Irvine has a natural gift for teaching and represents the values of Father Ryan by fostering excellence each day.”
Mrs. Irvine expressed her gratitude upon receiving the award, saying, “I am so honored and humbled to have received the Teacher of the Year award and to be added to a list that recognizes so many of my Father Ryan teaching heroes!”
David Bohan ’66 Chris Donnelly Deacon Bill Hill ’67 Tom Sloan Caroline Young
2024 Marks Another Impressive Year for Irish Athletics
With championships on the track and memorable performances on the field, Father Ryan athletes have left their mark in 2024. Here are the highlights of a special year for the Irish.
Baseball
The Baseball Team started off strong with a big win over Centennial and rattled off several wins over Lipscomb Academy, Lexington Catholic, JPII, and MBA in the final weeks of the regular season, setting the table for a sweep over the Big Red in the Region Tournament.
Track and Field
The Boys Track and Field Team capped off a strong season with two State Championships and a number of top finishes to take the Irish to a 5th place finish in the Team Championships. In the 4x400meter Relay, MASON BRYANT ’25, RYAN JONES ’25 RYAN MACCLARY ’26, and RYDER ORTNER ’26 pushed the Irish past McCallie and Baylor by more than three seconds, winning the State Title with a time of 3:21.75. Ryan Jones claimed a first-place finish in the 200-meter Dash, along with second-place and third-place finishes in the 400-meter Dash and 100-meter Dash, respectively. CHARLIE BECKER ’24 finished in second place — just one-hundredth of a second shy of a gold medal — in the 110-meter Hurdles, while MEKAIH COLLINS ’24 and Ryder Ortner ‘26 finished in sixth place in the Shot Put and 800-meter Dash, respectively. The Girls Track and Field Team finished seventh in the 4x400-meter Relay at the State Tournament. CAROLINE PERRI ’26 finished second in the Girls Long Jump and third in the 100-meter Dash, and MAGGIE SLATTERY ’26 finished third in the 1600-meter Run. KAILEY NICHOLSON ’24 and EMILY LUCAS ’24 finished fourth and fifth, respectively, in the Girls Discus.
MATTHEW SHOREY ’24 was named the DII-AA Pitcher of the Year, joined on the All-Region Team by fellow First-Team selections JOSEPH DERRICK ’25 and ANDREW HERMANSON ’24 and Honorable Mention JACOB CULL ’24
Lacrosse
The Boys Lacrosse Team closed the season with 10 wins in the final 12 games, including four-game and five-game winning streaks. The Irish had six selections to the DII-AAA All-Region Boys Lacrosse Team: CLARK STEFFEN ’26 JOSH YOUNG ’25, HARRISON SKINNER ’25 WYATT STANY ’25, and HOUSTON VINETT ’24
For Father Ryan’s Girls Lacrosse Team, it was how they started and how they finished, starting with six straight wins and closing the season with wins over Bowling Green and Independence before beating CPA in both the regular season and in the playoffs. ABBY ELLIS ’27 was a FirstTeam selection for the Tennessee Girls Lacrosse Association’s All-Region Team, and ALIVIA DOVE ’24 and EVIE RECH ’24 were Second-Team honorees.
Boys Soccer
Led for one final time by Head Coach ROBIN DIETERICH ’73, the Boys Soccer Team beat Chattanooga Christian 2-0 to advance to the semifinals of the State Tournament, finishing just one win shy of a berth in the title game. SEAMUS
SLATTERY ’24 and RYAN MACCLARY ’26 were All-Region selections to the DII-AA Boys Soccer Team, joined by Honorable Mentions FISHER ORTNER ’24 JACK SUDDERTH ’24 and JOSH ZERBST ’24
Tennis
Softball
AUDREY ALLEGRETTI ’25 and SYDNEY HUCIK ’25 were selected to the DII-AA All-Region Softball Team, with classmate MAYA ONEY ’25 joining them as Honorable Mention.
The Tennis Team produced a solid season, with the Girls Team experiencing particular success. They opened with wins over Hillsboro and Overton, and closed with victories over Hume-Fogg, JPII, and Lipscomb Academy.
Rugby
Father Ryan added two more State Titles as the Girls and Boys Rugby 7’s Teams swept the Tennessee Rugby Association State Championships in early November.
The Boys Rugby Team dominated the semi-final game to set up a matchup with the Raptors — which had recently beaten Father Ryan — but the Irish got the best of them to claim the State Title. The Girls Rugby Team lost by just one point in their opening pool-play game, but persevered with hard-fought wins through their own bracket. Father Ryan even took down Columbia in the semifinals — a team that had not lost in two years — on the way to finish the sweep.
Football
The Irish Football Team earned a long-awaited victory with a 17-14 triumph in September at MBA. A late drive produced the go-ahead touchdown with two minutes left, and a stiff defense forced a fumble by the Big Red with 10 seconds to go to secure the win. Quarterback
JOSEPH DERRICK ’25 was named the Arrow Sports Player of the Game as well as the Tim Leeper Roofing Midstate Player of the Week by WSNR’s Prep Football Talk Radio, in addition to being nominated for The Tennessean’s Boys Athlete of the Week. The game was the highlight of the Irish’s second seven-win regular season in the last four years.
The Team started off the season with a dominant 49-7 win against Overton before defeating JPII in the home opener. Father Ryan rebounded from a loss to Brentwood Academy with the MBA win and a resounding 45-15 victory in the rain over Briarcrest. A road win over Memphis University School moved the Irish to 5-1 — their first 5-1 start in 15 years — before Father Ryan finished the home schedule with a 45-14 win over Christian Brothers during Homecoming weekend, followed by a closing win over Warren County. They earned a second
round home playoff game against Brentwood Academy and played the Eagles tough, but the outcome was a BA win and the end of memorable Irish season.
Cross Country
The Boys and Girls Cross Country Teams added to Father Ryan’s Championship haul with an impressive showing in the Metro Championship Meet at Vaughn’s Creek. The Girls Team finished in third, as the Lady Irish’s LYDIA BRUNNER ’27 earned the Metro Meet individual championship and MAGGIE SLATTERY ’26 finished as the runner-up. The Boys Team placed second, as CLARK STEFFEN ’26 (4th overall), SULLY SMITH ’26 (7th), RYDER ORTNER ’26 (17th), and JACKSON BRYWCZYNSKI ’28 (24th) all finished among the top 25 individual runners. In the State Meet, the Boys earned the 8th-overall finish and the Girls finished 10th.
Volleyball
Volleyball was almost unstoppable this season. The Varsity Team defeated JPII and Brentwood Academy in the Region Tournament and eliminated CPA in straight sets in the State Tournament to reach the Final Four. A close fiveset match against Baylor eliminated the Irish. The JV 1 and JV 2 Teams each won six matches, with the JV I team going all the way and winning the JV Region Tournament. KAYLEIGH GRAHAM ’28 led the team with 35 kills during the tournament, CHLOE RUTHERFORD ’26 added 41 assists, and CATE MCRAE ’26 tallied 34 digs.
Girls Soccer
Golf
The Boys Golf Team finished second in the Irish Invitational at Champions Run, and the Girls Golf Team finished in fourth. In addition, the Boys Golf Team secured a win over CPA, setting the table for a 3rd-place finish at the Ensworth Invitational on September 10.
The JV Girls Soccer team started off the 2024 season by winning the Tri-Star Kick-Off Classic, while the Varsity Team battled to two earlyseason draws before picking up a 3-0 win over JPII and a pair of onegoal wins (2-1 vs. Ensworth, 1-0 vs. Lipscomb Academy) entering Fall Break. After earning a first-round bye in the State Tournament, the team reached the quarterfinals, falling to Lipscomb by a 2-0 score to finish 5th, capping off a strong first season under new Head Coach GERRY ARMBRUSTER III ’12
Congratulations to all of our teams on your fantastic seasons. Go Irish!
Looking Back: 1974 State Champion Football Team
“Fifty years ago, this was us, running up and down the field,” Joey Wood ’75 said. “It was an exciting time and a memorable time that I know we will never forget.”
T he 1974 Football Team — led by 29 seniors of the Class of 1975 who will become Golden Grads in a few months — took the field that fall and delivered a season worthy of its own place among the golden memories of Father Ryan.
In the first season under new Head Coach and Hall of Fame Class of 2019 inductee BOOTS DONNELLY ’61 , Father Ryan won its second State Championship in Football topping Knoxville Fulton 2928 to complete its undefeated season 50 years ago.
“What we accomplished as a team… it brought us closer together as teammates because we had something in common that we could all relate to,” lineman
GENE MULLOY ’75 said. “Even though we were from all parts of town, different backgrounds, we were together on winning a State Championship. And I think that the entire Catholic community felt that also.”
“It was a big change (for Father Ryan), but it wasn’t a big change for us as freshmen because all of us had been in a co-ed environment in elementary school,” Mulloy said. “So, we had not been in an all-boys environment. And when we were seniors, we thought it would be memorable if we elected four girls as class officers.
“We knew we could make a mark on this school, and we did,” Mulloy added.
On the field, the Class of 1975 played its first three seasons under Head Coach and Hall of Fame Class of 2019 inductee LOUIS CATIGNANI ’44 But after 18 seasons, Catignani left coaching to become Father Ryan’s Vice-Principal and handed the reins to Donnelly for the 1974 season. Donnelly had been part of Catignani’s staff for eight years, and his leadership left a mark on his players, many of whom remain close with him to this day.
“We couldn’t be beat because we didn’t believe anybody could beat us.”
Father Ryan experienced plenty of change throughout the class’s four years on campus. The school had three different principals from the class’s first days on the Elliston Place campus in August 1971. Coeducation was still new on the campus, and there was a feeling that the change had impacted the spirit. But this class not only embraced the environment; it went a step further, embracing a spirit of Irish Pride, championed by Principal FATHER PAT CONNOR ’53 and energizing the class and the community.
“Coach Donnelly had the ability to recognize talent, inspire talent, to get the maximum out of each player, and to understand the chemistry of what I consider to be the ultimate team sport,” BOB FORSTER ’75 said. “You can put talented people on the field, but chemistry is so, so important to a championship, and I credit Boots Donnelly. In my opinion, if we had the same pieces without Boots Donnelly, we don’t win a championship.”
The coaching came from multiple directions. During the preseason, the team often practiced three times per day, which reminded Forster that the team “went into every game more physically prepared than the opponent.” Mulloy recalled a different angle, pointing to Donnelly and the rest of the coaching staff adopting an attitude focused more on instruction than criticism when players erred on the field.
“I don’t ever remember Boots getting mad during a game,” Mulloy added. “If you made a mistake, the coaches weren’t going to chew you out. They wanted you to tell them what your assignment was, what you were supposed to do when that [situation] happens. And that’s good coaching. That’s what makes you great, because you improve, and you don’t forget what you’re supposed to do.”
Few sportswriters predicted much success for Father Ryan in 1974, as the Irish were picked to finish fourth in the West division of the Nashville Interscholastic League.
“The community, the school, everybody had doubts — including the players — going into the season,” Forster said. “I don’t think we thought we were special at the beginning of the season, and obviously if you’re picked fourth in the NIL, I don’t think anybody else thought we were special either.”
However, Donnelly guided the team to a 25-6 season-opening win over Clarksville Northwest, followed by wins over Battle Ground Academy and Antioch. Across the final seven weeks of the regular season, the Irish outscored opponents by a combined total of 272-19
— including a 48-0 shutout of MBA — with senior quarterback MIKE WRIGHT ’75 one of the most decorated football players in Nashville sports history, at the helm of the offense.
In the first round of the State Tournament — the annual Clinic Bowl game between what many believed to be the two best teams in the state in 1974 —the Irish outlasted Maplewood in front of 22,000 fans at Vanderbilt’s Dudley Field, with an unplanned two-point conversion in triple overtime proving the difference.
JOEY WOOD ’75 had been elevated to running back because of an injury, and he ran one in from 14 yards in the third overtime. The team lined up for the extra point, but the snap was bobbled. Wright, the holder, took the dropped ball and proceeded around right end, barreling into the end zone for the conversion. Maplewood scored its TD, but the needed 2-point conversion tipped off the receiver’s hands, and Father Ryan had won a classic, 28-26.
One of the keys was placekicking, with two field goals keeping the game going into overtime after the teams ended regulation tied at 14-14.
BILL “CHILI” DONLON ’75 (above, at right) had been kicking soccer
balls on the football field and he caught Donnelly’s eye. “Chili was kicking 50 yarders with ease,” Mulloy remembers, “and Boots decided that the game might hinge on kicking. He quickly got a jersey on Chili, and his field goals were our scores in the first and second overtimes.”
The Irish followed the Clinic Bowl win with a dominant 21-0 victory over Dyersburg in the semifinals, which set the stage for a memorable matchup with Knoxville Fulton, in which the Irish triumphed once again. This time, it was the defense that finished the job, as Wood intercepted a pass in the end zone in the last seconds to deliver the 29-28 win.
“There were a lot of players who made a difference that postseason,” Mulloy remembers, “but do know this; we don’t win that championship without Joey.”
The 13-0 season marked not only Father Ryan’s second-ever State Championship but also the school’s second undefeated season, following the 8-0 record for the school’s first State Title in Football, in 1930. The team’s impact has been celebrated throughout the last five decades, especially in 2019 when the team was inducted into the inaugural class of Father Ryan’s Athletics Hall of Fame. In addition, Donnelly was inducted individually, as were Wright, Forster, and teammate TOMMY BATEMAN ’75
The players went on to successful careers after the highs of that football season. Mulloy, the son, sibling, and parent of Father Ryan alumni, co-founded and ran Nashville Chemical. Forster, also a sibling and parent of Irish alumni, has headed the diamond and jewelry business established by his father. Wood has been part of the family’s dental practice in Goodlettsville, providing pediatric dentistry alongside his alumni brothers.
“We couldn’t be beat because we didn’t believe anybody could beat us,” Mulloy said. “All the guys on that team were competitive and we wanted to win, we wanted to beat everybody. We are the Irish and we’re the best — that’s what we believed.”
“It was a very, very special season in a multitude of ways,” Forster said. “The stars lined up: you’ve got Mike Wright, who’s a generational Hall of Fame quarterback, you’ve got Boots Donnelly in his first year as Head Coach. Things came together, it was magical. I feel very fortunate to have been part of it.”
Father Ryan saluted the 1974 State Champions at the 2024 home opener, the Bishop’s Cup game.
Class Is in Session, and Taking the Stage
While a rigorous secondary education includes studies in core subjects like math, English, science, and social studies, a truly well-rounded education includes studies in the arts and humanities as well. While some schools may overlook the value of an education steeped in the arts, that is not the case at Father Ryan. The visual and performing arts are a crucial component of an education at Father Ryan, with 37 visual and performing arts courses allowing students to develop their talents either on stage, in the studio, or marching on the field — more courses than any other private school in Middle Tennessee.
One of 37 unique offerings that has scored a round of applause from Father Ryan students is the Musical Theatre course taught by one of the many professional working artists on Father Ryan’s staff, JULIE COX .
Since she arrived at Father Ryan, Mrs. Cox has directed the Choral program, including the Father Ryan Singers and Mosaic (Father Ryan’s show choir), served as the Music Ministry moderator, and acts as one of the moderators for the Purple Masque Players, where she serves as musical director, conductor, and stage director for school musicals.
Even with her many responsibilities at Father Ryan, Mrs. Cox still finds time to continue her professional work as a performer. She has sung on stage with the likes of F. Murray Abraham, Kristin Chenoweth, and Sarah Brightman, was featured on the Grammy-nominated recording of the opera L’Enfant et les sortileges with The Nashville Symphony, recorded a Stephen Schwartz revue for Princess Cruise Lines, and is the recipient
of the Tennessee Arts Commission Individual Artist Fellowship. She can even be heard in video games such as “Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic,” and an eagerly anticipated Harry Potter game.
It was this combination of her professional career and her work with the Purple Masque Players that sparked the idea for the Musical Theatre class.
“ KELLI MCCLENDON [Purple Masque Players Director] and were brainstorming ideas on how to help our theatre kids with upcoming auditions,” explains Mrs. Cox. “We both worked in equity theatre before teaching, and we wanted to design a class we wished we had taken before our first auditions many years ago.”
Therefore, they created a class that teaches students how to prepare for an audition while learning the ins and outs of musical theatre. As a result, students will have their audition book prepared for whenever an opportunity comes along — whether that is in college, for community theatre, the bright lights of Broadway, or beyond.
The only prerequisite for the class? Students have to audition for Mrs. Cox in the spring semester before they take the class with one musical theatre song of their choice and a one-minute monologue. With her approval, the students spend the next school year creating an audition book that includes mastering an ideal song for every audition category, including Golden Age, Pop, Disney, and Broadway.
In each class, Mrs. Cox dedicates time with every student, helping them determine which song is right for their type of voice and vocal range. She helps students create and build the character of each song, rehearse their stage performance, and prepare a monologue, headshot, and resume.
In addition to creating the perfect audition, the course is a master class
in musical theatre through the ages, something all kids who love Lin Manuel Miranda or Stephen Sondheim would appreciate, even if they do not plan on making theatre a career.
Mrs. Cox spends the first semester teaching about famous composers like Cole Porter and Gershwin from the Jazz Age, then moves to the Golden Age, focusing on musicals like Sound of Music and My Fair Lady In the second semester, the class focuses on modern musical theatre shows such as Wicked and Les Miserables. Students are required to study the shows, know the plot, understand the context of the show, and study the show’s playwright. Then, they determine what ties these different pieces together. Students must detail: how did the theatre world get from Oklahoma to Sweeney Todd to Rent ?
“…I make sure they are equipped
to
handle whatever I give them, and they always rise to the occasion.”
During the year, students complete a deep dive into Rodgers and Hammerstein while reading the book, Something Wonderful a portrait of the famous duo’s partnership and how they transformed Broadway with their work.
Students are required to perform pieces at Father Ryan’s Christmas and spring showcases or at other venues, which have included the Tennessee School for the Blind, Vanderbilt Children’s Hospital, and parochial schools. While this may sound like fun and games to some, Mrs. Cox maintains that this is a demanding class with high expectations.
“I expect excellence from my students,” she says, “but I make sure they are equipped to handle whatever I give them, and they always rise to the occasion.”
Since Mrs. Cox is still a working professional in theatre, she has secured some cool extras for her students. Her class has enjoyed backstage tours and master classes with several Broadway touring company actors who have come to town. In addition, she has arranged for mock auditions with local actors and playwrights to offer advice through the process. Her class was even chosen to be a part of the show called The Perfect 36 with Studio Tenn Theatre Company, a professional theatre in Franklin, Tenn.
“It was a fabulous experience,” Mrs. Cox states. “Our Musical Theatre class made up part of the chorus along with other university musical theatre majors, and later I was told that our class was the most prepared.”
The preparation these students receive is clearly making a difference, as many of her former students are studying or working in the arts today. Musical theatre class students have recorded for MTI (Musical Theatre International) in their recordings of musicals such as Mary Poppins, The Little Mermaid and the most recent recording of Beetlejuice which featured SOPHIA COX ’23 in the role of Barbara. Most recently, WILL KLEINER ’24 was accepted into the prestigious theatre program at NYU and already is working in shows in New York City.
“I am so proud of his success,” Mrs. Cox says. “When he went out for his first audition, he didn’t need to learn how to audition or how to slate…he was already prepared.”
Need a Beginner’s Guide to Musical Theatre? Start Singing!
Choral Director and Musical Theatre teacher JULIE COX shares five shows all musical theatre fans should know. These shows represent a mix of classic and modern styles, with themes and staging that have influenced the genre significantly. Enjoy!
Any study in musical theatre has to begin in the Golden Age with Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Oklahoma! It is a revolutionary show with a simple opening, an epic dream ballet choreographed by Agnes de Mille, and fits the overall structure of a book musical, where the music serves the plot.
West Side Story is a retelling of Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet set in 1950s New York. Leonard Bernstein’s sweeping score paired with the energetic choreography of Jerome Robbins is electric. The story of star-crossed lovers, social tension, bigotry, and loss are just as relatable today as it was in the time of Shakespeare.
Based on the book by Victor Hugo, Les Miserables is a great musical for first-time theater goers. It touches the heart, makes us laugh and cry, and inspires the audience in its call for freedom. It features one of the best lyrics in all of theater: “To love another person is to see the face of God.”
A retelling of the Wizard of Oz story from the perspective of the Wicked Witch of the West, Wicked tells the story of unlikely friendship, unlimited possibilities, and being changed for the better. You do not want to miss powerhouse performances of “Defying Gravity” and “Popular.”
Lin Manuel Miranda’s musical, Hamilton, has been a game changer in the world of musical theatre. The story of Alexander Hamilton and the people of the American Revolution set to the music of pop and rap is truly unique. The actors challenge traditional casting and provoke thoughtful discussions on the American journey. There is a reason this musical won the Tony and the Pulitzer awards. These are great introductions to the world of musical theatre, thanks to our very own Julie Cox. If you or your Father Ryan students cannot make it to see one of these shows, we encourage you to come see (or perform in) one of the shows by the Purple Masque Players!
A Spirit of Philanthropy
One of the key components of the Father Ryan Strategic Plan is creating a culture of philanthropy among our community. In each issue of Irish Ayes we profile individuals who have demonstrated that philanthropic spirit in their own giving to Father Ryan. This issue celebrates the efforts that produced Father Ryan’s first million-dollar Annual Fund campaign.
Thank You a Million Times Over!
The Father Ryan Annual Fund hits a milestone… just in time for the 100th school year.
When ANGIE (JACOBSON) COFFEY
’95 Father Ryan’s Annual Fund Manager, joined the Advancement Team in 2015, she was confident the school would reach $1 million in Annual Fund gifts in a single year. The anticipated date for hitting that goal was June 30, 2025, at the end of Father Ryan’s 100th school year.
“I knew the Father Ryan community was generous,” she says. “Telling stories about how our students benefit from this generosity would help us achieve this ambitious goal. Philanthropy is woven into the fabric of Father Ryan High School. I believed our community would respond generously if we called on them to do so during our 100th school year.”
Coffey’s prediction was off — the $1 million mark was surpassed on June 30, 2024, weeks before the start of the 100th school year. The final total of $1,000,098 was raised for the Annual Fund.
To read more about the Annual Fund at Father Ryan, visit fatherryan.org/giving
“The city of Nashville would look so different without Father Ryan, and I want our faculty, staff, students, alumni, parents, and the greater community to be proud of who we are and the impact Father Ryan has made in Nashville and the Middle Tennessee area. I am very proud of this milestone, and it speaks volumes to what we can accomplish when we work together towards a purpose greater than ourselves.”
The Father Ryan Annual Fund is an unrestricted fund dedicated to the school’s areas of greatest need, not covered by tuition. The students benefit from these 100% tax-deductible, unrestricted funds. In the past few years, the Annual Fund has supported tuition assistance, classroom equipment, athletic facility enhancement, and operational support, making a quality Catholic education possible.
Most recently, Annual Fund gifts have supported:
• A new Dual Enrollment program that offers seven college-level courses taught by Father Ryan faculty, allowing 42 enrolled students to earn both high school and college credits while gaining exposure to advanced coursework and preparing for college
• Security enhancements through ZeroEyes AI camera software and a security gate to limit access to campus during the school day
• Upgrades to the Catignani Drennan Fieldhouse gym floor and bleachers, including the addition of ADA-compliant seating.
“Our faculty and staff set the tone for the Annual Fund. We have achieved 100% participation for 16 consecutive years, which is quite an achievement. They lead through action, investing philanthropically in Father Ryan’s mission to be an experience of the living Gospel while challenging students to reach their spiritual, academic, and personal potential.”
This past June, President PAUL DAVIS ’81 received a call from a donor. Knowing that the school had passed $900,000 in gifts — a new record itself — this donor threw out a challenge: if the community donated enough to get above $950,000, the donor would provide the balance to get to $1,000,000. The challenge was met, and the response was so strong that the donor could get us to the new record with only half the $50,000 maximum committed.
One million dollars is a significant number to celebrate. But, it is only the start. Coffey sees the 100th providing a boost that continues throughout the end of the two-year celebration.
“There’s a genuine spirit of philanthropy in the Father Ryan community,” she says, “and just like Irish Spirit, it only goes higher.”
Reunion 2024 Golf, Class Gatherings, and New Golden Grads
F ather Ryan kicked off an action-packed Reunion Weekend 2024 on Friday, May 31, with the LOU GRAHAM ’56 Alumni Golf Tournament presented by Sunrise Consulting at Harpeth Hills Golf Course. The sold-out event featured 33 teams, and the LSI Team (with Graham, at right) came away victorious. Later in the evening, the AllAlumni Reception welcomed graduates from the classes of 1954 through 2019 back to campus. The attendees enjoyed reconnecting with friends, touring the campus, and looking through yearbooks as they reflected on countless memories from their time at Father Ryan.
The Reunion Weekend festivities continued the next day as the classes ending in 4 or 9 celebrated their Class Reunion Parties at various venues throughout Nashville.
From Crow’s Nest to Acme Feed & Seed to Father Ryan’s Center for the Arts, these alumni gathered with their classmates and celebrated the Irish tradition.
The Golden Grad Mass and Brunch on June 2 brought the Reunion Weekend celebrations to a delightful close with the induction of the Class of 1974 into the Golden Grad Society. The event shined a light on the first four-year coed class in school history, and the largest graduating class to that point. The returning alumni included MARGARET (DECKBAR) ADAM the first female Valedictorian; KAREN (HARRIS) RUSSELL ANN (FLOERSH) QUARTERMAN and KAY BATEY from the Girls Basketball Team, the first girls District Champions at Father Ryan; and longtime teachers and coaches ROBERT KENT and PAT SIMPSON .
Bishop J. Mark Spalding concelebrated Mass in the Center for the Arts with Father Ryan chaplain Fr. Anh Tuan Phan followed by the induction ceremony — where each Golden Grad was presented with a framed certificate and a Golden Grad lifetime pass. After the annual class photo in front of the historic doors — and, for the first time, in between the staircase walls, made from Elliston Place bricks — they and Golden Grads from earlier years gathered for conversations, photos, and brunch in the Dining Hall, where RANDY LANCASTER ’83 performed. The Father Ryan community congratulates these Golden Grads and thanks them for their contributions to Father Ryan’s mission over the last 50 years!
I
n what continues to be a memorable celebration of 100 Years of Father Ryan, it is only appropriate that this year’s Legacy Gala has the largest honoree list ever — 100 Years of the people and events that have built the Tradition of Faith, Knowledge, Service.
Many of those members of the Irish community will gather on February 8, 2025, at the Music City Center in downtown Nashville for the 46th Annual Legacy Gala. Chaired by CHRIS DONNELLY and LUCY (DAVIS) BLAIR ’78 , the evening promises to be special. If you would like to help with the evening, email ANGIE (JACOBSON) COFFEY ’95 at coffeya@fatherryan.org . Learn more about the event at fatherryan.org/gala
Prayers Answered
Becoming a deacon on the path to priesthood is a special moment in a young man’s vocation life. Now, imagine that diaconate ceremony taking place in Rome! CHRISTIAN HAMRICK ’17 was able to experience just that in October when family, friends, and a number of guests from the Diocese of Nashville, Father Ryan High School, and St. Edward Church traveled to the Eternal City to share in his ordination as a transitional deacon. The ceremony took place at St. Peter’s on October 3 with a celebratory Mass offered by Bishop J. Mark Spalding the next day at the Church of San Gioacchino (St. Joachim) in Rome, where Deacon Hamrick preached his first homily. The topic focused on God’s enduring love, especially during times of weakness.
“During my time in seminary formation, I have become increasingly aware that prayer is the engine that drives priestly vocations,” said Deacon Hamrick. “I cannot thank the faithful of the Diocese of Nashville enough for their constant and committed prayers for me throughout my time in seminary. Please continue to pray for me and my classmates as we approach priestly ordination in August.”
In his homily and in news reports from the diocese, Deacon Hamrick spoke of his trust in prayer.
Deacon Hamrick is continuing his studies at the Pontifical North American College in Rome and will be ordained in Nashville in August 2025.
TOMMY JAMES ’68 is the proud grandfather of 16 grandchildren and two beautiful great-grandsons.
PAUL J. BLAZEK ’70 and his Deep Water Barbershop Quartet finished 16th in the 2024 World Service Quartet Competition. Blazek is in Chattanooga, where he continues to work in data management at TXI Systems.
The Hearth & Grill Shop is 50 years old, having been started April 1, 1974, by WILLIAM P. SULLIVAN ’50 and WILLIAM P. “RICKY” SULLIVAN, JR. ’72 They thank you for your support over all these years, and most of all “my Lord and Savior for blessing my business and family.”
MICHAEL MARCHETTI ’76, was inducted into the Sewanee Hall of Fame in October. A starter on the offensive line for the Irish’s 1974 State Championship Team, Marchetti was a three-time All-College Athletic Conference (CAC) offensive guard
at Sewanee. With Marchetti manning the offensive front, Sewanee led the conference in rushing and scoring in Marchetti’s junior and senior years. The Tigers won three Conference Championships during Marchetti’s four years. Sewanee was CAC Champion in 1976 and Co-Champions in 1978 and 1979. Marchetti was one of the captains in 1979, his senior year, leading his team to a 7-2 record, the most wins by a Sewanee football team since the 1965 team finished 7-1.
MARTINA HAILEY ’75 retired from Vanderbilt University Medical Center after 49 years of service.
She was the manager of the department of surgery. She is enjoying her retirement, spending time with her husband, Ron, family, and friends. She enjoyed seeing classmates at the recent celebration of the 1974 State Football Championship gathering and looks forward to her Golden Grad celebration in June.
BLAKE FONTENAY ’84 is a newspaper columnist and author in South Florida. His fourth book, a historical work titled Saving Stuart, Florida, was released in fall of 2024. In his spare time, Blake races on a dragon boat team and enjoys cava with his friends.
After 25 years in HR for a myriad of companies, BRIAN VOGEL ’85 has co-founded a boutique HR advisory firm — sensibleHR. The firm’s focus is supporting the spectrum of organizational development needs, from establishing HR strategy, structures, and processes to partnering with leadership on change management initiatives.
Street Inn & Tavern in Chicago, owned by
’88 was ranked #1 best burger by Chicago Magazine
KIM (RODGERS) SIGMUND ’88 was promoted to Senior Director of International Tax at Asurion, which is a large, privately-owned multinational corporation headquartered in Nashville. Kim and her husband, Chris, live in West Nashville and have three children, a granddaughter, a dog, and love to travel in their Airstream.
The Leavitt
TEDDY HARRIS
The Alumni Speaker Series Returns
for Year Two
One of the most anticipated days throughout the last school year was Alumni Speaker Series day, and it is back for its second year. This Series aims to inspire, educate, and connect students with successful graduates who have made significant strides in their respective fields. Each talk provides unique insights, personal experiences, and valuable advice. The goal of the Alumni Speaker Series is to enrich the learning experience between academic knowledge and real-world application.
After wrapping up last year’s Series in the spring with a talk by local attorney ADRIENNE (GILLIAM) FRY ’02 this school year began with visits by MARK MCWATTERS ’05 who spoke about his career in sales; ELLIE (SCAGLIONE) HOLLIHAN ’09 about her career in Human Resources; TOM LORD ’94 Father Ryan parent and leading figure in Nashville’s music industry, focused on artist management; and 1984 Valedictorian, attorney, and Tennessee Titans Vice President ADOLPHO BIRCH ’84
The Series will continue throughout the school year. If you would like to be a part of the program and talk about your career, contact Alumni Engagement and Outreach
Manager SARA (CARTER) ATWOOD ’04 at atwoods@fatherryan.org
BRYAN ANDERSON ’89 opened Live Fire BBQ Food trailer. They were honored to be a part of 100 Years of Father Ryan celebration! Go Irish!
JT STEPHENS ’00 is Executive Vice President at LSA in Port Richmond, California. JT focuses on Noise and Vibration issues for the firm, which meets the need for environmental evaluation, a subject he became interested in while studying at Purdue University. At LSA, he has been working on the California High-Speed Rail Project, which runs from Bakersfield to Palmdale and Burbank to LA, and the City of Long Beach Noise Element Update. He and his wife have two daughters.
JED RAYNES ’15 graduated magna cum laude from Xavier University in Cincinnati, Ohio, in 2019 with a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, majoring in Accounting with a minor in Finance and Information Systems. He subsequently earned his Certified Public Accountant and a Master of Science in Business Analytics from the accelerated program of Georgetown University in 2022. He is now based in Washington, DC.
in San Diego, CA. She started her training in July 2024 to specialize in caring for children with special health care needs.
ELLIOT GILD ’17 received a promotion after completing his Title 7 testing at Sage Spring Financial and is now a Certified Financial Planner.
ADAM GILD ’20 graduated from Virginia Military Institute with a degree in Applied Mathematics and has commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the US Marine Corps. During his time at VMI he achieved the command of XO and was the commander of the pipe and drum corp. He was awarded the Norwegian Foot March badge, started as Company Clerk, was promoted to First Sergeant, and then promoted to Company X0.
A lovely reunion took place between COACH ROBERT KENT ’74 and Class of 1998 Cross Country and Track/Field W.I.P. (Women in Purple) founders MELISSA (POE) HOOD SARAH (CARPENTER) ORELLENA SARAH (SNYDER) ANGUS , and CRISTINA (BEASLEY) WEEKS While at breakfast, they bumped into PAUL DAVIS ’81 President of Father Ryan High School.
VICTOR CASHA ’00 and his wife, Divya Gautam, have opened a restaurant, Married to Momo, in India. A portion of their proceeds from the restaurant go towards a local orphanage. On March 22, 2024, COLLEEN (HAWTHORN) FISHER ’98 received a master’s degree in Positive Psychology from Life University in Atlanta, Georgia.
JENN SIMS ’00 has published her third academic book, The Fallacies of Racism, which is now available on Amazon.
ALAN WHITLEY ’06 works as a clinical mental health therapist at the counseling office on campus at Belmont University. Most recently, he was accepted to be an adjunct professor and will be teaching his first class, Substance Abuse, in the spring 2025 semester.
NICHOLAS MATAYA ’08 was tonsured a Reader for the Ukrainian Greco-Catholic Church on May 19 at St. Nicholas Cathedral in Chicago.
RYAN HERRMANN ’15 MADIE BELLANTE ’15 with MICHAEL CANONICO ’15 baby Clare, and CHRISTY (BOYD) CANONICO ’15 at Michael’s Medical School graduation in NYC, May 2024. Michael is a resident physician in Internal Medicine at VU Medical Center.
COLE CROCKER ’16 was selected by a committee of area business leaders, philanthropic influencers, and young professional peers across Middle Tennessee, as one of Nashville’s Top 30 Under 30 professional and philanthropic leaders for 2024.
DR. JESSICA DIAZ ’16 earned her Doctor of Dental Surgery degree from the University of Tennessee College of Dentistry in May 2024. She matched into NYU Langone’s two-year pediatric dental residency
ISABEL DERRICK ’20 spoke to students in the Social Justice Club about her career. She is an AmeriCorps volunteer assigned to Pawster Nashville, which supports people in crisis by providing compassionate, temporary care for their pets.
Class Notes, Births, Weddings, and In Memoriam news in this issue reflect information received by September 30, 2024.
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Divya Gautam and VICTOR CASHA ’00 were married on July 11, 2024, in Jaipur, Rajasthan.
CHRISTINE (QUILLIN) ’07 and Brad Roby were married on March 9, 2024, at St. Henry Catholic Church in Nashville, TN.
Sydney Kristine Smith and MAXWELL ROBERT STOFFER ’14 were married on September 30, 2023, at Wightman Chapel at Scarritt Bennett in Nashville, TN, by Father Pat Kibby ‘73.
McWatters
Lord Hollihan Birch
ADAM GILD ’20 spoke to students in MICHELLE BRAENUNER ’83’s Theology II class about life after high school.
Bree Elizabeth to HEATHER (HOLMES) ’04 and DREW BATEMAN ’04 born on September 11, 2024. Bree joins big sisters Paisley and Madelyn.
Sunny Beck to ELLEN (CORBY) ’06 and Tyler Blystone, born on February 29, 2024.
Addison Grace to MARISA (BENSON) ’15 and Johnny Bush, born on June 8, 2024.
Mabry Cecilia to EMILY (MOSELEY) ’14 and Patrick Carr, born on September 9, 2024.
Weston Matthew to KRISTEN (FREDERICK) ’16 and Walker Daugherty, born on April 25, 2024.
(CARELL) ’13 and Cameron Fuller, born on March 22, 2024.
Charles Lawrence to NANCY (HERRON) ’08 and Logan Hughes, born on July 3, 2024.
Audrey Helen to RACHAEL (POULIOT) ’12 and Will Lipsey, born on April 26, 2024.
Georgia Ann to EMILY (BOYD) ’09 and Bryan Propst, born on October 3, 2023.
James Hardison to MAGGIE (MULLINS) ’15 and ANDREW RECTOR ’15 born on May 23, 2024.
George Oliver to JOHN RODGERS ’01 and Lauren Rodgers, born on February 10, 2024.
MARY DEANNA THONI ADAMS wife of alumnus Albert J. Thoni ’49 (deceased); mother of alumni Kevin Thoni ’77, Ellen (Thoni) Underdown ’78 (deceased), Kissy (Thoni) Mathewson ’80, David Thoni ’83, and Eric Thoni ’84 (deceased); sister of alumnus Pat Thompson ’63.
JERE SUE ADAMS sister of alumni Bob Fuson ’59, Ed Fuson ’62 (deceased) and Don Fuson ’68.
CARL M. ALLBEE father of alumni Michael Allbee, Jr. ’84 (deceased) and Angela (Allbee) Mills ’85 (former staff).
LYNN (CRAIGHEAD) ALLEN ’79
wife of alumnus Greg Allen ’77 and sister of alumni Robert Craighead ’59 and Don Craighead ’65.
August “Augie” Palmer to EMILY (PALMER) ’13 and MICHAEL ROSINSKI ’13 born on June 1, 2023.
Sadie Sanders to MARIA (NICHOLSON) ’08 and Wesley Sanders, born on October 19, 2023.
Shade Sheldon to SHELBY (VANDENBERGH) ’15 and Spence Sheldon, born on February 17, 2024.
Anna Virginia to SARAH (LANKFORD) ’08 and Jonathan Toler, born on June 17, 2024.
Roman Joseph to KRISTEN (VOGT) ’06 and Joseph Whitney, born on June 14, 2024.
’89 and Scott Coleman ’90, and sister of Larry Scott ’71, Paulette (Scott) Nolan ’74, John Scott ’76, and Charlie Scott ’84.
INEZ CRUTCHFIELD, mother of alumni Carlton Crutchfield ’69 and Maribeth (Crutchfield) White ’73.
MICHAEL WADE DANIEL husband of alumna Jennifer (Baltz) Daniel ’98.
REGINA COAKLEY DESSAUER , sister of alumnus William T. “Bill” Coakley ’74 (deceased).
THELMA JANE DOE , mother of alumni Katie (Doe) Carney ’87 and Tom Doe ’97.
CORA NOLLNER DUFF mother of alumni Greg Duff ’76, Mark Duff ’77, Joni (Duff) Ramsey ’78, Dana Duff ’80, and Brian Duff ’83.
MAXINE DUFFEY mother of alumni Kevin Duffey ’81, Sally (Duffey) Cornell ’83, Sharon (Duffey) Egbert ’84, and Diane (Duffey) Delatour ’90.
MICHAEL JOHN DWYER, SR. brother of alumnae Monica (Dwyer) Moss ’78 and Shana Dwyer ’79.
KATHERINE EUBANKS daughter of alumna Michelle (Moran) Eubanks ’89 and sister of alumna Madeline Eubanks ’18.
EDWARD DEAN FERRELL, SR. ’59.
ROBERT “ROB” FREEMAN ’83.
DONALD M. GALLAGHER , father of alumni Brian Gallagher ’83 and Dave Gallagher ’88.
JOSEPH GALLIMORE ’66.
DORIS ALLISON GANDY mother of alumnus Dr. Paul Douglass ’68.
JAMES “JIMMY” GARDNER father of alumnae Heather (Gardner) Chambers ’99 and Heidi Gardner ’01.
THOMAS “TOMMY” GARMON ’69, brother of alumni Bobby Garmon ’65 and Bill Garmon ’76.
JOHN S. GARTON ’61 brother of alumnus Tony Garton ’67.
STEPHEN GLASS ’83.
RICHARD ARTHUR GRANT, JR. , father of Colleen (Grant) Long ’84 and Kim (Grant) Derrick ’84.
HENRY J. GRIGOLITE, JR. ’59.
JANE FRANCES GUZIKOWSKI mother of alumni Robert Guzikowski ’77, Janet (Guzikowski) Kelleher ’78, and Michael Guzikowski ’79.
ELIZABETH MARY “LIZ” HARTSIG mother of alumni James Hartsig ’04, Andrew Hartsig ’05, and Rob Hartsig ’07. KING HOLLANDS ’58.
MARGUERITE “MARGIE” HOUNIHAN wife of alumnus Harold “Champ” Hounihan ’65, daughter of alumnus Ray Parrish ’36 (deceased), and sister of alumnus Vincent Parrish ’64 (deceased).
RALEIGH ANN HUSSUNG wife of alumnus Buck Hussung ’61 and mother of alumni Bo Hussung ’82,
Michael Hussung ’83 (Lynn Winger ’83), and John Hussung ’89.
ROSE ELEANOR MCNAMEE IMPEY sister of Thomas McNamee ’44 (deceased).
LINDSAY MARIE BILLINGS JAMES ’00 sister of alumnus Nick Forte ’05.
DAVID W. JOHNSON ’94.
PATRICIA KOCH JOHNSON , sister of alumnus Joe Rotella ’52.
PAT KAIN ’68 , father of alumna Amy (Kain) Trigg ’89.
ROBERT E. KEATING ’52 brother of alumni Donald Keating ’56 and Richard Keating ’57.
JOHN KIERNON, JR. father of alumnus Tim Kiernon ’90.
MARK KOMISKY ’83 brother of alumni Stephen Komisky ’71 (deceased), Dennis Komisky ’73, and Judy (Komisky) Orr ’75.
ROBERT N. KOPP, father of alumna Kim (Kopp) Kimball ’95.
KENT KYGER husband of past board member Patricia (Miller) Kyger.
ROBERT “BOB” LISLE ’65 father of alumni Monica (Lisle) Reid ’89, Morgan Lisle ’91, and Sarah (Lisle) Jackson ’93, and brother of alumni Ben Lisle ’52 (deceased), James Lisle ’56, Richard Lisle ’59 (deceased), John Lisle ’61 (deceased), Frank Lisle ’63, William Lisle ’64 (deceased), Charles Lisle ’66, Lawrence Lisle ’69, Michael Lisle ’73, and Mary Jane (Lisle) Scruggs ’75 (Mark ’75).
Celebrating A Southern Gentleman-Journalist
JAMES SAMUEL “SAM” ANDREWS , husband of alumna Theresa “Tookie” (Derrick) Andrews ’77 and father of alumni Allison (Andrews) Brais ’99, James Andrews ’01, Aaron Andrews ’06, and Joseph Andrews ’08.
DIANE AUERWECK sister of alumnus Ken Auerweck ’81.
LYNETTE BAILEY, mother of alumni Craig Bailey ’96 and Lisa (Bailey) Johnson ’01.
RICHARD BAKER ’71.
DOROTHY “DOT” BINKLEY mother of alumnus Charles Binkley II ’85.
VIRGINIA PRITCHETT BLADY, mother of Shannon Frye ’88.
MARY K. BOLES , wife of alumnus Mike Boles ’67.
FRANCIS “FRANK” BOSTICK ’65.
MARY MARGARET “MARGE” BOWERS mother of alumni Jack Bowers ’78, Theresa (Bowers) Sullivan ’80, Jim Bowers ’81, and Kathy (Bowers) Sprandel ’84.
JAN BURNS mother of alumni Andrew ’04 (deceased) and Philip Burns ’13.
PATRICK H. CAMM ’75 brother of alumnus Michael Camm ’74.
MARGARET FLANIGEN CARDEN sister of alumnus John Flanigen ’42 and niece of former principal Msgr. George Flanigen (both deceased).
JAMES CORBETT CHICK ’67 brother of alumnus Robert Chick ’67.
VICKI ANN (SCOTT) COLEMAN
wife of alumnus Mike Coleman ’67, mother of alumni Deanne (Coleman) Hall
For those who knew ANTHONY J. “TONY” SPENCE ’70 former director and editor-in-chief of Catholic News Service, over these many years, the most common description of him — offered with immense fondness — was “Southern gentleman.” Spence died July 28 in Nashville, Tennessee, after a long illness. He was 71.
Helen Osman, for a time Spence’s boss as secretary of communications for the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, called Spence “a delight as a colleague,” adding, “Truly, he knew his craft as a journalist and editor.”
Carol Zimmermann, a former reporter at CNS, which closed its Washington office in December 2022, and the newly named news editor at the National Catholic Reporter, attested to that: “Tony Spence was kind to a fault. He was an old-school Southern gentleman who always said hello, held doors open, sent cards, and asked how your family was.
Before going to Vanderbilt in 1998, Spence was editor-inchief and general manager of the Tennessee Register Inc., which publishes the Tennessee Register, from 1989 to 1998. He served as associate editor and managing editor at the newspaper and was the communications director of the Nashville Diocese from 1992-98.
As president of the Catholic Press Association (CPA) from 1994 to 1996, he oversaw the establishment of the Catholic Advertising Network and the Catholic Press Foundation. He was a co-founder of the Appalachian Press Project of Kentucky and Tennessee, chaired the CPA’s liaison committee with CNS in 1997-98, and organized the association’s 1998 convention.
When he was named the director and editor-in-chief at CNS, based in Washington, in February 2004, where he served until 2016, Spence had been executive director of alumni communications and publications at his alma mater, Vanderbilt University.
In 2006, Spence was named to a five-year term as a consultor to the Pontifical Council for Social Communications. He was president of SIGNIS North America — the world Catholic association for communications — and on the board of directors of SIGNIS International. Born December 27, 1952, to Joe A. and Ruth Robertson Spence, he attended the University of Tennessee, Knoxville before graduating from Vanderbilt. Survivors include brothers Don P. (Joan) Spence of Nashville, and Jeffery B. Spence of Abingdon, MD.
Emerson “Emmy” Grace to PEYTON
Georgia Ann Propst James Hardison Rector George Oliver Rodgers
Bree Elizabeth Bateman Audrey Helen Lipsey
Charles Lawrence Hughes Addison Grace Bush Mabry Cecilia Carr Weston Matthew Daughertry
Sadie Sanders Shade Sheldon Emerson “Emmy” Grace Fuller Anna Virginia Toler Roman Joseph Whitney Sunny Beck Blystone
August “Augie” Palmer Rosinski
In Memoriam fall/winter 2024
ZENEDA HOLLIS LISLE , wife of alumnus Ben Lisle, Jr. ’52 (deceased) and mother of alumni Mary (Lisle) Cantrell ’77 and Joe Lisle ’85 (Anne Claiborne ’84).
DWIGHT EARL LONG father of alumnus Christopher Long ’90 (Christie Raymer ’91).
JACK EARL LOUNSBERY, father of alumni Daniel Lounsbery ’73 and Douglas Lounsbery ’74 (both deceased).
SHELLEY LOVELACE mother of student Cooper Lovelace ’25.
PATRICIA ANN (NEELEY) LYNCH wife of alumnus Nick Lynch ’56 (deceased), mother of alumna Katy Lynch ’89, and sister of alumnus Frank Neeley ’51 (deceased).
ANNE CUNNINGHAM MADDUX wife of alumnus Joseph O. Maddux ’43 and mother of alumni Joseph O. Maddux, Jr. ’74 and John Maddux ’76.
BETTY MARCHETTI wife of alumnus L. Gino Marchetti, Sr. ’49 (deceased) and mother of alumni L. Gino Marchetti, Jr. ’69, Tony Marchetti ’70, Kevin Marchetti ’73, Andrea (Marchetti) Schaeffer ’74, Michael Marchetti ’76, Mark Marchetti ’78 (deceased), Vicky Marchetti ’79, Chris Marchetti ’81, and Mary Marchetti ’84.
IDA K. MARTIN mother of alumnus Arrold Martin ’71 (deceased).
PATRICIA ANN MATSEN mother of alumnae Anna Matsen ’00, Carly (Matsen) Morgan ’01, and Erica (Matsen) Gunter 04.
DIANE CONSOLO MATTINGLY wife of alumnus William “Billy” Mattingly ’70.
JOSEPH “JOE” MCGRORTY ’63.
REV. MR. JAMES MCKENZIE ’72 brother of alumni Jody McKenzie ’67, Rev. Mr. Andrew McKenzie ’68, Rev. William McKenzie ’72, and Clay McKenzie ’80.
FATHER JOHN E. MCMURRY ’49 brother of alumnus Father Vincent de Paul McMurry ’42 (deceased).
WALT MESKELL , father of alumna Jill (Meskell) Lokere ’96.
JOAN SEIGENTHALER MILLER , sister of alumni John Seigenthaler ’45 (deceased), Cornelius Seigenthaler ’50 (deceased) Bobby Seigenthaler ’53, and Tom Seigenthaler ’57 (deceased).
JOE MORALES ’70, brother of alumni Tom Morales ’72, Mike Morales ’74, Jeff Morales ’77, Tim Morales ’79, and Patrick Morales ’82.
PHILIP MULLEN , father of students Tyler Mullen ’25 and Blake Mullen ’28.
DOROTHY “POTT” NASH mother of alumni Hugh O. Nash III ’89, Will
Nash ’96, and Sarah Nash ’97.
MICHAEL LEE O’CONNOR , father of alumna Tish (O’Connor) Walker ’84.
STEPHANIE PAPUCHIS sister of alumni
Leah (Papuchis) Van Arsdale ’00 and Michael Papuchis ’11 (Lauren Harness ’11).
SISTER JEANNE PARRISH sister of alumni Donald Parrish ’33 and Raymond Parrish ’36 (both deceased).
VINCENT L. PARRISH ’64, son of alumnus Raymond Parrish ’36 (deceased) and brother of alumnus Tim Parrish ’71.
THOMAS MICHAEL PATTON ’61 father of alumni Ryan Patton ’92, Josh Patton ’05, and Sophie Patton ’15, and brother of Patrick Patton ’63.
EUGENE ANTHONY PIONTEK father of alumni Pamela (Piontek) Sheridan ’83 and John Piontek ’87.
FRANKLIN PLATT, father of alumni
Justin Platt ’99 and Jonathan Platt ’04.
DOROTHY “DOT” PONDER mother of alumni Terrie (Ponder) Watch ’76, Rob Ponder ’77, Deb Ponder ’81, and Stephanie (Ponder) Randolph ’85.
INOCENTE JUAN QUEVEDO father of alumnus Angel Quevedo ’23 and student Isabella Quevedo ’25.
ROBERT PAUL RICH ’48.
STEVEN ROBERTSON ’64.
WILLIAM FREDERICK RUSIE, JR. father of alumna Lauren (Rusie) Sabet ’04.
MARY LILLIAN PULLIG SCHATZ wife of alumnus Walter Schatz ’51 (deceased).
GLENDA SIMMONS mother of alumni Bobby Simmons ’80, Donna (Simmons) Gosnell ’86, and David Simmons ’88.
CHARLES “CHUCK” SNYDER, SR. father of alumni Charles Snyder, Jr. ’72, Tony Snyder ’75, Steve Snyder ’78 (deceased), and Danny Snyder ’82.
ANTHONY “TONY” SPENCE ’70 son of Joe Spence ’43 (deceased) and brother of alumni Don Spence ’71 and Jeffrey Spence ’75.
ANTHONY “TONY” SPRINGMAN father of alumnae Emily (Springman) Johnson ’98 and Rachel Springman ’02.
JOHN B. STEPHENS, SR. ’48 , father of alumni John B. Stephens, Jr. ’74, Rev. Tim Stephens, S.J. ’75, and Rita (Stephens) Boyd ’78 (John ’76).
PETER STROBEL ’77, son of former college counselor Bertie G. Strobel (deceased), and brother of alumni Frederick Strobel ’70, Rosemary
(Strobel) Hehn ’72, Kathryn (Strobel) Knoeller ’74, and Philip Strobel ’76.
JEREMY TEPPER husband of alumna Laura Cantrell ’85.
JAMES TIDWELL, SR. father of alumni James Tidwell, Jr. ’00 and Katie Tidwell King ’04.
RICHARD F. TURNER, JR. ’74 brother of alumnus Greg Turner ’75 (deceased).
MARY ELLEN THONI-UNDERDOWN
’78 daughter of alumnus Albert J. Thoni ’49 (deceased) and sister of alumni Kevin Thoni ’77, Kissy (Thoni) Mathewson ’80, David Thoni ’83, and Eric Thoni ’84 (deceased).
FRANCES ANNE VARALLO sister of alumnus Nick Varallo ’59.
STEVE VIEL a member of the class of 1970 and brother of alumnus Jim Viel ’69.
JOAN PRESTON “JOANIE” VIENNEAU, mother of alumnus Jimi Vienneau ’80 (Adelaide Mallette ’80).
EILEEN WALKER , wife of alumnus
Tom Walker ’51 (deceased) and mother of alumni Michael Walker ’75 (Elaine Sullivan ’76), Michelle (Walker) Dill ’76, Denese (Walker) Farmer ’78, and Jeffrey Scott Walker ’79 (deceased).
PAUL E. WARNER ’73 , son of alumnus
Alex T. Warner ’43 (deceased) and brother of alumnus Tommy Warner, Jr. ’68 (deceased).
STANLEY WEGLARZ, JR. ’81 brother of alumni Robert Weglarz ’72, Michael Weglarz ’75, Joseph Weglarz ’77, and Walter Weglarz ’78.
EILEEN BURNS WELLS wife of alumnus John A. Wells III ’56 (deceased), mother of alumnus John A. Wells IV ’85, and sister of alumnus John E. Burns ’56 (deceased).
VINCENT J. WESNOFSKE father of alumni Brett Wesnofske ’88 and Wendy (Wesnofske) Ahlstrand ’90.
ANN CRAIGHEAD WHITE , sister of alumni Robert L. Craighead ’59 and Don E. Craighead ’65.
RICHARD WIDICK ’48 brother of alumni Chris Widick ’53 and Bill Widick ’54 (deceased).
CORY ALDIUS WILLIAMS father of alumnus Bryshon Jackson ’23.
DEBRA ANN YUSKO mother of alumni
Chris ’01, Sean Patrick ’03, Justin ’05, and Matthew Yusko ’07 (Caitlin Muller ’10). ’89 and Scott Coleman ’90, and sister of Larry Scott ’71, Paulette (Scott) Nolan ’74, John Scott ’76, and Charlie Scott ’84.
