Loras College Spring 2022 Magazine

LORAS Spring 2022 MAGAZINE

IN THIS ISSUE

4-TIME DIII NATIONAL CHAMPION Kassie Parker's Journey to the Top

CONTENT Loras, as a Catholic liberal arts college, creates a community of active learners, reflective thinkers, ethical decision-makers, and responsible contributors in diverse professional, social and religious roles. Inspired by the Catholic intellectual tradition and rooted in the transformative power of learning, Loras enriches lives and serves humanity.

EDITORIAL OFFICE

1450 Alta Vista Street, Dubuque, Iowa 52001 Phone: 563.588.7235

4

Expanding Keane

6

One Mile at a Time

8

Focused on Change

10

Gaining Experience

11

Lessons from Antioch

12

From Intern to the Top

14

40-Year Power Play

Email: marketing@loras.edu

PRESIDENT

PUBLISHER Demeri C. Mullikin

James E. Collins (’84) SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT

MANAGING EDITOR

Mary Ellen Carroll, PhD

Robert Waterbury

PROVOST, ACADEMIC DEAN

DESIGN

Donna Heald, PhD

Claire Ehlinger

VICE PRESIDENT for INSTITUTIONAL ADVANCEMENT

PHOTOGRAPHY

Scott McClure, EdD

Owen Funke (’22)

VICE PRESIDENT for MARKETING and STRATEGIC COMMUNICATION

Trent Hanselmann (’18) Loras Athletics Adam Rang (’20)

Demeri C. Mullikin

Bruce Kluckhohn

VICE PRESIDENT for STUDENT DEVELOPMENT, DEAN of STUDENTS

CONTRIBUTORS

Arthur W. Sunleaf, EdD

Brie (Pumilia) Burnett (’15)

VICE PRESIDENT and CHIEF OPERATIONS OFFICER

Margaret Tungseth, MBA, CPA

The fourth floor of Keane Hall has undergone a transformation to serve as the new home for athletic training and kinesiology.

Kassie Parker (’21, MA ’23), the USTFCCCA Female Athlete of the Year, has distinguished herself by learning from her past.

With a commitment to civic action, Mallory Gardiner (’22) has used her Loras experience to dramatically shape her future.

A J-Term course provides students interested in health care with hands-on experiences to better understand the field.

Two students share how the Antioch retreats have provided a wealth of lessons as both attendees and directors.

Katie (Wernimont) Thomas (’06) has translated an internship as a Loras student to the rising CEO position.

Emily Adlfinger Mary Ellen Carroll, PhD Alexis Riesberg (’22) Cayla Schneider Chris Steinbach (MBA ’20)

For more than forty years, the Hockey Club has continued to thrive and bring Duhawks together through a simple love of a game.

ON THE COVER

Stay Connected

SPRING 2022 | Volume 68, Issue 1

Kassie Parker (’21, MA ’23) has earned numerous accolades for her success in cross country and track and field, including multiple national championships.

Facul ty & Staff Retirements Andy Auge (’78), PhD Professor of English 35 YEARS

President’s Letter Dear Loras Alumni, Guardians & Friends,

Roman Ciapalo, PhD Professor of Philosophy, Andrew P. Studdert Chair

As we move closer to the end of

of Business Ethics & Crisis

the second semester, we also move

Leadership

toward a return of a more normal

40 YEARS

Debbie Gross, (MA ’08) Coordinator of Faith Development 25 YEARS

Richard Kies Custodian for Maintenance 15 YEARS

Amy Lorenz, PhD Professor of Modern Languages and Culture 31 YEARS

Nancy Noel Custodian for Maintenance 10 YEARS

Debra Schleicher (’84) Associate Professor of Business Administration 2 2 YE ARS

campus experience.

I am grateful for all the ways our students, staff, and faculty have made sacrifices throughout the pandemic to keep our campus safe and healthy. There were many lost opportunities and less than ideal circumstances under which we had to learn, teach, live, and work. Nonetheless, as you read this issue, you will note that the College achieved numerous successes, launched new programs, renovated facilities, and developed a new strategic plan.

We were fortunate to benefit from each of the government stimulus packages, but I am especially grateful for the ways in which our board of regents, alumni, and friends stepped up and financially supported Loras through these difficult times. We are a blessed campus community to have garnered your support, prayers, and advocacy during the pandemic.

I expect that we, and many others, will continue to deal with the ongoing and lingering implications of COVID-19 in the years ahead.

To that end, your ongoing support, engagement, and prayers will continue to be needed as we build an even brighter future for Loras and send talented, passionate, and faith-filled Duhawks out into a world that is in desperate need of them.

God bless you and your families. Go Duhawks!

Pro Deo et Patria,

John Waldmeir, PhD Professor of Religious Studies 25 YEARS

James E. Collins (’84) President

Lee Zhu, PhD Professor of History 22 YEARS

Spring 2022 | LORAS COLLEGE

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Preparing for Kinesiology and Athletic Training The fourth floor of Keane Hall has undergone a transformation

and therapeutic interventions. The lab also includes a life-size

to serve as the new home for athletic training and kinesiology. It

mannequin that is computer programmed to allow students to

includes lab space, offices for faculty and staff, and study space

practice general and emergent medical assessments of a variety

for students. “The athletic training and kinesiology labs have

of injuries and illnesses.

state-of-the-art equipment available to support instruction and

The kinesiology program is the second largest major on

research which further enhances the educational experience in

campus, and one of the fastest growing regarding career

what are already excellent academic programs with exceptional

opportunities. Students who graduate from the program pursue

outcomes for graduates,” Donna Heald, provost, said.

graduate work in physical therapy, occupational therapy, athletic training, dietetics, exercise science, chiropractic, and strength

With the updated facilities, the master’s in athletic training (MAT) program looks to continue its growth as the first MAT

and conditioning. It boasts a 96 percent acceptance rate into

degree program in the region.

physical therapy graduate programs post-graduation over the past six years.

Molly Figgins, PhD, ATC, athletic training program director, said, “The newly upgraded facilities offers space and equipment

“The remodel of Keane’s fourth floor allows our faculty to have

for students to learn through a variety of health care teaching

a central location right next to our brand new exercise science

pedagogies, including hands-on skills assessments and mock

lab and classroom to meet the needs of our growing major,”

patient simulation scenarios.”

Elaina Biechler, PhD, associate professor of kinesiology, said.

The new MAT lab offers expansive space for practicing crucial athletic training skills for emergent care, orthopedic evaluation,

Renovations to Keane Hall fourth floor were made possible by the generosity of the Class of 1971 and other supporters.

13 YEARS OF SUCCESS The Loras Media Studies program continued its string of success as it claimed the top honors at the Iowa College Media Association awards ceremony in Des Moines. Loras College Television earned Overall Video Excellence for the thirteenth straight year. Twenty-one students took home sixteen awards out of eleven total categories.

Chemistry Club Earns Top Rating The Loras Chemistry Club earned an Outstanding rating from the American Chemical Society (ACS) for the first time in the club’s history.

Outstanding is the highest rating an ACS

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"Receiving this highest award is a tremendous accomplishment, especially when you realize they are competing against large state institutions both in the US and internationally,” Adam Moser, PhD, associate professor of chemistry, said. “Out of approximately 1,000 student chapters, only forty-nine received the Outstanding commendation in 2021. It shows how hard the club and its officers have worked to make the chemistry community at Loras so much richer.”

ACS based its ratings on the performance of the organization

student chapter can receive. Of the 1,000

during the 2020-21 academic year. The club previously earned the

student chapters around the world, only 10

Commendable ranking for the previous two years, which placed it in

percent reach that level.

the top 30 percent of student chapters.

New Applied Psychology MASTERS MEETS GROWING INTEREST Beginning in the fall of 2022, Loras College will offer a master of arts in applied psychology. This program will meet the growing interest among CEOs to hire and promote employees that can create psychologically safe work environments.

According to a recent article in Forbes Magazine, “a psychologically safe workplace is a more innovative and competitive workplace.”

Across numerous studies, Harvard Business Review found that, “psychological safety [in the workplace] allows for moderate risktaking, speaking your mind, creativity, and sticking your neck out without fear of having it cut off — just the types of behavior that lead to market breakthroughs.”

With research identifying what characteristics contribute to effective

FACULTY PUBLICATIONS BOOKS:

Andrew Auge (’84), PhD | PROFESSOR OF ENGLISH Contemporary Irish Poetry and the Climate Crisis With Eugene O’Brien

Jacob Kohlhaas, PhD | ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR OF MORAL THEOLOGY Beyond Biology: Rethinking

Parenthood in the the Catholic Tradition Human Families: Identities, Relationships, and Responsibilities With Mary M. Doyle Roche

Erin VanLaningham, PhD | PROFESSOR OF ENGLISH Cultivating Vocation in Literary Studies

With Stephanie L. Johnson

Lee Zhu, PhD | PROFESSOR OF HISTORY Stalinism, Maoism, and Socialism in Higher Education

JOURNAL ARTICLES:

Mary Jo Bowman, et al | BIOLOGY/ "Charged groups on

workplaces, it’s essential that programs educate individuals to create

CHEMISTRY LAB MANAGER

these environments. The Loras College master’s program in applied

pyropheophorbide-based photosensitizers dictate uptake by tumor cells and photodynamic therapy efficacy." J Photochem Photobiol B 227:112375

psychology meets the needs of individuals who want to respond effectively to the changing demands of workplace leadership.

“Loras College is pleased to continue the growth of our graduate programs with the addition of the master of arts in applied psychology,” Heidi Nelson, DSc, DPT, director of graduate and continuing education programs, said. “Graduates of this program will help meet the evolving need of businesses and organizations to create positive and person-centered workplace environments. This fully online degree was designed with student’s hectic schedules in mind.

Students take only one class at a time, and each class is held in a live virtual format just one night per week for approximately two hours.”

Designed for working adults, the master’s program is ideal for individuals wanting to advance their career by deepening their managerial skills or change careers by enhancing their credentials.

Courses are seven weeks long and offered one evening a week. Most students will finish the degree in only two years. Applications for fall 2022 opened in early February.

More information is available at loras.edu/applied-psychology.

Brent Daigle, PhD, et al | ASSISTANT PROFESSOR

OF EDUCATION "Constructivist Podcasting Strategies in the 8th Grade Social Studies Classroom: 'StudyCasts' Support Motivation and Learning Outcomes." The Social Studies 112/6 (2021): 310-321

Kathryn DeShaw, PhD, et al | ASSISTANT

PROFESSOR OF KINESIOLOGY "A Qualitative

Analysis of Barriers and Facilitators to Reducing Sedentary Time in Adults with Lower Back Pain." BMC Public Health 21, #215 (2021 ) : 1-11 "Brief Motivational Interviewing Training for Outreach in School Health Programming." American Journal of Health Studies 36/1 (2021) : 58-66

Seungho Shin, PhD, et al | ASSISTANT PROFESSOR

OF FINANCE "Idiosyncratic volatility and interruption mechanisms in South Korean stock markets."

International Journal of Emerging Markets (May 2021)

Bryce Taylor, PhD, et al | ASSISTANT PROFESSOR

OF BIOLOGY "Teaching Molecular Biology with the

Historical Accounts in The Eighth Day of Creation."

American Biology Teacher 84/1 (2022)

Stay in the game with the Loras Athletics app Get scores, stats, and stream live events all on your mobile device.

Allison Tringale, PhD, et al | ASSISTANT PROFESSOR OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION "The

era of #MeToo and what managers should do about it."

Business Horizons 64/2 (3-4 2021): 307-318

John Waldmeir (’97) | PROFESSOR OF RELIGIOUS

STUDIES "'Story two—there’s always a story two': Mohja Kahf Interrogates Tradition." Muslim World 111/2 (May 2021): 220-233

5

Finding Herself One Mile at a Time

By Alexis Riesberg (’22) Whether it's becoming a national

4-Time DIII National Champion

champion, the fastest 5,000M female runner in Division III history, or earning the title of United States Track and Field

11-Time All American

and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) Women's Cross Country

National Scholar Athlete of the Year Cross Country (USTFCCCA)

National Scholar Athlete of the Year, Kassie Parker (‘21, MA ‘23) is a Loras College celebrity. She holds every school

National Athlete of the Year Cross Country (USTFCCCA)

record from the mile run to 10,000M. Beyond her distinguished achievements in running, Parker’s past has shaped

National Athlete of the Year Indoor Track & Field (USTFCCCA)

who and where she is today.

After years of moving around as a child,

In 2021, Parker tackled one of those

the team that welcomed her and the

challenges when she formally changed her

Iowa. Similarly, it took a few years before

personalized attention in her classes.

last name from Rosenbum. Her previous

she would also find an emotional home

Training under Bob Schultz (MA ’94),

name was associated with unpleasant

with the discovery of running. It was

head cross country coach, she was able

memories while the new one connects to

during Parker’s sophomore year of high

to gain confidence and dream big. “Never

family that provides unconditional love.

school when she thought she might have

would I imagine running these great

what it takes to be a runner.

times or going up against some of the

start and I can redefine who I want to be. That

While running cross country and track

“To me, my new last name, Parker, is a new

best girls in DI.” Parker has raised the bar

person is kind, hard-working, independent,

at Clayton Ridge High School, she was

of DIII running by showing that talent is

and so much more.”

overlooked by college recruiters despite a

not defined by division.

personal best of 20:20 in the 5,000M. Parker decided to pursue her academic

Parker isn’t just a normal studentathlete excelling both in the classroom

With a new name and new outlook, Parker is achieving higher goals than ever before.

“To me, going above and beyond is

career at the University of Iowa. “I planned

and on the track. A full-time student

something that is just normal for me now. It

to put running behind me, but something

majoring in kinesiology, she also works

makes me eager for the next challenge.”

in the back of my head told me to keep

at a local grocery store pharmacy. “I work

with it.” She joined the Iowa Running Club

at a job I am passionate about which

where she was able to compete against

sometimes gives me a distraction from

some DIII schools. Shocking herself in

school or running. Having multiple things

a race with her time and place, Parker

I enjoy just makes my days happier and

thought: what if?

less stressful.”

After one year in Iowa City, she

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reassurance on her decision through both

Parker finally settled down in Guttenberg,

She wouldn’t be where she is today

wanted a change, a challenge, but most

if it wasn’t for her past experiences that

importantly, she wanted a place that

taught her how to persevere through

felt like home. Parker transferred to

pain. “I’ve faced challenges big and small,

Loras College as a sophomore with an

so I can feel certain that I will live through

eagerness to hit big goals. She received

them.”

Spring 2022 | LORAS COLLEGE

Challenges don’t scare Kassie Parker.

Instead, she is motivated to run through them.

WOMEN WINMENNATIONAL TITLE PLACE FOURTH AT CHAMPIONSHIP

2022 NCAA DIVISION III INDOOR TRACK & FIELD Paced by national champion performances by Kassie Parker

Led by the historic national champion performance by

(‘21, MA ‘23), Alyssa Pfadenhauer (’23), the 4-by-400-meter

Ryan Rogers (’22) in the heptathlon and twelve

relay, and fifteen All-Americans, the women’s track and

All-Americans, the Loras College men's track and field

field team claimed its first indoor national championship

team posted its first podium finish since 1989, finishing

and third overall national title in the last three years.

fourth in the team race.

Women’s Soccer 3rd in Nation The women’s soccer team advanced to the 2021 NCAA Division III Semifinals for the first time, bolstered by the team’s historic undefeated regular season. Payton McDonnell (’23) received AllAmerican distinction by United Soccer Coaches, becoming the Duhawks’ first All-American since 2017.

DUHAWK WRESTLERS CELEBRATE NATIONAL HONORS Jacob Krakow (’22) and Shane Liegel (’23) capped the 2022 season earning All-American honors at the NCAA Division Ill Wrestling National Championship. Krakow finished third at 174 pounds to claim his fourth All-American nod while Liegel earned his third with a fourth-place finish at 184 pounds, helping the Duhawks place eleventh at the championship.

Focused on Change

the civic leaders program has had is the creation and facilitation of an equity and emotional intelligence training.

“We had no idea what it was going to look like when I first started. We just started talking about different things that interested us and we put it together. I think it is rare for an undergrad student to

Mallory Gardiner (’22) loves to talk about the reason she chose to come to Loras.

be a part of this from the very beginning.

I couldn’t have had this experience anywhere else. It has been so rewarding,” she said.

Gardiner has not limited herself to the confines of the Loras campus. Despite

Visiting as part

being a student, she is serving as a liaison

of a Spiritual Life

for the City of Dubuque’s Department of

overnight event, it

Equity and Human Rights and currently

was a conversation

is chairperson of the sub-committee for

during a majors fair that helped set her

Gardiner’s enthusiasm for civic action

course to Loras College.

radiates from her as she speaks. Already

“Dr. Jake Kurczek told me about

involved as a volunteer when she was a

housing rights and food access.

Not content with her existing duties on campus and with the city, Gardiner

the Civic Leaders program and the

high school student, it has been her time

is also actively involved in sustainability

opportunity to spend four years learning

at Loras that really showed her how to

efforts across campus. While working

how to engage with the community you

effectively work toward goals.

are in. It is also about how to be a civic

Since she arrived on campus, Gardiner

alongside Bev Wagner, environmental educator through Loras and the Dubuque

professional as well and how you enact

has been a tour de force for civic change.

change through that,” she recalled. “I was

A student in the initial Civic Leaders

is collaborating for informational events

inspired. It was in that moment that I

cohort, she has been involved both on

and sharing ideas on attainable projects

thought, ‘yes, I am going to Loras.’”

and off campus, working toward effective

Loras could explore to improve the

change. The most significant impact

sustainability of campus.

A native of Monticello, Indiana,

A WELL-ROUNDED

LOVE OF LORAS

Metropolitan Area Solid Waste Agency, she

Upon being told she is drinking the Loras koolaid, Madison Brewster (’22) just shrugs and smiles.

“From the start, Loras really set itself apart from the rest — from the level of compassion and community, through conversations and their actions. We could

Madison Brewster (’22)

feel the overall culture and environment just walking around campus. I really fell in love with the sense of family right off the bat.”

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Spring 2022 | LORAS COLLEGE

Brewster arrived on campus interested in the medical field. Originally a member of the women’s basketball team, she stepped away to focus on her academics. After taking her prerequisite courses for chemistry, she realized her enthusiasm for math and a strong bond with Adam Moser, PhD, associate professor of chemistry, made majoring in biochemistry a natural fit.

“Students like Madison are one of the reasons I became a professor,” Moser said. “She is bright, capable, hardworking, a leader, and a great team member. When I think of a role model for future Duhawks, Madison is one of the students I point to.”

Being able to have a more diversified education through the sciences played a

“It is stunning to me to see what Mallory has accomplished as a student at Loras through her civic engagement with the City of Dubuque,” Maggie Baker, Loras service learning coordinator, said.

GAINING EXPERIENCE: J-Term CNA Course

“She has contributed in responsible ways to Dubuque, and her growth and progress have helped us realize the big goals and outcomes we set

Alonso Barahona (’24)

for ourselves in our Civic Action Plan are within reach.”

After graduation, Gardiner is planning to work with the Jesuit Volunteer Corps to work with poor and marginalized communities. As she looks toward her new pursuits, she knows the support she received the past four years has helped prepare her for whatever will come.

“No matter what you are passionate about, Loras has faculty and staff that are here to help you be an effective change agent. It also has a focus on being balanced between being a student and whatever else it is you want to be. I am such a better person because I chose Loras,” she said.

For three weeks in January, students aspiring for a career in health care have an opportunity to

gives you time and experience in a

certified nursing assistants (CNA) and

nursing home here in Dubuque. It

learn the skills necessary to become

helps you know exactly what the job

state certified as a CNA.

entails. You are prepared before you

The healthcare professional experience class is a joint effort Iowa Community College (NICC)

and methods from the page into

during Loras’ January term. Students

real-world application. Students learn

earn CNA instruction from NICC

using teaching mannequins before

faculty while Ulrike Schultz, director

transitioning over to nursing homes

of health professions advising at

to work with residents. It results in

for our students to gain

of biochemistry, on how Opa1, a mitochondrial protein involved in vision, loses its ability to function, which can result in blindness.

“My research has been a big part of my biochemical journey. Fortunately, in selecting that project and working alongside Dr. Kehr, a lot of the foundational knowledge and content I had gone through in my early years at Loras was summarized and made me better equipped to understand the different techniques we use,” she said.

When she graduates in the spring, Brewster will be attending medical school at the University of Iowa. She is keeping an open mind about what field she wants to pursue, but, like her time at Loras, she is hoping to learn as much as possible.

While the course utilizes textbooks, the focus is on transforming the tasks

“This is a great opportunity

alongside Andy Kehr, PhD, associate professor

even apply for your first job,” he said.

between Loras College and Northeast

Loras, provides the reflective

Over the past year, she has been actively working

“The course is very hands on and

gain hands-on experience working as

component.

significant role in Brewster’s educational growth.

provided the best experience he could obtain as a pre-health student.

a rapid learning curve that helps the theory make more sense as it is quickly put into practice.

Schultz encourages all Loras pre-

experience with direct

health students to take the CNA as

patient care throughout

the lectures, labs, and clinical work

their undergraduate years

are especially valuable. It also serves

and prepare for admission

as a strong guidepost to help them

to health professional

determine if they are pursuing the

schools,” Schultz said. “Many

right field. Health care professionals

health professional schools

also speak to the class to share their

recommend or require direct

experiences and provide insight

patient care experience for

into their fields, whether they are

applications. Most of our

medical doctors, physician assistants,

pre-health students end up

therapists, or nurses.

working in nursing homes,

“The individual growth and

hospitals, and home care

understanding of our students

settings.”

within these three weeks of class is

Nate Roethler (’22) is a pre-

immense. Not only do our pre-health

med student who wanted

students set themselves apart as

to get clinical hours under

competitive applicants to health

his belt before applying to

professional schools, but they also

medical school. After taking

become confident working with

the course, he believes it

patients,” Schultz said.

Spring 2022 | LORAS COLLEGE

9

Ethics Matters: COVID,

By Roman Ciapalo, PhD Professor of Philosophy, Andrew P. Studdert Chair of Business Ethics & Crisis Leadership

EXISTENTIALISM, AND EXTREME EXPERIENCES Recently, one of my Facebook friends

the end of it, there is no way out, there is no alternative. And, as far as clouds are concerned, their “silver linings” are

Extreme experiences can only be

sometimes quite obscure or non-existent.

asked everyone to identify at least one

bittersweet, at best, but nevertheless they

aspect of the past year they were grateful

may be tempered by the consolation that

be understood and are aware of their

for. Many thoughtful answers were given,

they force us to face our true hierarchy of

limited value in keeping us from being

including increased resiliency, greater

values and what we really believe about

discouraged by life’s challenges.

appreciation of family ties, greater focus

life’s meaning and purpose.

But we all know how such sayings should

So, did any new doors open when the

on the value of simplicity, and so on, but

Accordingly, perhaps the only value of

one which went unnoticed has been one

the pandemic is that it has prompted us to

of the mainstays of the philosophical

pause to consider the ultimate questions

lining” in that awful virus cloud? Well, the

movement called Existentialism.

in life. What we should begin doing that

existentialists would argue that there is

Although existentialists like Soren Kierkegaard, a Christian, and Jean-Paul

pandemic closed all those other doors?

Could we discern any sort of “silver

we haven’t been doing. What we should

at least one new door that opened and

stop doing that we have been accustomed

one portion of that cloud’s lining that was

Sartre, an atheist, differ on some things,

to doing. Ought we look at our job

potentially sparkling. And, perhaps it is

they all seem to agree on the primacy

or career differently? Our family? Our

out of this most horrible of lemons — to

of human existence and free choice.

friends? Our enemies? Our possessions?

invoke yet another platitude — that we

But, another theme of theirs perhaps

Our value system? Our faith?

might make, and perhaps have been

deserves our particular attention: extreme experiences.

Kierkegaard argued that certain

We are all familiar with such optimistic expressions as “when one door closes,

making recently, a meaningful lemonade.

If the existentialists are right about the

another opens” and “every cloud has

value of extreme experiences, then one

particularly sharp and striking moments

a silver lining.” Well, frankly, I have

question remains: enlightened further as we now are about what truly matters in

in life help us to grasp fundamental truths

never been quite fully convinced of the

about our human nature. These exceptional

usefulness of these offerings of wisdom

life, what will we do with this sharpened

moments in life are capable of bringing into

because it seems to me that sometimes in

awareness when things return to normal

greater focus our true values and beliefs.

life when a door closes, that’s pretty much

again?

Productivity

BEYOND THE

SOCCER PITCH

Since transferring from a junior college in his hometown of Eugene, Oregon, in 2020, Jose Cardenas

Cardenas believes his decision to go with a smaller school has led to more chances to quench his desire

(’23) has put himself in the middle of many significant

to not only learn, but to enrich his education with

areas of campus. He is a diversity, equity, and inclusion

more meaningful experiences.

representative for the Office of the President; diversity chair for student government; and a representative on the Student Athlete Advisory Committee.

Cardenas is just the third person in his extended family to attend

“Loras has definitely provided the opportunity to find out more about myself and things in which I am interested. If I had gone to a larger school, I probably would have gone a different path in order

college. While his decision to move to Dubuque was difficult, his

to feel connected. Here, I feel like I have so many

experience as a first-generation student has fueled his efforts both in

opportunities where I can not only be involved in a

and out of the classroom.

productive way, but I can use moving forward.

Passing on Lessons from Antioch

Each year, Spiritual Life hosts two Antioch retreats aimed at helping students grow in faith, community, and spiritual practices. Each retreat is pulled together under a student director. This year, Jacob Till (’22) served as director in the fall and Grace Henrich (’23) directed the spring retreat.

They explain, in their own words, the powerful impact that Antioch Q: When did you first get involved has had on them both as with Antioch? participants and directors.

A: I first attended Antioch as a participant

Grace Henrich (’23)

Q: How did you first get involved with Antioch?

A: I had heard a lot about it, and I was excited to get to take part. Throughout the retreat, I was struck by the overwhelming sense of community present. It helped me to feel like I had a place at Loras and I truly belonged.

Jacob Till (’22)

my first year at Loras. My Antioch

It was amazing to get to unite with

Q: Did you have any specific goals you wanted to accomplish as director?

experience really helped me continue to

people through a shared belief in Jesus

A: I wanted people to know they are

to not only get more involved in campus

strengthen the friendships I had, while

Christ, and then continue to grow in my

also getting to meet many new Duhawks!

relationship with Him and others after the

Being involved in this retreat helped me

retreat as well.

loved! While life in college is full of

ministry but to see the importance of

experiences we will never forget, I

community and building intentional

wanted this experience to be a time for

relationships with those around me.

students to recall the love and mercy of our heavenly Father. This retreat allowed students to have the space to have intentional and fruitful conversations with old and new friends, which allowed

Q: What has your experience with Antioch taught you about yourself and your faith?

Q: What has your experience with Antioch taught you about yourself and your faith?

A: Antioch has shown me the importance of community when building your faith.

We are very fortunate at Loras to have that Catholic environment. Faith is not

people to experience the love and mercy

A: If I have learned one thing, it is that we

always something that we can control

that God has for us. To truly be listened to,

have so much love to give to our brothers

ourselves, but we must allow God to work

to be seen completely in all of the good

and sisters and we need to share that love

through us. I know I do not have all the

we possess and burdens we carry, to meet

now. Sometimes we just need to sit, listen,

answers for everything, but I am learning

people who want to know the authentic

and pray that God is giving us what we

to trust that the Holy Spirit will be present

you is what this weekend was all about. It

need at this very moment in time. This

at this retreat and we can do our best to

is a reminder that we are loved and part

retreat once again reminded me that

be instruments for that.

of a community of love here at Loras, but

things do not revolve around “me”. Rather,

we belong to the greatest community of

who can I be for others? How can I love

love as children of God.

others better?

Spring 2022 | LORAS COLLEGE

11

from intern to the Top

In January 2023, Katie (Wernimont) Thomas (’06) will ascend to the role of chief executive officer at Honkamp Krueger &

"Katie is

Co., P.C. in Dubuque. Once she assumes the position, it will complete a professional journey that started through an internship while a student at Loras.

Thomas began her academic career at the University of Iowa with an idea to follow a pre-med path. Within the first week of her

a great example of a successful alumna returning to campus"

DUHAWK DAY 2022

BY THE NUMBERS

time in Iowa City, the Dubuque native knew it wasn’t the right fit.

She felt disconnected at the larger state school. From the overwhelming size to the

accountant and worked her way up to president over the subsequent fifteen years.

lack of connection with faculty and staff,

She is now transitioning into her new role

the experience just fell flat. It probably also

as the person who hired her, Greg Burbach,

didn’t help when, as a pre-med student, she

prepares to retire. When she rises into the

wasn’t able to get into any science classes.

“I actually never had a science class throughout my time at U of I. I couldn’t get

Despite her professional duties, Thomas has not forgotten the important role her alma mater has played in her success. She

to do so I just took general classes. One of

remained connected to Loras as an advisor

those was an accounting class and I really

to the certified financial planning program

enjoyed it.”

talking with students about the industry. financial planning students,” Brian

trajectory that would get her into finance.

Kallback (’02), assistant professor of finance,

Ultimately, transferring to Loras College

said. “She serves on our advisory council,

would result in her success in the field.

participates in our Women’s Financial

from holding both her CPA and CFP®. She’s a great example of a successful alumna

John Upstrom, Thomas found her footing as

returning to campus to serve the next generation of Duhawks.”

In the end, transferring to Loras was a

a finance major. She would add accounting

pivotal moment for Thomas. She is proud

to her repertoire and started an internship

of her accomplishments that followed her

at Honkamp Krueger that would last two

choice and is confident such a life-changing

years and lead to a full-time position with

experience is still there for current and

the company after her graduation.

future students.

“Loras absolutely pushed me in a good

“Loras is focused on preparing students for

direction for my career. I don’t know if I

the real world, whether it is critical thinking

would be in this position today without the

or problem solving, students are ready

intern program. It forced me to take a leap

to go out into the business world upon

and try something in the field,” she said.

graduation,” she said.

Spring 2022 | LORAS COLLEGE

333

New Donors

to teach students how she’s benefitted

than I had the previous year and a half.”

Under the guidance of faculty like Tom

Total Donors

Planning Network, and visits the classroom

advisor felt like I was getting more help

Collins, Deb Pauly, Deb Schliecher (’84), and

2,199

“Katie is a valuable mentor for our

be fortuitous as it set Thomas onto the

“Everyone was very welcoming from the

Total Raised

CEO position, Thomas will also retain her

into any of the classes related to a medical

beginning. Just that first meeting with my

$420,000

role as president.

degree. I didn’t know what I was supposed

That accounting class would prove to

12

Thomas started her career as a staff

326

Student Donors

21

Events

THANK YOU!

BECKMAN HALL RENOVATION

Upon completion, Beckman will host additional gathering spaces and a new chapel. Each room will boast new windows, updated heating, and new air conditioning.

2022 GIFT

There will also be upgrades to the laundry

CHALLENGE

rooms and new bathrooms.

Through May 31, a challenge gift of

Beckman Hall is undergoing a major

$2,000,000 was generously given by Regent

renovation to upgrade the facilities and

Emeritus Paul (’60) and Fran Breitbach to

provide a better living space for students.

support the renovations. Any gift received

Originally opened in 1961, the hall is home

by that date will be matched to have double

to 240 students.

the impact.

GIVE AT ALUMNI.LORAS.EDU/BHA22

Friendship Leads to New Scholarship Honoring Alumnus Churchill has pledged to establish an

Dr. Robert Churchill (’68) views Patrick Reidy (’79) as more than the Loras College employee he works with on the college’s fundraising efforts.

As a development officer since 2018, Reidy meets with alumni, parents, and other supporters of the College and builds relationships with them.

His long-term goal is to align their resources and interests with the needs of the College.

endowed scholarship in honor of Reidy, who was diagnosed last year with stage 4 pancreatic carcinoma. Reidy’s older brother, Michael Reidy (’67), has also contributed to the scholarship, which is open to other interested donors.

“I started medical school in 1968 and there hasn’t been much progress since then in the treatment of pancreatic cancer,” Churchill said. “I don’t want to make a big deal out of this, but I hope people who know Patrick, particularly his classmates in the Class of 1979, will help raise as much as we can for this scholarship as fast as we can.”

TO SUPPORT THIS SCHOLARSHIP VISIT ALUMNI.LORAS.EDU/REIDY

Katie Keyes (’12), Roanna Block

1982 -83 team

40-YEAR POWER PLAY In the fall of 1981, Kevin Conway (’83)

Despite the modest beginnings, the

Loras Hockey Club Continues to Thrive After 40+ Years including Ripon College, University of

began putting together a new club

club would evolve over the next four

centered on students getting together to

decades to remain one the of longest-

townspeople from Peoria who formed

play hockey. After drumming up interest

running student clubs on campus.

a team. Over time, most of those teams

through some flyers spread around campus and securing a small amount of

Steve Campbell, professor of finance,

Iowa, Knox College, Cornell College, and

disbanded or, in the case of Iowa, grew too

served as the club moderator for its

large to compete with Loras. To continue

funding for gear, the Loras College Hockey

first year. In 1982, the club found a new

playing, competition mostly came from

Club officially formed.

moderator in new faculty member

adult recreational teams from surrounding

Roman Ciapalo, PhD, professor of

cities with a no-checking provision.

“There were some faculty members that felt ice hockey was a little too violent,

philosophy. Growing up a hockey fan in

but we reminded them that, like football

Chicago, Ciapalo was excited to assist the

and unlike rugby, we had plans to wear

students in building the club.

protective equipment,” Matt Bradley (’81),

“It has always been fun to be a part of

Home ice has also shifted in that time.

Originally, the Duhawks called the Five Flags Center in Dubuque their home ice until the Mystique Ice Arena opened along

explained. “It was tough to track down

this group,” Ciapalo said. “Over the years,

purple jerseys, so that first year, with the

we have had a few players with limited

budget so tight, we had to wear football

hockey experience, but, if they were

constant has been Ciapalo. Regardless

jerseys or nothing.”

the riverfront.

Throughout the life of the club, the one

interested, our players always helped

of the size of the club, Ciapalo was there

them along and made them part of the

in whatever role was needed, from

uniforms helped give the team an edge

team. As long as someone was interested,

scorekeeper to clock operator to water boy.

and may have helped them in winning

the team welcomed them. They are all

some games.

just great people who enjoy playing

persevered over so many years,” Bradley

hockey.”

said. “I give credit to Roman Ciapalo as the

As Bradley recalls, those ragged-looking

“We were definitely a rough-looking crowd, and I am certain we were intimidating for sure,” he said.

Competition was made up of club teams from other schools in the region,

“It is amazing that this club has

glue and secret sauce that has sustained the club’s success over the years. He is extremely dedicated and keeps the alumni informed on Duhawk hockey.”

Anna Francois (’01), Kim Cafaro (’00)

Brian Flaherty (’91), Pat Flaherty (’93), Terry Flaherty (’90)

For his part, Ciapalo stresses that the students’ love of the game and the strong friendships they have formed are the bedrock of the club’s success.

“These are men and women who just got along and, to this day, still stay in contact with me and each other. Their enthusiasm and the bonds they form are what make this work year in and year out.” Ciapalo said.

14

Spring 2022 | LORAS COLLEGE

DUHAWK SIGHTINGS

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Take Your Next Step Here GRAD UAT E PR OGR AM S

PROF ESSI ON AL AN D CO N TI N U I N G EDU CATI ON

• MS in Applied Analytics

• Certif ied Alcohol & Drug Counselor Certif ication Education

• MA in Applied Psychology • Master of Athletic Training • MS in Biomedical Sciences

• Certif ied Financial Planning Certif ication Education

• MA in Coaching Leadership

• Cybersecurity Bootcamp

• MA in Counseling

• Postbaccalaureate Pre-Medical/Pre-Health Program

• MA in School Counseling

loras.edu/graduate

loras.edu/professional-education

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