Fall 2019
Fall 2019
FROM THE PRESIDENT Dear Friends, As we transition to Christmas break, I’d like to thank you for the special role you play in supporting our mission. I am grateful to be part of a proud community of alumni, families, faculty, staff, and friends who so generously dedicate themselves to the growth and sustainability of the Loyola Blakefield experience. As you look around campus, it is now clear that the construction phase of the new Innovative Learning Center is underway. Thanks to all who joined us at our Groundbreaking & Blessing ceremony, both in person and via livestream across the globe. We will continue to share updates of our progress as we continue. The new building is scheduled to open for the start of the 2021-22 school year. In addition to updates to our campus, we have some exciting initiatives coming in 2020 that will help evolve the academic and co-curricular formation of our Dons. You can read more about them here and in the pages that follow. I wish you and your family all the hope, peace, joy, and love of the Christmas season and abundant blessings in the new year.
Roll Dons Roll,
Anthony I. Day P ‘15, ‘19 President & Director of the Work
Best Private High School
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(Elementary/Middle)
Boys
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Catholic High School in the Baltimore Area
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Catholic High School in Baltimore County
as ranked by niche.com
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Best Private School
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CONTENTS
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Campus News
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Alumni News & Events
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Turkey Bowl 100
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Breaking Ground
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Academic Strategic Plan
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Alumni Profile: Kevin O’Neill ‘83
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Corporate Sponsor: Doceo
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Class Notes
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In Memoriam
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CONTRIBUTORS Editor & Photography: Michael Nitti Design: Lara Towson
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CAMPUS NEWS
Click each panel to view more media associated with these stories.
RECORD-BREAKING FALL FOOD DRIVE
FRESHMAN RETREAT HIGHLIGHTS
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LOYOLA NAMED TOP WORKPLACE BY BALTIMORE SUN
CLICK HERE TO READ ALL THE NEWS!
MIDDLE SCHOOL SUPPORTS OPERATION GRATITUDE
2019 TALENT SHOW
13TH ANNUAL MICHAEL DESTINO ’13 MEMORIAL RUN
FOURTEEN DONS COMMIT ON FALL SIGNING DAY
Fall 2019
LOYOLA NAMED TOP PRIVATE HIGH SCHOOL
MIDDLE SCHOOL HONORED BY BALTIMORE STYLE MAGAZINE
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ALUMNI EVENTS @ BLAKEFI HOMECOMING BULL & OYSTER ROAST
FRANK FISCHER SCH CLASS OF ‘49 REUNION
SALUTE TO
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IELD
Visit loyolablakefield.org/events to see all upcoming alumni events.
Fall 2019
YOUNG ALUMNI FLAG FOOTBALL EVENT
HOLARSHIP DINNER
LBAA UPCOMING EVENTS Alumni Blood Drive December 21st, 10:00 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. LBAA Meeting January 8th, 7:00 – 9:00 p.m. Taste of Blakefield February 8th Blue & Gold Gala March 21st
O SERVICE
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Turkey Bowl 100 is in the books.
The series stands at 49-43-8 in Loyola’s favor (2019 result: CHC 33 10). We’d like to thank everyone who was part of the sell-out crow Johnny Unitas Stadium for this historic event.
It’s not too late to get your copy of Turkey Bowl 100: T Storied Rivalry. The history of the Turkey Bowl comes alive through vivid descriptions from those closest t rivalry. This rich history can now be enjoyed by all f generations to come. Order your copy here.
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Dons wd at
The s to the for
View all the photos from Turkey Bowl 100 9
Click here to watch the entire groundbreaking ceremony!
BREAKING GROUN 10
In
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n the wake of our largest fundraising campaign in school history, we officially broke ground on the newest addition to our campus on Wednesday, November 6. Scheduled to open for the start of the 2021-22 academic year, the Innovative Learning Center will serve as the new home for grades 6-8 and include a Learning Commons for all grade levels. In addition to providing an ideal learning setting for Loyola’s youngest students, it will also unite the campus and provide greater collaboration among students and staff. President Anthony Day addressed attendees at the school-wide ceremony. “We have been here for nearly 170 years and are proud to offer an unrivaled educational experience in the Catholic tradition. More than breaking ground on a new building, we are cultivating something magnificent, a future in education that is beyond our imaginations—one that will inspire generations of young men to lives of learning, of faith, and of service to others.” President Day also addressed students directly: “We are here today because of you—because you inspire us to greater heights and guide us as we ensure that every Don who follows in your footsteps has the benefit of an education without limits, so that their curiosities are unleashed, their imaginations are free to run wild, and their dream of a Loyola education is secure now and well into the future.” Click here for construction updates and progress on the new building.
ND ON THE
nnovative Learning Center
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Academic Strategic Plan: An interview with Brian Marana ’00 We recently caught up with Brian Marana ’00, Assistant Principal for Academics. He shared details regarding some exciting changes that are taking place within our academic programs and shared his thoughts on what continues to set a Loyola education apart. Under the leadership of Principal John Marinacci, we are excited to share how the Loyola experience continues to evolve to meet the needs of our Dons. 12
There are some exciting changes on the horizon at Blakefield, many of which are guided by the school’s Academic Strategic Plan. What are some highlights that will affect the student experience? Loyola’s Academic Strategic Plan, Mission Integration, emphasizes more experiential learning, particularly in the areas of global mindedness, service and justice, integral ecology, health and wellness, and the discerning use of technology. Another point of emphasis is student engagement, particularly by encouraging student initiative and allowing for student choice in the academic experience. To that end, Loyola will offer a certificate program, which aims to encourage students to explore their personal academic interests in more depth. Our Academic Strategic Plan also incorporates interdisciplinary learning, as we have field trips, projects, and courses being planned collaboratively across academic disciplines. One of the more exciting initiatives in this regard is our Honors Program, which will be an interdisciplinary, humanities-based curriculum. In order to support these changes, we will also have a new daily schedule.
What are some of the biggest changes that students and families will notice as Mission: Integration unfolds at Blakefield? In conjunction with more hands-on learning experiences, students can expect more interdisciplinary, project-based assessments. Many of our juniors this year are researching historical topics and recording podcasts that will be submitted to NPR. Eighth grade students will design a global pilgrimage in their Geography and Theology classes. Writers and photographers in upper-level English and Fine Arts classes are collaborating on photojournalism projects that shed light on contemporary social issues. In regards to the themes of global mindedness, service and justice, integral ecology, health and wellness, and the discerning use of technology, students can expect to see a wider variety of international and intercultural exchanges, new courses that incorporate service-learning, a health and wellness class for sophomores, experiences in nature that tie into the curriculum, and additional courses in our computer science department. Perhaps the biggest change that students will notice will be our change in schedule.
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The certificate program sounds like an exciting option. What will this experience look like, and what possibilities might exist in the future to address evolving career paths and student interests? Students will have the option at the end of their freshman year to choose from a variety of certificate programs that reflect their interests. Such certificate programs include Cyber Informatics, Service and Justice, Global-Mindedness and Diversity, and Creative Expression. To achieve a certificate, students will take a number of required courses in their area of interest, participate in related co-curricular activities, and work with a mentor on an independent research project that examines this interest in the context of real-world issues. We will offer new certificate programs as student interests evolve and new career pathways emerge.
What separates the new honors program from a typical college prep learning experience, and how does it differ from other schools in the market? What differentiates the Honors Program from both the college prep learning experience and other programs in the market is our three-year interdisciplinary humanities course. A team of teachers is collaboratively planning this course in such a way that students will contemplate the big questions of the human condition from historical, literary, and theological perspectives. Instead of taking college prep courses in distinct disciplines (Theology, History, and English) each year, students will take an integrated humanities course designed around interdisciplinary themes, such as “the emergence of civilization,” “church and state,” or “ideological conflict in the 20th century.” The academic rigor associated with this Honors Programs comes not in an increase in the pace or breadth of coverage, but in the depth of thought required and the ability to make connections across seemingly unrelated ideas, texts, and eras.
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“What continues to distinguish market is the centuries-old tr men to cultivate their personal integrate them into a life of s
The schedule will undergo its most significant change in 30+ years. What are some of the highlights, and what is the rationale for the change? Our rationale for changing the schedule is that we want all of our academic programs, policies, and processes to undergo regular review. That ensures we are continually carrying out the Ignatian mission in a way that best responds to the times and the changing contexts of our students. The most significant change of the new schedule is that students will have six 50-minute academic periods a day (instead of eight 40-minute periods and a lunch). Students will meet with their classes four out of five days, rather than every day. Also, every student will be guaranteed two non-academic periods each day (one lunch, one free). Dismissal will be 15 minutes earlier (2:45 p.m. instead of 3:00 p.m.), and upper school students will begin classes 45 minutes later on Wednesday mornings (8:45 a.m. instead of 8:00 a.m.).
From your perspective, what continues to distinguish a Loyola education within the market? Ignatian spirituality is dedicated to the principle of finding God in all things. To this end, Ignatian education has for centuries aimed to transform the human person by cultivating a life of integration—an integration of mind and body, of faith and reason, of prayer and service.
a Loyola education within the radition of empowering young interests and abilities and to service for and with others.”
How will the schedule enhance the learning experience for boys? The longer periods will allow longer academic engagement time, which is critical as our classes move to more experiential, student-centered learning. Fewer periods in the day, along with the two non-academic periods, will slow down the pace of the day and guarantee that every student will have time in the day to consult with every teacher.
Loyola has long cultivated this principle through an academic program that integrates faith and spirituality into a well-rounded liberal arts curriculum. We see this commitment to integration in many other ways as well—in the ethical discussions that take place in the cybersecurity program, the retreats we design for athletic teams, or the service initiatives arranged by our Art for Others club. These are but a few of many examples. While the programs initiated by the Academic Strategic Plan may be new, the spirit of integration that animates them is not. What continues to distinguish a Loyola education within the market is the centuries-old tradition of empowering young men to cultivate their personal interests and abilities and to integrate them into a life of service for and with others.
The later start on Wednesday mornings will give upper school students a chance to catch their breath in the middle of the week; it will also provide teachers time for collaborative planning. Finally, we hope that the earlier dismissal will enable more students, particularly athletes, to use after-school time for academic consultation or for participation in clubs.
Brian currently resides in Parkville, MD, with his wife, Avegrace. He is one of three brothers to attend Loyola (Joseph ’96 and Michael ’04). In his spare time, he enjoys traveling, SCUBA diving, hiking, photography and martial arts.
LOYOLABLAKEFIELD.ORG/MISSIONINTEGRATION 15 15
ALUMNI PROFILE
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Kevin O’Neill ’83
evin O’Neill was born in Germany, the son of an Army Officer and one of six children. His family moved to Baltimore when he was five years old, and he began his education at St. Matthew’s Catholic School in Northwood in Baltimore. After a few years, his family was no longer able to afford Catholic education, so he transferred to public school. “For high school, I attended Northern Parkway Junior High and then Northern High School, which was a tough environment at the time,” said O’Neill. “There was violence and tension that made it a difficult place to learn since at times you really just felt like you were doing your best just to get by.” After navigating two challenging years of high school, an opportunity to transfer to Loyola came about due to his mother’s role as an emergency room nurse at Greater Baltimore Medical Center.
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She met a chaplain named Fr. Henry J. Erhart, SJ, who arranged for Kevin to attend Loyola on a scholar-athlete scholarship. “I began my time at Loyola in junior year, which meant I had some catching up to do,” said O’Neill. ”Looking back, those two years were among the most important in my life as they guided me for years to come and continue to shape who I am.” During his time at Loyola, Kevin was active in intramural sports and the Blakefield Players. He recalls the delicate balance of student life with having to work a lot as a teenager. “I worked the steam room at a seafood restaurant, which was such a true Baltimore experience,” said O’Neill. “But I took in every opportunity I could at Loyola. It was such a departure from my early high school experience. Guys were there to learn and grow, and the campus was full of wonderful, genuine people who cared about you as an individual.”
After graduation, Kevin studied at Loyola College, but soon found it impossible to continue due to financial constraints. “I enlisted in the Army, took time off for a semester for active duty training as a military policeman in the Maryland Army National Guard, and continued in ROTC until my commission as an officer in 1987,” said O’Neill. “Thanks to the GI Bill, I was able to finish my undergraduate studies at Towson University with a major in communications.” Kevin’s military career would span 26 years until he retired as a Lt. Colonel. His service included overseas tours during Operation Desert Storm and Operation Iraqi Freedom. His time in the army also created an opportunity for him to serve in the Public Affairs office and as Chief of Direct Marketing for U.S. Army Recruiting Command. This spawned an intense interest in the field of public relations and marketing, including graduate studies at Webster University. “When I left active duty, I had a strong sense of what I wanted to do with my career,” said O’Neill. “I joined Johnson & Johnson and worked in marketing in the pharmaceuticals division.” After moving around the country as his career evolved, Kevin joined Alkermes, a global pharmaceutical manufacturing and biopharmaceutical company where he currently serves as Vice President, Managed Markets. Although his professional and military careers have taken him around the globe, Kevin has found ways to remain connected with Loyola.
“I made it back for our most recent reunion, which was important to me,” said O’Neill. Kevin has also recently committed to fund a Greater Glory Scholarship at Loyola, which provides partial to full tuition for a student over the course of his four or seven years. “I really felt like my Loyola experience was a gift from God. It meant a lot to me, and I think about other young men who need the type of rescuing I did and just want to do my part.” Looking back on his time as a student, Kevin considers the following advice to current and future Dons: Do more! There is so much available to you at Loyola and your life beyond high school. Don’t sit back… take advantage of the time you have, especially with classmates, friends, and teachers. Get involved in co-curriculars and maximize the gift of your Loyola education because you’ll never relive those opportunities. On what not do: When I was Loyola, seniors had the privilege of leaving campus to grab lunch. When I was a junior, a few of us tried to get away with a trip to Burger King. John Stewart (Dean of Students) was there and stopped us in our tracks. I did my time, picked up trash and faced the music, but never got in trouble again. It was great having lunch with John recently and reliving that day. Kevin currently resides in Washington Crossing, PA, with his wife, Erin. The pair met when they were both army officers. Together, they raised his stepson (Andrew, 31) and their daughter (Ryann, 26). Ryann is a Captain in the U.S. Air Force and currently stationed in the Middle East.
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Corporate Partners Spotlight
DOCEO Doceo is a proud technology partner with Loyola Blakefield. Doceo provides the Dons with Toshiba printers and copiers that feature cloud-based document storage and mobile printing capabilities to name a few of the features. As a local office technology company with multiple service and sales locations throughout MD & PA, we offer IT service and support, multifunction copiers, network printers, wide format printers and document management solutions. Our mission is to educate the local business and education community on the best technology to fit their unique needs, while providing outstanding customer service and giving back to the communities that we serve. Doceo has been recognized by Inc. Magazine as one of the 5,000 fastest growing companies in the United States in both 2018 and 2019. Learn more by visiting mydoceo.com.
ATTENTION CORPORATE PARTNERS! The Loyola Blakefield Office of Advancement has created its first Corporate Partners Program. Loyola invites businesses and organizations to join the program for 2019-2020. To learn more about the program click here or contact Director of Alumni Relations Brian Plunkett. 18
Saturday, March 21, 2020 Our mission is to graduate men who strive for excellence and “find God in all things.� We invite you to consider sponsoring the 2020 Blue & Gold Gala in support of our students and our mission.
loyolablakefield.org/blueandgold
For more information, please contact:
Erin Adams-Ports 443-841-3662 eadamsports@loyolablakefield.org
Cathleen Buerhaus 443-841-3690 cbuerhaus@loyolablakefield.org
Class Notes 1968
John F. Rekus ’68 has been recognized by Marquis
Who’s Who listing of Top Engineers for his contributions to the field of safety engineering. Among which is writing the Complete Confined Spaces Handbook, a 400-page illustrated textbook published by the National Safety Council, which is widely recognized as the definitive treatise on the hazards and controls associated with employee entry into confined spaces such as utility manholes, storage tanks, and chemical process vessels. John retired as a Senior Safety Engineer at the National Security Agency at Fort Meade in 2014, however he continues to write, teach, consult on developing or improving employers’ safety management systems, and serve as an expert witness. He lives with his wife, Mary Jo Putney, a New York Times best selling author of historical romance novels, and their five cats on their estate in Ruxton, MD.
1968 Tom Moore ’81 recently earned the rank of Associate Professor of English in the journalism program at York College (CUNY), where he is a tenured faculty member. Moore also works as a part-time news writer for CBS News Radio.
1990 M. Patrick Sauer ’90 recently published the primary source historical work To My Dearest Wife, Lide. It details the life of George B. Gideon Jr., a relative of Sauer’s wife, who was on Commodore Perry’s Expedition to Japan in the 1850s. It’s a personal account of the landmark expedition and life in the antebellum navy. Read more.
1994 Brendan Hines ’94 recently starred in Christmas Love Song, a Christmas movie which premiered on the Hallmark channel this holiday season. Hines has appeared in a number of television shows including Fox’s “Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles,” USA’s “Suits,” ABC’s “Scandal” and “Secrets and Lies” and CBS’s “MacGyver.” Read more.
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Spring 2019
2007
Michael Str Pop-Culturi and Michael not only sta writes, direc edy sketch s
ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT
After graduating from venson University, w er science. After a fe studies before switch Towson University. “ vorite teacher,” said history fun, while ma the subject at hand. As I pondered goin model for what I wanted to be.”
During his time at Blakefield, Alex took ad opportunities. He was a spirited member founded the extremely popular Wii Bowli ber of “The D&T Show” along with classm first podcast and video program. He also a stand-out member of the track team to lenged a member of the football team (lo We put up fliers in the hallways promotin student spectators. As I look back, that da
Alex also recalls Kairos 72 as a transform I was not sure what to expect from the opportunity to reflect on my life, my rel and ultimately gave me a new mindset decisions in my life.”
A self-proclaimed “die-hard” Orioles fan keeps up with all aspects of the club inc player acquisitions. Along with his fathe holder for the upcoming Bowie Baysox
Alex currently resides in Rosedale with his senior prom in 2010. He works as an Acco a Parkville-based managed service provid services and support to small/midsize bus
rassner ’07 was recently featured by ist regarding his latest project, Johnno l Try, available on Amazon Prime. He ars in the show, but also produces, cts, and edits the laugh-out-loud comseries. Read more.
Share your news with fellow Dons! loyolablakefield.org/classnotes
2016 Will Clark ’16 walked on to the University of Maryland Men’s Basketball team this year and put up his first official career points against Oakland on Nov. 16. Read more.
2019 Connor Verrett ’19 & Kyle Clarke ’19 helped lead Washington and Lee University to the Old Dominion Athletic Conference Cross Country Championship on Nov. 2. They ran the 8k in 25:52 and 26:00, respectively, finishing 11th and 13th out of 124 runners. Additionally, Verrett was named the ODAC Rookie of the Year. Read more.
T: Alex Darnell ‘10
m Loyola, Alex Darnell studied at Stewhere he pursued a passion in computew semesters, he focused on general hing gears and studying history at “At Loyola, Mr. Crawford was my faDarnell. “He understood how to make aking sure that everyone understood ng into teaching, he was the ideal role
dvantage of a variety of co-curricular r of the intramural flag football program, ling Club, and was a founding memmate Antonio Barbera. It was Loyola’s o courageously (foolishly?) challenged o a 100m race (he lost) and then chalost again). “It turned into this big deal. ng the race and had a decent crowd of ay was an insane amount of fun.”
mative experience. “Like many of us, retreat,” said Darnell. “It gave me an lationships with my parents and God, to make more mature and healthier
n, Alex watches almost every game and cluding minor league development and er, Richard ’75, he is a season ticket season.
s wife, Taylor, the same girl he took to ount Manager for Hammett Technologies, der that brings enterprise-level technology sinesses.
IN MEMORIAM ALUMNI
John F. Edelen ‘45 Thomas J. D’Alesandro III ‘46 Kenerick P. Maher ‘48 Louis G. McComas Jr. ‘50 Col. Charles G. McLean (Ret.) ‘50 J. Gilbert Haus Jr. ‘55 John W. Conrad Jr. ‘59 Salvatore P. Rinaudo ‘60 Dennis M. Henderson ‘61 Francis J. Rehm ‘63 Mark S. Furst ‘73 John S. Lazzati ‘79 Gregory L. Pennington ‘79 Owen J. O’Neill ‘80 Alexander B. Mudge ‘03 Warren C. Roberts ‘04 Brendan C. Fruin ‘06
PAST PARENTS
Virginia D. Coleman Nanette Campanella Dietrich William W. Fitchett Sr. Michael J. Lane Frederick M. Valerino Michael E. Vance
CURRENT PARENTS
Aimee McCormick Turrall
FRIENDS
Kathleen M. DelGaudio Jeffrey T. White
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