Spring 2017
165 COMMENCEMENT TH
Also in this issue • Donor Spotlight: Oliver Bennett ’11 • For the Love of Music • Tribute to Fr. Richard Lawrence ’60
Message from the President Dear Friends, I would like to wish the members of the Class of 2017 the best of luck as they prepare to begin the next phase of their educational journeys. Their presence here on campus will be missed, but we eagerly await opportunities to reconnect and can’t wait to hear about the many success they will achieve. I also want to recognize our Dons and members of our faculty and staff who have spent portions of the summer traveling abroad for immersion and service opportunities in China, Belize, and Jamaica, as well as those serving in Baltimore City, Camden (NJ), Philadelphia (PA), and Alderson (WV). You can learn more about their experiences via our website. We are just a few weeks from the start of the 2017–18 school year. One of the most exciting elements of the beginning of the year is welcoming our newest Dons. The young men of the classes of 2021 and 2024 bring a wealth of talents to our community, and we are eager to witness their four- and seven-year journeys here at Loyola. One of the most exciting changes that will occur this school year is our formal shift to a 1:1 technology environment. After successfully piloting the program, we will be issuing Microsoft Surface Pro tablets to all students in grades 9–11. This is an exciting time here at Blakefield as we continue to explore the many ways technology plays an ever-increasing role in our lives and in the way teachers and students share content, conduct interdisciplinary learning, and collaborate more freely. Our 1:1 initiative is yet another example of our Ignatian call to push to the frontier. This often means pursuing new challenges, seeking to serve the needs of those marginalized, or journeying well beyond our comfort zone in search of new ideas. This initiative places us at the leading edge of the digital frontier where innovations are happening every day and I am eager to share the success of our program as it unfolds. Thanks to all those who have generously supported Loyola this year. Your generosity is bringing great things to life and having a direct impact on the experience of the young men who call Blakefield home. Please continue to keep Loyola and our Dons in your prayers. Sincerely,
Anthony I. Day P ’15, ‘19 President 2
“This is an exciting time here at Blakefield as we continue to explore the many ways technology plays an ever-increasing role in our lives...”
Spring 2017
Contents Campus News 4
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165 COMMENCEMENT TH
Alumni Events
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165th Commencement 8 Donor Spotlight: Oliver Bennett ’11 10 Retirements
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For the Love of Music
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Tribute to Fr. Richard Lawrence ’60 16
DONOR SPOTLIGHT: OLIVER BENNETT ’11
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RETIREMENTS
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Class Notes
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In Memoriam
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Staff Editor Michael J. Nitti Marketing Coordinator Photography Michael J. Nitti Jerry Dzierwinski Donovan Eaton ’09 Contributor Jared Scott Tesler Design Inkwell Communications, LTD
FOR THE LOVE OF MUSIC
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TRIBUTE TO FR. RICHARD LAWRENCE ’60
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CAMPUS NEWS
LOYOLA BASEBALL WINS FIRST CHAMPIONSHIP IN 71 YEARS
JV RUGBY CAPTURES MIAA CHAMPIONSHIP, VARSITY FALLS JUST SHORT
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n May 2, Loyola Blakefield Rugby hosted both the JV and varsity MIAA Championships at the Knott Athletic Complex looking to repeat last year’s success as both teams captured the MIAA title. JV faced Mount Saint Joseph and came out victorious with a 26–7 win, earning its third championship in the past four years. Varsity faced Calvert Hall who pulled away in the end with a last-minute penalty kick to win 20–19. This is the eleventh season that rugby has been a sanctioned MIAA sport, and of those 11 seasons, the varsity squad has a total of eight appearances and six championships.
IT’S ACADEMIC TEAM CROWNED 2016–17 CATHOLIC ACADEMIC LEAGUE CHAMPIONS
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n April 25, our It’s Academic team was crowned 2016–17 Catholic Academic League Champions at the final Catholic Academic League Tournament of the school year, hosted by Archbishop Curley. Academic teams from nine high schools in the Archdiocese of Baltimore participated in two matches to complete the round-robin tournament. Questions tested a broad range of knowledge including history, literature, science, religion, and current events. The Dons, made up of seniors Drew Barker, Nicholas Cecil, and John Parks, advanced to the finals where they defeated archrival Calvert Hall.
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Visit loyolablakefield.org/campusnews to view media associated with each of these stories, and stay up to date on all current news at Loyola Blakefield.
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he Loyola Blakefield Varsity Baseball team captured its first championship in 71 years on May 22, after defeating Calvert Hall at Harford Community College. Loyola went down 3–1 in the first inning, but rallied to score seven runs in the top of the sixth and defeated the Cardinals 8–3 to win the MIAA “A” Conference title, the team’s first since 1946. In his first year as head coach, Mike Kelly received Baseball Coach of the Year honors from Varsity Sports Network and The Baltimore Sun, while Miguel Mateo ‘17 and AJ Holcomb ‘18 were named to First Team All-Metro by The Baltimore Sun.
THE BLAKEFIELD PLAYERS HONORED AT ANNUAL CAPPIES GALA
n May 21, the Blakefield Players attended the Cappies of Baltimore Gala at the Hippodrome Theatre in downtown Baltimore. The Loyola cast performed an excerpt from Big River: The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn and garnered three awards for their productions this school year. Luke Scaletta ’17 took home Best Student Director, Zach Durkin ‘20 took Best Featured Actor, and for the second year in a row Mark Sucoloski ‘17 won Best Male Vocalist.
LUKE SCALETTA ‘17 PLACES FIFTH IN NATIONAL SPEECH & DEBATE TOURNAMENT
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uke Scaletta ‘17 qualified for the prose finals of the 2017 National Speech & Debate Association Tournament in Birmingham, AL, by placing in the top six out of 446 of the nation’s best high school orators. He competed in the final round on June 23, where he finished fifth overall. Luke is only the second Don in school history to qualify for the final round of the National Championship, the first being Adam Conner ‘10 in 2010.
FRESHMAN LACROSSE WINS CHAMPIONSHIP
Spring 2017
On May 19, our freshman lacrosse team defeated Gilman 16–5 to earn their fourth consecutive MIAA Championship and completed their undefeated season.
LOYOLA BLAKEFIELD YEARBOOK RECEIVES NATIONAL RECOGNITION
DONS TRAVEL TO ITALY FOR CULTURAL & LINGUISTICS IMMERSION TRIP
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group of Dons studying upper level Italian traveled to Italy in late May on a cultural and linguistics immersion trip with modern language teachers Rossana Barbera and Dan Ranalli. The group was abroad for a total of 16 days and visited Venice, Florence, Pisa, San Gimignano, Chieti—where they attended classes in the Italian high school G.B. Vico and explored the region of Abruzzo—and ended the trip with two nights in Rome.
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he 2017 Loyola Blakefield Yearbook was selected as part of Jostens’ 2017 National Yearbook Program of Excellence. Yearbook editors Jeremy Hannon ‘20 & Ethan Delp ‘20 conceived the idea for this year’s book last summer at yearbook camp at Gettysburg College, where they were awarded “Best Thematic Presentation” while the book was only a rough draft.
EIGHTH GRADE CELEBRATES GRADUATION FROM MIDDLE SCHOOL
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he Class of 2021 celebrated their graduation from the middle school on June 2 in the Chapel of Our Lady of Montserrat. The ceremony began with Mass, followed by the distribution of certificates and awards. Jordan Moore was the recipient of the Daniel McNeal ‘90 Award, the highest honor bestowed upon an eighth-grade student at Loyola, while the following students were presented with Magis Awards: William Erdman (Integrity), Matthew Fleschner (Justice), Benick Mbaya (Service), Michael Moreno (Compassion), and Andrew Polun (Faith).
FIRST ANNUAL JURIED STUDENT ART EXHIBITION
MARCUS S. RYU ’91 EMPLOYEE RECOGNITION AWARD
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ath teacher Gayle Smith, Director of Plant Operations Ken Benway, and science teacher Rosa Pongchit each received the Marcus S. Ryu ’91 Employee Recognition Award at the conclusion of the school year. The award was created in June 2014 through the generosity of Mr. Marcus Ryu and his wife Cyrena “Torrey” Simon, M.D., to reward and recognize the highest talent within the faculty and staff of Loyola Blakefield. This annual award is provided to two or more faculty/staff members who have demonstrated accomplishments beyond the regular scope and assigned duties as employees, and who have most improved the classroom or campus experience to further Loyola’s success. Recipients are nominated by fellow faculty and staff members.
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he First Annual Loyola Blakefield Juried Student Art Exhibition was hosted at the Julio Fine Arts Gallery on Loyola University’s campus from May 23–26. Unlike previous years of showcasing work from each student, the Loyola Blakefield Art Department curated all artwork on display in the gallery. The collection featured paintings, drawings, photographs, digital design, film, ceramics, and architectural modeling by our students. There was a reception held on the opening night allowing patrons to mingle with our artists.
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Alumni Events @ Blakefield BLAKEFEST & REUNION WEEKEND
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n April 28, we held our annual Reunion Stag Night for the Classes of 1972, 1977, 1982, 1987, 1992, 1997, 2002, 2007 and 2012. That same evening, the Loyola Alumni Theatre (LATER) Acting Company, performed its second annual production, Picasso at the Lapin Agile, in the Mary G. Creaghan Library, marking the directional debut of LATER co-founder Lance Baldwin ’87. The Loyola community celebrated Blakefest the following day. While the Dan McNeal ‘90 Family Fun Zone was in full swing by mid-afternoon, the John Price ‘97 Alumni Lacrosse game saw plenty of Dons from previous championship teams return to campus to compete against one another on Hargaden Field. A new addition this year was the alumni baseball game. Dons of all ages competed against the current varsity squad in what turned out to be a huge success. To conclude the festivities, varsity lacrosse defeated the Cavaliers of Archbishop Spalding on Hargaden Field.
AN EVENING WITH ST. ANTHONY HIGH SCHOOL (NJ) BASKETBALL COACH BOB HURLEY SR.
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n the evening of Blakefest, the Loyola Basketball Alumni Council was proud to welcome hall-of-fame basketball coach Bob Hurley Sr. to campus for a dinner benefiting the Jerry Savage Merit Scholarship Fund. Coach Hurley gave a powerful talk about the successes and challenges he faced throughout his years coaching at St. Anthony (NJ) en route to four national championships, 28 state championships, and four USA Today National Coach of the Year Awards. The emcee for the evening was Paul McMullen, Managing Editor of The Catholic Review, and our opening speaker was Chris Clunie ’02, Director of International Operations for the NBA and the third leading scorer in Loyola basketball history. Coach Savage’s family were our guests of honor.
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AQUATICS BULL ROAST
he annual Aquatics Bull Roast was held on campus May 6 with over 200 people in attendance including swimming and water polo alumni, as well as members and friends of Loyola Blakefield Aquatics. The event raised more than $28,000 for the Tim Pierce ’60 Merit Scholarship Fund through sponsorships, gifts, and raffles. This brings the total endowment to more than $100,000 raised since Tim’s passing in 2014. Contributions to this fund provide merit awards to incoming accepted freshmen or enrolled students with exceptional talent in swimming. Thanks to Keith Schertle and our aquatics alumni for continuing to organize this event in Tim’s honor.
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GOLDEN DONS DINNER
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he Golden Dons Dinner proved to be yet another success this year. On May 13, nearly 200 Dons celebrating 51 years or more since their graduation from Loyola returned to campus for a complimentary fullcourse dinner, along with hors d’oeuvres and drinks. Before the night was over, President Anthony Day and Assistant Director of Alumni Relations, Mark Finlan, each gave speeches paying tribute to the legacy of the Golden Dons. Honoring our Golden Dons is an integral part of the Loyola Blakefield community, and we are proud to continue this tradition.
SECOND ANNUAL FRANK FISCHER GOLF CLASSIC
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n May 19, Loyola’s African-American alumni hosted the Second Annual Frank Fischer Golf Classic in support of the Fischer Diversity Fund. Frank Fischer, then-Jesuit who racially integrated Loyola in the late ‘60s and early ‘70s, was on hand to reconnect with former students and friends of Loyola who came to show their support for this cause.
LOYOLA TENNIS OPEN
The 2017 Loyola Tennis Open was held at the Roland Run Club on May 26. Though the winds were swirling, players of all abilities came out to support the annual tennis event. Each player was scheduled for eight total matches in a round-robin doubles tournament. After a long day on the courts, players took to the clubhouse where local Baltimore food truck, El Gringo, provided gourmet tacos and arepas. Thank you again to those who supported this annual event and we look forward to another great tournament next spring!
FORMER LOYOLA FOOTBALL COACH TRACY MEHR HONORED
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early 100 alumni and friends joined us on May 20 in the Fr. Lloyd George, S.J., Lounge in Wheeler Hall to honor former football coach Tracy Mehr. Though only at Blakefield for five seasons in the late ‘50s and early ‘60s, Coach Mehr presided over some of Loyola’s most formidable teams, including an undefeated squad in 1960. This September will mark the 60 th anniversary of Mehr’s first season at Loyola, and Loyola was proud to welcome him and his family to celebrate his indelible impact on our community. Guest speakers included President Anthony Day, Bill Armstrong ’58 (Coach Mehr’s first team captain), Head Football Coach Anthony Zehyoue, and Coach Mehr’s grandson, Jack. Many of his former players were in attendance.
Alumni Baseball Game
Class of ’67
CLASS OF 1967 CELEBRATES 50TH REUNION
John H. Price ‘97 Alumni Lacrosse Game
The Class of 1967 returned to campus in large numbers during the weekend of June 2–4 for their 50th Reunion Jubilarian Celebration. On Friday night, the class participated in a campus-wide walking tour, followed by a stag night in the alumni lounge. Over 60 graduates attended Friday night’s event, making it one of the highest attended in years. As an encore, the class returned to campus with their wives on Saturday for Mass in the chapel and a formal dinner/dance in the library. To the surprise and delight of many, the original Van Dykes performed throughout the evening, making it a lively, but memorable celebration. To conclude the weekend, over 30 members of the Class of 1967 attended Sunday’s Commencement Exercises in The Hollow to support their fellow Dons from the Class of 2017.
Tracy Mehr Celebration
Bob Hurley, Sr.
Stag Night
Upcoming Events Football Alumni Pre-Season Kickoff BBQ
August 18, 2017
Dons Down the Ocean
August 19, 2017
DC Alumni Reception
September 7, 2017
Loyola Golf Open
September 22, 2017
DON Talks featuring Fr. James Martin, S.J.
October 10, 2017
Visit www.loyolablakefield.org/events to stay up-to-date on all Alumni Events.
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“The ability to string together a competent sentence does not even scratch the surface of what we have accomplished as students, men, and Dons. We have learned true compassion for each other. We have learned commitment to study and work that is entirely based in our passion for personal growth. We have learned how to fight, not only for what we want, but for what we know is right. I could toss out a bunch of examples, like the packed student sections at every game or the early-bird Dons who make peanut butter and jelly sandwiches for Our Daily Bread, but I believe our future actions will speak louder. And these escapades have been illuminated by the lessons of Loyola and of you, our friends and family. So, thank you, Loyola, for the years of profound learning, formation, and accomplishment. And to our families and friends, thank you for the trust and love with which you have filled our lives; it has made the journey more fulfilling than we could ever tell you. But now, it’s our turn. Now, we take up the torch of Saint Ignatius and implement these lessons and values. Now, we set the world on fire.” — Excerpt from Student Commencement Address Luke Scaletta ’17
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Loyola Blakefield’s 165th Commencement was held on campus on the beautiful spring morning of June 4, where 167 seniors from the Class of 2017 paraded into The Hollow in their white tuxedos, like so many Dons before them, with hundreds of friends and family members watching. Per tradition, members of the Class of 1967, who returned to campus to celebrate their 50th Reunion, led the procession. During the hour-long ceremony, we heard from Student Government Association President AJ Carver ‘17, student speaker and Forensics champion Luke Scaletta ‘17, as well as Principal John Marinacci, President Anthony Day, and Steve Whalen Jr. ‘67. The following awards were presented after the conferral of diplomas:
THE REV. FATHER LLOYD D. GEORGE, S.J., AWARD is presented to that member of the graduating class who has achieved the highest grade-point average through the midpoint of his senior year. This award was presented to Paul David Kinkopf. THE REV. ANTHONY J. ZEITS, S.J., AWARD, presented by the Loyola Mothers’ Club to a graduate who has demonstrated outstanding sportsmanship and leadership on and off the athletic field. This award was presented to Dominick Angel Reyes. THE DOCTOR FORD LOKER AWARD is presented by the Loyola Fathers’ Club to a graduate who holds a varsity letter and is outstanding for academic excellence. This award was presented to Paul David Kinkopf. THE MATTHEW J. RUSSELL AWARD, established by the graduating Class of 1986, is presented to a graduate whose commitment to God, family and friends has been exemplified by a quiet, sensitive, and selfless concern for others. The recipient of this award was Brett Fraser McLoughlin. THE MICHAEL J. IAMPIERI AWARD was established to honor Mr. Michael Iampieri, a beloved member of the Loyola Blakefield faculty from 1966 to 2007. During his tenure, Mr. Iampieri founded the school’s art department and taught art to generations of young men over four decades. The Michael J. Iampieri Award is presented to a graduating senior who has demonstrated personal and spiritual growth through his pursuit of creative self-expression and his achievements in the arts. This award was presented to Luke Manning Scaletta. THE REV. JAMES F. SALMON, S.J., AWARD is presented to a graduate who has demonstrated leadership in student activities and scholarship in science and religious studies. This year’s recipient was Daniel Francis Tadeo. THE REV. ALOYSIUS P. MCGONIGAL, S.J., AWARD is presented by the Loyola Fathers’ Club to a graduate who has worked to full capacity in and out of the classroom but has received little recognition for his tenacious spirit. The award was presented to Olufolabomi Titobiloluwa Odekunle.
THE DENNIS B. WOOLFORD “CURA PERSONALIS” AWARD is given in loving memory of Dennis B. Woolford ‘10. Although Dennis was a gifted athlete who started on eight MIAA championship teams, including the undefeated 2008 football team, Dennis will always be remembered for his kind heart, free spirit, and a smile that would light up the room. He considered every Don his best friend and every teammate his brother. This award is given to a student or faculty member of Loyola Blakefield who best represents “care for the individual person.” This award was presented to Wade Patrick Tucker & Brendan O’Kane. THE JOHN H. WEETENKAMP III AWARD is presented to a graduating senior who has been caring to his peers and demonstrated dedication to the mission of Loyola Blakefield. He is a young man who has embodied the words of St. Ignatius by his actions and has served his fellow Dons and others generously through the campus ministry and service programs as well as other opportunities. The recipient of this award was Patrick Terrence Sawyer. THE LOYOLA ALUMNI AWARD is presented to the graduate who is most conspicuous for school spirit, leadership and excellence in studies. The recipient of this award was Andrew Christopher Lala. THE DAVID A. KENNEDY AWARD was established by the Alumni Association to honor Mr. David A. Kennedy, teacher and registrar at Loyola from 1937 to 1977. This award is presented annually to that member of the graduating class who, through unselfish contribution of academic skills, personal talents, and social values in service to Loyola Blakefield and to the community at large, best embodies the Ignatian principle of “men for others.” This award was presented to Patrick Joseph Norris. THE LOYOLA AWARD, founded in honor of the Rev. John F. Dustin, S.J., is awarded to the most representative member of the graduating class for excellence in scholastic achievement and participation in extracurricular activities. This award was presented to Austin James Carver.
Visit LOYOLABLAKEFIELD.ORG/GRADUATION to watch the entire speech and see more highlights from our 165th Commencement.
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DONOR SPOTLIGHT
Oliver Bennett and Keith Schertle at the 2012 Olympic Trials
OLIVER BENNETT ‘11
For Oliver, the focus is not so much on the money right now, as it is providing an opportunity for swimming alumni to reconnect through the remembrance of Tim Pierce ’60.
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t is no secret that Oliver Bennett ’11 was a championship swimmer during his years at Loyola Blakefield and later when he attended Princeton University from 2011 to 2015. While at Loyola, he helped lead the program to the MIAA Championship every year where he won individual titles in the 100m Butterfly (twice) and 100m Backstroke. He was named captain his senior year and helped the team take home the National Catholic Championship, placing first in the 100m Butterfly. He was an All-MIAA honoree each year, three-time member of the All-Maryland Team, and earned National Interscholastic Swimming Coaches Association (NISCA) All-America honors eight separate times for individual events. He also qualified to swim at Junior and Senior Nationals and the 2012 Olympic Trials. At Princeton, his success continued as he helped the team win the Ivy League Championship three out of the four years, including his senior year when he was named tri-captain. Oliver knew swimming was in his blood at a very early age, as did former Loyola Blakefield swimming and water polo coach Keith Schertle, who recruited Oliver as part of an experimental group of young swimmers that he was developing through his Loyola Blakefield Aquatics (LBA) program. “I met Keith when I was about ten years old, when I became part of his close-knit group of guys who would go on to swim for the varsity squad at Loyola Blakefield,” said Oliver.
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When Oliver finally reached the middle school in 2004, that was the same year Schertle convinced long-time Loyola Blakefield swim coach and cofounder of the North Baltimore Aquatics Club (NBAC) Tim Piece ’60 to return to the pool deck to help him train this group. He would remain at Loyola for the entire seven years Oliver was there and up until his passing in 2014. “When I met Tim in middle school, I quickly realized he was very different from Keith,” said Oliver. “Keith was more ‘put your nose to the ground, we’re going to win, and there’s no excuses,’ while Tim’s approach was much quieter, reserved, and introspective. He would ask you questions and respond to your questions with questions and force you to think, and I think for many guys that was beneficial not only in the pool, but beyond.” According to Schertle, Tim’s nickname on the pool deck was “Pierce Daddy,” a moniker that he fully embraced. “Tim had a calm about him that I think helped Oliver greatly, not just as a swimmer, but as a person. I think his mentoring and his relationship with Oliver really points to how important coaches and teachers are to our middle school boys. It is not so much the content, but rather how we deliver the content that really sticks with the boys.” With such a strong relationship forming, it was no surprise that Tim attended Nationals at Stanford University where Oliver qualified for the 2012
Tim Pierce and Oliver Bennett at the 2012 Eastern Interscholastic Swimming and Diving Championships
Olympic Trials—a qualification he made while still swimming at Loyola. “When I look back on my time at Loyola Blakefield, I was mainly focused on swimming and working hard in the classroom. I don’t remember much of the other stuff as well as my time in the pool every day and the coaches who I learned from and who became my very good friends.” Shortly before Tim passed away due to complications with colon cancer, Oliver was coming back to Loyola during his college breaks to practice and stay in shape. “One day, Tim called me over, and this is after his diagnosis came back pretty bad, and said he wanted me to speak at his funeral. For me, as a college kid, having someone tell you that, it was an extremely difficult experience.” In October 2014, Tim finally succumbed to the cancer at the age of 71, and Oliver spoke at his funeral. After Tim’s passing, Schertle focused on finding a way to honor the man who brought so much to the swimming community at Loyola and in the Baltimore area. He founded the Timothy O. Pierce ’60 Merit Scholarship Fund, which provides merit awards to incoming freshmen or enrolled students with exceptional talent in swimming, and came up with the idea of an annual aquatics bull roast to help raise money for the endowment. “I remember soon after the first bull roast in 2016, Oliver approached me and asked how much money we raised,” said Schertle. “After I told him, he said it wasn’t enough—he was right—and then asked if he could help with future events to raise money in Tim’s honor.” Since this year’s gathering in May, which saw more than 200 people in attendance from alumni to members and friends of the LBA and NBAC, the group has raised in total more than $100,000 for the
“Tim had a calm about him that I think helped Oliver greatly, not just as a swimmer, but as a person. I think his mentoring and his relationship with Oliver really points to how important coaches and teachers are to our middle school boys.” — Keith Schertle scholarship. “My philosophy is if you are getting involved with something like this, don’t do it halfway,” said Oliver, who served as a sponsor this year and managed to raise more than $2,000 on his own. “My company matches any donation I make, so I offered to match any of my peers’ donations as well, essentially tripling any gift from one person. It was just an easy way to get everyone involved and form a habit of giving back and doing something really meaningful.” For Oliver, the focus is not so much on the money right now, as it is providing an opportunity for swimming alumni to reconnect through the remembrance of Tim Pierce. “Everyone who met Tim has that one unforgettable moment with him. When I was to talking with my classmates, trying to get them involved, every single one of them could reference that moment.” Bennett, who currently resides in Washington, D.C., and works in real estate investment for Eastdil Secured, a subsidiary of Wells Fargo Bank, is optimistic about the future of the Tim Piece Scholarship and the yearly bull roast. “With every year, we get another class of guys who graduate, and it’s just about keeping them engaged. Also, providing donors with something tangible—having them meet the students who are benefitting from the scholarship—will be very beneficial, and I think that’s how we grow it going forward.”
If you would like to make a gift to the Timothy Pierce ’60 Merit Scholarship Fund, please do so at
loyolablakefield.org/timpierce 11
RETIREMENTS Elayne Melanson (1999)
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layne joined the Modern Languages Department in 1999. Her broad knowledge in the Spanish language and her versatility in the classroom enabled her to teach classes ranging from introductory levels to AP courses. Elayne will be remembered for her warm personality and devotion to her students. As a mother of two Dons (Tom ’99 and Teddy ’04), Elayne was committed to Loyola’s mission and exemplified cura personalis. Her time outside the classroom was dedicated to coaching and mentoring the Mock Trial Club. Perhaps Elayne’s most lasting legacy was her work with Murray Learning Services and the creation of the Spanish A program. Her tireless efforts reached many students at all levels in the program. Elayne also never failed to share her knowledge, research, and insight with her fellow coworkers. We will all miss her and wish her the best in her future endeavors.
Elayne will be remembered for her warm personality and devotion to her students.
Leandra Laird (1995)
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Many of us have had the good fortune to experience her love and grace and friendship. 12
wenty-two years ago, Leandra joined the Loyola Blakefield staff as a receptionist in Xavier Hall. A year later, it was our good fortune to have Leandra become part of the Visual Arts Department as the Middle School Art Instructor. She may have been charged with the most difficult assignment in the department. As most might imagine, classroom management at the middle school level in any discipline can sometimes be a daunting task (some liken it to “herding cats”). Now, imagine a room full of 12-year-old boys with access to paint, glue, and the occasional sharp object. Additionally, she was expected to provide her students with the basic foundational skills and vocabulary that would assist them in achieving success in Art I in their freshman year, all while simultaneously maintaining discipline, stimulating their imagination, and expanding their creative boundaries. Leandra’s success as a teacher can be attributed to some extent to her deliberate, skillful, and flexible approach in presenting projects that were meant to accommodate the individual needs and interests of her students. Equally important was the genuine thoughtfulness and care that was abundantly evident in her classroom. And those attributes extended beyond the classroom. Many of us have had the good fortune to experience her love and grace and friendship. While she will be sorely missed by the entire Blakefield community, we can’t help but be excited for her as she begins this new phase of her life. Enjoy your retirement, Leandra!
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ean will be greatly missed by the community of Loyola Blakefield. Jean has been a constant presence in the business office for nearly 20 years. In her time at Loyola, she has handled accounts receivable, accounts payable, weekly check runs, credit cards, payroll, and just about anything that ends up in the business office. She greeted our parents, staff, faculty, and students with a smile and always lent them a hand or pointed them in the right direction. Xavier Hall will not be the same without her. We wish Jean all the best in her retirement and her new adventures.
She greeted our parents, staff, faculty, and students with a smile and always lent them a hand or pointed them in the right direction.
RETIREMENTS
Jean Benway (1998)
John Weetenkamp ’65 (1969)
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ohn Weetenkamp retired this spring after a 48-year career at Loyola Blakefield. During his time at Loyola, he has affected the lives of countless young men and served as an inspiring mentor and friend to colleagues.
Weetenkamp graduated from Loyola in 1965 and attended Loyola University and Johns Hopkins. He returned to Blakefield in the fall of 1969 as an English teacher. Over the course of his career, he has also served as Registrar, Assistant Headmaster for Academics, Headmaster, and Director of Ignatian Mission & Identity. In 2012, he served as Interim President. Most recently, he has been assisting the Office of the President and Office of Ignatian Mission & Identity on a part-time basis.
“It is a humbling experience to have been so gifted by the relationships with so many wonderful people: classmates, students, faculty and staff, parents, and alumni.”
In addition to his time in the classroom, one of John’s most significant legacies at Loyola is the establishment of the Office of Ignatian Mission & Identity in 2002. As Director, he implemented programs aimed at adult members of the Loyola community (teachers, staff, trustees, parents, and alumni) that provided opportunities to explore the depths of Ignatian spirituality. Longtime colleague John Stewart ’60 has witnessed Weetenkamp’s dedication firsthand. “In all that John has done here at Loyola, the one title that suits him best will always be teacher,” said Stewart. “Whether in the classroom, in leadership to the school, or by example, he has always been a teacher of others.” As a student at Loyola, Weetenkamp served as a member of the student council and was a member of the varsity baseball team. Voted “Best Personality” by his classmates, he has left an indelible mark upon the Loyola community. “John was always a very good teacher and possesses a genuine world view,” said Rev. Lloyd George, S.J. “He was the perfect person to help carry on the Ignatian identity of Loyola because when he speaks about Jesuit values, he’s speaking from a genuine personal experience in terms of what has made him the person he has become.”
Looking back at his time as a student and staff member at Loyola, Weetenkamp reflected on the many people he has formed relationships with over the years. ”Loyola has been such a blessing in my life, one for which I am extremely grateful,” said Weetenkamp. “It is a humbling experience to have been so gifted by the relationships with so many wonderful people: classmates, students, faculty and staff, parents, and alumni. As St. Ignatius certainly understood: all in one’s life is indeed gift from God. Most certainly for me, Loyola has been and will always remain an incredibly special gift.” In 2006, Weetenkamp received the Rev. Joseph M. Kelley, S.J., Medal, the highest form of recognition given to a Loyola alumnus. In 2013, his legacy at Loyola was honored via the naming of the pathway traversing Blakefield’s Hollow as “Weetenkamp Way.” Additionally, an annual award was created in his name. It is presented to a graduating senior who has been caring to his peers, demonstrates dedication to the mission of Loyola, and embodies the words of St. Ignatius by his actions and service to others.
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Love
For the By Jared Scott Tesler
of Music
Mary Thielen brings experience and enthusiasm to Loyola Blakefield’s Instrumental Music Program.
M
ary Thielen was roughly the same age as Loyola Blakefield’s youngest students when she first began playing the clarinet, and once she started, she never stopped. A devout believer in the spiritual significance of music, Thielen felt “a beautiful calmness”—the presence of God—while performing the second movement of Brahms’ Clarinet Quintet as part of a college chamber music master class. “I believe that God gave us the gift of music to help us through life. It reaches our emotions, our memories, and brings us together as communities. I believe that cultivating the gift of music and striving for excellence within it is honoring to God,” she says. “Music is an all-encompassing craft. It is a language. The rhythm of music is mathematical. Sound production involves physics. Like any sport, it demands the use of fine motor skills, muscle memory, and routine training. It evolves over
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time and has a rich history. It is a form of selfexpression but also usually involves working as a team. There are very few disciplines that ask this much of a person.” Since receiving her bachelor’s degree in clarinet performance and master’s degree in music education from the Boston Conservatory, Thielen has taught and trained hundreds of beginner-, intermediate-, and advanced-level children and adults on woodwind, brass, percussion, and string instruments, preparing them for assessments, auditions, competitions, concerts, festivals, recitals, and Royal Conservatory Music Development Program™ examinations, often aiding in the selection and purchase of step-up instruments. More recently, she served as band director for the Instrumental Music Program, which provides instruction to fourth through eighth grade students of parochial and private
schools throughout the Baltimore–Columbia–Towson Metropolitan Statistical Area, including Immaculate Conception School, St. Joseph School - Cockeysville, and Trinity School. “Teaching at so many different schools and only being there one day a week was very isolating and made it challenging to build relationships with other teachers. I was at a point in my life where I was seeking community in the place where I worked,” Thielen recalls. She notes that Loyola’s mission of “young men for others”—the quintessential Don—immediately struck a chord with her and ultimately inspired her to apply for her current position: “This concept of seeing past oneself and putting others first is something that Jesus spoke so much about and something I strive for in my own life. The thought of being part of a school where this was the center of everything sounded amazing. I couldn’t wait to interview and see this in action. I see God at work in the teachers and students here, and it is an honor to be part of such a positive community.” Thielen is quickly approaching her third year as Middle and Upper School Band Instructor at Loyola, named one of The Baltimore Sun’s Top Workplaces for 2016, where she gently guides boys of manifold ages and abilities in five award-winning instrumental ensembles offered as half- and full-credit Performing Arts Department courses: Middle School Concert Band, Upper School Concert Band, Jazz Ensemble, Jazz Combo Blue, and Jazz Combo Gold. She also accompanies Choral Director Dr. Richard Skirpan’s vocal ensembles during the annual Lessons and Carols and Mass of the Holy Spirit and performs at weddings and social events as a member of the Baltimore Blazer Quintet. “Every student I teach is in a different place musically. I try to reach them where they are and bring out the best in them. This isn’t easy, but when it works, it is the most beautiful part of my job,” Thielen says. “There is nothing more rewarding for me than introducing my students to a new piece of music, showing them the story that is alive in it, working with all their strengths and weaknesses as an ensemble, and finally, molding them and the music into something that is nowhere near what it was when we started.” She emphasizes that Loyola’s Instrumental Music program is dedicated to excellence and brimming with potential, with high hopes of participating in more competitions, collaborating with other schools,
giving back to the community through off-campus concerts, and attending school-sanctioned musical performances. Under Thielen’s direction, the Middle School Concert Band has improved musically. The Jazz Combos continue to garner “excellent” ratings in their individual categories at Berklee College of Music’s High School Jazz Festival, held at the John B. Hynes Veterans Memorial Convention Center in Boston, Massachusetts, where they consistently are among the only jazz groups that perform some of their own original songs. And, perhaps due in part to her teaching philosophy (“If you care about your
“I believe that God gave us the gift of music to help us through life. It reaches our emotions, our memories, and brings us together as communities. I believe that cultivating the gift of music and striving for excellence within it is honoring to God.” — Mary Thielen students, they will care about what you are teaching them”), a good number of her students have gone on to study music in college. For those students hoping to one day make it as a professional musician, the teacher, performer, and mentor extraordinaire offers up the following advice: “Make sure you love it enough to fight for the ability to do it every day. You need to be able to work hard, labor tirelessly on small details, have high expectations for yourself, learn from your mistakes, not get discouraged by criticism, and, at the end of the day, still love what you do and want to wake up the next day and do it all over again.” 15
A TRIBUTE TO THE RECENTLY RETIRED FATHER RICHARD LAWRENCE ‘60
Thinking Believing
&
F
ather Richard Lawrence ’60, better known as “Dick,” retired from his 48 years as an active priest this February, 43 of which were spent in service to St. Vincent de Paul Church in the Jonestown neighborhood of Baltimore City, where his work with civil rights activism and care for the homeless was heavily rooted in his Jesuit education.
Fr. Lawrence discovered the foundations of his vocation here at Loyola Blakefield (Loyola High School at the time) where he attended from 1956 to 1960. At Loyola, Lawrence had his hands in just about everything from speech and debate, to yearbook, newspaper, dramatics, science and math clubs, intramurals, German club, and he even established a Russian club. He was also voted “Best Speaker” by his peers his senior year. Classmate Roddy Heyl ‘60 recalls Lawrence’s intellectual ability as the reason he could be a part of so many activities. “He was able to participate in just about everything because he was so intelligent that he didn’t have to study at night.” His intellectual ability also earned him a spot in the inaugural group of an experimental advanced honors program made up of about thirty students who were tasked with pushing themselves above and beyond academically. The four-year program challenged students with enriched Latin and Greek courses, as well as accelerated math (calculus, trigonometry, geometry), science (biology and chemistry), English, and German programs that were equivalent to college-level courses by their junior and senior years.
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Lawrence had several mentors during his time at Loyola including his first-year homeroom and religion teacher Rev. David McGuire, S.J., and English teacher Dave Kennedy. “The Jesuits and laymen at Loyola taught me that thinking and believing were not an either-or match,” said Lawrence. “They believed one could expand both his or her intellectual knowledge and faith at the same time, that you can move forward in faith and the intellectual dimension and the two will tie together.” One of the turning points in Lawrence’s vocation came during his senior year when he discovered The Phenomenon of Man by French philosopher, paleontologist, and Jesuit Pierre Teilhard de Chardinwhich, which had recently been translated to English. He received the book as a Christmas gift from his mother and spent his entire vacation reading it—no easy task for a high school senior. What captured Lawrence’s attention were the similarities in what Chardin was describing and his Jesuit teachings at Loyola. “Chardin was a man of deep faith, but as a paleontologist he also published several scientific journals. He worked out his own philosophy on the integration between evolution and faith, that God is enabling evolution like a father and mother teaching a child to walk. The whole thing made immense sense to me at the time.” It was this idea of growing one’s faith and knowledge in harmony that ultimately inspired Lawrence to join the priesthood. From Loyola Blakefield, Lawrence went on to what was then Loyola College followed by St. Mary’s Seminary in Roland Park where he earned a master
of sacred theology and was ordained a priest. Years later, he went back to school and earned his MBA from Loyola University Maryland after being named the Chief Financial Officer for the Archdiocese of Baltimore while continuing to pastor at St. Vincent. He also earned a doctorate in spirituality from the Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C., in 1991. Shortly after being ordained, Lawrence was named Deacon at St. Gregory the Great Church in West Baltimore where he remained from 1967 to 1968, which happened to be the same year Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated and the ensuing Baltimore Riot took place. Lawrence attended King’s “I Have a Dream” speech and the March on Washington years earlier. Lawrence mostly acted as a peacekeeper throughout the riots, refereeing 22 hours a day for nine days straight with more than 200 priests, ministers, and social and civil rights workers. “Our goal was not to tell anyone what or what not to do, but just keep people from getting hurt.” He was also tasked by the Baltimore City Community Relations Commission to visit certain pockets of the city that were most violent. He also recalled filling up two five-ton trucks with food and water to restock parishes on both the east and west sides of the city. “The Diocese was supportive of it all. They put up five thousand dollars and started calling suburban parishes who put up about a thousand each, and we bought food because with all the neighborhood grocery stores looted or closed down, many people didn’t have access.” St. Vincent de Paul Church
However, it was his 43 years as pastor of St. Vincent de Paul Church where his enduring legacy took shape. He helped raise money to make necessary repairs to the church and created a neighborhood association. He also took part in several civil rights movements including leading St. Vincent de Paul to the forefront of the push to end the death penalty in Maryland and his open support of Maryland’s 2012 ballot referendum that eventually legalized same-sex marriage, despite the Baltimore Archdiocese’s strong opposition to the law. Most notably under his guidance, St. Vincent has been devoted to serving the poor by allowing the homeless to sleep in the church’s adjacent park, which Lawrence purchased from the city and consistently battled City Hall to keep open for 24 hours a day. After the city threatened to make arrests in 2008, he promised to be the second in handcuffs. “I said to the mayor, ‘Can you imagine how much fun the press would have with that?’” He also orchestrated big Friday night dinners for the hungry and helped people transition out of poverty and homelessness.
Lawrence (mid-left) with his fellow classmates in the Newspaper Club.
Lawrence ultimately decided to retire after a fall last October that has left him bound to a wheelchair. “I was no longer capable of working sixty hours a week, which is what a pastor’s hours require,” said Lawrence, who did manage to make it out of the rehab center for his retirement Mass at St. Vincent in February, where he told church members that his legacy will depend on their continued service work. Now, he spends his days reading the thousands of books that make up his 16-foot-tall bookshelf in his President Street condominium. “If I live long enough, I may even read all of them,” joked Lawrence. He is also interested in mentoring younger priests in the future and hopes to one day make it back to Loyola’s campus. The last time he visited was for his 50th reunion in 2010, where he celebrated Mass for his fellow classmates and preceded into The Hollow to watch the Class of 2010 graduate. “I remember sitting in that same spot when I graduated in 1960, and they had the Class of 1910 there. My classmates and I couldn’t believe people really lived to be that old. Well, look at us now.” 17
CLASS NOTES Ed Miller ’47
1947
Ed Miller ’47 has worked as a Russian teacher and a lacrosse coach at The John Carroll School in Bel Air, Maryland, for over 40 years. He was recently the inaugural recipient of the highest honor a John Carroll community member can receive, the John Carroll Medal of Honor. Former students and colleagues gathered together at the John Carroll Gala this spring to pay tribute to him and his impact on the lives of countless individuals.
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1975
Gabriel Mancini ’75 was inducted into the Ocean City Surf Club Legends Hall of Fame in June. He also has a popular Italian restaurant on Fenwick Island called Mancini’s Brick Oven Pizzeria and Restaurant.
1986
Rob Kunisch ‘86 was recently named CEO of 1st Mariner Bank in Baltimore, where he was previously the chief operating officer. Before joining 1st Mariner Bank, he was president of Wilmington Trust FSB, Maryland. Kunisch earned his MBA at Sellinger School of Business and Management at Loyola University and has more than three decades of banking experience.
Spring 2017
1989
Matt Zurad ’89 coached his son’s FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science & Technology) team to the First Place Award for Research at the 2017 North American Open Championship in Carlsbad, CA.
1995
William Cooke ’95 recently started his own law firm based in Annapolis with a focus on criminal law.
Rev. Josh Laws ’03
campus ministry at UMBC.
2007
Greg Kenneally ‘07, president and cofounder of East Coast
Dyes, received the 2017 Bright Lights Award for Innovation and Entrepreneurship for Baltimore County this spring. This new award recognizes and celebrates innovation in the private and nonprofit sectors that strengthen Maryland’s economy, generate jobs and tax revenue and develop new ideas that more effectively deliver services and products within the marketplace.
2003
Rev. Josh Laws ‘03 returned to campus this spring to celebrate Holy Week Mass with students and faculty. Fr. Laws is currently the associate pastor at Our Lady of Victory and works with
Greg Kenneally ’07
Share your news with fellow Dons! loyolablakefield.org/classnotes
2009
Peter Dalmasy ‘09 graduated from The University of Chicago Law School on June 10, 2017. He will be joining the law firm of Debevoise & Plimpton LLP in New York in late October. Debevoise’s Presiding Partner is Michael W. Blair ‘73.
TJ Neubauer ’12
2012
TJ Neubauer ‘12 scored his first Major League Lacrosse goal this spring
with the Rochester Rattlers. Fellow Don Matt Dunn ‘12 is also on the team. Both were drafted last season.
2013
Bennett Bradley ’13 and Victor Licata ‘13 served as captains for the Catholic University men’s lacrosse team this spring, leading the team to a 15-2 season and a spot in the Landmark Conference championship game. Among earning many honors over their four-year careers, both were recently named USILA/Nike Scholar AllAmericans. Sean Hogan ‘13 was accepted into the MFA program at the Boston Conservatory at Berklee where he will start this
Sean Hogan ’13
fall. He graduated from St. Joseph’s University this spring majoring in musical theatre. Conor Reynolds ‘13 was named Centennial Conference Player of the Year after leading Johns Hopkins Baseball to its 10th Centennial Conference Tournament title this past season. Conor broke numerous school records during his final season. He will be attending grad school at Hopkins next year in the engineering
Conor Reynolds ’13
management master’s program. Bruce Zimmermann ‘13 was selected by the Atlanta Braves in the fifth round (140th overall) of the 2017 MLB Draft. Zimmermann helped
the #1 nationally ranked University of Mount Olive Trojans (DII) capture their 14th Conference Carolinas Championship this season and made First Team All-Conference for the past two seasons.
I N M EM O R I A M ALUMNI
PAST PARENTS
FRIENDS
Moseley H. Webb III ‘38 Harry A. Manley ‘45 John J. Dohony Jr. ‘47 William G. Dengler ‘48 August M. Wildberger ‘48 Joseph J. Lacy ‘50 Thomas G. Azzaro ‘51 Howard S. Boote ‘52 Theodore J. Wies Jr. ’52* James W. Stevens Jr. ‘53 Harold J. Wade Jr. ‘53 William E. Foard Jr. ’55* J. Nicholas Jackson ’57* Frank H. James III ‘63 David G. Willemain, J.D. ‘64 Peter S. Kaminski Jr. ‘66
Artemio M. Arciaga Jr., MD John J. Battaglia Sr. Miguel A. Castro Jr., MD Genevieve Detorie William V. Doane Sr. Edward J. Krebs John E. McCann Sr. Donald J. Reitz, PhD Elias M. Shomali James W. Stevens Jr.
Daniel J. Feeley Michael J. Heck Harris Jones Jr. Robert Pirnat Edna E. Rehak
GRANDPARENTS Richard F. Kahn Sr.
*Denotes Grandparent
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