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Summer 2021

A MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT

“We look forward to seeing you on campus as we reconnect and renew in the coming months. Until then, I wish you and your family a safe and healthy summer.” – Mr. Anthony Day

CONTRIBUTORS 2

Blakefield Magazine

Editor & Photography: Michael Nitti Design: Whitney Myers

CONTENTS

Campus News

Construction Updates

Alumni Profile

Retirees & Departures

Alumni Events @ Blakefield

Student Spotlight: Kintrez Fowlkes ’21

Giving Highlights

Health Advisory Board Thank-You

Celebrating Our 169th Commencement

Blue & Gold Community Partners

Transitions on the Board of Trustees

Class Notes

CAMPUS NEWS ST. IGNATIUS HALL NAME UNVEILED During a live global broadcast, members of the student body took the lead in sharing the exciting news. Joined by President Anthony Day, 14 representatives from grades 6–12 delivered remarks and took part in the ceremonial unveiling of St. Ignatius Hall. The project is the centerpiece of a historic capital campaign that raised over $32 million dollars to construct the building, enhance the school’s scholarship endowment, and bolster annual giving.

NEW ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF ADMISSIONS NAMED We are pleased to announce the appointment of Sina Cook as our new Assistant Director of Admission. A proud parent of two Loyola Dons (Hunter ’21 and Sam ’24), Cook brings a variety of experience to the role.

CLASS OF 2022 CELEBRATES JUNIOR RING MASS On the morning of Saturday, May 8th, we hosted our Junior Ring Mass for the Class of 2022 in the Four Court Gym. This ceremony serves as another major milestone for our Dons on their journey toward becoming Men for Others.

Blakefield Magazine

CLASS OF 2025 GRADUATES FROM MIDDLE SCHOOL

20+ DONS NAMED ALL-MIAA FOR SPRING SPORTS

The Class of 2025 celebrated their graduation from our middle school on Friday, June 4th.

We had 21 Dons named to the allconference teams this spring.

END OF YEAR FACULTY & STAFF RECOGNITION Celebrating retirement and years of service to Loyola.

NEW ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL FOR ACADEMICS NAMED We are pleased to announce that Dr. Chris Smart has been appointed as our new Assistant Principal for Academics. An educational leader with extensive experience in Catholic schools, Dr. Smart brings a wealth of knowledge of Jesuit schools to the role.

STUDENT ART EXHIBITION VIRTUAL TOUR

CLASS OF 2024 TAKES PART IN IGNITE! FRESHMAN RETREAT

Our annual Student Art Exhibition was hosted at the Julio Fine Arts Gallery of Loyola University Maryland once again this year.

Postponed from last September due to COVID, this year’s freshman class was invited to Live Life Unmuted at the IGNITE! Retreat.

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Transitions On the Brian Hartman ’82 Ends Term As Board Chair We would like to thank Brian Hartman ’83 for his service as Board Chair for the past two years. During his tenure, he has brought a steady and decisive style of leadership as we entered the construction phase of St. Ignatius Hall and faced the challenges brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic. Brian’s collaborative nature and dedication to the experience of our Dons has made him a valuable asset to our community. As his term comes to an end on June 30th, please join us in expressing gratitude for his hard work and commitment to Loyola Blakefield.

“I’m grateful for the many ways Brian has helped us rise to the challenges that we have faced over the past year. His calm leadership and eagerness to collaborate with others has led to progress on many fronts. While I’ll miss him on the Board, I know that we can continue to count on Brian to proudly support Loyola and its Dons in a multitude of ways. I’m also proud to call him a friend — one who pushes you to greater heights and can be relied upon for wisdom and support at all times.” — Anthony Day, President Thanks to the following individuals whose terms on the Board of Trustees expire on June 30, 2021. Your service to Loyola is greatly appreciated!

Blakefield Magazine

Richard Burch ’69 Paul Karpers Rev. Brian Linnane, S.J.

Board of Trustees Wayne Gioioso ’78 Appointed Board Chair Wayne Gioioso ’78 will begin a two-year term as Chair of the Loyola Blakefield Board of Trustees on July 1, 2021. Wayne currently serves as President of MidAtlantic Properties, Inc., the company he founded in 1987. He began his career in real estate in 1984 and has been recognized for his expertise, passion, and entrepreneurial spirit. He has earned several awards and honors including Baltimore Business Journal’s “Top 40 Under 40” and was a finalist for Ernst & Young’s “Real Estate Entrepreneur of the Year.” He was recently honored as the 2021 recipient of the Rev. Joseph M. Kelley, SJ, Medal—the highest form of recognition given to a Loyola Blakefield alumnus.

“This upcoming year, the Board will be working on our next strategic plan—one that ensures Loyola Blakefield continues to be the leader in faith-based education for young men. Wayne is the right person to lead the Board at this time because he has consistently demonstrated the ability to discern all matters while adhering to Catholic doctrine and Ignatian principles. I’m eager to witness the progress that will be made during his tenure.” — Brian Hartman ’82

We are pleased to welcome our new Trustees whose terms begin July 1, 2021.

Dan Cahill ’81

Maru Fava

Chris Clunie ’02

Bryan Gately ’79

Chip Cooke ’92

Victor Norris ’77

Natasha Dartigue Rev. Bill Watters, S.J.

Summer 2021

Alex Gibson ’96 Alex Gibson ’96 serves as Co-Founder & Principal of GS Consulting — a cybersecurity and software development firm providing services to the Department of Defense. He is also a member of the Loyola Blakefield Board of Trustees and serves as Chair of the Enrollment Management Committee. After graduating from Loyola, Alex earned a bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering at Bucknell University. He and his wife Caitlin currently reside in Ruxton with their five children: Owen (13), Wes (12), Jake (9), Foster (7), and Zeke (3). We recently had the opportunity to catch up with Alex to learn more about his Loyola experience and his continued involvement with the school.

In what ways have you remained tied to Loyola over the years? I've remained connected through seeing, emailing, and texting friends from the Class of ‘96. I see local acquaintances in some of the surrounding years, as a parent, through outside activities, and through the Board of Trustees. I've really had positive experiences through all my interactions with fellow Dons over the last 25 years.

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What are some of the experiences that stand out from your time as a student? I remember spending a lot of time in the old cafeteria and on the old outdoor basketball courts during free periods. That free period time was very memorable in just being a young middle and high school kid. The school rules and policies were tough but fair, and the faculty and staff created an environment that was somewhat stress-free, which made for a great experience on a daily basis. I played a couple of years of soccer in high school and played lacrosse throughout. Coming to Loyola, I was new to team sports, and I really appreciate the platform given by the sports programs in that if you had passion and were willing to work hard, then you were given the opportunity to grow as an athlete and a teammate.

Where did your studies take you after graduation? I attended Bucknell University and felt very prepared to begin my college career as an engineering student and athlete (lacrosse). Although managing the two may have been tough, I never really felt that the jump to an environment like that was too big based on the preparation Loyola provided. Prior to my time at Loyola, I did not play enough team sports to feel that sports would be part of my path, and I did not appear to be on a path towards a college engineering program, so I give a lot of credit to Loyola in helping me build skills to succeed in those areas.

As the parent of a current Loyola Don (and with another entering this fall), how has this experience helped connect you to your own time at Loyola?

see this as a student. I look back at some of the missteps while learning to become an adult, and I'm happy to see how Loyola handles and understands these things in developing young men. In my experience, the technical profession has been a meritocracy, and I feel that Loyola fosters the same type of environment. No one’s fate is predestined, and every student can make their mark in a way they choose. I’m eager to witness this from a parent perspective as my boys progress through Loyola.

Is there a teacher, coach, or mentor who had a special impact on you? It’s hard to identify just one. Looking back, I have so much more of an appreciation for how teachers and coaches at the school embrace the fact that outside of what is being taught, their support of developing young men through the good and bad is very fair and level-headed.

How has your role as a Trustee brought you closer to the mission of the school? A big objective of Loyola’s Jesuit education is developing men for others, so serving on the Board allows me to give back to the organization that is a big part of my story. I enjoy being on the Board and witnessing the different perspectives and meeting fellow alumni across decades. In many ways, I feel fortunate that my profession also aligns with some exciting programming and career choices to which today’s students have access.

I can appreciate what Loyola does for boys and young men as a parent where I was not able to Summer 2021

Chasing Patterns

Spotlightin

Born and raised in Baltimore City, Kintrez “Trez” Fowlkes is the oldest of thr younger brothers, Justin (Archbishop Curley) and Tre (Baltimore City College own right—a bond that keeps them close—but each has found their own ni and music.They often collaborate on different projects and post the results you can find most of their work).

Blakefield Magazine

ng Kintrez Fowlkes ’21

ree brothers—triplets. He and his e High School), are artists in their iche between drawing, painting, s to their Instagram accounts (where

“As you can expect, brothers fight, but at the same time it’s not as bad as you think,” said Trez. “When you first see us, you’re like, ‘Oh they’re all the same,’ but if you get to know us, you can tell each of us has our own unique personalities and passions.” Trez has been dabbling in art since he was five years old, but he didn’t start taking it seriously until about two years ago after facing an incredible tragedy. “I lost three people in my family within the span of a weekend, and it was very hard for me,” said Trez. “I’ve dealt with grief before, but that was the most people I had lost within that short amount of time.” At first, drawing was an outlet—a way to cope— but it slowly started to blossom into a passion after he enrolled in Mrs. Virginia Petr’s drawing class that fall. “Until then, I was just drawing on pieces of copy paper that I found lying around, but when I got a sketchbook from Mrs. Petr, that really brought me back in, and I started taking my work more seriously because I actually had somewhere to keep all of it.” Mrs. Petr remembers those early days well. “When Kintrez entered my drawing class, I quickly came to know him as the quiet, respectful, and attentive student who would draw the entire time he was in the room on any surface he could find that was pencil-worthy. His sketching during my instructions was merely a warmup for what came next. By the end of class, he had an audience of students admiring his work. Humbly, he would accept praise with only a short glance upward. The pencil was clearly an extension of his thoughts as they hit the paper.” For Trez, a self-proclaimed introvert, he doesn’t share his work for the recognition. “When it comes to posting my work on Instagram, I don’t really care too much what people think. The whole point of posting is to show people that I’m consistent with my work. I don’t care about the likes or anything like that.” He also likes to wait a while to share after he finishes a new piece. “When it comes to art, I tend to underestimate myself, but I’m starting to learn that if I can take Summer 2021

the time to appreciate my own work, I can give it out for others to appreciate.” When asked to describe his favorite piece that he’s done, Trez lays his oversized portfolio case, which travels with him almost everywhere, on the table and pulls out a startling, yet beautiful drawing that he has titled Reality 410. “It’s a take on Michelangelo’s Pietà,” he says, which depicts the Virgin Mary cradling the dead body of Jesus. “I just took that—a mother holding her dead child—and put my own twist on it. It’s to show the reality of Baltimore City, a place I’ve grown up all my life, because it’s sad to see so many young people getting killed.”

Trez’s time at Loyola has not only shaped him as a young man, but it has provided him with a broader view and acceptance of how others think. “Coming from St. Ignatius Loyola Academy in middle school, I went from being in the majority to the minority, so being at Loyola really opened me up to different perspectives and introduced me to people from all walks of life. My time here has definitely made me more understanding and accepting of others.” One thing he will miss most about being on campus is the time he spent in the Ignatian Ministries Suite or the Murray Learning Commons, just drawing and talking with friends and faculty like theology teacher Mr. Justin White. “He was one of the first teachers who knew me before coming to Loyola.” said Trez. “Every time we speak, his energy is so positive and contagious.” 20

Blakefield Magazine

A similar sentiment is shared by Mr. White. “I remember one of my former students from Cristo Rey Jesuit High School said to me, ‘Mr. White, my cousin is going to Loyola Blakefield, look out for him.’ When I met Trez in the hallways of Loyola Blakefield his freshman year and recounted this conversation with his cousin to him, he quietly and confidently nodded and thanked me. I was always impressed by his quiet confidence.” It wasn’t until Trez’s junior year when Mr. White witnessed that with this quiet confidence came a beautiful and artistic depth. Trez attended Loyola Blakefield’s second annual Neighbors Retreat. This optional retreat brings together students, faculty, and staff to explore issues of racial justice through the lens of spirituality. “There was a moment when Trez shared thoughts during a big group session,” said Mr. White. “The room fell silent as both students and adults hung on his every word. His ability to be vulnerable, thoughtful, and unapologetically himself was a gift on that retreat and has been a gift during his time as Loyola. He has grown as a leader and uses both his voice and art to bring awareness to

“To look at Trez’s art is one thing, but to ask him his motivation behind his creations will take the listener on a journey of reflection and reconciliation.”

racial justice and mental health.” At Mr. White’s request, Trez produced drawings of his mother and late father, as well as the late actor Chadwick Boseman. “I hold both of these creations to the highest levels and cherish them for their content, but also because of the hand that created them,” said Mr. White.

Trez has been commissioned by other Loyola faculty and staff members including President Anthony Day and longtime English teacher Raymond Brown ‘79. One of his more notable pieces, titled Mount Blakemore, is on display in the English wing in Wheeler Hall. It depicts Loyola legends Bill Korrow, John Stewart, Tim Pierce, Richard Prodey, and Jerry Savage as the faces on Mount Rushmore. “At the beginning of the school year while we were all virtual, I asked Kintrez about his artwork that he had on display in his background on Microsoft Teams. This started the conversation which resulted in him producing my vision of Mount Blakemore,” said Mr. Brown. “Each of these men, these Loyola educators and coaches, were highly influential to me as both a student and teacher.” Trez begins to explain his process in great detail, “So I originally thought depending on which direction the faces were in the photos he gave me, I would just line them up that way, but I took inspiration from the actual Mount Rushmore, but I also wanted to give it my own taste...”

thing, but to ask him his motivation behind his creations will take the listener on a journey of reflection and reconciliation.” In fact, it is that patience and willingness to offer advice that prompted him to start his own club—the Creative Hive Club. “It started with a conversation with another student,” said Trez. “We were both just talking about our art. He was asking for advice, and I was trying to relay some of my knowledge to him.”

It also came as no surprise when he was awarded the Michael J. Iampieri Award during Loyola’s 169th Commencement on Saturday, June 5th. The award is presented each year 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 fall, he and his brothers will be attending Towson University together. “My main focus right now is to do something with art, but I may also pursue business because I want to learn how to market myself and my art,” said Trez. Whatever he chooses to pursue, he is sure to tackle this new adventure as he always has, with quiet determination and openness to growth. Be sure to follow Trez and his artistic endeavors on Instagram @kf0wlkes03.

He is always willing to share his knowledge and techniques with those who are interested. Mr. White puts it best, “To look at Trez’s art is one Summer 2021

We would like to thank those who proudly served as members of the Loyola Blakefield Health Advisory Board in 2020–21. Our school year would not have been successful without their dedication and commitment to the health and safety of every member of the Loyola Blakefield family.

Janine Good, M.D. Lawrence Julio ’80, M.B.A Kelly Klug, R.N., B.S.N. Jeffrey Lukish, M.D. Greg Pelton, M.D. Brennan Prodey ’82, M.Ed. Bill Queale, M.D. John Rabine, M.D Amy Sage, M.D. Brian Simpson, MPH Ken Walters ’66, PharmD

Blakefield Magazine

Thank You to our 2020–2021 Blue & Gold Community Partners AMDG & Presenting Partner

1852 Partners

Roll Dons Partners Knott Mechanical

Bollinger Roofing Company

Aileen & Chad Eskildsen P ’21, ’23

United Building Services Susan & Tom Brennan, Jr. ’79, P ’13, ’15

RCM&D

Joe ’86 & Catherine Liberatore P ’22

Loyola Blakefield Aquatics Confidio

Carroll Bodie ’63 JMT Architecture Ellin & Tucker

The DeSantis Family MedStar Health Loyola University Maryland

View Our Full List of Partners. If you are interested in becoming a Blue & Gold Community Partner, please contact Adam Trice, Director of Development at atrice@loyolablakefield.org. Summer 2021

Retirees & Departures We say farewell to the following men and women who combine for more than 170 years of service to Loyola Blakefield, and we wish them the best of luck in their future endeavors.

Vince Fitzpatrick III ’68 English Teacher 1979

Kelly Breschi

Modern Language Teacher 1984

Kathy Mathias

Director of College Counseling 1985

Don Kraft

Physical Education Teacher 1997

Don Hilton

Plant Operations 2001

John Marinacci Principal 2014

Alan Schott

Science Teacher 2010

A special farewell to Mr. John Marinacci who has served as Principal at Loyola Blakefield since 2014. We wish him the best of luck in his new position as the 33rd President and Director of the Work at St. Joseph’s Preparatory School in Philadelphia, PA.

CLASS NOTES

Tom Durkin ’77 Retires as Principal of The John Carroll School

Cole Boozer ’13 Signs with Montreal Alouettes

Serving as Principal since 2017, Tom Durkin ’77 leaves behind a 36-year legacy of service to Catholic schools. A teacher at Blakefield from 1990 until 2012, he is the most appreciative of the fantastic faculty, staff, and most importantly, students, who he says blessed him every day with humor, insight, and talent.

Cole Boozer ’13 recently signed with the Montreal Alouettes of the Canadian Football League this June after playing in The Spring League (TSL) for the past several months.

James MeCeney ’98 Appointed winemaker James was recently appointed winemaker at Lewis Cellars in Napa, California, bringing over 15 years of winemaking experience to Lewis Cellars where he has served as assistant winemaker for the past two years.

New Graduation Award Named in Honor of Ken Montague ’60

JOE OERTEL ‘88 HELPS RESCUE CHILD IN ROUTE 90 BRIDGE INCIDENT

Frank Knott ’64 Recently Interviewed for CityBiz Works CEO Interviews

A new graduation award has been named in honor of Ken Montague ‘60. It will be awarded for the first time at the 2021 commencement ceremony in June and will be part of the annual awards presented to graduating seniors.

Joe Oertel ’88 and his family were in a pontoon boat on the scene of an accident on Maryland Route 90 bridge in Ocean City to rescue both a 2-year-old girl who was ejected from a car and the man who jumped off the bridge to rescue her.

Frank Knott ‘64 was recently interviewed by Bill Atkinson for CityBiz Works CEO Interviews series about his work as the Chairman and Founder of Baltimore-based Innovation Works.

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IN MEMORIAM ALUMNI

John Minadakis ’01 Leads Efforts to Support Local Restaurants In true Men For Others fashion, Loyola Blakefield alumnus and owner of Jimmy’s Famous Seafood John Minadakis ‘01 is leading the effort to support struggling Baltimore City restaurants through his new Famous Fund, which has raised nearly $500,000 since its inception.

Joseph A. Knell Jr., M.D. ’41 Joseph A. Eagers Jr. ’43 Richard N. DeVilbiss ’44 James O’C. Gentry ’44 Rev. John L. Kelly ’46 E. Hanlon Murphy ’46 Edward H. Miller ’47 Dr. Kenneth T. Wright Jr. ’51 J. Conrad Buedel ’52 Robert L. Strauch ’54 William S. Hartman ’55 John C. Jeppi Sr. ’55 Charles W. Holewinski ’56 William J. Baird Jr. ’57 Stephen A. Pretl ’57 Gerhard F. Luebehusen ’60 David C. Cooke ’63 William F. Howard III ’63 Ronald W. Folberth ’64 John M. Roth Jr. ’64 Lewis A. Hess Jr. ’65 Allen T. Cook ’73 William F. Dawson III ’73 Philip D. Kirby Jr. ’74 Phillip W. Birch Jr. ’77 Eugene N. Kakalec Jr. ’77 Kevin T. Echols ’83 Mark M. Gaunt ’84

PAST PARENTS

Dylan Hosford ’04 Named Head Varsity Tennis Coach Mr. Dylan Hosford ’04 has been tabbed to take over as the head coach of our tennis program next year. Dylan served under Coach Kraft as the Assistant Varsity Tennis Coach during his first year as a math teacher at Loyola—he also played for Mr. Kraft during his time here as a student.

Mary Kathryn Alderman Jane F. Barrett Thomas C. Brennan Sr. Eugenia H. McKim Adetunji O. Oyenusi Clara M. Riggle William A. Romberger Jr. Agnes Szczepaniak

FRIENDS

John F. Adams Susan A. Chiapetta Mary L. Cromwell Christine C. Hennessey Mary L. Myers Scott R. Pilarz Francis X. Winters

Summer 2021

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