Fall 2016
In this issue: • New Buddy Program • Blakefield Goes 3D • Middle School Coding
Message from the President Dear Friends, At Blakefield, this is the time of year we begin to ponder just how fast the weeks are passing. No sooner do we polish off the Thanksgiving leftovers, then turn to see the sights and sounds of the Christmas season. In the retail world, this transition starts even sooner. For some, the sounds of carols blasting through the car speakers and the glow of blinking lights strung out across porches always comes a bit too soon. So, how are we to respond to the annual rising of the Christmas chaos tide? Consider the basic definition of Advent, which marks the start of the Church’s calendar and allows us to prepare for the celebration of Christ’s birth. Advent is defined as the arrival of a notable person, thing or event. We use the term to mark historical significance, such as the advent of television or the advent of human flight. But advent —our Advent is so much more spectacular. It marks the birth of our savior, but also invites him back into our lives. Why not be jubilant and rush toward such an anticipated event? Can the constant carols, the blinking lights and the many other reminders come too soon? Absolutely, but the anticipation we feel to bring Christ into our hearts is something we should all embrace. The build-up around the Christmas season reminds me of a quote from Deepak Chopra, M.D., “Every great change is preceded by chaos.” Together, let’s embrace the chaos and continue to open our hearts to the Holy Spirit, and to one another. I wish you and your family many blessings in the New Year.
Sincerely,
Anthony I. Day P ’15, ‘19 President
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“Together, let’s embrace the chaos and continue to open our hearts to the Holy Spirit, and to one another.”
Fall 2016
NEW BUDDY PROGRAM
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Why I
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Give
WHY I GIVE
KORAS FAMILY TURKEY BOWL REFLECTION
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Contents
BLAKEFIELD GOES 3D
Campus News 4 Alumni Events
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Buddy Program 8 Why I Give
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Koras Family Turkey Bowl Reflection 12
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Blakefield Goes 3D
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Middle School Coding
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Class Notes
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In Memoriam
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Staff
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Editor Michael J. Nitti Marketing Coordinator Photography Michael J. Nitti James Berglie Jerry Dzierwinski Design Inkwell Communications, LTD
MIDDLE SCHOOL CODING
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CAMPUS NEWS STUDENTS ATTEND IGNATIAN FAMILY TEACH-IN FOR JUSTICE
MASS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT KICKS OFF ANOTHER SCHOOL YEAR
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everal Dons attended the annual Ignatian Family Teach-In for Justice from November 12–14 in Washington, D.C., sponsored by the Ignatian Solidarity Network. Loyola students came together with other Jesuit schools and organizations from around the world in the context of social justice and solidarity to learn, reflect, pray, network, and advocate together. They also had the opportunity to meet with Senator Ben Cardin and encourage him to continue his work in fighting for comprehensive and humane immigration reform.
BLAKEFIELD COMMUNITY CELEBRATES SECOND ANNUAL SALUTE TO SERVICE
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n Saturday, November 5, the Blakefield community celebrated its Second Annual Salute to Service and Senior Day during the final home varsity football game of the season on Hargaden Field—the Dons defeated Edmondson-Westside High School 48–32. During halftime, members of the Loyola Patriots Club recognized and thanked all veterans in attendance and awarded the Patriots Medal to Loyola veterans Gregory Smith ’93 and the late Edward Haviland ‘44 for their exemplary service and to Tyler Steinhardt for his outstanding support of U.S. troops through his organization, Shootout for Soldiers.
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n the morning of September 14, the Loyola Blakefield community gathered in the Hollow to celebrate the annual Mass of the Holy Spirit to bless the start of another school year and to honor Dan McNeal ’90, who died tragically in the World Trade Center Towers on the morning of September 11, 2001. Fr. Joseph Michini, Fr. Bruce Steggert, and Deacon Jack Ames opened the ceremony with a beautiful Mass, followed by an opening address from President Anthony Day, and one of Dan McNeal’s classmates, Sean Cohen ‘90, gave students, teachers, and everyone else present a deeper look inside just who Dan was as a person, friend, and man for others. At the end of the ceremony, senior A.J. Carver was named the recipient of the 15th Annual Daniel W. McNeal Scholarship Award.
CLASS OF 2020 GROWS CLOSER AT IGNITE! RETREAT
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he Class of 2020 spent November 5 & 6 on campus for the annual overnight freshman retreat, where they bonded through games, reflection, and group activities. At the culmination of the retreat, the freshmen offered their symbolic weapons to the image of the Black Madonna of Montserrat, just as St. Ignatius did, to dedicate themselves as men for others.
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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.
CYBER SCIENCE PROGRAM RECOGNIZED AT CYBERMARYLAND 2016
Fall 2016
LOYOLA HOSTS RAVENS RISE HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL SHOWDOWN
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s part of National Cyber Security Awareness Month, the 6th Annual CyberMaryland Conference took place in Baltimore, and some of our cyber students attended the opening ceremony on October 20. Director of Cyber Science Mr. Steve Morrill and Andrew Stehman ‘18 were invited to provide an overview of Loyola’s program and how it’s paving the way for cyber education across the country. Andrew also had the opportunity to introduce the keynote speaker Admiral Michael S. Rogers, Director of the National Security Agency. The entire event aired live on C-SPAN.
THREE STUDENTS NAMED NATIONAL MERIT SEMIFINALISTS
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n September 14, seniors Andrew Barker, Paul Kinkopf, and Jacob McErlean were named semifinalists in the National Merit® Scholarship Program, sponsored by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC). Approximately 16,000 semifinalists were selected from a pool of about 1.6 million juniors in more than 22,000 high schools for the 62nd Annual National Merit Scholarship Program. These academically talented high school seniors have an opportunity to continue in the competition for some 7,500 National Merit Scholarships worth about $33 million that will be offered next spring.
DONS FALL TO CARDINALS IN 97TH TURKEY BOWL
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alvert Hall defeated the Dons 40–21 during the 97th Annual Turkey Bowl at M&T Bank Stadium on Thanksgiving morning. Loyola still leads the all-time series, 49-40-8.
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fter a week of competitive voting by several school communities, the Ravens RISE High School Football Showdown came to Hargaden Field as the Dons hosted Archbishop Spalding on September 30. Although the outcome of the game wasn’t in the Dons’ favor (63–24, Spalding), Loyola was honored to be able to host such an event, which included a visit from the Ravens mascot and cheerleaders, Hargaden Field outfitted in Ravens banners and flags, and a $1,000 donation to the school’s athletics department. Thanks again to the Baltimore Ravens and The Baltimore Sun for providing this opportunity, and thanks to the dedicated Loyola community for voting to make it happen.
LOYOLA COMMUNITY HOLDS THANKSGIVING PRAYER SERVICE
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n November 22, the school community celebrated its annual Thanksgiving Prayer Service with presentations from several members of the Loyola community, who spoke to the theme of gratitude for faith, discussing ways to promote social justice and the overall betterment of the world. The community was joined by guests Van Brooks ’06, founder of Safe Alternative Foundations for Education, Inc., and Ryan Casey, pastor at Horizon Church of Towson and a representative of Araminta Freedom Initiative, Inc., who presented on how his faith motivated him to get involved with an organization working to end human trafficking.
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Alumni Events @ Blakefield CLASS OF 1956 – 60TH REUNION
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hanks to the tireless efforts of ’56 Dons Hugh Coyle, Paul Klein, and Harv Keene, the Class of 1956’s 60th reunion was a huge success. More than 60 alumni and spouses made their ways back to Blakefield on September 24 from as near as Towson and as far as South Florida. The evening began with Mass and was followed by cocktails and dinner. As an homage to their times in Wheeler Hall, those in attendance were subjected to a 70-question Blue Book exam covering material such as Latin declensions and a fillin-the-blank for Loyola’s fight song.
YOUNG ALUMNI FLAG FOOTBALL TOURNAMENT
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n November 23, Dons from the Classes of 2014, 2015, and 2016 made their way back to campus for the annual Young Alumni Flag Football Tournament. A recent addition to the Homecoming weekend, young alumni gathered in masses on Hargaden Field to compete in a friendly flag football tournament against former classmates. There were a total of eight teams this year, with each team guaranteed a total of three games. The road to the championship was long and difficult, but the Dons of 2014 were ultimately crowned champions.
2016 LOYOLA GOLF OPEN
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ore than 130 alumni, parents, and friends spent September 23 at Hillendale Country Club (head groundskeeper, Brad Novotny ’99) where they were joined by celebrity guests Orioles Hall of Famer Brady Anderson, Speaker of the Maryland House of Delegates Mike Busch, and Co-Owner of the Baltimore Orioles Lou Angelos. A great time was had by all! Thanks to lead sponsor Direct Mortgage Loans LLC (Mike Naylor ’00), and congratulations to the winning foursome headed by Drew Cook ’00.
D.C. ALUMNI RECEPTION
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n October 13, nearly 30 alumni joined President Anthony Day, John Stewart ‘60, and members of Blakefield’s development staff for cocktails and dinners at Hawthorne in Washington, D.C. Networking connections were made, the outrageous election cycle was discussed, and old Loyola memories were rehashed. Thanks to Vince Zito ’07 for helping to select such a great venue.
FALL ALUMNI SERVICE PROJECT
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early 20 alumni spent a cool October day in Freeland, MD, harvesting over 30,000 pounds of cabbage and potatoes from First Fruits Farm. The produce was delivered to various food pantries and shelters all across Maryland. Thanks to Mike Dorsch ‘84 for leading the trip this fall. 6
BOSTON ALUMNI RECEPTION
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he Dons in Boston continue to outdo themselves year after year. This year’s reception, held at the Carrie Nation Cocktail Club on October 27, was very well attended, but included some “Lost Dons” who had not been to a Loyola event in decades. Additionally, everyone in attendance made a financial pledge to Loyola for the 2016–17 fiscal year. Thanks, Boston Dons!
2016 HOMECOMING BULL & OYSTER ROAST
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n the eve of the 97th Annual Turkey Bowl, hundreds of Dons returned to campus for the annual Homecoming Bull & Oyster Roast. It a was another memorable night full of great food, drinks, and games. New this year was the Golf Simulator used for the Closest-to-the-Pin contest. Contestants were greeted by local Master Professional Joe Plecker ’90 for a chance to win. The Cigar and Spirits tent also turned out to be a major hit. Guests who ventured to the tent had the chance to purchase a glass spirit from fellow alumni volunteers, in addition to purchasing a specialty cigar from Fader’s Tobacco. The Loyola Blakefield Alumni Association and Office of Development would like to thank all who attended this year’s Bull & Oyster Roast and look forward to seeing everyone next year.
Homecoming
Homecoming
Young Alumni Flag Football
Class of 1956
Homecoming
Golf Open
D.C. Alumni Reception
Golf Open
Boston Alumni Reception
Upcoming Events Alumni Association Board Meeting
January 11, 2017
Miami Alumni Reception
January 12, 2017
A Taste of Blakefield
February 4, 2017
Alumni Association Board Meeting
March 8, 2017
Kelley Medal Breakfast
March 15, 2017
Blakefest & Reunion Weekend
April 28–29, 2017
Visit www.loyolablakefield.org/events to stay up-to-date on all Alumni Events.
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BUDDY PROGRAM BRINGS LOYOLA & BALTIMORE CITY STUDENTS
TOGETHER Ever since creating Safe Alternative Foundation for Education, Inc., Van Brooks ’06 has searched for ways to better connect his organization with his alma mater. After opening the SAFE Center in West Baltimore last October, he had the idea to create an afterschool exchange program for both his students and Loyola students. Brooks approached President Anthony Day with the idea last fall, and the Buddy Program was born.
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oon after meeting with President Day, Brooks received a call from Melissa Leonard, P ’19, ’23, and Ellen Galvez, P ’19, to collaborate on this new program. “A few parents, including myself, wanted to give students at Loyola a chance to do something more than just an annual service trip,” said Leonard. “I heard about what Van was trying to do and figured it would be a great opportunity.” The first trip took place last winter as Leonard and Galvez accompanied six freshmen down to the SAFE Center. The SAFE Center is a place where Baltimore City students, specifically those who attend Franklin Square Middle/High School, can come directly after school to have a snack, do homework, and take part in other organized activities developed by Brooks himself and through community outreach. The center, created in response to a lack of such spaces for youth in the neighborhood, hosts programming in three key areas—physical fitness, literacy, and S.T.E.A.M (science, technology, engineering, art, and math). Admission is entirely free, and there are 10 students currently enrolled in the program with enough room for up to 12 students total. “Van is teaching these kids
“I want them to see that schools like Loyola exist, and if they work hard enough, they’ll be able to go there. It’s achievable.” — Van Brooks ’06 everything that Loyola taught him, like how to stand when someone enters the room and how to address someone new for the first time,” said Leonard. “The students have really grown to love and respect him, so much so that they call him Coach Van.” Students took part in several activities on that first trip, including coding and using 3D printers. “One SAFE student even printed out a full-working paper piano,” said Leonard. Loyola students also received a tour of Franklin Square Middle/High School. “The Loyola boys were just in shock to see something so vastly different from Loyola. I remember we went to see their outdoor reading center and the students told us that they used to have logs to sit on and read, but they rotted and got infested with termites.” Galvez and Leonard called around and managed to find new logs for the school. Later that month, SAFE students visited Blakefield’s campus and attended the annual Student Art Exhibition. “After those two trips, we decided just to stick with middle school students, because that’s the age of students I have here,” said Brooks. Starting this year, the group meets for an hour and a half during the second and fourth Tuesday of each month, once on Loyola Blakefield’s campus and once at the SAFE Center. “It took some time for the kids to feel each other out, but once you take race and socioeconomic class out of it, they’re just kids and they do what kids do,” said Brooks.
So far this school year, the SAFE students hosted Loyola students for a Halloween paint party and played kickball with the Baltimore City Fire Department, while Loyola students hosted a dinner on campus with help from the Culinary Club and a trip to the Loyola Robotics Lab in Xavier Hall. For Brooks, the ultimate goal of the program is to expose his students to places like Loyola. “I want them to see that schools like Loyola exist, and if they work hard enough, they’ll be able to go there. It’s achievable.” Several students from the SAFE Center program have already shadowed at Loyola, and one student who was enrolled in the program last year is now attending a private school. Brooks also wants students from Loyola to see that West Baltimore is not all just drugs and violence that’s portrayed by the news. “It’s about breaking down stereotypes,” said Brooks. “It’s about them coming to a place they wouldn’t normally think twice about coming to and seeing that it’s not necessarily like they see on television. It’s not all bad.” The next step for the program, according to Brooks, is to get more students involved, and to start having serious discussions about social justice issues like racism and sexism. “We want these students to be able to openly discuss these topics, which can be hard to talk about, in a safe and nurturing environment. It’s all about raising awareness on how to identify these issues and how to prevent them from happening in the future.” 9
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Why I
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In the previous Blakefield Magazine, we highlighted several alumni donors who have made gifts to Loyola for a consecutive number of years. This time, we caught up with members of the Loyola faculty who, on top of caring for and educating our Dons each day, have chosen to give back to the school. Last year alone, 78% of our faculty and staff made a gift to Loyola. Hear from several of our teachers below as they explain why they give back.
Lloyd George, S.J.
“As a student at St Joe’s Prep, not only did I receive an excellent academic education, but my vocation was nurtured there. Here at Blakefield, I find the same environment that was so formative for me. Faculty here see their jobs not so much as a source of income but as a vocation to open up the Kingdom of God to their students. Students indeed win many academic awards and athletic championships. They experience men and women of compassion in literature and visit senior citizens at Blakehurst. They learn about the need for social justice in the classroom and serve lunch to the poor and homeless at Our Daily Bread. Many alumni continue their service to others even today. Over the entrance to Burk Hall is the Latin phrase, Laus Deo Semper, Give praise to God always. This is what we do at Blakefield. This is why I support Blakefield.” Currently in his 46th year at Loyola, Fr. Lloyd George has taught English and Latin, served as the Chair of the English and classical languages departments, and moderated the Mothers’ Club, the student newspaper, and the student government.
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Sylvie Nkere “How could I not give back to Loyola? I have the joy and privilege of not only being a Loyola faculty member, but also a Loyola mom, as well as a graduate of a Jesuit high school in the Congo. I am a witness to how, after hundreds of years, the spirit of St. Ignatius is lived and transmitted to the next generation—even those who are thousands of miles apart—with the same dedication, the same care, and the same academic excellence. I see how it continues to produce men for others, and I know how much our city, our country, and our world needs it. The least I can do is give back to make sure the spirit of St. Ignatius is lived and passed on faithfully.” Sylvie Nkere joined the faculty at Loyola Blakefield in 2011 and has taught French and mathematics. She received her B.S. in Economics from the Universite de Kinshasa in the Congo and an M.S. in Mathematics from Johns Hopkins University. She served as the moderator for the French Club and has chaperoned several trips including this year’s summer service trip to Jamaica. She has three sons who currently attend Loyola—Aganze ‘18, Irenge ‘22, and Biamungu ‘23.
Vincent Fitzpatrick, Ph.D. ‘68 “Generations of the Fitzpatrick family have benefitted greatly from the Loyola experience. My father graduated in 1938, I graduated in 1968, my brother, Larry, graduated in 1974, and my son, Mike, graduated in 2010. In addition, there have been numerous uncles, nephews, and cousins who have had the good fortune to experience this education. I had teachers at Loyola Blakefield who had a powerful influence upon me, who literally gave direction to my life. Were it not for these people, I might well be in a different place today. The intellectual journey that started here led to the writing life. I had one very forceful coach who spoke repeatedly of a mental toughness, and the resilience that I learned from him helped me to persevere later through many challenges. I give back to Loyola primarily because I want to give something back to the school that gave me so much spiritually, academically, and athletically. I want to help today’s students share in Loyola’s rich tradition, of which I am blessed to be a part.” Vince Fitzpatrick received his B.A. in English from the University of Virginia and his M.A. and Ph.D. in English from the State University of New York at Stony Brook. He returned to Loyola Blakefield in 1979. During these many years, he has taught English and coached lacrosse.
Christopher Caldwell “Growing up in Salisbury, Maryland, I unfortunately never had the opportunity to attend Loyola Blakefield. Knowing that my grandfather, father, and numerous uncles and cousins made the procession through the Hollow during graduation always left me a bit envious of their experiences. After graduating from college and teaching at St. Xavier, an all-boys Jesuit high school in Cincinnati, I had dreams of moving to Baltimore and teaching in the same classrooms where so many of my family members attended classes. Since arriving at Loyola Blakefield six years ago, I have been continuously impressed by the level of care and kindness that permeates this campus through the words and actions of teachers and students alike. I am proud to support the Jesuit mission of Loyola Blakefield that creates young men ready for the challenges that await them, while continuously challenging them to open their minds and hearts to the needs and struggles of those around them. I am hoping one day, if I am fortunate enough to have a son, that I can spoil him with the environment that so many of my students experience here.” Chris Caldwell teaches several history courses at Loyola including AP U.S. History, AP U.S. Government, and Politics, and Rise and Fall of the Roman Empire. He also serves as the head coach for freshman soccer and assistant coach for varsity golf. On top of that, he serves as the program director for Loyola’s Independent Studies Program.
Make your gift today at www.loyolablakefield.org/give 11
THE TURKEY BOWL IS A
KORAS FAMILY AFFAIR T
he tradition of the Turkey Bowl is a big deal for any Loyola family, but for the Koras family, it is an all-in occasion—literally. The legacy started with Bill Koras ’89 and brotherin-law Pat Pokorny ’88 who each played in three Turkey Bowls while attending Loyola Blakefield in the late eighties. “Loyola went undefeated in the Turkey Bowl while we were on the varsity squad together,” said Bill. That undefeated streak included back-to-back wins in 1987 and 1988. The duo became good friends while playing together at Loyola, both at the guard and linebacker positions. They were also together on special teams as Bill long snapped the ball to Pat who was a shoeless punter. “We played the system so we never had to hit the blocking sled during practice,” joked Bill. The two grew so close that Bill even ended up marrying Pat’s sister. Now the Koras family carries on its legacy with Bill’s sons, Charlie ‘21, Jack ’20, and Will ’18, who all played a part in this year’s Turkey Bowl. Will served
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Will Koras ’18
“We’ve been coming to Loyola football and lacrosse games forever, and blue and gold runs in our blood.” as the starting quarterback for the past two season for the Dons and was also the punter this year, while Jack was promoted from the JV squad towards the end of this season to play safety and backup his brother at quarterback. Charlie, who plays on the middle school football team, served as the varsity team’s water boy. “Pat and I just don’t understand how we both played guard and linebacker, and these three guys play the skill positions,” said Bill. “I always ask Coach Joe Brune what happened. He never gave us a shot.” The positions might be different, but the thoughts about the Turkey Bowl are the same. “Playing in the Turkey Bowl, you’re representing all of Loyola, and it’s one of the most important things you’re going to do on Thanksgiving other than being with your family,” said Will. “It’s just a really special feeling to play in that game.” Pat returned to Baltimore last year to attend his first Turkey Bowl in 20 years to watch his nephew start at quarterback. “Playing in the game is something special. You are part of something bigger than yourself, and it’s something you remember forever,” said Pat. “Sitting in the stands and watching it is a whole different perspective though. It’s a little bit different than when Billy and I were on the offensive line. No one realized when we made a mistake.” Another difference between then and now is the venue. “We played in Memorial Stadium, nothing like what the Ravens have now, but it was still special getting the chance to play in an NFL stadium,” said Bill. When Pat returned last year, he and Bill attended the annual Homecoming Bull & Oyster Roast on campus. “It was great having Pat back last year,” said Bill. “We went to the Bull Roast and were able to relive the glory days with some of our teammates. We’re also still friends with a lot of the guys from Calvert Hall, so it’s kind of like one big family.”
Team photo with Pat Pokorny #78 and Bill Koras #67 For the Koras boys, attending Loyola was always in the cards. “It was pretty much a no-brainer all along,” said Will. “We’ve been coming to Loyola football and lacrosse games forever, and blue and gold runs in our blood.” Over the years, Bill took his three sons to many Turkey Bowls, hoping one day they would get to experience the game the same way he did. Pat wasn’t as fortunate. “I love the fact that they’re all in the program, considering I come from a family with four girls, so having three boys in one family is pretty sweet,” said Pat. Aside from football, the Koras boys also sing in the Loyola Blakefield Chorus. “They’re not very good, but they needed something else to do,” joked Bill. Will is also a student ambassador and plays golf in the spring, while Jack plays lacrosse, and Charlie plays basketball and lacrosse. When they are not playing in their own games, they are supporting each other. “I would try to sneak out of the weight room every once in a while to catch Jack play in his JV games,” said Will. During the 97th Annual Turkey Bowl this Thanksgiving, Will finished with 188 yards passing, two passing touchdowns, and one rushing score in the 40–21 loss to the Cardinals. Although the outcome was not quite what they wanted, the Koras family believes the Turkey Bowl will continue to be a family affair for many years to come.
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BLAKEFIELD GOES
The addition of a 3D printer on campus this year has opened up another door of opportunities for students, as Loyola continues to fulfill its promise of leading the way in 21st century learning.
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he implementation of this technology at Loyola has been in the works for over a year, but finally got the go-ahead thanks to the combined effort of the science, computer science, and technology departments. “A lot of research and discussion went into the decision,” said Science Department Chair Ryan Bromwell ’91. “Some might suggest that Loyola has come late to the game with this technology, but one of the hallmarks of an Ignatian education is our careful reflection about the instructive tools that we use. This is especially true of the use of technology in the classroom whether it is a 3D printer, an electrode, or a laptop.”
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Several Loyola faculty members interviewed teachers at other schools who have implemented 3D printers, as well as various vendors and manufacturers. They wanted a printer that was reliable, easy to operate for students, versatile in the types of materials that could be used, and capable of completing a variety of builds. “We had to ask ourselves, ‘What is different about a lesson that incorporates 3D printing? What do I want students to learn? What does instruction with 3D printers look like? Can we support teachers and students in those types of lessons at Loyola?’ Taking the time to answer those questions was essential and I think we were able to implement
“I think in a few years our guys are really going to take off with this. The possibilities are endless.” — Matthew Hnatiuk ’10, Engineering Teacher
the printer in a very effective and efficient way,” said Bromwell. Another reason for the wait, according to engineering teacher Matthew Hnatiuk ‘10, was due to the amount of CAD (Computer-Aided Design) software that has been developed for 3D printers. “When the printers first hit the market, the amount of software was very limited and not as userfriendly. We would have had to put in a whole new class just on how to use the software, and students wouldn’t be able to print until midway through the year.” Now there is software out there that is much easier to use, so the printer can be used as a segment of an engineering course, rather than a full-year 3D printing course. Students are using the free and easy-to-use CAD software suite, Autodesk 123D. With its basic drawing and modeling capabilities and a library of ready-made objects, students can scale, move, and connect shapes in a virtual workspace, or build something in a more sophisticated way by drafting 2D elements and making them three dimensional using mathematical formulas. Lastly, students can export their designs directly from the software to the 3D printer. Engineering students have been the first to take advantage of this technology at Loyola. For their first project, which introduced them to the printer and software, students created a tippe top. “It was a nice introduction because there really are only two elements, the sphere and the stem, which are easy to produce,” said Hnatiuk. Students have also designed earbud holders and will soon produce stands for their cellphones.
Outside of his engineering courses, Hnatiuk has put printer to good use, creating DNA molecules and frog skeletons for biology classes. “These types of DNA molecules usually cost us upwards of fourhundred dollars, but with the material we used it only costed about eighty dollars to make one whole model, and it only takes about twenty-four hours to print one.” These are fully functional DNA molecules that can be taken apart and put together piece by piece, and according to biology teacher Bruce Steggert, SJ, these models are very accurate. Hnatiuk is most excited about mixing this technology with his students’ creativity. “I think in a few years our guys are really going to take off with this. The possibilities are endless.” Hnatiuk has encouraged his engineering students to go above and beyond what they are doing in class. Some students have already downloaded the software on their personal computers so they can practice with it more. “I’ve told them that if they have something they want to print, just bring it to me and we’ll make it happen.” According to Bromwell, two more printers are on the way by the end of the year and they are investigating a fourth purchase of a different model that has a double extruder, which allows two materials to be printed at once. “As we continue our own integration of this technology into our curricula, it will become a tool that is used in a variety of courses from freshman computer science to senior electives in engineering, physics, forensic science, architecture, and art. This capability has the potential to shift our thinking about what learning looks like in a classroom, what our outcomes and motivation should be, and how technology supports our creativity as teachers and students alike.”
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When you walk into the basement computer lab of Sheridan Hall, sounds of learning fill the air as middle school students pound away at keyboards and lean over shoulders to ask about each other’s newest creations. Phrases like, “Watch what this can do.” and “Woah! How did you do that?” bounce off the walls with the constant flow of new ideas. It’s a scene of chaotic innovation, as young minds come together to solve some of the biggest problems they have yet to face in middle school, like how to navigate a pixelated character across a street full of flying pumpkins. Loyola’s middle school coding program open to 7th and 8th grade students has taken off since it was first introduced two years ago. It all started with computer science teacher Michelle Roberts, who has taught the course since its inception. “When I came here three years ago, I went to Computer Science Department Chair Trudy Sullivan and asked if we could add a programming class in the middle school because that’s my background, and it’s a twenty-first century skill that both our students and the world will need in the future, which has been predicted to see a shortage of coders.” Sullivan, who also hosts four computer programming and coding camps for elementary school and middle school students during Summer at Blakefield, was excited about the possibility of starting a coding class in the middle school. According to Sullivan, the attendance at her summer camps has grown exponentially over the past three summers since she started offering them, so she knew there was definitely an interest from the younger population. Also, there has been a rising
CLASSROOM SPOTLIGHT:
MIDDLE SCHOOL CODING 16
interest in both Loyola’s robotics and cyber security clubs, where coding students can come in handy with team competitions. While designing the course, Roberts decided a coding class for middle school boys would work best with a gaming atmosphere, providing students with logical thinking and problem-solving skills, while writing programs that are fun to play. The boys even perform peer reviews, providing positive feedback on how to improve each other’s games. Students also learn basic skills like writing and following directions. In November, students in Coding I created platformer-style games similar to Super Mario. With each game, students were responsible for creating in-game instructions so that their peers could easily understand how to play each game. According to Sullivan, writing efficient and effective directions is key to programming. “To begin the computer programming process, students must first learn to think computationally, which involves analyzing problems, breaking them down into a list of steps called an algorithm, identifying patterns, and then creatively coming up with solutions. In coding or programming classes, these solutions are put into a programing language that can be understood by a computer.” Computational thinking is a skill that can also be applied to many other subject areas including reading and math. What started out as one section of a coding class two years ago, has turned into two sections of Coding I and the addition of Coding II this year due to the tremendous feedback by both the boys and parents. “In Coding II, students begin to learn object-oriented programming, which is a coding language model organized around objects
rather than actions and data rather than logic,” said Roberts. “This prepares them for the computer science program in the upper school, as this is the same type of coding language used in Intro to Programming.” This year, Roberts has started using Gamestar Mechanic, a software that teaches Coding I students the elements of game design including all the mechanics and tools required to create games. They also use Kodu, which is a drag-and-drop coding program similar to Scratch, the free visual programming language founded by MIT. Students in Coding II work with GameMaker: Studio to learn how to write scripts, which host a game’s logic and configuration. For some Dons, these classes have really offered a new avenue of expression at Loyola. “I’ve always really liked working with computers, and I especially like coding because it’s a rising skill that’s going to be needed in the future,” said Henry Doud ’21, who is enrolled in Coding II. “I hope to have a career in computers or technology one day, and I’m sure I can definitely use this as a prerequisite for that.” According to Henry, one of the best parts about the class is the free time to explore new ideas. “If we finish a project early, we get to work on our own stuff, so I’ve just been playing around with bounce mechanics and reflecting objects off each other.” As for Roberts, she’s happy to be doing something she loves. “I’m thrilled that when I came to Loyola as a first-year teacher I was able to implement a new class so quickly, and the school embraced it and encouraged it to happen.” Looking to the future, she hopes to implement some type of app development course so students can develop games and applications for mobile devices.
“I’m thrilled that when I came to Loyola as a first-year teacher I was able to implement a new class so quickly, and the school embraced it and encouraged it to happen.” — Michelle Roberts, Computer Science Teacher 17
CLASS NOTES 1985
Dan Dullea ’73
Ned Martel ‘85 won an Emmy at the 68th Primetime Emmy Awards in September as a producer for The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story, which aired on FX earlier this year.
1973
Dan Dullea ‘73 was posthumously inducted into the Towson University Athletics Hall of Fame on October 21, 2016. Loyola classmates Mike Healey ‘75, David Hubbard ‘73, and Kurt Glaeser ‘73 were in attendance. Dullea was an outstanding quarterback and set numerous records (26 to be exact) at Towson University during the early years of their Division III football program. In 1975, Dan became Towson’s first All-American in football. He passed away last December.
18
Ned Martel ’85
1986
Matt Doud ‘86, Loyola trustee and president of Planit, opened a new coffee shop with Planit co-founder and lifelong friend Ed Callahan. The shop, Order&Chaos Coffee, is attached to their ad agency’s new office
along Key Highway in Federal Hill.
1988
Wesley Wood ‘88 was named Press Secretary for the Baltimore City Mayor’s Office in October.
1989
Peter Nee ‘89 was inducted into Stevenson University’s Hall of Fame on October 22 for his lacrosse career. Despite only playing for two seasons, his 85 goals and 38 assists (123 total points), ranked him just outside of the top 10 in career goals and points. Loyola classmates Mark Dibiagio ‘89, Joe Doherty ‘88, John Busse ‘89, Chris Soper ‘89, Allen Watts ‘89, and Dave Schiminger ‘89 were in attendance.
1990
Joe Plecker ‘90 earned Master Professional sta-
Fall 2016 tus from the Professional Golfers’ Association of America this fall. He is currently the director of instruction at the Elkridge Club in Maryland.
1991
Ken Pipkin ’91 was named principal of St. Joseph, Fullerton, this fall. He earned a bachelor’s degree from Washington College in Chestertown and a teaching certification and master’s degree from Towson University. Before St. Joseph, Pipkin served as assistant principal at Woodlawn High School and Milford Mill Academy, both in Baltimore.
1993
Dennis Robinson, Jr. ‘93 was sworn in as Circuit Court Judge of Baltimore County this November. Dennis served as a partner at Whiteford, Taylor and Preston, LLP, since
2011, having served as an associate at the firm from 2006–11. Previously, he spent five years as a litigation associate at the Baltimore branch of Hogan & Hartson, LLP. Dennis holds a B.A. from Towson University. He received his J.D. from the University of Baltimore School of Law.
1998
Brant Hall ’98 stepped down as the head coach of Loyola Blakefield’s varsity football team at the conclusion of the 2016 season. In deciding to transition out of his role as head coach, Hall pointed to his desire to devote more time with his family as a key motivator. Appointed in February 2012 after serving as offensive coordinator for nine years, Hall has played an integral role in guiding the program, which has produced
Share your news with fellow Dons! loyolablakefield.org/classnotes several graduates playing at the collegiate level. He will continue at Loyola as Assistant Director of Athletics and play a key role in recruitment efforts, while assisting with the seamless transition of the program.
1999
Tim McGinnis ‘99 was inducted into the Gettysburg College Hall of Athletic Honor this September for his outstanding
down. After graduating from Blakefield, McGinnis led Gettysburg to backto-back appearances in the Division III championship game in 2001 and 2002. He was named an All-American for three consecutive years and was named the Goalie of the Year in 2002. With a year of playing eligibility left, McGinnis graduated from Gettysburg and attended the University of Maryland, where he led the Terrapins to the Atlantic Coast Conference title and earned All-American status for a fourth time.
2002 Tim McGinnis ’99
play as lacrosse goalie. At six years old, McGinnis was diagnosed with LeggCalve-Perthes disease, a debilitating hip disease that left him in a wheelchair for three years, but he didn’t let that slow him
Chris Clunie ‘02 revisited Blakefield’s campus this fall to help the basketball program prepare for the season. Chris played basketball for Jerry Savage during his time at Loyola and was a 1,000-point scorer. He went on to play for Davidson College after
Chris Clunie ’02
receiving an academic scholarship, and during his senior year, he helped recruit Steph Curry, who came to Davidson the year after Chris graduated. Chris now works for the NBA on the business side in International Relations, helping spread the game of basketball around the world.
2007
Bill Truant ’07 married Jennifer Verdis on May 14, 2016.
2011
Mike Fafaul ‘11 finally received the starting quarterback job for UCLA halfway through his final season after walking on the team in 2012. He set
new school records in one of the most prolific passing performances in UCLA Football history on October 22 against Utah. Mike has made the Athletic Director’s Academic Honor Roll twice and is a political science major. Daniel Gunther ’11 received a B.S. in Economics from the University of Wyoming. He is currently managing logistics for Bright Agrotech a vertical hydroponics start-up company in Laramie, WY. He is also an AMG certified climbing instructor.
2012
Stephen Phillips ’12 was recently named the United States Naval Academy Brigade Commander, the highest position in the midshipman command structure, commanding more than 4,400 midshipmen. While holding this rank, the brigade
commander is expected to execute policies, ensure mutual respect for all midshipmen, maintain brigade efficiency, be sensitive towards general morale, and is accountable for brigade conduct, reporting deficiencies to the Commandant of Midshipmen, and recommending corrective action. He is also responsible for much of the brigade’s daily activities and training.
2014
Reid Burch ’14 was named captain of the Loyola University Men’s Tennis Team for the 2016–17 season. He is also a Presidential Scholar and has joined the Sellinger School of Business with a major in marketing. Burch made the Dean’s list in his freshman and sophomore years with a cumulative GPA of 3.6.
I N M EM O R I A M ALUMNI Joseph B. Smith, Sr. ‘39 William A. Schoeberlein, Jr. ‘41 John R. Holthaus ‘49 Richard J. Lauttman, D.D.S. ‘49 William K. Keenan ‘50 James M. Soellner ‘54 James R. Wetzel ‘54 Bruce B. Whitaker ‘63 Theodore J. Zabora, Jr. ‘65 James E. Comber, M.D. ‘72 Arthur A. Anderson, Jr. ‘88 Michael H. Bagley ‘11
PAST PARENTS John Bacon III John W. Bromwell Kathleen Brown John A. Butler
Thomas C. Cimonetti Nicholas Dimitriades Thomas P. Martin Micheleen M. McNeill John I. Paterakis, Sr. Ingrid I. Vordemberge
John Rigopoulos Mary Ann Welzant Bernadette Williams Jerome M. Williams Patricia S. Wolfe Victor L. Woods
FRIENDS
GRANDPARENTS
Daniel L. Ammer Donald W. Carroll Leslye L. Carson Bernard G. Filmyer, S.J. Winifred B. Flattery Florence Hall Christian M. Kahl Sheila S. Pakula Judith Pazourek Mildred R. Preston
Daniel Hall William J. Henderson W. Dale Hess Robert W. Langenberg John J. Shields, Sr.
PARENTS Michael Collins
19
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